June 12 is a date significant to Filipinos. It does not matter whether they are in their native land or in another part of this planet, June 12 is a date wherein Filipinos congregate and raise their national flag, June 12 is Philippine Independence Day. In Markham, Ontario, the town council declared a Philippine Independence Week, starting… Read More »
Alahoy! Halahoy! Sa prexy at bise! Yuh! Congrats! Mabuhay! Wow! Sa inyo, Noy – B! Bayan e nagbunyi! Hangad natin kase Iring pagbabago e siyang mangyari! * * * Sa bagong president, umaasa ngayon — Buhay nating Pinoy! Aangat! Aahon! Kahit di silipin sa inyong Kristal bol! Bagong Pilipinas! yoNyoN! Si PNoy! * * * Tamaaa! … Read More »
By Rudy M. Viernes The seventh Sunday after Easter is Pentecost Sunday. This year it will be on May 23 and the Sunday after is May 30, the Feast of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is not a specially celebrated Church event. Not many Catholics, even those renewed, know much about Pentecost and its religious significance. The… Read More »
By Rudy M. Viernes THE PHILIPPINE FESTIVALS By Rudy M. Viernes The first day of May in the Philippines ushers in the start of a month of festivals, merrymakings, processions, Santacruzan, Flores de Mayo, flowers and the Virgin Mary. May is a festive month which implies feasting or celebration. In most little towns and villages… Read More »
I find that each day there is something new to learn. We keep some views that we hold for a long time; and then all of a sudden we get shocked when something happen and finds that the view we hold is wrong. For a long time, I had the perception that racism and discrimination are directed… Read More »
Noong maliit pa ako, malimit kong marinig sa mga matatanda na hangga’t hindi raw nagkaka-anak ang isang tao, hindi siya makababayad nang utang na loob sa kanilang ina, dahil sa pagkakaroon lamang ng sariling anak nila lubusang mararanasan ang lahat ng hirap na tiniis ng kanilang ina mapalaki lamang sila. Malaki na ko ngayon. Hindi lamang malaki… Read More »
A Filipino caregiver who had worked several years in Canada suddenly discovered that she had cancer. Her physician told her that she would have about six months to live. She decided that she would go home to die in the Philippines. “Ayokong mamatay dito. Gusto kong mamatay sa sariling bayan, sa piling ng aking mga kapatid at iba… Read More »
I was passing by a small flower shop inside the Finch Subway when my attention was caught by a row of sampagita plants in pots. The label was jasmine, but I know it was the Philippine sampagita with its small white sweet-scented blossoms. I know many of us grow them indoors during the cold weather and put them… Read More »
Holy Week had just passed and once again, the Philippines was featured on television. Scenes from some areas were shown wherein men, the upper parts of their bodies naked, walked along the dusty roads, flagellating themselves on Good Friday. The “Penitensya” has become a tourist attraction that draws crowds from distant places, some of whom are foreigners to… Read More »
OUR HEROES By Rudy M.Viernes The Philippine government cannot provide employment opportunities to its teeming employable citizens, sad to say. So, many Filipinos go abroad where employment abounds. Thus the template OFW was coined for Overseas Filipino Worker (which used to be OCW for Overseas Contract Worker) and has become commonplace, a phenomenon nevertheless, and its here… Read More »