Category Archives: General

Pride in being Filipino – What does it mean?

A week ago the Philippine Reporter celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala event. Several Filipino organizations shared the joyous occasion. The Hon. Mayor of Toronto, David Miller was the main speaker. He underscored the contributions of the paper to the culture growth of one of the most multi cultural cities in the world – Toronto There was… Read More »

The Key to Tolerance

Several days ago I attended a presentation in my parish church on the “Jewish Roots of Christianity”. This occasion was a part of the Lenten Reflections. The presenter was Sr. Lucy Thoron from the Interfaith Desk of the Scarboro Missions. I am very glad I attended this gathering. To me the presentation went beyond the religious values and… Read More »

Filipinos in these hard times

I was at Food Basics the other day and they had some fresh carrot muffins for $1.99 in a package of six. I bought a package and when I reached home, I brewed a cup of coffee and enjoyed one of the muffins with the hot beverage. My sister and I had the muffins for two breakfasts and… Read More »

Ola – la ! Oh! Bama! God Bless America!

Eskeremengoles! Saming last Kalabit, Me mga nag – email nabating pabalik! Good wishes sa staff, sana raw lumawig Buhay ng BALITA, sey nung avid readers. * * * Alahoy! Alahoy! Tuwing Kung Hei Fat Choi ! Noon sa Echague nabaha ng Tikoy! Ewan ko, ewan nyo? Ganun pa ba ngayon? Happy New Year to all! Sating madlang Tsinoy!… Read More »

Languages and Dialects in the Philippines

One advantage Filipino immigrants to North America have is that almost all of them can speak in English. Actually Filipino immigrants in the 60’s and 70’s were educated from elementary to university in English. In 1946 when the Philippines got full independence from the United States, the medium of instruction in the elementary schools gradually was changed to… Read More »

Where is Home?

I was listening last Saturday to the homily at the 5:00 pm mass. The priest was reminding the congregation that it was the end of the Christmas season and the celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ. which should make us recall our own baptism. I have a great respect and admiration for this particular homilist who can… Read More »

Ngayong Bagong Taon, Happy New Year to all!

Holy Kalungkaling! From Vatican City, Si Papa Benedict, kaniyang mensahe: “Greed will destroy the world” hindi imposible. Sa paligid – ligid nakikita ire! * * * Alahoy! Butchukoy! Ngayong bagong taon! Apul Dyus! As usual, mga resulusyon! Babaguhin na raw, yung ganire! Yung ganon! Parang sirang plaka! Ang singhal ni Tembong! * * * Doon po sa atin,… Read More »

Jose Rizal and the Immigrant experience

This article is in commemoration of the 112th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Philippine National hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, observed December 30, 2008. While certain groups paused and recalled the event on this date many Filipinos especially those who were born outside the Philippines do not see the relevance of the contributions of this great man to… Read More »

The Hero in all of us

Two weeks ago, CNN, an American Channel, presented a program honoring heroes of America. When we think of heroes, what often come to our minds are the men and women with distinguished courage who fought in battlefields and often gave their lives in the cause of freedom . Before the program actually started, I was thinking of the… Read More »

Maligayang Pasko Ang bati sa inyo!

Alahoy ! Alahoy ! Maligayang Pasko ! Tropa ng Kalabit, bumabati sa inyo ! Ang Diwa ng Pasko kung isasaulo: Tahimik ang mundo, masaya ang tao. * * * Manny ! Money ! Manny ! Pinacquio na lahat ! Ken Le – on ! Ken Tigre ! Pati si Goliath ! Pacquiao ! Walang tinge ! Kabig !… Read More »