For some people, Lammas Day is a day of celebration. In the olden days, it is traditionally, observed on August 1, which marked the beginning of the harvest. Specifically, it celebrated the harvest of the first wheat crop, or of corn. It derives from the ancient English festival the Gule of August. On this day, the first fruits… Read More »
Many studies and reports have shown that the prevalence of women being abused by men is higher than men being abused by women. Abuse and domestic violence among women can be stopped if men also stopped hurting women, whether that would be physically or emotionally. But why do men abuse women? It is not genetics, as far as… Read More »
Traveling alone is not new to me, even in my younger years. (Huwag na ninyong itanong how long ago!). Somehow, especially in the Philippines, or in Asia for that matter, people would look at me askance, sometimes with downright incredulous eyes. This happens almost always when they find out I am on a trip by myself. This time,… Read More »
Summertime and the living is easy, says the song. School is out, and fun is in – sums up summer. Every break in our routine existence is always a welcome break – be it just a long weekend. Christmas, Spring and most especially the long Summer break is something we all look forward to. To prod us along,… Read More »
We can describe them as a “one-stop shop” where one finds everything he needs. Aside from regular restaurants, where there is dining in and takeout stuff, there is a section for grocery items—mostly goods from the Philippines. That’s good because these Filipino goods are seldom found in some groceries in Toronto. There is also a way to send… Read More »
Summer is here and Pinoys have never been so busy, a cheerful note! I’d like to think that the people who always seem to be occupied are the peeps who are highly skilled and talented, and want to take every task which they know they can accomplish. Just attended the Extravaganza at Vaughan and got overwhelmed at… Read More »
All children should be able to read by age 10. Beyond this, when children cannot read, it usually indicates that there could be some gaps in the educational system. Many children around the world are not learning to read proficiently. In fact, over 250 million children are not even in school (UNESCO). This is a crisis that threatens… Read More »
A Retrospective of Mother’s 100th How many of us will get to say “Happy Birthday” to a 100-year-old? I am proud to say I did for the first time in 76 years! That’s why I persevered and stayed beyond the cooler month of March into the heat of May to greet my mother on her hundredth year, May 18,… Read More »
As we transitioned to today, July 1, Canada Day, it is interesting to note that the month preciding it, June, was both Filipino Heritage Month and National Indigenous Month in Canada. I started my piece for this issue intending to highlight the similarities in the cultures and histories of both nations – Canada and the Philippines. Offhand, or… Read More »
“But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man/ That he didn’t, didn’t already have” – Lyrics from Tin Man by America. “A shy man no doubt dreads the notice of strangers, but can hardly be said to be afraid of them. He may be as bold as a hero in battle, and yet have no self-confidence… Read More »