Where hyacinths bloom to choke and drown

If you have been following the news from the homeland lately, you would have known how water lilies and hyacinths have caused a whole city to drown; well — almost. For many days, Cotabato City where I had spent a great deal of my youthful life was submerged in deep water that put life in that city to… Read More »

Let the great debate begin!

For calling the President Joseph “Earp“ Estrada as “bobo (stupid), Diplomat Pedro Chan was shipped from Ottawa, Canada to Russia in an apparent punishment and demotion. That was in 1998. But Chan took all of this in stride declaring he has never said this publicly and the statement was his own personal belief. By sending Chan to extremely… Read More »

Two tests for the Church

With the contentious Reproductive Health Bill still roasting on the grill, liberal lawmakers are tossing in the divorce bill in a move that is certain to further inflame the passions of conservative Catholics and clerics in the country. Encouraged by the recent overwhelming approval in a referendum of the proposed divorce law in Malta, which remains the only… Read More »

Dealing with the estate of parents

Q. Our Dad passed away without leaving a will and testament. He’s a U.S citizen and so are all his heirs. Our parents have ten real properties left in the Philippines. I understand following the 50/50 division of conjugal properties between a husband and wife, that our mother as a surviving spouse is entitled to half of their… Read More »

Independence Day

This month Filipinos mark the 113th anniversary of Philippine Independence from Spain. It is important to emphasize that freedom gained was won from Spain. It was this victory that Americans snatched away from Filipinos in connivance with Spain who said that it could not surrender to an inferior race and instead gave the country, lock stock and barrel,… Read More »

A Tribute to Papa: Mission Accomplished!

After three agonizing years of untreatable illness, my father (Papa as we fondly call him) finally succumbed and quietly passed away this month. Over the years, I’d seen him fought long and hard, using his every strength, humor, and motivation to get physically and emotionally better. But his aged body had to give up . . . And… Read More »

Cronyism in the Aquino government

Once again, President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III appointed a family friend to an important – and sensitive — government position notwithstanding allegations that his appointee, Domingo Lee, does not have the qualifications and experience required of the job as Ambassador to China. And to think that China is the second most important ambassadorial post, next to the United… Read More »

PH should stop China’s bullying

CHICAGO (jGLi) – When China looks the other way when the Philippine government raises concerns over Chinese incursions into Spratlys Islands that the Philippines considers its own, the giant neighbor is nothing but a good-for-nothing bully who hungers for attention. So, what does the Philippines need to do? It should stand up like David and tell Goliath not… Read More »

Independence Day stories

Filipinos everywhere are celebrating the 113th anniversary of Philippine Independence this month, specifically June 12 – in Toronto. The festivities were held June 11-12 at Nathan Philips Square, featuring a lechon parade. The roasted pigs were chopped and served to the people after the parade. Various presentations from different organizations featuring some aspects of Filipino culture entertained the… Read More »