A book advocacy for teachers

DURING my tenure with a First Nations School in Northern Ontario, the Governor General of the day would send a regular infusion of books for use by the elementary students of that school.  The books were quite apart from the regular ones prescribed and supplied by the Ministry. However, they provide further reading and library materials to school… Read More »

Toronto Mayoral Candidates Have Yet to Leverage Social Media Properly

Campaigning for an unforeseen Toronto mayoral by-election on June 26th is underway. As expected, candidate outreach through social media is becoming increasingly important. Do candidates no longer knock on doors and hold town halls? It is not a stretch to say that social media has increased political engagement and polarized users, with most online political discourse leaning either… Read More »

Among Ourselves

It’s true, it’s real, and it’s genuine! Media colleague Jose “Joey” Baking is again eyeing Toronto City’s topmost political post in the upcoming June 26, 2023 mayoral by-elections. Will love be lovelier the second time around? Joey is one of two journalists who have signed up (well, until candidate registration ends on May 12, 2023) with more than… Read More »

TOKYO AFTER 3 LONG YEARS

The global pandemic not only devastated (in many more ways than one) countries and peoples regardless of age, color, income, and what-have-you, but it unleashed hordes of travelers in airports and countries after it was officially over (or is it?). I know. I was one of them.   As early as late 2022, as soon as I received my… Read More »

What Life Did Your Parents Want for You? What Life Did You Want for Yourself? What Life Are You Living?

By Nick Kossovan While paying some bills online, three questions suddenly popped into my head. These questions may have manifested themselves because Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up or because I had recently attended a friend’s 60th birthday party, but I am speculating. (I am not comfortable with, and hence not good at, self-analysis.) It felt… Read More »

Tell me, how should I read?

“I was required to read books that opened up the world for me and made me see how much roomier it was than I imagined. I read books which gave me courage and helped me to see, and I imagined that I bore my chalice safely through a throng of foes.” – Abdulrazak Gurnah, Gravel Heart (2017).  “I… Read More »

Toronto, Are You Ready for Another Mayoral Candidate Circus?

Given the ever-increasing number of would-be candidates making pre-nomination announcements, it does not take a mathematical wizard to predict that whoever wins the upcoming Toronto mayoral by-election on June 26th will have received at most 20% of the votes. John Tory was not challenged by a notable candidate in the past two elections. Now with Tory out of… Read More »

Pssst! Hoy!

Laughter goes beyond being relief for a tired soul. It is also one of the best ways to express a truth, with little pain. No offense meant. Perhaps, a little taken? Obviously no laughing matter; but again, why the hurt before the sorry? ***** Ewan ko, pero madalang nang makatagpo ng matinong mapapagtanungan at kausap these days. Kung… Read More »

Postscript from Bangkok 

This is one time when I was grateful for the heat in Manila. What???!! Yes, readers, because if Manila was hot during the Holy Week, Bangkok was near-scorching. And yet, I had an incredibly satisfying time in the land of tuktuk and traffic (I think, Bangkok traffic was even worse than Manila, or maybe “patas lang”). No wonder… Read More »

Senior citizens 

PAALAALA ni Edwin Esteba Sila iyong ating mga magulang Sa lahat ng bagay tayo ay sinusuportahan Nakaalalay noong ating kabataan Hangad magkaroon tayo magandang kinabukasan Ngayon kalinga natin sila ay nangangailangan Oras na paghihirap nila ay ating masuklian Maaaring sabihin wala na sila pakinabang Pero sila pa rin ang ating mga magulang Dapat pansin sila ngayon ay pagtuunan… Read More »