A Lasting Christmas Truce

Descendants of Great War veterans, in period uniforms, shake hands at the 2008 unveiling of a memorial to the truce. In 1914, ninety-six years ago, during the Great War — or World War I as we call it today — the British and French armies were manning the 27-mile Western Front fiercely defending French territory from the advancing… Read More »

The joys of Philippine Christmas

For Filipinos who have been outside of the Philippines for years, Christmas is both a time for rejoicing and a time for remembering. Even as the Filipino in America begins to feel the holiday mood immediately after Thanksgiving when people start shopping for gifts and Christmas decors, he feels at the same time a longing for home. For… Read More »

Pananagutan sa Pag-paampon

Q. Dear Atty. Wong, kumusta na po. Palagi po akong nagbabasa ng column ninyo at kaya naglakas loob akong sumulat sa inyo sa problema ko. Isa po akong disgrasyadang ina. Pinaampon ko po ang aking anak noong 6 years old na siya. Isang kaibigan ang umampon at ang kasulatan lang namin ay isang papel na pinirmahan namin na… Read More »

‘ HOPPING “ NEW YEAR !

Dangle out the carrots, 2011 is the year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese Zodiac calendar. Unlike 2010—year of the Tiger, considered to be fast paced and dynamic, Anno Cuniculus (year of the Rabbit) is almost always characterized as quiet, positive and inspiring. The Chinese astrology tells us that indeed it looks like “refreshing changes will come… Read More »

The Thoughts on Christmas in the Barrio

Every year Christmas comes to Christendom in unerring certainty. Symbolized by Christ child, Christmas is for children. However, this red letters day is likewise shared by the elders, for amongst them, there would always be the feeling and thoughts of childhood and the children in them. Christmas, to many of us, is the storehouse of our memories in… Read More »

Discovering the “Wow” in the Philippines

By Ab. Velasco This past November, I embarked on an unforgettable three-week, cross country visit to the Philippines. I was born in Manila in 1981 and my family immigrated to Canada in 1989. I returned briefly for a one-week visit in 2008 – as part of a larger Asian trip – and enjoyed it so much that I… Read More »

Gift – Giving – “Maligayang Pasko”

It gives me great pleasure to utter this greeting in our language although I do not get much chance as most, even our own “kababayan” greet one another in English; “Merry Christmas!” The much-awaited day of the year will soon be here. The preparation starts early, usually in November, right after Halloween. It usually starts with the Santa… Read More »

WHO’S STEALING CHRISTMAS ?

WHO is really Santa Claus ?. Why is he so popular worldwide that children await him December of each year ? And why did retired Philippine bishop Teodoro Bacani said Santa is stealing Christmas from Jesus Christ who was supposed to be the center of attraction on his birth date December 25 . ****** Bacani insists Santa “helps… Read More »