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 »

Juana and Kiko: “Kababayan natin“

Two Filipinos of substance had left a lasting legacy to their “Kababayans “ , including those millions scattered around the world, the OFWs, The expats and others in search of better lives, of good fortunes not found in their homeland to clothe and feed their hungry families back home and some more of them who are plainly disillusioned… Read More »

Carol Datoon Bone Marrow

Carol Basco Datoon is 47 years old, and has lived in Toronto for over 30 years. She came here in 1976 with her three older sisters. She is happily married to her loving husband, Joven. And they have three wonderful, loving children. They currently live in Barrie, Ontario, an hour’s drive North of Toronto. Carol has Myelofibrosis. It’s… Read More »

The Ping-Pong Champion of Tondo

In one of those narrow unpaved streets of Tondo not far from the railroad tracks, a young player emerged whose skills in ping-pong (table tennis) was extraordinary. His name was Erning Pingol. During those years before the Pacific War, Erning lived in a place where ping-pong was a common sport and past time among the males. After school… Read More »

Tourism can be RP saver

Amid all the bad news coming from the Philippines, one bright spot came to focus this week when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the government will continue to focus on tourism, saying it will be the country’s hedge against the global economic crisis. While the overseas Filipino sector remains one of the biggest contributors to the Philippine economy, the… Read More »

The Military –Minded Man

“Hey Suseng, you look spic and span in your military uniform” observed Raul, a barrio friend when he saw the uniformed barrio lad alighted from the bus on its last trip. “I’m now taking PMT or Preparatory Military Training course in high school, it is compulsory for all male seniors, replied Suseng as his khaki uniform had insignia… Read More »

Demonizing EDSA I People’s power

There is a bitter irony in Philippine President Gloria M. Arroyo. She ascended the presidency, or shall we say it was handed to her on a silver platter in 2001 in a milder version of People’s Power (EDSA revolt) when a group of elitist politicians, religious, military leaders and other mish-mash of society masterminded the ouster of then… Read More »

EDSA will rise again

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the beneficiary of the second People Power, last Sunday played again the role of the ungrateful daughter of EDSA when she said that the world would condemn a third EDSA. “The world embraced EDSA 1 in 1986. The world tolerated EDSA 2 in 2001. The world will not forgive an EDSA 3 but will instead… Read More »