The emerging Russo-Sino Axis of Power

WHEN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin went to Beijing to attend the opening of the Winter Olympics last February 4, little did anyone suspect that it would lead to the beginning of a strategic partnership between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.   It was then that the two leaders would fashion out a lengthy 99-paragraph joint statement that… Read More »

The Angel of Broken Hearts

“Through the years and more than a few disappointments, trials, and errors, I have come to see gender-based violence as the literal and figurative foot on women’s necks.” – Anita Hill, Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence. “Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again.” – Bee Gees By Rey Moreno I… Read More »

Colorectal Cancer Canada

Ontario has one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world. Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. It accounts for over 9% of all cancer incidence and it is the third most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cause of death. It… Read More »

Amidst the mounds of snow, it’s time to cool down!

We may be experiencing extreme cold and lots of snow here but elsewhere a lot of things are heating up. Take this ongoing Ukraine/U.S./Russia dilemma. The U.S. keeps saying Russia is going to invade Ukraine. Russian says it is not. Who is stoking the fire? Meanwhile, there is the U.S. vs China narratives circulating. (The way I see… Read More »

Winter Gratitude

Fresh from the Philippines close to 20 autumns ago, I was told: “Pare, after three summers or maybe less, you will begin to hate the frigid Arctic air and the snow.” Dislike the brutal icy atmosphere? Yes. However, obeying marching orders like “Bundle up” “Wear warm” and “Get layered” makes perfect sense and results in better conditions. Payo… Read More »

Following the path of pilosopong Tasio

“That is a madman: he does not understand life! The curate calls me philosopher for nickname… Perhaps I may really be the fool and they, the sane, who can tell?” – Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere (1887) Readers of Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere will remember old pilosopong Tasio. He was described as such in the book but the… Read More »

Can democracy survive in Trump’s America?

FORMER PRESIDENT Donald Trump on September 23, 2020, was asked if he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power should he lose the election to Joe Biden?  His response was “Well, we’re going to have to see what happens. You know that I’ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots, and the ballots are a disaster.”  What… Read More »

New Beginnings or Continuations?

So glad it’s almost February. Why? Because March comes after February, and March means spring is definitely not far behind. Lo and behold! Not long after, a sign appeared. What did I see in the grocery just yesterday? A glorious sight for our cold-and-snow-weary eyes (and soul) – tulips in all the vibrant colors of spring – pink,… Read More »

How Councilor Alex Chiu Has Brightened Our Lives As BANAAG Awardee.

By Marlene Mogado, former Markham Catholic School Trustee, colleague and mentee of Alex Chiu “2021 BANAAG (Philippine) Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas… conferred for their significant contributions to advance the cause or promote the interests of Filipino communities in diaspora.” “Banaag: Filipino for daybreak, morning light, aurora, to dawn, to get light.” Markham was a… Read More »

Sinema and Voting Rights

IN AN ATTEMPT to institute sweeping changes to rules regarding voting and campaign finance, the Democrats passed the House version 220-210 with no Republican support.  But when it went to the Senate, it stalled –- like a car about to run out of gas – with two votes short of the minimum number of senators to pass the… Read More »