THE WRITE CONNECTION

With all the media attention on these 2016 presidential candidates from both parties, Republicans and Democrats, what can I say that has not probably been already said by some of these pundits on TV and in the papers? Continue reading →

Last month’s trip to the Philippines was unlike most vacations I had taken the past few years. First, I hardly saw any place other than my sisters’ and nieces’ homes and the hospitals where I’d go either in the ER or for doctor’s consultations and procedures. Continue reading →

Just because it’s International Women’s History Month, I dared to fight the urge of giving in to my lazy, rationalizing streak and rushed to finish this article in time for our printer’s deadline. I thought it was time I delve into politics again, if only briefly, as doing so couldn’t be more suitable now when the networks are again buzzing with predictions, scrutiny and nitpicking the front liners in this 2016 presidential elections. Continue reading →

What do you do when a friend asks your opinion about something you know for sure runs contrary to his own? Do you take the safe route by lying and telling him something he expects to hear? Or, do you stay true to yourself and tell him what you honestly think and feel regardless of how he might take it? Or, not wanting to tell a lie and risk losing his friendship, do you simply respond with a “no comment” or “I don’t know”? Continue reading →

On the final day of 2014, Bart and I were home alone, sick and feeling a little down. My daughter and son- in- law, with little Quincy in tow, actually took me to a doctor earlier that evening to make sure I didn’t already catch pneumonia. Neither Bart nor I could drive because we were both on cough syrup with codeine. Continue reading →

It was like reliving our first year in the U.S. all over again when we decided to move back from Buffalo Grove to Chicago last year in August. Honestly, we didn’t think we’d like it at all here. We had, after all, been so used to the quiet , clean and beautiful suburban community we had known, lived in and moved around for 28 years. Bart didn’t think he’d like city living anymore. I, on the other hand, was more open and willing to sincerely try. Continue reading →

Every even year after its first 3 consecutive national conferences, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) holds a National Empowerment Conference (NEC). One is scheduled to take place in San Diego, CA on August 7-10 at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center in Mission Valley. It will be its 11th national conference since its founding by the late Alex Esclamado, former Editor/Publisher of California’s weekly broadsheet, the Philippine News. Continue reading →

Sometime ago, I wrote about the growth track program our church, the IPJM, has embarked on for its members and leaders. It is part of IPJM’s mission to equip us with life-giving, life-sustaining qualities and eventually become the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” Looking forward to reaching that goal, we will fortify the church and make it grow to its fullest potential. Continue reading →

In the profession and life that we have chosen, it will be natural that there will be critics on the things we have done. But, if I may paraphrase Churchill, to have critics is good. It means you have stood for something, sometime in life. As Aristotle bluntly puts it in a way that cuts both ways, “To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” Continue reading →