OPINIONS
Christmas Diary 2014 (part 2)
Friday, Dec. 12. Born in the 1950s to four branches of our family tree, my cousins and I are now in our early 60s. Some insist they’re just 50-something. Sure. No problem. Continue reading
P-Noy’s dead-end presidency
With only one and a half years left in his presidency, President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III is still trying to convince his “bosses” — the people – that he’s on track with his promise of “Walang korap, walang mahirap” (No corruption, no poverty) on the “daang matuwid” (straight path). Continue reading
Something to talk about
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
PHL welcomes Pope Francis
By the time this issue goes off the press, Pope Francis, the leader of the more than 1 billion Roman Catholics, shall have landed in the Philippines for his visit in the predominantly Catholic country and becomes the third Pontiff to land in Manila. Continue reading
Sharing the Spirit of Christmas Where Can It Take Us in the New Year?
We are swamped in commercialism at Christmas time – even more so this year when Americans are spending more than ever since 2007. But, perhaps, like me, you have paused to ponder that this is a time for giving, sparing a thought for the needy. Also, in a time of goodwill and good cheer, it is a time for sharing – particularly with those we are seemingly much at odds with in the world. If we look around us far enough, we will see that surprising things often happen at this time of year. Continue reading
Binay’s Aguinaldo
Money received from benefactors during Christmas in the Philippines is called “aguinaldo”, a term and practice imported from Mexico during the Spanish colonial period. where it refered to the annual Christmas bonus given to employees. In the Philippines, it is generically used to describe monetary gifts given by all benefactors, including godparents and employers. Continue reading
Sleep and cancer
There are many known carcinogens, cancer-causing agents or factors in our environment that damage the DNA in our body cells, transforming normal cells and tissues in our organs to grow uncontrollably and explosively, resulting in cancer which usually kills the patient. Continue reading
Pagbati sa Inyu-Yir
May panslayn (punchline) na nauso noong araw. Babatiin ang may kaarawan sa pagsasabi rito ng happy birthday sabay dugtong na “happy na, birthday pa”. Sa pagpapalit ng taon, puwedeng sabihin kasabay ng pagbating happy new year na “happy na, new year pa”. Continue reading
BON BINI CURACAO WELCOME TO OUR COUNTRY Final Edition
Fireworks are legal in Curacao. Revelers shoot off rockets on New Years Day. During my last visit I went to a store that specialized in rockets. The solid fuel models ranged in size from pencil thick to a hand held missile. If I had more time and didn’t have to have to been home before New Years I would have purchased the largest one! The projectile stood nearly four feet on its fins and was over two inches wide. That thing was capable of reaching the South American mainland 40 miles away in mere minutes! Glad they don’t sell them in Chicago; imagine the carnage those things would cause if our street gangs had them! Continue reading
Christmas Diary 2014 (part 1)
Tuesday, Dec. 02. I attend my first Christmas party of 2014 at Pete’s Place near Manila Bay. Too early, true. Better than getting stuck in the monstrous and hellish traffic of Metro Manila. Best to make time for fellow travelers from the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX), Batch 6 of the Nuestra Senora de Guia Shrine, Ermita Parish Church. Continue reading