Monthly Archives: December 2014
GOOD NEWS! A SAVIOR WAS BORN
Our greatest need is salvation so God sent a Savior. “And, lo, the angel of the Lord shone round about them. And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-11) Continue reading
Recession in Japan : Abe’s Arrows Hitting Wide of Mark ? Lagging Innovation and Youth in Crisis in Now Aging Society
Last week Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, suddenly called for advanced general elections to be held this December. Like me, you may be wondering what brought about this sharp change. For, until recently, Abe appeared to be on a roll. His “three arrows” major reform program launched in 2012 was proceeding steadily, if with some setbacks. But, the election announcement came hard on the heels of news that Japan’s economy had slipped back into recession in 2014, after achieving in 2013 the strongest period of sustained growth and rising inflation in over a decade, dashing hopes Japan was finally in recovery. Continue reading
Dr. Jose Rizal and Calamba
(Excerpts of speech delivered at the First National Conference of Calambenos in America held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Norwalk, California on November 14, 2014).
Among the fondest childhood memories I cherish were the times I spent in my grandfather Lope Elepano’s home in Calamba, Laguna where my mother and her siblings were born. I remember as a child walking by myself all over the town from the church in front of the giant pot (the “banga”), all the way to the market (the “palengke”). Continue reading
Tainted food handlers’ gloves
There are more and more fast food chains requiring their food handler to use gloves when preparing food items, as an indication of hygiene and food safety. The idea, on the surface, appears to be a good one. The practice … Continue reading
Mga Tip Sa Panahon ng Taglamig
Taglamig na naman. Simula sa kalagitnaan ng Disyembre hanggang sa umpisa ng Marso ang itinuturing na panahon ng tagyelo o winter. Tatlong buwan na pinakamababa ang antas ng temperatura, kasagsagan ng pagbuhos ng niyebe, at may banta ng pananalasa ng blizard o daluyong ng niyebe na may kaakibat na malalakas na paghampas ng malamig na hang Continue reading
HOLLYWOOD PROFILES Plantation Policies
Gone are the days of black face minstrel shows ‘Amos & Andy’ and ‘my name Jose Jimenez the Mexican astronaut;’ where have those racist caricatures gone? If you watch the Super Bowl you probably seen the commercial sponsored by a famous foreign furniture company. Their commercial had a white male throw a Black woman on a small table. The couple simulated the sex act! The commercial’s ‘message’ was for viewers to buy their tables. Continue reading
A Reflection on Immigration
There was a time when man was free to roam and borders were unknown. The fight for survival was the only struggle. And food was the sole determinant of human behavior, man as a prey or as a predator, hunter or hunted. As population increased and food decreased, the “Malthusian Theory” paved way to the “Theory of Evolution”. Survival of the fittest conquered the patterns of supply and demand. As a social being, man emerged with a solution to create alliances that made hunting and farming less chaotic. Continue reading
Ethel & Ernest: A Gift Book
I bade goodbye to my colleagues and friends at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in December 2010. After 10 ½ years of working abroad, I had decided to go home to the Philippines. A good friend gave me a copy of Raymond Briggs’ graphic novel, Ethel & Ernest, as a parting gift. Continue reading
Giving Binay a run for his money
Little did Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay realize that Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV would accept his challenge to debate. And when Trillanes accepted it, Binay must have panicked and backed out of the debate. Continue reading
On Obama’s immigration action: Well done, Mr. President
President Barack Obama’s executive action staying the deportation of some 300,000 of them and some 4 million others of various nationalities who have been in the US for the last five years certainly gave relief and hope to thousands of fellow Filipinos, allowing them to surface in the open and work or study. Although thousands of other illegal immigrants have not been covered as yet, it is something that all those who qualified can look forward to starting February next year when applications will be accepted. Continue reading