The Joy of Summer
It’s summertime! What a beautiful season to appreciate the wonders of nature around us as we stroll through the neighborhood, admiring the plants and colorful flowers in bloom. It’s delightful…
Category: Lifestyle Columnists
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Freedom through embodying the Spirit of Christ
What does it mean to have a deep spirituality? How can one cultivate a strong relationship with God? One fundamental answer—often challenging to implement—is found in the words of St….
Crafting a Niche in the American Food and Furniture Landscape
The Philippines is strengthening its presence in the American market by showcasing its agricultural heritage, design expertise and sustainable products at major U.S. trade shows. Led by the Department of…
On receiving a prophet’s reward
As a young child, I grew up appreciating priests and often wondered how they led their lives. For instance, one Christmas morning after Mass, my mom invited our parish priest…
Noche Buena: the Filipino Christmas table and its traditions
A festive Noche Buena spread of traditional Filipino entrees and Christmas desserts such as bibingka, puto bumbong, and fruit salad – reflecting the Filipino tradition of gathering to mark Christmas….
Intercultural Collaboration of Four Catholic Church Choirs Singing Mozart’s Requiem
All Photos by Andy Tecson Leo Nobleza had his earth angels watching over him as he sang with the combined choirs of four Catholic churches: St. Brendan, St. Monica, St….
Valiant Voices: How a Non-Auditioned Choir Brings St. Genevieve to the World
Inside the teaching, travels, and transformation of students whose harmony reflects community and humanity. (Editor’s Note: This is Part Two of Rhizomes’ special feature on St. Genevieve School. Part One…
St. Genevieve: Building a School Community Through Faith, Leadership, and Love
How President -Principal Dan Horn, Amanda Allen, and Vince O’Donoghue foster growth, inspire generosity, and keep mission at the heart of St. Gen. “I know of no better name for…
Liver pills: A scam
Protecting the public from misinformation, fraud, and all forms of scams is one of the reasons I write this column. Inspiring people to live a healthy lifestyle has been my…
My Memory of President Noynoy Aquino
The late President Noynoy Aquino interviewed by Rogelio Constantino Medina. “Nasaan ka ba (Where are you)?” asked then Senator (who later became President) Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, fondly called NOYNOY by…
Sex among seniors
Senior couples may be in the winter of their lives, but the heat of the summer could still be lingering inside them, many thinking intimacy is no longer possible. Medical…
My encounter with Max Soliven
Max Soliven (seated, 3rd from left) with boxer Gabriel “Flash” Elorde (1st from left) and journalist-politician Ninoy Aquino (2nd from left). Photo courtesy of Rogelio Medina MY personal encounter with…
Measles can kill
THE current measles outbreak has targeted North Dakota, having its first case since 2011. The count went up to 1001 on May 9, 2025, more than 3 times in all…
What to expect at ISkin MedSpa in Beverly Hills and Rancho Cucamonga
If I were to describe the feeling you are bound to experience when you come to our medical spa facility Iskin in Beverly Hills and Rancho Cucamonga, I would simply…
Land acquisition in the Philippines: What every buyer should know before saying yes
BUYING land in the Philippines can feel like stepping into a maze — one filled with unfamiliar documents, shifting policies, and legal landmines. And yet, many are drawn to it,…
On Colonoscopy
Prior to the introduction of colonoscopy, colorectal cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths. Colonoscopy screening can lower the risk of dying from colorectal cancer by 20 to 60…
Can you really earn from Airbnb in the Philippines? A reality check
SHORT-TERM rentals like Airbnb have become a popular option for overseas Filipinos wanting to generate income from their Philippine properties. The idea of earning in dollars or pesos while living…
Being alive!
Lea Salonga in Stephen Sondheim’s “Old Friends” at the Ahmanson Theatre. Photos by Matthew Murphy “The alchemy is extraordinary – everyone is learning from everyone.” — Cameron Mackintosh Being alive…
Diet is key
THE current trend in medicine when it comes to diet is extreme reduction in carbohydrate intake, like rice, bread, desserts, and sweets (candy, ice cream, etc.), and total abstinence from…
On Placing Our Full Trust in God
“The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.” (1 Kings 17:14) This…
I am my brother’s keeper
I still think about my conversation with my older brother last week when I visited him. “It’s amazing that we’ve both reached this age,” I told him. “How quickly time…
AI – friend or foe
ONE of the greatest human innovations introduced in recent times is Artificial Intelligence, which crude forms have actually been around for centuries. The recent field of AI research started in…
On Nurturing a Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit
On Nurturing a Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit How can we shift our mindset from negative thinking to positive thinking? How do we transform our depressive thoughts into more joyful…
Stem cell scam
FRAUD, scams, hacking, and fake news are victimizing the unsuspecting and uninformed public. The perpetrators are not limited to criminals only; there are professionals, medical clinics, even physicians on their…
Christine Rocas: Breathtaking brilliance from trusting the created sacred space with cast and partner
“I FIRST met Christine Rocas about 12 years ago when I was asked to co-produce a fundraiser event for Typhoon Haiyan relief at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. I…
Gardasil 9 and HPV
COMPARED to most head and neck malignancies, the rate of throat cancer in the United States and around the globe has not declined. The statistics are also true, when extrapolated,…
On the True Motive of Service
What drives and motivates us to serve? Is it honor, title, prestige, and popularity? Or is it a genuine concern for others and love for God? This is an important…
Safer with vaccine
THE world, humankind, is safer because we have vaccines against fatal infectious diseases. The Black Death, the plague in Europe, between 1347 to 1351, killed between 25-50 million (about half)…
From the Pastor’s Desk: On Living the Gospel in the Present Moment
Early in my life as a teenager, I learned the wisdom of living the Gospel in the present moment through my involvement in the Focolare Movement, founded by the Italian…
The gift of ‘seeing’ and ‘hearing’
“Be strong, fear not! Here is your God; he comes with vindication; with divine recompense, he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the…