The Soldier
IF I could look into a soldier’s heart and know everyone’s story, I’d ask: why are they fighting? Who will tell them (if the reasons exist)? Who is going to…
Category: Lifestyle Columnists
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Prophet of poor migrants
SHE exuded passion and love for her ministry to undocumented migrants as she spoke powerfully to the participants of the Biennial Consultation of the Association of Theological Field Education last…
Blizzard Juno, Chionophobia, and other phobias
I woke up last Monday morning with a bit of apprehension as to whether I had to go to work or merely stay home after being cautious about the prevailing…
Carpal tunnel syndrome
What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a very common condition that causes persistent or frequent pains in the wrist and hand, especially after protracted use of…
A good conscience is the best pillow
Everyday seems to be a constant struggle to decide between what is right and wrong, in small ways that nobody ever sees. You win one day and lose the next…
The challenge of Filipinos’ devotion to the Black Nazarene
I FOUND myself in the middle of a wave of people, mostly young men, parading barefoot the image of Black Nazarene. We were like bees or small fishes swarming around…
An evening for scribes and lensmen with Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim
IT is said that when God wanted to separate light from darkness, day and night were created. When media men had a similar itch, they simply bonded together. Since then,…
Female breast enlarger
What makes up the breasts? Breast tissues in either female or male are practically nothing but adipose (fat) tissues. The size, shape, appearance and physiology, just like the rest of…
Of faith and resilience
During the recent papal visit in the Philippines, Filipino Catholics have once again displayed its religious devotion. According to previous reports, Asia is recognized as “one of the great frontiers”…
When they grow too old to dream
THIS little piece takes us, not just to a place, but into the minds and hearts of those, who are in their twilight years, in a society that glorified youth….
Pope Francis’ challenge to bishops, priests and the religious
POPE Francis spoke as a revolutionary reformer in his homily when he celebrated his first Mass in the Philippines at the Manila Cathedral on Friday, Jan 16. Tender but challenging…
The season for dance lovers
THIS is not the column one usually pursues. There was no edge to it, no compelling plot, no dynamic change. It is about a lot of ballroom dancers with bundles of…
Mark Gonjoran and his relentless scuffles with unbounded cataclysmic trials
(Part 2 of 3) (PART 1 in a capsule: Some people were born way beyond the poverty level and could survive their disheartening way of life but for somebody whose…
Acupuncture: A sticky issue
What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is a Chinese method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve bodily functions by inserting super fine needles into precise acupuncture points in…
A father’s legacy
THIRTY one years ago, my husband left me. He died, leaving a house fill of daughters, young and adorable, innocent, with the world on their side. In the face of…
Gearing up for the Papal visit
The Philippines is gearing up for the arrival of Pope Francis on Thursday, January 15. Drivers, newscasters, government officials, street vendors, Catholics, non-Catholics and just about everyone in the country…
Female power
THE Fil-Am community, characteristically controlled by men, is highly-motivated by independent women. They pursue common goods and interests over coffee or meals, largely conceived, created, produced events. Call it female…
Mark Gonjoran and his relentless scuffles with unbounded cataclysmic trials
(Part 1 of 3) A second chance at life An unidentifiable energy kept him whirling down into an unfathomed depth where a strange ray of light from the tunnel’s end…
Domestic violence is barbaric
“My husband hit me, and this is not the first time he physically and verbally abused me.” “Seventy-seven celebrities have been charged with domestic abuse in the USA.” “Emmy award…
Geo Ed Rebucas, Jared Martin, and friends welcome 2015 with a bang!
FOR most hopeless romantics, music is the wine that fills the cup of silence… serving as therapeutic solvent that liquefies perplexities and purifies hatred. Still according to the prolific German…
Mango Mix: Vigan joins the New 7 Wonders Cities
Once again, Filipinos have something to be proud of. Vigan made it to the New7Wonders Cities. New7Wonders Founder-President Bernard Weber officially announced the provisional voting results of the campaign on…
Today’s path-breaking role of the news magazine
In a world running at digital pace, many newspapers have long been forced into the traditional news magazine model, with larger form writing and more big picture thinking. But we…
A global New Year’s message
HAPPY New Year to all! I hope that our hearts are filled with gratitude to God for all the blessings that we received from him last year. And like Mary…
Here comes another year
THE old year is put to bed. One’s business is finished. We commemorate the year past while invoking the illumination of the year’s days of authentic indulgence, simplicities, celebration and…
Holidays Away from Home
The Christmas season has always been the perfect opportunity for gatherings among families and friends since every Filipino celebration is never without food nor reunion. However, not all those who…
Wrestling with an angel
Everybody has a story to tell. But we stop telling stories when we start to lose that sort of time—pausing time, reflecting time, wondering, while life rushes us along. Very…
Pope Francis: the ‘sweet scent of Jesus’
FILIPINOS are excited about the coming of Pope Francis to the Philippines on January 15-19, 2015. As many Filipinos would say, “This is a good start for the New Year!”…
December’s Gifts
IT comes to us wrapped, not in tissues and ribbons but in cherished events of ceremonies, celebrations, and connections, through parties that constellate about the holiday seasons. Guests that trooped…
Kaia Alanna: An impressively prolific raconteur at 12
One of English philosopher and essayist Francis Bacon’s popular quotations states: “Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse,…
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 holiday season…