About Asia, by Asians
Dawn Dreams at Candlemas and La Morenita, Mother of All Peoples [02/06/2010@12:23 am]
I woke up late the morning of February 3. It was one of those cold mornings when sleep was deep as nights were longer than days and dreaming was vivid. So my son missed schoolbus.. (sigh) confessions of a single parent. In the car, I explained to my son that I had a fantastic dream [...]
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The Summer Institute of Linguistics recording of the Menuvu Epic, the Ulehingan [02/04/2010@8:49 am]
An old arumanen ne menuvu woman of Central Mindanao named Lingka had, in her youth, assisted Hazel Wrigglesworth of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) in translating the Bible to Menuvu. More than ten years ago, her family asked me to help them get a copy of a recording that the SIL made in the 60s [...]
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Blessed are the Pure of Heart [12/28/2009@7:44 pm]
Every marriage goes through rocky periods sure. Dunno if it’s just me but a lot of marriages of my age bracket (late forties) have permanently splintered on rocky reefs. The kids must feel like they’re drowning and if they haven’t been taught to float yet must quickly learn to cope and heal.
My Christmas shopping at [...]
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Spain and the Philippines [12/10/2009@10:40 am]
The embassies of Mexico and Spain are revisiting cultural relations with the Philippines via the Galleon Trade project..tracing the roots of our shared ancestry that made the Philippines what it is now…not quite asian and not quite european…unique in the region. Melting Pot of Asia and what a brew!
The Menuvu and Mehindanew neighboring tribes and [...]
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Elusive Peace in Mindanao [12/01/2009@2:03 pm]
Everyone who loves peace must take a stand for peace. Within one’s capabilities and capacities, one should endeavor to make peace a reality.
The Ampatuan Massacre has brought to the fore the violence that always seethes just below the surface of Mindanao. It comes at a time when Peace Talks are scheduled to re-open for the [...]
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The More, the Merrier…KaSaMa-Nationwide Search for Innovative Human Rights Projects [10/14/2009@2:12 pm]
KaSaMa - Karapatan sa Malikhaing Paraan
How do we effectively protect and defend human rights? We have been involved in countless human rights trainings, conferences,education sessions, and mass actions yet human rights violations continue to exist. With the increasing complexities and challenges of our times, ingenious ways to uphold people’s rights must come to the fore. [...]
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Long Weekend [09/07/2009@4:07 pm]
Son of the Founder of the Iglesia ni Kristo, Ka “Erdy” Manalo, was buried today and it has been declared a non-working public holiday. TV footage of the burial rites reveal a solemnity that signifies respect for the depth of grief felt over the loss of a beloved leader. And the inevitable comparison is [...]
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Nicole and U.S. Lance Corporal Daniel Smith, Corazon Aquino and Coup Plotter Rex Robles; and Eco-feminism [08/21/2009@3:34 pm]
I am instinctively wary of the feminists of my country.
A Filipina named Nicole (she will fade fast in history by such nameless designation) was vilified as having betrayed the cause of feminists by recanting on her testimony in a successfully prosecuted rape case on appeal setting free the American serviceman Daniel Smith; found guilty of [...]
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Gustave Eiffel’s Prefab Iron Church in Manila [08/14/2009@12:45 am]
It has its beginnings in 1621 when Don Bernardino Castillo, a generous patron and a well-known devotee of San Sebastian donated his lot for the dream of having a steel church in Asia become a reality. The original church, which was made of wood, was burned in 1651 during a Chinese uprising. The succeeding structures [...]
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Relax, Read and Weep (A Closure Post) [07/21/2009@12:20 am]
Remember this post?
The one about the old tree that suddenly bloomed…?
Well, after googling more than 30 pages of Yucca Flowers I still couldn’t find which kind of Yucca family our tree belongs to. Most flowers were creamy white, others with large elaborate flowers and edible fruits. I found out there’s a not-to-be-confused edible yuca [...]
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