Filipina Soul

The Rice Terraces in the Philippine Cordilleras made it to the World Heritage List in 1995. More popularly known as the eight wonder of the world, it has been reported however that the physical condition of the rice terraces is fast deteriorating.
Of all the exquisitely sculpted rice terraces which climb the slopes of the Cordillera in Luzon, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago, those of Banaue are the finest expression of the genius of local tribes.

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For a couple of months now, I’m running around without a mobile phone. Because I do not have a normal telephone line at home, my friends can either just call in the office or send an email if they have something important to tell me. Otherwise, they can always show up in my apartment. Anytime would be no problem at all, as long as I’m at home.
Last weekend, a dear friend (I haven’t seen in the last two months) popped in my doorstep to my (and my son’s) delight. We shared the scanty lunch that I was already preparing …read more

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2 more sign to impeach
Such kinds of headline make we want to pack my bags and get out of the country in the event of any job opportunity anywhere else.
The Philippines is the third-biggest recipient of remittances behind Mexico and India.

If not for the responsibilities that tied me here, I would have taken the first flight to Timbuktu and join the 8 million Filipinos around the globe (in search of greener pastures) the moment Joseph Estrada made it to the presidential seat in 1998.

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Think Philippines. What comes into your mind? If you’re conjuring the lines of sunny white-sand beaches, tropical fruits, vast rice fields, green mountains and bahay kubo: That picture wouldn’t be complete without the coconut tree. Otherwise you wouldn’t be anywhere in the tropics.
The Philippines is the world’s second largest producer of coconut products, after Indonesia.
In Smokey Mountain’s Da Coconut Nut song, you’ll know why the coconut is called the tree of life.
Indeed the coconut has lived up to its name in this scientific breakthrough and getting world recognition too.
Today marks the National CoConut Week. Click here …read more

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Most Filipinos are hooked on the tube. In most households, the TV is turned continuously on while family members (and other household members if any) go about their daily chores or even while entertaining house guests. I too am guilty of keeping the tube on the whole day (especially on weekends when I’m home) until way past midnight. It’s the cheapest entertainment one gets without much effort on being creative. In the Philippines, the turned-on TV is one indication that somebody’s at home (and awake) even if nobody is answering the door or (in my apartment) even if the lights …read more

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Though I was born in my great grandma’s bahay kubo in Bicol, 10 years of my formative years was spent with my Chinese family. My parents worked for a Chinese businessman (married to a Bicolana) who used to own a general merchandise store in Maypajo, Caloocan City right in front of the Public Wet Market. My mother was the store’s cashier (sometimes saleslady) and the household’s cook and general housekeeper, while my father was the all-around handyman and driver.
Breakfast to me would be normally lugaw with tokwa’t baboy readily available at the wet market’s food stall section. I got used …read more

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Las Islas Filipinas: 7,107 islands and I’ve only been to 5 of them on official business trips. So I guess traveling and going on a real holiday is not on the average Filipino’s budget list.
Yes I can’t swim, but I can wade in the water. I love going to the beach wearing my bathing suit under a pair of shorts and a loose t-shirt. I bask under the sun with a big towel over my head.
I love singing and I can sing to every song played over the radio. (I can even write down the lyrics for you as well!)
Yes …read more

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