Throwback Filipinas  By Danilo Barrios Billones January 30, 2020 https://pin.it/Au7TgSy Retrato : Filipinas Photo Collection Aristocrat Restaurant, Manila  Dito, Noon : Aristocrat Manila, 1939 x 2016. #kasaysayan - Alex Reyes and Engracia "Asiang" Cruz-Reyes of The Aristocrat fame pioneered food trucks in the country. Their chicken used to be sold through the windows of an old FORD van along Dewey Boulevard. Their flagship store along Roxas Boulevard has been in the same location for generations. February 4, 2022 TIMELINE PHOTOS  History of Pancit! Pancit is a Philippine staple that can be found at any and every potluck. The noodles used to make them was introduced into the Philippines early on by Chinese settlers. Over time Filipinos have adapted the noodles into their local cuisine and has become a party favorite. The term Pancit is derived from the Hokkien phase "pian i sit" which literally means "convenient food". Photo by @onedownmedia #FilipinoFood #...

January 30, 2022 THICH NHAT HANH and MINDFUL AWARENESS By Gil Marvel P. Tabucanon "there is no way home; home is the way”.    Thich Nhat Hahn, world-renowned philosopher, scholar and human rights activist, died at 95 in Vietnam. Called an “antiwar poet” for his nonviolent yet socially engaged opposition against war in Vietnam, Martin Luther King nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. Dr. King said of Hanh “I do not personally know of anyone more worthy of [this prize] than this gentle monk from Vietnam. His ideas for peace, if applied, would build a momentum to ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanity”. Hanh tirelessly advocated for peace and compassionate social action in his talks around the world. He left behind a voluminous body of work centered on mindfulness, which teaches us supposedly tech-savvy mortals whose lives are caught in the daily grind of iPhones, Facebook and emails to “slow down” and “anchor our awareness in the here and now”. His book on the m...

By The author, the writer At dahil feeling senti aketch…  My own advice sa sarili kong malapit nang mag pipti!  1. Never settle!  Never settle for anything less than your dreams - in love, in life, and in your career. “The successful person is the housewife who is a housewife because that is what she wanted to be!” (Earl Nightingale). Do not let others dictate how you ought to live, to love, to leave a legacy.  2. Want what you have!  While you work for your dreams, want what you have. Take stock. Be grateful. Be realistic about where you are in your goal posts.  But never fail to appreciate and say your gratitude to the stars for where you are, looking back at where you have been and where you were when no one was holding your hand as you tried crawling your way towards the light. Thank the ones who offered a hand. 3. Set a limit to the kind of service, kindness, patience, love and care you are willing to invest in another human. Needs are sometimes, unend...

Repost from JP Noriega January 26, 2022 One of the most critical questions Tonight with Boy Abunda  has posed to Bongbong Marcos is, "Bakit hindi dapat iboto si VP Leni Robredo?" BBM replied, "....I don't believe and I don't engage in NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING." This answer is gold, especially since it comes from someone whose family has been painted evil by enemies, castigated for 35 years, and has been the target of hatred from everyone around them, including local and international media. This was supposed to be an opportunity for BBM to explain why Leni Robredo does not deserve to be elected, particularly given her lack of leadership experience and expertise, but BBM did not resort to gutter politics. This is admirable, and I hope others will follow suit. This is one of the reasons I will vote for BBM; not because I am blind or a loyalist, but because I believe he has much to offer the country in terms of the economy, industry, and even in our personal lives....

Lifted from Cocky Rocky January 22, 2022   DISCIPLINE is its own reward. A Scout is Trustworthy. A Scout is Loyal. A Scout is Helpful. A Scout is Friendly. A Scout is Courteous. A Scout is Kind. A Scout is Obedient. A Scout is Cheerful. A Scout is Thrifty. A Scout is Brave. A Scout is Clean. A Scout is Reverent. A Girl Scout’s honor is to be trusted. A Girl Scout is loyal. A Girl Scout is helpful. A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to every other Girl Scout. A Girl Scout is courteous. A Girl Scout respects living things. A Girl Scout is disciplined. A Girl Scout is self-reliant. A Girl Scout is thrifty. A Girl Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.

The Glory that Binds Us (A eulogy to the deadly virus) By Rado Gatchalian “Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.” ~ Bertrand Russell, philosopher We are born not once, not twice, But every morning and night. When this delicate life wants to collapse, Wants to resign, We hold in our hands the dearest among we love. When death wants us to depart We hold our last breath  So that our sons and daughters live. As we pick the small pieces that bind us We surrender our strength to peace; But we will never ever give up So that those who are below, one day, Can thrive and bring the same content. If we ever survive — and win over the absurd, Over the travesty of confused facts — We shall all unite, one morning, And proclaim “enough.” But we are born — not to die — but to live The very definition of what we call Love; When we live but never love, We are already th...

Espasyo sa Pagitan ng Langit at Lupa ni Rado Gatchalian May palamuting kumukurap at tumatawag ng pansin, nakakasilaw kung titigan, kaya lang, kaya lang, parang may kulang… Parang isang haraya na takang-taka bakit kailangan pang pagmunihan ang isang salawikain na salat sa pananagutan; nagtatanong bakit nga ba. Tatanaw-tanaw ang isang paslit, walang takot na sabihin kung ano ang totoo, kung ano ang mali; subalit ang bata’y inalipin din ng isang patriarkang nagsisinungaling. Ano ang pagkukulang ng kabigatang ito? hinahanap ang kasagutan subalit hindi handang tanggapin kung ano ang totoo. Nagbabalat-kayo ang pakikibakang sila lang ang nagmamahal sa bayan, at ang daigdig ay umiinog lamang sa kanilang indayog. Ngayong susukatin kung gaano kabuo ang eksistensyang lumulutang sa pagitan ng kababaang-loob  at kahibangan — subukan mong pumagitna sa isang espasyong ang tanging batid ay walang hanggang paghahanap. Kung ano man ang kulang — buuin mo sa isang pagmumuning ang tanging gantimpala ay...

JOSE RIZAL as penned by Willy Ramasola December 30, 2018 He was one of the fiercest critics of the Catholic leadership in the Philippines. He wrote about his many grievances on their hypocrisy and abuses.  He inspired a national movement to challenge the establishment and fight for Philippine independence. That is why the church leaders and our Spanish colonizers had to have him killed. He was executed via firing squad on December 30, 1896 in Luneta, Manila.  Let us pause for a moment to reflect on his life and commemorate the death anniversary of our national hero, Jose Rizal.  Thank you. -- published at I Keep What I Read by A belated tribute .... Repost January 11, 2019 Foreword by Leah C. Dancel Let's step back in time. The History we learned at school has none of this story in our book. Rizal - this is His Story before and after the Bagumbayan Death March as told by Hilarion Martinez. Sherry Zimmer is sharing this post from Romeo Caylo Jr. I agree with her that this ...

He Who Knows Nothing, Feels Everything By Rado Gatchalian In the shadow I hear my soul creeping like a ghost whose beginning is from the end; If I shall surrender to darkness — am i still worthy to shine,  though flickering, in the universe? How can the masterpiece complete the cycle of birth and death  when all that is required is a small shining stone in a delicate piece called heart? But how shall I accomplish any merit when all that is required is a losing self whose purpose  is only to find? As the elders of generation from ancient to modern: there is only one wisdom possessed — he who knows nothing, feels everything. More than everything is nothing. For me to see is to open and close and open again the gate where the entry is to depart.

Sa Aking Mga Kababata ni Rado Gatchalian (Ang larawan ay kuha noong Agost 1, 2017 sa loob ng Malacanang Palace) Makinig aking mga kabataan Narito ang isang hamon sa inyong lahat: Hanapin mo ang turo ng nakaraan, Sikapin mong yakapin ang katotohanan. Subalit kung ano man ang totoo Matutong makinig sa lahat ng kwento, Kung ano man ang ipinaglalaban mo Maging bukas sa pananaw ng ibang tao. Mahal kong mga kapatid, Batid kong ang katotohanan ay may balakid: Ang ating limitado at marupok na pag-iisip At maging ang ating mapusok na damdamin. Maging mahinahon at matiisin, Kung isang araw ay makamit mo ang karunungan Huwag mong hayaang maging alipin Sa inaakala mong ikaw at ikaw ang tama lamang. Bagama’t tungkulin mo ang alamin ang tama, Isa ring banal ang matuto sa iyong pagkakamali; Huwag kang matakot na yumapak sa lupa Dahil maging ang langit ay may luha at hikbi. Kung ang iyong katapangan ang iyong lakas Huwag mong kalimutan ang pag-ibig ay banal; Ang katotohanan ay kailangang ipaglaban Sub...

January 8, 2022   BAGONG UMAGA, BAGONG PAG-ASA -Ni Erica Francis Toquiro Sa mapagbirong laro ng tadhanang kay lupit, Animo'y latay ng latigo ang hagupit, Hagupit ng kabiguang nagdulot ng matinding pasakit, At kahit katiting na pag-asa'y hindi ko masilip. Nangangapa sa dilim pusong naparam, Tila basang sisiw na walang masilungan, Pagkandiling ninanais ko ay nasaan? Ako ba'y makasalanan kaya pinagkakaitan? Sa dinaranas na pighati'y 'di matapos yaring kalungkutan, Pag-agos ng luha'y hindi matuldukan, Anu pa bang halaga kung ang kaligayaha'y 'di masumpungan? Nararapat na bang buhay ko ay wakasan? Ngunit sa karimlang kinalulugmuka'y liwanag ang natanaw, Luhaan kong mga mata'y dagling nasilaw, Nabuksan ang isipan, tibay ng loob ay nangingibaw, At ang kahinaang umaalipi'y bigla nang natunaw. Muling nagbalik siglang dagling naglaho, Pananampalataya sa Panginoon nag-alab sa puso, Tapos na ang unos na sa katatagan ko ay gumupo, Kumakaway bagong umagan...

HAIL POETESS Hail, honorable Poetess With the countenance of a rose All innocence and sweetness That no one would ever guess All your secret astuteness. You are a combination Of a panther and a falcon Both beautiful and sexy Mistresses of each territory Lithe, intelligent and deadly. As a panther of the jungle You hunt so quietly with ease  Might of silence is your weapon Your pen predates without noise With speed your words strike a hit. As a falcon from the air swoops Plucks a chick from a guarded coop Your ink sprays inspiring thoughts With values drenching the youths Plying them with guidance and hope. The panther in you dear poetess You exploit into good use Hunting on ground and top of trees Your words ignore the boundaries Sweet verses conquer territories. And the falcon in you, noble bard Sweeps up the air, soaring the heights Let your pen be as claws that clasp The helpless ones, rescue them up Fly them to a place where they’ll be safe. © Myr Reyes E. Tejada Philippines 07...

By Homage to the Great F Sionil Jose by Rado Gatchalian I am not sure if it is a coincidence that two Joses have greatly influenced me as a Filipino thinker and patriot: Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal and National Artist for Literature F Sionil Jose. A week after we commemorated the 125th death anniversary of Jose Rizal on 30 Dec 2021, our country has lost another great Filipino and writer, F Sionil Jose, on 06 Jan 2022. I owe a great deal to F Sionil Jose, who is also my fellow Pangasinense, in the way I feel and think for our country. During my younger days, I used to read and collect his articles at the Philippine Star newspaper; I still have kept some and brought with me here in Australia.  If I am known now, among my friends, as “The FILOsopher,” it is because of the influence of these two Joses.  F Sionil Jose’s essays “Why We are Poor” and “Our Place in the Sun” have made a remarkable impact on me. It has influenced me in my lifelong advocacy in promoting un...

HARINAWA Tula ni Rado Gatchalian (Handog para kay F Sionil Jose, National Artist for Literature) Pumanaw nitong 06 Jan 2022 Sabi nila ang paglubog ng araw ay hudyat ng pagsikat muli ng bagong umagang sumisigaw ng paglaya. Bagama’t nagdurugo ang langit at maging lupa’y sumisigaw ng galit, pagkaminsa’y sawing pag-ibig, Hindi maaaring makalimot ang bantayog ng maghapong pakikiramay, dahil maging ang pagtiklop ng dahon Ay nagsilbing lilim ng pangungulila’t kalungkutan; maging ang alapaap ay kusang inalay ang lahat ng pag-aari, Maging ang kahuli-hulihang patak  ng pagdadalamhati, kung gaano man ito kasakit, naghihintay ang lupa sa iyong pagbabalik. Kung ang batis sa Silangan ay nananabik at kung anumang pagkukulang sa Bayan: patawad ang hikbi at panalangin. Kung saglit lamang ang pamamaalam, kung ang ngayon ay kahapon lamang, di na muling maibabalik ang abang buhay Subalit sa iyong iniwang kayamanan: ang panalangin ay hindi malimot ng kabataan, at kung ang lahat-lahat ng iyong agimat Ay...

SIGE, ITULAK MO AKO SA ISANG PAG-IBIG ni Rado Gatchalian Kaunting tulak lang ng isang mangingibig At marahil nahulog na rin ako sa isang bangin Na hindi alam kung gaano kalalim, O kung ipagtulakan man sa isang kawalan, At halos guni-guni na lang ang aking pinanghahawakan, Marahil kahit ano pang sabihin ng ilan — Iisa lang ang aking ikabubuhay, ikamamatay: Ang umibig nang buo at tapat. Kung ipagkait man ito sa akin, Wala nang sapat pang dahilan Upang ako’y huminga at mabuhay — Subalit kung bibigyan muli ng pagkakataon Hayaan mong itulak ko ang aking sarili Sa isang akala mong kahibangan, Kung ako man ay baliw, at walang kapangyarihan, Sige, itulak mo lang ako sa pinakadulo, At kung ano man ang hangganan nito — Marahil maging ako at ikaw ay walang lakas Upang alamin ang pangalang Ang tanging iiwan ay kahabag-habag na paalam. Sige, itulak mo ako sa isang pag-ibig, At kung mahulog man ako sa isang bilanggo, Ako’y hindi mapapagod na hanapin ang laman ng puso. Kung magwakas man ito sa isang ...

Ni Cherrie Facun Dancel #NCMTU_AT_FPB CHERRIE: ANG BABAENG MADALAS MAPAGKAMALAN Cherrie Facun Dancel ang buo kong pangalan. Ipinanganak sa isang baryo na bundok ang kapaligiran. Mas kilala sa palayaw na Cheryl na tunay ko sanang pangalan, Ngunit nagkamali sa pagpaparehistro ang midwife na nagpasilang. Madalas akong mapagkamalang ina ng mga batang inaalagaan. Mga pamangkin at anak ng mga pamangkin sa aking mga pinsan. Bukod sa ako'y tagapag-alaga, tinuturuan ko rin sila ng ABAKADA. Proud ako dahil lumaki silang matalino at magalang sa kapuwa. Madalas akong mapagkamalang masungit dahil hindi ako palaimik. Hindi ako mahilig sumama sa mga lakad para gumimik. Mas gusto kong manatili sa bahay habang nagkocross stitch. Magtanim ng iba't ibang halaman at mga orchids. Madalas din akong mapagkamalang isang kabataan. Dahil mukha daw akong bata at hindi katangkaran. Ang totoo ako'y isinilang limang dekada na ang nakaraan. Hindi lang halata dahil nakababata ang pagiging masayahin kong n...

Tula ni Erika Erica Francis N.Toquiro ang tunay kong pangalan, Sa malaparaisong isla ng Alabat ako ay isinilang, Panganay sa tatlong magkakapatid, labing anim na taong gulang, Ngayo'y sa Brgy.Tabid naninirahan si Ecai ang Mutya Ng San Juan, Wangis ko'y ligaw na rosas doon sa kaparangan, Namumukadkad sa init man ng tigang na lupa'y darang! Sumasayaw sa ihip ng hangin habagat man o amihan, Ngunit kapara'y damong makahiya tumitiklop kung masaling at magdamdam, Sa edad na labing lima natutunan kong maglaro ng mga letra, Ang hilig kong tumugma akala ko'y kawerduhan noong una, Haggang ang talinhaga sa tula ay ganap kong makilala, Umusbong ang pag-ibig sa hinabing mga obra, At ngayo'y heto ako si Erica a.k.a Frandres Irean, Sa mga patimpalak hinahasa ang pluma kong tangan, Ang nais ko'y hindi mga sertipiko lamang, Sa pagsulat ibig kong mapalawak at malinang ang angkin kong kakayahan. January 6, 2022 FPB

January 1, 2022 My wish for you is to find love.  Love that follows you to the ends of the earth. Love that does not know nor sow resentment, neglect, indifference or violence. Love that consumes but also allows rebirth. I wish for you, peace. Peace that heals the soul and nurtures the spirit. Peace that holds you when you are alone and keeps you grounded amidst a crowd.  I wish for you, wealth. Wealth that does not destroy the home we live in. Wealth that moves you towards growth. Wealth that feeds and protects other people.  And when you find that you are alone tonight,  reach inside of you. For the power to love, to be peaceful and to be wealthy resides in you. HONOR yourself. Celebrate the fact that you are reading this and start to list the things you have. Want what you have.