Monthly Archives: January 2009
Academicians critique priest’s book on Aglipayanism
FR. ERICSON JOSUE is one of few Catholic priests I admire. Besides being bright and hardworking, he is humble and sensitive. We have known each other since our early teens (when he was still so lanky while I was then … Continue reading
Filed under Books, Church, Heroes, Ilocos, Revolution
Budding Sociologists tackle the laoagcentralissue
INSTEAD of submitting tired academic papers, my students in Sociology of Development are working on a blog (http://laoagcentralissue.wordpress.com). Using the sociological lens, the blog tackles the complex issues that surround the construction of a mall in downtown Laoag. My … Continue reading
Filed under Church, Education, Government/Politics, LaoagCentralElem, Sociology
Gloria gets a “Kung Hei Fat Choi” haircut
In celebration of the Chinese New Year, Gloria wears red and gets a new haircut.
Filed under Fashion, Government/Politics, Traditions
Bishops’ pectoral crosses go to the highest bidder
AS A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales last month gave his pectoral cross (that huge accessory that hangs on a prelate’s chest) to someone who, in the cardinal’s opinion, has served the Catholic Church well. You might be … Continue reading
Filed under Church, LaoagCentralElem
‘Gaying’ the Sayamedy: Andrei’s initiation to off-taste humour
(Allow me to share with you this work of Ianree Raquel, my intellectual amiga in the university. I was there when this “Sayamedy” happened, and I was squirming in my seat. Right there and then, I decided to write on … Continue reading
Filed under Gayhood
Ubba ni Ama
Roughly translated, this Iluko phrase means: “Father carrying a child”. I may be no fan to America, but the greatness of human spirit transcends geography, race, religion, and even time… and so he has my respect. No man has inspired … Continue reading
Filed under Government/Politics, Iluko
Who is Bob Ong?
To say I have been asked this question over a thousand times is not an excess. Eight years ago, the writer sent me an e-mail asking for my permission for the inclusion of one of my essays in a book … Continue reading
Pockets of redemption
Aside from writing and teaching, my heart also beats for community organizing. That is why when I was asked to handle the National Service Training Program-Community Welfare Training Service (NSTP-CWTS) in our college, I immediately agreed. Photo here shows a … Continue reading
Kariknas from Toronto wish us good health
Oh, the downside of urban life! In the away (rural areas), everybody is usually aware of the developments, no matter how trivial, in their neighbors’ lives. The same could not be said of our neighborhood in the Laoag City poblacion. … Continue reading
Filed under Health, Ilocos, Migration, Neighbors, PinoyPride
Uhaw sa Katapatan at Kagandahang-loob
I checked my blog statistics and noticed an increased amount of visitors led by google to my site while searching for “Mga Pilipinong nakagawa ng kabutihan sa kapwa”, “Mga Pilipinong nagsauli ng pera o gamit”, “Larawan ng kagandahang ugali ng … Continue reading
Filed under Filipino, Ilocos, Kuwento, PinoyPride
My Favorite 2009 Calendar
Former UP Student Council Chair and now Ilocos Norte Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Kris Ablan sent me 3 copies of this novel calendar. More than the visual feast the calendar offers, it is my favorite because of what it represents. Kris … Continue reading
Filed under Personals, PinoyPride, Places, Revolution, Tourism
Burgis Conservation
OF COURSE, you’ve already read about the buzz created by conservationists regarding the construction of a mall in downtown Laoag. They claim that there are two Gabaldon buildings in the compound where it is to be built, and that the … Continue reading
Filed under Arts, Education, LaoagCentralElem, Polls, Tourism
isipin mo na lang meron pa, meron nga.
[Ngayong linggo sa aking mga klase sa pilosopiya, sinisimulan naming talakayin sina Heidegger at Sartre. Tiyempong natsambahan ko ang kyut na tulang ito ni Joey Yusingco, na naging estudyante rin minsan ng bespren kong si Alona Ureta-Guevarra sa Ateneo. (Ang … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Philosophy
Dear MMSU
Today, you turn 31. The past year, one of your children was hailed one of Ten Outstanding Students in the Philippines. Also, a mentor bagged the coveted Metrobank Outstanding Teacher plum. You have produced topnotchers and victors, and brought home … Continue reading
Filed under Education
Kampay!
I may have been too busy drinking gulping SanMig Light the past years that I failed to notice one good alak manufactured right here in Sunshine City Laoag. Discovered it lately through a blog entry detailing a tambay at tagay … Continue reading
Filed under Personals, PinoyPride, Rural, The Good Life, Tourism
Why Sachi should go to UP
(What follows is a letter-cum-essay that was published in the Youngblood column of the Philippine Daily Inquirer some years ago. I am not exactly proud of this. Looking back, I was rather insensitive and immature. But I am posting it … Continue reading
