Category Archives: Personals
Why did God create mosquitoes?
I have asked this question since I began to ask intelligible questions. Pesky and dangerous, nobody is happy with mosquitoes, except businessmen behind insecticides and insect-repellants, crocodiles in pharmaceutical firms, and doctors who, while charging sickening fees, pay, if at … Continue reading
Photo me
ROMEO S. RUMBAOA, former police chief of Bangui and currently the chief security officer at the Capitol, tells me every time he gets the chance that I look much younger in person than in my photo in this space. The … Continue reading
Filed under Media/Journalism, Personals
Book
I FINALLY agreed, dear karikna, to pursue what well-meaning friends and readers have been prodding me to do: write a book. I made the decision the other week when I opened our refrigerator and saw my newspaper column wrapped around … Continue reading
Hello Yellow
YOUR karikna is updating his wardrobe these days to include a lot of yellow shirts. I have, in fact, scrounged on each and every rack of all department stores and boutiques in the province to search for really good yellow … Continue reading
Filed under Government/Politics, Personals
When I die
I was motorbiking at Rizal St. in Laoag when I passed by this funeral carriage infront of the Aglipayan church. Although the sun was sizzling hot, I just had to go back and take a pic of it. I want to be in that … Continue reading
Filed under Personals, Uncategorized
Musings of a motorcycle crash survivor
I AM, in true fashion, a bicyclist, but I bought a motorcycle last May to keep up with my burgeoning responsibilities at work. I always knew then how treacherous a vehicle it is, but I got enamored by the sense … Continue reading
Filed under Personals
Happy 1st anniv, karikna!
AROUND this time last year, you and I gave birth to this humble column. While I was not exactly new to writing—having previously published my works in newspapers, books, and websites—the thrill of composing an article on a weekly basis … Continue reading
Song insults humanity
ON TOP of the radio charts today is “Who am I?“, a gospel song performed by a Christian rock band named Casting Crowns. The other weekend when I had to stay in the office to help my students polish their … Continue reading
Kapag masungkit ko ang jackpot
Ang ‘IN’ na pag-usapan ngayon ay kung ano ang gagawin mo kapag nanalo ka ng jackpot sa lotto. Tinatayang mahigit 340 million ang maaaring tamaan sa 6/49 Super Lotto jackpot mamayang gabi. Hayyy, ang sarap nga namang mangarap. Ang mahalaga … Continue reading
Filed under Personals, The Good Life
Legalize Marijuana
So, Michael Phelps, that guy who won eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympics, the most in human history, was caught on photo in an apparent act of smoking pot. The photo (which I am not posting here out respect … Continue reading
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
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
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
Beery Good
Whenever I see this picture, I long for beer. Viva il Papa! Kampay! (photo from Time Magazine)
Filed under Church, Personals, The Good Life
Two Thousand and MINE
IT’S FIVE DAYS before the New Year, but, given the consuming revelry that goes with the holidays, chances are the reign of the Earth Ox would have dawned by the time you read this. I honestly hope, dear karikna, that … Continue reading
Filed under Happiness, Personals, Philosophy
Most Meaningful Christmas Greeting
My Uncle Erning, an Iglesia ni Cristo diakono, visited our home today. Conscious about being sensitive to the religious beliefs of others, I would usually say ‘Happy Holidays’–a greeting more safe. (For those who don’t know yet, INCs don’t celebrate … Continue reading
