Ever since I can remember, I have always loved the rains. Some of my earliest memories are the sound of rain drops hitting our roof years and years ago. I also remember playing in our garden during the rainy season. The harder the rain was, the more fun I had. As adult, I didn’t outgrow…
Many people, myself included, always thought of Lent as a killjoy. As a kid in high school, I had always viewed it as a time of restraint, self-denial, and even downright punishment. Killjoy as a Kid My parents were always the traditional type, spending Holy Week at home instead of the beach or in other…
Christmas is very, very big in the Philippines. The season begins with the entry of the “–ber” months and ends with the Feast of the Three Kings in January. I have heard foreigners comment that we have the longest celebration of Christmas anywhere in the world. Many are very puzzled as to how important this…
As a young boy, I always looked forward to celebrating Halloween. I was excited about trick or treating as we hopped from one house to another within our village. More than anything, it was the thought of winning prizes at the Halloween costume contest that got the entire family going. All of the costumes my…
About thirty years ago, health officials informed us to avoid sun exposure between 10am to 3pm. They said that the damaging ultraviolet rays were at their strongest during this period. Given the advancement of biology and the worsening state of global warming, it’s surprising to see that the same old recommendation still stands. It Burns…
Compared to the other provinces in the Philippines, Metro Manila tends to be spared from the effects of the really strong typhoons. This is probably why Spain made Manila the center of the Philippines hundreds of years ago. Looking at the damage wrought by typhoon Glenda, left me rattled. I shudder to think what we…
The temperature in Metropolitan Manila hit a low of 15.8 degrees Centigrade, with Baguio going even lower to 8.1 degrees. The last time I remember it being that cold was when I was still a kid in Grade School. And just like then, I love it! I have wonderful memories of celebrating the Christmas season…
My wife has amassed quite a collection for her Christmas Village over the years. Starting out with a few houses, it has grown to include a Port one side and a Lumberjack camp on the other. This year, we decided to do something a little different. In anticipation of Halloween, we made a few additions…
Each country has their own practices when it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations. In the United States, the most famous practice is for everyone to gather in Times Square in New York City to usher in the coming year with the lowering of the Times Square Ball. In the Philippines, the entire country literally…