For several generations, general understanding on precolonial Philippines has always been viewed from the perspectives of scholars, chroniclers, and historians of its erstwhile colonial masters: Spain and the United States. Recent scholarly studies on ancient Chinese sources and new discoveries of accounts on China by Spanish priests reveal new and alternative insights on the Philippines […]
“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys to will unlock the door to personal excellence.” — Confucius The true measure of an academic institution’s greatness can be found in the achievements of its alumni. Xavier School, a Jesuit Catholic college preparatory school, is […]
Disclaimer: This article deals with the somewhat sensitive issues of interracial dating and cultural issues based on race. If this topic is offensive to you, I encourage you to keep reading to be in the know about students last Valentines’ Day. If you absolutely can’t tolerate the above, then skip the article. I have written […]
You know you’re Tsinoy when you have to work at your family’s tiamkhaw (store) on weekends and in the summer… for free! These days, not all Tsinoy kids work 100 percent at the tiamkhaw. Many work at dad’s or mom’s office checking email, answering the phones, checking inventory. My parents are both teachers so there […]
When you hear of a person named Antonio Arsenio in the Philippines, what would you think is his nationality? Most probably Filipino. Well, Arsenio was Chinese. He was a staunch supporter of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo who owned a big house in Cavite, once a naval storehouse of the Spaniard. When the American troops under Brig. […]
The number of casino-related kidnapping, torture, extortion and murder is increasing, the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order warned. Chinese national Lu Qiang died from head injury on Feb. 27 after being released by abductors due to gambling debts. On Feb. 24, the body of Charlie Chua was recovered in Cavite. His kidnappers demanded […]
Anti-kidnapping operatives rescued an Australian national and arrested his four kidnappers in Makati City on Feb. 20. Authorities identified the victim as 29-year-old Jianting Chen. The Anti-kidnapping group (AKG) of the Philippine National Police said Rachel Ball, a member of the Australian police, informed them that the victim’s friend, Willian Choi, who is residing in […]
“It was frustration, anger, disgust, despair.”—Mike de Leon That was acclaimed director Mike de Leon’s explanation to ABS-CBN News Channel television network on what moved him to produce the five-minute short film “Kangkungan.” It was released on Feb. 24, the eve of the 33rd commemoration of EDSA People Power. Social media has been widely circulating […]
In late 2017, a group of physicians and scientists called Doctors for Truth and Public Welfare expressed their dismay and alarm at how the dengue vaccine controversy was degenerating into a fiasco. They predicted that the consequent erosion of public confidence in the country’s vaccination programs would result in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses such as […]
In a talk before the Chinese Filipino Business Club, I asked the audience if anyone remembered the original name of San Fernando Bridge. Only a few raised their hands and said “Baybay Kio” or Baybay Bridge. Young people and newcomers are no longer familiar with the essence of Binondo that made it unique in the […]