The Lantern Festival (元宵節) is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, and signals the end of the Chinese New Year Spring Festival (春節). Also known as Shangyuan Festival (上元節), this event marks the first full moon of the year, which falls on February 19 this year. The Lantern Festival can be […]
An Indonesian captive of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu was released on Jan. 15, the military said. Juragan Kapal Samsul Saguni, who was abducted off waters of Sabah in September 2018, was brought to the house of former Sulu Governor Abdul Sakur Tan in Barangay Poblacion in Maimbung town, said Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Lt. […]
I asked my daughter if the SM jingle “SM Shoemart, we have it all” is still heard on the air. She laughed at me, “Mom, that’s 20 years ago!” We at Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran remember the jingle very well because SM was the main advertiser of our Sunday children’s television show, the award-winning “Pin-Pin.” […]
In 2017, we commemorated the 600th year of the historical visit of Sulu Sultan Paduka Batara to Peking. By next year, 2020, it will be the 600th anniversary of another historical visit to Peking by another Filipino king, the Sultan of Kumalarang in Basilan. Sultan Batara’s visit to Peking in 1417 and his death and […]
In the olden days, China was largely an agricultural country. People did not know how to keep count of years or months, and so, they asked the Jade Emperor (玉帝) for guidance. The emperor mused that the lives of men are linked with that of animals. If 12 kinds of animals were selected to represent […]
I join child advocates in the outcry against a proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 9 years old. That it is raised to age 12 years old on the bill’s third reading in the House is no consolation. The first time this issue came out was in 2016, when my elder […]
Chinese New Year 2019 marks the Year of the Pig, the 12th animal sign, who answered late to the call of the Jade Emperor for the animals to assemble. The pig symbolizes luck according to Chinese culture. Globally, however, the pig is a domesticated animal and is a common food source. Among Filipinos, there are […]
What comes to mind when pigs are mentioned? For most of us, it is probably food. Lechon and chicharon are always part of our celebrations, and we can prepare so many dishes out of pork. Think of sisig and crispy pata. We share this preference for pork with many other cultures. Think of sausages, hot […]
Starting Feb. 5, the Earth Pig will reign until Chinese Lunar New Year’s Eve on Jan. 24, 2020. According to Chinese astrology, 2019 is a year of fortune and luck; a great year to make money and to invest. Also, 2019 will be full of joy, a year of friendship and love for all the […]
I am saddened that someone of Manong Frankie Sionil Jose’s stature could misunderstand the Tsinoys and their role, influence and impact in all aspects of Philippine life (The STAR, “Can we trust America,” Hindsight column, Jan. 19, 2019). I don’t doubt Jose’s love of our country, but he’s been misinformed and misguided about our intense […]