1987 Kaisa was formally launched at the National Press Club on August 28 as soldiers-turned-rebels led by Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan launched their bloody coup. The weekly Chinese supplement Yong Hap (Integration) was started. Kaisa’s first book, Heritage: A pictorial history of the Chinese in the Philippines, was launched. Kaisa, in collaboration with World News, launched […]
Alexander Tee (1990-1992): More than 30 years ago, a group of young men and women of diverse backgrounds gathered together to serve as catalysts of change following the tumultuous events that unfolded in the aftermath of EDSA. We decided it was time to undertake meaningful activities for the community and the country; and thus Kaisa […]
As a young student at Xavier School in the 1980s, I felt that the building we called the “Fathers’ House” was mysterious. It seemed like a fortress, the private quarters of the international group of Jesuits that ran the school. It was a special treat whenever our Jesuit Guidance Counselors would take us there for […]
Congratulations to Kaisa on its 30th anniversary! Turning 30 and still thriving symbolizes a major achievement and a coming of age. From its humble beginnings, when it was paid little attention and regarded as a “fringe group,” not least by some Chinese Filipinos (Tsinoys) themselves, it has achieved public recognition as a significant movement of […]
Kaisa celebrated its 30th anniversary on Aug. 27 with its members and friends. In the morning, the traditional blood donation drive (on its 19th year) was done with a record breaking 56 bags of blood collected from 98 people who registered to give. Kaisa president Meah Ang See gave a powerpoint presentation on the group’s […]
Long before Magellan accidentally landed in Cebu instead of the Moluccas in search of spices in 1521, the Chinese were already trading with the Philippines with their ceramics, silk and beads for our pearls, yellow wax, tortoise shells and hemp fabric. Although we do not have written historical documentation as far back as the Chinese […]
Hokkien, on the tongues of Tsinoys, has grown and evolved, taking on a life of its own. Sometimes words simply fail us. With some creativity, Tsinoys have strung together words to form colorful phrases that simply hit the bull’s eye. Here are some expressions unique to Hokkien as favored by Tsinoys. 前哭後哭 tsuin k’ao aw […]
The girls’ school moved to a new campus in Fairview, Quezon City. With a bigger campus, there is now a canteen selling food and drink. Even when the girls bring snacks to last the day, they still want to buy yummy-looking snacks like turon, fries, corn, brownies from the canteen that don’t look like their […]
Heat waves afflicted China’s north early July while torrential rains lashed its southern region. Twenty one northern provinces saw heat wave temperatures. Shanghai baked in sweltering 40.9 degrees Celsius, the hottest recorded there in 145 years. In Beijing, many stayed indoors over the weekend. In Shaanxi province, residents ordered food delivery rather than cook in […]
Chinese folk art combined with high technology to produce an unusual treat for theater goers last month in Beijing. Zhang Yimou’s stage production of “2047 Apologue” showcased traditional art forms including Shaanxi tunes of small copper bowls, Quanzhou puppet show and Fuzhou drum music, combined with laser displays and other elements of modern technology. “The […]