First published in Tulay Monthly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 2, no. 7 (December 24, 1989): 9. Maraming taon ang nakaraan, isang awitin ang aking narinig na labis kong naibigan. Higit kaysa sa himig, ang tumimo sa aking isipan ay ang mensaheng dulot ng awitin: “Everybody wants to find the blue bird,” paulit-ulit na sinasabi sa awitin. Sa […]
First published in Tulay, Monthly Chinese-Filipino Digest 2, no. 5 (October 22, 1989): 8-9. Sa aking trabaho, paminsan-minsa’y may nakakasama akong taga-ibang bansa, at tuwing may pagkakataon, sa mga pakikipag-usap ko sa kanila, paarok kong itinatanong: Ano ang masasabi nila sa Pilipino? Madalas na nababanggit bilang positibong katangian ang pagiging masayahin at palakaibigan ng mga […]
First published in Tulay Monthly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 2, no. 6 (November 19, 1989): 7, 11. Kamakailan, habang sakay ng pampasaherong dyip, isang nakatutuwang palabas ang aking nasaksihan. Tumatakbo noon ang sasakyan sa isang kalyeng mistulang munting smokey mountain dahil sa mga nakatambak na basurang sabihin pa‘y naghahatid ng di nakawiwiling amoy sa ilong ng mga […]
First published in Tulay Monthly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 2, no. 7 (December 24, 1989): 7, 12. Dr. Randy Bulatao, eminent sociologist, in his study on ethnic prejudices (against Muslims and against Chinese) concluded that, “Childhood prejudices and narrow loyalties may be diluted and overlaid with specific concerns as one matures, but they remain latent and capable […]
First published in Tulay, Chinese-Filipino Digest 1, no. 3 (August 1998): 6, with original title, “One Year at Kaisa.” Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran had its baptism of fire on that infamous 28th day of August 1987. The organization was launched at the National Press Club supposedly in a press conference that day. Unfortunately, Gringo Honasan […]
First published in Tulay Montly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 1, no. 5 (October 7, 1988), p. 7. The Chinese Filipino, up to this point in time, can consider himself lucky. The democratic processes work for him. He has been welcomed into the body politic of the nation. The discrimination and second-class citizen treatment are exceptions rather than […]
First published in Tulay Monthly 1, no. 3 (August 1988): 7 Nagsisimula nang umakyat ang Pilipinas tungo sa tugatog ng pagbabangong pang-ekonomiya. Kailangang magpasya ang pamahalaan. Hahayaan ba nito ang mga Tsino na maging kabalikat ng mga Pilipino sa pag-akyat sa tugatog na ito, o hahayaan na lang silang magmasid sa isang tabi? Itinuturo sa […]
First published in Tulay Monthly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 1, no. 2 (July 1988): 3. Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran is for cultural integration and political, social and economic assimilation. What is the difference between integration and assimilation? When these two terms are used by non-technical people, they are more or less interchangeable. They are affirmed of people […]
Fishing boats. To city dwellers, these bring to mind quaint remembrances of vacations spent by the sea. To fisherfolk in the many islands of the archipelago, these make a vital difference between a decent living and penury. In November 2013, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) touched down in the Visayas and in one brief sweep of violence […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 24, no. 7 (September 6-19, 2011): 14-15. Ever heard of the three Rs? Most of us learned about “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” in school. For the 24th birthday of Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran, we introduced the four Rs – reduce, reuse, regift, recycle – and launched the first Regift […]