Kaisa Page

Maligaya ka ba?  

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 …

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Tamad nga ba si Juan?

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 …

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Bago maging kulelat  

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 …

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Beyond prejudices

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 …

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Renewal of hope

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 …

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