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Life

Kaisipang dagang-dingding  

First published in Tulay Monthly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 1, no. 7 (December 11, 1988): 6. “Walang bahay na walang butas.” Ito ang kawikaan ng dagang-dingding. Kahit na bahay na kongkreto ay puwedeng pasukin at kahit na munting butas ay puwedeng magamit na lusutan. Ang kaisipang ito ang sanhi ng maraming korupsiyon at kaguluhan sa ating lipunan. […]

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Life

Blending with majority

First published in Tulay, Chinese-Filipino Digest 1, no. 3 (August 1998): 4. So, the ethnic Chinese are moving back into Chinatown (Chronicle, July 20, 1988). This is good news for Chinatown real estate developers and brokers, but bad news for the assimilation effort. Judging from reports, concern over security appears to be the primary motivating […]

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Life

The case of the insulting pan de sal

First published in Tulay Monthly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 1, no. 2 (July 1988): 4, 5. To get only two pan de sal when others get three is bad enough; to be told that is so “kasi babae ka” is a bit too much. My “cause” for this month has nothing to do with my being Chinese; […]

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Life

The other side of being a Laurel

First published in Tulay Monthly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 1, no. 2 (July 1988): 5. I belong to the Laurel family. No, not the Laurels of Batangas, but the Laurel of Pasay. It’s us who had a political detainee, a sauna bath owner and an English major in our family. Maybe mentioning a fishing magnate in our […]

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Life

Out of the shadows: Queridas, kept women no more

First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 14, no. 18 (February 19, 2002): 8-9, 13. It’s Valentine’s Day. Tulay looks into several facets of Tsinoy relationships. Jackie Co’s “Queridas” depicts the colorful and deceitful life of mistresses. A mother writes to her daughter about race relations in life and in love while Stephanie writes to […]

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Life

Keep the holidays safe & happy

T he holiday season is a good time to get together with friends, family, colleagues. It is also a time for sharing with the less fortunate. Here are a few tips to keep the times merry, avoiding hazards that can spoil the season.  Kitchen safety. In many households, the kitchen is busier as food is prepared […]

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Parenting

Protecting our kids: When is it too much?

First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 27, no. 6 (August 19-September 8, 2014): 13. Last February, the family was out with a friend. My girls, as usual, asked to run off as soon as we were seated at a restaurant. There was an al fresco dining area with no other doors leading to other […]

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Health

Tell me something I don’t know: The common cold

Q: My children have coughs and colds many times a year. Our whole household is sick. What can you advise us? Your question comes at the right time because right now I am having a cold, too. And it is annoying. If you get to see your doctor, first, he will make sure that it […]

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Life

Jiufen: A hidden gem

First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 27, no. 7 (August 5-18, 2014): 16. On a recent visit to Taipei, we wanted to do an out-of-town day trip. The choice was a toss up between the famous (for honeymooners, at least it used to be famous for that) Sun Moon Lake and the little-known Jiufen […]

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Health

Hepatitis B and 10 liver protection tips

First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 27, no. 7 (August 5-18, 2014): 13. Dear Dr. Ong, Five years ago, I found out that I have hepatitis B. Up to now, I am still positive for hepatitis B. My wife is blaming me because she believes I got it from sleeping with other women. In […]