I had the rare opportunity to teach for one school year in 1985-86 at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics as a visiting professor. I was invited to teach something unfamiliar to both students and faculty at that time: Western Economics. I consider this one-year stint a very significant experience. I have since looked […]
Oct. 1 is the International Day of the Elderly, and the Oct. 1-7 week has been declared as the Week of the Filipino Elderly. This annual celebration is held to recognize the past, present and future contributions of our senior citizens for the progress of our country and society. In the Philippines today, there are […]
‘Jose Rizal’ and ‘food’ are not words most people would normally associate with each other. And yet food plays a big part in Rizal’s novels, as well as in his life. The Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna, is a replica of the Rizal ancestral house, where the national hero was born and lived until he […]
The Department of Education first proposed the no-homework policy in 2011. I wrote about it then, and I’m writing about it again now. This time though, I’m seeing this bill from Senator Grace Poe as a symptom of how our country’s officials view teachers and education. In an ideal world, teachers are autonomous. They are […]
A few months ago, we talked about spices that heal. Now let’s move on to discuss healing vegetables. Ampalaya. Research has shown that ampalaya leaves are effective diabetes cures. Wash the leaves well and chop into small pieces. Take about six spoonfuls of the chopped leaves and boil in two glasses of water for 15 […]
My 40-something-year-old husband felt like a kid again as he joined 21 other performers at a small recital at the University of the Philippines College of Music Extension Program. We have always believed that the arts are important. Our children do not need to become professionals at their craft, but we want them to hone […]
Chinese devotees consider at least three images of the Virgin Mary in the Philippines as Christian emanations of the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. Aside from the Virgin of Caysasay, there is also Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo (Virgen de la Paz y Buen Viaje) and Our Lady of the Abandoned (Virgen […]
Devotion to Our Lady of Caysasay grew as word spread that requests and prayers to her are answered, and that through her, miracles happen. Particularly, many talked about healing miracles. Here are a few accounts gleaned from the internet, interviews and write-ups about Caysasay and Ma Cho. Babies Marivic Alday has been a household help […]
Devotees of the Lady of Caysasay, also recognized as the Chinese goddess Ma Cho, have built shrines to house her image. In Batangas City, on the grounds of Chinese school Kip Si, a temple was built complete with traditional Chinese dragons, arches and carved stone pillars. It is home to a replica of the original […]
Back pains or pain near the waist are the usual complaints of patients who come to me for consultation. My first question is whether an accident has happened: was there a fall, a bump, a slip? But in real day-to-day situations, the most common cause of back pain is due mainly to wrong body posture […]