During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), the book A Hundred Chinese Clan Names became popular. In it are collected all the Chinese surnames in use at that time, arranged in four-character lines of which all even-numbered ones are rhymed. Although there is no coherence in subject and no apparent connection between one line and the […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 25, no. 4 (July 24-August 13, 2012): 10. It has been said that knowing the past may give one a vision of the future. Perhaps this explains the buzz over the recent launch of the paperback version of Chinese and Chinese Mestizos of Manila, Family, Identity and Culture, […]
Certain types of skin infection can be difficult to cure. Recently, I discovered a simple treatment using povidone-iodine, thanks to doctors Ramon Estrada and Ric Naval of Manila Doctors Hospital. Povidone-iodine is an antiseptic. It kills bacteria and other microbes. It can also treat various skin diseases, such as: boil (pigsa), a reddish warm nodule […]
Editors Note: This is the 10th of a series about the 36 Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines. Much of the information is from a thesis of Venerable Chuanmiao (Hsuan Chuang University, 2008), a Buddhist monk affiliated with the Thousand Buddha Temple in Quezon City. 10. Yuan Thong Temple 圓通寺2876 Burgos Street, Bacolod City | […]
There was once a temple in Deng Feng County named Zhu Lin Si (Bamboo Forest Temple) at the base of Wu Ru Peak of Shao Shi Hills in the foothills of Mount Song in central China. In the temple lived an old monk named Dao Ji, who wanted very much to become an immortal but […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 25, no. 3 (July 10-23, 2012): 12. There are moments when we wish that nothing will change but realize we have to continue going forward. I have had such moments twice in four months. I had just graduated from high school: took my final exams, received my diploma […]
We begin this series on the origins of Chinese surnames with 李 (Li) – the biggest surname in China. 李 in Mandarin is Li, but in the Philippines, there are several spellings which all belong to this Chinese surname, such as Dy, Dee, and Lee – all pronounced as “di” in Hokkien. The surname 李 […]
Editors Note: This is the ninth of a series about the 36 Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines. Much of the information is from a thesis of Venerable Chuanmiao (Hsuan Chuang University, 2008), a Buddhist monk affiliated with the Thousand Buddha Temple in Quezon City. 9. Lian Hwa Temple 蓮華寺26 Industrial Ave., Marcelo CompoundPotrero, Malabon […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 25, no. 3 (July 10-23, 2012): 11. I recently gave away a bagful of lampin (diapers) through an egroup where members give and get things for free. I told the recipient some pieces are a decade old and have gone through four kids! She asked how my kids […]
Editors Note: This is the eighth of a series about the 36 Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines. Much of the information is from a thesis of Venerable Chuanmiao (Hsuan Chuang University, 2008), a Buddhist monk affiliated with the Thousand Buddha Temple in Quezon City. 8. Kim Sha Temple 金沙寺1021 Upper Ongpin St., Sta. Cruz, […]