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The Day Tradition Died
Salubong is a Tagalog word I have always associated with St. James, the Apostle, better known as Santiago Apostol to Plarideleños—the people of my hometown, Plaridel, in Bulacan Province.
Santiago Apostol is our town’s patron saint, the star of the show held on Dec....
Ricky Lee: Tale of a motherless child
Many things about Ricky Lee’s life are worth rewinding. As he turns 76 this March 19, he has obviously come to terms with what life has given him.
His life’s chapters look like scenes from a teleserye or at best, from Victor Hugo’s Les...
Where’s the patis?
A Filipino may denationalize himself but not his stomach. He may travel over the seven seas and the five continents and the two hemispheres and lose the savor of home and forget his identity and believe himself a citizen of the world. But...
Streets of Quiapo
I have a clear memory of Quiapo in the mid-60s. Quiapo Church was were aunts and other relatives lighted votive candles and recited novenas before hearing regular Friday and Sunday masses.
As a working student for a couple of years at the technical school...
Viva Señor Jesus Nazareno!
January 9, a non-working holiday in Manila, is the feast day of the Black Nazarene. And this year, 2023, will be the third time that the much-awaited celebration will not include the Traslación—the yearly procession of the life-sized statue of Christ carrying a...
Someday I Will Come to Love My Name
A definition of my name was blurted out as a bombshell from the mouth of my elementary school classmate.
Out of frustration, she accused me of war-mongering, shouting that my name indeed meant what I liked best, a “little war.” As I searched, not...
