I am a local of Las Piñas City, home of the historic Bamboo Organ, declared a National Cultural Treasure, and so far known to be the only organ made almost entirely of bamboo in the whole world. Having lived in this city for more than 20 years, I am ashamed to admit that I have only…
(UPDATED 2019) Heartbreak is never easy. And, to nurse a broken heart during Valentine’s Day, or the days before or after, is one of the worst kinds of torture. Reminders of coupled bliss are everywhere – roses, chocolates, cards, fancy restaurants offering Valentine specials, and of course, the happy couples themselves, a club of which…
Binondo, Manila is colorful enough any day, with bright charms, bracelets, and other gaily-colored wares for luck hawked on streets. But on Chinese New Year, though, the place bursts with color, sounds, and life. It was my first time to go to Binondo on a Chinese New Year this weekend, and I thought: “So this…
I posed this question to Gina Lopez, head of Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) (Linking Arms for Pasig River), an organization that works with government agencies to clean the heavily polluted Pasig River. She answered with a resounding, unfaltering yes. Several years ago, I would not have believed her answer. As with many…
Traveling Light 