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Mom put a gun in my hand and told me to ‘shoot’
By Rene Pastor She had a gamin face in a lithe body that moved with the grace of a cat. She loved to dress up in slinky boots that emphasized her curves. My mom is, as my wife would quip, “hot.” She knew she was sexy and would flaunt it. This would infuriate my dad’s […]
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‘At the lowest points in my life, mother was always there’
By Baltazar Pinguel During the past five years or so, it has been my practice to make sure that by May Day, I would have mailed my Mother’s Day card to the Philippines. I did this to be sure that my mother, Fortunata Alido Pinguel, received it in time for the occasion. As an only […]
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Remembering Mama and her legacy of music
By Ludy A. Ongkeko Ph.D. Florists the world over will attest to the fact that their business flourishes best on Mother’s Day, year after year, as long as night becomes day and vice-versa. There are myriads of reasons why we return to memories of our mothers. When we were growing up, most people would trace […]
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9/11 families to regroup, reminisce on 10th anniversary
Count the families of Ma. Theresa Santillan and Judy Santillan Fernandez among the ranks of the still-grieving. Cousins Maritess and Judy of New Jersey were among the 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees who died in 9/11. Both were 27, Rutgers grads and living New York life to the fullest. “They were very close,” said Maritess’ father […]
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‘I was called Negro; people didn’t know what Filipino was’
By Cristina DC Pastor Artist Maria Watts, who grew up in Wayne, West Virginia, is making a film about finding her identity within a biracial family. TF: Tell me about your film. MW: I’m gathering interviews from my mother, my father, my two brothers and sister. I want to ask them questions about how it […]
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‘Adoption was easy: 7 months — faster than labor’
By Maricar CP Hampton Actress and writer Leslie Lewis Sword raves about her adopted children from Rwanda and how they love to do ‘mano po.’ TF: How did you decide to adopt two children from Rwanda? LLS: My husband’s father was adopted and it was really important to him when he was a child to […]
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‘New York through my granddaughter’s eyes’
By Ludy A. Ongkeko, Ph.D Alina is L.A.-born, the oldest child of my oldest child, hence, my eldest grandchild; that’s how I became a ‘lola.’ And that’s what she started to call me the very first time she could utter a few words. A UC-Berkeley alum, where she espoused two majors –legal studies and social […]
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Heart and home
By Erwin de Leon Thirteen years ago, I gave up on finding a mate. After a string of relationships that lasted no more than four months, I told myself that to be single for the rest of my life was my lot. And that it was okay. I had a job, I had my health, […]