-
As Father’s Day nears, I remember Papa and how I learned the English language through him
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are separated by only a month but as celebrations go, the two events seem worlds apart. When I first arrived on these shores in the very early sixties, I was struck by the fervent regard for Mother’s Day. Brunches were crowded. Ditto all other dining […]
-
On May 10, let’s remember all mothers and all the people we call ‘mom’
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. Remembering mothers on their day is one act that belongs to the ages, as noted by numerous daughters and sons all over the world where Mother’s Day is faithfully observed. “Mom,” has not been confined to birth mothers alone. Every woman who has taken over mother roles, whether one is […]
-
A nurse’s daughter
April 16 was a typical day for Guillermo Fabro. He was at work at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan where he is a registered nurse at the Medical Intensive Care Unit. Toward noon, Guillermo stepped out for his lunch break and there he saw his daughter Chrissi, the chairperson of Anakbayan New York, about to […]
-
Kristina Kalaw Joyas confronts the stereotypes about parenting and community organizing
By Cristina DC Pastor The first time I saw Kristina Kalaw Joyas was at a packed town hall meeting at the Philippine Center a year or so ago. She was wheeling her daughter on a stroller, navigating around the backpacks and handbags that have taken over the floor. “Can’t she find a sitter?” the woman […]
-
A family’s heart beats in two worlds
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. “I moved away when my family was relocated due to my husband’s job in 2006. It was not easy at the beginning, but soon we realized that ‘home is where the family’s heart is,’ and that could be anywhere in the world,” so declared Aura Antonio, a health care professional […]
-
Another forlorn wedding anniversary awaits a ‘desaparecido’ and the husband who keeps fighting to find her
By Julia Carreon-Lagoc March 28, 1977 was not a day that stood out among the rest of the days in March ’77 in the Philippines. In Iloilo, it was a humdrum, typical day of weeks, months, and years, especially at the Fort San Pedro stockade. The day of days here was when a detainee would […]
-
Through tragedy, grateful for our second chance together
By Tiara Camille Teruel “Hello? Sino ito?” the question was so comforting. She always said it so softly with an almost angelic gentleness. “Hi Lola! Si Camille po,” I would respond and she would let out a cheerful cry of happiness. She loved saying my second name. It is sort of her nickname for me. […]
-
Cancer mom Cheely Ann Sy fights son’s battle
By Cristina DC Pastor September 2014 would be the beginning of an uphill battle for Richard and Cheely Ann Sy of Bergenfield, New Jersey. On September 3, their youngest and only son, 3-year-old Richard Aiden or RJ, was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that usually afflicts children. Since that […]
-
Thou shalt be called Benjamin
By Joseph Jerome Francia The flight from San Diego to New York was delayed by eight hours due to bad weather. Hungry and tired, I arrived 4 a.m. at the hotel the office had booked for me. I approached the receptionist to check in. I was told, “Sorry, we gave your room away since you […]