Who is Juan Tamad?
Have you ever been referred to as Juan Tamad? Now you may wonder who this Juan Tamad (Lazy John in English) is. He is actually one of the famous Pinoy icons often used by the elders to warn children how bad laziness can be. Many stories describe Juan Tamad as an extremely lazy person to the point that his laziness makes him look stupid. Various tales of Juan Tamad has been transferred from generation to generation, but the question is, did a true Juan Tamad really exist?
More…
Why a Filipino Family Should Watch a Manny Pacquiao Fight
It’s a Sunday. You venture out and see no one out in the streets. EDSA—the main artery of Metro Manila traffic—is virtually empty. Everywhere you go, you see groups of people huddled around televisions, big screens, quiet and entranced.
More…
Supernatural Encounter: Tales from Motherland
We were almost finished with our hearty lunch when gramps and I got into some interesting chitchat. That time there were only the three of us (me, gramps and my auntie) left in my grandparents’ home in the barrio, where houses are far apart. Auntie went to do the dishes and my gramps and I were left facing each other at the dining table and this is how the story begins.
I can remember I was eight years old then, so gullible and was afraid of monsters, Philippine mythical creatures to be exact. Gramps tauntingly said to me that they come from a descent of “aswangs” (which of course isn’t true) and was only used to scare kids especially when they misbehave. I almost fell for gramps’ trick and was so spooked I could pee on my undies (laughs).
More…
Why do Filipinos eat Rice?
You just came in the Philippines and observed that Filipinos eat rice much more than the western races. Or maybe, you are a Filipino but have grown in other parts of the world except the Philippines. So you ask the question. However, if you’re a true blood Pinoy like me, you won’t ask this question because it’s just so normal a habit every day.
So why do Filipinos eat rice anyway?
More…
Pasalubong For My Writers
My writers know that I’m returning to the Philippines in a few days, and one of them (L.S.) asked if I can bring back some chocolate from San Francisco, but not any old chocolate. She requested Ghirardelli Dark & Sea Salt Caramel. I guess she liked it that much from the last trip. OK lang! So I made a special trip to the legendary factory. Don’t worry my other writers, I brought some for you too!
Love Letter To All Filipinos
I am writing to thank Filipinos for the way you have treated me here, and to pass on a lesson I learned from observing the differences between your culture and mine over the years.
More…