LOS ANGELES – Time was when the Philippines and Japan were the most interesting places in the Pacific Rim, at least to colonial America. The Tournament of Roses, which started in 1890, validated this historical vignette when, in 1917, it recorded a most significant feature of the Rose Parade — “Hotels from Yokohama and Manila [...]

COMMON decency tells us not to gloat over the misfortunes of other people. In no uncertain terms, the book of Proverbs teaches the same: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls. And don’t let your heart be glad when he stumbles.” That was not the case lately. When former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was arrested [...]

In my generation, I learned to admire only three politicians in the Philippines. They are Oscar Orbos, Rodolfo Biazon, and Nene Pimentel. Whenever Biazon, Orbos, or Pimentel is in Los Angeles, I really make it a point to listen to what they say about statecraft and the state of the homeland. These guys I consider [...]

When my eighteen year-old son came home this semester break from his first year of college studies, he complained that he cannot relate to the Filipino clubs in the university because he sees them as very wacky. I heard what he said, but I feigned indifference because I was not sure whether or not my [...]

By DC LOS ANGELES – The first time Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez met inside the ring, I had it on my score card 114-112 for the Pacman. In my blow by blow notes, I had both fighters winning six rounds each, but Marquez got a seven in the first round when he went [...]

San Francisco in the USA is home to people of Asian origins in large numbers. As much as 30% of population in the city is of Chinese descent. California State Senator Leland Yee arrived in the USA as a three years old toddler. On August 3, 2011, Sen. Yee, the first ever Chinese American to [...]

BI ordered to probe Mike Arroyo’s departure MANILA, Aug 5 (Mabuhay) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to probe the circumstances behind former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo’s departure for Hong Kong over the weekend for medical checkup. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she directed BI [...]