A Crown for Lent

Holy Week – Mahal na Araw –  was impossible to miss back home.

A small world after all

The other day, we attended a picnic for Young Filipino-American families at a park, organized by Venessa of the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey.

As if on cue, the weather obliged us with a near-Philippine high of 94 degrees. And yet, unfazed by the sweltering heat, we all stayed for at least a couple of hours, sharing Pinoy food, games, and pagsasamahan (fellowship) – perhaps just a tiny bit envious of the kids who donned swimsuits to cool off in the park’s water splash area.

On Freedom

We missed out on Independence Day this year – Philippine Independence Day, that is.

Of May and Mothers

Just last week, the trees in our street and backyard were practically bare. Now they’re almost completely covered with green – as are the (pollen-laden) streets and cars. The growth of new life is in full swing.

A simple gesture – or so it seems

Sunday Mass was over and the kids took turns making “mano” to the young Adorno priest who had just celebrated Mass, Fr. Liam. The somewhat odd and seemingly insignificant gesture was over in a blink of an eye, belying its deep-rooted meaning and history.