I have read over and over again “Home is where Grass is Greener.” and my heart is heavy with a feeling of defeat. I did not expect to end poverty over night, or make millions of pesos with our first attempt at business. I knew it was going to be tough. But, I wasn’t prepared […]
Of Politics, Family, and FMD (This is for you, Franklin Drilon)
Because a lot of who I am, and what I do, is because of Franklin Drilon. For the past six years or so I have tried to lessen my political postings. Once upon a time (about ten years ago) my blog was filled with my little opinion pieces on our government, development, and other social issues. […]
Clare, PLim, and Good Guys in Government
Cheers to Clare, PLim, and the other good guys in government! <3 Seeing friends working their butts off – making a difference in policy, in government, on the local and national level – makes me so proud. A good number have joined the government over the past few years, determined to making things better (and […]
Why Have a Postcard Project?
Why Postcards? 1. We love snail mail. Because of the internet, it has becomes so much easier, and faster (perhaps, even more reliable) to communicate with the world. Email and private (or even public) messages just take minutes to get to your inbox. Even bills and bank statements can be sent to your email address. […]
Philippine Travel Tips
Philippine Travel Tips Are you travelling to the Philippines? Whether you are coming for work, for leisure or for an adventure, these travel tips might be able to help you prepare for the trip. THINGS TO BRING (aside from nice, light, clothing, of course) 1. Insect Repellant There are all sorts of insects that you should watch […]
Third Printing – Return Migration (because Home is where grass is greener)
The excitement and novelty of seeing your work printed never fades. For the third time, The Philippine Daily Inquirer printed a piece of my written work. It’s my first piece with my married name. 🙂 I wish they had kept the name I submitted though – Tamara Tan Azana – so that people still know […]
Reverse Migration – Moving Back
Update as of March 2016: After five years in the Philippines (so, five years after this post), we’ve moved again. This time, with the little ones in tow. Back in Vancouver! Looking forward to our adventures here. (But we didn’t pack any balikbayan boxes this time). ——————————– It seems to me as if everyone just […]
Pilipinas Kong Mahal
February 14, 2010 Every Valentine’s day, I receive emails and text messages about romance and love. My favorite has always been the quote of Pedro Arrupe, SJ: Fall in love, stay in love and it will decide everything. (We now know that this is the quote of Fr. Joseph P. Whelan, SJ) We are told to […]
Kaya. [I am a Raya Fan]
Most of my close friends know that my ultimate dream is to modify the curriculum of Sibika at Kultura (which I’ve heard has been changed into Makabayan). Something has to be done to tweak it so that our students can relate to it and not just memorize dates and names… Something that can make them […]
The Filipino is Worth Dying For [Ninoy Aquino]
My love affair with the Philippines started quite early on. Lolo Tatay made sure I knew who Rizal was. He made sure I knew my history as a Filipino. He made sure I knew that I am a Filipino. He could see identity issues coming up in the future, I guess. I am Pinoy… and […]