I know that’s a song. But Laura is also the name of my Mama. It feels weird that I am going to write my thoughts about her considering that we don’t get along so much.

First things first, Mama’s family is from Malabon. She is the 6th child of Lola Menring and Lolo Pepe. They were a middle class family according to their eldest, Ninang Non. She went to a public school for her elementary and then to Our Lady of Grace Academy, a private all girl academy for high school. There was a time in high school that she excelled in English subject. She probably had a gift for the English language and she never fails to use it in correcting me whenever a fumble with it. In high school, she told me that there weren’t much luxury for it was the austerity period that time. They had to go to school, do their home works, study for exams and pass their subjects. Not much leisure, parties unlike my time.

(more…)

My friends often talked to me about their dysfunctional families. Me, being the private person that I am, would be contented listening to their woes and giving a comforting hug whenever they needed one. Although, inside my head, I would be smiling sardonically. Our family’s story would bring the DYS in dysfunction. My family’s story would put a shame to all those cheesy Mexican telenovelas that Pinoys love to watch. It’s so cheesy that I think if I ever decide to tell anyone, they would probably think I’m making it all up. My Great-Grandparents are separated. My Grandparents are separated. Soon, my parents will be separated. I sometimes wonder if I would also end up separated.

The Paternal Side

For as far as I can remember, my paternal Grandfather have always lived with a different family. He and his other kids would often visit us at home during Sundays. Sundays remained the family day despite the crazy family we had. Technically, his kids are my aunts and uncle, but we played with each other like cousins. Thinking about it now, I’m surprised about how everything seemed casual. They would arrive a little before lunch time, and would mano to my Lola Llena when they see her. The eldest of my Lolo Harry’s other kids is just a few years older than me and I regarded her as my ate. We would play with my dolls up until my Mom calls us downstairs for lunch. My Lola is a bit prejudiced towards them, but she was never rude. She even gave them Christmas gifts sometimes. Last year my Lolo committed suicide. He jumped off the ledge on our veranda in the 3rd floor, right in front of my room, and I was there to see it. He stood on a chair, held on to the railings to balance himself, then he jumped. There was a loud thump, and I remember my dad shouting in panic. My brother called for an ambulance, I ran downstairs. I held on to my Lolo’s head to keep him from moving. The ambulance arrived and he was taken away. I was left there, staring at the blood that spewed from his mouth. I don’t know if it was because of regret or emptiness or whatever excuse he had. For the first time, I almost hated him. I felt it was a selfish move. But that was my Lolo, he loved the drama.

That week almost all of our relatives abroad traveled back to Manila to attend his wake. I tried to make myself unavailable. I offered to be on watch duty in the house instead. I cooked the food at home, to be taken to church, which is then served to the guests. I cleaned the house, and ignored all fears of being haunted by my Lolo’s soul. His memories irritated me. His wake ran for over a week. I only went there twice. Once, because my favorite uncle practically dragged me there. The second time was for the burial.

The Maternal Side

(more…)

LEXINGTON, Massachusetts–Accomplished Filipina Harvard Medical School professor Ronilda Covar Lacson shares some of her experiences in building a career in the US. Interview conducted by INQUIRER.net multimedia reporter Erika Tapalla.

Watch the Video interview

Tearfully Madonna Decena explained that she had to leave her two children behind with their grandparents, until she had raised enough money to send for them. Her rendition of I Will Always Love You made sure there was not a dry eye in the house.

She personifies a lot of Filipinos who goes beyond to uproot their lives from a country that can not promise a good life. She is a mass communication degree holder but went to London as a bar singer. She’s got a lot of sympathy from the Londoners.

Madonna Decena’s performance just captured the heartache and love of Filipinos who have to leave their family so that they can provide a better life.

During the awarding of PSIA Honor Award

Speaking infront of PSIA members about Case Study on IP

Making the news in the IT field these past few days is a Filipina named Ma. Odea “Deng” Ching. She made a big feat by being elected as the Vice President of Archiva, a community based Open Source project of the Apache Software Foundation. Deng, as she is fondly called is a Developer at Exist Global, a company founded by Filipino IT Venture Capitalist and Serial Entrepreneur Winston Damarillo.

(more…)

This blog is in response to Zonah’s blog (read her entry)and her question: “am really wondering bakit sa kultura natin ang maputi, straight ang hair ay siyang tinatawag na maganda? Where do we get this concept?” My answer is way too lengthy to be posted as a reply or comment… so I thought I’d post it as a separate blog.

Here it is…

You are not alone in this sentiment… “That white is beautiful…” or “the whiter you are, the prettier you are…”

Even my husband asks me this same question… “Why do Filipinos and the Filipino women are too busy acting like they are white…? In fact, I think most of them even think they are white! Why is that, huh…?”

Quite frankly, I am offended by this question… But sadly, it is true… I have to admit… my husband is right in thinking that, we as Filipino people are guilty of acting like we are white. This attitude is very apparent, especially among Filipino elite… and even the not so elite ones.

(more…)

Here are some questions I have gathered or been asked in talks, entries and emails. I will reword some of them.

1. Why did you interview Mayen?

The idea came from a request of Don who was the first to blog about the Tierra Maria Estates Scam outside of FilipinaImages.com. He wanted to hear her side of the story. Lorna, a co-founder of FilipinaImages.com also suggested that an interview is a perfect opportunity to talk to a Filipina who has used a dating site. The interview was not intended to clear Tierra Maria Estates, as the victim is clearly Mayen. Unlike most of us, Mayen does not have the financial resources to use the internet or even blog about it. Like Don, I was keen on hearing her side of the story.

(more…)

How many beauty ads do we have that show how important for us Filipina women to use astringents and whitening creams to whiten and make our face beautiful? How many shampoo commercials shown with models who have long, black and shining hairs ? Baka di muna mabilang.

Kahit san ka lumingon, TV ads, posters along the EDSA, media promotions all show that only those women with fair and white complexions have the chance to be successful in their career. And even one shampoo commercial before has this line, “Baka nakapangasawa ng mayaman”, dahil may  long, black and straight hair yong model and she is the envy of her circle of friends.

(more…)