Category Archives: Community Development

Community Development, Education, Environment, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Earth Day 2017: We Are Stewards, Not Masters of Earth

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Have you been a good steward of our Mother Earth? Earth Day is being celebrated yearly since its launching in the 70s in the United States. Basically, its purpose is to remind and inculcate in the minds of all the people worldwide to protect and conserve our planet Earth and its environment. Today (22nd of April) is designated as Earth Day for 2017. Everyone is encouraged to enlighten and empower others with the end view of defending the environment in consonance with this year’s  theme (Environment and Climate Literacy). Education is one essential basic right for each of us, hence, the … Continue reading Earth Day 2017: We Are Stewards, Not Masters of Earth →

Community Development, Holidays

Halloween: It’s Nothing But Just Fun!

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Halloween is actually celebrated on the eve of October 31, a prelude to Christians back-to-back feasts of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. Halloween origin is associated with Celtics pagan ritual involving “demonic” and “evil” sacrifices during the season of darkness and cold, as opposed to Christian perspective on Halloween which basically calls for prayers and intentions for departed loved ones. However, in this day and age of commercialization, young and old alike opt to participate and enjoy the fun of Halloween despite its negative significance. Ready-made costumes, decors, and special candies all became widely available in malls. The kids … Continue reading Halloween: It’s Nothing But Just Fun! →

Community Development, Family, Spirituality

Halloween Fete Now Becoming A Norm in the Philippines!

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I was surprised to hear reports from tri-media particularly broadcast media,  aggressively promoting Halloween related activities in the Philippines. Even in my social media pages, with mostly “Filipinos” in the friends list were like having fun with their Halloween parties and trick-or-treating during the Halloween eve. Likewise, in the residential area where my temp place stands at the moment, resident families with kids in tow have observed the said festivity, decorating their houses with spooky characters, wearing their chosen costumes, and knocking on door-to-door asking for treats. It was actually fun to see them excited to win the best Halloween … Continue reading Halloween Fete Now Becoming A Norm in the Philippines! →

Community Development, Economy

“The Music That Moves Lives”: A Corporate Social Responsibility

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Even before the word “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) was coined, the business culture of giving back to the community has already been practiced by small and medium enterprises in all corners of the world. This could be either through simple acts of kindness, e.g. sponsoring uniforms for a particular local sports team, handing over small packs of goodies to loyal customers during holidays and anniversaries, etc.) or maintaining good communication and customer relationship which have been proven to be effective schemes in achieving good reputation, quality service and customer’s loyalty. Nowadays, CSR is a must-have/must-do strategy for large and even … Continue reading “The Music That Moves Lives”: A Corporate Social Responsibility →

Community Development

Meet The 2015 Distinguished Fil-Am Women in NY!

U.S. Census Bureau showed that Filipinos in the United States are currently the second largest Asian community (about 3.4 million immigrants plus 1 million undocumented), majority of them are in the West Coast (e.g. California, etc.). However, there is also a growing Filipino community in the East Coast particularly New York and New Jersey but it is the Chinese and Indians who occupy the top immigrant post. As mentioned in my previous blogs, some Filipino-Americans (Fil-Ams) are making waves in the U.S. considering their nature of work and valuable contributions to the entire community, Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike. As previously … Continue reading Meet The 2015 Distinguished Fil-Am Women in NY! →

Community Development, Spirituality

My First St. Patrick’s Day Event!

St. Patrick is one of the saints I admire because of his courage and endurance even at a young age. According to one of his life stories, St. Patrick was abducted by thieves when he was young and sold into slavery in Ireland where he worked as a shepherd which lasted until he was 20 years of age. The hardships and trials he encountered being a slave led him to a deep and profound spirituality. He escaped after years of capitivity and went back to his homeland in Scotland and was reunited with his family. He studied priesthood and was … Continue reading My First St. Patrick’s Day Event! →

Community Development, Happiness, Spirituality

The Battle For World Peace!

I recall in our younger years, my mother who is a Marian devotee would call everyone in the family to join her in praying the Holy Rosary particularly during the month of October which is traditionally devoted to the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. She would always include “World Peace” as one of her prayer intentions. (Oh, if only there were digital cameras for taking “selfie” or “groupfie” (group selfie) during those times, it would be a “sight to behold” for the ten of us in the family kneeling down and reciting the Holy Rosary!) How about these days? … Continue reading The Battle For World Peace! →

Community Development, Travel

The Biri Rock Formation: A Jaw Dropping Wonder!

Jocella,  a young upbeat  Manila-educated professional from Calbayog City in Samar, Philippines would dream and love to travel around the world if only she had the luxury of leaving the management of her hotel to a trusted individual. Since she couldn’t afford to embark on such an impossible dream, her only other option is to explore some interesting places located in their region particularly during weekends. One of the places she was able to visit one summer day was the Rock Formations in Biri Island, a growing fascinating humble town in Northern Samar. She decided to go solo with a … Continue reading The Biri Rock Formation: A Jaw Dropping Wonder! →

Beauty, Community Development, Fashion

Elegance Never Goes Out of Style!

Don’t we  just love it when a facebook friend posts a picture of a bevy of beautiful ladies having a great time and dressing up in a charity ball for a cause? I was truly impressed by the way these Filipino-Americans in New York (photo shown above) flaunted their fashion sense by wearing an “all pink” elegant gowns coupled with bejeweled tiaras and with all smiles and in giggly mood, like they’re 16-year-olds! It was the right time of the year for them to strike their youthful passion and make fairytales do come true, dressing up like princesses in a … Continue reading Elegance Never Goes Out of Style! →

Community Development, Education, Employment, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Politics and Opinions

India and Pakistan Shares the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize!

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The Nobel Peace Prize is probably the most prestigious, well respected and much sought after honors among arts, sciences and humanitarian endeavors. For someone to be nominated by an influential and esteemed organization/individual and chosen by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, he/she must have done a magnificent job of re-creating something ordinary to extraordinary, leading smaller to greater things. Mother Teresa, Aung San Suu Kyi , Albert Einstein, Madame Curie, T.S. Eliot, William Faulkner, and Nelson Mandela were some men and women from diverse backgrounds who luckily brought to their respective homes the said coveted award. Just like in the past, … Continue reading India and Pakistan Shares the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize! →