Topic: Feature Articles

01.23.25Feature Articles

A Grateful Heart and The Grace to Keep Ego In Check: A Source of Joy

Gratitude and humility are deeply interconnected virtues that have a profound and synergistic effect on a per...

01.13.25Feature ArticlesSpirituality

From Christmas to Ordinary Time, and Other Seasons of the Year: A Call to Humility

Earlier today, Catholics around the world celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ, marki...

01.02.25Feature ArticlesHolidays

Cultivating Peace, Guided by Faith, and Renewed in Spirit: A Reflection for the New Year2025

As we step into 2025, it's a fitting moment to reflect and ask ourselves: What do we bring into the New Year?...

11.28.24FamilyFeature Articles

Gratitude Knows No Borders: Thanksgiving and the Immigrant Story

Thanksgiving Day is one of the most significant and heartfelt celebrations in the United States (U.S.). It is...

03.31.24Feature ArticlesHolidays

The Radiance of Resurrection: A Night of Joy and Celebration of Life at Easter Vigil

Last night, we were fortunate to partake in a deeply meaningful and joyous commemoration of the Resurrection ...

03.27.24Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Musings on Holy Wednesday: Embrace the Love of Forgiveness and Guard Against Kiss of Betrayal

A passage taken from the Gospel reading today states that one of the twelve Apostles, who was called Judas Is...

03.25.24Feature ArticlesPolitics and Opinions

Empowering Change in Social Media: Spread Love, Not Hate

As a frequent user/visitor of social media platforms, I have observed troubling trends where individuals reso...

03.20.24Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Faith Amidst Peril: Honoring the New Martyrs Courageously Spreading the Good News

This blog is in consonance with Pope Francis prayer intention for this month of March 2024 specifically for ...

02.20.24BirthdaysFeature Articles

Birthday Celebration at Shangri-La's High Street Cafe: An Affair To Remember

Backgrounder: The Shangri-La Hotel group is a renowned luxury hotel chains based in Hong Kong, known for i...

12.05.23Feature ArticlesHolidays

Embracing Advent Vibes: Illuminating our hearts with Hope, Joy and Love

As December unfolds, our spirits dance with joy, transcending the challenges of a world still battling the sh...

11.06.23Feature ArticlesPolitics and Opinions

Musings on Jesus' Timeless Lessons: Dining with the Heart, Not Just Meals! - Forget the "Who", Embrace the "How"

In our busy lives, we often hear homilies from priests in our respective parishes, offering insights into the...

11.03.23Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Understanding the Catholic Doctrine About the After Life Realm: The Importance of Prayer For the Souls in Purgatory

For us Catholics, we are taught that the Church comprises three segments: a) The Church Militant, consisti...

11.01.23Feature Articles

Celebrating Saints: Inspiring Young Hearts to Grow in Holiness in the Age of Social Media

Today (the 1st day of November) is dedicated to honoring the saints (Solemnity of All Saints Day), which pres...

10.07.23Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Embrace the Power of the Holy Rosary: MUTC's Unsolicited Advice To The Youth

For Catholics, the month of October has been dedicated to the Holy Rosary, particularly today (7th of October...

09.28.23Feature Articles

San Lorenzo Ruiz: A Beacon of Faith and Resilience For Filipino Communities Worldwide

While processioning along the streets from 86th Avenue to 111th St. and then to Myrtle Ave, finally reaching ...

09.23.23EnvironmentFeature Articles

Sowing the Seed of Desperation: Lessons from the Parable of the Sower

While pondering the Parable of the Sower from the Book of St. Matthew, I was particularly struck by the profo...

09.17.23Feature ArticlesHappiness

Forgiveness as Strength: Anna's Inspiring Journey to Healing

In the Gospel today of St. Matthew, Jesus is telling us that there is a transformative power of forgiveness, ...

09.14.23Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Honoring the Holy Cross: A Reminder of God's Love, Sacrifice and Victory

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross which falls today (14th of September) is one of the feast days ...

07.18.23Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Musings on the Eucharistic Life: Placing the Eucharist At the Heart of One’s Life Journey

For this month of July, Pope Francis shares his prayer intentions, guiding the faithful towards meaningful sp...

06.17.23BirthdaysFeature Articles

A Taste of Home: The Delight of a Quasi-Outdoor Dining in a Tranquil Oasis

My Useful Tips.com (MUTC) had been invited by one of her siblings (the owner of An Asian Traveler blog) who c...

05.13.23Feature ArticlesSpirituality

A Reflection For the Month of May: Inviting the Blessed Virgin Mary Into Our Hearts, Homes and Families

The month of May holds special significance for Catholics, as it is dedicated to honoring the Blessed Virgin ...

03.21.23AnniversaryFeature Articles

Musings on Discernment: Its Value and Relevance

The month of March is devoted to St. Joseph who is considered as the saint wearing many hats! Apart from bein...

03.05.23Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Musings on Benefits of Prayer, Repentance and Forgiveness: A Lenten Reflection

As followers of Jesus Christ, it is important that we strive to be spiritually healthy not only during the se...

02.17.23Feature ArticlesFriendship

Inspirations from "Milagros": A Memorial Tribute To A Dearest Departed Sister and A Faithful Friend/Co-Worker

Milagros is a Spanish word for “Miracles”. This was the name given to her by our parents when she was bap...

01.05.23Feature ArticlesHolidays

Musings On New Year: Rekindling and Deepening Our Faith in God

We have just crossed the doorway that leads into Year 2023! A HAPPY and BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL! A...

12.17.22Feature ArticlesHappiness

The Joy of Advent and Christmas

A friend was on his way to a wedding engagement when the car before him slightly swerved hitting part of an i...

11.11.22BeautyFeature Articles

Musings on the Mystery and Relevance of Purgatory: Does that Ring a Bell with You?

Few years ago, when we were briefly discussing about the feast of All Souls Day, I accidentally unleashed a f...

11.01.22Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Who Are the Saints-in-Making?: Are You One of Them?

Who do you think are the saints-in-making? Would they be the living (those who are still on earth doing extra...

10.16.22Feature ArticlesFriendship

Is It Necessary To Be Persistent In Our Prayers?

Guys, have we asked ourselves on the following: How is our prayer life at the moment? How persistent are we ...

09.08.22BirthdaysFeature Articles

The Relevance of Our Blessed Virgin Mary's Birthday In Our Faith Journey

For us Catholics, there are more reasons to celebrate during the “BER” months as some of the major holy d...

08.31.22Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Musings on God's Do's and Don'ts of Attending/Hosting Banquets: Humility is Key

Before the month of August ends, it would be good to know that many of the readings for this month delve on t...

08.22.22Feature ArticlesSpirituality

The Glorious Assumption and Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Its Relevance

The months of May and October are usually regarded as the Marian months. However, the month of August has two...

06.24.22Feature ArticlesLove

Devotion To The Sacred Heart: A Gesture of Love and Gratitude

While drafting this article, I happened to browse through the pages of USCCB's (United States Conference of C...

06.12.22Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Musings On One God, Three Persons: Our Faith and the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity

With the little knowledge acquired from my mother and a catechist in school about the Holy Trinity (whose Sol...

04.24.22Feature ArticlesSpirituality

The Suffering Souls On The Feast of the Divine Mercy: How To Be Of Help To Them?

Nowadays, we almost celebrate everything for everyone. We have Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandmother's Day, ...

04.16.22Feature ArticlesSpirituality

The Relevance and Rewards of Easter Season: We Are An Easter People!

The season of Easter in our Church calendar does not only involve Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday (some of us ...

04.14.22Feature ArticlesLove

The Washing of The Apostles' Feet: Holy Thursday Reflection

Today is the time wherein the feet of many of our Christian brothers throughout the world are being washed by ...

03.22.22Feature ArticlesHappiness

Musings On The Significance of God's Policy On Forgiveness: Let Go and Let God

Vatican News reported that in one of his Catechesis on the “Our Father”, Pope Francis reminds us “that ...

02.24.22FamilyFeature Articles

Wanna Be A Sister or A Nun? - A Tribute To The Women In Our Lives Who Have Entered The Religious Life

This blog post about women who have consecrated themselves to God is relatable, something that is close to my...

12.19.21Feature ArticlesSpirituality

A Catechist Journey: A Joyful Advent Experience

Each month, Pope Francis through the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network consistently appeals to the people parti...

11.11.21Feature ArticlesHome Decor

MUTC Attitude of Gratitude: Calme Scented Candles

There were times in our lives where we have encountered acts of kindness and good deeds from loved ones, kin ...

10.07.21Feature ArticlesLove

The Secret and Power of the Holy Rosary: Full of Mystery!

I recall my childhood friends and I would pass around a slum book (a.k.a. “slam book” or any OG “notebo...

09.24.21Feature ArticlesHappiness

Spreading the Good News: A Mission Worth Striving/Investing For

Thousands of years ago, our Lord Jesus Christ has trained and commanded His disciples to spread the Good News...

09.14.21Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Why Should We Exalt The Holy Cross: Its Significance

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross which falls today (14th of September) is one of the feast days ...

07.17.21Feature ArticlesSpirituality

The Need For A Good Shepherd In Our Faith Journey

Jesus was “moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd (troubled and abandoned); ...

06.14.21Feature ArticlesSports

The French Open 2021 Finals: Guardian Angel Intervenes!

We were watching on tv last night the Fench Open (also known as Roland Garros) men's tennis finals of Novak D...

04.22.21EnvironmentFeature Articles

A Call To Restore Mother Earth Amid A Pandemic: Earth Day 2021

The month of April is packed with environment-related events such as the National Gardening Day (14th), Earth...

04.04.21Feature ArticlesHappiness

The Relevance of Easter: A Joyful Recollection of An Easter Sunday

In non-tropical countries, Easter season occurs during springtime, the season of the year when cold days are ...

04.03.21Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Honoring The Blessed Virgin Mary On Holy Saturday

It will be observed that the Holy Saturday which is part of the triduum or the 3 days before the Resurrection...

04.02.21Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Musings On The Beauty of Good Friday

Have you ever asked yourself? What is beautiful during Good Friday? A once-upon-time friend of mine who has no...

03.02.21Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Prayerfulness: Deepening Our Relationship With God

Some, if not almost all, of us have prayed to God and received an answer in return. Whether or not it is long...

02.24.21Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Musings On The Temple of God: A Lenten Reflection

Every time we attend the Holy Mass (in-person or virtual), we hear from the presiding priests time and again ...

02.14.21Feature ArticlesLove

The Gift of Loving: Love Wins When Rightfully Done

What could be the better time to talk about “LOVE” than the month of February, where “Happy Valentine's...

02.12.21FashionFeature Articles

A Two-Toned Color: The "It" and "In" Thing For 2021

I am far from being an art and fashion connoisseur, but surely I'm an enthusiast enthralled at seeing various...

01.20.21Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Musings On Making Room For God: A New Year's Resolution

Many of us have probably pondered and attempted to plan and initiate some changes in our lives to kick off a...

01.16.21Feature ArticlesSpirituality

What Do WE Bring Into The New Year (2021)?

We have just crossed the doorway that leads into Year 2021! May we greet first, A HAPPY, HEALTHY and BLESSED ...

12.21.20Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Musings On The Beauty of Advent And Christmas Seasons Amidst A Pandemic

The Advent season of the liturgical year has started last Sunday (29th November) and it will be followed by t...

12.17.20Feature ArticlesMDG-Poverty

Musings On Walking With And Helping The Poor: "Not A Fad But A Theological Requirement"

MUTC just posted last month about the celebration of the World Day of the Poor, which is being done every 33r...

12.15.20Feature ArticlesHolidays

How Advent Differs From Christmas: Making A Way for Jesus' Coming

Why is it that when December kicks in, we have this feeling of joyful zest and happiness in our hearts even i...

11.26.20Feature ArticlesHolidays

Thanksgiving Day Celebration During Pandemic: Are there Changes?

Traditionally, most Americans before Thanksgiving Day are all agog for this momentous celebration in their fa...

11.21.20Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Musings On The Relevance of the Rosary For the Souls

For Catholics, the month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary while November is devoted for the departe...

11.18.20Feature ArticlesPolitics and Opinions

Poverty: A Serious Malady

One of the days of November is dedicated for the World Day of the Poor, a day established by the Catholic Chu...

11.09.20Feature Articles

7th Anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda: What Have We Learned?

November 8, 2020 marked the 7th Anniversary of “Yolanda” (with an international name Haiyan), the powerfu...

11.01.20Feature ArticlesSpirituality

The Saints-in-Making

Who do you think are the Saints-in-Making? Would they be the living (those who are still on earth but doing s...

10.21.20Feature ArticlesSustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Feeding The Hungry: How Can We Help?

While some of us are having hearty full course-meal today, there are hundreds of millions of hungry people th...

10.17.20EducationFeature Articles

Evangelization-A Christian Duty and Calling: The Role of Filipino Catholics

It's been eight years now after the launching of the 9-year “spiritual journey” focusing on faith, evange...

10.08.20EducationFeature Articles

Learning Under The New Normal: From A State University Student's Perspective

Prior to the full opening of classes few days ago for elementary, secondary (K12), and technical related stud...

10.01.20Feature ArticlesSports

LAKERS Beats HEAT In 1st NBA Finals 2020: Look Who Watches It Outside The Dome!

Who would have thought that the NBA Finals for 2020 would be held inside a Bubble, or under the Dome, so to s...

09.29.20Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Michael, Raphael and Gabriel: The 3 Principal Archangels In Heaven

Today is the feast day of our beloved Archangels: Saints Michael, Raphael and Gabriel. Though these 3 Archang...

09.28.20Feature ArticlesPolitics and Opinions

2020 Uncertain Times For The 17 SDGs: After 5 Years and During UN's 75th Year Anniversary

While this is not her first involvement campaigning for some programs of the United Nations (UN), MUTC (My Us...

09.25.20EnvironmentFeature Articles

World Environment Health Day 2020: Environment Health Essential In Disease Pandemic Prevention

She just realized that there is a so-called World Environment Health Day (WEHD) which is being celebrated eve...

09.12.20EconomyFeature Articles

Manila Bay "Beach Nourishment" Project: The White Sand Controversy

Manila Bay ("The Bay") is somewhat close to her! Yup, she and The Bay have seen each other for many years and...

09.06.20Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Mortification: What Is It? How Useful Is It To Us?

My religion classes and spiritual meditations (with my "once upon a time" friends at the Opus Dei) taught me ...

09.01.20Feature ArticlesHappiness

The "Ber" Months Under Pandemic: Let The Christmas Countdown Begin, No Matter What!

Today, 1st of September, is the start of “Ber” months: SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER and DecemBER. Actuall...

08.31.20Feature ArticlesMusic

The Wonders of Angels: My Guardian Angel

The quoted phrase below is an excerpt of the song “Angels” by Robbie Williams, one of My Useful Tips fave...

08.29.20Feature ArticlesHealth

COVID19 -A Test In Our Faith In God?

Before the month of August ends, I would like to share with you some musings lingering in my head which I tho...

08.28.20Community DevelopmentEmployment

Musings On Building Strong Foundation For Catholic Migrants: Inclusion Matters

Moving to a new country for the first time may not be easy as it seems. One needs to adjust to the new life,...

08.27.20AnniversaryCooking

Look, Cardinal Tagle A Chef At The Vatican?: Tips on How To Cook "Simpleng Fried Rice" a-la Tagle!

Opening one of my social media apps this morning, the first thing that caught my attention was a video posted...

08.26.20EducationFeature Articles

DepEd New Normal Blended Learning: SSJB Readies For It!

For School Year 2020-2021, about 23.2 million students from both public and private schools have already enro...

08.24.20FamilyFeature Articles

Tiktok Challenge: The Cutest Tiktokers In Town!

For those who are new to this entertainment platform, Tiktok is a “Made in China” video-sharing app (init...

08.23.20About My Useful TipsAnniversary

Yay! At Last, New Look: Happy 10th Anniversary My Useful Tips!

Gee, it's been a decade since My Useful Tips birth in New York City (NYC). Yup, My Useful Tips was planned an...

08.21.20EnvironmentFashion

Abaca/Banana Fibers: Fabric For Sustainable Fashion

Who would imagine that a stiff hard fiber sourced from an “abaca” plant and/or banana plant could be used...

08.20.20Feature ArticlesSpirituality

How Do We Respond To God's Call: Full or Lip Service?

While I was about to do this write-up on the subject, I recall this very thoughtful story which I bumped into...

08.18.20Feature ArticlesLove

The Online Romance of Brad and Angelina: Part 3 (Tips and Thoughts)

When Angelina confided her story to me via Internet, I was both vexed and perplexed. Based on her accounts, I...

08.16.20Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Lukewarmness: A "Wishy-Washy" Attitude Towards Faith in God

I remember it was “Opus Dei” (a catholic lay and clerical organization which literally means “Work of G...

08.10.20FamilyFeature Articles

The Online Romance of Brad and Angelina: Part 2

As a backgrounder, Angelina and I met in one of social networking sites for some small business engagement. S...

08.08.20BirthdaysFamily

A Tribute to my Mother-in-law on her 91st Birthday

I've known my mom-in-law for more than 2 decades but because of the distance from our place to theirs, we don...

07.31.20Feature ArticlesHealth

She Beats Covid-19 Virus Despite Underlying Health Conditions: How? (Part 2)

Going back to my sizzy's Covid-19 encounter, it can be gleaned that the strategy her family adopted contribut...

07.30.20FamilyFeature Articles

She Beats Covid-19 Virus: How?

Few days before my “sizzy” (our newly coined term for sister-like friend) was stricken by Coronavirus19 (...

07.28.20Feature ArticlesFriendship

The Wind Beneath the Priests' Wings: A Tribute (In Memoriam)

Did someone ever tell you you're the “wind beneath my wings”? Said expression which happens to be the tit...

07.16.20Feature ArticlesSpirituality

Reinventing the Church for the "New Normal": Effect of Covid19 Pandemic

It's been about 150 days that the world has been beset by negative effects of Covid19 pandemic (more than 500...

07.15.20EducationEmployment

The Journey That Started It All: A Leap of Faith!

It was a sunny yet cool December day when the consul of the Pakistan Embassy gave me back my passport with the...

07.12.20Community DevelopmentEnvironment

Be Good Soils: The Challenge of the Sower

When I opened the Bible (which I seldom do as most of the time the web is more accessible) to check on Gospel...

06.26.20EducationEmployment

Supreme Court Makes History - Swears In New Batch of Lawyers Online

Today, June 26, 2020, the Philippines Supreme Court conducted a virtual oath -taking of 2,013 new Lawyers, re...

06.24.20EmploymentFeature Articles

A Blessing In Disguise! -Light At the End of the Tunnel

There was a time in my bff’s (best friend forever) professional life when she felt betrayed and humiliated b...

06.18.20Feature ArticlesPolitics and Opinions

Cardinal "Chito" Tagle-The Poor Man's Guardian: Will he be the next to wear the Shoes of the Fisherman?

I recall I had the chance to contribute an article in a Filipino Catholic magazine based in NYC about the des...

05.30.17EducationEmployment

The Value of Everything: Valedictory Address

I would like to share with you  excerpts of the Valedictory Address authored by someone who holds dear to my ...

05.20.17EconomyFeature Articles

PHL Refuses EU "Conditional" Aid/Grant- Why?

Philippine Press Secretary Ernesto Abella in one of his press conferences confirmed that President Duterte has...

04.20.17Feature ArticlesPolitics and Opinions

Honoris Causa For PDuterte: An Aborted Plan!

The “plan” to confer an honorary doctorate degree on Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte by the Univers...

04.16.17BeautyFeature Articles

The Flame of God's Love-What An “Easterly”Feeling!

The Easter Vigil with the blessing of the Easter Fire, Oil, Water and the Paschal Candle, gives me a strange f...

04.09.17Feature ArticlesPolitics and Opinions

Palm Sunday: A Prelude To Judas' Kiss of Betrayal

Today is Palm Sunday,  and  Christians (Catholics and non-Catholics) throughout the globe commemorate the tr...

04.03.17Feature ArticlesPolitics and Opinions

Privacy Matters

Having a private space for ourselves is one of current life's essentials particularly in this tech advanced ag...

11.09.14EnvironmentFamily

Reminiscing Unfriendly Haiyan ("Yolanda"): A Yea After

A year has passed after powerful Typhoon Haiyan (“Yolanda”) severely hit certain islands in the Philippine...

04.11.13FashionFeature Articles

The Iron Lady's Gone, But Her Legacy Remains!

Who doesn’t know Mrs. Margaret Thatcher  who became the only female Prime Minister of Great Britain (to dat...

07.06.12Feature ArticlesHolidays

A Brief Tour of Niagara Falls - A Remarkable Feel!

Featured Article - By Wenn I.  My long time good friends back home were given the opportunity to visit NYC f...

06.16.12Feature ArticlesSpirituality

FLORES DE MAYO: A JOYFUL FESTIVITY

Featured Article:  By L.F-Posecion (Contributor) A centuries-0ld popular spiritual tradition, the May Flower...

05.23.12Feature ArticlesHappiness

Counting Blessings: A Secret To Happiness!

"Count your blessings" is an old adage we hear oftentimes from people which most of us can relate to regardles...

10.06.11EconomyFeature Articles

"I Had Been Rejected, But I Was Still In Love" - Steve Jobs (In Memoriam)

I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so, I decided to start over”, are excerpts from the speec...

03.29.11Feature ArticlesPolitics and Opinions

"40 Years of Welcoming the Stranger": Catholic Migration Day-A Universal Celebration

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me”, a famous...

02.09.11Choir OrganizationCommunity Development

A Momentous and Historic Event - A Personal Reflection

I thought this article would document in a way the first Filipino Mass ever performed in NY Ozone Park’s St....

01.30.11EconomyFeature Articles

Microfinance - A Hype or An Effective Financial Tool For the Poor?

Is Microfinance an effective financial strategy to eradicate poverty particularly in developing economies? I ...