Who wouldn’t want a house that’s free of clutter? Why not dispose of the things that have been gathering dust and eating up space for years and years? Easier said than done, of course, because what might be clutter for others is a trove of special memories for you. Many of us have heard of...
Category: Lifestyle
Post
The essentials that matter most
In Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s classic book, “The Little Prince,” a pilot whose aircraft is forced down in the Sahara meets a little prince from another planet who seeks the secret of what is important in life. At one point, the prince meets a fox who promises the gift of that secret and reveals it when...
Post
My understanding of economics
High prices often confront us. Government is trying to control inflation, which is increasing beyond its desired levels—an ideal of about 2% annually but currently is about 9%. Why do prices increase and why do they drop? Why do things appreciate and increase in value over time? Why do they depreciate? Market forces, we are...
Post
Crossing the Rubicon of faith and reason (or what Athens has to do with Jerusalem)
One drizzly afternoon, I went to see my seminary contemporary of long ago, Msgr. Lito Maraya, at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Nino in Tacloban City, Leyte, to deliver pre-ordered copies of my book. After I handed him the books, he invited me for coffee and, of course, some kumustahan. “Glad that you came, pais,”...
Post
Pope Francis: Learn from the Transfiguration of Jesus
In his message for Lent 2023, which was released on Feb. 17, Pope Francis urged the faithful to “listen to Jesus” as he recalled God the Father’s command to the disciples during the Transfiguration. In the story, which is proclaimed every Second Sunday of Lent (March 5 this year), Jesus is transfigured on a mountain...
Post
Small dogs are all the rage, but think twice before buying these fur babies
You often see them in malls and other public places looking so cute and cuddly. But laying aside their lovable appearance, is the proliferation of small dog breeds anything to be worried about? Of course, each one of us is free to choose the kind of pet and breed that we want to bring home...
Post
Can Southeast Asia achieve sustainable tourism?
Southeast Asia has long been a preferred tourist destination due to its diverse and culturally rich settings, incredible sights, unique local cuisines, and affordability, as depicted by travel websites. For governments in the region, tourism is a major contributor to economic growth; the Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimates that it contributes “at least 15% to...
Post
Love and near-death experience
I wrote this piece four days before Valentine’s Day, when, once again, all eyes, ears, and heartbeats are riveted on the theme of love, romantic or otherwise. But for this piece, I’m veering away from the romantic or paltry thoughts and notions about love. I’m zeroing in on the transcendent character of love—that it exists...
Post
4 things to remember when depressed
Have you ever experienced “bottom-stuck” moments, or been pinned down by tragedy or misfortune, hopelessness and depression, pain and struggle? Here are some bottom-line truths to remember. 1. Nothing is permanent and there is no such thing as “bottomless” or “bottom-most.” Remember this: No matter how miserable or seemingly fateful your current situation, it is...
Post
How to set yourself up for success
For most people, there’s no arguing that success is a magnificent obsession. It’s a powerful psychological driver, not just because you find self-worth in your achievements but also because of the value society places on them. But it’s good to remind yourself that success isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. There’s no general formula of success for...