THOSE WERE THE DAYS...

 

By Klaus Döring

During my time as radio host in different radio stations in the Philippines, this song has been requested innumerable times. "Those Were the Days" is a song credited to Gene Raskin, who put a new English lyric to the Russian romance song "Дорогой длинною" (literally "By the long road"), composed by Boris Fomin (1900–1948) with words by the poet Konstantin Podrevsky. It deals with reminiscence upon youth and romantic idealism. It also deals with tavern activities, which include drinking, singing and dancing.

Mary Hopkin's 1968 debut single of "Those Were the Days", which was produced by Paul McCartney of the Beatles, and arranged by Richard Hewson, became a number one hit on the UK Singles Chart and on the Canadian RPM Magazine charts. The song also reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, behind "Hey Jude" by the Beatles.

McCartney also recorded Hopkin singing "Those Were The Days" in other languages for release in their respective countries: In Spain, Qué tiempo tan feliz;in (West) Germany,  An jenem Tag; in Italy, Quelli erano giorni; in France, Le temps des fleurs.

Yes, time flew by. I think about sitting in a jet plane. Almost November 2024 again. Wow!

Do you always count the days up to the next legal holidays without being on duty? Or do you start as early as September longing for Christmas? And do you wish the weeks or months hopefully pass by like an assault up to the next possible salary increase?

Many times, we are really in too much of a hurry while feeling uncomfortable if we notice how time flies. We have  no time for someone or something or even for ourselves.

When I was still a teenager, I was longing to be an adult already. Later, I enjoyed listening to my grandmother's stories such as "Once upon a time" or "When I was young" from her "yesterday's life"... .

After a couple of years, especially while observing that time really flies like a racket to the moon, I also have the same question in mind: Are the present hours and days less valuable?

Of course, each day has its own set of happiness and trials. But it also holds very high possibilities of us taking the initiative to do or to move something, if... !

Many of us retreat into the past and forget their present existence. A possible topsy-turvy world of a golden youth tries to let us forget that also the past has had its share of disappointments, pains, tears, darkness, tricky as well as desperate days... yes, lost days, irretrievable time... .

Without having achieved anything, we dream our impossible dreams from last to future and vice versa. We forget that between yesterday and tomorrow is our valuable present. Well, now well then - if we know just how to fulfill this period.

"Once upon a time there was a tavern

Where we used to raise a glass or two

Remember how we laughed away the hours

Think of all the great things we would do?

Those were the days, my friend

We thought they'd never end

We'd sing and dance forever and a day

We'd live the life we choose

We'd fight and never lose

For we were young and sure to have our way..."

How Ai-Ai and Arnell’s sing-along days led to lifelong friendship

 In ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,’ Ai-Ai delas Alas and Arnell Ignacio reminisce about the time they both worked as sing-along masters at the Music Box in Queon City. The sing-along bar was then frequented by many celebrities, and film and TV production people in the local entertainment scene. STAR / File

DIRECT LINE CONVERSATIONS - Boy Abunda - The Philippine Star 

November 1, 2024 | 12:00am

There’s no chance of feeling blue whenever Ai-Ai delas Alas and Arnell Ignacio are around. Ai-Ai and Arnell appeared on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” a couple of days ago for “The Talk” segment.

As expected, they had everyone in stitches as soon as they began reminiscing about the days working as sing-along masters in the mid-‘80s at the Music Box in Quezon City. Music Box was owned by the late Wowie de Dios who saw great potential in Arnell and Ai-Ai the first time they set foot inside the place as “customers-cum-artista hopefuls.”

The sing-along bar was then frequented by many celebrities, and film and TV production people in the local entertainment scene.

Between Arnell and Ai-Ai, the former was hired as a sing-along master first.

“(Director) Roni Bertubin brought me there. He said that many artists and directors go there. Therefore, there was great potential for me to start a (showbiz) career,” Arnell began ruminating.

“Ako naman, naniwala pero hindi naman ako umiinom talaga kaya sa nerbyos ko lumaklak ako ng isang bote ng beer. Nalasing ako kaya nag-pe-perform ako, gumagapang ako sa stage. Wowie, the owner, was impressed, so he got me in as sing-along master,” he added.

Ai-Ai, on the other hand, tagged along with her friends to the Music Box after running away from home. She was not also a drinker, so the first time she did, Ai-Ai got drunk easily, and there, she began singing on stage and dancing with one hand swaying beside her face.

“She was confident that she was doing a good performance that time, that’s why people started enjoying it,” Arnell said with a chuckle.

What followed was an offer from Wowie for Ai-Ai to be one of the sing-along hosts. Soon after, she and Arnell became onstage partners. One unforgettable experience was when a customer had Ai-Ai do stunts.

“There was this drunk guy who said, ‘Arnell, ‘yung kasama mo pag tumblingin mo.’ He would give one thousand (pesos). ‘Yung sahod namin 200 (a night) lang kaya sabi ko (kay Ai-Ai) sayang 1,000 tumbling ka na. She did,” he laughed.

The hilarious act also led to their beautiful friendship. The two would sneak out of the bar together “because that time, it was a never-ending performance. We could not leave the stage hangga’t may tao,” said Arnell and Ai-Ai added that it was already 5:30 in the morning.

I asked why they clicked as friends to which Ai-Ai responded, “We’re always together as sing-along masters, and then when I got pregnant with Sancho, people had no idea who the father was but Arnell took care of me. He let me stay in his place but he would be annoyed every time I would ask him to accompany me to my OB-Gyne. He lacked sleep, so he got mad and threw the key at me,” laughed Ai-Ai. “It was seven (o’clock) in the morning when she asked me to go with her to her OB in Recto,” disclosed Arnell who also revealed how Ai-Ai angrily threw a table at him.

Jealousy made her do it, Ai-Ai reasoned out. She saw Arnell cuddling the movie star, Isadora and the next thing Ai-Ai did was kick his leg under the table before turning it upside down towards his direction.

Arnell was surprised and at the same time puzzled about Ai-Ai’s reaction.

“Nalilito nga ako noon bakit ganun. I am brave but I was scared of her,” said Arnell.

Fast-forward to the present. Arnell is currently the head of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Ai-Ai has returned as one of the judges of GMA Network’s singing tilt “The Clash.”

Arnell doesn’t doubt Ai-Ai’s capability to serve as a judge in a singing competition as he believes it is not all about vocal power.

“Eileen (Ai-Ai’s real name) is undeniably a top artist when it comes to live performances, so it’s a big factor because you won’t just sing (onstage). Otherwise, you better do it in karaoke. She’s the Queen of Comedy at ang kauna-unahang komedyanteng babae na nakapuno ng Araneta Coliseum.”

At one point in his career, Arnell served as musical director in Repertory plays with Bibot Amador. He finished a degree in architecture and music at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Ai-Ai, in turn, quipped that she has an edge over Regine Velasquez.

“Ang lamang ko, hindi ako masyadong magaling at dahil diyan maraming nakaka-relate na tao.”

Many wonder if the ability to hit high notes or what they call as “birit” is an advantage for any singing aspirant to win. Arnell would like to remind everyone that singing is an act of telling a story and “you don’t have to make people wait when you are going to hit a high note.”

Ai-Ai said it’s a common notion among Filipinos that a good belter is an excellent singer yet as a judge of “The Clash,” she finds a relaxed performance complemented by a good vocal timbre has a good probability of winning.

To tackle plastic scourge, Philippines makes companies pay

 

This photo taken on October 16, 2024 shows Marita Blanco, who buys plastic bottles, styrofoam and candy wrappers for two pesos (3.4 US cents) a kilogram to be resold at a 25 percent markup to US charity Friends of Hope in its waste-to-cash programme, handling her weighing machine by a shipping container in Manila. Long one of the world's top sources of ocean plastic, the Philippines is hoping new legislation requiring big companies to pay for waste solutions will help clean up its act. Last year, its "Extended Producer Responsibility" statute came into force -- the first in Southeast Asia to impose penalties on companies over plastic waste. AFP/Jam Sta Rosa

Cecil Morella - Agence France-Presse

November 1, 2024 | 9:10am

MANILA, Philippines — Long one of the world's top sources of ocean plastic, the Philippines is hoping new legislation requiring big companies to pay for waste solutions will help clean up its act.

Last year, its "Extended Producer Responsibility" statute came into force -- the first in Southeast Asia to impose penalties on companies over plastic waste.

The experiment has shown both the promise and the pitfalls of the tool, which could be among the measures in a treaty to tackle plastic pollution that countries hope to agree on this year.

The Philippines, with a population of 120 million, generates some 1.7 million metric tons of post-consumer plastic waste a year, according to the World Bank.

Of that, a third goes to landfills and dumpsites, with 35 percent discarded on open land.

The EPR law is intended to achieve "plastic neutrality" by forcing large businesses to reduce plastic pollution through product design and removing waste from the environment.

They are obliged to cover an initial 20 percent of their plastic packaging footprint, calculated based on the weight of plastic packaging they put into the market.

The obligation will rise to a ceiling of 80 percent by 2028.

The law covers a broad range of plastics, including flexible types that are commercially unviable for recycling and thus often go uncollected.

It does not however ban any plastics, including the popular but difficult to recover and recycle single-use sachets common in the Philippines.

So far, around half the eligible companies under the law have launched EPR programmes.

Over a thousand more must do so by end-December or face fines of up to 20 million pesos ($343,000) and even revocation of their operating licences.

'Manna from heaven'

The law hit its 2023 target for removal of plastic waste, Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones told AFP.

It is "part of a broader strategy to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution, particularly given the Philippines' status as one of the largest contributors to marine plastic waste globally."

The law allows companies to outsource their obligations to "producer responsibility organisations", many of which use a mechanism called plastic credits.

These allow companies to buy a certificate that a metric ton of plastic has been removed from the environment and either recycled, upcycled or "co-processed" -- burned for energy.

PCX Markets, one of the country's biggest players, offers local credits priced from around $100 for collection and co-processing of mixed plastics to over $500 for collection and recycling of ocean-bound PET plastic. Most are certified according to a standard administered by sister organisation PCX Solutions.

The model is intended to channel money into the underfunded waste collection sector and encourage collection of plastic that is commercially unviable for recycling.

"It's manna from heaven," former street sweeper Marita Blanco told AFP.

A widowed mother-of-five, Blanco lives in Manila's low-income San Andres district and buys plastic bottles, styrofoam and candy wrappers for two pesos (3.4 US cents) a kilogramme (2.2 pounds).

She then sells them at a 25 percent mark-up to charity Friends of Hope, which works with PCX Solutions to process them.

"I didn't know that there was money in garbage," she said.

"If I do not look down on the task of picking up garbage, my financial situation will improve."

'Still linear'

Friends of Hope managing director Ilusion Farias said the project was making a visible difference to an area often strewn with discarded plastic.

"Two years ago, I think you would have seen a lot dirtier street," she told AFP.

"Behavioural change is really slow, and it takes a really long time."

Among those purchasing credits is snack producer Mondelez, which has opted to jump directly to "offsetting" 100 percent of its plastic footprint.

"It costs company budgets... but that's really something that we just said we would commit to do for the environment," Mondelez Philippines corporate and government affairs official Caitlin Punzalan told AFP.

But while companies have lined up to buy plastic credits, there has been less movement on stemming the flow of new plastic, including through redesign.

"Upstream reduction is not really easy," said PCX Solutions managing director Stefanie Beitien.

"There is no procurement department in the world that accepts a 20 percent higher packaging price just because it's the right thing to do."

And while PCX credits cannot be claimed against plastic that is landfilled, they do allow for co-processing, with the ash then used for cement.

"It's still linear, not circular, because you're destroying the plastic and you're still generating virgin plastic," acknowledged Leones of the environment ministry.

Still, the law remains a "very strong policy", according to Floradema Eleazar, an official with the UN Development Programme.

But "we will not see immediate impacts right now, or tomorrow," she said.

"It would require really massive behavioural change for everyone to make sure that this happens."

The lost art of heartfelt correspondence

When was the last time you wrote anything by hand, or the last time you read a handwritten letter?

BY MB LIFESTYLE

Nov 1, 2024 08:15 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The slow, thoughtful cadence of letters and the anticipation of hearing a loved one’s voice after a long queue at a telephone company brought with it a unique kind of warmth and connection—one that many feel nostalgic for today. 

Photo from Freepik

By Jacqueline Lucero

In a world increasingly dominated by instant communication, letter writing, phone calls, and even telegrams have drifted into obscurity. Yet, for Filipinos who grew up before the internet and mobile phones, these forms of communication were not just practical. They were woven into the fabric of everyday life. The slow, thoughtful cadence of letters and the anticipation of hearing a loved one’s voice after a long queue at a telephone company brought with it a unique kind of warmth and connection—one that many feel nostalgic for today.

Reflecting on those times brings back vivid memories of the many ways families kept in touch across provinces and islands. In rural areas or distant provinces, where the Philippines’ extensive island geography could make in-person visits rare, families would often rely on letters to share news of family events, personal stories, or milestones. The process of writing a letter was both ritualistic and heartfelt, as many would carefully pen down details of their daily lives and seal them with love, knowing their words would take days, sometimes weeks, to reach the recipient. These letters, often signed with careful flourishes or a thumbprint for added sentiment, became treasures, cherished, and read repeatedly. Receiving one meant holding in your hands the weight of someone’s thoughts and affections, a feeling unmatched by digital screens.

Beyond letters, phone calls represented a deeply emotional connection for Filipinos. With the reach of telephone lines still limited at the time, those who wanted to place a long-distance call would have to go to the nearest branch of the telephone company, where they’d wait in line to book an international or provincial call. Many recall the process of waiting for the line to connect, standing anxiously by the receiver in case the call dropped, and savoring the brief moments of conversation as if they were an invaluable luxury. The echoes of laughter and warmth, or the sound of a loved one’s voice, even if crackling over the line, were enough to lift spirits and bring families closer, even from a distance.

Telegram services, though now almost forgotten, also played an essential role in Filipino communication. These short, urgent messages delivered news quickly, often carrying messages of celebration, urgency, or life updates. The brevity required in a telegram added a sense of gravity to every word chosen, making it a powerful way to send love or share important news when other methods might take too long.

These forms of communication created a foundation of patience, anticipation, and deep appreciation. People would wait days, sometimes weeks, for responses, fostering a level of mindfulness that has since been eroded by instant communication. Letters, telegrams, and carefully scheduled calls gave Filipinos the opportunity to pause and reflect, creating bonds that transcended miles and time.

The act of waiting became almost ritualistic in the Philippines, with entire families gathering around for scheduled phone calls, eagerly anticipating the voices of loved ones from afar. Telegrams and letters became carriers of heartfelt emotion, handling both joyful and sorrowful news. When someone received a telegram, it was as if time paused. Each word weighed heavily with meaning, often bringing news that was celebrated or mourned collectively by families and communities alike. There was a unique depth to these modes of communication, something that grew with the time invested and was cherished as a form of continuity in relationships across distances.

For a young woman named Clara, the discovery of a stack of her grandmother’s letters sparked a desire to revive this lost tradition. Inspired by the vulnerability and sincerity in her grandmother’s words, Clara began to reach out to people by letter, reliving the experience of slow, intentional communication. Her project expanded as she found herself writing to people from different walks of life—an artist, a teacher, an elderly neighbor, a young mother—all sharing stories, worries, and dreams in a way that felt deeply personal and lasting. Each letter exchanged became a window into another’s life, far removed from the fleeting nature of social media interactions. These exchanges showed her and others that beyond text messages and emojis, there remained a timeless desire for genuine human connection.

Rediscovering these forms of communication reminds us that, while technology connects us in seconds, it also often leaves us longing for something more substantial. As we reach out through handwritten letters, patiently placed calls, or shared words on a page, we connect with people in a way that feels both intentional and profound. This revival of letter writing and deliberate communication serves as a quiet rebellion against the ephemeral nature of today’s digital age, reminding us that sometimes the best connections are those we take the time to nurture and hold close.

In an age when it’s easy to lose touch amid the fast pace of life, perhaps it’s time we rediscovered the art of heartfelt correspondence.

Sticking to tradition: Undas in the Philippines

BY DOM GALEON

Oct 31, 2024 04:17 PM

  

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IN MEMORIAM - People visiting their departed relatives flock to Angono Municipal Cemetery in Angono, Rizal on Wednesday, Oct., 30, 2024, a day before the eve of Undas 2024. (Photo: Santi San Juan)

 

It is that time of the year again when Filipinos flock into cemeteries all over the country to celebrate their departed loved ones. Yes, celebrate is the more appropriate word, as the annual commemoration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, which follows the day after, has truly become a remarkable feast in Filipino culture. And, typhoon or no, nothing can stop Pinoys from honoring the dead by visiting their final resting places.

Indeed, while Undas is observed in a similar way all over the country, there are certain customs unique to particular regions. Whether one believes the origins of the term Undas to be a shortened version of the Spanish “Un día de los muertos” (A day of the dead) or as a derivative of the verb “honrar” (to honor), the observance of this two-day holiday remains essentially the same — one visits the tombs or the columbariums where the remains of departed relatives have been laid.

Interestingly, perhaps the only regions where Undas is not celebrated in the same way, nor the same day, as the rest of the Philippines would be in provinces that are predominantly Muslim. Islam, of course, is a religion that has a concept of the afterlife. As such, Muslims do spend time visiting the graves or resting places of deceased relatives, albeit not on a fixed date like Christians do during Undas. The prophet Muhammad, it is said, observed similar practices of praying for the dead and visiting graves.

Another region with a different custom is Sagada in the Mountain Province. Because of its location, Sagada is often buffeted by strong winds. Locals, instead of lighting candles beside or near gravesites, light what is called “saeng” or pinewood.

Angono Municipal Cemetery in Angono, Rizal (Photo: Santi San Juan)

Capable of withstanding the strong winds typical of the mountain region, “saeng” is lit during a practice called “panag-apoy” or “to light a fire.” This custom begins on Nov. 1 with a blessing of the “saeng” done during afternoon mass at the Anglican church of St. Mary the Virgin (which, for those who are familiar with Sagada, is located just below the cemetery). Then, the faithful bring their pinewood and burn them beside the graves of their loved ones in a solemn and quite private ceremony that lasts until around 7 p.m.

Food for the soul 

In a very Pinoy fashion, there is no celebration or commemoration that does not include with it the preparation of special dishes — both for the living and the dead, in the case of Undas.

Most popular among these customs, perhaps, is the one of Ilocos where families prepare a plate of “atang” for the dearly departed. While Ilokanos have varied ways of preparing atang, what is common is that the plate is full of different types of rice cakes or kakanin, usually suman, dudul, and linapet.

Some, according to the website of the National Museum of the Philippines, have the tradition of including bagas or uncooked rice (bigas, in Tagalog) shaped in a crucifix, with fresh eggs on top. Still others include, as a side-dish of sorts, caramelized popped rice (busi), black sesame seeds (linga), and sometimes bua ken gawed (betel nut), among other things.

In General Trias, Cavite, most families have a tradition of preparing and serving suman sa lihiya, a local version of malagkit or rice cake. Typically, the glutinous rice is wrapped in banana leaves and is served with latik or sugar. According to a local from General Trias, the custom has been observed for years in most households in the town.

Back to the north, in the province of Pangasinan, where what is perhaps the most tedious of culinary preparations for Undas is practiced. The usual dish served during this time is called “inlubi,” a black rice cake that is sweetened. It owes its dark appearance from its main ingredient, which is deremen or burnt glutinous rice. Accordingly, this deremen is harvested only toward the end of October. It is then prepared and cooked overnight. In order to produce deremen for inlubi, it needs to be cooked and pounded at a particular temperature.

Meanwhile, in the province of La Union, a similar practice of preparing and eating malagkit is also observed. According to some locals, it is customary for families to have plates of various rice cakes during Undas. This includes an assortment of bico, buro, puto, palitaw, among others. And whether one goes to the cemetery or simply offers prayers for the dead at home, the rice cakes have to be present.

Sticking together

It is interesting to note that many regions observe the preparation and eating of glutinous rice cakes during Undas. While kakanin, in one form or another, is a year-round staple in most households and even on the streets of nearly every province in the country, it becomes even more common during Undas.

One possible explanation is that these sticky and sweet delicacies highlight something very Filipino: our close-knit family ties. These stick, pun intended, even beyond death, which says a great deal about the Filipino belief in the afterlife, whether they be Christian or not. Undas, and the local customs and culinary traditions that come with it, serves as a reminder to us all that love of the family is not easily broken. 

Alice Reyes Dance Philippines unveils 'Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad': A new dance adventure for young audiences

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Oct 31, 2024 10:37 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad premieres on Nov. 10, 2024, 10 AM, and 4 PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater as part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Children’s Biennale. 

Karla Santos as Maria Masipag in Erl Sorilla's Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad

Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad is the latest addition to Alice Reyes Dance Philippines' expansive repertoire of Filipino works, this time designed specifically for Children's Dance Theater. 

This new offering marks a significant milestone for one of ARDP’s talented choreographers, Erl Sorilla, who has crafted both the book and his first full-length choreography. 

The production is brought to life with a captivating musical score by award-winning singer-songwriter Toto Sorioso, and magical sets and costumes designed by the renowned Filipino Director and Broadway Designer, Loy Arcenas. 

Dan Dayo as Matsing in Erl Sorilla's Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad

Under the mentorship of National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes, and ARDP Artistic Director, Ronelson Yadao, this production promises to be a magical experience for young audiences.

The story follows the adventures of Juan Tamad, the misunderstood boy in town, and his loyal monkey companion, Matsing. Aided by Juan’s unique ability to converse with animals and his innate love for nature,  they set out to find the village’s most prized treasure, the fruit of all their hard-work and labor stolen by the greedy ‘Buwaya,’ the ‘Gintong Niyog.’ A challenge he must complete to win the hand of Maria Masipag. 

Along his journey, Juan encounters a variety of animals, including those from the stories of ‘Pagong at Kuneho,’ ‘Ang Gamu-gamu at ang Lampara,’ and ‘Buwaya at ang Paboreal.’ Through these encounters, Juan learns valuable moral lessons that guide him on his path. With the help of the animals, Juan grows in character, and ultimately finds the ‘Gintong Niyog.’ Inspired by the classic Filipino children’s stories of ‘Juan Tamad,’ this production brings a new twist to the beloved tales.

Renzen Arboleda as Juan Tamad Photo by Erica Jacinto

The new work will feature ARDP company dancers Renzen Arboleda as the titular Juan Tamad, with Karla Santos as Maria Masipag. Dan Dayo will take on the role of Juan’s trusted sidekick, Matsing, with John Ababon as Pagong, Monica Gana as Kuneho, Earl John Arisola as Buwaya, Krislynne Buri as Paboreal, and Francia Alejandro as Lampara,. Also featured are ARDP trainees Gianna Hervas and Crizza Urmeneta as the Gamu–gamu. 

This production is specifically created for students, as it aligns with Grade 1-10 and High School subjects, including Filipino, Arts, Music, Humanities, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, Personal Development, Araling Panlipunan, Physical Education. Through dance and storytelling, Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad offers an enriching, multidisciplinary educational experience.

Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad premieres on Nov. 10, 2024, 10 AM, and 4 PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater as part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Children’s Biennale. Admission is on a Pay-What-You-Can basis. Please stay tuned on Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Social Media Pages for registration links.

What makes the Filipinos different from other Asians?

 

Jordan Walters

Student of the Philippines

33 followers

8 following

[[ PROFILE PIC IS NOT MINE :) ]]

Proud Christian!

The Philippines has my heart. It always will, and has for a while… The place is my passion. I always strive to know more about the country; her culture, people, history, food, folklore, landscapes, etc. I'll try my best to answer any questions you have that I might know about. :)

European by heritage, American by birth and choice.

Conservative

I have a very dry and somewhat dark sense of humor and writing voice… hope you like it :)

I'd say that one thing that separates the Philippines from Asia, is the majority of Pinoy peoples personalities and mannerisms.

The Filipino people are extremely unique, not only in Asia, but within the world. They smile at you on the street. They embrace you as family when you visit them or even just carry on a conversation with them. They show positivity and love of life even during the darkest of hours.

The Filipino mindset is one of love, and carries in it both traditional and religious values, and a forward looking and joyful outlook.

To many Filipinos, “Life is a Party. And if you remember that, it's one that'll never truly end.” A great friend of mine, who happens to be a Filipino herself, told me this, during one of my darkest hours. She grew up in a deeply rooted Filipino family, and has been back to her homeland many times. And I've remembered those words she told me ever since.

I think these words express perfectly how beautifully complex, yet simple at the same time, the Filipino people are. Just look at a history, book, and it's easy to see that the Pinoys have had their fair share of collective and individual pain and suffering. From colonization, to Japanese occupation. From wars waged against them, to monthly national disasters. These people know misery.

Yet, I and many others see that through our experiences with many kinds of people from many ethnic backgrounds, the Filipinos are some of, if not the most friendly, positive, and helpful people there are.

And that's just one of the reasons why the Philippines has my heart. :)

“Life is a Party. And if you remember that, it's one that'll never truly end.”