Gemma Cruz Araneta | LANDSCAPE Ambassador Leon Maria Guerrero was still in London when I went to Europe for the first time, with about 20 schoolmates and two Maryknoll nuns as chaperons. Tito Leoni and Tita Annie gave us a splendid reception at Palace Green, the embassy residence. They invited Sandhurst cadets, handsome in gala uniforms, sparkling conversation, and with … Read more
Sometimes I shudder at the thought that so many of my great grand uncles were unceremoniously exiled to the cardinal points of the Philippines. Each one is listed in Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo; no one recognizes those names today, but it must have been scandalous and horrifying in 1891. On my mother side, her elder … Read more
Without exception, conferences organized in March to celebrate “Women’s Month” always allude to the babaylan as the mystical symbol of women empowerment. Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the babaylan was a native priestess, a spiritual leader and guardian of traditions and cultural values. Pigafetta, the Italian chronicler who accompanied Magellan, wrote about them and … Read more
Seamlessly fluent, our eminent guest speaker declared that the problem is not poverty but inequality due to the fact that, in this country, only 2,200 people control 80 percent of the Philippine economy. There is so much money, so much wealth that FDIs (Foreign Direct Investments) are not needed, but the 2,200 who possess 80 … Read more
Frankly speaking, I was pleasantly surprised at the editorial of the Manila Bulletin (MB) last 4 March. I could not believe my eyes when I read the title, “Time to start processing our own raw materials.” How polemical for a sedate, conservative national newspaper that recently celebrated its 117th year of service to the nation. … Read more
Remembering “People Power I” last Tuesday, I quoted incisive articles written by Dr. Vicente Rafael, historian and professor, about that political event which attracted world attention. Undoubtedly, his analysis in the context of present circumstances served to enlighten those who, like me, are disconcerted to tears. Here’s more of the good professor’s observations: “In the … Read more
Let us thank Dr. Vicente L. Rafael for sorting out the disconcerting, if not alarming, events that are taking place around us. He taught at the Universities of California in San Diego, Hawaii, at Monoa and is currently with the University of Washington in Seattle. Among his books are: Motherless Tongues, The Promise of the … Read more
La Habana (Havana), the capital of the Republic of Cuba, was almost déjà vu. There were six of us who joined the tour arranged by Red Vinta Travel; someone had to go to Kuala Lumpur to get visas and my application was almost denied because I had written “periodista” as my occupation. From the hotel … Read more
En route to Abu Dhabi and Dusseldorf, isn’t there a shorter way to Cuba? Anyway, that gave me more time to continue reading about my final destination. Luckily, Cuba in War Time by Richard Harding Davis is slim enough to tuck into my purse. This edifying tome was published in New York in 1898, shortly … Read more
Tomorrow I am leaving for Cuba, but instead of poring over travel brochures, I feel I have to open the book of its past to better understand its present and perhaps, also its future. I shook the dust off War with Spain and the Philippines (1900), a monumental volume which barely fits on my working … Read more