All posts by aLfie vera meLLa »
Do You Know What Those Wooden Dolls Are Called?
(On Profiling Matryoshka Dolls) I was in early elementary, in perhaps the late 1970s, when I first saw those fascinating dolls being featured on the children’s television show Sesame Street. Since then I have
Read More »Local Filipino Writers, Where Were You?
(At the 23rd Annual Manitoba Book Awards) Produced by Manitoba Writers’ Guild with Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, the 23rd Annual Manitoba Book Awards was held on April 17, 2011, at Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain.
Read More »Geoff the Klezmer Clown and Bard
(On Geoff Berner and Klezmer Music) I arrived in Canada, specifically in British Columbia, in 2003; and being a passionate music enthusiast with Alternative Rock being my favorite, one of the first activities I
Read More »Ikinahihiya Mo ba ang Iyong Pagkabata?
(On Recalling Some Childhood Memories) May mga taong tuwang-tuwang ikuwento ang kanilang nakaraan, lalo na ang kanilang pagkabata. However, there are also many people who choose to keep portions of their past private perhaps
Read More »What’s That in the Woods? Birds!
(On Some Philippine Birds and Their Local Names) One day a nephew of mine asked me if ducks are birds. I said yes, but he seemed unconvinced. “Really?” he insisted. Apparently, one of his
Read More »Pacman and Paris Hilton
After Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s post-fight press conference last May 7, 2011, my investigative reporter approached Pacman as he and his party were leaving the conference room. His wife, Jinkee, and Hollywood actress and hotel
Read More »Bow, Pluck, Blow, Hit!
Whereas many Western musical instruments like the guitar, piano, violin, flute, and trumpet have long become household names, there are those that remain obscure to the masses; for instance, instruments native to Asian countries
Read More »Kilala Mo Ba ang Bansang Thailand?
(On Thailand and Its Language) Gaano mo kakilala ang mga karatig-bansa ng Pilipinas sa Timog-Silangang Asya? Ang pagkilala sa kultura ng ibang bansa ay nagpapahiwatig ng respeto hindi lamang sa mga bansang ito kundi
Read More »The Fauna of Himapan Forest
(On Thai Mythology) Perhaps the most popular realm in Thai mythology, Himapan Forest is the invisible woodland believed to exist in the Himalayas, in the India-Nepal border, just below the equally legendary Buddhist heaven.
Read More »Riding on My Bicycle
(Icelandic Alternative Rock Music) Perhaps a privilege enjoyed by a passionate music enthusiast like me is having a diverse selection of music that I can listen to. I don’t rely on what commercial radio
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