Archives for the ‘Grey Matter’ Category

Re-Gift-ed!

By Benjie • Jan 7th, 2012 • Category: Grey Matter

 

In the coming year, you may be invited or sold a ticket to any of over a hundred different functions or events happening for whatever reason.  Some may be simple get-togethers, some will be genuinely in the name of charity, some…



B’ALIW Awards 2011

By Benjie • Nov 28th, 2011 • Category: Grey Matter

 

People have been dishing out awards like there was no tomorrow –  as we Filipinos would say “sampu-singko”.  But maybe, it’s simply a case of the more the merrier, not to mention safe and   guaranteed to get you on anyone’s…



Sleeping With Rizal

By Benjie • Nov 13th, 2011 • Category: Grey Matter

 

There seems to be a sudden surge of patriotism and a swell of emotions for our hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.  It’s Rizalitis, an itch and yearning for everything and anything Rizal.  Understandably, after all it is Rizal’s 150th birthday.

There’s the re-staging…



Birthday Blues or Faux Pas

By Benjie • Jun 20th, 2011 • Category: Grey Matter

Any Independence Day is considered the birth of a nation. This is echoed in countless speeches and messages that aim to inspire its people.   Therefore, to put in simplistic terms, Philippine Independence Day is our birthday.  All the celebrations, trappings…



Blind Faith

By Benjie • Apr 21st, 2011 • Category: Grey Matter

When truth stares us in the face our initial reaction is to deny it with all our might.  When our values and beliefs are challenged, especially by those we have come to respect and trust, we go in defense mode. …



There Is A Difference!

By Benjie • Feb 26th, 2011 • Category: Grey Matter

The recently concluded PCC-NSW annual general meeting proceeded without incident.  While there might be room for improvement on proceedings, others translated it to mean a hearty interaction.  At least this time, there were no ghostly apparitions, which have long been…



The Year of Best Intentions

By Benjie • Jan 7th, 2011 • Category: Grey Matter

Are endings beginnings or are beginnings endings?   I once again sit here anticipating the dawn of tomorrow while also reflecting on yesterday.  As the new year rolls in, there’ll be more games played and people wanting to run some race,…



Anong Paki Mo?

By Benjie • Nov 8th, 2010 • Category: Grey Matter

I recently received on the email trail a photo of a billboard of a Filipino business offering “Paki” services - or running errands at a price.  It highlighted the Filipino ingenuity. It amused me no end and it definitely tickled my…



Five Spark Plugs!

By Benjie • Sep 24th, 2010 • Category: Grey Matter

It feels like almost a zillion years ago that I bought my first car. As expected, I was bursting with excitement and played little Miss Independent, until reality set in.  My car conked out somewhere but I thought luck was…



The Art of Papelation

By Benjie • Jun 5th, 2010 • Category: Grey Matter

 

Witnessing community happenings recently made me remember a word my friends and I coined in our younger days.  I thought age and time would have eliminated the ‘art of papelation’ but it seems not, for there are those who indulge in…