This delightful shriek rang across the lobby as the extraordinary woman excitedly rushed to greet an equally extraordinary friend.

For years, these words haunted me. Even in sleep, they tortured — like blades that clinged and pierced me with the slightest breathe.

TAIPEI Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO) officials visited the Journal Group of Publications last June 17, 2020 to express gratitude to the Journal Group’s support for Taiwan and its efforts and contributions in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

It wasn’t a run-of-the-mill icebreaker for two sister-in-laws who had just discovered each other’s existence. Yet the short exchange was enough to kindle a lasting bond between two women who had two loving Lardizabal men in common in their lives.

So sorry that I’m not within the ‘one meter’ allowed by the social distancing rule to be with you. I’m truly devastated.

This used to be my daily thanksgiving prayer. But with the global Pandora’s box unlocked by the merciless coronavirus, this has become an hourly habit. Like the rest of the terrified world, every breath I take is a reason to rejoice.

The course escapes me but the professor’ eccentric ways lingers. And because he was strange, Lilit and I thought we could get away with being stranger. We were seated at the farthest side of the class and had stopped listening to the lecture. We were softly, in whispers, singing our Paulinian high school hymn when the prof decided to cut short our nostalgic trip.

There’s only one soul — two at the most — I know who will give this reply if I suddenly, hypothetically blurted out that I had just murdered a breathing being.

TIPIKAL sa ating mga Pinoy ang pagiging madiskarte. Kung araw-araw kang nagco-commute para pumasok sa eskuwela o makarating sa iyong trabaho, pipiliin mo syempre na sumakay at makipagsiksikan sa tren partikular sa Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1.

Pareng Jerry is a gentle soul of few words. And on the rare and carefully pondered occasions when he speaks his mind, he never fails to impart Solomonic wisdom.

CAGAYAN FREEPORT – More than 4,000 people joined the beat as the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) celebrated its first music festival on October 19, in the open grounds, at Barangay Centro, in Santa Ana, Cagayan.

CAGAYAN FREEPORT— More people are discovering why tourist arrivals in the once-sleepy town of Santa Ana in Cagayan almost doubled in less than three years.

“WOULD you like me to get some hot water for your coffee?”

I momentarily paused from enjoying my lunch. Then I looked up and was pleasantly puzzled.

“Keeping in mind the unique requirements of clients, we have available age and gender- specific Executive Health Check packages. Our one-stop shop concept gives clients the convenience of access to basic diagnostic services (x-ray, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, laboratory workups), medical consultation, physical examination, and other wellness services such as acupuncture, nutrition counselling, weight management, vaccination, life coaching, etc., all in one exclusive, dedicated area. It boasts of an executive lounge where patients can relax in between medical tests, enjoy a healthy snack, access wi-fi connectivity, and avail of concierge services as well,” said Dr. Reyes.

THE House of Representatives of the 18th Congress under its dedicated and working leaders Speaker Alan Cayetano and House Majority Leader have bee receiving a resounding ovation and deserves continuous applause for sterling achievements in such a short time.