Looking Back

Philippine connections: Madrid

Retracing Rizal’s footsteps in Madrid yet again, I do so now imagining him in Madrid…

Christmas traditions

We landed in Madrid ahead of schedule. As soon as the seat belt sign was…

Aguinaldo’s shopping list, 1897-1898

Nineteen days to Christmas Eve, “noche buena.” I must find the energy to battle traffic…

Quezon unveiled

One of the attention-catching items in the forthcoming Leon Gallery auction is former President Manuel…

Footnotes to PH history in Hong Kong

This weekend, the nation will remember Andres Bonifacio again on Nov. 30, then forget him…

The Philippines in Macao

All I remember from a childhood trip to Macao are boredom and recollections of church…

Mabini’s curse in our times

Apolinario Mabini is a hero who should be brought out of Jose Rizal’s shadow to…

Fake news: Rizal’s resurrection

Fake news and disinformation are often discussed in relation to social media, where they spread…

‘Tsismis’ and intelligence gathering

Over the years, I have come across surveillance records in libraries and archives. These cover…

Annus horribilis

1882 in the Philippines is best described as an annus horribilis, literally a “horrible year.”…