Filipino Christmas Traditions

There is no Christmas like a Filipino Christmas. Every Filipino knows that the season officially starts during the “Ber Months”, making it the longest Christmas celebration in the world. It’s becoming a tradition that on September 1, you can expect the Jose Mari Chan memes to pop up on your feed, marking the start of the season. During this time, malls and other public spaces already start putting up Christmas decor, a full three months before December even starts. It’s funny, because nowhere in the world will you see Christmas decorations come up even before the Halloween decor – in some places, they even just put them up side by side. But beyond the decorations, the months-long celebration, and the memes, there is a rich

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Promdi to the Big City

In 1975, after high school, I was awarded several college scholarships in Manila. However, I chose to study at Ateneo de Davao.  My Alma Mater was one of three colleges run by the Society of Jesus (SJ) in three very strategic centers in Mindanao: Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga. It was the college of choice for most of the local elite – if they didn’t go to Manila for college, they went to Ateneo de Davao.  I would miss my hometown of Padada, but Davao City was close enough. If I had transport money, I could always go home. Also, my elder sister was staying in Davao, so I planned to stay with her and her family to save on board and lodging costs. 

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A Homecoming Speech

On October 18 and 19, 2025, the St Michael’s College of Padada’s  high school class of 1975 will celebrate its Golden Jubilee. I belong to this batch, and I look forward to the occasion — to meet my batchmates, some of whom I have not seen since graduation. In the meantime, let me share with you a speech I delivered during another Golden Jubilee celebration of teh foundign of our school — what used to be St Michael’s Academy when it was , then St Michael’s College and now, St Michael’s School of Padada. I share this speech in my earlier blog, Wednesdays with Nic (wednesdayswithnic.com) Here it is: Dear guests, former teachers, peers and fellow alumni of St. Michael School of Padada, MAAYONG HAPON

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Public Service Should not be a Path to Obscene Wealth

“No country can progress if its politics is more profitable than its industries. In a country where those in government are richer than entrepreneurs, they manufacture poverty.” – Peter Obi, Nigerian Politician I came across the above quote recently. It really hits home, I think, as we continue to dive headfirst into this whole flood control issue. Ever since this issue was exposed, the typhoons have kept coming. And the floods they bring seem to be getting worse and worse. This seems like it’s a huge symptom of a deeper, more corrosive problem in our country that is bubbling to the surface.  What is being exposed is the theft of billions and billions of pesos meant for dikes, dams, and vital drainage systems – projects

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The Storm Breaks on the Flood Control Issue

They tried their best to hide their corruption – then God sent the rains. They tried their best to hide their corruption – but then their kids flaunt their wealth. Hearing after hearing, and the storm breaks – not the rains this time, but people – flooding the streets, and like the rains, unpredictable – some peaceful, some forceful, and some outright violent.  The floods culminated in widespread protests on the day being commemorated as the start of one of the darkest times in the history of the Philippines. It felt like all sectors of the Philippine society were represented that day, and the wide spectrum of protest was on full display – from peaceful and prayerful, to angry and cursing, to violent and destructive. 

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A Realization of a Long-standing Dream

For the longest time, one of the long-standing items in my bucket list is to set up a library-museum in my hometown of Padada, Davao del Sur. There are no museums in Padada. The only libraries are those that are in the two private schools in town. It’s very rare to find someone in Padada whose pastime is reading. Everyone has their phones anyway, and the instant gratification that social media brings is more accessible (and more addicting) than books. If they’re not on their phones, they’re just sitting around, gossiping, or drinking – what else is there to do?   Nothing New, but Something Uncommon It might not be an extremely novel idea, as there are small libraries and museums in other towns. However,

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Game of Titas: Jackstone

Before the advent of video games, smartphones, and tablets, boys and girls used to play outside with their friends. Children didn’t need fancy and expensive gadgets to have fun. For most games, all you needed were a few friends – if you did need some equipment, it was mostly things found outside, around the house, or were relatively inexpensive (if you needed to purchase them).  From the basics, like habulan, patintero, or tumbang preso, there’s a lot of traditional games Filipino children from around the country play. Nowadays, it seems like only the titos and titas are the only ones who remember these classic games and how to play them.  This is a series I’d like to call Games Children No Longer Play. Join me

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Game of Titos and Titas: Syatong

Before the advent of video games, smartphones, and tablets, boys and girls used to play outside with their friends. Children didn’t need fancy and expensive gadgets to have fun. For most games, all you needed were a few friends – if you did need some equipment, it was mostly things found outside, around the house, or were relatively inexpensive (if you needed to purchase them).  From the basics, like habulan, patintero, or tumbang preso, there’s a lot of traditional games Filipino children from around the country play. Nowadays, it seems like only the titos and titas are the only ones who remember these classic games and how to play them.  This is a series I’d like to call Games Children No Longer Play. Join me

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Game of Titos: Holen

Before the advent of video games, smartphones, and tablets, boys and girls used to play outside with their friends. Children didn’t need fancy and expensive gadgets to have fun. For most games, all you needed were a few friends – if you did need some equipment, it was mostly things found outside, around the house, or were relatively inexpensive (if you needed to purchase them).  From the basics, like habulan, patintero, or tumbang preso, there’s a lot of traditional games Filipino children from around the country play. Nowadays, it seems like only the titos and titas are the only ones who remember these classic games and how to play them.  This is a series I’d like to call Games Children No Longer Play. Join me

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Game of Titos and Titas: Birus

Before the advent of video games, smartphones, and tablets, boys and girls used to play outside with their friends. Children didn’t need fancy and expensive gadgets to have fun. For most games, all you needed were a few friends – if you did need some equipment, it was mostly things found outside, around the house, or were relatively inexpensive (if you needed to purchase them).  From the basics, like habulan, patintero, or tumbang preso, there’s a lot of traditional games Filipino children from around the country play. Nowadays, it seems like only the titos and titas are the only ones who remember these classic games and how to play them.  This is a series I’d like to call Games Children No Longer Play. Join me

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