Pinoy Latinos?

Even Pinoy barbers are now seeking jobs abroad. Many have gone to Saudi Arabia where they don't necessarily cut hair but trim beards. And earn well.

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It says here that the world's ten "Happiest Nations" are all in Latin America except one -- the Philippines. We're often mistaken for Latinos. Maybe because of our Spanish names and our language which is laced with a smattering of Spanish.

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In other Asean countries, six of which I had the chance to visit when the knees were still strong, the people don't know what a tinidor or kutsara is.

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A history professor asked me during the signing of the Phl-Bangsamoro peace deal:"Have you noticed that there are no mestizos or mestizo-looking Moros or Bangsamoros? I said, yes I have, and he said: "That's because the Moros were never colonized by the Westerners."

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I read this in a column of a business paper: "Pay your taxes and help the nation grow." They're no longer urging taxpayers to pay their taxes with a smile because everyone knows a smile is not legal tender.

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Tax evaders can learn something about good citizenship from my favorite comic strip character Hagar the Horrible, a tough Viking warrior. As the deadline for the filing of income tax returns came, Hagar the Horrible stopped raiding English castles to do a civic duty, saying: "I'm going to file my income tax returns first."

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I have long wanted to say this but I never had the chance to do so. I want to thank Tatay Dodong Limchua for bringing to our living rooms through CCTN Ch. 47 the Holy Mass every 12 noon. Because of Tatay Dodong and his CCTN (the Catholic tv channel) many shut-ins are able to fulfill their duties and commitment to the Lord. Thank you, Tatay Dodong. To God be the glory.

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A US Navy officer (retired) who saw one of the fiercest WWII naval battles in Leyte is sending a grandson to Phl to deliver what he called "modest donation" for the Yolanda victims he saw on tv. The US Navy retiree's name was not mentioned in the brief news item a friend in LA sent me. The retiree is now 91 years old.

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OVERHEARD.  Two neighbors in Labangon were heard talking about the massive assistance given to the typhoon victims in the Visayas and Mindanao. One of them said: "Kinahanglan ba gyud nga ig-on ta una og makalilisang nga bagyo una ta katabangan?" A reader said the lament was made because his wife and two little kids live from one flyover to another.