Category: My neck of the woods

First of two parts

NORTHEAST FLORIDA (MindaNews/18 Dec) — A day before the weekend had me boarding a plane to the Big Apple.
 
You know the drill – check in the night before (online check–in, that is) and print your boarding pass from the convenience of home; wake up early, get ready, grab your bags, get in your car, flip the ignition and make a mad drive to the airport. You then park your car in one of the many long-term parking spots, get your car coupon, get into the shuttle, and after bring dropped off — get in line, go through security, head for your departure gate, wait for the boarding call, get on the plane, find your seat, strap your seat belt on, turn your cell phone off, plug your headphone into the jacks and listen to your onboard satellite radio channel. Finally, the jet engine stirs to life and it's off to the Big City.
 

NORTHEAST FLORIDA (MindaNews/17 November) —  As we partake of the blessings and graces brought upon us by the diaspora, let us remember the unfortunate lot of our countrymen in our homeland. Let us remember the poor, the dispossessed, the marginalized – the least of our brethren. In the past couple of days, the Philippine nation has been hit by a string of moral catastrophes. We have limited options on how we seek to respond to these series of unfortunate events – highlighted by the death of a child who took her life because she can no longer go to school.