It was supposed to be a reception hosted by his good friend, long-time San Diego resident Tony Pizarro during a short visit of Lina and his wife Lory in San Diego. Yet, the evening ended with Joey regaling his new-found friends with at least four songs, justifying his insistence to give a sample of a talent that earned him a place in the Philippine government’s “Three Terrors,” err, “Tenors”. -- Simeon G. Silverio, Jr., Our Life and Times

For OFW’s, a sincere and warm welcome to recognize their sacrifice abroad to earn and remit money to families at home would be nice. Long family separation is tough but needed to provide better lives to their children. Still for most, there is no place like Home. -- Bill Labestre, Bill's Corner

"My generation of Filipinos grew up celebrating Independence Day on July 4th*, the day the United States 'granted' the Philippines its freedom in 1946," writes John L. Silva. "But in the mid-sixties, Independence Day was changed to June 12, in recognition of the declaration of freedom from Spain in 1898 by a fledgling Filipino government headed by President Emilio Aguinaldo." -- Riz Oades, PhD, Voices and Images

Consider this a chance to make a toast to Samuel Adams and the signatories of the Declaration. And why not begin the protest in the spirit of the Boston Tea Party by making a resolution on cutting back on the addiction to oil as the Commander-in-Chief said? -- Genevieve Silverio, In Perspective

Indeed, the Philippines is blessed with natural landmarks like the Hundred Islands, a feature not enjoyed by other countries. Yet, the Filipinos fail to take advantage of and appreciate these God’s gifts. Instead they have to travel to the God-forsaken places on Earth and endure the searing heat in the desert in the Middle East or the bitter cold winters of Eastern Europe just to seek their place in the sun away from a paradise that is their home. -- Simeon G. Silverio, Jr., Our Life and Times