Writer's Musings

Originally posted on Subli: Have you been to a Filipino home? What was the first thing you noticed? Most Filipinos have religious statues of saints in their homes. That can range from a statue of Santo Niño or a statue of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes or Our Lady of Fatima. Also you…

Originally posted on Subli: First stanza of “Mi Ultimo Adiós”, by Jose Rizal, written before his execution on December 30, 1896. The poem was untitled, but this is the most common name it is known by. “Mi último adiós” (English; “My Last Farewell”) is a poem written by Dr. José Rizal before his execution by…

Originally posted on Subli: Parols at the Philippine Embassy in NYC Photo Credit: Flicker by Gigi_NYC In the Philippines, the formal Christmas celebrations start on Dec. 16 when people go to the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses culminating on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. It is called Simbang Gabi in Filipino, also called…

Originally posted on Pacific Paratrooper: Sailor Santa “A Different Christmas Poem” The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming…

Originally posted on Subli: St. Lo exploded after a kamikaze attacks. Photo Credit: US Navy – http://www.navsource.org/archives/03/063.htm A significant epilogue to the Battle of Leyte Gulf came on Oct. 25, the day when the Japanese assaulted the Seventh Fleet with a new weapon – Kamikaze suicide pilots made up entirely of volunteers led by Lieutenant…

Originally posted on Subli: In the Philippines, December 8 is the Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception where festival honoring the Virgin Mary are taking place in several towns. This is celebrated with evening processions, supplemented by cultural presentations, beauty pageants, and fireworks. December 8 is also marked as the Second Pearl Harbor.…

Originally posted on Subli: Gambier Bay and her escorts laying a smoke screen early in the battle.Photo Credit – U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation Kurita emerged unopposed from San Bernardino Strait and was racing southward heading for Leyte Gulf. At daybreak on Oct. 25, American carriers were sighted on the horizon. Kurita thought…