Tag: visa

Are all Visa Equal? A Hypothesis of Our 2016 Family Experience in Taiwan

Michael Pido, November 4, 2019January 4, 2024

Among overseas travelers, there is an old adage – although no formal pronouncement about it…

Table 1. Chronological summary of all blogs and/or articles uploaded in Kaleidoscope

	Country	Geographic Region	Topic	Title	Summary	Date Posted
1	Australia	Oceania	Theme 10: Humor & Funny Incidents	The Wrong ‘Dead Man’ Movie in Brisbane, Australia	One should pay particular attention to the full title of a movie before purchasing a ticket at the booth. Otherwise, there could be an embarrassing consequence when you actually watch the film. In 1996, I entered the wrong movie house in Brisbane, Australia, because of the confusion regarding ‘Dead Man’ title.	30 June 2019
2	China	Asia	Theme 10: Humor & Funny Incidents	Candid Sharing about Sex: A Discourse among Asian Professionals in Beijing, China	If you perceive that Asians are conservative about sex, think again. These conversations among professional academicians, researchers and scientists suggest that they are as liberated – if not at par – with their more open-minded westerner counterparts. It happened in Beijing, China, in October 1995.	3 July 2019
3	England	European Union	Theme 10: Humor & Funny Incidents	On Using an Automated Public Toilet: A tragi-comedy in Ashford, Kent, England	Due to an unavoidable need in 1989, I was forced to use an automated public toilet for the first time. This incident took place in Ashford, Kent, England. Tinkering with the toilet’s electronic gadgets, however, resulted in unintended, yet humorous consequence.	3 July 2019
4	Cambodia	Asia	Theme 1: Accommodations & Lodging Places	Reasonably-Budgeted Accommodation in Siem Reap, Cambodia: A Family of Five Experiential Sharing	During our December 2018 family trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia, we stayed in two hotels with fairly high reviews and very reasonable rates: ‘Bokre Angkor Hostel’ at US$194 for 2 rooms for 4 days and ‘The Orientation Lodge’ at US$157 for 2 rooms for 3 days. These hotels have quite helpful staff and very accommodating owners-managers. We highly recommend these to families visiting Siem Reap on a limited budget.	7 July 2019
5	Cambodia	Asia	Theme 6: Foodies & Culinary Delights	Reasonably-Priced Culinary Delights in Siem Reap, Cambodia: A Family Sharing	During our family of five members’ travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia, on December 2018, we spent on the average US$20 per meal, including drinks. The amounts of our family meals ranged from US$15 in street food stalls up to US$30 in not so pricy restaurants. Hopefully, this travelogue may help as a reference guide to those traveling families with limited budget for food.	7 July 2019
6	Philippines	Asia	Theme 4: Education & Academic Musings	The University of the Philippines (UP) Mystique: Is it Real or Just a Bravado?	Graduates of University of the Philippines (UP) are generally held in high esteem. There is a certain ‘mystique’ that UP graduates are the best, if not among the cream of the crop. Hence, they used to populate the government service, private sector and civil society organizations. There is even a bravado argument that there are only two schools: (1) UP and (2) Others. This article presents an insider’s perspective about five factors that contribute and/or associated with such a UP mystique. While UP graduates may be considered as still among the best, other schools have closed the gap – albeit considerably. Hence, such a UP mystique may not last very long, if at all.	10 July 2019
7	Cambodia	Asia	Theme 5: Family, Friends & Relationships	A Bizarre Promenade in the Streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Due to job and other circumstances, members of a once intact family separate to pursue their own ways. During our college days starting in 1977, my brother and I always look forward to our planned family reunions every Christmas and/or summer break. Once we started working in 1981, though, our reunions became less frequent. It even became rarer when our late father passed away in 1996. Our unexpected and unannounced family gathering a year later is something unique among all other reunions – and indeed something to reminisce.	13 July 2019
8	Cambodia	Asia	Theme 13: Scary Moments & Fearful Situations	A Bizarre Promenade in the Streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia	In 2000, I experienced a bizarre promenade in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city, whereby the motorcycle driver (siklo) circled me around for over half an hour to find my hotel. Earlier, I was scared when two strangers followed me. Hence, riding in siklo around the strange parts of the city at midnight time to find my hotel made me even more apprehensive.	18 July 2019
9	Canada	North America	Theme 10: Humor & Funny Incidents	Lost in Translation: A Strange ‘Band’ in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada	During my maiden 2001 trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, I mistook a conference participant as a musician. This was because the word ‘Band’ was printed in his conference ID, not knowing that it refers to his tribal or ethnic affiliation. Lesson learned: a seemingly very familiar English word may have multiplicity of meaning depending on where and how it is spoken.	21 July 2019
10	Venezuela	South America	Theme 10:Humor & Funny Incidents	Holy Shit! Toilet Mishap at a Five-Star Hotel in Caracas City, Venezuela	This humorous incident was literally associated with shit – defecation to be blunt about the term. Such toilet mishap occurred in 1992 at a five-star hotel in Venezuela’s capital city.	24 July 2019
11	China	Asia	Theme 7: Misfortunes & Sad Moments	The Controversial Convention Center in Beijing, China	Taxi drivers at times – knowingly or unwittingly – pretend to know the exact destination that the passenger wants to go. In China in 1995, our taxi driver brought us to a wrong venue half an hour away: a ‘Convention Center’ instead of ‘Beijing International Convention Center’.	28 July 2019
12	Taiwan	Asia	Theme 10: Humor & Funny Incidents	Three Kilogram Scallop? A Restaurant Language Mishap in Taipei, Taiwan	English translation in foreign lands are sometimes problematic. At a restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan in 1994, we ordered scallop. But what was delivered after a long wait was a three-kilogram fish!	4 August 2019
13	USA	North America	Theme 10: Humor & Funny Incidents	A Tale of Midnight Hunger: My Maiden Overseas Trip in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA	I never anticipated that the first night of my very first foreign travel – in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA in 1987 – would be filled with hunger-related awkwardness. I had no choice but to request my benefactor to fetch me at midnight time. And it all started with a simple, unwanted nap.	23 August 2019
14	Thailand	Asia	Theme 13: Scary Moments & Fearful Situations	Encounter with the ‘God of Death’? A Bizarre Restaurant Episode in Bangkok, Thailand	On 1 February 2016, while taking a late family breakfast at Prachak Pet Yang in Bangkok, Thailand, I suddenly felt an excruciating stomach pain. This was followed by a combined massive perspiration and dizziness. Without warning, I sensed that I was ‘teleported’ at the sole movie house at my home town in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. To my horror, what was shown was a motion picture ‘flash back’ of my life starting when I was a toddler. I shouted to stop and was brought back to my senses through the tugging of my daughter.	30 August 2019
15	Australia	Oceania	Theme 10: Humor & Funny Incidents	New Year’s Eve University Locked-in: Electronic Mishap in Townsville, Queensland, Australia	At the end of the year, one must be particularly careful when using a swipe card to get in and out of a room. Otherwise, you might become an unwilling prisoner. A bizarre ‘lock-in’ experience happened to me in 1997 at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.	5 September 2019
16	Taiwan	Asia	Theme 16: Unclassified & Miscellaneous Topics	Are all Visa Equal? A Hypothesis of Our 2016 Family Experience in Taiwan	When our family of five members decided to spend part of the 2016 Christmas break in Taiwan, we all prepared our documents to secure our individual visa. We were surprised, therefore, when only our son (Jr.) was required to secure a Taiwanese visa. The simple reason is possession of recent visa from two developed countries: both my wife (Lita) and daughter (Hannah) possessed Australian visa; my eldest son Robert had a US visa; and I held both US and Australian visa.	4 November 2019
17	Indonesia	Asia	Theme 7: Misfortunes & Sad Moments	The Lightning Struck Twice! Unlucky ‘Floor Manager’ in Ambon and Jakarta, Indonesia	This humorous case happened in 1994 at Jakarta and Ambon, Indonesia, when we undertook the field testing of a fisheries guide we have developed. As the designated team leader, I could have secured a bed for myself first and let my two other colleagues sort between themselves who will get the other bed. Instead, I opted to be democratic by having a ‘game of sticks’: whoever gets the shortest one would be the loser. For such a chivalrous act, I ended up sleeping on the floor not once, but twice!	21 November 2019
18	Philippines	Asia	Theme 6: Foodies & Culinary Delights	Foodies in Majestic Coron, Palawan Province, Philippines: A Serial Traveler’s Recent Gastronomic Sampling	Coron as the northern gateway in Palawan Province, the Philippines, is famously known for its majestic tourist attractions such as the serene Kayangan Lake, colorful reefs and fishes of Siete Pecados, and spectacular diving crevices at sunken Japanese ships. Yet there are still limited directional articles on where to indulge one’s palate after visiting such tourist sites. I have visited Coron at least 10 times over the last 20 years for various chores – and have done bits of gastronomic adventures on the side. Hence, what I provide here are tidbits of experiential information about food (including relative prices) during my most recent trips: June 2018 and January 2019. This article is a quick reference guide (not exhaustive!) for busy travelers about sample dining places within Coron’s Central Business District covering breakf	29 January 2020
19	England	European Union	Theme 6: Foodies & Culinary Delights	‘Spotted Dick’ on Christmas Eve! A Fascinating Discovery in Wye Village, Ashford, England	During Christmas of 1988 at Wye Village, Ashford, Kent, England, a benevolent English couple (Peter and Cindy) invited me and my Ugandan classmate (Hakuba) to join them for Christmas dinner. Back then, we were both postgraduate students at the University of London’s Wye College. After partaking the main course, Peter graciously asked us to try his ‘spotted dick’. Hearing such a phrase for the first time – or we did not understand his pronunciation properly – we were puzzled if he was asking us to try out his penis! It was only when we actually saw the real spotted dick that we realized our new culinary lesson in a rather humorous way.	17 February 2020
20	Philippines	Asia	Theme 5: Family, Friends & Relationships	Beyond 10,000 Daily Foot Steps: A Positive Health Consequence of COVID-19?	If one walks 10,000 steps per day, that person could be burning enough calories to lose weight. After trying this technique for 123 days – from 13 January 2020 to 14 May 2020 – I have attained a daily average of 10,050 steps. The consequence: I lost 6 kilos! I intend to maintain this daily average and combine it with a healthier diet. Hopefully, I shall lose more unwanted weights by the end of this COVID-19 pandemic.	2 June 2020 (1st COVID-19 Diary)
21	Philippines	Asia	Theme 2: Adventures & Thrills	MY GUARDIAN ANGEL’S LIST OF BLESSINGS: PART 1: CLOSE ENCOUNTER AMIDST COVID-19 PANDEMIC	While Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought disruption in our family and work, it has also provided ample time to reflect on our lives while working from and/or staying at home. One afternoon, my guardian angel visited me unannounced while I was feeling depressed for being a failure in my twilight years. To argue that I was wrong, he handed me a list of my 10 incredible blessings. I am sharing my close encounter with him, and the eventual gentleman’s deal that we have agreed at.	16 September 2020 (2nd COVID-19 Diary)
22	Philippines	Asia	Theme 11: Misfortunes & Sad Moments	On Being Fast Versus Being Rich:A Brief Discourse On Being Respectful to Strangers	Don Vito Corleone, the central character of The Godfather (1969 Book of Mario Puzo), reminded his underlings to be respectful of the strangers that they meet. In this context, an arrogant guy ‘outmaneuvered’ an unassuming lady to get the lone parking slot at an elite Sports Club in Metro Manila, Philippines. Find out what she did to his brand-new Mercedes Benz.	30 September 2020 (3rd COVID-19 Diary)
23	Philippines	Asia	Theme 6: Misfortunes & Sad Moments Health & Wellness	On Long Walk, Massage, Banana and Lemon: Can Pleasures be Either Free or Cheap?	Life’s pleasures are often associated with exuberant monetary costs. While true to a certain extent, we could still experience some of life’s simple pleasures even if we are not wealthy. Leisurely long walk is absolutely free, yet it contributes tremendously to our health and human well-being. As shared here, the total cost of PhP138 (US$2.75) is relatively cheap for the following enjoyable services and/or foodstuff items: 30 minutes of electric chair massage; caramelized fried banana with water; and freshly-chilled lemonade.	14 October 2020 (4th COVID-19 Diary)
24	Philippines	Asia	Theme 5: Family, Friends & Relationships	On ‘Overruling’ Oriental Wives and their ‘Surrendering’ Husbands: Close Encounters in the Midst of Pandemic	The traditional dominance of Oriental husbands seems to be fading fast. Their wives are now demanding not only parallel gender status but equal rights and opportunities as well. Moreover, Oriental wives at times may go overboard to either ‘overrule’ their husbands’ wishes – or enjoin them to ‘surrender’ to their whims. In this context, I am sharing two close encounters of my brother-in-law and myself with our wives in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic.	28 October 2020 (5th COVID-19 Diary)
25	Philippines	Asia	Theme 7: Family, Friends & Relationships	On 200+ Birthday Anniversary Greeters: Who Enlivened my Last ‘Junior’ Year Celebration	When I celebrated my 59th birthday anniversary last 24 January 2021, I was ecstatic when 200+ co-workers, family members, friends, professional associates, relatives, and students greeted me. Although the majority came from the Philippines, some 50 well-wishers were from overseas. They conveyed their greetings through emails, face-to-face greetings, messenger, phone calls, and text notes. Their messages revolved around these themes: health, happiness, longevity, safety, and success. I sincerely thank them for making my last year as a ‘junior’ truly memorable – as I will become a ‘senior’ by 2022!	3 February 2021 (6th COVID-19 Diary)
26	Australia, Malaysia and Philippines	Asia-Oceana	Theme 5: Family, Friends & Relationships	On Airport Pick-Up and Dining Out of Children: Relationship Indicators with Overseas Friends?	What kind of hospitable gestures would your intimate foreign friends extend to your children when they visit their home countries? Given that context question, I am sharing two stories about three overseas friends who went out of their way not only to pick my children at the airports – but dined them out as well. The first incident involving my eldest son, Mikhail Robert, happened in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The second circumstance was about my only daughter Zarina Hannah in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.	24 February 2021 (7th COVID-19 Diary)
27	Australia	Oceana	Theme 16: Unclassified & Miscellaneous Topics	Can you Guess the Kendo Teacher? And the Folly of our Intuitive Thinking	We often form a spontaneous judgment about a person or a particular situation based on our intuition. In most cases, though, such fast thinking process is not very reliable. In this example, my daughter Zarina Hannah shared some photos about her Japanese Kendo (sword fighting) class in Darwin, Australia. I confidently guessed in the photos her Kendo teacher – and it turned out that I was dead wrong!	21 April 2021 (8th COVID-19 Diary)
28	Philippines	Asia	Theme 12: Rotary & Volunteer Services	Rotary as Effective COVID-19 Volunteer Service Provider: A Reflection on a Rotary Club of Puerto Princesa Initiative	When the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on 11 March 2020, the Rotary International as a global organization immediately responded. The Rotary Club of Puerto Princesa (RCPP) in Palawan, Philippines, is among the clubs that went into action to provide volunteer services. Among its COVID-19 initiatives, the RCPP members on 2 April 2020 distributed food packs to the less privileged community residents. I reflect about the RCPP’s effectiveness as a volunteer service provider in terms of quick mobilization of members, speedy task accomplishment, and unencumbered bureaucracy.	19 May 2021 (9th COVID-19 Diary)
29	Philippines	Asia	Theme 5: Family, Friends & Relationships	On ‘Queen Sacrifice’ Move: And the Tale Of Messy Dining Table and Dirty Dishes	Typical to most breadwinners – although I help in housework – I consider doing household chores as optional responsibilities. When I came home hungry on the afternoon of 22 April 2021, I was annoyed that my son left the dining table messy and the kitchen sink full of unwashed plates. Instead of simply getting mad at him, I made a ‘queen sacrifice’ move by cleaning the table and washing the dishes myself. The positive results: a happy wife, a happy son, and a bonus blog for me!	11 June 2021 (10th COVID-19 Diary)
30	Philippines	Asia	Theme 3: Culture, Customs & Traditions	A Reflection on Expressing Gratitude: With Examples in An Academic Environment	Gratitude is an expression of thanks to whoever has done us a favor. We often forget to express our gratitude because: (1) we are unsure of how to do it; and (2) we tend to forget as other pressing concerns overtake our lives. I provide here a reflection of expressing gratitude with examples in an academic environment. Being acknowledged for even little gestures of assistance is among the ‘highs’ of an academic administrator.	25 August 2021
31	North Korea	Asia	Theme 15: Tourist Destinations & Iconic Sites	The Fascinating North Korea: Part 1 – A Prelude To An Unforgettable Country	Among the 32 countries I visited, North Korea stands out as the most unforgettable. I went there twice, yet I don’t have a single photo of myself ever being there! Would you believe that I was conducting an integrated coastal management training at its cultural coastal city of Nampho during the world-changing 9/11 attack in the US? This blog is just my prelude to this fascinating country. Four more thematic blogs are upcoming.	3 March 2022
32	Philippines	Asia	Theme 9: History Events & Figures	24 Hours With Fidel V Ramos: Remembering The Enigmatic 12th Philippine President	President Fidel V Ramos (FVR) – the 12th Philippine President – was our keynote speaker for the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Conference (BEC2013). Co-organized by the Palawan State University (PSU) on 16-17 December 2013 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, BEC2013 served as the BIMP-EAGA sub-region’s platform to present new research, exchange information, and discuss emergent issues. As then PSU’s Vice President for Research and Extension, I acted as FVR’s aide-de-camp and simultaneously orchestrated BEC2013. Ten years later, I share here my introspection about my up-close interaction with this legendary leader. I have contextualized some insights in relation to Robert Greene’s book The 48 Laws of Power.	9 July 2022
33	USA	North America	Theme 5: Family, Friends & Relationships	On Dutiful Wife’s Dietary Directive: And Crafty Husband’s Ingenious Adherence	When I visited our son’s family in Frisco City, Texas, USA, my wife issued one dietary instruction. I should eat more fruits and veggies, refrain from consuming red meat, and avoid in-between meals. As a carnivore with occasional gluttonic lapses, I reckon that her directive was next to impossible. Hence, when she finally tracked me during our breakfast on 9 November 2022, I sent her real photos – albeit with inconspicuously-hidden tricks.	4 December 2022
34	USA	North America	Theme 5: Family, Friends & Relationships	On Sharing of Toothbrush: Ultimate Expression of a Couple’s Comfort Level?	Couples do share many personal items that include clothes, foot wears, kitchen utensils, mobile phones and even social media accounts. Among the personal stuff, though, toothbrush seems to be the most difficult item to share. Hence, those partners who are able to share a toothbrush may be considered as the most intimate – if not, the most comfortable with one another.	12 January 2023
35	USA	North America	Theme 9: Education & Academic Musings	‘Bridge May Ice in Cold Weather’: A Grammatically Wrong Road Signage in Texas, USA?	In countries where English is not the native language, we sometimes see signages with grammatically incorrect phrases or mistranslated statements. During my 2022 trip in Texas, USA, I often saw on the highways signages in triangular orange boards that read: ‘Bridge May Ice in Cold Weather’. While the message to motorists is clear, the statement appears to be grammatically incorrect as ‘ice’ is a noun and not a verb. What is your take on my argument?	24 January 2023
36	USA	North America	Theme 14: Sustainable Development & Environment	Lakes and Canal Systems in Modern Urban Housing Communities:The Case of Phillips Creek Ranch in Frisco, Texas, USA	Man-made lakes and the associated canal systems are becoming innovative features in modern urban housing communities. These freshwater bodies provide multiple functions, such as flood drainage basins, fishing areas, recreational sites and wildlife habitats. Moreover, they enhance the human settlements’ landscape ecology. I provide a perspective based on my walk-throughs of Phillips Creek Ranch – a modern urban housing community with man-made lakes and canal system –located in Frisco City, Texas, USA.	24 February 2023
37	Philippines	Asia	Theme 16: Unclassified & Miscellaneous Topics	The Brown Dog with No Name – With Two Awesome Survival Strategies M	Urban stray dogs are amazing animals that display awesome survival strategies. While eating a hamburger sandwich outside a sports complex in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines, a brown dog amiably sat right in front of me. Since its demeanor was meek, I gave it two small pieces of my sandwich. After eating, the dog abruptly gazed at me with deadly stares – the body and ears stiffened, the tail wagged wildly, and the mouth opened, showing its sharp incisor teeth. Surprisingly, the dog suddenly turned around and ran away quite fast. Intrigued? Read the blog to find out the reason.	23 May 2023
38	USA	North America	Theme 5: Family, Friends & Relationships	Three of Them: Our Children’s Amazing Tale of Love for One Another	Our three professional children (Mikhail Robert, 37, computer engineer; Michael Angelo Jr, 32, architect; and Zarina Hannah, 29, medical doctor) are closely-knit siblings. While in Texas, USA, Mikhail Robert was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor (butterfly glioblastoma) in September 2022. He underwent four surgeries, completed radiotherapy, and is undergoing chemotherapy. Zarina Hannah visited him twice coming from Australia, while Michael Angelo Jr flew from the Philippines. I share our children’s amazing story of love for one another amid this difficult medical circumstance.	16 October 2023
39	Philippines	Asia	Theme 6: Foodies & Culinary Delights	On Spy Wednesday’s Instantly-Granted Breakfast Wish: A Sheer Coincidence – or a Manna from Heaven?	Waking up late and hungry on Spy Wednesday, 27 March 2024, I suddenly craved to eat corned beef for breakfast. Nonetheless, I was too lazy to either cook or to drive to a restaurant. Walking at the house’s veranda, I saw a covered plate. The content was a complete breakfast set: rice, corned beef, and egg, a compliment of my sister-in-law! A sheer coincidence, an instant miracle – or just being lucky? Whatever you believe, I contend that we should be more grateful for the daily inconspicuous blessings we receive.	10 April 2024
40	Philippines	Asia	Theme 16: Unclassified & Miscellaneous Topics	My Unusual 2024 Decluttering Journey: Starting with a Seemingly Mundane Yet Dreadful-looking Pen Holder!	Decluttering became my primary 2024 New Year’s resolution in response to my messy living space. Being a sentimental person, I’ve had difficulty throwing away the stuff I have accumulated through the years. As an experiment in decluttering, I have combined the Japanese housekeeping technique with three screening questions. I started with the seemingly mundane yet dreadful-looking pen holder on my evening desk. And I was utterly amazed at the unexpected result: I’ve been hoarding a bunch of space-consuming and disposable items!	27 July 2024
41	Philippines	Asia	Theme 5: Family, Friends & Relationships	Love and Care in Baguio City, Philippines: An Amazing Auntie-Nephew Connection After A Health Scare	Prior to lunch during our extended family get-together in Baguio City, Philippines, Jr suddenly called to relay a dreaded news. His elder brother, Ook, suffered an unexpected seizure and became unconscious while finishing their lunch. My wife and I rushed at Chaya Restaurant where the paramedics were still attending to Ook, and later transported him to the Baguio General Hospital. Ook’s medical emergency disrupted the lunch and tour schedules. Instead of joining the tour, her Auntie Butchie decided to stay with us and volunteered to fetch Ook when he was discharged. I share a narrative of Ook’s dramatic bonding moments and his special relationship with Auntie Butchie. Moreover, I express the significance of family support particularly during a medical emergency.	01 October 2024
42	Philippines	Asia	Theme 2: Adventures & Thrills	My Guardian Angel’s List Of Blessings: Part 2: First Six Narratives Of A Half-Believer	In Part 1, around the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, my guardian angel unexpectedly visited me. As we parted ways, he handed me a list of 10 blessings to ponder on https://huescribbler.com/my-guardian-angels-list-of-blessings-part-1/. In this Part 2, I share my narratives about the first six blessings. Dwelling on these blessings has negated my negative attitude of simply wallowing in my sea of regrets and multitude of misgivings. Indeed, such blessings have somehow compensated for the material possessions that I have never acquired and my ambitions that have never come to fruition.	28 January 2025
43	Philippines	Asia	Theme 7: Family, Friends & Relationships	Six Cakes, One Milestone Journey: Reflections on My 62nd Birthday	I only expected one group post-birthday cake for my 62nd birthday on 24 January 2024. Surprisingly, I received five more birthday cakes: one before my birthday; two during my birthday; and two more after my birthday. This blog provides the chronology of my birthday-related events and my gratitude reflection for being blessed with these six amazing birthday cakes.	07 February 2025
44	USA	North America	Theme 16: Unclassified & Miscellaneous Topics	How Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman Went from Fierce Rivals to Iconic Teammates — And the Apology That Made It Happen	The act of apology – particularly verbalizing with eye contact the words “I am sorry” – is among the most difficult chores. I share here the intriguing case of Dennis Rodman (NBA’s best rebounder), who apologized to Michael Jordan (basketball GOAT) in an unorthodox verbal manner about his mistake. I reflect that aside from the sincere act of apology, the more important consideration is the follow-up action to address the concerned issue.	14 February 2025
45	Philippines	Asia	Theme 16: Unclassified & Miscellaneous Topics	The Vicar of Christ After Pope Francis: Breaking Down the Odds for the Filipino Candidate - Cardinal Tagle	The prominent 67-year-old bishop from the Philippines – Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle – appears in most lists of possible successors of Pope Francis. He has the necessary academic and experiential qualifications and a vast network of supporters. Moreover, he possesses the mass-appeal traits of Pope Francis, such as being down-to-earth and likable, and he has a keen sense of humor. As a Filipino, I would be very proud if he were to become the next pope. As an aficionado of history, however, I reckon that there are four critical factors that may not favor his candidacy concerning the church’s weight of tradition. Cardinal Tagle is ahead of his time as the Papal Conclave appears not yet ready to elect its primo papa marrone – the first colored pope.	07 May 2025
46	Philippines	Asia	Theme 9: Education & Academic Musings	The Night Shredder: Confessions of a Repentant Paper Hoarder How Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman Went from Fierce Rivals to Iconic Teammates — And the Apology That Made It Happen	As an avid reader, I have been accumulating a variety of documents: virtually everything from books and reference materials to loosely bound reports and assorted magazines. Coupled with my hoarding mentality, I am literally getting buried in an avalanche of accumulated papers! I have recently discovered that a shredding machine may effectively solve this concern. Every night – as a recent retiree – I sort a few files and shred at least one paper. I hope to develop this nightly shredding into a sustainable habit so my family will have fewer papers to dispose of when my mortal body leaves this earth!	16 May 2025