ETCETERA; Thoughts between the lines

  As the Christmas lights twinkle and the 2025 calendar winds down, a quiet mood of reflection often sets in. It is a season for an "inventory"—a time to look back at the wins, the losses, and the intentions set twelve months ago. In this season of giving, the mind turns to the foundation of a good life: character . There is an inescapable truth found in the wisdom of Galatians 6:7 , which suggests that the harvest is always determined by the seed. To experience a harvest of happiness and joy, it is impossible to plant seeds of shortcuts or resentment. In looking for what this "harvest of character" looks like in practice, the lives of several Filipinos offer a masterclass in unblemished propriety. The Standard of Propriety: Ramon Magsaysay Character is often defined by what a person is willing to refuse. President Ramon Magsaysay set a high bar for propriety—the quality of being proper and honest. There is a historical account of Magsaysay canceling a gove...

  T raffic and more traffic—I guess that’s the scourge of the Christmas season. Notwithstanding, we embrace the frenzy: the shopping, the preparing, the endless parties, and the cherished get-togethers with family and friends. Like the rest, I am guilty of plunging right into the festive chaos! For my various circles, the Christmas group meal is a non-negotiable ritual practiced for many years. In fact, it was my longest-standing group of friends, sometimes called my Cuatro Cantos, that started this ritual of having monthly get-togethers. The constant challenge used to be selecting a venue: "Will the food be good?" Thankfully, that guessing game is now over. The arrival of the Michelin Guide in the Philippines has given us a fantastic roster of trusted choices. With 107 Michelin-named establishments—including one two-star, eight one-star, 25 Bib Gourmand, and 74 selected restaurants—the choices are abundant! The Three Feasts The journey began with my long time friends...