Genres of the Novel

Novels can be classified into dozens of genres, and novels may belong to several of these categories at the same time. Distinctions among genres can be drawn in many ways. Such distinctions include the form in which the works are written, such as epistolary novels, which take the form of letters written... 

Source:  Hectic Capiznon Bloggers 2009

English Pronunciation and Silent Reading

How many vowels are used in the English language? It is not five but six. The sixth is the schwa which sounds like “uh.” In the Philippine languages as well as in Spanish, the five regular vowels are pronounced as full vowels. In English though, the regular vowels that are not accented when used... 

Source:  Hectic Capiznon Bloggers 2009

Mass Media and Politics

The press has always played an important role in Filipino society and government. Recently, however, some people have begun to feel that this role has expanded into areas where perhaps it has no place. How has this change come about? How have the Internet and other technological advances affected the... 

Source:  Hectic Capiznon Bloggers 2009

Traditional Filipino Christmas

The celebration of Christmas in the Philippines begins on the 16th of December and ends on the first Sunday of January which is the Feast of the Epiphany (The Three Kings). The Christmas season starts December 16 with a Mass called the Misa de Gallo. A Christmas carol (also called a Noël) is a carol... 

Source:  Hectic Capiznon Bloggers 2009

The Filipino Christmas Lantern

As early as November, Filipinos houses, offices, schools, shopping malls and even streets are adorned with these star-shaped multicolored lanterns. Parol is a traditional Filipino Christmas decoration, a five point star-shaped Christmas lantern. Many Filipinos make their own lanterns.   The parol (pah-role),... 

Source:  Hectic Capiznon Bloggers 2009

The Christmas Tree

As early as the 17th century, Germans had transformed this pagan symbol of fertility into a Christian symbol of rebirth. According to legend, the Christmas tree tradition began with the founder of German Protestantism, Martin Luther. While walking through the forest on Christmas Eve, Luther was so moved... 

Source:  Hectic Capiznon Bloggers 2009

The Presidency as Trophy

Since Philippine politics has no ideological or philosophical moorings, changing parties or allegiances is like changing clothes to suit the occasion or event. Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero had decided to quit the Nationalist Peoples’ Coalition (NPC) after hanging around for so long waiting for... 

Source:  Hectic Capiznon Bloggers 2009

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