April 1, 2026 – It’s appalling that American voters enabled one man with a bloated ego and unhinged mind to cause daily economic hardships on 8 billion people in countries around the globe even if those people are not directly responsible for the closing of the Strait of Hormuz.

April 1, 2026 — Are you happy?

April 1, 2026 — April 26, 2026 marks the Filipino community’s babang-luksa (literally translated as end of mourning) for the victims of the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy. How does that fateful evening in 2025 expose the Filipino community’s vulnerabilities and strengths?

March 16, 2026 – FilipinoBC, chaired by RJ Aquino, announced that Lapu Lapu Day of Togetherness will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver to commemorate the first anniversary of the Lapulapu Day tragedy of April26, 2025.

March 16, 2026 – There are many reasons why Filipinos are ashamed of their government these days.  Currently headed by a dictator’s son and known generally by his nickname, President Bongbong Marcos is supported by 24 senators and 318 congressmen, many of them former movie stars or TV personalities, elected for their looks rather than brains, through vote buying and dynastic family support.

March 16, 2026 — In 2014, a government report warned that because of low births and aging, Canada's population growth could be “close to zero within 20 years” without immigration. 

[Editor’s Note: Dr. Pagtakhan is a retired Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine (1971-1988) and the first Canadian Filipino MP (1988-2004), Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Federal Minister. Widely published and lectured in medicine, politics and community advocacy, his Medisina at Politika commentary is published in Canadian Filipino Net and Pilipino Express.] 

March 16, 2026 —  Food has always played a huge part in Filipino culture. Filipinos share food generously with family and neighbours. We offer food to new friends. When there are disagreements, food can bridge our differences. To many Filipino families, the kitchen is the heart of the home, where dishes are lovingly prepared, to sustain us through our day, and to give comfort at the end of it. And when language fails, food speaks.

March 1, 2026 — A petition has been filed before the House of Commons for a review of a military agreement between the Philippines and Canada.

March 1, 2026 – At the World Economic Forum in Davos PM Mark Carney delivered on January 20, an extraordinary 16-minute speech defining a new world order led by middle power countries. The speech that shook the world and earned a rare standing ovation from the world’s most powerful political and business leaders at the WEF soon changed the global trade and economy landscape. 

March 1, 2026 — Every Filipino community has a “Marites”—a popular social media slang term for a neighborhood gossip, someone who seems to know everything and always has something to say.

[Editor’s Note: Dr. Pagtakhan is a retired Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine (1971-1988) and the first Canadian Filipino MP (1988-2004), Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister,  and Federal Minister. Widely published and lectured in medicine, politics and community advocacy, his Medisina at Politika commentary is published in Canadian Filipino Net and Pilipino Express.] 

March 1, 2026 — What started as a group of strangers finding community in a non-paying  arts workshop turned into a refuge for some still reeling from the tragedy that was the Lapu-Lapu festival in April of 2025.

February 16, 2026 – RJ Aquino, chair of Filipino BC, announced on  Global News TV on February 9  that FBC is partnering with Hungerford Properties to build a Filipino Community and Cultural Center (FCCC) in South Vancouver.

February 15, 2026 – On Valentine’s Day, Torontonians showed their love and compassion for the thousands of Iranians who have been jailed or killed for demonstrating against Iran's repressive Islamic theocracy and calling for  the return of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as the leader of their  democratic transition after anti-government protests  started erupting in Iran at the end of last year.

February 16, 2026 — With hard work and education, Filipinos are doing well in Canada.

February 16, 2026 — Less than two weeks before the scheduled hearings for the confirmation of charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court, his lawyer is still trying to stop them from going forward.

February 16, 2026 — The Philippines has arrived on the global culinary stage, joining Canada on a list of top dining destinations in the world this year.