LUCKY CANARY - A Filipino Immigrant's Tale in Canada

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032Sat, 19 Sep 2026 12:08:33 +0000About the PhilippinesTravelPoetryFaith and LoveFamilyMusic and SongsCommunication and RelationshipsMoviesRelationshipsFood and CookingCatholic FaithLiving and RelationshipsKeys to Living a Happy LifeEntertainment - moviesEntertainmentLiving in North AmericaRaising Canaries and BudgiesChristmasCommunication and TechnologyDogsEntertainment - Movies and TVHoliday SeasonBallroom dancingBloggingCreative WritingEntertainment - MusicalsFoodFood and PlacesHome improvementSummertimeAll About the PhilippinesBudgies and DogsCommunicatonHolidays and EventsPositive living - ReadingTorontoWeatherAbout NothingAbout PhilippinesBoxingCatsEmployment and Careers; Big Cities of the WorldFamiliesFloodHoliday FoodKeys to Living a Happy Life - DancingMusicals and Other ShowsOhioPhilippine Catholic traditionsShoppingTagalog PoetryToronto CityVacationBooksCondominiumCooking - summer cook -outCreative Writing and RelationshipsEmployment and CareersEntertainment-Comic StripsEtiquetteFather's DayGamesGardensHaiku PoetryHolidaysJazzJobsLenten Rituals in the PhilippinesMoney and FinanceMother's DayMusic and DanceMusic and SongPhilippinesPositive Living - SingingRH BillSitcoms and dramasSportsTV showsTechnologyTechnology and RelationshipsTennisThings FilipinoTravel and RelationshipsTravellingpork barrelA Chorus LineAdventures of Tin TinAl PacinoAll Saints DayAll Souls DayAmerican ThanksgivingAmusement ParksAndres BonifacioAng PamanaAngels and ArchangelsApparelBaguio CityBambooBargain shoppingBenigno S. 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From childhood to adulthood. From living in the Philippines to settling in Canada.http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Gener)Blogger592125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-8693942285281277289Tue, 09 Aug 2016 03:43:00 +00002016-08-09T12:24:23.733+08:00rainy days in ManilaSummer in CanadaOn a Rainy Day watching trains go byIt's very tempting to watch trains go by, either for a day, or for the rest of one's life.  Losers do it all the time. But when one is semi-retired like me, watching trains go by, becomes acceptable. Even watching birds fly onto my window sill, or watching the five dogs in the household mangle each other for food or for playtime become A-okay, specially on  a rainy day. We were http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2016/08/blog-post.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-6545854537120621575Wed, 08 Jun 2016 14:13:00 +00002016-06-09T07:56:08.514+08:00The Terror of Ordinary People.They  look ordinary.   Ekking out a living, selling properties, selling wares and services, crunching numbers, serving higher ups, a lot are professionals.  They go to church. Worshippers. Church people. At their beautiful homes, they serve delicious food, wear nice clothes, spend money on friends, on families, and on leisure.  They drive nice cars. They travel. They are http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-terror-of-ordinary-people.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-5043529520721315131Sun, 24 Jan 2016 23:34:00 +00002016-01-25T07:34:47.803+08:00Overseas Filipino workersPhilippine politicsOur Hardworking Pinoy Sisters and Brothers Overseas.I wrote a piece several years back about The Dentists in general, and Filipinos in particular ( luckycanary.blogspot.com/2009/03/dentist.html).  And one Keith Allen commented: "Dentists are very nice, there is nothing to be afraid of. I always go to my friend for a dental check up. Filipinos are very nice and hospitable. Their service is good too." Philippine dentists and other medicalhttp://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2016/01/our-hardworking-pinoy-sisters-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-5595129965560506796Sat, 16 Jan 2016 23:34:00 +00002016-01-17T07:44:27.719+08:00Bible sharingBiblical Apostolate of San Andres Apostol ParishKerygma MagazineSan Andres Apostol ParishTELL ME A STORY.I attended a Kerygma Conference one time.  That was in 2014. In one of the sessions I went to, there were five preachers who talked about their style of preaching and talking to a large audience.  In that session alone, (two same sessions ran concurrently side by side) there were at least a thousand people. All preachers were excellent.  I actually liked them all, in varying http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2016/01/tell-me-story.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-8039132046241234884Fri, 02 Oct 2015 04:45:00 +00002015-10-02T12:47:52.114+08:00Donald TrumpThe Donald. The Newt. One time while still living in New Jersey, a female acquaintance said that her one big crush in life is The Donald. She was referring to Donald Trump, the mega millionaire then, the billionaire now. Mr. Trump, who is attempting again to become President of the United States, has not changed his approach, whether in business, politics or in his showbiz stunts. He is the bully, the strong guy. I http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-donald-newt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-1674409900397952609Tue, 28 Jul 2015 03:41:00 +00002015-07-28T11:44:20.975+08:00Benigno S. Aquino's State of the Nation Address 2015President Aquino's 2015 State of the Nation Address (SONA)He showed his audience, the combined House of Congress and Senate, guests, and the Filipino people that he is an economist by training. He showed growth figures, and testimonials from individuals who had been aided by projects and programs that his administration had undertaken. Critics raged that President Benigno S. Aquino attacked the previous administration of Gloria Arroyo-Macapagal again http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2015/07/president-aquinos-2015-state-of-nation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-2170415537661599039Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:32:00 +00002015-07-02T04:35:45.739+08:00Canada DayHAPPY CANADA DAY! July 1, 2015 http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2015/07/happy-canada-day-july-1-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-9126468551548120309Sat, 23 May 2015 01:17:00 +00002015-05-23T09:17:37.791+08:00PROBLEM SOLVINGThe End of the TunnelIt was in the movie " Working Girl," which starred Melanie Griffith and Harrison Ford that a business tycoon whose company was being taken over related a story. " At the end of a tunnel, a big truck got stuck and couldn't get out. Many vehicles behind him couldn't move out.  Cops and the driver were running out of solutions, until a small boy spoke, ' why not deflate the tires a bit.' They http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-end-of-tunnel.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-3505507615578974646Mon, 27 Apr 2015 01:34:00 +00002015-04-27T09:44:26.744+08:00Canada and the U.S.ASummer in the PhilippinesRipples of Summer.Summer is cruel in Manila. At 2 in the afternoon, it boils at 35 degrees Celsius.  It is only towards 6 in the evening when the City and its environs breath a sigh of relief. Backyard summer haven Due to unbearable heat, despite air conditioning, waking up at the ungodly hour of 4 am becomes acceptable.  At 4 in the morning, when the dawn creatures such as roosters are the http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2015/04/ripples-of-summer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-5606632656318919097Sat, 14 Feb 2015 04:00:00 +00002015-02-14T12:29:30.179+08:00MarwanOperation WolverineMy Own Take on THE MAMASAPANO MASSACRE <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:"ＭＳ明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;} @font-face {http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2015/02/my-own-take-on-mamasapano-massacre.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-7104949660879431832Mon, 12 Jan 2015 00:32:00 +00002015-01-12T08:36:16.077+08:00Creedence Clearwater RevivalProud Mary It was 1969 when the group, Creedence Clearwater Revival,  recorded what became a big hit, PROUD MARY. Today, the song is a staple in karaoke sessions, embedded in song chips. Nice melody and lyrics. http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2015/01/proud-mary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-7357261300723211923Mon, 08 Dec 2014 13:30:00 +00002014-12-08T21:30:47.943+08:00Frank SinatraJazzThe Days of Wine and Roses.Frank Sinatra of the olden days and of recent years, Michael Buble. Both are balladeers who dish out the romantic tunes and catch everyone's eyes with the un-loosened tie and impeccable shirt and suit. Jazz is their genre. Jazz is the sophisticated music. Where the clubs are dimly lit, and the sax player goes onstage or below, and everyone tap their wine glass or hum the tune as the artist playshttp://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-days-of-wine-and-roses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-2247467801831942573Fri, 28 Nov 2014 00:06:00 +00002014-11-28T08:09:00.296+08:00American ThanksgivingHappy and ThankfulThe streets all over the U.S.A could either be quiet or so busy, at this, their Thanksgiving Day. Many years ago, I used to celebrate American Thanksgiving with my two sisters and their families in Ohio. It was always a  wonderful day. Thanksgiving in the U.S.A is a not a religious holiday; it is a day to commemorate the first Thanksgiving when a meal was shared between the whites and thehttp://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/11/happy-and-thankful.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-6449871510736614960Thu, 02 Oct 2014 03:20:00 +00002014-10-02T11:20:01.961+08:00Philippine hospitalityForeign Beat.Two Englishmen got into a scuffle with local security at a private residential-shopping complex, because they were skateboarding in a busy area that was off limits to skateboarders. Bingo. The Englishmen suffered concussions; the management apologized for the local security's mishandling of the matter. Prior to the fracas, the foreigners said they were first accosted by the local police and http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/10/foreign-beat.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-2878076598589816297Tue, 16 Sep 2014 01:20:00 +00002014-09-16T09:20:57.599+08:00Mahatma GandhiPassionately Silent.War rages on in Iraq and Jordan, in Ukraine, in the Gaza Strip. There's also turbulence in many city streets, slums, and ghettos globally. Another form of turmoil is taking place in Scotland as the Scots will vote in a referendum on whether to break away from UK. In Spain, Catalonia is thinking of leaving the nation. Why these perpetual chaos and discontent? Many years ago in India, a man http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/09/passionately-silent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-2756436248922925985Mon, 25 Aug 2014 00:08:00 +00002014-08-25T09:22:51.667+08:00finding your purpose in lifeself improvementPurposely Joyful.When I was five, I always saw myself seated in a plane...as a pilot. Then I grew up. In high school, I was convinced by a resource speaker that I wanted to study in a University located in big forest town, to take up Agriculture. But Daddy prevailed, so I took a Science course; after a semester, I shifted to the study of politics, and entered the College of Law at Diliman. Are you like me andhttp://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/08/purposely-joyful.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-7020850477825858139Wed, 25 Jun 2014 22:46:00 +00002014-06-26T13:26:04.349+08:00Drunk drivingDUI.I used to have about 7  to  11 bottles of a local beer and still drove home some of my friends to the innards of the City, and arrived home safely. Thank God. That was when I was younger, and before I realized that drinking and driving don't go together. Living in Canada and the U.S.A changed my whole perspective in driving. The first thing I learned seriously was to stop at all http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/06/dui.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-4922015243747608354Fri, 13 Jun 2014 00:04:00 +00002014-06-13T12:15:54.355+08:00EatJulia RobertLove moviePrayEat, Pray, Love, Too.I am watching the Julia Robert movie, Eat, Pray, Love, and she is in Italy and the Italians told her to do nothing and just enjoy the moment.  And then, she's off to India where she attends Yoga classes and gets the message that God dwells inside each person. Julia's character, Liz, then travelled to Bali where she found another shot at love.  If Liz included Philippines in her http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/06/eat-pray-love-too.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-6746772920494209442Wed, 23 Apr 2014 03:25:00 +00002014-04-23T11:25:09.705+08:00pork barrelScamScammer's skim.Scammers don't skim the loot; they scoop it. Everything of it.  The recent news about Janet Napoles confessing to the Justice Secretary De Lima the involvement of three top Senators in the pork barrel scam  finally revealed what the Filipinos already knew for months. That the  scammers scooped millions and millions of taxpayers' money into their own pockets. But  http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/04/scammers-skim.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-7921335988316137408Thu, 10 Apr 2014 02:14:00 +00002014-04-10T10:35:39.041+08:00summertime shopping and eatingHeat and Meat.Temperature rose to 32 degrees Celsius yesterday in Manila. The low was 26 degrees. It was a blazing summer day, and we had to be out for a medical stress test, and some important errands. It was a National Holiday, too, so the Mall housing the medical clinic was teeming with shoppers and those seeking free cooling system. Breakfast started with two pieces of local roll called pan de sal with http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/04/heat-and-meat.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-2409735317381631854Fri, 04 Apr 2014 20:03:00 +00002014-04-05T04:03:00.386+08:00kare karePeanut butterThai peanut sauceGood 'ol Peanut Butter.My all time favorite sandwich is peanut butter sandwich. Not hamburger nor ham nor chicken. I have childhood memories of buying peanut butter in the neighbourhood convenience store early  mornings, with my older sister in tow. She'd purchase coco-jam, and I'd be with my peanut butter. But at home, my Aunt or Mother always prepared heavy breakfast of rice with fried fish or left over meat http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/04/good-ol-peanut-butter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-198969807595873195Mon, 31 Mar 2014 12:08:00 +00002014-03-31T20:12:27.966+08:00High school danceHorror filmsschool promHaunted and Enchanted.Who could forget the fictional high school dance wherein Marty McFly dated and parked in the car with her own mother, in the movie Back to the Future? It was the Enchantment Under the Sea,  a high school dance that was held at Hill Valley High School  on Saturday night, November 12, 1955 in which Marty McFly's parents, George McFly and Lorraine Baines fell in love after their first http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/03/haunted-and-enchanted.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-5677180678633158333Tue, 18 Mar 2014 06:04:00 +00002014-03-18T14:04:02.975+08:00Wackiness 101.I have no idea how "wacky" posing for group photos started. I think this latter days' "wackiness" is an "only in the Philippines," phenomenon. I maybe wrong. My conjecture is it probably started in Ireland where the Halloween tradition started, and persisted until the Irish settled in the U.S.A.  When the camera was invented, people took pictures of their Halloween costumes and antics.&nbsphttp://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/03/wackiness-101.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-1857355647364105452Tue, 04 Mar 2014 07:23:00 +00002014-03-17T16:37:58.700+08:00Cooking and travelJust cook it!I love salad: veggie salad (greens),  potato salad, fruit salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, seafood salad and whatever I can put salad dressing on or simply vinaigrette or balsamic on. I used to make a plate of crab meat loaded with cucumber and some Ranch dressing, and inhaled it in an instant. When my doctor declared I was diabetic, I subsisted on greens, wheat bread and http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/03/just-cook-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3985463667281248032.post-6897736587785013516Thu, 20 Feb 2014 01:51:00 +00002014-02-20T09:52:53.095+08:00TravelA Long Pause.I haven't posted since last year; the last entry was posted in the mid-days of December 2013. It was a very long pause, indeed. Pause is a temporary activity. Rest can be arbitrary, either awhile or permanent. When we talk about rest, many things come to mind. Rest and recreation for one. If you scan your facebook account, you'd notice friends and friends of friends posting photos from their http://luckycanary.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-long-pause.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gener)1