Author: Janelle Lorzano

An overseas Filipino worker received a special remembrance from her employers after she decided to retire, ending her 34-year service with the family in Malaysia. Anselma Naces Tecio, or more famously known as “Auntie Alie” in the Lau family, said that she did not expect the special gift that Esther created especially for her. According to Esther Lau, since she put up a customed memory quilt business last year, it would be more memorable for Auntie Alie to receive one. “Auntie has been taking care of my two sisters and I for the last 34 years. She’s basically a permanent…

This artist from Mabalacat City, Pampanga found comfort in creating miniature art of makeshift Philippine houses. Artist Nhoda Muñoz used to work as a tattoo artist. But when the COVID-19 pandemic happened, he was one of the thousands of individuals who lost their jobs during the health crisis. “December 2020 nung inumpisahan ko ‘yung una kong artwork na tinatawag kong ‘Bahay Juan,’ bahay ng mga matitibay na Pilipino. Sino nagturo sa’kin o sino nag build up sa’kin? Siguro ‘yung naging sakit ko kasi tinamaan ako ng matinding depression, anxiety during the lockdown nito ngang pandemic,” Nhoda told The Philippine STAR.…

Rain or shine, this 60-year-old man bikes from Makati to BGC every day to sell banana muffins around the area. Carlito Parcero, or famously known as “Tatay Carlito,” started selling banana muffins in BGC when the government eased the restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Tuloy po ako. Maaraw, maulan, kahit bagyo, nandoon pa rin ako. Kung may pera lang ako, hindi na ako maghahanapbuhay,” Tatay Carlito told the Philippine STAR. Tatay Carlito usually goes out two times a day. In the morning, he sells “puto” or Filipino steamed rice cake while he sells banana muffins in the afternoon. Last year,…

“Samahan kita, ‘nak.” A student from Angeles City, Pampanga was shocked when a teacher approached her before walking to the stage during her academic recognition day on May 30, 2023. 17-year-old Zarinah Ysabelle de Guzman brought her late mother’s picture frame for the school event. “Wala po akong kasama that day and I decided to bring my mother’s portrait with me para lang may kasama po ako. Unexpectedly, my teacher po approached me from the back. Nagulat lang po ako and then she asked me a question, nasan po ‘yung parents ko? Sabi ko po wala,” Zarinah told The Philippine…

This Gen Z from Taguig is a living proof that when a door closes, another one opens. Kezia Gene Orhen failed to secure a spot in her dream college institution. But when the COVID-19 happened, she started her own coffee business. “Before establishing a business hindi talaga ako nakapasok to any college [or] university. ‘Yung iba kong mga batchmates, nagsimula na sila. nagpipicture na sila sa dream university nila and then wala ako. Gusto ko talagang maging aeronautical engineer. Isa lang kasi ‘yung pinasukan ko na school so I was so full of myself,” Kezia Gene Orhen told The Philippine…

A 19-year-old woman from Quezon City is making a name on TikTok by promoting deaf awareness on the social media platform. According to Erlinda Maniquis, her daughter Erline started creating content in 2021. “Siya lang mag-isa ‘yan eh. Kasi nanonood siya ng mga Youtube tapos, ‘What if kaya may deaf na ganun?’ Naisipan niya, nagvideo-video siya,” Mommy Erlinda told The Philippine STAR. The whole family was also surprised upon seeing that Erline has a large following. “‘Pag nakakatanggap siya ng reviews na magaganda, nae-encourage siya lalo. Hanggang sa pati Papa niya nagtataka, ‘Bakit siya nakilala doon?’ Kasi parang may sarili…

Netizens had a good laugh after a senior high school graduate from Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija brought his own medal collection during their graduation on July 7, 2023. Uploader Justine Marcelo shared that he brought his own medals from taekwondo during his senior high school graduation. “‘Yung medals po na ‘yun is nakuha ko po siya sa taekwondo. Kaya ko rin po siya dinala kasi gusto ko lang din pong i-flex na may mga medals din akong na-achieve,” he told The Philippine STAR. Marcelo has been doing taekwondo since 2014. He is also a proud student-athlete. Marcelo even made the…

“Ate, wala kang award!” A 22-year-old netizen from Bulacan shared a hilarious conversation with her seven-year-old sister on July 8, 2023. In the video uploaded on TikTok, Junjoe sent a couple of voice messages to her sister, Janna Maurice Fino, as she expressed her joy after receiving an award. “Ate, wala kang award, ako may friendly neighbor award. Kasi friendly ako. Hindi katulad mo, mady! Mady all the time. Galit ka nang galit lagi kang ganyan. Sana mag-iba ka na ng ugali,” seven-year-old Junjoe can be heard saying in the voice message. “At least friendly ako, mabait ko, madami akong…

After 34 years, this mother received her college diploma! Mommy Lilia Asuncion graduated from high school in 1985. However, she did not pursue college due to an unforeseen circumstance. “Valedictorian po ako nung high school. Tapos, maaga po ako nagka-baby. So, nag-stop na po ako kasi iba ‘yung responsibility na maging nanay,” she told The Philippine STAR. Mommy Lilia then focused on taking care of her two children while working part time in a clinic. “Nung malaki na po ‘yung baby ko nag-work po ako dun sa dermatologist, assistant po ng dermatologist, and nanahi rin po ako, nag-embroidery, para po…

These twins from Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya amazed netizens with their strong bond for the past nine decades. According to their grandson, William Andres Tanael, Lola Inang and Apong Bibing were not even separated after they were born in 1933. “Noong bata pa po ako, ‘yung communication nila [constant] Ganoon po talaga ‘yung tandem nila. Hindi na-break ‘yung bonding nila. Lagi silang magkasama. Kahit na mag-kabilang baryo po sila, nagpapasyalan po sila lagi, nag-uusap po sila lagi,” William told The Philippine STAR. William witnessed the solid closeness of his lolas in the province. For decades, the twins made sure to be…