The ‘Peter Pan Generation': Adult toy collectors

It’s a common thing these days for people to say that they know of an adult friend who still has a thing for collecting children’s toys and books, or has a growing collection of comic books or some other kind of collection that seems to be “not right” for their age.

And let’s be honest: for many of us, adults who like collecting toys or children’s stuff seems to really be a question of maturity, and can even be deeply disturbing. However, have we ever really asked ourselves if it’s not some sort of imposed standard on other people – one that is unfairly biased against them?

In short: why do some adults have toy collections that seem to make them some sort of “Peter Pan,” someone who refuses to grow up?

Read the full article at the Philippine Online Chronicles


Photo by Mark van Seeters, c/o Flickr.com

Vanity, thy name is Pinoy

When Pinoys talk about vanity, it’s like talking about the whole virgin and whore paradox: We seem to hold it as an essential thing, but at the same time, we think of it with disdain. It’s as if we love the idea of looking good, and yet we loathe making it obvious that we have a vain side to our personalities.
So why is it that Pinoys love to be books with great-looking covers, even if their pages are full of good content (to stretch the metaphor to painful lengths)?

Click here to read more at the Philippine Online Chronicles
“Vanity,” by A. Pagliaricci, c/o Flickr.com

Skin deep: The importance of good looks

While good looks may not mean everything, first impressions do count – as well as being good-looking (or at least presentable) for our loved ones. However, it’s not just about good looks, it’s about good looks in the overall sense.


Read more at the Philippine Online Chronicles

“Venus” by John Robinson, from Flickr.com

America: The Philippine Love-Hate Affair

The Philippines has always had an ambiguous relationship with the United States of America. While officially, the Philippine government is mostly friendly with the USA, there are notable times (such as the removal of US bases, requested in 1991) that the relationship has been less than cordial. The situation becomes more complicated when you check on the normal person on the street, where the reaction to Americans vary from neutral, to welcoming, to utter rejection of their presence in the country, even as tourists.

So why is it that Pinoys have a love-hate affair with the United State of America?


Read more at the Philippine Online Chronicles


Photo: “Fil-Am Friendship Park” by Roberto Verzo, c/o Flickr.com

When to give a child cell phone and social media rights

When the youngest in our family was growing up, the Internet had just started up here in the country. I do remember having to listen to the whistling handshake of older modems as connection was established. However, what did that mean to our youngest sister? Surprisingly, when she was around twelve, we let her have access to the Internet, and I am glad to say that she is more or less well-adjusted, if not savvy about online concerns.

However, it’s important to note that before she went online, she was immersed in a family that encouraged reading (she still has her library, as do I), and that we were also very much involved in making sure that if she did watch movies, we would be there with her (for the most part). Thus, she has developed a healthy appetite for good movies… and outstandingly whacky B-movies as well.

The key, in retrospect, with how my sister was prepared for the Internet was that we had already been preparing her somehow through the way we introduced literature to her, and that also, thanks to how history turned out… there was no chance for her to be exposed to the Internet at a younger age.

Read more at the Philippine Online Chronicles


Photo: “Instagram and Other Social Media Apps” by Jason Howie, c/o Flickr.com