with Peter Banzon Q: My friends think I’m cool, but the truth is I easily get offended by what they might do or say. How do I deal with this feeling? A: Being easily offended is a difficult problem. You may be overly sensitive and regard many things as offensive. When people offend you and it remains unresolved, each new offense digs deeper into your soul and may make you bitter. Bitterness is ...[Read More]
I easily get offended by what my friends say
Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes
Ingredients 500 g Spaghetti noodles, cooked according to direction 500 g fresh ripe tomatoes 5 cloves garlic, minced 1⁄4 c Fresh basil leaves, chopped Salt and pepper to taste Parmesan Cheese, grated 3 T Olive oil Dried chili flakes, optional Procedure Cook spaghetti noodles according to package direction. Set aside. Blanched, peel and deseed tomatoes. Chop and set aside. Heat pan over medium fire ...[Read More]
Our Relationships Can Affect Our Health
by Lorna Carmela A. Protasio, M.D The quality of our relationships can determine our physical health. It can influence the development and management of chronic diseases, determine whether or not we are depressed, and influence our overall well being. Good relationships promote a person’s happiness so that it spills over to others. Good relationships give us more satisfaction in life and a desire ...[Read More]
Being Married, Being Friends
Wendy Rondina-Engcoy is the general manager of an IT company that develops engagement tool and social collaborative intranet for different companies. She is pretty, witty and married to GJ Engcoy who is 11 years her junior. She thinks their friendship continues to strengthen their marriage as the years go by. How did you and GJ meet? Did you know he was the “one” when you met? “At the age of 30, I ...[Read More]
When Friends Are Not Forever: Quitting a Toxic Friendship
People form relationships in the hopes that they will be mutually beneficial to both parties, each side giving and receiving in turn. However, some friends turn out to be emotional vampires, ever receiving, but never giving. You end up feeling drained and empty. Even worse, your self-esteem can take a serious hit, making you wonder whether you deserve the same love and treatment that you give thes ...[Read More]
Pakikisama: What It Means to Be a Friend in the Philippines
Social acceptance is highly valued in our society. We are branded “KJ,” or “kill joy,” if we decline being a part of a peer group activity. For example, if everyone except you wants to see a movie, but you have responsibilities at home, you have to choose whether or not to neglect your responsibility. It is a hard decision because we Filipinos really care about what others think of us. We even hav ...[Read More]
From My Heart (Issue 58)
Dear Readers, Sitting here in the office, where most of my friends are, it’s hard to imagine what my life would be without them. For years, they have been a part of me. We have shared stories – our happiness, our hurts, even crazy ideas. They help keep me in good spirits when I feel low. They pray for me when I have problems. They help me complete a task when I’m under time-pressure, and I do the ...[Read More]