OBRA
SUB ROSA invites new readers on Hanihara’s Poetry Collection
MARIA LINDA FELIPE HANIHARA
Posted on Nov. 25, 3:00 p.m.
SUB ROSA: The Crucifix of a Poet and other Poems is a collection of written works by Maria Linda Hanihara, an award-winning creative writer, editor, lawyer, wife and a devoted mother to her special child, Mina Ellen.
Launched recently via online, the poetry book is the author’s open vault containing a compilation of her thoughts, feelings and experiences about her personal life, and more importantly, her journey with her daughter.
First printed in May 2014, Sub Rosa features poems she has written over a span of several years that the poet had kept to herself. For Linda then, writing was more of a hobby while she pursued other fields of study, but her brilliance with the pen shined through even without the grind.
“Writing has always been her life’s passion. She would write poems everywhere she goes, especially when she’s travelling,” according to Milagros F. Viernes, Linda’s sister.
But admittedly, she was “on a mission to undermine her gift” and never got around to compiling her works to the least- of the many poems scribbled on the pages of her notebooks, pad papers, diaries and others, much less to have it published as a collection. It was only through her sister Milagros F. Viernes’ encouragement that made her come up with a book.
The poetry book offers 125 poems, including the masterpieces that first appeared in Focus magazine, 1976, 1980; Literary Apprentice, 1981-82; Inspirations in Ink, 1992, and Caracoa III, 1983.
“The collection gives a picture of a woman who is intelligent, very emotional and passionate, and very hurt. Frailty and strength mix in her like soda and gin, though her strength is usually a front and takes more force with each betrayal and searing disappointments in her love affairs, whether romantic or otherwise… (Sub Rosa) is interesting for the stuff in it,” wrote Filipino poet Ricardo de Ungria.
Assistant Professor Rosella Torrecampo, one of Linda’s friends, has this to say, “National Artist Francisco Arcellana always said that we can only write about what we know. That is material. But what it is we do to what we know, to turn it into narratives, poetry, drama or any other discourse so far removed from what it is, so these can be what is possible or can be imagined, that is where the magic, akin to omnipotent power that gave rise to creation, gets to be wielded and perfected. Such is the writer’s craft. Such was Linda’s work.”
“SUB ROSA is my offering to appease the past and inspire the future. I recognize the certainties only divine intervention can change. I now embrace tomorrow and accept all the little surprises God has in store for me. I am beginning to really live,” shares Linda and she did live life to the fullest. The second printing of Sub Rosa in June 2017 was dedicated to her passing after she succumbed to breast cancer in 2016.
At a time when social media has become the source of daily buzz and everywhere hype, soulful and poetic people tend to crave for some literary pieces that would speak their minds and feed their inner being; some kind of literary pieces, with old charm just like that of Edgar Allan Poe’s.
For readers with discerning tastes, the poet has a compilation of unique and classical pieces of poems based on her life’s musings; poems that fire up readers to think deeply of her pains and the angst, and to join in the revelry of her triumphs.
As readers would decipher from her pieces, Linda’s success in life is one wherein the author depicts her loneliness and yearning while caring for her special child. Amidst that, she carried on with her life in gratitude and in God’s grace. Mina Ellen Felipe-Hanihara was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1994. A special child who can not speak or talk, she had her first solo exhibition entitled “LET US BLEND AND BREW, THREE IN ONE FOR KALIKASAN in 2017, sponsored by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. Featured were 13 beautiful paintings of trees, mountains, flowers and the environment among others. In 2019, she had her 2nd solo exhibition dubbed “September to Remember” again at the DENR where a total of 13 acrylic painting on canvass were displayed at the Biodiversity Management Bureau, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife under the leadership of Ms. Julie Gorospe-Ibuan, Chief of the Stakeholders Management and Conflict Resolution Division. Mina’s paintings were also exhibited at the Philippine Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany. The exhibition was titled Art Beyond the Spectrum of a Girl with Autism.
In between chapters, readers will also find some of the artworks of accomplished painter and the poet’s daughter, Mina Ellen.
SUB ROSA is available only in Amazon. Please click https://www.amazon.com/Sub-Rosa-Crucifix-Other-Poems-ebook/dp/B09K37YHXW
About the Author:
Maria Linda Felipe-Hanihara finished her Bachelor of Arts, major in English (Cum Laude) and Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. She has an M.A. in International Relations, major in International Politics, from the University of Japan. She attended both the UP Summer Writers Workshop and the Silliman University Writers Workshop in the late 70s. After a brief stint at the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Office of the Solicitor General, she was based abroad and worked for The Japan Times, a major English daily, as an International Desk and People Page editor and writer/contributor.
Maria Linda Felipe contributed poems to the October 1983 Edition of Caracoa III, the poetry journal of the Philippines Literary Arts Council.
She was awarded an Accomplishment of Merit for the outstanding literary piece “Flowers” in the book, Inspirations in Ink.
OBRA
Where art meets innovation: TCL unveils A400 Series Lifestyle TV for modern Filipino homes
8:11 a.m. June 14, 2026
For those seeking a television that seamlessly complements an artful aesthetic, TCL Electronics has delivered the ultimate solution. As the No. 1 Panel TV brand in the Philippines and a global leader in both televisions and air conditioners, TCL finally introduces the TCL A400 Series.
Designed for modern Filipino homes, this premium lifestyle TV masterfully blends elegant, gallery-like aesthetics with deeply immersive entertainment.
True to its design-centric philosophy, the TCL A400 Series perfectly complements an artful home. Modern televisions are no longer just about entertainment; they are vital to a household’s overall lifestyle and aesthetic. With the A400 Series, TCL completely redefines the role of a television in the modern living space.
“Once again, TCL elevates home entertainment and viewing pleasure with the introduction of the A400 Series. Every detail is meticulously engineered to enhance your home display while delivering an indulgent sensory experience. We know how excited you are for this, so we’re thrilled to finally share it with you!” says Maxi Chen, TCL Senior Product Manager of Brownline.
Beyond Screen, Beyond Imagination
If the idea of owning a design-forward art TV inspires you, the A400 Series, namely A400M and the A400 Pro, are both built to exceed your highest expectations. Prepare to immerse yourself in an entirely new standard of home entertainment. Both models share the same key selling points, including the Ultra Slim Design, QD-Mini LED technology, Art Gallery Mode, and ONKYO 2.0 Hi-Fi Sound System.
For a true art-gallery feel, the A400 Pro is equipped with an anti-reflection Matte HVA Panel that eliminates distracting glare. In contrast, the A400M features a traditional, high-contrast HVA Panel.
Both TVs double as a digital canvas when not in use. It effortlessly converts any room into a personal gallery, pre-loaded with hundreds of iconic artworks spanning centuries of art history.
The TCL A400 Series has more than 100,000 pre-generated Al artworks from classical style to impressionism. Just tap on the style and theme, and you get to personalize your screen to your style in seconds.
When it comes to color performance, TCL QLED technology utilizes advanced Quantum Dot materials integrated across multiple layers. By incorporating a high light-transmittance film, the system improves optical efficiency and delivers a 10% energy saving for the entire machine. Paired with precision backlighting, this innovation renders more than a billion hues of exceptionally vivid colors. The enhanced brightness illuminates subtle details, offering an immersive, lifelike viewing experience that effortlessly unveils hidden nuances in every frame.
Ready for a truly smart TV? The TCL A400 Series is packed with next-generation AI, built right from the ground up. Powered by TCL’s own quantum supercomputing platform and the advanced Mariana database, this TV actually learns and evolves over time. Thanks to built-in intelligent agents, it automatically optimizes your entertainment across four game-changing pillars: AI picture, AI sound, smart interaction, and AI-driven content creation. It’s not just a screen—it’s a smarter way to watch.
At the heart of the A400 Series is the TSR AiPQ Processor, a highly intelligent chip engineered with powerful AI capabilities. By integrating TCL’s proprietary image-tuning algorithms with advanced intelligent perception, the processor delivers precise, pixel-level optimization for all visuals. Working in tandem with the TCL AI model, it ensures that every frame bursts with vibrant dynamism, layered depth, and natural clarity for true-to-life realism.
For a superior audio experience, the TCL A400 Series features a built-in ONKYO Hi-Fi System. As a global leader in high-end audio with over 80 years of home theater expertise, ONKYO has defined world home theater standards seven times. This premium audio integration ensures the A400 Series delivers an unmatched, deeply immersive acoustic performance for any home setup.
Elevate your living space with the sophisticated elegance of the all-new TCL A400 Series. The latest premium lifestyle television is now available at all authorized TCL dealers nationwide.
The A400M TV with black frame is exclusively available at Abenson with the A400 Pro with a wooden frame is exclusively available at SM Appliances. For more details on the TCL A400 Series, log on to www.tcl.com.
OBRA
Freedom to experience: Redefining what it means to live VIP
9:21 p.m. June 12, 2026
Every June, Filipinos celebrate freedom; not only as a part of our nation’s history, but as a reminder of the opportunities, possibilities, and experiences available to us today.
At BingoPlus VIP Club, freedom means more than just the ability to choose. It means having the opportunity to experience more, explore more, and celebrate life’s milestones in extraordinary ways.
Over the past months, BingoPlus VIP Club has continued to create experiences that go beyond traditional rewards. From exclusive celebrations and luxury travel opportunities to unforgettable events, VIP Club has been focused on delivering moments that members can truly remember.
Recently, the very first BMW winner was recognized during the exclusive BingoPlus Night Gala, marking a major milestone in the VIP Club’s ongoing commitment to rewarding and celebrating its members. It was more than just an awarding of a luxury vehicle; it was a reflection of how experiences can transform ordinary moments into lifelong memories.
This spirit of freedom is also reflected in the VIP Club’s growing portfolio of experiences. Whether it’s a luxury getaway, a private celebration, a premium event, or exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, BingoPlus VIP Club continues to expand what it means to be recognized beyond the game.
As the Club prepares for an exciting new chapter this July, members can look forward to a refreshed experience built around a simple but powerful belief:
Freedom is not simply about where you can go.
It’s about how far you can elevate.
This Independence Day, we celebrate the freedom to experience more, connect more, and create unforgettable moments together.
Because true luxury isn’t just about what you have.
It’s about the experiences that stay with you long after the moment has passed.
Welcome to the journey.
Welcome to the future of VIP.
Welcome to the New Nobility.
OBRA
How one man’s fight for survival shaped Asia’s largest dialysis network
5:12 p.m. May 31, 2026
Behind Asia’s largest dialysis network lies not a conventional corporate blueprint, but a deeply human advocacy born from a young man’s fight for survival.
NephroPlus, which continues to expand its footprint across the Philippines, is driven by a simple yet powerful belief: people on dialysis deserve to lead long, happy, productive lives – with dialysis remaining just a small part of their journey.
At the heart of this multi-national mission is Kamal D. Shah, co-founder of NephroPlus and a patient since the age of 21. For Kamal, the business of healthcare is deeply personal – he has been a dialysis patient himself for nearly three decades.
A Dream Interrupted
In 1997, Shah’s life was unfolding precisely as he envisioned. Having just secured a student visa to pursue a master’s degree in the United States, he felt the world opening its doors to his ambitions.
But on the cusp of departure, a sudden medical emergency derailed his plans. Doctors diagnosed him with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) – a rare, life-threatening genetic disease affecting only two to three million people worldwide.
“How could a young man preparing for graduate school in America suddenly be fighting for survival?” Kamal recalled, describing his harrowing first dialysis session. “Fear overtook me as my blood circulated through the machine.”
What followed was exhausting medical interventions: regular hemodialysis, plasma exchanges, steroid treatments, and blood transfusions. A temporary recovery was cut short by a severe lung infection, forcing his family to briefly explore alternative therapies in sheer desperation.
In November 1998, a kidney transplant using his mother as a donor offered a beacon of hope. However, fate intervened again when -his primary disease recurred in the transplanted kidney as well, sending him back to square one.
The Refusal to be Passive
Faced with a lifetime of treatment, Shah made a pivotal choice: “I have the will to win.”
He refused to remain a passive bystander in his own healthcare.
In 1999, he discovered Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), a home-based treatment option that was exceptionally rare in India at the time. Under the care of a supportive nephrologist, the transition allowed him to regain his energy, put on weight, and successfully return to the workforce as a young professional.
Years later, while on a beach vacation with colleagues in 2004, Kamal survived a devastating tsunami that flooded his room to neck level. While he escaped with his life, the seawater severely infected his PD catheter site, forcing a grueling return to hospital-based hemodialysis.
The physical and mental drain of standard hospital rotations led Shah to look for alternative solutions. He searched medical reports, watched international demonstrations, and worked closely with clinical staff to pioneer daily home hemodialysis, demanding a life lived with dignity, choice, and knowledge.
Redefining Kidney Care in the Philippines
Through his dual lens as a patient and an acute observer of clinical gaps, Shah realized that renal care needed a global overhaul. Patients deserved more than clinical routine; they deserved better holistic outcomes, stringent quality controls, and empathy.
This conviction laid the cornerstone for NephroPlus.
“We want our guests to get their lives back,” says Shah. “People on dialysis can live normal, long lives, provided they receive good-quality care.”
Today, NephroPlus has evolved into Asia’s largest dialysis network, partnering with local communities to bring world-class, empathetic dialysisl care directly to Filipino patients. At the heart of this mission is a shift from treating patients to welcoming guests. This philosophy honors the lived experience of its co-founder, proving that chronic illness does not mean a life on hold – and championing a better quality of life across geographies.
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