https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2009/08/13/anything-i-own/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usFri, 12 Jun 2026 02:51:01 -0400<![CDATA[Back in the day a German acquaintance of mine asked me to translate a phrase for him. The phrase was &#8220;bihag ng pagibig.&#8221; The question was asked as we were sitting at the Mega-Mall, a giant shopping center built across from the Asian Development Bank in Manila, where we had just finished delivering a report to a loan officer on a forestry project.  We had just gotten back from the field, and not having enough time to get our own proper clothes were forced to borrow a shirts and trousers from friends who lived in the Corinthian Gardens, which was right beside the Bank. The results were barely correct, though somewhat comical. All my German colleague could find was a long sleeved orange satin shirt which billowed out at the elbows and a pair of trousers about four inches too short. All I could find for my part, was a white shirt and a suit jacket about eight inches too long. Despite being described as resembling &#8220;a couple of refugees from a Hungarian bordello&#8221; our presentation was a success. In order to celebrate we went up to have a drink at the Mega-Mall.]]>Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:22:58 -0400<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2009/08/13/anything-i-own-n188961