By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo THE darkness has always been a friend, and before dawn each morning, I listen to the silence. At this time, it is in the silence that I am able to connect with all the scattered pieces of me, and become a part of the larger…
By Farah G. Decano FROM January 2020 up to October 2023, the Philippines has lodged a whopping four hundred sixty-five diplomatic protests against China. Despite these numerous formal actions, the Asian superpower recently resumed its vexatious water canon attacks against our Philippine vessels on a resupply mission in the…
‘Pasutilan’
By Eva C. Visperas IN the realm of innovation and education, a story unfolds like a lyrical melody, starting with a shy teenage girl from the quiet town of Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan. I remember this demure figure, with a voice as melodious as a songbird, enchanting visitors during special…
From shy teen to innovative school founder
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. THE Philippine National Games (PNG) and the Batang Pinoy Championships (BPC) resumed last year after three years of suspension due to COVID-19. This year, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the twin annual sports events will be held on December 17-22…
The PNG, Batang Pinoy, plus my birthday bike race this week

By Rex Catubig 2,000 years ago, an unlikely birth made the biblical headlines, and subsequently became the matrix of Christianity. We are familiar with the circumstances of Joseph and Mary’s trek to Bethlehem from their home in Nazareth to comply with an edict for villagers to return to their…
Why Baby Jesus ended up in Baratilyo

‘IWAS PUTOK’ PLEASE! – Personnel of the Department of Health led by Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco is joined by Mayor Belen Fernandez during the launching of the regionwide campaign of Oplan ‘Iwas Paputok’. (Punchphto by Butch Uka)
‘IWAS PUTOK’ PLEASE!
OPLAN ‘Iwas Paputok’ was launched in Dagupan City jointly by regional offices of the Department of Health, the Dagupan City government, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and other government agencies. DOH Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco and Mayor Belen Fernandez led…
Dagupan is region’s pilot area for ‘Oplan Iwas Paputok’

LIFESIZE BELEN FOR CHILDREN — More families are taking the opportunity presented at the Paseo de Belen in Dagupan City to make their children aware and relevant to the Christmas story about Baby Jesus. (Punchphoto by Cesar Ramirez)
LIFESIZE BELEN FOR CHILDREN
DESPITE the declaration of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) that the appropriations ordinance enacting the P1.3 billion annual budget of Dagupan as “operative in its entirety”, the majority bloc in the Sangguniang Panlungsod continues to question the passage of the same “not by a qualified majority, but by…
Majority bloc bucks DBM’s decision on 2023 annual budget
LIKE his late mother’s political journey, newly elected Nalsian Barangay Captain Patrick Caramat, ran unopposed as president of the Liga ng mga Barangay of Calasiao during the election held Friday, December 15, at Don Armando’s Restaurant in the town. Caramat, 25, son of P/MGen. Romeo Caramat Jr, chief of the…