IMAGINE what could be the Philippine economy like without the influence of Chinese culture and the emergence of the Chinese-Filipino (Chinoy to you) entrepreneurs?  That should not be difficult to discern. Out of the country’s top 10 commercial banks alone today, 9 are owned by distinguished Chinoys.  The most popular…

POLITICAL turmoil has always been the mark of Philippine politics. So, the recent signature outburst of former president Rody Duterte in the direction of President Bongbong Marcos did not really surprise most everyone.  That it happened between two back-to-back presidents was unprecedented and disconcerting. It was evidently triggered by illegal…

THE protesting owners of the traditional jeepneys being phased out by the modernization plan of the national government have reason to celebrate the totally unexpected decision of President Marcos Jr, to extend the deadline for their consolidation to April 30, after rejecting appeals last month to extend the deadline. Of…

DAGUPEÑOS who felt the earth move in 1990 and are still alive today do not need be reminded how to survive a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. But they should be asked to recall how unprepared they were when the deadly earthquake shook them out of their wits, and looking back, what…

WHILE the citizenry continues to grapple with the seeming endless rounds of increases in prices of commodities, incumbent national and local officials and political wannabes are already busy gearing for the next political fight of their lives. The 2025 elections are just around the corner. The bells are already ringing…

BEFORE our officials in city governments move on with their other agenda, they should take a closer look at the post-mortem report from the Provincial Health Office, validated by police stations in the province about the number of persons hurt by fireworks-related injuries, the increasing volume and types of deadly…

SHOULD the cities of Dagupan, San Carlos, Urdaneta and Alaminos continue to risk the loss of lives, fingers, eyesight and limbs of their constituents for the sake of providing livelihood to vendors and maintain the traditional revelry with blasting noise to welcome the New Year? It may sound politically correct…

AS the world mulls, prays and celebrates Christmas, what should Christmas mean to families and to their governments amid wars and economic crisis? During the Christmas season, the image of a baby born in a manger in Bethlehem is what Catholics and  Christians all over the world remember as a…

THE Guico administration was hardly fazed or showed concern that Pangasinan missed out on the Seal of Local Government Governance (SGLG) this year for the first time since the award was introduced in 2015 and made into law in 2019 by Congress. Vice Governor Mark Lambino naturally downplayed the impact…

HERE we go again. Some do-gooders at the House of Representatives and the Senate in government simply don’t understand the risks and hazards faced by journalists in their practice. To them, to decriminalize libel is a step in the right direction to prevent senseless harassment by politicians and businessmen for…