By Gonzalo Duque I cannot understand why the new owner of The Sunday Punch has ordered me to write my column only two times a month, instead of weekly. It’s the same with my fellow columnists Leonardo Micua, Farah Decano, Eva Visperas, Rex Catubig, and Virginia Pasalo. (Did I…
By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo THROUGHOUT my life, I have mostly gravitated towards men and women who are wiser, gifted and crafted by life’s most intense and purposeful experiences. Most of them are my mentors, whose caring and nurturing energy continues to energize my existence even after they have passed…
By Eva C. Visperas NOT once, but twice. Twice in a row, I had the rare and delightful honor of being part of the esteemed panel of judges in a beauty pageant. First, it was Miss Villasis 2025, and now, a year later, Miss Villasis 2026. Each experience, I must confess,…
By Leonardo Micua THE United States has effectively taken control of Venezuela and its oil exports following the controversial abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife by U.S. Special Forces, who forcibly removed them from their residence in Caracas in the dead of night. With their hands…
By Farah G. Decano FIRST, I would like to extend a belated 90th Happy Birthday to the five-time Speaker of the House and diplomat par excellence, Jose de Venecia Jr. His father, the late Judge Jose R. de Venecia, was my father’s godfather. I truly regret being unable to attend…
By Rex Catubig Note: I am reprising this piece that I wrote four years ago, in the early years of my retirement. Since then, the seasonal activity that was my subject has not really changed much—as if frozen in time, caught in the time capsule of the holiday season….
By Gonzalo Duque I wish everybody a hopeful and prayerful New Year. May your families be safe, sound, and remain healthy throughout the 2026 season! * * * * We have seen a lot of changes in our political system and observed that a new breed of leaders is…
By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo WE planned to spend the New Year in several places. We thought of Pangasinan and Baguio. We explored the possibility of Bicol. But here we are, in Teresa Rizal, where we didn’t think of spending it. Sometimes, we are where we are without planning, following…
By Eva C. Visperas WE never learn. That line has been echoing in my head after a morning walk along Lingayen Beach—again. And the longer I stayed, the heavier it felt. Not because of the sun, not because of the walk, but because of what we continue to leave…
By Gonzalo Duque THEY should put more nuclear power plants not only in Labrador but all over the country, as many as where the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites are located. Kawawang Pilipinas! * * * * Happy New Year to Mayor Belen Fernandez, VM Bryan Kua and…
© 2026 Sunday Punch. Dagupan.
