Police, media should join hands By Gonzalo Duque WE are excited and humbled by the growing business activities in Dagupan City. O, sikat ka la lamet Mayor Benjie ha? But no kidding, dear readers, with malice to none, we, ourselves, who have a modest business here are happy that more and more business…

Jueteng – Daang matuwid – Jueteng By +Oscar V. Cruz, JCD THERE is something not only interesting but also intriguing—if not downright suspicious—about the above tripod wherein strangely enough, the so called “Daang Matuwid” has Jueteng precisely before and after it. The former supposedly stands for integrity and honestly. The…

Phl is no chicken By Marifi Jara  “CHICKEN!” That is Filipino slang for ‘easy’, typically spoken with a tone of confidence or arrogance or both. It sends the message that something is achievable without needing much effort. “Chicken yan, pare!”  would be a sample response if for instance someone asks…

Marquez warmly received; Pacman jealous By Jun Velasco “A man of character finds special attractiveness in difficulty since it is only in coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his potentialities.” — Bishop Ephraim Fajutagana WE were at press time working things out to be able to join a press-con for two of…

An ‘ocean cruise’ in Dagupan! By Gonzalo Duque FOR many days now, Dagupenos are submerged in tears. Hmm, don’t say we are sounding like a sad poet. But all of you who got stranded by floodwaters in the city will agree with us that it’s been a heluva existence, no…

“Mr. Casino Filipino” By +Oscar V. Cruz JCD CONSIDERING that gambling—be this legal or illegal—can be anything but noble and ennobling, it is sad that PAGCOR would now even go to the extent of exploiting the innocence and enthusiasm of young people in order to promote its long since questionable…

We are in a ‘state of war’ By Jun Velasco “No day is without its innocent hope.” — (John) Ruskin OVER lunch at the spanking Fortune (Hong Kong) restaurant across the Dagupan City hall, a nephew of National Artist Vicente Manansala told us it probably would take more than a herculean effort…

Dagupan politicians, bakitP? By Gonzalo Duque GUV’NOR Spines, may tagahanga ka sa Ilocos Norte. He is Judge Noli Argel, our fraternity brod at San Beda College of Law.  Noli and lawyer Pol Velasco were our personal guests recently.

“United States of the Philippines” By +Oscar V. Cruz, JCD NO laughing, please! No smiling either! Reason: It reads well. It sounds nice. It invokes power and wealth. In implies a First World Country. Is it that silly? Is it simply vainglory? Does it imply too much drinking and/or too…

‘Nakuryente!’ By Jun Velasco “Playing safe is probably the most unsafe thing in the world.“—Anon WELCOME home to your native Pangasinan soil, Claire Yen, world-renowned artist of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao! Claire’s mother, former Syncletica Bugayong Toledo of Bugallon town, was schoolmate of former Lingayen Mayor Josefina Vila Castaneda, wife of Mayor Jonas, from…