A curse that refuses to die By +Oscar v. Cruz JCD Notwithstanding all rhetoric and propaganda made by public officials, despite all the alleged bleeding hearts for the poor brought to fore by civil authorities, and despite loud, repeated and impressive resolves by one government after another, the stark truth…

Ka-plastic-an By Marifi Jara QUELIMANE, Mozambique–Plastic = synthetic. So when we say (Filipinos, that is) “Ang plastic mo!” (You’re so plastic), it means you are being a fake, putting up a front, not being true to what you really feel, speaking and acting in ways that do not show what…

Cesar Duque, man with a Midas touch By Jun Velasco “OUR worth is not increased when people praise us; nor diminished when they criticize us. Our real worth depends on how God sees us — no more, no less.” — Ashok

Random poll favors SM rise in Dagupan By Gonzalo Duque OF the cacophony of ideas, opinions, analyses and what-have-yous on the issue of jueteng, the so-called illegal numbers game – or the casino of the poor—the most pragmatic suggestion yet was given by former senator now Philippine Star columnist Ernie…

INTEGRITY . CHARACTER . MISSION. Moral stature (integrity), personal determination (character) and official task (mission) – these are the fundamental attribute constitute the mandatory tripod of salutary and effective governance. This is neither a secret, much less a profound reality. The history as well as the actuality of this Country…

Fishponds versus fishpens By Jun Velasco MARK it. On September 30, Dagupan’s notorious fishpens, the illegal ones particularly, will go. That, Mayor Benjie Lim vows to do for good or ill. Last Tuesday, the mayor had a good huddle with officers of the Fishpond owners and operators association (FOODAI) who…

SM, Robinson have arrived in Metro Dagupan! By Gonzalo Duque CONGRATS, Rotary Club of Uptown Dagupan! Our friend since way back, Ms. Lily Yuchongtian, beauteous wife of former Rotary Gov. Nelson Yuchongtian, takes over the presidency of the Rotary Club of Uptown Dagupan from outgoing president, Councilor Dada Reyna in these…

GOCC By +Oscar V. Cruz JCD It might be good to take a realistic and practical look into the so called “Government Owned and Controlled Corporations” (GOCCs). This objective consideration is more in accord with on-the-ground factors than in subservience to both legal provisions and legalistic perspectives. After the last…

Fiesta fun By Marifi Jara QUELIMANE, Mozambique–“The Mangatarem town fiesta seems to be more felt than the spirit of the coming Christmas and New Year. At this time of the year, as you pass by the town proper, you will see a lot of carnival rides for children, booths for…

Going big time in bangus industry? By Jun Velasco IT seems, despite our loud claims about our local bangus’ supremacy in the market, the sad fact remains that we are not even up to par in supplying our local needs of this staple aquatic specie.