Charter reform, only way to survive By Gerry Garcia YOUSSEF “Chip Chip” Velasco, 21, youngest son of Journalist Jun Velasco and university Prof. Catherine Bernardo (Jun’s one and only wife), is now one of Malacañang’s Big Guns. A UP scholar and graduate in Public Administration, Chip Chip now works in…

A more confident Gloria By Gonzalo Duque WE all have seen her during her 6th State of the Nation Address. She was at her best. Her SONA showed an ebullient Gloria, a more confident Gloria. She is “game.” Many were disarmed by her humor and wit. Of course, the opposition…

Pangasinan’s pride in Agricultural Research By Sosimo Ma. Pablico   DR. MADONNA Carbon Casimero is a weed scientist who leads PhilRice’s program for unfavorable environment and has distinguished herself in integrating farming practices that lead to improved productivity of rice-based farmers. Only   over 40 years old, she started working at…

Whipping Boy By +Oscar V. Cruz An endearing vision of the country as a towering showcase of progress and development in Asia. A projection of exciting years ahead of building and rebuilding unlimited all over the land. An impressive presentation of contemplated mega-regions. The practical condemnation of imperial Manila in…

We’re now on our 62nd year   By Gerry Garcia OUR Punch, now on its 50th year, is still alive and doubly hard-hitting, especially now that we’re assured of the late Ermin Senior’s replacement by an equal if not able successor — his son, Ermin Junior. Jun’s development of his…

Middle East war drums escalate By Jun Velasco “The worst imprisonment is the one we impose on ourselves.”– Deng Ming-Dao   THE  full scale war raging in the Middle East with Israel mercilessly bombarding and pounding  Lebanon  seems to foretell the much dreaded Battle of  Megiddo,  vaunted  as the final…

Festive mood By Gonzalo Duque THAT’S right. Despite the rainy season, which is often gloomy, my aura at the moment is festive, “celebrative,” ecstatic, if you will. There’s a reason for this, for being joyous. You know it already I suppose? Our Lyceum Northwestern University feels it’s on top of…

Pangasinan’s pride in Agricultural Research By Sosimo Ma. Pablico UNKNOWN to many residents of Pangasinan, this province could take pride in five scientists who, despite their relatively young age, have already distinguished themselves in agriculture research. They are Dr. Eulito U. Bautista, Dr. Madonna Carbon Casimero, Dr. Jovita Datuin, Danilda…

Sacristy clergy By +Oscar V. Cruz By the sacristy, of the sacristy, for the sacristy—this is what the present administration wants the clergy with their bishops to be: “sacristy clergy”. Stick to preaching about heaven and the angels. Do only novenas and processions. Praise the Lord. Do nothing more. Be…

Pinoys’ current fight for ‘independence’ By Gerry Garcia MANY thinking Pinoys today, especially those immersed in the study of their country’s history, think they, through their immediate ancestors, had also gone through and experienced a “government run like heaven by Americans” which is a far cry from the kind we…