Needed: more passion in celebrating our heroic past By Gonzalo Duque   WE congratulate our local government officials for their faithful adherence to important events such as Independence Day, Rizal Day, and in the case of Dagupan City, Dagupan Day. Bilib tayo kay Mayor Belen Fernandez because all occasions on…

What price independence? By Gonzalo Duque   IT was inspiring to see Dagupeños and visiting netizens come in droves to take part at the city’s Independence Day celebration at the Stadia. Mayor Belen Fernandez’ well applauded speech was very timely and relevant because it inspired Dagupeños to love their city…

The past as present and future explained By Gonzalo Duque   THERE’S no way you will not appreciate the present leadership of Dagupan City. We are not carrying our own chair being the head of the city’s culture and arts body initiated by the city council and inspired by Mayor…

Rizal’s unread letter to Leonor discovered By Gonzalo Duque   THIS corner received from Canada a copy of Leonor Rivera’s letter to our National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. It was sent to us by Dr. Catherine Velasco, who received the document from Marife Llamas Dioquino whose lola, a certain…

Exploring Spain’s world of sports By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.   LLORET de MAR, GIRONA, SPAIN — I arrived here last May 30 after a long 14-hour flight from Clark International Airport to Barcelona International Airport (excluding the 3-hour Hong Kong layover). I had planned on traveling to this country…

Agenda for new Tapuac Kap Cuison By Gonzalo Duque   WE open our column with a sad, touching news about everybody’s favorite martial arts actor Jet Li who is down with hyper thyroidism and spinal ailments. He took over the place of Bruce Lee who died mysteriously at the height…

LÍWANG Nen Melchor Orpilla    LÍWANG / LAWÁNG (onung ëd impangusar nën Pablo Mejia) – (pangingaran/noun) say pasën a sangkaawangan no ontangay so too manlapud dalin; say maawang ya ispasio ëd tagëy na mundo; himpapawid/panginorin ëd Tagalog, Tangatang ëd Ilokano. ALIMBAWA: Mantëkyab ëd líwang ira’y dakël a kanãway. No pano’y…

Poll winners, congrats, but work! By Gonzalo Duque   THE country just had its successful village elections. Hooray and congratulations to the winners!  But sorry… try better next election — to the losers. May mga alingasngas, there are complaints here and there — that’s part of the game. That’s democracy…

IGËL Nën Melchor Espeleta Orpilla   IGËL – (pangingaran/noun) say kipapasen ya ag makagalaw so intiron laman o dinan man a parti’y lama’y too odino ayëp lapud asigpit o wala’y malët ya akasulong ëd sikato. Saray malís to/its conjugation/inflection: naigël, nanaigël/naiigël, naigël (say malís-arapën [future tense] tan malís-ayari [past tense])…

En garde! By Gonzalo Duque   WE wrote this a couple of days before the Barangay and SK elections, and yet, many of our people were still in a quandary if the political exercise would really happen. Those who mean well like most of us, anyway, are working for its…