By Farah G. Decano IT is a common observation that those who hold the reins of government often grant special privileges to the wealthy—whether in exchange for private favors or to avoid conflict with the influential. Conversely, policymakers provide subsidies and social safety nets to the marginalized, often securing…
By Eva C. Visperas IT looked like an ordinary Monday morning at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan—the last regular session of the year. The usual faces were there. The usual routine unfolded. Media practitioners quietly settled into their familiar corners of the session hall and the Vice Governor’s lounge, ears tuned…
By Rex Catubig POPPING up like a repressed traumatic memory, amid the heartbreaking stories in the wake of Typhoon Odette some years back, is the brave birth of a baby on a sidewalk lashed by rampaging wind and rain. It harks back to similar stories, in different locales, but under…
By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo THE death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral involves no foul play, according to Secretary Jonvic Remulla of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). This very quick assessment was tempered by the statement of Jose Melencio…
By Gonzalo Duque I have not written about Speaker Joe de Venecia for quite some time until I saw a personal invitation for his 90th birthday in Manila to be celebrated on December 28, instead of his December 26th birthdate. There are a lot of stories to be told…
By Leonardo Micua WE note about 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco being passionate about the construction of a nuclear power plant in Labrador, same as what he’s doing for his two other mega projects— the Lingayen Gulf Seawall, and the conversion of the Lingayen-Binmaley Baywalk into a six-lane national…
By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo “TUNGANGA” has different meanings depending on the context of the person saying it. For example, when confronted with exceptional beauty, one is likely to say, “Napatunganga ako sa ganda!” (I was awed at the beauty!). That is the context of my late mother, who loved…
By Farah G. Decano THE intensifying legislative debate over regulating political dynasties centers on the proposed Anti-Dynasty Bill. The urgency has escalated, with numerous bills filed in Congress, even before the President’s call to prioritize the measure. A recent proposal by Representatives Sandro Marcos and Faustino Dy III has already…
By Eva C. Visperas THE true essence of living is not measured by the ease of our days but by the courage with which we rise after each fall. To start again, with faith intact, hope unwavering, and the same vibrant spirit that refuses to dim—this is the heartbeat…
By Rex Catubig NOTE: The yearly Christmas lighting of the Quintos bridge has always bedazzled the holiday crowd. Yet just as fascinating are the stories behind the dazzle of Quintos and the other bridges in the city as well. Hopefully, the bridge lights shall cast some brilliance on these…
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