CoverStory

24/09/2024

Journalism has long been, first and foremost, a calling to seek and report the truth.

“Truth should be their idol, their first and last consideration always,” stated an 1853 article titled “Truth in Journalism,” published in Scientific American Magazine.

Journalism has long been, first and foremost, a calling to seek and report the truth. “Truth should be their idol, their first and last ...

23/09/2024

In this maelstrom, it is journalism, fact-based, evidence-based credible news media, that has a lifelong duty to defend the self-evident values our civilization was built on. Worldwide, it is the journalists who live their responsibility to honor this sacred bond with our audiences and our communities.

Come September 28, every World News Day, we the news media organizations from around the world, join hands to reassure you of our undying ...

22/09/2024

The latest tropical depression had already exited the Philippine area of responsibility, but the rain persisted. In the morning, the weather bureau put out a thunderstorm advisory for Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, and sure enough, it poured hard all afternoon before the skies gradually lightened on that evening of Sept. 21, the 52nd anniversary of the proclamation of martial law.

A crowd of over 200 gathered under umbrellas at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City on that wet Saturday night, the watery rush of tires along Quezon Avenue coming and going behind them as they stood before rows of candles in front of the Bantayog monument.

The participants consisted of those who lived through the martial law era and those who did not. The latter, students particularly, made ...

19/09/2024

It is a matter of pride for geodetic engineer Efren Ricalde that he learned photography through trial and error. When he got the hang of it, he chose to document mass actions or rallies, to do unposed portraits of activists, and to enjoy being right in the middle of things, even at the risk of being clobbered.

It is a matter of pride for geodetic engineer Efren Ricalde that he learned photography through trial and error. When he got the hang of ...

18/09/2024

With volleyball growing in popularity as a pro sport in the Philippines, how can the players and their coaches be protected in terms of an insurance plan that fits their active lifestyle?

Allianz PNB Life (AZPNBL) helps to secure the future of the Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans with its eAZy Health ...

17/09/2024

At the launch of Mangrove Warriors, marine ecologist Dr. Mario Cudiamat explained how mangroves protect coastal communities from hazards caused by strong typhoons and earthquakes by dissipating wave energy, trapping sediments, and controlling erosion.

At the launch of Mangrove Warriors, marine ecologist Dr. Mario Cudiamat explained how mangroves protect coastal communities from hazards ...

16/09/2024

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article includes mention of su***de and self-harm. September is Su***de Prevention Month.

The reasons for su***de are complex, but the good news is that these can be prevented. The most potent way to prevent su***de is communication.

In 2022, Baguio’s mental health program was among the local government units given the Healthy Pilipinas Awards for Healthy Communities ...

15/09/2024

“What goes around comes around.”

This was what Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert “Ace” Barbers said in describing the path that lawyer and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, now again facing detention for defying a subpoena of the House of Representatives’ quad committee, appears to be treading.

As of Sunday morning, Roque had yet to be served the arrest warrant issued by the quad committee. The panel ...

20/11/2023

Despite ongoing controversy in its flagship Southern Cardamom REDD+ project, Cambodia is driving forward with plans to greatly expand climate finance schemes across its officially protected areas.

Despite ongoing controversy in its flagship Southern Cardamom REDD+ project, Cambodia is driving forward with plans to expand ...

20/11/2023

In his lecture titled “PH: What could have been, what can be done,” Pernia said the Philippines was “on the cusp” of becoming an upper-middle-income country in 2020, but was set back by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pernia said the Philippines was “on the cusp” of becoming an upper-middle-income country in 2020, but was set back by the Covid-19 pandemic.

20/11/2023

The Quezon City government is leading rites to mark this year’s National Poetry Day (Pambansang Araw ng Pagtula) on Nov. 22, the birthday of eminent Filipino poet and “King of Balagtasan” Jose Corazon de Jesus, popularly known as Huseng Batute.

The Quezon City government is leading rites to mark this year’s National Poetry Day (Pambansang Araw ng Pagtula) on Nov. 22.

20/11/2023

Inasmuch as I’m excited to see them grow into the individuals that they are meant to become—great in every sense—I succumb to nostalgic moments: What happened to the babies I carried in my arms and sang a lullaby to at bedtime, and whose first rollover, coo, crawl, step, and everything else I documented? What happened to the toddlers who were scared to go to school, and who needed cuddling to be able to sleep at night, and who’d kiss and hug me whenever, wherever?

I succumb to nostalgic moments: What happened to the babies I carried in my arms and sang a lullaby to at bedtime ...

18/11/2023

Vida Verde who?

Her acting stint was launched in “Nene,” where she costarred with George Estregan, Ricky Davao and Daria Ramirez. The movie was directed by Erastheo Navoa and was a hit at that time when the nation was in political turmoil and the public was mired in escapist entertainment such as “bold” films.

Vida Verde who? Her acting stint was launched in “Nene,” where she costarred with George Estregan, Ricky Davao and Daria Ramirez.

18/11/2023

Sunday Word Reflection
11/19/23
Prv31:10-13,19-20,30-31
1Thes5:1-6
Mt25:14-30
By Fr. Edwin Mercado

Stewardship is the primary vocation of humanity as creature in God’s image and likeness. Care for creation is how we become a reflection of the Creator.

Book of Proverbs presents a worthy wife, whose value far beyond pearls or wealth. Marriage as the Steward of Treasure manifests care for the truest riches, relationship that fosters lasting treasures, like care for the home, for the needy, also for enterprises.

Concerning times and seasons, the faithful Steward of Time looks not to Chronos to deal with fleeting activities, but to Kairos, the moments replete with meaning that turn events into experiences, into history (kasaysayan), into life direction.

The test of talents (money) belongs to Stewardship of Talent as charism, proper creative use of capacity brings fruitfulness, opening to greater responsibilities, learning from wisdom of owner: Primary vocation!

17/11/2023

An ambitious plan to re-engineer the carbon market in Singapore could play havoc with net zero goals and raises questions about human rights in places like Cambodia.

An ambitious plan to re-engineer the carbon market in Singapore could play havoc with net zero goals and raises questions ...

17/11/2023

The upper basin of the Nanay River in Loreto provides drinking water to the population of Iquitos. It is also rich in 24 carat gold and threatened by mining activities.

The upper basin of the Nanay River in Loreto provides drinking water to the population of Iquitos. It is also rich in 24 carat gold ...

14/11/2023

Stories of local and global practices in the movement against violence against women and gender-based violence will be shared by three resource persons in the first Maureen C. Pagaduan Memorial Public Forum Series on Nov. 18, Saturday, 1-4 p.m., at the University of the Philippines’ College of Social Work and Community Development in Diliman, Quezon City.

The forum will honor Professor Pagaduan’s courage, commitment, and compassion in her decades of work against gender-based violence.

14/11/2023

Unwanted plastic is clogging seas and rivers. A ‘green’ scheme involves burning it to make cement.

The Philippines is already failing to meet its obligation to reduce emissions, and its approach with plastics is making it worse.

12/11/2023

One can’t blame the Palestinians. Israel got 55% of Palestine, more than the original owners since biblical times. Thus, the Palestinians became refugees in their own homeland.

One can’t blame the Palestinians. Israel got 55% of Palestine, more than the original owners since biblical times.

11/11/2023

Sunday Word Reflection
11/12/23
Wis6:12-16
1Thes4:13-18
Mt25:1-13
By Fr. Edwin Mercado

We have an adage that goes: “Haste makes waste." Those in a hurry react to stimuli based on emotional feel of the situation. In facing life that is mystery, it entails keen awareness, sober reflection and evaluation to arrive at prudent decisions. Prudence finds perfection in attaining wisdom.

Meanwhile, all who rise with Christ partake in the shared wisdom of the risen life, each in his own moment.

With the reign of God revealing the marriage between divinity and humanity in Jesus, then Jesus as groom and the Church as bride invite us to participate like the wise virgins. We have to be on the watch (like the oil provision): watchful in faith life, watchful in love and charity, watchful in good works, watchful in hope during trials, unlike the fools who slept in ignorance. Be prepared!

10/11/2023

It’s back to business among showbiz personalities who ran and won in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections last Oct. 30.

After all is said and done, quo vadis, poll winners who are now barangay captains, youth chairs, and council members? What are we expecting in terms of better lives for ourselves or in behalf of their constituents from these winning movie, television, music, live entertainment and multimedia stars?

It's back to business among showbiz personalities who ran and won in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections last Oct., 30

08/11/2023

As the sole public utility in charge of power transmission lines, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is mandated to ensure the reliability of the country’s electricity supply. So when a government representative found that it had included corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in its operating expenses, she sought an explanation.

As the sole public utility in charge of power transmission lines, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines is mandated to ensure ...

07/11/2023

“There was no electricity, no fuel, no internet, or any other way to communicate. There was a severe shortage of all kinds of commodities.”

This was how the lawyer Byron Bocar, who was in Eastern Samar when Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) made first landfall in Guiuan in the early hours of Nov. 8, 2013, recalled what he saw in the aftermath.

Star of Samar was in charge of mobilizing resources and coordinating the transport of the boats from Metro Manila all the way to Samar.

06/11/2023

We came to savor food that popular Filipino chef Sandy Daza has taste-tested and pronounced “exceptional” (for him, “good” is simply “not enough”).

But the “Daza Japan Food Tour” of the three cities and their namesake prefectures on Oct. 20-25 offered participants more than just food. It also included visits to fish markets, handpicking persimmon on a farm, a stop at a peace memorial museum, and a boat ride to a world-heritage Shinto shrine.

All provided insights into aspects of Japan’s food preparation, culture and history.

We came here to savor food that popular Filipino chef Sandy Daza has taste-tested and pronounced “exceptional.”

04/11/2023

Sunday Word Reflection
11/05/23
Mal1:14b—2:2b,8-10
1Thes2:7b-9,13
Mt23:1-12

By Fr. Edwin Mercado

Sprite Ad used to say, “Magpakatotoo ka!” In the midst of half-truths, ‘pogi’ points, Ponzi scheme narratives that are hypocrisies, bringing a curse. These set aside the covenant with God that puts truth at the center. Malachi criticized priests whose ‘blessings’ actually bring curses.

Paul praised the Thessalonians for receiving his words as God’s. Their fidelity to their faith-life turn them into models of sincerity, inspiring others to the faith.

Jesus exhorts His disciples to take on humility to recognize singular Teacher is Jesus’ Spirit, only Father is ‘Abba’, only Master is Christ. In humility, the true path to greatness is Servanthood, containing truth through life in paradox: not through honor and glory, but service that builds partnership among graced or gifted persons, finding harmony in God’s order that manifest God’s Reign.