Features
'Simbang Gabi' brings hope amid a pandemic
December 15, 2020, 7:12 pm
DUMAGUETE CITY – Owena Davis, 75, putters around the house, preparing a table with a white linen cloth for the altar, with fresh flowers, a crucifix and candles, just a day before the start of the nine-day novena masses at dawn or Misa de Gallo beginning Dec. 16, leading up to Christmas. In… Read More
Arts fair brings color amid trying times
December 14, 2020, 7:41 pm
MANILA – The year 2020 may have been devastating for many but organizers and participants of arts fair, ManilArt, proved that there is hope, through a display of inspiring and colorful artworks. ManilArt, the longest-running art exhibit in the country, was held on Dec. 9-13 at the SMX Convention… Read More
Korean Cultural Center honors front-liners thru online concert
December 14, 2020, 6:14 pm
MANILA – Providing Filipino front-liners a treat was not enough for the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), as it staged a virtual concert to recognize their invaluable contribution to society amid the pandemic. The concert held on Saturday was still part of KCC"s "K-Healing:… Read More
Batanes residents keep the faith through ‘confession on wheels’
December 13, 2020, 7:50 pm
TUGUEGARAO CITY – The parish priest of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Basco, Batanes has been driving around the community, using his tricycle as a mobile confessional box to prepare young parishioners for their first Holy Communion and others for their prayer of concession. Fr.… Read More
From siege to wedding rites: APC serves as 'bridal tank'
December 13, 2020, 4:41 pm
BALOI, Lanao del Norte – Three years after the five-month siege in Marawi City in 2017, the armored personnel carrier (APC) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was back running, not to carry soldiers in full-battle gear, but to carry six white-clad brides to marry soldiers who were part… Read More
'Star of Bethlehem': Miracle or Science?
December 11, 2020, 7:19 pm
MANILA – The Bible says the three wise men followed a star in order to find where Jesus was born. People refer to that star as the "Christmas Star" or the "Star of Bethlehem". Did that star come out of the blue to guide the "Magi"? Or did Jesus' birth coincide with a celestial phenomenon? "This… Read More
Davao City Christmas in the new normal
December 9, 2020, 3:19 pm
By Jed Roland Wong DAVAO CITY – Around this time last year, upland communities of indigenous peoples (IPs) in Davao City host different fun and community-based activities for the members of the tribes, especially the children. At the same time, in downtown Davao, the entire city would sparkle… Read More
Teacher ‘Santa’ brings cheer to Nueva Ecija kids
December 6, 2020, 5:51 pm
GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Bringing joy to others can still be done this yuletide season despite the movement restrictions due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). An elementary teacher in this city proved this, not thinking twice about sharing her blessings and putting a smile into… Read More
Fashionista sparks buyers’ interest
December 6, 2020, 3:34 pm
MANILA – Laudale Zabala is a certified fashionista. When the lockdowns were imposed in March, she made it a point to continue getting dressed up as if she were going out for work. For her, putting on a nice outfit is a form of self-care. Although she couldn't leave her home in Valenzuela City… Read More
Preserving holiday cheers thru 'virtual reunions'
December 4, 2020, 2:29 pm
MANILA – With only three weeks to go before Christmas, planning getaways and gatherings with loved ones has been a part of the Filipinos' way of commemorating the season. However, with the current situation due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), people would have to defer seeing their… Read More
Lualhati Bautista self-publishes debut poetry book
November 30, 2020, 9:05 pm
MANILA – Acclaimed author and screenwriter Lualhati Bautista, known for her award-winning novels and screenplays “Gapo”, “Dekada ‘70”, “Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?”, and “Bulaklak sa City Jail” has self-published her first poetry book “Alitaptap sa Gabing Madilim”. As… Read More
Hope for out-of-school youth amid Covid-19 pandemic
November 30, 2020, 7:54 pm
MANILA – Being out-of-school for three years, Timothy, 15, has decided to continue his elementary education this year amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Timothy admitted that addiction to mobile gaming made him neglect… Read More
Preventing future 'Ondoy', 'Ulysses' flooding
November 30, 2020, 6:41 pm
MANILA – On the night of November 11, Tayn Limson already felt the strong winds rapping on their windows. At that time, Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) already made landfall in Quezon, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometer per hour. "Sobrang lakas ng hangin naririnig mo 'yong whistle sa awang… Read More
Uniting science, culture thru bamboo musical instruments
November 30, 2020, 3:03 pm
MANILA – Who would have thought there could be science behind bamboo musical instruments (BMIs)? Bamboos are susceptible to insect attacks, fungal stain, thereby affecting the sound quality and the people's appreciation for the indigenous music. With the goal of preserving the indigenous music… Read More
'Techie' leaves job to plant papaya
November 29, 2020, 1:57 pm
LAOAG CITY – Oliver Cariaga Millet, 46, of Barangay Nangalisan here has never been happier seeing his papaya plantation burst with fruits while pickers join him with excitement, taking photos here and there. Sprawled on a less than one hectare lot, Millet's Nangalisan Papaya Farm is being… Read More
‘Rescued’, ‘adopted’ elderlies thankful to gov't
November 27, 2020, 9:49 am
MANILA – While many have succumbed to fear and loneliness during the quarantine, senior citizens who were taken into the state-owned Golden Action and Reception Center for the Elderly and other Special Cases (GRACES) said they have many things to be grateful for. Orlando (not his real name), 73,… Read More
Manila youth officials build free bike repair stations
November 27, 2020, 9:45 am
MANILA – A bicycle repair station was put up by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangay 870 in Pandacan, Manila to help bikers free of charge. SK chairman Nomi Carel Cortez, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency Thursday, said as a biker himself, he saw the needs of bikers,… Read More
Colorful 'Belen' entries reflect resiliency of Tarlaqueños
November 26, 2020, 6:11 pm
MANILA – Their Belen (nativity scene) may be destroyed by the recent typhoons “Rolly” and “Ulysses” but for Tarlaqueños, the recent calamity cannot dampen their desire to rebuild their entries to be part of the annual 'Belenismo' festivity. Despite the calamities, the coronavirus… Read More
'Stars of Hope' bring Christmas glow to QC streets
November 25, 2020, 3:33 pm
MANILA – Amid the challenges brought by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), hope sparked among Quezon City residents as "Stars of Hope" lanterns and giant Christmas trees were simultaneously lighted in different parts of the city on Tuesday evening. “Hindi pa man tayo tapos sa ating… Read More
Christmas amid Covid-19: Looking forward to ‘normalcy'
November 25, 2020, 2:39 pm
MANILA – With the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) taking a toll on every country and industry, there seems to be a light at the end of a dark tunnel for the world as possible Covid-19 vaccines are inching a step closer to reality. With exactly a month before Christmas, Filipinos scrimp and… Read More
