Features
Zamboanga City’s ‘addiction’ to betel nuts
October 28, 2018, 1:21 pm
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Feeling blue or tired? Chew a “mama,” get high, and feel good. The “mama” here is not one’s tough mother, but the betel nut and leaf concoction or quid that is still popularly indulged on in Zamboanga City and the regions around it. Many Muslim men and various… Read More
Doktor Karayom: The rise of an artist in 'hiding'
October 28, 2018, 11:52 am
MANILA — It was rush hour one recent Thursday night and for that time on a weekday, traffic was unbelievably light. I was on my way to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), anticipating the excitement of rubbing elbows with some of the finest young artists in the country today and seeing… Read More
Why horror films click during 'Undas' holidays
October 28, 2018, 11:46 am
MANILA — Some Filipinos' commemoration of All Saints and All Souls days will not be complete without watching the usual bloody and hair-raising horror films designed to scare the wits out of its viewers. Regardless of whether these films will be watched on large screen format like the movies,… Read More
Novaliches a burial center in northern Metro Manila
October 25, 2018, 9:13 pm
Holy Cross Memorial Park in Novaliches, Quezon City (File Photo)MANILA — Believe it or not, Novaliches—a former town removed from the country’s map over a century ago because of inadequate population and income—is now literally serving as a burial center in northern Metro Manila. Five big… Read More
Why elections in Benguet have always been peaceful
October 24, 2018, 9:13 am
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Although Benguet has been noted as a peaceful province during elections, unlike some of its neighbors in the Cordillera, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here still held a voters' education on Tuesday that touched on voters' rights and gender issues, as well as made… Read More
Ankylosing Spondylitis: Living with a rare spine disease
October 23, 2018, 9:29 pm
MANILA — Clark Ferrer, 33, seems to be living up to a comic book superhero with his first name as he juggles his duties as an engineer, a father, and an advocacy group leader. People who are close to him fondly call him Superman, a way of confirming his determination to excel despite the… Read More
‘MODA’ highlights Cavite culture through fashion
October 23, 2018, 12:59 pm
DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite -- It is more than just a display of the ‘50s to ‘90s fashion collection at the ongoing ‘MODA: Ang Pagtatahi ng Lipunang Caviteño’ exhibit at the Museo De La Salle (MDLS) here. Every piece of design -- from its color, materials used, and occasion it was intended… Read More
Muslims, Lumad ‘clash’ in basketball courts
October 22, 2018, 4:25 pm
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The mostly marginal social and economic condition of their communities make Muslim and Lumad boys vulnerable to violent behavior and illegal drugs. And amid this adversity, basketball comes to the rescue. Hadji Nasir Ismula, one of Zamboanga City’s tribal leaders, organized and… Read More
Bohemian coffee artist wins award in New York art festival
October 21, 2018, 9:06 pm
GOLDEN HAPPINESS COFFEE BRINGS. Rens Tuzon's coffee painting wins a runner-up award in The Coffee Project: New York City competition on Oct. 18, 2018. (Photo courtesy of The Coffee Project) MANILA — Rens Tuzon, the country's Bohemian coffee artist, recently won a runner up award in the… Read More
More than just a Madrasah teacher
October 19, 2018, 4:21 pm
ZAMBOANGA CITY – If teachers are key to the destiny of their students and consequently their ever-unfolding society, then Abou-Benhar Sihabon is devoting his life to prove that dictum right. His success in his professional and personal missions is validated by the Most Outstanding Teacher for… Read More
How peace movement transformed a Muslim village
October 18, 2018, 10:28 am
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The great Sta. Cruz Island, which lies four kilometers away south of the southernmost tip of the city, is famous for its awesome beaches. Members of the Sama Bangingi tribe live in a small village, according to their lore, on the island since time immemorial. Today, the village… Read More
Tech-voc education: Ticket out of poverty
October 15, 2018, 7:59 pm
MANILA – Rizalyn Busico, 16, is currently enrolled in the Technical-Vocational (Tech-Voc) strand in Senior High School (SHS) to earn money while studying. “Mag-aaral pa po ako sa college pagkatapos ko po ng tech-voc. Gusto ko po kumuha pa ng Education, dahil dito pwede po ako kumita habang… Read More
Virtual Reality: The future of Philippine museums
October 14, 2018, 4:34 pm
MANILA — Making the young generation appreciate art, culture and history could be very challenging in the midst of all technological advancements happening left and right. Today, most young people find it dull and boring to visit museums as they would rather watch movies, play games or chat with… Read More
Broadcaster says Virgin Mary saved him from brink of death
October 14, 2018, 2:13 pm
MANILA -- In 1969, broadcaster Rene Sta. Cruz, who was then 17, was critically ill as he lies comatose in his hospital bed for over a month. It was during this time that he dreamt of seven behemoth monsters carrying torches and an L-shaped coffin when the Blessed Mother appeared and told him to… Read More
'Miracle of the Sun' Fatima apparition on Oct 13, 1917 remembered
October 13, 2018, 10:21 am
MANILA - The “Miracle of the Sun” that occurred during the 6th Apparition of Fatima on Oct. 13, 1917, and was witnessed by over 70,000 people in Portugal, was a manifestation of God’s almighty power and humility to save mankind from eternal damnation. Filipino Catholics join fellow Catholics… Read More
Tens of thousands view St. Pio's incorrupt heart at Manila Cathedral
October 11, 2018, 8:37 pm
The uncorrupted heart of St. Padre Pio in a glass frameMANILA – Tens of thousands of Filipino Catholics, young and old, braved the sunny weather and queued for hours just to take a glimpse, even for a second or two, of the uncorrupted heart of St. Pio at the Manila Cathedral in the past three… Read More
Gruesome 1977 Patikul massacre recalled
October 10, 2018, 9:35 pm
MANILA – Oct. 10, 1977 was a day of infamy for the whole country. It was the day when Brig. Gen. Teodulfo Bautista, the soft-spoken commanding general of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division of the Philippine Army, and 34 of his men, were brutally massacred after they were lured into a “peace… Read More
Millennials wake up coffee-shop fad
October 9, 2018, 9:39 pm
BAGUIO CITY – Coffee consumption in the country has surged, with the millennials willing to shell out a hundred pesos just for a cup. Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for High-Value Crops Evelyn Laviña shared this observation at the opening of a four-day coffee exposition here this… Read More
How this PWD in Zamboanga sets his sights high
October 9, 2018, 4:34 pm
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Teddy Kahil is totally blind. As he turned 46 this year, however, his accomplishments are near-extraordinary for a man of his condition, and he even continues to strive to do more for himself and his fellow persons with disability (PWDs).For starters, Kahil received the… Read More
Pangasinense teacher sidelines as ‘embalmer’
October 8, 2018, 8:13 pm
BINALONAN, Pangasinan -- Teacher Leda Cariño, a Grade 6 class adviser in Linmansangan Elementary School here, also occasionally works as an embalmer at their funeral family business to honor her father’s legacy.Leda – along with her brothers - was taught by their father while still young… Read More
