Opinion and Commentary
Samonte: Reminiscing on the 1976-1978 Batasang Bayan membership
November 24, 2023, 2:13 pm
Did you know that in the second half of the 1970s, or during the martial law years, then First Lady Imelda R. Marcos, her eldest daughter and current Senator Imee R. Marcos, and former Justice Secretary and Senator Leila B. De Lima worked together at the Session Hall of the 1976-1978 Batasang… Read More
Lu: Revitalizing the Philippine coconut industry
November 24, 2023, 10:00 am
Over the years, the Philippine coconut industry has been in the doldrums. Despite our place in history as the world’s leading coconut producer, the Philippines now ranks second, next to Indonesia. India is fast catching up, and perhaps in a few years, we may become laggards in coconut… Read More
Lauengco: The 18-month rule in political preparation
November 22, 2023, 10:31 am
“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” - Confucius I was asked recently by someone who was planning to run for office in the next local elections as to when one should start preparing for 2025. My answer has always been the same.… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Exploring nuclear technology
November 21, 2023, 11:27 am
Last week, news of the landmark nuclear cooperation pact between the Philippines and the United States dominated headlines, marking a firm step towards achieving our government’s goal of energy independence and security. The deal is a welcome development and a signal to the rest of the world… Read More
Samonte: Importance of police visibility in crime prevention in Quezon City
November 17, 2023, 3:09 pm
While reading the Metro News Section of the daily Philippine Star issue of Nov. 14, 2023, my attention was caught by a short but significant news item titled "QC crimes drop by 39.47%." The story, written by Mark Ernest Villeza, quoted Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Redrico… Read More
Lu: Masungi Georeserve: A testament of Filipinos' conservation efforts
November 17, 2023, 10:33 am
Nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of Tanay, Rizal, the Masungi Georeserve stands as an enduring testament to Filipinos' unwavering commitment to environmental conservation. Spanning 1,500 hectares, this sanctuary not only safeguards a vital forest ecosystem but also represents a beacon of… Read More
Lauengco: Loosen Up, Lighten Up
November 15, 2023, 10:51 am
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller Did you know that yesterday, Nov. 14, 2023 was “Loosen Up Lighten Up Day”? Although the exact origin and founder of the day is the subject of debate and speculation, it is… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Sustaining economic growth
November 14, 2023, 10:04 am
Last week, the country’s statistics agency reported that the economy grew by 5.9 percent in the third quarter of 2023 on the back of increased public spending despite persisting inflationary pressures. Major contributors to the improved third quarter gross domestic product were wholesale and… Read More
Lu: Brewing Resilience: The Tale of Philippine Coffee's Revival
November 10, 2023, 1:16 pm
In the vibrant ambiance of coffee shops during my frequent meetings, I've marveled at the sight of young professionals and students indulging in various coffee concoctions -- espresso, black coffee, frappe, cappuccino, latte and more. It's a captivating spectacle, witnessing these generations… Read More
Lauengco: Math and Agriculture
November 8, 2023, 1:32 pm
“Go down deep enough into anything and you will find mathematics” - Dean Schlicter On Nov. 7, newly appointed Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced his plan to revive the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). He stated that for him “the current database was somewhat… Read More
Zaldarriaga: The drive for a greener future
November 7, 2023, 10:30 am
With the growing focus on sustainability, addressing pollution, especially in urban areas, is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of the drive to go green. Here in the Philippines, the transportation sector is the largest source of urban pollution as it accounts for 13 percent of our… Read More
Delos Reyes: Fly-by-night biotech may be useful for us
November 2, 2023, 5:28 pm
Dire necessity ought to be the mother of invention if not forcible incursion into technology. With prices of crude oil products soaring between the rooftops and beyond the clouds, motorists and commuters are likely to set their sights even keep their fingers crossed on anything that promises… Read More
Lauengco: So, you lost in the barangay elections. What’s next?
November 1, 2023, 12:55 pm
“It is failure that gives you the proper perspective on success.” – Ellen Degeneres The Philippines’ Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023 edition is over and the winners with no pending cases have been proclaimed. Unfortunately, as in all contests, there are always those who… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Fostering meaningful connections in the digital age
October 31, 2023, 10:14 am
Our communication experiences over the years have drastically changed to adapt to fast-paced lifestyles. From e-mails to video calls, communication has never been more accessible and dynamic across all age groups. As a public communicator for nearly 40 years, I have seen and adapted to the many… Read More
Lu: A Look at the Barangay and SK Elections in the Philippines
October 27, 2023, 11:38 am
On Oct. 30, millions of voters will troop to their voting precincts to cast their votes for their preferred candidates. The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in October came after three postponements since 2018. The incumbent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials have been… Read More
Samonte: Benefits from clustered farming cited in 1970 FM speech
October 26, 2023, 8:44 pm
In my column two weeks ago about cooperative or clustered farming (Oct. 12, 2023), space limitation prevented me from elaborating on the advantages of such farming method as mentioned in a speech on May 23, 1970 by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos (FM) before the 17th National Convention of the… Read More
Lauengco: Barangay Elections: Last minute campaign guide (Part 3) – E-Day
October 25, 2023, 1:59 pm
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” -- Benjamin Franklin This is the third and final part of my three part last minute campaign guide for barangay election candidates. Election day or E-Day for the Barangay and SK elections 2023 will be on Monday (Oct. 30). For the first time… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Powering access to basic needs
October 23, 2023, 11:35 am
In today’s highly digital age, it may come as a surprise that there are still communities that lack access to basic needs such as water supply, sanitation, and electricity. In fact, around 2 billion people worldwide still don’t have access to safe drinking water, according to the World Bank.… Read More
Lu: Gov’t response to the crisis abroad
October 20, 2023, 9:00 am
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has displaced millions of people, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). There are more than 30,000 Filipinos in Israel and 150 in the Gaza Strip. Filipinos in Israel work mostly as caregivers, and they are loved by their employers and… Read More
Samonte: The oddities of 1st barangay polls in May 1982
October 19, 2023, 1:11 pm
As the 10-day official campaign period for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) began Wednesday in more than 42,000 barangays nationwide, this writer was reminiscing on the uniqueness or oddities of the first barangay polls held in 1982, a year after then President… Read More
