Opinion and Commentary

Lu: Rising to the rice challenge: Ensuring PH food security

On September 1, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a price ceiling for rice, ranging from P41 to P45. This announcement comes as a relief to consumers who have been grappling with soaring prices, not only for rice but also for essential commodities.The President's directive is a response to... Read More

Lauengco: Restoring Hinulugang Taktak

"Tayo na sa Antipolo at doo’y maligo tayo, sa batis na kung tawagin ay hi-hi- hinulugang taktak…” - German San Jose.Last Sept. 14, a simple ceremony was held at the Hinulugang Taktak Nature and Adventure Park. The activity commemorated the “strengthening of the... Read More

Zaldarriaga: Towards a sustainable energy future

As the Philippines moves towards achieving its target of becoming an upper middle-income country in the future, the need to ensure energy security has become more prominent to power economic growth and national development. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in a speech during the US-ASEAN Business... Read More

Delos Reyes: Running on grassoline

IN doting fondness, one can look back at how the horse-drawn calesa was king of the road, braving chest-deep floodwaters of Espana Blvd. ages back, while even SUVs and similar smoke-belchers were stalled or towed. If my memory serves right, calesa fare was cheaper than a taxicab's. If only for that,... Read More

Lu: Addressing the alarming surge in road rage incidents

In recent times, a spate of violent road rage incidents has dominated headlines, prompting both chambers of Congress to conduct investigations in aid of legislation.These distressing episodes, often captured by vigilant citizens and swiftly disseminated on social media platforms, have garnered... Read More

Samonte: Father's advice to his son feeling lonely in England school 53 yrs ago

"Loneliness should never be shunned by anyone who wants to be a leader because if you are a leader, loneliness is always the other side of the coin, not only of freedom but of leadership. You can never be free unless you learn to be lonely and alone. You will never be a leader unless you are capable... Read More

Lauengco: Will new AI replace lawyers in drafting contracts?

“You adapt, evolve, compete or die.” - Paul Tudor JonesOne of the primary functions of lawyers in corporations is contract drafting and review. There is, however, a new artificial intelligence (AI) program called Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system that can generate contracts... Read More

Delos Reyes: Home, planting camote

One silly reason to heed that halcyon counsel, "Go home and plant camote," was I wanted to bring back scarab beetle, dor beetle, May/June beetle, or salagubang. It was a lovable toy of boyhood years past – the pair of rear legs are tied with a string, then, poor critter is whirled to fly, fly,... Read More

Zaldarriaga: Basketball and positive change

With the end of the FIBA World Cup 2023, we are once again reminded of the impact sports, particularly basketball, has not just on the lives of athletes and fans—but on communities around the world.Through the years, we have seen how basketball can improve lives and impact positive change in... Read More

Samonte: The significance of September in PH history

Among the so-called four "ber" months of the year, September can be considered as the most significant for being the birth month of four of the 17 Philippine presidents so far since 1898, including a father and his son 57 years apart.The late fourth Philippine president, Sergio S. Osmena Sr.... Read More

Lauengco: The bamboo tree and flood control

“Sometimes the best things are right in front of you…” - Gladys KnightWe often fail to see the value and importance of the seemingly ordinary and simple objects around us. There are many things we consider mundane that possess more value than we realize. Take the humble bamboo... Read More

Zaldarriaga: Gilas Pilipinas and the indomitable Filipino spirit

Gilas Pilipinas truly saved the best for last.Sending China crashing, 96-75, the Philippine national team defended our homeland to end its FIBA World Cup run on a high note after a series of tight games in the tournament. It was a historic win–one that couldn’t come at a better time with... Read More

Cal: Remembering the historic 1996 PH-MNLF peace agreement

Sept. 2, 1996 at exactly 9:22 a.m. went down in the annals of Philippine history as the moment the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) formally signed a peace agreement that ended a quarter of a century of fratricidal war in Mindanao. It was concluded after four years of tough... Read More

Lu: Celebrating young Filipino minds: Triumph in int’l competitions

The exultation that swept over me upon learning of the recent victory of Filipino children in the 2023 ALOHA International Mental Math Competition held last July 30th is indescribable.Fresh from their triumph at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Rheana Yasmin Campos of... Read More

Delos Reyes: Soil silence

Every flood has a silver lining- for that strip of land wedged between a natural rainwater catchment basin (we've taken to calling it "nabao") and a river flowing from the Sierra Madre, skewering through a portion of Pambuan in Gapan, Nueva Ecija. For that land, every flood brings another layer of... Read More

Lauengco: The Fukushima water release: Lessons on disaster PR

“Good PR also requires humility and honesty.” - Adam HillmanA couple of days ago, the government of Japan started releasing into the sea more than 1 million metric tons of treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.The radioactive water is a... Read More

Zaldarriaga: Full support behind PH basketball

Four days ago, the Philippines etched its name anew in the history of global sports as the nation staged a flawless and spectacular opening of the prestigious FIBA World Cup 2023. With meticulous planning paired with the concerted efforts of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the local... Read More

Lu: Rising oil prices: Unyielding upward spiral (7th this week)

As the sun rose on Tuesday this week, so did the price of oil, casting a shadow of concern over the lives of Filipinos and businesses. Gasoline witnessed a daunting surge of PHP1.10 per liter, diesel by PHP0.20, and kerosene by PHP0.70. This marked the seventh consecutive week of oil price hikes, a... Read More

Samonte: Debate on the date and place of 1896 'Cry' for PH freedom

As the Filipino people observe on Aug. 28 the nationwide holiday dubbed National Heroes' Day, it is also a time to reminisce on the beginning of the campaign for Philippine independence from Spanish occupation in 1896, or a century and 27 years ago.That very significant event in the country's... Read More

Delos Reyes: River crawl

A river separates Ciudad Real from a squatter settlement in Caloocan City. Ciudad Real with nearly a thousand households lazes at a fringe part of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, a shot off the La Mesa Dam forest reservation. Years back, the corpse of a security guard was dumped asprawl at the middle... Read More