Opinion and Commentary
Lauengco: ‘Chaos’ can sometimes be useful, necessary
October 26, 2022, 12:59 pm
Chaos often breeds life when order breeds habit. – Henry Adams Chaos is often defined as something that produces disorder and confusion. It is generally perceived as a negative state of things and something to be avoided. FEAR OF CHAOS Recently, I gave a lecture to some local government middle… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Powering adoption of electric vehicles
October 25, 2022, 9:48 am
Just when mobility began increasing as the country recovers from Covid-19, the war between Ukraine and Russia -- two of the world’s largest oil producers, sent economies tumbling after the massive increases in global crude oil prices that dribbled down to the local fuel industry. Based on data… Read More
Laurel: 20th Party Congress: National and Global Peace and Prosperity
October 24, 2022, 8:49 am
The final takeaway from the Communist Party of China (CPC) 20th National Congress is the promise of China’s achievement of its own high-quality modernization and development, national strength against the many challenges being interposed on its path to National Rejuvenation, and the invitation… Read More
Lauengco: Beyond the Z to Indonesia
October 19, 2022, 11:39 am
“In the places I go there are things that I see that I never could spell if I stopped with a Z. I'm telling you this because you're one of my friends. My alphabet starts where your alphabet ends.” – Dr. Seuss In the book “On Beyond Zebra!” by Dr. Seuss, one of the main characters proudly… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Importance of financial literacy amidst digital growth
October 18, 2022, 9:37 am
The pandemic may have brought a negative impact on global health and economies, but it also presented opportunities to some -- such as for businesses to rethink their strategies, and for customers and employees to embrace a new method of engagement. At the peak of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020,… Read More
Laurel: China tops 2022 Democracy Index
October 17, 2022, 12:30 pm
As I start this article, the feverish preparation in China for the Communist Party of China (CPC) must be settling down as the opening of the congress itself slated for Oct. 16 is imminent in less than 24 hours. The world is in suspenseful anticipation after a whole year of speculation, especially… Read More
Samonte: Expectations in remaining 5 years, 9 months of PBBM's admin
October 13, 2022, 5:25 pm
Is there a bright hope for the Philippines to become self-sufficient in food and even become an agricultural resource hub in the Asian region and the whole world as envisioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his six-year administration? Barring unnecessary political noise and other… Read More
Lauengco: Both sides now
October 12, 2022, 12:03 pm
Dialectical thinking refers to the ability to view issues from multiple perspectives and to arrive at the most economical and reasonable reconciliation of seemingly contradictory information and postures. One of my favorite songs is “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchel. One of its famous lines is… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Infrastructure to power PH growth
October 11, 2022, 9:54 am
In his speech at the President’s Night conducted by the Manila Overseas Press Club at the Sofitel Plaza last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the need to sustain and expand the country’s infrastructure program as a means to support growth for the now-recovering Philippine… Read More
Laurel: China ends false accusations with victory in UNHRC Xinjiang vote
October 10, 2022, 10:06 am
The 47-member UN Human Rights Council, which is elected yearly by majority of members of the UN General Assembly, voted against holding a debate on alleged abuses in China’s Xinjiang region. This is a major setback for the Western powers’ campaign to besmirch and destabilize China’s… Read More
Samonte: How QC's growth benefits Novaliches & vice versa
October 6, 2022, 8:34 am
In anticipation of the celebration of the 83rd Foundation Day of Quezon City on Oct. 12, I have done a little recollection and research about the country's erstwhile capital from 1948 to 1976. I was very much amazed and impressed with what I found and learned. For instance, when it was created as… Read More
Lauengco: No to quick fixes
October 5, 2022, 12:15 pm
Incremental gradations -- a methodical and steady approach This week, I had a fruitful conversation over lunch with my mentor. As always, I came home with several insights into what is happening around us. One of the things we discussed lengthily was our society’s seeming preoccupation with the… Read More
Zaldarriaga: Solar as backup to power recovery from disasters, emergencies
October 4, 2022, 10:43 am
The landfall of Super Typhoon Karding became one of this year’s biggest challenges to the country and the economy, having damaged billions worth of crops and claiming the lives of several people. As of this posting, the damages and losses by Typhoon Karding is pegged at PHP3.12 billion, with… Read More
Laurel: For PBBM's consideration: Xi's Security and Dev't Initiatives
October 3, 2022, 3:36 pm
The Doomsday Clock is today, Oct. 3, 2022 still set at 100 seconds to midnight. It should be readjusted to 50 seconds to midnight after the alleged sabotage of Nord Stream 1 and 2 discovered last Sept. 28, 2022. I blame the US because it answers the question "cui bono" or who benefits. Now,… Read More
Pattugalan: Global Media Congress: Shaping the Future of the Media Industry
September 30, 2022, 7:00 pm
Aptly themed “Shaping the Future of the Media Industry," this year’s Global Media Congress will be held in Abu Dhabi from Nov. 15 to 17, 2022. The international event, organized by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and the Emirates News Agency (WAM), one of the partner… Read More
Samonte: How 1972 martial law hastened PH's land reform program
September 29, 2022, 2:26 pm
Filipino men and women born a decade before the advent of the September 1972 martial law may be interested to know that such imposition of partial military rule became very beneficial to the country's landless farmers commonly called tenants. Here's why: The implementation of Republic Act 3844 or… Read More
Lauengco: Biotech solutions for agriculture
September 28, 2022, 1:26 pm
Abandon normal instruments… There are times when one must try new methods to produce different and faster results… This week, the Philippines was hit by another typhoon. According to the Department of Agriculture, Typhoon Karding destroyed an estimated PHP1.29 billion worth of crops and other… Read More
Zaldarriaga: OFW remittances, exports to benefit from stronger dollar
September 27, 2022, 6:43 am
Last week, the Philippine peso fell to its lowest level of PHP58, losing as much as 14.7 percent vis-à-vis the greenback since the start of the year. Several economists have pointed to the higher interest rates in the US as having strengthened the dollar after the Federal Reserve raised its… Read More
Laurel: A short review of Philippines-China educational cooperation
September 26, 2022, 10:14 am
“To gain knowledge quietly, to learn without losing interest, to instruct others relentlessly,” – Lao Tzu Last July, as Chinese State and Foreign State Minister Wang Yi attended President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s inauguration, he also made a side visit to Vice President and… Read More
Lauengco: Cheese, PBA and salt
September 21, 2022, 3:19 pm
One of my favorite books is a 1998 motivational business fable written by Spencer Johnson entitled, “Who Moved My Cheese?”. It is a simple treatise on how people react to changes in situations and life. In the book, there are four characters who live in a maze. These characters were two mice… Read More
