FIFA World Cup trophy arrives in LA
LOS ANGELES – After a nine-month tour across 90 countries, the FIFA World Cup Trophy made its final stop in Los Angeles. Together with Coca-Cola, FIFA brought the trophy to…
Asset or perpetrator?
“I INVOKE my right against self-incrimination.” These were the only words squeezed out of Janet Lim-Napoles, the suspected mastermind of the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF or better known…
Humility and sacrifice
“Humility provides everyone, even him who despairs in solitude, with the strongest relationship to his fellow man, and this immediately, though, of course, only in the case of complete and…
Moving forward
IT was a hard-fought battle, but on April 8 success gleamed when the Philippine Supreme Court (SC) deemed the basic principles of the controversial Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RH)…
Recognition
LIVING in the mecca of entertainment and filmmaking, it is unavoidable for Filipinos in Los Angeles to imbibe the Hollywood culture. Films (whether fictitious or based on real-life events) and…
Peace, at last
ON MARCH 27, after 17 years of tumult and unrest, the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) inked a historic pact for lasting peace in Mindanao through the…
Resurgence
DESPITE some hiccups caused by natural disasters in the final quarter of last year, the Philippine economy remains as one of the fastest-growing in Asia. It was a remarkable turnout,…
HSBC launches ‘Made For Trade’ initiative in LA
LOS ANGELES – On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, HSBC Bank, USA launched the Made For Trade initiative — an endeavor that looks to bring together leaders in business, government,…
Without a trace
MYSTERY still surrounds the case of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which vanished into thin air (according to radar screens from ground control) while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing…
Beefing up
THE United States and the Philippines have expressed alarm over China’s recent move. On Wednesday, China announced a 12.2 percent increase in its military spending, amounting to $132 billion —…
Celebrating women
MARCH is International Women’s Month. It has been designated to acknowledge and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of women around the world. With the theme: “Celebrating Women of Character,…
Record-breaking
WHEN it comes to contending for world records in the Guinness Book of World Records, the Philippines is always game. Recently, the country (through the Polytechnic University of the Philippines…
Axe to grind
THE principles behind international law are based upon universally accepted values and moral standards. Today, more and more aspects of regional relations are regulated by international legal norms. They involve…
Repressive law
SINCE its introduction to Filipinos in 1994, the Internet has provided boundless channels for people to exercise their right to know, express and be heard. Article III Section 4 of…
Phenomenal
Michael Christian Martinez’s may not be bringing a medal home, but in the eyes of his kababayans, he has already achieved a milestone — being the first Filipino-born, the first…
Judgment day
THE world’s population didn’t hit the 1 billionth threshold until the 19th century. Today, the numbers have since been growing by giant, exponential leaps. The world population has already breached…
The ‘American Dream’
SEVERAL developments in immigration occurred this week, beginning with the possibility of raising the cost of acquiring US citizenship, if immigration reform pushes through. The current cost of filing for…
Reparation
IN one of his most remarkable songs, popular singer/songwriter Elton John said that sorry seems to be the hardest word. This is true for most people. A sincere apology is…
Transparency
FILIPINOS have long desired for a more open and accountable government — a dream that may become reality soon enough. Gone are the days of secrecy and authoritarianism. President Benigno…
Rumination
THE National Day of Prayer is neither a political rally nor a spiritual event. With the theme “One Nation in Prayer,” last Monday’s gathering went beyond political separation and religious…

