Category: Features

A LONG term partner of the Philippines especially when it comes to financial support, the World Bank continues to assist local government agencies and dynamic sectors with hopes in improving the lives of the Filipino citizens and help in bringing fiscal stability to the country, among others. As a part of their commitment,  the World…

“TIME is a great healer. Through the years, the burning flame has subsided into embers that glow bright every time they are fanned by the winds of poignant memories. We learn to live with our hurt and try to make the most of what is with us. Life must go on.” – Quote on Purificacion…

Triggered by the contentious plea bargain agreement made between ex-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller Carlos Garcia and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the series of investigations which ensued after — involving former high-ranking officers in the AFP and their alleged send-off monies and kickbacks — yet another brave soul emerges to…

Following the bungled rescue operations of last year’s hostage taking that killed 8 Hong Kong tourists, local journalists in Calamba, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon (CALABARZON) recently signed last Feb. 1 the protocol on crisis coverage set by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the area. Samuel Pagdillao, CALABARZON police director and Chief Superintendent, said in…

2011 appears to be a robust year for the Philippines. As 2011 began, the country is poised for its strongest year of economic growth in 24 years. Signs of economic growth have been evident in the past year and the beginning of this year. The Philippine economy grew at its fastest pace since the 1986…

FTER speculations circulated that he has gone into hiding, former military comptroller Carlos Garcia made an appearance at the House of Representatives on January 25 for a congressional inquiry to investigate the controversial plea bargain agreement made between Garcia and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. However, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was a no-show at the…

INFURIATING it is, indeed. While the dust on the Vizconde massacre case is still far from settling and Lauro Vizconde is still battling the system for his share of justice, yet another spate of heinous crimes surfaced once again. The murders of car traders, Emerson Lozano and Venson Evangelista cause on outrage among anti-crime crusaders,…

RECENT reports said that one of World Bank’s funding agency, the International Finance Corp. (IFC), plans to invest in key Philippine banks that need to increase their core capital to meet stricter global capital adequacy requirements. Jesse Ang, representative of IFC to the Philippines, said in an interview that the need of the local banks…

THE diversification of skills of the Filipino migrant workers and of the labor market caused the country to achieve a remittances growth at robust pace in 2010. In a recent report by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), remittances from overseas Filipinos (Ofs) coursed through banks surged by 15.5% percent year-on-year to reach $1.6 billion…

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently reported that OFW remittances surged by 11 percent in November 2010 — from the $1.5 billion recorded in November 2009 to $1.6 billion in 2010. Cumulative remittances amounted to $17 billion from January to November, up year-on-year by 8.2 percent from $15.8 billion. BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. credits…

IN a Christian country like the Philippines, the birth of Jesus Christ is not only the most celebrated event as come January 1, thousands of devotees of the Black Jesus of Nazarene also greets the new year with a procession of the holy image along the streets of Quiapo in Manila. The devotees that recently…

WHEN suspected criminals are caught, they take mug shots and stand in front of a judge. But before justice is sought, the suspect must first be found. In an endeavor that has been brewing for a year now, the Philippine government headed by Pres. Benigno Aquino III and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima have turned…

IN HIS New Year’s message for the country, President Aquino said that there was much to be done but the ‘light of hope had shone’ on the Philippines because Pinoys have chosen to walk the straight path. He asked for unity and continued support from his kababayans, vowing to make his administration’s efforts in improving…

Tempus fugit, in aeternum. Time flees, forever. As we bid farewell to 2010, let us remember to relish the good and learn from the bad – and the lessons we gleaned from both. Admittedly, regardless whether it was a good or bad year, 2010 proved to be  interesting, both for Pinoys here in the US…

THE year 2010 came out as another difficult and challenging year for the Philippines, but Filipinos pulled through. The year is days away from its end, but before everyone celebrates the coming year, every Filipino is now responsible to ponder on the 12 months that have passed. It is the time where Filipinos should understand…

IT might be sheer coincidence, it may be because being  we are known to be a very forgiving race, especially since Christmas is only a few days away. For the past couple of weeks, freedom seems to be the operative word in the judicial system, and like a proverbial Christmas baratillo, there seems to be…

ON JUNE 30, 1991, a most gruesome incident occured in Lauro Vizconde’s household while he was in the United States on a business trip. His wife, Estrellita, 47 and daughters Carmela, 18 and Jennifer, 7 and were all stabbed to death. Findings also revealed that Carmela was raped before she was killed. The multiple homicide…

With the intention to avoid further conflict with China, the Philippine government has decided to forego in this year’s Nobel Prize awarding ceremonies in Norway, which honored Chinese democracy activist Lu Xiabao the Nobel Peace Prize for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in his country. The Philippines, known to be one…

PHILIPPINE tourism almost stands alone worldwide as a place that still has tremendous potential. Although affected by recent controversies mainly because of issues in security, the Philippines is well on its way to establishing itself as a major player in the tourism industry. The hostage-taking incident that happened on Aug. 23 is still a serious…

ACCORDING to Renaud Meyer, UNDP Country Director to the Philippines, the country’s performance in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) remains “generally low,” with barely five years into the deadline. “Accelerating progress to attain the MDGs requires increased resources to deliver what has been promised to those for whom the MDGs are not a reality,”…

EVERY year, many undocumented students face a roadblock to their dreams of building a future in this country.They can’t drive, can’t work legally, can’t further their education and pretty much can’t do anything after school – just because they were brought to this country illegally by their parents or lost legal status along the way….

MOST people are used to using the metaphoric phrases such as “winning the lottery” or “hitting the jackpot” whenever they encounter a fortunate incident in their lives. In the Philippines, however, “winning the lottery” is more than just a phrase—it has  become a recent mantra to those people who hoped that they could be the…

PYONGYANG’S shelling of the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong last November 23 has been considered by the government of South Korea as a clear-armed provocation. South Korea now warns North Korea that it will ‘sternly retaliate’ to any further provocation. On the other hand, North Korea viewed the joint military exercises by the US and…

WHENEVER Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao brings down an opponent, roars and cheers from Filipinos reverberate across the globe – an astounding phenomenon called the “Pacquiao effect” which moved De La Salle psychology professor Adrianne John Galang to create a study to prove whether the pound-for-pound king is capable of boosting his kababayans’ sense of national…

DESPITE the ruthless barrage of criticism which hit the controversial “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” slogan campaign of the Department of Tourism, DOT Undersecretary Vicente Romano II’s resignation, surprisingly, incited positive feedback – both from the Aquino administration and from the general public. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that “the President appreciated the act of Undersecretary Romano…

THE Philippine economy is booming. With foreign players starting to invest in the country, the time to harness the good prospect of doing business in the Philippines is now. Despite tough times due to the global crisis, the country is still able to offer the best investment opportunities. Last Monday, Nov. 15, President Benigno Aquino…

POUND-for-pound champ Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao’s victory on Saturday has not only afforded him his eighth title in eight weight divisions – he has earned his rightful place among the ranks of the world’s greatest fighters. That, and a still unconfirmed 1.4 million in Pay-per-view buys on HBO should be more than enough to crow…

With the theme, “Change and Action,” attendees of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit have unanimously agreed “to adopt stronger mesasures to combat corruption, including denying safe haven to corrupt officials,” as reported by Philstar.com. The 21 members of the APEC aim “to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.” APEC members…

THE improvement of the Philippine economy has been brought to the forefront recently after it was included in the ten most-improved economies cited by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) together with the World Bank (WB). The country was named in its report that discussed making business easier through simplifying trade across borders in 2009/2010 with…

PNoy has expressed his admonition over the United States’ failure to alert and inform him about supposed terror threats in the Philippines—the US government’s justification for travel warnings issued to its citizens who are planning to visit the country. However, when it came to the Visiting Forces Agreement, concerns aired by the US government were…