AFTER 14 months of absence, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has finally emerged from hiding, following the clearing of charges against him by the Court of Appeals. Two days after his return, Sen. Lacson lamented his grievances against the government and said that at some point while he was regarded as a fugitive, he had the…
Ah, love… makes the world go round, doesn’t it? It does. I do believe that’s the reason why we wish to continue living. For without it, I find no other reason that even equals love for anyone to want to live. Life is hard as it is, and without love, it would be one dull,…
“NEVER underestimate small people with big dreams,” was the favorite quote of one inspiring lady from Iloilo who pioneered the spa business in the province in 2000, back at the time when the wellness industry in the country was at its infancy. At the time Anna “Babes” Rivera, owner of Spa Riviera, was also taking…
WITH the recent announcement of PAGASA that it is officially summer in the Philippines, it almost became a go signal for students who are on summer vacation to head down to the beach or unwind in the cool mountains with their friends and family. For the Department of Education (DepEd), however, the coming school year…
DESPITE the Philippine government’s efforts and appropriated contingency funds for repatriation, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Libya have given Aquino’s administration the cold shoulder on their last call and have vehemently decided to stay put in war-stricken Libya. According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), only a few of the estimated 3,500 Pinoys…
Despite the nuclear crisis in Japan, and the rising conflict between Libya and other countries, President Aquino still have reasons to smile through the hardships encountered by his administration. He recently learned that majority of Filipinos still trust him as shown in the latest Pulse Asia Survey from Feb 24 to March 6. Pulse Asia’s…
At one time or another, we have all made a trip to the local market. Whether it is to purchase food or other daily necessities, our expectation is that upon departing, our needs will be fulfilled. Rarely, if ever, does a person’s expectation in making a trip to the market include slipping on something on…
FAMILY Businesses are the cornerstone of the economy. They are all around us –from neighborhood mom-and-pop stores and the millions of small and midsize companies that underpin many economies to household names such as BMW, Samsung, and Wal-Mart Stores. One-third of all companies in the S&P 500 index and 40 percent of the 250 largest…
JUST last month the world was left in shock when a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand killing at least 65 people. The event was deemed as New Zealand’s darkest day. Then on March 11, terrible news was once again brought upon us when a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan at around 2:46pm. It…
I am living my dream. And I am still bursting with more dreams. I have tons of great ideas, some of which I am still too scared or overwhelmed to start on. I have all these goals and opportunities within reach. But how do I prioritize which dream I will turn into a reality? How…
The common toothpick, usually made from wood, is primarily used to remove food stuck in–between teeth. Most wooden toothpicks in the United States come from birch trees in Maine, where the tree trunks are sliced into thin sheets and then cut and milled into individual toothpicks. While toothpicks work well to remove food trapped between…
SEARCH and rescue efforts in the aftermath of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami, which devastated Northeastern Japan on March 11, are still in full force. But as the week progresses, the chances of finding more survivors become less likely. And it feels as though nature’s wrath wasn’t enough. Japan is on the verge of…
150 VOTES from the 283 members of the House of Representatives was more than enough affirmation to proceed with Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez’s impeachment. The House justice committee only needed was 94 votes to be able to elevate the case for deliberations in a plenary session and for a possible trial in the Senate. This was…
WITH economic progress of the country on his mind, President Benigno Aquino III recently launched the first five infrastructure projects of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) last March 7 in Makati City, before setting off to Jakarta, Indonesia and Singapore for his state visits. Estimated at $1 billion, the ten big ticket projects under the PPP…
WHILE most US markets are slowly but surely easing their way out from the global economic hardship, Filipinos remain optimistic on the chances of retrieving the passage of the US Bill H.R. 3039 dubbed as the “Save Our Industries (SAVE) Act.” The United States and the Philippines have shared a long and rich history together….
IN ONE month, the H-1B visa category opens again. Will you be one of the lucky ones who will receive a three year H-1B visa for this fiscal year? In the last fiscal year, the H-1B non immigrant visa quota did not reach its cap until January 26, 2011. But previously in years prior, the…
ACCORDING to presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte, PNoy was not on the warpath when he made admonitions to the Marcoses during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of EDSA 1 last week. He was simply “trying to set the record straight regarding the events which toppled the Marcos dictatorship and installed his late mother Pres….
It was definitely one of those special moments, when I had the energy to work for a week straight. No doubt, when you do the things you love, you never measure the time you spend working. A couple of Sundays ago, I was invited by my good friend, Giselle Tongi, to be the costume designer…
THIS year, the commemoration of EDSA 1 holds more meaning, not just for celebrating its 25th year, but also because of its special significance to the global community at large – particularly in Middle Eastern countries, where citizens are presently fighting against a tyrannical rule, to rightfully claim their democracies. In the Philippines, key personalities…
Last Saturday night, February 19, Filipinos who gathered to support the “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, left the building with proud smiles on their faces as they recall how their kababayan, Donaire, sent the Mexican fighter, Fernando Montiel, crumpling on the canvas via a powerful knockout….
IN THE midst of the unfolding drama among the living (known as military corruption), the dead have their own sub-plot of brewing conflict. It’s enough to make former AFP Chief of Staff Angie Reyes stir in his grave. After all, it was his controversial hero’s burial, replete with full military honors, which revived another disputable…
THERE is a natural tendency among divorcing parties to hide their assets from their spouse. This is a common problem that I have observed from practicing law for many years. A common question I hear from clients is “my spouse doesn’t know I have an account in this bank, do I have to let him/…
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…
What does a father do if mom does not allow dad to visit his child? This situation becomes more difficult in situations where the father is not married to the mother such as in a boyfriend/ girlfriend relationship where girlfriend gets pregnant and the relationship breaks up prior to the birth of the child. It…
“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…
As Filipinos, we are all undoubtedly aware to a certain extent of the procedures and avenues by which one can obtain permanent residence. After obtaining permanent residence status, many green card holders desire to take that next step—becoming a United States citizen. As a United States citizen, one is afforded many privileges that are not…
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…
