Lessons from a dark era
“THE Filipino, it seems, has lost his soul, his dignity, and his courage. We have come upon a phase of our history when ideals are only a veneer for greed…
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Alex Niño, Renowned Comic Book Artist
FILIPINO comic book artist Alex Niño doesn’t get the credit most of his peers receive. When you think of the Filipino pioneers that entered the US comic industry in the…
Why it is critical to fund a Living Trust
THE fact that a lot of existing Living Trusts are not properly funded is a scare to behold. Once your Living Trust was drafted and finalized, you think your assets…
Fruits of labor
The Philippine coconut industry and the Aquino administration has all reasons to be thrilled with the big time companies in the United States recently expressing their willingness to invest in…
Affirmation
WITH 85% approval for his performance in the past three months, Vice President Jejomar Binay is enjoying the highest approval and trust ratings (85 percent approval rating and 86 percent…
Dying to look good
To take the risk of possible death from surgery that is necessary to save life or to maintain or restore health makes intelligent sense. But to die from an elective…
Enamel education
While we endeavor to help our patients avoid tooth problems, the reality is that by the time many people get to the dentist, they are already experiencing symptoms of dental…
Foot in mouth
IT’S WHAT an idiom would refer to as a “foot-in-mouth” situation. WikiLeaks consecutive release of secret diplomatic cables between the US Embassy and Washington (from 2006-2010) regarding the Philippine affairs…
Maria Mabilangan Haley, Former Adviser of Presidents Bill Clinton and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
ON SEPTEMBER 13, America and the Philippines lost one of its most outstanding leaders – Maria Mabilangan Haley, who died from brain aneurysm. The highest-ranking and most influential Filipino-American official…
High investment return? Think again!
LAST week, Ana (not her real name), approached me regarding her situation. She has “loaned or invested” $182,000 to someone who is now missing with the lure of extremely high…
Can aging be delayed?
Why do we age? Just like machines and engines, our body ages because of the cumulative damages to our cells, tissues and organs (resulting from daily “wear and tear” and…
Using caution with student loans
GOING to college is a good thing as it can open greater opportunities for employment and has the potential to transform someone to higher level of success. There are various…
Brain youth
One of the powerful attributes that we admire (or even marvel at) among many elderly, age 80, 90, and older, is the “youthfulness” of their mind. Unfortunately, not every one…
So far, so good
FRESH from his first state visit to People’s Republic of China, President Benigno Aquino III is set to embark on two more state visits this month. The outcome of Aquino’s…
A step forward
THINGS seem to be looking up for PH-China relations — at least, in terms of trade and investment. President Aquino’s state visit to China seems to be yielding positive results…
Action speaks louder than words
To better respond to criminality and improve on implementing peace and order in the country, the government recently released a P1.75 billion modernization fund for the Philippine National Police (PNP). …
The tax consequences of debt settlement or consolidation
TOO many times, taxpayers receive a surprise letter from the IRS, and even the Franchise Tax Board, on taxes owed from a cancelled debt acquired through debt settlement or debt…
Aspirin: Anti-cancer? And other questions
Does aspirin protect us against cancer? Yes, according to clinical studies conducted on patients taking daily aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) for conditions like arthritis, etc., or among heart patients taking aspirin…
Ordinary heroes
“THE world’s battlefields have been in the heart chiefly; more heroism has been displayed in the household and the closet, than on the most memorable battlefields in history.” – Heinry…
Water is life
ACCESS to water is a basic human need, a fundamental human right. But according to a 2006 United Nation’s Human Development Report, more than 1 billion people are denied clean…
Perspective
Despite reports that the number of unemployed nursing graduates in the Philippines continues to increase, many (including those who already have medical degrees, or are already practicing medicine in the…
Prosecutorial discretion + Prioritization = Hope
LAST week, the Obama Administration announced an (immigration) Prioritization Plan. Priority: enforcement of immigration laws against serious criminals who are a threat to our public safety, i.e. deporting them. Not a priority:…
Athletic Heart Syndrome
What is Athletic Heart Syndrome? This is a condition among athletes who show a constellation of physiologic adaptations in the body system, especially in the heart, in persons trained to…
The tourism challenge
AS an important weapon of the Philippines’ economic arsenal, tourism is becoming to be an industry built through the country’s natural and cultural environment, where the most negligible and innocent…
Bangkok Pills
What are Bangkok Pills? Bangkok Pills are a combination drug marketed for weight reduction which had gained notoriety a few years ago for the various serious complications reported attendant to…
A new challenge
AS an important weapon of the Philippines’ economic arsenal, tourism has become an industry built through the country’s natural and cultural environment. Tourism holds the assurance of increased employment and…
Knowing your rights to reimbursements during divorce
DIVORCE can be a bit complicated specially if there are community assets and debts involved. Generally, accumulations and earning after the date of separation is each spouse’s separate property. What…
Bad breath
A LOT of patients share your concern about bad breath. As a social embarrassment, it’s surely near the top of the list. Since mouthwashes won’t eliminate the problem, let us…
Poverty reduction
With the 2012 national budget set to be filed on December of 2011, the economic managers of the current administration recently expressed confidence that poverty incidence in the Philippines can…