Setting boundaries
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…
Naturalization: Becoming a US citizen
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…
A promising year
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…
Resurrecting the Death Penalty
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,…
A little faith goes a long way
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…
A PH economy boost
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…
Tae Bo exercise for all
There is no question at all that physical exercise, no matter how minimally strenuous, at least 5 times a week for those who are medically fit, helps ward off diseases,…
Hopelessly devoted
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…
Missing Ping
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…
The (long) road ahead
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…
A remarkable year
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…
A year that was
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 Christmas rush
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…
Blind justice
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…
Between liberty and redemption
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…
Guaranteed security
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…
Something’s gotta give
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….
Acting on a DREAM
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…
Taking chances
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,…
Safety first
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…
Phenomenal
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…
‘Delicadeza’
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…
Relief from default in divorce cases
There are situations in both divorce and child support cases where the Summons and Petition resulted to a default against one party for failing to respond in time. In certain…
Does transferring separate assets into a revocable trust during the marriage make the asset community property during divorce?
Divorcing couples may have established revocable living trust for estate planning pusposes during their marriage which was funded primarily with assets acquired by one spouse prior to the marriage. The…
‘Arigatou Gozaimasu’
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…
The global fight against corruption
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…