OF TREES AND FOREST In 1992, I reluctantly decided to run for the lone congressional seat in the then-district of Las Piñas-Muntinlupa. My introduction to politics came when my father-in-law, Congressman Filemon Celestino Aguilar, fell ill. As the May 1992 elections neared, people were busy...
OF TREES AND FOREST In school, when we were kids, we were presented with a magnificent, almost divine image of Mayon Volcano. In our textbooks, Mayon is often described in superlatives. Rising 2,463 meters above Albay, its near-perfect cone shape has made it one of the most recognizable natural...
OF TREES AND FOREST I have seen the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) Social Weather Survey of March 24-31, 2026 which found that 50 percent of adult Filipinos felt that their lives got worse, 26 percent said it was the same, and 23 percent saying it got better, compared to twelve months ago....
OF TREES AND FOREST Going to the movies is no longer the automatic weekend ritual it once was, even though cinemas have never looked—or sounded—better. Box office revenues remain disappointing, not just in the country but globally, as more and more audiences turn to streaming screens at home. A...
OF TREES AND FOREST Just like everyone else, I 've been watching how the Middle East conflict is unfolding and praying that somehow all the parties involved realize that peace is better than war. The economic ripples of the conflict are already showing up at sari-sari stores, tricycle drivers,...
OF TREES AND FOREST I write these words not just as a former colleague, but as one who had the privilege of sharing with Speaker Joe de Venecia the burden—and the joy—of shaping our nation’s path. When I served as Senate President while he led the House, we stood on opposite ends of the same...
The news of the purchase of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. by billionaire Lucio L. Co in December of the past year spooked me, coming as it did while I was focused on the continuing downward spin of the equities market and the weakening of the local currency. Yes, Virginia, the acquisition—lock,...
OF TREES AND FOREST They say life slows down as you get older, but I’ve found that, for me, it has only become richer, deeper, and somehow more vibrant. I’ve been working for as long as I can remember — waking up early to accompany my Nanay Curing to Divisoria, where, in our little stall,...
Tagaytay is the ideal spot for those who want a cold and cozy escape in the South, made even better by the experiences waiting at Crosswinds by Brittany Corporation. This year, the development set the tone for the season as it held its Christmas lighting ceremony, “Trail of Lights,” at the...
People in the South have a new spot to explore this holiday season, whether they’re out for a walk, a jog, or simply some quality time with family. Villar City, developed by Golden MV Holdings, welcomes the season with “Once Upon a Tree,” its annual Heritage Tree Christmas lighting. Along...
OF TREES AND FOREST Cash, as in physical notes and coins, has apparently been dethroned. According to the 2024 Status of Digital Payments in the Philippines report released by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the share of online payments in monthly retail transactions has risen to 57.4...
Tycoon Manny Villar has emerged as a defining force in Philippine urban development. His ambitious vision and legacy have given rise to Villar City, a sprawling 3,500-hectare megacity thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse demands of modern urban life. Villar City: The new center of gravity...
