OFF THE BEATEN PATH Last Monday, Filipinos trooped to voting centers all over the Philippines to cast their votes in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE). With bated breath, candidates from 42,000 barangays waited for the final vote to be cast, hoping that their campaign days...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH BSKE, otherwise known as the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election may not be as headline-grabbing as the mid-term or presidential races but it is no less contentious or controversial, with local candidates, often friends or neighbors, running against one other. It can turn...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Last Sept. 28, I took off for a birthday weekend drive to the Visayas. I needed to transport a vehicle to the Visayas, in preparation for a drive to Western Mindanao later in November. I took the opportunity also to talk with some friends, so I would play some music while...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez issued an ultimatum to Office of Transport Security (OTS) Administrator Mao Aplasca to resign before the House of Representatives tackles the agency’s proposed budget or he will personally block it. I cheered, for the tourist whose $300...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH 1,414,487 million people submitted their certificates of candidacy (COC) ahead of the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30. 672,432 seats are up for grabs, including barangay chairperson, sangguniang barangay members, sangguniang...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH When asked to pick my top five choices from León Gallery’s The Magnificent September Auction happening on Sept. 9, I found myself literally stumped because I am no art expert, just an eager afficionado whose only claim to a “collection” is an HR Ocampo “Mother...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH He was dismissed from service. Without any doubt, Wilfredo Gonzales should be the PNP’s poster boy of what a gun owner shouldn’t be. But to our great surprise and disbelief, he surrendered three guns allegedly in his possession. What begs to be asked is this – how...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Midway through August and I realize that I have yet to take a trip abroad this year. I have taken several local trips though, and find that I am not missing out on the touristy fun and adventure because really, there is so much to love in the Philippines. Let me...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Philippine football had its very own Neil Armstrong moment last week when Sarina Bolden scored a goal against host New Zealand during the FIFA Women’s World Cup. What made it even more amazing was the concerted effort by the whole team, highlighted by the saves by goalkeeper...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, says the philosopher Lao Tzu. For driving enthusiasts, there comes a point when the mental journey ends and the actual driving begins. Last June 22, I started a long overdue trip from Manila to Dumaguete City. I had a...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Seldom do you hear barangay and SK elections being discussed at length, unless postponement is on the table. Last week, the Supreme Court issued a resolution with regards to the cases filed questioning the postponement of the December 2022 barangay elections (G.R. No. 263590,...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH In a road trip, the heart of the journey, is you, the driver. No matter how well you’ve planned (think maps, gadgets and itinerary) and despite having the most thoroughly curated list for your comfort, nothing beats being in your best shape right before the ride. Simply put,...
