HOTSPOT One important lesson I learned in Araling Panlipunan is Filipino citizenship. It is not about being born in the Philippines. Our citizenship is acquired by blood. It means that one may be born elsewhere outside of the Philippines, but if at least one of the parents is Filipino, an infant...
HOTSPOT Vice Ganda’s much-talked about contribution to the “Piliin mo ang Pilipinas” trend not only surpassed others, but also courageously and creatively took on issues that have befuddled or angered Filipinos. Vice Ganda could have ignored the trend altogether, or instead produced a...
HOTSPOT A netizen recently shared a CCTV footage showing his dog being brazenly stolen right outside their house, after the pet escaped from a gate accidentally left ajar. “Social media justice” was swift, especially in this pet-loving nation. Somebody was able to trace the thief’s vehicle,...
HOTSPOT As I write this, the Manila Science High School community, including alumni and former faculty and staff, are giving honors and tributes to Mrs. Daisy H. Banta, the principal from 1988 to 2000 — the longest in MaSci history. Mrs. Banta passed away on April 27 at her North Caloocan home....
HOTSPOT In a detailed presentation posted on the Climate Change portion of its website, our weather bureau PAGASA states: “The Philippines, like most parts of the globe, has also exhibited increasing temperatures... Observed mean temperature anomalies (or departures from the 1971-2000 normal...
HOTSPOT It has been a long time (decades actually!) since I first encountered sociology, and it would not be stretch to say that I got hooked and influenced a lot by it. The BA Sociology course and subjects at UPLB gave me important tools and lenses which I often use to this day in...
HOTSPOT For this weekend’s column, I’m supposed to write a review of a new publication whose topic is close to my heart. But I felt that I have to do a follow-up on last week’s piece on commuting and public transport. I have been a life-long commuter and loyal passenger of jeepneys,...
HOTSPOT Perhaps the single biggest factor behind the epic failures and inadequacies of so-called modernization plans for transportation is this: the abject lack of commuter representation in all levels and aspects of policy-making. Yes, there are reportedly consultations at various stages. But the...
HOTSPOT Contrary to what we’re often told, the greatest Christian feast isn’t Christmas but Easter. For what could be greater than God destroying death? With Easter, God showed the world what’s truly great and gave people such a new sense of hope. Sadly, the long-running Lenten traditions...
HOTSPOT The news of Dr. Gia Sison’s passing spread fast among the countless people who found in her an ever-smiling, compassionate, and engaging advocate of mental health. We are heartbroken to lose a friend and champion like her. We send our condolences to Dr. Rogin Sison, daughter Angela, and...
HOTSPOT Before February ended, right smack on the year’s leap day, I had a health emergency. Not feeling well but still lucid, I was able to bring myself to a nearby health center. I got checked by a doctor, received a prescription for maintenance (ha!), and was ordered to undergo tests. The...
HOTSPOT Bonifacio Ilagan’s latest play, Spirit of the Glass (SOTG), premiered March 8, International Women’s Day, at the University of the Philippines’ Ignacio B. Gimenez-Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura Theater in Diliman, Quezon City. I was fortunate to be invited to the press preview and did...
