OF TREES AND FOREST (Part II) I do not consider myself an alarmist. In fact, I almost always see the glass half-full than half-empty. But I also think that a good manager, whether in government or the private sector, needs to be aware of certain situations that may impact the...
FINDING ANSWERS At the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel last week, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco shared two pieces of awesome news: First, visitor receipts for international arrivals in the Philippines has been unprecedented in 2024, and second, our country leads the entire ASEAN...
PEACE-MAKER In a world marred by conflicts and geopolitical tensions, the pursuit of peace remains a paramount objective for nations and organizations alike. In Asia, a region characterized by its diversity and dynamic political landscapes, the collaboration between regional organizations can play...
OF TREES AND FOREST (Part I) Two surveys released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) one week apart this new year really piqued my interest. No, they are not surveys about the senatorial candidates for the 2025 national elections (although I would find that interesting as well). The two...
FINDING ANSWERS Two statements concerning the Philippine National Police (PNP) that were in stark contrast to each other made a buzz last week. On Monday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said: “This is my personal opinion — that there appears to be a grand conspiracy to...
PEACE-MAKER In previous columns, we shared stories of our visits to Lebanon — first in the early 1970s, during our time as a young entrepreneur in the Middle East and North Africa, and later in 2019, where we engaged in discussions with senior leaders of parliament and of political parties...
OF TREES AND FOREST The first New Year’s resolutions were made some 4,000 years ago. Since the ancient Babylonians started pledging their allegiance to the reigning king or crowned a new king, and made promises to repay debts in the year ahead in order for the gods to bless them in the new...
FINDING ANSWERS Manila Bulletin’s frontpage story last Jan. 11 titled “Brawner says electing worthy officials, not coup, key to solving society’s ills” is a powerful reminder of the importance of democracy and civic duty. Quoting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner,...
PEACE-MAKER Last Jan. 9, 2025, the people of Dagupan City, led by the indefatigable Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, commemorated a pivotal moment in our nation’s history – the 80th anniversary of the landing of General Douglas MacArthur in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, during the final months of World...
OF TREES AND FOREST People who have suggested that I should retire and just sit back and enjoy the “fruits of my labor” do not really know me. I have been working all my life. Since the first time I walked with my mother from our Tondo house to Divisoria until today, I have always been an...
FINDING ANSWERS The largest spectacle of Catholic faith in the Philippines unfolds anew this Thursday as millions of devotees celebrate the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno, highlighted by the phenomenal frenzy of Traslacion when the dark-skinned statue of a suffering Christ inches its way from Luneta...
PEACE-MAKER Hilarion “Larry” Henares Jr., who passed on last Dec. 14, 2024 at the age of 100, was a figure who towered over Philippine media and intellectual discourse for decades. Known for his acerbic wit, booming laughter, Shakesperean eloquence, unapologetic patriotism, and razor-sharp...
