OFF THE BEATEN PATH Every March, social media explodes with a flurry of empowering quotes and celebratory hashtags for International Women’s Month. But amid the digital cheers, a crucial question remains unanswered: where are the rest of the Filipino women in positions of power? While they...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH The recent revival and expansion of the Philippine Supreme Court's Justice on Wheels’ program, now called REAL Justice, resonates deeply with me, not only as a lawyer, but also as a citizen acutely aware of the challenges plaguing our legal system. This initiative transcends...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Can one day a week truly transform a city? In the heart of Manila, Makati is daring to experiment with car-free Sundays, an initiative that challenges ingrained habits and asks a crucial question: is our reliance on cars inevitable, or can we envision a future where streets...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH For too long, exercising our right to vote has been hampered by long lines, inconvenient schedules, and cumbersome processes. This discouraged participation, especially among busy individuals, marginalized communities, and those residing far from registration centers. Yesterday,...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Coldplay in Manila, the air thrummed with a thousand beating hearts. Neon stars bathed the audience as Chris Martin’s voice soared, a British rock symphony echoing through the cavernous space. It was a cultural confluence, a dazzling spectacle not just of musical prowess, but...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH The question of modernization is not "if," but "when." It is an irrefutable necessity, not just for efficiency and cleaner air, but for the very sustainability of our communities. Yet, like passengers crammed into a jeepney itself, opinions on "how" to navigate this journey...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Two days ago, we ushered in a new year, with a majority of Filipinos expressing hope for a better year ahead. While some experienced a great 2023, there were those who were only too happy to have survived 2023 for a number of reasons. Financial difficulties, work and...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Last weekend, several cities in the Philippines celebrated World Bicycle Day by having events with cyclists. This is a very welcome development, which I hope provides a push in the right direction with encouraging more people to get into cycling again. During the pandemic, there...
About 40 hectares of land in the vast reservation of the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) in Palawan have been planted to hybrid rice with over 450 more hectares to be devoted to other agricultural and livestock production. Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang...
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...
The Po family’s Century Pacific Group reported that two of its subsidiaries, Century Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF) and Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. (PIZZA) have been recognized by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) at the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) Golden Arrow Awards...
