OF TREES AND FOREST Cynthia Villar, my wife, mother to our three wonderful children, is running for the lone congressional seat of our beloved city of Las Piñas. And frankly, I cannot think of anyone who has the experience, dedication, and fervor to do the job for the people of Las Piñas. It...
OF TREES AND FOREST(Part I)A few days ago, March 20 to be exact, the World Happiness Report 2025 was launched. That day, March 20, was International Day of Happiness. The United Nations website described the report as a document that “features a ranking of countries by their average levels of life...
OF TREES AND FORESTWhen are we going to get rid of the negative connotations attached to the word “palengkera.” In its literal form, “palengkera” simply means someone who engages in the market. I really do not understand why people use the term in a pejorative manner, that is, referring to...
OF TREES AND FOREST On May 12, 2025, Filipinos will choose candidates vying for more than 18,000 national and local positions. I find this simple fact astonishing and a proof of just how democracy works. This is what I like about democracy, it allows people to manifest their choice. You can...
OF TREES AND FOREST To be able to last for 125 years means you are doing something right. To be able to last for 125 years means that the people know and trust that you are doing something right. To be able to last 125 years means that you have been a witness to the unfolding of the nation’s...
OF TREES AND FORESTSI congratulate the Manila Bulletin as it celebrates its 125th founding anniversary! It is amazing to think that the Manila Bulletin started as a shipping journal on Feb. 2, 1900 with its avowed purpose of giving “the public accurate and reliable shipping and commercial...
OF TREES AND FORESTPeople 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...
OF TREES AND FOREST Eighty-nine years ago, on Nov. 15, 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was inaugurated. This political arrangement, provided for under the Philippine Independence Act of 1934, otherwise known as the Tydings-McDuffie Act, is a 10-year transitional government in...
OF TREES AND FORESTSIn this column, I often write about the challenges faced by new entrepreneurs. I have advised young business owners to be prepared to make sacrifices, to deal with obstacles, and be prepared to fail. It is certainly not my intention to discourage anyone from taking that leap of...
OF TREES AND FOREST The hardest part of any journey is the first step. This is true in every aspect of life: Your baby’s first step; your first bike ride without anyone helping you; your first date; your first day in school. It is terrifying simply because of our fear of the unknown and more...
OF TREES AND FORESTAraw ng mga Bayani or National Heroes Day was originally commemorated every last Sunday of August. This was based on Republic Act No. 3827 which celebrated the first National Heroes Day on Oct. 28, 1931. When I was Senate President, we passed Republic Act No. 9492 which...
OF TREES AND FOREST(First of two parts)I was asked a pretty interesting question a couple of weeks ago — do I ever think about my mortality? It is more than an interesting question actually, it is a deeply philosophical query. At some point we all reflect on our own mortality. This is one of...
