OFF THE BEATEN PATH In politics, few things are as indispensable yet as understated as the health of a candidate. We often talk about a candidate’s charisma, policy acumen, and public appeal, but rarely do we remark upon their physical and mental fitness, much less how those attributes affect the...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Resolutions are an inescapable part of the new year. Apart from being a fun thing to do, they actually do provide direction, purpose, and a tangible destination to work toward. However, the journey to achieving those goals is often complicated by challenges, detours, and the...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH People often ask me why I travel so much. On any given day, I’m usually on the road to somewhere else. For the most part, I travel because it is important for the work I do. But the primary reason I have for going from place to place in the Philippines is that I am...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Dear every Filipino traveler: We have officially reached the month of homecomings. As you plan your journey home, by air, land, sea or waves of memory for the known limits of reality, may every road be safe and heartwarming. It is bittersweet enough that the...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH In today’s fast-paced political landscape, success in campaigns requires more than just a candidate’s charisma, clever slogans, and traditional ground operations. Political strategies have evolved into a sophisticated interplay of timeless tactics and advanced technologies,...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Earlier this month, the US elections happened. Though it was an election where only Americans cast their vote, the shockwaves were felt all over the world. Leading up to the elections, a majority of the pollsters had predicted a tight race, with Republican Presidential...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH I am writing this column from Washington DC, where I’m an official observer of the US Presidential Elections, participating in the IFES US Election Program. This will be the third US elections I’m officially observing. Through the years, I’ve noticed a...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH The same typhoons that can increase agricultural water supply and cause soil erosion improving its fertility, in severe and frequent measures, damage farm structure facilities. While we are yet to see the full impact of tropical storm Leon in our area of responsibility,...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Midway through the celebration of the National Indigenous People’s Month pursuant to Proclamation No. 1906, series of 2009, let us not ignore the challenges they confront in accessing reliable and affordable energy. While those from the more developed areas are not spared from...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Early in this brief eight-day window for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs), Filipinos cannot remain oblivious to the motions, from premature to profound, leading to the 2025 electoral exercise. Our Commission on Elections (Comelec) and advocates from the private...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH In the Philippines, many roads are less traveled because of impassability. During rainy seasons, we find markers not just for distance but also for depth – how many meters deep the roads are submerged. In worse cases, these concrete structures that signify development simply...
OFF THE BEATEN PATH Almost everywhere, the fundamental right to clean water remains elusive for many. And the Philippines is no stranger to the struggle with current water availability ranging between 1,000 to 1,700 cubic meters per capita, according to the National Water Resource Board...
