OF TREES AND FOREST The story of Carlos Yulo is the story of the Filipinos. Despite unimaginable challenges, painful defeats, and countless hardships, Caloy made the country proud by winning not one, but two Olympic gold medals. After Hidilyn ended the Philippines’ 97-year Olympic gold-medal...
OF TREES AND FOREST Let me begin by sending my prayers to fellow Filipinos who were affected by typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon. According to the initial report by government agencies, 21 people from Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon died while more than 200,000 people,...
OF TREES AND FOREST With the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., his administration has officially entered its third year — the final year of the first half of his presidency. In my view, the key element of this third year should be the same...
OF TREES AND FOREST A piece of very interesting news caught my eye recently, various news organizations reported that “more people have left Metro Manila in the past five years than those coming into the National Capital Region.” This was a statement from an official of the Philippine...
OF TREES AND FOREST As we confront our mortality, we naturally begin to ponder the legacy we will leave behind. What will I be remembered for? This is such an existential and serious question. And the answer I believe lies in the here and now: live your life. The second part of my reply to the...
OF TREES AND FOREST One time when I was having my coffee at one of the branches of Dear Joe, I observed a couple just sitting there enjoying their coffee while flipping through their iPads presumably reading an e-book. That imagery made me realize how times have changed. It has also made me...
OF TREES AND FOREST When I was still in the legislature, one of the advantages of being a public servant (and this was especially true during the electoral campaigns) was the opportunity to visit the beautiful towns and cities of the Philippines. When I was a child I only saw the...
OF TREES AND FOREST The media landscape has changed tremendously over the past couple of decades. I remember when I was young the source of entertainment and information was the radio. At night, some of us would gather around the radio listening to soap operas and the news. Then the television came...
OF TREES AND FOREST In my column last week, I wrote about the Villar Farm and how we are raising around 50 carabaos. Sometimes I would get up early in the morning and walk around the farm for my daily exercise. I also take the opportunity to visit the farm animals there and enjoy the fresh carabao...
OF TREES AND FOREST (Part 1) We often come across the term business leaders when we read or listen to the news. The media would frequently go to “business leaders” to get their opinions not just on economic and business issues but national issues in general. But what does it mean...
OF TREES AND FOREST It’s the early days of 2024 and I just want to greet my readers and the entire nation a Happy and Prosperous New Year! I hope everyone celebrated the start of a new year in the warm embrace of loved ones. The holidays are celebrated simply or grandly - with family and...
OF TREES AND FOREST This piece should come out a day before the 160th birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio — national hero, revolutionary, Tondo boy — and two days after the official celebration of Bonifacio Day (government decided to move it earlier in accordance with its policy of...
