HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPE-VINEWhat I appreciate and give due credit for, is how the Department of Tourism, under the leadership of Sec. Christina G. Frasco, recognizes that a multi-pronged approach to promoting Philippine Tourism is the ideal way to cover all the bases. It’s about creating...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL The Filipino Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) success story is a powerful dream - something millions of Filipinos aspire for; and it’s easy to understand why. It speaks of being your own boss, of controlling your financial fate and security,...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL Yes, I know last Sunday, May 12, was officially Mother’s Day 2024; but hopefully, you’ll give me some slack if I insist that today, May 19, is my Mother’s Day. It’s my late mother’s birthday, and she’d have been 90 this year - if she...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL Women’s Month may now be in our rear view mirror, but that doesn’t mean we should no longer talk about women empowerment – or highlight initiatives that help advance the cause of women parity and their economic advancement. I take my title...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL Happy Easter Sunday, Philippines. The significance of Christ rising, as celebrated today had me thinking about us, as a people and as a nation, making “bangon,” and forging our destiny. Next month is my birthday and I turn 69, so that’s a...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL You have until March 17 to head to the Atrium on the 3rd level of SM Aura, and appreciate the wonderful and heart-warming job that Kultura and SM Supermalls have done with their Filipino Design Studio pop-up. This year’s Design Studio...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL At the start of this year, my first two Sunday columns spoke about Philippine tourism, and how it was so important that we get it right this time. With a country teeming with natural beauty, with beach and dive destinations dotted all over...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL True Sustainability entails an ESG agenda where Environment, Social and Governance agendas all play vital roles. Here in our country, Sustainability has evolved to become a catch-all phrase that many companies ‘pledge allegiance’ to, and...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL Let’s be honest, Metro Manila has never been a paragon of urban planning. An amalgamation of pre-existing cities, Metro Manila’s development has been characterized as more of a band-aid nature. It’s about finding quick, fix-it remedies...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL True stand-up comedy has never really prospered here, and one strong reason is because Filipinos are “pikon.” We laugh at others being made fun of with wild abandon, but the moment the target is us, that’s a different ballgame, and we’re...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL While 124 may not seem to be a very special or auspicious number in itself, the Manila Bulletin’s 124th Anniversary, which happens in February, will take on a significance of its own this year, powered by the fact that it’ll coincide with...
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMALWriting about Philippine tourism over my last two columns, some readers reached out to me and remarked that perhaps I was too critical of what seems to be our game plan, of pointing out our deficiencies when compared to our ASEAN neighbors. To those...
