By Herman M. Lagon Language may shape thought, but the way we joke, hint or sidestep often says more. In our classrooms, where teachers balance modules and quiet pushback, idioms are not just flair — they are lifelines. Whether softening a correction or nudging a colleague to speak up, these phrases are less textbook and …
Monthly Archives: March 2026
Confidence and abandonment
By Fr. Roy Cimagala Given the fact that we in this world will always have to contend with complicated situations, challenges, difficulties, trials, and the like, we need to follow what Christ advised his disciples once: “Be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) In this way, we can manage to go through …
With lunar missions looming, scientists grow chickpeas in ‘moon dirt’
If the idea of lunar hummus seems far-fetched, think again. Scientists working to cultivate the field of extraterrestrial agriculture have grown chickpeas in dirt made mostly of simulated lunar soil, a step toward enabling astronauts on long-term moon missions to produce their own food. Researchers said harvestable chickpeas were grown in soil mixtures composed primarily …
MGB to conduct re-inspection of suspected sinkhole in Toboso
By CESAR JOLITO III Geologists from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) are set to conduct a critical follow-up inspection on March 10 and 11 in a suspected sinkhole area affecting two sitios at Barangay General Luna in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town. The inspection will focus on Sitio Bairan and Bugho, where concerns about possible …
Lighter, candle ‘likely’ cause fire in Barangay 2
By CESAR JOLITO III A fire allegedly caused by a seven-year-old boy playing with a lighter and candle damaged dozens of houses at Purok Lampirong in Bacolod City’s Barangay 2 on Thursday afternoon, March 5, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said. The fire started around 1:15 p.m. from the residence of Rosalie Alboroto inside …
Bacolod solon pushes long-term housing solutions in fire aftermath
By CESAR JOLITO III Families displaced by a recent fire in Barangay 39 received immediate relief after Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez personally distributed nearly P1 million in cash assistance to affected residents, underscoring a swift response to the emergency while advancing longer-term recovery plans. Benitez handed out P5,000 each from his …
Anti-smuggling operations intensified in south Negros
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Coast Guard in Negros Oriental said yesterday that operations against smuggling via the southernmost towns of the province have been intensified amid challenges brought by operational limitations. At the same time, the PNP and the Coast Guard urged the creation of a multi-agency group to prevent further smuggling …
Pagasa: LPA likely to form east of Mindanao next week
The weather bureau said a low pressure area (LPA) is forecast to form east of Mindanao near the boundary of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Monday, March 9. The LPA’s trough will cause scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms over Northern Mindanao and Caraga, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. …
‘Abduction’ in San Carlos staged, police say
By CESAR JOLITO III Police in Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City have dismissed circulating social media claims of an abduction in Barangay Prosperidad, saying an initial investigation found no evidence of forcible taking and indicated the incident may have been staged. In a press conference on Thursday, March 5, Lt. Colonel Nazer Canja said police …
Himamaylan clinches NIRAAM cheerdance championship
By CESAR JOLITO III Himamaylan City emerged as champion in the first-ever cheerdance competition of the Negros Island Region Athletic Association Meet (NIRAAM) after delivering a high-energy and technically polished performance that impressed both judges and spectators. The competition featured gravity-defying stunts such as splits, backflips, cartwheels, death drops, and aerial tosses, highlighted by synchronized …