Kuwentong Peyups

By Dennis Gorecho “Tatay knows best. Trust in Tatay. Trust no one else.” A father’s seemingly innocent loving lines from Tanghalan Pilipino’s (TP) stage adaptation of the 1981 drama film “Kisapmata” that, however, hide issues of domestic violence, incest and the struggle to freedom. I first saw the suspense thriller “Kisapmata” in the late 1980s …

By Dennis Gorecho A lawyer is prohibited from romantic entanglements with clients under the updated Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) / A.M. No. 22-09-01-SC, which was approved by the Supreme Court En Banc on April 11, 2023. The prohibition is indicated in Canon III Section 15, which states: “A lawyer shall not have …

By Dennis Gorecho The country’s party-list system continues to be hijacked by the rich and powerful. Around half of party-list groups are being used as a backdoor to further entrench their political and economic interests. Election watchdog Kontra Daya reported that 55.13 percent of the 156 party-list groups vying for 63 seats in the House …

By Dennis Gorecho “Love is founded on a promise: To seek beyond ourselves in order to enable the other to continue to become the best version of themselves.” Thus declared Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen in Tan-Andal vs. Andal (G.R. No. 196359, May 11, 2021) that involves an annulment case based on psychological …

By Dennis Gorecho The performance of eskrimadoras or female arnis players during the 2025 Pasinaya Open House Festival of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) seemed to be a tribute to brave Filipina warriors. Female members of the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, including actress Ina Feleo, transformed to fierce eskrimadoras wearing baro’t …

By Dennis Gorecho Festivals are prime manifestations of the Filipino’s fervent devotion and faith characterized by history, artistry, creativity, and passion. “Viva Pit Senyor!” and “Viva Senyor Hesus Nazareno!” reverberate during the month of January which is the best month for festival hopping in honor of Jesus Christ, either as the young Santo Niño or …

By Dennis Gorecho The “traslacion” of the Black Nazarene is oftentimes linked with “popular piety” or “people’s spirituality.” Held every 9th of January, this year is my second time to personally witness “traslacion” which is a symbolic gesture that emulates Christ’s suffering as he was carrying his cross en route to his crucifixion in Golgotha. …

By Dennis Gorecho “Waláng himalâ! Ang himalâ ay nasa pusò ng tao, nasa pusò nating lahat! Tayo ang gumagawâ ng himalâ! Tayo ang gumagawâ ng mga sumpâ at ng mga diyos.” Since its inception, this line from the 1982 film “Himala” directed by Ishmael Bernal has been inextricably linked to Nora Aunor. The film follows …

By Dennis Gorecho I have celebrated my birthday week inside the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Campus several times, in most instances coinciding with the traditional Lantern Parade. The parade traverses the UP Academic Oval canopied by over a hundred years old sturdy acacia trees that are silent witnesses to the travails of the …

By Dennis Gorecho “Makibaka. Huwag matakot!” — a graffiti scene from the musical “Silver Lining Redux” that depicted the long history of student radical activism in the University of the Philippines (UP). Initially staged in 2023, the musical tells the story of three high school friends Leo, Anton and Raul, as they navigate the highs …