Kuwentong Peyups

By Dennis Gorecho “Let us retell the story of EDSA.” Archbishop of Lipa Gilbert Garcera, D.D., president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said in his pastoral letter marking the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that “our first duty is to remember.” “The fire of EDSA, set aflame 40 …

By Dennis Gorecho “Years of detention seem eternal yet I have decided to be just philosophical about this. I thought I should strive to ‘bloom where I am planted.’” Words from slain peace activist Randy Malayao (August 29, 1969 – January 30, 2019) lifted from our Messenger chat on his experience during his four years …

By Dennis Gorecho The 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) highlighted legal and societal issues through films that showed law as a tool for justice and dignity. The films “Bar Boys,” “Call Me Mother,” “Manila’s Finest,” “I’mPerfect,” and “Unmarry” showcased diverse legal realities focusing on issues like adoption, human rights, family law, and corruption reflecting …

By Dennis Gorecho Passing the bar is not enough. It is never the measure of the decency, honesty, integrity, and intelligence of a lawyer. Set a decade after the events in the original film “Bar Boys” (2017), the sequel “Bar Boys After School” (2025) follows best friends Atty. Erik Vicencio (Carlo Aquino), Atty. Torran Garcia …

By Dennis Gorecho The University of the Philippines – College of Law (UP Law) dominated this year’s bar exams with six alumni making it in the Top 20, including Rank 1. A total of 5,594 out of 11,420 examinees passed, representing 48.98 percent of the total takers who completed all three exam days. Included in …

By Dennis Gorecho Vibrant floats of Filipino folklore monsters as symbols of corruption flooded the academic oval of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman during the annual Lantern Parade last December 17, 2025. The 103-year-old tradition was kept alive as more than 30 lanterns were showcased. The College of Fine Arts’ (CFA) “Maligno sa …

By Dennis Gorecho “Greed is in their hearts” are words that transformed the classic Jose Mari Chan yuletide song “Christmas In Our Hearts” into an anti-corruption piece by the University of the Philippines Symphony Orchestra (UPSO). UPSO, along with UPSO Symphonic Chorus and the UP College of Music Chorus Class, serenaded the UP community on …

By Dennis Gorecho Photographs as evidence in court in the K-Drama “Typhoon Family” triggered memories of my “darkroom” days as chief photographer of the Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines Diliman. “Typhoon Family” depicts the growth period of a young chief executive officer (CEO) and the struggles of his family and employees as …

By Dennis Gorecho All that I knew about Gregoria de Jesus is that she was the wife of revolutionary Gat Andres Bonifacio, or Mrs. Andres Bonifacio. Then I recently saw “Lakambini: Gregoria de Jesus” when it was screened at the University of the Philippines Film Center. It is a 2025 meta-docufiction film directed by Arjanmar …

By Dennis Gorecho The Philippines is a typhoon-prone country, with approximately 20 tropical cyclones entering its area of responsibility per year, including the recent “Tino” (“Kalmeigi”) and “Uwan” (“Fung-wong”). Social media is swamped with photos and videos of the impact of these weather disturbances — residents trapped on their roofs as floodwaters quickly rose; streets …