By Dennis Gorecho OSAKA, JAPAN — The use of rattan for the façade of the Philippine Pavilion may seem simple, but it is also symbolic: a sustainable way of addressing climate change concerns. During the panel discussion on “Health and Climate Change: The Greatest Challenge of Our Time,” experts emphasized how climate change impacts both livelihoods and …
Kuwentong Peyups
The iconic three dots tattoo of Apo Whang-Od and copyright
By Dennis Gorecho Buscalan Tinglayan, Kalinga — I was inked last Holy Week in my right forearm with the iconic three dots tattoo by Apo Whang-Od, the so-called last and oldest surviving mambabatok. Batok refers to the traditional Filipino tattooing practice, particularly in the Northern Luzon region that has been around for more than a …
Mahjong as part of Chinese influence in Filipino culture
By Dennis Gorecho Mahjong has a special place in our family as we grew up with weekend gatherings of aunts and uncles for mahjong sessions while we (cousins) play traditional games. Mahjong is a Chinese tile-based game of skill, strategy and luck, which can be fun but can also be deadly. Mahjong is commonly played by …
‘Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag’: 50 years after its first screening
By Atty. Dennis Gorecho Aping-api mga Pilipino. It is very frustrating for an old man like me to see how things are going in this country. Sana abutan ko pa ang panahon ng tunay na pagbabago para sa mahihirap.” Actor Bembol Roco lamented that nothing has significantly changed in the country in relation to his …
‘Be disruptors for good’
By Dennis Gorecho “Never stop asking the hard questions and be disruptors for good.” Veteran journalist Jessica Soho reminded graduating students to be one with the community and society during her speech as guest speaker at the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPD) 114th General Commencement Exercises in July 2025. The theme for the 2025 celebrations …
Bishop Pabillo: Do not forget EDSA
By Dennis Gorecho “Let us make the effort to remind the people not to forget EDSA. Let its light remain uncovered. Its work remains unfinished.” Thus declared politically outspoken Bishop Broderick Pabillo, D.D., in his homily back in February during the mass of the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution held at the …
‘Makibeki. Huwag Mashokot’ reverberates in UP Diliman
By Dennis Gorecho “Makibeki. Huwag Mashokot” is the gay lingo for the activist slogan “Makibaka. Huwag Matakot” that reverberated at this year’s Pride March and Festival on June 28, 2025 held at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in Quezon City. Not even the heavy rains could dampen the spirit of celebration. The campus …
Celebrating Pride Month in Virgin Labfest XX
By Dennis Gorecho Virgin Labfest (VLF) celebrates Pride Month by staging one-act plays linked with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+) community. “Sa mga nagsasabing puro kabaklaan ang mga dula ng VLF … tama ka,” says playwright and VLF co-founder Rody Vera. He stresses that VLF wants to give voice to …
Happy 117th birthday, UP!
By Dennis Gorecho The Oblation statue of the University of the Philippines (UP) depicts a man facing upward with arms outstretched, symbolizing a selfless offering of oneself to his union. UP was founded on June 18, 1908, or 117 years ago, through Act No. 1870 of the Philippine Assembly “to fill the need to meet …
Two decades of Virgin Labfest
By Dennis Gorecho “May asim pa” is an appreciative Tagalog phrase often heard in storytelling involving middle-aged women that acquired its double meaning — sourness and sweet. Literally translated in English it means “sourness retained” or “sour still.” Paradoxically, the free translation is the exact opposite, as it describes a person, despite her age, still …