By Dennis Gorecho Before its closure in 2004, Mount Banahaw used to be a significant destination for religious pilgrims and those seeking spiritual experience, healing and miracles, particularly during the Lenten season. For two decades, Banahaw’s peaks had been classified as “strict protection zones” that remained off-limits to pilgrims and trekkers to revive its natural …
Kuwentong Peyups
Confucianism and Filipino values in Chinese animation ‘Ne Zha 2’
By Dennis Gorecho The Chinese animation “Ne Zha 2” showcases elements of Confucianism, which in essence reflects Filipino values that have been significantly influenced by Christian morals. Watching “Ne Zha 2” revived my interest in Confucianism, which I first encountered during my history and philosophy classes at the University of the Philippines. Nezha is a …
Celebrating life through dances
By Dennis Gorecho Dance has always played a significant role in human culture, acting as a universal language that transcends borders, languages and time whether as a form of storytelling, a means of worship or simply a way to celebrate life. National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes said in an interview that dance is a …
UPCAT as gateway to being ‘Iskolar ng Bayan’
By Dennis Gorecho “Basically, your school has all the big fishes that came out of a small pond. You cannot always be the top student. It is impossible.” This is a line from the Netflix Korean drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines” told by Yang Gwan-sik (Park Hae-joon) to his daughter Geum-myeong (IU) about the …
‘Kisapmata,’ a tale of domestic violence, incest and the struggle to freedom
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 …
Supreme Court to lawyers: Do not date your clients
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 …
Party-list system hijacked by the rich and powerful
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 …
Love ‘hugot’ lines from Supreme Court decisions
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 …
‘Eskrimadoras’ as brave Filipina warriors in CCP Pasinaya 2025
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 …
Honoring Jesus Christ as a young Santo Niño or an adult Black Nazarene
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 …