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 …
Kuwentong Peyups
‘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 …
Black Nazarene’s ‘traslacion’ as ‘popular piety’
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. …
Blind faith and fanaticism in ‘Isang Himala’
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 …
Social and political landscape of UP’s Lantern Parade
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 …
‘Silver Lining Redux’: A nostalgia of university life
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 …
MassKara, M/V Don Juan tragedy and the rule on class action suit
By Dennis Gorecho Class action suit as a legal action is often linked with the sinking of M/V Don Juan more than four decades ago, an unfortunate incident that led to the holding of the annual MassKara Festival of Bacolod City every October. The vessel left Manila for Bacolod at 1:00 p.m. on April 22, 1980 …
Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) and the struggle for self-determination
By Dennis Gorecho Despite the enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) or Republic Act No. 8371 27 years ago, conflicting laws and policies have made the implementation of this law quite challenging. This was the pronouncement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), through its Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples (ECIP), on …
‘And So It Begins’: The fight for truth and press freedom
By Dennis Gorecho “Online violence is real world violence. Social media is a deadly game for power and money. Lies laced with anger and hate spread faster and further than facts on social media.” Thus declared Rappler CEO Maria Ressa during her lecture as Nobel Peace Prize laureate on December 10, 2021 at the Oslo …