Kuwentong Peyups

  By Dennis Gorecho Cinemalaya this year features two films on indigenous peoples: The Atis of Panay in “Tumandok” and the Kalingas in “The Wedding Dance.” “Tumandok” reveals the struggle of indigenous people to reclaim their ancestral domain along and within the Jalaur and Pan-ay rivers in Central Panay. It features an all-Ati non-professional acting ensemble, …

  By Dennis Gorecho “The Gospel of the Beast” is the opening film of this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. It features Jansen Magpusao, the festival’s second youngest Best Actor. “Gospel of the Beast” is a coming-of-age film about a teenage boy, Mateo, who is ceaselessly searching for his missing father. After accidentally killing …

  By Dennis Gorecho “Loob, Lalim, Lakas” is this year’s theme of the 20th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival that will run from August 2 to 11. Competing in the full-length category are: “Alipato at Muog” by JL Burgos; “An Errand” by Dominic Bekaert and Sarge Lacuesta; “Tumandok” by Arlie Sumagaysay and Richard Salvadico; “Balota” by Kip Oebanda; “Gulay Lang Manong (No More Than Veggies)” by BC …

  By Dennis Gorecho The Philippines must pursue a truly independent foreign policy, free from entanglements with any big powers. Coalition activist and Woman Health NGO advocate Princess Nemenzo said foreign bases do not contribute to the Philippines’ security but rather increase the likelihood of involvement in conflicts not of its making. The historical and sociopolitical context of foreign military presence …

  By Dennis Gorecho “Red-tagging” is a threat to life, liberty and security. Thus declared the Supreme Court in the case of Deduro vs. Major General Vinoya (G.R. No. 254753, July 4, 2023) that overturned a lower court’s 2023 decision dismissing a 2020 petition brought by Siegfred Deduro, an activist and former representative of the Bayan Muna party-list. Deduro alleged that …

  By Dennis Gorecho The dinosaur-egg-like “Asin Tibuok” is a rare Filipino artisanal sea salt from my home province Bohol that was featured in an episode of “Replacing Chef Chico” in Netflix. “Replacing Chef Chico” is a series that follows Ella (Alessandra de Rossi), a sous-chef in a Filipino fine dining restaurant who became the head chef when the original head …

  By Dennis Gorecho NEW YORK — A huge Philippine flag, estimated to be 25 feet by 50 feet, was one of the highlights of the parade in celebration of the country’s 126th Independence Day on Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Considered as the world’s largest Philippine Independence Day celebration outside Manila, this year’s parade fell on June 2, 2024 (it is traditionally held on the first …

  By Dennis Gorecho Even if the marriage is declared void, the obligation to give support to a minor child subsists. This was the ruling of the Supreme Court in the case of Wilfredo Ruiz vs. AAA (GR 231619, November 15, 2021) that involves a case filed under the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (VAWC), or Republic Act …

  By Dennis Gorecho The threat of being prosecuted for libel stifles the dynamism of the conversations that take place in cyberspace. Thus declared Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen in the case of Disini vs. Secretary of Justice (G.R. No. 203335, February 18, 2014) in connection with the constitutionality of Republic Act (RA) No. 10175 or the Cybercrime …

  By Dennis Gorecho “Red-tagging” is a threat to life, liberty and security. Thus declared the Supreme Court in the case of Deduro vs. Major General Vinoya (G.R. No. 254753, July 4, 2023) that overturned a lower court’s 2023 decision dismissing a 2020 petition brought by Siegfred Deduro, an activist and former representative of the Bayan Muna party-list. Deduro alleged that …