By Herman M. Lagon This letter did not begin with me. A lawyer friend posted a “Dear Uncle” letter on Facebook late one night. It was light on the surface, but there was fatigue underneath — another claim, another near-ending war. I read it and felt that quiet nudge. This was not just distant politics …
OPINION
Trump faces questions on Iran deal
Donald Trump claimed “total” victory after a ceasefire with Iran. But critics say the deal is a fresh example of their maxim that the tough-talking US president always “chickens out.” In the space of 12 nerve-wracking hours, Trump went from warning that a “whole civilization will die” to hailing that agreement as a big day …
Celebrities who dare speak
By Herman M. Lagon Sometimes it begins quietly — a joke that exposes bias, a post that corrects a lie, a knee taken in silence. Entertainment may be the stage, but the light often turns into something that reaches places power forgets. In those moments, stars stop performing. They become megaphones for those with none, …
Edentulism affects all of us
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Edentulism is not just the complete loss of natural teeth. It also means partial loss. It is a significant public health issue that affects millions of people worldwide. While often associated with aging, tooth loss can occur at any age due to various factors, including poor oral hygiene, disease and …
Trump agrees to two-week ceasefire with Iran
US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating attacks on its civilian infrastructure. Trump’s announcement on social media represented an abrupt turnaround from earlier in the day, when he issued an extraordinary warning that …
‘Mabining Mandirigma’: A musical on women empowerment
By Dennis Gorecho “Mabining Mandirigma: A Steampunk Musical” by Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) pays homage to women in celebration of Women’s Month through the portrayal of Apolinario Mabini by a female actor. The title role of Mabini is notably played by a female lead. This non-traditional casting choice has been a signature of the production, with …
When research loses weight
By Herman M. Lagon A few years ago, I wrote about the “publish or perish” culture — the quiet pressure that pushes academics to keep producing, often at a pace that feels more mechanical than meaningful. That pressure has not disappeared. If anything, things have become smoother, almost too smooth. Complaints have faded, replaced by …
Rise in ocean plastic pollution ‘unprecedented’ since 2005
Plastic pollution in the world’s oceans has reached “unprecedented levels” over the past 15 years, a new study has found, calling for a legally binding international treaty to stop the harmful waste. Ocean plastic pollution is a persistent problem around the globe — animals may become entangled in larger pieces of plastic like fishing nets, …
A creative economy in the Philippines
By Sonny Angara Some say that where “oil was the primary fuel of the 20th century economy,” creativity is what drives economic growth and development in the 21st. A 2010 United Nations (UN) report noted that between 2000 and 2010, so-called “creative industries” grew at an annual pace that was more than twice of services, …
Keeping an intense desire to see Christ
By Fr. Roy Cimagala Let’s be like Mary Magdalene, a repentant sinner turned loyal disciple, who went early, even while it was still dark, to visit the tomb of Christ. When she found the tomb empty, she was, of course, heartbroken and went immediately to tell the other disciples. When the others came and saw …