By Herman M. Lagon The silence before a major test is not calm. It is cautious — the kind that tells you students are trying not to make mistakes before they even begin. Nothing looks different — the boards, the teacher, the lesson — but the mood has already turned. The room starts behaving …
OPINION
Why tooth decay
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health problems worldwide. It occurs when the hard surfaces of the teeth are damaged due to acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. While good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups can prevent decay, understanding its main causes is essential for …
Why we can afford to be always confident
By Fr. Roy Cimagala Why? Because Christ is always around and is ever ready to help us in all our needs. Perhaps not always in the way we want it, but to be sure, he always cares for us even if we feel we do not deserve to be helped by him. We have to …
Between two homes: The quiet identity struggle of Filipinos abroad
For more than six million non-resident Filipinos (NRFs) across the globe, it is not always about “successfully making it outside the Philippines,” as many face the greater challenge of finding a sense of belonging while trying to preserve their Filipino identity. In a panel discussion during the 2026 Diaspora Summit in Pasay City on …
Cutting of trees ‘ecological violence,’ ‘direct assault on the poor’
By Dennis Gorecho The cutting of 225 trees along Quirino Avenue to give way to the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEx) project has been described as “an act of ecological violence” and a “direct assault on the poor.” “Why must ‘development’ always demand the sacrifice of the vulnerable? Why are our cities designed for vehicles …
No bins, pocket it first
By Herman M. Lagon When I was a boy at Bo. Obrero Elementary School in the mid-1980s, my teachers would remind us every day: “Kung wala pa basurahan, dal-a anay sa bulsa (If there is no trash bin yet, keep it in your pocket for now).” It was simple: Tuck candy wrappers in your pocket …
The case for artificial intelligence
By Sonny Angara Imagine this. On your next grocery trip, you pick up an item listed on your shopping list. You put it in your bag. And then you walk out of the store to accomplish the rest of your day’s errands. In this instance, no crime was committed because the product you picked up …
Always mindful of God’s primal will for us
By Fr. Roy Cimagala We should always keep in mind God’s original will for us and do everything we can to fulfill that will of his. We should help one another to be aware of this fundamental condition of our life and to be faithful in effectively living by that condition. We are reminded of …
How TikTok-style videos keep human brains hooked on content
For many of us, the day often starts with a swipe. Before getting out of bed, we might scroll through TikTok, Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. A few clips become a few dozen. Minutes become an hour. Then, later in the day, we return for more. Researchers at Germany’s University of Bayreuth examined the phenomenon, …
Reinforcing Gatchalian’s Senate control
By Ade S. Fajardo President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. called Congress to a special session, purportedly to act on key measures that were sidelined as a casualty of the Senate’s leadership dilemma. Earlier this weekend, Senator Joel Villanueva expressed willingness to attend such a special session, if ever one is called by the president. The urgent …