Thousands of aftershocks have been recorded in the past months in areas that have recently been rocked by massive quakes such as Cebu and Davao Oriental. But what exactly is an aftershock? The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recently described aftershocks “as usually one magnitude lower than the main shock.” However, the intensity …
OPINION
Duterte to be tried while in prison
By Ade S. Fajardo The pre-trial chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has junked former President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release. The ICC noted that Duterte did not dispute or contest the recital of allegations in his warrant of arrest. This lack of denial led the court to conclude that there “continue to …
ETEEAP makes experience count
By Herman M. Lagon Here’s a program many Filipinos quietly root for but rarely talk about. In a country where resumes often outrun diplomas, the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program, or ETEEAP, has been the hidden main door that many mistake for a side gate — open, dignified and life-changing. I say this …
The art of resilience: A founding visionary of MassKara Festival
By RODNEY MARTINEZ Founding Member, Former President, Art Association of Bacolod-Negros; MassKara Visionary Long before MassKara became the vibrant spectacle it is today, Bacolod City observed its Charter Day in October with modest celebrations — mostly barangay-level competitions in costumes and dancing. These events were cheerful, yet relatively simple. But everything changed in 1980, a …
Venn of us: Ilonggo x Negrense
By Herman M. Lagon You hear it on a jeep from Lacson to Libertad or in a faculty room from Bacolod to Barotac: someone says she’s Negrense, slips into a Hiligaynon story, and a friend calls her Ilonggo. No one corrects anyone. The labels only get tricky when we stop them from moving. In real …
A new gateway for global Filipino investors
By Ignacio R. Bunye The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) marked a new milestone last October 6 with the opening of BPI Wealth Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank, right at the heart of Marina Bay. The launch represents BPI’s continued expansion in Asia and its commitment to providing Filipino and regional …
When ‘sipsip’ turns poison
By Herman M. Lagon No matter how modern or high-tech the workplace, the “sipsip” still survives — the yes-man, the brown-noser, the constant flatterer. They never miss a chance to admire the boss’ ideas or agree with every plan. It feels polite at first, even team-spirited. But unchecked, it turns the office into a contest …
Without pain and with confidence
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Good oral health is having the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions. With confidence and without pain and discomfort. Oral health means a healthy mouth free from diseases of the craniofacial complex (head, face and oral cavity) irrespective of …
The tsinelas testament
By Herman M. Lagon You do not need to be an anthropologist to know that tsinelas — those humble, often weather-worn slippers — carry more than soles. For many of us, they carry memories. They are not just footwear. They are symbols of childhood, tools of discipline, signs of hardship, and even unexpected sources of …
Female examinees outnumber males in the 2025 Bar
By Dennis Gorecho For the second consecutive year, female examinees outnumbered males in the Bar Examinations. Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, noted that among the 13,193 admitted to take the exams, there were 6,673 women, comprising 51 percent compared to 4,764 men. The statistics highlight the …