By Herman M. Lagon The long foreseen departure of Sara Duterte as Education Secretary has left a significant gap in the Department of Education (DepEd). To address the learning crisis and lead the ailing department effectively, the next leader must embody the best qualities of former Secretary Raul S. Roco and Bro. Armin Luistro, …
OPINION
Oral health, mental health
tBy Dr. Joseph D. Lim Patients who have severe mental illness (SMI) are three times more likely to face total edentulism or complete loss of teeth than the general population. This one of the findings of a study led by Dr. Masuma Pervin Mishu of the Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of York …
Peso’s troubling decline signals deeper economic woes
By Ignacio Bunye The Philippine peso’s recent slump to a near 19-month low, closing at P58.635 per dollar, is more than just a numerical dip — it’s a troubling indicator of underlying economic vulnerabilities. This 21.5-centavo decline from the previous day’s close reflects broader issues that deserve serious attention and action. Historically, the peso hasn’t …
Never doubt God’s love for us
By Fr. Roy Cimagala “Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?’ He said this to test Philip, because he himself knew what he was going to do.” (John 6:5-6) With these words, we should realize that we should never doubt God’s constant love for us, especially when we …
Habits that could be bad
By Dr. Joseph Lim There’s a dark side to healthy habits like drinking spring water, brushing after you eat, and even exercising: They could be damaging your pearly whites. Or just simply chewing on hard objects. Now, who among us is not guilty of chewing on ice? It seemed fun especially when we were all …
Regulate, don’t ban gadgets in schools
By Herman M. Lagon This is a step backward. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act, while aiming to reduce distractions and improve academic performance, may inadvertently undermine the potential of using valuable technological tools in education. Instead of a ban addressing cell phones’ disruptive potential, why not embrace technology with appropriate regulations? This …
Giant Philippine flag in the Independence Day parade in New York
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 …
Despite whatever, we will always have peace
By Fr. Roy Cimagala That’s right. Whatever be the situation and condition of our life, we can still manage to have peace. Why? Because Christ himself reassured us of it. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you,” he said. (John 14:27) If we truly have faith in Christ, we know that …
Clamping down on bureaucratic red tape
By Sonny Angara Over the years the country has done a lot to improve its internal processes as part of its efforts to bring in more investments. We continuously introduce new policies and pass new laws to support these efforts, specifically to streamline the procedures for doing business in the country. We constantly make public …
Contemplations on love, regret and life’s legacy
impulsBy Herman M. Lagon As we gathered quietly to mourn and remember Tita Pilar Parreno last Sunday night, I found myself jotting down notes on my phone, deeply reflecting on the intricate weave of our existence. The somber atmosphere of Tita Pilar’s wake in a funeral home in Tanza, Iloilo City, brought about 50 …