By Herman M. Lagon Superstitions, a fundamental part of Filipino culture, live in daily routines, whether skipping the ladder on a sidewalk or avoiding that rogue black cat (my neighbors call it “kuring mundo”) on a misty night. To the casual observer, these practices might seem a little odd, even amusing. But here’s the catch: …
OPINION
No health without oral health
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim The 4th United Nations High Level Meeting (HLM4) on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) took place on September 25 this year in New York. Heads of states and governments assessed the progress made since the 3rd HLM in 2018 and this time set the vision to prevent and control NCDs towards 2030 …
When logic fails
By Herman M. Lagon There’s something about how certain political statements manage to land far from the original point — illogical, jarring and, frankly, baffling. They often do not seem to follow from anything previously said or done, yet they are thrown out with such conviction that listeners are momentarily stunned, nodding along, trying to …
30 years of National Seafarers Day to honor Filipino mariners
By Dennis Gorecho The first National Seafarers Day (NSD) was celebrated on August 18, 1996 with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Taas Noo!” at the WG&A Pier 4, North Harbor Manila. This year’s 30th NSD was held on September 28, 2025 with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Ating Karagatan. Ating Kabuhayan. Alagaan!” Former President Fidel V. Ramos …
Low-key self-care
By Herman M. Lagon Some of the absolute greatest life improvements do not arrive in bottles, on our phones or at a high-end price tag. They appear free, lying unobtrusively around us — not endorsed by influencers, no, but by our lolas. And we overlook them, assuming they are too simple to make a difference. …
Expert: Earthquake survival increases if building code followed
The chances of survival from an earthquake increase if buildings comply with the National Building Code, said an expert. “‘Yung mga condo, gusali, building, kung sinunod ang building code, dapat magse-sway lang ‘yan at hindi magko-collapse,” UP Resilience Institute Executive Director Mahar Lagmay told dzMM Teleradyo. The Republic Act No. 6541, or the National Building …
Protecting our OFWs
By Sonny Angara We are, indeed, living in interesting times. With tensions in the Middle East are escalating, our government aims to protect and extend services to our overseas foreign workers, to make ensure their safety and security. To that end, the Department of Budget and Management has set aside P1.8 billion in government funds, …
Let’s learn to stand up to suffering
By Fr. Roy Cimagala Since suffering in one form or another is inevitable in our life here on earth, we should know how to handle it such that we can and should even derive something good from it. The secret, of course, is to go through any suffering with Christ. Only then can our suffering …
Gen Z protests: Why are Asia’s youth so angry?
Over the past two months, Gen Z-led demonstrations have convulsed parts of South and Southeast Asia — from Kathmandu to Jakarta, from Dili to Manila. While Nepalese demonstrations brought down the country’s government, the most recent youth-led protests across Southeast Asia have been less cataclysmic, although they have forced the authorities to make rare concessions …
Endless cycle of corruption
By Ade S. Fajardo Regardless of where you are in the Philippines, people assess winnability at the polls through a candidate’s vaunted political machinery. In turn, with very few exceptions, machinery is measured by how much money a candidate is willing and able to spend in the exercise. A candidate armed only with smarts and …