By Sonny Angara On June 3, 2024, we witnessed President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signing into law the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act or the institutionalization of the grant of teaching supplies allowance for our public school teachers. Known among the teaching profession as the “chalk allowance,” funding for this expenditure item is sourced from the budget of the …
OPINION
The gentle exit
By Herman M. Lagon Amidst the tumultuous passage from this life to the next, the subject of euthanasia arises as a moving discourse, intertwining intricate webs of moral, intellectual and individual stories. Thinking about a peaceful death through euthanasia questions our core beliefs and forces us to face the limits of human rights and dignity …
Does Alice Guo have a backer in the Senate?
By Ade Fajardo Senator Chiz Escudero cites the rules of evidence in the Senate’s disposition of the case of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. He invokes the presumption of innocence in favor of the mayor, whose Filipino citizenship is evidenced by her Philippine passport and certificate of candidacy that was given due course by no less …
The pursuit for truth
By Fr. Roy Cimagala We have to realize that the pursuit for truth is a very tricky one. To be sure, truth is not just a matter of citing facts and data. Though these are important and even indispensable, they are useless unless they are animated by the true spirit of truth. We need to be …
A belated salute to St. Ignatius Day
By Herman M. Lagon Their vivid colors and elaborate patterns distinguish particular threads. My 21 years of Ignatian formation at Ateneo de Iloilo have woven these threads into my life. Reflecting on this, I see how St. Ignatius of Loyola’s principles have profoundly influenced not only my life but also those of my daughters, …
Odontophobia
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Here’s a new word: Odontophobia. It’s the fear of dental surgery. Wisdom-tooth extraction, oral cancer, congenital deformation, or injury correction, all these procedures bring out the primal fear of the dental chair. “Many, if not most, if not all, patients are very scared when it comes to these surgeries,” says …
10 outstanding students honored
By Ignacio Bunye Muntinlupa City recently celebrated its annual search for Ten Muntinlupa Outstanding Students (10MOST) 2024, recognizing the city’s best and most exemplary young students. Mayor Ruffy Biazon praised the achievements of each finalist, encouraging them to relentlessly pursue their dreams and emphasizing the transformative power of their dedication and hard work. He …
We need to be ‘salted with fire’
By Fr. Roy Cimagala Those are very intriguing words of Christ found in the Gospel of St. Mark. “Everyone will be salted with fire,” he said. “Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavour? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.” (Mark 9:49-50) …
Non-communicable diseases
the By Dr. Joseph D. Lim The World Health Organization (WHO) is determined to implement a roadmap for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Non-communicable diseases account for almost two-thirds of all deaths in Southeast Asia. In 2021, nearly half of the deaths from non-communicable diseases occurred prematurely between the ages of 30 and 69 …
The essence of epigrams
By Herman M. Lagon Epigrams are living testimony to the impact of brevity, humor and insight on language and expression. In only a few carefully selected words, these brief assertions capture intricate thoughts or observations; they are frequently hilarious or contradictory. From the classics to the social webs, epigrams have penetrated the every day to …