By Dennis Gorecho March 16 is a significant date in the history of Christianity in the Philippines. It was on that day in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines, while it was in 1565, or 44 years later, when the Legazpi-Sikatuna blood compact occurred in Bohol. “On March 16, 1521 / When the Philippines was discovered by Magellan / They were …
OPINION
Doing things well
1By Fr. Roy Cimagala “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7:37) We may not be able to make the deaf hear and the mute speak, but we should try our best that we can also gain the same reputation as that of Christ. We should …
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 …
Gary Granada’s arresting ‘Holdap’
By Herman M. Lagon Deep inside Philippine music is a timeless tune that captures the essence of the country’s social and political climate even after all these years. Gary Granada’s 3:12-minute “Holdap” is a brilliant piece of music that reflects the enduring ills plaguing our society, culture, identity, and destiny. Delving into the depths …
When Duterte weaponized the law
By Ade Farjardo Last week, the Supreme Court announced its junking of Proclamation No. 572 issued by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018. The proclamation was declared illegal because it revokes the amnesty granted in favor of Antonio Trillanes, then a sitting senator, in violation of his basic rights under the Constitution, i.e., the right against ex …
Prudence while doing a lot of good
he unBy Fr. Roy Cimagala Some people brought a blind man to Christ, obviously so he could be cured of his blindness. (cfr. Mark 8:22-26) What Christ did was to bring the man to a certain place, and instead of curing him immediately, made him recover his sight after some steps. “Putting spittle on his …
The art of ‘white lying’
By Herman M. Lagon The art of euphemisms — like how Winston Churchill called a British parliament a liar by saying that he has just committed “terminological inexactitudeness” — is a flourishing tool in our everyday conversation. It is an unspoken skill, a dance around the truths of everyday life, where the gentle touch …
The silent danger of deep gum disease
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim At one time or another, we have experienced gum disease. It’s a condition which, according to the Department of Health’s Dental Health Program, affects nearly eight in 10 or 78 percent of Filipinos. Gum disease happens when dental plaque is not removed regularly. The plaque — a thin film on …
BSP changes FX rules for foreign investments
By Ignacio Bunye The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has updated its rules on foreign investments to make it simpler for people to access foreign exchange (FX) resources in the Philippines. The changes, which are effective until September 30, 2024, aim to streamline procedures and paperwork for legitimate transactions. According to the BSP, these …
Deception always boomerangs
By Fr. Roy Cimagala We have to be duly warned about this fact of life. When we deceive others, we may succeed to a certain extent to attain the purpose of such deception. But never forget that deception will always come back will inflict a greater damage on the deceiver. A quote from St. Augustine’s …