By Ade S. Fajardo Without kickbacks would legislators be interested in the implementation of infrastructure projects? A legislator’s principal function is precisely that — to legislate, meaning to review or enact laws. But why is there an upsurge in the number of public work contractors in the hallowed halls of Congress? Is it the function …
OPINION
Quezon’s chess moves
By Herman M. Lagon Clicking play on the “Quezon” trailer, I was brought back to that feeling “Heneral Luna” (2015) gave almost 10 years ago. It is more than history on screen — it is history alive. Jericho Rosales transforms into Manuel L. Quezon — no longer the charming lead, but a leader frail in body yet fierce in will. …
Genius without a degree
By Herman M. Lagon There’s a moment in “The Man Who Knew Infinity” where Ramanujan, played by Dev Patel, steps off the boat from colonial India and into Cambridge — alone, unfamiliar and unwelcome. The halls are cold, the professors colder. Yet this barefoot mathematician from Tamil Nadu dares to speak in numbers that the …
Christian confidence amid mysteries
By Fr. Roy Cimagala Each year, our longing for the birth of Christ is heightened, thanks to our tradition of the Simbang Gabi that up to now enjoys vast popularity especially among the simple people who are gifted with a lot of faith. Let’s hope that this tradition continues “sine fine” or “in aeternum.” We …
Choose the difficult: A call to courage in a fragmented world
By Ignacio R. Bunye On the evening of August 16, as the University of Asia and the Pacific marked its 30th Commencement Exercises, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala stood before 414 graduates — not to flatter, but to challenge. His message was not one of ease or applause. It was a call to friction, fire …
Kurakot, meet shame!
By Herman M. Lagon Shame is stitched into Filipino life. A child forgets to say “po” or “opo” and gets called “walang hiya” or “walang modo.” A student caught cheating lowers his head as classmates whisper. Even in barangay basketball, a player who fakes an injury or flops is booed — not for the foul, …
Toothache: Why you should be worried
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim A toothache is more than just a minor inconvenience. It can be a sign of something far more serious. In fact, a toothache — a persistent pain in or around a tooth — should never be taken for granted. It’s nature way telling you something’s wrong. Like tooth decay, this …
When nepo babies flaunt
By Herman M. Lagon Payday rain lashes the streets, traffic stalls and floodwater creeps into tricycles. A nurse in slippers clutches her lunchbox, her phone flashing a reel: a vlogger with a Chanel bag, a private jet, a “quick Paris run.” My daughter, a health professional who spends her days with families bargaining over hospital …
Mahjong as part of Chinese influence in Filipino culture
By Dennis Gorecho Mahjong has a special place in our family as we grew up with weekend gatherings of aunts and uncles for mahjong sessions while we (cousins) play traditional games. Mahjong is a Chinese tile-based game of skill, strategy and luck, which can be fun but can also be deadly. Mahjong is commonly played by …
Keeping the flex in check
By Herman M. Lagon Before midnight at the ICC Grounds in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, two groups clashed — raised voices, phones recording, pride on parade. A woman waved her iPhone 16 Pro Max and pointed to a car idling nearby as proof they mattered. A young adult flashed a rude hand sign. A companion, tipsy, …