The recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed that 94 percent of Filipinos welcome the New Year with enormous hope rather than fear, and if I may add, amid the challenges we face (http://www.sws.org.ph/pr20131230.htm). This confirms what we know—that we are basically an optimistic lot. It is interesting to observe that in comparison to the [...]
Wishing a safe, serene, sustainable and compassion-filled 2014 to all. May we give peace and hope to each other and ourselves. I am referring to that kind of peace that is, in former President Corazon Aquino’s words, “based on principle, on justice,” not “peace at any cost.” The peace that we long for comes only [...]
Prigi Arisandi is person with a mission. His youthful appearance and unassuming demeanor belie the magnificent milestones he has achieved to improve the quality of life in Surabaya, a highly-industrialized and the second biggest city of Indonesia. A courageous and tireless crusader for clean waterways, his determination and inspiring leadership motivated the residents to share [...]
The world mourns the passing of Nelson Mandela, an icon of peace, freedom, justice and reconciliation. We are grateful for his inspiring example of unflinching courage, compassion, humility and forgiveness. He leaves a world racked with conflict and suffering. But, perhaps his death and his meaningful life would challenge us to take on the responsibility [...]
Kuala Lumpur’s landscape has vastly changed, almost 20 years after my last visit. Aside from being immediately struck by its government’s prioritization of efficiency and information technology (take note, Philippines, paper arrival cards for visitors have been discarded) and of the mass transit system, among others, I was impressed by the still smog-free skyline, amid [...]
The 1994 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) was adopted by governments from 190 countries to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.” “Anthropogenic interference” refers to man-made actions, practices and lifestyles that have caused the increase of climate-altering greenhouse [...]
Karla Tumulak, a student leader and first year student at the University of Cebu College of Law, was a guest last Saturday at our dyRC Program, Hagit sa Kinaiyahan. She happily commented on the resurgence of the bayanihan spirit among citizens and foreigners alike which indeed is most palpably felt nowadays. A heart-warming poster about [...]
The Philippines became the center of global attention when Yolanda, the strongest typhoon in the history of our planet to make a landfall (unbelievably, not once but six times), chose our country as its first destination. The magnitude of the destruction and loss of lives it left in its wake could not as yet be [...]
I am one of the growing number of citizens who say “No to Plastic Bags” as a lifetime commitment. We are aware of its deleterious impact on our environment and the number of unimaginable deaths to creatures ingesting it. It contains petroleum, a fossil fuel, and adds to the growing carbon pollution and climate challenges [...]
The state of uncertainty was vividly felt once the plane touched down. I did not know what to expect, eleven days after the Great Earthquake struck Cebu and Bohol. But, there was nothing unusual when I saw the streets and reached home, for which I am most grateful. Spending my first night, from a trip [...]
One of this century’s strong earthquakes struck Cebu while I was out of town on my way to India. My sister, Nenen, immediately called to share the harrowing tale she and everyone in Cebu and Bohol and other provinces in Central Visayas experienced. Thankful that everyone was safe, from a distance, I thought of our [...]
Without her, life is not possible. Like most mothers, she is all-giving and nurturing. Yet, Mother Nature’s abundance and unique capacity for regeneration has triggered humans’ seemingly insatiable lust for more of her finite resources and the consequent-but-transient-prosperity it brings, even beyond her carrying capacity. Without lush forests, the habitat of species of flora and [...]
Our republic is again facing another manifestation of grave moral and governance crisis from which we cannot turn away. Their resolution depends on us, citizens and the institutions that we have established to protect us from ourselves, including even those who have betrayed their office and our trust. Our democracy, relatively young as it is, [...]
