North Luzon Monitor

North Luzon

Author name: Atty. Dennis Gorecho

Kuwentong Peyups atbp.

The mystical sounds of T’boli bells to ward off evil spirits

As   T’boli bells  are  believed  to turn away misfortune, negative energy, and malevolent entities. every Filipino should have at least one piece in their possession   to protect them from the evil effects of corruption. The sounds of T’boli bells , or Tungkaling, consistently reverberate  during the annual  Pasinaya Open House Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex . Tungkaling …

The mystical sounds of T’boli bells to ward off evil spirits Read More »

The flawed “consent”  in Nueva Vizcaya mining dispute

  “Enough is enough. Let us now raise our voices louder and demand accountability.” Bayombong Catholic Bishop Jose Elmer  Mangalinao   warned of worsening ecological damage in Nueva Vizcaya as he cited  the environmental conflict  in  Dupax del Norte  due to mining exploration activities by Woggle Corporation. Dupax del Norte is a 3rd-class municipality with 15 barangays, and a mineral-rich area with …

The flawed “consent”  in Nueva Vizcaya mining dispute Read More »

MMFF films  on law as tool for justice and dignity

The 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)  highlighted legal and societal issues through films that showed law as a tool for justice and  dignity. The films Bar Boys, Call Me Mother, Manila’s Finest, ImPerfect and Unmarry showcased diverse legal realities focusing on  issues like adoption, human rights, family law, and corruption reflecting the festival’s theme, “A New Era …

MMFF films  on law as tool for justice and dignity Read More »

Corruption in their hearts

“Greed is in their hearts” are words  that transformed the  classic Jose Mari Chan’s yuletide song “Christmas in our hearts”  into an anti-corruption piece by the University of the Philippine Symphony Orchestra (UPSO). UPSO, along with UPSO Symphonic Chorus and the UP College of Music Chorus Class serenaded the UP community last December 12, 2025 at the University …

Corruption in their hearts Read More »

Evidentiary value of photographs

Photographs as evidence in court in the Kdrama “Typhoon Family”  triggered memories of my “darkroom” days as chief photographer of the Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines Diliman. Typhoon Family  depicts the growth period of a young chief executive officer (CEO ) and the struggles of his family and employees as they strive to protect …

Evidentiary value of photographs Read More »

Gregoria de Jesus as  Lakambini of the  Philippine Revolution

All that I knew about Gregoria de Jesus is that she was the wife of revolutionary Gat Andres Bonifacio, or Mrs. Andres Bonifacio. Then I recently saw   “Lakambini: Gregoria de Jesus”  when it  was screened at the University of the Philippines Film Center.  It is a 2025 meta-docufiction film directed by Arjanmar Rebeta and Jeffrey Jeturian. The film is …

Gregoria de Jesus as  Lakambini of the  Philippine Revolution Read More »

Music in the success of  K-dramas

Music is a movie’s hidden language. The original  soundtrack (OST) of movie or a series acts as a storytelling tool that enhances the audience’s experience by setting the mood, evoking emotions, and providing narrative structure. Korean drama (KDrama) lovers  were serenaded  by Korean singer  Isaac Hong   of   hit OSTs “My Love By My Side” from “When Life Gives You Tangerines”, “Fallin’” …

Music in the success of  K-dramas Read More »

Why no car, Judge?

It was  a rainy Thursday evening  in Iloilo City  when  good friend Fiscal Myra Duremdes mentioned over coffee  the death of a female judge due to a motorcycle accident. 41-year-old Carmela Rosario Pasquin,  Presiding Judge  of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Pinamungajan-Aloguinsan towns in Cebu Province,  died in a motorcycle mishap on  the morning of  Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Pasquin was  on the way …

Why no car, Judge? Read More »

Scroll to Top