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 »
The “right to life” line in the abortion debate centers on the conflicting rights, particularly the moral status of a fetus versus bodily autonomy of the mother. Anti-abortion groups argue that a fetus is a person with a right to life, and therefore abortion is morally wrong while pro-choice groups argue a person’s right to control their own …
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’” …
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 …
The Bud Dajo massacre in Jolo was carried out under the command of General Leonard Wood, the same figure who clashed with the Filipino nationalist leadership, including Manuel L. Quezon, as they advocated for independence in the U.S. Wood is a key figure in Philippine history: as governor of the Moro province from 1903 to 1906, when the Bud Dajo massacre …
The Bud Dajo massacre: a symbol of Filipino aspirations for self-determination Read More »
The documentary on Cagayan Valley activists, ” BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED”, bagged Best Film of the 21st Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. The film directed by Noni Abao narrated the story of three land rights activists in Cagayan Valley: Agnes Mesina (a development worker), Amanda Echanis (a jailed mother-artist-activist), and Randy Malayo (a slain peace consultant). It also won Best Editing. The film was cited for …
Cinemalaya’s Best Film is documentary on Cagayan Valley activists Read More »
Osaka, Japan – The use of rattan for the façade of the Philippine Pavillion perhaps is a simple way to address climate change issues. The panel discussion on “Health and Climate Change: The Greatest Challenge of Our Time” underscored that climate change impacts livelihoods and health through various direct and indirect pressures, and vulnerable populations …
Eighty years ago, the pre-recorded announcement of Emperor Hirohito verbally accepting the terms of surrender that ended Second World War reverberated throughout Japan via radio on August 14, 1945 . The United States earlier detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima (August 6 ) and Nagasaki (August 9) that killed between 140,000 and 70,000 people, respectively, most of …
Buscalan Tinglayan, Kalinga – I was inked last Holy Week in my right forearm with the iconic three dots tattoo by Apo Whang-Od, the so-called last and oldest surviving mambabatok. Batok refers to the traditional Filipino tattooing practice, particularly in the northern Luzon region that has been around for more than a thousand years. It involves hand-tapped designs applied to the …
The three dots iconic tattoo of Apo Whang-Od and copyright Read More »
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 four players …
Mahjong as part of Chinese influence in Filipino culture Read More »
