Kuwentong Peyups atbp

  “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 »

The University of the Philippines College of Law (UP Law) dominated this year’s bar exams with six alumni making it in the top twenty, including Rank One. A total of 5,594 out of 11,420 examinees passed that  represent 48.98% of the total takers who completed all three exam days. The bar exam is a yearly spectacle …

UP Law dominates 2025  bar exams Read More »

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 »

“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 »

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 »

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 »

Victims of trafficking face profound suffering that may last their lifetime, the incalculable injustice perpetrated by  people who make a living out of deceiving unsuspecting victims , taking advantage of their vulnerability. They must be penalized. Thus declared the Supreme Court, through Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, in the case of People vs. Valencia (G.R. No. …

Human trafficking as modern day slavery Read More »

The Philippines is a typhoon-prone country, with approximately twenty tropical cyclones entering its area of responsibility per year, including the recent  Tino (Kalmeigi)  and Uwan (Fung-wong). Social media is swamped with photos and videos of the impact of these weather disturbances: residents trapped on their roofs as floodwaters quickly rose,  streets turn into rivers,  cars sink under floodwater, landslides, …

Acts of God doctrine in natural calamities Read More »

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 »