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. …
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 …
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, …
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 »
Activism is not terrorism! “Red-tagging” as a threat to people’s life, liberty, and security is the focus of “Bloom Where You Are Planted” by Nonilon Abao which is one of the ten competing full length films in the 21st 21st Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. The synopsis of the film states: “The Cagayan Valley Region in the Philippines serves …
Red tagging in Cinemalaya’’s “Bloom Where You Are Planted” Read More »
The first National Seafarers Day (NSD) was celebrated on August 18, 1996 , with the theme “Marinong Filipino: Taas Noo!” at the WG&A Pier 4, North Harbor Manila. This year’s 30th NSD was held on September 28, 2025 with the theme ‘Marinong Filipino: Ating Karagatan. Ating Kabuhayan. Alagaan!” Former president Fidel V. Ramos issued on July 9, 1996 Proclamation …
Thirty years of National Seafarers Day to honor Filipino mariners Read More »
