The post The weight on our shoulders  appeared first on North Luzon Monitor.

Librada, who is set to join the Philippine Army, heads a graduating class of 207 cadets who will officially be commissioned as officers by May 16.

For Librada, the decision to enter the academy was deeply personal, rooted in witnessing her father’s impact as the battalion commander of the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, recalling how his work touched lives through civil-military operations in far-flung areas, reaching the underprivileged and sustaining communities across all walks of life.

Librada added this commitment to serve that extends beyond specific populations to the entire country became her primary motivation for donning the uniform.

She will receive the Presidential Saber, the Philippine Army Saber, and the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) Award. Her other honors include the Information Technology Plaque and the Australian Defence Best Overall Performance Award.

Coming in second is Cadet 1CL Mark John Vincent Catacutan of Zamboanga del Sur and will graduate as Magna Cum Laude, earning the Vice Presidential Saber and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Saber.

Catacutan will also receive the General Antonio Luna Award, the Spanish Armed Forces Award, and several academic plaques for management, natural sciences, humanities, and the Pelagio Cruz Plaque.

Cadet 1CL Thomas Edgar Isla Sepulchre from Pampanga and Cadet 1CL Ian Harold Durana Hubilla from Sorsogon is third and fourth respectively.

Sepulchre will be awarded the Secretary of National Defense Saber, while Hubilla received the Chief of Staff Saber.

Also graduating as part of the Top Ten are Cadet 1CL Maeg Adriene Pajarillo Bermudez, who placed 5th, and Cadet 1CL Cherry Mae Panag Geco, who placed 6th. Cadet 1CL Elixa Anya Lumbang Hernandez is 7th, earning the Philippine Navy Saber and an Australian Defence Best Overall Performance Award.

Cadet 1CL Catherine Liesha Beloa De Chavez placed 8th and will receive the Chief Justice Saber. Cadet 1CL Cedric Cyril Guingguing Polizon ranked 9th with Cum Laude honors, followed by Cadet 1CL Mark Clement Dequinto Centina in 10th place.

The Talang Dangal Class of 2026 is being recognized as uniquely future-ready, despite remaining under the older Bachelor of Science in National Security Management (BSMSS) curriculum.

PMA Supt. and Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia said the Academy introduced several “firsts” for this class to bridge learning gaps, including micro-credentials in Python programming, data analytics, unmanned systems, electronic warfare, and artificial intelligence.

These curriculum innovations ensure the new officers are equipped for the complexities of modern warfare including shift toward territorial defense.

Valencia added their training culminated in a Joint Field Training Exercise designed around combined arms operations, emphasizing the joint employment of the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

This year’s graduating class is also the first batch to utilize a 35-35-30 distribution of branch service to align with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ focus on territorial integrity.

The class also pioneered gamified learning, using electronic games to sharpen strategic thinking and small-unit tactics.

The 207 graduates—comprised of 142 males and 65 females—emerged from a highly competitive pool of 37,561 applicants, of which only 1,121 passed the initial entrance exam.

The Philippine Army will receive the largest group of new officers with 76 graduates, followed by 69 joining the Philippine Navy and 67 entering the Philippine Air Force.

Demographically, the Cordillera Administrative Region produced the most graduates with 24, followed by Region 4-A with 19.

Of the graduating group, only one holds a prior college degree, while 142 are college undergraduates and 64 are senior high school graduates. Roderick Osis

The post Soldier’s daughter tops PMA Talang Dangal Class of 2026 appeared first on North Luzon Monitor.

Through a compelling body of work, the exhibition raises critical questions on the stewardship of natural resources—challenging audiences to reflect on the tension between preservation and exploitation.  MANA engages viewers in a timely discourse on biodiversity loss and the consequences of short-term gains that may lead to long-term environmental degradation.

The exhibition features a collection of artworks that articulate diverse perspectives on the interaction between human activity and the natural environment. It serves as both reflection and call to action, encouraging deeper consideration of the ecological systems that require protection and the shared responsibility to safeguard the country’s natural heritage.

Visitors are likewise invited to explore the role of art in shaping public consciousness and fostering environmental awareness and stewardship.

Curated by Eghai Roxas, the exhibition brings together works by the curator alongside artists  Melvin Culaba, Henri Cainglet, Derick Macutay, Randy Valiente, Benedicto Modesto, Raul Jorolan, Eric David, Beck Dollisen, Mentis Maris, Mike Jacosalem, James Carlo Mendoza, Crisanto Aquino, Rara Carillo, and Jao Isaiah Perez.

In celebration of National Heritage Month, the exhibition offers a meaningful engagement with contemporary artistic practice and its role in advancing cultural and environmental discourse.

The exhibit runs at the NCCA Gallery from May 7 to 30, 2026. Gallery hours are from Mondays to Sundays, 9AM-6:00 PM.

The post MANA’ Exhibit to showcase richness of Masungi through art appeared first on North Luzon Monitor.

Delivering the message on behalf of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, the DOH-Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco emphasized that the future of healthcare depends not only on policy—but on the collective strength of health professionals working together in the spirit of bayanihan.

“Kalinga—our deep commitment to patient care—will always be at the heart of what we do. But it is bayanihan that will carry us forward, uniting our efforts to build a stronger, more responsive healthcare system,” she stated.

Pharmacists across the Ilocos Region and the country have emerged as key players in health system transformation. Once seen primarily as dispensers of medicines, they are now recognized as frontliners in primary care, educators in rational drug use, and advocates for patient safety and disease prevention.

Under the UHC framework, pharmacists serve as vital links connecting the Department of Health, PhilHealth, and local government units—ensuring that access to healthcare includes access to safe, effective, and affordable medicines. Programs such as PhilHealth’s outpatient drug benefits are helping reduce financial burden while improving treatment outcomes for Filipino families.

The DOH also raised urgent concern over antimicrobial resistance, a growing global threat. Pharmacists were called upon to lead efforts in antimicrobial stewardship—ensuring antibiotics are used responsibly and only when necessary.

“Every act of responsible dispensing, every patient counseled, and every unnecessary antibiotic avoided is a step toward safeguarding the health of future generations,” Sydiongco stressed.

Anchored on the theme “Honoring Our Heritage Through Embracing the Future of Philippine Healthcare,” the convention also highlighted the enduring Filipino values of care and community. From the healing traditions of the babaylan to modern pharmaceutical care, the profession remains rooted in compassion while evolving to meet today’s health challenges.

“Pharmacists are no longer at the sidelines of healthcare—they are at its core. You are not just providers; you are leaders, collaborators, and champions of public health.”

“In the Bagong Pilipinas, every life matters. And with our pharmacists at the frontlines, we are closer to a future where quality healthcare is within reach for every Filipino,” the statement concluded.

The post DOH calls on pharmacists to drive universal health care appeared first on North Luzon Monitor.

If you’ve lived in the Philippines long enough, you’ve heard these lines. Chances are, you’ve said them too. Guilty. Writer included.

We laugh about it. We shrug. We call it Filipino Time. Cultural. Normal. Harmless. But is it?

To understand the issue, we must first recognize that time is not merely a schedule — it is culture.

Anthropologist Edward T. Hall distinguished between monochronic and polychronic cultures. Monochronic societies, such as Germany and Japan, treat time as linear and segmented. Schedules are commitments. Deadlines are binding. Being late is not a personality trait; it is a breach of respect.

In Japan, for example, railway companies are known to issue formal delay certificates when trains arrive even a minute late — documents passengers can present to employers or schools as proof that the delay was beyond their control. In Germany, punctuality is so embedded in professional culture that arriving even five minutes late to a meeting often requires a direct apology. Time is not elastic; it is contractual.

The Philippines, on the other hand, operates largely within a polychronic orientation. Time is fluid. Relationships matter more than rigid adherence to schedules. Conversations are not abruptly ended because the clock dictates so. Flexibility is valued. Many of us remember the 1990s: agreeing to meet a friend at a fast-food corner in town, waiting nearly an hour with nothing but trust and patience — and when they finally arrived, the time lost was “paid back” through laughter and long conversation.

There is beauty in that orientation. It reflects warmth, relational intelligence, and social harmony. Filipino hospitality feels genuine because we prioritize people over precision.

But here is the uncomfortable truth: in a globalized, performance-driven economy, time discipline is no longer optional.

In communication industries — media, public relations, events, broadcasting, digital platforms — timing is not symbolic. It is structural. A live broadcast cannot begin “when everyone is ready.” A crisis response cannot wait for convenience. A client presentation cannot be postponed because someone is “almost there.”

Time is part of the message.

In communication theory, this is called chronemics — the study of how time communicates. When you arrive late, you are communicating something, whether you intend to or not. You may believe you are signaling flexibility. But your client may interpret disorganization. Your team may perceive lack of respect. Your leader may see unreliability.

The issue is not whether Filipino Time exists. It clearly does. The real question is whether we want to keep normalizing it — and whether we are discerning about when it is appropriate.

There is a difference between cultural flexibility and professional irresponsibility.

We can preserve our relational strengths without allowing them to undermine our competitiveness. In fact, the most effective Filipino professionals today are those who combine relational intelligence with disciplined execution. They build trust not only through warmth, but through reliability. They are approachable — and they are on time.

Professional time is not about becoming mechanical or “Westernized.” It is about integrity. It is about honoring commitments. When you say 9:00 AM, it means 9:00 AM — not 9:15, not 9:30, not “malapit na.” Because your lateness does not only affect you. It affects the collective. It delays decisions. It erodes efficiency. It signals that other people’s time is negotiable.

In classrooms, Filipino Time may feel harmless. In industry, it costs reputation. In leadership, it erodes credibility.

The future belongs to professionals who understand that discipline is not the enemy of culture — it is its evolution.

We do not need to erase Filipino Time from our vocabulary. But perhaps it is time to redefine it.

What if Filipino Time meant this:

On time. Prepared. Dependable. Respectful. Not because we were forced to be.

But because we chose to be better.

In the end, punctuality is not about the clock. It is about character.

The post Beyond “Filipino Time”: Why professional time is a competitive advantage appeared first on North Luzon Monitor.

But as we wait for the next ration, a more permanent drought is being engineered in our mountains. This isn’t just a story of “dry taps”—it is a review of systemic failure. When bureaucratic “progress” creates a literal “Road to Nowhere,” our watersheds pay the price.

When reports surfaced—most notably from INQUIRER.net—about a proposed road cutting through the Buyog Watershed, the reaction could not remain neutral. In a city stretched beyond its limits, every decision touching a watershed is not just development; it is risk.

The project seems modest: a ₱23.9 million road linking Pinget and West Quirino Hill by the DPWH. On paper, it reads like a straightforward improvement for emergency response. Those needs are real. But the moment the alignment enters Buyog, the conversation changes. Buyog is not an empty corridor; it is a vital organ that has already shriveled from 20 hectares to a fragile 7.2.

What makes this troubling is the process. The project was bid out before securing endorsement from the Baguio City Council or clearance from the DENR. For a project involving protected forestland, why is approval sought only after commitment has begun?

This is where infrastructure becomes a governance issue. When procedure is treated as a formality, safeguards lose their meaning. Checkpoints become rubber stamps. It reflects a broader tendency to move forward first and resolve consequences later—a pattern that has steadily eroded Baguio’s green spaces.

Two alignments were presented: one minimizing disruption, and another cutting directly through the watershed, affecting significantly more trees. The fact that the more damaging option was advanced raises concerns about decision-making priorities. If a less harmful alternative exists, why wasn’t it the starting point?

Infrastructure does not exist in isolation. It invites expansion and reshapes movement. In a watershed already reduced to a fraction of its size, even incremental pressure can become irreversible.

The city’s own actions add a layer of contradiction. Not long ago, efforts were launched with the Baguio Water District to strengthen water security in this same area. The message was to “protect and preserve,” yet this project suggests otherwise. This isn’t a choice between people and the environment; it is a question of whether development can proceed without undermining the systems that support the city’s survival.

For the City Council, this moment is decisive. They must reject the “rubber stamp” approach and demand a return to the less damaging alignment. Residents, too, must remain involved. Attend the consultations. Demand the technical data.

Watersheds do not speak, and when communities choose silence, the city’s future is signed away in a committee room. The choices made today define how much of our limits remain tomorrow. By Farrell Ventigan

The post The road to nowhere: When process fails, watersheds pay appeared first on North Luzon Monitor.

“We are proud to showcase our world-class connectivity to thousands of foreign delegates and Filipino government and business leaders gathering across the country for the slate of ASEAN meetings that the Philippines is hosting this year,” said Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy.

“From the airports to meeting venues, Converge is supporting the ASEAN meetings with gigabit connectivity. We will also provide uninterrupted, 5-gigabit speeds to the biggest event in this series of meetings, the 48th ASEAN Summit, to be held in the newly-opened Mactan Expo Center this May.”

“Hosting the ASEAN Summit is a monumental undertaking that puts the eyes of the entire region on us, and seamless connectivity is the backbone of its success. We extend our deepest gratitude to Converge for their unwavering support and world-class service. Their commitment ensured that our delegates remained connected, proving once again that we can achieve great things through Digital Bayanihan and meet the highest international standards,” said DICT Secretary Henry Aguda.

Converge has so far powered up 11 sites across Metro Manila and Cebu. Aside from the Mactan Expo Center, Converge will also be deploying fiber-fast connectivity to selected hosting venues such as five-star hotels NuStar Integrated Hotel and Casino (Cebu), Diamond Hotel Manila Bay, The Peninsula Manila, and Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, to name a few.

Underlining the importance of reliable broadband internet connectivity is the fact that the Philippines has moved 650 preparatory meetings online in the face of the national emergency on fuel. The 48th ASEAN Summit, where all leaders from the 11 member nations will be present, will continue as a face-to-face event.

“In line with our mission to utilize technology for the good of all, we will continue to strengthen our fiber network in Visayas and Mindanao. Like we’ve announced, we plan to roll out many more ports there this year to increase service coverage. This fortified network allows us to serve expansive venues such as the Mactan Expo Center and several hotels in Cebu,” Uy said.

Moreover, for delegates to experience brisk connectivity upon touchdown, Converge has fully opened the 10 Gbps capacity across all its access points in Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals one, two, and three.

The Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN this year encompasses nearly all committee and working group meetings, up to the ministerial level and the Summit to be attended by the Heads of State of ASEAN members.

The post Converge powers the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN meetings with gigabit connectivity  appeared first on North Luzon Monitor.

Her words brought me to think of Nay Rosa. A janitorial staff member assigned to the morning shift. “Hindi ito ang trabahong pinangarap ko, pero nakakatulong naman at may panggastos kami,” she shares.

Her day begins at 4:00 a.m., while most of us are still asleep. She prepares for her commute to work, and she organizes both her day and her children’s. As a single mother, she takes pride in being both provider and caregiver. She prepares her children for school before starting her day at work. Nay Rosa’s story is far from unique. It mirrors the lives of many women who are often unnoticed, underpaid, but still essential.

A similar story happens on the road. Public transportation drivers, long the backbone of daily travel, now face rising oil prices. With little enforcement of fare increases, they cut routes, stretch small earnings, and absorb losses to survive. Each trip becomes a gamble between survival and sacrifice. Behind every jeepney, bus, and ride we take is a driver working to support not only themselves but for the families waiting for them at home.

Both Nay Rosa and these drivers form the quiet machinery of our everyday lives. They ensure that spaces are clean, that people arrive where they need to be, that the rhythm of society continues uninterrupted. And yet, their contributions are too often met with silence. They are undervalued, undercompensated, and overlooked.

Their stories are not just about hardship, but also about strength and quiet courage in showing up every day despite challenges. It is time to move beyond acknowledgment and take action by ensuring fair wages, stronger policies, and systems that protect their dignity.

Because as I write this, it is already 11:59 p.m., just one minute before a new day begins. In a moment, the clock will reset. And somewhere, Nay Rosa will begin to rise once more.

Somewhere, a driver will start his engine again.

Another day of quiet battles. Another day of enduring. Another day of fighting… for their families, for survival, for hope.

The question is: “Will we finally see them?”

The post In silent war appeared first on North Luzon Monitor.

Beyond its taste, the preparation and presentation of every dish highlights the overall appeal of Filipino cuisine and adds visual depth and storytelling. It shows that Filipinos do not just cook food but they do it to show care and express their hospitality.

Filipino food goes far beyond simple nourishment. It reflects a deep sense of creativity and artistry that appears at every stage of the culinary experience: from preparation to plating.

Cooking involves skillful techniques and balanced flavors, often adapted with resourcefulness. Serving styles, like communal meals on banana leaves, emphasize culture and connection. The presentation is vibrant and carefully arranged, making dishes visually appealing as well as delicious.

In celebration of Filipino Food Month this April, the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art (CCP EPA) showcases and promotes the rich Philippine cuisine while also emphasizing how they shape our national and cultural identity and open conversations on its sustainability and conservation.

Do you know your Filipino dishes and local ingredients, as well as their cooking processes and more? Learn more about them through CCP EPA’s comprehensive article on Food Art.

FRUITS AND RELISHES

Relishes and desserts are mostly the preferred mediums for food art since they can be prepared in advance, offering more time for creating designs. A good example is achara, it’s a pickle relish made of grated unripe papaya and other vegetables like cucumber and bell pepper. Its textures and colors are ideal for carving various shapes, figures, and even small scenes, which are then arranged in glass jars to create decorative displays.

The natural colors of the ingredients provide many ways for them to express their artistry through arranging these relishes.

Mayumo, the Pampango word for sweet, is a food art from San Miguel de Mayumo in Bulacan. They preserve different kinds of fruits, mainly suha (pomelo), dayap (lime), kundol (wax gourd), etc. They are carved with decorative patterns before being put in jars for display.

In some provinces, like Laguna, creativity is shown differently, such as stuffing limes with coconut jelly, adding both visual and textural contrast to the dessert.

KAKANIN

The arrangements and packaging of kakanin is another medium for food art. One of the most popular ways of arranging kakanin is by serving it in bilao (flat baskets) which highlights its patterns and colorful visuals. Puto and kutsinta, for instance, are steamed in bamboo tubes or molds, made in different sizes and colors, and arranged in bilao when served.

Other kakanin like suman, ibus, tupig, tamales, and puso also highlight the creativity of wrapping using materials such as coconut fronds, banana leaves, and nipa leaves. For example, suman sa ibus is mostly wrapped in pale young coconut fronds, while in Obando, Bulacan, darker fronds are woven into small triangular baskets.

Tupig from Ilocos is both decorative and practical, commonly enjoyed during holidays or cockpits. In Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, they have puso also known as “hanging rice” encased in woven coconut leaves shaped into portable pouches, with various regional names like balisungsong, lambay, patupat, and tamu.

PASTILLAS

The famous pastillas de leche, sweets made from carabao milk and sugar from San Miguel de Mayumo, are also known for its pabalat (wrappings), made of multicolored thin paper, called papel de japon. They are cut into stars, leaves, flowers, palm leaves and branches, letters and other designs.

Pabalat artist Luz Mendoza Ocampo uses patterns she personally designed, such as the so-called Maria Clara motif, tinikling, pounding rice grains, nipa hut, birds, and various flowers. She traces the pattern into layers of papel de hapon using a pencil, and then cuts the paper using a cuticle scissor.

Other pabalat artists prefer the freestyle method without using any patterns or drawings by cutting a folded paper freehand. The pabalat tradition in Bulacan is usually practiced by women. Well-known pabalat artists are Amparo Pengson, Rosa David, Nene Pineda, Luz Reyes, and Teresita Ramos.

COOKIES AND BREADS

In Pampanga, during feast day of San Nicolas, cookies designed in his iconography are sold outside churches. Meanwhile, in Bago City, Negros Occidental, alfajor cookies are also popular amongst migrant families from Panay who settled there in the 1920s. The cookies are made of   rice flour and sugar then pressed into wooden molds showcasing various designs  including symbols like USAFFE and Boy Scouts insignias, flowers, etc. They are typically cooked by being sun-dried.

Breads also serve as an ideal medium for creative food art. In Silay, Negros Occidental, empanadas are meticulously fluted in a milles feuilles style, while in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, panaras are crafted with pinched edges and distinctive patterns. The shaping of tortas reales and castillos, sweets influenced by Spanish heritage, continues alongside more modern cake decorations inspired by American traditions. In Antipolo, Rizal, one bakery is popular for making bread into playful shapes, including lobsters, pigs, turtles, and  crocodiles, showcasing a unique form of food artistry.

CCP EPA: A TESTAMENT TO OUR ENDURING CULTURE

As the Philippines’ most authoritative and comprehensive resource on the country’s arts and culture, the CCP EPA carefully researches and documents the diverse food arts from different regions in the Philippines, preserving this cultural heritage for everyone to appreciate.

Researched by over 500 respected scholars and experts from the country’s top universities and research institutions, the CCP EPA’s latest edition has over 5,000 articles in its 12 volumes. Meanwhile, its digital edition (CCP EPAD) holds more than 6000 articles and hundreds of video excerpts from dances and musical performances from the CCP archives.

Since printing its first edition in 1994, the CCP EPA has kept true to the Center’s mission of championing Philippine arts and culture by being an invaluable record of Filipinos’ artistic feats and cultural practices.

The post CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art showcases Filipino food artistry in celebration of Filipino Food Month this April appeared first on North Luzon Monitor.

First launched in 2022, Korea Festival has grown into one of KCC’s flagship events, showcasing diverse facets of Korean culture through immersive, interactive, and educational experiences. Traveling to different regions each year, the festival expands its reach while engaging new audiences across the country.

This year’s destination, Baguio City—widely known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines—provides a fitting backdrop for the celebration. Recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts (2017) and the first Philippine city inducted into the Hall of Fame of the ASEAN Tourism Standards after three consecutive wins of the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award, Baguio stands as a vibrant hub of creativity, tradition, and cultural exchange.

Set against the cool mountain air of the City of Pines, Korea Festival 2026 promises to bring K-culture dreamscapes to life through a dynamic mix of experiences.

Immersive Booths & Cultural Experiences

Festival-goers can explore a wide range of interactive booths and themed zones throughout the grounds, featuring traditional and modern K-culture. Guests can also discover Korea’s top travel destinations, explore the world of Korean creative industries, and learn about content protection in engaging and accessible ways.

Hands-on activities include digital painting, Hangeul pop art, and the well-loved Hanbok-wearing experience, where visitors can dress in traditional Korean attire. Additional arts and crafts stations highlight both traditional and contemporary Korean creativity, offering fun and meaningful experiences for all ages.

In celebration of the Philippine Chairship of ASEAN in 2026, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will bring a dedicated ASEAN Corner, inviting visitors to explore the richness and diversity of Southeast Asian cultures through interactive elements such as storybooks, traditional crafts like puppets and masks, and games from ASEAN countries.

Live Performances & On-Stage Highlights

As the sun sets, the festival stage comes alive with dynamic cultural performances that bring together Korean and Filipino talent. Audiences can enjoy energetic K-pop cover dance showcases alongside traditional performances that celebrate heritage and artistry.

Special highlights include performances by the Korea Taekwondo Association, the Suwon Gugak Association, and a traditional performance team from Baguio, whose vibrant showcases will keep the energy high throughout the evening and offer a memorable cultural experience for all attendees.

Organized in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office (KTO), the Korea Copyright Protection Agency Manila Representative Office (KCOPA), the Korea Creative Content Agency Philippine Business Center Philippines Office (KOCCA), the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation Vietnam Office (aT), and SM City Baguio, the festival is free of charge and open to the public, inviting families, friends, and cultural enthusiasts to take part in this unique celebration.

The post K-Culture lights up Baguio this May with 2026 Korea festival appeared first on North Luzon Monitor.