February 16-28, 2010
Power of the ‘Pork’
The term “pork barrel” refers to the use of government funds that are intended to benefit the constituents of a politician in return for their votes. In effect, it is an institutionalized — and legalized — form of vote-buying. So, whoever controls the allocation of pork barrel funds wields immense political power. In the nine years that President… Read More »
In praise of powerful people (with clout)
In the course of our journey as journalists, we have witnessed heels and heroes changed the course of history, as in the Marcos years and in the redeeming people Power EDSA revolution of 1986. We rubbed elbows with rogues and criminals; clinked champagne glasses with the high and the mighty or shared “tagays “ of cheap gin and… Read More »
‘sa totoo lang’ – THERE THEY GOOOOOOOO!
Tuesday, February 9 became the official start of campaign for candidates for the national elections in the Philippines. The 90- day campaign period culminates on May 10, 2010, the day when citizens of the country decide who will take them either to glory or to hell for the next six years. Tense ang atmosphere sa Comelec office as… Read More »
The Dressmaking Partners
Cora and Rosa became steadfast friends when they met in the dressmaking school in downtown Manila. Coming from two different regions of the country, they both enrolled in the same school hoping someday to become couturier. In no time at all, they became close to each other and they were always seen together at work in the… Read More »
One man standing
In the first week of January, the Commission on Population estimated that by year’s end, the Philippines’ population would reach the 94-million mark. It warned that the additional two million Filipinos would mean two million more mouths to feed, two million more heads to give shelter to, two million more to educate, and two million more… Read More »
ANG ISLA DE ORIENTE
Iyo’y humigit kumulang ay apat na oras na paglalakbay sa bahaging iyon ng China Sea bago nila narating ang Isla de Oriente. Umangkla ang ferry. Bumunghalit sa microphone and boses ng kapitan at sinasabi na maari nang bumaba ang mga pasahero. Bumaba ang rampa sa harapan ng ferry at iyo’y sinapo nang konkretong pier. Dahan dahang umusad ang… Read More »
Magka-ugnay
{Kuwentong handog ng may-akda sa mga magulang at anak na binibigkis ng tunay na pagmamahalan} Halos madilim-dilim pa ay gising na ang mag-anak na Pangilinan. Hinarap kaagad ni Aling Cora ang paghahanda ng almusal. Mabilisan namang iniligpit ng magkapatid na Betty at Myrna ang kanilang pinaghigaan, pagkatapos ay halos magkasabay na nagtungo sa banyo… Read More »
Should RP Newspapers Endorse Candidates?
CHICAGO, Illinois (JGLi) – With elections in the Philippines just around the corner, I have a moot question to ask that may not elicit a response: Should Philippine newspaper editorials endorse candidates? Any newspaper, which tries to answer this question, will be damn if it does or damn if it doesn’t. When Spain introduced newspapers in the Philippines,… Read More »