For Bobet, and Every Child Who Left Home to Dream

June 11, 2026

There is a particular kind of pain that only people from the provinces understand – the pain of leaving home. You board a plane, a bus, or a ship, carrying little more than a bag, a dream, and the hopes of your entire family for a better future. When I learned about the death of Rene Clert “Bobet” Baterbonia, I could not help but see more than just another tragic news story. I saw a young Mindanaoan whose journey looked familiar. Not because I knew him personally, no – it’s because I know the feeling of leaving everything behind. A Rising Star From My Very Own Alma Mater Bobet was not yet a household name, but those who followed Philippine basketball knew exactly who he

The First Day of Classes: Beyond Uniforms and Politics

June 8, 2026

Today, June 8, 2026, marks a familiar milestone for millions of Filipino students and their families. It’s the first day of classes—a day filled with the scent of new notebooks, the crispness of fresh uniforms, and the quiet energy of teachers ready to shape the next generation. For most of us, the routine has officially restarted. We wake up before dawn, bleary-eyed but determined, to prepare our children for the journey ahead. In those early morning hours, our world is small, centered entirely on the hopes we have for our kids. The Noise in the Background Yet, as we scroll through our feeds while waiting for the school bus or sitting in traffic, the contrast is jarring. Over the past few weeks, our social media

Explosive ₱805 Billion Corruption Allegations: The 18 Ex-Marines Testimony That Rocked the Senate

June 5, 2026

On June 4, 2026, the Philippine Senate became the stage for one of the most dramatic and controversial hearings in recent memory. Eighteen individuals identifying themselves as former Marines took the spotlight in a contested Blue Ribbon Committee session, unleashing sweeping allegations of systemic corruption tied to multibillion-peso flood control projects.19 Their claims? They served as “bagmen” for fugitive former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, personally delivering suitcases stuffed with cash kickbacks — allegedly totaling around ₱805 billion — to some of the country’s highest-ranking officials between 2022 and 2025. A Hearing Born of Political Turmoil The session itself was mired in controversy. It proceeded under the leadership of the Alan Peter Cayetano bloc despite efforts by the opposing Senate majority (led by figures

Habagat 2026: Panahon na Naman ng Pananagutan

June 4, 2026

Habagat season na uli, kaya asahan na natin ang matitinding ulan at baha sa maraming kalsada. Ngunit sa taong ito, ang bawat patak ng ulan ay nagpapaalala sa atin na ang baha ay hindi lamang usapin ng panahon; ito ay malaking factor ng pamamahala at kung paano ginagastos ang pondo ng bayan. Ang Misteryo ng Bilyon-Bilyong Budget Nasaan na nga ba ang bilyon-bilyong budget para sa flood control? Bakit parang walang pinagbago ang sitwasyon? Sa kabila ng paglalaan ng humigit-kumulang ₱545 bilyon para sa halos 10,000 proyekto sa pagitan ng Hulyo 2022 at Mayo 2025, marami pa ring Pilipino ang dehado tuwing uulan. Ang mga sumusunod na isyu ay patuloy na bumabagabag sa ating sistema: “Ghost Projects” at Substandard Works: May mga ulat ng mga

You Can’t Teach Old Dogs New Tricks

May 13, 2026

The saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” is often used as an excuse to avoid new approaches or trying something different. But in the dog world, this is not true as dogs of almost any age can still learn new tricks. Animal training experts confirm that dogs of nearly any age are capable of learning. The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan offer numerous examples. These examples show how even older dogs’ behaviors can be successfully modified. It’s the human animal that invented this excuse for stopping to learn after a certain age. “I’m too old to change“ – is simply an excuse to avoid the hassle of leaning or experimenting with something new. I’ve seen this firsthand with staff members and officers

Manginhas: The Coastal Foraging Activity of My Youth

May 6, 2026

I remember manginhas from my youth. It feels like a lifetime has passed since I last did this simple yet rewarding activity. This coastal tradition is deeply rooted in my province’s way of life. For me, manginhas was more than a pastime; it was a direct connection to the sea and its abundance. What is Manginhas? The Riches of the Low Tide Manginhas is the local term for coastal foraging. It involves going to the beach or shallow areas during low tide. We collect exposed marine life entirely by hand. This included various shellfish, small fish, and seaweed left behind by the receding water. I fully enjoyed this activity for many reasons. First, it meant spending a good portion of the day on the beach.

My First Exposure to the Media Industry

April 30, 2026

In my youth, back in Padada, I had a lot of odd jobs – specially during the time when Papang was bedridden because of his accident. At that time, we all had to pull our weight. We also had to figure out ways to earn money. It was during this turbulent time that I had my first exposure to the media industry – specifically, print media. Of all the things I was throughout my life, my first media-adjacent job was as a Newspaper Boy. The late 60’s was a different time. Our town was more than two hours away from the city by bus. As a result, the day’s newspapers arrived at the town’s lone distributor shortly after lunch. This stall was the only place

Martin Romualdez Refuses ‘Scapegoat’ Role in Flood Control Scandal: A Political Rupture

April 29, 2026

When former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez declared that he would “not allow myself to be turned into the scapegoat”, it wasn’t just a denial – it was a signal. “I will not go quietly, and I will not go alone. I will not be the fall guy for other people’s corruption.” This statement signals that this is no longer the quiet investigation into anomalous infrastructure projects. Philippine political scandals tend to follow a pattern: first, the revelations, and then the investigations. Next come the denials, and finally, the narrowing of responsibility to a handful of individuals. Some take the blame, maybe get some time in prison, all’s well that ends well. But what we are seeing now disrupts that pattern. Escalating Blame Game: Romualdez,

Domestic Turbulence: 7 Domestic Crises Unfolding Now

April 27, 2026

While the world’s eyes remain glued to the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict, the Philippines is currently weathering its own perfect storm of domestic crises. From high-stakes legal showdowns at the Supreme Court to the dramatic fall of high-profile political figures, and an economy struggling for stability, the headlines at home are exhausting. The global situation is the backdrop, but for Filipinos, these political and economic headwinds have become the main event. Here is a detailed breakdown of the 7 major domestic crises currently unfolding: 1. Supreme Court Legal Showdown: Petitions vs. Unprogrammed Funds The Supreme Court has become a theater of high-stakes legal sparring. At the center of the storm are the petitions questioning the unprogrammed funds in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 national budgets. During

Navigating the Hike: What the BSP Interest Rate Increase Means for You

April 24, 2026

Let’s talk about something hitting close to our wallets. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently hiked interest rates. While “rate hikes” might sound like dry financial jargon, this move directly impacts how we spend, save, and plan for the future. Why the change? This move primarily aims to tame inflation. In simpler terms, the BSP is working to stabilize the cost of goods and services, ensuring that the prices of our daily essentials don’t spiral out of control amidst global economic challenges. How does this affect you? It’s a balancing act for the economy, and the impact depends on your current financial goals: For Borrowers: If you’re planning to take out a loan for a new home or a car, you may notice higher interest

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