Infographic summarizing the Tacloban school shooting: three columns covering bullying response, firearm access, and the juvenile justice debate, with incident details for June 22, 2026.

Tacloban Wasn’t Supposed to Happen Here — That’s Exactly Why It Did

June 23, 2026

Tacloban Wasn’t Supposed to Happen Here — That’s Exactly Why It Did On a Monday morning that started like any other, students at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City were settling into class around 9:20 a.m. Two minutes later, police were already responding to gunfire. By the time it was over, three students were dead and 20 others wounded — a wounded count that has been revised upward more than once as treatment continued. Two of their classmates — 14 and 15 years old — were in police custody, charged with carrying out the attack themselves. This wasn’t a foreign news story playing out somewhere distant and unfamiliar. It happened at a public school with more than 1,500 students, in a city of

A Filipino Flag symbolizing an independent country is shown against the background of a nation mired in poverty, corruption and flooding.

We Are Independent – But Are We Truly Free?

June 12, 2026

Every year, on June 12, we celebrate Independence Day and the moment our ancestors declared themselves free from foreign rule. We honor the bravery of those who fought, sacrificed, and dreamed of a nation that would govern itself. We remember the flag, the anthem, the heroes, and the long struggle that gave birth to the Republic. However, with all that has been happening with our country, I can’t help but pose this difficult question: Is the Philippines even truly free? Stupid question, you might think, as we have been an independent nation for 128 years now in 2026. Yet what does independence truly mean? Independence was supposed to mean that the Filipino people would be free to determine their own future, protected by strong institutions,

A composite image featuring basketball player Rene 'Bobet' Baterbonia; one section shows him embracing his mother, and another shows him waving goodbye at the airport."

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

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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