IF I WERE THE NEXT PRESIDENT (Part 15 and last of a series) By BEN R. PUNONGBAYAN Founder, Buklod National Political Party We need the right leader to make the many programs articulated in this Commentary Series happen. Unfortunately, we cannot find that person from the present cohort of political leaders. These present leaders are … More So, what now?
IF I WERE THE NEXT PRESIDENT (Part 14 of a series) By BEN R. PUNONGBAYAN Founder, Buklod National Political Party In the earlier parts of this Commentary Series, I dwell on the more important reforms and actions that the government must do to make the lives of the Filipino people much better, achieve higher economic … More Acculturating essential values
IF I WERE THE NEXT PRESIDENT (Part 12 of a series) By BEN R. PUNONGBAYAN Founder, Buklod National Political Party Corruption, sadly, has become endemic in the Philippines. It is a big obstacle to economic growth and the reduction of economic inequality. The huge amount of money that leaks out is not spent for the … More Combating Corruption
Photo Courtesy || Gabino P. Ganggangan @ DSWD – CAR I saw this on the Baguio City Facebook page and it is a must share to show the world of how compassionate and considerate Cordillerans are. At a time when the world is suffering from COVID-19 and everyone is worried about their lives … More People of Cordillera Mountains Show the World that We Heal as One.
At the end of WWII, with public transport virtually nonexistent, the U.S. Army released surplus jeeps, and enterprising Filipinos converted them into passenger vehicles called Jeepney by lengthening the bodies. Garishly colored jeepneys are as essential and ubiquitous in the Philippines as double-decker buses are in London. The jeepney gets you everywhere you … More Jeepney – A symbol of Filipino Ingenuity
I know this is a controversial post for Westerners so please be warned that some parts of this post might be offensive to some. Unlike football which I consider violent sport and never a fan of it, football players end up with head injuries that can kill the players or cause dementia or Alzheimer in … More Cockfighting – How the game is played
Like England’s foxhunts, and Spain’s bullfights, cockfighting is a blood-sport between two cocks held in a ring called a cockpit. Crowds of people watch the fights, in an enclosed cockpit or an open makeshift one. The pits look like miniature stadiums. Rural game pits usually consist of a wooden structure with a tin roof to … More Cockfighting – An Ancient Sport in the Philippines
After the eruption of Taal Volcano, I have been seeing more news about the faith of the Batangueños, the people of Batangas. I’m from Alitagtag and the most revered patron saint of our town is the Mahal na Poong Santa Cruz, (The Holy Cross). It has been the belief of the people of our town … More What do you know about the Holy Cross of Alitagtag?
sHave you been to a Filipino home? What was the first thing you noticed? Most Filipinos have religious statues of saints in their homes. That can range from a statue of Santo Niño or a statue of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes or Our Lady of Fatima. Also, you might see a picture … More What’s prominent in a Filipino home?
In the Philippines, the formal Christmas celebrations start on Dec. 16 when people go to the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses culminating on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. It is called Simbang Gabi in Filipino, also called Misas de Gallo. It’s always the day I start decorating the house for Christmas. It is … More Christmas in the Philippines
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