To commemorate the 78th anniversary of the end of WWII on Aug. 15, 1945, I’m publishing my book, “The Zigzag Road” the same day. Weaving historical events from the time of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the “Second Pearl Harbor” in the Philippines, “The Zigzag Road” chronicles my father’s journey on foot from Baguio … More Book Launch – “The Zigzag Road”
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?
Filipinos have a unique way of welcoming the New Year. Many of these superstitions have been passed down through generations, and they become part of the Filipino customs and traditions in the belief of ushering in a prosperous New Year. To prepare for New Year’s Eve, Filipinos spend the last days of the … More How Filipinos Welcome the New Year
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 13 of a series) By BEN R. PUNONGBAYAN Founder, Buklod National Political Party The first dozen parts of this commentary series dwell essentially in the exercise of powers of the presidency to make the necessary reforms and take appropriate actions to propel the Philippine nation to greater political … More Reforming the frontline institutions
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
IF I WERE THE NEXT PRESIDENT (Part 11 of a series) By BEN R. PUNONGBAYAN Founder, Buklod National Political Party At present, the Local Government Units (LGUs), with their Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA), are hardly mobilized to get directly involved in economic development. The LGUs have been decentralized since 1991, or a period of 30 … More Engaging LGUs in economic development
While some Filipinos think that the Bank of the Philippine Islands (Banco de las Islas Filipinas, commonly known as BPI) is the first bank in the Philippines, it was not. BPI was founded on August 1, 1851, during the Spanish colonial era of the Philippines. It was called “El Banco Español Filipino de Isabel II, … More Francisco Rodriguez and the first Philippine bank
IF I WERE THE NEXT PRESIDENT (Part 10 of a series) By BEN R. PUNONGBAYAN Founder, Buklod National Political Party Investments, and in the case of the Philippines, foreign investments, is a big factor in driving economic growth. Unfortunately, for the past many years, the country has been behind most of our neighboring countries in … More Leapfrogging to Higher Economic Growth (2)
IF I WERE THE NEXT PRESIDENT (Part 9 of a series) By BEN R. PUNONGBAYAN Founder, Buklod National Political Party Since about five decades ago, the Philippine economy has gone what appears to be an irreversible downward spiral in comparison with our now 9 ASEAN neighbors. As shown in a World Bank report, in 2020, the … More Leapfrogging to higher economic growth
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