Mabini Hall

What do you think of Lozada? That question has been ringing in our ears for the past several days. It is not going anywhere anytime soon. Protest actions abound, hearings continue, rumors spread and confusion reigns. We need to make sense of what is going on. Either that or ignore. Walk away. Focus on what you do best and know that you are helping in your own corner of the world. Read the rest »

I am closely following the Obama-Clinton race for the Democratic nomination. In a sense, the ensuing US presidential elections in November is anticlimactic—the running consensus is that it is a Democratic year, the year that the Democrats win back the White House from Bush II and the Republicans’ big America policy.

The J. Lo episode (Jun Lozada for those not in the know) seems to be running a predictable course. Hence my lack of interest with the outcomes. Read the rest »

YOU want to change the system of government. There was a move to rename our country “Mabuhay.” We talk about bagong bayani. A new beginning, a clean break from the past, we need this like we need dedicated leaders now. A proposal: why not call our currency the Philippine dollar? At the current levels 15 pesos stronger than two years ago, it is time we call it by a new name to reflect its enhanced value. Read the rest »

GOOD news continues to be under-reported. Bad news sells because it happens out of the ordinary and the expected. Accidents, crimes of passion and infidelity are not supposed to happen in the scheme of things but they do happen more than the normal events. The blind man’s chair is one good news that seems typical enough. Read the rest »

DON’T look now but the Philippines is set to become the mecca for art and culture in Asia. For all our vaunted creativity, profuse diversity and open society, we sorely need a focal point for aspiring artists, social entrepreneurs and dreamers. This is where the CCP story unfolds. And if you haven’t been to CCP, barring personal constraints, you’re not Filipino. Read the rest »

FOR the geographically challenged, BESRA sounds like a place in Iraq. Or maybe a new Disney character. It could also be an upcoming rock and roll band. It actually stands for Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda—the overarching goal of the Department of Education (DepEd) to attain functional literacy by 2015. It is now in its second year of implementation. Read the rest »

I don’t want to be a killjoy but it is time you know about Article 318. It happens the whole year through and becomes acute in the countdown to the New Year when all the manghuhulas fortune tellers come out with their predictions. It is the business of palm reading, tarot card reading, interpreting signs, weaving dreams and trances and séances. Who hasn’t been to one in times of doubt, confusion and despair? Read the rest »

I PEER into my crystal ball and what do I see? A stronger peso yet to hover 38 to a dollar. Whatever measures taken will not work simply because we are in uncharted territories. The peso has never appreciated historically and at these dramatic levels. The dollar will taper off if the United States pulls out of Iraq with the US$300-billion annual price tag and the Fed successfully navigates out of the subprime crisis. Hillary of course wins the presidential election in Nov. 2008. Read the rest »