As Iloilo City approaches a pivotal leadership transition, a new policy paper from the Institute of Contemporary Economics (ICE) urges the incoming administration to sustain the city’s hard-won development gains and emulate high-performing global cities to unlock its full economic potential. Titled “A Tale of Three Cities (Part 1): Where to
April 3, 2025
Artificial intelligence has taken another leap forward—and journalism may be left in its digital dust. A recent study by the Tow Center for Digital Journalism, published in the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR), casts a glaring spotlight on the performance of eight popular AI-powered search engines. The verdict? They are uniformly
March 28, 2025
In democratic societies, media serves as the essential fourth estate—a watchdog that holds power accountable and provides citizens with information needed to make informed electoral choices. Yet increasingly, this crucial democratic pillar is being systematically compromised through practices that blur the line between journalism and paid propaganda, with devastating consequences
March 27, 2025
When Eraserheads: Combo on the Run was first released in cinemas, the draw was obvious: nostalgia. Here was the biggest Filipino rock band of the ’90s—four boys who changed the sound of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) by accident—sitting together again, revisiting their journey, laughing through old wounds and reanimating the soundtrack of
March 25, 2025
The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by Interpol (with help from the PNP) on orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 11 has ignited a surge of disinformation across social media. Supporters have framed him as a frail victim of injustice, with narratives branding his detention by
March 21, 2025
Local government units (LGUs) across the Philippines are mounting a unified opposition against the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing commercial fishing vessels to operate within municipal waters. This collective resistance underscores the critical role of local leaders in safeguarding marine ecosystems and securing the livelihood of small-scale fishers. The controversial decision
March 20, 2025
A recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) has raised concerns about the growing concentration of media ownership in the Philippines, warning of the risks of monopolistic control. Researchers Ramonette B. Serafica and Queen Cel A. Oren found that a handful of conglomerates and powerful families dominate
February 28, 2025
Iloilo City enters 2025 at a critical economic crossroads, showcasing remarkable growth while grappling with mounting inflationary pressures. The city’s impressive economic resilience and expansion over the past five years have solidified its position among the Philippines’ highly urbanized cities (HUCs). However, rising costs and agricultural challenges threaten its competitiveness
January 27, 2025
As an Eraserheads fan who came of age during their peak in the late ’90s, I saw how their distinct blend of alternative rock, Pinoy punk, and irreverent storytelling shaped not only an entire generation’s musical preferences but also their understanding of Philippine society. Their songs, infused with sharp observations
January 23, 2025