I JUST found myself Tuesday night in a mall in Jaro, the birthplace of Fray Botod author Graciano Lopez-Jaena, rushing to catch ‘GomBurZa,’ a film that resonates deeply with the Filipino soul. The movie, another Jesuit Communications-backed masterpiece, is a poignant reminder of a crucial yet often overlooked chapter in Philippine
December 28, 2023
BENEATH the shimmering lights, sumptuous food, joyous carols, and colorful festivities of Christmas lies an aspect that needs to be more visible and often neglected. This season not only brings cheer but also invites us to delve into this holiday’s profound and unvarnished origins, contemplating its true essence. The conventional portrayal
December 23, 2023
HAVE YOU ever noticed that in many disaster movies, there is a scene where a scientist urgently tries to warn people about an approaching disaster, but no one listens? It’s a common theme in films like “Don’t Look Up,” “Volcano,” “Dante’s Peak,” “Outbreak,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” “2012,” “San Andreas,” “Contagion,”
December 23, 2023
I RECENTLY found myself in the enviable position of being invited to a series of reunions. These gatherings ranged from my grade school classmates at Bo. Obrero Elementary School to my Ateneo de Iloilo family via their “Big Blue Night” for alumni and through the wedding of my former Ignatian formators.
December 22, 2023
ACCREDITATION, while seemingly mundane in education, holds immense significance as a gold standard that certifies educational programs and institutions against specific benchmarks. However, the complexities and challenges underlying accreditation come to light when examining its application in the Philippine educational context. A prominent issue plaguing the Philippine accreditation system is its
December 20, 2023
THE VALUE of fact-checking has never been more pronounced than in today’s era, where information is as ubiquitous as the air we breathe. The digital landscape, while a marvel of the 21st century, has become a double-edged sword. It provides us with immediate access to a wealth of information but also
December 19, 2023
IN HISTORY, few command the blend of intellectual fire and radical activism quite like the maverick Ilonggo Graciano Lopez Jaena. Born exactly 167 years ago on December 18 in Jaro, Iloilo, Jaena’s journey from a zealous youngster to a leading light in the Philippine Propaganda Movement presents a stirring narrative of
December 18, 2023
THERE is an amplified clamor to reconsider what students learn during their foundational school years, especially in this age defined by rapid technological advances, raging hormones, and seismic socio-economic shifts. While classics like math, science, and the humanities lay the cognitive bedrock for our youth, there is an increasing need to
December 17, 2023
IN THE realm of cinema, where storytelling meets artistry, there exists a treasure trove of films that have left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. As a fervent movie enthusiast, I find immense joy in revisiting these timeless classics that have made an enduring impact on me. To end
December 16, 2023
PERMIT me to share another masterpiece, “Schindler’s List,” a film that stands alongside my other top “movie of all time” pick, “Braveheart,” as a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact of cinema. “Schindler’s List,” directed and produced by the legendary Steven Spielberg, is an epic historical drama released
December 15, 2023
I HAVE written ten articles already featuring my top movies of all time. These iconic films were 2. Forrest Gump, 3. The Green Mile and Castaway, 4. Shawshank Redemption and Finding Nemo, 5. The Matrix and John Wick Trilogy, 6. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, 7. Star Wars Series and
December 14, 2023
WE HAVE etched an unenviable consistency in global educational rankings. The latest PISA 2022 data affirms this, firmly anchoring us at the lower tiers in reading, mathematics, and science. This chronic underperformance is more than a statistical blip; it reveals a profound and systemic malaise in the Philippine educational landscape. This
December 12, 2023