Anatomy of resistance

 

Inside Jeho Bitancor's studio and exhibit 'Sa Pagitan ng Bangungot at Bahaghari'

By S.C. Fojas

Published Sep 13, 2026 01:13 pm

At A Glance

• The painting resembles an image that explodes, like a volcano or a bomb. Only this time, exploding particles are actually composed of human figures in various poses, contortions, and seeming acts of defiance.     Behind the striking socio-political tableaus of Jeho Bitancor's latest exhibit, “Sa Pagitan ng Bangungot at Bahaghari” at Art Cube Gallery, lies a physical space of intense labor. Describing his workspace as “where all the magic happens,” Jeho views his studio as “the witness for countless hours of struggle and eventual victory.” This raw, tangible energy pulses through his current collection, where meticulously layered acrylic textures and luminous oil glazes give form to the heavy duality of human survival and political oppression.

MEET THE ARTIST Jeho Bitancor

The exhibit’s thematic weight is deeply rooted in a duality of opposing forces—trapped between truth and fallacy, dominance and submission, and compassion and indifference. This tension is physically manifested in works like “Tatag ng Tindig and Sa Panahon ng Ligalig,” where precarious scaffolding, wooden structures, and makeshift nests serve as both shelters and traps. Figures are woven tightly into these architectural frames, using their bodies to prop up collapsing systems or construct fragile spaces of sanctuary amid systemic turmoil.

‘SALUNGAT NA LANDAS,’ 4x8 feet, oil on canvas, 2026

‘BALIKWAS,’ 4x5 feet, oil on canvas, 2026

Jeho’s technical mastery drives this narrative forward, shaped by a deliberate evolution of mediums. Reflecting on his process, he shares: “Since my student days, the medium’s properties and behavior have allowed me to achieve the effects I needed to deliver the message with impact. The use of acrylics as a base also presented opportunities to explore texture, color, and other abstract qualities. The moment I discovered oils’ flexibility in terms of achieving transparency and opacity at the same time, it has been my medium of choice.”

This material approach anchors his creative workflow, which begins long before paint touches canvas: “I let the idea float over my head over time and wait until it’s ripe enough to be recorded on paper as a thumbnail study. It will undergo different stages of reworking until the final composition takes form.”

‘KALIGTASANG BAGWIS,’ 4x5 feet, oil on canvas, 2026

‘PUGAD NG PAGTUTOL,’ 4x5 feet, oil on canvas, 2026

Once the structural foundation is set, Jeho builds his distinct surfaces: “I will start with textures and effects using acrylic. I will then add oil on top, from glazes to the final touch of opaque paint. I want to create noise in the surface by employing different techniques of handling the paint.”

This tactile chaos translates directly onto the gallery walls, perfectly embodied by “Balikuwas.” Describing the piece, Jeho notes: “The painting resembles an image that explodes, like a volcano or a bomb. Only this time, exploding particles are actually composed of human figures in various poses, contortions, and seeming acts of defiance.”

Similarly, works like “Kaligtasang Bagwis” and “Sandalang Kapanalig” introduce recurring motifs like wings, vines, and ladders, offering threads of redemption and spiritual resistance. The figures do not succumb to despair; instead, they organize, gather, and hold their ground, transforming pain into an active, collective stance against oppression.

‘TATAG NG TINDIG 2,’ 4x5 feet, oil on canvas, 2026

‘SA PANAHON NG LIGALIG,’ 4x5 feet, oil on canvas, 2026

By bridging the chaotic physicality of his studio with the soaring, desperate architecture of his compositions, Jeho ensures his exhibit resonates far beyond the gallery walls. His final words on the collection serve as both a warning and an enduring ethos for the viewer: “This is a wake-up call. Let us be more discerning and vigilant. Our plight is a result of our (in)action.”

“Sa Pagitan ng Bangungot at Bahaghari” runs until Sept. 26 at Art Cube Gallery, OPVI Centre, 2295 Chino Roces Ext., Makati City

Michelle Dee, Rhian Ramos score legal win as Makati prosecutor dismisses complaints

By Neil Ramos 

Published Sep 15, 2026 10:06 am

At A Glance

• Michelle Dee, Rhian Ramos, and Samantha Panlilio are no longer facing complaints for alleged physical abuse and unlawful detention after the Makati City Prosecutor's Office found insufficient evidence to support the cases.

The Makati City Prosecutor’s Office has thrown out the complaints filed against Michelle Dee, Rhian Ramos, and Samantha Panlilio over allegations of physical abuse and unlawful detention.

The dismissal was based on insufficient evidence, according to the prosecutor’s resolution dated Sept. 1.

The complaints were filed by a man identified as alias “Totoy,” who accused the three celebrities of slight physical injuries, maltreatment, and unlawful arrest.  

Among his allegations was that he had been kept inside a condominium unit against his will. The prosecutor, however, found that Totoy failed to establish that he had been forced to remain there.

The dispute dates back to January, when Totoy accused Michelle, Rhian, and Samantha of assaulting and mistreating him. He also alleged that the incident was connected to an “angpao” he had reportedly taken, which was said to contain private and sensitive photographs.

The three celebrities have denied the allegations.

The latest development does not end the legal dispute between the parties. Separate complaints involving theft and perjury filed by Michelle and Rhian against Totoy remain pending.  

Meanwhile, the group assisting Totoy has indicated that it intends to challenge the prosecutor’s dismissal.

THE COLORS OF MY LIFE

SOME people view life as a complex mixture of every human feeling, while others reduce it to simple dualities. Violet stands for joy, indigo for knowledge, blue for peace, green for love, yellow for tranquility, orange for sanctity, and red for strength. The union of all these rays creates energy within human beings and guides us through life with seven precious qualities from God.

The Ups and Downs of Our Life. We all live our lives through the prism of our experiences and emotions. And, naturally, we all want to live a happy life.

Therefore, the colors of life that we discover throughout our journey on Earth represent the different ways in which we see and interpret the world around us.

I have always been fascinated by Celine Dion’s song “The Colour of My Love”: “I’ll paint my mood in shades of blue; paint my soul to be with you…” and “I’ll paint the truth, show how I feel…” The colors of love are also the colors of life.

Passion and ignorance — our intense emotions and our uninstructed or unlearned behavior — are not always justifiable reasons for pardoning the guilty. Those words may sound rough and unpleasant, but sometimes they need to be expressed clearly and directly so that they reach our minds and hearts.

However, the weight of evidence may point to the fact that failure to see the different colors of life can lead to unnecessary death and injury. We may be barreling down the tracks of life with plenty of people in tow. Our decisions can influence friends, relatives, colleagues, and others in our daily surroundings. I don’t like your style? Still, you belong to the colors of my life…!

The colors of life are not always colorful. Many times, we may also find ourselves going through black-and-white periods.

What makes your life colorful? Be curious; make it your mission to discover new ideas, places, people, and interests. Be expressive; don’t be afraid to speak your mind and communicate your feelings to others. Take the initiative; don’t sit around waiting for permission to do what you love.

Life is full of colors. In our lives, we see bright colors — the happy, hopeful, and positive moments that make life beautiful. But life would not be complete without challenges and problems. Just as a picture needs contrast, the colors of life would not be complete without the darker ones.

Here is another important person. He was born in a stable. His friends were fishermen. He never traveled far beyond his homeland. He died in disgrace while he was still a young man. And yet, through the centuries and around the world, Jesus of Nazareth, through his life and teachings, has inspired more people than anyone else who ever walked this earth. He, too, became one of the most important colors of my life!

***

Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, X (Twitter), or LinkedIn, or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com./PN

No limit in the sky

 

By Klaus Döring

“No limit in the sky” is a popular phrase and lyrical theme meaning that success and potential are endless. It appears in various creative works, including songs by artists like ChaptrTwo and Vict Molina, as a motivational expression of freedom and boundless opportunity.

Some people have money to burn! Every time I observe them, I feel that their money is going down the drain. Yes, “money talks.” The more money you have, the more avaricious you might become. Every time we have to dig deeper into our pockets, we might long to be like those people who don’t see the difference between a PHP 500 or PHP 1,000 bill.

I am really not rich! I also wouldn’t hesitate to say that I would like to be! Being rich means having wealth. Wealth is abundance, opulence, and affluence. Affluence can quickly become an influence. Dyed-in-the-wool millionaires or even multimillionaires often lose their view of reality. They can’t even see the horizon, which could be the demarcation of their real estate. They don’t even recognize the wonderful flowers growing and blooming in their gardens.

Money calms us down! Sure. No doubt at all! We all need an income to survive and meet our daily needs — and maybe a little bit more. Many of us struggle through life and work like slaves for a pitiful daily minimum wage. If you’re rich, you might be on top. But believe me, once you are on top, you will have some unwelcome, though mostly unavoidable, companions such as loneliness, so-called friends (!), parasites, and freeloaders.

These companions will make you scream in pain because you will start missing the things you expected from them: real friendship, love, care, comprehension, understanding, sympathy, and appreciation. Remember such things? Miss such things?

Yes, money can give you a wonderful sleep, and you might stay in one of the most luxurious beds — yet be awake while your poorest neighbor sleeps better and more peacefully on the floor. There are many sayings about money. I like this one: Money can buy books but not brains. You might study a lot and gain a great deal of experience; it’s just a pity if you don’t use it at the right time for the right people around you.

Money can buy food but not appetite. Who reaps the benefits of it? A store room filled to overflowing will never be satisfying if sour freeloaders join your table and push away your real friends.

Our last earthly dress has no pockets. The remembrance of how we acted and lived together with our fellow human beings will remain forever. With money, we might be able to let the devil dance. But money alone doesn’t make us happy. Money kills more people and friendships than a cudgel.

The more money, the more problems.

The more money we have, the more we have to pay, and the higher our bills become.

MY PRAYERS AND ME

Prayer is how we as Christians draw close to God as well as a necessary condition for us to be moved by the Holy Spirit, and enlightened and illuminated by God. If we genuinely pray to God, and understand the principles and practices of prayer, when we encounter difficulties or dilemmas in our life, we’ll be able to face them in a relaxed way.

“The Power of Prayer” is a 2020 song by Bruce Springsteen from his album Letter to You. It was only released as a radio single, and a promotional video was released on November 23, a month after the release of the album.

The song has a spiritual language. Springsteen was born in a Roman Catholic household, and that turned him off religion, but he didn’t lose his faith. The video features archival footage from his youth and clips of Springsteen and the E Street Band working on the song in the studio. The message of the video is about old friends he’s lost and the optimism of that era, reflected in the footage of Jersey Shore in the summertime during Springsteen’s youth. 

When tragedy strikes, it’s easy to harden our hearts and cry out, “God, why did you let this happen?” Maybe then, we started praying. Before, when everything went smoothly, we would not even think a minute about praying… .

“To be a Christian without prayer, “said Martin Luther, “is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Prayer is the only way of becoming what God wants us to be. This is the reason why Jesus spent many hours praying.

Unquestionable, our needs bring us to a place of prayer. Confronted with danger or tragedies, as I mentioned earlier, we look for God’s help. Difficult times always cause the hearts of men to turn to God into prayer.

Let me ask you: How long has it been since you’ve brought your burdens to God? Since you asked His forgiveness for your shortcomings?

In his very interesting book “People in Prayer”, Dr. John White reminds us that prayer is a divine-human interaction and it is always God who takes the initiative. White writes: “God speaks and we respond. God is always speaking. To hear his voice is not usually a mystical experience. It consists merely of a willingness to pay heed to God who lays a claim to our lives.”

Yes, God always speaks. It is up to us whether we will listen and respond to Him. Many think we are the ones who initiate prayer. But prayers begin and end with God.

There was a time, I wasn’t in the mood to pray any more. It seemed that God didn’t listen to my prayer any more. I didn’t get what I prayed for. Of course, not… ! That’s not the meaning of praying to God. Will all my wishes be granted? Heaven forbid!

Sometimes, after we have prayed, God’s answers may puzzle us. But as time goes by and as events unfold we see God’s purpose in His answers. We might get a larger vision, what HE likes. Not what WE like… .

Think about it for a moment: How does the idea that prayer begins and ends with God affect me now? Do I have the habit of listening to God? How do I respond to Him? How do I usually pray?

I confess that a long time ago I have been trying to persuade God to change other people in my surroundings or circumstances. Nothing changed. Of course not, what a fatal attraction? I got confused because God never granted my requests. Meanwhile I got God’s answers to my prayers. Maybe very simple: I was willing to let God change me… .This is how each one of us should start. Happy endings. Because I prayed according to His will… .

Nowadays, I live a wonderful life in my second and last home, the Philippines. I never regretted moving here for good. I have everything I could ask for. I can do everything I wish to do. Thank you Lord for all the blessings  

'Filipiñana' to represent PH at 2027 Oscars

By Neil Ramos

Rafael Manuel’s feature film “Filipiñana” has been selected as the Philippines’ official entry for the 2027 Academy Awards, where it will compete in the Best International Feature Film category.

Rafael Manuel’s feature film “Filipiñana” has been selected as the Philippines’ official entry for the 2027 Academy Awards, where it will compete in the Best International Feature Film category.

The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) announced the decision of its National Selection Committee on September 13, choosing “Filipiñana” from a field of eight shortlisted Philippine films.

The other shortlisted titles were “58th,” “All the Things I Leave You (Patawid),” “I’mPerfect,” “Manila’s Finest,” “Quezon,” “Silenced Nights,” and “Sisa.”

“Filipiñana” is an expansion of Manuel’s award-winning short film of the same name. The feature centers on Isabel, played by Jorrybel Agoto, who works as a tee girl at an exclusive country club.

The film uses the country-club setting to explore issues involving social class, power and labor. Its story also examines the relationships between people occupying very different positions within an unequal social environment.

Much of the story unfolds during a single day at the country club, where Isabel gradually encounters the tensions and hidden histories beneath its privileged surroundings.

No Philippine film has yet received a nomination in the Academy’s International Feature Film category.

“Magellan,” the Philippines’ previous submission, was regarded as a particularly strong contender for advancing to the Academy’s first cut.

Being designated as the Philippines’ official submission does not guarantee “Filipiñana” a place on the shortlist or among the eventual nominees. The film will have to advance through the Academy’s selection process before it can compete for an Oscar nomination.

Over 46,000 people remain in evacuation centers due to 'habagat', cyclones — DSWD

 A total of 10,442,307 people or 2,981,477 families were affected by weather disturbances

By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz

Published Sep 13, 2026 01:45 pm

At A Glance

• DSWD said the weather disturbances and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) affected 6,923 barangays across the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions I, II, III, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, V, VI, VIII, and IX.
• DSWD has so far spent ₱2.54 billion for humanitarian assistance.

DSWD

More than 46,000 people displaced by the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and several tropical cyclones were still staying in evacuation centers as of Sunday morning, Sept. 13.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that 46,424 persons or 13,166 families remained in 570 evacuation centers across affected areas.

Another 76,540 displaced persons or 20,956 families were staying outside evacuation centers with relatives or friends.

DSWD said the weather disturbances and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) affected 6,923 barangays across the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions I, II, III, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, V, VI, VIII, and IX.

A total of 10,442,307 people or 2,981,477 families were affected.

DSWD has so far spent ₱2.54 billion for humanitarian assistance, while ₱3.54 billion in relief resources remains available, including ₱239.55 million in quick response funds and ₱3.30 billion worth of food and non-food items.

The agency also reported 610 totally damaged houses and 3,965 partially damaged houses.

As of 6 a.m. Sunday, DSWD had provided social protection services to 739 beneficiaries, while 31 women-friendly spaces, 210 psychological first-aid interventions, and 31 child-friendly spaces were reported in the affected areas.

PNP ready for BARMM’s inaugural election and Manilbela’s transport strike

 

Shown in photo is the 887 personnel of Police Regional Office 13 that set for deployment to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to support the security and electoral requirements of the 1st 2026 BARMM Parliamentary Elections.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) declared all systems go for the security of Sept. 14 elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) despite two reported violent incidents on the eve of the historic parliamentary polls. Read more

Senators on Sunday expressed high expectations on the outcome of the first regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which they hope would be a peaceful and orderly electoral exercise. Read more

Meanwhile, Transport group Manibela is set to hold a strike starting Monday, Sept. 14 to protest the continuing increases in oil price hikes. Police were already alerted to ensure order and safety in their protest sites. Read more

Is bitter coffee with no milk and sugar healthy?

 

Lillie Samuel

 ·

Travel expert, luxury bag collector.

What effects does long-term coffee drinking have on your health?

☕Black coffee refers to coffee without sugar or milk. What are the 

effects of long-term black coffee consumption on our bodies? Let's take a look.

✅Reduces edema

✅Burns fat

✅Prevents depression

✅Invigorates the mind

✅Promotes intestinal motility

✅Prevents cardiovascular disease

✅Prevents gallstones

✅Prevents mental illnesses such as Alzheimer's

But don't drink too much. 1-2 cups a day is ideal.

1.3M views

Extra big everything

 

by Gevan Raye Madanlo Yap

|September 14, 2026

Growing up, I never thought having an extra could be something to regret. Like an extra big pancit canton.

One pack always seemed too little, but two felt too much. Somehow, it leaves you wanting more while making you wonder why you cooked so many in the first place.

For some people, pancit canton is comfort food at midnight. For others, it is their go-to meal while working on a thesis. For many, it is simply the most affordable thing they can eat. In my case, as someone born and raised in the province, I never knew “extra.”  I only knew “enough.”

In a big family like mine, an extra big pancit canton was never really mine. It was meant to be shared. Even when my mother cooked three packs, it somehow still left me wanting more. Maybe that is why I always wondered what it felt like to have an extra. What does it mean to have more than enough? The truth is, I did not know.

In school, I was taught to join extracurricular activities because extra experiences were always better. They came with extra opportunities and extra points. In life, I was taught to dream extra big. As people would say, “Mangangarap ka na lang din, lakihan mo na (If you’re going to dream anyway, dream big).”

So I did.

I dreamed big. But no one told me that “extra” could also be overwhelming.

I finished high school with many awards. Some would call that extra. I delivered a long valedictory speech because of the extra points that raised my average. And in the province, or maybe in life itself, once you become that student, people begin writing a future for you.

You are supposed to study in an extra big school. You are supposed to take an extra difficult program. You are supposed to move to an extra big city.

Now, I am here.

An extra big city. An extra large crowd. Carrying what I believed was an extra big dream.

Then reality arrived. Not all at once, but enough to make itself known.

I learned that having an extra dream requires extra energy. Extra strength. Extra time. Extra money. To have an extra is to carry an extra. And somewhere along the way, I got tired. I failed. I cried. I got lost. For a while, I thought I had lost my extra. The spark I thought would always be there. I was extra tired. Extra scared. Extra uncertain. I never thought I would feel that way.

I never thought the boy who once stood behind a podium would someday struggle to recognize himself. But then I realized something.

This, too, is an extra. I am not the same person I was before. I am stronger. Bolder. And somehow, happier. Not because everything worked out. But because I survived the things I once thought would break me.

I am still searching for another extra. Maybe an extra motivation. A new spark. A new goal. But I no longer think I need to be extraordinary just to belong here.

I do not need countless achievements to prove that I am alive. I do not need an extra anything to know that I am enough. Sometimes we are extra weak. Extra scared. Extra confused. And that is okay.

I live in an extra big city where, honestly, nobody has the time to wonder whether your dreams are bigger than theirs. People are busy carrying their own extras. Their own worries. Their own expectations. Their own battles. And strangely, that comforts me.

I still miss the younger version of myself sometimes. The hopeful one. The dream-filled one. But then I remember that he is still here. He did not disappear. He just grew up.

Now we are here. In this extra overwhelming place. Surrounded by extra big buildings, extra busy streets, and extra loud dreams. Still surviving. And that is extra good.

Today, I still carry many extras in my life. I used to have a bigger bed than the one my small apartment offers. I used to have more space.

More certainty. More familiarity. But I am okay.

At least I am here.

And now, I can eat an extra big pancit canton all by myself. Though I still cannot finish two packs.

Maybe that is the lesson.

Sometimes having an extra means worrying extra and working extra.

Sometimes it means carrying more than you expected.

But sometimes it also means being lucky enough to have more than enough.

So wherever life finds you, good luck with your extras.