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Thursday, March 20, 2025
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
ONE COMMON ANCESTOR
During the last days of the Lenten saison and Easter Holidays, I experienced again, what it means to have a family. Especially as an expatriate living together with a Philippine family. What a blessing for me!
In his divine wisdom, God intended the family atmosphere where there should be parental love so that every toddling, helpless, fragile child that comes into the world finds warmth, care and security. Family life is, therefore, the first and foremost calling of every married couple.
Understanding how life began and evolved on Earth is a question that has fascinated humans for a long time, and modern scientists have made great advances when it comes to finding some answers. Now, our recent study hopes to offer new insights into the origin of life on Earth.
The first thing one should look for in a married couple, is not how successful they are as lawyers or businessmen or professionals, but how successful they are as family couples and family members. For me, if they fail as a family man or woman, I consider them complete failures in life. Strong words, I know!
According to modern evolutionary biology, all living beings could be descendants of a unique ancestor commonly referred to as the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) of all life on Earth. Common descent is an effect of speciation, in which multiple species derive from a single ancestral population.
Again, strong words! Though a bit exaggerated, there's a lot of truth there. When one gets married, he/she assumes the grave and sacred task and responsibility of begetting and rearing children for God. And if they fail as parents, they fail in his first and foremost obligation to God.
The human family is a sacrament. As such, it is a sign, a witness, that should point to a mirror of unity and love. Of course, the so-called human family is a very imperfect reflection of the so-called "Holy Family", what with all the problems, trials and difficulties. Believe me, also in "my" family, there's a lot of impatience, anger, cruelty, many times NO TIME for one another, lack of communication, callousness or insensitivity to the other's needs.
When my wife and I were newly-married, after coming home from a hard day's work, our dogs would bark and meet me, while my wife brought my slippers. Time changed. My dog will bring the slippers now...! Joke lang!
Let's keep in mind: there's no stressing enough the value and importance of the family. If the basic unit of society is weak, fragmented, decadent, so is the whole country. For as the family, so the country. The Philippines!
The first thing one should look for in a married couple, is not how successful they are as lawyers or businessmen or professionals, but how successful they are as family couples and family members. For me, if they fail as a family man or woman, I consider them complete failures in life. Strong words, I know!
According to modern evolutionary biology, all living beings could be descendants of a unique ancestor commonly referred to as the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) of all life on Earth. Common descent is an effect of speciation, in which multiple species derive from a single ancestral population.
Again, strong words! Though a bit exaggerated, there's a lot of truth there. When one gets married, he/she assumes the grave and sacred task and responsibility of begetting and rearing children for God. And if they fail as parents, they fail in his first and foremost obligation to God.
The human family is a sacrament. As such, it is a sign, a witness, that should point to a mirror of unity and love. Of course, the so-called human family is a very imperfect reflection of the so-called "Holy Family", what with all the problems, trials and difficulties. Believe me, also in "my" family, there's a lot of impatience, anger, cruelty, many times NO TIME for one another, lack of communication, callousness or insensitivity to the other's needs.
When my wife and I were newly-married, after coming home from a hard day's work, our dogs would bark and meet me, while my wife brought my slippers. Time changed. My dog will bring the slippers now...! Joke lang!
Let's keep in mind: there's no stressing enough the value and importance of the family. If the basic unit of society is weak, fragmented, decadent, so is the whole country. For as the family, so the country. The Philippines!
British lawyer Kaufman preparing for ‘strong defense’ to acquit Duterte at ICC
Mar 18, 2025 10:51 PM
British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, the lead counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team, said they are preparing “a strong defense” for the former president’s acquittal in the crimes against humanity of murder case before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Former president Rodrigo Duterte and his British-Israeli lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman (Screengrab from ICC, ABS-CBN News video)
In a chance interview with reporters after a meeting with Duterte in The Hague on Tuesday, March 18 (Netherlands time), the lawyer shared that the former president is “in good spirits and looking forward to conducting his defense.”
“There will be petitions, obviously. Once again, it’s not for me to comment on the defense strategy at this moment in time,” he added when asked about any petitions the defense will file before the Sept. 23 scheduled hearing.
One of the things that the defense plans to raise is under Article 59 of the Rome Statute.
He said Duterte was “completely denied all his rights in the Philippines,” noting “that would obviously be a argument in the course of this defense.”
Article 59 of the Rome Statute outlines that a person subject to an ICC arrest warrant “shall be brought promptly before the competent judicial authority in the custodial State,” which will evaluate the arrest.
But legal experts said that the Philippines is not bound by Article 59 because it is no longer a member of the ICC after Duterte officially withdrew from it in 2019.
Confident of acquittal
Kaufman, who said he had “been involved in a quite few cases” before the ICC, also expressed confidence that the defense team has a strong enough argument for the former president’s acquittal.
“I’m very confident of the strongest defense possible and I’m confident he will be acquitted indeed, even at earliest stage possible,” he assured.
Asked if he would be able to bring Duterte back to the Philippines, the lawyer responded, “I certainly hope so.”
Kaufman shared that he would have access to the former chief executive and promised him that he will be there every day while he’s in The Hague, where Duterte is currently detained.
“I’m available to visit before the (former) president as long as I’m here, (and) as long as I’m allowed to do so. I have promised him that I would come every day that I’m in The Hague,” he said.
Kaufman is a veteran international lawyer who have handled high-profile cases, such as those of Jean-Pierre Bemba, a former Congolese vice president, Aisha Gaddafi, the daughter of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and Maxim Mokom Gwaka, an alleged militia leader from the Central African Republic.
Combat fake news, but keep freedom of expression vibrant
Mar 19, 2025 09:44 AM
Fake news here, fake news there.
The spread of fake news is becoming prevalent in this digital age, where information flows faster than ever. With this development, the spread of disinformation and misinformation has become a dire concern. The advent of social media has allowed unverified claims, often fueled either by malice or ignorance, to reach vast audiences with alarming speed.
Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) was hit twice in succession by fake news at the height of the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Victimizing the ordinary Juan dela Cruz is already bad. Hitting the SC is the worst. It is a gross disrespect for the highest tribunal of the land—the last bastion of democracy that serves as the guardian of our fundamental rights. With this growing issue of fake news, the SC has acknowledged the need to address its spread. This decision, though necessary, raises vital questions on how to strike a balance between protecting the public from the dangers of falsehoods while safeguarding one of the most cherished pillars of democracy—freedom of expression.
The SC’s intervention signals the judiciary’s concern over the escalating impact of fake news on public discourse. It is crucial to understand the pervasive nature of false information, as it can distort public opinion, manipulate electoral outcomes, and even fuel societal divide. In recent years, misinformation has been linked to political unrest, polarized communities, and the erosion of public trust in institutions.
With this in mind, the role of the Supreme Court becomes even more critical. While it is vital to combat the spread of fake news, it must tread carefully to ensure that measures taken do not encroach upon the fundamental right of individuals to freely express their opinions. The fine line between curbing the proliferation of fake news and stifling free speech is razor-thin, and it is up to the Court to define where that line lies.
The right to free expression is enshrined in the Constitution and is essential to the functioning of a democratic society. It allows individuals to speak their minds, criticize government actions, and engage in open debate without fear of retribution. However, the recent surge in fake news calls into question how much room should be allowed for information that has the potential to mislead or harm others. The proliferation of false narratives can have far-reaching consequences, especially when it involves critical issues such as public health, elections, and national security.
In addressing this dilemma, the SC faces a dual responsibility. On one hand, it must protect citizens from the detrimental effects of fake news. It is incumbent upon the government to ensure that information disseminated to the public is accurate and trustworthy, particularly in a climate where misinformation can lead to harmful decisions. On the other hand, the Court must uphold the right to free speech, which is indispensable to democracy. The suppression of expression, even in the face of falsehoods, risks the stifling of dissent and the curtailing of democratic engagement.
The challenge lies in crafting a solution that doesn’t inadvertently muzzle free expression under the guise of combating fake news. The SC may look to precedents from around the world, where efforts to regulate fake news have focused on promoting transparency, accountability, and media literacy. Moreover, social media platforms, where much of the disinformation originates, should be held accountable for the content they distribute, ensuring that algorithms do not amplify harmful falsehoods.
The balance is delicate but achievable. The Supreme Court must craft a framework that takes into account both the public’s right to be protected from misinformation and the need for open discourse.
BingoPlus lights red carpet at the Manila International Film Festival
BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT
Mar 19, 2025 11:33 AM
AT A GLANCE
MIFF showed that the whole country, including BingoPlus, is behind our movie makers.
BingoPlus, the country’s most comprehensive digital entertainment platform, successfully united some of the biggest names in Philippine cinema at the 2nd Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles, California, held on March 7, 2025.
As a major sponsor for the Manila International Film Festival 2025, BingoPlus is privileged to support Filipino filmmakers showcase their talent in the international scene. This partnership garnered opportunities that will help Filipinos explore increased opportunities through filmmaking.
BingoPlus brand ambassador Maine Mendoza Atayde is also joyful about this collaboration, saying that Filipino movie makers are capable of doing more.
“It means so much you know because we never really get the chance to do this worldwide and I think it’s about time for Filipinos to be known globally, I mean we have so much to offer and I
think this is just the beginning.”
A stage like the MIFF is a perfect medium to present the expertise of Philippine cinema to different parts of the world.
In addition, bringing entertainment to the people is among the valued missions of BingoPlus. By sponsoring the MIFF, it has given them a chance to give pleasure and reach wider audiences
through film. Four-time Emmy award winner and author of the Manila International Film Festival, Lisa Lew, says that bringing leisure is the common ground between BingoPlus and MIFF.
“We would love to make sure people enjoy their lives and have a good time. And I think that’s where we really come together. BingoPlus is making an effort to be a part of a broader world.”
Moreover, Song of the Fireflies, directed by King Palisoc, a movie inspired by the Loboc Children’s Choir, won the ‘best picture’ during the awards night. The film also won ‘best actress,’ ‘best supporting actor,’ and ‘best supporting actress.’
First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos was also awarded the ‘visionary award.’ She admired Filipino art when it came to visual creative media. In a statement she said last year during a meeting with famed Filipino directors, she highlighted that it’s time for the Philippine film industry to been recognized on the international stage.
“The best way to help the movie industry is to tell the world that Filipinos are good, we’re talented.”
MIFF showed that the whole country, including BingoPlus, is behind our movie makers. This success marked a significant milestone for the industry. As Filipino films continue to gain
international recognition, the future of Philippine cinema looks brighter than ever.
There's no stopping Illest Morena
BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT
Mar 19, 2025 11:13 AM
AT A GLANCE
The star-studded music video included cameos from Sassa Gurl, Zae, Arkin Magalona, and Jonas Belgica.
From her humble beginnings in the streets of Mandaluyong City to her unwavering success as a female emcee, Illest Morena has proved that authenticity is necessary when making art, evident in her newly released visual for "Stinkalink," a crowd-favorite track from her debut album "Morenita."
2024 was an interesting year for Illest Morena—she released her full-length album, headlined several shows, including Billboard'sMainstage Concert. She received the Top Kalye Song Award for "Faded (Raw)" at the 2024 Spotify Wrapped Party.
Despite being the illest in the game, the 23-year-old artist has no plans to stop. Like everyone else, her priority is to live life to the fullest.
In an exclusive interview, she shared her daily routine to get in the mood for her errands. "I light incense because it makes me feel relaxed. Then, I would make my coffee, journal my feelings, and work," she highlighted.
Love for community
The rapper shared that her upbringing in Mandaluyong City played a pivotal role in her music taste, citing her community as an inspiration for her artistry.
"I used to live in Addition Hills, the city's most congested, most populated area. So, the houses are very close to each other. My neighbors would often play songs from Pinoy hip-hop artists such as Ron Henley, which I'm a huge fan of," she reminisced.
She also mentioned her household as the catalyst for her love of R&B songs, such as Jay-R's "Bakit Pa Ba?" which stuck with her as a little girl.
"Although I'm a rap artist, I love exploring R&B when it comes to my music because it really takes me back to a time when things were simpler and life felt lighter," the artist explained.
It was only a matter of time before she started honing her music with the help of her fellow Mandaleño artists, which enabled her to embrace a unique yet authentic style.
"There was a certain time in my early music days when I couldn't write, and they [Guddhist Gunatita and Ghetto Gecko] invited me to their studio so we could make some songs. I feel like it created this great foundation for me in terms of lyricism because I hung out with some of the greatest hip-hop artists from Mandaluyong," she highlighted.
As a result, her coming-of-age journey as an artist became the motif of her album, a story-driven project inspired by lust, love, and dreams.
From Sneaky Link To Stinkalink
When preparing for her album, Illest stumbled upon a beat given by her producers Radical and SEIS titled "Sneaky Link."
Following her musical intuition, she gravitated towards the beat but had to reframe its meaning. She clung to her life experience as the main inspiration for the song, alluding to how she and her boyfriend started dating.
"During this time, I wrote 'Slow Burn,' a song about my boyfriend and our romance. So, when the beat [for Stinkalink] was given to me, I was already in a relationship and didn't feel like writing something about sneaky links. And it sort of pushed me to instead reminisce about the early stages of our relationship since we started as friends, and I wasn't so sure if he liked me back at the time," she expressed.
This story also became the blueprint of the music video's storyline, referencing 2000s chick flicks such as Mean Girls and White Chicks.
"We had two weeks to prepare for the music video. I've always wanted to fulfill my early 2000s chick flick fantasy and I tried doing that for ‘Pick Up' but we didn't have the budget at the time. As for the storyline, it was inspired by the period when my boyfriend and I used to party and we weren't honest about our feelings. But we would get clingy with each other only when we're drunk," she said.
The star-studded music video included cameos from Sassa Gurl, Zae, Arkin Magalona, and Jonas Belgica.
She shared that one of the reasons behind Sassa's appearance is their supposed resemblance, according to netizens. Meanwhile, her dance battle with Zae is an homage to the female artists who came before her.
"We decided that Sassa would play the old version of me since I get a lot of comments about how we look alike. Then, my dance battle with Zae was so fun to shoot since I was doing it with the artist who made me feel like it was possible to be a female rapper in this country," she shared.
As for the love interest, she wanted someone that resembled his partner.
"Jonas is a good friend of mine and we go way back in 2019 — when we used to dance together in a group called Aces. I thought he could play the role well," the artist recalled.
Arkin Magalona's cameo is the cherry on top, continuing his late father's legacy in the local hip-hop scene. "He [Arkin] is one of the few people I always meet during parties and I knew that he would kill the role of a party boy," she said.
But for Illest, the presence of her long-time fans made the experience memorable and special. "My relationship with my fans is very tight. They inspire me as much as I inspire them. It started off as a small group and I made a group chat for us to directly talk to each other. Then, I invited them to my secret session where they listened to the album way before its release. And they all loved 'Stinkalink,' so I knew I had to include them in the shoot," she shared.
The past and the future
While she is mostly known for her top hits "Pick Up," and "Faded (Raw)," Illest expressed her gratitude for the success that the songs have given her.
"You know, it's really validating. It made me realize that if I did it once, then I could do it again. And it just keeps me motivated to push harder into creating what I want without thinking about the 'formula,' or what other people would say. When I made those two songs, I was only expressing myself and I feel like if I keep doing that, nothing else really matters. I don't have to try to create a hit song. I just make a song and then I let it have its moment," she said.
This unapologetic demeanor resonates with the current landscape of the Filipino music industry, where artists can now freely express themselves without immense pressure from the public eye. However, for Illest, there is a price to pay.
"In exchange for that freedom, you will experience a lot of hardships and sacrifices. But what matters the most is that you should never lose your authenticity, as it would affect your relationship with your craft. I'm just very grateful because people's tastes are more open to genres that were once frowned upon by the masses, especially hip-hop," she mentioned.
The rapper assured that she is constantly making new music and plans to collaborate more with her peers.
"I'm always working on new music because I don't want the feeling of being stagnant. Hopefully, I'll get to do a concert soon, but as of now, I'm just really focusing on creating more music and living life to get more inspiration to write good music," she shared.
Alarming shortage of pharmacists
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:36 AM March 19, 2025
The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) formed to support the government’s economic programs recently sounded the alarm over the shortage of registered pharmacists across the country, just another symptom of the sorry state of the country’s public health-care system.
The situation is dire indeed.
PSAC data showed that the Philippines needs some 57,500 pharmacists but there are only 30,000 as of the latest count, thus the gap of 27,500. And with the country producing just around 4,000 board certified pharmacists every year, and assuming that the demand will stay at current levels, it will take seven years to fill that gap, the advisory council said.
More realistically, it will take even more time than that considering that not all licensed pharmacists actually get to practice their profession, with a number going into the private sector, academe, or fields other than the pharmaceutical sector.
Republic Act No. 5921 or the pharmacy law mandates at least one pharmacist per shift per drugstore or pharmacy, a particularly daunting challenge in the Philippines. Not only are there not enough pharmacists to go around, they are also unevenly spread.
Not surprisingly, the majority of pharmacists end up in the urban centers or in larger hospitals and drugstores, forcing patients in the rural, remote areas of the country to travel far and wide just to get life-saving medicines.
Ideally, there should be one pharmacist per 2,000 people based on the standard of the World Health Organization.
But in the Philippines, the ratio is a paltry 0.57 per 2,000 people, about the same level as in Indonesia and Vietnam, but lagging behind Thailand where the ratio is 0.8 per 2,000, according to PSAC data.
Given that it will take years before the supply can catch up with the demand for pharmacists, the PSAC health cluster led by AC Health chief executive officer Paolo Borromeo proposed that licensed pharmacists be allowed to oversee multiple pharmacies remotely.
This will hasten the expansion of community pharmacies, particularly in underserved regions, thus immediately improving access to essential medicines.
Another suggestion from PSAC was to make the most of telepharmacy services and enhance the role of pharmacy assistants to bring public services closer to those who need them most.
“We are working toward a more equitable and sustainable health-care system,” said Borromeo during the group’s meeting last March 6.
This was not the first time that the worrying lack of pharmacists had been raised.
Back in 2014, the Drugstores Association of the Philippines already warned about the implication of the waning number of students taking up pharmacy, which they said would then pose a significant threat to the future of the country’s pharmaceutical industry.
Among the reasons behind the low number is the lack of appreciation for their role, thus not enough Filipinos are encouraged to enter the field.
“Most often, people would view pharmacists as just salespersons, but they don’t realize that we are health-care professionals behind that counter,” said Ma. Gilda Saljay, then president of the Philippine Pharmacists Association.
The Department of Health also said in 2021 that the Philippines was facing a shortage of 14,000 pharmacists, on top of the shortages in other health-care professionals, from doctors and nurses and even radiologists.
Sen. Pia Cayetano echoed this finding in 2023, when she noted that : “Everything that makes a health system sustainable, we have a shortage (of).”
Clearly, there is no lack of knowledge of how serious the problem with the shortage of medical professionals is, but what is missing is the commitment to go beyond just wringing hands and take decisive action to solve the problem.The Marcos administration can take up the suggestion of PSAC to take the “regulatory sandbox” approach and consider loosening the current requirement so that pharmacists can oversee several pharmacies and drugstores at the same time to multiply their impact.
While that is being considered, the government can think more long term by, for example, providing financial assistance to those who are keen on entering the health-care field but do not have the financial resources to do so. Another way is to introduce a stepladder approach so that those who are already working in the field such as pharmacy assistants can get credits to work their way into becoming registered pharmacists.
Finally, greater appreciation for health-care professionals must be demonstrated by giving them the commensurate salaries and benefits they deserve, including those who risked their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and who are still waiting for their long-delayed allowances.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Jisoo kicks off ‘Lights, Love, Action!’ Asia fan tour in Manila: ‘Mahal ko kayo’
Mar 18, 2025 10:12 AM
K-pop star Jisoo, a member of girl group BLACKPINK, kicked off her solo Asia fan tour in Manila.
The singer and actress, who is currently starring in Prime Video’s zombie series “Newtopia,” held her “Lights, Love, Action!” fan meeting in Manila on March 14 at the Araneta Coliseum.
The fun-filled night saw Jisoo performing before Filipino fans, decorating a gift, playing games, and going to the audience area.
Manila was the first stop in her “Lights, Love, Action!” Asia fan tour. For the whole March, she will be in Bangkok, Tokyo, Macau, Taipei, Hong Kong and Hanoi.
K-pop star and actress Jisoo at her fan meeting in Manila on March 14 (Photos provided by Collective Touring Philippines)
K-pop star and actress Jisoo at her fan meeting in Manila on March 14 (Instagram)
Before the Asia fan tour, Jisoo released his first solo mini-album “Amortage” on Feb. 14, a fusion of the words “amor” (love) and "montage."
“Amortage” sold 523,971 copies by the end of March, based on Hanteo Chart data.
In Manila, Jisoo started the fan meeting by performing “Earthquake,” the main track from “Amortage” followed by “Your Love,” “Tears,” “Hugs & Kisses,” “Flower” and “All Eyes on Me.”
“Long time no see,” Jisoo greeted the crowd. “At first I was very nervous but as I came up the stage and I saw all my Blinks, it felt like a really good sign and I really gained strength.
Jisoo came back to the Philippines after two years since BLACKPINK’s “Born Pink” world tour held in the country in March 2023.
“Even though it's been a long time since I've been here, they hung up banners like this outside and welcomed me so warmly and cheered me on so I really gained strength. It was good from the very beginning,” she said.
Outside the Araneta Coliseum, banners featuring Jisoo were put up in different areas.
When asked which is the most meaningful song for her, Jisoo chose “Your Love,” saying, “The lyrics of this is actually my message to Blinks so every time I see this, I feel like I show all my love.”
On Korean food that she would like to recommend to her Filipino fans, she said, “I really like Korean pancakes like ‘pajeon’ or ‘kimchijeon.’”
Jisoo also picked the words "tough," "cool" and "cute" to describe her personality.
If she could relive one moment in her career, Jisoo said, “The memories of performing are really precious to me so I think this moment of our first fan concert today will be memorable for a long time.”
In one segment, Jisoo decorated an album that was given to a lucky fan and signed it with “mahal kita (I love you).” She also gave away a Polaroid photo with the words “mahal kita.”
In another segment, Jisoo learned Filipino phrases including “mahal ko kayo” (I love you), “masaya ba kayo? (Are you happy?) and “charot” (a Fiipino slang which means “just kidding”).
Jisoo also played charades with fans acting the keywords, including “The Matrix,” “Aladdin,” “Harry Potter,” pencil, computer, bag, clock, cell phone, sticker, glasses, tie, calendar, soccer, doctor and singer.
During her performance of “All Eyes on Me,” Jisoo roamed around the audience area to be close to her fans.
As she wrapped up her fan meeting, Jisoo said she is happy to spend time with fans.
K-pop star and actress Jisoo in Manila on March 14 (Instagram)
K-pop star and actress Jisoo's photo outside the Araneta Coliseum on March 14 (Jonathan Hicap)
“This is my first time doing my first solo tour fan meet. I was actually very much looking forward to it but also worried. But right now even having this time, I guess, it was so much fun that the time just flew and spending time with my Blinks, I really want to just tell you how much happier I am,” said Jisoo.
She added, “And also, of course, I really want to extend my gratitude to everyone, all the staff who have really worked hard to make this performance, to make this happen.”
In an Instagram post, Jisoo wrote, “Thank you for be part of my very first solo fan meeting! Happy to started with big cheers of BLINK Manila. So grateful you made me lovely AMORTAGE. Can‘t wait to see you again! MAHAL KO KAYO, XOXO.”
Jisoo’s “Lights, Love, Action!” Asia fan tour was produced by Paradise E&A, Monday Morning Creative Lab, Askara Nation, and Collective Touring Philippines.
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