Category: Local

by Jantzen Loza Artist Statement “Ako Ay May Lobo” (translated, I have a balloon) is a Filipino children’s folk song about a child who chooses a balloon over a meal, only for the balloon to pop, leaving them with neither. In a homonymous poem written by my older brother, Franz, he uses this title as…

By Willie Jose This is welcome news for foreign retirees worldwide, especially Filipino expatriates who have spent many years abroad. They now have an even stronger reason to return home and enjoy their retirement in the country, as the Philippines has been named the Best Retirement Destination for 2026 in the Expatriate Group’s Retirement Abroad…

By Willie Jose Wherever we are in the world—in the US, Canada, Australia, or Middle East countries—far from our families back home, they are always in our thoughts. We remain deeply rooted in their lives, and whatever comfort or success we experience abroad, we naturally want to share those blessings with the loved ones we…

By Grace Fitzgerald As we approach the 54th anniversary of President Ferdinand Marcos’ proclamation of martial law over the Philippines, we must remember the hostile political state that drove hundreds of thousands of Filipinos to seek sanctuary in the United States, and we should recognize the courageous, innovative FilAm activists who persistently fought against the…

By Willie Jose Working in a newspaper during those early years of martial law in the 70s was not so hard or fearsome; all the papers had to do was publish “positive stories” about the workings of government and the country —and follow Malacañang’s directives. Those martial law years were the heyday for press releases,…

By Willie Jose During my recent visit to the Philippines, I couldn’t help but notice the apparent breakdown in drivers’ discipline and their little or no regard for traffic laws — it’s a free-for-all over there. Drivers could pick up passengers anywhere on the streets, even stopping in the middle of the road. While driving,…