29 June 2025 By Lorraine Badoy Sunday Chika About PRRDs House About a year ago, I was eating durian with PRRD along Magsaysay Ave in Davao City (bare fingers and Coke Zero as chaser) at 130 am (!!).  And while I was filling him in on the latest chismax about the ugly and vulgar mansions of various officials in government bought with money obviously stolen from the Filipino people -like the billion peso house of this and that in Forbes, PRRD listened intently then said, “Nakokornihan ako sa kanila.”  Me: Why sir?  And because I wanted to play devil’s advocate, “Don’t you want the same for yourself?”  Him: No. What for? Me: Well, I guess, better neighborhood, quieter streets, more privacy? Him: No. I am happy with what I have.  And what did he have?  The first time I walked inside his house in Dona Luisa, I was so moved. Anyone who ever saw the inside of his house will be certain of one thing.  This was a President who had the opportunity to steal BILLI...

25 June 2025 By Melany Amante Mabao Maguindanao  Hala oi, daghan jud masuko sa ako ane, Pero, once upon a time, Latin honors marked excellence. They were earned through grit, deep learning, and real mastery. Today, they’ve become checkpoints for performance, stripped of meaning. We are witnessing a flood of graduates with Latin honors—and while that sounds like progress, it’s time we asked hard questions: What are we really rewarding? Today’s students navigate a vastly different academic landscape: The K–12 system gave them more preparation before college. Pandemic-era leniency normalized grade inflation and no-fail systems. AI tools like ChatGPT make it possible to produce polished outputs in seconds—no critical thinking required.Yet we still measure academic excellence using the same outdated metrics, designed for a world without senior high, without automated tools, and without 24/7 access to answers. But that’s not all. There’s a deeper erosion happening beneath the surface.Mor...

23 June 2025 By Duoi Ampilan  #LUPI: Where the sea Whispers and Hearts Welcome   Nestled along the shimmering shores of Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon, lies a hidden gem that lingers in the soul long after you leave, it is Barangay Lupi.  More than just a coastal community, Lupi is a testament to resilience, warmth, and the quiet beauty of simple living. Facing the vast embrace of the Philippine Sea and the mighty Pacific Ocean, this place is not just defined by its geography, but by the spirit of its people.   The long stretch of shoreline in Lupi is more than just sand and waves—it’s a canvas of dreams. Local resorts, though humble, pulse with untapped potential, waiting to share their charm with the world. The sea breeze carries whispers of opportunity, inviting travelers to discover its untouched beauty. Here, tourism isn’t just an industry; it’s a future waiting to unfold, a chance for Lupi’s stories to be told beyond its shores.   But what truly make...

Lifted from SagaSphere Why Do Filipinos Still Eat Rice on Banana Leaves During Outings? In Filipino culture, eating rice on banana leaves—or is more than just a quirky picnic habit. It’s a nostalgic and communal way of eating that symbolizes bonding, simplicity, and connection to nature. This traditional practice, often seen during beach trips, fiestas, or family reunions, turns every meal into a shared experience. It's practical, too—no need for plates or cleanup! The banana leaf, especially, adds a distinct aroma to the food and is eco-friendly. For many, it brings back memories of childhood, province life, and good times with loved ones. This simple act captures the heart of Filipino values: togetherness, resourcefulness, and joy in the little things.

18 June 2025 Wednesday  By Rado Gatchalian  𝐘𝐞𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞, 𝐕𝐈𝐂, 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚. Quick note (To minimise lots of queries): 1- VP Inday Sara is ONLY visiting Melbourne. No arrangements are made for other cities/states. We know many of you would love for her to visit your city too but sadly it is not possible at this time. 2- This Melbourne event is duly organised by HAKBANG NG MAISUG AUSTRALIA INT’L (MELBOURNE), which is our Duterte Supporter counterparts in Melbourne. Let us give credit to whom it is due. So, if you free this weekend, come and join us! “Free Duterte Now!” Peace Rally With VP Inday Sara Duterte 22 June 2025, Sunday, 10AM-4PM Parliament Gardens, Melbourne ———————————— On another note:  Other interstate (cities) participants (Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin) will start coming this Saturday, 21 ...

From Celia Diaz Laurel FB 18 June 2025 May the beautiful tributes from people who INDEED KNEW Cocoy Laurel teach us something truly valuable.  Each message is not only uplifting but overflowing with respect and sincere condolences.  When someone has genuinely touched your life, let your words reflect the best of that connection. Afterall,  those words will bounce back and will mirror who you are.  In moments of grief, may we choose to honor rather than give way for needless observations and queries as well as inconsiderate impositions. (Those, by the way, have no place in this space.) Let our messages and comments always carry kindness and grace, not only to the departed but also to their loved ones and family who may still be processing their loss.  Lastly, we pray that you continue to uplift one another as fellow fans, as you each find your ways to overcome this sorrow.  -- Admins Photo credits: Mr. Popi Pineda via Ms. Miriam Castillo   17 June 2025 ...

14 June 2025 By Atty Harry  ROQUE Rodrigo Duterte’s Long Walk to Freedom Opinion Piece Atty. Harry Roque 14 June 2025 “I was not a Messiah,” the great Nelson Mandela once said, “but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.”  Today I recall these words of “Tata,” a term of endearment used by South Africans to President Nelson Mandela, which means “father” in Xhosa, as he was held in deep respect within South Africa.  In the Philippines, we have our own version of Tata: former President Rodrigo Duterte, whom Filipinos fondly call “Tatay Digong.” On 19 June 2025, we will observe the 100th day of the former President’s kidnapping and illegal arrest at The Hague in the Netherlands.  Today, 14 June 2025, is a special day for all Filipinos in The Netherlands and all over Europe. We remember Tatay Digong in his long walk to freedom during this year’s celebration of the 127th Independence Day of the Philippines. Our theme is “Kalayaan pa...

11 June 2025 By Lorraine Badoy In the end, these senators- all seasoned politicians - know it: any move against the Dutertes is a move towards their own political obliteration. And they know it because the people - US!- spoke loud and clear.  And yes, an alliance with Marcos and most definitely Romualdez is the most lethal political alliance you can choose for yourself. A perpetual kiss of death because you will know no forgiveness, no mercy from the people. And Inday may be loved, yes. She was swept into the second highest office in the land by a people who ached to give her the highest office in the land. And they gave it to her in RECORD numbers. The highest number of votes anyone running for public office had ever garnered in our entire history.  So yes she is loved and trusted by the people. But Inday stands on the giant shoulders of her father. RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE. She is loved because her father was first loved. And she is trusted by a people who first trusted her fathe...

11 June Wednesday The Senate didn’t delay the impeachment trial of VP Sara Duterte. They rescued the Constitution from being used as a blunt political weapon. And in doing so, they didn’t just pause a proceeding—they handed the House of Representatives, and Speaker Martin Romualdez himself, a reality check signed by the rule of law. I. THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL THAT COLLAPSED ON ITS OWN WEIGHT Here’s the truth: The fourth impeachment complaint filed against the Vice President might have looked like a show of strength. But constitutionally? It was already dead on arrival. Three complaints had already been filed in 2024. The Constitution is clear—you cannot file more than one within a 12-month period. This isn’t about political loyalty. It’s about legal clarity. And when the Senate reviewed the complaint, they did the one thing the House failed to do: They actually read the Constitution. II. THE HOUSE WASN’T STOPPED—THEY WERE CAUGHT Let’s be blunt: this wasn’t a rejection of accountability. ...

10 June 2025 WELCOME TO THE BLOODBATH Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts and grab your popcorn. So this, perhaps, is the infamous bloodbath Vice President Inday Sara Duterte warned us about - not with actual blood or violence, but of venomous rhetoric. 🍿👩‍🦰 If an impeachment trial were held today, one could easily imagine the scene: two distinguished legal minds called to the stand- not to accuse, but to clarify the rules of a game that’s long been murky. On one side is retired COMELEC and COA Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, who, ever the firebrand, declared the rules for liquidating confidential funds as “problematic talaga!” Her concern? A lack of clarity and transparency - a long-standing grey area in government budgeting. To her credit, she raised a valid point...a better-defined rules could help avoid political grandstanding in the future. According to her, there is a rule - often overlooked but codified in COA Circular No. 2015-01, issued January 8, 2015. The circular ...

10 June 2025 Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte—our Tatay Digong—is poised to be elected once more as Mayor of Davao City, the very city he transformed into a symbol of peace, order, and progress. A city once feared, now admired. A city that became the launching ground of a presidency that shook the nation into discipline, courage, and pride. Today, as he sits detained in The Hague—not because of guilt, but because of politics—he continues to embody the strength of the Filipino spirit. Even far from home, his story moves, stirs, and ignites. This is more than a political comeback. This is a legacy in motion. This is the voice of a people who never forgot. This is a reminder that we are the State, we are the Voice, we are the Power. We are Filipinos. No prison cell can confine the will of the people. No courtroom can silence a legacy built on service, love, and sacrifice. Mabuhay ka, Tatay Digong. Your people are still with you. And Davao is calling you home. - Duterte Legacy FB

3 June 2025 Soliloquies at The Hague By Jasmin O. Egan I. THE LEADER In foreign halls where silence walks, A voice once roared now softly talks A name entrenched in every heartbeat, In our hearts, where pain and struggle meet. He walked with fire beneath his tread, The fearless one whom tyrants dread. Not for himself, but for the land, He bore the storms with steady hand. Rodrigo stood when others fled, He fought for rice, for roofs, for bread. And now the winds in the Netherlands cry— Where is the man who dared defy? II. THE BOSS He was no king in marble halls, But “Boss” to those in shanty walls. He cracked a joke, he shared a drink, He saw the soul behind the stink. With iron word and gravel tone, He built a strength we called our own. He listened close, he struck down wrong, And in his quiet, we grew strong. A man of dust, of flame, of clay, Whose every word could light the way— To those he served with bleeding pride, He was the Boss, our Mentor and Guide.   III. THE FATHE...

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02 June 2025 Lifted from Taga Lakandula MY BIGGEST GIFT, MY BIGGEST REGRET I was raised in Gibraltar, Baguio City. Not the fancy side with cafes and condos, but the humble kind, the kind where roofs leak when it rains, where you boil water to bath, and your slippers are repaired with wires. My Papa was a jeepney driver. His jeep? Matanda na. Wobbly side mirrors, upholstery that had seen better days, but to him it was his treasure. He loved his job. He’d always say, “Nu awan ti agjeep, awan ti makadanon ti umili. Isu, amin tayo ket agserbi ti pagilyan, uray ania trabaho tau.” I used to ride with him when I was small. I’d sit in the front seat, legs too short to reach the floor, gripping his worn-out jacket with one hand. He’d buy me taho when we reached town waiting for his turn to load passengers. He made poverty feel like home. At night, I’d curl up beside him in our tiny sala, and he’d tell me stories about the people who rode his jeep. “Adda kabsat nga sinmakay ket ag apapa da ken a...