Gemma Cruz Araneta | LANDSCAPE

Political winds now ravaging the cyber super highway are like typhoon signals that warn us of an impending electoral tsunami. Most of the presidential wannabees from various regions of this archipelago are already hymning praises to themselves.  Social media is inundated with prevarications and fake news brewed by anonymous armies hiding in troll farms.   Apps-enhanced … Read more

As this writing (September 15), I am commemorating two events close to my heart. The first was the inauguration of the Malolos Congress in 1898, in Malolos. The second is my 56th wedding anniversary. My husband, Antonio Araneta, and I chose that significant date to celebrate our marriage, to tie the proverbial knot.  I wanted … Read more

Herminio Lopez Roque, Jr, a.k.a Harry was born in the Philippines on 21 October 1966.  That is probably why he is more of a compulsive Scorpio than a harmonious Libra, his zodiac sign.  An undergrad of the University of Michigan, he read law at the University of Philippines where he later taught public international law … Read more

When Pres. Joe Biden decided to extricate the United States of America from Afghanistan, he said it was to end the “forever war” in that distant land.   He does not want to send more American soldiers to their death. After 20 years of military intervention and attempted nation-building, the Afghanistan project flamed out spectacularly, so … Read more

What is happening in the USA is definitely none of my business, but allow me to give my 2cents worth about President Joe Biden’s decision to terminate the 20-year US occupation and war in Afghanistan. He said: “I am the President of the United States of America, the buck stops with me.” That did not … Read more

“La Solidaridad”, that valiant fortnightly of the Propaganda Movement bid its readers farewell on 15 November 1895. Its maiden issue was dated 15 February 1889, and against all odds, it survived for almost 7 years. Graciano Lopez Jaena was its first editor, then Plaridel (Marcelo del Pilar) took over. It had distinguished contributors like the … Read more

In the days of Lapu Lapu, the “umalohokan” (town crier) was the main source of breaking news. As soon as towns people heard his gongs and horns, they quickly gathered around him to hear the latest which could be new laws of their datus, instructions of barangay elders, or the goings-on in neighboring settlements.  The … Read more

How ironic; the current unemployment rate in the USA is 10 per cent, very high for American standards, but at the same time, there is a labor shortage.  In agriculture, specifically in the fresh produce sector American farmers   have to depend on migrant labor. It is impossible to mechanize the  production of vegetables, fruits, myriad … Read more

When I woke up that morning, my grandmother was not in her bedroom. Where did she go, without me?  Then the doorbell rang; I scurried to the window in time to see her walking down the driveway in her usual brown frock, but on flat shoes. How strange that she had not taken the family … Read more

He wrote in English to the editor of the “HongKong Telegraph”, but did not sign his real name. “Yours faithfully, Philippino”, was how he ended. Curiously, the date line was Manila, 1 February 1892, although he was still in Hong Kong. His second homecoming was in June.  Rizal’s  letter began with, “Owing to the great … Read more