Regret came with every step—at least in the beginning. Between the biting cold, the thin air, and the early, early morning darkness, the hike up Mount Pulag in Benguet was a shock to the system for those who, like me, do not usually climb mountains “for fun.” But, as it is with this kind of...
Author: Annelle Tayao-Juego (Annelle Tayao-Juego)
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Malaybalay City’s path to open governance
MALAYBALAY CITY – On a typical bidding day in Malaybalay City, anyone with internet access can watch the entire procurement process unfold live on the local government’s Facebook page. While live streams may be the norm for this generation, it was a highly significant initiative for Malaybalay Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran, which is why he...
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Finding presence in 2026: Lessons from Ben&Ben’s ‘The Traveller Across Dimensions’
The folk band Ben&Ben’s latest project offers an intentional idea for a New Year’s resolution: to be more “present with love.” It’s the central theme of their recently launched ebook, “The Traveller Across Dimensions” (TTAD), which serves as a reading companion to their album of the same title—and as a showcase of the band’s talent...
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‘MaPanatag’ offers single mothers assurance and peace of mind
“Mapanatag” is a Filipino word that means “to be at peace,” or “to be assured”—a state that parents always want to be in, especially when it comes to matters concerning their children’s future. But for single mothers, it is doubly difficult to feel that assurance, knowing that they are the sole caretaker of their children....
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Something greater results when cooperatives harness the collective power
BAGUIO CITY—When cooperatives invest in their people and innovate together, they transcend traditional business boundaries to become something greater: both social movements and economic forces united by shared aspirations. This was the vision shared by leaders of cooperatives at the inaugural National Cooperative Summit 2025, which was held on Oct. 9–10 in Baguio City. It...
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Sing along to your favorite Whitney Houston hits at ‘The Bodyguard The Musical’
As Manila’s theater scene continues to flourish, “The Bodyguard The Musical” staged by 9 Works Theatrical adds another exciting dimension to the cultural landscape. The show was formally launched last Sept. 3 at the Rockwell Center in Makati and will run on Sept. 26–Oct. 19 at its Proscenium Center. “I think the theater industry here...
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To go or stay: The life-and-death quandary of Filipino healthcare workers
“Stay,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said last week, addressing healthcare workers at an event in Leyte where the government turned over patient-transport vehicles. His remark was an acknowledgment of the great number of healthcare workers seeking employment abroad. A similar point was raised in the recently staged play “Nobody Is Home” by the Philippine Educational...
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Allianz PNB Life moves to a new HQ, the better to push its ‘declaration of love’
Conversations on life insurance are barely a whisper among Filipinos today–a population of 117 million in which insurance is just at 2%. But Allianz PNB Life (AZPNBL) looks forward to what it sees as an “enormous opportunity ahead,” so much so that it has invested in a new corporate headquarters, which recently opened at One...
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‘Side Show: The Musical’ presents a glimpse of the ‘abnormal’ and society’s pitiless gaze
Freaks, weirdos and oddities are on center stage at The Sandbox Collective’s “Side Show: The Musical,” which takes audiences to a time when one had to catch a travelling circus to revel in the unusual. But beyond the spectacle, it’s a show that raises many questions: Why do we focus on what’s “abnormal” in others?...
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Filipinos are competing in global wushu championship in Hong Kong
Wander along the fourth-floor corridor of Fisher Mall in Quezon City on a weekend, and you may be treated to an exhibition of wushu, or Chinese martial arts, by the Wushu Arena, a kung fu demo team formed post-pandemic by coach Arra Jeuneze Corpuz. The demo you’ll see isn’t just for show; it’s the athletes’...