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Francis’ papacy, defined by mercy and compassion, was neither rigorist nor laxist

Within weeks of his 2013 election, Pope Francis shocked many by washing the feet of two girls—one of them a Muslim—during the Maundy Thursday liturgy at a juvenile detention center in Rome. This break from liturgical tradition signaled a papacy that would emphasize reform, pastoral openness, and, to some, a controversial departure from established norms....

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Looking back on a life serving and empowering rural communities in Negros Oriental

“One constant is the presence of Christ in our work,” Dr. Fe Sycip-Wale said in describing her 50-year career in public health spent serving rural communities in Negros Oriental. Sycip-Wale was born in Cebu in 1935 to a Chinese mother, Tim Wa Lee, a doctor, and a Filipino Chinese father, Daniel Sycip, a businessman. She wanted...

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In praise of Edcel Lagman, ‘Bicol’s great son’

Tributes continue to be aired for Albay (first district) Rep. Edcel Lagman, who died on Jan. 30 after a long and illustrious career in lawmaking and defending human rights beginning in the Marcos Sr. dictatorship.    In a Facebook post “mourning” the loss of Lagman, Leni Robredo said that when she was vice president, she constantly...

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Sen. Risa Hontiveros: ‘Teen pregnancy is an ongoing national and social emergency’

It is a trying time for Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the principal author of Senate Bill No. 1979 which aims “to educate, support and protect our children and students against early pregnancy” through such means as comprehensive sexuality education.   Hontiveros has introduced last-minute changes to the measure in an effort to bring more clarity to it...

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The uncommon life and struggles of Francisco ‘Dodong’ Nemenzo

Once in an era an uncommon person comes along whose life bears the stamp of profound influence on the actions of others and on society. Such was the life of Francisco “Dodong” Alfafara Nemenzo who passed away at the age of 89 last Dec. 19. An unorthodox Marxist scholar of politics, an inspiring socialist leader-activist of...