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Ignacius Carell Cruz, Rex Neil Falogme, Akio Mananes, Juan Carlo Mercado, Ernesto Nodado III, Welsh Kendrick Osorio, Gabriel Pascual, Josel Mari Sapitan, Vincent Kierk Tugnao, and Ian Paolo Villacencio The year 2024 in Philippine sports has been a tale of victories earned, setbacks overcome, and battles still being waged. With an expanding horizon of sports capturing the nation’s attention, it has been a season of champions reclaiming their titles, underdogs rising to the occasion, and legacies being rewritten. Some Filipino athletes have already embraced their redemption, while others are still in the thick of it, and for a few, the journey is just beginning—proof that redemption is a process, not a moment.  Alas pinalakas  Amidst torrential controversies raining down against them, Alas Pilipinas finally redeemed its reputation as they wrapped their year-ender bulletin with stunning golden bronze achievements from the past international leagues. After a five-year hiatus, the ...

Jamayka Rhose Pascual, Adi Joaquim Tolentino, Jahreez Octaviano, and Erin Devanadera IF 2024 were a teleserye, it would have been one filled with jaw-dropping twists of political drama, societal upheavals and environmental woes that kept the plot moving nonstop. These stories not only dominated headlines but brought to light the deep-seated problems and challenges that every Juan dela Cruz faces daily. Let us take a look back at the top issues that shaped the national narrative this year. Down the POGO rabbit hole In an issue that began in April, Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo found herself at the center of a storm of allegations involving illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations, human trafficking, money laundering , and discrepancies in her identity and assets. These activities were uncovered after POGOs were raided behind her office in Bamban. Investigations revealed troubling links to criminal activities, including her alleged alias, “Guo Hua Ping,”...

Joseph Azil Buena The Presidential Communications Office on Dec. 27, citing the Department of Agriculture (DA), reported that retail prices of rice in markets across the National Capital Region have already lowered just days after the launch of ‘Rice-for-All’ kiosks in the region. As part of the Marcos administration’s Kadiwa ng Pangulo project, the ‘Rice-for-All’ campaign aims to connect local dealers, importers, and wholesalers to consumers to sell well-milled rice at P40 per kilogram, but with a 25-kilogram limit per person. As a result, the Kadiwa outlets and its retailers offer rice at prices P3 to P5 lower than those sold by traditional market stalls, leading to a rise in sales by the rolling stores during the recent operation. The new campaign differs from a similar program by the National Food Authority, which sells aging yet good-quality rice at P29 per kg to members of the vulnerable sector. The DA and its stakeholders believe that the program made a dent on the staple’s pric...

Joseph Azil Buena In its 2023 annual report, the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged significant delays and documentation issues with the release of funds for the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute’s (DOST-SEI) scholarship program, raising concerns about the project’s effectiveness and transparency. Student beneficiaries of the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP) have experienced delays of one up to twelve months upon receiving their financial assistance. “The SEI did not formulate policy and mechanism to ensure the efficient implementation of the ASTHRDP scholarship program, thereby the timely submission of reports by the member universities of the consortium was not observed,” COA said. COA also noted the absence of standardized guidelines for fund disbursement, with some universities releasing funds monthly, while others doing it quarterly, and even by every semester.  “Having no policy or guidelines on th...

Aifer Jessica Jacutin  Sa rami ng mga pasikot-sikot na eskinita at kalye lalo na sa Metro Manila, hindi maiiwasan na malito kung paano pumunta sa paroroonan, saan banda sasakay at ultimo ano ang sasakyan.  Ngunit huwag na mag-alala. Sagot na ng Facebook group na PAANO PUMUNTA: A Community Guide for Commuters PH ang mga komyuter na nais makarating sa kanilang pupuntahan. Taong 2022 nang mabuo ang grupong ito upang magbigay-gabay ukol sa mga pangunahin at alternatibong ruta ng isang biyahe, lalo na sa Metro Manila. Bilang ito ay nakapubliko, maaaring makita ang mga post kasali man o hindi sa grupo. Sa kasalukuyan, mayroon na itong mahigit 237,000 miyembro, kung kaya kahit kaka-post mo pa lamang ay marami ang maaaring sumagot sa iyong tanong. Ang mga ganitong komunidad online ay hindi lang nakatutulong sa mga hindi sanay bumiyahe, ngunit nagbubukas din ng bagong kaalaman para sa mga daan na hindi tanyag sa karamihan. Sa ngayon, karamihan ng mga natutulungan sa grupo ay mga taga-...

Joseph Azil Buena The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia on Dec. 23 remained firm with his condemnation as he answered questions from the media regarding the recent attacks on election officials and their families across the country, calling them ‘particularly disturbing.’ Photo Courtesy of ABS-CBN. "Mas kahindik-hindik at mas karima-rimarim, na nadadamay ang mga taong hindi naman yung mismong inaaway nila," Garcia stressed to reporters. This statement follows after a pair of motorcycle-riding gunmen opened fire at a vehicle in broad daylight carrying Sulu Provincial Election Supervisor Vidzfar Amil Julie and his brother, a former barangay captain, in Zamboanga City on Dec. 21. The attack, to which the Comelec later confirmed as election-related, left the provincial election supervisor unharmed, while his brother died from a gunshot wound sustained in the ambush. According to Garcia, some candidates in the elections 'order' attacks on these of...

Rian Gabriel Fuentes The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) sent their condolences through a statement last December 27 and 28, respectively. Photo Courtesy of Facebook/DMW/ABS-CBN. This was after an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) was reportedly involved in the death of a child in her employer’s household, the Philippine Embassy said on Friday. According to Gulf News and Arab News, the OFW allegedly placed the child in the washing machine out of frustration by disturbing her. The embassy extended their condolences and prayers to the bereaved family in a statement posted on their Facebook page. “The embassy is cooperating with Kuwaiti authorities investigating the incident and is also providing assistance to the detained Filipino domestic worker, within the framework of Kuwaiti law and in keeping the Embassy’s mandate,” they added. Government agency DMW expressed concern about the incident and sent their condolences to both the child’s family and th...

Dwayne Johnson Galamgam  From dominating the national elections in 2022 to exchanging threats in 2024, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte’s tandem breaks apart, fracturing the two into word wars and political feud. The two had differences, with Marcos mentioning in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22 of a “bloodless” drug war, different to Sara’s father – former president Rodrigo Duterte’s approach that led to an estimated death toll of 12,000 to 30,000 victims. The former president called Marcos a drug addict during a prayer rally in Davao City on January 28 with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) rejecting the claim the other day. Duterte showed no aggression against Marcos in the early months of the year, but got into a “word war” with the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. As Duterte reiterated their good relationship with Marcos in a February 12 interview in Malaysia, she had no comment regarding her ties with the fi...

Benedict Maravilla The Department of Education (DepEd) released the revised guidelines for the suspension of classes and work in schools during disasters and emergencies. Photo Courtesy of DepEd/Philippine Star. In the memorandum containing DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2024 released on Dec. 23, DepEd emphasized the importance of keeping the safety of learners and personnel, as well as maintaining uninterrupted learning even during calamities. “To balance these priorities, this policy emphasized both the safety and academic continuity needed by learners and personnel,” the memorandum read. DepEd named eight possible reasons for the suspension of classes and/or work, an extended scope from the four emergency situations listed in the agency’s previous guidelines in 2022. The possible reasons which were cited in the memorandum are as follows: Typhoons and Tropical Cyclones Heavy Rainfall and Flood Earthquakes Power Outages Extreme Heat Condition Low Air Quality/ Vog (Volcanic Fog) Localized/Gra...

Kimberly Capuyan Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on December 25, renewed the call to address the possibly unconstitutional provisions in the proposed 2025 national budget bill before it gets signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. In a text message to reporters, Zubiri said that concerns for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) computerization, the possible unconstitutionality of the education sector no longer being the priority of the budget allocation, and the zero funding for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) must be addressed. “That would help stave off possible legal action in the Supreme Court that might render a decision declaring the budget unconstitutional and therefore delay its implementation and effectivity,” he added. The bicameral conference committee previously reduced DepEd’s budget to P737 billion after a P12 billion cut from the supposed P748.6 billion funding approved by the House of Representatives. Aside from DepEd, the budget of the ...

Joseph Azil Buena Nine out of the 12 contested Senate seats in the 2025 midterm elections may be secured by candidates from the political coalition endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to the independent polling body Pulse Asia Research Inc. in its new November-December release. The Ulat ng Bayan survey, which ran from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, polled 2,400 adult Filipinos for their voting preferences among 66 senatorial candidates ahead of the 2025 midterm elections. On the first top two spots were both television-radio personalities as ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo maintains his lead with 62.2 per cent and former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III who gained traction now with 59.2 per cent in the polls. Two other candidates from the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas also ranked within the Top 5-9 spots as incumbent senators Pia Cayetano had 46.5 per cent of the polling numbers and Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao with 45 per cent. Both close Marcos allies former senator...

Shaunte Felicity Ong and Lyndon James Diesta While time may appear to fly by quickly, students in higher and secondary education face a different landscape.  The much-anticipated Christmas break, the longest break in the school calendar, usually begins around the second week of December.  Yet, before these learners can enjoy, relax, and breathe, they must first overcome a slew of challenges, changing their holiday countdowns into a grueling marathon against time.  Countdown before Christmas The countdown to Christmas in the Philippines often begins in early September. But before smiles can be painted on students’ faces, there are tons of tests, projects, quizzes, presentations, and even research defenses for some to be dealt with.  Sometimes, a small percentage of students spend their holidays alone in their dormitories, unable to travel back home due to different circumstances , such as high travel fares and pending requirements. Not only is the warmth of a fami...

Gianela Zapata, Maricris Tulagan at Stela Militante Hamón o hàmon? Paano mo mailalarawan ang iyong naging Kapaskuhan? Pasko ang itinuturing bilang isa sa pinakamasayang pagdiriwang sa buong mundo na nagsimula nang isilang si Hesus sa isang maliit na sabsaban. Gayunpaman, ang ningning na hatid nito sa buhay ng bawat isa ay bahagyang nag-iiba depende sa uri at kinang ng parol na nakasabit sa bawat tahanan. Kapag maliwanag, masigla ang pagsalubong sa hatinggabi at may mga pagkaing nakahain sa hapag, ngunit kung tila mapupundi na, payapa, tahimik at pinalilipas na lamang ito ng iilan.   Para sa bawat Filipino, iba’t iba ang mukha ng Pasko. Kaya’t upang tunay na maunawaan ang diwa nito, kailangang tingnan ang pagdiriwang mula sa iba’t ibang pananaw ng mga uring panlipunan o social class.  Pero para saan nga ba talaga ang pasko? Kaligayahan at karangyaan Para sa mga may kaya sa buhay, katulad na lamang ng mga kilalang personalidad sa telebisyon o ‘di kaya’y mga nagmamay-ari ...