At the end of the premiere screening of Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s latest film at the UP Film Center recently, some viewers were ecstatic while others were quiet and respectful.  Those who liked it confessed that they could not immediately explain why they liked it.  Those who didn’t were disappointed over the film’s unclear point of view.  … Read more

My father died shortly before he was to turn 60.  Had he lived longer, he would be exactly 77 today.  I have often wondered how he would have lived in retirement.  He was a lawyer, and a very good one. He went back to law school as soon as the war ended.  Because the Ateneo … Read more

The most interesting development in our recent political  history, for me, is not the recovery of democracy in 1986, but the ease with which we surrendered it in 1972.  As we look back to those images of freedom-loving crowds gathered on EDSA  11 years ago today, let us not delude ourselves with the thought that, … Read more

No one can say for sure whether Jolo Bishop Benjamin de Jesus was killed to avenge a personal injury, or to relieve the fever of religious animosity.  It could be both, with either motive serving as the occasion, or condition, for the other.  But in a place like Sulu, where tradition keeps the modern State … Read more

What can it possibly mean for someone to visit an accused person in jail?  Like Sen. Gloria Arroyo , the Makati school teachers,  who recently brought their pupils on a tour of the city jail where they unwittingly found themselves in a photo session with detained Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, have been chided by Pres. Ramos … Read more

In a week dominated by the continuing saga of Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, it was difficult not to take up his case once more, or to ignore the sudden appearance of a woman claiming to be his rape victim and of her 27-year-old son claiming to be the product of that crime.  My staff on Public … Read more

“I am in a state of confusion this morning; I don’t know what is happening to me.  Too much, too harsh.  I think there’s only one victim in this case – me.”  That was Congressman Romeo Jalosjos, handcuffed, head slightly bowed, soulful eyes seeking human contact, emitting great soundbites for the early evening news.  Is … Read more

The theme of Ligaya ang itawag mo sa akin, Carlos Siguion-Reyna’s controversial film, is an old familiar one – society’s refusal to support the marginalized person’s attempt at self-renewal.  Rosanna Roces, the equally controversial bold star of many trashy films, plays the role of Ligaya, a prostitute who seeks passage to the ordinary life of … Read more

What makes a person think he or she should be president of the Philippines?  This question fascinates me because the way it is answered tells a lot about that person’s political values, or ideas of what is acceptable in politics. Three probable candidates cite the surveys.  They say they will run because “the people” want … Read more

One of the books I got over the holidays, which I have opened ahead of all the others, is Karen McCosker and Nicholas Albery’s “A Poem a Day”.  As promised, there is an entry for every day of the year.  The selections have a randomness that I appreciate; there is no attempt to match the … Read more