Features

May kaganyakan na ang kultura sa pagtanggap ng estetikang bading sa pananamit (fashion). Una, tila may umaalagwang sektor sa ekonomiya-partikular ang call center at BPO (Business Process Outsource)-na nagpapaariba rin sa estetika ng bading. Ikalawa, ang mismong estetikang ito ay magkaalinsabay na may dating na kosmopolitan at sterile na hitsura, kaya nagpapaugnay sa metropoles ng bansa sa aspirasyong wanna-be First World ng estado.

SAN FERNANDO, Camarines Sur-In a thriving eatery along the National Highway in Naga City, there is one thing on display aside from kinalas-the distinctive hot broth prepared by mixing beef strips with noodles and spices.

MANILA - May afinidad ang pelikula at relihiyon. Ang partikularidad ng katangian ng pelikula sa iba pang media ay dalawang bagay: lumilikha ito ng ritualisado at personalisadong intimacy kada boluntaryong pagbabayad ng manonood. At ang pagbabayad natratransforma ang sweldo sa paggawa na ipinambayad sa pagdanas ng sine bilang kasiyahan o pagtransforma nito sa domeyn ng leisure.

As the country opens a new year in its political life, one explores for a breath of hope and optimism. But optimism is borne out of one's ability to grapple with the problems that lie ahead and events that will yet unfold. The roots of these realities - others call it uncertainties - took shape in the year just past and even farther back.

MANILA - Jan. 22, 2010, would mark the 23rd anniversary of the Mendiola massacre. On that fateful day, thousands of farmers marched to Mendiola to demand for land reform and were mowed down by gunfire from soldiers from the Philippine Marines and the police. Yet, more than two decades later, those responsible were never held accountable and peasants continue to be denied the land they till. This is the kind of injustice that peasants continue to suffer from.

MANILA - Magtatapos na ang ika-sampung taon pagkapresidente ni Gloria Arroyo, at matatag ang kanyang kulturang kontribusyon. Kakaiba ang mga ito sa karanasan ng mga kamakailang presidente ng bansa. Ito ang pinakamasahol na kulturang kontribusyon ng anumang presidente sa kagyat na kasaysayan ng bansa. Lantaran naman ang gamit ng fasismo ng anumang rehimen pero ang kay Arroyo ang naghasik ng pinakabangkaroteng kulturang tahasang ginamit para sa politikal at ekonomiyang ganansya.

Ang sabi ng nakakatanda, mahalaga ang tradisyon. Ito ang tagapagpadaloy ng sinaunang napapatagumpayan, kundi man may halaga, pa rin hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Sa nakaraang kagyat na panahon, dinulubyo ang bansa ng baha't bagyo, sumasabog na bulkan, lumulubog na mga ferry, masaker ng warlord ni Gloria Arroyo, deklarasyon ng batas militar, at iba pang natural at gawang-taong sakuna.

Is it a mere coincidence to find Christmas towards the end of the year? Keeping in mind what transpired this year, we cannot help but brace ourselves for an unknown year to come. Would it be a year of more blessings or more chaos? Will we have better leaders or the same old ones? Will there be more stronger typhoons or some few ones next year?

The liturgy of the Mass at Dawn reminded us that the night is now past, the day has begun; the light radiating from the cave of Bethlehem shines upon us. The Bible and the Liturgy do not, however, speak to us about a natural light, but a different, special light, which is somehow directed to and focused upon "us", the same "us" for whom the Child of Bethlehem "is born". This "us" is the Church, the great universal family of those who believe in Christ, who have awaited in hope the new birth of the Saviour, and who today celebrate in mystery the perennial significance of this event.

MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's filing of her certificate of candidacy to seek the position of representative for the second district of Pampanga generated so much controversy. It overshadowed a similarly controversial attempt by former president Joseph Estrada's to take a second crack at the presidency. For sure, Arroyo's congressional bid would be the talk of the town up to the May 2010 elections or even beyond, if she wins.