Every year on Easter, we proclaim that Jesus Christ has triumphed over suffering and death. Alleluia! Every year we so proclaim, as if, or is it because, nothing has happened with us in the past.

LEGAZPI CITY, April 2 (PNA) -- Suspected communist rebels ambushed and killed three Philippine Army (PA) soldiers, while two others were injured on Wednesday in Ragay, Camarines Sur. An Army official today identified those killed as Army Cpl. James Caronan, Pfc. Noel Bagao, and Pfc. Rolly Caitor.

Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon has delivered an eloquent plea to public officials of his province and those aiming for an elected position to resist resorting to violence. It is a plea that should be heard and heeded, not only by the people of Masbate, but by all engaged in the imminent 2010 elections.

The uproar over Cris Anthony Mendez’ death on August 27, 2007 due to hazing was clear early on, as if the crime doers will not escape justice. The desire for retribution was as blistering as the sadness the nation had to bear.

MORE THAN 80% of the general populace have some form of gum disease, varying on location and severity. At its earliest phase, your gums might swell and bleed easily or in worst cases, you might end up losing your teeth. The bottom line in today’s topic is, if you want to keep your teeth in place, you must take care of your gums as well. Most individuals only give importance to their teeth not thinking that their gums also play an important function in the survival of the dentition.

THE ISSUE OF accountability, I think, is one of key important ingredients missing in the renewed debate on the state of education in the country. A recent three-part series of the Philippine Daily Inquirer laid down all the numbers, capped by Thursday’s editorial that takes to task the DepEd bureaucracy for not getting the basics right. In the same breath, it called for a return to the basics, addressing the usual shortages in classrooms and teachers among them.

An uncle on the father side passed away in the town of Calamba. The whole family has moved there years ago, leaving the quiet lakeside village of Santa Elena in Buhi for a more prosperous life in that Tagalog town. Except for the eldest, all the other children moved there.

Allow for my column this week to share excerpts from my lecture delivered before the Council of Deans and Department Chairs of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CODDCCAS) which was held at Seminar Hall of the Madrigal Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Ateneo de Naga University, Naga City, last Aug. 17, 2007.

An katanosan itinatao sa tawo na dai kaipuhan magpasalamat. Ini pangangaipo nin tawo na nagbubunga nin obligasyon sa iba na ini itao sa saiya. An pribilehiyo pwedeng itao, pwedeng dai itao. Asin kun ini itao, dapat na an nag-ako kaini magpasalamat huli ta ini hali sa karahayan-boot kan kagtao.

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- An Islamic scholar says the absence of a ransom demand suggests kidnappers of Italian Father Giancarlo Bossi may have other "agenda." Kidnappers may "want to impress the government that they have still their arms or strength to face the government in confrontation or in battle," suggested Alim Elias Macarandas. The member of the Tripartite Commission of the Bishops-Ulama (Islamic scholars) Conference spoke with UCA News by phone from Marawi City, 805 kilometers southeast of Manila. His remarks on June 22 came 12 days after armed men seized Father Bossi near his parish in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay, west of Marawi City.