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CAN WE CLAIM UBE AS OUR OWN?

CAN WE CLAIM UBE AS OUR OWN? Whenever Filipinos see ube-flavored products being sold abroad—from ice cream and cakes to lattes and doughnuts—we feel a sense of pride. After all, ube has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Filipino cuisine. But can we honestly claim ube as exclusively our own? The answer is both yes and no. Yes, because the word “ube” is Filipino. It is part of our language, culture, and culinary identity. No, because the plant itself, scientifically known as Dioscorea alata , is not found only in the Philippines. It originated in a broader area of Island Southeast Asia and has been cultivated for centuries in neighboring regions as well. However, this should not stop us from pursuing something even more valuable: international recognition for uniquely Filipino varieties and products derived from ube. Consider how Mexico protects tequila, how France protects champagne, and how India protects Darjeeling tea. These products are not protected merely because of w...
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WHAT DOES THE PAX SILICA AGREEMENT MEAN FOR THE PHILIPPINES?

WHAT DOES THE PAX SILICA AGREEMENT MEAN FOR THE PHILIPPINES? The Philippines has reportedly become a signatory to the Pax Silica Initiative, a new international framework designed to secure supply chains for semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), critical minerals, computing infrastructure, and other technologies that will drive the global economy in the coming decades. At first glance, the agreement sounds very promising. After all, electronics and semiconductors already account for more than half of Philippine merchandise exports. If the country can move beyond simple assembly and testing toward higher-value activities such as chip design, advanced manufacturing, AI infrastructure, and mineral processing, then the benefits could be enormous. However, before we celebrate, we should ask some important questions. Are we really ready? The agreement reportedly includes plans for a 4,000-acre AI Industrial Hub within the Luzon Economic Corridor. This could attract billions of pesos ...
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NORWAY’S ROGFAST PROJECT IS PUSHING ENGINEERING LIMITS UNDER THE SEA

NORWAY’S ROGFAST PROJECT IS PUSHING ENGINEERING LIMITS UNDER THE SEA As the saying goes, it does not cost us any money to dream, so why not dream about good things for our country? After being surprised and scandalized by reports about questionable flood control spending, perhaps we should start asking a different question: what if those billions of pesos were invested in truly transformative public works projects that future generations could be proud of? One lesson we learned from those controversies is that the government is not necessarily lacking in money. What is often lacking is transparency, accountability, and the ability to monitor how public funds are spent. That is why I was fascinated by Norway’s Rogfast Project, a massive undersea highway tunnel that is now under construction. When completed, it will become the world's longest and deepest subsea road tunnel. Stretching about 27 kilometers beneath the sea and reaching a depth of approximately 392 meters below sea level...
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WHY NOT REMOVE POLITICIANS WHO ARE CAUGHT DELIBERATELY LYING?

WHY NOT REMOVE POLITICIANS WHO ARE CAUGHT DELIBERATELY LYING? The government of Wales has announced what could become a historic first in modern democracy: removing politicians from office if they are proven to have deliberately lied to the public. My immediate reaction was simple: Why not? For years, many of us have been advocating reforms to improve accountability in government. We have laws against theft, graft, corruption, bribery, and other abuses of power. But what about deliberate lying? Some people might argue that stealing public funds is a more serious offense than lying. I agree. In fact, corruption should remain a top priority. However, that does not mean we should ignore dishonesty. After all, many acts of corruption begin with lies. Politicians promise one thing and do another. They conceal information. They manipulate facts. They mislead voters. Yet in many cases, there are no consequences. Why should that be acceptable? The Welsh proposal is not aimed at honest mistakes...
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HOW A PORTUGUESE TOURIST STUMBLED INTO THE ANCIENT KINGDOM OF BUTUAN

  HOW A PORTUGUESE TOURIST STUMBLED INTO THE ANCIENT KINGDOM OF BUTUAN Every year, many Filipinos are taught that Ferdinand Magellan “discovered” the Philippines in 1521. I respectfully disagree. To say that Magellan discovered the Philippines would imply that he was the first person to know that these islands existed. That is obviously not true. Long before Magellan arrived, the ancient Kingdom of Butuan was already engaged in extensive trade with neighboring kingdoms and empires across Asia. Chinese historical records mention Butuan as an important trading polity as early as the 10th and 11th centuries. Traders from China, Champa (Vietnam), Borneo, and other parts of Maritime Southeast Asia already knew where Butuan was and how to get there. If so many people already knew about Butuan, how could Magellan have “discovered” it? I prefer to think of Magellan as a Portuguese tourist, explorer, or navigator who already knew where he wanted to go. In fact, he had a valuable advantage: ...
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THE TWO SIDES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN

THE TWO SIDES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN Many people think that being a Christian is primarily about praying, attending Mass, joining novenas, participating in Bible studies, or going to church every Sunday. There is nothing wrong with these activities. In fact, they are important expressions of our faith. However, I believe that Christianity has two sides, and many of us sometimes focus on only one side. The first side is loving God. The second side is loving our neighbor. In the Gospel, Jesus simplified the Ten Commandments into two great commandments: love God and love your neighbor. In other words, our love for God should be visible through the way we treat other people. This raises a question that has been bothering me lately. How exactly do we express our faith through action? Many Christians sincerely want to help others, but they simply do not know where to begin. They are willing to serve but do not know who needs help, where the needs are, or how they can contribute. Does anyone ha...
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LET GOVERNMENT PRIORITIZE THE USE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS

LET GOVERNMENT PRIORITIZE THE USE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS For many years, our farmers have been dependent on chemical fertilizers, most of which are linked to imported raw materials and global supply chains. Every time there is a war, an oil price increase, or a disruption in international shipping, fertilizer prices rise and Filipino farmers suffer. The result is simple: higher production costs, lower farm incomes, and eventually higher food prices for consumers. That is why I believe the time has come for the government to adopt a national policy that prioritizes the use of organic fertilizers. This should not merely be a departmental program. It should be embodied in an Executive Order issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. or, better yet, in an Act of Congress that will institutionalize the policy for future generations. Some may argue that global fertilizer supplies will eventually stabilize. Perhaps they will. But even if they do, why should we continue relying on imported ag...
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