rants
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In the Waters of Sulu
We boarded MV Trisha Kerstin 2 departing from Zamboanga to Bongao, yesterday at 4 in the afternoon. We were told that we set sail at 7 in the evening, but due to a ‘steering problem’ we departed Zamboanga at 3 in the morning. Not a very good experience for a first-timer. But surprisingly, passengers never Continue reading
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Notes on Peace: In Ciudad de Sambuwangan
The rugged coastline came into view as we approached the airport of Zamboanga City, Sambuwangan to the ancient Sama people. This was only my second time to visit this city. The first time was a quick stopover as we transited for Tawi-Tawi. But this second visit, only days after the ‘Zamboanga Siege’ and with the Continue reading
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Teaching Peace, Developing Tolerance, Instilling Sensitivity
I grew up in an extremely pious Catholic city. Every year, thousands of devotees gather in Naga City to show their love to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, bringing with them a multitude of thanksgivings and prayer-requests to Ina. The festivity during the nine-day novena itself has become a cultural icon, the celebrations referring to the Continue reading
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Developmentspeak of “Populorum Progressio (1967)”
Any attempt at exploring the different discourses on development – its nature, extent, and meaning(s) – needs to also consider the language, context and content of the Catholic Social Teaching (CST) on development especially in the Papal encyclical Populorum Progressio (trans. “On the Development of Peoples,” abbreviated to PP). It needs special consideration because of Continue reading
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slowly, slowly, the bonsai
slowly, slowly, the bonsai grows. bending to the will of iron wires. out of constant strain: beauty. slowly, slowly creeping to the big bowl of freedom in the sky. Continue reading
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Re-imagining the Balyana Priestess in Pre-hispanic Bikol
This article is an attempt to study the [mga] balyana or priestesses of Bikol and analyze some of the names in the epic-fragment of Ibalon and practices of the ancient religion as cited in the Lisboa dictionary (1754). It features three images/personalities: the Balyana, the Asog and Oryol. Balyana and Asog Many would define a priestess as Continue reading
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Isang Pagninilay sa Butuan: o Kung Bakit Dapat Kumilos ang Lungsod ng Butuan Tungo sa Pagpapahalaga ng mga Nalalabing Liktao
Marahil may manghang nabibighani sa aking loob o ‘di kaya’y isang palaisipan na humahilanang pilit lutasin, kung kaya’t napupuno ako ng sigasig sa tuwing pupunta sa mga lugar kung saan umaalingasaw ang mga labi ng kasaysayan at pati na nang mga lumang anito at diwata, mapa-museo man ito, silid-aklatan o lumang mga simbahan. Di maikakaila Continue reading
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Decisions, Decisions
I want to start by narrating how I came about my paper for Bro. Karl Gaspar – which has everything to do with what I’m intending to write for my thesis. So permit me to say that writing a paper for one of Mindanao’s intellectual giants, in two days, is a feat that must be Continue reading
Being Here, Now. 