Last December 19, President Aquino signed Republic Act 10351, otherwise known as the Sin Tax Reform bill, which would increase excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products and would give the government billions in tax revenue to be split between the two products, 40-60. Tax increases would, however, be incremental, and would hence raise even…
Month: January 2013
The enemy of my enemy is my friend
Last term I was lucky enough to have a member of a dwindling population of La Salle graduates—Lasallites—as a professor. My professor, a known leftist (as many would consider themselves) during the Marcos regime, talked a lot about the “old days” when the De La Salle brothers would work together within and around the system…
Greatness in failure
Failure is a part of live; everyone has failed once if not numerous times. It hurts and stings, but it does not mean that we cannot achieve or accomplish anything after. Truth be told, it is a part of success, and should serve as an inspiration to do better. Besides, who would want to live…
Joysticks and keyboards
Man knows no boundaries in searching for life improvement. We have always been in continuous pursuit of enlightenment by searching for knowledge and skills. We have gone to the end of the earth to accomplish the ultimate goal—convenience in our every day lives—and we have technology and human ingenuity to thank for that. What’s interesting…
Lost in traslacíon
Blood, moans, sweat, and garbage: these assault the senses during the primeval spectacle that happens every January 9, when maroon-clad Catholic devotees flock in droves to the image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, or Jesus the Black Nazarene, and participate in the procession from the Quirino Grandstand all the way to the image’s home, the…
In a letter released on the DLSU Bulletin, University President and Chancellor Br. Ricky Laguda FSC announced the results of the almost two month long search for new administrators that started last December 11, 2012. The bulletin reads, “After a process of consultation, and after ascertaining the best interests of the University, I am…
With less than three months remaining in the 75th Season of the UAAP, De La Salle University continues to lead against last year’s General Champion, the University of Santo Tomas, in the University’s quest for its first ever General Championship (GC). As of press time, DLSU is 10 points ahead of UST. The volleyball,…
The Dynasty Equation
In the revolving doors between Big Politics and Big Business, families rule. ‘Didn’t win this year’s elections, my darling? No matter, there’s always next year, and if you lose then, we’ll have room for you at the board of directors at daddy’s company!’ You see them everywhere. In candidates – of identical surnames – running for…
It’s the hard-knock life
Every person, whether we like it or not, will always be faced with the question “Who am I?”. Our childhood and teen years help us answer this question, since it is the time when most of us normal people are introduced to the environment we will probably live in until we have diplomas or first…
There could be nothing more profound nor more valuable than the gift of time, which we must all utilize wisely to do good in this world. Despite audacious claims that “we have all the time in the world”, our time here is in fact quite limited, a paradox that makes the gift of time more…