In an age when climate ambition often outpaces climate action, governments—both local and national—risk trading substance for spin. From glossy sustainability reports to grand pledges of “net zero by 2050,” greenwashing has become the siren song of public institutions hoping to meet political deadlines without upsetting entrenched interests. Yet, as citizens demand real progress, we need tools that pierce the rhetoric and verify the results...

Digital colonization isn’t a metaphor — it’s an unfolding reality encoded in every algorithm that shapes our lives. As artificial intelligence systems permeate decisions on credit, policing, healthcare, hiring, and beyond, they risk entrenching the same inequities and power imbalances that defined historical empires. Left unchecked, these digital systems standardize norms drawn from narrow cultural, racial, and socioeconomic perspectives, effectively “colonizing” minds, marke

Now that the national tally is complete and the ballots have been counted, the significance of the youngest cohorts’ turnout cannot be overstated. Filipino millennials and members of Generation Z, long dismissed as disengaged or apathetic, mobilized in historic numbers and delivered their verdict at the polls. Of the 68.4 million voters registered, 40.2 million came from voters under 45, a demographic majority that has spoken with unprecedented clarity...

I still remember the hush of the Aldwych library at 11 p.m., my only companions the low hum of fluorescent lights and the reassuring creak of ancient floorboards. Back in Diliman in Quezon City, as an evening student at the Malcolm Hall – College of Law, I was accustomed to the evening chorus of jeepneys winding through University Avenue, the lively banter of street vendors outside the campus gates, and the ever-present sense of urgency as communities pressed against infrastr

I have long warned that AI’s rapid advancement could parallel historical patterns of colonization. If AI truly represents a black swan event—a disruptive moment in history—then we must confront what happens when 99 percent of the world’s languages are left behind. This is far more than a linguistic concern; it strikes at the heart of accessibility, representation, and digital equity. If we do not change who leads AI development, we risk inaugurating a new era of digital colon

For years, our basic education system has insisted that children in kindergarten and Grades 1–3 learn exclusively in English—an approach at once colonial in origin and deeply counterproductive. On the one hand, it outright bans instruction in the very languages spoken at home; on the other, it leaves young learners grasping at a foreign tongue before they have mastered the fundamentals of reading and reasoning...

There is no civic act more powerful, more fundamental, or more intimate to the Filipino people than the simple act of casting a ballot. Each time we line up under the heat of the sun or the threat of rain, we carry our hopes, our frustrations, and our dreams for the future in a single sheet of paper or the press of a button. Yet this ritual—so central to the promise of democracy—can too easily be taken for granted, surrendered to indifference or cynicism. To safeguard our rep

Walang ibang gawaing sibiko na mas makapangyarihan, mas pangunahin, o mas malapit sa puso ng sambayanang Pilipino kaysa sa simpleng akto ng pagboboto. Sa tuwing nakapila tayo sa ilalim ng init ng araw o sa banta ng pag-ulan, dala natin ang ating pag-asa, pagkabigo, at mga pangarap para sa hinaharap sa isang liham na papel o sa isang pindot ng button. Gayunpaman, ang ritwal na ito—na sentro sa pangako ng demokrasya—ay napakadaling ipagsawalang-bahala, isuko sa kawalan ng malas

With just one week remaining before Filipinos march to the polls, our archipelagic democracy finds itself awash in campaign colors—red, yellow, pink, and green fluttering from lamp posts, storefronts, and the sleeves of fervent partisans. For years, voters have endured long queues and unpredictable weather to exercise their constitutional right. Yet true victory will not belong to any one color or coalition; it will belong to the Filipino people only if every ballot is protec

National identity is vital for a country aspiring to chart its own future independently amid global pressures. For the Philippines, a country rich in diverse cultures and languages, fostering national identity begins fundamentally in the classroom, with the choice of language as the medium of instruction. While the widespread use of English is often highlighted for its global economic advantages, insisting on English as the official language of education inadvertently weakens

When I began the consultancy report Future Proofing Metro Manila, my mission was clear yet ambitious: to reimagine our city as a place where everyday life feels simpler, healthier, and more fulfilling. Metro Manila's residents currently lose up to 117 hours annually stuck in rush-hour traffic. Only 29 percent express satisfaction with healthcare, and our pollution index sits alarmingly high at 89.9. These figures highlight an urgent need for deep-rooted, systemic change rath

Sa bawat sulok ng mundo kung saan may bumuboto, sinusubok ang demokrasya—hindi lamang ng mga nagbibilang ng boto, kundi ng mga naniniwalang may halaga pa rin ang kanilang tinig. Sa pinakamabuting anyo nito, ang demokrasya ay kolektibong pangarap ng isang bayan na naghahangad ng mas magandang kinabukasan. Ngunit sa pinakamahina nitong kalagayan, isa lamang itong tahimik na pag-asa na maaaring patahimikin ng takot, kalimutan sa kawalang-interes, o wasakin ng panlilinlang.

Sa Pilipinas, bawat araw ng halalan ay isang pagsubok sa ating paninindigan para sa demokrasya. Maagang gumigising ang mga tao, puno ang mga barangay hall ng mga botante, at milyon-milyong Pilipino ang nakikilahok sa sagradong gawaing sibiko ng pagboto. Ngunit sa likod ng makukulay na tarpaulin ng kampanya at ng magagarbong political rally, may isang tahimik ngunit mahalagang puwersang gumagalaw: ang mga tagamasid ng halalan. Madalas hindi napapansin, ang mga taong ito—lokal

In a democracy, few things are as fundamental as the accurate counting of votes. The legitimacy of elections — and thus the stability of a nation's political system — hinges directly upon trust in the electoral process. For the Philippines, a country with a rich democratic tradition yet persistent concerns regarding electoral transparency, adopting a parallel manual count system similar to that employed by the United States could significantly enhance the credibility and reli

The United Kingdom, despite being a highly connected society with widespread internet access and advanced cybersecurity infrastructure, explicitly prohibits online voting. British voters still physically mark their choices on paper ballots, a practice that might seem outdated in our digital age, yet one that the UK government firmly believes ensures the highest standards of electoral integrity. This choice underscores an essential truth: the convenience of digital technology

Sa kabila ng pagiging isang lipunang mataas ang antas ng koneksyon, malawak na access sa internet, at makabagong imprastraktura sa cybersecurity, ipinagbabawal pa rin ng United Kingdom ang online voting. Patuloy na pisikal na minamarkahan ng mga Briton ang kanilang mga balota, isang paraang maaaring tingnan bilang makaluma sa digital na panahon ngunit matatag na pinaniniwalaan ng kanilang gobyerno bilang pinakamainam para tiyakin ang integridad ng eleksyon.

In an era marked by division, war, ecological crisis, and disinformation, Pope Francis continues to be a moral compass—not only for Catholics, but for all of humanity. His voice is steady in a world of clamor, reminding us that faith is not measured by how loud we speak, but by how deeply we care.

In every corner of the world where ballots are cast, democracy is tested—not just by those who count the votes, but by those who believe their voice still matters. At its best, democracy is the collective dream of a people charting their own future. But at its most vulnerable, it is a quiet hope that can be silenced with fear, forgotten in apathy, or broken by betrayal...

In the Philippines, every election day is a test of our democratic resolve. Streets buzz with anticipation, barangay halls fill with voters, and millions take part in the sacred civic ritual of casting a ballot. Yet, behind the color of campaign tarps and the spectacle of political rallies lies a quieter but equally vital force: election observers. Often overlooked, these individuals—both domestic and international—serve as the frontline defenders of electoral integrity. And

The phrase “Ang taba mo” has long been a fixture in Filipino social interactions, commonly surfacing in family reunions, neighborhood...