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Why PH must adopt a parallel manual vote count system
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

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Apr 25, 20252 min read


Why online voting isn’t worth the gamble
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 British voters still physically mark their choices on paper ballots, a practice that might seem outdated in our digital age, yet one that the UK government firmly believes ensures the highest standards of electoral integrity.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

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Apr 23, 20253 min read


Listening to Pope Francis in a noisy world
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.

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Apr 18, 20252 min read


Democracy is fragile: But its power lies in the people
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...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Apr 16, 20253 min read


Election observers save democracies
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

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Apr 11, 20253 min read


Why body-shaming hurts Filipinos’ mental health
The phrase “Ang taba mo” has long been a fixture in Filipino social interactions, commonly surfacing in family reunions, neighborhood...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Apr 9, 20253 min read


A call to rethink development
We are living in a time of transformation. From the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and escalating conflicts to the rapid...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Apr 4, 20253 min read


How economic anxiety is rewriting Gen Z’s love story
Marriage in the Philippines is no longer the inevitable milestone it once was. Among Gen Z Filipinos—the country’s youngest adults—a...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Apr 2, 20253 min read


Why the Philippines must act on climate change now
Climate change is no longer a distant threat looming on the horizon — it is a present reality demanding immediate, unified action. In...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Mar 28, 20253 min read


The fight for gender equality starts at home
When we talk about gender equality, the conversation often focuses on the corporate boardroom, government leadership, or social...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Mar 26, 20254 min read


If the Philippines is serious about gender equality, it must start with its laws
The Philippines has long prided itself on being one of the more progressive nations in Asia when it comes to gender equality. Women have...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Mar 21, 20253 min read


Arkipelago Analytics partners with Manila Bulletin for data-driven journalism
Arkipelago Analytics, a data science and analytics firm, announces its strategic partnership with Manila Bulletin, a trusted media...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Mar 19, 20253 min read


What I’ve learned from Biz Stone
My first encounter with Biz Stone, the co-founder of Twitter, took place in the historic Sheldonian Theater — a grand seventeenth-century...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Mar 12, 20253 min read


Governments must take a stronger stance on endangered languages
Worldwide, nearly half of all living languages—3,045 out of 7,164—are endangered, with as many as 95 percent at risk of extinction by the...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Mar 7, 20253 min read


What I am most afraid of
The first time I saw war up close, I was in Marawi, on an assignment to help rehabilitate a city scarred by violence. I remember the day...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Mar 5, 20253 min read


How AI can protect indigenous lands, environment
In the fight to protect our planet, technology has often been seen as both a problem and a solution. But when used ethically and...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Feb 28, 20253 min read


Shaping AI for people, not just algorithms
I am writing this column the morning after the She Shapes AI Awards ceremony, still feeling the weight of the conversations, the shared...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Feb 26, 20253 min read


Beyond algorithms: How AI can be a force for equity and education
I am writing this column while on the train from Oxford University to the UCL Campus in Canary Wharf, reflecting on the meaningful...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Feb 21, 20254 min read


Lady Elish Angiolini: ‘I have never been scared’
I first set foot at St Hugh’s College on a crisp Oxford morning, my footsteps muffled by the gently mown lawn that leads up to the tall,...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Feb 19, 20254 min read


Tiffany Lafuente: A young artist conquering the art scene
Tiffany Lafuente is a name quickly becoming synonymous with contemporary art that challenges conventions while offering a whimsical yet...

Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Feb 14, 20253 min read
Viewpoints
Explore thought-provoking perspectives on the Viewpoint page. Dive into Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo's opinion articlesain fresh insights and explore a diverse range of topics, all from the lens of an insightful author and thought leader.



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