Category Archives: Sociology
Nuestra Señora de la Mantsa: The Case of the Laoag City Bell Tower ‘Apparition’
And we did it again. Ten years ago, I wondered in an essay why this Catholic Nation has produced only one saint so far while Thailand, Japan and China–all non-Christian countries–have more. Maybe, unlike Filipinos, I said then, people from … Continue reading
The (other) Lady at the Capitol
Matilda Ricardo Mandac, 63, is a truly powerful woman, and it’s not because she has stayed and worked at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol, and has seen 5 governors in a span of over three decades. Nana Gretchen, as Mandac … Continue reading
Filed under Ilocos, Sociology, The Good Life
Jubileeconomics
St. William Cathedral, Laoag City The Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag, established in June 1961, celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year, and I should feel excited. This must be something big and meaningful. After all, Ilocanos are a deeply pious … Continue reading
Refusing ninonghood
I received today another invitation to a baptism, it reads: “I, Chery May, invite you to come and join me to witness my christening on the 27th day of April, 2011, 10:00 a.m. at Saint William Cathedral, Laoag City.” I … Continue reading
Filed under Church, Religion, Reproductive Health Bill, Sociology, Traditions
Now, the book
“Since reading Herdz’s 2000 essay on the problem of being ‘Filipino,’ I knew that a progressive radical writer was in the making, someone who would challenge the herd mentality of our time. The essays in this volume attest to a … Continue reading
Why beer is better than religion
MY FRIEND Rommel, a highly regarded scholar from Cagayan, observes that going to church is no different from frequenting a videoke bar. You go to these places to find relief from life’s cruelties. The great American statesman Benjamin Franklin posited … Continue reading
Church of the Pool on the take?
BUT OF COURSE. Archbishop Oscar Cruz, an indefatigable anti-jueteng crusader, revealed recently that eight to twelve Catholic dioceses are benefitting from illegal gambling operations. One wonders if the Diocese of Laoag is among them. This sense of wonder is not … Continue reading
Filed under Church, Government/Politics, Sociology
Book
I FINALLY agreed, dear karikna, to pursue what well-meaning friends and readers have been prodding me to do: write a book. I made the decision the other week when I opened our refrigerator and saw my newspaper column wrapped around … Continue reading
Yes to Jueteng!
I AM HAPPY that P-Noy himself clarified categorically that while he is against jueteng, eradicating the illegal numbers game is not on top of his to-do list. “That’s a low priority for me,” he said. I surmise it saddened Archbishop … Continue reading
Filed under Church, Government/Politics, Sociology
Ay, supot!
THE AFTERNOON RAINS in past days reminded us that summer may be ending soon, which means time is running out for the ritual of passage that is male circumcision (“tuli” in Filipino and “kugit” in Ilokano). Various groups, ranging from … Continue reading
Filed under Sociology
200
That, dear karikna, is not the number of yellow shirts I have purchased. I surmise not even Noynoy Aquino has that many in his wardrobe. Two hundred pesos is the current rate in the vote-buying operations for the first congressional … Continue reading
Filed under Government/Politics, Ilocos, Sociology
What a student learned from my class
On our last meeting, I asked my students about their top five learnings in our subject Sociology1-Society and Culture, and this one I find most amusing. Very attentive girl this civil engineering junior. Click on the pic.
Eloquent Rudy, idealistic Kris, and confused Atong
I WANTED Teteng Sales to be in the forum sponsored by student journalists of the Divine Word College of Laoag last Feb. 24. The former Pagudpud mayor, who claims he won the congressional race in 2007 over incumbent Roque Ablan … Continue reading
Filed under Government/Politics, Ilocos, ReproductiveHealthBill, Sociology
Nang pitong araw na hindi nag-smile ang araw
NAMISS natin sobra ang maliwanag na sinag ng haring araw. Kung dati ay panay ang reklamo natin dahil sa init ng panahon, ngayo’y ating napagtanto na di hamak na mas mahirap ang basang-basa at madilim na buhay. Nakalulunos ang pinsalang … Continue reading
Preparing the thumb for the stains of politics
One of the letters I received was from William S. of California USA. His letter merits attention, because he suggests I write about something he finds important. Part of his letter reads: “I am one of your avid readers in … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Government/Politics, Media, Sociology
Empanada Festival awe-inspiring but untruthful
As promised, I am featuring in this column a critique written by Ianree Raquel on the Empanada Festival held recently in Batac City. Raquel, who teaches Arts and Society at the Mariano Marcos State University, is cultural coordinator of the … Continue reading
Filed under Festivals, Ilocos, Sociology, The Good Life, Tourism
Scandal!
PIDDIG sex scandal, Burgos scandal, Pangil scandal, (rumored) Dingras scandal, 5-sisters scandal, Hayden Kho scandal, and all those campus scandals. If you cannot beat them, join them? That we do nothing to kill the monster we call pornography; that we … Continue reading
Mga Larawan sa Maharot na Dilim (Huling Bahagi)
(Heto po ang ikalawa at huling bahagi ng sanaysay na sinulat ng isa sa aking mga pinakamahusay at pinakamasigasig na mag-aaral—si Cherry Gatiw-an. Tungkol ito sa kanyang mga karanasan sa pagsasagawa ng pananaliksik sa red district dito sa Ilocos. Si … Continue reading
Mga Larawan sa Maharot na Dilim (Unang Bahagi)
(Nais kong ibahagi sa inyo ang isang sanaysay na sinulat ng isa sa aking mga pinakamahusay at pinakamasigasig na mag-aaral—si Cherry Gatiw-an. Tungkol ito sa kanyang mga karanasan sa pagsasagawa ng pananaliksik sa red district dito sa Ilocos. Si Cherry … Continue reading
Portrait of a writer as Ilocano:A tribute to Sozimo Ma. Pablico (1938-2009)
(Sosimo Ma. Pablico, agriculture columnist of The Ilocos Times, passed away last April 22 at age 70. Survived by his wife Barbie and son Paul Ethelbert, his remains lie in state in San Fernando, La Union.) I FIRST knew about … Continue reading
Laoag dads dignify ‘palakasan’, adopt Mikey Arroyo as son
JUAN MIGUEL “MIKEY” MACAPAGAL ARROYO, eldest child of the most distrusted president in Philippine history, was recently declared by the Laoag City council as an adopted son of the city. Based on a news report written by Dominic Dela Cruz … Continue reading
Filed under Government/Politics, Ilocos, Sociology
Church unwittingly endorses vice
I visited the Catholic Church in Batac recently, and found this among the souvenir stuff they were selling at the parish office. While I would not say that smoking is evil and that smokers are baaad folks, I feel uncomfortable … Continue reading
Top town dad earns Socio degree
AS A POLITICIAN, Rommel T. Labasan is currently busy attending commencement ceremonies in a number of schools. He is usually a guest of honor and speaker. On April 3, however, it will be his turn to wear a toga and … Continue reading
Filed under Education, Government/Politics, Sociology
YOUTHFUL VOICE IN AN ANGRY SEA OF APATHY AND DISBELIEF
(This is an oratorical piece I wrote for my nursing students at the Trinity University of Asia. It is now also being used in speech classes in other universities and colleges in Metro Manila. I am sharing this with you … Continue reading
Filed under Government/Politics, Revolution, Sociology
Everyone is invited.
Filed under Church, Health, Religion, ReproductiveHealthBill, Sociology, Uncategorized
Legalize Marijuana
So, Michael Phelps, that guy who won eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympics, the most in human history, was caught on photo in an apparent act of smoking pot. The photo (which I am not posting here out respect … Continue reading
NO to beauty pageants… and political invocations
Not once, but twice! As with the past years, at least two beauty pageants are touted as highlights of the 2009 Pamulinawen Festival. The Search for Ms. ABC (Association of Barangay Councils) was held on February 4 at the Centennial … Continue reading
Filed under Festivals, Government/Politics, Ilocos, Religion, Sociology, The Good Life, Tourism, Traditions
Budding Sociologists tackle the laoagcentralissue
INSTEAD of submitting tired academic papers, my students in Sociology of Development are working on a blog (http://laoagcentralissue.wordpress.com). Using the sociological lens, the blog tackles the complex issues that surround the construction of a mall in downtown Laoag. My … Continue reading
Filed under Church, Education, Government/Politics, LaoagCentralElem, Sociology
Most Meaningful Christmas Greeting
My Uncle Erning, an Iglesia ni Cristo diakono, visited our home today. Conscious about being sensitive to the religious beliefs of others, I would usually say ‘Happy Holidays’–a greeting more safe. (For those who don’t know yet, INCs don’t celebrate … Continue reading
Change: where and how do we begin?
PETER WRITES ON THE INTERNET, “I sure hope he dies soon enough so he is relieved of all his burdens and that I am relieved of calling him a fellow Filipino.” No, he was not referring to some bandit, cult … Continue reading
Filed under Revolution, Sociology
