Posts by author
Joseph Cortes
Give peace a chance
THE quest for peace in Mindanao is currently in a holding pattern with both Houses of Congress looking at ways to amend provisions of the Bangsamoro basic law (BBL) in the wake of the Mamasapano incident early in the year.
20 years of Ballet Manila in one night
A ballet company’s lifeblood lies in its corps of dancers. Unless it has strong talented dancers who are skillful in their performances, no amount of hype can convince the public to come to their shows and watch them dance. They must be able to dazzle the public, showing them not only something new, but also consistent presentations of ballet classics.
Forging peace in Mindanao
FOR the past few weeks, a series of television commercials and radio spots, as well as print ads, have been airing nationwide providing information about the relationship of the European Union (EU) and the Philippines. These infomercials highlight various aspects of Philippine relations with European countries, in terms of trade, education, and health and wellness.
Developing super Pinoys
IN this day and age of smartphones and tablets, the camera has suddenly become the most important gadget that we own.
Maintaining a sustainable world for our children
THE world will be listening intently when the Philippines presents its report on how it addressed the issues, following the onslaught of Supertyphoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan) in November 2013 at the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction to be held in Sendai, Japan, from March 14 to 18.
Yes, you can look for your dream car online
IN this digital age that we now live in, we take for granted the benefits the Internet has brought to our lives. The way we live, the way we communicate, the way we connect, and even the ways we buy things have all been modified by our dependence on digital connections. It has brought a sense of convenience to our lives, something we did not have a decade or two ago.
At the top of the heap
THINGS are looking up for the Marriott Hotel Manila. In a couple of months, it is set to open its grand ballroom, which is touted to be the biggest in the country at 2,000 square meters.
The Philippines is his second home
THERE is something comforting about meeting someone who has already previously been to the Philippines; it is like meeting a long-lost friend. Although you want to know more about the person—who he is, what he likes, what he believes in—somehow the conversation slips back to the past: how he lived here, what he experienced, what are his memories.
Cebu, Boracay are South Korea’s favorite honeymoon destination
FOR many South Koreans, the Philippines is like their second home. With the number of English-language schools catering to South Korean students opening in key cities, it isn’t surprising to see a number of Koreatowns mushrooming around the country.
Sister countries
THE last thing I was expecting to be offered a few minutes before lunch was a shot of tequila. The cup of coffee beside me had grown cold, and I was ready to treat myself to a fabulous lunch. But somehow, tequila, if it is served at the office of the Mexican ambassador, must be the real deal. So, how could I say no?
The wine of the future
SINCE he was in his teens, winemaker Frédéric Brochet has been consumed with a passion for wine. In fact, he describes himself to be a “wine geek.” He made his first label for a family-made Gamay when he was a child, and he started keeping a catalog of all the vintages that his father made in their half-a-hectare vineyard when he was 14 years old.
The Philippines is in the heart
WHEN he is not caught up with work, Dr. Carlos Madrid, director of the Instituto Cervantes, roams Quiapo and Santa Cruz districts in downtown Manila, studying the old houses, soaking up the ambiance and committing to memory the huge influence Spain had on the Philippines.
Phl, Czech Republic share close historical ties
The Czech Republic might lie within the heart of Central Europe, but it has numerous historical associations with the Philippines that date back to Spanish colonial times. Ambassador Jaroslav Olša of the Czech Republic describes these instances to be “interesting moments when our histories intertwined.”