Pangan: Bully nations

THE military authorities involved in the signing of the armistice in 1953 purportedly putting a halt to the Korean War should have anticipated the resurgence of the threat of another war, this time viewed as more destructive, sweeping and bringing fast destruction to lives and properties via a nuclear blast, designed to obliterate its intended targets.

Mercado: Old legs and charity

TOMORROW, April 9, is Araw ng Kagitingan, aka, Fall of Bataan day.

It has been 71 years since US Gen. Edward King led the surrender of 76,000 soldiers including 12,000 Americans to Japanese Gen. Masaharu Homma in formal rites in a school yard at Balanga, Bataan.

Sapnu: Karnaping ng mga motorsiklo, rampant

MUKHANG laganap ang insidente ng karnaping ng mga motorcycles sa Pampanga at karatig lalawigan nitong nakaraang mga buwan.

Ito'y batay sa mga police report na natatanggap sa Camp Olivas kung saan karamihan sa mga kinakarnap na motorsiklo ay iyong 125 CC.

Gueco: Habemus Giustizia

THESE Italian words when translated into English means -- “We have justice!”

Yes! Going for the highest laws of equality, fairness and truth is like searching for the cool oasis waters to chill our brown and parched Mother Gaia (Earth). In the midst of the desert dunes, stepping on the pathway of the oases means plugging into a lifeline waterway source to quench thirst and hunger.

Garcia: Pamanalala Napun king Bukas (Remembering Tomorrow Yesterday)

“DING aldo e la yugse o titipunan, panilan lang sisilab kambe ning kayumwan, o magpalibub king asyad: ing pamigunyat malalaus pa mu rin, ding pamaglakbe datang la at maglibutad king pulut panilan at kaplas. Ali, ding dala ring banwa e la tutuknang makakalag: alang dala. E la mananabu patak balang patak manibat king ilug: alang ilug. Ing tudtud e mapipitna karing kapitna, o kimut, o kataimikan, o dangalan: Ing bye bala batu ya, metung yang galo, Magdili-diling dapug makakablas karing bulung, Paslu, metung ya mu, makupad o asna bilis, bakal a mumukyat o kukuldas sisilab karing butul mu.” -- Pablo Neruda, Still Another Day

Tulabut: AUF’s honors

HIS name always rings a bell. Why would not he?

Diosdado P. Banatao. He is a Silicon Valley icon. He is also one of the most sought-after speakers here and abroad. Big companies and industry giants always seek an audience with him.

Sapnu: Robbery sa Pampanga at Angeles mukhang ‘rampant’

NITONG buwan, sunod-sunod ang nakawan na nagaganap sa Pampanga at sa Angeles City.

Sa latest na report, ang biktima ng Akyat Bahay Gang ay si Anson Ong, 37. Pinasok ang kanyang bahay sa Villa Teresa, Barangay Cacutud, Angeles City, noong Marso 28.

Cortez: Easter: Forgiveness, reconciliation and love

IN LAST Sunday’s gospel (John 20), we see how early in the morning Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus, only to find that the stone has been removed. We also see how Peter and John ran to the site upon receiving this report, not finding the dead body but only the burial cloths. And we also see how the angels appeared to Mary Magdalene when she was left alone, and then Jesus himself saying, “Go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” So as commanded Mary Magdalene announced the good news, “I have seen the Lord.”

Mercado: 3rd District Race: Sprint or Marathon?

I HAVE been asking certain friends from all over the 3rd Congressional District why Rep. Dong Gonzales is leading the race there, as reported in local newspapers.

Their answers are straightforward, direct, and honest: “It is not because the people love Oca (Rodriguez) less but they love Dong more.”

Paras: Dr. BT Paras, 93 and still going

MY FATHER Dr. Bienvenido T. Paras turns 93 today, April 3. A nice number to celebrate a milestone. In fact, it has been said that the years beyond 70 are a bonus already, 70 being the average life expectancy of Filipinos. But my father has two things going for him: an interest in things going on around him, and an intense desire to see his grandchildren Dwight P. Morales, and Marjorie M. Sambo, be successful in their bids as Mabalacat City councilor and vice-mayor, respectively. This is what’s fueling his third wind.

Limlingan: Post-Lent Observation

DESPITE the Commission on Elections' plea to political candidates to spare the Holy Week in their campaign, many aspirants still went on a campaign rampage, making themselves visible to the public, others making noise.

From Holy Monday to Good Friday, some wannabes visited Pabasa sites and mingled with local folk, silently making their presence felt. While they did not actually ask people to vote for them, the facts that they are running for political positions and interact with the electorate speak for themselves - they are silently convincing the people that they should be voted come election time.

Tantingco: Shepherds Smelling like their Sheep

AT LEAST Pope Francis changed the global conversation.

No one's talking anymore about Vatileaks, pedophile priests and Peter the Roman, only about Pope Francis taking the bus, Pope Francis refusing to stay in the papal apartment, Pope Francis saying Mass for garbage collectors, and Pope Francis eating at a common cafeteria.

Editorial: Let’s start asking

THE campaign period for local elective positions has started – and with a big bang, too, we must add. But we must ask: did the candidates, during the Holy Week break, reflect on the promises they would give to the people?

We hope they did, because the time for promises – false and real – has begun.

Pangan: 43 days

TODAY will signal the start of the skirmishes for the May 13 elections. Crucial, enervating, energy-sapping. Resources and logistics will rule.

Support, allegiance and alliances follow. Tricks, gimmicks, black propaganda and squid tactics appear up front and there would be demolition jobs. Spin doctors survive and salivate, ugh!

Mercado: Toy Soto and other newsmen

NOT every Pampango newsman would reach 85 as Hector “Toy” Soto did. He was buried yesterday in Mabalacat City where he was once the town’s Officer in Charge after Edsa I.

Soto, the real veteran in local journalism, belonged to the famous Bacolor cultural-literati clan of the same name. If he did not have the genius of his forebear, the great Crissot, he carried the fierce pride of being a Bacoloreño, with lofty aspirations in writing and the performing arts.

Sapnu: Crucifixion sa 3 villages maayos

NAGING tahimik at maayos ang naganap na crucifixion sa barangays San Pedro Cutud, Sta. Lucia at San Juan noong nakaraang Biyernes Santo.

Ito ang napag-alaman ng Dateline kay Superintendent Ricardo David, hepe ng City of San Fernando police. Ayon sa kanya, naging maayos at wala namang kaguluhang nangyari sa nabanggit na tatlong barangay.

Gueco: Easter Joy

HALLELUJAH!

Our Lord is risen. Our Lord lives. He is the Alpha and the Omega. Two thousand and thirteen years ago, He showed his grand miracle- our redemption from the deadening clutches of despair, darkness and devastation.

Garcia: E Maleldo (Un-Holy Week)

“Kabang e tamu lalawe karing bage e mayayakit dapot karing bage mayayakit, pauli ning ding bage mayayakit pangsaguli la mu dapot ding bage e mayayakit pang-alang-angga la.” -- Ka-2-Kurintu, Dangka 4, Sunis 16-18 (2 Corinthians Chapter 4, Verses 16-18)

“Pagdulapan la ring bage ati king babo, nung nu i Kristu makalukluk ya wanan nang gamat ning Dyos. Isipan la ring bage ati babo, aliwa ring bage ati king yatu.” -- Kulosyanu, Dangka 3, Sunis 1-2 (Colossians Chapter 3, Verses 1-2)

Cortez: Holy Week Reflection

HOLY WEEK is a period of respite from work and school, and an opportune time to enjoy the family or anything that we love to do. Nevertheless, the break from daily routine that this week offers should not in any way detract us from reflecting on, and living up, to its deeper and more significant spiritual meaning.

Holy Thursday commemorates the institution of the Last Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26) when our Lord Jesus offered the bread as his body and the cup of wine as the new covenant in his blood. It is also on Holy Thursday when we remember Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet (Jn. 13:1-15), if only to set the example that just as the Master and Teacher humbled himself to serve his disciples, so must we also serve one another.

Sapnu: Police Handa na sa Crucifixion

KAHAPON ay nagkaroon ng “final meeting” ang Pampanga Police at mga opisyales ng City of San Fernando bilang paghahanda sa pagpapako sa krus sa tatlong barangay sa lungsod.

Umaabot sa 250 pulis ang ikakalat sa Barangay San Pedro Cutud, Sta. Lucia at San Juan kung saan magaganap ang Crucifixion nitong darating na Biyernes Santo.

Mercado: ‘Crucify Him!’

CATHOLICS observed the traditional Palm Sunday rituals yesterday.

Morning Masses were crowded by palm leaves-waving churchgoers. The “palaspas” is symbolic of the branches of palm trees that the multitude held as they met Jesus shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Pangan: SPES: a bridge for future leaders

THE Special Program for the Employment of Students or SPES, which unreels April 10, 2013 nationwide, is one important activity of Public Employment Service Offices (Peso), in active coordination with the regional/provincial offices of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).

Tulabut: Of Road Works and Smart

THEY are welcome development but they compromise safety.

I can’t help but notice the lack of signs that would duly warn motorists of construction along Macarthur Highway, particularly in northern Mabalacat City. DPWH should compel its contractors to place sufficient warning signs (lighted, reflectorized, well in advance, readable) on the on-going re-blocking and widening.

Tulabut: Of Road Works and Smart

THEY are welcome development but they compromise safety.

I can’t help but notice the lack of signs that would duly warn motorists of construction along Macarthur Highway, particularly in northern Mabalacat City. DPWH should compel its contractors to place sufficient warning signs (lighted, reflectorized, well in advance, readable) on the on-going re-blocking and widening.

Limlingan: Barangay Tanods, Health Workers and Promises

ONE thing that is good during the election season is the fact that there are many infrastructure projects accomplished, whether they are from the national or local governments. There are many activities too such as medical and dental missions, sports activities and bingo socials.

Another thing that many seem to like before the polls is the attention that political aspirants give to almost every member or sector of the society, regardless of rank or status. Even the lowly street sweeper is noticed during this time.

Peña: Green Pope

I READ an article in the religionnews.com explaining why Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio chose the name Pope Francis. The new Pope was quoted as saying “And this is how the name came to me, in my heart: Francis of Assisi. The man of the poor, the man of peace, the man who loves and cares for creation – in this moment when we don’t have a very good relationship with creation, no?”

Pangan: Stark Contrasts

WE MUST have seen on television the pomp and pageantry which attended the Catholic pope's inauguration who, from accounts, espouses humility, simplicity and poverty.

Cortez: The Supreme Sacrifice

ARE we willing to sacrifice our lives for our loved ones? Many will answer yes. Some will volunteer to donate one of their body organs to a dying family member, at the risk of compromising, even losing, their very own lives. Others will not hesitate to face the bullet, so to speak, just to shield their spouses, sons or daughters from a ruthless criminal. And not a few endure untold hardships working in foreign lands, just so their families will have food to eat, clothes to wear, house to live in, and education to pursue.

Sangil: In This Corner

THERE are two heavyweights Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan is facing in this election. We will know in May 13 if he will remain in his seat in the city hall. The Lazatins and the Nepomucenos.

If spokesmen and followers of both be queried, each camp is very much ahead. That's trending. Like a ping pong game, both throw dirt daily against each other, including the kitchen sink, so to speak.

Sapnu: ‘Heightened Alert’

ANG LAHAT ng Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel sa Police Regional Office-3 (PRO3) ay isasa-ilalim sa “heightened alert.”

Ito ang napag-alaman ng Dateline, na ang lahat ng mga Police Regional Offices sa bansa ay isasailalim sa heightened alert status mula Marso 24 hanggang Abril 1.