VERA Files
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Photography lesson at 7,748 feet above sea level
By Ofelia C. Empian, VERA Files The grandeur and mystery of Mount Pulag through the eyes of children. That is what Juan Portrait wants to share with the rest of the country when it stages the works of 20 pupils … Continue reading →
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Violin virtuoso Chino Gutierrez’s Passion
By Itchie Cruz-Yap, VERA Files Many young Filipino musicians struggle to make their music heard. Although the Filipinos are a very musical lot, the infrastructure for music and the arts in the Philippines is still fraught with a lot of … Continue reading →
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10 tips to lessen travel hassles
By Johnna Villaviray Giolagon, VERA Files The proliferation of budget airlines has made travel affordable even if one does not belong to the rich and famous. Travel recharges one’s tired body and mind. You learn other people’s culture, you gain … Continue reading →
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CinemalayaX: The year of creative conceit
By Katrina Stuart Santiago, VERA Files I had started watching CinemalayaX with Carlitos Siguion Reyna’s Hari Ng Tondo, Joseph Alterejos’s Kasal, and Roderick Cabrido’s Children’s Show. It was two good movies out of three, and I thought it was portents … Continue reading →
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Bohol reconstruction: Harmonizing yesterday with today
By Cooper Resabal, VERA Files Rebuilding structures damaged by the 7.2 intensity earthquake that struck Bohol October last year not only means restoring the pre-earthquake look of the island province, but also involves harmonizing them with existing structures that reflect … Continue reading →
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Performing Grief
By Jake Soriano, VERA Files Divina is preparing for her daughter Rowena’s 13th birthday when she hears shocking news: her daughter has been attacked by a crocodile, her body still missing. As Divina searches for the body of her daughter … Continue reading →
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Human factor: key to success of first Iloilo BPO company
By Hazel P. Villa, VERA Files ILOILO CITY-In the world of technology, the human factor is what makes the difference. Filipino-American Rom Agustin, chief executive officer of Callbox Sales and Marketing Solutions, paid tribute to the people who compose the … Continue reading →
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Hashtag Why
By Jake Soriano, VERA Files Even before its title credits appear, the film #Y directed by Gino Santos has already told its audience its lead character is dead. It is in fact the dead man Miles – dead boy rather, … Continue reading →
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The mystery of the old Dao tree in UP Los Baños
By Itchie Cruz-Yap, VERA Files There is one tree at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños that evokes wonder for its resistance to the strongest typhoons that have smashed into the country: the leaning tropical dao tree in … Continue reading →
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Good hygiene—the weapon vs Ebola virus
By Ellen T. Tordesillas, VERA Files The president of a national physicians organization is reminding the public to practice good hygiene as one of the measures to combat the Ebola virus currently sweeping West Africa. Tony Leachon, president of the … Continue reading →
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People’s SONA: Boss ‘fires’ PNoy
By JANE MAREN DASAL, VERA Files (Photos by Mario Ignacio IV and Mario Espinosa) As the rains poured on Monday, sentiments of discontent from the protesters also poured when President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivered his fifth State of the … Continue reading →
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PH envoy to Japan: Policy shift strengthens Japan’s role as regional balancing force
By Norman Sison,VERA Files Last July 1, the cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe revised its interpretation of the country’s pacifist constitution. Article 9 of the charter, imposed by the United States during its occupation of Japan after World … Continue reading →
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Philippines in global radar due to high HIV infections
By Diana G. Mendoza, VERA Files Melbourne – “I feel and sense that the Philippines may be the next Africa.” Dr. Jose Narciso Melchor Sescon, president of the AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP), made this conclusion at the International … Continue reading →
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Dani Girl: Test of faith
By Yolanda L. Punsalan, VERA Files Dani Girl, the musical, will melt your heart. On its last weekend run (July 24 to 27, 8:30 p.m. Matinee, 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) Dani Girl is good respite from the toxic political … Continue reading →
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Lack of interpreter stalls case of 12 Vietnamese poachers in Sulu
By Joseph Arnel Deliverio, VERA Files Jolo, Sulu—Twelve Vietnamese fishermen detained here for stealing endangered marine animals two years ago have yet to be formally charged in court simply because no interpreter has showed up to help get the case … Continue reading →
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Lack of info, bad weather blamed for low turnout in PWD voter registration
By VERA Files In various offices of the Commission on Elections nationwide, the same story played out as the country marked Sunday the National Registration Day for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): Only a handful showed up to register as voters, … Continue reading →
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Philippines poor in prosecuting trafficking cases—US gov’t
By Vince Nonato, VERA Files Despite the Philippine government’s efforts to combat human trafficking, the United States’latest global Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report said it its overall number of convictions remained low. “The Government of the Philippines does not fully … Continue reading →
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Darrell Ang prepared to astonish Manila
Text and photos by Elizabeth Lolarga, VERA Files “Compelling podium authority (with) authoritative readings of the core symphonic repertoire, especially the great masterpieces by French and Russian composers” –this is how fast-rising conductor Darrel Ang is described in a bionote. … Continue reading →
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Rosabella Sulani: A tough woman for a dangerous job
By Jake Soriano, VERA Files Bongao, Tawi-Tawi – Inside a small room at the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Station, leaders of the local anti-trafficking task force had been trying to pry information out of five women who had just been intercepted … Continue reading →
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The journey to realize the star-studded Mostly Mozart Festival
By Elizabeth Lolarga,VERA Files The Mostly Mozart 2014 Festival comes while the music world mourns the recent death of Maestro Oscar Yatco who did much to raise the country’s musical standards. Pianist Cristine Coyiuto, who will perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto … Continue reading →