As long as I was re-immersing myself in retro-70s and 80s nostalgia in this series of posts about my “City High” years, I thought—why not? An era is not just about stories you can still recall. It’s really also about appreciating your
I looked around campus but I didn’t find it. At the last grand alumni homecoming reunion of my high school (Baguio City High School) last May, I went out of my way to look for an old white 1963 Willy’s jeepwagon that
About the Author The author is a writer and lawyer based in Baguio City, Philippines. Former editor of the Gold Ore and Baguio City Digest, professor of journalism, political science and law at Baguio Colleges Foundation (BCF). He is a photographer and
It was not NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda’s discretion to set the duration of NEA’s intervention in BENECO’s operation to just six months. In fact, that’s what the law provides, in Sec. 21(d) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act
Explore Baguio with a Bike A motorcycle is the best way to explore Baguio City if you have a limited time to do it. Unfortunately, we don’t have rental bike services in this city yet (PLEASE, somebody correct me, I’ll be the
Preserving CJH One other undeclared role that Camp John Hay served was as an ecological preserve. In 1987 what was thought to be the last mountain cloud rat (locally named “yutyut”) was caught off “Little Mermaid” garden, below Scout Hill by a
Skating Rink at CJH Indoor rollerskating in Camp John Hay was almost a rite of passage when we were in high school. My classmates and I from Baguio City High School (BCHS) would save up our daily allowance—don’t laugh now but back
NEA’s Hiring Process Can anybody stop NEA from opening the selection and hiring process for a new BENECO General Manager? The better question is, WHY would anybody want to stop NEA from doing that—hire a new GM through the compliant cooperation of
Can BENECO Complete its emergency Landing? ADVANCE DISCLOSURE: I make no claim whatsoever that everything I say here are facts. This is to save time for all those sanctimonious fact-twisters out there who I know will go through this article with a
“Why the sudden interest on Camp John Hay? You’ve been writing about it almost as passionately as you did about BENECO the past several days…” is the most common question I’ve been asked several times lately. “By the way, what happened to
While Christine and I were doing our regular “cardio” walkaround in Camp John Hay last weekend, I spied on a little sign near Scout Hill that indicated the direction to what it claimed to be the “historical core” of Camp John Hay.
“The NEA shall immediately step-in and take over from its Board the operations of any ailing electric cooperative. Within a reasonable period after take-over, the NEA may convert the ailing cooperative to either a stock cooperative registered with the CDA or a
The Philippines was under Spanish colonial rule for 327 years (1571-1898) and under American rule for just 47 years (1898-1946). So the joke goes we spent three centuries in cloistered convent, and less than retirement age in Hollywood. And yet look at
“The NEA shall immediately step-in and take over from its Board the operations of any ailing electric cooperative. Within a reasonable period after take-over, the NEA may convert the ailing cooperative to either a stock cooperative registered with the CDA or a
S1E70 – Redeeming the Institution: BARANGAY The myth of this “Golden Age” of the martial law years has been so thoroughly debunked in social media even the Marcos campaign has virtually dropped it. Instead of a vote-magnet it became a deadweight to
S1E69 – How dare you doubt PAGASA’s weather forecasts? Good evening class. Please bring out your umbrellas, if you brought one. I am going to go around the classroom and inspect your readiness to cope with inclement weather–like some scattered showers and
S1E68 – The true essence of the “Rule of Law” Where is Miss Carla Adaawan?” I picked out a particular student because I knew she is from Tabuk City, which is in Kalinga province. This province was particularly significant during martial law
S1E67 – Exploiting the confusion created by the “fog of war” The action of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) in appointing Ana Maria Rafael as general manager of Benguet Electric Cooperative is illegal because it violates Section 26-B of P.D. 269. That
S1E66 – I respect your opinion because it’s your God Good, evening class. Tonight I want to talk more about the freedom of thought and of free opinion. You read about it all the time on social media. Everybody demands that you
S1E65 – You want a TRO? Show me the money! What is the meaning of freedom?” I began the evening’s lecture by asking my students a question for which there is no universal answer. “Imagine this class—we keep saying that laws exist
S1E64 – Was there really a Golden Age of Philippine agriculture? Miss Joanna Pis-o…from the land of the stonewalled rice terraces of Barlig, Mountain Province, in the central Cordilleras, are you present?” “Yes, sir, present! I certainly correspond to that long geocultural
S1E3 – Studying all the Queen’s Gambit Moves for Sara There’s so much talk about Sara Duterte becoming president if Bongbong Marcos is disqualified. There’s even a conspiracy theory that this is the reason why the COMELEC is delaying the decision in
S1E62 – Mandatory military training for all citizens, anyone? Miss Carla Adaawan?” The girl from Tabuk City looked up from oogling at her smartphone at the start of the evening’s class. I don’t know what startled her—that I suddenly called on her
S1E61- What would Jesus say about electric cooperatives? I walked into the classroom holding nothing in my hands—no classcards, no index cards or lecture notes on yellowpad. I even left my chalkbox and blackboard eraser in the faculty lounge. Instantly I could
S1E60 – Again I predict BBM will NOT be disqualified For the second time, I will go out on a limb again and say, NO they will not disqualify BongBong Marcos—not even in the three remaining disqualification cases pending before the First
S1L59 – The Paradox of Loans Tonight, class, I want everybody to get a firm grip of their understanding of the concept of a LOAN. And I don’t just mean your ordinary ‘commodity loan’ like some money you borrow from a bank
S1L58 – Breaking down the Myth of Super-Untouchable Regulators Why is it not possible to sue the State? This is a question I have often been asked by my students, both in Political Science in the undergraduate program and in the College
S1L57 ; Public office is a public trust, fake diplomas don’t count Good evening, class…” “Good evening, sir!” my Alpha Section class seemed totally refreshed by the long Christmas break, they looked ready to recite. I, on the other hand, was ready
S1L56 – COMELEC will not disqualify Bongbong Marcos Of course the COMELEC will not disqualify Bongbong Marcos. He is one of only two viable presidential candidates and, arguably, the front-running one. Yes, there is ground to disqualify him. But I don’t think
S1L55 – No such thing as a ‘one-man- BENECO Board Hellooo Professor! Happy Three Kings! We didn’t know you liked playing billiards!” I was greeted by some painfully-familiar faces from Alpha Section when I thought I’d try some pool games at a
S1L54 – The Al Capone Lesson: there’s more than one way to skin a cat Helloooo there, Professor!! Happy New Year! We didn’t know you liked boating!” Déjà vu? This can’t be happening—Deema, Kata, Laarnee, Juan and Jack together again?? And I
S1L53 – Learning what a “valid appointment” is on a ferriswheel Hello, professor! Happy New Year! We didn’t know you liked riding the ferriswheel!” What are the odds I would find five of my students in the same place, lining up to
S1L52 – Is it still safe to do banking in Baguio? Some banks have completely lost their bearing and have forgotten many fundamental elements of the contract between them and their depositors. What are some of these basics? To start off, a
S1L51 – Overseas Absentee Voting Mommy Dionisia! Fancy meeting you here in the mall! Merry Christmas po!” I was so happy to see my oldest student gallivanting around the mall, enjoying the holidays like everybody else. “Merry Christmas, Prof! Are you here
S1L50 – “The Thirteenth Month Pay” Law Miss Deema Niwala, on your feet…” After looking around the classroom and making sure there was no possibility of any other person answering to the same name, this girl from Tublay finally rose her feet,
S1L49 – The “Political Question” Doctrine Miss Carla Nalukay-nalipit?” “ADDAAWAN, SIR!!!” “I’m sorry, Miss Addaawan. I keep forgetting…” This is my student from Tabuk City, Kalinga whose name is structured after the Korean ethos of “yin-yang” –her name connotes both presence and
S1L48 – “Social Activism” introducing Miss Laarnee Iwasan Things didn’t go so bad the last time I used my new ‘policy’ of calling students for recitation LAST NAME first. So I think I’ll stick to that policy. “Is Mister or Miss Iwasan
S1L47 – The danger of compulsory SIM card registration There’s a grain of truth in the common criticism that congressional investigations done “in aid of legislation” have little to show for real accomplishments in the end. Congress justifies these investigations by saying
S1L46 – “Place of birth” The debut of twins Glad and Gladys (Joy and Joyce) Why not?” I thought. Alpha Section is a small class, only 25 “survivors” by the midterm, 5 had dropped out since Prelims. I can certainly call the
S1L45 – “Intellectual Property” The debut of Miss Julyrain Arpeggio I decided to pull a classcard “blind” just to really be able to call on someone with the highest degree of randomness. “Miss Julia Regina Arpeggio?” Wow, I thought, at last a
S1L44 – “Legitimization through adoption” The debut of Miss Grippa Baligtaran I’ve been thinking—it’s almost midterm and I still have only called about eight people to recite. The rest have been able to “escape”—but not for long! I looked for the classcards
S1L43 – “Critique of E.O. 156” – Ms. Kata Explains False Syllogism Miss Kata Ngahan, are you in?” “Present in body and spirit, sir!” “Miss Kata, you taught creative writing before didn’t you? I read it in your Facebook…” I braced for
Deema’s Birthday! – International Human Rights Day is Miss Deema’s birthday The United Nations general assembly created the High Commission on Human Rights and started celebrating December 10 as International Human Rights Day in 1948. That’s the summary of my lecture for
S1L42 – “Leni and the Android Operating System” Signs that the future has arrived Mr. Jack Makataruz, are you present?” “Present, sir!” my punk -hairstyled student sprung to his feet. “You know, Jack, you give a whole new meaning to the phrase
S1L41 – Meaning of a Simple Contract, feat. Miss Joanna Pis-O from Barlig When you’re a 58-year old law professor and your students are millennials HALF your age, it can be a challenge to keep up with their language and mannerisms. But
S1L40 – “What’s a lucid interval?” as distinguished from temporary insanity Good evening ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our class tonight. I will be your instructor and it is my honor to impart some useful information to all of you tonight that,
S1L39 – “Solutio Indebiti” Miss Deema is a Nurse! I moved to Baguio City in 1967 when I was 3 years old. My mother was a single parent—or not exactly a single parent, I just had a “non-resident” father who came up
S1L38 – Petition for Change of Name, feat. Miss Joanna Pis-O from Barlig There are times when I’m not so prepared coming to class but I’ve learned the trick of how to deal with that. Have a short lecture in mind, call
S1L37 – Grilling Lessons from Deema: How to crossexamine without tricks Mister Cabo Buhan, are you alive?” This is my only student with a premed background. He comes from Dagupan City, Pangasinan. “I am over here sir, quietly metabolizing glucose…” He also
S1L36 – Ethnicity, Nationality, Citizenship, Identity and Domicile, feat. Miss Hannah Maala from Buguias Miss Palindrome, are you around?” Hannah Maala sprung to her feet, she knew right away I was referring to her. “Present, sir!” “Hehehe…Miss Maala, your middle initial written
