Reflections on Philippine elections
By Alin Ferrer-Garganera, Public service media practitioner Radio anchor/ broadcaster MANILA: We just concluded the national elections in the Philippines on May 9, 2022, and the results are in. To say it was shocking to many would be an understatement. Twelve new senators have been proclaimed. Almost 90% of the House of Representatives have also […]
Fact checking and media self-regulation
Text of the speech delivered by Alin Ferrer-Garganera at the World Journalists Conference (WJC 2022) “Thank you for inviting me to make a sharing in this conference. I hope to make a contribution by answering the following questions. Why is fact-checking important? Why should we self-regulate as media? Then I will share some fact-checking initiatives […]
Election as social contract
By Rosalin Ferrer-Garganera ‘On Target Media Concept’ reporter, Radio anchor/ broadcaster Philippines MANILA: Election fever is gripping the Philippines now. With less than a month to go when an estimated 67.5 million Filipinos will troop to election precincts and choose our next political leaders. Actually, about 1.7 million Filipinos who are outside of the Philippines […]
Truth to power
By Alin Ferrer-Garganera MANILA: Maria Ressa won the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 8, 2021. This is quite significant for many Filipinos. It is the first time the Nobel Peace Prize is directly awarded to a Filipino recipient. And the first who was able to do it was a woman! Finally, she is the only […]
Real Choices?
By Alin Ferrer-Garganera MANILA: Last Oct. 8, 2021, presidential aspirants here in the Philippines lined up to file their certificates of candidacy for the 2022 national elections. It was a week-long spectacle, with dozens proclaiming their intent to run as President and Vice-President and hundreds more want to become Senators. Most we’re serious candidates, while […]
President Noy: You are my Boss
By Alin Ferrer-Garganera Media practitioner, radio anchor/ broadcaster MANILA: Words are not enough to describe my sadness this when I heard the death of PNOY. I believe many Filipinos share this grief. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino, or better known as “Noynoy”, the 15th President of the Philippines, passed away on June 24, 2021 at the […]
On Being Asian
By Alin Ferrer-Garganera Asia is complex and complicated. Among the seven continents, she is quite extreme. Largest continent, largest population, fastest economic growth. But also, the biggest source of pollution and the most vulnerable to climate impacts. Without a doubt, she has one of the most colorful histories. Uniquely Asian is a truth. Sumptuous […]
Philippines Style Kindergartens
There are about 11.5 million Filipino children aged 0-4 years. This number represents 10.7% of the total Philippine population. It means there are both a great challenge and opportunity for the Philippine educational system, as that age range represents the pre-school stage. The pre-school stage is very important, as various studies have pointed out; […]
Education in the Philippines: Reaching one’s dreams
The Philippine educational system is patterned after the American school system. This is no surprise since it was the Americans who established the public school system during the American colonial times here between 1896 to 1946. Three levels describe our educational system – the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. There are public and […]
Duterte optimism of 2019
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte expressed that 2019 will be a better year for the Philippines, as he encouraged Filipinos to “learn from the past” so that the nation can move forward confidently. He made this message as the Office released his official statement to media last Jan. 1, 2019. Duterte called on all Filipinos to […]