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Presidential Communications Office Press Briefing March12

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PCO Press Briefing with MPC 3/12/2025 Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro holds a press briefing with the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) on March 12, 2025.   'HILING PO ITO MISMO NG DATING PANGULONG DUTERTE' Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Monday, March 10, that former President Rodrigo Duterte had previously expressed willingness to face the International Criminal Court (ICC) and even urged it to… pic.twitter.com/l8Fngwy7v5 — iMPACT Leadership (@iMPACTPH2019) March 11, 2025
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Why Vicente Manansala’s Madonna of the Slums Captivates Us All

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“Art should not be purely decorative. It should be meaningful.” — Vicente Manansala On Pinoybuilt.com, no artwork has captured more attention, curiosity, and admiration than Vicente Manansala’s iconic painting Madonna of the Slums . It stands as our all-time most viewed post — and for good reason. The Significance of the Artwork Painted in 1950, Madonna of the Slums is one of the most powerful social commentaries in Philippine modern art. It portrays a mother and child amidst the squalor of Manila’s urban slums, echoing the religious imagery of the Madonna and Child but set starkly against poverty and urban migration. Through his signature transparent cubism , Manansala overlays geometric shapes and muted hues to express both the harshness of the slums and the enduring dignity of the human spirit. The painting is a poignant reminder that beneath economic hardship, there remains profound love, resilience, and hope. The Genius of Vicente Manansala Vicente Manansala (1910–19...
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Palace press briefing with DOJ, PNP & CIDG | Mar. 13

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Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro holds a panel discussion with Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Major General Nicolas Torre III, Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty and Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo on March 13, 2025. I found this when trying to search info on Major General Nicolas Torre III. 
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🛡️ RESIST: Lapu-Lapu, Magellan, and the Birth of Filipino Identity in 1521

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🛡️ Before the Philippines had a name, we had resistance. In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed under the Spanish flag and claimed the islands for Spain. But what he found was a proud people — especially a warrior named Lapu-Lapu — who refused to bow. On April 27, 1521 , at the Battle of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu and his warriors stood their ground. Armed with kampilan swords and native courage, they resisted Spanish forces and killed Magellan on Filipino soil. This was more than a victory — it was the birth of Filipino identity . “To resist is to exist. We were not discovered — we were awakened.” Lapu-Lapu didn’t just win a battle — he became the first Filipino to fight for sovereignty. That resistance lives on through the Katipunan, World War II freedom fighters, EDSA revolutionaries, and everyday Filipinos who rise for justice. 1521 wasn’t about discovery. It was about defiance . That moment gave us our spirit — one of unity, identity, an...
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The Significance of July 4: A Shared Legacy Between the Philippines and the United States

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While July 4 is widely known as U.S. Independence Day, it also holds deep historical meaning for the Philippines. On July 4, 1946 , the United States formally recognized the independence of the Republic of the Philippines—marking the end of nearly 50 years of American rule. For many years, Filipinos celebrated this day as Philippine Independence Day . It was later renamed Philippine-American Friendship Day , acknowledging the enduring relationship between the two nations. Although we now observe our independence on June 12 —the date of our 1898 declaration from Spain— July 4 remains a reminder of our complex but significant journey toward sovereignty . As we reflect on this day, let’s appreciate the sacrifices of past generations, and continue building a Philippines that’s proudly independent yet globally connected. Whether you’re in Manila, Mindanao, or abroad— our shared story matters . “A nation that forgets its past is a nation with no future.” — Jose...
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Reyes-Sumagui Family Lunch

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Flashback: Manila, Philippines. November 1999. Sitting left to right: Chellelyn, Eleanor, Evalina, Amparo, Evelyn. Standing: Vince, Elpidio Sumagui. Hi Chey! Great chatting with you on Messenger. If you have a Google account, please comment below. That would be great if we can continue the conversation here. If you or a friend would like to blog for this site, please let me know.    More photos here .  Please support our website and leave a comment below. Let's build an online community. Salamat po.
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🌏 Out of Taiwan? Rethinking the Four Waves of Migration to the Philippines

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🌏 Most Filipinos grew up learning about the Four Waves of Migration Theory, a simplified model popularized by H. Otley Beyer. It framed Filipino ancestry through waves: Negritos, Indonesians, Malays, and later foreign traders. But in 2025, this model is being questioned — and replaced by a richer, more accurate story rooted in DNA, archaeology, and language. The more accepted theory today? The Out-of-Taiwan Hypothesis , which suggests that most Filipino ancestors came from Taiwan about 4,000–5,000 years ago — part of a larger Austronesian expansion that reached as far as Hawaii, Madagascar, and New Zealand. “Rather than fixed waves, Filipino identity was shaped by overlapping migrations and cultural exchange across centuries.” Genetic research shows that modern Filipinos have a unique blend of Austronesian, Negrito, East Asian, and South Asian ancestry. Negrito groups like the Aeta are not just a "first wave" but deeply rooted indigenous peoples. M...
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