Commentary Archives | Page 14 of 559

Balik-Tanaw | Still God’s love is everlasting

The readings for this last Sunday of Advent are full of “messianic expectation”. They exude a hope and trust which has endured through occupation and exile and grown stronger in persecution. It is a hope centred on the key promise of God given to David, that David’s house and his kingdom would be established forever (2 Sam.7:16). After the Exile, the people longed for another David, the shepherd boy anointed by God who became a great warrior, defeated enemies in battle and united the 12 tribes around Jerusalem. With the defeat of the Davidic dynasty the people asked where was God’s promise? We see the struggle of the community with this dilemma in the Royal Psalms. Psalm 89 begins praising God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to all generations but this trust in God is being tested as the psalmist laments “where is thy steadfast love of old, which by thy faithfulness thou did swear to David” (v49).

Bulatlat Contributors | Dec 24, 2023

In Christ’s birthplace existential war rages

What a sad Christmas season this is for the peace-loving peoples of the world. Devastating wars are being waged, most notably, today, in Palestine and Ukraine. Soldiers are dying, civilians are suffering and dying too, and there seems to be no power on earth that will stop the gunfire.

Bulatlat Contributors | Dec 24, 2023

Balik-Tanaw | For the Anawim

We live in difficult times. There are ongoing crisis in Israel-Palestine, and Ukraine-Russia, and emerging conflict in the South China Sea. Then there is the climate and economic crises that threaten food security. We are also faced with enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings as well as violation of rights of activists, human rights defenders, environmentalists, workers and farmers, which happen with impunity.

Bulatlat Contributors | Dec 17, 2023

Is peace adviser spoiling the resumption of talks?

This is the third piece in a row I’ve written about perceivable hindrances to the smooth resumption of formal peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. It had been announced in early December that they had agreed to do so in Oslo, Norway, on Nov. 23.

Bulatlat Contributors | Dec 17, 2023

Relentless resistance against APEC

The "shutdown APEC" protests in San Francisco, California gathered more than a thousand people who shared testimonies about how APEC impoverished a generation, displaced Indigenous peoples, and undermined the rights of workers.

Mong Palatino | Nov 21, 2023

Balik-Tanaw | Reign of God where talents are not tools of profit but of love and service

Our Gospel Reading for this Sunday pertains to the different scenarios of parables leading up to the scenario of Parousia in Matt 25:31-46, in the coming celebration of Christ the King Sunday.

Bulatlat Contributors | Nov 19, 2023

At Ground Level | Repeal Anti-Terror Law, abolish the NTF-ELCAC

This was the top-of-mind step that Ian Fry, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, urged the Philippine government to take as he wound up a 10-day official visit in the country last Wednesday.

Bulatlat Contributors | Nov 19, 2023

First Person | Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinians

No matter what history timeline you believe in, you cannot deny the fact that the State of Israel was only established 75 years ago. If you read up on the diaries of the founders of Zionism, you will find out that the land where Israeli Zionists are settling in right now was already inhabited by the Palestinian people. No, it was not a desert.

Bulatlat Contributors | Oct 20, 2023

Swastikapayapaan

Ano ang kapayapaan para sa makapangyarihan?

Bulatlat Contributors | Oct 21, 2023

Lab Notes | What must be done to the suspended land reclamations in Manila Bay?

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Agham National | Oct 16, 2023

Balik-Tanaw | The rejected stone

The Gospel reading for today presents a powerful message of the “rejected stone becoming the cornerstone.” This message resonates deeply with the struggle for human rights in the Philippines, as it highlights the rejection of marginalized and oppressed individuals and groups, who, like the stone, are striving to claim their rightful place in society.

Bulatlat Contributors | Oct 8, 2023

At Ground Level | At UN and Vatican, women push for leadership roles

At two world institutions, the United Nations and the Vatican, despite obstacles, momentous changes are on the way: changes that would ensure women equal rights with men to be elected heads of their policy-making and executive bodies.

Bulatlat Contributors | Oct 8, 2023

Jhed at Jonila

Isang komiks na nagpupugay sa dalawang aktibistang dinukot, at lumaya.

Dee Ayroso | Oct 4, 2023

At Ground Level | 51 years of impunity: legacy of martial law

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Bulatlat Contributors | Sep 24, 2023

Balik-Tanaw | The Parable of the Vineyard Workers and the plight of migrant workers

In 2021, the Philippine Statistic Authority estimates that about 1.83 million OFWs worked abroad from April to September of the same year. The same data reveal that about “four in every ten” OFWs work low-status or ‘elementary’ jobs, such as street vendors, construction and factory workers, cleaners, domestic helpers, and agriculture laborers. They are the hired workers, doing the 3Ds works, (dirty, dangerous, and demeaning). It was recorded that the majority of OFWs work in Asia, specifically Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore, and Qatar.

Bulatlat Contributors | Sep 24, 2023

First Person | An intern’s random thoughts during the martial law commemoration coverage

The 51st Martial Law commemoration protest in Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday was a deeply moving experience that went beyond my duties as an intern at Bulatlat.

Bulatlat Contributors | Sep 22, 2023

Exposing the NTF-ELCAC and military

What we witnessed is the bravery of two environmental defenders in the face of outright repression.

Ronalyn V. Olea | Sep 20, 2023

At Ground Level | Global rights groups assail terror law misuse

Following Marcos Jr.’s approval of the National Security Policy (NSP) 2023-2028 on Aug. 12, progressive people’s organizations and the human rights community are increasingly protesting the continued threats, including red-tagging, vilification and actual attacks on the country’s human rights defenders and activists.

Bulatlat Contributors | Aug 27, 2023

Balik-Tanaw | But who do you say that I am?

This Sunday’s readings are focused on three issues: first, on authority (Is 22:19-23), second, on knowledge of God (Rom 11:33-3), third, on the identity of Jesus (Mt 16:13-20). At first glance, they seem to be unrelated to one another, but on deep examination, they are really pointing to a single direction. And that is, the way to our salvation. The mission of Jesus as leading us the WAY, seeking out the TRUTH and urging us to aspire for what is truly LIFE-GIVING. These three related important values in life fully capture this salvation framework.