Corruption doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. Nobody wakes up one morning already corrupt. Most of the time, it starts small—through little acts we don’t take seriously. Remember those small white lies as kids, or the way we fought over toys just to get our way? We laughed at them back then, parents brushed them off as harmless, but if those habits aren’t corrected, they grow into something else: greed. Not just for toys or attention, but eventually for money, power, and influence. Even on social media, we joke about “ghost projects.” As students, some of us asked our parents for extra money—pretending it was for school when really it was for hanging out with friends. It looked innocent, even funny. But think about it: when we normalize getting something through deception, it plants a seed. Small dishonesty can turn into bigger dishonesty, and bigger dishonesty eventually affects society. The Role of Parents and Families👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 I often remind couples during marriage ceremonies: pa...

  They say prayers move mountains—but only when matched with hard work and grit. God does miracles, yes—but often for those who show up with unwavering faith and quiet perseverance.   With the 2025 Bar exams drawing near, I want to share my journey—from knowing almost nothing about the legal profession to finally earning the hard-won title of “Attorney.” This isn’t a story of brilliance, but of endurance. And if you’re struggling with life while chasing your dream, maybe this is for you.   I’ve mentioned in previous blogs that becoming a lawyer wasn’t really my dream at first. Nobody in my family or circle was a lawyer. We were far from financially secure. My parents did what they could to make ends meet. I knew from the start that going to law school would be a stretch—for them and for me.   There were days I felt torn. Should I find a job to help support my family? Or should I study full-time to keep up with the demands of law school? I had no idea what...

Before the current school year for elementary and high school began, we decided to buy an e-bike that would serve as our kids’ daily ride to and from school. The goal was simple — make their commute more comfortable, safer, and hassle-free than squeezing into crowded trikes or jeeps, especially now that classes are in full swing.   Since today’s e-bikes come in 2-wheel, 3-wheel, and even 4-wheel options, we chose a 3-wheel unit after the dealer assured us that it could travel longer distances compared to a heavier 4-wheel model. Ours uses a 60V38AH battery (upgraded from the standard 25AH), fits 3 people comfortably — or 4 if everyone is petite — and came with freebies like a reverse cam, Bluetooth speaker, mini fan, wiper, rain cover, and spare tire. Many stores even throw in a “buy 1 e-bike, get 1 appliance” promo — no wonder e-bikes are the new “king of the road” in almost every barangay!   It’s easy to understand why more parents are shifting to e-bikes: they’re pr...

  June 14, 2025 was the last day to avail of the Estate Tax Amnesty under Republic Act No. 11569. Processing our estate tax payment with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) was by far the most difficult transaction I have ever experienced despite completing all the documentary requirements. Ironically, what was supposed to be a straightforward application facilitated by an acquaintance — for a fee — was only accomplished through the assistance of the kind and efficient employees of the Local Government of Uyugan, Batanes in securing the required supporting documents. I personally prepared the Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate during the pandemic, but securing the certified true copy of the tax declaration, certificate of no improvement, tax clearance, and death and birth certificates of the deceased and heirs took much longer. Special thanks are due to the Local Civil Registrar, Municipal Assessor and Bureau of Treasury Head in Uyugan, who accommodated my online requests profess...

    Another mission checked off our family’s list this year—we finally renewed our passports! It had been over a decade since we last had them updated, and this time, it was extra special because our youngest applied for his very first passport. Back when we were just a family of three, our first (and last) trip abroad was to Hong Kong. Our eldest was just a year old then. Since that trip, life got busy, and renewing our passports kept getting pushed back—year after year. Booking a passport appointment these days isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Everything has to be done online, and every time I checked the DFA website, the slots in the satellite office near us were always fully booked. Eventually, I gave up trying—until a colleague mentioned DFA San Pablo City in Laguna. It's about an hour and a half (or two, depending on traffic) from our place. Out of curiosity, I checked their schedule and, to my surprise, found several open slots. I didn’t waste a second—I booked o...

  The past few weeks have been heartbreaking. We’ve seen headlines filled with tragic accidents at SCTEX, NAIA, and other major roads—lives lost in an instant, families forever changed. It’s a painful reminder that no matter how careful we are behind the wheel, we’re never fully in control—not when there are reckless drivers, neglected vehicles, and a system that sometimes lets safety fall through the cracks. As the country mourns these senseless tragedies, we offer our deepest sympathy to the victims and the families they’ve left behind. It's impossible not to feel the weight of their grief. These were innocent people—parents, children, workers, travelers—whose lives were taken too soon. We grieve with them. And we ask the questions: How did this happen again? Could this have been prevented? These events have rightly prompted government agencies to take action. There are renewed discussions about stricter licensing policies, the need for better oversight in vehicle registratio...