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Built a Nation, Abandoned by It: The Silent Battle of the Jeepney Pioneer

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Francisco Motors Corporation  (FMC) is one of the country's pioneering jeepney builders. Over the years, FMC transitioned from refurbishing war-era jeeps to designing its iconic models, including its modern electric jeepney launched around 2018. FMC’s modern electric jeep costs around ₱985,000/unit— far cheaper than government-endorsed modern jeepneys priced between ₱1.3 and 3 million. 85% locally built (body, motor, chassis); batteries still imported, but for the first 1000 units only. These modern jeeps are designed with urban routes in mind, offering a 150 km range (approximately five trips) and utilizing 50 kWh batteries, which can be charged via the CCS2 standard. As add-on options, the package includes modern features: AC, CCTV, GPS, cashless fares, wheelchair ramps for PWDs, speed limiters, and emergency exits—while keeping the classic jeepney aesthetic. Although FMC produces affordable, culturally resonant units, several obstacles hinder its inclusion in the governmen...
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Why Are Beaches Closer to Bacolod a No-Go?

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  Despite its prime location along the Guimaras Strait, Bacolod and its surrounding cities, such as Talisay, Silay, and Bago lack truly swimmable beaches. Here's why: Muddy Coastlines – The beaches closer to Bacolod tend to be brown, muddy, and littered with seagrass due to mangrove-rich deltas and river outlets. Industrial Activity – Coastal areas near the city are heavily used for fishing ports, aquaculture, and industry, not recreation. Poor Waste Management – Inadequate coastal clean-up and water treatment lead to polluted shores. Lack of Investment – Very few serious tourism developments or resort investments have been made near the city, unlike the south, where private eco-resorts thrive.   What Should Be Done to Add More Tourist Beach Destinations Near Bacolod? The lack of local swimmable beaches poses a huge opportunity. With the right strategy and sustainable planning, nearby areas can also be developed f...
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The Siakol–Repakol–Noel Palomo Feud: A Deep Dive into the Battle for Songs, Rights, and Legacy

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  The Filipino rock scene, particularly the '90s era of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) bands, has seen its fair share of controversies, but few have been as drawn-out and emotionally charged as the feud between Siakol, its splinter group Repakol, and former lead vocalist and chief songwriter Noel Palomo. Siakol was formed in the mid-1990s and quickly rose to prominence with their raw, relatable lyrics and catchy melodies. The band was known for its street-smart takes on everyday Filipino life, often delivered with humor and grit. Key hits like “Lakas Tama,” “Gabay,” “Tropa,” “Inuman Na,” and “Bakit Ba Ganyan” cemented their status as a staple in the OPM rock canon. The creative nucleus of Siakol revolved around Noel Palomo, the group's charismatic frontman and principal songwriter. While breakups in bands are not uncommon, what followed was a contentious fallout that continues to reverberate in the OPM community. The most significant point of contention? The continued use ...
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Once Upon a Band: The Noel Palomo Story

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  Bands have always been susceptible to the ravages of time. Nobody is immune. After all, the only constant, as they say, is change. Yes, some bands are considered "immortals," for good reason, but only in the realm of legacy. There are 'firsts' in musical history who stand out and will forever stand out. That's absolute! Whether it's a band or, by extension, its members, there's 'that difference. ' That distinction. However, even tonal timbres that we thought were unique to one can have a twin and thus be replicated in some way or form, as in the case of Queen's Freddie Mercury in Marc Martel or Arnel Pineda of Journey sounding eerily similar to Steve Perry. While this may hold true, a trained ear can never replicate the subtleties. Simply put, divergence is a rarity, but 'resemblance ' is prevalent. Unique inflections, such as modulation, stress, and cadence, are as distinctive to a person as their fingerprints. For a fan, subtletie...
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NOEL PALOMO moves on with REPAKOL and does what he does best!

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  Noel Palomo has one of the most recognizable voices of the 90s as far as OPM is concerned. A double whammy, as he is also a prolific songwriter. In only a span of 20 years or so, Noel had already written 150 songs and counting, scores of which are still in the woodwork, some being recorded and the others for distribution, and will be available soon on digital platforms. That’s how productive this gentleman is! On the other hand, as lead vocalist for Siakol , Noel and the band have already conquered audiences all over the world where Filipinos congregated. Who could ever forget Lakas Tama when it first hit the airwaves in the 90s? Its punk-rock stylings in tandem with Noel’s down-to-earth usage of street lingo, the same lingo he’s accustomed to growing up, were more than enough to elicit favorable responses from sizable audiences all over Metro Manila and the provinces, albeit turning the song into an anthem of sorts. The masses really related to it big-time. Understandably s...
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JT’s Manukan Grille: From Celebrity Passion Project to Inasal Institution

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  The Story of Joel Torre’s Legacy in Flame-Grilled Chicken In the heart of every Negrense is a fierce love for chicken inasal —smoky, savory, and drenched in sinamak and chicken oil. And when film icon Joel Torre decided to channel this deep-rooted love into a business, the result was JT’s Manukan Grille . What started as a modest venture quickly grew into one of the country’s most beloved chains specializing in authentic Bacolod-style inasal. But the story of JT’s Manukan goes beyond chicken—it’s a tale of family, heritage, entrepreneurial grit, and the fusion of showbiz glamour with street-level culinary tradition. With the support of his wife, Christy Azcona Torre, Joel opened the first JT’s Manukan Grille in 2003 along Granada Street in Quezon City, in a modest location with plastic chairs and monobloc tables.  Though Joel Torre’s name is front and center, JT’s Manukan is very much a family-run enterprise. Christy Torre plays a vital role as managing partner, fo...
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Bakit Napakaraming Bakanteng Condominium Units sa Bansa?

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  Sobrang natuwa ang mga developers noong kasagsagsagan ng Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), kung kailan nagdagsaan ang mga online na pasugalan at online sex rings sa bansa mula China. Nangunguna ang mga Chinese sa pagbili at pagrenta ng mga condominium units. Kabilaan ang nagsitayuang mga condominium buildings hindi lamang sa Metro Manila kundi na rin sa iba't ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas.   Mula sa pre-pogo period na P1.8 million ay tumaas ang mga presyo ng bawat room o unit na isang pad, isang kuwarto, o dalawang kuwarto sa average na P5 million.   Ngunit ipinatigil ni Pangulong Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr ang mga pogo operations sa bansa noong Hulio 2024, at sa pag-alis ng mga pogo operators at mga trabahador, biglang nabawasan ang mga bumibili ng condo units.   Mahigit-kumulang P300 thousand ang hinihinging down payment ng mga ahente ng real estate bukod na sa "murang" reservation fee na P25 -P50,000 at P18-P50,000 monthly rent-to-own charges bago pa m...
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