Pulso ng Bansa

Leila Barros, the Brazilian volleyball star who enthralled audiences from the 1990s to the early 2000s, has continually proved that, despite the passage of time, her legacy lives on among her fans in the Philippines. She became more than simply an opponent on the court; she was a phenomenon known as Leila-mania, a foreign athlete affectionately referred to as "crush ng bayan" by Filipinos. How could she not? Leila's warm personality and regular presence in the media, combined with spectacular performances, made her instantly relatable to fans. Her classic news articles and nostalgic features continue to enchant Filipino viewers. With her fresh Brazilian beauty, effortless charm, and startling height, she was impossible to overlook. It doesn't even matter that she speaks in her native Portuguese when speaking to the press; Carolina, her dependable and equally beautiful interpreter, was there to keep things interesting as we learnt new things from Leila today. Even back...

 Like everything else, every company starts small and simple. This pioneering firm, which began modestly, was inspired by shipping containers—thanks to the father—and improved through clear ideas and innovation by the son. Mr. Christopher Kyle Malig , CEO and President, leads this exceptional and valuable venture, along with a team of professional architects and engineers, including the general manager, department heads, and skilled workers, who all helped create this once-in-a-lifetime project. Each person played a vital role in helping the company provide the best possible services. The move was a significant boost for Filipinos both locally and abroad, offering new hope for affordable homebuilding among kababayans, and foreign expat retirees alike , starting in August 2015. The company is fully Filipino-owned. As urbanization continues and housing demand exceeds supply in the Philippines, alternative building solutions like SmartHouse Philippines are stepping up to transf...

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...

  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...

  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 ...

  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...

  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...

  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...

F. Sionil Jose died January 7, 6 days after we published his story.