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VERBAL VARIETY

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Spark

by Annie Fe Perez - July 7, 2026 - 12:00am

This week and last marked graduation season for the University of the Philippines, the country's national university.

Mimic

by Annie Fe Perez - July 4, 2026 - 12:00am

A school in Cebu City had to temporarily suspend classes after receiving what was initially reported as a bomb threat but was later validated as a shooting threat.

Phones

by Annie Fe Perez - June 30, 2026 - 12:00am

After Dumanjug Mayor Gungun Gica exercised his very stern order that mobile phones will not be allowed in schools, reporters were quick to ask other local government units if they will do the same.

Upbringing

by Anne Fe Perez - June 27, 2026 - 12:00am

The news that shocked us last Monday was heartbreaking.

Giving back

by Anne Fe Perez - June 16, 2026 - 12:00am

It was the first day of classes for all public schools when a strong earthquake shook General Santos City and affected other parts of Mindanao.

Undeserving

by Anne Fe Perez - June 9, 2026 - 12:00am

For the opening of classes, I skipped the usual routine of checking schools and went on a little adventure to the town of Liloan.

The Senate in circles

by Anne Fe Perez - June 2, 2026 - 12:00am

I have mentioned in the past two columns that I was in Australia and, to my shock, many Australians are well aware of what is happening in the Philippines.

Ties

by Annie Fe Perez - May 26, 2026 - 12:00am

I am currently in the land down under, writing this piece from Australia.

Freedom

by Anne Fe Perez - May 2, 2026 - 12:00am

Every May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day. It is one day that we often overlook in many ways. In Cebu, it isn’t as prominently marked, perhaps because we already dedicate an entire month to commemorating the...

The mountains again

by Anne Fe Perez - April 28, 2026 - 12:00am

I like to use the metaphor of the mountain again and again, as it symbolizes many things.

Break

by Anne Fe Perez - April 7, 2026 - 12:00am

It has always been our tradition every year after the pandemic to take a break during the designated holidays for the Lenten season.

Time for reflection

by Anne Fe Perez - March 31, 2026 - 12:00am

For Holy Week, I took time off work and life, in general.

Cautiously confident

by Annie Perez - March 17, 2026 - 12:00am

Amid the oil crisis, the ones most affected are those running businesses.

Oil price nightmare

by Annie Perez-Gallardo - March 10, 2026 - 12:00am

As I was driving yesterday morning, I couldn't help but notice the queue of cars at every gasoline station I passed. Drivers waited patiently, some with engines idling, others stepping out of their vehicles to...

A distant war

by Anne Fe Perez - March 3, 2026 - 12:00am

It was in the middle of the night when I found out that the United States intentionally attacked Iran in coordination with Israel.

The will to protest

by Anne Fe Perez - February 24, 2026 - 12:00am

I still find it a bit odd that tomorrow, the 25th, is not a holiday.

What it means to love

by Anne Fe Perez - February 17, 2026 - 12:00am

It slipped my mind that it was Valentine’s Day last Saturday, overrun by the series of events that capped the week.

Still not over it

by Annie Fe Perez - February 3, 2026 - 12:00am

I’m still not over the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations Tourism Conference in Cebu. Covering ASEAN meetings is a lesson in patience, perspective, and paradox.

Coincidence

by Anne Fe Perez - January 27, 2026 - 12:00am

I recently learned that in 1998, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held a series of meetings in Cebu that would quietly shape how the region looks at tourism.

5.2 million strong

by Anne Fe Perez - January 20, 2026 - 12:00am

My Sinulog 2026 experience was quite unique after strategically planning where to park our car and what route to take for all the walking.

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