PHILIPPINE educators will be exposed to the theory of multiple intelligence (MI) and learn about the application of the theory in the Philippine educational setting at the First Multiple Intelligence Convention to be held at the Manila Hotel on February 11 to 12, 2005 with the theme “Changing Minds: Teaching and Parenting for the 21st Century.”

IT has been said that Maria Y. Orosa lived a hundred years before her time. That she did. Imagine Filipino cuisine without banana catsup or native suka (vinegar)? Long before commercial sauce bottling companies ever thought of making vinegar from pineapple, or making wine from native fruits, Miss Orosa was already doing it before the war.

MOVIE stars peddle illusions but there’s nothing illusionary about their altruism.

THE potential for tourism is enormous. But just like any natural resource it takes a lot of capital to develop. The country being volcanic, there are a number of hot springs that can be exploited. Camiguin’s hot springs have the seeds of a larger first-class operation. A five-star hotel could be built together with a medical tourist hospital just behind the present springs and new wells dug tapping the hot water reservoirs beneath. An added feature of Camiguin is that it has good beaches, cold water springs, and mineral water springs, all with a few minutes ride from each other. The Tourism Director of the region points to two other sides on the mainland of Mindanao. Needed are good imaginative developers.

THE murky river was feared and notorious for the fierce man-eating crocodiles lurking within its depths. Villagers from both sides avoided going near its banks. Even simply going across was dreaded because the water denizens were known to leap upon the low, makeshift hanging bridge.

I AM honored to have been invited to speak before this international gathering of mining investors. I was requested to explain the main features of the Supreme Court’s recent landmark decision upholding the constitutionality of the Mining Law in our country and defining the nature and extent of foreign participation in large-scale mining.

SOME politicians and NGO leaders are shooting from the hip when they claim that the increase of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) from 10 to 12 percent, already passed by an enlightened majority in the House of Representatives, will hurt the Philippine poor. On the contrary, it will hurt the higher-income households (the 22 percent earning P42,000 or over monthly) because of the consumption patterns of the rich.

IF Southcom chief Lt. Gen. Braganza’s observation is correct that the latest attacks of some 400 loyalists of MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari in several Sulu towns were aimed at pressuring the government to move Misuari to a detention cell in Sulu, which already resulted in 22 soldiers killed and about 3,000 civilians fleeing their homes, it would be wise for the government to transfer Misuari to Sulu under heavy guard and see whether the attacks of Misuari’s loyalists will cease on that score. This may be a compromise for the civilians’ sake. But it is at Misuari’s risk, of course. Will he take it?

IRAN celebrates its National Day today. Formerly known as Persia, the country is located in southwestern Asia, from the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf, where cultural, intellectual and political influences from the East and West meet.

ECONOMY is turning around. Oil companies will raise prices of gasoline. Masochists.

“No crime is so great as daring to excel.”

THE disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast [much], but Your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”