Isports ATBP.

MANDALUYONG, Philippines-- As I write this post, it is already past 1 pm, April 2, here in Manila. It is hot and humid; the current temperature is 31 degrees Celsius but feels like 36. There is a 33 per cent chance of afternoon rain showers. I doubt it would happen. Currently, it is crowded and noisy as the midterm elections campaign for local (governors, city and municipal Councils, and House of Representatives and Senate at the national levels heats up. Thousands of positions are up for grabs locally, while 12 spots are up for grabs for the Senate. Various campaign jingles serve as alarm clocks and wake people in their neighbourhoods. They use the music of different international and Filipino artists, like the collaboration of Bruno Mars and Rose, changing the song's lyrics to promote their cause or what they would do if elected. It has always been like this since I earned my right to vote when I turned 18, eons ago. The same old message where candidates say they are pro-poor and...

SASKATOON—It has been over a month since the Saipan Tribune ended its three-decade-long run before we said goodbye to 2024. The Tribune, one of two newspapers in the CNMI, printed its final issue on Tuesday, Dec. 31. It was a bitter moment for Chief Editor Mark Rabago—one of my former bosses, frenemy, and one of the longest employees of the former daily publication. It was on Oct. 28 when the Saipan Tribune announced it would be closing. The Marianas Variety, established by the late Abed Younis, was the Commonwealth’s first newspaper, where I started my employment as a sports reporter and where I again experienced the Filipino culture of community where everyone extends a helping hand when one is significantly in need. Side note: it is at the Variety where I again saw a former Sun Microsystems Philippines co-worker, Tess Managuio, after almost a decade. I have been part of the Tribune family for almost seven years, combined, since I had a brief stint from January 2007 to June 2008 (if ...