On rainy, dreary days, people feel blue. It is a reaction to the absence of sunlight. The incessant monsoon rains exacerbate the mood of anxiety and restlessness.

IN A speech to a joint session of Congress shortly after his inauguration, President Donald Trump praised Harley-Davidson, the storied motorcycle manufacturer, as a great American company -- the kind he most wanted to see succeed. Less than two years later, he is threatening to punish the firm for doing its best to survive his policies.

Fans, allies, and supporters of Dutertenomics continue to cite high world oil prices as the reason for the Philippines’ rising inflation rates.

“Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” -- Gordon Gekko, from the movie Wall Street

I have always been curious of price guides particularly on food products. The government, through various agencies, has long instituted the use of such guides. On occasion, the state even chooses to broadcast or publish suggested retail prices -- and try to go after those who unjustifiably breach them.

TERRORISM is a persistent and evolving global menace. No country is immune. Social media, encrypted communications and the dark web are being used to spread propaganda, radicalize new recruits and plan atrocities. The threat ranges from the crude tactics of lone actors to sophisticated coordinated attacks and the horrific prospect of terrorists using chemical, biological, or radioactive weapons.

For Arsima Aslan, a teacher in Al-Barka, Basilan in Mindanao, living in or near conflict-prone areas puts residents under constant stress.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s rantings against the Catholic Church and against God Himself, calling the Lord “stupid” for creating imperfect creatures in Adam and Eve and the snake (and, by extension, all mankind) may be forgivable if one considers his own tacit admission that he himself is imperfect, thus his kanto boy logic.

Consumer personal data has played an increasingly pivotal role in many markets and economies.

Just last week, the National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Summit was held, with a good mix of participants from the public and private sectors.

I object to Senator Leila de Lima’s description that President Duterte is the “pambansang tambay.” Here is the press statement of Senator de Lima.

“There is one thing that is common to every individual, relationship, team, family, organization, nation, economy, and civilization throughout the world -- one thing which, if removed, will destroy the most powerful government, the most successful business, the most thriving economy, the most influential leadership, the greatest friendship, the strongest character, the deepest love. On the other hand, if developed and leveraged, that one thing has the potential to create unparalleled success and prosperity in every dimension of life. Yet, it is the least understood, most neglected, and most underestimated possibility of our time. That one thing is trust.” -- Stephen M.R. Covey The Speed of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything (2008).