Joel the outdoor man

31/05/2026

31/05/2026

A plant many Filipinos once treated like ordinary backyard weeds is suddenly becoming a “dollar herb” overseas.

Pansit pansitan, also known locally as ulasimang bato, is now reportedly growing in demand in countries like the United States, Canada, and parts of the Middle East. What used to be casually picked from gardens and served with meals in the Philippines is now being sold abroad for several dollars per bundle, while potted versions are reaching surprisingly high prices online.

For generations, many Filipinos grew up seeing it as a simple side dish or a traditional remedy often linked to gout and arthritis. It wasn’t considered fancy or rare. In some homes, it practically grew on its own.

That’s why people online are reacting with a mix of amusement and disbelief. The same humble herb that many ignored or stepped over in rural backyards is now being packaged, marketed, and shipped internationally as a valuable specialty plant.

It’s also becoming another reminder that products often gain value once the rest of the world discovers them. What locals see as ordinary daily life can suddenly become premium wellness culture somewhere else.

31/05/2026

“TRABAHONG-TAMAD” — LACSON, TUTOL SA PLANONG PAG-SUBPOENA SA ASAWA NI SEN. BATO

Mariing tinutulan ni Senador Panfilo Lacson ang planong pagpapadala ng subpoena ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) kay Nancy dela Rosa, asawa ni Senador Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, bilang bahagi ng paghahanap sa kinaroroonan ng senador na nahaharap sa arrest warrant mula sa International Criminal Court (ICC).

Sa kanyang pahayag, hinimok ni Lacson ang NBI na huwag nang ituloy ang hakbang laban sa asawa ni Sen. Bato at sinabing hindi ito ang tamang paraan ng intelligence work.

“Please don’t do this. Aside from exposing your incompetence in intelligence work, harassing Senator dela Rosa’s wife to track him is unprofessional, ‘trabahong-tamad.’”

(“Pakiusap, huwag ninyo itong gawin. Bukod sa inilalantad nito ang kakulangan sa intelligence work, ang panggigipit sa asawa ni Senador dela Rosa upang matunton siya ay hindi propesyonal at maituturing na ‘trabahong-tamad.’”)

Ang reaksyon ni Lacson ay kasunod ng pahayag ni NBI Director Melvin Matibag na pinag-aaralan ng kanilang ahensya ang pagpapadala ng subpoena kay Nancy dela Rosa at sa iba pang mga taong may kamakailang komunikasyon kay Sen. Bato.

“We are about to send subpoenas to the personalities with recent contact with Senator Bato.”

( “Nakahanda na kaming magpadala ng subpoena sa mga personalidad na may kamakailang pakikipag-ugnayan kay Senador Bato.”)

Partikular na binanggit ni Matibag ang asawa ng senador.

“Of course, we are contemplating on issuing a subpoena to his wife also.”

(“Siyempre, pinag-iisipan din namin ang pagpapadala ng subpoena sa kanyang asawa.”)