Ga onbeperkt met Magzter GOLD

Ga onbeperkt met Magzter GOLD

Krijg onbeperkte toegang tot meer dan 9000 tijdschriften, kranten en Premium-verhalen voor slechts

$149.99
 
$74.99/Jaar

Poging GOUD - Vrij

The spirit of gift-giving: Does it say 'thank you' or 'expect more'?

Manila Bulletin

|

August 14 2025

When does a gift—whether to a stranger or a friend—carry nothing but pure gratitude? And when does it begin to whisper an unspoken expectation of another favor to come?

In our culture, gift-giving is woven deeply into everyday life. It’s an instinctive way to show generosity and appreciation. From the smallest courtesies— offering a seat, remembering a preference, or going the extra mile for someone’s comfort—to the bigger gestures like helping with paperwork, pushing an application through, or caring for a sick friend, we often feel compelled to express thanks with a token, a pasalubong, or a special treat.

But this culture of generosity doesn’t stop at the personal level. It has seeped into business, politics, and other serious corners of life. The “token of appreciation” has evolved—from home-cooked food and fruit baskets to branded goods and luxury items. At some point, the lines blur: Is cash a token of gratitude? Does the timing matter—after the help, it’s a thank-you; before the help, is it still a gift or something else entirely?

MEER VERHALEN VAN Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Scores hurt in violent clashes; 17 arrested

At least 30 policemen and a radio reporter were reportedly hurt after young protesters wearing black masks and balaclavas tried to provoke riot police officers of the Manila Police District (MPD) near Ayala Bridge in Manila by throwing rocks at them, setting a container van on fire, and breaching the police barricade near Malacañang on Sunday, Sept. 21.

time to read

11 mins

September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Growing up in 1940s Manila

How children kept themselves entertained in the past

time to read

4 mins

September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Small fry, big fish in anomalous flood control projects will be sent to jail – Dizon

Those responsible in the massive corruption in the flood control projects—from the small fry to the big fish— must be sent to jail as one of the effective measures to prevent the repeat of anomalies in government infrastructure projects, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said on Sunday, Sept. 21.

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

DTI chief pushes for new contractor law

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is seeking to amend the Contractors’ License Law to address potential conflicts of interest, following the resignation of top officials from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB).

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Political turmoil rattles PH economy

Two global banking giants have flagged political and fiscal challenges posing near-term risks to the Philippine economy, especially in the aftermath of a corruption scandal involving massive public spending on ineffective flood control projects in recent years.

time to read

3 mins

September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin

‘Nando’ now a super typhoon; Signal No. 5 may be raised - PAGASA

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Typhoon Nando (international name: Ragasa) intensified into a super typhoon at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21.

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin

BOP deficit shrinks to five-month low

A larger balance of payments (BOP) surplus in August narrowed the country’s cumulative deficit for the first eight months of the year to its lowest level in five months, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Budget official defends use of ‘standby’ funds

The Department of Budget and Management (BDM) has clarified that the government’s unprogrammed appropriations (UA) are not a discretionary “pork barrel” or a “magic fund.”

time to read

2 mins

September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Solcom assures loyalty to Charter

Southern Luzon Command assured the people that they are committed and loyal to the Constitution and the chain of command as anti-corruption protests were held on Sunday.

time to read

1 min

September 22, 2025

Manila Bulletin

DOTr begins feasibility study for northern NCR transport hub

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is evaluating potential sites of a modern transportation terminal in northern Metro Manila, patterned after the Parafiaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

time to read

1 mins

September 22, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size