It was the night before the prom and Elle Aspilla (III, BS-IBS) had just come out of the closet. It would still be quite a while before she would identify as a trans woman, but even back then, just embracing queerness was liberating. And what better time to be unapologetically herself than prom night? “Nagsuot…
Author: Albert Bofill
When people think of nature, images of various flora and fauna interacting and thriving in their habitat come to mind—untouched by the ravages of time. Rarely do people include the human species in this mental picture. As nature is often associated with concepts free from human influence, a line is drawn between humanity and nature.…
It is so much easier to see the world as binary; you are either one thing or the other. We prefer to have the line clearly drawn in the sand, to have things and people neatly tucked away. But the simple truth of the matter is: people are diverse. We cannot be simply drawn in…
“Makibaka! ‘Wag matakot!” is a cry that has been heard for decades as activists who march on the streets time and again express their resistance against a system that they feel has failed the people. One of the biggest ripple of activism in history is the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, often touted as a…
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Rant & Rave: The Haunting of Bly Manor
The Haunting of Bly Manor is the newest addition to Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting anthology. Fresh off the critical and commercial success of The Haunting of Hill House, fans have eagerly anticipated Flanagan’s follow-up. However, despite being a stand-alone story, some have been quick to compare it to its predecessor. While both revolve around otherworldly…
Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has constantly found ways to shape and reshape the environment to suit its ever-evolving needs. Throughout history, humanity has anchored societal and economic progress on modernization projects that were aimed at providing the best solutions to different issues, bringing about widespread change to society as a whole. The need…
Since the implementation of the community quarantine policies last March, many households across the country have struggled with the economic fallout caused by the pandemic. The situation in Iloilo is similarly grim, as many villagers try to satiate gaping needs using what little resources they have left; in an effort to obtain sustenance, some have…
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Rant and Rave: Fire Emblem—Three Houses
With the final wave of the Fire Emblem (FE): Three Houses Expansion Pass having been released last February 20, it feels fitting to revisit the 2019 base game and examine whether this Nintendo Switch-exclusive title still holds up months after its initial release. In Three Houses, the latest and fully voice-acted title in the FE…
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Balay Aruga: A home far from home
Nestled under the shade of an ageless tree stands Iloilo City’s first-ever home care facility for patients with neurological disorders—Balay Aruga. At a glance, one might mistake it for a typical suburban home; it features a well-kept garden and a friendly pet dog, while situated at its center is a humble structure with walls decorated…
In a world where an opinion is never a finite resource, educators who can help guide and develop the way the youth thinks—without tainting or manipulating them to submit to personal biases—are crucial in every classroom. The interactions shared between teacher and student may not always result in complete intellectual alignment, but they are part…