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Of dots and strokes: The inner workings of Malate Literary Folio

Readers mostly only see the tail-end of a long and laborious process. This emphasis on tangible results may sometimes leave artists entirely overlooked. After all, regardless of the artist, the art will have to stand on its own against the world. But by doing so, an important aspect of art becomes sidelined. The unsung tales…

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Out of the shadows: The fight for intersex inclusion

People often whisper in hushed tones the word “hermaphrodite” as an insult or a means to label something which they cannot fully comprehend. Now considered a pejorative slur, this misnomer has pervaded Philippine society, creating this barrier of ignorance that has stigmatized the intersex community. Replacing the misnomer, “intersex” is a more inclusive and appropriate…

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Free spirit: Elle Aspilla is rewriting all the rules

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…

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Laying the groundwork: The nuances of youth-led conservation efforts

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.…

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JP Habac and the blooming of queer narratives

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…

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‘Di niyo ba naririnig?: Inside the NatDem Resistance

“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 and 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…

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Paths forward: Community support at the core of modernization, true progress

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…

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Across frontiers: Former, current residents team up to aid Iloilo hometown

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…