Last week, President Aquino spoke to the press about the mayhem that is Metro Manila’s MRT3 line, promising that new units are being bought to replace and append the old ones. What stands out in his statement though is that he is once again blaming this issue on his predecessor, former President Arroyo. Apart from…
Author: Marinel Mamac
In a university used to the familiar hues of yellow and orange exists a group of individuals proudly exuding all the colors of the rainbow. The Queer Archers Alliance (QAA), an enclave for the members of the LGBT community, is a non-accredited organization that serves as a support group for individuals who experience gender discrimination…
The real thing
I remember the first time I passed by Recto Avenue. I was amazed by the many document counterfeiters lined up at the sidewalks, openly operating right next to Manila City Jail and several schools. Even though they were clearly illegal, the accuracy and meticulousness these counterfeiters apply in their work – everything from diplomas to…
Crustaceans, Our Hodja, and Autopsy of Love – these are some of the films that will be showcased in the first World Premieres Film Festival hosted by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). The first of its kind in Asia, the festival brings together over 40 films from 27 countries in various…
Beyond ‘Happy’
The victims of typhoon Yolanda deserve so much more than half-hearted attempts at relief and rehabilitation of their communities. They deserve so much more than tent cities, haphazard relocation plans, and bureaucratic mouthfuls of excuses. They deserve more than the erasure of their suffering.
Return to reason
We are almost done with this year’s elections season, almost done with polite requests to take a few minutes of our time, almost done with the season of seeing orange and yellow everywhere. While some people may argue that campaigns are all year long, one trademark of the GE that we will say goodbye to…
By any other name
One: You are not your failures. Two: You are not your awards. Three: You are more than your name. A friend had whispered this in my ear nearly three years ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. I have turned her words over and over in my head so much that I started…
Armed and informed
Two years ago in the midst of torrential rain not unlike what we’ve been experiencing last month, a man drove into a road in Quezon City which, at the time, was unfortunately submerged in thigh-high floods. His car, the poor thing, found itself floating in the newly formed body of water. Its startled driver was…
Trigger warning
Do you ever feel like jumping in front of the LRT? is not a common question among most social circles, but it certainly should be. At least one Filipino commits suicide everyday, finds a study conducted by the Natasha Goulborn Foundation in 2011. Given our reputation of being the happiest, most optimistic people in the…
The Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) is a discretionary fund available to members of Congress supposedly appropriated for small-scale community projects that fall outside the scope of the national infrastructure program. The cost of which are spread among all taxpayers. It was previously called the Countrywide Development Fund (CDF) until its name change during the…