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Into the spotlight: The reprise of Philippine opera

Boisterous belting followed by a broken champagne glass—this is just one of the many perceptions people have about opera. Also familiar are the declarations of love, joy, or remorse accompanied by harmonious sounds of the orchestra that amaze audiences, especially when performers take the opportunity onstage to showcase their impressive vocal range. And though the…

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Beyond choreography: PH folk dance embodies culture, collective identity

As the country celebrates Buwan ng Wika this August, it feels apt to look back in time to explore what we know of the Philippines’ stories and cultural depth, and move forward toward how we can preserve and continually keep the nation’s vibrant colors alive well into the future.  We often try to appreciate our…

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Baking a difference: Capturing the flavors of Filipino bakeries

Who can resist the allure of a good bakery? Whether it be a local panenderia that carries Filipino favorites, like ensaymada and pandesal, or the kind of bakery whose windows feature decorated cakes that are just as much a treat for the eyes are they as for the taste buds, it’s hard to not give…

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Murals of the mind: The many lives of Dr. Joven Cuanang

Along the sleepy slopes of the Antipolo mountainside lies a microcosm of Philippine society. Stretched out over a 40-foot acrylic canvas and painted by the 16-artist Salingpusa collective, Karnabal looms like a grave question mark over all the visitors of the Pintô Art Museum. In it, every aspect of the Filipino is bared in strange…

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Reevaluating romance: The inner workings of polyamory

The Valentine’s season often heightens one’s awareness of the presence of couples—hand in hand, enjoying time spent together, and perhaps even sharing a kiss or two. For many, this is the de facto image of love and romance: one person cherishing the presence of another romantically. However, this vision of romance does not necessarily hold…

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Highlights of the silver screen: Oscar 2020’s Best Picture nominees – Part Two

With nine films vying for Best Picture, a second article was warranted to give ample space to discuss the highs and lows of each work. Without further ado, The LaSallian presents part two of its reviews of Oscar-nominated films. Parasite, Joaquin With an ensemble of veteran and novice actors, director Bong Joon-ho—having helmed classics like…

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Dice, paper, and imagination: Exploring D&D in the Philippines

Dungeons & Dragons—commonly known as D&D—is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game that has risen in popularity in recent years. The game’s portrayal in the popular Netflix series Stranger Things was one of the primary catalysts for its sudden prevalence, with the show’s main characters being avid players of D&D and the main antagonist even being…

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Foreign exchange students: Finding themselves far from home

For many, college is the door that opens to a world of opportunities—the stepping stone to widened horizons where one is able to cultivate experiences that compel them to look beyond themselves. Now, more and more academic institutions are offering opportunities to study abroad, and more and more students are choosing to take the leap…