The LaSallianTo stand before a work of art is to take in its splendor—bright hues masterfully laid out across the canvas, striking faces with eyes that seem to pierce your soul, and stunning landscapes captured in up to 20 feet tall paintings. As your eyes rove across every detail, you begin to comprehend the weight of…
Nowadays, one would be hard-pressed to find a neglected niche in the market that has not yet met a certain demand or addressed compelling public issues. There seems to be a business catering to every little want and need of the global consumer. But at the core of these enterprises is the ability to not…
Get yourself a clueless foreigner uncomfortably munching Jollibee’s Filipino-style spaghetti and you’ll instantly get a thousand likes from elated Filipinos. Other times, it’s some Hollywood celebrity endorsing a local brand, causing passionate fans to stampede to its stores. Without a doubt, Filipinos have normalized—and celebrated—the sight of a foreigner grasping Filipino culture in their hands.…
Loud thumping beats underscore the palpable excitement of eager spectators on the streets. Flashes of vivid colors dance before you like a parade of people clad in the most intricate costumes pass by. You make your way under the fluttering banderitas with a paper plate in hand, gladly helping yourself to some of the best…
They marched with placards on one hand and a rainbow flag on the other. Yet the police still chose violence. In commemoration of last year’s Stonewall Manila anniversary, the Bahaghari-organized Pride March that doubled as a protest against the Anti-Terror Law was greeted with policemen in riot gear, leading to the arrests of 20 individuals.…
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…
Today’s outside world is almost unrecognizable. The cacophony of noises that once signified a city’s hustle and bustle has been replaced with unnerving silence, leaving little to no trace of what everyday life used to be. The same can be observed in houses of worship, where walls that used to echo the lively voices of…
“‘Pag pupunta ka lang sa psychiatrist, sasabihin ng ibang tao na baliw ka na. ‘Baliw’ agad ‘yung term,” shares Dr. Reggie Pamugas, Vice Chair of Health Action for Human Rights. As someone who’s been in the field for more than 19 years as a community-based physician, Pamugas knows all too well the stigma associated with…
Every year, Filipinos huddle around their television sets to watch the Miss Universe coronation night. Holding hands and sweating in anticipation, fans shriek in pure joy when the country’s representative struts down the runway, with “Philippines” written in bold font on the sash across her chest. However, this love and appreciation do not come for…
She’s part of every girl’s birthday and Christmas wishlist—a friend that comes in a mint condition plastic box with a beaming smile frozen on her face. She makes playtime all the more thrilling—through her, millions of girls across the world can be a princess, a model, a homemaker, and many more. With a seemingly-endless assortment…
