Every ecosystem has its own hierarchy to consider—a fundamental rule that has held true since the inception of our biosphere. When reduced to our basest instincts, we are seemingly locked in an eternal cycle of predator and prey. And no matter which creatures partake in this deadly dance of life and death, one thing’s for…
Category: Menagerie
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…
Most Filipinos become aware of our country’s history within the four walls of the classroom. In subjects such as Sibika (or HeKaSi), Social Studies, or Araling Panlipunan (AP), they grow familiar with Lapu-Lapu’s bravery and Dr. Jose Rizal’s sacrifice. With the help of colorful flashcards, students learn to recognize the symbols of their heritage and…
Models have always symbolized the unattainable, embodying perfection on catwalks, billboards, and magazine spreads. The confidence that these fashion muses exude have always been staples in how they are perceived—everything from their hairstyles, to their seemingly flawless skin, to the designer clothes, are carefully engineered to elicit want in everyone who lays eyes on them.…
Amid the sudsy sachets of shampoo and tubes of toothpaste in a typical Filipino bathroom lies an infamous product—skin whiteners. Ranging from soaps to serums to creams, these products claim to give fairer skin in a matter of days or weeks. As such, they have earned a permanent place in every Filipino woman’s beauty routine.…
Amidst the cloudy days brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the sun continued to shine online on the 32nd year of De La Salle University’s For The Kids 2021. With the theme “Bloom: Here Comes The Sun”, DLSU-FTK 2021 maximized the online setting in spreading joy and love, and provided learning and medical support to…
It’s gritty, loud, and foaming at the mouth. It’s short and direct—a chaotic whirlwind of sounds scraping against the surface. It screams what is usually withheld, echoing the resistance of people who are breaking their chains. It’s punk. “I was introduced to this music by a friend of mine who had a mixtape cassette with no…
In recent years, we have witnessed the rise of LGBTQ+-themed content in media, with titles such as Love, Simon; God’s Own Country; and Moonlight raking in commercial and critical success. It seemed as if, finally, the community was getting the representation that it deserved. The same can be said for the local film scene, with…
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.…
“Ampon po ba ako?” a child in tears asks his mother. A scene like this conjures in our minds a typical narrative of loss—except this ad is anything but typical. A moment later, the child sprawls on the table and demands an explanation why there are four glasses attached to his back. With the truth…