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Menagerie

What does it mean to be a Filipino?

The concept of national identity is a tricky one. Asking what it means to be Filipino is basically the same as finding what it is that brings 94.85 million people together. Is it the fact that we share the same land? 7,107 islands beg to differ (at least when it’s low tide). Is it sharing…

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Menagerie

Unearthing the Animo legacy

The colors green and white, the archer wielding his bow and arrow, and the star called Signum Fidei – these are among the symbols that instantly come into mind with the quick mention of “Lasallian”. They have prevailed the boundaries of time and have embodied themselves as the bastions of the Lasallian heritage. Meanwhile, as…

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Menagerie

A salute to the heroes unknown

It was during those colonial days in Philippine history – remarkable and unforgettable – that repressed, yet brave individuals formed an alliance against the colonial power that shackled the nation for hundreds of years. Until the day when the national flag was waved and the national anthem was sung amidst millions of Filipinos, the country…

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Menagerie

Traversing through Philippine television

Philippine TV has truly gone far from its cathode-ray tubes and LCDs, far enough to intervene in the world opposite its superficial screens. Unquestionably, this form of media has always been part of determining the what-hot and what-not for the Philippine pop culture. Hence, by exploring its remarkable breakthroughs and impediments, we unveil an essential…

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Menagerie

Scenic Route: Baguio on foot

Baguio, home of the strawberries, pine trees and cool breeze. People from all over the country flee to the summer capital to experience the wonder that has captured thousands of travelers. In the growing number of tourists, Baguio increases the need for transportation, thus the abundance of taxi cabs, jeeps and buses. Although this predicament…

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Menagerie

A La Salle storey

There are things one can easily own for their portability: a wallet, a necklace, and even someone’s love. But there are things far larger than one can personally keep. Take buildings and geographical spaces for example: a tower tall enough to scrape skies or even a plot of land wide enough to be named a…

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Headlines Menagerie

A sea of text

Texting is arguably the prime example of the power of the peso, that is why it has ingrained itself into the life of an average Filipino who cannot survive a day without sending a text containing a barrage of emoticons, or a text pleading for more load. Thus, this phenomenon has caused economic authorities to…

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Headlines Menagerie

Slandering the Slang

Filipinos seem to have a fascination with taking the most terse of words – and then reiterating them. What may appear to be a lackadaisical approach to linguistic innovation is, in fact, a stroke of genius. Instead of crafting words as long and winding as the Great Wall of China and as breathtaking (literally), the…

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Menagerie

Rant and Rave: Transit

A child’s innocence is wondrous; the mere thought of it is amazing, and can inspire awe in the dreariest of places. Enter Joshua, a four – year old child whose father, Moises, is a caregiver of an Israeli man, Eliav. Joshua lives in Israel, speaks Hebrew fluently and is playful as he can be. Unfortunately,…

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Menagerie

Rant and Rave: The Diplomat Hotel

Disgraced TV reporter Veronica Lansang (played by ABS-CBN diva Gretchen Baretto) strives to reacquire her former glory by undertaking a journalistic mission to uncover what happened in the haunted Diplomat Hotel. Together with her TV crew (Arthur Acuna, Mon Confiado, Sarah Gaugler and Nico Antonio), they set forth to confront the midst, where their deepest…