The campaign period that led to the elections was a time when political hopefuls shelled out large amounts of money to ensure their victory in the polls. While we were mostly aware of the monetary value of posters, t-shirts, and even television commercials, one other aspect of campaigning goes unchecked, and that is the cost…
Category: Menagerie
The democracy that was given to Filipinos has brought the blessing of bestowing the power to decide the fate of the country as citizens, especially during election time. Unlike neighboring countries that continually engage in different political conflicts without so much as a semblance of democracy, Filipinos are more fortunate to savor a sort of…
For some of you who just cannot bring yourselves to stay grounded on current events and thus, do not have the slightest idea of what a pork barrel is, you would probably imagine it as “pork put in barrels,” (Kimmy*, III, CAM). Unfortunately, we’re not talking about the mouth-watering bacon burned into an irresistible crisp…
Election season is, for Filipinos, a time plagued by stigma and accumulated trauma. Heightened rates of violence – unfortunately meriting its own category ‘electoral violence’ – and crime, as well as rampant vote buying and other undemocratic leveraging practices characterize a period that has a negative connotation with the masses, ironically highlighting the fact as…
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Social elections 2013
National elections are a time where different sides of the Philippines are exposed. There’s always the side where politicians show their strong, stately commitments through whatever way they can think of (or buy): a million posters with their faces, motorcades with speakers blasting a customized Call Me Maybe, going to barangays to shake people’s hands,…
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Rant and Rave: ‘Epic’
From the producers of Ice Age and Rio comes another film of “epic” proportions that is simply (but not so aptly) titled Epic. The movie dives into the world of Leafmen and Boggans as described in the children’s book The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs by William Joyce and features a star studded…
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Scenic Route: The Senate
A couple of minutes away from De La Salle University, just a moment’s strut along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, lies the heart of the country’s legislative branch, the Senate office of the Philippines. Law Serves Peace, Let It Be Done: the Senate’s upholders couldn’t have said it any better, as its strict guidelines and rules bind…
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Rant and Rave: ‘Now You See Me’
Delve into the mystical realm of magic and immerse yourself in all its wondrous glory. This crime and thriller film impeccably incorporated the splendid technique of con artists and magicians; A battle royale of ego and wit. The plot revolves around a cluster of marvelous, cream of the crop con artists called “The Four Horsemen”:…
Vampire Weekend has finally risen from the perils of that idling stage young bands usually fall prey to after touring a well received second album. They’ve risen with a vengeance this time around with Modern Vampires of the City, showing earlier critics what they failed to see and cementing their spots as VIPs in the…
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Rant and Rave: ‘Glee’ Season 4
Last April 19, Fox announced that Glee has been renewed for two more seasons, a move that surprised many since the most recent season of Glee garnered the lowest ratings since its inception. In the course of four seasons, the musical comedy went from being an Emmy-worthy leviathan to a weekly viewed guilty pleasure; people…