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Rant and Rave: Genshin Impact—Behold, the Chalk Prince and the Dragon

“The transition from nothing into something, from shoot to stem…and now to fruition,” says the Chalk Prince Albedo as one embarks on a quest to discover truths hidden within the snow capped mountains of Dragonspine—the latest addition to Genshin Impact’s world. Genshin Impact is a free-to-play action-adventure game developed by Chinese studio miHoYo. After the…

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Rant and Rave: Not so home ‘Sweet Home’

The webtoon Sweet Home made a splash for its eerie illustrations and unorthodox storytelling back in 2017, easily garnering a dedicated fanbase for creators Carnby Kim and Youngchan Hwang. Excitement hit a fever pitch when Netflix announced that a live action adaptation was in the works. However, adapting the thriller webtoon in all its gritty…

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Rant and Rave: Ma Rainey’s black bottom sings the blues

Movements across the globe have called for massive reforms in oppressive institutions in the wake of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of the police. As art has always reflected social and cultural changes, perhaps Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom couldn’t have come at a better time. Boldly chronicling racial injustice with the revolutionary legacy…

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Mother tongue is home: Reflections on MTB-MLE

The Philippines has a language problem. Among its more than 7,000 islands, nearly 200 languages have sprung up—each with speakers numbering from a few hundred to millions across the world. With so many disparate languages, which one ought to serve as the common denominator? Spanish, English, and Filipino have each been proposed as solutions, but…

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Survival of the fittest: Making a living in wet markets

Gone are the days when anyone could freely head to a public market to purchase fresh meat, fruits, and vegetables. With community quarantine measures in place, many livelihoods have been upended. Eight months on, and the many businesses in the country are still struggling to adopt solutions to survive an economy in recession. Among the…

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To the beat, to the rhythm: Peering into competitive ballroom dancing

Under the floodlights, hand in hand, pairs take to the dance floor. On certain days, they hold each other close, hearts beating loud. On some, they glide across the expanse of the room, with one leading the other, twisting and turning together in long, elegant strides. And on others, they dance in a flurry to…

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At gunpoint: COVID-19 and the indigenous struggle

For indigenous peoples across all borders, the struggle for autonomy is an undeniably familiar narrative that spans generations. Subjected to violence, pillaging, and erasure since the Spaniards first stepped on our shores, these communities are consistently relegated to the fringes of history—constantly left behind by the state-constructed Filipino identity characterized by settler colonial symbols. But…

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Eat, drink, and be merry: Deconstructing the Noche Buena

Eminent historian Fr. Horacio Dela Costa once argued that the two jewels of Philippine culture are our faith and our music. This is most evident in the distinctly Filipino celebration of Christmas. Cacophonies of Christmas carols touching upon the birth and virtues of Jesus Christ and the many holiday festivities permeate the Filipino Christmas scene—even…

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Baby steps: Traversing tourism during the pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, many industries came to a standstill. The lockdown measures implemented to keep people safe had adverse effects on their livelihoods as well. Profits were lost, businesses were shut down, and workers were laid off. Nonetheless, some enterprises were able to adapt and remain flexible by implementing strict physical distancing…

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Writer’s Recap: #JusticeForYna

Yna is doomed. That much is clear from the beginning. But what we see at the start is far from any picture of pity. If the bright music didn’t convince you, there’s plenty of other proof she is happy. A well-made bed. A pretty smile. A post-it the shade of sunshine that says “Kaya ko…