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Josel Mari Sapitan Kapos man sa manlalaro ng koponan, kumpyansa ni Gerry Abadiano ang kanilang naging puhunan. Photo Courtesy of UAAP Media Naitakas ni six-foot guard Abadiano ang University of the Philippines (UP) sa sumpang tangan ng Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) sa Round 2 ng UAAP S86 Men’s basketball, 65-60, matapos bumandera ng 22 points, three rebounds at two assists sa Smart Araneta Coliseum, Oktubre 29. Minanduhan ng Ilonggo pride ang Fighting Maroons sa kabila ng pagkawala nina CJ Cansino at JD Cagulangan na naging malaking balakid matapos silang payukuin ng Eagles sa unang round. Sinalba ni Abadiano ang Fighting Maroons sa first half selyado ng isang buzzer beating three, upang tuldukan ang matamlay na takbo ng laban. “Sinabi niya [Coach Goldwin] lang sa amin na ibigay namin ang best namin…ang basketball ay hindi naman yan perfect…magkakamali at magkakamali kami…ano man ang outcome maging thankful kami,” wika ni Abadiano. Dagdag pa rito, kumolekta ng tig-10 punt...

Rachel Ivy Reyes Student journalists and publications expressed support for An Lantawan , the official student publication of Leyte Normal University, which struggles to operate independently due to bureaucratic accreditation policies. Photo Courtesy of CampusJourn  College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) National Spokesperson Brell Lacerna, in a post, calls the directives of the LNU a maneuver to stifle the academic freedom of the university to organize and exercise press freedom. “Tayo ay tulad ng An Lantawan. Sa ambang pagsasara nila, pagpatay rin ito sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag at pag-kritik ng mga estudyante sa represibong edukasyon na dapat malayang nagbubuo ng organisasyon, nagsusulat at nagproprotekta sa kanilang mga karapatan,” Lacerna said. In a statement, CEGP-Eastern Visayas condemned the abrupt order of the university to bar the publication from using its name and logo.   "Kaya naman, hindi tama ang ganitong taktika na ipasailalim sa kontrol ng administrayo...

Paul Bryan Bio They had it precariously, but it slipped away from their hands at the very last moment – Indeed, heartbreak is difficult to cope with, not only when it comes to love but also during college application season. For most graduating senior high school students, it is one of the most pivotal chapters in their lives, for it will play a huge role in their future as it will define which path they will take once they enter the world outside school. Some of them already have a long-standing desire to enter a particular university, just like Noriko Wade – the reason why failing to pass a dream school is just heart-wrenching. Noriko, 18, resides in Parañaque and is an incoming freshman at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila, under the program BS in Exercise and Sports Science. During the long college application period, she only applied to three universities: PUP, UP, and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). Of all these universities, she said that...

Prince Carlo Estrella “Abbiamo tanto tempo per conoscerci (We have a lot of time to get to know each other) .” A Very Good Girl, directed by Petersen Vargas, is a refreshing and satisfyingly bold film in this decade of the Philippine film industry so far. The poster might suggest that it is a women empowerment film but it is so much more. Because the film itself hates to be boxed; it is a film full of figurative statements and allegory to our society. Especially with Kathryn Bernardo (as Philo) and Dolly De Leon (as Molly) as the lead stars, the film successfully managed to challenge the status quo by fleshing out and showing politically camp and dark humor to its audience. Indeed, they are really great stars but… is that all? Starting off with the casts, I must say that all of them are gray-tinted. Neither of them are good or bad — they are all sinners who need to repent and confess. But if there’s one character that I would like to commend and forgive (at least), it’s going to be Jo...

Amer Hussien Mangray In the heart of the Philippines, where traditions and values run deep, the concept of family dynasties has taken on a unique and enduring significance. Filipino society places immense value on familial bonds, considering family as the cornerstone of one’s identity. This ideology is a driving force behind the emergence of family dynasties in various spheres of life. The idea of carrying on a family legacy, be it in politics, business, or showbiz, resonates deeply with Filipinos, reflecting their strong sense of loyalty, honor, and obligation. Filipinos hold diverse opinions about family dynasties. Some argue that dynasties bring stability and continuity, while others decry them for perpetuating inequality and hindering progress. Public sentiment often oscillates between admiration for the achievements of these families and calls for greater transparency and accountability. As the nation progresses in an era of shifting paradigms and heightened expectations, i...

Benjamin Jacob and Kirsten Geraldine Esteban Filipinos whine once again as petroleum prices have increased by P2/liter this week, cementing the 11th continuous week of price hikes. For many drivers, this means losing their income, with some jeepney drivers reportedly losing up to P500 a day. Lawmakers now attempt to come up with solutions to reduce the blow to motorists, one of which is removing the excise tax on petroleum. Excise taxes An excise tax is another type of tax. Instead of taking a portion of a person’s income, it is added to the price when a good is produced, consumed, or sold in the country. In the Philippines, the government taxes petroleum along with alcohol, tobacco, and minerals. For example, as of September 18, the current price of diesel for example is P66.30/liter. Of that price, P10.00 is paid for every liter of gas sold by retailers. The remaining price, P56.30/liter, is the buying price globally. In 2017, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Tax Reform f...

Lyndon James Diesta Short hair tied into a ponytail, scarlet lipstick, and some extravagant T-shirt – that’s how I viewed the members of the LGBTQ+ community in my local barangay. Back then, I didn’t know what they were saying in their own lingo – but I definitely knew that they were the proudest, loudest, and happiest one could be. From the past decades to now, queer culture in the Philippines, from its bekimon, beauty contests, and overall extravagance and spontaneity – has been a polarizing topic, splitting the nation in two. There are those who embrace it, or even participate in it, while there are those who despise it, making those who want to partake in the culture struggle to be a part of it. Knowing that, isn’t it fascinating to know how such a thing came to be? Of course, there are its shimmering peaks and ultimate lows – but such is the price to pay for pride. Golden Origins “All that glitters is golden,” a line on a poster plastered upon their house, full of memories and ene...

Jai De Los Santos In the beginning… Drag Den Philippines Season 1 contestant and prolific Filipino drag performer Pura Luka Vega is alive and kicking after pledging freedom last October 7 after arrest with photos of un-uniformed policemen from their home in Sta. Cruz, Manila issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 36 and detained in the Manila Police District 3 with a 72,000php-worth of bail. The drag queen had paid their fees after a surge of assistance from the queer community mainly mobilized on X (Twitter) by Pura Luka Vega’s co-performers from Drag Den: NAIA Black and Lady Gagita to name a few. Accordingly, many other artists took the initiative for an artist’s bazaar-drag show NKKLK (nakakaloka) as a fundraiser for their bail led by Drag Race Philippines S1 winner Precious Paula Nicole with 43 other queens last October 8. Drag Den’s host/producer and international Filipino drag icon Manila Luzon also brought about global light in their X account to show support. Bo...

Joemar Yubokmee Jr. In a world marked by unprecedented economic development, technological advancements, and abundant financial resources, it remains an unsettling truth that millions of individuals across the globe continue to grapple with the harsh realities of extreme poverty.   Cartoon by Alex Macatuno Poverty extends far beyond mere economic insufficiency; rather, it is a complex and multifaceted dilemma that encompasses not only the absence of income but also the deprivation of fundamental capabilities essential for leading a life of dignity. Today, we celebrate International Poverty Eradication Day and collectively stand to call for the urgent need to address this pervasive issue that haunts not only the developing countries but even the developed nations. Within the Philippine archipelago, a nation that is blessed with abundant natural resources and so much potential, the struggle against poverty is ever present. Almost every day, we witness poverty in all of its dimension...

Avril C. Gulapa On October 10, the World Coalition Against Death Penalty marks the 21st World Day Against the Death Penalty —a day to advocate putting an end to the existence of the death penalty worldwide. The World Day Against the Death Penalty serves as a catalyst to raise awareness of the cruelty caused by the death penalty since 2003. This year, the organization strives to focus on deliberating the connection between the death penalty, torture, and other derogatory punishment and build on the momentum that occurred in 2022.  Death penalty The other term for the death penalty is capital punishment; it refers to perpetrating an execution of the defendant as a punishment for disobeying the criminal law. The idea of putting the death penalty in practice caused mixed reactions to many as it violates the right to live of individuals. However, despite viewing the death penalty as inhumane, numerous countries still put it in practice, as the majority believe it refrains people from ...

Rex Neil Falogme  And just like that, the drought is over. Gilas Pilipinas finally ended their 61-year gold medal drought in men's basketball after a 70-60 victory over Jordan in the 19th Asian Games at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center on Friday night. Photo Courtesy of AFP Justin Brownlee continued his scoring dominance for the Philippines as he led with 20 points, but it was Ange Kouame who became the man of the night as he made crucial free throws and well-timed buckets, finishing the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds. "We knew the team needed that win and to get the job done. Everyone came together and that was a great team effort. It means a lot after all these years, and that's bigger than all of us," said Kouame. Gilas started strong and posted a quick 11-5 lead in the first quarter, closing the opening frame with a five-point advantage, 17-12. The Filipinos were able to establish a 28-15 upper hand in the second quarter until Rondae Hollis-Jefferson took o...