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Quian Segubre and Kate Yvonne Bareto “Here’s your order, Sir.” Dashing through the tables in a jam-packed fast food chain, service crews become heavily busy during these times of holidays, may it be inside or outside the workplace. It is truly intrusive to see the stark reality of every hardworking employee struggling to make ends meet due to insufficient salaries that fail to keep up due to inflation. Sadly, this low wage issue has been ubiquitous in every job sector for over the years and it was and still is a struggle, especially during economic recession. As the Holiday season is slowly approaching, it is essential to acknowledge the plight of Filipino employees who are often overworked and underpaid with jobs that do not require higher education or specialized skills. This reality often results in them being relegated to the lower class, where they are stigmatized and disrespected.  Unwanted Dilemma Ruzz Dequilla, a part-timer at the age of 25, found himself a place where he c...

Bryan Roy Raagas Ipinamalas muli ni World No.1 Magnus Carlsen ang kanyang talas ng isip matapos pagharian ang FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship nitong Disyembre 26-29, at depensahan ang kanyang korona bilang kampeon. Photo Courtesy of  Lennart Ootes/FIDE Pinanatili ni Carlsen na walang bahid ng talo ang kaniyang kampanya nang kumana siya ng 10 puntos sa 13 laban, kabilang ang pitong laro na kanyang pinagwagian. “Sometimes, my play was a little bit too safe and a little bit too technical, but I don't think I was really in serious trouble in any game, so it feels really good,” aniya. Dikdikan din ang naging resulta ng mismong ganap kaya’t kinailangan ni Carlsen na maging malinis ang resulta ng laban niya para ungusan ang mga bigating grandmasters gaya ni World No. 2 Fabiano Caruana. Pinaayaw niya nang sunod-sunod ang kanyang mga kalaban sa 2nd hanggang 6th round para manguna kaagad sa rankings, kabilang na rito ang Indian sensation na si Vidit Santosh Gujrathi. Pinilit ni Magnus, m...

  Cartoon by  Joseph Idusora 

Cartoon by Jovic Romero  

Joemar Yubokmee Jr. Like every year,  the festive lights twinkle, every church is bustling with people attending the Simbang Gabi, and the voices of young children’s carols echo through bustling streets, yet many of us feel that the spirit of Christmas wanes every year that passes. Cartoon by jhndvpt The magic of Christmas, once an enchanting time of togetherness and joy, seems shrouded in a cloud of hardship and a feeling of  emptiness.  The merriment that once characterized our Christmas has been hampered by a series of disheartening events that make celebrations counterintuitive. Inflation continues to be an unresolved issue, rendering the simplest joys of the season a luxury. The surge in prices has made it increasingly difficult for families to afford the basic necessities, let alone the traditional noche buena and exchange of gifts. The laughter and cheers that once emanated from the exchange of presents and the gathering around a bountiful table have now been repla...

Angeline Ashlee Marquez As the Christmas season rolls around, many of us are happily preparing the decorations to be set around the house, buying gifts for our loved ones– all the while preparing what meals to have for the holidays. But what about the desserts? There are plenty of desserts to choose from for this holiday season, but in this article, we’d like to share with you our top 5 Christmas desserts to anticipate and indulge into while celebrating with your loved ones! Bibingka A dessert made out of rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, eggs, and baking powder; this dessert is usually the most eagerly awaited by Filipinos all around during the Christmas season. This sweet dish is usually served hot and on a banana leaf while having shredded cheese on top of the savory dessert. This rice cake is usually only available during the Christmas season, sold by vendors outside of churches. So go ahead and grab some, while listening to Ben&Ben’s song “Bibingka” for the holiday spirits! Put...

Kenjie-Aya Oyong Kung ang iba ay maligayang naghahanda at nagdiriwang sa kani-kanilang mga tahanan, ang iba, nagwewelga sa lansangan. Kasabay kasi ng pagwawakas ng taong ito ay ang napipintong pagkawala ng kabuhayan ng mga driver at operator. Cartoon by Maurice Gimena Kamakailan, hindi pinagbigyan ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ang hiling na i-extend ang Disyembre 31 na deadline para sa konsolidasyon ng prangkisa para sa isinusulong na Jeepney Modernization Program. Iyon ang naghimok sa dalawang transport group, ang PISTON at Manibela, na salubungin ang Pasko sa pamamagitan ng pagkasa ng halos dalawang linggong tigil-pasada . Tila ba walang buwan na lumipas na hindi nagkakasa ng tigil-pasada ang mga transport group na ito. Maging ang Pasko na dapat sana’y masayang ipinagdiriwang, hindi rin pinatawad ng tigil-pasada. Hindi sa nakakaumay ang walang prenong pagpapatupad ng mga transport strike ng mga tsuper. Ang nakakasuya ay ang katotohanang mula noon hanggang ngayon ay...

Paul Bryan Bio Mga munting tinig ng mga paslit na nangangaroling, karaoke, o ‘di kaya’y kaliwa't kanang party. Ganito madalas ipagdiwang ng mga Pilipino ang pasko. Ngunit sa mga kagaya ni tatay Reynando, 68, hindi parol o kung alinman sa mga ito kundi streetlights ang madalas magbigay ng tanglaw sa pasko. Ang bangketa sa kahabaan ng Teresa St. sa Sta. Mesa, Manila ang nagsisilbi na rin niyang tahanan habang ang busina naman ng mga sasakyan ang nagsisilbing torotot na siyang gumigising sa kanya. At sa muling pagtatakip-silim, ang simoy naman ng hangin sa kalsada ang tangi niyang kapiling sa kadiliman ng gabi. Dito na rin siya pinaglipasan ng mga bagong taon, dahil sa mga nakalipas na dekada, ang lansangan na ang sa kanya’y nagkanlong. Ayon sa kanya, nagsimula siyang manirahan sa kalsada matapos ipagiba ng gobyerno ang kanilang bahay sa probinsiya upang kunin ang lupang kinatitirikan nito para sa isang proyekto. Ngunit, ayon kay tatay Reynando, magpahanggang ngayo’y naiwan lamang ito...

Justin James Albia After two decades, NSYNC, the iconic pop group returned triumphantly to the spotlight with "Better Place." which brought light to the animated music film “Trolls: Band Together”. In every note and lyric of "Better Place," feelings of joy, hope, and profound love are wrapped in a unique warmth and vitality. It serves as a poignant reminder that music is not merely a sound; it is a means to inspire and bring happiness to the hearts of listeners. Lines like, "Just let me take you to a better place, I'm gonna make you kiss the sky tonight," are not just words but a promise filled with emotion and dreams. Whenever this song plays, it seems the heavens open up, paving the way for new hope. "Better Place" is a harmonious blend of words and melodies and a testament to NSYNC's prowess in crafting music. Their ability to showcase a distinctive sound that brings joy and inspiration continues to captivate their fans. Even in their ...

Justin James Albia The Beatles bid their final goodbye with their swan song, "Now And Then.” with  John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, stands as an emotional testament to the enduring influence of the Fab Four on the tapestry of music. This nostalgic symphony, unveiled on November 2, 2023, unravels the complexities of love and longing in a manner that only The Beatles could master by opening the song with, "I know it's true, It's all because of you," which weaves a narrative that sets the stage for a musical journey through human emotions. The lyrics speak to the enduring nature of love, acknowledging that relationships may face challenges and separations, yet the essence of that love remains steadfast. It's a poignant reflection on the inevitability of starting anew, coupled with the assurance that love will persist through the test of time. "Now And Then" isn't just a song; it's a timeless bridge between generati...

John Phillip Morales “Our love story started with respect, and ended with respect,” Kumpirmado na ni Kathryn Bernardo ang hiwalayan nila ng ka-love team at boyfriend niya na si Daniel Padilla matapos ang 11 na taon na relasyon nilang pagsasama. Ayon sa kanyang Instagram post, tinuldukan na ni Kathryn ang mga usap-usapan. Nagbahagi si Kathryn ng kanilang photo ni DJ. Giit ni Kathryn, nasa showbiz siya sa halos 21 na taon, 12 na taon nito ay bilang kahati ng KathNiel, at ang 11 na taon nito ay bilang taong nagmahal kay DJ. Ayon pa kay Kath, ang relasyon nila ni Daniel ay tunay at hindi lang para sa show, sa harap ng camera, sa mga fans, hindi bilang love team. “I’ve been in showbiz for almost 21 years now, 12 years as the one-half of Kathniel, and 11 years as someone who loved Deej even behind the camera.” “What Deej and I had was real. It was never for show. We were together not because of the money that comes with a successful love team. We were genuinely inlove.” Anya pa ni Kathryn, “...

Raymond Carl Gato Naging mainit na talakayan sa pagitan ng mga politiko at concerned citizens ang panukalang Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), o mas kilala onlayn bilang J eepney Modernization Program , ng Department of Transportation (DOTr). Matagal nang niluluto ang panukalang ito. Sa katunayan, noong 2017, sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, pa ito inilabas sa Department Order (D.O.) No. 2017-011 o ang Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Franchise Issuance or the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG). Dahil sa programang ito, ang mga dyip na may tagal nang 15 taon o higit pa ay papalitan ng electric-powered o sasakyan na sumusunod sa pamantayan ng Euro 4. Argumento ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) na ang proyektong ito ay magdadala lamang ng ligtas, maaasahan, maginhawa, at environmentally sustainable na sistemang pang-transportasyon sa Pilipinas. Ngu...

Josel Sapitan Sinapol ng Green Archers ang titulo sapagkat tangan ni Kevin Quiambao ang pag-asang palaso. Photo Courtesy of The UAAP Ginulantang ng UAAP S86 finals MVP Quiambao ang top-seed University of the Philippines (UP) sa second half gamit ang 8-0 ratsadang nagtakas sa pitong taong pagkabigo ng  De La Salle University (DLSU), 73-69,sa down-to-the-wire Game 3 ng best-of-three men’s basketball finals, Disyembre 6 sa Smart Araneta Coliseum. Inasinta ng Green Archers ang kanilang ika-10 titulo sa pangunguna ni UAAP Mythical five Quiambao sa crunch-time matapos magpakawala ng three’s na gumapi sa Fighting Maroons sa harap ng record breaking 25,192 crowd. Huling ibinulsa ng La Salle ang UAAP Championship noong 2016 nang mawalis nila ang Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) sa finals. Bumandera ng 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists at two blocks ang six-foot four forward upang akayin ang koponan sa winner-take-all Game 3 at ibalik ang titulo sa Taft. “As one of the reliables in th...

  Cartoon by Maurice Gimena

Josel Sapitan Maaga man natambakan ang koponan, tangan ni Francis Escandor ang tiradang nagbaliktad ng kapalaran. Photo Courtesy of UAAP Media Bureau Naitakas ng De La Salle University (DLSU) ang bantang pagkuha sa titulo matapos gapiin ang magandang ratsada ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (UP) sa first half, 82-60, upang angkinin ang Game 2 ng S86 UAAP Men’s basketball best-of-three finals, Disyembre 3 sa Smart Araneta Coliseum. Ginulantang ng Green Archers forward Escador ang Fighting Maroons nang mag-init ang outside shooting nito sa second quarter matapos kumana ng back-to-back threes sa harap ng mahigit 20,000 katao sa Big Dome. “Basically we just really wanted to win, coming to this game from a very big loss…and we showed now,” wika ni six-foot-three anchor Escandor. Bagaman tinambakan ng 30 puntos ang koponan sa Game 1, 67-97, bumandera ng 14 points si Escandor dagdag pa ang 12 markers ni Joshua David sa kabuuang 8-of-11 triple field goals na nagpahirap sa Fighting Maroons. Dagdag n...

Jericko Arangis “Ang diet ko ay poverty.” While it may sound humorous to jest using this line, it is not totally sarcasm. It’s someone’s nightmarish reality in this state of a regressing economy. The Philippines has been long enduring the curse of being in the slums of poverty, malnutrition, and food scarcity. From the Negros famine in the 1980s until today’s imminent high poverty and hunger rate, the future of this country seemingly is in peril. Every rise and set of the sun on our horizon are reminders that some people don’t have a choice but to sleep on their empty, growling stomachs. Grappling the nation in the muddy tracks, these socioeconomic issues are the horrendous lurking nightmares in the shadows behind the grand cityscapes and pleasing archipelagic landscapes. According to a recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations between June 28 and July 1, approximately 12.5 million individuals perceive themselves as economically disadvantaged. The same study revealed that ...