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Shekinah Jedidiah M. Alima Explained PH and the Philippine schools in the United Arab Emirates have joined together to begin student publications and extend their advocacy of youth-driven journalism through a series of virtual lectures from Feb. 24 to March 6.  Photo Courtesy of Yalla Schools. Through the ‘LAHAB Journignited’ Workshop hosted by The Philippine Schools (TPS) Abu Dhabi Baniyas, Explained PH editors shared their knowledge in more than 10 writing and publishing categories for free. Students from The Philippine Global School, The Philippine School Dubai and the Philippine Emirates Private School were eligible to participate in the workshops conducted via online communications platform Zoom. The collaboration offered lectures in News Writing, Editorial Writing, Column Writing, Feature Writing, Science and Technology Writing, Sports Writing, Copyreading and Headline Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Photojournalism, Layout Design and Broadcasting in both radio and televisio...

The EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 remains one of the most iconic moments in Philippine history. In its 39th Anniversary, it is set with the backdrop of pro-administration legislators leading the impeachment of Vice President Duterte. While this might be seen as another display of power struggles among the elites, EDSA teaches us to not be complacent and be more vigilant and active in the pursuit of genuine accountability. The People Power Revolution was marked by a peaceful mass uprising against the authoritarian rule of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. For four days, Filipinos from all walks of life converged on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, demanding an end to two decades of dictatorship. This collective act of resistance was propelled by deep-seated grievances amidst human rights violations, rampant corruption, and a system of governance that was more concerned with preserving power than serving the people.  Yet shortly after the euphoric victory, the nation found itself returning t...

Vito Bongco, Mark Joseph Latade, and Yahya Ibrahim Yusop To protest is to campaign and defend a collective right and dignified sense of nationality. Rallies or any form of mass movement that seeks accountability from the government’s redress and grievances is even legalized under Article III, Section IV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.  Resistance is a form of dissent — mostly fueled by the unseen and unheard plights of our countrymen — and it often results in breaking the shackles of injustices and tyranny and can even end a dictatorship.  The uprising of Filipinos from EDSA in 1986 was the outcome of the Marcos regime's atrocities and dictatorship. It was rooted in fascism and ulterior motives to put their family at the top of the hierarchy. The bloodless uprising may have concluded, but the political maneuver in the country remains semi-feudal and semi-colonial. Now that the son and namesake of the ousted dictator is now in power, one question remains: does the EDSA P...

Cheesy Tteokbokki  As love comes and goes in my ever-unpredictable life, I find myself drawn to good-hearted men who seek comfort, peace, and friendship but are unwilling to risk what we have to become something more. We chat, go out together, and share our dreams and aspirations, yet once I truly fall for them, they create barriers around their hearts, as if they never noticed the walls I let down for them. This cycle haunts me, repeating itself with each new encounter. Time after time, I am drawn to gentle souls who value friendship above romance. When Cupid's arrows pierce my heart once more, I find myself questioning the signals that blur the lines between casual connection and genuine love. "When will the signs of casual connection stop confusing me?" I wonder, yearning for clarity in a world where affection feels so fleeting. I often ask myself if there will ever be a moment when my vulnerability is met with the same openness I offer. Each time we strengthen our bo...

Kimberly Capuyan The Department of Education (DepEd) allocated over 87,000,000 learning materials and 74,492 tablets for learners nationwide, in fulfillment of Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s promise at the House of Representatives’ budget deliberations in September 2024. Photo Courtesy of Inquirer. The learning modules will be distributed to learners under the Flexible Learning Options (FLO) fund, which includes students who cannot go to school due to personal circumstances and resources. FLO encompasses modular distance learning, online distance learning, blended learning, open high school programs, night high school, rural farm school, and homeschooling. “These learning resources are designed to support learners who are studying independently, allowing them to learn at their own pace and make adjustments as needed,” Angara said in a statement on February 22. The DepEd assured that over 300,000 learners in high- and medium-risk areas in 16 regions will have access to resources to ...

Benedict Maravilla Amid the sustained presence of China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), ‘Atin Ito’ coalition calls on the national government to include in the education curriculum the country’s maritime matters to raise awareness among the youth. Photo Courtesy of Facebook/Akbayan Party. In a Teleradyo Serbisyo interview on Feb. 22, Edicio “Ed” De la Torre, co-convenor of Atin Ito coalition emphasized the importance of education in deepening the understanding of the Filipinos towards the issue of WPS. “Hindi puwedeng emosyonal lang [sa usapin sa WPS]. Ang tanong, nauunawaan ba natin ito? Nakita natin ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon spagkat sa kahulihulihan mas mahalagang may kalinawan, may malalim na pag-unawa [dahil] karapatan natin ito,” he stressed. De la Torre underscored that students, as early as the first grade level, should already learn their roles as citizens of a country that faces territorial disputes. He also underscored that there are several ways for the recommendation t...

Angela Buenavidez Vice President Sara Duterte believed constitutional issues exist as she faces the fourth impeachment case filed against her. Photo Courtesy of Rappler. Duterte’s legal counsel pushed through a Certiorari and Prohibition petition on February 17 seeking due process from the Supreme Court.  240 congressmen in total signed the fourth impeachment complaint against her on February 5, prompting the Senate to endorse the next one.  “This is a petition under Rule 65 of the Rule of Court which seeks to issue a writ of certiorari to nullify the fourth impeachment complaint filed by 215 members of the House of Representatives on February 5 [fourth impeachment complaint] for violating Section 3 (5), Article XI of the Constitution, which says that "No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within one year" ("One-Year Bar"),” the petition stated.  It added further that the impeachment must be declared void due to “the ...

Prences Jhewen Albis    When you go through heartbreak after heartbreak, you learn to build walls around your heart. Strong, unyielding walls meant to protect you from ever feeling that pain again. I thought I had perfected those walls — until I met him.  College felt like a fresh start, a time to focus on my academics and my passion for media and development communication. After multiple heartbreaks and emotional wounds, I made a silent promise to myself that I would not fall in love again. My energy would be dedicated to my work, advocacies, family, friends, and myself. But as fate would have it, love has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it.  It all began during a media coverage for Explained PH at Isko't Iska 2023. Among the bustling crowd and the excitement of the event, I met him as one of our organization’s photojournalists. I was surprised by the spelling and proper pronunciation of his name. His name is Zean.     “Zean? As in Z...

Sky Cartaño Despite its 10 billion budget cut, the Department of Education (DepEd) will distribute 62,000 laptops and smart TV packages worth P1.8 billion across schools nationwide as fulfillment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).  Photo Courtesy of Inquirer. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara stated that the rollout continues despite a P10-billion from the national budget cut which halted the computerization program of DepEd that reduced the original target of 800,000 laptops.  “Our goal is for each school to have an ‘e-cart’ or roving computer lab that all students can use. Additionally, we are providing various software tools to support our teachers,” Angara stated regarding the distribution of 62,000 laptops.  DepEd will collaborate with the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget to ensure the continuous initiative of distributing laptops and smart TV packages.  “As we relentlessly address the classroom gap, we ...

Blessy Padillo and Justin James Albia Although February is the month of love, a lot of people experience heartbreak. Recently, social media was inundated with exposés of infidelity scandals including screenshots of private conversations, heartbreaking disclosures, and, altercations. It appears that some are uncovering betrayals, while others are organizing romantic surprises. Infidelity is a recurring theme in Philippine media and in real life, with cheating scandals often dominating social media discussions, entertainment news, and even casual conversations. While mistresses or kabit in Filipino and philandering husbands are widely criticized online, in reality, many Filipinos seem to tolerate, if not outright accept, cheating. According to a 2009 report from the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, marital infidelity is one of the major causes of stress among Filipino couples, with about 36 percent of men and two percent of women engaging in extramarital affairs. But w...

Angeline Ashlee Marquez Sometimes, when we love, the love we dream of often ends in ways we least expect. As February approaches once more, it brings joy and celebration for many, but for others, it can become a bittersweet reminder of what once was.  This season, filled with hearts and flowers, can amplify feelings of loss and longing for those who have recently ended a relationship with someone they deeply cared for. The contrast between the festive atmosphere and personal heartache can make the day feel even more upsetting, as memories of love linger in the air, evoking both nostalgia and sadness. Thus, we explore the stories of individuals who have loved deeply yet found themselves in circumstances that forced them to part ways. We delve into how these people relate to “ The Apartment That We Won't Share ”, as a poignant reflection of the spaces that were once filled with love and laughter — now echoed with memories of what could have been.  Through their narratives, we un...

Erin Devanadera The Supreme Court (SC) requested the Philippine Senate to urgently convene as a court of impeachment for Vice President Sara Duterte on February 15, signaling the need for the trial to be initiated. Photo Courtesy of AFP. Former Presidential Commission on Good Government special government counsel and lawyer Catalino Generrilo Jr. has called for the immediate action of the Senate regarding the impeachment of Duterte. He also stated that the obtainment of the order, preceded by the House of Representatives, is obliged at once to try the Vice President in trial finally. "In the final analysis, the Constitution does not allow the Senate to procrastinate during the period it is on recess whether it shall constitute itself into a[n] impeachment court and try the Vice President. If it were so, the framers of the Constitution wrote a useless provision. Woe to the so-called doctrine of supremacy of the Constitution," said Generrilo. Generrilo also cited Article XI, Se...

Kimberly Capuyan Advocacy group Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) prompted midterm election candidates to disclose their plans to address the learning crisis and make education a top priority in their agenda. In a statement on February 15, PBEd Executive Director Justine Raagas said candidates must be vocal and proactive about their education platforms to address the systemic failures plaguing the Philippine education system, which remains in deep crisis. “As we work toward solutions, future leaders should present concrete plans to improve conditions for all education stakeholders, including teachers, students, parents, local governments, the private sector, and civil society organizations,” Raagas added. PBEd reminded that candidates have only until May 10 to lay their platforms and plans for their constituencies. “Our public servants must realize that education is an investment. Every peso spent on improving literacy helps create a more skilled workforce, while greater commitm...

Jamayka Rhose Pascual The Department of Education (DepEd) aims to close the digital divide in public schools by distributing more than 62,000 laptops and smart TV packages nationwide. Photo Courtesy of Department of Education. The current teacher-to-laptop ratio remains high at 1:30, urging educators to rely on personal resources for online teaching and digital lesson planning. With a budget of P1.8 billion, this initiative is expected to benefit schools across 16 regions, with distribution beginning in the latter half of the year. This effort is part of the DepEd Computerization Program, a longstanding project designed to modernize classrooms and provide needed digital access for both teachers and students. Despite this development, concerns mount on the sufficiency of the rollout in addressing the long-standing technological gaps in public education. In 2023, DepEd faced scrutiny for failing to distribute almost 20,000 laptops worth P9.17 billion, highlighting ongoing procurement and...

Geelyn Avanceña, Joshua Pasion, and Eugene Ann Samantela In a world where the entertainment industry is constantly evolving, different mediums of communication have also soared over time. Whether people browse their smartphones or watch television, they still get to receive news. However, there is one notable thing from today's generation that seems to leave a significant mark in showbiz among Filipino netizens — screenshots.  While screenshots could only cover so much, they could also play an integral role in celebrity buzz and whatnot.  Here, we tackle showbiz incidents that sparked controversies in 2024, and explore what lessons and discover what could be the cause of today's modern scandals?  Anatomy of a modern scandal Modern scandals often begin through the following channels: exposing the “wrongdoings” of the other side of the party, revealing tons of screenshots from private conversations and posts, or even full-blown expose threads that further heat up the discus...