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Stephanie Mae Nacional Hindi lang prutas ang makukuha sa puno ng saging—bawat hibla at balat nito ay posibleng maging materyales sa iba’t ibang industriya, lalo na sa mundo ng fashion. Isang bagong uri ng leather gawa sa mga patapong bahagi ng puno ng saging ang binuo ng mga designer mula sa De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) at De La Salle University (DLSU) bilang makakalikasang bersyon ng synthetic leathers. Kumpara sa mga leather mula sa plastik, balat ng hayop, o iba pang uri nito na hindi nabubulok at nagdudulot ng polusyon, ang banana leather ay gawa sa natural na kasangkapan kaya ito ay isang alternatibo na mas eco-friendly. Ayon kay Tal de Guzman, isa sa mga designer ng banana leather, kahit pa mapunta ang kanilang produkto sa tambakan ng basura ay hindi ito makaaapekto nang masama, sa halip ay mabubulok na lamang dahil sa mga kagamitang ginamit sa paggawa nito. Dagdag pa niya, dekalidad at matibay ang kanilang produkto kaya’t hindi na kailangang isakripisyo ng mga ...

Micah Jemimah Calahat and Stephanie Mae Nacional Behind the science of HIV lies a long trail of myths and fear — it remains as one of the most misunderstood viruses in the world, weighed down by stigma and social norms. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system through destroying CD4 white blood cells.  The virus comes in three types namely acute HIV, or the primary HIV infection, which is the earliest stage of the disease, occurring within 2 to 4 weeks of initial exposure; chronic HIV infection, where the virus remains active but at low levels, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).  In a 2023 report of the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 40 million people live with HIV worldwide. That same year, around 630,000 died from HIV-related illnesses. Meanwhile, the Philippines is now one of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region with the fastest-growing number of HIV cases.  According to the Department of Health (DOH),...

Krysthea Charizze Abagon and Ma. Theresa Malanyaon It’s not that they weren’t liked — it’s just that they were VERY unknown…  This sentiment echoes a frustrating truth about how Filipino talent is often embraced: only after the eyes of the outside world have given their approval. We claim our artists not when they are still in the process of honing their crafts or struggling for recognition, but when they already have an established name in the global stage. This is not just a lack of support; it is a conditional Pinoy pride that begs the question:  “Why do we always wait for global validation before recognizing our own?” They say a true gem shines no matter where it is placed — but when it receives no light to reflect, it seeks brightness elsewhere.  When Filipino-Icelandic singer-songwriter Yaelokre , best known for their folk music storytelling project and viral songs like “ Harpy Hare ,” recently sold out their tour across Europe, the UK, and the United States, react...

Alfredo Tolentino Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 34 has officially confirmed former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Leal Guo as “undoubtedly a Chinese citizen,” invalidating her 2022 election victory and disqualifying her from holding any public office in the Philippines. In a 67-page decision dated June 27, 2025, Judge Liwliwa Hidalgo-Bucu of the Manila RTC Branch 34 granted the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), ruling that Guo’s Philippine citizenship claim was fraudulent.  The court found that Guo is, in fact, Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese national born to Chinese parents, Guo Jian Zhong and Lin Wenyi. “Respondent Guo Hua Ping (or) Alice Leal Guo is nothing more (than) a usurper of the Office of the Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac. Such a situation posed a risk to national security, which is far more than real,” the judge said in the court decision. The ruling came nearly a year after Guo’s dismissal from office by the Office of the Ombudsman in Au...

Marjuice Destinado Following the release of Squid Game Season 3, viral posts on social media claim the show is based on a real-life incident . One widely shared story states that in 1986, people were held in a bunker in “no man’s land” where they were forced to participate in deadly games to survive. These posts further suggest that the “hosts with inhuman-like thoughts” were never identified or caught. CLAIM: Squid Game was based on a real story in 1986. Rating: FALSE CONCLUSION: The series Squid Game is not based on the alleged 1986 story or any real historical events. While it explores themes of economic disparity and survival, it remains a work of fiction created to critique the harsh realities of capitalism. As the show’s writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk explained in an interview with Variety, “I wanted to write a story that was an allegory or fable about modern capitalist society, something that depicts an extreme competition, somewhat like the extreme competition of life.” W...

Kate Yvonne Barretto  There is no hidden love when it comes to true love…  For Karl, it's hard to take the path he thought was destined for him, only to find out this was not what his heart truly longed for. As with love, he also experienced almost the same thing when he met Vlad, the person who seemed to show him he was capable of loving more truly than he thought. Gaya sa Pelikula is a Philippine web series directed by Jaime “JP” Habac Jr. , consisting of eight episodes and first aired on YouTube in 2020 under the production of Globe Studios. Paolo Pangilinan portrayed the character of Karl Frederik Almasen, while Ian Pangilinan played as Jose Vladimir “Vlad” Austria. For most queer people, Vlad is the epitome of a gay teenager who is cocky and open to taboo conversations particularly on homosexuality. Karl, on the other hand, is the opposite; he is perceived as a goody two-shoes teenager pursuing architecture even though his passion truly screams for film.  Karl mov...

Alfredo Tolentino Vice President Sara Duterte called for the formation of a national LGBTQIA+ commission and expressed support for key legislative measures aimed at advancing equality and protecting the rights of the community in the Philippines. Photo Courtesy of GMA News. Duterte said the proposed commission would serve as the lead policymaking body addressing the needs of vulnerable sectors in the community, particularly the youth, who often face “rejection, school dropout, and homelessness,” and account for the highest percentage of HIV-affected patients. “To ensure these policies are not just passed but effectively implemented, we advocate for the creation of a National LGBTQIA+ Commission,” Duterte said during the Pride Month celebration of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on June 25.  She also said that her office has been reviewing existing policies and legislative gaps to better support the LGBTQIA+ community.  Duterte voiced support for Senate Bill (SB) No. 276...

Fernan Carigma To ease the teaching workload and enhance learning delivery nationwide, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced the hiring of 20,000 new teachers for School Year 2025-2026, calling it a “considerable” boost to strengthen the public education system. Photo Courtesy of Facebook/Bongbong Marcos. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved all the 20,000 teaching positions requested by DepEd for School Year 2025-2026, Education Secretary Sonny Angara confirmed on June 26. These positions include Teacher I, Special Needs Education Teacher (SNET), and Special Science Teacher I items, to be distributed across all regions. “Sa 20,000 bagong teaching items, may 20,000 bagong pagkakataon para maabot ang mas maraming learners, maibsan ang bigat ng trabaho ng mga existing teachers, at mapaganda ang learning delivery sa field,” Angara said in a news release. The approval follows the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to bolster teacher deploym...

Trisha Anne Segumban  Young workers in the Philippines are now demanding flexible work arrangements and digitally driven roles, a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) official said on June 26. Photo Courtesy of InCorp Philippines. DOLE Undersecretary Carmela Torres highlighted the shift in youth employment preferences during the launch of the “Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN” project held in Manila. She said young Filipinos are seeking jobs that offer flexibility, digital engagement, and opportunities to contribute to sustainability.  “We are observing a dynamic shift where young people are increasingly seeking not just any job, but meaningful work that aligns with evolving global demands,” Torres said.  She noted that the government is adjusting its training and employment strategies to better prepare youth for roles in the green and digital sectors. Torres explained that these strategies include upskilling programs that focus on areas suc...

Peter Jandrei Melan The Philippine women's basketball community is reeling from the sudden passing of Ashlyn Abong, a rising star of the Gilas Women Youth team and National University-Nazareth School, who died on June 27 at the age of 18.  Photo Courtesy of UAAP Season 87 Media Team. Abong reportedly collapsed during a routine training session at National University and was rushed to the hospital, where she tragically passed away despite immediate medical attention, according to Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach Patrick Aquino. The news of Abong's death sent shockwaves through social media channels on Saturday morning, confirmed by the official Gilas Pilipinas Women’s page. Abong was a vital component of the NU-Nazareth School girls’ basketball team, which secured a runner-up finish in the recent UAAP Season 87, narrowly losing to UST in the finals. Her talent was not confined to collegiate play; the 18-year-old had twice represented the Philippines in youth competitions, most ...

Paul Bryan Bio In every slum, street, sidewalk, and corner of the Philippines is a basketball hoop. With some made from pounded metal rings and even bicycle wheels attached to a backboard built out of wood scraps, it became a favorite pastime for every Filipino wherever, whenever, due to its accessibility that requires no complex equipment.  Later on, cold-blooded threes, flawless bank shots, and ankle-breaking crossovers would run into the veins of every Filipino — making the game a part of everyday routine. Basket after another, insane dunks after a perfectly timed assist, the sport was so loved that it became part of the Filipino identity.  That love and passion for the game mirrored a rare scenario where lights dimmed as fans of all ages filled the dome to its rafters. Some screamed out of excitement; others were nervous as if everything was at stake. A few wielded a banner, cheering at the top of their lungs with either a red or yellow bandana donned onto their heads. But...

Marjuice Destinado  In the Philippines, dying isn’t enough to get attention. You must die and trend — otherwise, the system doesn’t bother asking how or why you disappeared. In June 2025, the disappearance and eventual discovery of Anthony Granada — a 25-year-old law student from De La Salle University whose body was found in a vacant lot in Naic, Cavite —  sparked an outpouring of public mourning across the internet. Law students, classmates, institutions, and strangers collectively grieved. But as the story spread, Anthony’s family, navigating an unspeakable loss, asked for privacy and declined public statements. For some social media users, the silence was frustrating — a few even felt the family owed them answers for helping the story go viral.  Yet many others honored the family’s request, choosing instead to redirect their grief and outrage toward the broken systems that made such a death possible. This tragedy didn’t start with a hashtag, and it won’t end with one ...