Category: Features

EVERY September, something shifts in the Filipino reading calendar. Shelves are cleared, budgets are set weeks in advance, and thousands of readers make their way to the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

THEY say home is where the heart is. It can be a person, a place, or even a feeling—a space where we feel cared for, where we belong, and where we find comfort. But what happens when that home has four corners, iron bars, and no way out? For Mali, once given the heartbreaking title “The World’s Saddest Elephant,” the cage she once called home was also the boundary between her and the freedom she would never get to know.

THE Philippines has endured one storm after another throughout August, bringing heavy rains, flooded roads, suspended classes, disrupted commutes, and damaged homes. But for communities repeatedly caught in the path of flooding, the consequences do not end when the rain stops. It can mean wondering whether they will make it home safely, losing another day of work, or watching hard-earned belongings disappear beneath rising water.

AS Filipinos welcome the “Ber Months,” we also welcome the beginning of the Christmas season. As early as September 1, Christmas songs play on the radio, decorations start appearing in malls, and the holidays suddenly feel near. But why do we start celebrating Christmas when it is still months away?

GAMBLING advertisements no longer wait for you to step inside a casino. They now appear on television, billboards, websites, and social media feeds, placing betting promotions within reach of anyone with a phone and an internet connection.

“WHAT’s the English translation of ‘pang-ilan ka sa magkakapatid’?” Ask any bilingual or multilingual student this question, and they might laugh at the linguistic trap or pause to figure out how to bridge the gap. These moments reveal more than the quirks of translation; they show how deeply identity is rooted in the words we speak.

THE Philippines is home to some of the world’s most beautiful treasures, from its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity to its remarkable diversity of languages. Each language carries stories, beliefs, traditions, and histories passed down from one generation to the next. These languages are more than tools for communication; they are also expressions of identity. Protecting these languages, therefore, means protecting not only words, but also the identities and heritage of the communities that speak them.

“ATC or Town?” — a debate most Bedans have heard at least once. Some call it “ATC,” while others simply insist on “Town.” Whatever name we use, Alabang Town Center has become more than just a mall. For years, it has been the setting for after-class tambay, post-exam treats, quick meet-ups, and the little routines that made it feel like a second home.

LEARNING does not end within the four walls of the campus. Rather, it begins there. From competitions and conferences to leadership activities and other external engagements, students continue to learn, grow, and represent SBCA beyond the classroom. As these opportunities expand, so does the need for clear, equitable, and responsive guidelines governing the non-curricular off-campus activities of the College.