Category: Opinion

“MAHAL ang magmahal,” is a common notion passed around on social media these days. It reminds the viewers of the value of love, what it asks of a person, what is expected of them, and what it takes to be committed. Truly, loving is expensive. It is mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially taxing. And this same idea is echoed in loving the Philippines – ang ating perlas ng silanganan – it requires and asks a lot from everyone who tries.

FOR years, students are taught that education is the key to a better future. They are encouraged to study hard, earn good grades and obtain a college degree because it would be the foundation of a successful career. Many spend four or more years sacrificing time, sleep and personal opportunities in pursuit of that goal. The robe, cap and tassel are often considered as the reward for those sacrifices and the beginning of a professional career.

THE rising cases of school violence in the Philippines have forced the country to confront a reality it has long believed was confined to foreign headlines. Parents were distraught, and communities were shaken as they believed that such violence was unimaginable from the students of the Philippine education.

IN these times of crisis and multiple disputes of what is true or false, only one stands tall: Journalism. While opinions or statements from different figures spread like wildfire, journalism is present and resolved with its purpose—to seek and report the truth to the people. Despite people’s remarks that some news outlets have their own political agenda, journalism remains unbiased and fair, no matter how the current politics ridicules Filipinos.

THERE are moments in school where some people start acting like being “ahead” makes them better. It can come from higher batches or even from those holding higher positions.

Subtle neglect and ignorance can be just as damaging as intentional cruelty. Many will brush it off, but ignorance is an enabler, and omission makes issues thrive. When it comes to animal welfare, many are indifferent or even deliberately disregard these damaging acts, a mindset of apathy that quietly sustains cruelty. To truly protect and conserve animals, we must recognise and confront harmful patterns in society as well as ourselves, even if it means accepting that we may be contributing to these harmful acts by not contributing at all. Perhaps it’s time to ask whether we are truly part of the problem.

YEARNING, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a tender yet urgent longing. It is that deep, sometimes overwhelming pull toward something that often feels slightly out of reach. It lingers in emotions, sometimes soft and almost beautiful, other times painful, especially when it comes from what is missing, lost, or never fully realized.

IT is considered typical Filipino behavior to cope with serious incidents through humor; perhaps why we are perceived as resilient in different aspects. There have been long discussions on whether this behavior should be applauded. Playing jokes on serious incidents? So immature—concerning, rather. As Filipinos, we should ask ourselves: where should we draw the line?

College was supposed to be about learning, growth, and chasing opportunities. But today, for many students, it has quietly turned into a daily exercise in survival. As prices surge across the board, student life has been fundamentally reshaped. We are no longer just meeting deadlines; we are calculating fares, skipping meals, and carrying the daily burden of not having enough. This is not an isolated struggle, but a systemic failure that continues to be overlooked.

BEING a woman living in a patriarchal society means existing in a world where rights are constantly undermined, boundaries are crossed, and identities are reduced to objects of the ‘male gaze.’ Growing up, I was surrounded by expectations: how I should look, how I should dress, and how I should behave. The phrase “kababae mong tao!” echoes all too familiarly, a reminder not just for me, but to countless Filipinas, that womanhood is often policed, and rights are infringed upon.