Category: Opinion

HUMOR is one of the traits Filipinos must be proud of. Instead of dwelling too much on their problems and struggles, they are known for laughing them off and focusing on the positive side of life. Aside from that, they frequently crack jokes with the people around them, allowing them to get closer to each other. Jokes are meant to be funny, but what’s the case if it offends the other party or worse, puts them at risk?

ONE would strongly disagree that having proactive awareness of political and social trends is not an option but an obligation, at least nearly so for those who belong to the technologically literate generation. Everything that emerged from e-activism to sweeping hashtag campaigns has made people all across the board woke across cultural boundaries. At the same time, they aspire to be politically correct in modern ethical aspects and teach and correct their peers whose opinions they find repulsing. Nevertheless, it could be another challenge to endure in current times. How do you balance when the ideological backgrounds stand uncomfortably close to you — when the family fails to align with your political beliefs?

LAST Mar. 27, the Bedan Electoral Committee (BELCOM) announced the official list of candidates aiming for a position in the Student Executive Council (SEC) for A.Y. 2024-2025. The roster comprises new and old faces: the Bedan party-list and two independent candidates running for President. In this kind of situation, students are either rooting for the candidates themselves only or the platforms that can hopefully be of service to the Bedan community. The question is, what kind of student are you?

TIMES are forever evolving in traditional news dissemination and public discourse, with the rampant digital media taking over. The sudden closure of CNN Philippines is a prime example of how something is incapable of keeping up with the trend; there is a high chance that it will become obsolete and fall behind the interest of an audience. But isn’t this CNN? A highly acclaimed multinational news network? How could such a big name not thrive in a country that begs for more reliable sources of information?

CORRUPTION or the “misuse of public power for private profit” truncates resource allocation and hampers the availability of vital services to marginalized societies: this also undermines people’s confidence or lack of it in the government’s inclination toward public welfare. This has been a long-standing problem in the Philippines. But one begs the question: How long will this persist?

“TAMA NGA KAMI. TANGA NGA KAYO.” These were words in a graphic art seen online as various Kakampinks, supporters of former vice president Leni Robredo and former Senator Kiko Pangilinan, circulated online at the start of the month. These posts circulated after the continuous lapse of the government and the breakdown of “UniTeam,” the political party of President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, who seemingly lost their unity after its win during the elections.

SOMEWHERE, someone is thinking of whether or not their decision was right, may it be a menial one or a life-changing one. Either way, life is complex and built by decisions, and it is up to you to take the risk or let the risk take you.

BEING a fan of something, whether a person, show, sport, music, or even an animal, creates a ripple within our inner psyche. It becomes a drive that inspires us, evokes a sense of untapped happiness and excitement, perhaps motivating us to finish that research paper or even being an underlying force that leads to a long-term celebrity couple breaking up, TV shows getting canceled, concerts not selling out, or even leading a person to lose their career, reputation, and everything they’ve worked hard for. And that’s where it ends. It’s all fun and games until it’s not.

IN the world of music, interpolation involves integrating elements such as melodies, rhythms, or lyrics from one song into another. At the same time, sampling entails taking a portion of a sound recording and reusing it in a different song or composition. But why discuss these techniques? In recent years, they have become the music industry’s favored strategy in composition. Recent examples are abundant: “Got Me Started” by Troye Sivan borrows the synth melody from “Shooting Stars” by Bag Raiders, “I’m Good” by Bebe Rexha ft. David Guetta lifts the vocal melody from the 1998 hit “Blue” by Eiffel 65, “That Way” by Lil Uzi Vert borrows the chorus from The Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” and many more. Consequently, the question persists: are these methods displays of sheer brilliance or signs of creative bankruptcy?

“SHARE this post to pass your exam,” “Interact 3x to claim positive energy,” and more are what we often see on social media platforms. Does simply liking, sharing, and commenting on a random post we see online bring the result we want, or is it plainly for engagements? Some might believe that interacting with these posts would directly impact the outcome we are after, call this a form of ‘manifestation,’ and do nothing.