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License to Kill: The Support of Filipinos for Duterte’s Bloody War on Drugs

It was around 3 a.m. on November 25, 2016 when 38-year old Gener Rondina woke because of a loud banging on his door. A group of policemen surrounded their small house in Cebu City. Gener, a known drug addict and a pusher, knew what would happen next. He quickly rushed to remove the wall air-conditioning…

Birdshot: More than a Parable on Innocence

WARNING: This analysis has a few spoilers. Filipinos face too much brutality that it feels as if we have already been desensitized by our society’s ills. But Birdshot reminds us of our true nature—one of innocence and idealism. Like the endangered Philippine eagle, this film is a rare breed of cinema that entertains yet opines,…

‘Allah Valley’ at mga Lumad

Wala pa ring katulad. Ang langit, isang karagatan ng asul. Nakakalat ang malabulak na mga ulap na minsa’y naghuhugis ayon sa lawak ng imahinasyon. Ilang dipa na lang ang layo nito sa lupa, halos abot kamay na ng mga tao. Pinapagitnaan ng bulubundukin sa kanluran at silangan ang mga sakahan ng palay at mga tirahan….

From the Sidelines of the War on Illegal Drugs

“’Yang mga drug adik na yan, dapat lang patayin ‘yang mga ‘yan, mga salot sa lipunan.” “Bagay lang sa kanila ‘yan, patayin na ‘yang mga adik na ‘yan.” “Mga pusher at adik, salot sa lipunan!” These are just some of the remarks that have circulated on social media since the Duterte administration announced its war…

The Disappearance of Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Kulot de Guzman

The mysterious turn of events started in this particular place in West Bank, Cainta, Rizal on August 18, 2017. At around past 12 o’clock midnight, 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz was in his home tending to his sari-sari store by this window. Three of his neighbors were idly spending time here. Gelo, as his family would…

Fathers and Sons: A Dulaang UP Masterpiece of Two National Artists

What do you get when a Nick Joaquin classic gets translated by Virgilio Almario and Jose Lacaba, directed by Tony Mabesa, and brought to life by veteran thespians like Leo Rialp and Rody Vera? For the opening salvo of its 42nd season, Dulaang UP stages Fathers and Sons – a powerful work of not just…

No, Mr. President, I Do Not Feel Safe

I live in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, adjacent to the Camanava district in Northern Metro Manila. Early morning, Friday, August 18, the Northern Police District was wrapping up their overnight drug sweep of Camanava that yielded 24 deaths, and 36 arrests. That same Friday, at around 1:30 am, I went home later than usual…

Bite-Sized Reviews of Cinemalaya 2017 (Full Length Features)

Let’s be honest: many of us just watch movies to satisfy our visual and emotional appetite. Sadly, this affects the quality of the films we enjoy and choose to watch. Very few are trained to look beyond a film’s narrative and appreciate the figurative and the technique. As a result, many are unable to have…

The Ten Commandments for the Millennials

Here are some insights that will help millennials live a better life. 1. Never discriminate people based on race, gender, religion, social status, and cultural beliefs. And if possible, never discriminate at all. The world is better when we respect each other. After all, we are created equal. 2. Drive defensively. Imagine if all drivers…

Defense Against #FakeNews: Three Simple Rules to Follow

In any information we encounter, it is important to exercise media literacy. It is a tool of analysis we need in order to protect our online space and in order to preserve our freedom of speech and of expression. Media literacy protects us from questionable and fake media content. It allows us to not be…

‘Fake News Hinders Free Speech’

Between this article’s time of writing and publication—which is only a couple of days, to be honest—I am sure there has already been a new viral video, another “pasikatin na ‘yan” post, and a widely shared status update analyzing President Duterte’s latest soundbite. To say that social media has become a huge part of our…

Fake News May Shorten Life Expectancy

Dahil sa confirmation bias, lumalaganap ang fake news. Ano nga ba ito? Basta pabor sa atin ang isang bagay, iisipin na natin na totoo ‘yon. Sources be damned. Ito ang paghahanap at pag-alala sa mga impormasyong sang-ayon sa mga pinaniniwalaan natin. Kaya minsan kahit peke talaga ang balita, pero sumasang-ayon tayo rito, malaki ang posibilidad na maniwala…