Opinion

A clean and green election – is it possible?

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 20) – Tons of illegally posted campaign materials. Several days after the implementation of “Operation: Baklas” and it already reached several tons. That count only includes Metro Manila, how much more on a nationwide scale? Campaigns for elections in our country are always colorful. Each candidates, national or local, are willing to burn sums of money just to fill-out every space and nook with their faces. Posters, tarpaulins, leaflets, name it […]

Legitimate Batang 90’s

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 20) – A decade when Family Computer conquered almost every home and Michael Jordan’s posters were a never-to-miss item in a room, not LeBron’s. The 90’s is one of the headiest eras of our time, recognizable because of the fusion of manual sources of joy and the technological innovations that signal the advent of 2000’s. Presently, with the fame of Facebook and social media, a sudden surge of nostalgia hit a random […]

New reaction buttons VS. “like” button

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 18) – The first version of the “like” button, then called the “awesome” button, was developed in 2007. Facebook Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Zuckerberg was concerned about the public nature of the feature, and chose not to launch it until 2009.In 2010, “like” buttons were added to individual comments on posts and other objects. Since then, almost all public activity on Facebook has been likable. Facebook also started including posts and links […]

Sexual harassment – when the unseen gets caught

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 18) – Modern campaigns against sexual harassment are found in everyone’s Facebook timelines and other social media pages. From cat-calls to the intentional acts of touching and groping in the bus or train, everything is documented via video, a vine or photo, along with the full info of the “you-cannot-hide-what-you’re-doing” crimes captioned in complete detail. Once, I encountered a post from my female friend. She ranted about women who dress provocatively just to […]

Often times, It’s not the clouds’ fault—Light Pollution 101

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 18) – Stars. They’re so enchanting to look at, even if they show in diminutive numbers. That’s not the case more than a hundred years ago, and the rest of Earth’s previous times. The presence of clouds didn’t hinder the infinite luster of stars – known as the Milky Way –  inspiring our ancestors and great artists to use them in art, literature, astronomy, navigation, exploration, theories, mythologies and human curiosity. Yes, […]

Sexual harassment: It is not your fault!

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 18) – Sexual harassment is generally emotional and/or verbal abuse that is sexual in nature, like sexual name-calling or jokes, or continued sexual propositions or sexual attention after a person has already said no. Rape and/or sexual assault or abuse is a person forcing someone, physically, verbally or emotionally, to engage in any given sexual activity. Have you experience being cat-called while walking down the street? Perhaps he inappropriately compliments you on your top or shames […]

Why do you still prefer the “like” button?

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 18) – Facebook is the most popular and most commonly-used  social networking site. People love this because of its accessibility and simple features. You can post your pictures and ideas, have conversation through chat,  comment on your  friends’ posts and share and agree on other’s perspective. It’s easy, all you have to do is hit the “like” button. From the start, the “like” button has confused several people. The big question is why […]

We’re hospitable, but there’s mañana: negative Filipino values we need to kick-out

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 18) – Filipinos are known for being hospitable and jolly blokes. We’re willing to push the limit of our wallets just to pamper our bisitas and smile and laugh to all things despite of an earthquake or a savage storm that struck our country. But as the famous saying goes, we cannot have it all. All Pinoys out there are guilty of doing one, two or more of these bad habits. Brace […]

Heart disease – age doesn’t matter

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 17) – This February, we celebrate  National Heart Month, reminding the public to take good care of their heart through healthy lifestyle, nutrition and exercise. Heart Month, which is observed in many countries, aims to promote heart disease awareness and address the most common prevalent forms of cardio-vascular diseases, particularly coronary artery disease. Keeping your heart healthy, whatever your age, is the most important thing you can do to help prevent and […]

Replenish your Creativity with tips from successful artists

Are you creative at heart?  An artist who has a thirst for creativity? Or maybe you just want to get inspiration from other successful artists to boost your creativity? One way of boosting your creativity and inspiration is by attending creative conferences like Graphika Manila. You have a chance to gain inspiration from successful artists from different parts of the world and replenish your passion in art. I am an artist at heart but I […]

Brain Health

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 15) – The brain as part of the nervous system is responsible for memory, consciousness and voluntary actions. It also controls the maintenance for respiration, heart rate, digestion and blood pressure. As the master control of our body, it is important that this organ remains healthy. To maintain good health, the body has to exert physical efforts and maintain supplements. The brain needs cognitive effort to maintain good health. As we age, our brain […]

Like a sloth – free Wi-Fi is slow Wi-Fi

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 15) – 256 kbps and lower. That’s the promised allotment of data transfer given to each of the users of free Wi-Fi in selected public places that was launched by Department of Science and Technology’s Information and Communications Office (DOST-ICTO) last year. They proudly said, “Hey, it’s available 24/7 and free!”. Our response? It’s not enough. That speed is not worth the taxpayers’ money. To enlighten you all, 256 kbps is the lowest speed […]