The Boy Who Stutters

“The Philippines is no longer the third largest contributor of marine plastics in the world. It is in the fifth spot - after Indonesia, India, the US, Thailand and Brazil.”* Among global rankings, this remains a shameful one. Plastic pollution persists as an environmental issue in our country due to the lack of better plastic management. “The country’s so-called “sachet economy” has also contributed to the proliferation of plastics.”** Hence, the environmental issue becomes a political issue as well when policies or lack thereof fail to address and worse keep the status quo of plastic usage and production without concern to its impact in the world we live in. There are actions taken to address the issue like banning single-use plastics. However, there is a lack of political will to reinforce such policy on a bigger scale. Introducing sustainable packaging like eco-bags can only do much when there is still plastic production from industrial companies. The effects cannot be overstated a...

I find it interesting that people have different outlooks on citizenship and identity. Their perspectives prove that despite having one ‘nationality’, Filipinos may have some differences with regard their values and beliefs. However, there is still a common concept between them—the love and respect for ‘nation’ and its people. Some of their responses also give attention to individual and collective circumstances respectively. One focuses on individual actions that materially contribute to the nation, the other on active participation that essentially shapes the future. But both give value to small gestures to prove one’s good citizenship. Am I proud to be a Filipino? Sometimes, I am not sure because of the appalling attitude and behavior my countrymen manifest like our crab mentality. In spite of such toxic characteristics, I think what makes a Filipino really a Filipino is resiliency. Our history has made us resilient that such quality has been embedded in our blood. We don’t easily...

“No vaccine, no salary.” This is a scheme being imposed by some employers to workers who are yet to be inoculated against the virus. Employees have to present their vaccine card in order to get their respective salary. Such scheme, however, is “illegal” let alone “inhuman” as it violates the law (particularly the labor code) and the human dignity and right to wage earned. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines had already condemned such reports and called out the Department of Labor and Employment for response and action.* Such policy set by companies blatantly discriminates against those who do not have a choice to act upon the demand. The workers can’t be blamed for the slow vaccine roll-out of the government. Even if these workers do not want to be vaccinated, there shall still be no reason to withhold their regular salary because there is yet to be a mandatory policy regarding vaccination. They earned their wages after rendering labor so it must be given. Companies must abide ...

What is life but constant discovery? We realize that our being turns becoming over time. The process of self-discovery demands intention; it must not be taken for granted. Self-awareness makes you actively seek changes and apply necessary improvements. It opens you to criticisms and prompts growth and development. But it is not an easy feat because just like any other skill, self-awareness requires practice. We experience changes physically during our puberty. We realize the manifestations as we grow older, but more than the changing body, our mind also starts to mature. Although ‘age doesn’t define maturity’, it surely gives you more experience in life. And with experience, we get to learn new things, unlearn the old ones, and relearn what we might have forgotten. For one, being National Service Training Programsocial creatures, our lives are associated with other people. We live with and through others. That is why it is not only important that we understand ourselves but others as w...