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...

It should be easy to assess the STS aspect of cinema as it certainly ticks all the boxes for science, technology, and society. Filmmaking is a discipline – or at least it was eventually considered as one, being the youngest of the art forms, when the art of cinema was taken seriously (instituting the study of craft in the academe). Film is a technological invention and remains to be one as innovations are constantly made in the medium (coming of sound and color). And finally, if I may say, cinema moves society – economically, spiritually, culturally, and politically. Being a film student in such a university had led me to the conclusion that cinema implicates all disciplines. You name it! From different philosophies, abstracts, and ideologies, to sciences of all sorts, cinema becomes a significant, if not the most important, medium to “represent” them. It is said that cinema is the culmination of all the arts, I wish to agree but I am not writing to glorify cinema per se because that ...

20210809 How come you’re here? Certainly, this one’s different as I wouldn’t share a link to my social media unlike before because of some very personal content. Intrigued? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. This is the next entry for my UP slash college journey slash sharing-too-much-than-I-should-about-my-life blog entry. Because why not? I only do this once a year or two…and it’s always better to share your life with a stranger, isn’t it? Only that you’re not a stranger, are you? Regardless, I don’t mind; it’s not like you would tell me you’ve read this, or would you? Don’t. Perhaps it’s better that you keep being a silent reader, as you’ve always been because I have a confession to make. Or confessions, rather. Alright, where were we?  Ikalawang Taon sa UP (theboywhostutters.blogspot.com) A life crisis. Pandemic. Second Year. Ugh… it was the second year, an ‘early’ quarter-life crisis, then a pandemic and a life crisis again. Now I’m through with my third year. But I’m definitely no...

“Because more important than the award itself is the initiative to help the country realize the significance of cinema as a political tool and as a sign that reforms can be made and achieved” (Bolisay 189).  Ano nga ba ang saysay ng karangalan at pagkilala sa mga natatanging pelikula kung mananatili itong dekorasyon sa pangalan ng indibidwal na lumikha? Anong silbi ng parangal mula sa ibang bansa kung ang pelikula ay mula sa eksploytasyon ng danas ng kapwang Filipino na kinasangkapan bilang naratibo at laman ng pelikula? Maging mahusay at tanyag man ang likha, marapat na iakibat ang mga tanong na: (a) para kanino? (b) paano mapagsisilbihan ng pelikulang Filipino ang mamamayang Filipino? (Valerio 1). [FULL CONTENT REPOSTED @  Pelikula at Bansa: Mga Potensyal at Hadlang Para sa Kaunlaran – SineSalita (wordpress.com) Ang pelikula ay hindi katutubong midyum. Mula ito sa Kanluran at isa sa mga mahahalagang impluwensiya na dala ng kolonyal na kasaysayan. Naitala ang unang pagpapala...

Today I got my heart broken. I hate that I only write when my heart breaks. I wish I could write when it is happy. As to save it. As to remember. As to claim that not all the time is a sad day. Only if that is the case. This is not the first time I had my heart broken. And I know it is not going to be the last. But every time it happens, it hits differently. It is supposed to feel the same, right? The same thing just happened again. Again. Why does it feel like the first time? I thought I knew what tomorrow would bring because today was just like yesterday. For someone who does not have anything to look forward into anymore, I am almost always wrong. Today I realized, I can be more broken than I already am. But I wonder what is there to break? I fear that I am just making up this feeling, so I get to be human for a day. Sentient and not oblivious. Overreacting and not sedentary. Breaking my heart is the last thing I would make myself do – not because it is hard, but because it is easy....