Patriotism is inconvenient
It is early Monday morning. Everyone is rushing—to school, to work, to somewhere they cannot afford to be late. I...
The fuel that runs us
My phone rang at 5:30 a.m.—the same sound cutting through a morning that never really feels new. My eyes were...
Between dream and duty
When I was a child, I carried a ready-made answer to a question adults loved to ask. “What do you...
Crystal clear glass ceiling
Last week, I attended an annual forum organized to celebrate National Women’s Month. Empowered women leaders from various sectors shared...
Young fish in a tank of dirty water
On my fourth day working in a government agency, my superior told me: “Ayusin mo ang records mo dahil baka...
When our votes gamble the future
The sound of vehicles blaring their horns echoes across the highway. Tires roll endlessly on burning roads, while the city...
The casual cruelty
There are stories you inherit unwillingly—stories that twist and churn long after they are told. One of mine surfaced when...
Why hope still matters to the young
I have often wondered if hope still mattered to young people when the meaning itself has become increasingly fragile. For...
The orchard called work
They say landing your first job is one of life’s sweetest fruits—a mark of independence, proof that you’ve finally “made...
What happens after you ask for help
Trigger warning: This article contains references to suicide and self-harm. In November 2025, I admitted myself to a psychiatric ward...
