In everyday conversations—whether with a friend, a colleague, or in the heated worlds of politics and social media—it’s i all too easy to fall into the “straw man” trap. This tactic distorts someone’s argument, making it easier to dismiss. Imagine setting up a scarecrow (or taó-táo) in a field, only to
December 9, 2024
In many film universes, the best villains are those driven by almost sympathetic causes rather than pure destruction. Thanos, Magneto, and Ra’s al Ghul are more than one-dimensional villains; they want to save the universe from overpopulation, protect mutants, or restore balance. These anti-villains operate in moral gray areas, challenging our
December 7, 2024
By Herman M. Lagon In education, “critical thinking” is thrown around like candy. Touted as the golden skill everyone must master, it has been diluted, misunderstood, and misrepresented like most overused terms. Today, “critical thinking” is often equated with basic problem-solving or parroting information without reflection. Really, what is critical thinking? More importantly, how do
December 6, 2024
Basketball’s Greatest of All Time controversy frequently erupts over who merits the moniker. One name always seems to come up, whether in online forums, contentious conversations at sports bars, or family dinners: Michael Jeffrey Jordan. Furthermore, this belief is not just fueled by bias or nostalgia from older fans. Not only
December 4, 2024
Rom Dongeto’s “Tatsulok” was performed by Buklod in the late 1980s, Bamboo in the 2000s, and Ben&Ben in the 2020s. This song’s timeless appeal is due to its powerful message and cross-era appeal. “Tatsulok” criticizes the socio-political pyramid, in which the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, which is
December 2, 2024
Every country has a hero whose life has a lasting impact that spans centuries and connects the past and present with unwavering courage and moral convictions. One such person who stands tall is Gat Andres Bonifacio, a revolutionary whose spirit lives on 161 years after his birth. Even though the nature
November 30, 2024
The sorry state of external assessments in basic education—like the National Achievement Test (NAT)—is a story that needs to be told. For years, we have relied on such exams to gauge the learning outcomes of millions of Filipino students. Yet, as journalist and education advocate Estanislao C. Albano Jr. eloquently argues
November 29, 2024
One tendency that appears far too frequently in the whirlwind of political discourse is hasty generalization. This logical fallacy is common in daily discussions, news articles, and—unsurprisingly—political campaigns. It entails drawing general conclusions from sparse data. Fallacies can range from the harmless—like when a vendor asserts that “all politicians [bar none]
November 27, 2024
Superstitions, a fundamental part of Filipino culture, live in daily routines, whether skipping the ladder on a sidewalk or avoiding that rogue black cat (my neighbors call it “kuring mundo”) on a misty night. To the casual observer, these practices might seem a little odd, even amusing. But here’s the catch:
November 26, 2024
Let us face it. As students, professionals, or creatives, most of us have already been exposed to digital tools for writing. Whether it be grammar checkers or content generators — the support is a click away. This is not anything new — each decade has had its tech breakthroughs, from scientific
November 25, 2024
Has someone ever cut you off in the middle of a meeting while you confidently presented an idea, making himself the center of attention while downplaying yours? Places of work are like this all over the world. In addition to misbehaving, those who put down others to elevate themselves are also
November 23, 2024
Joining student organizations, clubs, councils, and school papers is more than just a way to pass the time in college; it is an experience that forms you. Imagine this: you graduate with Latin honors and a picture-perfect transcript, but how do you respond when the job market calls for leadership, empathy,
November 22, 2024