It is understandable why many Filipinos gravitate toward foreign media and literature over local works. The Philippines’ history of colonization under Spanish, Japanese, and American rule has left a deep and lasting imprint on Filipino culture. Over generations, foreign influences have become woven into the fabric of everyday life, shaping not only the media we consume and the stories we are drawn to, but also the food we eat, the way we live, and even the values and moral perspectives we carry. In many ways, our cultural identity has been shaped through a continuous meeting of our own traditions with...

The Philippines and the European Union have reached a substantial agreement on a free trade agreement, a development that the government says could bring more jobs, investments, and export opportunities to the country. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has described the agreement as an important step toward expanding economic cooperation between the Philippines and the EU.   The development is significant. The European Union is already one of the Philippines’ major trading partners, and the agreement could provide greater access for Filipino products to the European market. It could also encourage European investments and create opportunities for local industries, including farmers,...

When people talk about successful tourism, they often look at how many visitors come, how many hotels are booked, and how much money is spent. But tourism should also benefit the locals who live in the places being visited.   The Philippine economy is highly dependent on tourism. A report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) says that tourism directly contributed ₱2.27 trillion to the economy in 2025, or 8.1% of the country’s gross domestic product. Tourism-related industries also provided jobs to around 7.70 million people, or 15.7% of total employment.   These numbers show how important tourism is to...

The Philippines has had a bad habit of only believing in you once you make it. For a country enraptured by the underdog story, there’s only so much support going around. Where would Rocky be without Coach Mikey? Who would Daniel be without Mr. Miyagi? For a country so in love with rags-to-riches, why fixate on where they’re bound to be and not where they are now? But most importantly, athletes are more than just a means to an end.   Two-time Olympic and recent 20th Asian Games Gold Medalist Carlos Yulo can only ever celebrate his accomplishments so much...

Nobody really tells you how weird your 20s can feel.   One minute, you’re excited because you’re finally an adult. The next, you’re staring at your ceiling at 2 a.m., wondering if you’re making the right decisions with your life.   You see people your age graduating, getting jobs, traveling, falling in love, moving out, or somehow having their entire five-year plan figured out. Meanwhile, you’re still trying to figure out what you want for dinner tomorrow.   And honestly? That’s okay.   There’s no universal timeline for growing up. Just because someone is ahead of you in one area...