University, Diversity

By Patrick Henry Asińero

My innocence and my sense of adventure were the reasons I chose to study at a university located in Marawi City. On the day I received my notice of admission to the university on a scholarship, I came home very happy. But my family did not share my joy.

What I want

By Joseph Jadway D. Marasigan

 It may have happened too fast, but I must confess that I have come to love her sincerely. Who wouldn’t fall for her sweet, disarming smile and the kindness and innocence that conceal her intellectual depth? Besides whenever I’m with her, I feel an incomparable joy.

Success and stardust

By Patricia G. Malong

There are only two words I remember from the speeches delivered by our batch’s top two students on our graduation day: “success” and “stardust.” I had no idea what they were talking about, because all I cared about was my makeup, my dress and my heels. Some members of our graduating class were seizing the moment, proud and teary that finally our four years of studies were over. I was in a corner retouching my lipstick and praying very hard that I wouldn’t trip on stage with my three-inch heels and that the ceremony would end soon because my family had made a reservation for dinner in a hotel.

Changes after college

By Grace Ann Arce

Finally, after five years, I’m done with college.

After 16-and-a-half years, I’m through with school. No more uniforms, no more strict professors—what a relief!

Time runs so fast. Yesterday I was just wondering which branch of Starbucks I would go to chill with my friends, and now I’m wondering how I am supposed to budget my money for another 15 days.

Some say I’m lucky; the company where I completed my on-the-job training hired me for their new show. I agree, up to a certain extent, but I am really not that lucky. Having a job makes me realize and experience things I never imagined I would.

My diary malady

By Jasmine T. Cruz
The diary malady: That is the disease afflicting me. I am governed by the impulse to have every part of my life immortalized on paper. I have this compulsion to write about that girl who has thriving forests in her armpits, the teacher who has illusions of morality, the guy who has the power to make me faint and the other guy who has pimples also has the power to make me faint.

Human rights group claims Saudis make slaves out of domestic helpers

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Domestic workers in Saudi Arabia are often subjected to abuse that in some cases amount to slavery, as well as sexual violence and lashings for spurious charges of theft or “witchcraft,” a human rights group said Tuesday.

A Mindanao teener’s nightmare in S. Arabia

Like many other Filipinos seeking a better life, this Mindanao native’s quest turned into a nightmare.

At the tender age of 17, Haima already experienced a lifetime’s worth of heartaches during her stint as a domestic helper in the Middle East.

Esprit de Corps: what it actually means

By Dawn Iva P. Satumbaga

Citizen Army Training (CAT) officers have the privilege of seeing their cadets undress. This, among many other misconceptions, is a lie that officers formulate for the sheer fun of it.

My Dad is superman in disguise

By Ma. Alexandra C. Austria

I have this nagging feeling that my father is Superman in disguise. His whole “breadwinner” aura may just be a mask to fool us all. There are times when I can clearly see through his “Clark Kent” masquerade.

My Dad is an inveterate environmentalist

By Sherilyn Siy

It is difficult for most people to believe that for a family of five adults living in a modest two-story house, the monthly water bill amounts to only P170, while its electricity bill averages P2,000, max. Thanks to Dad, an “inveterate environmentalist.” In my opinion, he lives the meaning of “resource efficiency.”