Chika Ni Juan

 By: Eleonor Reyes Christmas is known as the jolly season of the year. This is the celebration that brings us closer, where we share our laughter with our relatives and loved ones, and of course, can we even forget about the exciting gifts? But even without that, the presence of our friends and family is the greatest gift we could ever receive. While this is the most awaited time and probably the joyous one, it’ll be the opposite for some. Lucia, a cigarette vendor in the vicinity of Malolos Cathedral, shared that she will be observing Christmas on her own this year. Having taken up the role of a cigarette vendor since 1983, she typically earns an average of 200-250 pesos, a modest sum compared to the purchases made by her customers. Lucia revealed that her husband passed away two years ago, marking the onset of solitary Christmas celebrations. In earlier times, she used to celebrate the Christmas season with her family. Em, a seasoned tricycle driver with over 5 years of experience, p

 By: Jennyric Borromeo, Jeweleen Enriquez “Ang relasyon ay ‘di parang laro, halimbawa, di naman kayo nagbabahay-bahayan, talagang tunay talaga, kasi ginusto niyo ‘yan parehas na mag-asawa ‘yan,” says Ricardo Carrera, 64, as her wife of more than 40 years, Virginia Carrera, 58, smiles and agrees. “Ang relasyon dapat pagtibayin niyo,” Ricardo speaks. In a world that often seems to whirl at an accelerated pace, where trends and fads come and go like fleeting gusts of wind, there exists a rare and enduring phenomenon that stands as a testament to the strength of human connection — long-lasting relationships. When a lot of Filipinos thought that love teams in a long-term relationship would be the end-game, they are yet to be reminded that some love are not exceptional and everlasting. Just like how Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla broke many hearts with their sudden separation. Picture this: A ballroom in space where couples dance without stopping, their steps timed to the music that do

By: Alexandra De Leon Join us as we visit PICKUP COFFEE here in WalterMart Malolos, Bulacan! PICKUP COFFEE, a start-up company that sold drinks for between Php50 and Php100, aims to increase Filipinos' access to espresso and milk-based beverages. What makes PICKUP COFFEE unique is that although the drinks at PICKUP COFFEE are reasonably priced, the quality is still high. They've created affordable drinks with beans from Mt. Apo and Brazil that are sourced both domestically and abroad. To guarantee quality and consistency, they only utilize the best espresso machines available. Leading the "grab-and-go", digitally native coffee brand in the Philippines, Diego Lorenzo founded Pickup in early 2022; it debuted in March of that same year and now has over 60 locations throughout the Philippines. Diego, whose family has been in the food and beverage industry for many years, founded Pickup after realizing that although Filipinos enjoyed their coffee, the market sadly underser

By: Jennyric Borromeo On December 10, 2023, a Pride Celebration in Malolos, Bulacan celebrated the LGBTQIA+ community and emphasized the value of diversity, acceptance, and equal rights. BulSU Bahaghari, UP Babaylan, and many other schools joined the IpagLOVEan: Human Rights Day Celebration held in honor of International Human Rights Day. It drew participants from all over the Philippines in a vibrant show of inclusivity and friendship in hope that the government will heed their call to pass the SOGIE Bill. The IpagLOVEan united individuals from diverse backgrounds, bridging geographical distances, in a vibrant and lively gathering. Participants wore white shirts featuring the message "Happy Equality", waved flags, and carried banners promoting acceptance, equality, and love. Interactions between attendees and participants promoted a feeling of belonging and united with a common goal. During the event, speakers emphasized the value of creating safe spaces for everyone and th