By Dennis Gorecho “Tengang kawali” is a popular Tagalog idiom that literally translates to “cooking pan ear.” It describes a person who plays deaf, pretends not to hear or deliberately ignores what others are saying or advising. It is likened to a person’s inability to listen despite standing close to a frying pan. Three plays …
Kuwentong Peyups
‘Hubo’t Hubad’: Stripping down all pretense of innocence in Virgin Labfest 2026
By Dennis Gorecho The 21st Virgin Labfest (VLF) carried the theme “Hubo’t Hubad” with the aim of “stripping down all pretense of innocence while showcasing the bold Filipino voice and spirit.” VLF is known as the Philippines’ only festival dedicated to “untried, untested and unstaged one-act plays,” showcasing diverse voices that touch on complex human …
CCP queer plays celebrate Pride Month
By Dennis Gorecho Many members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community continue to struggle with feelings of isolation, guilt and shame because of the conflict between their religious upbringing and their sexual orientation. Family rejection and cultural stigma remain among the most significant challenges they face. Both the traditional Catholic Church …
Cutting of trees ‘ecological violence,’ ‘direct assault on the poor’
By Dennis Gorecho The cutting of 225 trees along Quirino Avenue to give way to the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEx) project has been described as “an act of ecological violence” and a “direct assault on the poor.” “Why must ‘development’ always demand the sacrifice of the vulnerable? Why are our cities designed for vehicles …
The political economy theory of Karl Marx
By Dennis Gorecho LONDON, United Kingdom — While travelling around London, I saw some posters promoting a Karl Marx walking tour as part of “A Journey Through London’s Revolutionary History.” Karl Marx (May 5, 1818 – March 14, 1883) was a German philosopher, social and political theorist, economist, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. He developed the …
Fake news and the red-tagging of ‘Wicked’s’ green witch, Elphaba
By Dennis Gorecho LONDON, United Kingdom — Elphaba, the green-skinned witch in the film “Wicked,” reflects the plight of present-day activists who become targets of fake news and red-tagging. The film illustrates how truth can be distorted through propaganda in today’s “fake news climate.” I recently watched “Wicked” aboard a flight en route to London. …
Preserving the ceiling ‘kisame’ art of Bohol churches
By Dennis Gorecho “Linog! Linog!” Those were the words I heard while talking over the phone with Father Victor Bompat of Stella Maris in Tagbilaran, Bohol, at 8:12 a.m. on October 15, 2013. A few moments later, social media was flooded with reports that a magnitude 7.2 earthquake had struck Bohol and nearby provinces. It …
UP Fair as platform where art and advocacy collide
By Dennis Gorecho The chant “Ikulong na ‘yan, mga kurakot!” reverberated for four days at the Sunken Garden of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman during the 2026 UP Fair. The UP Fair stage is never just a stage. The week-long event serves as a platform where artists fuse music with social activism, calling …
‘Corned beef’ as dehumanizing language to mock activists’ deaths
By Dennis Gorecho Social media has recently been flooded with the dehumanizing term “corned beef,” used to mock the deaths of activists. On April 19, 2026, a military operation in Barangay Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental, left 19 people dead. Among the casualties were student leader Alyssa Alano and land rights activist Maureen Keil Santuyo, both …
Sunflower as symbol of the fight against misogyny
By Dennis Gorecho The powerful drumbeats of the University of the Philippines (UP) Varsity Pep Drummers, combined with strong anti-misogyny messages, reverberated around the Academic Oval during the 4th Sunflower Run-Walk-Parade on March 21, 2026. Sunflowers have long served as a potent symbol of women’s rights, particularly in the fight against misogyny, representing enlightenment, growth …