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. …
Kuwentong Peyups
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 …
Purple ‘walis tambo’ or women empowerment
By Dennis Gorecho I bought a purple-colored broom, or walis tambo, at the Baguio City Public Market in solidarity with women vendors during the celebration of International Working Women’s Day last March 8. The Baguio Public Market has long been a cultural symbol of the city since its establishment in 1913. Located at the lower …
‘Mabining Mandirigma’: A musical on women empowerment
By Dennis Gorecho “Mabining Mandirigma: A Steampunk Musical” by Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) pays homage to women in celebration of Women’s Month through the portrayal of Apolinario Mabini by a female actor. The title role of Mabini is notably played by a female lead. This non-traditional casting choice has been a signature of the production, with …
The mystical sounds of T’boli bells to ward off evil spirits
By Dennis Gorecho As T’boli bells are believed to turn away misfortune, negative energy and malevolent entities, every Filipino should perhaps have at least one piece in their possession — to protect them from the evil effects of corruption. The sounds of T’boli bells or tungkaling consistently reverberate during the annual Pasinaya Open House Festival …
Remember the EDSA People Power Revolution
By Dennis Gorecho “Let us retell the story of EDSA.” Archbishop of Lipa Gilbert Garcera, D.D., president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said in his pastoral letter marking the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that “our first duty is to remember.” “The fire of EDSA, set aflame 40 …
In memoriam: Randy Felix Malayao
By Dennis Gorecho “Years of detention seem eternal yet I have decided to be just philosophical about this. I thought I should strive to ‘bloom where I am planted.’” Words from slain peace activist Randy Malayao (August 29, 1969 – January 30, 2019) lifted from our Messenger chat on his experience during his four years …