Assortedge

ARE FILIPINOS CHOOSING SMALLER FAMILIES OR BEING FORCED INTO THEM?

With fertility dropping to 1.7 children per woman, the shift reflects both greater autonomy and the rising cost of raising a family. As economic pressures reshape personal decisions, the line between choice and constraint becomes harder to define—turning family size into less of a preference and more of a reflection of circumstance.

CAN A TRIMESTER SHIFT SAVE PHILIPPINE EDUCATION?

The shift to a three-term school year aims to recover lost learning days and better manage disruptions, but questions remain on whether structural issues like classroom shortages and teacher welfare are being addressed. With the same number of school days simply redistributed, the impact of the reform may ultimately depend on what happens inside classrooms, not just how the calendar is arranged.

The Maguindanao Inaul scarf reflects light in unique ways, depending on how it is held. Metallic threads are woven into geometric patterns that stand out against deep jewel tones such as emerald, sapphire, and ruby red. Each scarf is made by hand, taking between five and fifteen days to complete.

THREADING MINDANAOAN STORIES: HOW MALINGKAT WEAVES SHOWCASES MINDANAO THROUGH FABRICS The Maguindanao Inaul scarf reflects light in unique ways, depending on how it is held. Metallic threads are woven into geometric patterns that stand out against deep jewel tones such as emerald, s…

evasion

Cartoon by Cartoonist ZACH

A NEW VARIANT TO WATCH

A new COVID-19 variant “Cicada,” is being monitored across multiple countries, but no cases have been detected in the Philippines so far. While its mutations warrant close observation, experts stress that it has not shown signs of increased severity—making informed awareness, not panic, the appropriate response.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A GLOBAL CHOKEPOINT IS DISRUPTED?

With 21% of oil supply passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the stakes are massive. Energy, food, and prices worldwide are all connected to this chokepoint.

ECONOMIC AND AGRICULTURAL WELFARE AT STAKE AS SUGAR OVERIMPORTATION DEEPENS CRISIS

What was meant to stabilize supply has instead flooded the market, dragging farmgate prices below sustainable levels and leaving local producers at a loss. As billions in damages mount, the imbalance reveals a system where short-term fixes come at the expense of long-term agricultural stability and the livelihoods that depend on it.

LF: EXPERTS IN FAST AND CONFIDENTIAL MONEY MOVEMENT

Hanap namin ‘yung mabilis gumalaw, gumastos, at umiwas sa mga tanong.

Don’t worry, transparency and accountability is not part of the job. 😉

IF THE PHILIPPINES CAN FUND ‘AYUDA’, WHY CAN’T IT FUND SYSTEMS THAT MAKE IT UNNECESSARY?

From pandemic cash aid to fuel subsidies, assistance programs have become the government’s default response to crises—reaching millions, yet leaving many still below the poverty line. The cycle continues not because ayuda is ineffective, but because the conditions that make it necessary remain unchanged.

WHERE YOUR PAG-IBIG CONTRIBUTIONS GO

Pag-IBIG Fund declared a record ₱64.34 billion in dividends for 2025, showing how members’ contributions are actively invested and returned as earnings rather than simply stored. For millions of workers, these monthly deductions quietly build both personal savings and long-term financial security.