Culture Archives - The Flame

Feb242021 No Comments

Above the currents, in between blues

by CHRISTINE JANINE T. CORTEZ THE PROMISE of tomorrow comes in like ocean waves; it comes and it goes. But unlike the days, three-fourths of the natural world is made out of water –– something that the modern generation of people often takes for granted. It should be widely addressed that the earth's natural waters, unlike man-made possessions, cannot be reproduced. Water, at some point in time, will run out eventually if the people continue to ignore the dawning effects of environmental problems. Therefore, as a way to rouse everyone of this universal phenomenon, Altro Mondo Arte Contemporanea together with Kunstmatrix exhibited a visual art show featuring the global history of oceans through the lenses of a Filipino artist and seafarer Joar Songcuya. The show, which ra

Dec312020 No Comments

2020: The Good, The Bad, The Trendy

Culture

by JOHN PATRICK MAGNO RANARA and THERIZ LIZEL R. SILVANO It may not surprise many if 2020 turned out to be the year where the world will crumble into extinction, just like what outrageous Hollywood disaster films have all warned us about. The 12 months have been a wild rollercoaster of political turmoil and disastrous forces of nature, but still with some good and inspiring moments few and far between. These are just some of the key events and trends that have happened during the year that will soon be written down in history books. The Good Scientists discovered COVID-19 vaccines The availability of COVID-19 vaccines is perhaps the greatest news this 2020. Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Sinovac, Valneva, and other vaccine developers formulated a cure for the deadly virus...

Dec112020 No Comments

Rekindling Christmas Joy with Himig ng Pasko

Culture

by SAMANTHA ARGONZA ENTERING a new decade challenged by numerous natural calamities and a pandemic temporarily halting live events, Artlets have redefined their concept of home as the yuletide season is now fast approaching. In an attempt to restrengthen the value of home, UST Chorus of Arts and Letters (AB Chorale), along with other five choirs, united in harmony during a virtual Christmas presentation last December 1 titled Himig ng Pasko: Paskong Pasko Na Talaga. AB Chorale collaborated with pioneer members from UST Senior High School Chorale, Marriage Encounter Foundation of the Philippines Chorale South Cluster, Lagablab ng Espiritu Santo Chorale, and Pag-IBIG Fund Chorale. Overseeing this by their musical director, Mark Raeniel Agpasa, the event greeted Art

Nov182020 No Comments

Sweet Treats For A Cause

Culture

by THERIZ LIZEL R. SILVANO TYPHOON ROLLY and Ulysses brought tragic wind and rain, leaving many residents and pets stuck on their rooftops and trapped in floodwaters. Due to Filipinos' bayanihan, concerned citizens and groups who are willing to donate to the victims of the typhoon announced their donation drives through social media platforms. However, it is imperative for sponsors and donors to identify which donation drive they plan to contribute to — especially since some use fake fundraising initiatives, names, and groups to get money from people. Aside from featuring and supporting online food businesses, The Flame provides a list of dessert shops that donate a portion of their earnings to the victims of typhoon Rolly and Ulysses through their chosen organization. To

Nov112020 1 Comment

How Filipinas Became Heroes During WWII

Culture

by THERIZ LIZEL R. SILVANO WARS took place in several nations and in different environments. Soldiers, families, reformers, and survivors were carrying values and beliefs of their own, with a hopeful perspective that their needs and aspirations would soon be met. They are the affirmation that history truly happened, and that they brought changes in society that can still be observed today. The people of the past have battled for the principles that concern not only their lives but also the lives of others. Indeed, wars have brought chaos and change, but above all, the aftermath of wars brought starvation and scarcity, especially during the Second World War in the 1940s. When war emerges, the government does not only need strong survivor instincts but faith that the Filipino ci...

Oct312020 No Comments

Halloween In Our Hearts: Movies to watch when the clock ticks three

Culture

by CHRISTINE JANINE T. CORTEZ and JOHN PATRICK A. MAGNO RANARA IF ONLY we would take a moment to turn away from all the jingle and twinkle of the Christmas season, then we may realize that there is one other important holiday that needs to have its fair share of celebration. The month of October should be the time for chilling scares, eerie screams, and spooky customs. However, since the dawn of time, it has always been outshadowed by a more favored holiday. It is in the unspoken tradition of Filipinos to start celebrating Christmas as early as September. Colorful carols and festive songs permeate the streets in four long months. Perhaps the lack of love for Halloween is rooted in our religious conservativeness and that celebrating such a spine-chilling holiday may instill ...

Oct112020 No Comments

Every Story is Worth Sharing

Culture

by JOHN PATRICK A. MAGNO RANARA A SINGLE page from a book holds a thousand thoughts that inspire readers to find their true selves and to overcome the battles they are facing. But stories can only serve that purpose if writers are brave enough to share them. In this year’s Philippine Readers and Writers Festival held from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, ABS-CBN Books prepared “Why the World Needs to Hear Your Story,” an online panel discussion by young authors to help pluck out the seeds of self-doubt from budding writers and push them to wield their pens and write. Writers Binibining Mia, Zarah Louise, Marianne Mencias, and Mica Meñez gathered to give an hour-long talk encouraging up-and-coming writers to unlock stories out of their minds and let the world hear their thoughts. Overcom

Oct12020 No Comments

Nurturing the coffee rapport within everyone

Culture

words and photos by CHRISTINE JANINE T. CORTEZ and THEA ANDREA C. MAGUERIANO WITH the pandemic and its limitation on hosting events, The Flame celebrates International Coffee Day by joining the coffee craze with a short list of on-the-go coffee. The international event is celebrated to help coffee farmers earn income this year. The global coffee celebration was arranged by the International Coffee Organization (ICO), which aims to showcase coffee as a beverage and help people behind the warm cups every October 1. Mean Bean Flaunting their coffee drips and cold brew coffees sourced from Sagada and Kalinga, sisters Ara Mae Ayap and Thomasian alumna Kristene Ayap started Mean Bean last July to have extra income this pandemic. Kristene was the owner of Cafe Tomas at Padr...

Sep282020 No Comments

Finding consciousness in the hums of isolation

Culture

by CHRISTINE JANINE T. CORTEZ FOR EVERY great defeat comes along a greater resurgence. It may not happen tomorrow or the day after that but like every other episode in a series of unfortunate events, eventually, things will make sense and all things will come to an end. Although it may seem that this pandemic has ended a lot of great opportunities, it is without a doubt that life must still go on. And in doing that, arduous but inevitable changes have to be made. Despite several changes in the industry, the creative people behind the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Museum Division, guaranteed seats for everyone as they unveiled this years' Cinemalaya film festival. They launched not one but two online events to celebrate the annual film festival. One of the two ...

Sep142020 No Comments

Seeking Balance: Steadying One’s Self On Life’s Unstable Rope

Culture

by JOHN PATRICK A. MAGNO RANARA “HOW DOES one find solid footing in a world and future that is suddenly more uncertain as ever?” This is the question viewers are asked when they click Seeking Balance: A Tumba-Tumba Proof-of-Concept Show — a virtual exhibit presented by the University of the Philippines (UP) Vargas Museum in collaboration with The Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (CANVAS). Balance is an intangible concept that everyone seeks in their life. As new problems rise and spread around the world, it seems impossible for anyone to keep on their toes. Most have even lost their footing and succumbed to the dark depths below. To inspire people to get back on their feet, CANVAS had gathered 25 individual artists and four groups to explore the hardsh