Culture Archives - The Flame

Oct232021 No Comments

The breast talk: Uncommon conversations that matter

by CHRISTINE JANINE T. CORTEZ INSUFFICIENT breast health education may feel frightening for women who live in a critical society that may have far-fetched body standards and expectations. At present, a social media disease known as “boob shaming” is becoming a trending stigma and a poor habit that cultivates within the harmful side of society and the internet. This form of social discrimination and unsolicited attack is manifested when the public criticizes how women’s breasts look. The issue is often hardly discussed or brought to people’s attention because a majority may think that breast talk is merely a joke that is either too personal or too sexual. Why breast awareness is vital to women Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October is a campaign inspired by a globa

Oct72021 No Comments

Dreading the prelim exams? How to overcome that academic anxiety

Culture

TO LEARN is not just to comply. Students may catch up in the online setting, but long-term retention of information is not guaranteed. Academic anxiety, procrastination, and online distractions are still barriers to maximize e-learning. As students prepare for the upcoming preliminary examinations, The Flame interviewed three Artlets on their insights and strategies for dealing with distant learning and mental burnouts. 1. Make time for self-care One should not feel guilty for resting. For Mattew Marbella, a fourth-year political science student, resting is an effective study tip. “Taxing yourself with too much academic burden could be counterproductive and may cause you to burn out. [You can] watch your favorite series or play your favorite game before doing your academ

Sep252021 No Comments

All Thomasian exhibit showcases the changing landscape of art

Culture

by JOHN PATRICK A. MAGNO RANARA FROM PREHISTORIC carvings to postmodern art styles, art has truly come a long way. Thomasian alumni showcased the evolution of art in the newly-launched art exhibit titled Vision X Interpolation: All Thomasian Art Exhibition. It flaunted generational practices and stylisms embodied by 22 artists from the University through paintings, print, and sculptural works. The exhibit was on display at Art Anton in Pasay City last Sept. 8 to Sept. 23. Despite COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, guests at home still had a chance to enjoy the artworks through a 360-degree virtual tour. The theme of the exhibit revolves around interpolation, which pertains to an object’s insertion. According to the exhibit’s curator Abe Orobia’s write-up, interpolation in art

Sep142021 No Comments

Admiring the real Manila through the senses

Culture

THE PANDEMIC may have revealed that home is the safest place for many Filipinos but the world on the inside is not the same for people whose home is outside. Traditional artist and storyteller Marius Cornelius Funtilar, otherwise called Marius Black, focused on Manila’s nooks and crannies. He adds depth to his artworks with the use of poetry. Perhaps it's not indispensable that every artist should do the same, but his way of narration is both visionary and informative. Marius, who graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in 2007, took up Fine Arts and majored in painting. He was conflicted between painting and comics but knew that he could execute both simultaneously. His fifth solo show Manila Synesthesia debuted on-site and virtually at Altro Mondo last July 31st to Aug

Sep82021 No Comments

Ber months are here, K-pop comebacks are near

Culture

THE MONTH of September will witness not only Jose Mari Chan’s iconic entrance that marks the start of the world’s longest Christmas season. Various K-pop acts are also peeking through, giving their fans pre-holiday cheers and catchy tunes while staying safe at home. Astro, Blackpink’s Lisa, ATEEZ, NCT 127, and ITZY are making noise throughout social media as fans share their enthusiasm and expectations about the new K-pop offerings. Astro Astro triggered the curiosity of their listeners when the teaser of its new music video 'Alive' was uploaded on YouTube last Sept. 2. The song 'Alive' is a pop tune that embraces a theme of love that is complex and requires great effort. It speaks about how partners remain ‘alive’ when love is felt and recognized. BLACKPINK's Lalisa

Aug312021 No Comments

Why I Don’t Watch Filipino Teleseryes

Culture, The Culturist

by JOHN PATRICK A. MAGNO RANARA THE COVID-19 pandemic is still showing no signs of waning. With the new Delta variant, where the virus is more transmissible, it’s as if we had gone back from scratch. Like the early days of the pandemic, many of us are again filled with fear of stepping out of our homes. Fortunately, we have the technology to keep us company. Western shows and Korean dramas have become more popular than ever as streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube Premium, and iFlix have become a go-to entertainment for many of us. Teleseryes, as you all may know, are a staple element in Pinoy entertainment, characterized as melodramatic shows that portray social realities experienced by Filipinos. They have existed since the 1960s and continue to dominate the world of o

Aug312021 No Comments

Pagbabalik-tanaw sa ‘90s: Ang @lammonaha at ang TikTok

Culture

ni SAMANTHA Z. ARGONZA PUT A finger down kung dumalaw ka na sa TikTok upang maaliw ng panandalian ngunit nagulantang dahil mag-iisang oras ka na pala sa kaka-scroll mo ng mga nakatatawang videos. Ang platapormang TikTok ay binansagang “Most Downloaded App” sa 2020. Makikitang patok ito sa mga Pinoy, lalo na at binansagang 'Social Media Capital' ng mundo ang Pilipinas. Alam niyo ba na bukod sa mga kanta at sayaw sa TikTok, kinagigiliwan din ang kakaibang videos ng LMNH (@lammonaha)? Sa likod ng kalmadong boses at 203,700 followers, ang @lammonaha ay pagmamay-ari ng tinatayang 30 anyos na anonimang content creator. Sa pagiging anonima, nakapagbibigay daw siya ng misteryo. “Sa LMNH naman, I can be whoever they want me to be,” paliwanag niya. (In LMNH, I can be w

Aug162021 No Comments

Freshie Guide: A glimpse of the ultimate Artlet experience

Culture

by MHERYLL GIFFEN L. ALFORTE LONG BEFORE entering university, every student has at least once dreamed of the ultimate college experience— forging new bonds, learning the school’s culture, navigating the campus landscape, joining student organizations, and more. But chances are, this never included virtual learning, donning of masks, and discussing group tasks solely through video chats. Every student bears the brunt of this dismal reality, but this hit especially hard for first-year students who will open a brand-new chapter in life during a pandemic. Entering college is a daunting pursuit as it is even on a normal year. But in these times, students are forced to adapt to an isolated environment — instead of new blockmates, emotionless computer screens have become their compan

Jul22021 No Comments

Lilo’s Acai is a beginner’s guide in healthy eating

Culture

By CHRISTINE JANINE T. CORTEZ WITH THE threat of COVID-19, eating healthy foods and becoming fit is now the raging train everybody is eager to jump into. Upfront and center of making health the new wealth is Lilo's Acai, a sprouting online start-up offering a variety of fresh, healthy, and tasty fruit bowls and smoothies made available for all troops in Metro Manila. The Philippines, being heavily influenced by fast-food chains –– from everything made into chicharron, appetizers being listed under the putok batok category, and well-loved street foods –– Filipinos may not be the best candidates to run after a healthy lifestyle. Despite the long list of not-so-healthy local food cravings, Filipinos know how to make the best out of their food and culture. But what most people might f

Jul22021 No Comments

An escape from life’s burdens through age-old artworks

Culture

by JOHN PATRICK A. MAGNO RANARA A DEEP, heavenly version of Lucio San Pedro’s Sa Ugoy ng Duyan plays in the background, soothing and serenading visitors who enter the newly-launched 360-degree virtual exhibit of the National Museum of the Philippines. The museum commemorates the return of 115 art pieces brought to New York City more than 40 years ago. Installed at the National Museum of Fine Arts, The Philippine Center New York Core Collection of 1974: A Homecoming Exhibition transcends distance and boundaries. It celebrates the power of local artistry, encouraging it to go beyond its roots and represent the Filipino identity to the rest of the world. The exhibit showcases modern and contemporary art that emphasizes folk aesthetics and the indigenization of Western art styles. The