Why Filipinos Should Read
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Why Filipinos Should Read: ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed’ by Paulo Freire
by Bryan Meniado A recent World Bank report says that “nine out of ten Filipino children still struggle to read simple text by age 10.” This reasserts another report released by the Programme for International Student Assessment in 2019 where the Philippines ranked the lowest in reading comprehension among 79 countries. Coupled with the “history…
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Why Filipinos Should Read: ‘Rizal in Saga: A Life for Student Fans’ by Nick Joaquin
by Bryan Meniado I recently attended a writing class with Write Things PH and historian Ambeth Ocampo, author of Rizal Without the Overcoat, on the eve of Jose Rizal’s 161st birth anniversary. In that session, we discussed writing about the past and how to make history more meaningful for everyone, especially for younger generations. It…
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Why Filipinos Should Read: Akin Lang Naman: Mga Tula by Aristotle C. Pollisco a.k.a. Gloc-9
by Bryan Meniado The recent national elections may have been the most polarizing and divisive one in recent memory. While I’m disappointed, I’m not that surprised by the results. With all the miseducation, disinformation, historical distortion, and blatant lies we have been fed over the past years, it’s not far-fetched why many of us still…
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Why Filipinos Should Read: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
by Bryan Meniado In the previous WFSR, I shared about To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee which is a well-loved international classic. Since it’s a masterpiece told from a child’s perspective, reading it reminded me of how much we can learn from our children, even with their seeming youthfulness and innocence. This in turn…
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Why Filipinos Should Read: ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee
by Bryan Meniado I’ve been joining several book clubs online, local and international, to help me explore and diversify my reading list. It’s also an attempt for me to break through from my usual nonfiction niche since many of the club members read fiction. It’s fascinating to see the range of genres, books, and authors…
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Why Filipinos Should Read: ‘Reportage on Lovers’ by Quijano de Manila
by Bryan Meniado Beyond all the heart balloons and bouquets, it might be unknown to some people that Valentine’s Day is also a Christian feast day in honor of Saint Valentine, who was martyred on February 14. This piece of history is usually overlooked nowadays because people tend to focus more on the celebration of…
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Why Filipinos Should Read: ‘A Brief History of Time’ by Stephen Hawking
by Bryan Meniado I’ve recently watched the newest hit Don’t Look Up on Netflix and it has easily become one of my favorite science fiction films. Released late in 2021, it tells the story of two astronomers trying to warn humanity of an approaching comet that will wipe out humankind. It is a disaster satire…
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Why Filipinos Should Read: ‘Elites and Ilustrados in Philippine Culture’ by Caroline Hau
by Bryan Meniado The election season is getting more intense as we inch closer to the national polls in May 2022. In the past months, we have already seen a lot of political drama, seesaws, and mudslinging among the presidential aspirants. This grapple for position also creates a bitter divide among the supporters who are…
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Why Filipinos Should Read: ‘Ginto’t Pilak’ by Eugene Evasco and Hidilyn Diaz
by Bryan Meniado After 97 years, we Filipinos got our first-ever Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games last July, thanks to the valiant effort of our weightlifting hero Hidilyn Diaz. Now a multiple Olympic medalist, as she also won silver in 2016 Rio Games, this historic feat solidifies her position in the pantheon…
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Why Filipinos Should Read: ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ by George Orwell
by Bryan Meniado In a few months, we Filipinos will choose our next national leaders in the 2022 elections. It’s another opportunity for us not only to exercise our right to suffrage but also to influence the direction of our national lives for the next six years. This exercise also entails a big responsibility for…
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