by Israelbelle Ferolino In June of 2001, the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf entered the city of Lamitan bringing with them 20 hostages. Then-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo immediately declared an all-out war against the extremist group but the terrorists already took over a hospital and a church compound. Abu Sayyaf who was composed of a suicide squad was threatening to use the children and hostages as human shields. Mark Conrad “Maco” Ravanzo was then a kid, but he can still

by Maria Nicole Dominique Dimayacyac, John Kirby Marquez and Israelbelle Ferolino From a very poor and underserved family in the slums of Pamarawan Island, Malolos, Bulacan to being a well-respected leader in the field of civic engagement in the Philippines and a Professional Fellow of the Young Southeast Leaders Initiative of the United States Government, Rex Dayao shared to us his story of overcoming poverty in the Philippines. UNICEF estimates that 356 million children liv

by Maria Nicole Dominique Dimayacyac As the pandemic dragged on and kept Filipinos unemployed, the latest figures of pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that 4.2 million families are experiencing involuntary hunger. With more than a year of COVID-19 and its devastating effects, an artist who strives to make a difference in her community decided to take action. "I just cannot bear seeing the people, especially kids, starving and do nothing," said Reana "Yna" Carloto,

by Maria Nicole Dominique Dimayacyac Just like every Overseas Filipino Worker, Abegail Compuesto hoped that going abroad would solve her family's financial situation. However, what she experienced was contrary to her expectations. Life in the Philippines was never easy for Abegail. She was far from living comfortably. For the sake of her then 3-year-old son, Kobe, Abegail did not hesitate to accept a waitressing job in Malaysia by some recruitment agency. It was in 2008 when