Echoes & Experiences

ECHOES & EXPERIENCES

Disenyo ni Erizha Jane Santos

Alaala sa Bawat Hapag

Sa bawat lasa, nabubuhay ang alaala.

May mga alaalang kailanman ay hindi naisusulat— hindi sa papel, hindi sa larawan—kundi natatagpuan sa bawat hapagkainan. Sa bawat putaheng inihahain, may mga istoryang tahimik na naipapasa, henerasyon kada henerasyon. Sa mata ng ilan, ang pagkain ay simpleng pantawid-gutom. Ngunit para sa iba, ito ay isang buhay na gunita ng pamilya, kutura, at pinagmulan.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Off-Key, On Point

“Sintunado man, basta’t masaya.”

These four words sum up exactly what it feels like to be in a Filipino karaoke session. For us, karaoke is more than just singing. It is an activity shared among family, friends, and sometimes even strangers. While the rest of the world approaches the microphone with perfection in mind, Filipinos sing their hearts out in gatherings without a care in the world, despite being out of tune. This shows that for us, skill comes second to emotion.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Love From Afar

There are so many reasons to fly abroad and work in foreign countries; it seems so common nowadays. I’ve heard many stories about it.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

More Than the Waste They Collect

In the dim hours before dawn, the basureros, or garbage collectors, move through the dark streets already hard at work. They can be seen pushing carts or carrying sacks filled with many different items, walking the streets. Or in other cases, they are the ones riding the truck that goes around the neighborhood to collect trash from houses. Doing a lot of heavy work without proper gear, and mostly in long sleeves, shorts, and a pair of slippers.

Disenyo ni Erizha Jane Santos

Isang Aksyon, Libo-libong Emosyon

Ninanais ko ring makalaya.

Sa likod ng malamig na rehas at makakapal na dingding, puno ito ng mga istoryang hindi basta naririnig—mga kwento na puno ng pangungulila, sakit, at pag-asa. Sa paningin ng karamihan, ang bilangguan ay tila isang kaparusahan. Subalit para sa mga taong laman noon, ito ay isang daigdig na dumudurog nang pira-piraso sa kanilang pagkatao.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

From Green to Gray

It is a cruel, national irony that the hands that feed Filipinos are often the ones who are left empty-handed. Every grain of rice on our plate resembles the hard work of a farmer who likely can’t afford the very bowl he filled. The question of how we will farm transitions to who will be left to do it as debt piles higher than the harvest.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Two in One

In most families, responsibilities to fulfill duties are a shared effort. An example is parents sharing the responsibility of raising their children—supporting one another through life’s challenges.

Disenyo ni Erizha Jane Santos

Latay ng Kahapon

Nakapanlulumo. Walang katarungan. Nakamamatay.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

More Than a Childhood Rhyme

“Nanay, tatay, gusto kong tinapay.”

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Two Sides of a Mask

Imagine a platform where everyone has their own unique spotlight, one dedicated to themselves in a way that only shines where it is presentable. A stage where countless eyes can admire and praise your existence, yet the same gaze can pierce and drag you down further.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

How about going outside and touching some grass?

“You don’t get it? Maybe you’re not just chronically online as I am.”

Disenyo ni Erizha Jane Santos

Sa Dulo ng Sobre

Bukas ang sobre. Binibilang ang bawat piso… akala mo’y sapat ngunit hindi.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

So Far, Yet So Near

Tensions in the Middle East continue to rise thousands of kilometers away from the Philippines. Despite the distance, its effects are felt in many places, including Filipino homes where families are concerned about loved ones working abroad, while also facing rising fuel prices, inflation of necessities, and economic shocks.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Pagputol sa Nakaraan

19 Pebrero, 2026

Pamana. Isang salita na kumikinang sa paningin. Kapag naririnig, madalas na pumapasok sa isipan ang mga ari-arian, lupa, maging ang apelyido. Ngunit papaano kung ang pamanang naipapasa ay hindi nakikita ngunit nag-iiwan ng marka?

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

The Final Stretch

19 Pebrero, 2026

Ultimately, this final stretch of the school year is way more than just awards and grades. It is a symbol of combined efforts and dedication. Students of any grade level can look back with pride, knowing that they survived another year full of hardships and are prepared for whatever comes next in their academic journey.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Magsisikap o Mangangarap?

14 Pebrero, 2026

Laging bitbit ang katanungang: Paano nga ba pagsasamahin ang dalawang ito nang hindi binibitiwan ang isa?

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Flowers of beauty

14 February, 2026

But perhaps your biggest critique is none other than yourself. Those voices that spout such negative comments may only belong to you.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

In Between

01 February, 2026

Overlooked. Quiet. Independent. Forgotten…

These are a few examples of stereotypes that come to mind when we hear the word “Middle Child”. They are often painted as too old to be looked after, or too young to be taken seriously. In some families, the oldest child’s achievements are often celebrated, while the youngest is pampered with all their needs and demands–leaving the middle child, well, “in the middle”. Their achievements might be celebrated with smiles and greetings, but not with the same enthusiasm. After all, since the oldest did it first, the second, third, and so on will follow.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Dilim ang Tanging Kasiping

26 December 2025

Gusto kong ipagsigawan: Hindi siya baliw! Hindi siya mahina! Siya ay tao— may puso at damdamin. Nawa'y ang mga tulad niya'y tuluyang makita–yakapin ng pag-unawa, mahalin nang buo, at hindi na muling ikubli pa sa dilim.

Photo via Miss Universe/Facebook

Chin Up Queen, or the Crown Slips

23 November 2025

There will be a time when the Philippines will come together to stop and stare.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Peace be with you

10 November 2025

The candles that we thought ended with grief are remade—transformed into something new and unique that could serve another purpose, molded by the bare, genuine hands of those who seek happiness.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

The Hidden Gift of Christmas

06 November 2025

Santa never needed a sleigh to reach me—he arrived in the form of the warmth of our family, the glow of the lights, and the love woven in every moment spent together. And maybe that’s the purest kind of Christmas miracle, one I will never outgrow.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Colors of Melody

In a world that often feels too loud and overwhelming, music and art offer a gentle silence our hearts seem to crave.

Disenyo ni Rica Marie Gatmaitan

Sandigan ng Kaluluwa

Matagal na akong naghihintay. Matagal na. Matagal na.

Layout by Rica Marie Gatmaitan

A Little Kindness, for You

It’s 3:00 a.m.

The world is silent, and the stars twinkle in the ink-filled sky. You lie in bed, scrolling through your phone—restless and unable to sleep.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

Faith in a Digital World

A scroll through any social media platform in today’s time can feel like riding a digital rollercoaster. One second you’re watching funny cat videos; the next you’re invested in a K-drama movie recap, a cooking tutorial, or even crying over the death of a fictional character you’ve known for only 30 seconds. The internet is overflowing with short-form content designed to entertain, inform, and distract you from personal problems. Somewhere in between, Catholic content has managed to find its own niche within the algorithm.

Disenyo ni Erizha Jane Santos

Tinig na hindi Matitinag

Sa isang lipunang madalas lunurin ng katahimikan, may mga tinig na tumatagos sa kawalang-kibo ng mga pangako’t panlilinlang. Mga pusong marunong magsindi ng apoy sa gitna ng dilim, mga tinig na nagmumula sa lansangan—hindi kayang lunurin ng dagundong ng kapangyarihan.

Layout by Erizha Jane Santos

A Doctor's Fight for the Forgotten

Close your eyes and picture a doctor. For most, the image would be a figure in a white coat, stethoscope draped around their neck, standing beneath bright hospital lights, surrounded by advanced equipment, and driven by a heart for service.

Disenyo ni Erizha Jane Santos

Isang pares ng tsinelas

Payak. Karaniwan. Subalit kahit ginto ay ‘di makapapantay rito.

Litrato ni Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters

Isang daang araw ng pagka-Papa

Siya ang unang Santo Papang ipinanganak sa Amerika, at isa ring kasapi ng Augustinian Order. Noong ika-16 ng Agosto ay ipinagdiwang ang kaniyang ika-100 araw bilang Santo Papa.

Disenyo ni Erizha Jane Santos

Isang mumunti, Kaniyang sukli

Kapag ang langit ay payapa, doon Siya nagmamasid.

Disenyo ni Erizha Jane Santos

Milenyal na santo: roba ay sweater, yapak ay Nike

Siya ang unang santong mula sa henerasyong milenyal na siyang relate na relate sa kabataan.

Disenyo ni Erizha Jane Santos

Seldang walang susi

Tandaan mo ito—hindi lahat ng larong pambata ay masaya.

Photo by Paul Peeven Flores

Suman: A lifeline wrapped with Leaves

When exploring Filipino markets, you will never fail to find vendors selling suman—a traditional rice cake wrapped in banana leaves. Traditional food, such as suman, reflects the culture and customs of the Filipinos and has long been a hallmark of our pride. We take joy in showcasing cuisine unique to our country, a reflection of our rich heritage.

Page updated

Report abuse