The Sword

01/09/2025

Capping off The Sword's Issue ’24–’25 with a reimagined vision through the theme “𝐔𝐧𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫: 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦”. 👁️👃👂

We are proud to present The Sword 2024-2025 magazine, with its pages serving as a lens through which power can be felt, seen, and embodied in the everyday scene and even the most mundane of things. How powerful it is to utilize our senses to make the hidden visible and the silenced heard. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥. ✨

We extend our deepest thanks for all the support The Sword has received over the past academic year. This is not the end but rather a continuous journey of sensing and unraveling the political, all in the service of the masses and the nation. ✊🇵🇭

Scan the QR Code Below or check out the zine’s links:
PDF: https://tinyurl.com/TS2425ArchivePDF
Flipbook: https://tinyurl.com/TS2425ArchiveFlipbook
Website: https://thesworduppolsci.wixsite.com/thesword2021/s-projects-side-by-side

19/08/2025

30/06/2025

Sa pagkagat ng dilim, takot ang inaasahan sapagkat darating na ang halimaw. Siyang binansagang ‘iba’, ‘masyado’, at ‘mapanganib’. Siyang ginawan ng kuwento, ngunit kailanma’y hindi inunawa. Binusalan, pinipi, at hinusgahan, wala ni isang nagtangkang pakinggan.

Ngunit iba ang gabi ngayon; hindi na siya magtatago. Babalikwas siya bitbit ang sariling bersyon ng pag-angkin, paglaban, at paghilom.

Bilang pangwakas ngayong Pride Month, basahin ang mapagpalayang tula ni Shielo Naluz sa ibaba:
https://thesworduppolsci.wixsite.com/thesword2021/post/ako-ang-babaeng-humihiwalay

29/06/2025

Pride Month 2025

People from different sectors and backgrounds gathered in UP Diliman to celebrate their collective commitment of pursuing equal justice–regardless of gender, s*x, or identity. The Love Laban event started its morning program, showcasing performances and speeches from advocates across different sectors, delivering messages of Pride. Afterward, the Pride March commenced in the afternoon, with people marching from inside and outside of UP Diliman, walking from University Avenue, CP Garcia Avenue, Katipunan Avenue, and back inside UP Diliman. At night, they proceeded to have programs with various artists.

This year’s Pride was loud and clear: Love, Laban. A call to action of the LGBTQIA+ community to the world, reminding them that true love demands resistance. Speakers throughout that day proceeded to tell each and everyone of us that there is nothing wrong with being q***r. What is wrong is the discrimination that seeks to erase and silence this culture. Never be ashamed of who you are–take pride in it. Your love is your fight.

28/06/2025

It’s no surprise that when people encounter a familiar surname, the first question often asked is about lineage. And once it's confirmed that someone is the child of a well-known figure, the prestige and legacy are immediately handed to them—no questions asked, no accomplishments necessary.

In a system deeply entrenched in political dynasties, surnames have become brands. As a result, the idea of genuine public service feels increasingly out of reach. Historically, the consolidation of power has been cleverly masked as public service, placing the burden on voters to discern the true intentions of political families. In a country where transparency is weak and institutions often fail to hold leaders accountable, that’s no easy task.

Read Megan’s full article on political dynasties below:
https://thesworduppolsci.wixsite.com/thesword2021/post/pamilya-ay-pamilyar-a-novice-s-guide-on-political-dynasties

27/06/2025

"Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan," as they say.

The youth's dominance in the 2025 Philippine Midterm Elections became significantly evident, with the Millennial and Generation Z voters reaching up to 68% of the registered voting population. While many dynasties were unseated both in the local and national levels due to entrenched patronage and political dependency within the system, some prominent surnames had a taste of defeat after many years.

This begs the question: How did the participation of the youth contribute to the outcome of the 2025 Philippine Midterm Elections?

Read Lynelle Soon's article here:
https://thesworduppolsci.wixsite.com/thesword2021/post/shifting-the-vote-young-filipinos-and-the-2025-midterm-elections

25/06/2025

The “vote straight” slogan has long plagued elections starting from student councils to city-wide campaigns. While it may seem like a practical way to simplify decision-making, it also raises an important question of whether it is merely another tactic in our deeply flawed political system.

In a country marked by political dynasties, patronage, and personality-driven campaigns, straight voting continues to gain traction, often allowing even inexperienced or unqualified candidates to secure power simply through party affiliation. While it has its advantages, it also carries obvious risks, such as enabling weak candidates and weakening voter discernment.

Through BJ's article below, let’s unpack the question, "Why must one vote straight, anyway?"
https://thesworduppolsci.wixsite.com/thesword2021/post/why-must-one-vote-straight-anyway

23/06/2025

SHORT SHORTS - IBA’T IBANG KUWENTO NG KAKULANGAN AT HUSTISYA

Itinampok ng The UP Repertory Company ang kanilang vignette play na pinamagatang “Short Shorts” na ginanap sa Student Union Building mula ika-19 hanggang ika-20 ng Hunyo. Ang Short Shorts ay binubuo ng limang maiikling kuwentong ukol sa temang kakulangan at hustisya na pinagtagpi-tagpi sa kahabaan ng Cubao.

“Si Tina, Pibi, at Ang Huling Yosi” ang unang kuwentong itinanghal na pumatungkol sa kawalan ng respeto sa pribasiya dahil sa pagkalat ng short scandal na nagpawala sa kanilang dangal. Sa kabilang banda, ang short height na kalimitang tumutukoy sa mga bata ang handog ng kuwentong “Puril” na umiikot sa pagroromantisa sa paghahanapbuhay ng mga kabataan upang makaahon sa kahirapan. Ngunit, pilit na niyuyurakan ang kanilang pagkatao at karapatan sa hindi pagbigay ng makatarungang sahod.

Samantala, “Ang Paglilitis ni Ann Rose sa Kaniyang Mga Kasalanan Tungo sa Kabisayaan” ay nagpakita ng short patience sa paglilitis dahil sa diskriminasyong nararanasan ng mga Kabisayaan at mga Palestino sa kasalukuyan dahil sa mga insensitibong komento. Ipinagpanawagan din ang pagpapalaya sa mga Palestino sa mga katagang, “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free!” Ipinakita naman sa “Eraserheads.mp4” ang muling pagkikita ng dating magkasintahan at kanilang pagpapatuloy ng naudlot na short film. Lumantad ang mga heteronormatibong kaisipan mula sa patriyarkal na lipunan, kaya hirap pa ring magpakatotoo ang ilang miyembro ng LGBTQIA+.

Bilang pangwakas ng Short Shorts, pekpek shorts ang sentral na mensahe sa kuwentong “Buy 1 Take 1” na hindi lamang pumapatungkol sa pag-iiba ng tingin ng lipunan bagkus ay may karahasang nakakabit sa pagsusuot nito. Sumatotal, lahat ng tema sa pagtatanghal ay kumakatawan sa nararanasan ng iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan, lalong-lalo na ng LGBTQIA+, na angkop sa pagdiriwang ng Pride Month ngayong Hunyo.

20/06/2025

Sa bawat ngiti, may paglaban.

Sa pagbisita at pakikipamuhay ng Relevate 2025 Team sa Sitio Inararo at Malanac sa Floridablanca, Pampanga, lumantad ang sigla sa gitna ng sistemikong kawalan sa lupang ninuno, edukasyon, at mailap na akses sa primaryang pangangailangan.

Sa patuloy na pamumulitika sa buhay, ang laban para sa pagpapaigting ng pagkilala sa mga karapatang pangkatutubo ay tila nilukuban. Panahon na upang pigilan ang pagroromantisa sa kanilang katatagan at singilin ang pananagutan mula sa mga kinauukulan.

Basahin ang buong artikulo ni Jacob Miranda tungkol sa komunidad ng mga Aeta: https://bit.ly/PuroKatataganWalangPananagutan

16/06/2025

In the places we outgrow, what do we carry with us, still?

Sometimes, the parts of ourselves we’ve long tucked away resurface in the most ordinary things; a hard drive, a notebook, a weathered pink memory box. These contain the versions we choose to remember, even when forgetting might have been easier.

Step into Steffi’s story, one she writes not just for herself, but for those who can no longer speak, who still ache, and who quietly gather the fragments of their past to feel whole again. It’s a deeply personal story, but maybe, just maybe, it’s yours too.

Read her full piece here:
https://thesworduppolsci.wixsite.com/thesword2021/post/to-me-dearest-darling-dead

13/06/2025

As our country commemorates its 127th year of independence, political tension and public outrage rise to the surface casting a shadow over what should be a day of celebration. From the ongoing impeachment proceedings against VP Sara Duterte to protests at the U.S. Embassy denouncing foreign interference and imperialist aggression, the nation is once again reminded that the fight for true freedom is far from over.

As Filipinos filled Kalaw Avenue to both celebrate and resist, serious conversations emerged, honoring the past while demanding justice, questioning power, and reclaiming freedom for the present.

Watch The Sword Coverage this Independence Day, brought to you by Ranjie Nocete and Izih Bagatela.



DISCLAIMER: No copyright infringement is intended. We do not own the rights to the music used in this video. The music belongs to the rightful owner.

12/06/2025

ARAW NG KALAYAAN 2025

Sa ika-127 na selebrasyon ng Araw ng Kalayaan, nagtipon ang iba't ibang progresibong grupo sa Kalaw Avenue sa Maynila upang magsagawa ng kilos-protesta. Malakas ang panawagan nila sa mga nagbarikadang pulis na pagsilbihan ang taumbayan at hindi ang mga dayuhan. Kaakibat nito ang pagbabasura sa Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) at pagkukundena sa imperyalistang Estados Unidos sa pagsuporta nito sa genocide ng Israel na kumitil sa buhay ng libo-libong Palestino.

Idinaing din sa mobilisasyon ang kawalan ng pananagutan at aksyon mula sa Senado patungkol sa kanilang mandato na simulan ang impeachment trial ni Sara Duterte. Kamakailan lamang ay nagkaroon ng botohan ang mga senador na kung saan 18 ang sumang-ayon na ibalik ang mga articles of impeachment sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso habang 5 lamang ang hindi tumalima.

Abangan bukas, ika-13 ng Hunyo, ang kabuuang ulat sa The Sword Coverage.