Aguhon of the Organization of Area Studies Majors

06/09/2025

👋🏻 𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐀 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐒, 𝑾𝑬 𝑾𝑨𝑵𝑻 𝒀𝑶𝑼! 🫵🏻

The 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒔 are turning, the 𝒎𝒊𝒄 is waiting, and the 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕’𝒔 on… 𝐘𝐎𝐔 🌟

Join us this September 10, 2025 from 1PM to 5PM, at the UP Manila CAS Little Theater for an afternoon of exciting 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 🎮, 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 🗣️, and lots of 𝐄𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐅𝐔𝐍! 🥳

So… will you hit that big red button and join us? 👀🔥

REGISTER NOW! 🙌🏻
https://forms.gle/X7Emci84t44XAeSA6
https://forms.gle/X7Emci84t44XAeSA6
https://forms.gle/X7Emci84t44XAeSA6

**SM22nd

Pub by: Chelsea Solajes
Caption by: Adi Lagradilla & Chelsea Solajes

05/09/2025

𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗔 𝗡𝗔 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗸𝘂𝗸𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶 𝘀𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗼𝗱 𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗶𝘀𝘆𝗼. 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗼𝘁, 𝗶𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸 𝘀𝗮 𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘄 𝗻𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼!

Anim na taon na ang lumipas mula nang sinimulan ang inaabangang renovation ng Rizal Hall sa College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), UP Manila. Anim na taon na ang pangakong ‘pagsasaayos’ at ‘pagpapalawak ng espasyo’ na nauwi sa mga sirang pangarap at pangmatagalang pasakit para sa mga estudyante, g**o, at empleyado. Sa halip na maibalik ang normal na takbo ng buhay sa kolehiyo, napilitang magsiksikan ang mga departamento sa mga pansamantalang opisina at nananatiling suliranin ang kakulangan sa mga silid-aralan.

Tapos nang maghintay ang sangkaestudyantehan sa wala. Hindi lamang ito isang kwento ng naantalang proyekto bagkus ay kwento ng kapabayaan at, higit sa lahat, katiwalian. Ilang bilyong piso pa ba ang kailangang mawala bago tayo magalit? Habang ang pondo’y bara-barang nilulustay, ang mga estudyante at g**o ay nagdurusa sa kawalan ng espasyo at kakulangan ng kagamitan. Ang edukasyon, na dapat ay prayoridad, ay ginagawa na lamang negosyo at laruan ng mga makapangyarihan. Sobra na ang anim na taong pananahimik at kawalan ng pananagutan. Singilin ang mga responsable, hindi lang ang mga kontratista, kundi pati na rin ang mga opisyal na nagpalusot at nagbulag-bulagan!

Kaisa ang Organization of Area Studies Majors sa panawagan para sa makatarungang paglalaan ng pondong pinagpaguran ng sambayanang Pilipino. Patuloy ang sigaw para sa dagdag na espasyo sa mga pampublikong pamantasan, maging sa pagtaas at pagkakaroon ng makatarungang alokasyon ng badyet para sa edukasyon. Kasama ang iba’t ibang organisasyon sa UP Manila, kami ay nananawagan para sa isang tapat at komprehensibong imbestigasyon sa mga proyekto ng DPWH, at maging ng iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno, na nagiging kasangkapan para sa malawakang korapsyon.

Hindi na dapat ituring na normal ang panloloko. Karapatan ng taumbayang malaman kung saan at paano ginagamit ang pondong pinag-alayan nito ng dugo’t pawis.

05/09/2025

𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐍 | 𝐋𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐛𝐨𝐠, 𝐚𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐧, 𝐬𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐤 𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐤𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐨𝐧

Lubog na naman sa baha ang kahabaan ng Taft. Puno na naman ng mga pasyenteng walang mapagpwestuhan ang labas ng PGH. Wala na namang lugar sa loob ng campus na pwede sanang panatilihan para sa online class.

𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢 𝘓𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢! 𝘗𝘢𝘨𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘪, 𝘐𝘴𝘬𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯!

Tanaw sa aking mga lente ang bakas ng hinagpis; saksi ito sa mga oras na nalunod at mga tinalikurang pangako ng pag-ahon at tagumpay. Kung gaanong kahirap para sa masa na suungin ang hagupit ng pang-araw-araw ay siya namang dali para sa prinsesa na liparin ang himpapawid tungo sa mas maaraw na kalangitan.

Isang kahig, isang tuka. Sakripisyo ng sambayanan ang kapital para sa nakaw na kasaganahan. Anong pakiramdam na mabuhay sa dugo at pawis ng iba?

𝘕𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘬.

Bawat patak ng ulang sumasayad sa balikat ay sentimo rin sanang inilaan sa wastong gamit.

Isang patak, at isa pa. Pasan ni Juan at Juana ang bigat ng karangyaang ipininta ng prinsesa.

Ngunit hindi ito dambana ng martir—may hangganan din ang kaya kong tiisin.

Sa muling pagtanaw gamit ang lenteng lulan ang marka ng patuloy na pagsuong, bumungad sa akin ang silahis ng araw na nagbabadya nang sumilip muli. Kasabay nito ang tila'y pagtatago ng prinsesa sa loob ng ngayo'y makulimlim niyang silid.

Huhupa ang baha ngunit hindi nakakalimot ang kalsada.

Lulubog, aahon, kasabay ang pag-usbong ng punlang susulong sa pagbangon.
Sa bawat patak ng pagkakataon, Iskolar ng Bayan, pag-alabin ang puso para sa kinabukasang may tunay na pagbabago.

03/09/2025

Sa loob ng 𝟏𝟑 𝐭𝐚𝐨𝐧, nanindigan ang AGUHON bilang tagapagdala ng tinig ng mga Area Studies Majors at ng komunidad ng UP Manila. Bilang pahayagan, kami ay hindi lamang naglalahad ng balita, kundi nagiging kasangkapan upang pukawin ang kamalayan, hamunin ang maling sistema, at ipaglaban ang katarungan.

Sa bagong yugto ng aming paglalakbay, patuloy naming ipagpapatuloy ang paninindigang ito, kasama 𝐤𝐚𝐲𝐨. Inaanyayahan ka naming magsumite ng iyong mga sulatin at ideya na maaaring isama sa aming susunod na isyu.

Maging bahagi ng isang pahayagang naglalayong maghatid ng liwanag at katotohanan sa gitna ng ingay ng mundo!

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📩 𝐈𝐩𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚: 𝐮𝐩𝐦.𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭.𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐡𝐨𝐧@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦

𝘉𝘶𝘬𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘬𝘰𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘳𝘦𝘢 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴 — 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘳, 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘯𝘪.

01/09/2025

29/07/2025

[𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫𝐬’ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐢 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐲𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝’𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟓𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐂]

We, the Organization of Area Studies Majors, proudly and wholeheartedly express our full support for two of our esteemed members— Alyssa Lei Aquino, running for Vice Chairperson, and Chynna Nicole Trinidad, running for Councilor— in the upcoming elections for the 51st College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (CASSC).

Alyssa Lei Aquino has long been a symbol of principled leadership and dedication within our organization. Her experiences as part of our Executive Committee, alongside her consistent involvement in university-wide advocacies, have shown her capacity to lead with compassion, integrity, and purpose. As she takes a step further in her leadership journey by running for Vice Chairperson, we are confident that she will uphold and defend the rights and welfare of the student body while ensuring that the CASSC remains responsive, progressive, and inclusive.

Equally, we proudly stand behind Chynna Nicole Trinidad, whose dedication to service and grounded leadership continues to inspire her peers. As an active member of the organization, Chynna has demonstrated a sincere commitment to amplifying student voices. Her passion and competence make her an outstanding candidate for Councilor, and we are confident in her ability to be a strong, compassionate advocate for the collective needs of the student body.

Both Alyssa and Chynna embody the values of Honor and Excellence, not only in academics but also in their enduring pursuit of genuine public service. Their leadership is a reflection of the vision we uphold: one that puts the people at the heart of their purpose.

The Organization of Area Studies Majors is one with Alyssa Lei Aquino and Chynna Nicole Trinidad in their pursuit of building a student council that is inclusive, proactive, and compassionate. We call on the student body to do the same, to stand with us in supporting these visionary leaders who are committed to bringing meaningful and lasting change.

14/06/2025

ICYMI: Pelikulove held an advanced screening of Lakambini: Gregoria de Jesus that took place last May 30, 2025, at the University of the Philippines Manila.

Directed by Arjanmar H. Rebeta and Jeffrey Jeturian, written by Rody Vera, and produced by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, Lakambini is a compelling documentary that traces the life and legacy of Gregoria de Jesus, the Lakambini ng Katipunan. Known to many as the wife of Andres Bonifacio and later partner of Julio Nakpil, Gregoria—Ka Oryang—was not a mere footnote in the revolution. She was a revolutionary in her own right: a leader, a fighter, and a woman whose courage, grief, and love for country carved a place in our nation’s soul. Originally conceived in 2015, the film endured years of creative and production challenges. Yet, like the unwavering resolve of Gregoria herself, it preserved, culminating in a timely release in celebration of Gregoria de Jesus’ 150th birth anniversary last May 9, 2025.

Though lead actors Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino were not able to attend the UP Manila screening, their video greetings were warmly received by the audience. Their performances, alongside those of Paulo Avelino, Elora Españo, the late Spanky Manikan, and the iconic Gina Pareño, breathe life into a story long left in the shadows of history.

Blending dramatizations, archival footage, expert insights, and Gregoria’s own writings—poems, letters, and her Sampung Tagubilin sa mga Kabataan—Lakambini becomes more than just a film. It is a bridge across generations, a reclamation of a voice too long silenced and restoring her place alongside the nation’s most celebrated heroes. Through the eyes of artists, scholars, and descendants, the film asserts that Gregoria de Jesus is not simply a figure of the past—she is a symbol of the continued fight for truth, equality, and national memory.

The screening at UP Manila became more than just a cinematic event. It was a collective act of remembrance, a celebration of women’s essential role in nation-building, and a reminder that the fight for truth and representation is far from over. As the film so powerfully reminds us, Gregoria’s Tatlong Pag-ibig—her love for Andres Bonifacio, Julio Nakpil, and Inang Bayan—offers a deeper narrative of love, sacrifice, and identity that continues to shape not only her journey, but our collective story as Filipinos.

In a time when historical distortion and erasure persist, Lakambini stands as a cinematic act of defiance, a torch passed on to a new generation—ready to remember, to rise, and to reclaim.

All photos taken by Pelikulove.

12/06/2025

[𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐒’ 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟏𝟐𝟕𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘]

Every June 12, Filipinos across the nation commemorate Philippine Independence Day—an event that marks a significant moment in our history: the proclamation of independence from more than three centuries of Spanish colonial rule in 1898. This day celebrates the courage, unity, and sacrifice of the Filipino revolutionaries who rose up against oppression to assert our right to self-determination and sovereignty. With the unfurling of the Philippine flag in Kawit, Cavite, and the playing of the national anthem for the very first time, the dreams of a free and independent nation were boldly proclaimed to the world.

But independence is not just a historical milestone. It is a continuous, unfinished struggle. As we mark 127 years since that proclamation, we must confront a difficult truth: symbolic independence does not automatically translate into genuine freedom for all Filipinos. True independence goes beyond the absence of foreign rulers; it calls for a society built on justice, accountability, dignity, and sovereignty in all aspects of our national life–political, economic, cultural, and social. Yet today, these very foundations are being attacked, challenged and betrayed.

Despite formal independence, foreign military presence continues to grow under defense agreements that undermine our national security and sovereignty, particularly in the West Philippine Sea. Our economy remains dependent on foreign capital, labor export policies, and imported goods, which continues to weaken our domestic industries. Charter change proposals that aim to open up more sectors to foreign ownership risk selling out our nation’s future under the guise of development. Political dynasties and economic elites still dominate our institutions, hindering genuine reform. Instead of being united in solving the country’s pressing issues such as hunger and inflation, much of our leadership remains preoccupied with factional power struggles and self-serving agendas. In such a climate, the promise of independence is not only deferred—it is deliberately undermined.

At the heart of this democratic crisis is the erosion of public trust. The ongoing impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte must not be dismissed as mere political noise, but as a critical test of the strength and integrity of our democratic institutions. It reflects deeper public frustration with unaccountable leadership, misuse of public funds, and the culture of impunity that continues to plague and corrodes our government from within. This moment demands clarity, transparency, and the courage to uphold the rule of law. Public office is a public trust—no one, regardless of position or popularity, should be above scrutiny or accountability.

Independence, if it is to remain meaningful, must be defended through active vigilance, not passive celebration. As Area Studies students, we study the past not for nostalgia, but for guidance. We recognize patterns of power and resistance, of imperialism and liberation, of silence and struggle. And we know: history is not neutral, it stands with those who dare to fight for justice.

Ang Organization of Area Studies Majors ay naniniwala na ang tunay na diwa ng kalayaan ay nasusukat sa kakayahan ng bawat Pilipino na mamuhay nang makatao, may dignidad at pantay na karapatan. Hindi natatapos ang pakikibaka sa pag-alis ng dayuhang mananakop—nagpapatuloy ito sa araw-araw nating laban kontra katiwalian, kahirapan, at pang-aapi. Sa paggunita ng Araw ng Kalayaan, nawa'y hindi lamang ito maging selebrasyon ng nakaraan kundi paalala ng ating pananagutan sa kasalukuyan. Panahon na upang muling buhayin ang diwa ng rebolusyon—hindi bilang seremonyal na alaala kundi bilang panawagan sa pagkilos para sa isang makatarungan, tunay na malaya, at makabayang lipunan.

Mabuhay ang diwa ng kasarinlan! Mabuhay ang sambayanang patuloy na lumalaban!
Kalayaan para sa masa, hustisya para sa bayan.

06/05/2025

The 11th Area Studies National Conference brought together leading voices in history, cultural studies, and political critique to discuss the urgent and layered realities of the Filipino experience. In pursuit of deeper engagement with critical issues facing the Filipino people today, we are proud to present a series of quote cards drawn from the insightful lectures delivered during the 11th ASNC Day 2! 🖇📕

Prof. Kristoffer Esquejo traced how the Galleon Trade masked the erosion of women’s power in precolonial Philippines, showing how Spanish colonization and religion dismantled the authority of the babaylan and embedded patriarchal norms. Prof. Jely Galang challenged narrow views of Tsinoy identity, emphasizing the need to see Chinese-Filipinos as deeply rooted yet globally connected, with evolving roles shaped by history, migration, and media. In the roundtable discussion, journalists Ms. Iris Gonzales, Ms. Jean Mangaluz, and Mr. Francis Kristoffer Pasion explored how digital platforms have transformed news consumption, highlighting the urgent need for media literacy and support for credible journalism in the face of misinformation and fragmented narratives.

✨ Swipe through and revisit these voices! ⬇ Let their words challenge, inform, and inspire.




**SM21st

Content by: Nicole Salatamos
Edit by: Angel Eowyn Santos