OPINION

FEU Advocate
·
January 20, 2026

Back to ‘normal’

Open TikTok and you will likely run into the ‘factory reset’ trend within minutes. Every video follows the same arc: queerness cast as a phase, a chance meeting with the ‘right’ partner, and a punchline declaring a return to being straight, often set to Moira Dela Torre's ‘Titibo-tibo.’ To some, the joke lands because it leans on an old assumption, one that treats sexual orientation as a temporary detour rather than an identity, erasing queer experiences and reinforcing a regressive, harmful logic.

FEU Advocate
·
December 01, 2025

Kabataang lumalaban, ipaglaban!

Bilang lamang ang ligtas na espasyo para sa mga aktibista at mamamahayag, lalo na sa mga kabataan at estudyante. Kahit sa loob ng paaralan, lugar na dapat nagpoprotekta sa kanila, wala rin silang tunay na seguridad. Hind nila binibigyang-halaga ang malayang pagpapahayag, bagkus sila pa ang nagbibigay-tuldok sa kalayaan nito. Sa impluwensiya ng administrasyon, patuloy na nagkakaroon ng banta sa kaligtasan ng bawat kabataang lumalaban para sa bayan.

FEU Advocate
·
November 17, 2025

Compassion or Diversion?

Following the online harassment and tragic passing of Emman Atienza, the Anti-Online Hate and Harassment Bill, also known as the Emman Atienza Bill, was filed to protect people from malicious and defamatory comments on social media. While this is a crucial step in addressing online abuse, it exposes deeper issues, not with mental health alone, but with how laws are enforced and whose interests they truly defend.

FEU Advocate
·
November 05, 2025

Beneath the blues

In Far Eastern University, Medical Technology (MedTech) students share the same dream: to wear that white clinical uniform and blue scrub suit. And as someone who was fated to wear one, I sometimes wish I were not. Because no reference book nor one-and-a-half-hour lecture would have told me that chasing the dream meant crashing down and losing myself.

FEU Advocate
·
October 14, 2025

Foul play on fair pay

Two seasons ago, we saw progress. Two seasons later, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s basketball division is back to square one with a lower pay rate for its officiating heads and only a second-rate division after the men’s. As if striving for an equal recognition is not hard enough, the league further makes this goal impossible to attain.

FEU Advocate
·
September 04, 2025

Pressed to the Ground

It is a very fortunate situation when a big event at Far Eastern University (FEU), like ‘Tatak Tamaraw,’ coincides with the release of a new issue by the official student publication. With more students on campus, the newspaper’s stories have a wider reach and greater chance of being amplified. However, rather than being flipped through by hands and read by eyes, it was feet stomping on it that caught my attention.

FEU Advocate
·
July 28, 2025

Panay ‘sana’ sa SONA

Sa kabila ng tatlong taong pag-upo ni Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas, muling pinabubulaanan ng lumalalang kahirapan sa bansa, krisis sa edukasyon, at pagperhuwisyo ng sakuna sa mga pangkaraniwang Pilipino ang kaniyang ipinangakong ‘kaunlaran’ sa State of the Nation Address (SONA).

FEU Advocate
·
July 24, 2025

Tapos Na ang Klase, Pero Tuloy ang Laban

Sa bawat sandaling lumilipas sa pagitan ng pagtatapos at kasalukuyan, laging nabubunyag ang mga katotohanan at realidad na sasampal sa kinamulatan ng bawat mag-aaral—na ang tunay na hamon ng buhay ay walang panimula at hindi natatapos sa pamantasan.

FEU Advocate
·
July 20, 2025

Progress or Prestige?

Digital, flexible, future-ready—these are the buzzwords behind FEU’s hybrid model. At first glance, they signal innovation and progress, but they mask a deeper disconnect between institutional branding and student experience.

FEU Advocate
·
June 30, 2025

Batang Quiapo Hates Women

Women in Batang Quiapo rarely have autonomy. They are either love interests, helpless mothers, sacrificial victims, or fleeting temptations. Their role is to react to the choices of men, to their violence, never to shape the story themselves. In contrast, male characters are given complexity, backstories, and arcs of transformation—even when they begin as violent criminals.

FEU Advocate
·
June 24, 2025

A for Accepted or Acceptance?

After two years of persevering to pass, the time has come for us, Medical Technology (MedTech) students, to take a qualifying exam that would either lead us to promotion or redirection. With every wrong shade of a letter, our chances of stepping into the next stage of our MedTech journey shrinks. Which begs the idea that our dreams rely on a 300-item exam and an at least 2.0 Quality Point Average (QPA).

FEU Advocate
·
June 18, 2025

In Thy Silent Halls, Justice Must Speak

To convict Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte, public clamor must resound its sovereign will. But if academic institutions alone remain silent in demanding accountability, it circles back to a repressive education system that protects the elite, breeds impunity, and betrays every Filipino.

FEU Advocate
·
May 22, 2025

At what cost?

With the current poaching culture that has been happening year after year, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ (UAAP) landscape is at risk of shifting to a battle of 'who can spend more' rather than one fueled by heart and soul.

FEU Advocate
·
May 09, 2025

Indifference in difference

The chance to progress fails to see the day when a profit-driven institution like Far Eastern University (FEU) disregards the value of student leadership—voters are forced to be apathetic on school politics.

FEU Advocate
·
April 20, 2025

With pride, no prejudice

The senatorial elections are just around the corner, and assembling a 12-person lineup is more or less a challenge. While trapos continue to dominate the surveys, many still hope for real change and continuously ruminate which candidates can prioritize the Filipino people’s best interests, including the LGBTQIA+ community.

FEU Advocate
·
March 29, 2025

Trans women are women

In a society fond of definitive labels, it is tough to be boxed into an identity you feel unfit for. Apart from fighting for acceptance as a distinct gender identity in general, trans women also struggle to be recognized within the similarly marginalized community of women they feel tied to. Regardless of the many contentions invalidating their existence, trans women’s self-determination as women is enough to make them so.

FEU Advocate
·
March 24, 2025

Mabuhay

Maraming paraan upang makapagpahinga. Maaaring ito’y limang minutong pagpikit, paglanghap ng paboritong Lucky Me Spicy Beef, o isang road trip papuntang Antipolo kasama ang tropa. Minsan, ito’y paglalaan ng oras para lumayo at mapag-isa. Ngunit para sa pagod na humahagkan sa buto at bumabalot sa kaluluwa, ang pahinga ay hindi basta pinagpipilian—ito’y isang pribilehiyo na hindi nakakamit ng lahat sa gitna ng hindi pagkakapantay ng antas ng lipunan at mundo.

FEU Advocate
·
February 24, 2025

No alternatives for EDSA rising

If institutions like Far Eastern University (FEU) do not take a clear stand on commemorating the EDSA People Power Rising, it only heightens apathy among the youth—reflecting the failed education system once sought to be reformed when students amassed to overthrow a dictator and uphold democracy.

FEU Advocate
·
January 26, 2025

Press freedom is Academic freedom

No office, no funds, no recognition. When school administrations are at the forefront of violating the rights of campus journalists, suppression of student-centered reportage and services, such as in Today’s Carolinian’s recent office eviction, reflects their desperate attempt to silence genuine student representation amid calls for a liberated academic space.

FEU Advocate
·
January 18, 2025

Piece of the cake

Student organizations are what I consider as the most valuable asset of any university. So when these groups do not receive enough recognition and budget, it speaks on how truly ‘student-centered’ an institution is, especially when it results in student-leaders grappling with each other for a possible budget increase.

FEU Advocate
·
December 26, 2024

Abolish, End, Account

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responds to the lasting chokehold of his family’s human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL) breaches legacy through mere awareness and an incongruent task force that glosses over addressing these violations which heightened under his administration.

FEU Advocate
·
November 17, 2024

Ako na nasa harap

Hindi alam nina Mama at Papa na tinataya ko ang aking buhay sa lansangan– nakikipagsiksikan sa kilos-protesta para lang makapagsulat tungkol sa suliranin ng masa. Buhat ito ng takot na pagbawalan ako, dahil alam nilang mabilis akong mapagod sa init at mapuspos sa dami ng madla. Gayunpaman, hindi pagtiis ang natutuhan ko rito, kung hindi ang pagtindig sa harap ng hanay ng mga sinusupil sa lipunan.

FEU Advocate
·
November 14, 2024

When competence isn’t enough

The United States (US) and Philippine (PH) political landscape seem to have a striking similarity: electing ‘strongmen’ over more qualified female candidates. This trend has serious implications, not just for equality, but national progress as well.

FEU Advocate
·
September 13, 2024

Fast Fashion isn’t Very Demure nor Mindful

Far Eastern University puts so much emphasis on academic integrity for its students, but where is the emphasis on their own ethical integrity? By partnering with SHEIN—a brand with a well-documented history of unethical labor practices and environmental disregard, the University is sending a contradictory, almost hypocritical message.

FEU Advocate
·
September 01, 2024

Palusot

Bente KwatroNi Mark Vincent A. Durano, Patnugot ng Balita Bilang isang komyuter, nakaiinip maghintay ng tren makapasok o makauwi lang sa pinaroroonan. Paano pa kaya kung mahigit dalawang dekada ang kailangang hintayin bago ito dumating? Insulto sa publiko ang walang-katapusang pangako ng mas maayos na transportasyon sa harap ng napakabagal na pagpapatatag ng Metro Rail […]

FEU Advocate
·
August 30, 2024

Sa ngalan ng mga iwinala

Libo-libong tao na ang iwinala, at hangga’t walang naililitaw na katawan o kahit katotohanan sa likod ng kanilang kapalaran, ang mga desaparecido ay mananatiling palaisipan at alaala na lamang sa mga nakakikilala sa kanila, pati ang inaasam na hustisya.

FEU Advocate
·
August 23, 2024

Paglimot ng pag-alala

Sa ilang taong pagkakaupo ni Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. bilang pangulo ng bansa, ilang mga holiday na ang nailipat mula sa orihinal na petsa nito upang magbigay-daan sa sunod-sunod na long weekend at mas mahabang panahon ng pahinga para sa mga manggagawa. Ngunit sa kagustuhang maglaan ng panandaliang kaginhawaan, saan inilulugar ang tunay na diwa ng paggunita sa bawat makasaysayang araw sa bansa?

FEU Advocate
·
August 03, 2024

What makes a woman?

The power of media to be quickly hostile on one’s gender is something to look out for, especially with the unwarranted transphobia spreading like a disease. Believe it or not, even an Olympian has no escape to such defamation. And I, for one, am surprised at how quick people are to jump on the hate train.

FEU Advocate
·
August 01, 2024

Sa Mapang-alilang Alon

Malaking gulat nang ibinida ni Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. sa buong bansa ang kanyang posisyon sa pagitan ng alitan sa West Philippine Sea (WPS). Subalit sa gitna ng mga nagsasabong na kulay, malayo ang totoong kalagayan ng ating katubigan sa winawagayway na bandila ng presidente. Lila ang siyang tunay na nagbabanta—panakip sa pula at bughaw na dayuhang puwersang hinayaan niyang makapasok sa Pilipinas.

FEU Advocate
·
July 27, 2024

In case you miss her

As the new season of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) dawns, the name Rachel Anne Daquis is still yet to be found. This marked the “Queen Tamaraw’s” third missed conference and a year of her absence from the Philippine volleyball scene. While fans are longing for her comeback, the intriguing presence of her retirement concerns many of her supporters, including me.

FEU Advocate
·
July 15, 2024

Swiftly Exiled

There must be something truly wrong with our leaders if they see the absence of Taylor Swift's ‘The Eras Tour’ in the country as a major concern that needs to be immediately addressed. Their proposed solution? Build a P32 billion stadium by 2028 inside a city that disrupts the lives of its indigenous populace.

FEU Advocate
·
June 10, 2024

In Thy Happy Streets

Transport strikes will persist for as long as the jeepney phaseout is in place, but suspending classes every transport strike is a non-sustainable response. Academic institutions should instead realize their significant role in forwarding the cause of our jeepney drivers.

FEU Advocate
·
April 22, 2024

Burdened

I used to make a pun of how being a Gemini has affected my decision-making, saying that I am indecisive. When I am having my lunch, my mind debates whether I should order that plump chicken burger or that sweet spaghetti. I also have a hard time deciding whether I should prioritize my sleep or continue cramming that piece of long ass paper that is due for tomorrow—simply wishing if and only if I can abstain. But throughout the trajectory of life, I realized that it is not always the option.

FEU Advocate
·
September 08, 2023

Across the Multiverse of Wellness

Regardless of how rational the Wellness and Recreation Program (WRP) department thinks their solutions are, unless they open themselves more to external criticism, their advocacy of ‘wellness’ will be impossible to attain.

FEU Advocate
·
August 20, 2023

Papasukin Niyo Kami

Ibinibida ng Far Eastern University (FEU) ang pagiging inklusibo nito sa mga Tamaraws ngunit kung hindi ito maisasadiwa ng mga lider-estudyante, hindi rin ito buong mapagtatagumpayan at maisasakatuparan.

FEU Advocate
·
July 19, 2023

Failing students in failures of dept

Every Tamaraw yearns to conquer the journey to scholastic greatness—but if impossibly high measures are imposed and little to no consideration is given to them, then it would mean more harm than good to our next generation of dreamers and fighters.

FEU Advocate
·
March 12, 2023

When ‘Kings of the Road’ speak, public servants should listen

The recent strike and the subsequent dialogue that it has prompted between the transport sector and the government are testaments to the importance of a firm stance in the face of oppressive regulations, baseless red-tagging, and anti-poor policies.

FEU Advocate
·
April 18, 2022

Opisyal na Kampit

Kung walang magandang sasabihin, mabuti pang itikom na lamang ang bibig.

FEU Advocate
·
March 10, 2022

Professor Tagging, Tagging the Dept

Academic calendars are established to cover the necessary learning objectives for every course, but when professors are no avail, cramming backlogs for lessons impedes quality education.

FEU Advocate
·
February 10, 2022

Language of War or Love?

With Duterte’s continuing language of war in handling the pandemic, considering fear appeals as a necessary step towards vaccination compliance should be abolished and let a loving approach to its constituent be instilled instead.

FEU Advocate
·
November 18, 2021

Political Pharisees

Political views are tantamount to religious views when grounded on morality, so when you resort to saying “respect my opinion,” I ethically can’t empathize with your intolerance to injustices.

FEU Advocate
·
August 14, 2021

Redefining Resilience

Filipino’s undoubted resilience to power through adversity is not tantamount to an arsenal of tools to combat disaster effects nor does it preclude us to demand a leadership fueled by real action and accountability.

FEU Advocate
·
July 25, 2021

Art Campaigns: Art, Campaigns!

Some still invalidate the notion that ‘art is political’ but when we have a common ground that the society and the masses have heightened socio-political awareness, can art still be trivialized to its aesthetic value and disregard its reflection of the present times?

FEU Advocate
·
November 30, 2020

Ikaw, at ang kapwa mong mangingibig

Hindi naman buwan ng Pebrero ngayon, ngunit nagtipon ang libong mangingibig sa espasyong magkakaiba ang pinagmulang sektor. Katwiran nila, hindi palaging tamis ang pinag-uugatan ng labis na pagmamahal, maaari ring galit at pananabik na palakasin ang bawat rason kung bakit sila umiibig.

FEU Advocate
·
April 05, 2020

Statement of FEU Advocate on attacks against UE Dawn chief editor

FEU Advocate condemns the recent attack against freedom of speech following the barangay officials of Nueva Ecija's alleged threat to file a cyber-libel case against UE Dawn's Editor-in-Chief (EIC), Joshua B. Molo.

FEU Advocate
·
March 30, 2019

Oppression of the Press

Another oppression of the fourth estate was manifested with the arrest of Rappler CEO and journalist Maria Ressa after her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), March 29.

FEU Advocate
·
February 15, 2019

#DefendPressFreedom

When civil watchdogs are under attack, the country’s freedom and democracy are unguarded.

FEU Advocate
·
December 01, 2018

Lame Blame

October shook the safety and sanity of 18 academic institutions in Metro Manila including Far Eastern University (FEU), following the red-tagging of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

FEU Advocate
·
October 04, 2018

AFP red-tags FEU, Advocate responds

FEU Advocate condemns the unfounded accusations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) identifying 18 different Metro Manila universities and schools including Far Eastern University (FEU) as communist training grounds to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte through the so-called “Red October.”

FEU Advocate
·
September 29, 2016

Leashing the Watchdogs

During the past week, the hottest political topic has been about Leila De Lima and well, her dilemma (no pun intended). Last September 21, it was no surprise to me when I saw posts about De Lima on Facebook. But what seemed to be the trending topic that day was not only about De Lima’s case but also how a local broadsheet failed to properly word out their front page headline.

FEU Advocate
·
August 17, 2016

Parang May Mali

Ano nga ba ang kahulugan ng isang bayani sa modernong panahon na ating kinabibilangan? Ano nga ba ang pamantayan para maituring kang isang bayani? Sino nga ba ang nararapat na maging isang bayani?

FEU Advocate
·
August 01, 2016

Tuloy ang laban

Noong nakaraang taon kung maaalala ninyo ang nangyari sa isa sa pinaka-malaking kaganapan sa kupunan ng Far Eastern University (FEU) Men’s Basketball Team nang tapusin nila ang sampung taong pagiging uhaw sa titulo. Kung hindi mo nasaksihan ang kaganapang ito, payo ko lang 'wag mo nang ituloy ang pagbabasa dahil hindi ka makaka-ugnay sa aking mga sasabihin.

FEU Advocate
·
July 24, 2016

Horror Train

Want to ride the famous horror train in the Philippines? No need to pay for hundreds because this cheap amusement is for you, where people are thrilled to get in and where horror is real.

FEU Advocate
·
June 12, 2016

Pres. with a Mouth

Whether it be cursing, catcalling, threatening to sever ties with other nations, making rape jokes in public, being called “The Donald Trump of the East” or badmouthing the Pope, media practitioners and criminals, it just goes to show that Rodrigo Duterte is indeed a man of many words.

FEU Advocate
·
May 30, 2016

Kiss of Death

Fun is rolling up a joint, lighting it up and puffing in rings. Fun is mixing ecstasy with alcohol and gulping it down. Fun is snorting cocaine through a rolled up paper and inhaling it. In this day and age, this is how fun looks like.

FEU Advocate
·
May 09, 2016

Level Up

As you check out your screen, you read the following set of words appear right next to a glowing question mark, ‘Quest I: Find a leader that will unite the people to the path of change.’