As the summer break comes to an end, the beginning of a new academic year awaits Mapúa's best and brightest. Newer students and freshmen alike, however, might be hesitant about the return of Mapúa’s standout feature: its Quarterm system.

On a brightly decorated stage, accompanied by flashing lights and blasting music, strikingly sharp silhouettes stand preparing for their grandiose entrances. Drag is often a masterclass in creativity and high-energy performances, but what lies beneath the humor and spectacle is a fierce clawing and grasping of things so close, yet so far.

Nowadays, media consumption is embedded in our everyday lives. This manifests in the family noontime shows we watch during siesta, all the way to the newscasts we tune into in the evenings right before dinner. Various stories are embedded into these media, tying threads that connect us to one another in a true Filipino fashion. This connection has enabled us to build our distinct culture, share knowledge, and form a sense of community and nationality.

Coinciding with the height of the Philippines’ fire prevention month is also the start of the vacation season. Heading out the door means leaving it in a fragile state. Sometimes, fires are viewed as a distant “what if,” but the reality is that they are more likely to happen. Its aftermath leaves a devastating wind of what once was. So before running out the door, do a quick pre-departure rundown. Tick off the list, as this serves as the first line of defense against the unex