A major exhibition of Baguio art, Gongs. Smoke. Blood.Earth explores “the history and cultural contexts” of Baguio art since the founding of the Baguio Art Guild in 1986. With the participation of 30 artists at the Ateneo Art Gallery, the exhibit will run until 20 July 2025. Kawayan de Guia and Nona Garcia are guest curators.

The first step — acknowledging the reading crisis in Filipino students — is done. The next steps must, first, alleviate teachers’ taxing circumstances so they can focus on teaching; second, rebuild the schools’ curriculum and literacy programs; and, third, strengthen teachers’ ranks.

Shamaine openly admires Floy Quintos as a genius playwright who gave actors not just complex and rich characters but a guide in knowing themselves as Filipinos.