NIGHT OWL National identity is vital for a country aspiring to chart its own future independently amid global pressures. For the Philippines, a country rich in diverse cultures and languages, fostering national identity begins fundamentally in the classroom, with the choice of language as...
NIGHT OWL The United Kingdom, despite being a highly connected society with widespread internet access and advanced cybersecurity infrastructure, explicitly prohibits online voting. British voters still physically mark their choices on paper ballots, a practice that might seem outdated in...
NIGHT OWL In every corner of the world where ballots are cast, democracy is tested—not just by those who count the votes, but by those who believe their voice still matters. At its best, democracy is the collective dream of a people charting their own future. But at its most vulnerable, it...
NIGHT OWL We are living in a time of transformation. From the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and escalating conflicts to the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence and the deepening climate crisis, the world is undergoing profound and overlapping shifts. The field of...
NIGHT OWL Marriage in the Philippines is no longer the inevitable milestone it once was. Among Gen Z Filipinos—the country’s youngest adults—a quiet but profound shift is underway. A recent survey conducted by Arkipelago Analytics reveals that only 40 percent of Gen Z respondents say they...
NIGHT OWL Climate change is no longer a distant threat looming on the horizon — it is a present reality demanding immediate, unified action. In 2024 alone, we have witnessed an unprecedented surge in ocean temperatures, illustrating just how rapidly and dramatically our planet is changing....
NIGHT OWL The Philippines has long prided itself on being one of the more progressive nations in Asia when it comes to gender equality. Women have held high positions in government, business, and civil society, and the country has consistently ranked well in global gender parity indices. But...
NIGHT OWL Worldwide, nearly half of all living languages—3,045 out of 7,164—are endangered, with as many as 95 percent at risk of extinction by the end of the century. This crisis extends beyond the linguistic realm and into the heart of cultural, historical, and social identities....
NIGHT OWL The first time I saw war up close, I was in Marawi, on an assignment to help rehabilitate a city scarred by violence. I remember the day with unnerving clarity: As our helicopter touched down, a bomb detonated with a thunderous roar, shaking the ground beneath us and sending a plume of...
NIGHT OWL In the fight to protect our planet, technology has often been seen as both a problem and a solution. But when used ethically and responsibly, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be one of our strongest allies in safeguarding the environment and indigenous lands — especially in...
NIGHT OWL I am writing this column the morning after the She Shapes AI Awards ceremony, still feeling the weight of the conversations, the shared aspirations, and the collective determination in the room. Winning the AI & Learning award is an honor, but more than that, it is a privilege...
NIGHT OWL I am writing this column while on the train from Oxford University to the UCL Campus in Canary Wharf, reflecting on the meaningful journey that has led to today’s milestone: being recognized as a winner of the inaugural She Shapes AI Award for AI & Learning. It is a humbling honor...