Angelica N. Hall

Magna Cum Laude graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Manila Today •

Death and the fall of Eden: review of Tudla Productions’ ‘Hacienda Yulo’ -

Nanay Iyang and Tatay Peter are only one of the staggeringly high amount of Filipino farmers struggling today – from the effects of Rice Tarrification Law leading to ridiculously low prices of rice, the generally low allocation for the agricultural sector in the national budget, and most of all, the legal ambiguities of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law; which farmers’ groups had classified as a “bogus” law. Moreover, the Land Use Conversion included in the agrarian reform law could lead to adverse effects for the country’s food security as it aims to convert agricultural lands for non-agricultural uses, such as subdivisions, and other commercial infrastructures. If it were up to the pure, non-malicious intent of the law spared from legal loopholes, perhaps the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law could have protected Nanay Iyang and Tatay Peter from the nightmares of their current plight. As Nanay Iyang argued, the law would have been on their side. Sadly, justice had always been in favor of the rich. In this case, of the landowners.
Rio Barro
PUP Campus Journalists •

500 days of quarantine: Drifting around the limbo

FEATURE | 500 days of quarantine: Drifting around the limbo "In this sea of crises brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, these three individuals have tried to stay afloat, swim against the currents, and breathe despite the dangers and devastation. However, as the Philippines marks past its 500th day of quarantine, Jhac, Ally, and Dr. Borlongan, are merely three out of the many Filipinos today who are already drowning inside the four walls of their homes and hospitals, facing the mental and emotional consequences of our country’s pandemic response." Article by Angelica Hall Layout and Illustration by Rio Barro

Lucrative Digital Piracy: The Emergence of Virtual Black Market During the Pandemic

Vivencio O. Ballano’s Tracing Media Piracy: Current and Future Trends (2016) explains that the emergence of modern technologies, particularly the internet and software applications, have brought modernized shifts in piracy methods. Today, a form of modern digital piracy comes in the form of MOD APKs. In the investigation, it was discovered that this is one of the methods used to illegally access premium Netflix and Spotify accounts. Using MOD APKs, which are the cracked/altered or pirated version of the apps, various users can now use the premium versions of streaming entertainment apps unlimitedly for a cheaper price. This was revealed through an interview with an online seller who preferred to stay anonymous. Ren, not their real name, disclosed that they do not directly sell premium subscriptions of Netflix, Spotify, and Crunchyroll. Rather, those are part of the freebies that comes with their products upon purchase.
PUP Campus Journalists •

Legacy of Martial Law’s Martyrs: The Stories Untold

“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes a duty,” an awakening statement, but one that was not easy to do in a society that lived under cruelty and corruption. One of the darkest days of Philippine history was when oppression became the norm through the help of military might. It was a time when fear ruled in the hearts of the Filipino people. Anyone who spoke up was silenced, repressed, and killed. It seemed better to stay silent and to be indifferent. But the activists, journalists, s
PUP Campus Journalists •

SONA: State of No Accountability

Devastating and irreparable damages to lives and livelihood befell Filipinos this 2020 due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. As President Duterte delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 27, there were already a total of 82,040 positive cases of the virus in the country according to the Department of Health (DOH). We have breached the official number of COVID-19 cases recorded by China, the coronavirus ground zero; and definitely far from the victory claimed by Pal
PUP Campus Journalists •

Duterte Lashes "A Thousand Cuts" on Human Rights and Democracy

The press and activism, both significant ways to ensure that democracy is alive, have always been under attack. However, the culture of impunity in the country not only intensifies the constant dangers against journalists and activists, but also adds to “a thousand cuts”, as renowned journalist Maria Ressa called it, that slowly and painfully kills democracy until all its blood runs out. 2020 entered the Philippines and the world like an apocalyptic horseman. And amidst the militaristic lockdown guised in the name of community quarantine, activists, advocates, dissenters (even online ones), and journalists constantly faced threats, mass arrests, killings and red-tagging— which leads to further endangering democracy. Written by Angelica Hall Researched by Daryl John Oclares Layout by Jairus Bellen
tumor you know. •

King of the Road: A Poor Man's Tale

The streets of Manila were in its most intense heat, the highways were packed with numerous vehicles, each one exhaled fumes of dark smoke. It was orderly chaotic as ever, when our group walked around the jeepney terminal. The weather was too difficult for us, but for some reason, I noticed the jeepney drivers resting in their parked jeepneys for the meantime. Seeing their tired faces, the sweat trickling down their temples and the heavy way they drank their bottled waters, I felt my exhaustion suddenly seem invalid. As a commuter, I realized, who better to represent resiliency, but our very own jeepney drivers? In our group’s venturing quest, we stumbled upon Renante, a jeepney driver with a humble smile. The toughness of Manila visible in his tanned face.