Justin Umali

Justin is left-handed, left-leaning, and best left in a cool, damp place. He listens to Vampire Weekend when he's down and Car Seat Headrest when he's not. He usually writes about Philippine history and politics, and believes that you cannot change the world without understanding it first.

Movies & TV

Lino Brocka, the Director Who Scared Dictators With His Camera Lens

Lino Brocka, the maestro of Philippine cinema, championed justice and freedom.

Features

What Makes a 'True' Filipino Hero?

Instead of looking at what Filipino heroes accomplished, maybe it is more important to recognize how they lived their lives and for whom.

Features

Why We Should Revisit the Meaning of Magellan's Arrival in Our History

A colonialist lens paints Magellan’s arrival 500 years ago as the start of Philippine history when it was just another chapter in our country's rich historical tapestry.

Features

The Colorful Cultures of Pre-Colonial Mindanao

Bridging the gap between what seems like ‘exotic’ Mindanao starts with understanding the culture of its people and realizing that they are as integral as us.

Features

How the First Filipino Church Was Born: The Iglesia Filipina Independiente

It was the culmination of decades of secularization and nationalism.

Features

High Culture: The Visayans Before Spanish Colonization Were Badasses

Before colonization, the Visayans had a rich culture and diverse interests.

Features

A Timeline of the First Quarter Storm: Three Months That Shook the Nation

The first three months of 1970 were a time of intense unrest and upheaval that shook the country to its very core and changed its destiny for better or worse.

Features

How the Death of Gomburza Led to a Wholly Filipino Church

Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora solidified the secularization movement and the nascent nationalism felt by so many.

Features

First Contact: How Did The Spanish First Interact With The Filipinos?

Three different accounts shed light on how foreigners viewed the country.

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