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.

Features

The Life and Times of Gregoria de Jesus, Mother of the Philippine Revolution

The Lakambini of the Katipunan played an important role in the Philippines’ struggle for independence.

Features

Women's Suffrage: How the Filipina Won the Right to Vote

The fight for women's right to vote lasted over three decades.

Features

Did Emilio Aguinaldo's Surrender Mark the End of the Philippine-American War?

After his capture in Palanan during the Philippine-American War, the desire for an independent Philippines continued.

Features

The Storied History of Cebu, the Queen City of the South

From the Great Fire of Sri Lumay to the treaty that ended the reign of the Rajahs, the history of Cebu history is rich and complex.

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.

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