#jobs in Davao

[jobyoda-philippines]

Davao City's Job Market: Emerging Opportunities in 2025

The employment landscape in Davao City has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, establishing the metropolis as a premier destination for job seekers across the Philippines. With the first quarter of 2025 already showing promising economic indicators, job hiring in Davao is experiencing an unprecedented surge across multiple sectors, creating abundant opportunities for local residents and professionals from other regions.

Davao City, once primarily known for its agricultural and tourism industries, has diversified its economic portfolio significantly. This evolution has created a robust job market that spans traditional sectors and emerging industries alike. For those conducting a targeted job search, understanding the nuances of Davao's employment ecosystem can significantly enhance prospects of securing desirable positions in this vibrant southern metropolitan area.

The technology sector has emerged as a particularly dynamic source of job hiring in Davao City. Tech parks and innovation hubs have proliferated throughout the urban center, attracting both established tech companies and promising startups. Software development, digital marketing, IT support, and cybersecurity positions are especially abundant, with many companies offering competitive salaries to attract talent from Manila and Cebu. This tech boom has been supported by strategic government initiatives aimed at positioning Davao as the technology capital of Mindanao.

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) continues to be a significant driver of employment in the region. Several international BPO companies have established operations in Davao City, creating thousands of customer service, technical support, and back-office positions. What distinguishes Davao's BPO sector is its focus on specialized services beyond traditional voice support, including healthcare information management, financial analysis, and creative services—all areas experiencing heightened demand for skilled professionals.

The construction and real estate sectors have likewise contributed substantially to job hiring in Davao. The city's skyline continues to evolve with residential condominiums, commercial complexes, and infrastructure projects creating consistent demand for engineers, architects, project managers, and skilled construction workers. Industry observers note that the completion of major infrastructure projects has not slowed hiring, as private development has stepped in to maintain momentum in the construction sector.

Tourism and hospitality have rebounded strongly after the challenges of previous years, creating numerous opportunities for job seekers. Luxury hotels, restaurants, and tour operations are actively recruiting staff at all levels, from entry-level service positions to management roles. The hospitality industry in Davao City has particularly emphasized hiring individuals with multilingual capabilities to serve the growing international tourist demographic attracted to the region's natural beauty and cultural heritage.

The agricultural sector, though transformed, remains a significant employer in Davao City and surrounding areas. Modern agribusiness operations focusing on high-value crops like cacao, coffee, and durian have created sophisticated roles in agricultural science, supply chain management, and export logistics. These positions often require specialized knowledge but offer stable employment and competitive compensation.

Healthcare has emerged as another robust area for job hiring in Davao City. The expansion of medical facilities, including specialty clinics and wellness centers, has generated demand for medical professionals, healthcare administrators, and support staff. Davao's positioning as a medical hub for Mindanao means that specialized medical practitioners can find rewarding career opportunities without relocating to Manila or other major urban centers.

The retail sector continues its expansion throughout Davao City, with both local and national chains establishing or enlarging their presence. Beyond traditional sales positions, retailers are seeking professionals in visual merchandising, inventory management, and e-commerce operations—reflecting the sector's adaptation to changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements.

For job seekers targeting opportunities in Davao City, several strategies can enhance success rates. Local job fairs, which occur regularly throughout the city, provide direct access to hiring managers across multiple industries. Online job portals with region-specific listings have become increasingly important, with many featuring positions exclusively available in Davao. Additionally, professional networking events organized by industry associations offer valuable connections that frequently lead to employment opportunities not advertised through conventional channels.

Government initiatives have played a crucial role in stimulating job hiring in Davao. Public-private partnerships, skills development programs, and incentives for businesses establishing operations in the city have collectively enhanced the employment landscape. The local government's commitment to streamlining business processes has also made Davao an attractive destination for companies looking to expand their operations in Mindanao.

As Davao City continues its development trajectory, the employment outlook remains exceptionally positive. The diversification of the economy, coupled with strategic investments in infrastructure and human capital development, suggests that job hiring in Davao will maintain its upward trend throughout 2025 and beyond. For professionals seeking career advancement or new opportunities, Davao City represents not merely a job destination but a location where meaningful career growth and quality of life can be simultaneously achieved.

[jobyoda-platform]

Exploring part time jobs in Davao: A Complete Guide to Freelance and local opportunities in 2024

The employment landscape in Davao City has evolved significantly, offering diverse opportunities through part time jobs Davao residents can access, alongside an expanding freelance jobs Philippines market. As Mindanao's economic hub, hiring in Davao City continues to grow across various sectors, providing flexible employment options for professionals at all career stages.

Part time jobs Davao opportunities span multiple industries, with the city's growing business districts actively seeking talented individuals. The retail sector remains a significant employer, with shopping centers and commercial establishments throughout the city offering flexible scheduling options. These positions often provide competitive hourly rates, performance incentives, and opportunities for advancement to full-time roles.

Freelance jobs Philippines professionals can pursue from Davao have experienced remarkable growth, particularly in the digital sector. The city's robust internet infrastructure and supportive business environment make it an ideal location for freelancers working with both local and international clients. Content writing, graphic design, digital marketing, and web development stand out as popular freelance specializations among Davao professionals.

The surge in hiring in Davao City extends to the hospitality and tourism sector, creating numerous part-time positions in hotels, restaurants, and tourist establishments. These roles often offer flexible schedules, making them ideal for students, career shifters, or those seeking supplementary income. The sector provides valuable experience in customer service and operations management while accommodating various scheduling needs.

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies contribute significantly to part time jobs Davao opportunities, with many firms offering flexible shifts and work-from-home arrangements. These positions typically require strong English communication skills and basic technical knowledge, providing competitive compensation and potential for skill development. Many BPO roles start as part-time positions with possibilities for full-time conversion.

The technology sector has emerged as a major source of freelance jobs Philippines professionals can access from Davao. Software development, mobile app creation, and IT consulting services are in high demand, with many companies seeking project-based collaborators. Davao's growing tech community provides networking opportunities and potential partnerships for freelance professionals in the IT sector.

Educational institutions and tutorial centers contribute to hiring in Davao City, particularly for part-time teaching positions. Online tutoring has become increasingly popular, allowing educators to work flexible hours while serving students locally and internationally. These roles often provide competitive hourly rates and the satisfaction of contributing to students' academic success.

E-commerce and digital retail present abundant opportunities for both part time jobs Davao and freelance positions. Local businesses seeking to establish online presence require social media managers, content creators, and digital marketing specialists. These roles often offer the flexibility to work remotely while maintaining connection with the local business community.

Creative professionals find numerous freelance jobs Philippines opportunities in Davao's growing digital media sector. Video editing, animation, voice-over work, and multimedia content creation are in demand as businesses expand their digital presence. These roles often allow professionals to work on multiple projects simultaneously while building diverse portfolios.

For those seeking part time jobs Davao City's various business districts offer, administrative and support roles remain consistently available. Many companies hire part-time virtual assistants, data entry specialists, and customer service representatives. These positions often provide training opportunities and exposure to various business operations.

Success in Davao's part-time and freelance market requires strategic positioning and continuous skill development. Professionals should maintain updated portfolios, develop relevant technical skills, and actively network within their chosen industries. Understanding market rates and maintaining professional standards ensures competitive positioning in both local and online job markets.

The future of hiring in Davao City indicates continued growth in flexible work arrangements. Organizations increasingly recognize the value of part-time and freelance professionals in maintaining operational efficiency while managing costs. This evolution creates opportunities for professionals to build diverse careers while maintaining work-life balance.

As Davao's employment landscape continues to evolve, adaptability and continuous learning remain essential for professional success. Whether pursuing part-time positions or freelance opportunities, professionals who stay current with industry trends and maintain strong client relationships position themselves effectively for sustained career growth in this dynamic market.

[ferigrievous]

IWAIZUMI HAIJIME HCS ⋆˚࿔

first gen filipino from davao, moved when he was eleven. speaks both tagalog and cebuano

triple knots his shoes because he hates tying them in public but then gets annoyed having to undo the knot when he gets home

if he gets angry his accent gets real thick and its much much harder to understand him

has a vendetta against vending machines

had a rat’s tail on his left side but cut it off when he became the vice captain of seijoh

walks on the side closest to the street whenever he’s walking with someone, and walks behind everyone else if they’re in a group to make sure nothing happens to them

tried doing pilates once because he was insecure about how he looked and had more trouble with it than lifting weights and working out ‘normally’

has an entire cabinet full of protein powder but only uses one flavour

has a soft spot for those really shitty action movies

didnt wear sunscreen until he met oikawa because hes already naturally tan and thought that was enough (he didnt know sun cancer was a thing and just thought it was for preventing sunburns)

got convinced by mattsun to get an eyebrow piercing when they were like nineteen and he took it off for job interviews and just never put it back in because it closed up within the hour

has a secret talent in flower arrangement for some reason

is the designated person to bring a water bottle during outings and even in class. had to buy a bigger bottle and it doesnt fit in his bag anymore

has the second biggest sweet tooth on the team, first being kyotani

gets competitive over the dumbest things and literally will not back down even if itll get him hurt

loves cooking and regrets not making more time to do it post-timeskip

surprisingly good at darts and pool but he never tells anyone 

has no playlists. just puts on his liked songs and prays

parallel parking warrior

has an instagram with no profile picture no posts no stories but like four thousand followers

really good at giving advice but rarely ever takes his own because he thinks the iwaizumi giving advice and the iwaizumi taking advice are two seperate people

has a weird talent for directions. after going somewhere once, he doesnt need to use a map to get there, even if theyre coming from a different direction

lowkey enjoys the stretching more than the workout because they feel more satisfying

because of that, he ends up overexerting himself sometimes to ‘feel’ the result of the workout

actually has a really really bad spice tolerance but because he’s so stubborn he wont let anyone know

acts like he doesnt care about aesthetics and how something looks but his room, and post timeskip his apartment, is really well organized

probably an interior designer in another life

[southeastasianists]

The Philippines is known as a country that supports political dynasties, and powerful clans have played a major role in the country’s politics for decades. But in the last week of June, Vice President Sara Duterte made an announcement that rocked the nation as her family appears to be gearing up to take political dynasties to the next level. On June 28, the vice president confirmed that her father, Former President Rodrigo Duterte, and her brothers, Davao First District Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, will all run for senator in the 2025 elections. 

Social media is all abuzz with news of this development, with those supporting the Duterte camp ecstatic at the possibility of having all three Dutertes in the Senate. However, those who are staunchly against this have been equally loud on Twitter and Facebook, calling the country’s political system a joke. As one of the most influential political families in the country have benefited from the results of a well-executed social media strategy in the last presidential elections, Filipinos can expect that the Internet will once again turn into an all-out war zone in the coming months. But can social media bring about the downfall of political dynasties, or will it take them to new heights? Here’s what you need to know about the influence of social media on political dynasties in the Philippines. 

Social Media Brought the Marcoses Back to Power

For two decades, Filipinos had to submit to the rules of Ferdinand Marcos’ regime as the former president enforced Martial Law. Historians attest that his dictatorship resulted in over 3,000 extrajudicial killings and more than 30,000 tortures, apart from other human rights violations. The Marcoses also infamously stole $5 to $10 billion from the Central Bank of the Philippines as stated in the documents provided by the Presidential Commission on Good Government. 

After the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., Marcos was blamed for his death. The family immediately fell from grace as Aquino’s supporters joined hands to support his widow, Corazon Aquino, during the People Power Revolution of 1986. Mrs. Aquino became the new President of the Philippines, while the Marcoses were exiled in Hawaii. In 1989, the matriarch, Imelda, as well as Marcos’ children were allowed to return to the country, and from there, they started planning their political comeback. Their return to politics started with Imelda winning a congressional seat in 1995, while her children, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Imee Marcos, won positions in local government. 

After Bongbong was elected as a senator in the 2010 elections, it was only a matter of time before he decided to run in the presidential elections. In 2022, Bongbong was up against nine other presidential candidates, the most notable being Leni Robredo, who was the Vice President at that time. It was reported that social media campaigns to discredit Robredo, a strong disinformation campaign, and online efforts to revise history contributed to Bongbong’s win, putting the Marcoses firmly back in power. That election year was one of the most divisive times in Philippine history, as it resulted in the falling out of families, the shut down of a major TV network, and increased hostility in social media platforms. 

Political Dynasties and Their Hold on Social Media

Political analysts are saying that the Philippines is where it is right now because certain politicians have turned public office into family businesses. With everyone complaining about the ever-increasing prices of commodities, lack of jobs, and non-stop graft and corruption for so many years now, many would think that Filipinos should have had enough of political families by this time. However, with politicians becoming social media savvy in recent years, it’s likely that more political dynasties will rise in the future. With the majority of Filipinos perpetually online, it’s likely that political clans will take to the Internet to gather support for their family members who are vying for a place in politics.

Other than the Dutertes, political analyst Edmund Tayao predicts that there will be more families running together in the upcoming senate elections. Siblings Pia and Alan Cayetano currently have seats in the senate, and so do Cynthia Villar and her son Mark. They are all projected to run for reelection in 2025. Meanwhile, 3 members of the Tulfo family, which has four members in congress, are also said to run in the senate elections. Their bid for a senate seat will be confirmed upon the filing of Certificates of Candidacy in October.

Countering Political Misinformation on Social Media

Certain influencers have found ways to spread disinformation on social media as a way to promote some political families, but anti-disinformation advocates have also taken to TikTok and Facebook to fight political misinformation. Genealogist Mona Magno-Veluz is one such TikTok personality who is actively battling historical and political misinformation. There’s also the local civic society organization Break the Fake movement, which regularly holds seminars to train influencers to fact-check their sources. 

AI tools have also been used by fact-checking initiatives such as FactsFirstPH to fight disinformation. Meanwhile, to inform the youth about election-related information, nonprofit corporation Pinas Forward created the E-Boto website, which contains background information for all national candidates, presented in a Gen Z-friendly, TikTok style.

Can Social Media Eradicate Political Dynasties in the Philippines?

Social media has made it easier to access information, but it has also created opportunities to spread disinformation and propaganda techniques to sway the results of elections. Knowing how to distinguish facts from lies, and putting a stop to historical revisionism can protect Filipinos from repeating past mistakes. Fact-checking information, hearing the opinions of a diverse group of people, and educating the public about the dangers of disinformation, fear mongering, hate speech, and cyberbullying may all help to boost the nation’s media literacy and prevent political families from dominating in the upcoming elections. 

But as long as Filipinos keep voting for candidates who share the same beliefs and principles as their family members who are in power, no amount of protests on Facebook or Twitter can change the country’s political landscape. As proven by the current administration, social media will continue to be a valuable tool for political dynasties jockeying for power. After all, it helped a once shunned family to regain their place in politics, so no one should be surprised if it enables multiple family members – even those who are blatantly unqualified – to be elected into public office. 

Nina Sumsy Nina Sumsy is a freelance writer with a background in journalism

[classicschronicles]

Hi lovelies,

I feel like I’ve just returned from ‘buying the milk’. I’m sorry I disappeared for *checks notes* 11 months, but it’s been a hectic year. I feel like if I get into it I’ll sound like an AO3 author, so here are some very quick highlights- I have just finished my first year studying Classics at university, I qualified as a fitness instructor (which is a side quest nobody asked for), I’ve become a theatre kid again, and I finally watched Game of Thrones. Studying Classics at uni is basically telling everyone that you study Classics at uni and then getting one of two reactions- “What is that? What kind of job are you going to et with that?”. To which I have no response, because honestly I’m not sure. Or the ever famous- “Oh like The Secret History?”. To which I cry inside because it is nothing like The Secret History. It is actually reading so much Thucydides that he becomes your sleep paralysis demon, and having to translate so much Caesar and Cicero that your daydreams become wishing you were in the Theatre of Pompey on March 15th 44 BC… for no particular reason. And also crying at 3am whilst you try to delude yourself into thinking that this is so dark academia core (spoiler- it’s not). All that being said- this has actually been one of the best years of my life and I am so happy I get to study what I love.

Anyways, I feel like we’re missing the most important part- and that is of course Game of Thrones. Guys. I have a crush on Jaime Lannister. HEAR ME OUT! I can fix him! I promise. I just need one chance. But also, I would fight him because why did he do my girl Brienne like that. Anyone who makes her cry can fight me fr. You know what made me cry though- Shireen Baratheon. What the fuck was that. And Ser Davaos’ finding out and his whole “I loved that girl like she was my own”. BAWLED. Anyways, it might surprise you to know that her death was actually based on a very famous greek myth- the myth of Iphigenia. So that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

Iphigenia’s story finds its beginnings in another myth entirely- the myth of Agamemnon and the Deer. Quick fun fact- the movie ‘Killing of A Sacred Deer’ is actually based loosely on this. The story goes that Agamemnon, out hunting one day, killed a deer belonging to the Goddess Artemis. This angered Artemis, not least because the deer was pregnant and Agamemnon’s little hunting accident killed both the mother and the baby.

Fast forward to some time later, Agamemnon launches a thousand ships to save his sister-in-law Helen from the Trojans at the behest of his brother Menelaus, and also the whole blood oath situation. The Spartans and the Mycenaeans make camp at the island of Aulis whilst they wait for the rest of the fleet to arrive, only to find that when they are ready to set sail once more, they cannot leave the island. There is not wind to push their ships, the air hot and heavy and remarkably still. This goes on for quite some time. Eventually Agamemnon consults the priest Calchas who tells him that the Gods (Artemis) are angry with him and demand a sacrifice. More specifically, the sacrifice of a virgin. This is also where some accounts differ- some claim that it could be any female virgin, some say that it had to be Agamemnon’s eldest daughter. In all honesty, I think the latter is probably more accurate because of the level of hesitation he shows before he makes his final decision. If he could sacrifice any virgin I don’t really think he would care.

Anyways, he obviously cant just write to his wife and say “hey babe can you please ship our eldest daughter over, I want to sacrifice her xoxo”. So he instead he comes out with an altogether more devious plan, and that is to tell his wife that the Prince Achilles wishes to marry Iphigenia before they sail for Troy. Both Iphigenia and Clytemnestra are of course overjoyed that she should marry ‘the best of the Greeks’ and she comes to Aulis where the army wait for her.

This is where it starts to break my heart a bit. On the morning of Iphigenia’s wedding day, Clytemnestra dresses her daughter and prepares her. She, of course, does not know that she is preparing her child for death. Her fathers men come to her tent and escort her and her mother to the alter. However, she never gets to say her vows because as soon as she steps onto the platform, they cut her throat and spill her blood as an offering to Artemis. Her mother is of course beside herself with shock and grief, but her husband does little to comfort her, telling her only that Artemis is appeased, and with the return of the wind he is leaving for Troy.

Euripides’ Iphigenia at Aulis, differs from this account and tells the story that on the morning of her supposed wedding, Iphigenia was aware of her fathers plan to sacrifice her and accepts with stoicism and all the bravery of a child put in an impossible position. He writes the following, heartbreaking, lines:

Iphigenia- “If only I could sing like Orpheus, father! Orpheus, who could charm even the heartless rocks into following him! If I could use such a voice and have everyone charmed, have them convinced to agree with me and follow me, then I would use that voice. But I have no such skill. The only voice I have, father, my only skill, is in my tears and, here, father, I’m giving them to you! I’m giving you my tears! I’m giving you all I have! She leans before him and embraces his knees Here, father, here is the body of a suppliant! Here is the body that your wife has given birth to. I wrap its limbs around your knees and beg you: Please father, do not cut off my life short. Let me enjoy the sweet light of day and do not force me to enter the world beneath the earth. I’m your first one, father! The first one to call you father, the first one you called daughter. Me, father! I was the first to play on your knees, the first one of your children to enjoy your love and the first one to give you a child’s love. Remember, father? You used to ask me, “I wonder, my darling, will I get to see you married one day, married and settled happily in your husband’s home, your life ever blossoming, making me proud of you?” And I’d touch your chin, my father, hang from your beard, father, like I’m doing now and say, “and what about you, father, will I get to see you, father, an old man, visiting me at my house, ready for me to repay you for your hard work in raising me?” No, you don’t remember these words, father. I do but you don’t! You’ve forgotten them and so, now, you want to kill me. Please, father! Please, in the name of Pelops and of Atreus who is your father, I beg you! Please don’t do it! And I beg you also for my mother’s sake, the woman who laboured to bring me to life, the woman who is being tortured even now. I beg you, father! What does my life have to do with the marriage of Paris and Helen father? Why has their marriage brought about my death, father? Agamemnon turns away. She continues despondently. Come, then, father, turn to me and give me a final kiss. A kiss to remember you by in the underworld, since my words have not convinced you. Agamemnon does not move. She goes over to her mother and takes baby Orestes in her arms. She swings him, sadly, gently back and forth and leans over him as she speaks to him What a weak little helper you are, my tiny brother! Won’t you cry with me, Orestes? Come on, won’t you beg your father not to kill your big sister? Come on, Orestes, even babies know when there’s trouble around! Ha! See, father? Orestes is begging you, too! Begging you by his silence. Do you not care about me any more? Spare my young life, father. Spare me! Here! Look here, father! Here are the two of us, one’s a baby, the other a grown up girl, a brother and a sister, both your children, begging you, by your beard, pleading with you… She turns and looks sadly around her, then up at the sun. That! Up there is my final argument. That light, this light all around us, will cut all other arguments to pieces. This light is the sweetest thing that can fill the eyes! The world beneath the earth is a world of nothing. Only fools would pray to go down there. I’d rather live a life full of misery than die a hero’s death!

If that doesn’t make you cry I don’t know what will. And then to top it off he follows it up 200 lines later this this tear jerker:

“C- What report shall I give to your sisters?

I-Do not dress them either in black garments.

C-Is there any word of love from you I should give the girls?

I-Bid them farewell; and make sure you bring up Orestes as a man!

C-You look at him for the last time- hold him tight!

I-(holding Orestes close): Darling boy, you helped you dear sister as much as you could!

…

I-Who will come to take me there before they drag me by the hair?

C-I will be at your side…

I-No, not you- that would not be right!

C-…holding on to your clothes!

I-Mother, oblige me in this: stay here! This is the nobler course for me and for you. Let one of my father’s attendants here escort to Artemis’ meadow where I shall be sacrificed.

(Iphigenia begins to move away from a crying Clytemnestra)

C-O my child, are you going?

I-Yes, and never shall I come back.

C-You will leave your mother?

I-Yes, as you see, we do not deserve this.

C-Wait- don’t abandon me!

I-I forbid you to shed tears. (C sinks to the ground)”.

In every version you read, however, sacrificing his daughter is not a choice that Agamemnon takes lightly. He is torn between sacrificing his daughter and angering his wife- but winning glory for the Greeks, or saving his daughter, but abandoning his men. As a father, he made the wrong choice, but as a king some would argue that he did what was expected of him.

I do like, however, in Euripides’ version the character of Achilles. He is adamant that he will not be privy to the murder of Iphigenia. He tries so very hard to save her and to offer comfort to Clytemnestra and genuinely I think that this might be one of the loveliest most favourable depictions of him.

This myth then gives way to part of the Oresteia trilogy and many many retellings of her Iphigenia’s story- every single one of which always make me want to cry. I can’t explain what it is- I know that the whole point of tragedy is that build up and release of emotion but no tragedy has every made me actually sad other than Iphigenia at Aulis.

Anyways, you can imagine my absolute horror when I watched S5 EP9 and saw Shireen tied to the alter, literally gave myself whiplash with how quickly I tried to look away from the screen.

I would say I hope you enjoyed reading about Iphigenia, but if you did you’re an absolute psycho! The two translations I used are from PoetryInTranlsation and Penguin’s 2005 edition “The Bacchae and Other Plays”. Hopefully, now that I’ve posted again I’ll try and be more regular with it and I hope you all have a lovely lovely week <33

~Z

[shinmiyovvi]

Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War Oc Introduction

「CAUTION: AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY」

GENERAL INFO

NAME: Estrellita Agnes L. Gerardo

AGE: 27

GENDER: Female

SEXUALITY: Heterosexual

D.O.B.: August 20, 1954

P.O.B.: Mati, Davao Oriental, Philippines

NATIONALITY: Filipino

ALIAS(ES): Estelle, Agnes, Ness

OCCUPATION: CIA Agent (Cyber Operations Officer)

LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, Filipino, Russian, German, French

AFFILIATIONS: CIA, MI6

APPEARANCE

HEIGHT: 5'8" (173 cm)

WEIGHT: 147. 6 lbs (66.9 kg)

HAIR COLOR: Black

EYE COLOR: Dark Brown

HAIRSTYLE: Pixe Cut

SKIN COLOR: Light Beige/Medium (?) Skin tone

BODY TYPE: Slim and Lean

FACE CLAIM: Erich Gonzales

VOICE CLAIM: Shamir from Fire Emblem

RELATIONSHIPS

Russel Adler (Complicated Ally)

Helen Park (Ally)

Lawrence Sims (Ally)

Frank Woods (Ally)

Alex Mason (Ally)

Jason Hudson (Ally, colleague)

Eleazar "Lazar" Azoulay (Ally, love interest)

Len Villanueva (Ally, best friend)

Kaoru "Bell" Ishioka (Enemy)

Dmitriev Zakharovich (Enemy)

PERSONALITY

Estelle is am observant, diligent, knowledgeable, and talented woman. She always keeps her guard up and analyzes every nook n' cranny of her surroundings and also some intel that she have acquired in her possession. In the safehouse, Estelle can be seen looking at the newspapers and files for their next missions. As a cyber operations officer, she can forsee the offensive and defensive cyberspace operations.

While she is involved in missions with the crew she tasked her other cyber operators to keep in touch with the other adversaries. Others says that Estelle looks like a person that could kill due to her "relaxed" face, but she is rather open to any conversations. However, no one likes to get into her bad side as she can make someone disappear from making her angry (which is a very exaggerating description of her anger.)

On the other hand, Estelle never reveals her loved ones for safety measures and protection of her family. Even a hint of her profile, she keeps it hidden from others, unless they can be trusted.

BIOGRAPHY

A woman of determination and perseverance, Estelle was born to be the person who was being looked up into and feared by her enemies. She is the second child among the 6 children of the Gerardo Family. As a young child, Estelle can be seen as responsible around the house and the bakery that her family owns. Although, some children around the province wouldn't dare to make Estelle angry due to how hostile she gets when it comes to hurting her or her other siblings, but she is a loving daughter and older sister to her loved ones.

Estelle strives to achieve her goals in life, especially living life with financial stability, a roof to stay on, needs and wants present, and so on. She became an achiever during highschool and got a scholarship abroad (in the US). It wasn't easy for her to live in a foreign country, considering she was born and raised in a province as she tries to adjust within the new life she's living in. Estelle continues to finish college with good grades before she can join the CIA as an cyber operations officer. At first it was a struggle for Estelle, but she perseveres until she gets used to her job. With the Cold War still ongoing, Estelle makes sure she gets to contribute for the agency and for the country.

There she met Hudson around the late 70s and introduces her to Mason, Woods, and Adler before she starts to help them during missions by providing intel, espionage, and attending through missions. During the early 80s, she joined Adler's crew to stop Perseus' plans, but she is not happy and trusting Adler's decision of bringing one of Perseus' men to be used for Project MK Ultra, turning "her" into Bell. Furthermore, she has trust issues with their new member "Feliks Zaitsev" who is an ex-KGB agent that is somehow working with the CIA.

After the events of Solovetsky, Estelle continues to go on missions of saving Adler from Stitch together with the other operators involved. On the other hand, Estelle gets to marry Lazar and has 4 children with her. During the 90s, she works with Woods to aid the newcomers for another chaotic mission they will embark from this new chapter.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 3.16

Holidays

Austin 3:16 Day

Black Press Day

Curlew Day

Day After Dumbstruck Day

Day of the Book Smugglers (Lithuania)

El Pujllay (Bolivia)

Everything You Do Is Right Day

Freedom of Information Day

Gary Plauche Day

Goddard Day

Gumby Day

Halabja Massacre Anniversary Day (Turkey)

Latvian Legion Day (Latvia)

Liberty Day

Lips Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Love Your Lips Day)

The Lord’s Day

My Lai Day

National Confidence Without Regret Day

National Curl Crush Day

National Driving Instructors Day

National Red Cross Instructors Day

National Vaccination Day (India)

No Selfies Day

Panda Day

Rachel Corrie Day

Rocket Day

Shattered Citadel Day

Stone Cold Day

St. Patrick’s Eve

Teacher’s Day (Syria)

TUBB3 Variant Awareness Day

Vitamin C Day

West Point Day

Wild Spring Flower Festival (India)

World Theatre of the Oppressed Day

Young Careers Action Day (UK)

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Ezerjó Day

National Artichoke Hearts Day

National Lumpia Day

Nature Celebrations

Dandelion Day (French Republic)

International Macaque Day

Mint Day (Virtue; Korean Birth Flowers)

National Panda Day

Tell A Mockingbird To Shut Up Day

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Aquedneck Constitution Day & Name Change to Rhode Island (1641)

Babikiria (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Davao City Day (Philippines)

Republic of Long Island (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

3rd Sunday in March

Buzzard Sunday (a.k.a. National Buzzard Day) [Sunday after 15th]

Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday (Louisiana, New Orleans) [3rd Sunday]

Root Canal Awareness Week begins [3rd Sunday]

Selection Sunday (NCAA) [Sunday before March Madness]

Serene Sunday [3rd Sunday of Each Month]

Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]

Silly Sunday [3rd Sunday]

Smörgåsbord Sunday [3rd Sunday of Each Month]

Story Sunday [3rd Sunday of Each Month]

Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]

Sunshine Sunday [Sunday closest to 3.16]

Weekly Holidays beginning March 16 (3rd Week of March)

American Chocolate Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

Clutter Awareness Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

European Wide Action Week Agains Racism (thru 3.24)

International Goof Off Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

Jobs for Teens Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Animal Poison Prevention Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Anonymous Giving Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Bubble Week (thru 3.23) [1st Week of Spring]

National Button Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Clean Out Your Closet Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Introverts Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Poison Prevention Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Surveyors Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

Schools Library Media Center Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

Sunshine Week (thru 3.22) [Week of 3.16]

World Folk Tales and Fables Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

Festivals On or Beginning March 16, 2025

Otherside (SLane, Ireland)

Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Seafood Expo North America (Boston, Massachusetts) [thru 3.18]

St. Patrick’s Day Festival (Dublin, Ireland)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Birmingham, UK)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (New Orleans, Louisiana)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Feast Days

Abbán (Christian; Saint)

Abraham Kidunaia (Christian; Saint)

Agapitus (Christian; Saint)

Argei (Ancient Rome) [also 5.14]

The Day After Dumbstruck Day (Shamanism)

Dionysus' Day (Ancient Greece)

Elaphebolia (Festival of Artemis; Ancient Greece)

Epictetus (Positivist; Saint)

Eusebia of Hamage (Christian; Saint)

Feast of Bacchus (Ancient Greece)

Feat of the Hand of God (Goddess Iusaas or Iussaset at the Temple of Edfu; Ancient Egypt)

Finian Lobhar (a.k.a. Finian the Leper; Christian; Saint)

Gregory Makar (Christian; Saint)

Great Cosmic Mother-of-All and You Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Hammerhead Doozer (Muppetism)

Hercules Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Heribert of Cologne (Christian; Saint)

Hilarius of Aquileia (Christian; Saint)

Julian of Antioch (a.k.a. of Cilicia; Christian; Saint)

Kinky Underwear Day (Pastafarian)

Lady of the Lake Day (Celtic Book of Days)

The Lord’s Day (Neo-Christianity)

Saturday of Souls, Second (Eastern Orthodox) [57 Days before Easter]

Urho (Christian; Saint) [Finnish Americans & Canadians]

Second Sunday in Lent (Western Christianity) (a.k.a. ... 

Purple Sunday

Reminiscere Sunday (Lutheranism)

The Transfiguration

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 2 (Ji-Mao), Day 17 (Jia-Shen)

Day Pillar: Wood Monkey

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Initiate Day (执 Zhi) [Auspicious]

Holidays: None Known

Secular Saints Days

Bernardo Bertolucci (Entertainment)

Rosa Bonheur (Art)

René Daumal (Literature)

Félix De Vigne (Art)

Antonio Donghi (Art)

Michael Franck (Music)

Jean-Antoine Gros (Art)

Alice Hoffman (Literature)

Cyril Hume (Literature)

Nicolas-Germain Léonard (Literature)

Jerry Lewis (Entertainment)

James Madison (Politician)

Todd McFarlane (Art)

Johann Heinrich Meyer (Art)

Juan Martinez Montanes (Art)

Georg S. Ohm (Science)

Sully Prudhomme (Literature)

Richard Stallman (Science)

Studs Terkel (Literature)

Alan Tudyk (Entertainment)

Jean-Frédéric Waldeck (Art)

Jerry Jeff Walker (Music)

Margaret Weis (Literature)

Nancy Wilson (Music)

John Butler Yeats (Art)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [34 of 71]

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [20 of 57]

Unglückstage (Unlucky Day; Pennsylvania Dutch) [12 of 30]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [15 of 60]

Premieres

The Absent-Minded Professor (Film; 1961)

Baby Bottleneck (WB MM Cartoon; 1946)

Beatrice di Tenda, by Vincenzo Bellini (Opera; 1833)

Blue Aces Wild (Blue Racer Cartoon; 1973)

Can’t Buy Me Love, by The Beatles (Song; 1964)

Children of Dune (TV Mini-Series; 2003)

China Syndrome (Film; 1979)

Cross-Country Detours (WB MM Cartoon; 1940)

Dog Watch (Pluto Disney Cartoon; 1945)

Foolish Follies (Aesop’s Sound Fables Cartoon; 1930)

Ghost in the Shell (Film; 2017)

Help, Me, by Joni Mitchell (Song; 1974)

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, by Victor Hugo (Novel; 1831)

In the Public Eye (Speaking of Animals Cartoon; 1945)

Justified (TV Series; 2010)

La Petite Parade (Modern Madcaps Cartoon; 1959)

The Man on the Flying Trapeze (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1934)

Memento (Film; 2001)

Merry Mannequins (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

Mickey’s Service Station (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Pilgrim Porky (WB LT Cartoon; 1940)

Pink Eye (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1974)

Pink Piston (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1966)

Puff the Magic Dragon, by Peter, Paul & Mary (Song; 1963)

The Saga of Windwagon Smith (Disney Cartoon; 1961)

Scrappy’s Pony (Scrappy Cartoon; 1936)

The Scarlet Letter (Novel; 1850)

The Show Must Go On, by Three Dog Night (Song; 1974)

So Much For So Little (WB Cartoon for U.S. Public Health Services; 1949)

Spellbound Hound (Jolly Frolics UPA Cartoon; 1950)

Sultan Pepper (Van Beuren Little King Cartoon; 1934)

Thaïs, by Jules Massenet (Opera; 1894)

1776 (Broadway Musical; 1969)

Thank You, Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse (Novel; 1934) [Jeeves, #5]

Tomb Raider (Film; 2018)

Tops in the Big Top (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1945)

The Trumpeter of Krakow, by Eric P. Kelly (Novel; 1928)

Tweety and the Beanstalk (WB MM Cartoon; 1957)

21 Jump Street (Film; 2012)

West Point (Military Academy; 1802)

Why Mice Leave Home (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1924)

William Hohenzollern, Sausage Maker (Mutt & Jeff Cartoon; 1919)

Wings of Life (Documentary Film; 2011)

You Only Live Twice, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1959) [James Bond #12]

Today’s Name Days

Eduard, Herbert (Austria)

Euzebija, Hilarije, Julijan (Croatia)

Elena, Herbert (Czech Republic)

Gudmund (Denmark)

Heero, Herbert, Herbi (Estonia)

Ilkka (Finland)

Bénédicte (France)

Herbert, Rüdiger (Germany)

Christodoulos, Ioulianos (Greece)

Henrietta (Hungary)

Eriberto, Ilario, Taziano (Italy)

Gabriels, Guntars, Guntis (Latvia)

Henrika, Norvilė, Vaidotas (Lithuania)

Gudmund, Gudny (Norway)

Abraham, Cyriak, Henryka, Herbert, Hiacynt, Hilary, Izabela, Oktawia (Poland)

Sabin (Romania)

Boleslav (Slovakia)

Abraham, Abrahán, Heriberto (Spain)

Gilbert, Herbert (Sweden)

Savina (Ukraine)

Bailee, Bailey, Baylee, Bayley, Melisa, Melissa, Melita, Melyta, Millicent, Millie, Missy (USA)

Today’s National Name Days

National Archer Day

National Antonio Day

National Todd Day

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 75 of 2025; 290 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 7 of Week 11 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 19 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Ji-Mao), Day 17 (Jia-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 7 Baramhat 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Lime (Mar 11-20) [Day 6 of 10]

Hebrew: 16 Adar 5785

Islamic: 16 Ramadan 1446

Julian: 3 March 2025

Moon: 95%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 19 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Epicetus]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 86 of 90)

SUn Calendar: 15 Green; Oneday [15 of 30]

Week: 3rd Week of March

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Aquarius (Day 26 of 30)

Sidereal Zodiac: Pisces (Day 2 of 30)

Schmidt Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 23 of 27)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 5 of 38)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 5 of 38)

[schnitzelsauerbraten]

A Plea from One of the Millions Who cared for Rodrigo Duterte

We live in a time where misinformation spreads faster than truth, and many fail to see the real impact of a leader who stood against crime and corruption for the sake of the Filipino people. I am one of the millions who love and support former President Rodrigo Duterte, not because of blind loyalty, but because I have seen firsthand the difference he made in our country.

Drugs destroy the future of the youth. Drug addiction has led to countless crimes ,murder, rape, and violence that have torn families apart. Those who use and sell drugs choose a dangerous path, one that leads to suffering not only for themselves but for innocent people around them. How many young lives have been lost to addiction? How many families have suffered because of drug-related crimes?

Duterte stood up against this evil when others were too afraid to act. He faced criminals head-on, prioritizing the safety of millions of innocent Filipinos. If he were truly a bad president, why do so many people still fight for him today? Why do ordinary citizens continue to defend his legacy? It is because he was a leader who genuinely cared, one who made tough decisions to protect the people even if it meant facing criticism from those who benefited from corruption and crime.

A true father disciplines his children out of love. If your own father caught you doing drugs, would he ignore it? No. He would be angry, he would be hurt, but most importantly, he would want you to change. Duterte was like a father to the Filipino people. He did not tolerate wrongdoing. He was not perfect. he had a foul mouth, he spoke harshly but he took action when it mattered. And for that, criminals feared him, corrupt politicians wanted him gone, but millions of Filipinos stood by his side.

During the pandemic, we all feared for our survival. Many lost their jobs, and we thought we would starve. But the government, under Duterte, made sure that we had food to eat. While other leaders focused only on politics, he focused on the people. And even after his term ended, those who seek to twist the truth have not stopped their attacks against him.

Why do people still love him? Why do the people of Davao continue to respect him? Why do leaders of other nations admire him? Why do our OFW brothers and sisters support him? Because they saw the truth. They saw a leader who was willing to face the dirtiest battles to keep the country safe.

To those who cry for justice for drug addicts, I ask , where was your voice when innocent people were raped, murdered, and terrorized by criminals under the influence of drugs? Where was your outcry for the victims? Duterte did not order senseless killings he simply made it clear that crime would no longer be tolerated. Those who chose to continue down a dark path were given multiple chances to change. Free rehabilitation programs were offered. The government extended a helping hand. But what did they do? They continued to harm others.

People say Duterte had a dirty mouth but words do not define a person’s true character. Many hide behind politeness while committing terrible acts, just as there are those who go to church yet continue to do wrong. I would rather stand with a leader who speaks harshly but fights for the people than one who speaks gently but does nothing to stop injustice.

We must not let false narratives erase the truth. We must continue to stand against drugs, against crime, and against those who seek to protect criminals for their own benefit. Duterte may no longer be in office, but his impact remains. And as one of the millions who love and support him, I will continue to fight for the safety and future of my country and to the one guy who fight for us!

BRING OUR TATAY BACK AND PLEASE FIND WAYS TO KEEP HIM SAFE AND HEALTHY HIS TOO OLD FOR THIS.

Please help us petition for our Tatay

https://www.change.org/p/rage-against-the-deception-of-the-world-free-the-asian-filipino-duterte/exp/v2/cl_/cl_sharecopy_490468111_en-US/8/1140126762?recruiter=1140126762&recruited_by_id=426b3cd0-db8c-11ea-bf1c-13cbb4edd2cc&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=petition_dashboard&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_490468111_en-US%3A8

#WeDeserveBetter

#freeduterte

#icc

[kamreadsandrecs]

Title: Some People Need Killing: A Memoir of Murder in My Country

Author: Patricia Evangelista

Genre/s: nonfiction, history, politics, crime, journalism

Content/Trigger Warning/s: journalistic depictions and discussions of crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and rape, as well as natural disasters, including the effects of Typhoon Haiyan (PH name Yolanda)

Summary (from publisher's page): “My job is to go to places where people die. I pack my bags, talk to the survivors, write my stories, then go home to wait for the next catastrophe. I don’t wait very long.” Journalist Patricia Evangelista came of age in the aftermath of a street revolution that forged a new future for the Philippines. Three decades later, in the face of mounting inequality, the nation discovered the fragility of its democratic institutions under the regime of strongman Rodrigo Duterte. Some People Need Killing is Evangelista’s meticulously reported and deeply human chronicle of the Philippines’ drug war. For six years, Evangelista chronicled the killings carried out by police and vigilantes in the name of Duterte’s war on drugs—a war that has led to the slaughter of thousands—immersing herself in the world of killers and survivors and capturing the atmosphere of fear created when an elected president decides that some lives are worth less than others. The book takes its title from a vigilante whose words seemed to reflect the psychological accommodation that most of the country had made: “I’m really not a bad guy,” he said. “I’m not all bad. Some people need killing.” A profound act of witness and a tour de force of literary journalism, Some People Need Killing is also a brilliant dissection of the grammar of violence and an important investigation of the human impulses to dominate and resist.

Buy Here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/some-people-need-killing-a-memoir-of-murder-in-my-country-patricia-evangelista/19968748

Spoiler-Free Review: Okay, so. I already had this in my TBR and was planning to read it in some vague point in the future, but a close friend of mine picked it up and mentioned it in a tweet. Since I was midway through Mona Awad’s Rouge at the time, I promised to give it a shot once I was done with that. The finishing of THAT book got further delayed because Paladin’s Faith got released and I had to read THAT, then continued with Rouge to finish it. When it was all said and done though I picked this up and got stuck in.

Now just to be clear: I am Filipino, have lived in the Philippines all my life, and am lucky enough to live a privileged life by the standards of my country. I didn’t vote for Rodrigo Duterte in the 2016 elections because I liked neither his politics nor his values, and I certainly didn’t like the stories I’d read in the news about the Davao Death Squad, and so was one of many people who felt that sucking wave of dread when it was announced he’d won.

What followed was a nightmare I was lucky enough to view from a distance (afforded to me by my aforementioned privilege), and through the hazy fog of slow-rolling grief because of my mother’s cancer diagnosis, treatment, and death in the following years. I didn’t see all the news reports, but I did see the reactions on social media. One of the earliest ones was #CardboardJustice, which was started by my friend Hope Swann, and then popularized by Adrienne Onday. It was a response to how many murder victims had been turning up with a piece of cardboard attached to them with the statement “Pusher ako” (”I am a [drug] pusher”), as if that would justify their slaughter to those who came upon the victim’s body, as if all that was needed to pronounce one guilty of drug pushing was to have a cardboard sign saying so on one’s person. #CardboardJustice was one of the first grassroots movements pushing back against the drug war, and it was adopted quite widely in the latter end of 2016 and early into 2017.

Another one that sticks out in my mind is #Tumindig (”Stand Up”), which was inspired by the artwork of the same name by Kevin Eric “Tarantadong Kalbo” Raymundo. That artwork, released in 2021, was in response to Duterte’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to his government’s half-dozen years of murder, red-tagging, and censorship. Like #CardboardJustice, #Tumindig inspired a movement, especially among other artists - and it was still popular enough by the time the 2022 national elections rolled around to be used by those supporting Leni Robredo’s presidential campaign. #CardboardJustice and #Tumindig - one emerging from the first year of the Duterte presidency, the other from its last - bookend six years of continuous pushback against him and his government.

But what’s puzzling is, there wasn’t any mention of this in Evangelista’s book. And even if she was unaware of those specific movements, surely she was aware of the many other grassroots movements that emerged throughout Duterte’s presidency? People from all walks of life protested against Duterte from before the beginning of his regime, all the way to the end, and even beyond. Why was no mention made of these efforts to push back? My assumption, of course, would be that any mention of these movements was left out for the sake of keeping the book’s narrative and subject matter focused, but if there was room for Evangelista’s personal stories, why was there no room to tell, even in brief, the stories of those who protested and fought back? The concepts of “lumaban” and “nanlaban” are key themes in this book, so why didn’t Evangelista even nod to the protests and protesters?

I would hope that readers, especially foreign readers, will know better than to assume that ALL Filipinos approved of what Duterte was doing, but a part of me is too cynical (especially where white Westerners are concerned) to believe that will be the case. Worse, they might assume that the masa (”the masses”) were uniformly duped into voting for him. So let me say, here and now: many Filipinos from all walks of life saw through Duterte and knew him for what he was. We didn’t vote for him, and we fought back, each in our own way, all throughout his presidency. Some of us - students, activists, social workers, journalists, and many more - were killed, or disappeared, becoming the desaparecidos (”the disappeared”) of the Duterte regime. Many were not directly targeted, but fled due to the dire circumstances both economic and social produced by his regime, looking for better and safer work and living conditions elsewhere. And many of us continue to fight back today.

As for Evangelista herself, her personal stories are scattered all throughout this book, though they are most present at the beginning. While I don’t think there’s really anything wrong with the inclusion of such stories (not least because “memoir” is right there in the book’s subtitle), I kind of found myself sliding through them more quickly as I sought out the more journalistic material on the drug war. It’s not that Evangelista’s personal story isn’t INTERESTING, per se, but I think it would be more interesting to foreigners, who didn’t witness the drug war in real time like most Filipinos did.

Overall I think this is a pretty important read - or, at least, for foreigners: for anyone who, as I said, didn’t see the drug war happening in real time, in front and all around them. And for the most part, it certainly reads like it's aimed at that specific audience, shining a light on events that the rest of the world probably didn’t know about, or only understood peripherally. It’s timely too, considering the ICC case against Duterte plus who the current President and Vice President are. But for those of us who WERE here to witness the drug war, who had to live with Duterte running the country for six entire years and feared he’d declare martial law and rule us for much longer - this book might feel a bit lacking in some areas, not least the coverage of the many protests across those six years. Many people did what they could to fight back - some even disappeared, or were killed, or had to go into hiding or flee to protect themselves and/or those closest to them. It would have been nice to see them get even some coverage in this book.

Rating: four bullets

[bookloure]

Armor by John Bengan is a collection of thirteen stories set in late 90s Davao City when the then mayor Rodrigo Duterte started his (in)famous "cleansing" of the crime-infested city, a purge we now know so well.

From a Death Squad recruit on his first day on the job to a drug user Miss Gay contestant, these stories give the reader a taste of Duterte's Davao before the War on Drugs became a national phenomenon.

The premise, setting, and subject matter appeal immensely to me; add to that the fact that this book is a National Book Awards finalist, so of course, I was excited to pick it up. It's an anticipated read.

Which is why I'm sad that this did not work for me. While I enjoyed the 90s feel of the whole collection, overall, I found the writing bland and clunky in places. The Filipino expressions, kasabihan, lost their power when translated into English. The second-person point of view is wasted on stories that elicit little emotion from the reader. Except for a few standouts, I did not jive very much with the telling of these important stories.

The standouts in this collection are the following:

"Slaughter Story" and "Manny Pacquiao Speaks to a Butterfly in California"—both of which I like because of their experimental nature; the title story "Armor" and my favorite, "Disguise."

Follow me on Instagram to know what I'm reading!

[funsize-mermaid]

Elle got a job already (yeyy) and nakalipat na din sya sa boarding house malapit sa work nya. Sobrang happy ko for her kasi hindi na sya mag travel for 3hrs pauwi from work. Really saves her time kasi nakakapagod naman talaga tapos need nya din gising super aga and alis super aga para makaabot sa work nya ng 7am if uwian sya.

Tapos excited din ako since dun man din ako sa boading house nya mag stay sa pag punta ko dun sa December sa Davao, kahiya naman if dun ako sa bahay nila tapos wala sya HAHAHA. Ayun, wala lang I really really miss her sooooooo much. Tapos naisip ko pa eh lutuan sya always ng baon then ako na cook ng dinner ganern habang andun ako since ako lang naman maiiwan dahil naka wfh din ako.

After work nalang kami mag gagala galaaa and date date hihi. ☺️ buti nalang din eh same time out namin ☺️ aantayin ko nalang sya makauwi bago kami mag plan san kami punta everyday. ❤️❤️❤️

Nagstart na din pala ako mamili pa isa isa ng mga dadalhin ko sa Davao sa December. Pamasko and pasalubong ganern. Ipag sisiksikan ko nalang sa maleta ko tapos konti nalang damit dalhin, maglalaba nalang ulit ako ng nga damit pag kinulang. 🤣

Ka excite naman talaga ❤️

[jobyoda-philippines]

Jobs in Davao city

Davao City, the largest city in Mindanao, Philippines, offers diverse employment opportunities across multiple sectors including business process outsourcing (BPO), information technology, agriculture, tourism, retail, and manufacturing, with major companies like Teleperformance, VXI Global Solutions, and Concentrix providing significant job openings, while local businesses and government institutions also contribute to the city's growing job market, particularly in its designated economic zones like the Davao Information Technology Park.

[jobyoda-platform]

Finding Career Success: A Guide to Job Opportunities in Davao City

Davao City, the crown jewel of Mindanao and one of the Philippines' most progressive cities, has emerged as a significant employment hub in the southern Philippines. Known for its robust economy and strategic location, Davao City continues to attract both local and international businesses, creating diverse employment opportunities for job seekers across various industries.

The city's economic landscape has transformed significantly in recent years, with the establishment of numerous business parks and commercial centers contributing to job creation. As Mindanao's primary business center, Davao City hosts a growing number of business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, retail establishments, agribusiness firms, and technology companies, all of which regularly seek talented professionals to join their workforce.

JOBYODA serves as a vital platform connecting job seekers with employment opportunities in Davao City. Through this comprehensive job portal, professionals can explore positions across various sectors, from entry-level roles to executive positions. The platform's extensive database of Davao-based companies makes it easier for job seekers to find positions that match their skills and career aspirations.

The information technology and BPO sectors in Davao City have shown remarkable growth, creating numerous positions for customer service representatives, technical support specialists, and IT professionals. Major BPO companies have established operations in the city, attracted by the skilled workforce and favorable business environment. These companies offer competitive salaries and benefits packages, making them attractive employers for both fresh graduates and experienced professionals.

Davao's agricultural sector remains a significant employer, with opportunities in agribusiness companies, food processing plants, and export-oriented firms. These organizations seek professionals with expertise in agriculture, supply chain management, quality control, and business development. The city's position as a major agricultural hub ensures steady demand for professionals in this sector.

The retail and hospitality industries in Davao City continue to expand, with shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants regularly posting job openings. These establishments seek customer service professionals, sales specialists, hotel staff, and management trainees. The growth of tourism in the region has particularly boosted employment opportunities in the hospitality sector, creating positions for tourism officers, hotel managers, and customer service professionals.

Through JOBYODA, job seekers can access opportunities in Davao City's growing construction and real estate sectors. The continuous development of residential and commercial properties has created demand for architects, engineers, project managers, and real estate professionals. These positions often offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for career advancement.

The healthcare sector in Davao City has also seen significant growth, with major hospitals and medical facilities regularly seeking healthcare professionals, administrative staff, and support personnel. The city's position as a medical hub for Mindanao ensures consistent demand for qualified healthcare workers and medical professionals.

For fresh graduates, Davao City offers numerous entry-level positions across different industries. Many companies provide training programs and career development opportunities, making it an ideal location to start a professional career. The city's lower cost of living compared to other major urban centers in the Philippines makes it an attractive destination for young professionals.

JOBYODA's platform makes it easier for job seekers to find employment in Davao City by providing detailed job listings, company information, and application tracking features. Job seekers can filter opportunities based on their qualifications, preferred industry, and desired location within the city, streamlining their job search process.

The future of employment in Davao City looks promising, with ongoing infrastructure developments and business expansions expected to create more job opportunities. The city's commitment to economic growth, coupled with its strategic location and skilled workforce, continues to attract investments that generate employment across various sectors.

For professionals considering career opportunities in Davao City, the combination of professional growth prospects and quality of life makes it an attractive destination. With JOBYODA as your job search partner, navigating the city's job market becomes more manageable, allowing you to focus on finding positions that align with your career goals and aspirations in this vibrant southern metropolis.

[mini-uzzy]

YOOOO!! was tagged by @sleeplessincarcosa thank you very much 💖✨

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LIQUOR and I mean a STRONG ONE...

What are you wearing right now

Speaking of alcohol, a shirt that says "Pilsen:Time:Na" in a digital clock font with a bottle of San Miguel beer beside it... aaaaand a strawberry patterned shorts... basically my clothes from yesterday, bc I haven't bathed yet...

How tall are you

NO I AM NOT DOING THIS - -

Piercings

Ears... well, I wanted to get nose piercing but I need a job...

Tattoos

One........... day 😅😭

Glasses/contacts

Glasses!! And I need a pair of new ones because my headaches are coming back...

Last thing you ate

Fried fish and rice with some chilli sauce... typical poor people food, we're broke atm...

Favorite color

For clothing it's black and warm greys... in general, I like blue, especially the darker shades... and mustard yellow...

Current obsession

Minecraft, well, I just restarted a world four days ago... Also binge watching geology related documentaries and gem faceting... still going in and out of watching some military videos, trying to add more lore and details for my COD OCs... aaaaaaand I also just rediscovered ERB, so yeah been binge watching those videos too...

Any pets

As I am writing this, there's Loki beside me... he's a black cat my mom found as a small kitten a few weeks ago... he's grown and healthy and is super energetic... on my feet lies Orange, an orange cat (very creative name) and she's very pregnant and cranky and dirty and stinky idk where she's been... and downstairs we have Bun, Kratos and Old Lady, all mischievous cats...

Favorite fictional character

Ivarr Ragnarsson (AC: Valhalla) this man is plaguing me for almost a year now... i dont mind it thoooo...

Last place you traveled

somewhere in Davao Oriental, for a family reunion... being the embarrassing relative as usual, got drunk and almost fell down a sea wall... otherwise I had a good time, and took nice pictures of the sunset...

I am tagging... @yeehawkins, @eljeebee, @vdk-hellscape, @brasideios, @voodoochild002, @pricescigar and anyone who wants to 💖✨

[ashleyescoton27-futurerndiaries]

"Malayo Pa, Pero Medyo RN Na: A Student Nurse's Journey"

Hi! I’m Ashley Love A. Escoton, a 19-year-old student nurse at Ateneo de Davao University, currently navigating the exhausting yet fulfilling world of nursing school. 🩺📚

Becoming a nurse isn’t just a career choice for me—it’s my fate (or at least that’s what I tell myself when I’m drowning in readings and hospital duties 😅). One day, I hope to serve my fellow Filipinos in Australia, bringing care and compassion while possibly picking up an Aussie accent along the way. I honestly can’t see myself in any other job—mostly because I’ve come too far to turn back now, and I already look good in scrubs. 👩‍⚕️

Aside from being a student nurse, I’m also a student leader. This year, I have the privilege of serving as the Talents Head of the Nursing Student Executive Council of Ateneo. 🎤🎭 My talents include singing, theater, and dancing, but if I had to pick one, singing is my greatest passion. 🎶

Balancing nursing school and leadership while keeping a social life is a challenge. Between preparing for duties, studying all night for a 10-item quiz, and facing non-stop recitations and oral presentations, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. 🤯 But despite the chaos, I always make time for my friends and remind myself that life exists outside of nursing school. 🫶 Having a great support system and finding activities that fuel my passion keep me sane through it all.

So far, this nursing journey has been a rollercoaster ride—stressful, exhausting, but also rewarding. 🎢 This blog will be my space to share lessons, experiences, and insights—from clinical duties to small victories and everything in between. This is purely for educational purposes, and maybe a little therapy for myself.

Malayo pa, pero medyo layo na ta. The journey continues. ✨

#FutureRNDiaries

[brookston]

Holidays 3.16

Holidays

Austin 3:16 Day

Black Press Day

Curlew Day

Day After Dumbstruck Day

Day of the Book Smugglers (Lithuania)

El Pujllay (Bolivia)

Everything You Do Is Right Day

Freedom of Information Day

Gary Plauche Day

Goddard Day

Gumby Day

Halabja Massacre Anniversary Day (Turkey)

Latvian Legion Day (Latvia)

Liberty Day

Lips Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Love Your Lips Day)

The Lord’s Day

My Lai Day

National Confidence Without Regret Day

National Curl Crush Day

National Driving Instructors Day

National Red Cross Instructors Day

National Vaccination Day (India)

No Selfies Day

Panda Day

Rachel Corrie Day

Rocket Day

Shattered Citadel Day

Stone Cold Day

St. Patrick’s Eve

Teacher’s Day (Syria)

TUBB3 Variant Awareness Day

Vitamin C Day

West Point Day

Wild Spring Flower Festival (India)

World Theatre of the Oppressed Day

Young Careers Action Day (UK)

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Ezerjó Day

National Artichoke Hearts Day

National Lumpia Day

Nature Celebrations

Dandelion Day (French Republic)

International Macaque Day

Mint Day (Virtue; Korean Birth Flowers)

National Panda Day

Tell A Mockingbird To Shut Up Day

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Aquedneck Constitution Day & Name Change to Rhode Island (1641)

Babikiria (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Davao City Day (Philippines)

Republic of Long Island (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

3rd Sunday in March

Buzzard Sunday (a.k.a. National Buzzard Day) [Sunday after 15th]

Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday (Louisiana, New Orleans) [3rd Sunday]

Root Canal Awareness Week begins [3rd Sunday]

Selection Sunday (NCAA) [Sunday before March Madness]

Serene Sunday [3rd Sunday of Each Month]

Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]

Silly Sunday [3rd Sunday]

Smörgåsbord Sunday [3rd Sunday of Each Month]

Story Sunday [3rd Sunday of Each Month]

Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]

Sunshine Sunday [Sunday closest to 3.16]

Weekly Holidays beginning March 16 (3rd Week of March)

American Chocolate Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

Clutter Awareness Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

European Wide Action Week Agains Racism (thru 3.24)

International Goof Off Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

Jobs for Teens Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Animal Poison Prevention Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Anonymous Giving Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Bubble Week (thru 3.23) [1st Week of Spring]

National Button Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Clean Out Your Closet Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Introverts Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Poison Prevention Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

National Surveyors Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

Schools Library Media Center Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

Sunshine Week (thru 3.22) [Week of 3.16]

World Folk Tales and Fables Week (thru 3.22) [3rd Full Week]

Festivals On or Beginning March 16, 2025

Otherside (SLane, Ireland)

Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Seafood Expo North America (Boston, Massachusetts) [thru 3.18]

St. Patrick’s Day Festival (Dublin, Ireland)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Birmingham, UK)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (New Orleans, Louisiana)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Feast Days

Abbán (Christian; Saint)

Abraham Kidunaia (Christian; Saint)

Agapitus (Christian; Saint)

Argei (Ancient Rome) [also 5.14]

The Day After Dumbstruck Day (Shamanism)

Dionysus' Day (Ancient Greece)

Elaphebolia (Festival of Artemis; Ancient Greece)

Epictetus (Positivist; Saint)

Eusebia of Hamage (Christian; Saint)

Feast of Bacchus (Ancient Greece)

Feat of the Hand of God (Goddess Iusaas or Iussaset at the Temple of Edfu; Ancient Egypt)

Finian Lobhar (a.k.a. Finian the Leper; Christian; Saint)

Gregory Makar (Christian; Saint)

Great Cosmic Mother-of-All and You Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Hammerhead Doozer (Muppetism)

Hercules Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Heribert of Cologne (Christian; Saint)

Hilarius of Aquileia (Christian; Saint)

Julian of Antioch (a.k.a. of Cilicia; Christian; Saint)

Kinky Underwear Day (Pastafarian)

Lady of the Lake Day (Celtic Book of Days)

The Lord’s Day (Neo-Christianity)

Saturday of Souls, Second (Eastern Orthodox) [57 Days before Easter]

Urho (Christian; Saint) [Finnish Americans & Canadians]

Second Sunday in Lent (Western Christianity) (a.k.a. ... 

Purple Sunday

Reminiscere Sunday (Lutheranism)

The Transfiguration

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 2 (Ji-Mao), Day 17 (Jia-Shen)

Day Pillar: Wood Monkey

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Initiate Day (执 Zhi) [Auspicious]

Holidays: None Known

Secular Saints Days

Bernardo Bertolucci (Entertainment)

Rosa Bonheur (Art)

René Daumal (Literature)

Félix De Vigne (Art)

Antonio Donghi (Art)

Michael Franck (Music)

Jean-Antoine Gros (Art)

Alice Hoffman (Literature)

Cyril Hume (Literature)

Nicolas-Germain Léonard (Literature)

Jerry Lewis (Entertainment)

James Madison (Politician)

Todd McFarlane (Art)

Johann Heinrich Meyer (Art)

Juan Martinez Montanes (Art)

Georg S. Ohm (Science)

Sully Prudhomme (Literature)

Richard Stallman (Science)

Studs Terkel (Literature)

Alan Tudyk (Entertainment)

Jean-Frédéric Waldeck (Art)

Jerry Jeff Walker (Music)

Margaret Weis (Literature)

Nancy Wilson (Music)

John Butler Yeats (Art)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [34 of 71]

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [20 of 57]

Unglückstage (Unlucky Day; Pennsylvania Dutch) [12 of 30]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [15 of 60]

Premieres

The Absent-Minded Professor (Film; 1961)

Baby Bottleneck (WB MM Cartoon; 1946)

Beatrice di Tenda, by Vincenzo Bellini (Opera; 1833)

Blue Aces Wild (Blue Racer Cartoon; 1973)

Can’t Buy Me Love, by The Beatles (Song; 1964)

Children of Dune (TV Mini-Series; 2003)

China Syndrome (Film; 1979)

Cross-Country Detours (WB MM Cartoon; 1940)

Dog Watch (Pluto Disney Cartoon; 1945)

Foolish Follies (Aesop’s Sound Fables Cartoon; 1930)

Ghost in the Shell (Film; 2017)

Help, Me, by Joni Mitchell (Song; 1974)

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, by Victor Hugo (Novel; 1831)

In the Public Eye (Speaking of Animals Cartoon; 1945)

Justified (TV Series; 2010)

La Petite Parade (Modern Madcaps Cartoon; 1959)

The Man on the Flying Trapeze (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1934)

Memento (Film; 2001)

Merry Mannequins (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

Mickey’s Service Station (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Pilgrim Porky (WB LT Cartoon; 1940)

Pink Eye (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1974)

Pink Piston (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1966)

Puff the Magic Dragon, by Peter, Paul & Mary (Song; 1963)

The Saga of Windwagon Smith (Disney Cartoon; 1961)

Scrappy’s Pony (Scrappy Cartoon; 1936)

The Scarlet Letter (Novel; 1850)

The Show Must Go On, by Three Dog Night (Song; 1974)

So Much For So Little (WB Cartoon for U.S. Public Health Services; 1949)

Spellbound Hound (Jolly Frolics UPA Cartoon; 1950)

Sultan Pepper (Van Beuren Little King Cartoon; 1934)

Thaïs, by Jules Massenet (Opera; 1894)

1776 (Broadway Musical; 1969)

Thank You, Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse (Novel; 1934) [Jeeves, #5]

Tomb Raider (Film; 2018)

Tops in the Big Top (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1945)

The Trumpeter of Krakow, by Eric P. Kelly (Novel; 1928)

Tweety and the Beanstalk (WB MM Cartoon; 1957)

21 Jump Street (Film; 2012)

West Point (Military Academy; 1802)

Why Mice Leave Home (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1924)

William Hohenzollern, Sausage Maker (Mutt & Jeff Cartoon; 1919)

Wings of Life (Documentary Film; 2011)

You Only Live Twice, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1959) [James Bond #12]

Today’s Name Days

Eduard, Herbert (Austria)

Euzebija, Hilarije, Julijan (Croatia)

Elena, Herbert (Czech Republic)

Gudmund (Denmark)

Heero, Herbert, Herbi (Estonia)

Ilkka (Finland)

Bénédicte (France)

Herbert, Rüdiger (Germany)

Christodoulos, Ioulianos (Greece)

Henrietta (Hungary)

Eriberto, Ilario, Taziano (Italy)

Gabriels, Guntars, Guntis (Latvia)

Henrika, Norvilė, Vaidotas (Lithuania)

Gudmund, Gudny (Norway)

Abraham, Cyriak, Henryka, Herbert, Hiacynt, Hilary, Izabela, Oktawia (Poland)

Sabin (Romania)

Boleslav (Slovakia)

Abraham, Abrahán, Heriberto (Spain)

Gilbert, Herbert (Sweden)

Savina (Ukraine)

Bailee, Bailey, Baylee, Bayley, Melisa, Melissa, Melita, Melyta, Millicent, Millie, Missy (USA)

Today’s National Name Days

National Archer Day

National Antonio Day

National Todd Day

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 75 of 2025; 290 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 7 of Week 11 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 19 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Ji-Mao), Day 17 (Jia-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 7 Baramhat 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Lime (Mar 11-20) [Day 6 of 10]

Hebrew: 16 Adar 5785

Islamic: 16 Ramadan 1446

Julian: 3 March 2025

Moon: 95%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 19 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Epicetus]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 86 of 90)

SUn Calendar: 15 Green; Oneday [15 of 30]

Week: 3rd Week of March

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Aquarius (Day 26 of 30)

Sidereal Zodiac: Pisces (Day 2 of 30)

Schmidt Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 23 of 27)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 5 of 38)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 5 of 38)