Best of the week: Mixed-breed models & climbing the K+12

Ad of the week: Bayo’s mixed breed

Manila, Philippines -  An ad for Bayo has been making the rounds on the interwebs for promoting what seems like racism. The ad features model Jasmine Curtis-Smith and some horrifically tragic text. It says being mixed-race is a “a sure formula for someone beautiful and world-class” — riiiight. Paging Filipino-American murder suspect Jason Ivler, there’s a copywriter in Manila you must meet.  

Protest of the week: K + 12 illegal

School is back, and much to students’ dismay (and schools’ delight), the K + 12 program is now being implemented in public schools nationwide. However, the implementation has been met with protests by student activists (also known as students who want to extend their summer vacations). They claim that Congress has not approved the program and that it is “illegal.” Wait, weren’t these activists shouting “academic freedom” just weeks ago?

Then again, we totally agree: Let’s just say the whole concept of school is illegal. Party! 

Launch of the week: YouTube Pelikula

Indie films may now be available for streaming on YouTube, thanks to a partnership by YouTube with Origin8 and Epicmedia, the studios behind some of the best independent films. The channel, youtube.com/Pelikula, just opened on Monday with Auraeus Solito’s Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros — a beloved film from 2005, which won at Cinemalaya, screened at Sundance, and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. We’re all excited, but there’s a part in all of us that’s hoping they’d stream mainstream movies like Ang Tanging Ina Mo and Panday — a guilty pleasure even the most obscure film buff must have.