In the Philippines, finding time for hobbies is a struggle for the middle class.
A Thread post sparked discussions about Filipinos having no hobbies, showing a photo of long commuter queues and suggesting that the transportation crisis is the cause.
The sentiment resonated with other users, who cited their own struggles with commuting as a source of wasted time and energy.
One user shared that they felt sad about being unable to pursue the hobbies they love.
"I can't even make art or play games [...] after my shift kasi sobrang pagod na ako," they said.
Others even pointed out that this reality is why Filipinos are chronically online, losing much of their time to scrolling on social media while stuck in transit.
Data from the TomTom index show that congestion in Metro Manila continues to worsen, with the 2025 rush hour traffic resulting in time lost equivalent to 5 days and 23 hours, which is 1 hour and 16 minutes more than the previous year.
Moreover, the 2024 Global Life-Work Balance Index report shows that Filipinos have one of the worst work-life balances, ranking 59th out of 60 countries, citing poor workplace culture and traffic as reasons.
"For many, a rare free moment is better spent resting than pursuing creative projects. True hobbies require financial freedom and peace of mind that daily grinding denies," one user shared.
When these economic realities intersect, time becomes a privilege enjoyed by a few.
Such an everyday condition goes beyond discussions of leisure, as many are left to suffer from parental inadequacy, deteriorating health, and limited educational opportunities.
This puts into perspective what we continue to lose along the way and the choices we make for ourselves.
With a system perpetuating a deeper economic imbalance, Filipinos will continue to live in survival mode.
(✍️: Allyson Capati)
Ito yung political ad na nilabas namin nung 2016 campaign pero hinarang ng kampo ni duterte. Ngayon, alam nyo na ang epekto ng isang violent environment sa mga bata.
A whole year passed without answers. Our cat disappeared, and with each passing week, hope grew more subdued. We searched, put up signs, and held on as long as we could—until we accepted the possibility that he might never come home.
Then this day happened.
My wife and I were out on a simple bike ride when I saw a cat ahead of us. Something about the way he moved felt familiar. Instinctively, I said his name aloud.
He froze. Then he turned. The sound he made still echoes in my chest—a cry filled with recognition and relief. He ran straight toward us as if no time had passed at all. I dropped my bike, knelt down, and he launched himself into my arms, holding on as if he were afraid to let go again.
After a whole year... He remembered us.
Today, the waiting ended. The silence was broken. And our family, somehow, was whole again.
Via everything sin now
As ube continues to dominate menus, recipes, and social media feeds around the world, culinary entrepreneur Erwan Heussaff is urging people to look beyond the trend and understand the realities facing the industry behind the beloved Filipino root crop.
In a recent post, Heussaff noted that while videos about ube’s growing popularity seem to appear every day, many of them repeat what he described as false narratives.
“Everyday I see a new video uploaded about the popularity of ube, but a lot of it seems to be repeating false narratives about our much beloved root,” he wrote.
The food creator pointed out that ube’s rise on the international stage has created a growing imbalance between demand and supply. From ice cream and pastries to lattes and specialty desserts, the purple yam has become one of the most recognizable Filipino ingredients worldwide. However, production has struggled to keep pace with its popularity.
According to Heussaff, the issue goes beyond viral recipes and food trends. Behind the growing demand are farmers and producers navigating supply challenges that deserve closer attention.
To better understand the situation, Heussaff revealed that his team will be traveling to Leyte, Bohol, Bukidnon, and Ilocos in the coming months to investigate the current state of ube production and supply.
He hinted that the story may involve more than just shortages, citing reports of corruption, gatekeeping, profiteering, and misinformation within the industry.
“It’s an interesting story filled with intrigue,” he said, teasing what could become a revealing documentary about one of the Philippines’ most sought-after agricultural products.
As ube’s global popularity shows no signs of slowing down, Heussaff hopes to separate fact from fiction and shine a spotlight on the people and systems behind the country’s most famous purple crop.
(✍️: Denchelle Castro, 📷: Erwan Heusaff/Facebook)
#radarPH
Nananawagan ng tulong ang Aspin Academy Corp. para makapagpatayo ng deep well na solusyon sa problema nila sa kakulangan ng maaasahang mapagkukuhanan ng tubig.
Higit 70 na-rescue na aso mula sa iba't ibang bahagi ng Calabarzon ang inaalagaan ng shelter.
Buong ulat: https://t.co/1sbh97Txsd
MILLIONS OF CAVITE COMMUTERS WHO HAVE WAITED SO LONG DESERVE ANSWERS
Senators Mark and Camille Villar are reportedly blocking the continuation of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) extension project in Cavite, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.
“We are investigating (the claims). The project should’ve extended to Cavite by now, but we’re still verifying rumors that the Villar senators were going against the alignment. They want the rail system to traverse their lands,” Remulla told radio dzRH on Saturday.
Read: https://t.co/PV9RI6D4et
Ayan na! Unti unti ng lumalabas ang kulay nya. Kitang kita sa reaksyon ng mukha nya na nandidiri sya sa mga supporters nya.😂 akala kasi talaga ng mga DDS binibigyan sila ng importansya ng mga Duterte e. Huuuyy mga tanga! TAE lang ang tingin nila sa inyo.
"Panahon na para tapatan natin ang Iglesia ni Cristo, at tapatan na rin po si Quiboloy. Ang lahat po ng mga sinasabing kulto na nakahanay dito sa destabilization plot." - Dr. Melba Padilla Magay - Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture
📣📣📣