Blank Frame: Thomasian Filmmakers Champion Truth, Humanity, and Visual Storytelling in Upcoming Short Film

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Every story begins with a space waiting to be seen. This belief stands at the heart of Blank Frame, a production house founded by twelve Communication majors from the University of Santo Tomas. United as academic, athletic, and city scholars, and as aspiring filmmakers and storytellers, the team is driven by the pursuit of identity, meaning, and visual truth.

Blank Frame aims to create films that speak the truth and mirror real human experiences. With a storytelling style rooted in simplicity, the group focuses on narratives often overlooked: struggles, social issues, and identity crises that shape everyday life. Their guiding vision is “building a future where truth in film awakens empathy, challenges comfort, and inspires people to see and change the world with open eyes.”

The team is currently producing a short film for their Introduction to Film course.

Following the footsteps of last year’s senior film batches, whose works premiered on iWantTFC and were featured at Sine Reel, the annual filmmaking festival of the UST Communication Arts Students’ Association, Blank Frame seeks to go beyond the university walls. The group aims to submit their work to film competitions and share it through various streaming platforms and media outlets to reach a wider audience.

Their upcoming film, Walang Katiyakan, premieres in January 2026 and explores a world where a person’s worth is measured by a glowing mark on their skin. The story follows Eloy, a young man born without a mark, who must navigate a society that refuses to see value in him.

In his search for meaning in a world governed by time and expectations, Eloy discovers connections that endure beyond any mark and a truth no light can erase.

Blank Frame remains committed to producing films that tell the truth, touch hearts, and stay with audiences long after the screen fades. With their debut project, the team hopes to spark conversations, uplift untold stories, and remind viewers of the humanity found in every

frame.

Odor and 4 Other Things Buyers Consider with Natural Fabric Softeners

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Few things beat the comfort of freshly washed clothes that smell clean and feel soft. Yet, as more consumers turn to sustainable living, many have begun rethinking what goes into their laundry routine. That shift has given rise to a growing interest in natural fabric softener, a product that promises gentle results without synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals. 

But the decision to buy one goes beyond picking a pleasant scent. Modern buyers are far more discerning, balancing performance, skin safety, and environmental impact in every purchase. Choosing the right softener means weighing expectations, limitations, and the compromises that come with going natural. 

Let’s explore five critical factors that savvy buyers evaluate when selecting a fabric softener made from naturally derived ingredients, and why each matters in everyday use.

1) Fragrance

What’s the first thing most people notice when pulling warm laundry from the dryer? The scent. For many buyers, odor isn’t just a bonus but a deciding factor. Some want that nostalgic “fresh laundry” smell, others lean toward subtle herbal notes, or prefer no scent at all. With a natural fabric softener, fragrance typically comes from essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes, which means the aroma may be lighter, more fleeting, or able to evolve as clothes dry.

That variability matters. A citrus blend might brighten the wash and fade by morning, while lavender could linger gently throughout the day. Buyers also pay attention to how a softener’s scent interacts with personal care products, whether the blends complement or compete. 

Ultimately, fragrance is personal, and finding the right one often involves a bit of experimentation before it feels like a perfect fit.

2) Ingredients

Flip the bottle around, and you’ll see where most decisions begin. Today’s consumers are label-literate, and natural fabric softeners face close scrutiny. Ingredients matter. Many shoppers seek plant-derived components like coconut-based conditioning agents and steer clear of synthetic dyes and parabens, which can trigger skin irritation or contribute to water pollution.

Certifications often tip the scale. Labels like “dermatologist tested,” “biodegradable,” or “hypoallergenic” signal that the formula meets higher safety and sustainability standards. For those with allergies or sensitive skin, knowledge of the ingredients is even more essential.

Trustworthy brands don’t rely on vague chemical names or proprietary blends. They disclose what’s inside, reinforcing confidence that what softens your laundry also aligns with your values.

3) Performance

You could select the cleanest, greenest formula, but if it leaves residue or stiff towels, chances are you won’t buy it again. That’s why product performance matters just as much as purity. Natural softeners can behave differently depending on water hardness and machine type. In hard-water areas, minerals may interfere with softening agents, leading to spots or buildup.

These variables not only affect results but also affect how the product interacts with your laundry setup. High-efficiency (HE) washers, which use less water, sometimes need more concentrated or specially formulated products to avoid gumming and dispenser clogs. Even a well-made softener can underperform if it’s not matched to the right conditions.

Informed consumers often test a small amount first, noting how easily it rinses out, whether fabrics stay absorbent, and if the scent remains after drying. When results stay consistent from one load to the next, buyers are more likely to stick with the product than search for a replacement.

4) Fabric Feel

For many buyers, softness is the ultimate proof of product quality. The way clothes feel after washing often determines whether a natural fabric softener earns a permanent spot in the laundry routine. A breathable finish that feels light against the skin often signals a well-balanced formula. In contrast, a thicker coating may leave towels less absorbent, raising questions about long-term comfort and functionality.

Unlike synthetic silicones, plant-based conditioners often build softness gradually. That slower payoff can be surprising if you’re switching from conventional brands and expecting instant plushness. While texture may improve over several cycles, you may need to manage your expectations from the start.

Aside from fabric feel, smart buyers also pay attention to how clothes behave after washing: whether static cling is reduced, fibers stay fluffed, and colors remain vibrant. The best natural softeners condition fabrics beyond the surface. When softness feels natural and lasting, consumers know they’ve found a product that delivers comfort without compromise.

5) Price

Price is rarely just about pesos. Modern shoppers look beyond the sticker and ask: How many loads will this cover? Is it concentrated or diluted? Can I refill it without buying another bottle? A softener that stretches across 80 washes may feel like a smarter investment than one that runs out in half the time, even if the upfront cost is higher.

But value isn’t measured in volume alone. Discerning buyers also consider various factors, from brand ethics and packaging waste to ingredient sourcing. A product made with fair-trade oils or recyclable materials might justify a few extra pesos, especially if it aligns with personal values.

For cost-conscious customers, the real value of a natural fabric softener isn’t evident in the price at checkout, but in every load that comes out soft and clean without compromising the planet. 

All in all, choosing a natural fabric softener isn’t about chasing trends or picking what’s popular. It’s about finding a product that aligns with what matters most to you, whether that’s skin safety, performance, or environmental impact. The goal isn’t just soft, sweet-smelling clothes, but an overall laundry routine that’s practical and built to support a more sustainable lifestyle. In the end, what touches your skin should reflect your values and leave your clothes and conscience truly clean.

The Grand Illusion of "Diskarte": When Survival Becomes a Substitute for Governance

Wazzup Pilipinas!? .

It is not the hustle, the "diskarte," that is vile. The truly vicious act is when this survival strategy is elevated into the primary duty of the citizen, while the very architects of the system—the government—are absolved of accountability.

In this nation, "diskarte" is the unspoken prerequisite for existence. It is the toll gate on the road to a job, the hidden currency required for hospital admission, and the shadow skill needed to claim an ID, aid, or public service that should flow freely and without petition.

When the citizen succeeds, we praise their ingenuity, their "madiskarte" spirit. But when the government fails, we sigh, saying, "It's normal. That's just the way the world is."

We are conditioned to reserve our highest admiration for the survivor, yet we rarely pause to demand why survival—a desperate, clawing act—was necessary in the first place. We laud the grit, the sacrifice, the sheer tenacity, while tacitly accepting the rot of systemic incompetence and criminal neglect.

This is where the Culture of Diskarte becomes catastrophic.

While the masses are forced into perpetual, exhausting adaptation, there is no pressure, no imperative, for change to rise from the top. While we celebrate resilience, the accountable remain safe, secure, and untouched.

The hustle is transformed into a mask—a beautiful, tragic disguise. It is the mask covering the gaping hole of inadequate wages. It is the mask concealing the crumbling facade of the public hospital. It is the mask validating a slow, abusive, and non-functional bureaucracy.

Worse yet, this survival skill is chiefly demanded of the poor. When the impoverished falter, the cruel verdict is "lacking in diskarte." When the affluent fail, there are excuses—connections, time, a safety net woven from privilege.

Under this perverse culture, rights become rewards. Essential services devolve into sheer luck. And dignity? Dignity is no longer inherent; it is a prize won by the most cunning hustler.

This demands a stark return to the very foundation of our nation: the Republic. The Latin root, res publica, means "the public thing," "the common matter." It signifies that the government is not a personal estate, not a business venture, not an inherited heirloom.

The State is an Obligation. It is a solemn duty that cannot be farmed out to the desperation of its people.

In a true Republic, a citizen should not need to "dumiskarte" merely to live with dignity. Diskarte should be reserved for the pursuit of excellence and prosperity, not for the grim avoidance of hunger, sickness, and systemic abuse.

When the burden of "diskarte" falls entirely on the citizenry, and the government is held to no corresponding standard of performance, our national contract is fundamentally broken.

This is not resilience. It is lauded neglect. This is not inspiration. It is failure rebranded.

And as long as we continue to applaud the struggle for survival instead of fixing the broken machinery of the State, the forced hustler will remain a celebrated hero, and the government that failed them will remain comfortably, lethally inert.