Pam Musni, Writer

Contributing to publications since 2014. For writing gigs: pamela(dot)musni(at)outlook(dot)com

[pammusni]

How to Truly Be an Effective Ally to the LGBTQ+ Community

The first Pride March started on the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. The Stonewall Uprising itself was a response to the repeated harassment of the LGBTQ+ community, culminating in the altercations at the Stonewall Inn—a gay bar that the police had raided on a no-liquor-license charge. This was a time when being gay was illegal, leaving many members of the community vulnerable. The uprising lasted for nearly a week, with many heading to Christopher Street—where the Stonewall Inn was located—to protest this unfair treatment.

The first Pride March, then, was a defiance. After going against numerous efforts to suppress their identities, often so with violence, it was finally their time to show the world who they were, marking a new chapter in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

This year’s celebrations are a continuation of that fight, with everyone—including nonqueer allies—invited. But as the inequalities and injustices towards the LGBTQ+ continue to the present day, the question now is this: what does it take to truly help the queer community? And how do we honor the sacrifices made by the LGBTQ+ activists who have paved the way for queer rights?

(Source: Commoner PH | Photo: Inkdontmixwithwater)

[pammusni]

Net-Zero Pledges Aren’t Enough to Stop the Climate Emergency

On March 19, 2021, youth protesters flocked outside different Standard Chartered headquarters worldwide to shed light on empty promises made to counter climate change. Specifically, activists targeted the bank for financing large fossil fuel investments despite its target to reach net zero by 2030 for its own buildings.

These protests come on the heels of international institutions’ apparent lack of transparency and commitment in offsetting greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero by 2050. This, of course, is to keep the world’s temperature from rising to more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, which would cause irreparable damage to the environment. 

In a statement to the press, Argentinian youth climate activist Nicki Becker said about the movement, “Scientists clearly state that what we need isn’t meaningless net-zero targets filled with loopholes—what we need are transparent, legally binding targets that take [into] account the aspects of justice and equity.”

(Source: Commoner PH | Photo: @pauliemeatsix)

[pammusni]

How the Youth of EDSA I Snapped and Ignited a Revolution

With the nation currently grappling with exponentially increasing debt, heightened censorship of the press, hindrances to free speech, and extrajudicial killings that continue without consequence, the events that set the stage for the peaceful EDSA People Power Revolution 35 years ago echo a familiar sound today. With these similarities in place, history hits close to home once again. 

How then can the EDSA I youth’s story serve as an inspiration to the youth of today? We asked historian Kristoffer Pasion to share his thoughts.

(Source: Commoner PH | Photo: Inkdontmixwithwater)

[pammusni]

When Chaos Strikes: Creating Safe Spaces Where It Matters

With 2020's repercussions seeping into the new year—including the siege at the US Capitol Hill to news of the newly mutated COVID-19 strain—creating safe spaces to thrive becomes all the more crucial.

After all, our inner systems are connected, including those responsible for self and community care. When we take care of ourselves, we can take care of others as well. And when we are in a position to uplift others, creating safe spaces becomes easier to do.

But in what ways can we do this, especially in the new normal?

In Mind&Seek PH's Thrive series, guest speakers from different professional backgrounds talked about creating crisis-proof safe spaces in the workplace, transforming crisis into opportunities, and responding to chaos.

(Source: Commoner PH | Photo: Mind&Seek PH )

[pammusni]

How to Live Sustainably (When It Feels Impossible to Do)

One of the biggest obstacles to sustainable living is not knowing where to start. So as a way of celebrating and amplifying the movement Plastic Free July, we thought of sharing how we can kickstart our less waste journey with ease and peace of mind—based on our personal quest for sustainable living.

(Source: Prodigy)

[pammusni]

A Closer Look into the Pampango Foodscape through Burung Asan

Reminiscent of simpler times in a Pampango household, the burong isda—or in Kapampangan, the burung asan—is considered to be a quintessential delicacy. Traditionally, it is made with high-class rice, bulig (or mudfish), and salt, which is then left to ferment for seven days. The result is a pleasantly salty, sour paste that is paired with mustasa leaves and freshwater fish. 

But while the burung asan might seem like a relatively simple dish, it tells more about Kapampangan culture and society than it leads on. While it doesn’t get the unanimous love as most Kapampangan dishes do, it still arguably holds its place in the compendium of Kapampangan cuisine. 

Know more about the burung asan’s past, present, and the significance of keeping it in the future of Kapampangan cuisine.

(Source: Commoner PH | Photo: Inkdontmixwithwater)

[pammusni]

Give me the spectacle of Eurovision any day

Maybe what you need is a rewatch of something extremely zany.

(Source: Underdog  | Photo: Zoe Rosal)

[pammusni]

BREADCRUMB #604

I’m sitting in a café that once was an eyewear shop. When I was a kid, I knew it was an eyewear shop because of the beige marble floors that had been kept when the store changed.  Back then, I took those floors to mean you could lie on them whenever you wanted to. Of course, that wasn’t the case, so I always got a scolding for it.

   Seeing these floors again gives me a strange bout of nostalgia, like I’m the five-year-old who once lay on them. Read more>

(Source: Breadcrumbs Magazine | Photo: Kevin Bidwell)

[pammusni]

Wednesday was Built on Stories, and Stories they Tell

From the travails of love to one’s shifting identities through time, local brand Wednesday uses clothing to explore these personal experiences and transform them into something concrete. We talk to the team about the origins of the brand, and what it takes to be narrative-driven.

(Source: purveyr.com | Photo: Wednesday)

[pammusni]

(Perspectives) A Discussion on the Intricacies of the Internet

The Internet is a revolutionary innovation that has changed the way we live. And with the current health crisis, it’s become all the more important. With similarobjects, Quark Henares, and Thysz Estrada, the second Perspectives discussion delved into the Internet and its impact on interaction, identity, and business.

(Source: purveyr.com)

[pammusni]

How Let’s Plays make me feel at home

Unwinding, to some, looks like sitting down and listening to chaotic gameplay.

(Source: Underdog | Photo: Call Me Kevin)

[pammusni]

Sound Fiesta — Jungle Juice by The Hernandez Brothers

To close out Season 2 of #SoundFiesta, here is the percussion duo, The Hernandez Bros. performing "Jungle Juice."

Watch full video at http://bit.ly/sf2-hbros

(Source: purveyr.com)

[pammusni]

Photographer MEETKESO shares his perspective on building a network

"I just maintain a particular vibe in my work. I believe that attitude naturally builds the network." — MEETKESO 

(Source: purveyr.com | Photo: Zaldine Alvaro)

[pammusni]

LAMANA aims to spread the DIY Spirit with Ishinomaki Laboratory Furniture Designs

石巻工房 Ishinomaki Laboratory rose to uplift the people of Ishinomaki City in Japan, and now, it's DIY spirit is set to inspire Filipinos as well through Lamana PH. (Source: purveyr.com | Photo: Zaldine Alvaro)

[pammusni]

Sezairi on making Passion possible through forging Connections

“Songwriting is such a lonely process, just you and your thoughts.. so when you realize that these thoughts you’ve thought of alone can connect to other people.. we suddenly become not alone. What I’m trying to achieve is that you feel less lonely in this world, you know?” — Sezairi  (Source: purveyr.com)

[pammusni]

The difference a trek makes

For MAD Travel, tourism is the way to go, when it comes to helping local communities. (Source: Young STAR | Photo: MAD Travel)

[pammusni]

Enchanted Kingdom — The Philippine's most inspiring Amusement Park since 1995

It’s been more than 20 years since @ek_philippines opened its doors, but only a few of us know of their story. They have been a big inspiration for many, sparking imagination through their rides and sights. 

(Source: purveyr.com | Photo: Mik Tabimina)