Towards a militant alternative with Palanca Grand Prize winner Lakan Umali

Around six years ago, Lakan Umali was featured in the fourth anniversary issue of Scout Magazine, alongside the likes of artists Donny Pangilinan and UNIQUE, photographer JL Javier, and fashion designer RJ Santos, touted as “leaders of the new cool,” who “challenge convention in hopes of foreseeing a future unrestricted and unfiltered.”

Asked about her main goal in life, Umali said “I just really want to teach until I can’t teach. I want to be able to participate in discussions. I want...