Writer

Madi Castro

Written Articles

Food

JSEC Challenge Roundup 2026 Part 2

HOLA, FOODIES of Ateneo! In this part of the John Gokongwei Student Enterprise Center (JSEC) Challenge Roundup, Vantage Magazine indulges in the savory and protein-rich delights from the other side of the world. Whether classic birrias or innovative fusion bowls, these unique spins on beloved Western dishes might just be your next favorite meal along […]

By Madi Castro, Elisha Cayanga and Nicolette David

March 25, 2026

By Madi Castro, Elisha Cayanga and Nicolette David • March 25, 2026

TV & Film

Ten kilig romance movies that remind you of your Atenean girl crush

NOTHING SCREAMS peak girlhood more than a campus crush, especially the kind you have for another girl. Every season of love, we celebrate love in all its different forms, including the small—and often secret—ones that motivate us to get up and go to school. Around campus, love lingers in every corner, waiting to breathe life […]

By Alekxie Castaños, Madi Castro and Ysa Agdamag

March 24, 2026

By Alekxie Castaños, Madi Castro and Ysa Agdamag • March 24, 2026

TV & Film

Saving the world is a family affair in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

ONE QUIET evening, a family home is filled with rare peace. Then, a serendipitous discovery occurs: a couple learns they will finally be parents. By foregoing the typical cold open of ominous disasters or messy brawls, Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) proves that the movie is first and foremost a story about […]

By Madi Castro

August 8, 2025

By Madi Castro • August 8, 2025

Food

JSEC Challenge Roundup 2025 Part 3

CRAVING THE rich, vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia? You’re in luck! From reinventing familiar Filipino delicacies to putting different spins on Vietnamese meals, this year’s JSEC Challenge hosts a wide array of stalls offering tasty dishes from all over the region. Dive into these stalls’ unique menus with Vantage Magazine’s third installment of the JSEC […]

By Madi Castro, Elah Deloria and Percy Roy

April 1, 2025

By Madi Castro, Elah Deloria and Percy Roy • April 1, 2025

TV & Film

Four Pics, One Icon: Can you guess these leading ladies?

As we waltz our way into Women’s Month, we’re revisiting iconic female characters from beloved films and series, both local and overseas. From romcom sweethearts to action heroines, these leading ladies are easily recognizable from a mile away. Want to put your knowledge to the test? How many on-screen queens did you guess correctly? Share […]

By Bree Bernabe and Madi Castro

March 20, 2025

By Bree Bernabe and Madi Castro • March 20, 2025

Food

A Decade of Busting College Hunger: The Recipe for Success

TEN YEARS, seven branches, and countless satisfied customers—Hunger Buster has been a beacon of culinary comfort within and beyond the Ateneo for a decade, satisfying burger cravings in the heart of the day. Over the years, it has evolved from a student-run JSEC stall to a well-established business on and off campus. Hunger Buster has […]

By Madi Castro, Ashley Lumauig and Audrey Ruiz

January 9, 2025

By Madi Castro, Ashley Lumauig and Audrey Ruiz • January 9, 2025

Theater & Arts

blueREP’s “the PROM” brings its bottomless heart to the dance floor

“WE’RE GONNA help that little lesbian, whether she likes it or not!” declares a freshly-cancelled Broadway star, setting the stage for a theatrical journey of love, hope,  and queer acceptance. Adapted from the 2018 Broadway musical by Matthew Sklar, Chad Beguelin, and Bob Martin, the PROM debuts in Southeast Asia under Abi Sulit’s direction as […]

By Madi Castro

January 6, 2025

By Madi Castro • January 6, 2025