In a dazzling display of journalistic prowess, Esquire Philippines graces us with an article about Jim Paredes that is as enlightening as a blackout. The piece, coyly titled “What I’ve Learned,” bravely sidesteps the small matter of a career-ending scandal that might interest readers. 

Perhaps it was an avant-garde experiment: how to write 2,000 words without addressing the elephant in the room. Esquire might argue it’s about positive vibes, but it feels more like a masterclass in selective amnesia. Or, was it a clickbait?

Yes, learning from our mistakes can be inspiring—if only we could find any mention of them. Instead, readers are treated to the kind of profound wisdom one expects from a fortune cookie. 

The article misses a golden opportunity to transform a cautionary tale into a beacon of redemption for the digital age. Maybe next time, Esquire can remember that real lessons come from real mistakes, not airbrushed narratives.