TheAdamsonChronicle
I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. -Voltaire
Informing, Inspiring, and Influencing the Community since 1941
The Autonomous and Official Student Publication of Adamson University
AUGUST-DECEMBER 2020
VOLUME XIV NO. 1
HUMAN INTEREST>>DELIVERY AND COURIER...
SCIENCE AND TECH>>’WHITE’ SAND? WHAT...
ARTS AND LETTERS>>IT’S NOT A RACE
ENTERTAINMENT>>”KIDULTING” AND THE GRAY...
Adamson makes it to 2021 QS Asian University rankings
By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig
Cardinal Santos (CS) Building PHOTO BY ALECKINE TROY N. RADA
Adamson University landed on the 601+ bracket of the 2021 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asian rankings. The recognition was achieved by the University for the first time despite the limitations of conducting online classes.
On this year’s edition, 14 local universities (featuring seven newcomers) made it to the top 650—the nation’s best-ever performance and representation in the exercise. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
chairman Prospero De Vera said that the recognition given to the higher education institutions (HEIs) as among the best in Asia “is welcome news to show that our efforts to provide access to quality education are bearing fruit.” “Since 2016, many
Philippine HEIs have gained increased exposure and visibility by attending educational fairs and international conferences, mobilizing student,
How the top 3 student orgs thrive during the pandemic
Due to the limitations brought by the on-going health crisis, the Office for Student Affairs (OSA) released new general guidelines for the conduct of Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) for the Academic Year 2020-2021. On the new set of guidelines which were introduced last 11th Adamson Leaders Congress, student organizations are now only allowed to conduct two major academic or organizationalrelated activities for the first semester. Face-to-face meetings and large gatherings are also prohibited. Transactions with OSA such as activity approval request, budget request, clearance, and some parts of liquidation will be
done online. As the new normal challenges campus-based entities, how do the top three student organizations of Adamson University maintain their quality of service?
By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig & Mat Jefferson T. Richter
The annual Mid-Year Assessment A.Y. 2019-2020 conducted at the Co Po Ty Audio Visual Hall. PHOTO BY REANNE MAE A. BERNARDO /TheAdamsonChronicle
/ADUchronicle
ADAMSON MAKES IT/P2
AdU-ACES The Adamson University Association of Civil Engineering Students (AdU-ACES) formed a Student Response Committee that aims to assist not just the students’ academic-related concerns but also their overall wellbeing. But even after being
issuu.com/aduchronicle
HOW THE TOP 3/P3
AdU shifts to online learning, adopts new LMS By Antonio Gabriel D. Tongco Responding to demands for the resumption of classes amidst the persisting COVID-19 pandemic, Adamson University shifted to online learning, adopting Blackboard (BB) Learn as its
new Learning Management System (LMS). Handled by the newly founded Center for Innovative Learning (CIL), ADU SHIFTS TO/P2
LEARNING CONTINUES: Adamson University shifts to online learning while adopting the BlackBoard (BB) Learn as its new Learning Management System (LMS). PHOTO BY: JEREMAY G. ONAYAN
chronicle@adamson.edu.ph
Adamson Chronicle, 2nd floor, Francis Regis Clet Bldg.,Adamson University, San Marcelino St., Ermita,1000 Manila, Philippines
Page 2 • News
TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXIV No.1
Vincent Connects’ Online Sunday Mass with Rev. Fr. John Era, CM Livestream on Facebook. PHOTO BY REANNE MAE A. BERNARDO
Vincentians to bring the church online through Vincent Connects By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig As churches in areas under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) are only allowed to accommodate 10 percent of its capacity, the Vincentian Community launched the Vincent Connects Media Center which was inaugurated last September 27. The Commission on Initial Formation (CIF) came up with the idea of establishing a media center to spread the Word of God and
promote Vincentian charism since more people are turning to social media because of the pandemic. Aside from utilizing the online platform to evangelize, Vincent Connects will also be used to invite young men and women to enter the vocation. “That’s why it is very timely that we we would be able to air programs and even online masses to be able to tell them that even in this pandemic, God is with us
and continue guiding us and taking good care of us and looking to each one for us,” said Vincent Connects Project Director Rev. Fr. Nelson Bisco, CM. “This is a beautiful way because in this kind of ministry, this media communication, we can bring the church and the word of God all over the word,” he added. Fr. Bisco revealed that he was hesitant on starting
the project because of the pandemic but donations came in so easy and the Vincentian media center kicked off in a couple of months after it was planned in July. Adamson University President Rev. Fr. Marcelo Manimtim, CM is also among the Vincentian priests who presided the Holy Masses streamed on Vincent Connects Facebook page. Last October 18, Vincent Connects started its
The said methodology is consist of 11 indicators such as Academic reputation (30%), Employer reputation (20%) Faculty-student ratio (10%), International research network (10%), Citations per paper (10%), Papers per faculty (5%), Staff with a PhD (5%), International faculty (2.5%), International students (2.5%), Inbound exchange students (2.5%) , and Outbound exchange students (2.5%).
The University of the Philippines led all 14 local institutions on the list at 69th place followed by the De Manila University at 135th place, De La Salle University at 166th, and University of Santo Tomas at 186th. Also making it to the list are University of San Carlos (451-500), de Davao University (501-550), Mapua University (501550), Siliman University
(501-550), Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (551-660), Central Luzon State University (601+), Central Mindanao State University (601+), Central Philippine University (601+), and Xavier University (601+). On January 25, Adamson University will start the online classes for the second semester of Academic Year 2020-2021.
as the blog “The Philippine Online Student Tambayan” published an article calling it a failure after the BB website crashed on the first day of classes. Having read the article, CIL Director, William Bill P. Turnbull Jr., wrote in a Facebook post that no online distance learning program is faultless and that “There will always be technical glitches akin to birthing pains.” Struggles relating to online learning were inevitable, to which AdU responded promptly. The Get AdUcated
Student Computer Loan Program (GASCLP) was conducted in partnership with AREN Computers to make some laptop models more affordable through discounts. Synchronous classes were suspended while telecommunications companies PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications performed emergency maintenance activities from September 25 to 30 and during typhoon Quinta on October 26 to mitigate internet connection problems. In contrast to these,
the CIL received backlash as students reported issues with their gadgets after installing the Respondus Lockdown Browser, which they recommended as a form of online proctoring. Nevertheless, they stood their ground, saying that it was for the “good intention of maintaining the probity of the examinations” during the AFLP. Although the Publication reached out to the CIL about other online learning concerns, the office’s heavy workload rid them the chance to respond.
ADAMSON MAKES IT/P1 and faculty exchanges, and building strategic partnerships and linkages which have contributed to the fulfillment of this wonderful achievement,” de Vera explained. The QS Asia University Rankings,released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global higher education think-tank, highlights the top academic institutions in the region annually since 2009.
ADU SHIFTS TO/P1 the University absorbed BB Learn as part of its Adamson Flexible Learning Program (AFLP) for students to learn at their own “pace, place, and mode.” Synchronous and asynchronous classes were conducted simultaneously. According to the AFLP’s guidelines, “faculty members were trained, syllabi were redesigned, and course contents were modularized” as not to compromise quality education in the digital environment. The University drew flak from the online community
Sunday evening talk show entitled “Vinspirasyon Sa Ating Panahon” which is about Vincentians giving inspiration. On its pilot episode, Rev. Fr. Nelson Bisco, CM and Rev. Fr. Joel Rescober, CM tackled depression. “Hopefully, by airing these programs in Vincent Connects Media Center we will be able to inspire more and more people. Inspire them in such a way that
their life will be a life of service, especially in giving themselves to the poor,” said Fr. Bisco. According to Fr. Bisco, the Vincent Connects Media Center will be sustained even after the pandemic. Aside from reaching the people through the media center, the Vincentian Community is continuously connecting to the poor through feeding street dwellers alongside Taft Avenue.
TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXIV No.1
Page 3 • News
Guidance Office employs ‘Telecounseling’ for distance learning By Paul Adrian D. Hular
Office of the Director in Guidance ,Counseling, Testing and Placement Services in Saint Therese Building, 2nd Floor of the Adamson University. PHOTO BY ALECKINE TROY N. RADA
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/AdU.GuidanceServices
To make their presence felt despite not having the faceto-face setup, the Adamson Guidance Office launched a “telecounseling” program in which they will still be able to address the needs of the community especially in these trying times. As early as April, the Guidance Office have already planned on launching programs to address the students’ concerns however, the administration focused on attending academic concerns. The office decided to use social media as an extension of their services replying to inquiries and posting quotes and articles related to mental health. The office introduced the Telecounseling Referral Process in which concerned parties will receive a notice via email that contains the consent and agreement form. Once verified, an appointment confirmation will be sent to the client. The counselor then meets the student on the
agreed time and platform. According to Mr. Richmond Yap, guidance director, “In June, we conducted a series of webinars regarding mental health.” Webinars conducted were: 1.Coping with Online Learning: Preparation for the “New Normal” in Education for all levels 2. Adjustment to College Life and Effective Study Habits for Freshmen 3.Career Development Webinar for Graduating Students 4. Guidance Orientations in all levels with emphasis on new delivery mode of the office’s services 5. On-going webinar to faculty members on mental health issues addressing student’s concerns. Aside from the webinars and telecounseling, the office also conducted an initial interview to all new students, the procedure is both posted on the Learning Management
System and the university’s website. For the rest of the academic year, there will be a scheduled webinar for all year/ grade levels to help students especially in adjusting to the new setup while the pandemic is in full-swing. As a way to help the community, “the management decided to waive the fees for college and graduate school in consideration to economic crisis but for BED and SHS, there is still a minimal fee as counselors will attend to students’ concerns and parentteacher conferences to address their needs which will also be conducted online,” Mr. Yap said. Adamson Guidance Facebook page was also created to be a step closer with the students and reach them through their screens. On their page, the “send mail” button will enable the students to easily reach their office. Other updates are posted on their page and the AdU-Live.
HOW THE TOP 3/P1
AdU-ACES receive the best RSO award during the A.Y. 2019-2020 Mid-Year Assessment. PHOTO BY REANNE MAE A. BERNARDO
AdUChESS receive the 2nd place for the best RSO award during the A.Y. 2019-2020 Mid-Year Assessment. PHOTO BY REANNE MAE A. BERNARDO
hailed as the best RSO during the A.Y. 2019-2020 Mid-Year Assessment, AdUACES never single-mindedly pursued on maintaining the recognition. “For us kasi, once that you’ve given your members such, yung service they deserve, susunod na ‘yun. Susunod na yung number one kayo, rank one kayo, nasa podium kayo, etc,” said AdU-ACES President Marco Angeles. Angeles shared that many civil engineering students are not fully aware how broad their field is that’s why AdU-ACES’ priority is to assist students from admission to employment
official newsletter, have already started writing articles. Publishing a newsletter is also one of OSA’s requirements for student organizations. In celebration of the Engineering Week 2020, AdU-ChESS together with other engineering organizations, held various events such as Engineering Got Talent, Engineering
and to satisfy the needs of its members even with the detriment of COVID-19. “It was nice kapag top 10 ka, pero ang sense of achievement namin is natuwa ba or nakaramdam ba ng service yung members?” he added. Last October, AdUACES collaborated with the University of the PhilippinesACES as the latter spearheaded the National Civil Engineering Webinar Series (NCEWS), a five-day free webinar series wherein licensed civil engineers shared their knowledge on various issues that deal with the role of civil engineering in society.
AdUChESS The Adamson University Chemical Engineering Students Society (AdUChESS) created Unit Councils, a faction system that aims to motivate the students to engage in the upcoming events despite the pandemic. The Editorial Board of Kinetics, AdUChESS’
Quizzards, Poster Making Contest, Essay Writing and Spoken Poetry Contest, and Mobile Legends tournament. JPIA-AdU The Adamson Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA-AdU), on the other hand, held its first-ever virtual event last October 17 entitled “VOYAGE: Conquering the Extraordinary Journey in Becoming a CPA”. “Being able to keep our members engaged would be a big help for us to inspire them to keep going, and to influence them to keep persevering towards our goals. And that inspiration
and influence that we would be able to give our members are the legacy that no material thing could change,” said JPIA-AdU President Joechelle Paet. JPIA-AdU initiated tryouts and registrations for Insignia, the organization’s official quiz bee team. Insignia competed at the UNIFY 1st District Cup, a regional quiz bee held last October 24 to November 22. Currently, there are 39 Recognized Student Organizations in the University. 27 of them are program-based organizations while there are four Co-Academic and eight Socio-Civic organizations.
Page 4 • News & Editorial
TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXIV No.1
PHOTO BY ALECKINE TROY N. RADA
AdU-GAME pioneers Adamson’s first Esports players By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig Newly established coacademic student organization Adamson University Guild of Animation Makers and Esports (AdU- GAME) has been created a space for gaming and animationenthusiasts Adamsonians. AdU-GAME is divided into three leagues. First is the Animation League which is composed of students who are into graphic designing and animation. Esports League, on the other hand, is for gaming enthusiasts while the Shoutcasters’ League is for those who aspire to host events and be shoutcasters. October 28, AdU-GAME announced its partnership with AcadArena, a national campus esports program in the country that focuses on
competition, education, and experience. AcadArena has its Alliance Program which is a student organization support system and a nationwide network of schools that gives students scholarships and guidance to build their campus Esports program. “The Adamson University Guild of Animation Makers and Esports envisions itself to be a leading organization of all computer animation enthusiasts and e-sports players in the University,” said AdU-GAME President Joshua Cedric Moreno. Jan Roel “INF0” Pulayan became the first Adamsonian finalist in the AcadArena Aces when he bagged 7th place in the Teamfight Tactics
tournament. . The Call of Duty: Mobile team composed of Ephraim “777pope” Matabalan, John “Captain Kayn” Pedrosa, Mark “Blssd” Urbano, Angelo “Fausty” Cuanton, and Mac “6lack” Diasanta quickly made their presence felt in the collegiate Esports scene after an eight-place finish in the CoD: Mobile Aces tournament held last November 21. In the same tournament, AdU-GAME’s Valorant squad ranked top 16 out of 46 participating universities. The team was composed of Jason “nicoJ” Nicolas, Ruperto “Quintus” Kapunan, John “Deci” Delos Reyes, Greco “zaynszn” Medina, and Steven “Pugsz” Guiao. On the other hand, the
League of Legends team also ended up top 16 out of 44 schools. “While our mission is committed to empower the students in the field of computer animation, promote responsible esports gaming, and develop a network for the university partners and students,” he added. Aside from the membership fee, AdUGAME set requirements that students must fulfill before joining the organization. Adamsonians must have at least a general weighted average of 2.50 and a regular academic load. Irregular students who intend to be part of AdUGAME must have the same academic load as those who are regular students.
Aspiring members of the organization must also have no disciplinary case in the Office of Student Affairs to ensure that they have good moral standing. “Syempre baka mag worry sila (School Administration) na baka puro laro lang (makuha) ng mga students kaya
Check in on your students, they might need your help
maybe they were prioritizing more important things such as working to pay for monthly internet bills or keeping their mental health on a more manageable state, having difficulty in balancing their studies. They may lack some skill, in which you particularly expected them to stand out, but that does not invalidate their intellect holistically as a student. Ever since online schooling took place because of the pandemic,
things became much harder to accomplish; aside from it being an ineffective platform to education, there are discrepancies in communication between the students and professors. Challenges are indubitably being faced by every individual within institutions, however, that does not equate that we are on the same wavelength of difficulties which you think would give you the authority to underestimate
students whom you think are performing below average during this time let alone call out their ‘incompetence’ by humiliating them on public social media sites. Being unable to qualify on a certain requirement should not be a reason to attack students. Proper communication to address such matter must be the way. There are factors that should be considered if there seems to be a problem with how a student handles his
academic responsibilities. I’m not saying professors should tolerate it, but I think we should normalize, especially during a global health crisis, professors who are approachable and open for discourse whenever such matter arises. Not every student is comfortable within their homes, just as some professors are having a hard time teaching students virtually as well. Nonetheless, this isn’t our
Some of your low-key students might have the potential to excel in class, but under some circumstances,
nagbigay na kami nung rules, nung guidelines para sa membership namin,” Moreno explained. As of writing, AdUGAME has already 82 official members and the organization looks on acquiring more members to expand its community.
Image source:https://www.facebook.com/AdUGAMEOfficial
fault that we are currently struggling through virtual schooling and financial crises during this quarantine. The national government’s incompetent response since the country’s first outbreak is to blame and we are just victims of their tyrannical actions. In these trying times, we need considerate professors and cooperative students in order to figure out how things should work between their relationship.
TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXIV No.1
Page 5 • Editorial
VolumeXIV No.1 August-December 2020
TheAdamsonChronicle The Autonomous and Official Student Publication of Adamson University
The Adamson Chronicle is the official Student Publication of the Adamson University. It is an autonomous student organization and classified as a tertiary level student publication that aims to serve the University community, especially the students through the dissemination of relevant, reliable, and impartial information, and the advancement of civil liberties, social consciousness, nationalism, humanities, and Vincentian values through responsible campus journalism.
Mental Health is Top Priority When the whole world went into lockdown due to COVID-19, people were forced to involuntarily go into isolation and have no social interaction for a person who is used to mingling and having physical connection with other people, this has become a dreadful thing for one’s mental health. This isolation meant that therAccording to Americal Psychology Association, this isolation could trigger different physical and mental health problems which includes difficulty in being focused, depressive symptoms, lack
and difficulty in sleeping, cardiovascular risks and many others. On top of this already dreadful effects of isolation, comes online classes. Faceto-face classes when things were normal and COVIDfree was definitely stressful and difficult. But, during those times, students had ways to forget about these stressors for a while and breathe. Going to parties, chilling with friends, going to a café or a mall, and many other outdoor activities that help in sustaining the balance between school and students’ personal lives. But now that everything
is online and at home, it becomes hard for students to separate the stress of school works from relaxing and taking a break at home when needed. And on top of that, each individual’s at home life is different. Some may live in a happy household but there are so many other cases of having an abusive and unhealthy household. This is when mental health risks comes to play. With no one to run to, other people to mingle with, these mental health risks of students go deep and even result to some unfortunate decisions.
Schools have to understand and acknowledge that these things are happening and should make sure that students’ as well as the faculties’ mental health are also top priority and not just the academic calendar they are following through. When students and faculties’ mental health are set as priority by the school, the students and teachers becomes more efficient and this can highly boost their morale, making sure that they are more equipped to learn and not just submit requirements while barely learning anything.
Nina Pia M. Boco, BA Comm Editor-in-Chief
Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig, BA Comm
Associate Editor & Sports or News Editor
Lloyd Raphael R. Navarro, BSBA-MM
Managing Editor & Senior Staff Layout Artist
Verity Anne N. Banogbanog, BA Pol Sci Human Interest & Literary Editor
Keith Joseph T. Dizon, BS ECE
Science and Technology & Entertainment Editor
Antonio Gabriel D. Tongco, BA Comm Online Manager & Junior Staff Writer
Janelle Ava S. Alcala, BA Pol Sci Chief Illustrator
Aleckine Troy N. Rada, BSME Chief Photojournalist
Diana Ann G. Tuazon, BSCE Chief Layout Artist
Jeleen Jade R. Milca, BA Pol Sci. Senior Staff Writer
Jake Danielle M. Demafelix, BSCE Ser Christian Albert I. Capoquian, BA Comm Senior Staff Photojournalists
A Little more human Criticism is vital to any society and the institutions within it, and calling out inefficiencies is one of our most significant displays of concern as members. In doing so, we become vocal about our yearning for constant improvement – which is almost always a good thing. The newly installed system for online classes in the university has been the hottest topic throughout the semester,
receiving primarily negative comments. These are necessary for Adamson to realize inevitable mistakes in implementation, but even then, as students, we have to draw the line between healthy criticism and blatant entitlement. I’m not going to exclude myself from the narrative: both my private social media accounts and group chats are brimming with rants and complaints. I just feel that many of us fail to grasp the true magnitude of the situation and end up barking at all the wrong trees. All of it is real. Blackboard Learn, as the new Learning Management System, could be better, and there are lots of issues we need to address. There have been professors who aren’t
too forgiving with deadlines and workload, and often, the activities don’t feel too fitting with online classes. Instead of pushing online proctoring, why didn’t we establish output-based assessments that negate cheating? Not everyone has devices that can handle such, after all, and some students and professors aren’t techy enough to fix issues on their own, come the time. We try too hard to make the usual processes fit, failing to consider that that is the wrong way to adjust. However, these are not free passes to being entitled and disrespectful towards our educators. It’s straightforward: (1) students were not prepared, (2) professors were not prepared, and (3)
most universities were not prepared because, in the first place, our regulatory systems of education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Department of Education, were also not. Our professors are merely following orders. Many of them face similar struggles and might even be forced to teach to earn a living. It is both immoral and inhumane to blame just them. Thus, if our critiques of online classes are centered on students alone, we end up being selfish, and fail to see other people’s suffering. We fail to understand that everyone else is capable of struggling and being tired. We’re all victims during these times. It won’t hurt to be a little more human.
John Renz P. Tubale, BA Comm Senior Staff Illustrators
Paul Adrian D. Hular, BA Pol Sci Christian Joshua D. Corcuera, BSA Junior Staff Writers
Trisha Mae. P Barredo, BA Pol Sci Ricardo Martin H. Tecala, BSCE Junior Staff Layout Artists
Reanne Mae A. Bernardo, BSCS Junior Staff Photojournalist
Ysea Francis B. Asprer, BSCA Maximillan S. Wandag, BS Arch Junior Staff Illustrators
Glenn Ace P. Parungao Technical Adviser
Page 6 • Sports Feature
Inklings of opportunity Entering college can be overwhelming for a lot of people. As for me, a 16-yearold in 2014, and a couple of years before the K-12 program, it definitely was. Everyone usually comes with an optimistic mindset in their freshman year. Hopes of consistently good grades
and an ideal social stature drove me to work harder than I usually did. I devoted myself to my studies nightin and night-out, all while imaginations of a perfect career played through my mind. Unfortunately, it didn’t work the way I thought it would. Right off the bat, I failed Trigonometry class in my first semester in college. In such a short time, my ego deflated and pulled my standards down dramatically. I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one to experience
TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXIV No.1 this fairly common, yet disheartening turn of events. Highschool truly felt like a breeze compared to this, and to watch my parents’ builtup expectations crumble so soon was indeed hard to bear. But looking at it in hindsight, I believe that dealing with failure so early actually did more good than harm. But it’s not like some Cinderella story where I learn from my failures and use what I experienced to get to the top. I mean, I took a five-year engineering degree in 2014 and I’m still writing
this in 2021. And definitely, not experiencing failure is ideally still the best way to go through your education. Through seven school years and five mid-year terms, the continuous experiences of failure removed my fear of it, and instead, took what happened to heart and lived through it. I just slowed myself down and took my time studying for my degree. I nurtured my hobbies and interests, joined student organizations, and tried a lot of other things I wouldn’t even consider
doing if I was still beelining into getting my degree. The experience I had in setting up events from the ground up, getting good enough on writing to get work, and getting to know and learn from several great people along the way is something that I think is even more valuable than a few electrical theories. And at the end of the day, most of it might not be related to my future career, but for a timid person like me, there’s something about having experience and
investing in yourself that gives you an extra boost of confidence in whatever you do. Some might not have the luxury I had to take a couple more years in college. Some might also be in a situation where it is absolutely necessary to graduate as soon as possible. But, if you ever find yourself in the brink of failure, just take a breather and assess your situation. Make sure that if it ever happens, you take whatever you can get from it, no matter how small it may be.
Ahanmisi forgoes final UAAP year, to enter 2021 PBA Draft By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig Adamson Men’s Basketball star Jerrick Ahanmisi decided to skip his final year of UAAP eligibility and declared his intention to join the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft. The Fil-Nigerian cager was supposed to step up as the Soaring Falcons’ team captain next year until the UAAP announced that it has canceled Season 83 for “health and safety” concerns amid the uncertainty brought by the pandemic. It was during a team practice before the pandemic struck when Soaring Falcons head coach Franz Pumaren revealed that Ahanmisi will take over the role left by Simon Camacho who has graduated already. As of writing, there are still no concrete details regarding the eligibility of athletes even though the UAAP already expressed its intention on opening Season 84 in September if the current situation improves. Ahanmisi ended his collegiate career averaging 14.19 points, 3.22 rebounds, and 1.69 assists in 58 games donning the blue and white. Ahanmisi’s UAAP journey After being snubbed by several schools, Ahanmisi found his home in the Falcon’s Nest which was then on the rebuilding process under multi-titled mentor Franz Pumaren. On his UAAP debut back in 2016, Ahanmisi quickly repaid Pumaren’s faith in him and erupted for a record-setting 28 points in 6-of-7 clip from beyond the arc. From there, the 6-foot1 sharpshooter established himself as one of the most lethal shooters in collegiate basketball. With Ahanmisi and current Northport Batang Pier forward Sean Manganti, the Soaring Falcons made it to the Final Four for three consecutive years including an almost Finals trip in Season 81. In the same season, Ahanmisi played his best where he posted the norms of 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and
1.6 assists on a 39 percent from three-point range. He was also named to the Mythical Team alongside other UAAP stars Juan Gomez De Liaño, Justin Baltazar, Alvin Pasaol, and Bright Akhuetie. However, Ahanmisi’s performance dropped to 13.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists last Season 82 as the youth-laden Adamson squad was eliminated with a 4-10 record. Rookie Draft: What to expect from Ahanmisi? Nonetheless, Pumaren has been vocal with what Ahanmisi has to improve on his arsenal. In a podcast, the decorated mentor mentioned that the sweet-shooting guard needs to add more swag and confidence to his game. “He needs to be a bit cocky, and when I say cocky, hindi naman mayabang, eh, but talagang confident ka. Down the stretch, he should at least ask for the ball,” said the five-time UAAP champion coach. Ahamisi’s efficiency from the three-point arc has been a huge aspect of the Soaring Falcons’ offense. However, from a lethal 39 percent clip, it dropped to 29 percent last year as the Soaring Falcons missed the Final Four for the first time in four years. “I would 100 percent agree with him(Pumaren) because during past years I’ve been kinda passive in situations where I know I need to get the ball and handle the ball,” the 22-yearold said. Upon joining the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft which
Adamson Falcon Jerrick Ahanmisi dodges against FEU Tamaraws as he tries to make it up to the score board. PHOTO BY SER CHRISTIAN ALBERT I. CAPOQUIAN
will be held on March 14, Ahanmisi adds himself to the pool of talented hopefuls alongside Joshua Munzon, Jamie Malonzo, Troy Rike, Santi Santillan, Franky Johnson, and Larry Muyang, Soaring Falcons in Season 84 Without Ahanmisi, someone has to step up as the San Marcelino-based squad aims to return in the UAAP Final Four. And for Pumaren it would be Jerom Lastimosa. Even though Lastimosa took a step back last Season
when Adamson added oneand-done guard Val Chauca, the veteran mentor expects the Dumaguete-native to be one of the top point guards in the league. “I think everybody will be surprised come next year. I assure you… he (Lastimosa) will surprise a lot,” said Pumaren. “People will start talking about Lastimosa come next year,” Pumaren said on the “Coaches Unfiltered” podcast. Lastimosa will be leading a pack of young guns in Joem Sabandal, Joshua Yerro, and blue chip rookies Joaquin Jaymalin and Roger Delos Reyes. There will also be 6-foot-11 Congolese bigman Lenda Douanga manning the shaded lane alongside Aaron Fermin who is yet to assert dominance in the league after a lackluster rookie year. As a new basketball era unfolds in San Marcelino, the Soaring Falcons are looking to soar anew and win Adamson’s first UAAP title since 1977.
PHOTO BY ALECKINE TROY N. RADA
TheAdamsonChronicle •VolumeXIV No.1
Page 7 • Sport Feature
Adamson Soaring Falcons’ New Talons By Keith Joseph T. Dizon
Pumaren’s Plot: Adamson University Men’s Basketball mentor Franz Pumaren engineers a play during their match against the UP Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 82. PHOTO BY ALECKINE TROY N. RADA
Coming off an underwhelming 4-10 finish for the 82nd UAAP season, the Adamson Soaring Falcons basketball team will have to rework their roster to championship contention for the coming season. With the team now dealing with the graduation of ex-captain Simon Camacho and with one-and-done star Valandre Chauca entering the PBA, what will be the course of action to improve as well as deal with the loss of these key contributors?
Though missing on notable players from the controversial UST Growling Tiger’s fallout, the Soaring Falcons succeeded in recruiting a few other rookies, both in the local scene and overseas. Adamson managed to get 6’2 guard Jhon Calisay and 6’5 combo guard RV Yanes from the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP). The two guards landed in the blue and white due to TIP cutting athletics fees
and ending a promising athletics program due to the difficulties caused by the pandemic. The Blue Eaglets team captain Joaquin Jaymalin also committed to Adamson and will be available to contribute to the San Marcelino-based squad during the 83rd season of the UAAP. Averaging 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in the UAAP juniors division, Jaymalin is a reliable threat from the outside, hitting 23
of his 106 attempts from deep. Pumaren believed that the 6’1 guard didn’t make recruitment headlines due to being overshadowed by his other noteworthy teammates. Coach Franz then personally flew to Milan to invite Filipino-Italian guard Roger Syvels Delos Reyes. The 21-year-old is a 5’11 shooter that boasts a quick release and is fearless in finishing inside the paint. Aside from his skillset,
Delos Reyes is also an experienced rookie, having spent nine years playing club basketball in Italy. “As he (Pumaren) said, I have the physicality and game of a typical European player,” says Delos Reyes. “But I would like to mix what I know with what I will learn by playing a different style of basketball in the Philippines,” he added. Enrolled in BSBA Marketing Management, Delos Reyes can have up to four eligible playing years for Adamson, starting as early as UAAP Season 83. The Soaring Falcons lastly gained the commitment of 21-year-old Filipino-American guard Adrian Puzalan. Punzalan, who underwent weekly training programs with NBAlevel skills trainers Ryan Hartman and Zac Boster in Chicago, is a skilled shooter and an effective defender. Standing at 6’1 and with an incredible 77-inch
wingspan, he averaged 10.8 points and 3.0 rebounds for Division III Harper College in Palatine, Illinois. Pumaren exclaimed that the recruitment process did not dive into incentives, stating that “He (Punzalan) just wants to improve his game.” Punzalan will undergo a one-year residency and will be available to suit-up for the Falcons in UAAP season 84. In this COVID-19 confined offseason; all contending teams are adjusting to improving and building chemistry through online training regimens, heightening the unpredictability of the following season. With five-time UAAP champion mentor Franz Pumaren at the helm, these young guns are surely to make their stay productive in San Marcelino.
Outside the Diamond: Softbelles adapt to ‘new normal’ By Paul Adrian D. Hular
The pandemic may have seized our world but as the cliche goes, life goes on and this has become the battle cry for the 10-peat seeking softbelles of San Marcelino in the face of an unseen foe. Training, preparations and experiences were the characteristics of their plan to create a decade of dynasty in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Sotfball but reality kicks in so they have to wait in the sidelines and no one knows until when. While everyone had taken this lockdown as an opportunity to rest, it is a different story for the wards of Coach Ana Santiago. Instead of slacking off, they used this to their advantage as an opportunity to regroup, look after each other, and be productive despite of the restrictions. Heart of a champion, champs with a heart Inside the court, they are tough, battle-ready, and laser-focus to win game after game after game and it is no brainer that they are the champions they are right now because of the time they pour out to perfect and improve their craft. But this time around, they found another way of serving
the community aside from bringing glory, and that is to heed the call for solidarity. At the early weeks of the lockdown period, the softball samaritans helped in packing relief goods being distributed by the university. Instead of pocketing bases, they are busy putting necessities in a plastic bag to help relieve the impacts of the pandemic to the less fortunate. The team used their free time for self-training to maintain their shape and athleticism and bond more with their teammates. Aside from that, the sotfbelles tried different sports and even played with some of the priests to combat boredom. Staying Connected As of now, they are all in their respective hometowns after getting a go-signal last May. Almost three months of stay in their dorm did not go down the drain as they were able to look out for one another and devote their time to train and stay in their fighting form. Just like the others trying to stay connected through their screens, the softball team is using this as well to keep on track with each other. “We have online trainings everyday at nagkakakumustahan kami madalas at may team meeting
kami three times a month,” team captain Jeanette Rusia said. The coaching staff is still in control and continuously monitoring the girls to keep them physically and mentally stable and be ready to be in the diamond again once the UAAP is ready to sail. Future for the Falcons More than the physical preparations and tiring training that the Lady Falcons underwent to replicate the championship and once again dominate the UAAP, the pandemic did a huge blow to the morale and mentality of the team. “Nanghihinayang kami kasi nasayang yung taon na nag-prepare kami tapos hindi matutuloy dahil nga sa pandemic,” captain Angelu Gabriel said.
PHOTO BY JOHN ALVIN TAN
Though filled with disappointments on how the event unfolded, they kept their minds afloat and tried looking at it as an extra time for training and preparation so when everything goes back to normal, they will be better than they were ever before. This goes to show that the championship attitude of the 9-time defending champions from San Marcelino is not just skindeep but rather a product of their hardwork and trust within the system and with one another. The pandemic posed a challenge to them but they were able to live on with the hope that things will soon get better and play the sport that bound them and play with the people who helped them be where they are right now.
The Adamson Lady Falcons celebrate their 9-peat Champion after defeating the UST Growling Softbelles in their Game 2 of the UAAP Season 81 Softball Championship.
Adamson Lady Falcon’s pride, Arianne Vallestero, raked Season MVP and five other awards in the UAAP Season 81 Softball Championship.
Adamson University Softball Team, the 9-peat champion of the UAAP Season 81. PHOTOS BY JAKE DANIELLE M. DEMAFELIX
Adamson Pep Squad hypes the vincentian crowd as they participate in the grand opening of UAAP Season 82 last year. PHOTO BY SER CHRISTIAN ALBERT I. CAPOQUIAN
UAAP cancels Season 83, looks to open Season 84 in September By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig Uncertainties continue to hound the local collegiate sports scene as all eight presidents of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) decided to cancel the Season 83 tournament. The development came after reports surfaced that the UAAP was still considering to stage the next season by April assuming that the vaccines for COVID-19 would become available then but with only men’s basketball and women’s volleyball to be played. “After a series of discussions, the UAAP board of trustees came to this difficult decision, putting major consideration on the health and safety of the student-athletes and those involved in the operations of our competitions,” the UAAP’s statement read. Two options that came into consideration after the UAAP announced last year that they are leaning towards a full calendar for Season 83 are “Southeast Asian Games-style” format where all events are played simultaneously and a “UAAP bubble” which was adopted from the National Basketball Association (NBA). Last September, the COVID-19 Inter-agency
Task Force formed a Technical Working Group to craft a comprehensive guideline before officially allowing collegiate varsity teams to train. Officials from Commision oh Higher Education (CHED), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and Games and Amusements Board (GAB) are also part of the technical working group but up until now, it has yet to be approved. “The decision will allow UAAP member-schools to plan their activities for the remainder of the academic year, as well as their athletic programs for next season,” the league further stated. De La Salle University, which was supposed to be the host for the cancelled UAAP Season 83, will remain the host for Season 84. Moving on from a canceled season, the league is looking at a September opening “if all goes well,” according to league executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag. “If we don’t have a discussion, we’ll stay with the default, which is the usual opening, around September 2021, if all goes well.” Saguisag said at a virtual press conference last December. Saguisag added that the cancelled Season 83 will
still be recorded. “Season 83 will still be Season 83. We cannot skip a season. COVID has changed the way we lived our lives, we take the good with the bad.” UAAP Season 84 was supposed to be hosted by Adamson University if the pandemic did not halt sporting events and affect the league’s calendar. Meanwhile, eligibility issues arose following the cancellation of Season 83. Several athletes have already decided to forego their final playing year and enter the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft including Soaring Falcons’ guard Jerrick Ahanmisi. However, during the online UAAP-Cignal partnership contract signing, Saguisag clarified that eligibility concerns are not yet the primary focus of the league as it tries to keep athletes safe for the time being. “At this point, just like last year, we took it one step at a time. As I speak, all eligibility matters for Season 83 will be tackled at the proper time,” he said “Right now, we will definitely sit down and discuss each and every nuance. The Board of Managing Directors have a history of being responsive and dynamic, and now we
also have another layer of wisdom, which is the Board of Trustees. I’m confident that we will come up with the right adjustments to discuss the concerns of everyone,” he continued. On the other hand, Cignal TV, UAAP’s new broadcast partner, expressed its willingness to help the country’s premier collegiate league to establish a confined environment for the varsity teams of the eight member schools. Cignal TV was one of the stakeholders which made the recently concluded PBA bubble in Clark possible. It is also expected to be at the helm for the FIBAbubble in Pampanga for the third window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in February. Prior to the cancellation of Season 83, the UAAP signed a five-and-a-half year deal broadcast partnership with Cignal Sports/TV5. As of now, any information regarding the resumption of the league is subject to change, including its opening date. But if things go well for the next months, the UAAP still has to seek the approval of the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Health, and the InterAgency Task Force before it can move.
Human Interest
Before Saying ‘not all men are trash >> Page 2
Delivery and Courier Service Drivers: The unsung heroes of today By Justine Denise S. Cruz
I
t’s eight in the morning and you’re making yourself a cup of coffee. Suddenly, your phone buzzed and a message from an unknown number popped, saying “Ma’am food delivery po! Saan po kayo banda dito?” You hastily wore your face mask and ran to the gate. There he was. “Kuya, dito po!” you shouted. Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, going out to buy our necessities has become hard to do as only limited people are allowed to leave their houses. Grocery stores and shopping malls couldn’t
be crowded, too. But fret not! Online shopping is the way to go. In a single tap, whatever you need gets to be delivered right in front of your doorstep, thanks to our courageous courier and delivery service drivers. We are grateful to those white coat-wearing professionals for protecting and saving us amid the pandemic, but let’s also give recognition to those who have kept their cool while beating the never-ending traffic, rain or shine. It’s about time we appreciate them and their service, something that some of us might have previously taken
for granted. While we wait inside the comfort of our homes, they are waiting in long queues to fetch our orders. And just like everybody else, delivery men are people, too. Everybody’s afraid to go out because of the pandemic but what choice do they have? May it be under the scorching heat of the sun or the freezing cold during a storm, they would endure anything to earn since they have families to support. And once we get our orders, we are greeted by a jolly smile painted on their faces, even though it is just a mask for their weariness.
Lately, numerous reports of fake booking, noshow customers, and the like surfaced in social media. For these wayward individuals, these acts are just practical jokes, something that can be laughed about at the end of the day. But for drivers, it’s a waste of money, time, and effort. Money that could’ve been used to put food on the table had dissipated in just a blink of an eye because of ruthless customers. This leaves drivers without a choice but to move on to the next transaction. During these trying times, anyone would do anything just for their family
to get by. Delivery and courier service drivers could say the same. Unlike other occupations, they cannot opt for a work-from-home setup. Most especially now, their already tiring job has become more complicated as they are at risk of contracting COVID-19 due to the nature of their profession. They ignore every risk there is for the love of their family and dedication to their work. People get what they need and businesses continue to thrive because of them. Right now, they are one of the most important people in the community. The least we can do for them
once they knock on our doors is to give them a big smile and should never forget to say thank you. While tips are greatly appreciated, giving them a rating of five stars on the app is helpful as well. It doesn’t require an arm and a leg to be this generous, though. Beating the traffic, enduring the weather, having endless patience while braving the pandemic – only a few people could flawlessly do this job while still putting on a smile. One hand on the clutch and one foot on the grave; on two wheels, make them heroes, too.
TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIII No.3
Page 2 • Human Interest
Before saying ‘not all men’ are trash By Antonio Gabriel D. Tongco TRIGGER WARNING for rape, violence, murder, harassment, and similar themes.
“M
en are trash” has been the most controversial three-word phrase on social media for years now – and although its supporters have exhausted themselves trying to explain, many people just aren’t buying it. There is, indeed, a lot to unpack about gender equality, the patriarchy, and other issues it encompasses, but it doesn’t take a genius to understand its implications. #menaretrash was a trending hashtag that began in South Africa: a country having one of the world’s
highest rates of rape, femicide, and other forms of sexual abuse and violence. As Eric Conway-Smith wrote in an article about Anene Booysen, a 17-yearold who was killed after a brutal gang rape, “In South Africa, rape is so common it barely makes the news.” The South African Police Service recorded a staggering rape rate of 71.3% in 2016, and, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, their president himself called these incidents the “Second Pandemic” of the nation. The people responded that they needed actions, not words from their leaders, as the war against genderbased violence rages. The World Health Organization’s latest estimate for South Africa’s femicide rates remains five times that of the global average. Meanwhile, the United Nations’ global
statistics estimate that one in every three women has been “beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.” The #menaretrash narrative, while of South African origin, happens everywhere: hence the hashtag’s aggressive entry into the worldwide mediascape, going handin-hand with the #MeToo movement. Weighing diction against priority “Not all men” make up the thesis statement of the criticism it received: that there shouldn’t be a generalization when combating societal ills, as it can make room for unhealthy antagonization. Others also say that such a “hateful” term will only be divisive as it would make men angry, causing them to further ignore its pleas. These arguments concerning diction are
valid. After all, a movement can only be as good as it can be appealing. Such a call could intimidate casual listeners, having them think that it’s more misandrous (man-hating) than feminist (for gender equality). But then again, it’s not rocket science. Before we, as men, proceed with screaming, “Not all men,” here’s a self-check list of questions we can ask ourselves. If our knee-jerk response to millions of women calling for better treatment is to exclude ourselves from the narrative instead of listening to it, what does that say about us? Is it not trashy of us to choose to pay attention to wording more than the actual issues it implies? The violence against women has been going on for years – have we paid enough attention to try and mitigate it? We are uncomfortable because we should be; we are getting angered because we should be. Not all men, of course! But if the principal yells, “No running!” to a student zooming through the hallway, do we need to say,
“Not all of us are running”? Using the same logic, “I haven’t raped anyone,” is not the morally proper response to a woman who shares her story while seething with anger. Instead, we should actively try to change the world that allowed it to happen, and we are part of that. “Men are trash” does sound like a generalization, but we should not forget that generalizations are born from the majority – it is not a statement set in stone. What can we do? We were raised, by default, to allow this inequality towards women. Hence, the first step is to unlearn our harmful tendencies and beliefs. We cannot solve problems we don’t understand. Unfortunately, this article won’t cut it because becoming an ally is a long journey of selfrealization, one that I hope all of us are willing to take. Because in reality, the problem does not lie in a single phrase or gender on its own. “Men are trash” is in the idea that rape occurs because of clothing, or in the assumption that women should be subservient. It also lies in the dangerous culture that men are not allowed to be emotional and should always seem macho—the violent ideas of masculinity are damaging to everyone. So before saying “not all men,” we could try to be more sympathetic than defensive.
Human Interest • Page 3
TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIII No.3
Protests amid pandemic: The importance of dissent even in times of crisis By Christian Joshua Corcuera
opportunities, healthcare access, incarceration, and home ownership. Hence, it does not come as a surprise that the recent protests in America attracted millions to go out even amid the pandemic. According to a data science firm, Civis Analytics, about 15 million to 26 million Americans went to the streets to demand reforms against abuse and brutality this year.
T
his year is widely considered to be one for the history books given the fact that numerous events and issues occurred this 2020. When we think of what happened this year, the coronavirus pandemic would obviously come to mind first, but there is something else occurring and attracting millions of people in various countries around the world: mass protests. People from all walks of life flocked to the streets to make themselves heard regarding the pressing issues that affect them. The fact that such protests attract millions
of people to the streets — in the middle of a public health crisis — is thought-provoking. What drives people to protest and potentially risk themselves? Why do they protest in the first place? And are there any social changes as a result of protests? The pandemic is not the only problem Clearly, the coronavirus pandemic is the problem shared by all countries at present as more than two million already succumbed to the highly contagious illness. However, it is necessary to remember that
it is not the only issue faced by society. Even before the pandemic, there are already numerous social issues only to gain less attention due to the public health crisis. In America, where millions participated in protests following the death of George Floyd, systemic racism and police brutality have long been serious concerns. Generally, people of color have suffered from discrimination and violence simply because of the color of their skin. According to Business Insider, racial disparities can also be observed in educational
At all times, injustice must be held into account Some people think that those who commit any form of injustice can get away from their crimes because society’s attention is diverted to the public health crisis. Whether or not a pandemic exists, however, many protesters believe that fighting social ills is always important especially when committed by those in authority. The
strong and unwavering determination to hold abusive forces into account serves as the driving force of the protesters — the reason why they risk themselves, especially in this ongoing pandemic. Even the World Health Organization (WHO), which plays a crucial role in fighting the pandemic, believes in the importance of protests as the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum support in America and abroad. Activism is action: The change brought by protests Many cynics have claimed that protests hardly make any change at all. For them, based on this premise, movements are unnecessary and a waste of time. Contrary to this claim, however, certain issues have been resolved
thanks in part to protests. Going back to the recent movements in America, the power of such protests caused authorities to initiate reforms such as banning the use of tear gas and chokeholds by police to prevent abuse and brutality. Even in the past, lasting change created by historic movements is still felt to this day. Examples of these include women’s right to vote, civil rights in the US, Indian independence, and so on. Altogether, protests have the capability to create significant and lasting change, and can be used as a medium to address and resolve the issues that affect humanity. More importantly, these ongoing movements reinforced the notion that going out to protests is not a problem, it’s the other way around. There are problems plaguing society causing people to protest.
Not a Grammar Nazi, just care about good classism By Mat Jefferson T. Richter
H
ave you ever heard of Reese Lansangan’s melodious song “Grammar Nazi,” with the infamous line “I’m not a Nazi, I just care about good grammar”? It struck public uproar as to how grammar plays an imperative role in societal relationships and how it aligns with intellectuality; lest society forgets, the hyperbolism of grammar Nazi exudes historical entrenches that, if not unearthed, may fall into classist and racist realms. Grammar Nazi is dubbed as people who are lavishly conscious of grammatical errors that they habitually criticize the language of others—a grammar police. While grammar is indisputably an integral part of the human language—from the way humans speak, perceive, and reciprocate communication, people
often and unconsciously portray classism in embodying the hyperbole as they may or may not be wary of its underlying predicaments. Humans were taught of the technicalities that lie therein alongside the unconscious coercion of conforming to “proper grammar;” students were introduced as early as age six on why the subject must agree with the verb, what words must be capitalized, hyphenated, articled, and et cetera. However, the deeplyentrenched conflict arises when such is utilized to gatekeep the elitist agenda of conforming to “proper” grammar. Unearthing the etymology, the phrase “grammar Nazi,” the latter word functioning as hyperbole, originated in a T.V. show “The Bob Newhart Show,” dated
February 1974. Apart from how the word “Nazi” is glued upon the historical atrocities of a fascist, authoritative and totalitarian movement that plagued various societies, the hyperbole trenched therein likewise coerces humans to coincide to a westernized notion of what is deemed “proper,” let alone the elitist undertones that such reeks of; either you choose to learn English or face societal belittlement— worse, in a capitalist setting, starve. Grammar primarily serves as a guide to exhaustively convey messages, a crumb of the language per se. The human language does not have its foot residing on the pit grave if a person utters the word “feedbacks” or the phrase “I am craving for.” Lest society forgets that not every social entity attains
the privilege of education to heave their knowledge in adhering to grammar. There is nothing ill of correcting one’s grammar, especially if such is intended
in professional settings, academe, and the like, but if one signifies to keep it behind the havens of elitism alongside constraining people to adhere to that of
deemed “proper,” if the English language is everuniversal, how is it then exclusive?
Science and Technology
One Mail to Rule Them All >> Page 4
‘White’ Sand? What Sand? By Justine Denise S. Cruz
M
asked as artificial white sand, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) proceeded with the ₱389M-rehabilitation of the Manila Bay by depositing dolomite sand along the 500-meter stretch of the bay at Roxas Boulevard. last September 20, a number of people flocked from different parts of the region just to
see the talked-about ‘white’ sand. The artificial ‘white’ sand situated along Roxas Boulevard slashed a whopping ₱28M from the project’s budget of ₱389M. According to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, this price already covered the cost of the 3,500 metric tons of sand, including the taxes and transportation expenses. The pulverized sand came
from a mining quarry in Alcoy, Cebu, the widest dolomite quarrying site in the country. Cebu’s Provincial Governor Gwendolyn Garcia expressed her disappointment as later reports revealed that Cebu did not give a go-signal for the sand to be used in the nourishment project of Manila Bay. DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)
The Risks Posed by Lockdown Browsers By: Jeleen Jade R. Milca
I
n the pursuit of preserving academic integrity, universities find lockdown browsers as an effective tool to monitor their students during computer-based examinations, preventing them from committing academic crimes such as cheating, plagiarizing, taking screenshots, and accessing other websites and applications. With education adapting to the new normal, students are now required to have an internet connection and the necessary devices for their online classes. There
are risks that students might commit forms of academic dishonesty now that the traditional monitoring and proctorship from the classroom setting is gone. Requiring students to install lockdown browsers on their computers might be ideal, but it can bring a number of problems that indicate its ineffectiveness as well as the danger it poses to students’ devices. Lockdown browsers are automated proctoring services that use computer or laptop webcams to monitor students during online, non –proctored
exams, detecting actions that could indicate cheating. Presumably, lockdown browsers are software that help the teachers monitor the students taking online exams through their schools’ respective virtual environment or learning systems. But it can cause computers and applications to crash and even bring viruses to the devices installed in. It also cannot fully prevent cheating and limits an accessible testing environment for the students. THE RISKS OF/P3
authorized the extraction and hauling process of the crushed dolomite sand. While the Dolomite Mining Corporation (DMC) possessed a mineral production sharing agreement, the Philippine Mining Service Corporation (PMSC) had a mineral processing permit. While DMC and PMSC had received a green light from MGB, these permits do not involve
the processing, extraction, and transportation of the dolomite sand to Manila Bay. It was initially for foreign export only. Hundreds of people drove down Roxas Boulevard as the bay opened its beachfront for public viewing last September 20. Only at the Phase I of the beach nourishment project, as coined by the Department, it is aimed to
reverse the effect of pollution at the bay. DENR said that the sand overlaid along the beachfront area was to signify cleanliness. Aside from that, it also claimed to help the metropolis’ mental health during the pandemic. Dolomite is a carbonate mineral that contains calcium magnesium carbonate. ‘WHITE’ SAND?/P2
TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIV No.1
Page 2 • Sciennce and Technology
Social Media Sites as Medium of Disinformation and Division By Christian Joshua D. Corcuera
I
n the last week of September this year, the popular social media site Facebook has removed two networks — consisting of more than a hundred fake accounts and pages — for violating its policies on coordinated inauthentic behavior. According to Nathaniel Gleicher, head of Facebook security policy, the removed accounts broadcasted propaganda demonizing activists and dissidents of the government. These fake accounts and pages, or internet trolls, can affect the digital landscape as they propagate and masquerade lies as the truth. With this in mind, it is imperative to dig deeper into the impact of internet trolls in polarizing society. What are the prospective motives behind such moves? When did this digital problem start? Who are they in the first place? Internet trolls refer to people who intentionally leave provocative or offensive messages on the internet. Hence, trolling pertains to constant deceptive and disruptive behavior. The motives behind trolling vary depending on the context, but common factors include getting attention, causing trouble, and upsetting someone. In the Philippine environment, trolls can impact not only groups or individuals but also sociopolitical affairs. According to experts from Heinz College of Carnegie Mellon University, social media platforms have proven to be a scarily efficient means of propagating disinformation and sowing division. This is particularly true in political and social affairs since social media can be weaponized as trolls are employed to intentionally spread misleading content to favor a politician, especially in times of election or amid pressing political issues. Moreover, when disinformation has become systematic and occurs too often, ordinary people can fall for it with some believing such content. In the process of doing so,
people become polarized on key social issues — dividing those who believe in facts and those who believe in falsehoods, with the latter claiming such falsehoods as the truth. This issue plaguing the internet is not entirely new. Disinformation and hate speech already existed before the internet came into being, but spread through other means such as by word-of-mouth. With modern technology, though,
the impact of trolling has become more apparent as falsehoods can now spread like wildfire. There does not seem to be an end in sight in regard to this digital dilemma. It is important to be reminded of the supposed purpose of social media — the reason it’s made possible by the people behind it. Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, launched the social media website in 2004 with his college roommates to connect Harvard students
with one another. Speaking to Freakonomics Radio, he explained that he was “trying to help connect people at colleges and a few schools.” While YouTube, a video-sharing website, was invented for people to upload, share, and view content. The intentions of such technological innovations are centered on helping people become easily connected. Still, both social media sites were taken advantage of
by some to spread lies for their aspirations. The recent removal of fake accounts on Facebook would attest to that claim. In YouTube, socalled ‘history vloggers’ — even without a background in history — might spread, intentionally or otherwise, misleading content that is contrary to the facts established by the academe. With society interconnected by modern technology and social media, the world has
become closer than ever. At the same time, however, internet trolls are capable of causing a tremendous impact on society as it can sow hatred, cause bitter division, and propagate lies. In other words, social media is uniquely powerful — for good and for bad. Ultimately, as long as internet trolls are pervasive, society could be bitterly divided on how to address social issues that matter.
construction materials such as bricks, concrete, and other paving materials. Dumping dolomite sand over the polluted shores of Manila Bay did no wonders. Yes, it did look good from afar during the first week of its unveiling to the public, with a few people even comparing it to Boracay. But after intense rains and storms, the sand eroded and washed ashore. Days after,
a suspected fish kill in the Baseco Compound even occurred after depositing dolomite sand. It should’ve been clear from the very beginning that the project will not solve the environmental problems surrounding the bay. In fact, it did more harm than good. Rehabilitating mangroves could’ve been the go-to solution but instead, they proceeded with this course
of action. The Department kept their composure despite warnings from scientists about the sand’s detrimental effects not only to marine life, but also to humans. The presence of the dolomite sand is a threat to the marine life around the area as it decreases the level of dissolved oxygen in the water, causing an upwelling. This explains the fish kill at Baseco, an occurrence that
the Department continues to deny. It also increases the total suspended particles in the water, which makes it cloudy and opaque. Containing traces of harmful elements, it is a big question why DENR even considered this as a foolproof solution. As for humans, medical studies have linked the prolonged exposure to it as unsafe as it can lead to skin, respiratory, blood, and
neurological complications. Rome wasn’t built in a day. What makes people think that dumping ₱28M worth of artificial sand is going to return Manila Bay to its former glory? It might seem like a good start but is it the right one? Even a multimillion project cannot mask the fact that it is just a band aid solution to the real problem.
‘WHITE’ SAND?/P1 Comprising of 60%-percent calcium carbonate and 40-percent magnesium carbonate, it was used before as a calcium and magnesium supplement. However, due to traces of several elements like arsenic, lead, and mercury, it is no longer suggested to be taken as a drug. In the industry, it can be used in dam building, stone processing and manufacturing of
TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIV No.1
Science and Technology • Page 3
‘Alien lifeform’ detected in Venus By Mat Jefferson T. Richter
J
ust recently, in August, 2020, an uncanny gammaray heartbeat coming from a cosmic gas cloud, phosphate, was detected by scientists with the aid of NASA’s Fermi Gammaray Space Telescope in Venus. 100 light-years away, such is apparent to be beating along with the black hole’s rhythm. As per the Deutsches Elek t ronen-Sy nch rot ron (DESY) national research center in Germany, both indisputably attain an interconnection in some way, leaving scientists, astronomers, and researchers puzzled on the phosphine discovery. The heartbeat is said to entail a life beyond Earth, an extraterrestrial life form, as phosphate cannot be felt nor created out of thin air, unlike what humans breathe; hence, astronomers suggested two theories that may align with the said inquisition. Either the clouds and the atmosphere of Venus have had chemistries that created the phosphate wherein human knowledge may yet to unveil, or the byproduct of anaerobic’s existence, a special organism that does not need oxygen to live, hypothetically deemed as the “aliens,” is responsible for the releasing of the phosphine gas. Despite the uncertainties, the so-called alien life form then has taken a toll on some people’s curiosity, pondering over their inquisition on what an anaerobic’s face, structure, and even movement may portray in the human eye. Unironically, the heartbeat that was detected cannot be seen by naked eyes, nor can it be touched with bare hands; nothing as extravagant as what a manmade perception of aliens could possibly look like. If it were to exist, it would acquire a physique similar to a microorganism, and not some bizarre bug-eyed extraterrestrial creature flying in a saucerlike spaceship that baffles mankind. Either way, no
doors are closed as theories do not equate to certitude. Meanwhile, to dismantle such certainties piece by piece, the experts in the field: astronomers, researchers, scientists,
and the like, are utilizing the provided information by dissecting more of Venus’ chemistry environment to determine which theory may lead to factuality. Various lab
experiments are set to study the biochemistry that might be happening in the cosmic gas cloud, and, along with the years, scientific observation will be practiced to unveil
the hints that may occur therein. Whether or not Venus is deemed habitable, mankind has certainly had enough of the abhorrence and impasses on Earth that
they seek another planet’s capability in sustaining life, lest we forget that we have a responsibility to fulfill in the aftermaths of Earth that we dissonantly caused.
is also an issue with facial recognition technology, a student can make the slightest movement such as student looking down to solve a problem and it can be flagged as cheating behavior. It also is a disadvantage to students who do not
own a computer or laptop with a built-in webcam. The unfairness caused by lockdown browsers can stop students from doing their academic responsibilities and might feel high levels of anxiety and can ultimately drop out of class.
Another issue concerning lockdown browsers is its requirement to increase bandwidth capacity for student and teacher video streaming and it also risks students’ computers to security and privacy issues. Because of lockdown
browsers’ mandatory rule to record students while taking online examinations, students feel that they are being surveilled and that their privacy is breached. Problems associated with lockdown browsers can be prevented if
universities would do more research and perform a thorough examination of lockdown browsers to test its compatibility with any type of device, identify if it can cause malware, and examine their respective information technology centers.
THE RISKS OF/ P1 Michigan State University and San Diego State University state that while a lockdown browser has its pros it also has its disadvantages. A lockdown browser is not compatible with Android or IOS phones and Chromebooks. There
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TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIV No.1
One mail to rule them all By Antonio Gabriel D. Tongco
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ith the dawn of online classes, some of our usual systems of functioning became better off digitized: sometimes it’s more efficient to draft discussion notes on word processing software not to miss any crucial details during discussion. And, for safekeeping purposes, files could be much safer in the cloud. We can never be too confident that no virus will invade our gadgets, after all – I wouldn’t risk losing my thousand-word essay overnight. Luckily, the University is here for us in this regard, as our Adamson emails provide us premium access to the essentials… and more. Office 365 Our student
mails
entitle us to a Microsoft Office 365 A1 License, so we’ve already got Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and the like at our disposal. The downside is that it’s just for the online counterpart of the applications, so using them would require an internet connection. A quick sign up using your Adamson mail at office.com will automatically activate it. Google Drive If you’re more comfortable using Google’s ecosystem instead of Microsoft when it comes to cloud storage, you’re in luck. Our school email was made possible through Google Workspace, giving us unlimited storage. Just like the last one, all it takes is for you to log in.
Canva The email also provides a Canva for Education subscription, giving premium access to thousands of graphic design templates and icons/ illustrations, hundreds of typefaces, millions of images, and many others. Canva can also crossintegrate with Google Drive, so you can assure that your layouts are safe. To activate your subscription, go to canva.com and click on “Log in,” then “Login with Google” and select your Adamson email. Zoom Meetings We generally don’t have a Zoom subscription, but, through the creators’ initiative to lift the 40-minute time limit for schools affected
by COVID-19, we do, temporarily. Just log in with Google using your student mail once more to make use of it. Notion That was about it for the essentials, but, if you want to step up your digital productivity game, Notion will do you well. This software prides itself on being an “all-in-one workspace for you and your team,” and rightly so. Many study Youtubers are already on their way to becoming Notion users, providing free templates for students, fully customizable for individual needs and preferences. All you need to do is go to notion.so, create an account using your student email, go to your settings, and click on “Plans.” You will
be able to upgrade to the $5 monthly Personal Pro plan for free. Other benefits In case those weren’t enough, there’s still more to explore. Our student mails also provide us with 60-percent and 50-percent discounts with Adobe Creative Cloud, Spotify, and Apple Music subscriptions, come the time that we’d want to purchase them. Both deals require verification in the application process, so make sure you have recent official school documents at your disposal. The designers, engineers, and software developers aren’t left out, either: a quick verification process could also give free software and tools from Autodesk and Microsoft,
such as Sketchbook, AutoCAD, and Dreamspark. It’s important to note that other emails benefits exist beyond this article, as some services (like Notion) give free access to students without requiring universities to pay. For example, Skillshare, an educational website dedicated to teaching various skillsets, also offers two months free premium access due to the pandemic, just like Zoom did. Dedicated note-taking apps like Evernote gives student discounts, music production software Ableton Live, too. The internet is vast, and some tinkering could uncover more useful services for students. Until then, may this article be of help to fellow Adamsonians.
Entertainment
Attack on Titan: A spoiler-free review>> Page 3
“Kidulting” and the Gray Areas of Toy Collecting By Aeron Gabriel V. Pantig
U
nless he or she is financially well off, it’s an unusual time for someone to splurge on something that is not a basic human need especially during this health crisis. Last October, the Philippines entered the top 20 countries with most coronavirus cases and the end of this pandemic is yet to be determined. But why has toy collecting been a blockbuster since the lockdown? When you think of the word collecting, the next thing on your mind is that it has to be many. It has to be huge. It has to be with the likes of renowned local collectors such as Yexel Sebastian (owner of Yexel’s Toy Museum), Carlo Ople,
and DJ Bigboy Cheng, who are commonly featured on various TV shows. Luckily, for Filipinos who fancy toys, small local businesses are changing the game. Through Facebook live selling, Filipinos sell toys below retail price depending on their condition: Mint in sealed box (MISB), Back in box (BIB), No box (Loose). Some of these sellers are even from Japan but they’ve created a great avenue for those who want to start their toy collection but do not have much financial capability. However, while toys are produced to satisfy and make people happy, there are some that intentionally disrupt the harmony.
Filipino Toxicity Live selling trolls Aside from helping others to start their own collection, it is undeniable that small local businesses were established to profit. At the end of day, business is business- and there’s nothing wrong with it because that’s how should it be. But Facebook live selling blatantly exposes how toxic Filipinos are on social media. There are instances that sellers receive “Meron kayong hollow blocks?” kind of comments and other rude queries unrelated to the business. Fake bidders are also all around the internet. Family support When living on an Asian setting, you only
have four options: Be an engineer, doctor, architect or get beaten. On his Youtube video last August, renowned Filipino toy collector Yexel Sebastian revealed that no one in his family or friends supported him during the time that he was planning to launch his first toy museum. Today, Yexel’s Toy Museum have three branches. Lack of support and belief from family is a toxic Filipino culture that have been a dilemma for these unconventional hobbies. Toys are not just for kids anymore Usually, an accurate age safety standard is indicated on toy products to ensure parents that they are not just
for fun but also safe for their kids. But for a reason, there is no specification of an age that is too old for toys. It’s because they are not just for kids; not anymore. It may sound bizarre to most Filipinos but toys are not just merely toys nowadays. They are memories. The term “kidulting” became a trend where adults are revisiting what made them happy when they were growing up. Most people who experience kidulting are millennials. They came from the generation where classic anime series like Slamdunk, Naruto, One Piece, etc., and movies such as Back to the Future and Star Wars were introduced.
TV personality and toy collector Michael V mentioned on his las vlog last june, “Hindi na tayo naglalaro kaya tayo tumatanda.” Toy collecting or simply buying toys when you’re already an adult may look like a waste of money for others but it gives the feeling of nostalgia and relaxation to whoever owns it. For the past years, the production of toys and action figures have evolved. With greater materials, details, and purpose, toymakers are now reconnecting with its audiences. There maybe toy companies that shut down due to sales decline but Toys r us. Toys are still us.
Review: folklore by Taylor Swift By Antonio Gabriel D. Tongco
A
fter months of silence following the end of her Lover era, Taylor Swift dropped her surprise 16-track album, “folklore,” last July 24, tending to the lockdown-induced melancholy brought by the global pandemic. Laden with the desire to top her preceding releases, this eighth studio album marked Swift’s second genre shift, after initially abandoning her signature country sound for different pop variations since Red.
Folklore garnered a total score of 88 out of 100 based on 27 published critic reviews and a staggering 92 based on 14,664 listeners’ opinions as of writing on Metacritic, a CBS-owned website averaging ratings of songs, films, and the like. Even publications like Pitchfork and New Musical Express (NME) gave the album an 80: a relatively high rating provided how difficult-to-please their critics often are. The well-received “alternative” album
introduces its gloomy and mournful atmosphere with no ado in its first track, “the 1,” picking apart past flames: “If one thing had been different, would everything be different today?” The lead single, “cardigan,” follows and starts to unfurl what was considered by fans as the introduction to the album’s love triangle story, complementing later tracks “august” and “betty.” While folklore leaves us REVIEW/P3
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Page 2 • Entertainment
BTS: Beyond The Stardom By Paul Adrian D. Hular
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he lockdown due to the COVID-19 Pandemic has really tested our coping mechanisms and urged us to find ways to live a life in the confinement of our own homes away from the hustle and bustle lifestyle we have prior to the surge of the virus. Aside from bingewatching our favorite series and movies from various digital platforms, discovering a new hobby or simply lie on the bed all-day, music has played a vital role in the duration of the quarantine period to either bop on them nonstop or connect to the song and the artists as well, and one prominent figure that has emerged to save our quarantine woes are the seven-member South Korean boy band named Bangtan Sonyeondan (방탄소년단) or widely known as BTS. Whether you are a nonkorean pop enthusiasts, one can never deny the superstar status that they are today and have successfully penetrated a market dominated by the West, bannering across multiple media platforms, record-breaking feats and chart-topping hits, they are indeed a global phenomenon unravelling right before our very own eyes. Behind the aesthetics and impeccable visuals they have, their own music has really made them a gem among their contemporaries, the message and metaphors
being used encapsulates their struggles and also its relevance to the societal problems the youths encounter has enabled them to amass an audience who eventually becomes their biggest driving force to fly higher than the sky and be their wings to achieve unimaginable heights. Before The Success The idol septet is composed of RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and JungKook hailing from different provinces in South Korea and whose dreams led them to eventually debut as an idol group under Big Hit Entertainment headed by Bang Si-Hyuk. Their success was uncertain in the face of an industry dominated by the Big Three talent companies (SM, YG and JYP) whose connection and track record of producing phenomenal idol groups were unquestionable and for a small company out of nowhere to debut an idol group, this was the make or break point for the company and the seven nobodies. June 13, 2013 when they started to write their own history debuting with “No More Dream” on their debut album “2 Cool 4 Skool” but had a little-to-no impact for they were being outshined by the up and coming groups from major companies not enabling them to appear on music shows which then
was the primary avenue to promote debut songs and earn a growing fanbase. Battles To Surpass Debuting was not the end goal for every idol trainees, it is the beginning of one’s journey or an acid test to see what the future lies for them and for BTS, failure was no stranger to them as the road gets tougher and tougher having to compete with other groups with a stable support system, they were being cut on broadcasts, no media exposures, they were being outshined and the audience barely knows that
such group exists. Aside from the unorthodox welcoming to them by the industry, their starting years were tainted by issues of plagiarism of concepts and songs which then was debunked by their company. Their identity was also questioned specifically for the rappers RM and SUGA who both came from the underground rap community and decided to debut as members of an idol group who have visual requisites that are being followed so there will be instances that they have to wear makeups
which according to the rap community is not what a rapper should be. BTS were close to disbandment due to lack of fundings to further produce songs and albums but JYP Ent. helped them to continue producing and eventually get their groove in the k-pop industry earning their first music show win on May 5, 2015 for “I Need U” and from then on, BTS became a household name and people starts noticing them earning them a dedicated and devoted fanbase called “ARMY,” their major promotional force and together they
Image Source: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/bts-dynamite-new-album-interview
create magic. Breaking The Stigma Breaking records, charts, YouTube views and making history, this seems like a walk in the park for a boy band who took the world by storm who shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. Behind their appealing looks and charisma whenever they perform are normal people whom audievvnces can relate to, they are real people who were never ashamed of their flaws and past and still BTS/P4
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TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIV No.1
REVIEW/P1 with countless themes and musings to explore, they don’t seem to be laid out chronologically, as “the last great American dynasty” immediately breaks away from the formerly established sorrow of the two tracks preceding it.
The one-shot tale in this song talks about Rebekah Harkness, Swift’s Rhode Island mansion’s former owner. “There goes the maddest woman this town has ever seen / She had a marvelous time ruining everything,” hinted her self comparison with Harkness. It touched on the motif seen in her sixth album
“reputation,” a daring response to mishaps with the media. This led fans to believe that “mad woman” may have been born from the same ink blotches on Swift’s notebook: “No one likes a mad woman / You made her like that.” However, it didn’t go too far adrift as the album quickly reverts to
its dreary foundations with “exile,” a cinematic collaboration with Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) that quickly established itself as the fan-favorite. This pianodriven ballad of two lovers’ conflicting perspectives about their relationship is directly compared to “The Last Time” from Red, a past collaboration with Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody – and a worthy comparison in that regard. The anxiety-fueled anthems “my tears ricochet” and “mirrorball,” both produced by Swift’s musical partnerin-crime Jack Antonoff, marked a quick breather from the murky depths of folklore’s instrumentals, as mirrorball turned out to be the one genuinely upbeat song in the album. Meanwhile, “You can aim for my heart, go for blood / But you would still miss me in your bones” in my tears ricochet’s bridge was emblematic of her newfound songwriting maturity amid isolation. The same lyrical opulence is applauded by
many on “illicit affairs,” “peace,” “hoax,” and “the lakes,” from the deluxe edition of the album. In its entirety, folklore is widely accepted as the country-pop singersongwriter’s lyrical magnum opus, as it is built upon what is probably her sharpest edge among 21stcentury songwriters in similar genres: storytelling. The album unfolds like a book waiting to be read while letting its readers construct the story themselves – with their own meanings and experiences. What precisely made this album poetically stand out is that it stitched together specific lyrical connections while still characterizing the barrage of emotions induced by the COVID-19 lockdown. From the depths of our innermost emotions like regret, longing, and anxiety to the dramatization of more common ones like nostalgia and worry, folklore has a song for it. The connections in the songs such as that between “When you are
young, they assume you know nothing” in cardigan to “I’m only seventeen, I don’t know anything, but I know I miss you” in betty, albeit being part of a story, were lyrics that could stand on their own. Thus, a more in-depth analysis is rendered unnecessary to appreciating the creative brilliance of Swift’s quarantine exploration – the storylines are just extra. “What’s your favorite track from folklore?” is still a question many fail to answer even months after its release. As of writing, the first and only live performance from the album Swift has delivered is betty at the 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards, and she’s yet to announce any new music videos since cardigan. With her social media accounts embracing silence once more, many questions are left unanswered: the only thing being certain is that the pandemic continues to negate the possibility of a world tour.
you would have done in those circumstances. What makes the series great, to be frank, is that it answers difficult questions without killing the tension – as if every new piece of information poses more problems than it solves. Overall, SNK is an exhilarating series that pays an overwhelming amount of detail to the plot without compromising too much visual appeal. As all anime does, it has its downsides: having relatively dull parts and episodes that seem to have been animated with lesser effort than the others. However, given how common these flaws are in anime, they are far from outweighing the positives.
The manga never stopped updating the series, of course, but if you prefer animation over it, then you won’t be waiting too long. After ending the latest season with probably its most bothersome cliffhanger and going through countless delays, SNK’s swan song is finally dated to premiere later this year on December 7 under Studio MAPPA. Even with some fans’ worries about the final season failing to give justice to what it has started, it’s certain that Attack on Titan has cemented its place beside some of the most prominent stories ever told in animation history. The world waits on Eren’s redemption.
Attack on Titan: A spoiler-free review By Antonio Gabriel D. Tongco
I
n the last week of September, “Mikasa” kept emerging as a worldwide trending topic on Twitter, having fans talk about a single photo for days on end. The commotion was due to the latest Attack on Titan key visual as of writing, showing Mikasa, one of the series’ protagonists, carrying three times more thunderspears, a heavy titan-killing weapon, than any other character in the artwork. However, the more intriguing mystery for those who don’t read the manga was beyond the image: Eren, the main protagonist, was missing. This dystopian story had been going for more than a decade, steadily growing
its fanbase and conquering charts ranking the greatest anime series of all time. If you’re thinking of catching up before the next season comes out, this article is for you. Attack on Titan (AOT), also popularized as *Shingeki no Kyojin (SNK)*, is a Japanese manga series by Hajime Isayama, set in a world where humanity lives behind walls as high as 50 meters to protect themselves from man-eating giants called titans. Its first episode was the perfect introduction for its brutal and demoralizing plot. The journey begins with the main character, Eren Yeager, and his sister, Mikasa Ackerman, trying
to save their mother, Carla, from an approaching titan. With Carla’s legs crushed beneath the debris of their then broken house, she asked her children to leave her and escape, to which they stubbornly refused. Hannes, one of the Garrison’s soldiers, arrived and fulfilled her dying wish, forcefully carrying the siblings away. Although Eren and Mikasa were saved, Carla was shown crying, asking them not to go. Eren then vowed to avenge his mother by ridding the world of titans – to which Mikasa and their closest friend, Armin Arlert, joined him, regardless of the danger they witnessed firsthand. From that short
description of the story alone, a moral dilemma already plagues the viewer: who should have Hannes followed? Carla, who wanted to spare her children, or Eren and Mikasa, who knew deep inside that their mother didn’t want to die alone? In the first place, why do titans eat humans? Is there a morally permissible reason behind their killing sprees? If there was, does it outweigh the lives they’ve taken? Imagine more of these gut-wrenching decisions, but always intensifying across a dozen storylines: the constant torture by your conscience saying that the lesser evil is still evil, making you question what
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TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIV No.1
‘The Social Dilemma’ Review: Looking at the dark side of social media By Christian Joshua Corcuera
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acebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram — these social media platforms have all become an integral part of our everyday lives. Through these applications, society has become easily connected and communication can be done conveniently. It is difficult to live without these, at present, as a person might be left behind of what’s happening in society. More often, however, the other side of the coin is forgotten when it comes to social media such as its highly addictive nature. Worse, it can be used as a tool by powerful individuals to advance their interests among other deleterious things. Hence, it begs the haunting yet essential question: what must be done
BTS/ P2 tries to live as normal as they can be. The Love Yourself Campaign which also became an album itself speaks a lot about the issues the current generation faces, talk about relevance and
to put an end to all pernicious acts done in social media? This has been the subject of The Social Dilemma, a 2020 Netflix documentary by Jeff Orlowski. The topics discussed centered on dystopian elements, among these are how social media is used for propaganda and hate speech threatening democracy, how it affects mental health, and what makes it capable of dividing society. Not to forget, since social media platforms operate as profitable corporations, it is said to be designed to be addictive for people to keep on using such apps. Altogether, the documentary-drama hybrid explored the dangerous impacts of social media as discussed by tech experts, some of whom worked for
tech giants with important positions for years. Among these professionals was Tristan Harris, former design ethicist at Google, who said that “Never before in history have 50 designers made decisions that would have an impact on two billion people.” Harris reinforced the obvious fact that social media sites, which are shaped by a few people, can greatly change contemporary society. The documentary went on showing discord from around the world partly due to social media, though there seems to be a slight lack of context which otherwise could have helped viewers better understand the situation. As the documentary progressed, social media,
in recent years at least, can also polarize or bitterly divide society especially in controversial topics such as politics. For instance, Russia has been widely accused of interfering with the 2016 elections in America through hacking social media sites. However, an early investor for Facebook, Roger McNamee, alleged that Russia didn’t hack the social media giant, but rather, took advantage of the platform to interfere in the 2016 US Elections through spreading disinformation. Adding to the severe problem of bitter divide in society, social media algorithms are at play as such algorithms result in users only seeing content that they tend to agree with. As a consequence, this causes people from
both sides of the political spectrum to be pushed even further away from one another. Despite the apparent pessimistic tone and depressing mood of the interviewees in the documentary, there is still a glimpse of hope. Though proposed solutions were thoroughly explained by many, the personalities were divided on how to particularly address and resolve the issue, with some being radical and others being moderate. Nevertheless, the personalities were able to remind that a coin has two sides as they efficiently sounded the alarm on the dark side of social media such as widespread disinformation and social
polarization. Overall, the interviewed experts managed to wake up a sense of awareness that the way we use social media is a problem that needs to be solved. Henceforth, it is successful in explaining the problems plaguing today’s social media platforms — a dilemma often overlooked. With this, The Social Dilemma is worthy of being watched to see how social media impacts people not only for good but also for bad. However, viewers need to watch with a critical and discerning eye to better understand the issues concerning social media. To add, Orlowski’s documentary is not spared by the phenomenon it scrutinizes as the film is streaming on Netflix.
depth, BTS got that in the bag, they are not only known for creating eargasmic music and aestheticallypleasing music videos but the messages their lyrics are trying to convey backed up by intricate artistic appropriation makes them the leaders in their own
game. This campaign had not only generated them a multi-national fanbase but also became an opportunity to be invited to speak for the UN General Assembly in 2018 and 2020. You can call them artist, you can call them idol and most importantly, they are influential people. They just dreamt of making it big to Seoul but look at them now, breaking boundaries and conquering the West in their own game. Countless barriers and relentless stereotyping may have gone their way, the rain may be pouring and the sky keep falling, BTS and ARMY are together bulletproof— living up to their korean name.
Beyond The Stardom How they were able to pave the way and change the game in the entirety of the music industry was no brainer, BTS just really knows their target and aims at it like no one else’s business. The data and statistics can speak for itself but set aside the numbers and look how they managed to turn the tables and defeat the West in its own cheap game with the release of their first all-english song “Dynamite” peaking at No.1 in Billboard Hot 100. They have transcended from being an artist to becoming a force to finally put Asia on the map and have a fair representation
in an industry that has high regards on the West and recently, from artist to legends they are now moguls and shareholders of the company that has been their rock since day one. BTS are less likely to slow down, now that they are in their prime years, they’ll continue to peak and no one knows until when. Bangtan boys is the name and breaking cultural barriers is their game. Beyond those stars are real people capable of changing one’s life through the language of music and create their own map through their stories and dreams. From boys having no more dream and their rise towards becoming beyond
idols, the man they are today was not a work in just one day, they poured their blood, sweat and tears to make it right and spread their wings like a butterfly. They may have lost along the way and became a lonely whale, but the cold winters would eventually lead to spring day. They showed us reasons that loving ourselves are louder than bombs being thrown at us, for ARMY’s, they are the cause of their euphoria. This is the truth untold for BTS and their own cinderella story—teenagers from Seoul who were able to shine through the city with a little funk and soul and light up the sky like a dynamite.
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TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIV No.1
UAAP Season 82 AdU Falcon’s CSR Is Also Your Local Conyo Girl on Tiktok By Verity Anne N. Banogbanog
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ou might have seen her on your ‘for you page’ on Tiktok, and probably everywhere on social media. Since the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was imposed on March last year, we were introduced to several indoor habits – becoming a plantito/ plantita, making the famous dalgona coffee and dancing with the trending dance choreographies through the most popular phone app this pandemic, Tiktok – which actually kept us going for the last 10 months of quarantining. Who would have thought that staying inside her home while creating Tiktok contents just for fun will make Rain Matienzo, former Falcon’s courtside reporter, the new generation’s social media influencer, gaining over 135,000 followers on the global video community application. Brief history of her courtside reporter journey, she wants to report for AdU Before the rise of Tiktok and her becoming an official
courtside reporter for the season 82 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the senior broadcast communication student from University of the Philippines – Diliman first applied for the position from the former season until she got accepted on her second application the following year. After her first inquiry, despite not making it to the final cut, she did not give up on pursuing such career and took it as a way to learn more about the said job. “It’s fine because I got to study more about basketball, the league, for about a year. So, like, that’s an advantage. And I did workshop din sa S&A (Sports and Action) during the time na I was auditioning,” Matienzo said. Matienzo also shared that during their screen test, she was asked what school would she want to report for except from UP and she answered, Adamson University. “I really said Adamson because nakalaban nga ng
ILLUSTRATION BY MAXIMILLAN S. WANDAG
UP nung season 81, so I think it would be a better fit for me if I report from a school na may affinity na ako,” the former courtside reporter said. The Conyo Girl persona Just like other several content creators on the site, Matienzo said she started using the app for viewing entertainment videos only since some of her friends, including the other members of AdU men’s basketball team, have downloaded the app. Because the last UAAP season was cut to a short end, Matienzo made Tiktok videos for her pastime. “Around January (2020), tsaka lang ako nag make ng Tiktoks for fun. So, literally, like, no one would view my Tiktok,” the Conyo Girl said. When asked about the inspiration behind her ‘Conyo Girl’ persona, Matienzo said she was practicing her content about “talking to my (nonexistent) boyfriend’s mom” in front of her mother and aunties to know if it was okay. “Hindi ko siya ni-envision
Photo by Jake Danielle M. Demafelix
na conyo na pala tong ginagawa ko. Parang, it’s just me na nag e-exaggerate ng acting,” she added. The Gen-Z social media influencer did not expect that her Tiktok videos would go viral, and eventually people started calling her Conyo Girl. “When I started doing it (Tiktok content videos), I didn’t really plan on making it big, or it going viral, or at the very least parang gusto ko lang ma-enjoy yung pagTiktok ko, na ‘wow may nanonood na’,” Matienzo explained. Her viral videos have not just circulated all throughout the social media but also brought her significant career opportunities on and off the screen.
The real girl behind conyo Although the conyo in her was what brought her to fame, there is one thing people forgot about this woman: she is fluent in speaking Tagalog. “Magaling naman ako mag-Tagalog. Hindi naman ako super conyo,” the Tiktok Conyo Girl clarified. She also conveyed that she isn’t that type of conyo who is “clueless kung paano sumakay ng jeep.” Matienzo shared that she commutes to school and when going to San Marcelino. She also endures standing inside the bus to her house in Taytay, Rizal during rush hours. “What I portray on social media na lifestyle that conyo girl has is not the lifestyle that I live in,” the Conyo Girl said. You might know Conyo
Girl as an outgoing, sociable girl on social media, in real life, Rain Matienzo loves staying in her house. “I love routine. I just love being alone,” the social media influencer disclosed. Aside from creating entertaining contents for her followers, Matienzo is also an intern at Rappler on global desk and global politics research. Despite the fame that was brought by her witty and hilarious contents on Tiktok, Matienzo emphasized to all netizens the importance to reconnect with your hobbies outside social media and look back to your purpose when things are getting difficult to accomplish.
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TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIV No.1
ILLUSTRATION BY ANJANETH LYKA E. RAYMUNDO
ILLUSTRATION BY MARIELLE NADINE A. DAUTIL
ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN RENZ P. TUBALE
ILLUSTRATION BY JANELLE AVA S. ALCALA
ILLUSTRATION BY YSEA FRANCIS B. ASPRER
ILLUSTRATION BY JANELLE AVA S. ALCALA
Arts & Letters
Anim Na Buwan Nang Hindi Makapagsulat >> Page 2
It’s not a race By Christian Joshua Corcuera
B
ianca woke up on a rainy Sunday morning in the middle of October. Her phone was the first thing she looked at, and the first thing she saw on her phone was a group chat with her blockmates — her former blockmates to be exact. They were crying, they said, because they failed to submit their quiz on time because of the poor internet signal brought by the southwest monsoon. Bianca cannot relate. “My friends still insisted on attending classes online,” Bianca told herself. “They cannot fool me though, I’ll just
read by myself.” From her perspective, online classes will only revolve around professors sending activities and students submitting these activities. To her, it’s more on complying with requirements, not genuinely learning. “It’s not a race,” she told herself. “What’s more important is that I really learn and that I get my money’s worth,” she added as she heard a voice downstairs. It was her mother’s voice and down she went, sat on the dining table, and ate egg and sardines. Prior to the pandemic, her mother worked for a giant accounting firm in Makati as
a project-based employee for more than a decade. When the lockdown was imposed, she received merely half of her pay from the company. After a few months, though, the firm notified her that she’ll be removed due to cost-cutting. Now unemployed, she resorted to selling food online to make ends meet. Fortunately, it somehow supplies her and her daughter’s needs. And by needs, it only means food, water, and rent. It does not include Bianca’s needed gadgets for online classes. For this reason, she decided to stop studying for a while and hope to return
next academic year. At the same time, she usually helps her mother in cooking during afternoons. By night, she works on her artworks where she can receive commissions. After finishing her meal, Bianca told her mother that she’ll finish the artwork already. She went back to her room upstairs and did her job. There was a message from her phone. Bianca thought to herself that it’s her friends — her former blockmates — who were messaging her. She ignored it. While finishing her artwork, her mother would merely give her lunch and dinner in her
room. There’s no time for breaktime, the rewards are badly needed especially that her mother is searching for ways on how to pay rent next week. Finally, she finished her painting and gazed at it. She thought to herself, why not take a photo of it and send it to the buyer? So she reached out for her phone, only to find out that the message she ignored earlier was actually from the customer. She read the message where the buyer apologized saying that the supposed payment was lost accidentally. The buyer asked if he could just pay by half, Bianca answered that
she’ll cut the painting in half as well and keep the other half to herself. The two did not chat with one another again. Tears fell down from Bianca’s eyes, but she fixed herself immediately. There’s no time to cry — life goes on. To her bed she went and lay down after an exhausting and frustrating day. “I hope I can skip all the way to August next year,” she said to herself before adding, “I just want to return to how things were.” She closed her eyes and went to sleep, hoping that she’ll wake up when everything has returned to normal.
Writer’s block By Mat Jefferson T. Richter You sit in awe of the moonlight passing through the window pane, wondering how your pen can’t unearth a memory from its grave or turn the crickets into butterflies; you must’ve left the door open. The visitor barged into the party, mistaking your mourning as an invitation; the ticking of time bomb will diffuse as you pop each balloon
the visitor blows—you completely forgot about the mourning, leaving the paper creased, spilt of coffee. Like seasons, the visitor will leave when time tells it to. Clench your hands for a while, be deafened of the party if you must. Let the blotches serve as apology letters from the memory you have failed to seal or unearth.
TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIV No.1
Page 2 • Arts & Letters
Anim Na Buwan Nang Hindi Makapagsulat By Verity Anne N. Banogbanog
M Tulog na ba ang mga matatanda? By Verity Anne N. Banogbanog
Dahil kung gising pa, hindi na muna ako magsasalita– papunta pa lang ako sa kinaroroonan nila, ‘di ba? Ang lakas naman ng aming loob magreklamo kung sa panahon niyo ay wala pa’ng telepono? Ano nga ba ang karapatan naming mga kabataan kumpara sa inyo noo’y malayo ang nilalakad papuntang paaralan? Ba’t nga ba sobrang babaw ng aming mga luha? May batas naman na nagpo-
protekta sa amin kung paluluhorin kami ng asin? Baka hindi adik ‘yang apo mo, natanong mo ba kung mayroong nagdulot ng troma sa kanya?
atutulog nang alas tres ng madaling araw, buong magdamag naman na nakahilata mula umaga hanggang gabi. Babangon nalang para kumain at maligo. Kung hindi tulog, nakatulala. Sakit sa likod at mas malabong mata lang ata nakuha ko sa buong pagkwarantenas. Dati, apat na tasang kape ang nauubos ko para manatiling mulat nang lagpas bente kuwatro oras. Ngayon, utak ko na mismo ang nagbibigay ng mga senaryo na– pilitin ko man na hindi mag-isip ng malalim at matulog nalang– nagsisilbing *caffeine* para hindi makaramdam ng
antok. Alam kong hindi lang ako ang nakagpagsabi na nito sa sarili, pero sasabihin ko nalang din muli para sa lahat; hindi naman ako ganito dati. Ngunit, ano nga ba ako noon? Kinakaya ko pa noon ang higit isang oras na pilahan sa estasyon ng tren sa UN o makipagsiksikan sa loob ng bus sa may bandang Ortigas. Uuwi lang para magpahinga ng kahit tatlong oras sa dorm tapos babangon na din agad para mag-ayos at umalis. Napapagod din naman ako sa walang katapusang mga gawain ngunit tanda ko pa ang determinasyon sa
If I Die Young By Nina Pia M. Boco
Kaya siguro palaging nasigaw ang anak mo dahil hindi mo siya pinapakinggan sa normal niyang tono? Tulog na ba ang mga matatanda— dahil ang mga kabataan ngayon, mulat na.
W
hen you picture your future, what do you see? Something beautiful, right? It’s different for each person but nevertheless, beautiful, almost perfect. For some, it’s the future of having your own family and being settled with a beautiful
house and a simple life. For others, it can look like getting power as well as money and living like the ruler of the world. See, we are all programmed to have a future to look forward to. We are all programmed to believe that we are going to live up to 60 or 80 and
sarili na maya’t mayang nagtutulak sa akin patungo sa aking mga pangarap. Palagi akong mayroong ganap sa labas – sa loob ng unibersidad, galaan, o bahay ng mga kaibigan. Mga lugar kung saan nakakakuha ako ng inspirasyon, mga bagay na nagbibigay sa akin ng dahilan upang ako ay may maisulat. Dahil sa masasaya at mapapait na karanasan, mula sa mga lugar na aking napuntahan, oportunidad na nakamit at mga taong nakasalamuha – mga taong naging gabay at suporta ko sa landas na aking tinahak at nagparamdam sa akin ng mga bagay na s’yang nagpalakas ng aking loob–
mas napalawak pa ang aking imahinasyon na gamit lamang ang mga dinidiktang salita ay nadadala ko rin ang mga mambabasa sa aking biyahe; kahit saan man ito tumungo. Subalit anim na buwan na akong hindi nakakalabas sa apat na sulok ng aking kwarto. Anim na buwan nang hindi makasalamuha ng mga tao dala nang takot na makahawa o mahawaan nitong nakakalat na pandemya sa buong mundo. Anim na buwan ang nakalipas. Wala pa rin akong bagong makwento. Sa palagay ko ba, kahit nawala na ang buhay ko sa labas, makakapagsulat parin ako?
achieve all of our dreams along the years leading up to that age. But the reality is, some of us may never reach half that age. Some of us will not live to have their own families or even finish school. It’s an inevitable reality people are so scared about. But, what are people really scared about dying young? Maybe, not having enough time to achieve their dreams, or regret of not doing the things that they’ve been wanting to do for a long time because of fear. There are many factors and these are all valid factors, dying is and have always been a complex phenomenon after all. But, maybe, just maybe, dying early won’t be so hard to digest when we learn to live life a little bit more free. Free from our own thoughts and free from too much pressure coming from the society. And to be free, it’s important that we forgive ourselves for the little things as well. Like, beating
ourselves up for every little failure we experience. Instead, celebrate the little moments of achievements, success, and happiness. Patting yourself on the back for being able to wakeup every day with the sun shining down on your face even if it feels like it’s the hardest thing in the world. Celebrating the little coincidences of randomly the mall playing your favorite on blast even if it has been a really difficult day. Being a little less hard on ourselves can go far in setting ourselves free. It is a very beautiful life. There are days of gloom and sadness, of course, but it’s important that we do not make life all about it. So, if I die young, or we die young, we’ll have little to no regrets. And when it comes to that end; no matter how early, life will be easier to let go.
Arts & Letters • Page 3
TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeXIV No.1
Towers of Ivory By Justine Denise S. Cruz Cries are heard from a hundred million souls Living in the troughs and lows, “Lay down your sheets of silk And let us sleep in warm linen just until dawn.” Countless floors with countless doors, Not a single one is ours, While they bathe in liquid gold, We are left to freeze in the cold. As whiskey pours from a century-old bottle, Cold blood sheds from those who fight a losing battle,
With the poor silently perishing at the sight of the stars, The people of Croesus are just fiddling with cigars. Towers of ivory standing proud and tall Only made for emperors, not for all And when the wails are loud enough to wake the dead, The royalties dance to this tune instead. Mothers, men, and children With howls echoing the walls Keep everyone up at night Except for those who live in turrets of ivory and gold.
Klasmeyt, Kumusta ka na? By Paul Adrian D. Hular
N
amamagang mga mata, kumikirot na likod, puyat, lutang, sabaw at iba pang uri ng pagod. dagdag kalbaryo pa ‘pag umattitude si Blackboard, Klasmeyt, kumusta ka na? Internet na mahina, kuryenteng mawawala bigla, maingay na kapitbahay, mga sasakyang bida-bida bumusina, kasabay ng pagkaubos ng data ang pagkaubos ng aking pasensya. Klasmeyt, sana okay ka pa. Put a finger down, kung ikaw ay nahihirapan, put a finger down, kung sa academic break napagkaitan, put a finger down, kung may kilala kang nagbubulagbulagan. Klasmeyt, pilitin mong lumaban. Open your mic, open your camera, patay, ikaw ba ay nakahiga? O nakatulog sa Google Meet at ikaw nalang natira? Klasmeyt, pagod ka na ba?
S y n c h r o n o u s asynchronous, bitbit niyo mental health abuse. Anong one week? Pasa niyo ngayon. Klasmeyt, bakit kaya ganoon? Pula, kahel, dilaw at berde, sa bawat notification kami’y napapa-“awts gege.” Sa Among Us may impostor, sa online class may network error, Klasmeyt, ‘wag panghinaan ng loob sa mga color. Hindi lahat ng laban ay kailangan ipanalo, Klasmeyt, hindi masamang unahin ang sarili mo. Pare-parehas tayong nangangapa at nadadapa, Klasmeyt, kapit lang para sa inaasam na diploma. Klasmeyt, kumusta ka na? Sana ay sapat pa ang iyong tulog at pahinga. Klasmeyt, kumusta ka na? Sana sa next Google Meet ay nakaligo ka na.
Photos by Aleckine Troy N. Rada
Arts & Letters • Page 4
TheAdamsonChronicle • VolumeIX No.1
Photos by Jeremay G. Onayan
ID Janelle Ava S. Alcala
“Shutdown?” Janelle Ava S. Alcala
“KAPE PARA SA UTAK” John Renz P. Tubale
“DeadLINES” John Renz P. Tubale
“Fried Brain” Janelle Ava S. Alcala
“LUNOD” John Renz P. Tubale
“Parcel” Maximillan S. Wandag