Bound to the Abyss | Bagwis AY 2024-2025 First Semester Issue
Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University
General Santos
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.”
-William Shakespeare
Stuck in a cycle of electing the undeserving, Filipinos and every other democratic countries’ citizens are mirroring the void: chaos and nothingness brought about by the gift and curse of choice. As entropy reigns over the Philippines from the travesty that is democracy, the country draws parallels with an unlikely neighbor, South Korea— facing the same predicament of having to impeach major leaders for rotten governance.
The Philippines and South Korea share reflections in one mirror as both countries’ major leaders face possible impeachment. Vice President and former Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio faces impending impeachment for questionable public fund expenditures both while in her DepEd seat and for the operations of the Office of the Vice President (OVP). Meanwhile, South Korea’s previous President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted last December 14 for his brief martial law order on December 3, and now, Prime Minister and acting President Han Duck-Soo–faces the same impeachment threats for allegations of abetting the former president’s order among others.
The uncanny parallels between the two countries beg for a question to be asked: when placed upon a government position, who shall truthfully and rightfully wield its power? VP Sara faces impeachment complaints for the third time in a row since Dec. 19, and all of them specifically recount questionable if not downright blatant misuse of
public funds under the guise of confidentiality. South Korea faced a brief but alarming declaration of martial law—something that both countries and even the Philippines’ current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—might understand well.
Over time, even the concept of governmental positions and the importance they hold has been suspended for far too long into a reversal of roles. Being atop the seat does not give one free reign over the borrowed and granted power of the masses.
Election into a government seat, once upon a time, meant the greatest honor and the greatest burden, a position aiming to be of service to all. Now, if not reduced to ashes and cinders, a seat atop the country’s highest executive arm is akin to joining a table full of farm animals. Cash cows are the centerpiece, inherited through political dynasties’ seal of last names, endlessly milked of public funds and resources.
Exhibit A, B, C: the current Vice President’s handling of funds and all other surrounding controversies around her governance. Siphoning of the
cartoon by James Sacabin
public treasury through millions of confidential funds both for the OVP and DepEd while she was still amongst its ranks… including but not limited to consigning funds to nonexistent individuals such as Mary Grace Piattos, or even her infamous budgeting of millions of funding for a self-written book about friendship among others.
Although the country remains democratic, democracy in itself has been upended and twisted into an abomination beyond recognition. Popularity outweighs merit and qualification, appeal to emotions and vain promises are sought after rather than proactive competence.
The result—a playground for the voted, hell for those who voted. The constant cycle keeps running, fueled by corruption and incompetence, twins who have been telling the story of the Philippines’ political landscape like a tale as old as time, a tradition that the nation would be better off to lay to rest.
Once again and as always, the power to choose is in every single one of Filipinos’ hands. It always has been. Dissolved and watered down when divided, but a force to be reckoned with when clamoring voices harmonize into one demand for an unmet need, long-forgotten: the need for good leaders and not run-of-the-mill politicians, produced a dime a dozen
through generations of political families.
One must remember that thus far, the looming threats of impeachment for the current Vice President remain as filed complaints rather than being put into motion. Said filed complaints raise and put forward valid and pressing, nay, alarming concerns which put into perspective just how much of the public funds may have already been squandered thus far. As one of the filed complaints quote, more or less than P612.5 million has been received by the OVP and DepEd from when the Vice President was still DepEd secretary.
To be fair, Filipinos are not entirely to blame for the country’s elected leaders that have come out on top. The power to choose can only do so much against an assortment of limited and abysmal options. Still, the predicament that this generation of voters face has come a long way to solidify itself as a fact. Fact one, politics and business built political families and political dynasties; fact two, dynasticism persists simply because it is perpetuated.
As the playwright and poet William Shakespeare once wrote: hell is empty, and all the devils are here.
Voters and beneficiaries of democratic rights and privileges are faced with evils which can only be collectively abolished or abetted by voting, or as some representatives are trying to do now, impeaching and nipping the problem in the bud. If they succeed, the victory will be brilliant yet short-lived as political problems do not have enough courtesy to exist one at a time. Whether or not the pursuit of impeachment and political purging goes well, Filipinos will be left mirroring the void, suffering bad government administrations one after the other with no promises of being lifted from a country void of hope.
MSU-GenSan’s youngest chancellor to date reveals leadership values in welcome flagraising ceremony
Atty. Shidik T. Abantas, MDM, LLM—the newly-elected chancellor of Mindanao State UniversityGeneral Santos (MSU-GenSan), revealed the core values of his leadership during a flag-raising ceremony, December 2.
Serving as the 8th chancellor of MSU-GenSan, Atty. Abantas also holds the title of being the youngest one to date.
Atty. Abantas was elected by the MSU Board of Regents (BOR) last November 26, 2024.
During the flag-raising ceremony, where he was formally introduced to the MSU-GenSan community, he affirmed his commitment to the core values of his leadership.
“First, I commit to a democratic
leadership that is transparent, collaborative, consultative and accountable. Second, I commit to be adaptive in today’s challenges. So kahit, kung kailangan natin ng change, kailangan natin ng changes in the administration or in the structure of our university, we will do it,” the new chancellor said.
Furthermore, he expressed his commitment to be mission driven and subject himself to constant checks.
“I don’t have to remind Dean Mayong because definitely, he will check me as we do in the board of regents,” Atty. Abantas stated.
Additionally, he asserted his commitment to foster excellence in all levels of the university operations.
He shared that when he was asked by the BOR last November 26 about what the slogan of MSU-GenSan will be under his stewardship, he said that he answered “fostering excellence.”
“When we foster excellence, from the very bottom unit of the university up to the top, we will foster excellence,” Atty. Abantas remarked.
In his message, Atty. Abantas also cited that the students are a core focus of his administration, making a special acknowledgment of the Supreme Student Council president, signaling his intent to prioritize student recognition and engagement.
LOURENZ JAY LOREGAS
photo from UPCO
Gateway renovations to modernize campus security; part of broader ‘SMART MSU’
IAN PAOLO VILLACENCIO, MARIA NICOLE SILVA
As part of the innovation of its facilities, the revamping of Mindanao State UniversityGeneral Santos’ (MSUGensan) gateways has been mechanized in order to provide more organized access for the students, faculty, and visitors, with the goal of being a ‘SMART University’.
The university’s Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO), the project leader of the said program, stated that the two gateways, the main and the back gate, will feature turnstiles, in which Radiofrequency identifications (RFIDs) to be provided will be scanned, and closed-circuit televisions that will bolster student access and security.
However, they emphasized that the renovation is currently prioritizing the back gate as many students are situated in that particular area.
“Di natin pwedeng ipagsabay (main gate and backgate) kasi wala tayong dadaanan papasok. Pwede din naman gawan ng alternative way (the backgate). Yung ginawa ng PPD, binutasan dito sa gilid. Kasi ‘pag sa main gate natin ginawa yun, wala tayong mabubutasan dun so kaya inuna ang sa backgate,” ICTO clarified.
They added that the project is divided into phases, in which the first phase is still ongoing since late June of the current year.
Step forward to SMART campus
The ICTO also emphasized retrofitting among laboratories, including the transformation of their old office, which will turn into a Digital Media Lab that will be opened for the students, faculty, and staff.
Additionally, libraries will also be
included in the said renovation, with the installation of turnstiles to record attendance and bookkeeping and kiosk online reservations that will quicken the book borrowing process.
“This time, yung may access lang ng WiFi is nasa mga academic buildings kasi yun yung kasali sa phase one, but in the phase two, all the buildings na ng campus ang may mga WiFi access na for student, including ‘yung open spaces,” ICTO stated on strengthening internet access for the students.
Students’ expectations
When asked for her opinion, Angel Grace Llamelo, a fourthyear History student, said she appreciated the efforts of the university on improving security, as it’s been a concern in the past.
“Ga-strive man pud ang university nga maging globally
competitive in a sense nga hindi lang sa pagtudlo, pati pud sa technologies na ginagamit ta diri,” Llamelo said.
Meanwhile, Alice Orayle, a first-year BAELS student, is glad that the higher-ups are starting to digitalize IDs in tracking the attendance of the students.
On the other hand, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD) and Physical Plant Division (PPD) Director, Engr. Randy Asturias declared that the modernization project is the biggest project by the university to date.
“By next year, ma-improve na yung ating ICT facilities. Yung internet natin, meron nang bagong connection,” Asturias optimistically said.
He added that this campus wasn’t only the recipient of the said project, but also other MSU system campuses.
photo by Katrina Elises
Service for Hu-MONEY-ty
Lying in the Pacific typhoon belt, the Philippines has already been a home for the vehement onslaughts of meteorological storms, but a far more raging portent brews in its corridors of power in recent times: that of political chaos rooted in the clashing personal interests of the leaders whom we have entrusted the future of our nation to. This speaks a lot about the tenure of corrupt politicians in our country’s bureaucratic system, where their goal in the first place is to not serve the people but to capitalize their love for them, turning public service into an industry of hu-MONEY-ty.
With 12 typhoons surging through the country this year, their detrimental
effects have struck devastation over Filipinos. But throughout the time during which these typhoons ran over the Philippines hit-and-pass style, the skies hovering over the country still rumbled with storms. These are not projected, by any means, of nature, however. Thunders of countless crises clap and reverberate across the political arena of the country, deafening Filipino ears and drowning issues that matter beyond the dramas and inter-ally feuds (later becoming swornfoes) ensuing in the government halls scattered across its branches.
The 2025 midterm elections in the Philippines are only five months away until the election on May 12 next
year. Since the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) opened on October 1, many aspiring candidates have set their sails through the journey of elections. A comedic stunt, pulled yet again in the face of the Filipino people washed down, if not drowned out, from the sea of social maladies of the country—showbusiness actor Marco Gumabao, vlogger Rosmar Tan, and Diwata, a street food vendor who enjoyed fleeting social media attention with his famed “pares overload,” have all filed their certificates of candidacy. Additionally, vlogger Norris John Okamoto, political Tiktoker Eli San Fernando, and political vlogger Marc Gamboa all rose from their respective spheres to try to land themselves on
ALJIM KUDARAT, JEROMELEE PIANA
cartoon by Micheal Villanueva
congressional decks, with Gamboa’s eyes set still on the Senate.
It is nothing new to see traditional politicians or trapos, emerging from the ranks of those rearing for the race towards the Philippine exclusive political zone… again. This year’s filing of COCs, however, saw quite a novel twist. An entry of political sailors riding different images of boats, though made of the same wood as those of the trapos. No, they are not just celebrated mainstream Filipino artists who joined politics after losing their place in the industry. A new breed of underqualified aspiring politicians (skillswise) emerged from a different corner of entertainment: content creators. Together, they form a confederacy of comedians fishing for more fame while trying out new jokes, with the Filipino masses’ trust as the fish to be caught by their newfound nets.
Now, this does not mean that a celebrity or a content creator could not make a fine politician. The contention woven in this issue is the fact that they do not have prior background in politics, that is, to omit simply being a bystander as they produce political content. Dedicating no effort to study the ways of politics and public administration, no concrete platforms, just dreams and intentions. The standards for pageant queens or boxers in the country are far higher and scrutinized more meticulously by Filipinos than that which they hold for politicians. A non-college graduate for president? There is the incumbent president sitting atop the government. An action star with no prior experience in public service, whatsoever, for a senator? There is Senator Robin Padilla, with his latest nonsensical “inheat” statements over wives’ right to refuse sex to their husbands.
If Filipinos can hold sky-high standards for beauty queens or artists, equal efforts exhausted in forming a critical thinking electorate
are only right. Filipinos cannot expect competence in public service if they lack the competence in voting for office politicians with relevant credentials, a character of not only politicians but as well as those of genuine public servants’. If Filipinos cycle seating politicians with stains of corruption and other anomalies in circles in government posts, then they might as well expect to be subjugated yet again in a repetition of poor return for their public trust.
The national embarrassment that the UniTeam has become today is a primary product of this Filipino cycle. President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte’s 2022 electoral campaign trail, anchored on unity, has shattered into the broken laughingstock for those who knew it was nothing more than the facade of a political alliance for the convenience of the country’s most prominent political dynasties—never for the care of the Filipino public. The recent developments of the relationship between Marcos and Duterte prove that their election-time unity can only reach as far.
As far as the Filipinos are concerned, their unity has now taken a dramatic turn of events. A plot twist that, honestly, was not hard to anticipate. With Duterte stating that their relationship has grown toxic, she has said she dreamed of cutting Marcos’ head. Not only that, she also revealed in a post on her Facebook page, as the Marcos-Duterte melodrama unfolded, that she had spoken to a man. In the post, she stated that in the event that she gets killed, she had ordered the deaths of Marcos and his wife, as well as House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Filipinos deserve more than this comedic play, and above all, they must know better than to buy into the promises of these ‘good samaritans’ whose kindness only surfaces in elections.
Every Filipino has the prerogative to seek public office as long as certain electoral qualifications established in the Philippine Constitution and other legal frameworks, such as the Omnibus Election Code, are met. It is imperative, however, to recalibrate the standards set for individuals running for higher positions as existing qualifications for public office induce nothing but the barest outcome, paving a smooth road for underdeveloped culprits to ascend positions of power.
Hence, to optimize the system, it is high time to impose higher educational requirements, policy proficiency, literacy, and public service experience, all inclined toward the perceivably highest moral standard from them. If these qualifications are not met for national positions, then those who are trying to invade governance should be constitutionally barred from running for office. And whilst suffrage and participation in government are rights under the Philippine Constitution (Article V), as for the Filipino electorates, neglecting electoral accountability cannot justify, once betrayal comes in, a plea to oust a substandard government—with no escape, we should face the mistake of one and suffer thrice en masse.
And so, as the winds howl and rain lashes, the true storm we face is not one conjured by nature but by human ambition and greed, represented by people sitting in our bureaucracy, as well as those who are planning to tenure. Until we wake up and resist how certain people in the position provide only band-aid solutions to the major problems of our country, as we still dismiss the recurring narrative of resilience and neglect the systemic failures in trade for minimal supplies, change will not knock. Storms will never be weathered. It is time: demand leadership that rebuilds rather than destroys, that truly unites rather than divides, serving humanity, not huMONEY-ty.
JEROMELEE PIANA, FAYROUZ OMAR
cartoon by LYLE JOME DELA MADRID
COVER STORY
A Filipino stomach rumbling in hunger, a public official’s thunderous laughter fueled by corrupted government funds. These sounds shatter in the midst of the hushed consciousness of Filipinos, standing still in the darkened rooms of an abyss, where they are bound to, as if in default. Deep beneath it, an infinity of government failures lies unrelenting, worsening, and ever-continuing; and the Filipino dream of a better Philippines crumbles as it falls further.
Over seventeen Filipino presidents have sat in power. Yet, throughout those years, up until now in Marcos Jr.’s administration, Filipinos have yet to see themselves break free from the shackles of socio-economic despair and political anomalies. Corruption remains rampant in the country and poverty still reigns and weighs heavily on the poor. Faces of traditional political dynasties still draw large seats in the government, in spite of Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution that prohibits it. As the dim traps the Filipinos, they stagger over the bricks of these predicaments, unable to pull these blocks together to construct a Filipino nation that cradles good governance, which could build roads towards real progress for the country.
ABYSS-DEEP CUTS
For a nation that seems to be inevitably bound to dive headfirst and eyes-almost-closed down through a tunnel void with light, its last flicker of hope is its youth; and to shape the youth to become relevant builders of the country, they must be educated. From their education, the Philippines’ darkened prospects for its future is lightened and aglow with professionals, such as teachers, engineers, doctors, lawyers, and architects, among others. Together, they make a case of renewed hope towards a brighter future for the Filipinos. However, if even a central tenet of nation-building is given less prioritization through cutting the budgets of relevant government agencies that accommodate the education, healthcare, and social welfare of the people, then, it is only a matter of time before the Filipinos get swallowed by a sinkhole. A social disaster brewing in the unknown from deep within, heated by a fiscal catastrophe.
In the proposed General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the year 2025, there were alarming cuts on the funds for the sectors in education, social welfare, and healthcare. Under the provisions of the 2025 GAA, the Department of Education (DepEd) is bound to lose a staggering amount of 11.57 billion pesos. On the other hand, the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) budget will sink by 26.91 billion pesos. Meanwhile the Budget
for Free Education is seeing a 3-billion peso slash. Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is about to lose 83.05 billion pesos. PhilHealth is facing a 74.4 billion budget cut. What is one more nail to the coffin, then? Another major blow to the healthcare sector is the Department of Health’s (DOH) 25.8 billion cut in its funds.
CRIESIS: PRIORITY MISMATCH
This stands as nothing more than a denial of the growing crisis that arises from the education, social welfare, and health sectors. A joke thrown in the face of Filipinos, Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) will gain additional funding in exchange for cuts on these critical sectors. The DSWD is once again pleading for the program to be included in the 2025 budget, with Secretary Rex Gatchalian warning that without it, “millions could fall back into poverty.” But the truth is as clear as day: millions are already drowning in poverty–not because of the lack of stopgap measures like AKAP, but because of a government that continues to treat the symptoms rather than the disease.
If eradicating poverty for these four million Filipinos were truly a priority, we’d see budgets poured into education to empower the generation, healthcare to save lives, and sustainable livelihood programs to ensure long-term stability. Instead, AKAP offers short-term relief, while billions flow into pork barrel funds, vanity projects, and bloated bureaucracies. Poverty isn’t a mere statistic; it’s children begging at street corners, workers risking their lives for meager wages, and farmers walking barefoot to harvest rice they can’t even afford to eat. Where is the funding for them?
POLL-UTION: SENATE SEATS FOR SALE
The Philippines is no stranger to crises, but the real disaster lies in the 2025 elections, where the absurdity of one’s democracy takes center stage. As the nation faces countless challenges, it’s clear that the greatest threat comes not from outside forces, but from leaders who lack the will or ability to bring real change. After the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) approved 66 candidates, the nation is once again faced with dynasties like the Duterte family, celebrities like Willie Revillame, who once claimed he’d be “useless” in government but now promises to bring a “good heart” to the Senate, and fugitives like Apollo Quiboloy, facing child sex trafficking charges yet cleared to run for office. How is it that someone accused of such crimes is allowed to seek power, while leaders of integrity, like Sultan Subair Guinthium Mustapha, are dismissed as “nuisance
candidates”? If a man who claims to be God can run for high office, perhaps a patient who believes they’re Napoleon should try next. And why stop there? A convicted criminal could join the fray—after all, the seats of power seem eager to welcome anyone, regardless of background or credibility.
It would be laughable if it weren’t so tragic. The elections, which should be a moment of hope and renewal, have become a grim spectacle where the winner is predetermined, and the losers are always the same: the Filipino people. The insult is clear: it’s harder to secure a job at Potato Corner than to run for public office. For low-wage jobs, applicants must present credentials, pass interviews, and meet stringent standards. But to run for Senate— the very body that shapes the laws of this land—all you need is the ability to scribble your name and a pulse. The nation’s future lies in the hands of its youth, yet if they are deprived of the resources to thrive—through broken schools, inadequate healthcare, and a failing social safety net—how can we expect them to lift this country from the shadows? How can they rebuild when the very leaders who should empower them are too busy feeding their own greed? When those entrusted with leadership only feign responsibility, the cycle of failure grows inevitable, leaving the next generation to inherit not a nation of hope, but one of broken promises.
Decades of decay have brought this descent into darkness to its peak. From the endless scandals that turn government agencies into little more than punchlines, to leaders who do not lead but only feast on power, we’ve learned to live with systems that barely hold together, as if failure were the only thing still holding us up. Healthcare deteriorates while the wealthy secure their private medical care, education becomes a privilege instead of a right, and the most basic needs remain inaccessible for millions.
The chains that bind us are not forged by foreign powers, but by the apathy, incompetence, and greed of those who swore an oath to serve, yet only serve themselves. The question is no longer whether change is possible, but how much longer this broken system will drag the nation toward a future of endless despair.
This is no slow burn; it’s a match lit in a dry forest, and with every second, we feed the fire, watching it grow into something we can no longer control, all because we chose to strike the match. Without real change in policy and governance, the future is a certain uncertainty—an abyss born from the neglect of our most pressing needs and a collective indifference to the cries toward the nation’s deepest wounds.
In every education student’s dream, the mere thought of passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) requires every bit of sacrifice and devotion, sending to the gods the joy and the wisdom for another prosperous mark of a pivotal journey. It is more than just an examination to loosen the chains of the four-year degree—more than the scriptures embedded on that diploma; it has always been the “LPT” that tails after the name of myriad dreamers, which rekindles the path of the teaching profession.
However, to reach the very top of the summit, name entrenched not on the hundredth page but on the first, may become just a distant dream to others. To some, the rumination of being a topnotcher may only be a jest to a group of friends, followed by a giggle and a “Imposible oy!” Yet, amidst the once-in-a-blue-moon dream for a sea of aspirants, Belle Chardin Bacea, a graduate of the Bachelor of Elementary Education program, became a dreamer that reached for the highest of the stars, landing the top 1 spot of the September LET for the Elementary Level.
Upon this remarkable success, let us take a look at the arduous journey that Belle had to voyage through with vision and pride.
When you were preparing for the LET, did the thought ofbeing a topnotcher ever cross your mind?
When I was still a student at this very institution, I would often joke about wanting to be the Top 2. However, after graduating and during my review for the LET, the idea of becoming a topnotcher felt like an impossible dream. My primary goal was simply to pass and make my family proud, especially considering the limited time we had to prepare. I focused on doing my best, trusted in God’s plan, and left the rest in His hands.
Why did you take Elementary Education among different education programs?
There are a lot of challenges upon taking LET. For you, what was the greatest challenge that you faced?
I have always had a passion for working with children. Choosing Elementary Education felt like a natural decision because I believe that the foundation of a child’s learning experience is established in these early years. And I wanted to be part of that process, helping children discover their potential and fostering a love for learning.
The greatest challenge for me was balancing my time and resources. As a graduating student, I had to juggle my thesis, financial struggles, and the rigorous demands of the LET review all at once. It was overwhelming at times, but I managed to persevere with faith and the unwavering support of my friends and loved ones.
Can you share with us about your greatest inspirations that helped you overcome these challenges?
My greatest inspirations were my family and my faith in God. My family’s unwavering support and sacrifices encouraged me to keep going, even during difficult times. My faith reminded me to trust in God’s timing and plans, giving me strength and hope when things seemed impossible.
LLIANAH
What
study routines and habits would you like to share with aspiring LET takers?
We all have different learning styles, so what worked for me might not necessarily work for you. However, one thing I would like to emphasize to aspiring LET takers is the importance of balance. Study diligently, but also make sure to take time to REST. Rest is just as important as studying because it helps your mind process and absorb information better. Don’t feel guilty for taking breaks or stepping back when you need to recharge; it’s part of the preparation process. Overworking yourself can lead to burnout and make it harder to retain what you’ve learned. Remember, quality is more important than quantity when it comes to your review.
Taking the LET is certainly pivotal, especially to aspiring teachers. With that being said, did you ever receive any form of pressure and expectations from people around you? If there are, how did you overcome them?
Yes, I did feel pressure from myself and others. However, I don’t usually let external pressure affect me. I reminded myself to focus on my own journey rather than on other people’s expectations. I constantly prayed for guidance and strength, and I surrounded myself with supportive individuals who encouraged me instead of adding to the pressure.
There are many aspiring LET takers that are going to take the examination in the future. As a graduate of MSU Gensan taking BEED, what is the greatest advice that you can give?
Upon knowing that you finished as the Top 1 for the LET, what was the very first thing that came into your mind at that very moment?
The first thing that came to mind was gratitude. I immediately thanked God for His faithfulness and grace. It was beyond what I prayed for, and I felt humbled and overwhelmed with joy. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my college, the College of Education, especially the BEED Department, for their unwavering guidance and dedication. The years of rigorous training, mentorship, and encouragement shaped me into the educator I am today. They not only equipped me with the knowledge I needed for the licensure examination but also instilled in me the values, discipline, and passion for teaching that made this achievement possible. This success is a reflection of their commitment to excellence, and I am forever grateful for their role in my journey.
Know yourself, understand your learning style, and capitalize on what works best for you. Whether it’s studying in groups or using flashcards, tailor your preparation methods to suit your strengths. Set realistic goals for yourself and work steadily toward them. Don’t feel pressured to follow someone else’s pace or methods. Remember, every journey is unique. Most importantly, trust God’s timing and plan for your life. It’s natural to feel nervous or uncertain, but don’t let that doubt overshadow your hard work. Remember that success is a combination of hard work, faith, and resilience. Rest when you need to, pray for guidance, and keep pushing forward. You are capable of achieving great things; I believe in you!
Indeed, Belle becomes a prime example of a dreamer who once thought of extending her hand to reach the farthest stars in the sky, hoping that despite their distance, they would eventually be grasped within her hand. Amidst the many “Dili kaya,” there will always be a “Nakaya nako!” that continues to mold into stories, becoming an inspiration that rekindles others to believe in the act of dreaming.
LLIANAH MARIE MORA
art by Jewel Tapel
art by Ash Pio
ISOBEL
Amid this fast pacing ambiance,
Diverse souls, muffled noises, and unsaid feelings,
Our eyes met in a fleeting glance
Romance never felt this thrilling,
Every split-second is fate, not a chance
You are the songs I genuinely sing
On nights I long to dance
Under these stars, over the distance
Seasons of Waiting Ang Dasal sa Banal na Kanal
Another day passed
My woes reflect these dead leaves
When will summer come again?
Where flowers bloom anew
And deep waters don’t feel blue
The rain poured again
Standing clueless on the other side
After all, I still love the petrichor
It reminds me of peace
That one truly sees
How can I forget?
Even if fate doesn’t permit
And wounds don’t heal
Beyond the abyss of you,
Pumikit ako at narinig ang agos ng kanal—tila buntong-hininga ng isang lihim na pilit itinatago. Sa bawat patak ng ulan, bumibigat ang tubig, dumadaloy na parang nananawagan. Hindi ko alam kung awa o galit ang bumubulong sa hangin, pero ramdam ko ang bigat nito sa aking dibdib.
Ang kanal ang naging kalasag namin laban sa bagyo at si Kapitana ang ang nagsilbing Moises ng aming barangay. Hinati niya ang dagat ng pangamba at binigyan kami ng kaginhawaan. Siya ang aming naging sandalan.
Mga delata, bigas, at isang libong pera, ay kanya kaming pinapabaunan upang makaalpas lamang. Bukod pa roon, banal na sa lahat ang kanyang proyektong kanal. Sa tuwing umuulan ay isinasalba kami nito sa tuluyang pagkalunod.
“Buhay namin ang utang sa kanal na ito at buhay rin ang utang namin kay kapitana.” Sabi ng Ale habang itinirik ang kandila sa kanal, animo’y alay sa isang altar.
Ngunit sa gitna ng mga papuri, may mga bitak sa kwento. Isa na roon ang higit singkwentang tupa na inilunod ng kung sino sa kanal. Ipinagsawalang bahala
ni kapitana sapagka’t aanhin naman ang kay raming tupa? May darating na bagyo at kailangan maghanda.
“Isang beses lang iyon,” litanya naman ng mga tao. Tila baga ang unang kasalanan ay pwedeng lunurin sa baha ng utang na loob. Sabagay, isinalba naman kami ng kanal sa tuluyang pagkalunod tuwing bumabagyo.
Pero ang ‘isang beses’ ay naging paulit-ulit. Mula sa singkwenta ay naging isang daang libo, hanggang sa umabot na ng bilyon ang tupang tila sadyang ipinalapa sa buwayang kanal. At sa bawat panibagong anomalya, nagbibingihan ang bayan, tila ba binubulag ang sarili.
“Mas malaki pa rin ang naitulong ni Kapitana,” bulong ng marami. Parang agos ng kanal na hindi kayang salungatin.
Ngayong gabi, muling inuulan ang buong baranggay. Habang dumadaloy ang tubig, ako ay nagdarasal. Hindi para kay Kapitana, kundi para sa kanal. Hanggang kailan ito mananatiling matibay? At kung dumating ang araw na ito’y gumuho, sino ang lulunurin ng katotohanan?
MOEUM NOMEN
ISOBEL
art by Micheal Villanueva
art by James Sacabin
Looped in a Limbo Rock
In a never-ending preparation towards advancing athletic excellence, Mindanao State University-General Santos City (MSU-GenSan) athletes remained trapped in a state of perpetual readiness that never leads into action, while for three consecutive years, the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) competition has escaped our sights, turning what seemed like a promising opportunity into a distant dream.
Regardless of the difficulties, MSUGenSan athletes continue their rigorous training, motivated not only by the prospect of medals but by a profound commitment to growth and excellence, as highlighted by a volleyball team member’s August 27, 2024 post that captured the MSU community’s attention with its expression of frustration over being unable to showcase their skills beyond campus.
This sentiment reflects the ongoing
frustration within the Sports Development Office (SDO) and among athletes and coaches who, after their triumph at the Mindanao State University System Athletic Association Unity Games, eagerly anticipate the MASTS competition each year. Although they have worked diligently to secure this opportunity, the administration’s refusal to approve participation has cultivated a persistent sense of despair, highlighting a broader issue of unfulfilled athletic potential.
By uniting state universities across the islands, the MASTS competition highlights a broad range of athletic talents, promoting both individual growth and institutional unity. However, the administration’s ongoing denial of the opportunity for our dedicated athletes to participate has led to unfulfilled expectations and broken promises, leaving their potential unrealized despite repeated assurances. This continued impediment to achieving
cartoon by Ash Pio
sports excellence has cast doubt on whether the university sees itself as more than just academically strong, or merely a big pawn in sports.
Having last participated in the sporting event during the 2021 pandemic, MSUGensan adapted to a virtual format, where student-athletes demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience despite unprecedented challenges. However, as the world transitions to a new normal, the university appears to have regressed rather than advanced, starkly contrasting with the spirit of perseverance shown during the pandemic and undermining progress in Mindanao-wide competitions.
Burdened by the competitors’ despair due to financial constraints imposed by the administration, the SDO is working diligently to secure participation in the MASTS Games 2024. Professor Sammielyn Lavente, the current SDO Director, reflects a strong commitment to supporting the coaches and players, emphasizing their willingness to make sacrifices to ensure that the team receives the exposure they deserve and is given the opportunity to compete.
Prof. Lavente mentioned that during the deliberation, the Vice Chancellor of Finance advised them that financial support for this year was not possible owing to budget restrictions. The university is confronting a number of resource management problems, with an emphasis on academic priority. Due to limited resources, hiring new faculty for the upcoming semester takes priority, while paying job order workers adds to the challenge.
She recalled that during the second negotiation, they were told participation “might still be possible.” After meeting with coaches, finalizing the budget, and securing support from an outside sponsor for jerseys, the local government coordinated the transportation arrangements for the athletes, ensuring everything was settled.
Anticipating the upcoming tournament, the Sports Office spent two weeks in August finalizing preparations and securing funds, only to be met with frustration in the third week when they were informed that participation was not permitted. This decision has disheartened not only the Sports Office and coaches but also the athletes, many of whom are in their final year and devastated by the lost opportunity to represent the college in their last competition.
Jane Vea Lendio, captain of the MSU-GenSan women’s badminton team, expressed her displeasure, saying, “I’m really upset about the university’s decision not to join MASTS, especially after they promised us we’d be participating. We were excited to compete at MSUSAA 2024 and represent the university at MASTS. We trained hard, sacrificed a lot, and then, when they pulled out at the last minute— just weeks before the event—it felt like we’d been robbed of something we’d worked so hard for.”
She urged the institution to involve athletes and coaches in the choice process, provide timely updates, and ensure that athletes feel respected as individuals within the university, not just as competitors, by offering clear explanations for any changes.
The decision, driven by a significant budget cut for the academic year 2024-2025, has forced the university to reevaluate priorities and resource allocation, underscoring the need to not only reassess but also enhance support and acknowledge athletes’ talents beyond campus activities.
By leveraging its influence to lobby the administration for increased support and funding for sports programs, the Supreme Student Council (SSC) faces the challenge of actively supporting and advocating for student-athletes by pushing for more athletic opportunities that can help ensure that athletes receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve both on and off campus.
Originally scheduled for September 10-15 at Josefina H. Cerilles State College (JHCSC), the MASTS Games have been postponed to November 23-30 due to accommodation issues, placing increased pressure on the SDO and administration, who now face a critical juncture as they push for urgent dialogue to explore all options and assess whether there is still a realistic chance to participate this year.
With their demonstrated capabilities, our athletes deserve more than an endless cycle of uncertainty; they need consistent support throughout their preparation to achieve true sports excellence. Providing ongoing assistance not only enhances our university’s prestige but also reinforces our commitment to excelling in both academics and athletics. The time for warm-ups has passed; it is now essential to challenge these athletes on a larger stage where they can showcase their talents and elevate the university to greater achievements.
“ With their demonstrated capabilities, our athletes deserve more than an endless cycle of uncertainty; they need consistent support throughout their preparation to achieve true sports excellence.
MSU-GenSan elevates peace advocacy through crosscollege collaboration in CYS
JOHN WYNNE ESCOLANO, BERJAN PAGADATAN
Friendship and camaraderie took center stage at the Mindanao State University - General Santos City (MSU-GenSan) as the Campus Youth Sportsfest (CYS) brought students together in a vibrant celebration of sports, talent, and creativity held from November 15 to 17, 2024.
The festival, spearheaded by Overall CYS Chairperson, Dr. Norman Ralph Isla, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (VCSA), with former Acting Chancellor JD. Usman Aragasi’s approval, was made possible through partnerships and sponsorships from the Office of Secretary of Education Sonny Angara, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and Senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano, featuring a blend of six sports events alongside the revival of the highly anticipated MSU Got Talent and Dance Unlimited competitions.
Building on the success of last year’s festival, CYS 2024 introduced new dimensions, expanding beyond sports to embrace the showcase of dance and talent in honoring a broader range of skills and expressions. Emphasizing its advocacy as a peace university, MSUGenSan infused the event with activities that promote collaboration, unity, and community-building.
One of the festival’s standout features was the innovative merging of colleges through a draw-lots system, designed to foster unity and camaraderie among participants. The College of Engineering teamed up with the College of Fisheries, forming the trailblazing College of Aquatic Innovators (TeegAngs), while the College of Agriculture joined forces with the College of Business and Accountancy to create the powerhouse College of Agriculture and Business Studies (AgriBeedas).
Adding to the excitement, the College of
Education partnered with the Institute of Islamic and Arabic Studies to establish the unified College of Islamic Studies and Education (TriTors). Meanwhile, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics reunited with the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, bringing back the legendary College of Arts and Sciences (LibaKeros).
The three-day festival showcased an exciting lineup of sports, featuring men’s and women’s basketball, beach volleyball, darts, volleyball, as well as baseball, football, and sepak takraw.
The CYS 2024 celebrated more than athletic excellence by fostering camaraderie and teamwork through a revamped format that united two colleges per team, creating a dynamic environment where athletes worked together to achieve success while embodying true sportsmanship.
Meanwhile, MSU Got Talent and Dance Unlimited captivated audiences during the opening night with Beatboxer Sallman Salipada emerging as the grand champion, impressing judges with his intricate rhythm.
Vocal powerhouse Mary Joy Parasan claimed the first runner-up spot with her stunning performance while rhythmic gymnast Miss Flexy Junna Capili secured second runner-up honors. Consolation prizes were also awarded to Kent Sombrio, Jhon Lester Mandaluran, and Huwisyo.
In Dance Unlimited, M&M clinched the championship, followed by the Generals Dancesports Team as first runner-up and a tie for second runner-up between BAE Alliance and The Anglers. A consolation prize has been given to Magnaye, as they bagged the fourth runner-up.
The sports fixtures also heated up with
outdoor and beach volleyball showdowns. In men’s outdoor volleyball, the LibaKeros claimed victory, while the AgriBeedas and TeegAngs finished second and third, respectively. The women’s division saw the AgriBeedas flourish, followed by the LibaKeros and TriTors.
On the sands, the TriTors triumphed in both men’s and women’s beach volleyball, securing gold in both divisions. The AgriBeedas and TeegAngs completed the podium finishes on the men’s while as LibaKeros and AgriBeedas on the women’s category.
In men’s darts, TeegAngs took the title, with AgriBeedas and TriTors placing second and third. The LibaKeros glimmered in women’s darts, claiming gold after surpassing a clutch three-way tie, with AgriBeedas and TeegAngs securing silver and bronze.
Basketball saw TriTors clinching gold in men’s basketball, with TeegAngs and LibaKeros finishing second and third. In the women’s division, TeegAngs took the crown, followed by LibaKeros and AgriBeedas.
On the diamond, TeegAngs dominated the baseball tournament with AgriBeedas and LibaKeros left as runners-up, while TriTors secured gold in the football competition
as AgriBeedas and TeegAngs took the following podium placements. Meanwhile, in sepak takraw, TeegAngs reigned supreme, bagging the championship title, with TriTors and AgriBeedas taking second and third, respectively.
As the festival concluded, apart from titles, participants were awarded cash prizes, in accordance with their designated sport.
Dr. Isla, who is the Overall CYS’s Chairperson, took the opportunity in the closing program to express his gratitude to all the committee members and individuals behind the successful execution of CYS 2024, acknowledging the challenges faced, particularly in terms of finances and scheduling, which had to be carefully managed to ensure that the festival did not disrupt the class days; he also extended thanks to their partners in the non-sport events and the other committee chairs for their contributions.
Similarly, Prof. Sammielyn Lavente, SDO Director, and CYS’s Chairperson for Sports, emphasized the importance of unity and sportsmanship. She shared, “What stood out to me was the collaboration between colleges, which fostered camaraderie and a sense of community. This year’s event proved that sports and competitions can
bring people together in remarkable ways.”
From the athletes’ perspective, the newly introduced setup became an opportunity for growth, as demonstrated by the collaboration between the CoEd and IIAIS men’s basketball teams, where their strengthened bond and the resolution of unspoken tensions among the players turned them into a more focused and effective team, ultimately leading them to become champions and outperform their competitors.
CoEd men’s basketball team captain Thirdy Mangubat shared, “Para sa akoa, dako kaayo siyag impact sa competition ug sportsmanship, labi na gyud sa sportsmanship. [Sa niaging intrams], nagka-issue ang men’s basketball team sa Education ug IS. Pero tungod aning CYS, nahimo ming kauban sa mga nakalaban namo sauna sa intrams, [ug karon] okay na ang men’s basketball team sa duha ka colleges.”
With discussions already underway for introducing Larong Pinoy and more activities, the CYS aims to return bigger and better, ensuring another memorable celebration of skill, creativity, and camaraderie.
