No Filter - The Central Echo Magazine by The Central Echo

The Independent Student Media of a Free Student Body founded 1910

VOL.108 NO. 3

centralecho the

2016-2017

Charles Arthel R. Rey

Vivienne S. Soncayawon

Unique M. Canonicato

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

NEWS EDITORS

SPORTS EDITOR

DIGITAL ARTIST/ONLINE EDITOR

Jiselle L. Yanson Jenimary Irianna O. Montelibano

Vic Alizon P. Morena

Rod Gerard J. Fuentes

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

LAYOUT ARTIST

Jether Dane T. Guadalupe

John David O. Maza

PHOTOGRAPHERS

STAFF WRITERS

Moises Segundo D. Alba Israh Marie D. Dayalo

Ariel Lorenz N. Castronuevo Celina L. Maloto Pearl Lorraine R. Cordero Dazen Dawn P. Lariza

FEATURES EDITORS

Onesiforo B. Berina, Jr. Rusieljs G. Lunasco LITERARY EDITORS

Bryan D. Fran Angelika F. Rey

WEB ADMINISTRATOR

Michael Angelo I. Fandagani PATNUGOT NG FILIPINO

Lara Neptali E. Anam

2017-2018 ADVISERS

Onesiforo B. Berina, Jr.

John David O. Maza

Jiselle L. Yanson

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

NEWS EDITORS

WEB ADMINISTRATOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dazen Dawn P. Lariza Ariel Lorenz N. Castronuevo

Michael Angelo I. Fandagani Unique M. Canonicato

FEATURES EDITORS

GRAPHIC ARTISTS

Celina L. Maloto Rusieljs G. Lunasco Jeziel K. Vargas

Rod Gerard J. Fuentes Krizzia Dennese M. Espinosa Michael Angelo I. Fandagani

Israh Marie D. Dayalo Patrick Kyle L. Ita-as Moises Segundo D. Alba Jedrick Leighnoir P. Solinap

Esther Rose A. Romarate Rea Angelica F. Villeza Ron Adrian A. Dionaldo OFFICE

LITERARY EDITORS

LAYOUT ARTIST

Jenimary Irianna O. Montelibano

Unique M. Canonicato

PATNUGOT NG FILIPINO

CARTOONIST

Pearl Lorraine R. Cordero

Bejay P. Songcog

3/F Dr. Alfonso Uy Student Union Bldg., Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000 TELEPHONE

329-1971 loc 1051

STAFF WRITERS

Moises Segundo D. Alba Cleon Geoffrey S. Andaya

central.echo@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS

The Independent Student Media of a Free Student Body founded 1910

Official Student Media of Central Philippine University

The Central Echo is an independently managed and financed student publication. The opinions expressed herein by the authors and illustrators are exclusively theirs and do not necessarily reflect those of the University or the entire editorial board.

Paul Mackey B. Marfil Rhick Lars Vladimer T. Albay

Member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Â©2017 All rights reserved. Copyright reverts to the respective authors, illustrators, and photographers whose work appear in this issue. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior written consent from The Central Echo.

Please recycle this magazine.

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Unique M. Canonicato Jether Dane T. Guadalupe John David O. Maza This publication is not for sale.

CONTENTS 5

2017: What's next?

Growing up after Yolanda by Rhick Lars Vladimer T. Albay

Tanglaw ni Lara Neptali E. Anam

Religious Diversity

Double-sided Faces

The Biased Media

by Charles Arthel R. Rey

Pagiging totoo,â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;di dapat ikatakot ni Jiselle L. Yanson

iii

EDITORS’ NOTES Unreciprocated deeds might leave us frustrated and disappointed. Truths might sometimes be rendered with lies. But this is how we are. This is the truth we deny everyday. Thousands of thoughts running through our minds, sprinting to reach the tip of our tongues. But the fear of the truth filters our lips, stopping words from making it to home run. We try to conform to the standards of society, to manners and etiquette, because we are frightened of how others might judge us for outspokenly spouting forbidden and taboo thoughts they find unpleasant to their ears. How many times have we stabbed somebody in our minds, cursing at imagined faces, and yet fix a happy smile when meeting them on the street? How many times have we wept within as we longed for someone we haven’t seen for awhile, yet keep an “I’m okay“ disguise? At some point, the standards we’re expected to follow in this world make us filter our true selves. We’ve tried to show our deepest secrets in the most subtle way a few times in our lives. We’ve tried to just gradually show who we really are so the people we hold dear would stay by our side for a bit longer.

The people around us might’ve already seen a glimpse of our greatest aspirations, a corner of our soul, and even our foulest demons. It’s just that, in the worry of losing them, we continue hiding behind a mask of falsehood—afraid to reveal who we truly are. Now, it’s time to face the rawest and realest truths in denial. THIS IS NO FILTER.

~ Charles

Facial imperfection is not a big problem at all. Grab your camera phone, take a selfie, pick the filter of your choice and voila—all those pus-filled acne, large open pores, and dark spots will no longer be visible. You may also apply your favorite cosmetic product to conceal those unwanted fine lines and wrinkles. It’s easy to hide flaws, right? But hiding them will not erase the fact that they still exist. We can hide our dark secrets, insecurities, and even information which may threaten someone’s reputation. But the truth will always surface. We do not have to hide our blemishes to face the real world, sometimes all it takes is courage to unfilter the filtered.

~ One

ABOUT THE COVER Words by Jeziel K. Vargas Photos by Israh Marie D. Dayalo Concept by Unique M. Canonicato Edited by John David O. Maza

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With all the hype about social media, today’s millennials have an obsession for taking and posting portraits that show off the bright side of life—hiding the ugly and depressing truth underneath the likes and hearts they receive. Not everything is what it seems and not everybody who smiles is sincerely happy. It may just be a well-built facade or an immaculately painted mask, that when it finally slips off, it will show the horrid side we all would rather keep to ourselves.

28 C O V E R

S T O R Y

Paradoxical Ironies by Dazen Dawn P. Lariza

Isang Gabi Para sa Tuition Ko

34 34

Breaking the Ice by Jenimary Irianna O. Montelibano

Introverts

Daan Tungo Sa Trono ni Jiselle L. Yanson

How Green-Minded Are You?

Reviews

The Truth about Dystopia in Film by John David O. Maza

VOL. 108 NO. 3

201

So far, so good. What’s next?

Words by Paul Mackey B. Marfil

THE CHARLOTTESVILLE RALLY

HURRICANE HARVEY It was the first hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. since 2005, and the most destructive storm to ever hit Texas in 50 years. A Category-4 hurricane, Harvey brought strong winds that reached 130 miles per hour and a heavy downpour that lasted for days. This caused massive flooding in parts of Texas, leaving thousands homeless. The storm also hit countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. Countries such as Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Guyana received substantial damages. Billions of dollars were lost as homes, business, and roads succumbed to the hurricane, and at least 50 lives across eight countries were taken away. As the floodwaters recede, officials say that the numbers could still rise.

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PHOTO CNN

PHOTO THE DICKINSON PRESS

Also known as the Unite The Right rally, the Charlottesville rally was a movement led by white nationalists, white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and other far-right groups who protested the removal of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s statue from Emancipation Park. The protest began on the night of August 11 when protesters marched through the University of Virginia’s campus, chanting Nazi and white supremacy slogans such as “Blood and Soil,” “White lives matter,” and “You will not replace us” while carrying tiki torches. Tensions grew as they were met by counter-protesters, who chanted progressive slogans and civil-rights era songs. Things got violent as both groups clashed, and on the morning of August 12, a state of emergency was declared, with local officials calling the rally an “unlawful assembly.” One was killed and 19 were injured when a driver rammed his car into a crowd of counter-protesters. In his statement on the rally, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he condemned “hatred, bigotry, and violence on many sides.” This drew flacks from critics who insisted that the president “did not denounce white nationalists explicitly.”

2016 had kicked the bucket, and we were left to wonder what wonders the new year will bring.

PHOTO HUFFPOST

PHOTO NATGEO

From the awe-inspiring, to the controversial, to the downright insane, life seems to keep filling our coffers with more . . . stuff. But we aren’t just spectators, are we?

Bringing in the good news, the Federal Government of the U.S. has officially removed the West Indian manatees from the endangered list, downgrading the species’ status to “threatened,” which is considered a marker of progress in their recovery. This was made possible when Florida officials said that more than 6,000 manatees were spotted for the third straight year. Moreover, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has announced that the giant panda, which was considered to be one step away from extinction, is no longer

endangered. The IUCN has downgraded the status of the species from “endangered” to “vulnerable” after seeing a 17% increase in the species’ population. And of course, we all love tigers as well. For the first time in 100 years, the number of wild tigers is now on the rise. As of last year, around 3,890 tigers now exist in the wild. Last 2010, countries with tiger populations made a pledge to double the tiger population by 2022, and recent data have been very optimistic.

IMAGE PIXABAY

MANATEES, PANDAS, AND TIGERS NO LONGER ENDANGERED

VOL. 108 NO. 3

PHOTO ALJAZEERA

2017

PHOTO ABS-CBN

PHOTO BREITBART

PHOTO PHILSTAR

“PEACE SELLS, BUT WHO’S BUYING?” On that May afternoon, images of an ISIS flag being raised in front of a hospital in Marawi circulated online. Images of burning buildings followed a few hours after. Reports of alleged Maute group members and ISIS sympathizers parading the streets of the said city reverberated across social media. As dusk fell on Marawi that day, Police Regional Office 10 confirmed that a clash was happening between the authorities and the rebel group. Marawi was teetering on the edge. While in Russia, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial Law for 60 days over Mindanao and cut short his trip to return to the Philippines to deal with the said crisis. Teachers, priests, and some parishioners were held hostage by the Maute group, and several citizens only had the chance to flee when the fighting temporarily calmed down. The clash continued for weeks as politicians mulled over the declaration of Martial Law and the president’s assertion to further its reach and duration whenever deemed necessary. As of September, at least three soldiers were killed and 52 were wounded as the skirmishes endured. Progress came, however, when the AFP successfully took control of the Bayabao Bridge, a strategic bridge in the city. “Military operations continue to remain intense and focused, with the safety of hostages in mind, in the hope of bringing a quicker end to the rebellion and retake Marawi from the evil hands of the Maute terrorist rebels,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.

On August 21, an eclipse was seen totally across the United States and partially in some South American, European, and African countries. It was the first total solar eclipse in 38 years to touch the United States. But things go beyond just that. Emotions were churned and upset when a short clip from 1979 was being shared online. The clip was of a news correspondent reporting about the 1979 eclipse. What he said? “Not until August 21st 2017 will another eclipse be visible from North America. That’s 38 years from now. May the shadow of the moon fall on a world at peace.”

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PHOTO CLUB TRAVELER

THE 2017 SOLAR ECLIPSE

Yolanda Growing up after

Three years after Yolanda, disaster-ravaged youth turn to activism for strength Words by Rhick Lars Vladimer T. Albay

In November 2013, NeAnn was woken up at 1o’clock in the morning by sirens and the blaring sound of someone shouting through a megaphone – they were being instructed to evacuate. She shot up from her make-shift bed to see her family scrambling to gather their few belongings. Their tight-knit community was located just a few feet away from the Aklan River. Many strong typhoons have flooded its banks which spilled into the neighborhood of Purok Dos. NeAnn helped her sister pack clothes and carry their luggage outside. Before leaving for the evacuation center, she looked back at their small house, with its tattered roof and thin bamboo walls, unsure if it will still be there when they come back. NeAnn's story became more real to me when I attended the Basic Masses Integration (BMI) activity in Aklan, for the latter gave participants a first-hand perspective on the current situation of Yolanda-hit communities, three years after the catastrophe, by giving us the opportunity to live with a foster family who actually experienced it. It was both eye-opening and saddening for me to hear and listen to the stories of the people I got to talk and interact with – the “marginalized,” the “urban poor,”

the “nasa laylayan,” some of them my age who’ve been deprived of the privileges and comforts I often take for granted. I admit that it remains difficult for me to fully grasp the hardships these people endure, and I have no right to say “I know what they’ve been through” because I was with them for only a few days – but here I’d like to retell a few snippets from the personal accounts they’ve shared. I asked some of the youths from the community: how has it been growing up after Yolanda?

Photo by Rhick Lars Vladimer T. Albay

Photos by Rod Gerard J. Fuentes

“I felt disheartened and weak,” shares NeAnn in Aklanon. “I saw that nothing was left of our house and thought: Where would we sleep? Where would we find the money to build a new house?” NeAnn, warm and cheerful as always, notices the sadness in her voice. To lift the mood she jokes: “We did the construction ourselves. We couldn’t really ask the carpenters to help us because they were trying to rebuild their houses too.” She shares that the flood brought about by the super typhoon had reached nearly two storeys, uprooting everything it passed through with its strong current. Mia, the best friend of Ne Ann, share a similar story. She was 21 years old while NeAnn was 18 when Yolanda leveled their community and left nothing of their houses. Their families have yet to get back on their feet after that tragic November storm. Mia is now 24 years old while NeAnn is 20. For a few weeks, their families lived in make-shift tents on the land where their houses once stood. Only tarpaulins served as roofs over their heads. Mia shares that it took them almost a year to fully rebuild their house after Yolanda. Her family had to start from scratch after the typhoon washed out all their properties. “Dayun wala pa gane kami kabangon sa Yolanda, sunog naman nag-abot,” interrupts one of the older passersby, eavesdropping on our conversation. [“Then, we haven’t even risen from Yolanda, a fire quickly followed.”] In June of 2015, just over a year after the super typhoon ravaged the community, a fire spread through

Purok Dos and razed it to the ground. Nang Ruby shares that she was 8 months pregnant during that time, and because her husband wasn’t around, she had to single-handedly bring her two children and haul their belongings to safety. Nang Ruby boasts that she managed to make two return trips, but she didn't have enough time to save all their possessions – pots and pans, appliances, a tin can filled with their savings, all reduced to ashes. The older people say the fire destroyed the community in just 30 minutes because most of the houses were made of light material. A few days after, Nang Ruby gave birth in a warehouse where was helping repack relief goods. She named her daughter “Fraire” to remember the fire they had survived. Meanwhile, Nang Ruby’s neighbor Joy was just 18 years old when the fire stunned their community. Her son Carl, whom she was a few months pregnant with when Yolanda hit, was about to celebrate his first birthday. She and her husband, a construction worker, saw their humble dwelling burned down, but they were able to recover the ingredients they were saving to cook for their first child’s small party. Despite the tragedy, they decided to push through with the celebration. Carl enjoyed his first birthday at the temporary relocation center, with all their neighbors’ children, who also lost their homes, as his guests. “Ging-share nalang namun ang pagkaon, daw nagfeeding program kami ya gane sa evacuation,” shares Joy happily. [“We shared the food with everyone, it almost felt like a small feeding program at the evacuation center.”]

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“I felt disheartened and weak. I saw that nothing was left of our house and thought: Where would we sleep? Where would we find the money to build a new house?”

Joy relates that growing up, she wanted to be a writer, but because of financial struggles she had to drop out of school. She worked for a while as a sales girl in one of the malls in Aklan, but found it difficult to be away a lot from her young child. On the 3rd anniversary of Yolanda, Joy joined the multi-sectoral demonstration that marched to the steps of the Aklan Provincial Capitol. She sat in the leading vehicle, just in front of the people with their banners and placards calling for aid, speaking through a loud speaker about the situation of the masses still struggling to cope after the disaster. So did NeAnn, Mia and Nang Ruby. Together they cried out for the nearly 25,000 families in Aklan devastated by super typhoon Yolanda that have yet to receive any assistance from the government, three years to that day. The solidarity march concluded in a dialogue with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assistant secretary Hope Hervilla and regional director Rebecca Geamala. The DSWD officials revealed that because of the previous administration’s negligence and corruption, only P30 million is left of the billions allotted to help the Yolanda victims, but thousands have yet to receive any aid. Ma’am Hope estimates that if that amount were to be distributed equally to those who have not received any

aid, it would amount to just P300 per family, which is gravely inadequate to answer the daily needs of the super typhoon’s survivors. The rallyists were visibly outraged. But Ma’am Hope offered to them, well, hope that under the Duterte administration, the people would get what is due to them. On the day before the solidarity march, I found NeAnn and Mia, along with some of the other youths in the community, painting placards that asked “Saan napunta ang milyun-milyong pundo ng Yolanda?” Admittedly, I found it odd that many of the young people in the area turned to activism. For the most part, the two friends seemed giddy and carefree, always joking around and dancing. But you could see that beneath the cheerful smiles, they’ve grown up with a strong mantle of heart and bravery. They’ve faced hardships few of us can say we survived at such a young age – flood and devastation, fire, poverty – and have come out stronger together. During the solidarity march, I rode a tricycle to arrive at the Provincial Capitol ahead of the rallyists. Speeding past the placards and protesters, I easily spotted the two, wearing matching white shirts and raising their fists in the air. Young as they were, NeAnn, Mia, and Joy, were already fighting for their cause, overcoming all adversity, fighting for what they believed in.

Photos by Rod Gerard J. Fuentes

Tanglaw

Sibol ng pag-asa para sa mga Ati Mga salita at retrato ni Lara Neptali E. Anam

Si Rogelio Elosendo, isang Ati na nag-aaral sa ating Unibersidad, ay walang humpay na nagpupursigi upang makamit ang kanyang adhikain sa buhay. Araw-araw niyang sinasagot ang tanong kung para saan siya bumabangon; ano ba ang layunin niya sa mundong ito? Ang mga sagot sa mga katanungang ito ay nagsisilbing inspirasyon para sa kanya. Ugat Kulot ang buhok, kayumanggi, pero sa unang tingin, kung hindi mo kikilatisin ay hindi mo mahahalata na isa palang Ati si Rogelio. Pangalawa sa tatlong magkakapatid na lalaki, si Rogelio Elosendo ay ipinanganak sa tribo ng mga Ati sa Santa Teresa, Jordan, Guimaras. Bilang isang Ati, ang lupang kinatitirikan ng kanilang bahay ay hindi nila pag-aari. Noong binigyan ng gobyerno ang mga Ati ng lupa sa Nagpana, Barotac Viejo, lumipat ang mag-anak ni Rogelio rito upang mamuhay sa lupaing matatawag nilang kanila. Dahil sa pagpanaw ng kanilang ina noong ipinanganak ang bunso nilang kapatid ay mag-isang itinaguyod ng kanilang ama ang kanilang pamilya sa pamamagitan ng pagsasaka. “Ang pangabuhi namon sang una, mabudlay gid eh. Nakaagi ya nga sa bukid ka-isa lang kami magkaon sa isa ka adlaw. Pero ang importante nga madumduman ko masadya kami nga pamilya biskan kis-a ginagutom pero ululupod kami kag masadya,” bigkas ni Rogelio habang binabalikan ang alaala ng kanyang kabataan.

Pagpupursigi Dahil sa tiyuhing pastor, bumalik si Rogelio sa Guimaras at nakapag-aral ng hayskul sa Good Shepherd’s Fold Academy, Buenavista, Guimaras. Sa loob ng Kristyanong institusyon na ‘yun unti-unting namulat ang batang Ati sa Diyos. Bagaman nagpupursigi, itinuturing pa ring iba ang bata. Ito’y dahil na rin sa kakaiba niyang kulay at buhok. Hindi naging madali para kay Rogelio ang buhay sa paaralan, lalo na dahil siya ay isang Ati. “Sang high school ako, syempre ginatinulok ako sang mga tao kay maitom gid ako sang una. Amu na nga kung mag-abot ako sa iskwilahan, gadali-dali ako dalagan sa classsroom kay ti pag-abot mo sa kwarto gamay nalang ang matulok sa imo unlike sa sagwa nga madamo. Oo, nahuya ako kag na feel inferior pero ara na daan sa pinsar ko gamay pa ko nga makatapos gid ko ya pag-iskwila.” Nakatapos nga si Rogelio sa Doane Baptist Seminary at sa kasalukuyan ay isa nang pastor. Nais ng kanyang tiyuhin na ipagpatuloy niya ang nasimulan nito sa kanilang tribo. Ito ay ang pagpapalaganap ng salita ng Diyos na hindi masyadong binibigyang halaga sa komunidad ng mga katutubong Ati.

VOL. 108 NO. 3

Tagpuan ng Pag-ibig Bilang isang pastor, nadestino sa Padada, Davao Del Sur si Rogelio. Tatlong taon siyang namalagi sa Padada at doon ay ibinahagi niya ang salita ng Diyos. Ang misyong pagpapalaganap ng magandang balita ay ang una niyang pagibig. Ngunit, ito rin ang nagbigay daan upang makilala niya ang babaeng kanyang mamahalin ng panghabambuhay. Muling nagtagpo ang landas nila ng dati niyang kaklase sa Doane Baptist na si Sylvia. Si Sylvia ay ulilang lubos mula pa sa Zamboanga del Sur at napadpad sa Iloilo kung saan inialay nito ang buhay sa paglilingkod sa Diyos. Inamin naman ng babae na nung una ay nagdalawang isip siya kung bibigyan niya ng pagkakataong manligaw si Rogelio, subalit ayon sa kanya “siguro siya ang ginhatag ni Lord sa akon kay nagpray gid ako nga tani pastor ang mapangasawa ko.” ‘Di nagtagal ay tuluyan na ring nahulog ang loob ni Sylvia kay Rogelio at noo’y nagsumpaan na maging katuwang ang isa’t isa sa hirap man o ginhawa. Ang Pagbabalik Pansin ni Rogelio sa kaibuturan ng kanyang puso, alam niya na mas kailangan siya ng kanyang tribo kung kaya’t bumalik siya ng Iloilo upang tumulong sa Indigenous People (IP). Sa kaniyang pagbalik, nakilala niya si Brother Bo Barredo ng Advancing Native Missions, isang internasyonal na organisasyong naglalayong tumulong sa mga ministrong katutubo. Sa tulong ng organisasyong ito, nakapagpatayo si Rogelio ng labindalawang simbahan para sa mga Ati sa Panay. Taong 2010 nang maimbitahan si Rogelio at kanyang asawang si Sylvia sa Amerika upang makalikom ng pera mula sa Advancing Native Missions para sa kanilang ministeryo. “Ang akon ministry gintawag ko nga Ati Tribes Mission. Ang primary target is mga ati with the primary purpose to reach out the gospel lang tani. Pero subong nakita ko indi lang gospel kinahanglanon sang mga ati kundi madamo pa. Gatuon kami sa pagtarget sa mga ati in a holistic way. Indi lang spiritual ang ginatan-aw namon nga need but physical, social, emotional kag intellectual.”

Tahanan Dahil na rin sa paniniwala ni Rogelio na ang kailangan ng modernong Ati ay hindi lamang ispiritwal na paghubog, kundi pisikal at intelektwal, nagpursigi silang mag-asawa na isakatuparan ang pangarap na tulungan ang mga Ati sa lungsod ng Iloilo. Sa tulong ng organisasyon ay natupad ang proyekto ni Rogelio at Sylvia nang nakabili sila ng lupain sa Brgy. Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo City at nakapagpatayo ng 14 na bahay para sa mga Ati kasama na rito ang Lanit Bible Believer Church. “Naga-ministry kami sa mga Ati nga beggars sa siyudad kag sa iban man nga mga lugar. Nagplano kami nga ini nga lugar patindugan namon sang mga balay agud nga ang mga ati sa siyudad diri namon sila paistaron kay ang iban sa ila nagakalapatay da bangud wala sang balay nga gina-istaran.” Kinukupkop nina Rogelio at Sylvia ang mga batang Ati na pagala-gala sa siyudad. Pinapagaral nila ang mga ito at higit sa lahat, hinuhubog sa Kristiyanong pamamaraan at paniniwala. Ang kanyang pangunahing hangarin ay gawing propesyonal ang mga Ati na dati’y namumulubi sa kalye ng lungsod. Sa kasalukuyan, umaabot na sa mahigit 300 ang miyembro ng komunidad ng mga Ati na naninirahan sa Lanit.

“Naga-ministry kami sa mga ati nga beggars sa siyudad kag sa iban man nga mga lugar. Nagplano kami nga ini nga lugar patindugan namon sang mga balay agud nga ang mga ati sa siyudad diri namon sila paistaron kay ang iban sa ila nagakalapatay da bangud wala sang balay nga gina-istaran.”

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Mabuti man ang kanilang intensyon ay may batas tayong dapat sundin. Napag-alaman ng DSWD ang ginagawang pagkupkop ng magasawa sa mga bata kung kaya’t ipinaliwanag sa kanila na kinakailangan nila ng isang rehistradong social worker kung nais nilang tumulong sapagkat kung hindi, maaaring maging basehan ito ng child trafficking. Subalit ayon sa kanya, mahal ang bayad para sa isang social worker. Imbis na igastos nila ang pera upang isahod sa social worker, mas mabuti nang ibili na lamang ito ng gamot at pagkain para sa lahat. Dahil dito, sa edad na 53 ay muling bumalik si Rogelio sa loob ng silid-aralan bilang estudyante ng kursong Social Work sa Unibersidad.

Edukasyon Sa kasalukuyan ay nasa ikatlong taon na si Rogelio. Ipinagsasabay niya ang pag-aaral sa kanyang pagmiministeryo. “Kung ako makatapos kag makapasar sa board, registered social worker na ko. Wala problema kung masweldohan ako or indi kay ti amo na ya ang akon nga gusto nga himuon para makabulig.” Noong una ay nahihiya pa si Rogelio sa mga kaklase hindi dahil sa kanyang kulay o dahil siya ay isang Ati, nahihiya siya dahil sa agwat ng kanilang edad. Ngunit kalaunan ay nasanay na siya, gayun rin sila sa kanya. Natutuwa siya sa maayos na pakikitungo sa kanya ng mga kaklase. “Bal-an man nila nga Ati ako kay gin-introduce ako sang isa ka teacher. Sa ulihi close na kami sang mga classmates ko. Kung kis-a gani didto man sila ga-outreach sa amon sa Lanit.” ‘Di natin maikakaila na may iilang taong mababa ang pagtingin sa mga Ati. Nais ni Rogelio na mabago ito, ngunit alam niya na ang pagbabagong ito ay kailangang magsimula rin mismo sa kanyang mga ka-tribo. “Ang mga tigulang, pabay-i na sila mangalimos kay budlay na bag-uhon ang ila mindset. Pero ini nga ulihi nga henerasyon dapat maka-produce sang mga professionals nga maging leaders sang ila nga community someday kag maging agents of change sa community. Amo na nga gusto ni namon kwaon kag pa-iskwilahon ang mga bata kay para nga maging edukado kag sa ulihi madula na ang imahe sang mga ati nga mga gapanglimos lang.

“Gapasalamat gid kami sa Ginoo kay ginbugayan niya kami sang mabuot nga bata. Isa lang tuod ang bata namon, pero kung magkadto ka sa amon nga komyunidad, tanan na nga mga kabataan didto tawag sa amon mama kag papa.” Sa lumalaking komyunidad ng mga Ati sa Brgy. Lanit, Jaro, hindi lang isang tahanan ang matatagpuan kundi isang malaking pamilyang handang dumamay sa isa’t isa. Mensahe ni Rogelio para sa mga kabataan: “Dapat hatagan ta gid value ang education. Ini nagsilbi sa akon nga tool para makabulig ako sa pamilya ko kag sa iban nga tao. Kung wala ko nakatapos ti paano ako ayhan makabulig sa iban? Kag biskan ano pa na nga challenges mag-abot sa kabuhi ta, indi gid naton pagkalimtan ang Ginoo kay siya lang na ang ma-provide, always.” Si Rogelio ay isang patunay na hindi hadlang ang kulay, lahi, edad o pinagmulan upang magtagumpay sa buhay at makatulong sa kapwa. Sa katunayan, ito ay nagsilbing pagganyak at inspirasyon upang maisakatuparan niya ang kanyang mga pangarap at adhikain. Ang pagtulong para kay Rogelio ay hindi isang responsibilidad na kailangang gampanan kundi isang paraan ng pasasalamat at pagbibigay pugay sa Poong Maykapal sa lahat ng biyayang kaniyang natatanggap hindi lang para sa sarili kundi maging sa kanyang kapwa. At para sa naitayong komunidad, si Rogelio at Sylvia ay mga mukha ng pag-asa.

“Dapat hatagan ta gid value ang education. Ini nagsilbi sa akon nga tool para makabulig ako sa pamilya ko kag sa iban nga tao. Kung wala ko nakatapos ti paano ako ayhan makabulig sa iban? Kag biskan ano pa na nga challenges mag-abot sa kabuhi ta, indi gid naton pagkalimtan ang Ginoo kay siya lang na ang ma provide, always.” Pamilya “Blessing.” Ito ang paulit-ulit na paglalarawan nina Rogelio at Sylvia sa kanilang anak na si Jeremy. Nakapagtapos ng kursong Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation sa John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University. Labis-labis ang pasasalamat ng mag-asawa dahil sa suporta at tulong ng kanilang anak sa kanilang mga adhikain.

“Si Hesus gapalangga sa imo, Si Hesus gapalangga sa akon, Bata o tigulang Tambok o maniwang Puti man o itom Busog man o gutom Imol, manggaranon Palahambal, hiposon, Bisan sin-o ka man, Palangga ka sang Dyos.”

Ilan lamang ito sa mga linya ng awitin mula sa pinaghabi-habing kwento ng mga Ati sa Lanit, Iloilo. Awiting, payak man, ay nagpapa-alala sa kanila na ang pagmamahal ng Diyos ay walang pinipili.

VOL. 108 NO. 3

WA L K S

Every step along the hallway is different for everyone. Photos by Michael Angelo I. Fandagani

Religious Diversity Respecting other people's beliefs Words by Celina L. Maloto Illustration by Michael Angelo I. Fandagani

Studying in Central Philippine University, a University committed to Exemplary Christian Education for Life, can open opportunities for students to cultivate Christianity but at the same time respect other people’s beliefs. In this age of globalization people must learn to respect one another’s beliefs, especially those pertaining to religious matters.

Respecting other people’s religious views does not necessarily mean that we have to adhere to their religious practices and doctrines. Why? That is because respecting does not mean agreeing. Simply put, it boils down to recognizing other people’s religions to gain a broader understanding of the fundamental doctrines of their religion and how they incorporate them into their everyday lives. Remember that people grow up in different places and at different times; their education and family life affect their beliefs. We all have divergent understandings of the world around us and we can`t expect others to have the same ideas as ours. If we want to have a peaceful community, we should try to achieve religious coexistence and for it to occur we should respect one another. Or the lack thereof. To some, religion plays a vital role in every aspect of their lives because it catalyzes moral action. Religion is also all about structure, creating calendars for people to make sure that they regularly encounter reminders of significant concepts. To others, however, it’s not as

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important because their beliefs are based solely on what can be found to be true using the scientific method. According to Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, a person who does not believe that God or a divine being exists is called an ‘’atheist”. For the most part, atheists have presumed that the most reasonable conclusions are the ones that have the best evidential support. Moreover, atheism is not an affirmative belief that there is no god nor does it answer any other question about what a person believes. It is simply a rejection of the assertion that there are gods. Often times, atheism is defined incorrectly as a belief system. It is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods but it is a lack of belief in gods. In a Christian university, one cannot expect that all students are believers. There are also non-believers, whose beliefs are not easily swayed, who refuse to participate in any religious activities or rituals. However, there is one exception. When asked about the religion in which she was raised by her parents, Centralian student Faith* said that she was raised as a Roman Catholic. She further explained that her parents were never

strict about enforcing the practices of their religion in the household. As a matter of fact, they don’t pray before eating meals. On Sundays, however, they go to church together. “I actually never stopped going to church with them because I respect my parents’ beliefs and I know I won’t lose anything if I go,” she added. Moreover, she mentioned one event in her past that affected her beliefs about the existence of God. “When I was a kid, I saw the ghost of my grandmother and for me, to see is to believe.”

“I actually never stopped going to church with [my family] because I respect my parents’ beliefs and I know I won’t lose anything if I go” There are perhaps as many reasons for being an atheist as there are atheists. Most of the time, the path to atheism tends to be very personal and is based upon the specific circumstances of a person’s life, experiences, and attitudes. A particular reason might play a very large role for one atheist and very small for another. The point is, we can assume all we want but we should always remember that all religions, cultures, and beliefs deserve the same amount of respect, even if they are different from our own.

Our beliefs are our maps of reality for they are the driving force in our everyday life. We create them to serve as the anchors of our understanding of the world around us. They also serve as our lenses through which we perceive the world. All beliefs that we hold in life, no matter how big or small, are the deep well from which our actions, attitudes, and feelings flow. So when we believe in something, we give a level of commitment to it. Perhaps this is the reason why when our beliefs, theology, or long-held doctrine are called into question, we tend to get so defensive. In fact, when push comes to shove we would defend our beliefs with everything we have. Sometimes, we are even willing to put our lives at stake for them. Beliefs. They are simply assumed truths but they are very important to us nonetheless. When we were young, we were like sponges, absorbing bits and pieces of information from our surroundings. But as we grew older, we learned to shape our own beliefs to help us determine the choices we make in our lives. From our beliefs we derive our values, which we use to construct the framework on which our lives are built. However, we all need to realize that there will come a time in our lives when our beliefs and everything we claim to stand for will be tested, straining them to the point of breaking. They will also be unravelled and worse, even destroyed. How do we prepare ourselves for something like that? The answer is: we don’t. Unless our beliefs act as a roadblock that prevents us from achieving something, we should just learn how to strengthen them along the way.

*name withheld for confidentiality

DOUBLESIDED Muslim Students in a Christian University FACES Words by Onesiforo B. Berina, Jr. Photos by Patrick Kyle L. Ita-as

1. How would you feel if most of the people you are with are different from you? 2. How would you feel to be with someone who is different from most of you?

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← These two questions seem to speak from different points of view; however, they point out to one specific thing—accepting differences. Central Philippine University is a Christian university founded by Baptist missionaries a hundred and twelve years ago. Most of the students here are Christians from across various denominations. These denominations may differ in worship style and in doctrines, but they have one important thing in common—they all believe that there is no other Savior but Jesus Christ. However, in the last three or four years, a good number of non-Christians have chosen to enroll in this Christian institution. If you happened to walk along the Halfmoon Drive, the Centennial Walkway, Anahaw Road or anywhere around the campus, you must have noticed an Arab-looking guy or girl at least once, or perhaps, a young woman wearing a hijab, a cloth used by Muslim women as covering of their heads and chests. Many of us must be wondering why these Muslim students are studying in this Christian institution and so to satisfy our curiosity we sought out two of these Muslim students and interviewed them. One is Mohammad Alaa S. Abdel Azim who prefers to be called “Mads“ and the other is Rhusayfa M. Musa, or “Sayfa.“ Both are taking up Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy. According to Mads, the main reason he decided to study here is the cost of education. It is cheaper here than abroad. But among the

Mads

Sayfa

Why is she not wearing a hijab?

“I do not care about religion. The knowledge that I may obtain is what is important for me.”

universities in the Philippines, he chose CPU despite the fact that it is a Christian University. “I do not care about religion. The knowledge that I may obtain is what is important for me,” he added. Meanwhile, Sayfa mentioned that CPU is the only university offering the course - Mads when asked why he chose CPU despite she wanted most—Respiratory the fact that it is a Therapy. Christian university When asked about Muslims being stereotyped as terrorists, rebels and suicide bombers, Mads, strongly pointed out that it is a big lie. “If you are a Muslim and you killed your brother and your sister or you committed suicide, you will go to hell,” he said. They said that Muslims are not what others think they are. “Okay gid makipag-friend sa Muslim,” says Sayfa. “Open kami mag-interact, kag indi kamo magduwa-duwa makipag-friend sa amon.” As our discussion continued, Sayfa shared that she did not give her best in Religion and Ethics because she dreams of working in a Muslim country. She fears to be asked or criticized by other Muslims if she got an impressive grade in it. This seems to make us realize that to be different from the majority is such a tough thing. Maybe, we Christians cannot feel this. If you

According to Sayfa, her parents permitted her not to wear a hijab while still in school. She'll have to wear it back once she graduates.

were a pious Muslim and you decided to study here at CPU, you really need to be strong enough to be able to adjust to a totally different culture. Try to imagine attending the Christ Emphasis Week and fulfilling the requirements in RE 1 and RE 2 by attending the University Church worship services at least one Sunday each semester. Despite the Christian culture of this University, CPU does not force its students who belong from other religions to adhere to its Baptist orientation, for CPU respects religious differences. We are all different. As you are reading this article you may have noticed that the word different is repeated several times. Its repetition emphasizes that difference surrounds the world we live in. We do not only diverge in religion, culture or tradition. One Christian can differ from another Christian in the same way that our Muslim brothers and sisters can differ from one another too. Now, let us imagine our world inhabited by individuals of the same thoughts, feelings, physical appearances, beliefs and practices. Wouldn’t it be a dull and boring world? This only signifies that difference gives color—it gives life. We must not focus on our individual differences rather we must think how we can harmonize these differences, whether you are a Muslim or a Christian. As John F. Kennedy once said, “If we cannot end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.”

VOL. 108 NO. 3

THE

Words by Charles Arthel R. Rey Illustration by Jether Dane T. Guadalupe

THE CENTRAL ECHO MAGAZINE

MEDIA

We are biased.

Perhaps, the judgement of a 19-year-old student of Central Philippine University (CPU) is true when he says that The Central Echo (CE), a 107-year-old publication, is a biased media. Yes, indeed. The Central Echo is a biased media, but it is always biased towards the truth. Our leaning is always based on our goal to be accurate. It is a fact, whether we accept it or not, that absolute objectivity is mere imagination. There exists no form of ideal unbias in any media platform because bias is inevitable. In fact, there has to be bias.

Anatomy of bias.

For one, when a writer chooses a particular angle in writing their story in the most informative and factual manner, they becomes subjective. It is relative to his personal assessment on how he can expose the bravest truth about his story. And most commonly, the angle of the story predefines the outcome of the article. It is my belief that a writer chooses to be bias in order to expose the truth as much as he can, because he believes that it is what his or her reader deserves. Most writers will agree with me when I say that their choice of words is affective of the whole beauty of their article. As writers, we structure our articles in the most interesting manner in order to retain the readers’ attention, without neglecting the meat of our story. Every word— no matter what part of speech they are, their tenses, or their degrees; every comma, every period, every semicolon, affects the whole “mood” and tone of our article. The influence an article can inflict to its reader can be determined by the manner the article has been written. That includes whether the article can destroy or amplify somebody’s stature. In The Central Echo, no matter how hard we try to make our articles to be as interesting as possible, we always go back to our most basic mantra – expose the truth. And so, when we are given the privilege to be biased in choosing how to write and what words to write, we look back to the truth and justice to which we aim to expose. Our words are always stitched together by our desire to serve the students through exposing the truth without compromising our University’s values.

Bias is necessary.

No matter how we deny it, bias is a vital cell that runs through the blood, not only of the student media, but also of the general public. Consequently, our (CE) polarity and our tendency to take sides in issues concerning the university is the backbone of our existence. A campus publication, considered to be the oldest of its kind in Southeast Asia, cease to exist once it fails to polarize itself in a principle. It is useless to have Central Echo when it cannot declare what the editorial board believes, because aside from disseminating information, the primary purpose of a publication is to take a stand.

Our bias is premised on our principle and conviction as a student media. And we do not deny it. We accept that bias is a fact, and is necessary. Bias keeps us away from being passive.

Thanks, Admin!

In my three years of service to the student body through the campus media, never have I heard, or experienced coercion and control initiated by the CPU Administration. I have seen how our University President Dr. Teodoro Robles answered our interviews especially when issues arise. We cannot deny, that at some point in our history, we have criticized the Administration for the steps they’ve taken that we deem unfit or unjust, but we also would like to express our gratitude for allowing us to exercise our freedom as campus press, without direct reservations.

Media isn’t the only bias.

The curse of writing is that, at some points, the message of the article cannot be fully understood by the readers. They tend to form shallow interpretations caused by the lack of understanding or some pre-meditated opinion. This is their form of bias. It is undeniable that people tend to clamor when they feel that they have been attacked – not realizing the main point, or even the nature of the article. Sometimes, we experience being publicly shamed or subtly threatened because we have been “biased against” them. To be honest, it is very unlikely that a campus media be paid just to destroy somebody’s reputation. The problem here is everybody thinks that they are the good people. But that is not necessarily true in reality. We can’t always be the good people. There had been a point in the story where we did something wrong, and we have unknowingly hurt other people. The bias of some readers is based on the information that they want to read. It may not necessarily be the whole story.

Polarity as a Human Nature.

Polarity is predefined by our emotions and perceptions formed through experiences that either broke us, or made us whole along the way. Prejudice is developed through time and by constant opposition. It is not intentional. The conventional idea of bias, is actually relative to our convenience. If we observe particular reactions of readers and audiences, they tend to label articles as biased or baseless according to how they feel. Sadly, sometimes, the acceptance of truth is based on convenience, rather than justice. We, in the Central Echo, employ a journalistically acceptable level of bias – a bias enough to express our editorial stand, beliefs, individual perspectives, and even our attempt to influence human life. We always make it a point to ensure that our biases and polarity are within the tolerable range of morality. We assure you, that our journalism is driven to serve the whole academic community – the administration, alumni, faculty and staff, and most especially the students. Sometimes the stories that we deliver may not be pleasing and parallel to the popular opinion, but if it is the truth, then we shall continue. The Central Echo, biased towards the truth since 1910.

VOL. 108 NO. 3

Pagiging totoo, ‘di dapat ikatakot

Mga salita ni Jiselle L. Yanson Mga retrato ni Lyra Ann Belita

Ang pagkilala't pagtanggap sa sakit na

Psoriasis

Tayo ay nabubuhay sa mundong puno ng insekyuridad at mga panlalait, puno ng panghahatol at mga kuro-kuro mula sa iba’t ibang uri ng mga tao, at puno ng pagkukunwari ng mga tao na maging perpekto. Ang mga ito ay kalimitang nakakapagdulot ng pagkahiya at pagbaba ng tiwala sa sarili ng isang indibidwal. Ito din ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit mas ninanais nating itago na lamang sa ating mga sarili ang ating mga kahinaan. Ngunit hindi ba’t mas marapat natin itong ibahagi upang tayo ay mas maunawaan ng iba? Hindi ba’t mas kailangan pa nating pagtuunan ng pansin ang ating mga karupukan? Lubhang nakakabahala sa panahon ngayon ang paglaganap ng ganitong mga sitwasyon. Na ang karamihan sa mga tao ay nabubuhay na lamang sa takot at pagkabahala. Bahagi na sa populasyong ito ay ang mga taong may trauma sa mga masasamang karanasan at mga taong may kakaibang mga karamdaman. Isa sa mga kakaibang karamdaman na ating makikilala ay ang Psoriasis. Ito ay isang

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namamanang karamdaman sa balat kung saan hindi pangkaraniwan ang pangangati at pangungupak ng balat ng isang tao. Ito ay karaniwang nagsisimula lamang sa balakubak o dandruff hanggang sa ito ay kumalat sa buong katawan. Ito ay maaaring gamutin at kontrolin ngunit hindi pa kayang pagalingin dahil wala pang nadiskubreng lunas para dito. Ito ay mas lumalala kapag ang taong may ganitong uri ng sakit ay nakakaranas ng matinding i-stress.

Si Lyra Ann Belita, 24 taong gulang at isang gradweyt ng CPU College of Business and Accountancy ay isa lamang sa kakaunting populasyon na mayroong Psoriasis. Ngunit paano nga ba niya hinaharap ang ganitong karamdaman sa positibong pamamaraan? Paano nga ba niya dinadala ang karamdamang ito habang nananatili pa ring namumuhay ng normal? Labindalawang taong gulang si Lyra nang malaman niyang siya ay may Psoriasis. Akala daw ng doctor niya ay balakubak lang ito pero hindi nagtagal ay kumalat na ito sa kanyang mga braso at mga kuko at unti-unti nang dumami pa. Noong una daw ay hindi niya ito pinagtuunan ng pansin dahil akala niya ay mild lang, lalo na at ang mga pamamalat ay nasa tagong bahagi pa lamang ng kanyang katawan. Ngunit sa paglipas ng araw, dala na rin ng hindi maiwasang pagkastress ay nagkaroon na rin ng mga hugis mapa na mga pamamalat sa kanyang mga binti. Lubos siyang nahirapan dahil marami siyang kailangang baguhin sa kanyang pananamit kasama na ang hindi pagsuot ng shorts at mga bestida maliban na lamang kung siya ay nakasuot ng stockings. Mayroon din siyang hugis headband na pamamalat sa bahagi ng kanyang ulo. Ang mga ito ay nagdulot sa kanya ng matitinding insekyuridad lalo na bilang isang babae. Subalit hindi lang ang digmaan laban sa kanyang

Makikita ang mga bakas ng psoriasis sa mga binti ni Lyra noong 2015 nang nasa mildstage pa lamang ito.

"No matter what happens, I believe I’m beautiful. I always declare that I’m beautiful because God created me in His image." sariling insekyuridad ang kailangan niyang harapin. Dumating din ang mga pagkakataon na kailangan niyang alalahanin ang mga sinasabi ng ibang tao tungkol sa kanya lalo pa noong kasisimula pa lamang. Pero habang lumilipas ang labindalawang taon ng kanyang paglaban sa kanyang sakit ay nasanay na lamang siya sa sinasabi ng mga tao. Hindi na siya nagpaapekto pero hindi raw talaga maiwasan minsan na magkaroon ng pagdurusang emosyonal dahil din daw sa pagtingin ng mga tao sa kanya. Sa kabila ng mga pinagdaanan ni Lyra, handa pa rin siya palaging ibahagi sa mga tao ang tungkol sa karamdamang taglay niya. Sa totoo nga ay noong nalaman niya na siya ay may Psoriasis, inilista niya ang lahat ng detalyeng alam niya tungkol dito upang kapag may nagtanong tungkol sa sakit niya ay makasasagot siya kaagad. Hindi daw niya ikinakahiya ito. Laking pasalamat din daw niya na siya ay naging miyembro ng ‘Psoriasis Philippines’, ang national club ng mga taong may Psoriasis. Marami ding positibong pagbabago ang naganap sa buhay ni Lyra dahil sa Psoriasis. “My Psor has drawn me closer to the Lord. Because of it, I’ve become a stronger person. I’ve proven the world that I’m an overcomer, and no matter what happens, I believe I’m beautiful. I always declare that I’m beautiful because God created me in His image. I used to be a mean girl, but one way how God reminded me of humility is through this disease,” pahayag niya. Hindi man naging madali sa kanya ang pagsagupa ng ganitong uri ng sakit ay kinaya niya ito sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng positibong pananaw sa buhay. Siya ay naniniwala na sa paninirahan sa imperpektong mundong ito,

↓Halimbawa

ng malubhang kaso ng psoriasis. RETRATO BBC

tanging ang pagiging positibo lang ang makakapagpihit ng lahat ng imperpeksyon patungo sa isang magandang kwento. Malaking tulong din ang suporta ng kaniyang mga mahal sa buhay na laging nandiyan para sa kanya at para ipaala sa kanya kung gaano siya kaganda. Ang mga pagpapalakas ng loob mula sa pamilya, kaibigan at mga kasamahan niya sa pananampalataya ang naging gabay niya upang malampasan ang mga pagsubok na dumating sa kanya. Nais ding iparating ni Lyra sa mga kapwa niyang mayroong Psoriasis ang mga pahayag na ito: “Do not lose hope. Always hold on to your faith in God. Nothing is impossible with God. He is a great healer no matter what happens. So be strong and don’t give up. Show the world that WE CAN!” Si Lyra ay isa lamang buhay na patunay na ang pagkakaroon ng karamdaman ay hindi dapat maging hadlang upang mamuhay ng normal. Ang pagiging totoo rin sa sarili ay kailangan natin upang huwag tayong mamuhay sa takot at sa insekyuridad. Hindi natin kailangang itago sa mundo ang sitwasyon natin upang tayo ay tanggapin nila. Kailangan din nating palaging magkaroon ng positibong pananaw sa buhay upang tayo ay mabuhay ng maligaya sa kabila ng lahat ng mga pagsubok na ating nasagupa, nasasagupa at masasagupa pa.

VOL. 108 NO. 3

SHADOWS

Facing the light, they follow behind. Photos by Jether Dane T. Guadalupe

S T O R Y

Paradoxical

C O V E R

Behind the smiles

and fake laughter

Words by Dazen Dawn P. Lariza Photos by Israh Marie D. Dayalo In photos Sharry Ledesma

Ironies

She stares at the girl looking blankly at her. Tired questioning eyes, skin pale from lack of sleep. “What’s wrong with you? It’s your fault. There’s no one to blame but yourself.” Tears fall from the girl’s eyes. She wants to hug her and tell her that everything will be fine, but it can’t be undone. Her alarm clock screams for her. It’s time to get to class. She moves closer to the girl in the mirror, wipes the tears off her eyes and smiles.“Put your mask on. You have to keep going...” N I GH TMA R E S A N D BATTLE S C A R S “Gakadalman ko always sa introspection nga ginaubra ko sa self ko.” What keeps you up at night? Is it the fear of the monsters under your bed or the ghosts that crawl out of TV sets? Or is it the monsters in your head and the ghosts of memories that you wish you could forget? What keeps you up at night? It could be anything from Pennywise to memories of your ex. But to Mia* it is her own thoughts that keep eating her inside. To some, Mia is just like any college student – young, happy, free – but behind the smiles and laughters is a girl who still struggles to fight her demons and wake up from a traumatic nightmare. A few years back, Mia was molested in her former boarding house.

*name withheld for confidentiality

“My loss be a reas to stop my S U R V I V I N G H I GH C U R R E N TS

“After to, feeling ko tanan nga lalaki may motibo. Nadula trust ko sa tao. I became suspicious,” Mia said, adding that despite the incident she was still the type of person who would “always see good no matter how bad.” Mia was diagnosed with acute trauma after seeking help from a psychiatrist. Somehow, sharing her feelings to her mother and the psychiatrist helped lighten the load she felt and helped her overcome the trauma. Although sharing the nightmare was hard at first, Mia said that she overcame it and it no longer became that big of a burden to share. “Sa sobra ka sulit-sulit daw masanay ka man,” she shared. Although visiting her psychiatrist helped, Mia said that it was only the first step to recovery. She admits that she still has issues especially when she sees men who looked like the one who assaulted her. She is still suspicious of them. There even came a point that she blamed herself for everything. “Nag-abot ang point nga gin-blame ko self ko . Basi sa hulag ko, sa pag-greet sa tao, sa the way ko mamayo. Ngaa inubra ya to sakon?” she shared. After the incident Mia encountered more problems. She found out that her father had an affair with another woman and she began to have relationship issues. She started skipping classes and decided to shift to another course then. That time, she was too depressed thinking why these things kept happening to her. “You wanted out pero di ka kabalo paano. Bal-an mo ang situation kag mga gakatabo. You were stuck,” she shared. At that time she didn’t want to dwell on the problems too much especially in school. “That’s why I appear to be happy even though I am not,” she said. With the help of her friends and family, Mia somehow overcame the trauma and recovered from that nightmare. “Didto ko na-realize ang beauty of having someone sa times nga di [mo] maintindihan imo self,” she said. Mia admits though that despite the recovery there were times that the nightmare still crept back especially when she was alone. “May times nga gabalik ka. Ako, gabalik gid siya kung alone ko that’s why ga-gwa ko sa boarding house after class and ga-upod sa akon friends para malingaw man ko and para di ko madalman,” she said.

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Like Mia, Sharry Ledesma (a BS Psychology major) has also been through dark points in her life that still haunt her sometimes. She lost her grandfather to natural causes in fourth grade and lost her dad to a stabbing incident two years after, just a few months shy of her elementary graduation. “I almost lost my faith [that time]. I kept asking that of all people, why him (her father)?” she said, “I was lost, shattered, broken. I was blinded by so much pain and anger.” Sharry, a certified Lolo’s girl, said that losing her grandfather really broke her heart because he was her role model and was a great factor in shaping her to be a leader. She shared that her grandfather was her knight-in-shining-armor who would fight every villain in her life. Although the loss of her grandfather was devastating, nothing could have prepared her for the loss of her father just a few years after. “It was hard to accept because it wasn’t a normal death,” she said. Growing up without a father figure had been hard for Sharry because she had no one to ask the things that she should have asked him at the time. It was weird that she could never see her dad again and that the longing of seeing him again was always there. “I miss him every day, but you just have to keep going. God has a reason for these scars and wounds,” she said. “On fighting this current of life, I almost gave up fighting and I almost let myself down. But I didn’t. I fought and look where I am now,” Sharry said. Sharry admits that she is a different person when she is alone than when she is with her friends. When she’s alone she thinks a lot, writes down her thoughts and is mostly quiet –a far cry from the loud and happy-go-lucky girl that she is when with her friends. However, she still keeps on being happy despite everything she’s been through. “My loss will never be a reason for me to stop my life or stop my dreams.”

s will never son for me y life or my dreams.” ‘A L L T HE WORLD’S A STAGE’ A ND ST OPPIN G TH E STIGMAS Recently there have been rising cases of suicide and depression. A student jumping off the window of the girl’s bathroom, a father hanging himself at home, a man jumping off the 3rd floor of a mall, a call center agent driving off the thirdfloor parking lot and crashing into the street. No one would have thought they would commit suicide because they were always smiling and laughing around. In a recent airing of a known noontime TV program, one of the hosts said that depression was just something that people made up, that it was merely drama that people put upon themselves. But it's not. In an article published online, depression is said to be very common among people but it is a very serious disorder. It could lead to suicide, self-harm, and inflict harm upon others. In the Philippines, a country known for its happy people, there are an estimated 3.29 million people battling depression and 3.07 million living with anxiety. Depression has been a leading factor in suicide. But why would everyone think it’s just made up? Is it because people living with these psychological disorders do a good job of hiding behind smiling masks and faking laugher? Masking is a process in which a person changes or “masks“ their true self to conform to social pressures and hide what they are really going through – be it abuse, depression, a fear of rejection. According to Dr. Karyn Hall, director of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Center in Houston, people wear masks to avoid the pain of believing others have judged, rejected or left you out. One of these masks is what she calls the “Happy Mask” which is just being happy all the time and covering what you truly feel through joy. People often used this mask so that no one knows that they’ve been hurt and to make it appear that nothing will ever get them down when inside they are deeply wounded and scarred. Sometimes wearing these masks are convenient but they have long term results. You never really feel that you belong because people don’t know who you really are. As belongingness is a basic need, we can never really connect with someone while hiding who we are. And sometimes, you wear masks too long that you can’t separate your true self from the mask that you’ve been hiding behind.

D E N O U E ME N T Sometimes, people hide behind masks. But then you have to decide if you let that mask control you or choose to throw the mask away. And in order to be truly happy, people have to let go of these masks and let others know who you truly are – scars and all. People need to know that this mask is not who they are. At the end of the day, when the curtain draws to a close, who is that face you see in the mirror? Is it truly you? Or is it still the you that you to pretend to be?

She stares at the stranger smiling like a lunatic in the mirror. It is not her. She puts off her mask, showing the pale face, the scars and bruises, the tired and almost lifeless eyes. She smiles, “This is who I am. ” VOL. 108 NO. 3

isang gabi para sa

Ang malagim na katotohanan sa likod ng

“Prosti-tuition” Mga salita ni Dazen Dawn P. Lariza Guhit ni Bejay P. Songcog

tuition ko Malapit nang mag-alas diyes ng gabi. Ihinahanda na ni Maria* ang kanyang sarili para sa trabaho. Nakapaligo na siya at kanya nang nilalagyan ng kolorete ang kanyang mukha para magmukhang ka-aliwaliw sa mga lalaking kanyang makasalamuha. Nakahanda na rin sa kanyang lumang kama ang maiksing damit na nagsisilbing uniporme niya bawat gabi. Bago pa man umalis ng kwarto ay may kinuha siyang iilang pirasong mala-kending bagay na nakabalot sa “foil wrapper” mula sa isang malaking box. Mabuti nang protektado at sigurado, sabi niya. Labing-limang taon pa lamang si Maria noong pumasok siya sa trabahong kinadidirian ng marami – prostitusyon. Labing-limang taon na dapat ay ang tanging ginagawa ay mag-aral at gumala kasama ang mga kaibigan. Sa murang edad na iyon pinasok niya na ang malagim na mundo ng pagbebenta ng katawan upang maipagtustusan ang sarili at para makapagbigay ng perang panggamot sa inang labas-pasok sa ospital. “Wala kabalo akon pamilya nga amu na ni nga ubra akon ginsudlan. Ako lang man bi ang masaligan ni Nanay kag ang akon mga paryente wala man kwarta. Pigado lang man bi kami,” inilahad niya. Ayon kay Maria, ikinakahiya niya ang kanyang trabaho ngunit kailangan niya itong tiisin sapagkat ito ang dahilan kung bakit nakakapag-aral siya. May mga taon na pinagdidirian na niya ang kanyang sarili at nagsisi siya sa pinasukang trabaho.

*hindi totoong pangalan

“Hambal ko sang una sang bata pa ko nga ihatag ko lang akon kaugalingon sa tawo nga pakasalan ko sa ulihi kaso wala. Nag-abot lang gid sa point nga daw nadisappoint ko sa kaugalingon ko kay ginhatag ko pa sa tawo nga di ko man palangga. Ginabayaran niya man lang ko,” saad ni Maria. Hindi maiiwasan na minsan ay magbubunga ang bawat gabing iba’t-ibang lalaki ang kasama niya. Kahit anong ingat niya ay mga panahon na pumapalpak ang pills na kanyang iniinom at iba pang contraceptives. Ayon kay Maria, naranasan na niyang magpalaglag dahil nabuntis siya. Dalawang buwan pa lamang ang bata sa kanyang sinapupunan nang kanya itong ipinalaglag. “Indi ko man gusto buhi-on ang isa ka bata nga ako mismo ga-struggle man para buhi-on kaugalingon ko kag si Nanay,” sabi niya. Ngayon ay labing-walong taon na siya at pwede

Kahit na may batas na ipinagbabawal ang prostitusyon sa bansa, may mga natitira pa ring nagbebenta ng katawan sa mga bar, casa, o sa mismong lansangan.

nang mamasukan sa ibang trabaho ngunit nahihirapan pa rin siyang tumigil. Ayon sa kanya malaki na kasi ang kinikita niyang 1,500 sa bawat customer tuwing gabi. “Usually bi mga tatlo ang pinakadamo ko nga customer kada mag-duty ko. So kung isipon mo 1,500 sa kada isa, may allowance na ko tapos may ipadala pa ko kay nanay kag may ginatago para sa tuition ko,” sabi niya. “Indi man ni permanente nga ubra. Gusto ko man maghalin. Wala man ko nalipay sa ubra ko. Pero daw amu lang na ang pinakahapos subong.” Isa lang si Maria sa mahigit kumulang 500,000 na sex workers na nagtatrabaho sa Pilipinas ngayon. Kahit na may batas na ipinagbabawal ang prostitusyon sa bansa, may mga natitira pa ring nagbebenta ng katawan sa mga bar, casa, o sa mismong lansangan. Karamihan sa kanila’y mga kababaihang nasa edad na 17-19. Dahil sa hirap na makapasok sa ibang trabaho (dahil under-age o kulang sa kwalipikasyon), tumatakbo ang karamihan sa mga kababaihan sa prostitusyon upang buhayin ang sarili at ang kanilang pamilya. Lalo na’t ngayon ay unti-unti nang inuubos ng mga pulis ang mga nagbebenta’t gumagamit ng droga, mas pinipili na lamang ng iba na maging bayaran para kumayod pa rin para sa kanilang mga pamilya. Ayon sa mga statistiko, 34% ang nagtatrabaho bilang prostitute upang suportahan ang mga magulang, 8% para suportahan ang mga kapatid, 28% para suportahan ang kanilang mga asawa o nobyo. Natapos na ang kanyang duty. Inihanda na ni Maria ang sarili para makaidlip ng konti bago simulan ulit ang kanyang araw. Pumasok siya sa CR para linisin ang mukha at katawan. Halata sa kanyang mga lumuluhang mata ang pagod na kanyang dinaramdam. Sa bawat pagbuhos ng tubig at pagkuskos sa katawan ay pilit rin niyang iniaalis ang bawat bakas ng halik at yapos ng iba’t-ibang lalaking nakasalamuha noong gabing iyon. Humiga siya sa kanyang kama at huminga ng malalim. Malapit na akong grumadweyt. Maititigil ko na rin ang trabahong ito, sabi niya sa sarili.

B R E A K I N G T H E I C E Words by Jenimary Irianna O. Montelibano Illustration by Michael Angelo I. Fandagani

Let’s talk about something burdensome. Let’s talk about something uncomfortable, something that makes you cringe. Something that most people try to avoid talking about. Something that most people pretend to be nonexistent. Let’s talk about suicide. Are you ready? Suicide is a grim subject matter some don’t want to hear about. Maybe because they don’t want to feel responsible if something happened to someone they know, or maybe because they are ashamed to admit they once thought about doing it. The World Health Organization has stated that suicide is one of the leading causes of death among those who are 15-24 years old. Yes, suicide is one of the leading causes of death, but why do we seldom, or at times never, hear it on the news except when these suicides occur in the public eye? Is discussing suicide a taboo? Or is it because people are afraid of the reasons why a person committed such a thing? Suicide is the act of killing oneself. It is taking one’s own life intentionally. Some will say it is an act of giving up while others think of it as an escape.

THE CENTRAL ECHO MAGAZINE

“I’d rather see it as a way of escape and not because I want to give up,” Pogi*, a Centralian who attempted suicide, said. Pogi shared that he has attempted suicide numerous times by cutting and even mixing what he calls a “household chemical cocktail.” He has been suicidal since he was in high school. Aoki* on the other hand said she attempted to commit suicide because she is unsatisfied with herself. “Sometimes I am unsatisfied with my physical appearance. I think I am undesirable and I am pressured [by myself] to be better than anyone,” she said. Aoki recalls trying to choke herself with a pillow as a kid and badly wanting to have a bullet shot through her head. She, like Pogi, also tried cutting. Youth suicide is increasing at the greatest rate. An article said, “Although suicide rates have traditionally been highest amongst elderly males, rates among young

people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of all countries.” “There’s no one reason that people do it,” said Nadine Kaslow, a research psychologist at Emory University, in an article for the New York Times. Rather, she says people usually commit suicide because personal, social-system and environmental factors combine to push them to a new place of energized despair. Suicidal thoughts and attempts are common in people who are experiencing family and individual crisis. These thoughts can occur to anyone; you may not know it, but it could be someone beside you, someone you walk past by, someone you love.

Suicide must be better understood and more aggressively addressed before more wonderful lives are lost. Most people who are suicidal do not even want to die. Rather, they see suicide as a solution and a way to end their pain, because they feel absolutely hopeless, helpless, and worthless. “Imagine waking up every morning, having to show your face to an audience who doesn’t listen. Finding yourself in a conversation of three people with only two of them interacting directly. You try speaking and they give you blank stares and continue with their business,” Pogi said. Moreover, the tragedy of a suicidal person dying is devastating to one’s family, friends, and community. Parents, siblings, friends, schoolmates, teachers and neighbors might be left wondering why this traumatic fate even happened

or if they could have done something to prevent it. They may also blame themselves, and thus the cycle begins again. “I start thinking of the possible things that could happen if I end up gone, who will be the first group of people to smile, or cry,” Pogi shared. And to add, most suicides are committed by students. Suicidal students often feel helpless, ignored, and trapped. Some of these students resist seeking help because they’re afraid of being judged by others. This very fear and stigma surrounding suicide does not help prevent the tragedy. “I do [confide with someone about suicide]. Yun nga lang, indi ang mga gina sabay ko nga mga tao. Bas ano naman hambalon nila,” Pogi said. Suicide is a mental health issue. Over 90% of people who die by suicide have clinical depression or other diagnosable mental disorders. Spreading suicide awareness in the community can prevent suicide occurrences. Seeing the warning signs from a suicidal person can help put a stop to a tragic fate. The warning signs may include the person always talking or thinking about death, clinical depressions, losing interest in things one used to care about, making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless, saying things like “it would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out”, and sudden, unexpected switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy, talking about suicide or killing one’s self, and visiting or calling people to say goodbye. Suicide is an unfortunate occurrence that happens among all age groups. It can be prevented through the education and action of those who come in contact with them. Suicide must be better understood and more aggressively addressed before more wonderful lives are lost. Books which tackle suicide have been circulating ever since Shakespeare and the screen has also contributed its share of suicide awareness by adapting suicide-related books into films, such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbasky, A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby and It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. And the recent acclaimed Netflix series Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher has taken the awareness into a greater height. Suicide awareness is slowly creeping into the surface. And we need to reach out and offer our hand to help bring it into the light. Away from the darkness, away from the stigma. Suicide shouldn’t be a taboo or an uncomfortable subject. It shouldn’t be something someone is ashamed of sharing. It shouldn’t have filters, euphemisms or be romanticized. It should be known that it is a serious matter and it exists.

*names withheld for confidentiality

CLUMPS

The school isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just about the classroom. Photos by Rod Gerard J. Fuentes

introverts

Words by Angelika F. Rey Photo by Unique M. Canonicato

Quiet and shy. Sometimes the synonym of anti-social – those people who hang around by the corner, alone, seemingly never bothered by the noise surrounding them. Introverts – that’s what they’re called – or to others, that weird recluse who is probably going to end up as a hermit living alone in a mountain as some form of spiritual journey. Maybe there’s a few that are like that, but surely not all of them. 38

THE CENTRAL ECHO MAGAZINE

Being introverted does not necessarily equate to quietness because one is shy. Silence from introverts usually means there’s a lot going on inside their minds. There is always an active conversation with themselves inside their heads that they look like they’ve been blankly staring at nothing. On the other hand, they talk almost non-stop when around very few people they consider as friends who are most likely to be introverts as well. Yet they would not talk to you or say anything unless they have something very important to impart. No offense to non-introverts, being surrounded by a ton of humans just irks them without end. Their motto is basically what Jean Paul Sartre said, “Hell is other people”. And speaking of people, introverts will pretend they did not see you walking on the street even if they know who you are. They do this to avoid awkward conversations to not come off as rude. And kudos to them for wearing earphones with no music on, perhaps to give off a vibe, that they never heard you call them. Introverts can also be compared to ghosts. As my friend, an introvert (who would probably kill me if I mention her name), said: “Don’t be drowned in the sea of people. Use your special ability to disappear from the crowd.” Exhibit A: There’s a party and here comes the introvert. He or she would simply eat at a corner and after that people

They’re not snobbish bastards who think they’re higher than you. They enjoy listening to whatever it is you and everyone else are talking about.

would be like, “Hey, where did he/she go?” Too late, the introvert just used their ghost powers to vanish from their version of hell. Exhibit B: The introvert gets dragged somewhere they don’t want to be in. For a certain period of time they don’t leave the person who brought them to that place. Then again they use their ghost powers to leave without a trace, thus abandoning their companion. Exhibit C: Introverts will magically disappear when asked to attend a party. That or they would concoct some valid excuse not to attend, but would most likely just sleep. All these things may make them look like some A-grade dick, but they’re actually trying not to get tortured and hate you for trying to torture them. In spite of everything, introverts tend to be careful observers. They’re not judging you, but they want to know you first by watching. They’re not snobbish bastards who think they’re higher than you. They enjoy listening to whatever it is you and everyone else are talking about. When they are silent, it also doesn’t mean that they don’t care. Yes, introverts hate being surrounded by people who they feel they don’t truly know. This is the reason why they are observing in the first place. Collecting energy while in solitude is another thing introverts enjoy, thus being branded as some sort of hermit. Unlike extroverts, introverts find themselves content being alone since they’re more in touch with their inner worlds

and evaluate their true emotions. They are happy when in the deep state of thinking and imagining whatever worlds their creating. Disturbing them in this state is a big no-no; they will be enraged – whether they show it to you or not is another thing. The state of isolation from the mob also gives introverts the penchant for avoiding drama, since they despise such things that for them are nothing but petty and useless. “I’m not anti-social,” my friend said, “I’m just afraid of drama and too many airheads.” An extension of this is the feeling of elation and revulsion simultaneously when being praised in the middle of a crowd. You will never understand this unless you’re an introvert. Lastly, calling introverts weird would be a compliment. Since the said word means strange or unusual, they interpret this as them not being generic horde fodder. This is why many introverts – if not all – tend not to follow or even go against trends because it doesn’t matter to them. Some of them may even have discovered that trend a long time before the crowd. They’re not anti-social, the introverts. Living alone in a mountain as some form of spiritual journey may come to them if they are questioning philosophical values. Think Ralph Waldo Emerson. But, as stated earlier, they do have friends. Introverts just choose only a few, for they value them intimately and don’t really get what value is there of having so many “friends” they know nothing about.

VOL. 108 NO. 3

DAAN TUNGO SA

TRONO Ang pagkamit sa titulong

Hari ng Baras

Mga salita ni Jiselle L. Yanson Mga retrato ni Jedrick Leighnoir P. Solinap

Bakit ‘Stance’? “When I was in high school, gina-bully ako sang mga classmates ko sa first name ko and always gid ang personality ko ang ila gina-judge. Indi pa ako nila kilala gid pero gina-judge na nila ako so na think ko, mas nami siguro kung may nickname ko nga one syllable word lang and ga-relate gid sa the way ko maghulag, which is ang ‘Stance’.”

Sa latag na bato sa Molo Plaza ginagawa ni Stance ang pagpush-up, pag-squat, at iba pang mga ehersisyo para linangin ang kanyang katawan.

Sino nga naman ang mag-aakala na kung saan ka nakilala bilang isang biktima ng bullying ay diyan ka rin makikilala ng buong mundo dahil sa tagumpay na nakamit mo? At na ang dahilan ng pagbu-bully sa iyo ay siya ring magtutulak sa iyo sa pag-abot mo ng iyong mga pangarap? Isa lamang si Jerricho Mitchell I. Espanola, o mas kilala sa tawag na ‘Stance Mitchell,’ BS DMIA-3, Major in Broadcasting, sa mga taong magpapa-alala sa atin na hindi hadlang ang mga pagpuna ng mga tao sa ating personalidad, bagkus ito ay dapat maging inspirayon natin upang maging mas matatag at mahusay na mga nilalang lalo na sa larangan na nais natin. Ang pagiging ‘nobody and smallest guy around’ ni Stance ang naging motibasyon niya upang maging physically fit. Naging isang troubled athlete din sya. Halos lahat ng isports ay sinubukan niya pero halos lahat din ay hindi naging para sa kanya. Dahil sa matinding kagustuhang maging fit at maging ‘somebody’, nakilala niya ang Calisthenics o street workout. Napamahal ng lubusan sa kanya ang isports na ito lalo na’t kitang-kita talaga ang magandang epekto nito sa kanya hindi lamang sa pisikal niyang anyo kundi maging sa iba pang aspeto ng kanyang buhay.

Ginagamit rin niya ang mga public bars na ipinagkaloob ng kanyang grupo sa Molo at Villa Plaza para magsanay, mula sa simpleng pullups hanggang sa pagsirko-sirko sa ere.

Ang C A LIST H ENIC S ay isang paraan ng pageehersisyo gamit lamang ang sariling timbang at hindi nangangailangan ng mga karagdagang kagamitang makikita sa loob ng gym.

Noon pa man ay nabalitaan na niya ang tungkol sa ‘Sparta Hari ng Baras Calisthenics Competition’ ngunit hindi siya nakalahok dahil para sa kanya ay hindi pa siya gaanong handa para sa laban. Ngunit nagbago ang kanyang isip at nagdesisyon siyang sumali kaya nagsikap at naghanda siya ng maigi para sa paligsahan. Halos isang buwan siyang nagsanay sa Molo Plaza at nagsagawa ng trainings kagaya ng cardio, freestyle tricks at basic calisthenics workout. Hindi naman nasayang ang pagpapagal na ginugol niya dahil siya ang kinoronahan bilang ‘Sparta Hari ng Baras 2016’ noong Hulyo sa Mandaluyong City. Marami namang nagbago sa buhay ni Stance mula ng siya ay hinirang na Hari ng Baras. Marami nang nakakakilala sa kanya at marami rin siyang na-inspire na mga tao. Sa katunayan nga maging mga taga-ibang bansa ay nagpapadala sa kanya ng mensahe ng pagpupugay nang makamit niya ang titulong Hari ng Baras. Pati rin ang mga kaklase niyang nambully sa kanya noong highschool pa siya ay nag-iba na rin ang pakikitungo sa kanya. Hindi na ‘nobody and smallest guy’ ang turing nila sa kanya. May mga nagbukas ding job opportunities para sa kanya. Sa kasalukuyan, ang Barista Street Workout, isang organisasyong itinatag nina Stance at ng iba pa niyang kasamahan, kabilang na si Guts Santamaria na siyang nagpakilala sa kanya ng lubusan sa Calisthenics, ay nagtuturo sa mga estudyanteng interesado sa nasabing isports ng libre sa Molo Plaza. Nakuha din si Stance bilang trainor sa isang gym dito sa Iloilo. “Never give up and pursue your goals. Think of it nga ga-enjoy ka lang and indi mo pag-isipon nga may competition and always be humble kung diin ka man makalab-ot sa ulihi,” ito naman ang pahayag na nais niyang iparating para sa mga taong gusto ring maging katulad niya. “Consistency is the key. It’s not what you do when you’re in the mood that matters, it’s what you do when you’re not that does.“

VOL. 108 NO. 3

SUNBEAM

The light rays are unstoppable, reaching even the foot of the mountain. Photo by Jether Dane T. Guadalupe

How Green-Minded Are You?

Instructions: This is an ‘innuendo-filled’ quiz. Read and answer the questions carefully and honestly. You may encircle the letter of your answer or write them down in a piece of paper. Count your score afterwards. You may now begin.

Conserve energy.

TIPS

Fossil fuel, our major source of energy, isn’t clean. Saving electricity can help lessen pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

to improve your score

by John David O. Maza

How do your ‘light bulbs’ at home look?

Your hands got ‘dirty.’ How will you ‘dry’ them? a. Pull a ‘generous’ amount of paper towel to wipe your hands right away. b. Rapidly ‘shake’ your hands before wiping. c. Place them under an ‘automatic‘ hand-dryer.

Your taste buds are craving for ‘hot, dark chocolate.’ You get:

11.

It’s ‘dark.’ You use: a. A non-rechargeable ‘torch’ b. Scented ‘candles’ c. A Solar-powered ‘lamp’ d. Your phone’s ‘flash’

Your hems were ‘ripped.’ You would purchase new clothes: a. At a department ‘store’ b. From an ‘ukay-ukay’ c. You’ll sew the ‘hems’ instead

What bags do you ‘bring home’ after a trip to the ‘store?’ a. Biodegradable ‘plastic’ bags b. Brown ‘paper’ bags c. Reusable ‘shopping’ bags d. Large ‘eye’ bags

a a

3. How does your ‘yard’ look?

A ‘grassy’ wetland

A ‘dry’ desert

local ‘tablea’

Incandescent

c LED

Fluorescent

How do you ‘obtain’ textbooks? a. You always get ‘new’ textbooks every time. b. You borrow or rent ‘old’ textbooks if possible. c. You buy new books because you’re ‘demanded’ to do so.

8. You laundered your ‘filthy’ garments. You dry them:

12.

When do you ‘unplug’ your charging phone? a. Until the batteries are fully ‘charged’ b. After overcharging overnight because you were ‘tired’ c. Before it reaches ‘100%’

A ‘thick’ jungle

You ‘clean’ your sweaty and grimy self: a. In a ‘full’ bath tub b. Using ‘pail and dipper’ c. Under a ‘shower’ THE CENTRAL ECHO MAGAZINE

Hershey’s ‘cocoa’

a. In a ‘clothesline’ b. In the ‘dryer’

10.

13. Is ‘meat’ always a part of your diet? a. Absolutely. Can’t ‘live’ without it. b. ‘Often,’ but not in every meal. c. Never. You’re a ‘herbivore.’

14.

9. Your food is usually ‘placed’ in: a. Paper ‘plates’ b. Ceramic ‘dishware’ c. Polystyrene ‘trays’ d. ‘Tupperware’ containers

To spark a ‘fire,’ you use: a

Matchsticks

A lighter

You got: Plant more.

Trees filter toxic gases from the air, absorb stormwater to prevent flooding, and provide habitat for many different creatures.

Save water.

Drive less.

Being the most essential requirement for life, freshwater should be managed properly to meet everyone’s needs.

Most vehicles expel hazardous gases and pollutants. Opting for shared transport may lessen this effect.

24 and below. Pantone 448 C. The ugliest shade of green

Reduce, reuse, recycle. These steps help cut down the amount of waste we throw away, thus, conserving natural resources, space, and energy.

You’re the other type of green, busy reading the ‘wrong magazines.’ Prepare to walk before Septa Unella while she rings her ‘bell.’ Shame.

25 - 50. Radioactive Green

15.

b d

51 - 76. Light Green

On a ‘horse’

You're doing a truly ’great job’— in a flash! You’ve earned a sight of ‘sunshine’ up in the clear, blue skies you’ve been ‘working’ all day to keep ‘clean.’ Keep up the ‘good’ work.

‘Bicycling’

Driving a car ‘alone’

4 2

-1

1 No.

0 2

-1

0 5

-1

0 5

3 2

b Points

Green-meter. Don’t ‘cheat’

TALLY

your score

You will ‘put’ this magazine: a. ‘away’ b. in your ‘palms’ and continue reading ‘til the end

-3

21.

Have you spotted the ‘innuendos’ in the quiz? The hints about how our little and seemingly insignificant habits affect the environment? Now that we know about these, what do we plan to do? Imagine a world where every single person values life by taking a stand for Mother Earth. But how will that be possible? Where will it begin? You decide.

To ‘cool’ yourself, you: a. ‘Turn’ the electric fan on b. ‘Start up’ the aircon c. Borrow Lola’s ‘abaniko’

18.

You keep your ‘junk’ in: a. ‘Black’ bags you ‘bought’ from the store b. ‘Plastic’ shopping bags that ‘came’ with your ‘groceries’ c. You don’t ‘collect’ your trash. You ‘throw’ them wherever.

What ‘color’ would you prefer for a room? a. ‘Dark, bold’ shades b. ‘Light, pale’ tones

20.

17.

How do you ‘drink’ your fast-food soda? a. ‘Sip’ with a straw b. ‘Gulp’ from the cup c. You ‘don’t’

When wetting your ‘toothbrush,‘ you: a. Turn the ‘tap’ off afterwards b. Keep the ‘faucet’ rolling c. Dunk your toothbrush in a ‘glass’ of water

19.

You probably ‘peeked’ at the answers, you nasty. But ’if’ you didn’t, congratulations! You truly are green-minded! Your green mind ’stood out’ from the ‘shabby bushes’ around, ya know what I’m sayin’?!

-1

16.

77 above. Bushy Green

c On a ‘jeepney’

How would you normally ‘ride?‘

You’re a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: green all over, but still lives in the ‘sewers.’ Your youth means you still have enough ‘time and energy’ to change yourself in order to save the world and order more ‘pizza.’

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reviews M O V I E S

American Psycho Review by Lara Neptali E. Anam

“I like to dissect girls. Did you know I’m utterly insane?” Patrick Bateman wasn’t joking when he said that. Released in 2000, American Psycho is surely in the list of those must-watch thriller movies. Set in the 80’s, the film takes us inside the head of Wall Street hotshot Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale) who’s very serious

when it comes to his appearance and stature. From his daily skin care routine to designer clothes and reservations on fancy restaurants. Bateman and his colleagues love to brag about their luxurious lifestyle. He went hysterical when Paul Allen (Jared Leto) produces a much more elegant business card than all of them leading him to kill his associate. Although detective Donald Kimball (Willem Dafoe) is investigating Bateman and all of Allen’s friends, this didn’t stop our antihero from his killing spree. He preys on prostitutes and even a homeless man. The dark humor in this film shows as this psychopath loves to dispatch his victims while playing tracks of Whitney Huston, Phil Collins, and Huey Lewis.

Black Hawk Down Review by Bryan D. Fran

Watching another new ‘war movie’ for the nth time just gets really boring; everything in it is an insult to my intelligence. The plot is just laughable, marketed to those with simpleminded ‘patriots’, the side characters cardboard cutouts to serve as the main character’s target practice aside from the main villain. And let’s not get started on the porn and gore tacked in to make it ‘appealing’ So I’ve decided to watch my very first war movie during my childhood: the criticallyacclaimed Black Hawk Down.

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Christian Bale’s performance as a sadistic narcissist was brilliantly executed that it’s amusing and disturbing at the same time. His portrayal of Bateman’s vile nature will make you loath him but also laugh at his pathetic demeanor. Based on Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 infamous novel of the same title, American Psycho was directed by Mary Harron. Harron together with screenwriter Guinevere Turner managed to showcase an explicit violence in the film while being discreet at its horror. This film offers more than just Bateman’s bloody business as the story will lead you to a puzzling ending that has been an ongoing debate up to this day.

Ridley Scott’s 2003 movie surprisingly aged well and still holds up in terms of plot and visuals. The film retells the First Battle of Mogadishu that occurred during October 3-4, 1993. What should have been an arrest spiraled into a deadly standoff throughout the day, resulting in the titular title and casualties. Of course since it’s a movie there is bound to be inaccuracies on the characters, events and plot holes all around but that’s unavoidable. What makes this better than other war films is the lack of noticeable sky-high explosions, no lone wolf one-man army Gary-Stu commandos, and definitely no in-your-face propaganda that boils down to “AMERICA, F*CK YEAH!”. What we get here instead in Black Hawk Down is a movie trying to tell events as is, while struggling to keep the audience engaged and producers happy, and they did it without any muddles and alterations whatsoever. Watch it.

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Prayers for Bobby Review by Ariel Lorenz N. Castronuevo

“Accept me as I am or forget it,” said Bobby. “I won’t have a gay son,” replied his mother. Bobby countered by saying “Then mom, you don’t have a son.” “Fine.”, his mother said finally. Those were the last words Bobby Griffith (played by Ryan Kelley) said to his mother, Mary Griffith (played by Sigourney Weaver). Prayers for Bobby, a 2009 film about Homosexuality based on real events, is truly an inspiration to the gay community, especially to those in the closet, and to the parents whose love and affection is undying. Haters, particularly homophobes, will surely think twice after watching this movie. The motion picture displays an overachieving Christian family, who prides themselves in reaching heaven together in the afterlife. The tables turn, however, when Bobby’s older brother spills his secret to their mother after knowing Bobby tried to take a handful of

Aspirin tablets one afternoon. Mary, faithful as she says she is, confronts Bobby. One thing led to another; Bible verses on sticky notes where all over the house, they visited a psychiatrist whom they believed could cure homosexuality like it was a disease in the first place, and his mother even got him a date. How wonderful. The film features the gay pride of the LGBT community, and the opposition of the church. It also displays the Metropolitan Community Church where they welcome gay pride and believe that everyone is to be accepted and loved. With their church’s acceptance of the LGBT community, the movie provides a rational explanation as to why that is their ministry, and a perfect one at that. So, if you’re a Jesus freak who hates gay guts, I challenge you to watch this. I dare your faith.

Gone Girl Review by Onesiforo B. Berina, Jr.

Gone Girl—a 2014 thriller film directed by David Fincher which was adapted from the 2012 novel written by Gillian Flynn, reveals the truth that behind every marriage which seems perfect is a flaw. As portrayed in the movie the love story of Amy (Rosamund Pike) and Nick (Ben Affleck) started romantically, lustfully and dirty. But the real story unfolds when Nick founds out that his wife is missing and most of the evidences of criminality point him. If you have not read the novel yet, you may think that you already knew who the suspect is in this part. But you must remain your eyes unclose for the dark twist is just about to come. Allow me to state just a little part of the twist. Amy is alive! She disguised herself and hid in a distant place. Worse is, she murdered someone way back to her husband’s arms. I know that the movie is full of suspense, but it would be much better if you try to ponder on its meaning. The movie’s intention is not to make us think like Sherlock Holmes as the movie runs, nor

to give the watchers a thrill. Gone Girl is far beyond that! The film teaches us that marriage is not easy. Marriage is synonymous to commitment. Marriage is synonymous to sacrifice. Marriage is synonymous to pain! Nike is the misunderstood man. He longs to love and to be loved. Yes, he committed adultery. He is not yet ready to father a child. He maltreated his wife. But why? Who pushed him to his limits? Amy is almost perfect, desirable, and talented. Yes, she may have psychological problems, but who triggered it? Who pushed her to her limits? If you do not want your marriage to last in pain you must identify the way to make it last in joy. If you do not want your marriage to lead into breakage you must identify the main reason why marriage lead to breakage. Since this film is a suspense thriller, you got to search and watch Gone Girl 2014, and the answers for all the aforementioned questions are for you to find out!

VOL. 108 NO. 3

⚠WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

DYSTOPIA

The Glade.

IN FILM

IMAGE DIGITAL TRENDS

THE TRUTH ABOUT

Most of Earth’s citizens were suffering severe poverty and starvation in the movie Elysium. The powerful and wealthy built this colossal, technologically-advanced space habitat to escape the perils of overpopulation and pollution on Earth.

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Once a year in America, the government shuts down all emergency services and legalizes all crimes for 12 hours, also known as The Purge. Scenes show characters enjoying how their guns pierce through their target’s flesh until it becomes fresh ground pork in a slaughterhouse. The poor and helpless are frontline victims. The entire planet froze in the film Snowpiercer after a failed climate engineering attempt in an effort to counter the effects of global warming. Only those aboard the Snowpiercer train, which perpetually spanned the globe, is what’s left of the human race. We’ve witnessed congested shelves in bookstores, long queues in theatres, and tickets selling out these past few years until today, all thanks to dystopia-themed narratives— those with run down and decaying environments, societies oppressive and grim, scenes portraying torment and tribulation, plots where everything just seem to go darker and darker. This genre seems to greatly appeal to this generation given the action, suspense, and excitement all cooked up in one masterpiece. The goal of dystopian stories is to illustrate to its audience the bitterness and horror of human ignorance and greed. They’re unreal, of course—but will they forever be? Have you been in those fandom episodes when you were excessively obsessing with the characters that you’d want to be with them—or even be in their very own outfits— during their cool, exciting adventures? That you’d want to remove the boundary created by book leaves and cinema screens between you and their fictitious worlds? Well, fret not. Earth is heading in that direction—especially if we humans continue with our ways. Wouldn’t it be nice to experience an apocalypse like our beloved characters did, too? Global warming, melting of polar caps, rising sea levels, disappearing flora and fauna, vanishing lakes, advanced infections and epidemics, coral bleaching, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, extreme poverty, droughts and famines, civil wars, insane weather, starvation, oppressive societies, unpleasant environments. Sound

↑ The Elysium Space Station.

The Glade is the lush piece of land in the movie series The Maze Runner where Gladers are delivered through a metal elevator that emerged from the ground. It is surrounded by four mile-high walls, each with openings that lead to the Maze. Characters have successfully run through the vast, complex, ever-changing labyrinth later in the story, only to be welcomed by hot desert storms and broken cities buried in sand. Instead of green land, Veronica Roth chose Chicago with skyscraper ruins and dilapidated landmarks as the setting for the Divergent series. Also enclosed behind a towering barricade which the characters managed to breach in its last installment Allegiant, they saw themselves walking through what seemed like an alien wasteland here on Earth where red streams flowed and red rains fell.

IMAGE HUFFINGTON POST

Words by John David O. Maza

M O V I E S

Frozen Earth.

IMAGE HUFFINGTON POST

The goal of dystopian stories is to illustrate to its audience the bitterness and horror of human ignorance and greed. They’re unreal, of course—but will they forever be? We all know the drill. We all have been told what to do. But we don’t act anyway. All we do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. That’s what theatres teach us. Can we help the characters? Can we comfort, support, or tap their shoulders to make them feel better in times of distress? Can we change their fate? No. What we learned is to wait for the film to roll, expect the worst but hope for the best while chomping on a bucket of popcorn and gulping a large cup of soda. But do you know who we can help? Who we can comfort and support in times of distress? Who we can change? Ourselves. If you’re not a big fan of apocalypses, start packing and visit verdant, green mountains, dive into the clear, turquoise oceans, and inhale every bit of the sweet aroma of fresh air while you still can because in a planet full of indifference, a New York Times bestseller, high-grossing, box-office hit, dystopian nonfiction is in the making. Showing soon, in all places worldwide.

Raining red outside the Wall.

IMAGE NUKE THE FRIDGE

D YS T O P I A (from dus-topos which means ‘bad place’ in Greek) is the pessimist opposite of Utopia (coined by Sir Thomas More in 1516 from ou-topos meaning ‘no place,’ made to describe a non-existent society. It is coincidentally similar to Eutopia from eu-topos or ‘good place’).

familiar? Yes, these things are already happening. We may not be one of those who’ve watched these events appear drastically before their own eyes, but all of us will ultimately feel effects of these events as they will gradually break through our towns, our homes, and our lives. The truth about dystopia in films is that it is slowly becoming our truth, our present situation. Should we wait for that to happen—or do we even have enough time to actually ‘wait’? We’ve always been constantly bombarded by words such as “Save energy, conserve water, plant more trees, throw garbage properly, reduce, reuse, recycle, save mother earth, love one another” that they’ve become one of those monotonous noises similar to the buzzing of mosquitoes in our ears. There are poster making contests and mural paintings here and there, drawing the Earth on top of human hands, a metaphor we don’t entirely understand—or we do not mind fully understanding. The planet’s future, our future, the future of humankind, relies on the tips of our fingers.

VOL. 108 NO. 3

IMAGE GOLIATH

M O V I E S

Breaking Bad

‘I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger! A guy opens his door and gets shot and you think that of me? No. I am the one who knocks!’ - Walter White The high school Chemistry teacher, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) discovers he is dying from cancer. Determined not to leave his family destitute, White teams up with his former student and local drug dealer, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) in an attempt to process and sell crystal meth. Producing crack under the alias of Heisenburg is not the hard part. But expanding the distribution without getting caught is easier said than done especially when your inquisitive wife is on your case 24/7 and your brother in-law is the head of the local Drug Enforcement Agency. You will never think that a timid middle age high school chemistry teacher with cancer could become a drug overlord, will you? In the early stages of the show, you are drawn to Walter’s side. At the start, you will hate his wife Skyler for pestering him all the time, and dislike his partner Jesse because he is a “female dog”. But later on, you will soon begin to question your own morality, wonder if his wife was actually right all along, and find yourself grudgingly admitting that among all of them, Jesse is the only sane person. Bryan Cranston plays Walt. He has been nominated every season since the show

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started, and has won three Emmy’s. Behind a strong persona hides a man who is a tangle of emotions as he tries to shoo his conscience away Jesse Pinkman is played by Aaron Paul who has been nominated four times in the Emmy Awards and has won twice. He is doomed to call other people, “bitch”. He always manages to mess things up by his stupid and dumb words and actions. Paul plays the role of a very annoying character, and he acts it out very well. Walt’s wife Skyler (Anna Gunn) is a strongwilled housewife. She is a nosy and nagging wife. But she ends up being Walt’s moral compass. Mitte, a newcomer, plays his handicapped son who was born with cerebral palsy which affects his speech and movements. He is handicapped in actuality, and he admits he overdramatizes the handicap angle. He is a true inspiration both in the show and in real life. Walt’s brother-in-law, DEA Agent, Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) is a great cop with a jovial personality who is literally larger than life. He is big and fat. In the show’s context, the cops are somewhat inconsequential. It is not primarily a cop vs criminal kind of show. Rather, the focus is more on the transformation of Walter from an overqualified Chemisty teacher into the drug overlord Heisenburg Breaking Bad is one of the highest rated

IMAGE AMC

Review by Moises Segundo D. Alba

shows in cable history and has won a total of 7 Emmy Awards. The show is addictive. In every season, the storyline gets darker and better. I think it could rank among the best TV series in cable history. The series is not a Michael Bay film with a constant barrage of furious gun battles and fantastic loud explosions. It is intentionally slow and at times, borders on being boring. It is a sincere attempt to show how drama plays out in real life. Nobody has plot armor. Everyone is vulnerable.

↓ IMAGE BEHANCE

M O V I E S

The Beauty Inside Review by John David O. Maza

day looking at the mirror, holding his face, either confident of his new appearance or lamenting about how big his face grew from yesterday. In the middle of his never-ending struggle, he meets the person that caught his eyes, Yi Soo (Han Hyo Joo), in a furniture store. He visits her as a customer in different identities, waiting for the right time to introduce himself. But when Yi Soo discovers Woo Jin’s peculiarity, how did she react?

The South Korean film “The Beauty Inside” takes body swap to a different level, casting at least 120 different actors to play one leading-man’s character. It used a blend of comedy and romance to tackle the question of where true beauty really comes from and leaves its audience convinced that no matter how you look on the outside, it is what is within that matters most. No matter how many forms and faces love may take, love will still be love.

IMAGE NYMAG

What would you do if you woke up one day looking completely different? How about waking up as a different person for your entire lifetime? Woo Jin would spend hours in his wardrobe choosing what to wear. It is not because he’s picky. It’s because he is clothing the unfamiliar person he wakes up as every single day. He could become either an extremely old person or a very young child, a Korean or a foreigner, a man or a woman –the list goes on. He begins his

IMAGE LIVEKINDLY

Okja Review by Unique M. Canonicato

Okja is a Netflix Originals movie directed by Bong Joon-Ho about a mutated pig befriending a farmer’s daughter Mija for ten long years. The movie is mainly about peoples’ ignorance with the meat industry; how most meat companies breed animals without letting them experience the wildlife and their real habitat. Okja is one of the mutated pigs experimented by the Mirando Corporation headed by their

CEO Nancy Mirando who is exquisitely played by Tilda Swinton and illegally breeds these pigs to fool the consumers by calling it the “Super Pig.” She markets it as the best tasting meat they ever had. The whole 2-hour film presents high end cinematography and great scenes that portray the love of the two different species; the human and the animal. The ending leaves the watchers the feeling of hesitation having the knowledge of what the pigs go through for them to give the satisfactory meat they eat everyday.

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reviews B O O K S

Playlist for the Dead Review by Celina L. Maloto

“You never really know someone until you listen.” Sometimes, you think that you know everything there is to know about the people closest to you until one particular occurrence punches you right in the gut with a realization that you actually don’t. Is it because they don’t tell you enough or is it because you refuse to listen? Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff is a page-turner that will suck you into the world of Sam Goldsmith after finding his best friend’s lifeless body along with the only item that he has left him – a thumb drive that’s attached to a tornoff scrap of notebook paper which read, ‘For Sam – Listen and you’ll understand.’ How can you cope with the loss of a loved one when you have never once thought of it ever happening? It is painstakingly unbearable and heartbreaking, leaving you overthinking about all of these unanswered questions. As Sam tries to figure out what really happened the night Hayden, his best friend, killed himself by listening to the playlist which

consists of 27 songs, readers are provided with a glimpse of the unexpurgated truth about suicide and what happens to the people whom the one committed it has left behind. Grief, anger, helplessness, pain, and the constant urge to blame oneself – all of these emotions will drive you insane until you’re left with nothing but all the ‘what-ifs’ and all the ‘whys’. Playlist for the Dead is a poignant and honest story that tackles a tough subject that most people fail to understand and empathize with. It is a must for readers who enjoy intriguing and coming-of-age stories and those who have experienced being in the same situation as Sam.

Listen. Before it’s too late. The Playlist: 1. How To Disappear Completely by Radiohead 2. Crown Of Love by Arcade Fire 3. Mad World by Tears For Fears/Gary Jules 4. Invisible by Skylar Grey 5. One by Metallica 6. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People 7. I Don’t Want To Grow Up by The Ramones 8. Diane Young by Vampire Weekend 9. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana 10. One Step Closer by Linkin Park 11. The Marine’s Revenge Song by The Decemberists 12. Adam’s Song by Blink 182 13. Alison by Elvis Costello

14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

This Is How It Goes by Aimee Mann Despair by Yeah Yeah Yeahs On Your Own by The Nerve Let It Go by The Neighbourhood Say Something by A Great Big World Everybody Knows by Leonard Cohen How To Fight Loneliness by Wilco Conversation 16 by The National Last Goodbye by Jeff Buckley Hurt by Nine Inch Nails For Emma by Bon Iver Cosmic Love by Florence And The Machine The Mother We Share by Chvrches It’s Only Life by The Shins

B O O K S

IMAGE WIKIPEDIA

The Catcher in the Rye Review by Jenimary Irianna O. Montelibano

A novel that opened a lot of controversy and debate, J.D. Salinger’s classic novel of teenage angst illustrates a teenager’s struggle against growing up and impending death. The protagonist being insolent, jaded, and conflicted about his future gave the entire novel an audacious tone. The book was published in 1951 and is said to be “frequently challenged in the court for its liberal use of offensive language and portrayal of sexuality”. The Catcher in the Rye begins with Holden Caulfield, the narrator, stating he does not intend to tell his autobiography but rather tell the readers what happened to him last Christmas. The entire novel is almost a one long flashback of him leaving school and exploring New York with occasional references to the present. Holden sees maturity as a loss of childhood innocence, and instead of growth he sees the phoniness of most adults. The story is told in a second person narrative style by Holden. Salinger’s style of writing uses a lot of colloquial and slang words, it almost seems like a sixteen-year-old teenager is talking to you rather than an adult author. You get a direct result of Holden’s roaming teenage mind. The Catcher in the Rye is a compelling read and surprisingly enjoyable despite some of its depressing moments. Though this novel won’t win everyone’s heart, it shows us a bitter reality mixed with teen humor (no sugar-coating needed) we could all relate to.

We Were Liars

↓ IMAGE AMAZON UK

Review by Dazen Dawn P. Lariza

“We are liars. We are beautiful and privileged. We are cracked and broken.” The story follows the tale of Cadence Sinclair and her journey to rediscover what happened during the summer of her fifteenth year in their family’s private island. Cadence has a group of friends who liked to call themselves “the Liars” – her cousins Mirren and Johnny, and her Indian friend Gat. Apparently, Cadence falls in love with Gat and they had a secret relationship before the accident happened where she is found seriously injured by the beach. In summer sixteen her mother forced her to go on a trip to Europe with her father only to re-emerge in the island a year after. Having been gone for two years, Cadence realizes the sudden changes in the island, her family, and the Liars. With her having constant migraines and sudden flashbacks, Cadence discovers that not everything is as it seems. The book is one with many twists and turns, giving you a glimpse of a seemingly perfect family – the Sinclairs – and how truly messed up and broken their life really is. It reminds us that not everyone is perfect and helps us see the messed up realities of people we thought were beautiful and privileged on the outside but were cracked and broken on the inside. And, though you would never really guess what truly happened on Summer Fifteen unless you read it (because I will not spoil it to you), it opens our eyes to the reality that we do not have the power to undo what has been done but we have the power to forgive ourselves and to begin again. It is a tale of self-discovery, friendship, lies and the truth.

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reviews A L B U M S

After Laughter After almost four years of silence from this rock band, Paramore finally released a new album which they called “After Laughter.” The band – now a trio after lead guitarist Josh Farro and bassist Jeremy Davis left – surprised the world with the release of its first single in four years “Hard Times.” After Laughter is a different twist from their usual pop punk and emo genres with its ‘80’s new wave style’ as the band describes their new music. With songs like “Fake Happy” and “Told You So” you’d pretty much sum up what the album is about. Although filled with fun and upbeat tunes, their new album is sure to beat on your heart strings with its deep, emotional lyrics. After Laughter pretty much describes Hailey Williams’ struggle during one of the hardest and most depressing moments of her life. After battling with depression and almost quitting the band, Williams says Taylor York helped her get back up to her feet again and start writing songs with Zac Farro and York which resulted to the album. You’d pretty much hear and feel her emotions pouring out through the songs. The Line of Best Fit says it is a “deep album with plenty to say” and is the “most honest and mature Paramore have sounded.” Listen to “Hard Times” to get you out of a hard day. Get on a feels trip while jamming to “Pool,” “Rose Colored Boy,” “Tell Me How,” “Caught in the Middle,” “No Friend.” Feel so much better after a rough day and find hope by listening to “26.” Listen to the album on a bad day and pour out all your emotions and feel so much better. It may be a far twist from the typical Paramore that we’ve heard before, but I can assure you that you will listen to raw emotions that is sure to lead you on a feels trip.

IMAGE TURNTABLE LAB

Review by Dazen Dawn P. Lariza

Straight Outta Compton Review by Vic Alizon P. Morena

“You are about to witness the strength of street knowledge.” August 8, 1988 was the day that hiphop took the world by a storm. NWA’s first album Straight Outta Compton released by Ruthless Records opened the eyes of the music industry revolutionizing the hiphop world with lyrics fresh and true from the streets. Born in the wild streets of Compton, California, Eazy-E; Ice Cube, MC Ren; DJ Yella; Arabian Prince; and Dr. Dre, Niggaz Wit Attitudes (NWA), marked their debut in 1988 with bannered single Straight Outta Compton, marking the birth of the new gangstah rap. Inspired by true events and experiences, NWA created drama with all their malicious, extremely explicit and political critism lyrics attacking the brutality of police to the black sons of the streets. In which the birth of the aggressive and wild lyrics inspired the real hood rappers paved the way to the high recognition of hiphop today. Attacking the still ravaging racism, NWA dominated the billboards with Straight Outta

Compton and F*ck the Police. Allowing the group to sell the album of 10 million copies in USA alone, inspite of them being banned in the mainstream of radio and harsh acclaims and comments towards their wordings. The Rolling Stone ranked NWA at 83in their top 100 greatest artist of all time and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite of the short dominance of NWA and the passing of Eazy-E, the godfathers of gangstah rap and Westcoast Hiphop will live forever. Their paved the way for the evolution of music talking about life in the streets. Their total disgust of police system and prime talks towards drugs and crime, the controversy that consumed NWA was the one that triggered the success of the group. NWA gave birth to the new era of Hiphop. That later gave music icons like; Eminem; Snoop Dogg; 2pac; 50 Cents. Ruthless Records that pioneered Westcoast Hiphop which sold millions over all the world was later replaced by Dr. Dre’s Aftermath. Niggaz Wit Attitudes marked the decade with lyrics with no hold; no filter; nothing at all. Patronizing the art of the streets, hiphop will live forever. “Damn that sh*t was dope.”

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