THE OFFICIAL SCHOOL PUBLICATION OF THIRD YEAR BSED ENGLISH MAJORS
VOL. I NO. I
APRIL-MAY 2022
Students hold placards as they gather in front of COMELEC’s office. (Photos by Kenosis Yap/TomasinoWeb)
Thomasians join protest “unjust” election process Ariel Escoto
On Tuesday, May 10, a day after the national elections with faulty voting counting machines (VCMs) , long lines of voters in school, waiting for hours to vote, various organizations and youth groups including Thomasians gather in front of the office of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Manila to protest the “unjust” process during the elections. University of Santo Tomas’ Central Student Council (UST CSC) President-Elect, Nathan Agustin, said in an interview that they have to show solidarity especially for those who are disappointed in the election results
and address disinformation especially on social media. On the day of the elections, various groups expressed the need to extend the voting hours due to defective VCMs and the enforcement of health protocols. Voters who experienced faulty VCMs were instructed to leave their ballots and allow the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) to insert the ballvots, but some voters refused and decided to wait for the machines to get fixed to protect their votes. However, the call to extend the voting hours was denied by the COMELEC. Despite the faulty VCMs and
long lines for voting, results of the elections have been immediately transferred to the quick account server of the COMELEC. Many doubted the fast transmission of results. “Nagulat ako doon sa mabilis ang labas ng mga resulta kasi sa mga naunang mga eleksyon na automated, inaabot ka ng ilang oras talaga, hanggang umaga ‘yan na naglalabasan, yung mga posisyon”, Ramon Casiple, a political analyst said in an interview. Leading presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos garnered 31, 104, 084 million votes while Leni Robredo garnered
(Photos by Kenosis Yap/TomasinoWeb)
14, 822, 041 million votes. Leading vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte garnered 31, 561,775 million votes while Kiko Pangilinan garnered 9, 232, 873 million votes as of this moment of writing. Amid these figures, the University of the Philippines – Diliman Student Council made an
invite to their followers to the streets. “Takits sa Lansangan!”, they tweeted. The UST CSC Twitter page quoted the tweet “Sama po kami”. Various organizations, including the Thomasians protest in the streets saying “Never Forget! Never Again to Martial Law! COMELEC, Labas!”
No Work and Classes in UST On May 9 & 10 Roselle Gokesan
From May 9 to May 10, 2022, work and classes (onsite and online) at the University of Santo Tomas will be suspended to allow Thomasians to vote in the 2022 National Elections. However, in a circular, UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel O.P stressed that as citizens, we should always vote diligently and responsibly for the sake
Photo by The Varsitarian
NEWS
EDITORIAL FEATURE approves F2F 02 UST Education Crisis in Thomasians’ Growl04 06 baccalaureate mass the Philippines: Fact ing Taste Buds: and graduation rites in June
or Cap?
Famous Food Spots Around UST
of our country. He even quoted Popes Francis and John Paul II as saying that we, as individuals, should deliberately “promote the common good” and that conscientious citizenship must be evident to us. Several Thomasians have favored Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan
for president and vice president, respectively. The Robredo-Pangilinan team also came out on top in the Varsitarian’s presidential and vice-presidential polls. For the 2022 elections, the Philippines has 65.7 million registered voters, with nearly half of them being between the ages of 18 and 41.
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News
Vol. 1, No.1 APRIL-JUNE 2022
UST approves F2F baccalaureate mass and graduation rites in June Justine Olaguera
The Office of the Secretary General has announced that The University’s Crisis Management Committee approved the conduct of face-to-face graduation ceremonies and Baccalaureate Masses in June to be held at the Sampaloc campus for the first time after three years. The in-person rites will be held for the Classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022 from tertiary, post-baccalaureate, and graduate levels. For the Senior High School graduates, only the Class of 2022 shall have in-person graduation. UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. said that the first batches, specifically Batch
2020 and 2021, had already virtual ceremonies. Two Baccalaureate Masses will be held in June, specifically June 3 and 4. While solemn investiture rites will take place from June 6 to 30. The schedule varies depending on the college or faculty. The University will not stage a firework display as this year’s mass will be “solemn and austere” according to the OSG. During the graduation rites, only two companions will be allowed. Moreover, the University requires all attendees of in-person rites to be at least fully vaccinated. Should there be changes in the alert level status in the Na-
tional Capital Region (NCR), the University will reschedule the rites. Coronel said, “Just in case magkaroon ng surge […] we will reschedule to the best possible schedule after that. So ngayon, buong June siya, baka maging July or kahit mag-opening na tayo ng [classes by] August, pwede pa naman n’un.” In the Baccalaureate Mass, the students’ respective Type A uniforms shall be the default uniform requirement. For their togas, the graduating students will be asked for their measurements. Photo From The Varsitarian
Presidential Aspirants Lens on Labor Sector Highlighted During the CNN Debate Czarina Chescka Angela Bernardo
The Philippine presidential bets agreed on the need for reform in the health and labor sector but clashed on the proposed minimum wage during the CNN presidential debate last February 28, 2022. A few days after Labor Day, where the rights of every Filipino worker are celebrated and remembered, only a few days are left before the 2022 Presidential Elections in the Philippines. Looking back on the CNN Presidential Debates, labor in the Philippines is one of the most talked-about and pressing issues that a president should be able to manage. This debate was attended by nine out of ten presidential candidates. Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was the only one unable to participate. One of the topics about labor discussed was related to the issue in the health sector and the COVID-19 pandemic. As the working conditions
Photo from Rappler
for the medical frontliners and laborers continue to worsen, many Filipinos opted to work abroad due to better salaries, benefits, and other compensations. If this were to continue, the country’s labor supply for medical personnel would be negatively affected. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno argued that it is high time for us Filipinos, with the government’s initiative, to invest in the health sector and the overall quali-
ty of health in the country. If elected president, his first two years will be focused on health and livelihood, particularly for the displaced laborers unable to find jobs during the pandemic. Senator Ping Lacson agrees with Moreno that salaries must be increased together with additional benefits to keep Filipino nurses in the Philippines. However, this is easier in public hospitals than in the
private sector. Senator Manny Pacquiao added that once elected, he will automatically increase the salaries of healthcare workers in the Philippines so that laborers will be less tempted to work abroad and instead remain in the country with their families. The next topic about labor discussed in the debate is the standardized and increased minimum wage proposed by the presidential bets. Labor
leader Leody de Guzman proposed a seven-hundred and fifty pesos daily minimum wage for laborers. He stated statements from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) that prevailing minimum wage rates in the country are nowhere near livable due to the high prices of essential goods and commodities in the Philippines. His proposed minimum wage and additional benefits for laborers will strengthen and revitalize the economy due to increased economic consumption. On the other hand, Senator Pacquiao suggests a twenty to thirty thousand monthly minimum wage. However, Dr. Jose Montemayor asked De Guzman if his proposed salary considers the employers and the businesses in charge of giving the wages. De Guzman further rebuts that laborers deserve a comfortable and good quality of life.
Pfizer: Covid vaccine for all variants possible before 2023 Justine Olaguera
Photo from The Times of India
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla told on Wednesday at a media briefing organized by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) that the company could possibly develop a COVID-19 vaccine effective against all variants before the end of 2022. Bourla said that the compa-
ny was also aiming for manufacturing a vaccine that could perhaps last for a whole year and offer protection to people. According to him, it is “technically very challenging to do it with its virus. But we are working on it.” Additionally, this will become the “optimal public health solution.” It has seen that vaccines that will be taken annually are likely more significantly easy to be
administered. “You don’t have to do different vaccines for different variants… I hope clearly by autumn… that we could have a vaccine” that is effective against multiple variants, including the dominant Omicron, he said. “It is a possibility that we have it by then. It is not a certainty,” Bourla said. The Pfizer-BioNTech vac-
cine is known to be one of the most effective against COVID-19. However, like other vaccines, the efficacy rate declined over time. Despite that, it still provides strong protection against serious illnesses, hospitalization, and death.
3 COVID Resurgence possible says Expert Jelo Juan
Crowd gather near the Office of Comelec in Intramuros, on May10, 2022, Tuesday morning. (Photo from the Manila Police Department Public Information Office via Inquirer.net)
Manila, Philippines The possibility of a surge in COVID-19 cases has been expected due to the election activities, an expert says. As the polls last May 9 opened, voters have yet to comply with different health protocols due to the massive number of voters, which may cause a surge of the Omicron variants after 1 to 2 weeks. Dr. Rontgene Solante, head of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Section at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila and a member of the vaccine expert panel of the government, urged voters
should monitor themselves for symptoms and signs of infection as the polling precincts could not strictly observe health protocols. “Sa dami ng superspreader events for the last 2 weeks at meron pa ring community transmission ang omicron variant na napakataas ang hawaan, expected ‘yan na meron talagang uptick ng cases within the first week or the 2nd week after ng election,” the expert said. It takes an average of three to five days after the exposure for the symptoms to appear due to COVID-19’s incubation period, which is why
the expert recommends voters to closely monitor themselves who were heavily exposed last May 9 to count five to seven days as symptoms may appear next week. Polling precincts, which are usually classrooms, are known to have poor ventilation in which an infected person with mild symptoms can infect five to eight other people once they remove their mask, Solante added. “If that’s the scenario, there will really be a possibility of transmission and that is really worrying [because] this type of event can be a superspread-
er event,” he said. The expert says that if we do not see a huge spike in cases in the following week, it means that the protection rate and the vaccine movement has been successful and strong so far. “If we’re OK after two weeks, then hopefully we can continue being so. But we should also continue to be vigilant in our health protocols and vaccination drive,” Solante said. Solante also reminded everyone that Omicron subvariants have high transmissibility rates and the ability to bypass the protection that a vaccine
provides, which may cause spikes in cases in other countries. This is why he is urging for booster shots to be taken by everyone eligible in the event that other variants were to enter the country. “Our objective is to increase first booster shot coverage among the [eligible] population. Because based on data, if you already got the first booster or third dose, there’s a big chance of [you] getting protection, even with these subvariants, against severe disease,” he said.
Putin rejoices at Russia’s Victory Day celebrations despite massive losses Moses Montalvo
Russian President Vladimir Putin takes anniversaries very seriously. His invasion of Ukraine happened a day after Defender of the Fatherland Day, a commemoration of Russia’s military achievements. Putin took the first move towards annexing Crimea from Ukraine on the same day in 2014 through organized pro-Russian protests on the peninsula. On Monday, the country’s most patriotic day, the Soviet Union’s participation in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II, was commemorated when Germany signed its Instrument of Surrender in Berlin, ending the combat in Europe, on May 8, 1945 (May 9 in Moscow’s time zone). Russia’s argument for war in Ukraine implied a Victory Day timetable for victory. Putin and his government have repeatedly stated that the goal of their so-called “special operation” is to “denazify” Ukraine and that removing Nazis from the nation is
a matter of Russian existence. It’s a meaningless argument, a transparent cloak for Russian revanchism. Even with the massive weapons the West is bringing in, Russia’s military outnumbers Ukraine’s in every way. Ukraine’s military forces allege that Russia has lost more than 24,000 men, 1,000 tanks, 2,600 armored vehicles, and hundreds of aircraft in just over two months. CNN cannot independently verify these figures, and the Ukrainian side is sure to suffer significant losses as well. Even still, Russia’s military is undeniably weaker. Even though Russia’s military outnumbers Ukraine’s in every manner, it has failed to conquer land in the north, let alone the capital, Kyiv, and is failing to make gains even in the east, where it is now concentrating its efforts. Russian gains have been limited even in the east, where Russian forces are attempting to march across the
Photo from Getty Images
Donbas region. For years, pro-Russian rebels have been stationed in the self-declared separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, but Russia has yet to annex those territories, and its forces are battling to overcome robust Ukrainian resistance in major cities. Photo by Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik via AFP
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Editorial
Vol. 1, No.1 APRIL-JUNE 2022
EDITORIAL
Education Crisis in the Philippines: Fact or Cap? Jireh Bilog
THE OFFICIAL SCHOOL PUBLICATION OF THIRD YEAR BSED ENGLISH MAJORS VOL. I NO. I APRIL-MAY 2022 News Writers: Justine Olaguera Ariel Escoto Roselle Gokesan Moses Montalvo Jelo Juan Czarina Bernardo Editorial Writers: Sophia Vergonio Anna Garcia Jireh Bilog Cyrill Silva Hermie Cruz Feature Writers: Missy De Jesus Arianne Andrada John Argonia Mareeyah Aragon Marielle Delica Jania Mozo Sports Writers: Jake Sunga Lyka Bautista Trixie Landicho Sofia Lapid Zio Ferrer Layout Artist Christine Ng
Course Instructor Inst. Abigail M. Deabanico, MA
It is about time that someone from the government would pay attention, acknowledge, and develop programs and platforms to address the current issues and deficiencies present in the education sector of our country for the longest time. During her campaign in Batangas, Vice President Leni Robredo tells the crowd: “Isa sa mga una kong gagawin pag-upo bilang pangulo, mag-declare ng education crisis…” She explained that this declaration is necessary to address the worsening quality of education in our country evident in its low global ranking positions in international assessments. This was not the first time VP Leni has called for a declaration of an education crisis in the Philippines. In July 2021, the World Bank reported that amidst the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, along with its restrictions, school children in the Philippines struggled with remote learning which worsened the learning poverty in the country to a whopping 90%. With this, she called that education sector to be given greater attention. True to the World Bank reports, it is highly observable that Filipino young learners have struggled even more in their schooling since the onset of the pandemic. With the sudden shift to online learning, education seemed
to be unattainable to those students who are on the lower part of the digital divide and economic status. Despite the hustle and desire to continue with education and take it as a refuge during these unprecedented times, many students were discouraged and just chose to work already to meet their everyday needs. They believe that the quality of education that online schooling offers is far different from what face-to-face schooling can actually provide. Furthermore, they also believe that it is much more expensive, having to purchase gadgets and internet or mobile data services. The pandemic worsened the already existing education crisis in our country. Yes, “existing education crisis” because our country’s education sector has been struggling even before the current plight that we are experiencing during this pandemic. Even before this health disaster, this sector has been struggling with lack of budget, overcrowded classrooms, poorly-constructed public school infrastructures, low wages for teachers, lack in manpower to perform other utilitary and administrative work, and closure of schools and programs for the minority groups of learners. Good quality of education is only accessible to privileged people in private schools and other institutions which un-
fortunately makes it a status symbol for others to admire. On the other hand, the current public school systems operating in the education sector administers poor quality of instruction due to their suffering on the aforementioned issues. The curriculum being implemented is not enough for students to be truly equipped in facing the contemporary socio-political, emotional, and even material demands of life. As a result, it produces incompetent, unskilled, apathetic, and even apolitical people who do not know how to think critically and contribute something positive to the society. Disappointingly, there are even instances when some Filipino students finish basic education without being aware of their own country’s culture and history and some, who cannot even speak the Filipino language fluently. Not only that, the practice of promoting students to a higher level in basic education, the divided attention of students in practicing their specialization due to general education courses in college (despite the modified basic education curriculum), and the lack and unavailability of appropriate field-specific training often finds new graduates struggling to find work that would match what degree, type, or level of education they have acquired and attained. These inconsistencies and deficiencies subtly but directly affect their quality of life in the sense that they do not get to practice what they have studied for and they would have to spend time, energy, and resources just to engage in additional required training for them to be suitable to the job they are applying for. In addition, the inaccessibility of quality education in public schools made many people, students and adults alike, resort to social media to fill-in the gaps in their education. Unfortunately, the content and information present on the internet are not so reliable and accurate as they can be easily edited. Some people even manipulate the truth and spread disinformation to empower people for the wrong reasons. Using the internet, particularly social media, does not automatically
make a person knowledgeable and an expert in being critical and vigilant in screening the information they are presented with. This makes Filipinos vulnerable to fake news. As a result, disinformation spreads like a virus that makes people sick, reconstituting their knowledge, principles, values, and actions into the most ridiculous and unfathomable ways. And lastly, now that the 2022 National Election is over, we have yet to face another emergent issue in the education sector. Presumptive Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr. (known for being the son of the infamous ousted dictator) appointed presumptive Vice President Sara Duterte (known for being the daughter of a human rights violator) as the new Department of Education Secretary. Who knows what more conflicts and issues the education sector will be involved in? The reinstating of a controversial family in power and the appointment of the outgoing president’s daughter hints at the possible return of a strong political dynasty that pushes for historical revisionism and militaristic education that was once fought for against by our ancestors. Addressing the education crisis in the Philippines is no joke. People involved in improving or modifying the system should not engage in monkey business. It requires much effort. Yes, it is difficult but not at all impossible since we have intelligent and experienced experts who can do the taxing task of reforming our country’s education system– that is if they are given the opportunity to be involved in the reform process. What we can do now is to demand from the administrators the appropriate actions to address this crisis in our education sector. Demand for better subject instruction, better pay for teachers, character education, systematic and immediate response on educational issues in public schools etc. We continue to fight for our academic freedom and stability, as well as for the rights of the people, especially to the young Filipino learners, to quality education. Exercise our democracy to demand what we deserve.
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A War of Self-defense and a War against Imperialism
The dreadful Russian invasion of Ukraine started on February 24, 2022. Thousands of lives were lost, and millions of people displaced. The narrative constructed by the Kremlin is that an invasion is justifiable under Article 51 of the U.N. charter which states that “nothing in the present charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a member of the United Nations.” According to the Kremlin, the danger is if Ukraine joins NATO since Ukraine would have the ability to take back Crimea which was annexed by Russia in 2014. This would then imply that if Russia goes to war with Ukraine, it would have to go to war with all NATO states because under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an attack against
one NATO ally would be an attack on all NATO allies. Furthermore, NATO expansion is perceived as a threat by the Russian government; if Ukraine joins NATO, there would be no buffer state between the West and Russia which, according to the Russian government, endangers the lives of Russians. Admittedly, the utilization of buffer states as a form of self defense is evident in historical contexts and modern contexts. For instance, the Chinese government supports North Korea not because China is in favor of totalitarianism and deliberate violation of human rights, but because of North Korea serving as a buffer state to South Korea which is aligned with the United States of America. Similarly, before the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic or
USSR, there was an agreement between the head of the USSR and NATO that NATO would not expand eastward past Poland. The various Baltic states and other Eastern European states will serve as a buffer state between Russia and the United States. Although there was an agreement made, it was not a formal agreement with written guarantee that there would be no expansion. Other countries seek NATO membership including the Baltic states and former Soviet states of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia. All of these states were granted NATO membership. These are perceived as a threat by the Kremlin and since Ukraine also seeks NATO membership, Russia decides to invade it for prevention.The justification then for the invasion is self-defense.
Accordingly, the Western allies disagreed with this narrative and stated that the invasion of Ukraine is not justifiable under the Article 51 of U.N. charter because Ukraine did not invade Russia. Moreover, the NATO allies explicitly stated that NATO is a defense agreement and it does not encompass supporting invasion as a part of the agreement. According to the West, the fundamental reason why Russia is invading Ukraine is for imperialist agendas since it wants to bring back the Soviet Union. The notion of reviving the Soviet Union is the main narrative proposed by the West in explaining why Russia decided to invade Ukraine. Admittedly, the West paints Russia in a similar way to how it paints China: it paints the country as an imperialist.
RUSSIA VS UKRAINE Cyrill Paolo Silva
The Woman Who Driven the Pink Revolution
ROBREDO’S PRESIDENCY Sophia Neele Vergonio “Kapag namulat ka, kasalanan na ang pumikit.” During 1986, the Philippine capital Manila was ultimately flooded with yellow when the notable People Power revolution overthrew the dictator, tyrant President Ferdinand Marcos. But today, more than thirty years has been passed, and opponents of his son’s presidential run are uniting behind this one, bold woman for what’s been called a “pink movement” – to simply halt the revival of the Marcos dynasty again. In recent months, troops of young Filipino voters have spoken up and expressed their support for Leni Robredo, the present vice-president and the sole female candidate
in the presidential race to lead the nation. Even though she has been polling far behind Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr, her mammoth rallies have displayed hundreds of thousands of individuals. In an attempt to unite the opposition, Robredo is escaping away from her old alliance with the former Liberal Party – which has long been marked with the color yellow. Hence, this may be the main reason why she decided to switch to pink and run as an independent in her candidacy last October. This feminine, promising color became her campaign’s stamp, used by supporters, including different celebrities, artists, and public figures in the Philippines. But what are her chances of winning? Before Robredo simply entered the world of politics, she worked as an alternative lawyer and economist. She primarily involved herself with the Public Attorney’s Office, which, in the country, helps to defend the masses. Moreover, she also served in the development sector, engaging in a non-governmental organization of lawyers
who wandered to isolated villages and island communities in order to offer free legal support to poor rural people as well as the marginalized sector. If Robredo triumphs in the upcoming presidential elections, she would be considered the third woman to lead the country. She is working with a program that focuses on good governance that would undeniably uplift the lives of the Filipino people, most especially the destitute. She has displayed an extensive, well-detailed plan to release the nation from the conflicts of the pandemic crisis, strengthen human rights, and bring to an end to what she has labeled “a culture of violence” in the country. Furthermore, Robredo seeks to address the existing educational crisis after different schools had shut down for almost two years amidst the pandemic, as well as to create more job opportunities and support small local enterprises. She also plans to ameliorate public services in general and produce social safety nets for its people. In short, she has a solid credential, the cleanest track
record, and possess the best standards for a president, yet the bigger question is: Why do some people choose to be blinded by the truth and still vote for someone who lacks the political will to serve the masses, when in fact, the perfect candidate is already at our hands? Vice President Leni Robredo is the ideal candidate best positioned to revive citizens’ trust in democracy. Her humbleness and willingness to listen allow her to see through not just the last six years of her term or the fourteen years of martial law but actually the last fifty years of the Filipino experience and present a new democratic vision. Her independent candidacy provides a new safe as well as democratic space and divorces her from an alliance burdened by a reputation for conceit and entitlement. Additionally, the gigantic rallies observed in her campaign demonstrate a mere counterpoise not only to the imminent threat of a Marcos revitalization but also to the disastrous nature of Duterte’s administration. Hence, if Robredo wins, Filipinos will await her to move mountains
in the way the OVP (Office of the Vice President) carried out in the pandemic crisis when she provided help everywhere, achieving more than the national government itself. Her simple but pivotal programs for transparency and accountability, if implemented effectively, would in themselves be revolutionary – and that would be a first time for the country. Indeed, our generation has known no other kind of revolution. We have been searching for so long for a leader who has a strong vision for the country, is not corrupt, and embodies the Filipinos’ collective values. As voters, but more crucially, as members of a straggling and diverse society, we seek knowledge in our leaders to help guarantee that we might all lead rich as well as fulfilling lives. And if we choose a wise, assertive leader, the rest of society will be wiser too. For that reason, it is now our time to stand up and vote for someone that would offer us a new sense of hope and pride for our country – and for now, it is already handed to us; we just need to clearly look to at it.
Our Fight Against the Rampant Fake News in the Philippines Fake news, which is false and often misleading information presented as news, is a severe sociopolitical and economic problem prevalent in the Philippines. The Covid-19 pandemic, which caused many Filipinos and people worldwide to live a considerable part of their lives, virtually increased people’s exposure to fake news and false information, particularly from the in-
ternet and social media. Now that there is an upcoming presidential election in the country, the fake news situation worsens. Fake News in the Philippines is currently used to spread disinformation. False information is spread as news to manipulate and confuse people into believing propaganda and dirty politics. History is not only revised but
distorted to cover our dark and brutal past. Politicians running for local and national seats of power can run unopposed and without shame because of false information that enables them to get the public’s will be using deception, false promises, and outright lying. Instead of not voting for politicians with pending cases of corruption and other illegal activities that are considered red flags, many
are amazed by their pretentious good character and false promises. Most of the time, fake news and incorrect information are spread to assassinate and destroy the character of Politicians. An example is how much false information and fake news by quack-historian bloggers and vloggers try to put dirt on Vice President Maria Leonor (page 5)
FAKE NEWS Anna Carmelleen Garcia
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Editorial/Feature Vol. 1, No.1 APRIL-JUNE 2022
Blended and E-learning Implementation Necessary Despite Exclusivity and Struggles Faced by Both Students and Teachers The Covid-19 pandemic caused significant changes in the education system not only in the Philippines but all over the world. What used to be the traditional setup of classes where students are cramped in classrooms changed into the online setup. Students are forced to join online meetings at home to continue their education. The Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education implemented the online learning set up at the height of the pandemic during the academic year 2020-2021. Students no longer have to risk transmission and infection of the covid-19 virus during the online learning setup. Students may choose between online or modular or a combination of the two, hence blended learning. This kind of setup has many benefits. First, the time and money spent traveling to and from school and other studying costs are lessened because the studying is done at home. The need for teachers to go to the office to work is also lessened because they can teach at home. It also teaches students to be independent by practicing time management and discipline. The use of technology in today’s time also boosts the efficiency and productivity of education for students and teachers, thanks to educational applications and websites that they can use. Even after the pandemic, DepEd and CHED plan to make blended learning available. Since the setup has many benefits for both students and teachers and the rise in digitalization in the Philippines, which is also partly caused by the pandemic, many believe that, similar to other developed countries, blended learning is the future of education in the country since blended and online learning setups are possible as long as you have a stable internet connection, a room or place to work or study, and a computer or gadget device to use. However, this does not mean that blended and online learning setups are not without their fair share of problems and complications. Like digitalization, the shift to digital methods and practices, whether social, educational, or economic, is only for those with the means to do so. This means that people who cannot afford not have the capacity or capability to shift will not be able to do so and will be left
BLENDED LEARNING Hermie Ria Cruz behind, thus, exclusivity. The main struggle for students in the Philippines, a developing country, is the lack of fast and stable internet connection. Not only is the Philippines rank low in the quality of internet connection, but it also ranks low in the most affordable internet connection services all around the world. Overall, the “digital quality of life” in the Philippines is slowly growing but still lacking this type of learning, especially for the people below the poverty line and the low-income but not poor population groups. These result in an inefficient, ineffective, and unhealthy learning environment for students and teachers. Other than a stable internet connection, many poor Filipinos do not have access to or cannot afford computers, laptops, or handheld devices. Not having the prerequisites for online and blended learning makes studying under these methods very problematic. To add insult to injury, many Filipinos suffered from reduced to no income during the pandemic due to heightened safety protocols and restrictions. All in all, blended learning and online learning setups, even in post-pandemic times, are very promising and have a lot of potential for the growth and development of the education sector and industry in the Philippines. However, since the evolution of digitalization in the country is directly related to the technological advancements in the Philippines, there is much to improve and develop for the two learning setups and methods to make them inclusive, efficient, and effective. Investments in human capital, technological infrastructure, particularly in telecommunications, and an effective pandemic recovery plan are key to making it all work.
Our Fight Against the Rampant Fake News in the Philippines (cont. from page 5) Gerona Robredo by linking her to various scandals and malicious events that are untrue and nothing but baseless allegations. However, the problem is that not everyone can discern what is fake from what is true. This makes the Filipino people very vulnerable to disinformation. An SWS Survey on how severe the problem of fake news, particularly in social media, is, according to 1,440 adult Filipinos, has shown that 7 out of every 10 Filipinos believed that it is severe and problematic. However, most Filipino people who can realize the graveness and dangers of fake news and social media know that it is fake. Most of the time, people are unaware that what they are posting and sharing on social media are products of false information and that this only
leads to more misinformation. An effective way of ensuring that the adverse effects and problems caused by fake news and incorrect information is to improve and further enhance the Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines. Media and Information Literacy or MIL teaches basic to advanced knowledge of navigating and interacting with media online. It also teaches ethics and proper etiquette in online spaces while ensuring that people can identify what is right from what is wrong, especially when it comes to information from the internet. This also supports the findings of the SWS survey, where it was found that when the respondents were grouped according to educational attainment, college graduates could differentiate fake news from
news that comes from credible sources. Since MIL only used to be taught in various college subjects, its inclusion in the Senior High School curriculum is an excellent improvement for the Filipino People. However, since the percentage of the population exposed to the internet and social media due to digitalization continues to expand, including persons of young ages, MIL should also be taught as early as elementary and junior high school. As the problem caused by the rampant spreading of fake news and false information to confuse and manipulate people, we, as Filipinos should stand in solidarity by making sure that we will be voting for a president that is very qualified and with standards based on facts and evidence instead of
A Strikingly Grim Representation of Crony Capitalism:
A Movie Review of The Platform Marielle Delica
Photo from Los Angeles Times
It was during a pandemic and you were still adjusting to online classes. As you took a rest, you were scrolling through Netflix and you came across this trending movie entitled: The Platform. And you decided to watch it. At first impression, the gloomy movie starred Goreng and it appears that The Platform will be another thriller about a group of people who find themselves in a dangerous environment with no idea what’s happening there, how they got there, or how to get away from the unfamiliar place. Have you ever watched 1997’s the Cube? Yes, you guessed it right! They are very similar in terms of their theme. In the Cube, six complete strangers find themselves alone in a cubical maze one day. Once they’ve met, they work together to survive the deadly traps that guard many of the colored cubic spaces, using their unique skills and talents. But, in the Platform, Goreng wakes up in an unknown cell at the beginning trying to figure out where
is he and who is the man in front of him. The Platform is a stunningly constructed film, with its harsh concrete walls and infinite empty voids above and below. Watching this film reminds us so much about certain social issues in the society and that is Capitalism and the different types of social class. A massive platform slides from the top to the bottom once a day, stopping short on each level to allow the captives to eat. It’s covered in a vast spread of sumptuous delicacies at first, produced by a meticulous culinary team. However, by the time it gets below halfway, it’s mostly empty, as the residents of the top levels have cleaned it out. Although the movie never explained the purpose of the platform, it was obvious that as Goreng progresses through the levels, he meets other inmates who want to change the system, but their attempts are almost always in vain, undone by human nature’s innate selfishness. People at the top will always overeat, leaving nothing for the starving people at the bottom, who will resort to
violence and cannibalism to live. It’s a stark, depressing metaphor for capitalism and class struggle. Goreng, on the other hand, begins as a likable figure, one of the few persons in the VSMC who appears to care about people other than himself, but it isn’t long until he is compelled to compromise his convictions in the name of self-interest. The Platform is a stunningly conceived film, with stark concrete walls and limitless empty spaces above and below evoking the characters’ sense of loneliness and desolation. The filmmakers find methods to imaginatively represent their characters’ connections inside these constrained surroundings, and the performances are empathetic without being manipulative. Even when Goreng executes horrendous things, Massagué makes him likable and easy to root for. Isn’t it scary to think that the VSMC could be relatable in bracing the horrors of capitalism and social class in society today?
7 Thomasians’ Growling Taste Buds:
Famous Food Spots Around UST Mareeyah Aragon Everywhere you go in UST, you will see different places where you can eat. With a large community of Thomasians, it’s a must that there are places that offer delicious and affordable food that will feed the growling stomachs of the UST Students. In this article, we will be featuring some of the famous food spots around the UST. Mang Tootz Does Banana Rhuma Turon ring a bell? Well, this famous treat can be found in Mang Tootz Food House. This local food spot is located along the street of P.Noval in Manila City. In 1991, Mr. Edwin Vergara (also known as Mang Tootz) decided to return to the Philippines and establish his own business. After being on a cruise ship as a bartender and chef, he opened his restaurant in Manila serving some of Filipino’s Favorite TapSiLog. However, his restaurant did not flourish, so he reinvented his food menu. Using the dishes he served at the hotel abroad, he created his food menu and added a Filipino taste to those foreign cuisines. Now, Mang Tootz serves a fusion of Filipino and Foreign dishes that are affordable to the students’ budget. Mang Tootz has a wide range of food choices that students can eat. This eatery offers
Chicken Kebab, Korean BBQ, Sisig, and Fish fillets. However, the most famous food of Mang Tootz is its Banana Rhuma Turon. Aside from it being cheap, what makes this Banana Turon special is that it is coated with Rhum topped with sesame seeds. Yes, you read it right. Instead of an ordinary sugar coating, Mang Tootz uses rum syrup that makes the Thomasian and anyone who eats it go bananas. Dimsum Treats and Angkong There’s a saying “Ang Tomasinong Gipit, Sa Siomai at Rice Kumakapit.” If you walk around UST, numerous restaurants and food carts are selling some Dim sum and Rice. However, if you ask the Thomasians about the go-to place for eating this delicious meal? Well, the answer would be Dimsum
Gen Zs version of Patriarchy: The Manipulative Sad boi Jania Mozo “Sige iwan mo na ako, lagi naman akong iniiwan.” “Concern lang naman ako sa’yo kaya ayaw kitang magsuot ng ganiyan.” “Sorry ha, eto lang ako.” Sounds familiar? The year is 2022, and a new breed of men are using emotional manipulation to dominate women; introducing Gen Z’s Sad boi. Characterization of a Sad boi There are different definitions of sad boi, each varying according to different contexts. Two important things to take note of are: 1) sad boi is more than emo aesthetic, and 2) is commonly misused to invalidate men’s emotional expression. In the context of patriarchy, Urban Dictionary (2019) defines sad boi as ‘someone who uses his sadness as an excuse for his behavior but never does something to fix their attitude or take responsibility for what they did. A manipulative sad boi puts on a facade to touch on women’s emotionality and sensitivity, and manipulate
them into doing what they want. Emotional manipulation is also known as gaslighting, a form of emotional abuse. Plenty of women on social media share their experiences with manipulative men. The exploitation by men can go as far as deceiving women to tolerate an abusive relationship to asking for sexual favors from them. In the day and age of Gen Z, the manipulative sad boi makes their way to oppress women through romantic relationships. Emotional manipulation has long existed and it has been the most prevalent tactic used by modern men. Women, on the other hand, conform naturally and voluntarily to their subordinate status as a result of their long-term exposure, occupation, and socialization in such a social setting. Because of the socially constructed feminine ideals, conforming to patriarchally imposed norms became natural for women. Females hardly recognize the pattern and systematic abuse from men.
Treats and Angkong. Dimsum Treats is located beside “Starbucks” at the Pacific Suites on Dapitan Street. It also has a branch found along the street of P. Noval. Starting at 55 pesos, students can already enjoy some dim sum and rice. They are also known for their chili sauce which brings some heat to the taste buds. Of course, a good meal also includes a refreshing drink. Part of the Dimsum Treats Menu is their famous cold red ice tea. Some recommendations in their food items are Chinese Chicken Siomai, Meaty Mushroom Siomai, and Yang Chow Rice. Another well-known food spot where you can eat this meal can be found around UST. Angkong Dimsum House has two branches located on Padre Noval Street and the other one in Asturias on Dapitan Street. Despite having a small space, The rise of Women Empowerment More Gen Z women have been rising and becoming more aware of the threat that is patriarchy, this awareness is still limited to race, culture, and even class. Social media is a good platform to raise awareness and build a community—but it is not for everyone, the vast majority is still beyond our Twitter feeds and screens. There are still women from our generation who believe they are inferior to men and are still held captive by patriarchy. The plight of women against patriarchy is far from over, but we should not stop making efforts toward female empowerment. Female empowerment goes beyond confident Instagram photos, redefining what society told us we can and can’t do, breaking through the social and patriarchal norms, and fighting for the freedom and independence of every woman. What can we do about it To continue rallying for women’s empowerment, awareness should be raised on psychological violence and mental health. It is vital to educate every person about this, regardless of gender. Men should learn to produce healthy mental relationships with their family and peers,
many students continue to patronize Angkong Dimsum House. Also beginning at 55 pesos, their siomai and rice meal will already satisfy the growling taste buds of the Thomasians. The Angkong Dimsum House offers fried dumplings, one of the Thomasians’ favorites. Part of their food items is Quail Egg Siomai with Rice and Japanese Siomai with Rice. For a long time, Thomasians have been arguing which among these two has the best siomai. However, what’s guaranteed is that these Dim sum houses never fail to satisfy the Thomasians taste buds. Tiger Winx Craving for some chicken wings? Don’t worry because this article has got you covered. Along Dapitan Street is the famous Tiger Winx. This
not trying to dominate every opposite sex around them. Women, on the other hand, should learn to recognize and resist emotional abuses like psychological manipulation. The upbringing and socialization of the youth play an important role in ensuring this. As simple as changing the way we associate colors with gender (the color pink is for girls only, the color blue is for boys, can make a huge change in the mindset of a child on gender. Alterations to portrayals of males and females by the mass media should also be considered. The media has a pivotal role in creating and normalizing socio-cultural images, even though
food spot has been featured on Taste Mnl on GMA News TV. Aside from that, when it comes to food hunts around the campus, Tiger Winx is always part of the list. This food spot was established in 2016 by some of the graduates of UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Tiger Winx has a wide range of food items starting from chicken wings, fries, rice, and ice tea. However, they don’t just offer simple chicken wings because what makes their chicken wings special is that you can choose among their seven different kinds of sauces. They have Honey Ginger, Garlic Parmesan, Creamy Chili Cheese, Teryaki, and Tiger Winx Sauce. Want to eat with the gang? Tiger Winx has something for everyone. They offer group meals that include chicken wings, drinks, and your choice of fries. Everyone is welcome to eat and hang out in Tiger Winx. Truly, UST is surrounded by delicious food spots that will satisfy the growling stomachs of the Thomasians. Even though you crave different foods, you will find a place to eat. From rice meals, dim sums, and desserts to chicken wings, you will be able to find something. How about you? What is your favorite food spot around UST?
there are films highlighting women’s struggles, most Filipino films still present the macho culture through the typical legal wife-kabit storyline. To continue to strengthen social support among women, help desks against women violence already exist, but few cases are being reported because fear and submission have been instilled in women. Women should be collectively empowered towards knowing their rights, worth, and freedom. If men can stand in solidarity to sustain patriarchy, women can also bolster each other up to topple gender conformity. Abante, babae!
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Feature
Vol. 1, No.1 APRIL-JUNE 2022
What if I told you that your friend who’s an Aries also has traits of a person who is a Pisces? Or that your crush from AB who’s a Gemini doesn’t really qualify for any of its “key traits”? Seems odd, right? Well, maybe not. The year is 2022 and COVID-19 is still (partially) trapping us inside the four corners of our homes, so it’s probably a given that zodiac signs and horoscopes are at an all-time high in terms of relevance. After all, 2 years of being indoors makes it a bit too easy to take anything as a hobby now. At least, that’s how it goes for me. My day doesn’t end without seeing someone in my feed mention that a certain someone in their life is starting to display traits of being a/an *insert zodiac sign here*. So it got me wondering: what’s so special about Astrology? What’s the science behind it? Is Astrology even a science? And even if it isn’t, should we ridicule the people who believe in its concept too much? Astrology has received momentum from the Millennials and Gen-Z, so there’s got to be some explanation as to why people actually find it amusing, and more so as a legit way of predicting one’s behavior and personality, right? Let’s find out together! Does Astrology hold any scientific value? A quick google search says no. A deeper dive into the rabbit hole and the stars align as to why it’s NOT scientific and an accurate way of predicting one’s personality. The Atlantic, a reputable American magazine publisher, defined Astrology as a meme. You read that right, a meme, just like the Doge and Pepe the Frog memes in your gallery. They have come to that conclusion since the fashion of how it spread (social media), its central audience (Millenials and Gen-Z), and the way it’s used (to “predict” or gauge one’s behavioral patterns through humorous posts) perfectly reflects how memes function in today’s society. Though it is important to note
Let’s Talk about Astrology and How It Should Be Okay to Believe (and Be Motivated by) Its Concept John Philip Argonia
way of finding joy in Astrology. This is also true as zodiac signs and horoscopes don’t really have to adhere to scientific standards to have meaning—just like memes, they’re just there to empower or make you smile. Furthermore, Astrology being used as a form of toxicity is much harder to come by than it being used as an embodiment of empowerment, humor, or positivity. It’s not a proven science. But much like other kinds of spiritual and religious faith, it doesn’t have to be to make a difference in the lives of those who believe in it. Those are the words of Tanya Ghahremani in her article on Astrology at NBC News. It’s a good read that provides further insight into the subject matter. Astrology as a pseudoscience
Photo from Jackie Ferrentino/NBC News
that Astrological signs have these traits attached to them that your average meme doesn’t really have. Unfortunately, that just leaves us with more questions than answers. It doesn’t really explain why it holds so much value in the hearts of your average 15-year-old and 22-year-old. How did Astrology get so popular? The sudden burst of Astrology’s popularity can be traced back to the Western World’s The New Age Movement of the 1970s where people really started getting interested in all the Spiritual, Mind, Body, and Spirit stuff. It was also a common belief that civilization had entered or was about to enter a new age known as the Age of Aquarius. Due to that belief, people could not stop obsessing over zodiac signs and horoscopes as they thought it would bring them to “utopia” and following these would lead their lives to a meaningful path. Despite taking place in the Western World, it still got to influence the majority of the planet; thus, the craze over discovering what your zodiac sign and the stars have to
offer for you has officially begun. Fast forward to 2022, horoscopes can still be regularly found in your news feed or in the back pages of a magazine. And most certainly, out of all the branches of Astrology, zodiac signs are still a hot topic. While most people see Astrology as a gimmick, some Millennials and Gen-Z devote their time, effort, and loyalty to the traits attached to their respective signs. There can be a hint of toxicity found in this gray area and the population of these age brackets may just be too afraid to admit that it’s starting to get out of hand. So what’s wrong with it? As discussed earlier, Astrology is NOT a science and it does not hold any scientific value whatsoever. It can be considered a meme or a hobby, but no one has ever scientifically proven that the alignment of the stars will tell how your prelims or thesis defense tomorrow will go. Your crush’s zodiac sign should never be the factor on why you should keep settling for them. As for your daily horoscopes, well, they are applicable to any time of the day,
24/7. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it is what it is. There are more things about a person to know, discover, love, and nurture other than what their astrological signs dictate. After all, it’s part of building a relationship, and skipping this process just because someone is Leo is nonsensical. The University of California Museum of Paleontology could not have said it any better: Astrology is not a very scientific way to answer questions. Although astrologers seek to explain the natural world, they don’t usually attempt to critically evaluate whether those explanations are valid — and this is a key part of science. The community of scientists evaluates its ideas against evidence from the natural world and rejects or modifies those ideas when evidence doesn’t support them. Astrologers do not take the same critical perspective on their own astrological ideas. It’s okay to enjoy Astrology as long as you’re not using it as an excuse to be toxic On the flip side, some may beg to differ that an individual is either an insecure party pooper or a person who lacks personality whenever they go in someone’s
Astrology can be a polarizing topic. It can be seen as absurd that people label and establish certain stigmas against a particular zodiac sign. Your ex probably didn’t break up with you just because you were a Virgo, and your friend isn’t a social butterfly because they’re Libra. Rather, it’s because it is a trait that humanity took thousands of years to evolve and adapt to. Astrology also promotes a toxic culture that future generations shouldn’t suffer. However, people gatekeeping society from enjoying Astrology are also toxic. That is only the dark side of Astrology that you barely get to see. The opposite side of it being an instrument to spread positivity, humor, and empowerment is wonderful and should be its main purpose. Astrology doesn’t have a special place in science, but it does so dearly in pop culture. It’s undeniable that its positive impact and reinforcement on our generation is evident because, amidst the political tensions, emotional hardships, and physical limitations we got going on right now, that daily horoscope you got from last night might just be enough to get you through the day.
How to Begin Again: Re-establishing Study Habits Arianne Andrada Manila, Philippines — March 9, 2020 marks the day when everything changed. What was thought to be a mere suspension of classes led to a whole new change of landscape in education. Now, two years in, Filipino students face one of the greatest struggles in their lives; enduring the current learning setup. Learning and teaching amidst Covid-19 During the start of the pandemic, both students and teachers struggled to make the shift from being physically present in school to learning virtually. The change in the mode of ed-
ucation made it harder for them to teach and learn. The distance between them hindered all possible connections that they can potentially have. Some students were able to build good study habits and connections in the current learning setup. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. There are a few who encountered many difficulties to get to where they are right now. Now, what is the difference between a student’s study habits today? In the usual face-to-face set up, students can work on their assignments or review for
their exams in places besides their classroom and home. The library, cafes, and computer laboratories are possible locations where they can work and study on their own or with their friends. Students don’t need to worry about getting distracted since they are away from their usual home routine. They do not need to juggle household chores and attend or listen to a class discussion. These all soon vanished when online learning came into the picture. Students now have nowhere else to go besides the comforts of their homes. It was only a year later when people can go to cafes to stay and study.
Photo from Wikihow
(page 9)
9 Why have a dog? Dogs are such a sweet and cuddly companion for humans. They are so much fun to be with. There can be other animals too, but dogs just hit different for most of the people. In an article by Dotson, M. J. (2008), it was emphasized that having a pet enhances an individual’s physical and mental psyche because these furballs are stress-relievers. When you take your pet for walks, they make you healthier; when they give you kisses and cuddles, they make you happier; and they make you busy enough to keep you away from overthinking. Grimm, D. (2015) said that dogs can activate hormonal response to humans which produces Oxytocin—the love hormone. This is why pet owners feel affection and love from their animals. When you establish a strong connection with your pet, you unconsciously understand their gestures, movements, and behaviors. This makes you believe that you understand the pure intent and love of your pets. How can you resist this kind of fondness or endearment caused by your beloved pets, right? Let me tell you a something about a dog named Elemenopee. He was born in 2017. He was literally just a pile of brown cotton back then. I’ll tell you, he loves to play around! He jumps twice his height, and he smiles 80% his whole life. Overall, he is such a cutie! Everyone loves him. And he is gentle with kids too!
Elemenopee: The Little Golden Furball Mia Felizz De Jesus He gets bored inside the house, he prefers having mischievous adventures more. Elemenopee is a very outgoing type of dog. He loves roaming around town, searching for people who find him handsome. He likes making more hooman friends to the point where the entire neighborhood knows him. The good thing is that this stubborn little furball knows how to stay out of the road. He also happens to learn on his own how to go home after having anonymous belly scratches. How can you resist the cuteness of this goofy face?
I bet these pictures made you smile. Just look how far he have grown! Still so much fluffiness in him. And that grin... you cannot possibly hold that off his face—and I love him for that. Then Covid Happens… The pandemic is the best thing that ever happened to him! It was probably the happiest year of his life. Year 2021 is where everyone is mostly at home. He loves the constant cuddles and the fact that the people he loves don’t leave for work or school. He savors the time and attention everyone is giving him. He sometimes even goes online schooling with one of his owners.
Though he likes walking around, beaches are the least of his favorite. He doesn’t like the crashing waves. But as long as her furmom is around, he will take a swim if you insist! Above all his hilarious adventures, his family loves him for bringing light to their homes. He makes the pandemic bearable. He brings joy and laughter to the house. How I wish, his story made you happy today—you can also start writing your own furbaby’s story (this is a sign for you to adopt your own dog, if you want). If you’re thinking of getting a dog, make sure to prepare their necessities; food, dog bowls, rubber toys, and a lot of patience. Lastly, always remember that Elemenopee was never loved based on his breed, but based on just who he is.
How to Begin Again: Re-establishing Study Habits (cont. from page 8) Still, not everyone is allowed to go out and do this. With these in mind, most students came up with their routines and cross-checked which worked for them and which didn’t. Yet, whatever their case is, some still lose their way and swerve in a different direction. Today, they feel lost and confused. Looking for ways to ignite the motivation they once had. As a student, how can you re-establish your study habits? This may not be easy as counting one, two, or three, but here are some ways which can point you on the right path. First, stay organized! Staying organized means writing down everything that concerns your subjects. Keep track of everything that is happening in your class. Check where you can access your course and its content. Also, keep in mind every crucial date that you shouldn’t miss.
In this way, you’ll feel less lost when navigating through each course. Second, avoid cramming and multitasking Cramming and multitasking are a recipe for disaster. Always take it one step at a time. Never leave things at the very last minute. Make the most of the time that is given to you before every deadline. Finish one task, then move on to the next. Trying to accomplish all tasks at once is counterproductive. Third, mark your calendar and set your schedule In relation to staying organized, marking your calendar and setting your schedule are great ways to stay on track. This limits the risk of procrastination and induces motivation. The dates you mark and the schedule you set are the blueprints for your study habits. Therefore, try your best to not steer away from deadlines.
Fourth, stay connected with people Establishing connections can increase motivation. Having someone with you as you work on a task can make you more productive. You also get to bond and connect with others, which is something that is hard to achieve in today’s learning setup. That’s why you can kill two birds with one stone when you simultaneously work with another person. You should reach out to your teachers or adviser too. Staying connected with people also includes them. They will be a great help when you have any concerns and questions about the learning content. With this, they can see how much effort you are putting into studying and learning. Lastly, take time to rest Getting rest is the most crucial part of re-establishing your study habits. Particularly, since these habits don’t only concern studying and reviewing. It en-
compasses the time that you also spend recharging. From it, you get to look back on your progress and reflect on what did and did not work for you. Remember, consistency is the key to success. No one can predict when the pandemic will end, or if we’ll ever get back to 100% normalcy. However, what we can control is our consistency with working on ourselves to reach the goals we have set for ourselves. Indeed, the struggles students face today are setbacks to progress. That’s okay. Progress isn’t linear. There will always be a time when we lose our way. Yet, the most important thing to do when you re-establish your study habits is to pick yourself up from where you left off and take the next step.
SPORTS How is PE Class at the time of the Pandemic? Jake Marr Sunga Do you miss running around the UST Field while playing with your block mates under the heat of the sun? Do you miss staying at the University after class to practice your dance performance? or do you miss rushing yourself to get into the QPAV for your next PE class? It’s been two years since the suspension of the face-to-face classes due to the COVID 19 and forced the teaching and learning to shift online. The PE Classes amidst the Pandemic seem impossible to continue, and their effectiveness has been tested due to students’ limited resources, and PE classes need students’ actual performance, and most of it should be played outside of the home for students to maximize the application of their skills in that particular field of this course. But the Faculty members of the IPEA have exerted their effort to provide alternative ways just to continue the PE Classes, even if it is online. Now let us know some of the opinions of professors and students of the College of Education about implementing PE classes online as they share their experiences and insights in an Interview. Assistant Professor Laura Clavo De Comer said that connectivity issues seem to be the main problem of this setup (Online Class). She also stated that most of the activities that she gives to her students are more videos where she involves her students’ family members in executing their performance tasks because she believed that more interaction with family members would help students counter depression in this time Pandemic. Professor Ann Geline Abejuela narrated her experience in the interview; She said that she encounters many challenges like technical problems, slow internet connection, and Power Outages while having classes. But she makes sure that she is ready when these problems occur; Prof. Abejuela has her phone data as a backup in case she loses her
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Sports
02
NEWS
FEATURE
Growl06 Thomasians’ ing Taste Buds: SPORTS EDITORIAL Famous Food Spots sets to be 09 EJPHObiena Crisis 04 Education Flag Bearer in in the Philippines:
UST approves F2F baccalaureate mass and graduation rites in June
Fact or Cap?
THE OFFICIAL SCHOOL PUBLICATION OF THIRD YEAR BSED ENGLISH MAJORS
SEA Games
VOL. I NO. I
APRIL-MAY 2022
Eya Laure: Get to know the Queen Tiger Angelica Bautista
EJ Obiena sets to be PH Flag Bearer in SEA Games. Jake Marr Sunga
Filipino pole vault star Ernest John “EJ” Obiena will be tasked to carry the Philippine Flag in the upcoming South-East Asian Games Opening Ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam kicking off on May 12. Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino wished that Obiena and Olympic Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz be the Philippines’ joint flag bearers. However, the Sea Games allow only one flag bearer for each country. The Weightlifting star gives way to Obiena as she believes that the Pole Vaulter is a representation of every Filipino who wants to bring glory to the country. I’m very happy to see EJ as our flag bearer for Team Philippines,” said Diaz. “I’m happy for him and the rest of the Philippine delegation. I will support him.”
Photo taken from the Facebook page of EJ Obiena
Obiena’s SEA Games stint was recently jeopardized due to his conflict with Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association( PATAFA) because of his liquidation issue on his funds. But last March 31, the Pole vaulter stand out posted a credit notice from the Commission of Audit (COA) that Philippine Sports Commission cleared him and allowed him to compete in the SEA games. The World’s No. 5 Pole Vaulter is committed to defend his gold medal and help other 656 Filipino athletes to bring another SEA Games Overall Championship to the Philippines. “All I can do for now is to train harder and be better, and smarter,” Obiena stated. tion of every Filipino who wants to bring glory to the country. I’m very happy to see EJ as our
flag bearer for Team Philippines,” said Diaz. “I’m happy for him and the rest of the Philippine delegation. I will support him.” Obiena’s SEA Games stint was recently jeopardized due to his conflict with Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association( PATAFA) because of his liquidation issue on his funds. But last March 31, the Pole vaulter stand out posted a credit notice from the Commission of Audit (COA) that Philippine Sports Commission cleared him and allowed him to compete in the SEA games. The World’s No. 5 Pole Vaulter is committed to defend his gold medal and help other 656 Filipino athletes to bring another SEA Games Overall Championship to the Philippines. “All I can do for now is to train harder and be better, and smarter,” Obiena stated.
The Continual Growth of The Thomasian ESports Scene Joseph Marle Ferrer
Photo taken from the Facebook page of the Teletigers Esports Club
The ESports scene is no longer unfamiliar to our country, through the glories and achievements of the players, the UST Teletigers organization provides a community wherein both gaming and education can be blended into a harmonious relationship. The hype on this generation revolves around on the introduction of a new sport that involves the latest tech. The Teletigers Esports Club, is the official Esports arm of the University of Santo Tomas. The Tigers of España has won 7 championships across events in Alliance Cup and NCO since the
year 2020 and has remained dominant among these tournaments. Through the years of the organization’s success and its members, it has won the m ost number of awards and won in the most categories in the recent awarding event, the Acadarena Awards. The organization handles a few famous online games, ranging from mobile games to pc games such as Call Of Duty Mobile, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Mobile Legends, League of Legends PC, and Valorant. Behind each game has its own different unique set of players wherein their skills are put on to the test
through scrims and tryouts. The growth of the players continued to increase ever since the COVID-19 struck our country that left every physical sport unattended or even prohibited to lower the risk of infection of the virus. Online games arose amidst the state of the country which led gaming into a form of interaction between new people and establishing relationships It appears that this could become a new trend among Universities in Manila as a form of Sport that would transpire local or national Professional scene in the country.
UST Tigers got swept to FEU Tamaraws with a 44-point loss in UAAP Trixie Mae Landicho
The UST Tigers lost by 10965 score to FEU Tamaraws with the gap of 44-point markers in UAAP Season 84 on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at the Mall of Asia Arena. The final game between FEU and UST, with a 44-point loss, became the second-largest scoring deficit of UST in this season after its 50-point blowout defeat with Ateneo Blue Eagles on April 21. The Tigers tried to trail during the second half by 15-points with a 49-34 score. However, the Tamaraws made
a pivotal 11-1 run that pushed their lead to a 60-35 score. In the third period, FEU continued its trouncing of UST, pushing the Tigers with a 13-point halftime advantage to a whopping 37 points, 84-47. Nic Cabañero finished with a team-high 16-point marker for UST, while Joshua Fontanilla made 13-point shots which ended his Season 84 campaign, and Sherwin Concepcion added 10 points during the game. The Tigers finished their season with a 3-11 slate winloss record.
The Scores: FEU 109 – Sajonia 27, Abarrientos 11, Alforque 10, Gonzales 10, Sleat 9, Ojoula 8, Torres 8, Bienes 8, Celzo 6, Gravera 5, Dulatre 2, Sandagon 2, Tempra 2, Li 1, Coquia 0. UST 65 – Cabañero 16, Fontanilla 13, Concepcion 10, Manalang 6, Manaytay 5, Pangilinan 5, Canoy 4, Gomez de Liaño 3, Ando 2, Garing 1, Herrera 0, Yongco 0, Gesalem 0, Mantua 0. Quarters: 22-15, 49-34, 74-47, 109-65
She first fell in love with basketball As the daughter of the renowned PBA player, Eddie Laure, it is no doubt that Eya eventually got hooked on the sport that his dad loves. She even played against more experienced players than her back in the day. With her passion, talent, and words of encouragement from her dad, the young Eya didn’t even think of pursuing any sport aside from basketball. Her dad even told her that she might be the first Filipina to enter the WNBA. “Sabi ni Daddy, ‘Galingan mo dyan. Someday, malay mo, mag-WNBA ka.’ Kaya hindi ko talaga inisip na mag-vo-volleyball ako.” She was discovered while playing basketball Good things sometimes hap-
pen in the most unexpected situation. While Eya and her volleyball superstar sister EJ are shooting some hoops around Espana, former UST high head coach, Kung Fu Reyes accidentally saw her and realized that her agility and height might be applicable to volleyball as well. After that, Eya started training with high school-ers and fell in love with the sport. Coach Kung Fu was training her to become a setter.
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Rookie Paul Manalang has gained the nod to lead UST Sofia Lapid High school standout Paul Manalang is the new team captain of the rebuilding UST Growling Tigers. Paul is set to step out of his brother Philips’ shadow who was the former team captain of the UE Red Warriors last UAAP Season 81. As team captain of the newly rebuilt UST squad, Paul Manalang said this message to his Tiger teammates: “Be consistent. We need to be consistent sa mga ginagawa nating tama from the start up to the buzzer,”. As the new captain of the team, Paul Manalang must have had an added weight on his shoulders considering that University of Santo Tomas endured a difficult start to its UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament campaign. Losses to Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines could have ruined UST’s season before it could properly start. But back-toback wins – at the expense of University of the East and Adamson University – have turned everything upside down. “Actually, we prepared naman for this game eh,” said Paul,
“Sinasabi ng mga coach namin laruin lang naman game namin.”. The former NU Bullpups standout then delivered big time for the Growling Tigers in their 79-70 victory over the Soaring Falcons. Behind fiveout-of-7 three-point shooting, he led UST with 15 points in the contest. Talk about leading by example. For Manalang though, there was nothing special with how he shot during the game. It was basically recalibrating what he knows and how he plays on the floor. For his head coach Jinino Manansala, he is just happy that Manalang finally found his shooting touch this season. He trusts his captain ball very much and leaves him to lead his fellow players.
