Echoes January-February 2019 by Echoes

Recognition Day 2020 by Third Maraganas

Renew or Reject by Erica Flores

2019 & 2020: The Year I Dove & The Year I’m About To

Luha by Geremee Vasquez

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824: Grandeur of Kobe by Jam Candolada

S E P T E M B E R

Diving Into the Unknown: Interview with Gab Rivera

Self-Care 101

Joggers’ Club? Yes or No by Gabbie P. & Josh Q.

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E C H O E S

16 22 30 34

The Perspectives on Parasite’s Influence

The Best of Music Recs Without Context

W H O

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A R E

ECHOE S 62A PUBLICATION

E DITOR-IN-CH IEF AS S OCIATE EDITOR STAFF

INTERNS

Echoes is the official publication of the UP Economics Society (UP Ecosoc), a nonstock, non-profit, student organization based in the University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics.

COMMUNICATIONS

E DI TO R IAL ASSISTANT STAFF

Echoes is released two to four times a semester and six to seven times in a year on the months of February, April, June, September, October, and December. It draws its funding from a subsidy from UP Ecosoc, and small fundraisers. One copy of the issue is produced to be read freely by the members of the organization.

tweet us @echoesph for more information, visit: echoes.ph issuu.com/echoes All errors are corrected when uploaded on issuu.com/echoes. If you spot an error, please email us. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION.

Cayenne Cao Harvey Sanga Jego Agabin Andrew Banaag Joergen Camara Jam Candolada Ys a Ve r a C r u z Samantha Reyes

EVENTS

MAN AGING EDITOR STAFF

This publication is printed by Yza Copy Systems and Trading, located at Katipunan, Quezon City. contact us upecosoc@gmail.com ecosoc.echoes@gmail.com

Julia Castellon Erica Flores Robyn Sason Meira de Luna Max Capili Javi Vilchez Erin Buenavantura C a i t l y n Yu Tr e i A l t a r e j o s Frabert Dela Cruz David Santiago

INTERNS

Poch Villadolid Roni Cabrito Celina Pacana Joseph Marasigan Bel Bernardo Cara Sta. Ana Carlo Albay Klaudia Sanchez Hannah Go Jehizkiah Diag

CONTRIBUTORS Alyanna Bernardo Airah Bucsit Erin Buenaventura Jam Candolada Cayenne Cao Julia Castellon Mia Cruz Cami Cuaresma Frabert Dela Cruz Meira De Luna Erica Flores Nina Gaviola

Gia Jovellanos Gabby Lazo Je Magpantay Third Maraganas Anna Mariano Vina Mengua Gabbie Planas Josh Quimbo Macy Salud David Santiago R a m o n Te n a G e r e m e e Va s q u e z

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EDI TOR’S LE T T ER

Note: I am aware ducks don’t dive but they float on water, which is the very essence of this issue.

S E P T E M B E R

Anything new can be extremely scary – for many different reasons. Some people have always been afraid of the same things, some fears stem from uncertainty, and some come from newness and unfamiliarity. I can definitely say that creating this issue ignited all these fears at once inside of me. I never would have thought that I’d be writing this letter to all of you.

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This issue is inspired by Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2020 – Classic Blue. First thing that comes to mind upon hearing the word ‘blue’ is water. When you dive into water, you don’t know what to expect. You hesitate and you become skeptic but it takes courage to keep diving deeper, up to the point that you don’t even realize how far you’ve gone from the surface - how much you’ve gone through. That’s the takeaway I want everyone to get from this issue. 2019 was an extremely tiring year. So was 2018, 2017, and all those years back. Nonetheless, be proud of yourselves for how far you’ve gone in those years. You’ve gone through so many good and bad moments that took your breath away, and yet you’re still here fighting –be proud for that. Dive into the new year with pride in yourself, despite all the uncertainty. You’ve made it all the way here, why not keep going? It’s my great pleasure to bring all of you the Dive issue. Dive into 2020 and be proud of yourself for even the smallest things. You’re seen, you’re heard, you’re loved, and you’re doing so much better than you think you are doing. If you can dive into the year with such pride and courage, there’s nothing you wouldn’t be able to handle. 5

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GAB RIVERA GRASSROOTS PROGRAM Hi Ecosoc! When we were coming up with the theme for the semester, we knew we wanted something that would represent the new-ness of the coming semester. “Daybreak” was just that – the onset of a brand new Ecosoc, one that is genuine in its efforts to our beneficiaries and our members. And one of the biggest changes this semester is the Grassroots Program. Personally, being a Team Apps officer for the longest time, I’ve come to learn and wonder at the potential that our applicants possess. It’s only time and it’s only right that we give them the opportunity to become their best selves as early as possible. This program isn’t for me to leave a legacy, but for Ecosoc to leave its own legacy of producing competent members. Ecosoc, this is for you.

H A Z E L SY H O N G PA N SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE HAPPY DAYBREAK ECOSOC! So for the Scholarship committee we still currently have 14 scholars. It’s been the usual so far, paying tuitions, giving stipends and the like. Congrats to the ROOTS OB! Another year done and as always, always #ForTheScholars. Roots was wild and still can’t get over the performances. Really happy that 6 of the scholars got to come and experience Roots, namely: Andrea, Trisha, Krizzie, Roxan, and Micha (cmon girl power!). They really enjoyed and are extremely grateful for all that we do. KITA KITS SA NEXT ROOTS! Can’t wait for what this sem has in store and happy to start the term with Ecosoc. Watch out for our next bonding initiative with the scholars, we’re looking to have one in March so hope to see you all there and for the members to get to know the scholars better!

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RAMON TENA ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

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hey yall so im supposed to give u updates abt acad so here it is KSKSKSKKSKS 1. yay nagrebrand kami ganda na ng pubs + we have a brand book narin yay 2. BUY FROM VOOK-ALIKES PLEATHE marami namang nabenta pero yall can still buy its still open for yall! ty shanina and sam + internal services team 3. yay recog week sobrang ganda and OMG GOING #INFLUENCERGAMING NA KAMI ily mam ash presto and luv u third + acad ops and symposia team 4. we have more stuff to come so abangan niyo yan \m/ kasi #AcadRelevant #TowardsExcellence parin mga ulol

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KLARISSE GO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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Hi Ecosoc! Giffy here! I really had fun with the first two months of the sem. A lot of things have changed. Say for example, look at me! I’m now a woke, active, and, needless to say, a cuter Giffy! ((#clout)). I’ve made many friends as well with animals from other zoos, so stay tuned for partnerships with them! It’s also my fave time of the sem—ACDC szn— and I’m loving it! We currently tutor 57 kids in the program with our brand new Math and English SRA-like workbooks (TY ACADS!!!) but we always make sure to leave time for the kids to have fun with their ates and kuyas! I would just like to say thank you to everyone (especially CDC fam) for all your efforts and dedication to serve the community! I really appreciate it! Hope to see you around in future CDC events! Let’s fill our home with happiness and love! <3 Giffy (& Klago)

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JULIA CASTELLON ECHOES hey ecosoc! y’all thought 2019 was a shitstorm but so was Jan-Feb 2020 :))) but one thing you guys can definitely rely on (and to expect in the next months) are consistent posts from echoes ! in the past month, we’ve released your february hoeroscopes, dear echoes, playlist, and echoes tv. you’ve seen echoes host its workshop collab w/ seccom (SEcheos) and have a food sale. you can expect the same web releases for the next two months but y’all BETTER watch out for litnight and fliptop <3 we gon be classy then trashy REAL QUICK and echoes is here to witness all that ;)

AIRAH BUCSIT EXTERNAL AFFAIRS hi bitchez ! alot has happened in a span of two months and most of it was me still figuring out what this whole execomm thing is. definitely not the easiest as i still try to adjust but still cant deny the fact that me and my team has done so much already <3 from sending out birthday emails and consent to alumni, to having 11 partnerships and having 6k to 8k+ likes on fb. i hope everyone can continue supporting our initiatives especially as we release our 2nd wave of privcards soon ;) exte wouldnt have done it with everyones support, thank you!

ANNA MARIANO FINANCE Hiii Daybreak! So far, Fin has had a successful reaff with 151 members out of 175 completing theirs yay. For those na hindi pa nagbabayad, magbayad na kayo para mas tumaba pa si Piggy B (no to diets!). So yun lang for now for Fin, stay tuned and hope you continue to support Fin’s upcoming initiatives!

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ANDREA CARLOS MEMBERSHIP

E C H O E S

Welcome to Daybreak!! As Memcomm steps into tomorrow, we have the biggest and newest pakulos for everyone, apps and mems alike. Two months into the sem, what we’ve done so far surpasses both socials and welfare aspects of getting to know everyone: We’ve been consistent with Joggers’ Club, TGIF’s were quite successful the few times we’ve commenced! We also have been keeping everyone in the know about wellness facts that are really useful in everyday acts, as well as mem facts and recog. Tambay Week also kept everyone pretty chilled out and full from all the goodies! Hopefully you all took the time to get to know our apps, too.

But really, that’s only the beginning. Memcomm has so much more in store for everyone and we CAN’T wait to have fun, wholesome or not, with all of you.

S E P T E M B E R

xoxo, Abec and Memcomm

JABBY AURELIO SECRETARIAT

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How else would Seccom start its sem other than making pubs, especially the ones that mems will personally use? To kick off Daybreak 62A, around 92 DPs were shot and edited (with a hint of summer) by Team Creatives for Ecosoc’s recweek! Special shoutout to Haqq for organizing his team for the DP Blast’s success :3 In early February, we were able to declutter and reorganize the tambayan so that there would be more space (and hopefully di na masyadong magiipon ng alikabok sa tambs). We even returned the OG pigeonhole storage unit to the tambs! Hope you were able to say farewell to the old NYC letters and other kalat (because I have)! And finally, the photography workshop with Echoes came thru! Thanks to everyone who attended (since maraming pumunta hehe) and to Joaquin for teaching the mems how to take gud-instagramable photos! Thank you Ecosoc for continuing to support Seccom’s initiatives! Till next DP blast! -Jabby

N NEWS

News by the Numbers. Roots 2020. Apps 62A Orientation + Eventology. Recognition Day. The First ACDC. Chancellor Selection. The Next Pandemic: nCov. Taal Eruption. ABS-CBN Franchise Renewal. VFA Scrapping.

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NEWS BY THE NUMBERS BY ERICA FLORESI

61 B

11,000+

9.4°C

Philippine Peso (in billions) lost by Farmers from Rice Tariffication Law.

Workers to be affected by not renewing ABSCBN’s franchise.

Coldest temperature of Baguio in 2020 (PAGASA).

79,360

Total COVID-19 Cases Worldwide since December 31, 2019.

COVID-19 Cases in the Philippines.

Years old – the age of Sarah Geronimo when she got married to Matteo Guidicelli.

50 Years since the First Quarter Storm.

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34 Year anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

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134 Congressmen/Congresswomen voted for the approval of the Divorce Bill.

67% Of UP Diliman Students are single.

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ROOTS 2020 by BEL BERNARDO

UP DILIMAN SUNKEN GARDEN – Thousands of people filled up the UP Diliman Sunken Garden for Roots 2020 last Feb. 13, 2020. Organized by the UP Economics Society and UP Underground Music, Roots 2020 brought together different OPM artists for Thursday night of UP Fair. Starting off the event was Paint it Black, the winner of Homegrown: The Battle of the Bands, organized by Unbound, the app batch of Ecosoc 61B. They were followed by OGG, Please Process, Pedicab, Tard, Aizo, Ivan Theory, Area 25, Shirebound & Busking and the Fellowship of Praning, and Never the Strangers. Iconic bands like Moonstar88, 6cyclemind, and Orange & Lemons were also present during the event. His first time performing in UP Fair, Andrew E caught the attention of the audience with his engaging antics and witty remarks during his performance. Serenading the audience, Johnoy Danao touched the

hearts of the audience as they sang along to his classics. Rico Blanco, the headliner of the show, performed his hits “Your Universe,” “214,” “Antukin” and many more during his seemingly theatrical rock performance. This year, the advocacy of Roots 2020 is to fight for Climate Justice. With their line, “Keep Rooting for the Earth,” Roots 2020 invited speakers from environmental groups like CCNC who informed the show goers of the damage that climate change has brought and will bring to the world, and how human beings must continue to support the fight for climate justice in their own ways. #ForTheScholars – this is the motivation that the ROOTS 2020 Board of Directors and Organizing Body have for organizing the big event. Ecosoc currently has fourteen (14) scholars, and Roots is one of the projects done to raise funds for them.

D AY B R E A K 6 2 A : A P P S ’ O R I E N TAT I O N & E V E N TO LO GY by GAB BY LAZO

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Ecosoc welcomed this semester’s 27 applicants at SE 123 on January 31, 4:00 PM, in their app orientation. The vicepresidents introduced the functions of their respective home committees, while the chairpersons explained the different AdHocs. After this, the apps were grouped into their families, and the bidding for guardians began. Jaro and Mitch are the guardians of the #ily6000 family, Pat and Vina of the #saminangCORONA family, Yanna and Shanina of the Family Tree family, and lastly, Ken and Gia of the Hædœg Familæ. The newly formed families played an amazing race afterwards for the acquaintance party. Everyone enjoyed a meal of spaghetti and lumpiang shanghai to end the wonderful day. A week after, the applicants had their Eventology, an orientation for them to understand some of the must-knows and usual process of event planning in the organization. This was on February 7, 4:00 PM, at SE 123. Well-seasoned members spoke about the different AdHoc departments’ functions, and gave tips to the apps as well. As part of the process, the applicants were asked to produce project pitches to apply what they learned during this event.

From these first few events, everyone can clearly see how much potential these apps have. The Ecosoc members are excited to see the apps’ growth throughout the app process!

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R E C O G N I T I O N D AY 2 0 2 0 by THIRD MARAGANAS

The past semester has undeniably pushed each of us to our limits. We have sacrificed hours of much needed sleep just to be able to finish our requirements and reach the academic standards we have set for ourselves. With this in mind, being awarded with the academic awards “College Scholar” or “University Scholar” is enough to make all these sacrifices worth it. Furthermore, being recognized for the achievements you have worked so hard for brings impeccable joy. Last February 5, 2020, the Academic Affairs Committee, Team Academic Operations and Symposia, organized the Recognition Day with the theme “#ReachForTheStars”. Nothing but bright smiles and warm greetings filled SE 105 as the college scholars and university scholars of the organization was awarded. To begin the event, Ms. Ash Presto, a faculty member from the Department of Sociology, gave an inspiring speech about how one must balance their priorities in life. As she stated in her speech, it is not enough that one must be 16

able to allocate time for “Laude” and “Landi”, a true Iskolar ng Bayan must also be able to give time for “Lingkod.” After all, what use are all these academic achievements and awards if it is not put to good use for the betterment of the nation and the improvement of the conditions of our fellow countrymen? Listening to Ms. Presto’s speech reminded me of the true reason why I continuously push myself to reach standards I sometimes deem unreachable: to contribute to the improvement of the world we live in. After Ms. Presto’s speech, we proceeded to the formal awarding of the academic achievers. The Externals Committee had the most number of awardees with a total of five College Scholars and four University Scholars. Following External Affairs is the Academic Affairs Committee and Community Development Committee with a total of eight awardees. These committees were followed by Memcomm, which had seven awardees, and Secretariat with six. The Finance, Echoes and Executive Committees had two, four, and

two awardees, respectively. After all awardees of each committee were recognized for their achievement, the top awardee with the highest Grade Weighted Average, Vina Naomi, was awarded for her magnanimous achievement. The event ended with a Grand Pakain from the Academic Affairs Committee wherein the attendees were served with food and drinks. All in all, the event was undeniably a success. Other than being able to finish the event on time or making sure that no logistical errors plagued the event, the true success of the event lies in the commemoration of UP Economics Society’s academic excellence—a part of the society’s tradition that will undeniably be seen for generations to come.

THE F I RST AC D C by NINA GAVIOLA

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Every semester the Community Development Committee, in partnership with Academic Affairs, host the ACDC Tutorial Program to teach the kids of Pook Ricarte Basic Math and English. Last February 8, we launched this semesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ACDC program, with some new guidelines and some new kids to teach as well! The day began with all the volunteer tutors fetching the kids at Pook Ricarte, a guideline that we chose to implement this semester in order for the members to actually see the community theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to help. Upon arriving at UPSE, the students were first engaged in an ice breaker activity hosted by some of the apps for this semester. It was a fun start to a day full of learning for the kids and experiences for the members and applicants. The kids then answered their diagnostic exam, a newly introduced aspect in ACDC by the Academic Affairs Committee. This semester, the students will be answering SRA- styled workbooks, in which they have to master their current level before moving on to the next. After completing their respective exams, the ACDC kids were given their well deserved snacks, with proper hand washing taught to and exercised by them before taking part in their food. To culminate the day, a picture taking session was held with all of the kids and tutors in order to remember the day that went by. Through all of this, the Ecosoc members and apps were so patient in guiding and helping the students to do whatever they had to accomplish. It may have been a very tiring day, but it was a good start to a series of Saturdays with the kids of Pook Ricarte. Always and in all ways, for the kids!

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In his speech, Dr. Nemenzo expressed his gratitude to the people who supported him, assuring them that his win does not belong to him, but the whole community.

“Alam ko nandito kayo hindi para ipaglaban ako, para ipaglaban ang UP. Narito kayo para sa academic freedom, narito kayo para sa demokratikong pamamahayag, narito kayo para marinig ang boses ng ating komunidad sa mga gagawing desisyon ng BOR, narito kayong lahat para sa UP Diliman.”

U P D C H A N C Y: Fidel Nemenzo is the Next UP Diliman Chancellor by JE MAGPANTAY

UP DILIMAN - Loud cheers and screams filled Quezon Hall as UP President Danilo Concepcion announced the appointment of Dr. Fidel Nemenzo as the new chancellor of UP Diliman. After a long selection process that started last January, the UP Board of Regents (BOR) finally reached a decision during their meeting last Feb. 3, 2020. Nemenzo defeated the newly-appointed Dean Ferdinand Manegdeg of the UP Diliman College of Engineering (COE). Manegdeg was met with controversy as the credibility of his appointment as the Dean of COE was questioned.

(I know you are not here to fight for me, but to fight for UP. You are here [to fight for] academic freedom, freedom of speech, [so that] the voice of the community will be heard during the decision process of BOR. You are all here for UP Diliman) This is what the newly-elected chancellor stated. Nemenzo took his undergraduate studies in UP Diliman, pursuing a degree in BS Mathematics and graduated in 1985. He pursued his Master’s Degree and Doctorate Degree in Sophia Univeristy, Tokyo, Japan years after. He has been the incumbent Vice Chancellor for Research and Development at UP Diliman since 2014, and has taught in the University for almost 28 years.

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Nemenzo has received various awards for his excellence in research, and has held different teaching and leadership positions in colleges and councils across the globe. During the open forum in the UP Film Institute (UPFI), Nemenzo mentioned that his vision for the university is to become “an academic center for excellence” and “a modern research university with a public mission”. He also highlighted the need of the University to improve its standing in the continent and the world by implementing a “policy of internalization” based on our responsibilities to the country.

Dr. Fidel Nemenzo is the 12th Chancellor of UP Diliman, ending Dr. Michael Tan’s 6-year term ending on Mar. 1, 2020.

Sources: https://www.up.edu.ph/index.php/upd-vice-chancellor-fidel-nemenzo-selected-as-new-up-diliman-chancellor/ https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/03/nemenzo-chosen-up-diliman-chancellor/

>> Je Magpantay is currently a graduation student from UPSE, and is the current School of Economics Representative to the University Student Council. 19

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NEW YEAR, NEW VIRUS: The Spread of Corona Disease of 2019 by FRABERT DELA CRUZ A new virus comes with the new decade. With first reported cases from Wuhan, China, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes panic around the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of February 23, 2020, there have been 78,811 confirmed cases with 2,462 deaths. 77,042 of these confirmed cases are in China, with 2,445 deaths. In the Philippines, the Department of Health reports 3 confirmed cases in the country. WHO is closely working with global experts to learn more about the new virus. The virus is believed to have come from animals. It comes from the same family of viruses which caused the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV outbreaks from China in 2003 and Saudi Arabia in 2012, respectively. COVID-19 spreads through coughs or sneezes, and direct contact on surfaces with the virus. The symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath which may lead to Pneumonia, Kidney Failure and death. Treatments and vaccinations are still being developed. The public is advised to avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, frequent handwashing, avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals and practice cough etiquette. People with said symptoms are also advised to seek medical attention early and share their travel history with their healthcare provider.

T H E TA A L V O L C A N O E R U P T I O N by FRABERT DELA CRUZ

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On January 12, 2012, the Taal Volcano erupted and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) immediately raised the alert level to 4, meaning a “hazardous eruptive explosion is possible within hours to days.” PHIVOLCS also urged a total evacuation of everyone within the 14-kilometer radius from the volcano. Its previous eruption occurred in October 1977. A total of 151,764 families or 585,897 persons have been affected in CALABARZON, as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

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The volcano caused an ashfall which affected areas including, but not limited to, Metro Manila, CALABARZON and Central Luzon. This led to panic and fear among the people which caused increased demand and shortage of masks, and drastic increase in its price. This forced the Department of Trade and Industry to dispatch teams to monitor and regulate its price. The eruption also had other economic effects such as damages to infrastructure and agriculture estimated by the Department of Public Works and Highways to reach P3.4 Billion. This includes 3,813 damaged houses. 9 road sections were closed down due to damage and safety precaution, 3 of which are still on lockdown. At the same time, the Manila International Airport Authority reports that 643 commercial flights were cancelled, all of which have now resumed. 231 cities or municipalities have also resumed their classes out of the 264 that have declared suspension of classes. On February 14, PHIVOLCS decreased the alert level to 2 which means that “there is decreased unrest, but should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased or that the threat of an eruption has disappeared.”

With this, it also recommends strict prohibition on entering Taal Volcano Island, considered as a Permanent Danger Zone. As of February 24, 2020, 1,082 families or 4,073 persons continue to seek temporary shelter in evacuation centers even after the decrease on the alert level.

>> Frabert Dela Cruz is a freshman student taking up Business Economics. He loves to sleep and to watch TV series, as well as movies. 21

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R E N E W O R R E J E C T: Q u o Wa r r a n t o P e t i t i o n filed against ABS-CBN Corp. Franchise Renewal by ERICA FLORES

FEB. 10, 2020 - TV Networks and Social Media were filled with mixed reactions after Solicitor General Jose Calida requested to cancel the franchise ABS-CBN Corporation. The Solicitor General filed a Quo Warranto petition that aims to nullify the franchise of ABS-CBN. According to Calida, ABS-CBN has been committing exploitative and illegal practices against the Filipino people. He accuses ABS-CBN of supposedly having foreign investors, which is against the constitutional ban on foreign ownership. Furthermore, Calida says that the network went â&#x20AC;&#x153;beyond the scope of its legislative franchiseâ&#x20AC;? because of its pay-perview subsidiary channel, KBO. Shortly after the Quo Warranto petition was filed, ABS-CBN countered the allegations of Calida. In its statement, ABS-CBN reported that all their actions are bound by legal restrictions and were reviewed by the necessary government offices. The network explains that though foreign investors do have stocks, the ownership still belongs to ABSCBN corporation.This was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) before ABSCBN allowed for the transaction to happen. Likewise, ABS-CBN explains that its alleged illegal subsidiary channels were actually reviewed by the proper officials and were all bound by the terms of its franchise.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo denies that Pres. Duterte had any influence on this decision, even if he has continuously shown his unfavorable stance on ABS-CBN. According to Panelo, the president does not want the network to stop its broadcast. The only reason he gave for this is because “[The President] doesn’t have the power and even if he has, his power can be overruled by Congress itself.”

Artists, employees, and officials of the network have shown their strong opposition for this decision. Support from students, press organizations, and other competing networks have been overflowing too. Some congressmen and senators have called for the extension and immediate hearing for the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN. E CE HC OH EOSE S| S | Ej PA TN E- M F EB BE R2 02 20 01 9

>> Erica Flores is the incumbent Economics Representative to the University Freshie Council and she loves singing and performing in her free time! 23

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V FA : SCRAPPED by ANTON TAYAO

1. 2. 3.

US military personnel to temporarily come here and participate in joint military exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Guidelines for crimes committed by a US citizen on Philippine soil. US soldiers to maintain their presence in certain Philippine military bases and to position assets and construct infrastructure in them, contributing to AFP modernization.

Duterte’s decision to terminate the VFA comes from two main reasons. Firstly, due to the recent increase in military and defense budget, he believes that the AFP and his close friends who are senior officials, will agree with him because the Philippines could now be self sufficient in its AFP modernization program. Secondly, he is under the impression that China has overtaken the US as the world’s military superpower. 25

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The Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) is a 2 decade old contract between the Philippines and the United States concerning the two countries’ military and defense. It was signed on February 10, 1998, however it was ratified on October 5 of the same year but again made effective on May 27 the following year. Here are some of the agreed upon terms in the VFA:

F F E AT U R E S

Water: The Ultimate Adult Drink. Surfing: Gliding Our Way Through the Waves. Joggers’ Club? Yes or No. Interview with Gab Rivera. 2019 & 2020. Self Care 101. 824: Grandeur of Kobe. #GOALZ: The New Year’s Resolutions. Wordsearch.

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WA T E R : T H E U L T I M A E A D U LT D R I N K JULIA CASTELLON

I find it rather astonishing that people seem to assume that alcohol is the ultimate adult drink. Growing up, there’s always this idea of an adult drink. When we were kids, we thought coffee was the adult drink. When we became teenagers, it then became alcohol. Somehow, it stopped there.

To be frank, it’s just bullsh*t. It takes a real adult to appreciate water because that’s the drink we actually need for survival – not milk, not coffee, not alcohol. Becoming an adult means being busy with so many activities. Even just being in college, you already know that because you have to balance academics with organizational works internships, and personal errands. All this, it’ll take away your energy. It tires your body out, and guess what? Your body is mainly made of water and the only way to rehydrate yourself is to DRINK WATER. A real adult knows and acknowledges that water, even at room-temperature, is essential. And if you think about it, water is the only drink that doesn’t have a negative effect. Coffee can make you palpitate and alcohol can give you a bad hangover the next day. Water? The worst crime it can do you is to make you pee a lot, which isn’t really a crime at all beause peeing can flush out the toxins in your body.

All in all, water’s great.

It doesn’t make any sense for you to not like it. The real turning point in your life, when you transition from childhood to adulthood, is the growing appreciation for water. 28

SURFING: G l i d i n g o u r Wa y T h r o u g h t h e Wa v e s

SURFING, WHAT IS IT?

Surfing seems like a rigid and risky sport, and it seems like it’s really hard to learn. What is there to love about it? We asked one of our fellow Ecosocers, Airah Bucsit, a surfer and ocean lover by heart, to share how and when she started the sport and what made her fall in love with it.

I have always been the type of person to try new things. Ever since, I already loved the ocean so when i had the opportunity to try surfing for the first time, I grabbed it. One thing I love about the ocean is that it does not judge. It never cares about who you are, what you do or where you came from. The waves, almost always, rise up and give everyone equal opportunities to ride and enjoy them. I have been surfing for almost a year now and the bond I have made with the ocean, along with the people I met in it, is something that made me fall in love even more with this sport.

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WHAT MAKES SURFING LOVABLE?

Here is what Airah has to say:

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Surfing – we see it on movies, on TV, when we go to the beach. With the waves rising and the surfer just on the board, one may begin to wonder how surfers are able to balance themselves and enjoy the sport despite constant fear of falling or getting injured. Surfing is truly an interesting and popular sport, but from a professional perspective, what is Surfing? According to Surfer Today, “Surfing is the sport of riding waves in an upright or prone position. Surfers catch ocean, river, or manmade waves, and glide across the surface of the water until the wave breaks and loses its energy.” Its origins are believed to have been present during the 2000 BC (University of Hawaii), but the Western public only discovered it in 1899 when an Australian man took some bodysurfing lessons from Tommy Tana, a Polynesian Islander. Bodysurfing, different from the surfing we see most of time, is the act of using only your body to glide over the waves. It is totally different from swimming, even if you both use your bodies to navigate on water.

Surfers, swimmers, and those who have done watersports as a profession or as a hobby have expressed the same sentiments as Airah. For them, there is just something about the water that will make you fall in love with it – as if it were one for you. Furthermore, there is a whole community that is ready to accept you and share the same passion with you. Perhaps, surfing may not be as risky as some of us think. Despite the roar of the waves, it might be in the splashes of the water that we find our peace of mind. That’s all a hypothesis, but it’s one that maybe can believe in. In learning surfing, you will definitely fall and lose balance, but at the end of the day, you’ll find the right balance and finally go with the flow of the waves. It’s similar to life – you fall and you splash – but if you keep on trying, you’ll finally get to stand and conquer the waves of life.

F E A T U R E S

JOGGERS’ GABBIE PLANAS says

YES.

The idea behind bringing back Joggers’ Club was simple. We merely wanted to give importance to the wellness aspect Still don’t believe the benefits of Joggers’ Club or of “Socials & Welfare”. However, from what that you should be a part of it? Take a look at what started as a physical health initiative, Joggers’ some Ecosocers said on why they love Joggers’ Club! Club has developed to become so much more than just that. There are five main reasons “Lov e t h e t h o u g h t o f b u r n i n g c a l o r i e s! ” - G a b (some more obvious than others) as to why Rivera Ecosocers should join Joggers’ Club. The first reason would obviously be for all the health “I t ’s a w a y t o r e l a x & c l e a r m y h e a d b e f o r e I benefits that jogging can offer! With the hectic s t ar t w o r ki n g o n m y r e q s f o r t h e d a y ! I g e t t o scheds that college gives us, we don’t always s e e U P d u r i n g g o l d e n h o u r & t b h t h e a f t e r n o o n have the time to go to the gym but an hour s u n m a ke s U P m o r e a e st h e t i c a l l y p l e a si n g : >” of jogging already means so much!! Another - M a cy S a l u d reason is that joggers’ club doesn’t only entail “i l o v e g e t t i n g t o b o n d w i t h p e o p l e ! ! ( a n d t h e the physical aspect of health, but it’s also h e al t h b e n e f i t s o f j o g g i n g b a l a n c e s t h e c a l ogreat for one’s own mental wellness! Jogging r i e s ( ? ) g a i n e d f r o m i n o m ) ” - Po ch V i l l a d o l i d around the academic oval can honestly really help in clearing the mind from acads and “I r e a l l y e n j o y b e i n g a b l e t o b o n d w i t h t h e stress. A third reason is that Joggers’ club is j og g e r s a n d b e su r r o u n d e d b y p e o p l e w h o actually a pretty good way of socialising! So c ont i n u o u sl y e n c o u r a g e y o u t h r o u g h o u t t h e many Ecosocers have reached out showing r ou n d s. T h e j o g g e r s a l l su p p o r t e a c h o t h e r a n d interest towards Joggers’ Club! The best part t og e th e r st r u g g l e t o w a r d s a n d c e l e b r a t e e v e r y about it is it’s free!!! It isn’t like an inuman mi l e st o n e su r p a sse d ! ” - H a z e l Sy h o n g p a n where you have to pay to socialize! :> This leads to the next reason which is that Joggers’ “I t g i v e s m e a n a v e n u e t o l i v e a h e a l t h i e r l i f eClub is definitely a one of a kind bonding s t y l e a n d p u sh m y se l f t o b e b e t t e r a m i d st t h e d a i l y st r e ss f r o m a c a d s” - F r a n z C r u z experience. You get to talk to members (and even apps!) that you might not always see “E xe r c i si n g a n d st a y i n g h e a l t h y a i n ’ t n o e a sy nor get the chance to be with. There’s a sense t as k . I t r e a l l y e n t a i l s w o r k e v e r y d a y b u t w h e n of unity and love in Joggers’ Club (and in y ou’ r e su r r o u n d e d b y f e l l o w E c o so c e r s, t h e trying to make it alive HAHAHSHSH). The w o r k p a r t j u st se e m s t o d i sa p p e a r.” last reason as to why Ecosocers should join - Carlo Gulapa joggers’s is ……….the joggers are cute xoxo. “ I r u n t o f e e l t h e p a i n ” - La n ce C h e n g 30

CLUB? JOSH QUIMBO says

NO.

TESTIMONIES FROM PEOPLE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN JOGGERS’ CLUB:

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1. Joggers’ club is TOO EXCLUSIVE that it’s the SAME PEOPLE GOING OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Hmph smh. If the goal is to unite the mems and to integrate the apps, then making tambay in the tambayan is soooo much better!! Who even said that bonding has to be drinking alcohol, that’s BS!! 2. A better alternative to joggers’ club is chilling with each other and eating the best meals in UP. Take a tour around UP and go sight seeing with the best people in life. Who said sweating makes everything feel so good? The hassle of stinking the entire day and looking so ew. Another alternative? free hugs!! hugging allows the brain to release the GVS hormones or serotonin that causes us to feel better! PS. Hugging a person for a little less than a minute can cause sadness to go away!!! 3. Food > Jog. Who said you need to jog when you’re with ur friends. The best conversations are made when you’re on the dining table and talking to your friends about whatever. Personally, conversations over lunch ARE MUCH BETTER than conversations during jogging. This leads to my next point 4. They say jogging can be a source of bonding? nope. people are too busy watching their own pace and listening to their OWN MUSIC??? WHERE IS THE BONDING THERE?? listening to music and just chilling

with your friends in the tambayan allows people to determine who they really are through the music they listen to. JOGGERS’ CLUB PROMOTES LISTENING TO THEIR OWN MUSIC. where is the sharing there?! 5. Another BETTER alternative is bonding over a cup of coffee or when we play video games in the tambayan!!!! This is the ultimate bonding experience!!!

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Obviously, Joggers’ club is an attempt to keep ecosoc healthier, but it does not consider the fact that some people ARE NOT ABLE TO JOG. If the issue is to improve or find avenues to improve on the welfare aspect of the members, then jogging is not the way to GO! Here are some reasons and alternatives that we SHOULD consider.

disclaimer: I support the initiative of memcom, and this article is just meant for us to enjoy dskbfsdnf

“ C a r d i o i s f o r c h u m p s” - Je r e m y G e m z o n t a n, Ec osoc Pr esi den t 6 0 “wala naman pumapayat diyan” - T h i r d y S a n t o s, Ec osoc Pr esi den t 59 “J o g g i n g i s t i m e a w a y f r o m st u d y i n g ! A r a l mu na ! ! ” - B e l B e r n a r d o, Ec osoc Pr esi den t 6 1 “Wag n i y o l o ko h i n sa r i l i n i y o ! La l o ka n a t o n ! ” - Te o To l e n t i n o , S por t s VC 6 0 “J o g g i n g i s a l i e ! Ka i n n a l a n g t a y o ! ” - J i g g y C u e n co, M em c om m VC 6 1 “‘di si n c e r e si g a b b i e p l a n a s t sa ka g a b b y l a z o sa r e a so n s n i l a f o r j o g g i n g .” - J o s h A b a n t e, M em c om m VC 6 2

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Interview by ERICA FLORES Photography by CAYENNE CAO

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S E P T E M B E R

of the UP Econo mics Society.

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M eet t h e President

DIVING INTO THE UNKNOWN:

An Interview with Ecosocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New President, Gab Rivera

During a rainy Friday evening, we were granted the honor of interviewing Ecosoc Newly-elected President, Gab Rivera, through a phone call.

What was your motivation for running as president?

You’re the newly-elected Ecosoc President, how does it feel?

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S E P T E M B E R

I think within the semester. I’m still adjusting to things, [because] back when I was a regular member, I was always in memcomm except during my first sem. Now that I’m trying to handle all the different committees, I have to kind of adjust with the kind of work they do. I’m familiar with the work, but the fact that I have to oversee all the different functions at the same can be overwhelming, but at the same time gives you a fresh perspective of the work that the people in Ecosoc do.

The past terms have focused on bringing the members back home and helping them adjust with the changes happening in the org, especially last term, when the new constitution transitioned in. Now, the main goal of our term is to solidify the processes and the systems we’re doing right now. We’ll revamp a lot of things and introduce a lot of things, but at the same time, one of our main goals is to be able to develop and grow on the potential of our members – especially the new ones. Right now, we can see that [Ecosoc] is a very young org. Our member base is composed of a lot of Freshies and those who are still active. We’ve appreciated the work that the older members have done for the org, but at the same time, we should try to impress on the skills – the potential and capabilities of our new members. That’s one of our main goals this term.

I’m looking forward for these new members to be able to learn something from the older Ecosocers. Both of my AdHoc positions back then – I was [the] Roots Operations Director and EM 60 Corp Rel – I’ve never had full experience on [the work, prior to] it. Which is why I was just “kapa-kapa” with what I was doing. That’s why we’re introducing the members on how we do things in Ecosoc more fully and systematically. I really want these members to use things that these older and more expert members to pass down their skills to them (the new members) so they can apply it with the work they do. Personally, if only I had an idea with I was doing and enjoyed what I was doing, I would be more motivated to be an active member of this org so I won’t be scared of not knowing what to during an event. I’m looking forward for the new members to immerse themselves in the work of Ecosoc not only through experience, but through the expertise passed

When do you think it will sink In?

As the Ecosoc President, what is your goal during your term?

You’ve mentioned the development and skills of the new members. That’s the goal of Grassroots, right? How is planning and organizing this initiative? E C H O E S

A part of me still feels like I’m not the President. I think that’s a normal feeling for everyone who has been recently elected. Being in this org for three (3) years and being able to experience so many things, it just feels so out of myself that I’m the president already. It’s so hard to describe [the feeling] because part of me feels like it’s still not happening. I get the work, I get the pressure, but title itself – it eludes sometimes.

When I was an app, I was an active app, but not on the levels that you’d expect a President would be. I think it was during applications for EM 60. I was not planning to apply, but Jem, who was the president at that time, asked if I wanted to EM. I did it and was [the] Corporate Partnerships [Director] at that time. During that whole EM 60 period, I got to see how much this org meant to people. It was so nice to be able to give back to an org who has given me so much already.

Speaking of AdHocs, what specific event are you looking forward to during your term? I’m looking forward to EM 62 during my term because after working for EM for the past 2 years, I [have gotten] to know how difficult it is to innovate Ecosoc Month. Ever since nawala yung LIV, it has always been a struggle to fill that gap of what our culminating event should be. It’s very exciting. I heard baka ibalik ang LIV? Eme, we don’t know yet. But yes, it’s very exciting what the new EM OB will come up with, especially since a lot of changes will be implemented, including in its structure. We’ll be waiting for that.

We’ve talked about the future, let’s go back a year ago. 2019 was a rough year, wasn’t it? Despite that one hell of a year, what was something you were proud to have done in 2019?

One of my biggest accomplishments last year was EM 61. If you thought 2019 was harsh, 2018 was one of the worst years of my life. I had to go through so much distress and trauma that year. That’s why coming into 2019, I told myself that I’ll probably drown in work. I took up a Roots position, an internship, and when the opportunity came up to become EM Chairperson, I was hesitant at first, but I was thinking of running for president too, right? I thought EM 61 was the deciding factor if I will pursue the presidency, so I took the chance. Even if there were lots of uncertainty - “What culminating event will we have?”, “How are we going to build on the tradition that Ecosoc month will be? It’s a very scary thing. This AdHoc is not external, it’s for the org. You can’t go into Ecosoc Month without an appreciation for Ecosoc, and that was scary for me. But I’m thankful for the amazing BOD and OB that we had, and we were able to pull off EM 61 with profit after EM, for the longest time, did not have profit. We earned a lot and EM 61 was really such a big thing for me.

You’ve overcome a lot of challenges last year. This 2020, what uncertainties do you want to dive into?

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During my free time, I chill at home or be with friends. During the times I’m not in an Ecosoc Event, I can shed off my prim and proper skin and be myself again. I still find time to hang out with my HS and college friends. I think that’s an integral part of how I am as a person – a breather and sh*t.

Since you’re so busy right now, do you still find time to rest and have fun?

E C H O E S

Going into the presidency, there are many uncertainties that you don’t know how to tackle at first. However, one of the biggest uncertainties I have right now as president is trying to keep the super active young member base of our org still in love with Ecosoc. That’s the point of the app process, but at the same time, I think that the first few semesters you have in Ecosoc is crucial in [culminating] how you will be in this org. Honestly, I’m really scared of burning out these new members so quickly in this org. I’m uncertain, but a t the same time, the Execomm is really trying their best to make the work not seem just work. We’re trying to find the goal in everything we do. I think we’re doing an okay job, but we could probably still do better.

Personally speaking, what do you want to dive into? After college, I really want to pursue further studies. That’s one of the biggest uncertainties in my life right now because I really want to pursue further studies. During college, I’ve dedicated so much to the work I’ve done in the org, extra-curricular activities, and socials. However, after college, I really want to – I know I sound like a nerd – but I really enjoy learning new things. Econ is one of the most interesting things I’ve tackled in my whole life since you can see the impact of it in the real world. It scares me, but graduate studies is something I do want to pursue in the future.

I want to tell myself to dive in head first. Back in HS, I was always a timid person – a follower. It was only in college that I found a passion to lead and charge head first in everything I do. Now that I’m taking such a big leadership position, it’s important for me to remind myself to not be afraid of taking risks because I know that there will be people who will catch me if ever I do fail. There will be people who will support me and guide me all throughout this journey of serving the organization. I’ve never been a basketball fan myself, but there’s always one quote that has stuck to me until now. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” It’s really important to remind yourself that if you want to do something - if your heart’s in it – just go for it. If that has always been something you wanted to do and the only thing that is stopping you is yourself, maybe it’s time for you to talk to yourself about the fact that this is want you to do and just fuck it, do it.

What do you miss the most from Ecosoc? When I was an app, Ecosoc was such a different org. The culture has changed so much in three (3) years. One of my best memories in my first year was LIV. It was such a great celebration of what the org is supposed to be – members, apps, and people who I didn’t even know were from Ecosoc. We were dancing, sharing shots, sharing drinks – it was such a big, great, and grand example of what this org is supposed to be. The whole culture of “I don’t give a sh*t if you’re from the lower batch or an app”, that’s one of the biggest things I miss. Well, we’re slowly integrating ourselves back to it again to that kind of culture, but we still have a long way to go. However, I’m still proud of where we are right now. As for the message, [to all the members], thank you for continuing to stay in this org despite EVERYTHING. We’ve gone through so much, and not all of them were good. But, I’m still thankful for everyone in the org. No matter how distant or aloof you are from the org, you will always have a home when you come back to Econ. I know we’re so scared to take that dive into the unknown, but always remember that there will be people who will watch you when you dive too deep into the waters.

E C H O E S

I know weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so scared to take that dive into the unknown, but always remember that there will be people who will watch you when you dive too deep into the waters.

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F E A T U R E S

2019 & 2020: 2 0 1 9 ? I t w a s d e f i n i t e l y A y e a r. L o t s o f t r a g i c , e m o t i o n a l l y draining, and can-I-get-the-hell-out-of-here moments occured i n j u s t 3 6 5 ( a n d Âź ) d a y s . H o w e v e r, i t w a s a l s o a y e a r f u l l o f love, pride, and the courage to take on new adventures. This time, we pay homage to ourselves and the small and big victories we achieved last year! We asked Ecosocers about what t h e y w e r e m o s t p r o u d o f t h e m s e l v e s l a s t y e a r, a n d w h a t t h e y want to dive into this 2020!

2 0 1 9 : T h e Ye a r I D o v e 1. 2.

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Stepping out of my comfort zone - Roni Cabrito I was proud that I got to take a step towards my dream of traveling the whole PH! I’m 1/4 of the way from traveling all the provinces in the PH - Trei Altarejos 3. I found a fam in UP hehe - Poch Villadolid 4. Moved forward -- Failing into relationship but keeping myself strong with my friends beside me - Joyce Cajayon 5. Learning how to forgive myself and move on - Gabie Cruz 6. Co-convened the 16th National Youth Congress with the best people I could ask for!!! - Vina Mengua 7. I’m proud that I stepped out of my comfort zone and ran for Freshie Batch Rep! (AKA the first student council position i’ve ever had) - Cami Cuaresma 8. I’m proud to have made a lot of mistakes. It made me reflect on what I’m doing wrong and what I’m doing more wrongly. I just hope that there’s a positive correlation between the number of mistakes made and maturity. Here’s to making more mistakes and learning from them! - Martin Meijico 9. I was proud to be able to explore new opportunities where I was able to gain new friends, experiences, and lessons! - Ysa Vera Cruz 10. It was indeed rough but I am proud of the fact that I was able to build relationships with great people who were able to help smoothen life and make it possible for me to overcome the year. - Puy “The Puylosopher” Revatoris 11. It is true that 2019 was one rough road. It’s been sixty days since the year bade adieu, but I will not discredit the fact that it shaped me into the person I am right now. I am proud of my 2019 self for stepping out of her comfort zone. She tried things she never thought she could do. She discovered herself more, and she realized that she can be a better version of herself. Every day, I am in the pursuit

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2 0 2 0 : T h e Ye a r I ’ m a b o u t t o 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Exploring my strengths - Roni Cabrito Dreams! - Trei Alarejos Dive into a pool of alak - Poch Villadolid Knowing more about myself - Joyce Cajayon Dive into Independence - Gabie Cruz My girlfriend JOWK, org culture!!!! - Vina Mengua Dive into a pool of cash - Cami Cuaresma I want to dive into the unknown... into the unknown.... into the unknown (oh) Martin Meijico 9. Happiness and growth <3 - Ysa Vera Cruz 10. This 2020, I’d like to dive into the depths of uncertainty with the goal of obtaining more clarity with regards to my purpose in life. Puy - “The Puylosopher” Revatoris 11. Dive into the unknown. - Allen Galaura

F E A T U R E S

1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Designate a certain time every week just for yourself, regardless of how busy you are. For example, I always make sure to not do any acads on Fridays after classes para I can take a break from the whole week’s stress, then resume the next day. – Raph Singson Take a break and get some rest! We live in a time where we’d rather experience constant burnout than stop even just for a little while. Being so caught up with reaching our goals, we tend to forget that resting is not the same as giving up. Rather, resting means taking a step back in order for you to see your progress & points for improvement! Taking a break allows you to recharge yourself so that you’ll be both mentally & physically ready to take on your next tasks. You’re all you’ll ever have, so make sure to treat yourself kindly! – Macy Salud Allot time for actually doing your hobbies! I feel like we spend so much time on acads and org work that we tend to let go of the things that make us happy. There should be balance so that we can allow ourselves to destress and avoid burnout - Maxine Alcedo Always find time to do what you love. Dedicate a few minutes to write, practice some dance steps, sing a song, join a special interest org, work on that project you’ve been delaying for months -- whatever your way is, as long as it gives you life and makes your heart leap with joy, it will never not be worth it. – Allen Galaura “Read the book “How to Make Disease Disappear” by Rangan Chatterjee — the best book ever about self-care.” – Rjay Maliwanag It is okay to take some time off from work (acads, etc.) because resting is part also part of the work! – Lorenz Mutuc Take some time before you sleep to write down 3 things that you’re grateful for each day! I personally find that it helps me stay grounded and keeps me become more aware of my everyday experiences and feelings. – Maxine Alcedo Whenever you’re stressed or it seems like everything in the world is against you, try to remind yourself of all the things in your life that are going well instead. Our minds often get tunneled into perpetually thinking of the negatives that we forget about the vast majority of things we can still be thankful for. – Ian Jorge

When we asked this question, we were expecting just a few answers, but encountering a man of self-love and wisdom can surprise you. Here are some tips from self-care master, Jam Candolada!

Do some stretching after you wake up, studies show that this routine improves memory and motor skills 10. Have a daily journal if possible; it helps you stay organized 11. Shower before going to sleep, it increases comfort level 12. Have naps during the day, enhances memory and helps cope with stress 13. Observe the environment outside windows for 5 minutes; it calms that mind 14. Do 1-3 hours of your favorite hobby everyday; it’s a stress releaser and helps control emotions 15. Have a small workout before going to bed, enhances motor skills and releases air from certain joints of the body to avoid discomfort while sleeping 16. Eat at least one fruit everyday, antioxidant 17. Take your time while eating, increased bowel movement and patience 18. Wash face after getting home, increases reaction time 19. Drink one glass of water every 30 minutes to one hour, cleanses the body to avoid any sickness 20. Check and trim fingernails once in a while, studies show that memory improves when

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Keeping yourself busy has been an obsession that lots of Millennials have adhere to. That mindset is healthy if it leads to t h e r i g h t a m o u n t o f p r o d u c t i v i t y. H o w e v e r, i t s t a r t s t o t a k e a toll on us when business and productivity leads to neglect of t h e b o d y, m i n d , a n d s o u l â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s n e e d s . Re s t , m i n d f u l n e s s , a n d r e laxation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these are things that we, as human beings, naturall y n e e d . Ta k i n g c a r e o f y o u r s e l f i s n o t j u s t t h e 1 0 - s t e p K o r e a n skin care routine or having a vacation in the Bahamas. Selfcare comes in different forms, as seen from the tips given by our fellow Ecosocers.

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SELF-CARE 101

F E A T U R E S

8 2 4 : G R A N D E U R O F KO B E He had the audacity to become the greatest, a legend whose soul would remain with every glance of makeshift basketball rings. In the early 2000s, Kobe Bryant was, without a doubt, one of the most graceful, high-motor athletes to exist. People expected less from a player out of Lower Merion high school, but his ebb and flow of controlling the ball was more plain movement, it was life as it was art. But like all of us, he was human. The tragedy brought by January 26, 2020 became one of the most disheartening events in the decade. Kobe, including his 13-year old daughter Gianna Bryant and the other nine on board the private helicopter, met an unfortunate fate leading to their demise. But like all of us, he was human. And as humans, we become immortalized through the significant experiences and 44

memories we had with the most important of people. In Kobe’s case, he shared the moments of the sport he loved and slices of his life with all of us.

obe Bryant? Who the **** is that? The first time I encountered Kobe was on the old PSP version of NBA 2k10, a game popular for its subpar graphics (back then it was amazing) but even more for its broken gameplay. The mechanics were very simple but strategy became a key driver for scoring. Back then I had little background in the sport of basketball, I haven’t even touched a basketball. Regardless, the time I invested into video games became the catalyst to bridge that game to the actual sport. The Los Angeles Lakers were always the first team to pop up on the quick match option within the game, so I

JAM CANDOLADA decided to go with them. As I checked the roster, a certain player had a tantamount overall of 97, a significantly higher number compared to his other teammates. The guy looked exactly like the one on the front of the cover. Wearing the jersey number 24 was Kobe Bryant, a 6’6” shooting guard with better skills than most of his team, well based on the attributes. I hopped into a game and boy, it did not last long for me to notice how Kobe was overpowered. “Wow this player is a cheat code” as I said leading with a 40-point lead in the second quarter. Holding down the shoot button for just a couple of seconds would lead to an immediate point. These estimations on the skillset that this individual had piqued a sudden personal interest. He seemed unstoppable from the video game, but how

does he do in real life? If he was the literal god of basketball in-game, would it be the same in real life?

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rought down, but remained daunting. In 2003, Kobe Bryant was allegedly charged for raping a 19-year old woman, a case unforeseen and unpredecented by basketball fans araound the world. People became disgusted, questioning if he seemed like the decent man they thought him to be. Not only did it vandalize his reputation as an athlete, it has also cut-off significant relationships inside and outside basketball. His most iconic partner,

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rthodox Techniques, Unorthodox Playstyle. Kobe was not afraid of anything, not afraid of failing at anything. Rookie Kobe would take any shot he could get. He wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sink most of it in, but for him it was more than enough to master a mentality that would become the epitome of modern basketball players. He was criticized as a ball hogger constantly. In crunch time, he did not know the definition of plays. He always believed that he could carry the team in every game, but it was a 50-50 result every time. Kobe certainly had the fundamentals on check and versatility was shown in his capacity to dribble, make plays, pass, and drive But what outshines all these other aspects was his graceful shooting. His prowess to take on defenders head was a

signature of his, and for the most part it became a trademark. Most people would think that the best way to approach a basket would be to come closer to it, considering that the short distance between the player and the ring is a much more recommended approach when trying to score. Lay-ups, dunks, these are high-percentage shots within the perimeter of the court which were believed to be the primary to gain points. It was common sense. Kobe didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have common sense regardless. He was a shooter through and through, despite the type of shot having lesser chances. For him, those odds were already perfect. As defenders guarded him, he struck with every shot, each one contested, and it would go in. This wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the gods of basketball doing the work, it was just one man. In his antics, he decided to give himself a nickname after his style of play. The Black Mamba, as he calls it, staring opponents

dead in the eye, striking with an ice cold jump shot. The dare-devilish acrobatics would eventually cost him major injuries. In his body was physical weakness, but his mind became much more enlightened. He lived on, which seemed to be a legendary uprising career. However, just when everything was set for Kobe, there came a time where the assumption of having a perfect life came spiraling down in just one moment.

F E A T U R E S Shaquille O’neal, of the pillars to the dominating force of the Lakers, even decided to distance himself from the accused rapist. This was a visible void in Kobe’s life. How can such an influential figure, make a stupid mistake? But in his wake, he reformed. Shaq left the Lakers after the drama, but that did not demoralize Kobe, it only strengthened him. As a symbol for redemption, Kobe changed his number from 8 to 24, assuming a new persona with new goals and a new life. And in this change, he soared through the NBA winning 2 championship rings, a testament to how much he wanted to restore honor amidst the defamation. In the new chemistry of a strong team found in Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and Metta World Peace (Formerly Ron Artest), the Lakers continued their dominance for the following years.

ndless Legacy, Eternal gratitude. 5 NBA Championships, 16 all-star appearances, 4-time NBA allstar MVP, 15-time All-NBA team selection, 12-time All-Defensive team selection, 2 Olympic gold medals, a historic 81-point game. The list goes on and on. With all these achievements stacking up, indeed Kobe had one hell of a career. Looking past at those sheets and numbers, what people see in him as the embodiment of basketball. In the years, they have never seen a player quite like him, and the much younger players opted to copy his moves, which we can see in present NBA. The world grew, so did he. As players continued entering the basketball industry, Kobe

decided it was time to make his exit. Not only did he sell out the Staples center he went full on Black Mamba for one last time, finishing with an exemplary 60-point farewell match. Fans thanked Kobe for his 20-year stay in the franchise, Kobe thanked basketball for making it possible. In the words of his former mentor and Laker, Magic Johnson, Kobe was starting to enjoy life after basketball. After his retirement year, he waded away from the sport he spent 20 years on to give more time to his family. Kobe wanted to give the back lost time when he played in away games. While doing so, he won an Oscar for best animated short film in the fruition of “Dear Basketball”. But as a father figure, he, as well as the fans, was getting to know more about Gianna, his basketball-head daughter. That girl can ball. Gigi was already a mamba in the making, especially having similarities of handling the sport as his father. The training also became the bonding moment for the two. But what became transparent from those experiences, was Kobe Bryant finally being Kobe Bryant. He found his competitiveness in basketball, but outside of it, he found something much more - himself. None of us thought he

would pass away the way he did. We thought a healthy and persevering icon such as Kobe Bryant would spend the rest of his years with tranquil privacy. He was about to be inducted into the hall of fame, and he was to receive it personally. We wanted to know what future Gianna holds, would she also be the black mamba in the WNBA? But we, as the fans Kobe stuck to heart, must not dwell too much that he and his daughter are gone. Instead, let us celebrate for him being. He’s got Gigi up there, and they His legacy does not falter in death. Lebron James is not the only one who gets to continue Kobe’s story, all of us will, because what his legacy taught us is to do everything we love with passion. Kobe’s businesses, all his fights, his joys and splendor, his fears and his tears, he left it on the floor, he left it to basketball. So as long as we can live with passion, there is no need to worry about shooting our shots with a loud “Kobe!” while doing something we are truly motivated to do.

LIVE ON, B L AC K MAMBA.

PIGGY B

GIFFY RAF

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# G O A L Z : T h e N e w Ye a r ’ s R e s o l u t i o n s 2020 is here, and so are our three (3) favorite characters. What are the resolutions and #goalz they have for this year? Let’s hear what they have to say!

PIGGY B: My resolution is to stay a happy and healthy piggy by achieving financial stability and transparency!

GIFFY RAF: i want to be more active and woke! and i’m doing well on this right now ! but i also want that i rest more and make more time for myself this year #selflove so that i’ll have more energy to interact with the kids and promote CDC advocacies

ACAD WORMY: my resolution for 2020 is to live out #Zen2020 KSKSKSKKS u know just go with the flow and just emanate chill vibes cuz u know 2020 is all about living our best lives, trying to make ourselves better, being better people to other people and connecting a lil bit to the universe lmao sometimes its not abt ur religion its abt ur spirituality HEHEHHE i enjoin u guys to meditate in ur everyday lives bcoz having a moment to urself is super helpful and helps u to have a positive view of ur everyday

my resolution is also to move #TowardsExcellence SKKSKSKSKS especially in everything we do lets try our best in acads, in our love lives lmao, in our social lives and in how we are as people HEHEH lets never forget to examine and analyze our lives and the events that happen around us lets always take a stand and lets always be critical and informed diba sabi nga ni mareng ethel booba fuck duterte EME LATIK CHAROT!

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ACAD WORMY

F E A T U R E S

WORDSEA RC H keep your eyes open. don’t look too far ahead.

i t ’s r i g h t i n f r o n t o f y o u . REAFF FOODPANDA PIGGY B DOJA CAT MISS AMERICANA RENEGADE KOTSE ANGKAS PARASITE GIFFY RAF JOGGERS CLUB TUBIG DIVE ACAD WORMY JADINE GENMEET SCAV SKSKSK TAMBS JOHNOY

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C C U LT U R E

Feburary Hoeroscopes. Bukang Liwayway. Luha. In Retrospect. 6 Reasons Why You Should Try TikTok. The Perspectives on Parasiteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Influence. The Best of Music Recs Without Context. Tweetable Tweets. Ech(r)oesword. Dear Echoes.

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ACA D E M I C A F FA I R S Relax and open your mind because this month is a time of contemplation and discovery. Work will treat you well if you keep on track with your deliverables. In terms of love and romance: You’re turned on by people who make you think. Ruled by the mind you’re interested in cutting to the chase. If you’ve ever tried out dirty talk, you could be surprised by your sexual prowess as your intelligence and wit will surface.

COMMUNIT Y DEVELOPMENT This month is going to help you blossom into social relations. You have a loving heart and an inclination to affection. Do not forget to take care of yourself as you love to take care of others. You are very demisexual and are often ruled by your emotions. Love and romance may knock on your door this month.

ECHOES This month you will be focusing all your energies towards your professional goals. Success will come to you but you cannot achieve your goals just with your hard work, you also need social contacts and support from your colleagues. People are attracted to your energy this year. It’s important to remember that your desires and emotions matter — are you being taken care of and acknowledged?

F EB RUARY

The month of February is going to keep you busy with your social commitments. Amidst social gatherings, you will be looking for inner happiness and peace.The professional life and finances are going to be great. You will need patience and support of your social contacts to help you manage the rough month. Build up the tension by flirting often with your intended partner, and be open to a few pleasant surprises. As a natural people-pleaser, don’t forget to ask yourself are you getting what you want from your partners?

E XT E R N A L A F FA I R S

It is going to be a good month to achieve your goals and deliver an impressive performance. You will be making lots of money and your high energy levels will keep you motivated. Embrace your vulnerable side — it’s hard to connect when you’ve got your guard up. One cannot sustain themselves MISSIONary alone.

FINANCE

MEMBERSHIP Social connections are going to play a strong role in your life. Things at work are going to move at a very fast pace but this month is going to help you grow and move ahead in life. You have a lot of plans and things might get hectic but never forget to take a break, breathe and go back up again. You could find yourself attracted to people who aren’t afraid to take the lead. Try to submit yourself to the unexpected and you never know what could come out of it.

S E C R E TA R I AT

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HOEROSCOP E S

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You will be best at balancing all the different aspects of your life to make it a perfect month for yourself.Your talent and creativity are at a high place right now so it is best to make the most out of it. Your newfound skill in balance will help you stay away from burn out. Your power is your imagination, try using it in a place aside from the workplace.

ROOTS This is going to be one of the best months this year. You will have all the planets favoring you. Whatever your goals are, you are going to achieve them all. You must focus on things that are more important and avoid doing too many things at the same time. Do not forget to loosen up and have fun, because at the end of the day, all the hard work will pay off. You may attract admirers from your professional network. You are in the mood for that old-fashioned kind of rock and roll love.

S C AV H U N T Do not be afraid to take risks. The possibilities are endless and believe that you are limitless. You’re bound to work hard this year, but you need to make time for play as well. Ruled by the throat, you are interested in people who can entertain, as well as take a little control. You could find yourself attracted to people who want to dominate you, allowing you to use your power differently. Make sure that you’ve got clear guidelines set so that you can stay in charge.

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B U K A N G L I WAY WAY GEREMME CAYLE VASQUEZ

Tunog ng musika na tila’y patnubay Sa binatang hangad ay magandang buhay Panalangin ay makamit ang tagumapay Mga kaliskis ng buhay na mawawalay Puso’y pairalin labanan ang lumbay Sa nakalipas na labinwalong taon Tadhana’y ‘di maipinta ng lubusan Balot ang pagbabagong tuluyang naglaon Mula sa bawat segundo na lumisan, Aral ay habambuhay na ibabaon Bawat pangyayari’y humubog sa akin Bawat tulo ng luha at ng pag-iyak Bawat tawa at ngiting dala sa atin Bawat memoryang kailanma’y ‘di nawasak At bawat ugat na bunga ay hangarin Heto ako, haharapin ang pagsubok Ang bukang liwayway aking lalasapin Kailanma’y hindi na muli mabubulok Kahit pikit mata’y mahahanap natin Sikat ng araw kita sa bawat sulok

LUHA

GEREMME CAYLE VASQUEZ Pasensya ka na sa aking mga nagawa Hindi ko ginusto na ako’y magsawa Naubos na ang lahat ng saya’t tuwa Kahit gawin ko pa ang pagpapaawa Kung pighati lamang at walang pagtawa, Ako’y wala na ngang magagawa pa

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Paano pa ako makakabawi niyan? Kung ang sakit ay habambuhay ng Mna nandyan Kailan mo kaya ako mapagbibigyan, At ang puso ko’y lubos mong masasaktan Mali, ngunit sakit ay dapat tapatan Ng mga salita mong tagos sa looban

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Malungkot dahil dito nagtapos Ang mga ala-alang tila’y nakagapos Simbolo ng pagmamahalang kinapos Relasyon nating binugbog ng mga galos Ang pag-ibig na maituturing halos Tila’y nagudyok sa ating pagtatapos Aasa pa ba o dapat nang lumisan? Maglalakad ba patungong nakaraan O gigising na lang sa katotohanan? Hindi alam ang tatahaking daanan O Diyos ko sana’y ako’y iyong gabayan Sa’king pagputol sa’ting pagmamahalan Muli, salamat sa pag-ibig mo sa akin Wari’y binuhos mo ang iyong pagpansin Sa sarili kong ‘di matawag na akin Sana’y wag kalimutan dating pag-angkin Ang kung ano man ang nangyari sa atin Dahil habambuha’y magsisilbing salamin At sa huling beses ako ay luluha Habang dahan-dahan na pinaparaya Ang sakit na dala ng pag-aaksaya Sa iyong oras at tiwalang nawala Patawad sa aking pagbabalewala Uusad at makakalimutan mo na.

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IN RETROSPECT

THIRD MARAGANAS

growing up isn’t just the wrinkling of your once fair and smooth skin, nor is it the stacks of lines on your doorframe, marked by yellowing ink. it’s marking lines on that same doorframe knowing you are half the world away—clinging onto an image of a loving home nested on a loving family ripped away by decades shorter than it seems. it is the sun shining without its retrospective filter, that which was its defining hue, dimly lighting beloved things in an old and bitter room. heroes we’ve known so well in the morning

their deaths now serve us meals deep into a silent evening. my fears now are the letters addressed to me in the years to come, my name swiftly written in disappearing ink. my image ten years from now no longer is that framed picture of a man in a museum. I find him now the observer staring the picture in the eye, wrestling with the responsibility of forgiving himself for all the things he is not.

Keeping Up with the Times: 6 R E A S O N S W H Y YO U S H O U L D T RY T I K TO K MACY SALUD

levels of difficulty for those who want to learn/try something new! You can also try other styles of videos if dancing isn’t your thing. 5. Like it or not, tiktok has been getting A LOT of publicity, whether good or bad. It’s being used as a topic for many conversations, memes and even bonding activities. 6. The ACDC kids love doing tiktoks & I got to bond & connect with a lot of them because of it. It can serve as another bonding activity for future ACDC activities if needed! xD TESTIMONIES FROM PROFESSIONAL TIKTOKERS:

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RENEGADE — when you hear this word, the first idea that pops in your mind is definitely Tiktok. Tiktok has taken social media and pop culture by storm as it became the most downloaded app in 2019 with over 60 million installs (surpassing Facebook and Messenger). You’re probably familiar with Charli D’Amelio, Chase Hudson, Addison Rae or Kio Cyr who popularized the most famous videos today such as Obsessed, Weekend, Renegade, Say So, Relationship, Sunday’s Best and even POV videos. But really, what is the hype with Tiktok? 1. It’s an avenue to boost one’s confidence. I have friends who used to be so shy when it came to performing, especially dancing, but through Tiktok they were able to develop the confidence to groove to any music without the fear of being judged. They are now able to share their newfound hobby to the world with just the click of a button; and at the same time learn to love themselves more and the way they move. 2. Tiktok is a very inclusive app. I’ve seen people with disabilities, bullying experience, anxiety issues and the like share their stories/videos on tiktok, inspiring others to not be ashamed of themselves or their current state. Through this, we help break the social barriers that restrict people from living their best life. Because of this app, the users are able to catalyze change by motivating each other to simply enjoy life and fuck what other people think, because when was self-expression ever wrong? 3. Tiktok is an effective form of bonding! I’ve seen many videos of grandchildren bonding with their grandparents while learning Tiktok dances. I’ve seen young kids learn to make friends through this app as they bonded over their fascination with these trendy dances. Even parents are using this app in order to connect more with their children. 4. It’s an app for everyone. There are dances that are super easy to learn for those who want to just try it out and others of varying

“I t ’s a w a y t o b o n d w i t h y o u r f r i e n d s a n d r e l a t i v e s.” - Jano Delena “St r e ss r e l i e v e r, a n d m a ke s d a n c e m o r e a c h i e v a b l e .” - H e a t h e r Ta b l a n t e “I t h i n k a l o t o f p e o p l e d o n ’ t r e a l i z e h o w o n e T i k t o k v i d e o c a n i n c r e a se so m e o n e ’s se l f - e st e e m e v e n j u st o n e b i t . B e i n g a b l e t o e n j o y t h e mu s i c, g o a l o n g w i t h d a n c e st e p s, i t ’s a l l a b o u t having fun!” - S h a i r a Li m “I don ’ t d a n c e , b u t t i kt o k h e l p s m e st e p o u t o f my comfort zone n have fun :)” - G a b b y La z o

C U L T U R E

A c t L i k e Yo u O w n T h e P l a c e : Tw o P e r s p e c t i v e s o n P a r a s i t e ’ s I n f l u e n c e Parasite, a 2019 film from South Korea that tackles class struggles and follows the story of a family trying to con their way through the predicament of poverty that they are in, is a global phenomenon that took the world by storm. It was directed by Bong Joon Ho, and won numerous accolades including the Palme D’Or and the Academy Award for Best Picture. It’s also a movie that struck us in more ways than one. From an analysis on what the movie showed us on the ups and downs of being an economics major to a love letter to Bong Joon Ho, spoiler alert.

“Ah, Econ ka? Puro mayayaman yung mga taga-Econ di’ba?” I will spare myself from answering this question in this little segment. Really, the only reason why I started with this question/ generalization was because it was one of the first things that came up (again) in my head after watching Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite. Parasite tells the story of the Kims, a family that lives day-by-day, folding pizza boxes and reaching to all the possible corners for a decent Wi-Fi connection. Their story is paralleled with the Parks, a very wealthy family that have the luxuries of eating high-end Jjapaguri on demand while enjoying the overwhelmingly big space that they have in their home. Their stories coincide when the Kims slowly integrate themselves into the lives of the Parks as they become their tutors, housekeepers, and drivers – having access to basically all the privileges that the Park family enjoys in the little bubble of the reality that they live in. Little did they know that they weren’t the only ones trying to get that taste of luxury. The movie is a beautiful work of art – a masterpiece that blends elements of thriller and comedy into one big and terribly true metaphor. It portrays the glaring disparity of social mobility between the rich and the poor – a reality - that most people, more often than not, choose to ignore.

DIVING INTO THE C O N V E R S AT I O N S T H AT PA R A S I T E B R I N G S U P :

(as an Economics Student in UP Diliman) DAVID SANTIAGO

“Ah, Econ ka? So magaling ka sa pera?” Again, this isn’t the place for me to answer this question. Nonetheless, it was also one of the things that appeared (right back) in my mind as my thoughts swam deeper and deeper. Money. So much of our lives depends on money - the food we eat, the water we drink, the bed we sleep in, the laptops we write on, and even the magazines we enjoy upon. So much of the exchanges happening simultaneously everywhere around the world revolve around pieces of paper. And here I am in the middle of it – a student of Economics, trying his best to swim through this thick water of transactions to find out where all

I guess this I can answer, and no, it isn’t just supply and demand. I’d like to see it more as making sense of my place as an agent in this world. We were all basically thrown into reality – we weren’t given choices whether we wanted to be rich or to be poor, we were thrown into this certain part of the swimming pool and had to learn how to swim in that part ourselves no matter how deep or how shallow our part was. Maybe sometimes we get put in the shallow, being lucky enough to have certain people and opportunities in our life that eventually got us to stand up and walk around the pool a little more easily. Maybe for some of us, we were thrown into the deep parts – feeling as if every second was a struggle to stay afloat, trying our best day-byday to swim to the more shallow areas of the pool. Some of us make it, some of us don’t.

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“Ah, Econ ka? So ano ba talaga ginagawa ng Econ student?”

The reality is, most of us don’t, and that’s something we have to think about. As much as the movie brings us so many messages and ideas, it leaves us clueless. What are we to do now? Are we going to be a Parasite – merely feeding off of others and their very real lives? The movie gives us so many things to talk about that the only thing that’s left to do is to actually talk about it. As Econ students in UP Diliman, regardless of what other people say we are, regardless of our social standing, regardless of our ability with money, what is there for us to do now in each of our own situations?

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this money actually goes. To most of us, we already know the answer to this: the world’s richest 1% own 44% of the world’s wealth. These are numbers we’ve heard before, but never have really seen before – and that is what the movie provides us. One of the best quotes of the movie went like this: “Rich people are naïve…No creases on them. Money is an iron.” This is the shared statement of Mr. and Mrs Kim as they enjoy the luxury of the Park home while talking about how gullible they’ve been to the schemes of the Kims. It’s one thing that most of the money that we have in the world is held by so few hands, it’s another thing what the money does to them. The movie is a beautiful work of art; it portrays the glaring disparity of social mobility between the rich and the poor – a reality - that most people, more often than not, choose to ignore. Why do most people do so? They probably have the privilege to. Actually, this isn’t even ”most” people – only 1%, to be exact.

I guess there’s only one thing to do in the middle of this big swimming pool that we share with the rest of the world – just keep swimming.

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E AT T H E R I C H :

The Irony and Cultural Impact of Parasite CAMI CUARESMA Before I came to UP, I dreamt of pursuing the arts. From my adolescence to now, my entire life was filled with poetic literature, classic plays, and half-done paintings sitting at the back of my attic. Unfortunately, as almost every artistic hopeful had before, I had to face reality that 1. My parents would never support this and 2. At the time, there wasn’t really a good reputation for people wanting to go down an artistic path. Especially when your family wants you to go down the basic trifecta of either being a lawyer, doctor, or engineer. So I just sucked it up, and I even got to play Romeo in my school’s rendition of the Shakespeare tragedy as well as directing my own production on the Marcos Era, to no applause from my family, of course. Hooray. Fast forward a couple of years and here comes 2019, when Bong Joon Ho releases his haunting black comic thriller film Gisaengchung, or Parasite. It shattered all the records, even winning the Palme D’or at the Cannes Film Festival, and being the first Korean film to do so. A few months later, Bong snatches 4 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director, showing the world that “foreign” films not in English can break boundaries.

“The Oscars are not an international film festival. They’re very local.” - Bong on winning Best Screenplay at the Oscars Bong Joon Ho is nothing short of a cinematic genius. Focusing on the details to depict the vast differences between the families, from the settings of Kims’ half-basement house underneath the ground and the Parks’ dream house on a hill to spatial elements like the constant visual line that sometimes separated the two families on screen (that consequently

went viral), it was no wonder that the #BongHive became popular. The Oscars itself was something that served to be a real life example of the central theme of Parasite — what with a film about exposing the vast gap between the lives of the disgustingly rich and the dirt-poor sweeping the award show while billionaires and tycoons applaud from the audience below. Hell, even Jeff Bezos was there, and he earns about $2,489 a second — something the Kims could only dream of earning even for an entire month. Choi Woo Shik revealed in an interview that it would take his character, Ki-woo, a whopping 564 years to earn enough money to buy the house at the end of the film. As David said earlier, the world does revolve around little pieces of paper. Harsh reality shows that hard work doesn’t always equate to success, much less paying off your debts. Another interesting thing would be the woman that was behind the production of Parasite. You may remember her as the lovable Korean woman who spoke at the end of the company’s Best Picture awards speech, right after Tom Hanks and the rest of the spectators started demanding that they be given

Korea spends millions on the arts and are able to reap the rewards, it’s clear of the prejudices that we have here.

“Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” - Bong in an interview with Vulture

So what was the purpose of Parasite? It was a film that was groundbreaking, it showed twists and turns at every second, and it was wonderfully crafted. It is also an Asian film, and for me it’s one of the most realistic movies I’ve ever seen. The cultural impact of what is known as the “Parasite fever” paves the way for more aspiring artists. Where do I stand now? Maybe it is too late to start my journey towards artistic freedom from society’s biases against it, apart from the odd publicity material here and there. But for the next generation, I hope that this phenomena can serve as a stepping stone for aspiring young Asian artists, or anyone who’s not a rich, white, cis man. Just like Parasite, there will be a point in our lives that will change everything. A job, a doorbell, or an opportunity to get out of the vicious cycle that is our daily lives. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, and we’re just pillaging through the scraps of the rich and famous. But just like Bong Joon Ho, maybe at the end of the day we’ll resort to drinking until next morning. But we drink to forget our class struggles, our monetary mishaps, and for a better future.

Apart from being a xenophobe, a misogynist, and a human Cheeto, Donald Trump is now also apparently a film connoisseur. His very much not needed opinion on Parasite shined through in a speech he made after the film’s Oscars sweep.

“How bad were the Academy Awards this year, did you see? ‘And the winner is ... a movie from South Korea.’ What the hell was that all about?” and continuing on with “I’m looking for like, let’s get ‘Gone with the Wind’ -- can we get like ‘Gone with the Wind’ back, please?” Honestly, I couldn’t expect more from him. In a spout of comedic genius, the Parasite studio clapped back with “Understandable, he can’t read.” While this exchange shows Trump’s inability to comprehend text on a screen, it shows the wonderful fact that funnily enough, his criticism of Parasite only further strengthens the way rich people are shown in the film: ignorant and oblivious of what’s happening to the people beneath them. It’s even ironic, that compared to Snowpiercer and Okja (both films by Bong that are critically acclaimed but also primarily in English), Parasite received the most success despite it being in a non-English language set in Korea. However, there still remains to be an obvious bias towards English films as some Oscar voters did not even watch Parasite because of the subtitles. The western world loves Asian culture so much but when it comes to actually appreciating and awarding our accomplishments they turned a blind eye. Until now, especially with the continuous rise of the likes of BTS and Bong Joon Ho. Sadly, there still remains to be a long way to go. At the end of the day, we’re all minorities in the eyes of the colonizers. Even here in the Philippines, the English language is revered more, and Filipino films are paid dust. Considering that South

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“I will drink until next morning, thank you.” Bong during his Best Director speech at the Oscars E CE HC O H EO SE S|

more time to speak. She is Miky Lee, the executive producer for Parasite. She also happens to be Samsung’s heiress, vice chairman of CJ group, an advocate for Korean film, and a billionaire. In what irony would a film about the disparity between the social classes be backed up by the epitome of these corporations that further cultivate this divide?

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THE BEST OF MUSIC RECS WITHOUT CONTEXT ERIN BUENAVENTURA

Tired of listening to the same old songs over and over again? Looking for a new kind of sound to jam to while reviewing for the dreaded LE? Wanna know which songs are the hits in our generation? If yes, then, music recs without context is the place for you! Created in June 2018, the Facebook group is

home to millenials and GenZs who seek to share their music tastes to their fellow Filipino youth It serves as a platform for sharing their favorite tracks as well as finding new grooves from the recommendations. What makes it unique from other music-sharing groups is that users only post the link to their recommended songs, no caption needed! Below, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve compiled the best (and most liked) of the recs. See if you know any of these hits!

E CE HC O H EO SE S|

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T W E E TA B L E T W E E T S JU CASTELLON

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EC H (R)O E SWORD f i n d t h e n u m b e r, c h e c k i f a c r o s s o r d o w n , r e a d t h e d e s c r i p t i o n .

you know what to do.

AC R O S S 2. 61B Most Outstanding App 4. and that’s on what??? 5. Paboritong Rico Blanco song nung nagsulat nito 8. FILL IN THE BLANKS: “If today was this bad, how can tomorrow be _____?” - John Paul Revatoris, 2020 13. Gym ni Icon and Zion E CE HC O H EO SE S|

14. Saan sinusulat ang Scav pubs? 15. Recent Food Review ni Meira sa Godofredo’s

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DOWN 1. Last name of the current Ecosoc President (and Echoes cover!) 3. Ecosocer na kaklase ni Ricci Rivero sa Speech 30 ngayon 4. Unang nag-perform nung Roots 2020 6. RomCom drama starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts 7. FILL IN THE BLANKS: “anyone who says pubber is not pubber ... the term is ____ ______” - 1/2 sC4v m4stuur 9. Pantone Color of the Year 10. The Legendary Director 11. Title of this issue 12. Echoes Editor-in-Chief

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It wasn’t like I wanted to—as if anyone actually wants to fall in love—more like I had no choice, had absolutely no say in the matter when he split his chest open for me to see how his heart beat. It was the universe pulling the rug from under me, the sea swaying along to the unsteady rhythm of my pulse, the fibers of my being unable to stop reaching for his hand and intertwining it with mine, and— and now, I, blindsided and enamored with this person who is capable of disarming me with a smile, am foolish enough to hope that he found me beautiful too.

- MARISOL, ECHOES 61A I never want to be more in love with someone than they are with me. Everything has to be equal - balanced. I’m not looking for a grand romance, just something slow, and sweet, and steady. So, to my crush, I’m slowly getting over you. It’s pretty obvious that I’m getting nowhere with you. Thank you for the smiles you’ve put on my face.

- K E N J I , ACA D 61 B I want it to be scary. I want to be scared out of my wits as you look at me, to be white as a sheet the closer we get, to hold my breath when you pass by. Stomach churning, heart pumping, palms sweating—I want to be completely, absolutely, unimaginably terrified as I take the plunge, taking the risk despite it all.

- R, ECHOES 61A

At this rate, basta mahulog akow

- A LY M A N G O , E C H O E S 6 1 B

Read what Ecosocers have to talk about this month’s theme:

Dive, Falling Into Love

AND

answer the question

” H o w d o y o u w a n t t o f a l l i n l o v e? ”

DEAR ECHOE S E CE HC O H EO SE S| |S EJ PA TN E- M F EB BE R2 02 20 01 9

Falling for someone scares me. I haven’t actually confessed to anyone before because of fear. I don’t know if it’s fear of rejection, or the fear of things changing in the blink of an eye. But somehow, I want you to be the first person I confess my feelings to. I guess I liked you the moment you smiled at me across a piano. My feelings kind of snowballed from there, I guess. You don’t have to like me back (though it would be amazing if you do). I just want to revel in the way you make me feel. You stir something within me that I don’t quite understand. It’s weird, but good weird. The weird that leaves you with a feeling of warmth. The weird that makes your heart feel lighter. Even though I only know you from a surface level, please know that what I feel for you is true. I want to get to know you better, if not as a lover then perhaps as a friend. I want to fall. Hard. And I think I’m on the verge of falling hard, Jabby.

- GLASS, EXTE 62B

I want to feel like drowning when I fall in love — gasping, struggling for air. I want to suffocate in the arms of whom I love, slowly losing breathe with each hug (as if he were column or a closing wall) and with each kiss (as if he were to drain the life out of me). I want to feel the pressure when I fall in love, almost as if I were a million feet underwater with only the ringing of his voice in my ears that accompany me. I want to feel like drowning when I fall in love — I want to feel everything and nothing, because it is in our search for air that we find it.

- DIVER, EXECOMM 59B

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“Mahal, kapag sinabi ko mahal kita, ang ibig kong sabihin: Malupit ang mundo at mamahalin ko ang lahat ng kakampi mo. Kaya hayaan mong dumating ang mga bagyo. Hayaan mo malusaw ako ng araw. Hayaan mo akong kumbinsihin ka na kakampi rin ako. Ikaw ang kelangan kong pahinga. Ikaw ang paghinga. Kapag sinabi kong mahal kita, ang ibig kong sabihin: masaya ako. Dahil gaano man kahaba ang araw uuwi ako sa’yo.”

PA B O R I TO KO N G T U L A I TO, N G AY O N S A ’ Y O N A ,

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Fall in love with me because you want to, fall in love with me because you’ve seen the good and bad parts of me and you still want to stay nonetheless. I don’t want you to fall in love with me just out of pure emotion. This isn’t to stay that I won’t be head over heels for you – but loving out of just emotion can fade, that can falter. I want a kind of love where you choose to be with me when this happens. I want a kind of love where you choose to love me even when you feel nothing but frustration with me. Fall in love with me because you want to, fall in love with me because you choose me.

- EXECOMM, 60B

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Disclaimer Echoes does not own some of the images used in this issue. No copyright infringement is intended. The images are copyrighted and courtesy by there respective owners. Its use is for a non-profit magazine for private use and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended for sales of any sort. 71

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