FEATURES

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD... OR IS IT

DONIEL LEIGH BALTERO

As the bleak hope of COVID-19 dissipating arises, people once again gather and are revving up into rebuilding the vivid image of a life that was once called the normwith this newfound hope along with the still-existing threat of COVID-19 that contextually divulged the Government’s so-called “incompetence,” in which the Government has been scrutinized for. With the current President’s term almost reaching its end, news of the 2022 election has been a hot topic, along with its possible candidates. A plethora of politicians is at the public’s disposal, but a specific possible candidate seems to be a popular pick, Sarah Duterte-Carpio; the current president, Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter. A video entitled “JUST IN: Mayor SARAH Duterte, OPISYAL ng KANDIDATO sa 2022 Presidential Election| LENI NAGULANTANG!!” has gone viral on YouTube through the username of “Showbiz Fanaticz” amassing 167,879 views as of writing. Claiming that Sarah Duterte-Carpio, the current mayor of Davao City’s official candidacy for the 2022 Presidential elections. This is false; the current mayor of Davao has not made anything official, as of Feb. 16. Rather, she has declared that she has intent to run for the Presidential election in 2034, despite her topping the Pulse Asia’s presidential survey. Supporters have been bolstering, insisting that she run for President on 2022, but the opposing party begging to differ. In an interview with ABS-CBN News on January 31st, Sarah Duterte-Carpio responded to her supporters, “I am pleading to them, please allow me to run for President in 2034 if at that time there is something I can do to help the country.” Leaving the avid supporters and political enthusiasts questioning whether she, just like her father, would announce her candidacy when the elections are drawing near. As the heat of the 2022 elections spark debates between different factions. Uncertainties remain steadfast, yet the game-changing decision still lies within the hands of the voters. Right now, people are wondering; whether we’re truly going back to the drawing board, or will the Philippines suffer deja vu.

‘RUN SARA RUN’. Posters and tarps of the movement surface in Bacolod and Cebu.

| PHOTO CREDITS INQUIRER.NET

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58,204,224 VOTERS MAY 9, 2022

FEATURE

Sacrifices of the Hero Behind the Mask

DONIEL LEIGH BALTERO

The cold and bitter winter-winds seeped through the barely-opened window sill. Though, heat generated by layers and layers of protective suits hindered the sensation that came with the season, truly a pity. Symmetrically displayed fluorescent lights lit the monotonous white-painted walls; it held stories, secrets, sufferings, deaths, and an evil unwavering beast, which for them, the frontliners, was their duty to eradicate. COVID, the vile beast, was indiscriminately lurking inside the hospital, unhinged by the efforts of these professionals who had sacrificed an incalculable amount.

| ART CREDITS INQUIRER.NET

A certain individual on Facebook said that amongst those sacrifices is of course family time. During Christmas, where hearts are one, where loved ones gather, or at least that is how it used to be. With the current context, frontliners are placing themselves in harm’s way to keep us Filipinos safe. It disables their opportunity to celebrate with their families. “I work 44 hours per week, and I really want to celebrate Christmas with my family! Sadly, I swore a bittersweet oath, kidding, I just really want to protect my family, so celebrating with them seems a little impossible, for now,” the certain individual said. The person’s guilt was a double-edged sword, whatever this certain person chose; it was bound to have a dire consequence. Not only was it physically tiring, it also took a pricey toll on this person’s mental health, in which this person absolutely dreaded. “Christmas has always been a season of giving, this season, I may not be giving my time to my family, but what matters is I’m giving my family the assurance that they are safe without me there,” said the poster. The individual hated the very thought of sacrificing the time with their family, but it was a necessary step, as little as it may be, it was essential. Due to this, the individual wanted the people to follow the strict rules that have been placed on the country. With each rising case, more opportunities are lost, and we, the people, are the only ones who can put a stop to this microscopic atrocity. At the world’s current context, quarantine is necessary for the safety of not only you but all of the people. With a virus that is temporarily embedded to almost-everything, there is nowhere that is safe. Sacrifices are everywhere, yet there are still people sacrificing themselves for the good of others. We must also take upon the role that has been bestowed onto us. For now, this Christmas, we must hold on to hope, no matter how lonely it might feel, no matter how boring, how scary, persevering through this quarantine is optimal because when one heals, all of us heal as well.

FEATURE

MANPOWER MANPOWER DEFICIENCY DEFICIENCY

DONIEL LEIGH BALTERO

The Philippines have always

been vulnerable to increasingly powerful typhoons every year. Naturally, the responses should also be steadily evolving. But, this typhoon, namely, Typhoon Ulysses, has made the general public wonder whether the calamity response is truly evolving: from being reactive, to being

proactive. Typhoon Ulysses was the climax of what seemed like a never-ending series of Typhoons that struck the Filipinos, and it left a horrid scar. A category 4-equivalent typhoon that struck the Philippines, with a wind speed of up to 213 km/h, caused the worst massive flooding in Metro Manila. A Facebook user named Anthony Suriaga Comedia, posted a series of alarming photos which garnered the attention of the masses, evoking certain reactions from the netizens. A family seemingly trying to find solace on their roof’s to escape the gradually-rising flood that was wreaking havoc upon Metro Manila. A man could be clearly seen holding a baby whilst attempting to catch the attention of the rescuers, which according to the netizens were lacking in numbers. “These people need help! They are on their houses’ roofs and there’s a little kid with them!” Anthony pleaded. The people behind their phones’ screens could only imagine the horror that these people were going through. Using the comment section, Anthony made a thread, updating the netizens of the family’s current status. The updates were more than horrendous, to say the least, the worrying netizens were unsatisfied by the rescue team’s seemingly slow pace. “The rescuers are busy rescuing other people, the manpower is obviously lacking, with so many people asking for rescuing,” one netizen commented. It was as broad as daylight; the response team was lacking manpower. A country expecting constant typhoons should never underestimate the consequences, they were evidently overpowered by the typhoon. These led the netizens to doubt if the calamity response was truly evolving. With threats constantly rising, we, the people, should also prepare ourselves for the worst. Being proactive always beats reactiveness, readying ourselves is an assurance that bears extra safety. No matter how heartfelt the condolences are, it will never change the fact that someone has died. So, be safe, be prepared, and always expect for the worst.

MA. ANGELI AVELINO

Our minds still race back and forth: what has happened to us? A virus, some might say, but it is much more than just a virus, a disease. Is it a way of the Lord for us to come to our senses? To ignite the fear of many and to make them repent? Is it a conspiracy worth pondering?

Corona virus has taken us into another world where the most powerful has been brought to their knees and everything has been brought to a stop. Indeed, it is much more than a virus; an explosion that has cause everything to freeze, like the earth has stopped on its orbit. Business, economy, and the usual bustling lifestyles all crumble down as the whole world goes into lockdown. An exodus begins and for almost a year has everyone been longing for that sweet return to normality. The quarantine has suspended many, levitating in place, not knowing where they fall when it’s all over. Lost souls shackled by chains in the forms of masks. The odd feeling of being restricted, caged, and security brews up in all of us. Confused, shook by fear, one doesn’t know what to tell their kids or themselves, and false assurance would be more devastating. When is it over? When do we get to the end of the tunnel? Smiles all around are hidden away underneath blue surgical masks, topped by a face shield. Health protocols are widely implemented throughout the city and hygiene is even more promoted. Masked health care workers are on the frontlines. Flights delayed and plans are cancelled. When will we ever see our family from across the globe again? Many are still even in denial of the virus. Isolation has driven one to become touchstarved and lonely. Classes have taken to online learning and digital platforms. Will this new normal last forever? Many race to find the key. Doctors and scientists from various countries strive to find a cure, an end to this virus. Their work has lead us to many vaccines available and being developed. The dream of having a pandemic vaccine delivered to one in a single shot is within reach. Will this finally lead us to walk into a new world? It’s a choice. The virus has provided enough time to wonder and reflect upon decisions, choices, and plans for the future. Look back into the past, before the pandemic has occurred. Would have that been an ideal “normal?” It’s a choice for everyone to make: to walk back to the normality we have all been used to or to renew the planet. Create better, brighter. A pandemic is a gateway to the next world. The key to in is in a syringe, jabbing it into your shoulder. The way you exit the gateway is a decision one has to make: a oneway trip on an airplane. One could drag their baggage behind them, their heavy luggage of hatred, despair, greed. Bringing back their prejudice, avarice, corrupted coalhearts and tarnished, ashy brains. Walking into the next world with hands that have killed rivers, hands that kindled nature’s rage. But one could make the choice of letting it go, leaving it in the world behind, walking lightly into the gateway. Going with the latter, once again seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces, unmasked, unconcealed. The chains have been broken, and the freedom to take the chance to make a better world washes over like a tidal wave. Free to make the choices you have yearned for, free to finally take risks. Brand new, just like one became 17 again. Buildings, malls, and parks are finally open to all. Campuses brim with excitement from students restoring the bond with each other and with teachers as well. It feels like normal again but one can make it a better normal. You have chosen to take a gateway to the next world. This time, fight for it. The virus has awoken a vision in ourselves. It has opened another eye that shows us the greed that has destroyed our civilization and our planet. Through this pandemic a path we have paved towards the end of humanity as we know it has been revealed. Staying inside has allowed the planet to replenish itself. Through the smoky skies, tainted seas and the lands that were once a pleasant green is a portal to a new world. It’s brand new and refreshing, just like taking a lot of chances. One could return to the normality they couldn’t let go of or they could imagine a better world. When you walk through the portal, will you drag along your luggage or will you walk lightly?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 and not as their strength through the suffering and hopelessness, is erroneous. To turn a blind-eye on their hardships and deem them strong for moving forward, is false sympathy. At the end of the day, if we can manage to allot funds on unnecessary projects it means that we have resources. So maybe it is not help that the government is lacking; rather the will to help in times that they are needed, but they deem inconvenient, that is.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 be facing along the way. Having subjects that require certain tasks or lessons that are difficult to absorb and understand is what worries me the most because it isn’t ideal to host and discuss them online. Even our educators are having a hard time adjusting to this new set up, how much more the students in the remote areas? Are they even coping up? Or can they even grasp the lessons written in their modules? I treat this academic year as a challenge, an unsure one because our victory has no guarantee. Online learning is merely an overpriced self-study. Let us face the reality that we paid a hefty price for glorified video calls and access to PDF module files. Not everyone can catch up and has the best access to the internet nor have the best resources to use, therefore contrary to the government’s belief, not everyone is ‘ready.’ As of the moment, my biggest coping mechanism is the connection built amongst peers regardless of platforms. Engagements and friendships I made despite these circumstances is one of the reasons why I am still surviving this academic year. I am grateful to our school for trying to ensure that no student is left behind. Also, to the understanding and assistive teachers we have, I appreciate them for being so accommodating and concerned with our inefficiencies despite them also adjusting. I am and will always be proud that Filamer doesn’t compromise quality education just for the sake of commencing the school year. I hope this adversity ends soon.

MULA SA PAHINA 3 dito natin nahinuna na ang ating mga ginagawa ay babalik din sa atin. Tingin ko ay katawa-tawa iyong sinisisi ang 2020 sa ating mga naranasang trahedya. Kung iisipin kasi ang 2020 ay numero lang naman. Ang delubyo ay maaaring mangyari anong araw man. Kaya tigilan na ang sisihan at pagtatanga-tangahan. Simulan na nating kumilos dahil tayo ay may magagawa. Ang pandemya ay hindi maiiwasan ngunit sa kamay ng tamang mga lider ito ay maaagapan at maaaksyunan. Ang pagputok ng bulkan,bagyo,baha ay hindi mapipigilan ngunit tamang paghahanda at pangangalaga sa ating mga kabundukan- tayo ay mapoprotektahan. Ang araw ay patuloy na sisikat at lulubog. Ang kamay ng orasan ay patuloy na tatakbo at iikot. Tayo ay patuloy na makikibaka sa laban ng buhay ngunit ang mga alaala ng sakit, poot at galit na ating naramdaman ay hindi mabubura. Ito ay tila malalim na sugat na habang buhay ay magmamarka. Sa darating na halalan nawa’y ang mga aral na ating nakuha at mga nahinuha sa taong ito ay maging gabay sa pagpili ng mga bago at nararapat na lider. Ilang araw na lamang ang nalalabi at tayo ay tuluyan ng magpapaalam sa taong 2020. Ating baunin ang mga aral at karanasan natin upang maging mas malakas at maging handa para sa mga susunod na taon. Siguro isa sa mga bagay na aking pinakahindi malilimutan sa taong ito ay ang ating pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa natin sa pagkondena sa mga isyu at ang ating pagkakapit bising sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan. Ang taong 2020 ay hidya ng bagong pagsimula- simulang nagmulat sa atin at nag udyok na lumaban at tapangan ang ating kalooban. Alam ko na tayo ay magpapatuloy, makakabangon; ngunit hinding-hindi makakalimot!

Isa ka sa mga nagdala ng liwanag sa mundo. Lingid man sa iyong alam, ngunit patuloy mong binabasag ang nakakabinging katahimikan ng pasko. Ikaw ay isa sa mga natitirang rason ng pag-gaan ng pighating dinadala ng bawat isa. ‘Di man araw-araw, ngunit kahit minsan wag mong kalimutan na may karapatan kang maging maligaya sa gitna ng sakuna. Kaya kung maaari, piliin mo ang maging masaya.