OMG: Truest Self Issue by Genré WUP

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TRUEST SELF THE

ISSUE

August 2019

PUBLISHED BY GENRÉ The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines, Cushman Campus, Mabini Extension, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija G/F Bishop Dionisio D. Alejandro Hall (Computer Science Building) e-mail: genrepublication@gmail.com facebook.com/genrewup © OMG 2019 , All rights reserved

OMG OF F IC IAL M AGAZIN E OF GENRÉ

DIGITAL LAYOUT JAYSON GABRIEL GARCIA

ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPHY JAYSON GABRIEL GARCIA

FROM THE FEATURES EDITOR For four months, I've struggled to think of a concept for this year's issue. Then one day I saw how the world can be cruel to those who defy society's rule of acceptance. I once doubted myself whether I can truly be happy once I go against everyone’s expectation. I brave them alI and I feel free. The burden I feel inside is now gone. This is for our truest self. This is for the broken wings that did try to fly. This is our year, the year that we will start shouting for diversity. This time, we will show the world all the bones that we’ve kept in our closet. Make no notice of those who don’t give your craft a chance. Continue anyway. Proudly step out behind that curtain. Make them regret questioning your determination. Go and answer whatever they throw at you with grace.

Ezra

ISSUE

This is our chance to tell them that, YES, WE ARE EXISTING, AND YES WE ARE HERE TO CONQUER..

TRUEST SELF THE

Genré

Academic Year 2019-2020

EDITOR'S NOTE

Hannah Marie Olanda Editor-in-Chief

John Vincent Pascual

Mark Joseph Nunez, Levi Bautista Associate Editors

Managing Editor for Administration

Georliza Pascual

Aloha Balbuena

Ezra Mae Dimapawi Features Editor

From double-cover special to we the millennials to indie to self-love and now we bring you the truest-self issue.

Justine Jade Tuates

Athina Bales

Jacquilyn Javate

Pia Ada Xena Valerio

Jayson Gabriel Garcia

Sharina Mel Adriano

This year is about embracing the new normal that we are living in and accepting diversity among us. Diversity can be found everywhere. From religion to work to culture and language and even in a friend group—we are really diverse!

Managing Editor for Finance

Opinion Editor

Developmental Communication Editor

Art Director

Aira Jeranne Wycoco Prince Cedie Corpuz Russel Manubay Paulo Mari Supena Cartoonists

News Editor

Literary Editor

Multimedia Director

Jon Francis Balagan Photojournalist

Gerald Lara Videojournalist

John Mark Santiago

Sports Editor

Circulations Director

Dominic Pangilinan Rose Anne Corpuz Jenine Maricar Barnachea Jenina Marie Lipana

Mr. Emmanuel John Pangan Technical Adviser

As we celebrate diversity and who we are individually, we hope that these stories would inspire you to accept yourself for who you are—all your flaws and insecurities. We believe that if you wholeheartedly accept yourself, it would be easier to accept and understand others for who they are.

Staff Writers

Clarence Jairra Javate · Michael Roman · Roice Mico Nieves · Jazmine Tumibay · Genesis Faith Veloso · Julius Corpuz Jamaika Gwen Garcia · Ysabelle Fernandez · Jessica Maureen Gaurano · Melvin Clarence Dowes · Kim Clarisse Zabat Laarni Bernardo · Christine Joy Mactal · Christian Ivan Pallorina · Edcristina Salmos · Dana Capones · Annika Tugaff Alanna Soriano · Jelly Ann Arceta · Yzza Marielle Ectin · Roaila Honey Rose Iniwan Trainees

I’m always captivated by stories of different kinds of people. For years, Genré has featured hundreds of people. For five years since I’ve been here, we have been constantly creating issues that resonate with people.

Hannah

FEATURE

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

THE GREAT EIGHT

DORAEMON

You don’t befriend someone who haven’t seen a single episode of this whimsical show. A blue cat robot that can pull anything out of his four-dimensional pocket to solve Nobita’s coming of age problems. This show defined our playful mornings. It is full of laughter and will leave the audience in awe, not just because Doraemon can take something out bigger than what his pocket can handle, but with what futuristic tools he has to counter the problems they face. They also have time travelling machine. PS: Doraemon doesn’t meow often like my cat.

CHILDHOOD ANIMES THAT AWAKEN OUR IMAGINATION Words John Vincent Pascual Posters Google

one are the days when children are rushing home to catch their favorite Japanese animation shows after school hours or pretending to be sick just to watch an epic episode of their favorite Filipino dubbed animes. These programs were staple on major broadcasting stations in our country that shaped our childhood in its own unique way. Growing up as an anime-devotee, we have our hilarious moments of trying to be just like one of our character heroes and ended up in a silly and awkward situation. We spend our time channeling our chakra to breathe fire and when failed to do so, we try another technique by focusing our energy and try to shoot laser beam from our fingertips. We have our peculiar feature as a Filipino which make our childhood extraordinary. We don’t have the same oddity as a gullible kid anymore, but it doesn’t mean our wild imagination has left us behind along with our mischievous personality. Once more, let us dive into the prime era of Tagalized animes and relive the glorious days of magic and inhuman capabilities. Fasten your seatbelts as we take a thrilling trip of our top picks.

DETECTIVE CONAN

It’s playtime no more. Detective Conan glued us to our seats and juiced our brains in the most exciting yet frustrating way in every episode. You don’t simply solve a crime and figure out the culprit easily, we try hard but failed every time. The protagonist was forced to take a drug which turned him into his younger self and made it almost impossible to take part in the investigation. Luckily, Conan has this superior who is somehow simple minded and he always find a way to inject him with sleeping pills and... Oh you know the rest!

CARDCAPTOR SAKURA

Magic. Power. Cuteness. The show teaches us to be responsible with our actions. Sakura who later became a card captor accidentally released the magical creatures when she opened a book, found in her family’s basement. She was accompanied by the tiny yellow creature (it looks like a rat but with wings and is cute) on her journey. Before UNO was a thing, admit it or not, you dream of having all the Clow Cards and try to seal them in your own wizardry spells.

YUYU HAKUSHO

True fans would know its English translation. Ghost Fighter had this cool vibe. This anime made a fool out of us because everyone believed he could do ray gun. To confuse us more, Dennis was actually a guy and master Jeremiah a girl of whom we thought was the opposite. And don’t get me started with Vincent, the arrogant-looking character with demonic powers but actually a soft hearted one. One cannot overlook the pacifier of Jericho at first but later episodes help you understand why.

SAILOR MOON

I know what you were thinking, “Paparusahan kita sa ngalan ng buwan!” An epic transformation of charming girls into school uniformed girls but with perfect hair and makeup. Sailor moon ignited the girl power sleeping within. It started the modern squad goals as they fight alongside their bffs every time. Aside from their colorful costumes, these girls have superpowers to save the Earth from the forces of evil. Maybe Avengers should have recruited them instead. Now tell me that soldiers can’t be fashionistas.

NARUTO

I don’t think I can trust someone who haven’t watched it. It revolved around a young ninja who dreamed of becoming the Head of his Village. Packed of energetic fight scenes and ninja techniques, as kids, we would always run like them and spout nonsense phrases because we don’t grasp what they said at first. This made us realized that ninjas don’t just move in stealth mode but can also jump from tree branch to another. And they can train giant frogs to breathe fire.

DRAGON BALL Z

You’d be lying if you say you haven’t tried turning yourself into a Super Saiyan. There are many characters to choose, enough reason to have two-favorites in this show. People want crazy stuff and this fits exactly what we wanted. The exceptional fights between aliens but often look exactly like earthlings will make you want for more. Our younger days would not be complete without trying the renowned kamekameha or tried fusion with your street friend. Those are good times!

ONE PIECE

Unlike our modern pirates, the crew of Mugiwara is nothing like them. They help the less fortunate and fight against tyranny. Luffy who ate a demon fruit that turned him into a human rubber which allows him to elongate any parts of his body and stretch as much as he wants. One piece doesn’t just entertain the viewers with its humorous and thrilling adventures but it connects the present social issues we face. The anime has many elements in its show and spin off branches out from the main story. Personally, I adore Chopper with its cute little legs transforming into a freaky monster.

DORAEMON 3

DETECTIVE CONAN

CARDCAPTOR SAKURA

YUYU HAKUSHO

SAILOR MOON

NARUTO

DRAGON BALL Z

ONE PIECE 4

FEATURE

Gloc 9

Francis Magalona

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

BEATS OF THE ROCK Words Jenina Marie Lipana Photos from Google

”Hip hop is like the voice from the streets. We tell them the story that we see.” – Treach For some people, music is like a therapy and a healing spell to their problems, because it serves as a form of self-expression as emotional release. Through music, they can easily express their free-flowing emotions and at the same time it also lifts up people’s spirits. We cannot really deny the impact of music in our lives. There are lot of different genré that music has to offer but there is one that never leaves the playlist of every Filipino-- Hiphop. Here is the timeline of Hiphop revolution in the Philippines: Golden Age In the year 90’s, rap music started to make a noise in the Philippine industry. Although hip hop music has its in the United States of America, because of the richness of Filipinos’ stories and being creative, they slowly embraced it and created an own style of rap music. The Man From Manila The genre soon to be mainstreamed with one of the famous rapper that really marked the Philippines’ hip hop music history who was Francis Magalona. He was a very known Hip Hop artist entitled as the MC of the Mouth or Master Rapper. With his sense of national pride music such as “Mga Kababayan” from his most popular album Yo! and “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy” from his one of the greatest rap album Rap Is Francis M, he continues to inspire and influence Filipinos in merging rap music with Pinoy rock. Even though his contribution stopped when he died, his works will never fade away and will remain alive in the heart of every Filipinos. He also shared this view as he said, “I am happy to have been a recording artist and one day, when I leave this world, just like the names I mentioned, my voice will be heard. Always at a touch of a button or switch, I am ALIVE again.” A DJ from Euphoria

As years go by, the widespread popularity of hiphop music has continuously making waves in rap in the Philippines because of the social media such as Youtube and Spotify, a new breed of rap artists started to make noise in town. Lots of young Filipino rappers had begun to make their own names including Gloc9, Abra, Skusta Clee and the recent famous group Ex-battalion and O.C. Dowgs with their one of the famous song “Hayaan Mo Sila” that was released in 2017. This song became the most successful hip hop mainstream in the country. Following the popularity of ExB’s song, the latest hip hop song “Dalagang Pilipina” by Almo$t also became viral in the social media and later on, this song was used as a background music in "Dalagang Pilipina challenge." However, the labels of the music nowadays, rely on the artist’s popularity in social media and tend to overlook the real talents. It is now a challenge for emerging new artists to catch people’s heart in creating music. But, as what Vin Rock said, through sheer hard work, face popularity is not the end in the music industry. People can make their own popularity without looking for the face of the musicians but for their real talents and meaningful contents in their music.

Ex Batallion

Andrew E

Following the steps of Francis M, Andrew Ford Valentino Espiritu also known as Andrew E. catches pinoy’s taste in rap music. His first single rap track contained with beatboxing is “Humanap Ka Ng Panget” that led him to become one of the most popular Filipino rapper in the country. The track became the national monster hits rivaling Francis M’s rap’s throne in top Pinoy rap music. Years later, he collaborated with Salbakuta group where they produced a debut single “S2upid Love” that became the best-seller album in 1995.

The Rise of Pinoy Rap Music

FEATURE

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

The rise of SUBSCRIPTIONS Words Ezra Mae Dimapawi Photos from Google

Do you know how frustrating it is when you forgot to download your favorite band’s newest single? How about when you want to binge-watch Harry Potter but does not have the fourth book of the series? Today, we are just clicks away from all of the hindrances and all unfavorable circumstances life has to offer. Online streaming apps and sites are now taking the lead of social media.

READ MORE Money Heist, A Netflix Original Series

My days will definitely go by binge-watching series, movies or better yet streaming my fave songs on Spotify. Watching new shows or even re-watching old movies and listening to anyone who makes music has become a lot easier these past few years. All you have to do is sign up, subscribe, and voila, an easy access for whatever you wish to see or hear. As of June 2019, Netflix which offers online streaming have 125 million subscribers. According to Pew Research Center Survey, about 6 out of 10 young people prefer online video platforms to live TV, one of the reasons why Netflix, IFlix, and HBO Go have drastically changed the usual habits of watching.

It offers quality services. Users look for a service that can provide an excellent deal that will satisfy the consumers’ desire. Netflix, for example, gives quality and high definition movie resolution, though it recommends that your internet connection are at least 1.5 mbps. for.

Spotify, on the other hand, provides a better way of listening either online or offline, depending on what you have paid

On the other hand, Spotify is now the leading music app with more than 200 million users worldwide. It also tops the charts for paid subscribers for streaming.

Why are online streaming sites skyrocketing?

It allows users to customize their subscription. Many services allow consumers to choose the features and functions they want to pay for. Also, they can effectively pay for the content they want to watch or listen, and waive payment for programs and services they do not want or need.

Technology is a game changer when it comes to the way people consume information and entertainment. Now a lot of people are choosing streaming video services that will only cost them at least 80% off than the cost of cable TV subscription. It is clear that many of us go for alternatives that will provide a vast array of choices when it comes to services. Here are the reasons why online streaming is gaining ground in the market.

Online subscription services have changed how millions of people interact to music and videos, making it more intimate and accessible part of our lives. The streaming companies have built great products. They are responsible for bringing value to artists, especially for those who are just starting. Streaming sites develop a great strategy in marketing artists who have yet to make a name in the industry as there is a wider range of audience in these platforms.

It is Convenient.

As technology advances—faster internet speed and higher resolution screen—more accessible way of listening and better way of distributing services moves the industry forward.

Streaming has become a lot easier than being tied in front of the TV or DVD player. You can now watch and listen to your favorite programs or artists even when you are outside. Online streaming creates a better way of watching while you are riding a train, listening to music while sitting at a bus stop, or even when you are taking a break at work.

People have more access to the Internet. As of March 2019, 4.5 billion had access to the Internet, and it increases year by year. In addition, we are seeing increase in internet speed. Way back 1990s, 56-kbps was offered to people compared to the gigabit internet offered by different telecommunication companies today. Furthermore, Spotify supports artists who want to produce music. Spotify let artists use their tools to manage their content and extend their reach

Music Podcasts Playlists

Artists

Go Premium.

Albums

It is affordable. Most budget-conscious consumers are choosing to cut the cord to save money. Online subscription lets you choose whether you’ll subscribe for a month or even for a year. Subscribing will cost you less than paying for a television cable every month. 7

Vessel

Twenty One Pilots

Life's Not Out To Get You Neck Deep

Hamilton

Various Artists

Hope Has Come Victory Worship

DAMN.

Kendrick Lamar

TRUEST

SELF

A Hand Does All the Magic Words Jackquilyn Javate and Kim Zabat Photography Jayson Gabriel Garcia

A hand with a gift of crafting, a soul that is full of hope and a faith that is strong as her, she is ready for more.

been using sometimes to buy upgrades for her crafts. Earning and at the same time enjoying what she's doing became Nicole's stress reliever. Although there are times that her schedule was hectic, she still managed it well. Nicole Joy Interior, 20

College of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences

his youth leader was once preparing activities for her fellow Christian members, when she saw the process on how to make bracelets on Pinterest. After watching several tutorials in YouTube, she decided to share her learnings to her group and later on continued crafting bracelets as a source of additional income. Currently, she is studying at Wesleyan University Philippines as a second year Medical Technology student. Nicole Joy Interior is a young entrepreneur conquering the world of crafting bracelets and also embroidering in shirts and bags. As curiosity and interests picked Nicole’s creativity, the diversity of color represents her way of living as it brings impact to her creations. For instance, blue is not just a feeling nor a color, for Nicole it also expresses calmness and security. It depicts on how she productively start and finish her day with a devotion. As the slow smooth music and reggae comes on, making her dance without hesitation as she jams into it. She is the person who surely knows what it feels to have trust issues. Nicole came from a business-minded family. There are times that she was left alone in their home for a week or so, but it doesn't make her feel left out. Their bond remains strong. Nicole is a youth leader handling a care group. She leads trainings and seminars for team building. She also does things that inspires her along with fashion style and she's labelled as the Ukay-ukay Queen! Using social media as a medium to contact her for orders, she even gained customers from other schools and even in Baguio City. She is careful with her transactions and she’s even entertaining her customers with concerns about repairs or changing product. Loving the nature we live in, and keeping it green in her small garden, filled with plants and vegetables, it is a habit of her to show to other people the progress of her plants specially her favorite cactus. Since she’s an Ukay-ukay Queen, being thrifty became one of her traits. All of her commissioned earnings go to her savings that she's

Warm as her personality, Nicole's love for yellow is in different level. It would be perfect dreamy place for her if every stuff she owns is in color yellow. Talking about purple, royalty, nobility, ambition and wealth she dreams of investing in land, collecting shoes and doing the things she pinned on Pinterest. When red color gives out the sense of passion, energy, and strength it conveys how committed she is on the things she prioritize—her business, her education, her friends, and her faith in God.

BALANCING HER TIME FOR ACADEMICS AND BUSINESS She alloted one hour in making crafts and the rest is for academics and her me time. There are times she's continuing her crafting wherever and whenever she feels like doing it. When I asked her what is her message for other inspiring student-entrepreneur, she said that, we just need to be observant with what's on the trend, then learn to play with its rules and earn from it. According to Nicole, "It's not all about the money. It's about turning your passion into something productive and enjoying every bit of it."

Beyond the Screen Words Jackquilyn Javate and Kim Zabat Photography Jayson Gabriel Garcia

approaches and style so that students will enjoy their time learning. She has also received compliments as well as criticisms in her job, but she stated that it shaped her to improve and develop her good qualities. One of the criticisms she received was being called “stupid” from one of her online student. Abegay did not let this word affect her, instead it became a duel in setting fire to her heart in order to become better and better everyday. Another hindrance in the online world, as everyone of us may know, is Internet connection. Abegay’s work requires faster Internet connection. Without it, communication will not be possible as she and the student shall see each other clearly while also having a very good audio. The students she handles can sometimes be as young as three years old, and that sometimes causes a more difficult conversation, given that the student’s language is not English. What is hard is if the student has no knowledge of the English language. For that, Abegay’s solution is to have a massive amount of patience and compassion to be an effective educator with the help of technology.

WORK. STUDY. REPEAT. It is rewarding that Abegay’s work is in line to her chosen profession. Her work as an online teacher helped her a lot during her practice teaching too, as she has already seen what students are made of. She shares that it is really rewarding whenever her students got good scores in their exams.

he accelerating speed of technology creates advancements and convenience for the people living in the 21st century. Different kinds of innovation become effective and one of those is how people use technology in digital learning. With the overflowing love for teaching, aside from a regular classroom setting Ms. Abegay Gragasin is an online ESL teacher taking Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Major in English. She is a proud daughter of strong, selfless and hardworking farmer. Her dad is one of her major influence when it comes to staying and having positive perception towards life. Living with the principle of, “only thinking about two things— think only about the things that will help you and the other one is the things that you need and love, and if it’s nothing between the two then stop what you’re doing.”

LOVE FOR TEACHING Abegay shared that teaching requires a lot of effort in order for the students to learn and comprehend their lessons. She sees different faces of students every 25 minutes, and with every student comes different approaches in teaching. Despite every hardships, she is thankful for gaining knowledge directly from her work—from improving her oral communication to using various teaching techniques that she may apply to her career as a professional teacher in the future.

TURNING NEGATIVES TO POSTIVES Abegay talked about how she got a bad rating during her early days as an ESL teacher. She said that now she is more experimental on her teaching 17

Abegay’s job as an ESL teacher gives her a sense of independence. She is proud to say that because of her online work as an English teacher, she is able to provide financial support for her family. “Totoong masarap sa pakiramdam ‘yon, lalo na kapag umabot ka na sa point na nakakapag-abot na sa magulang o kapatid,” Abegay proudly shared. Her family also serves as her motivation doing what she love—teaching. Doubling her life as a student in the morning and a teacher at night, sometimes whichever comes first, Abegay is determined to make her dreams come into reality. She can vividly see herself teaching in the future, with students not just on the screen, but also in a classroom with her.

Abegay Gresgin, 24 College of Education

Diverse, Unbreakable, & Naturally Beautiful Words Jessica Maureen Gaurano and Annika Eketerina Tugaff Photography Jayson Gabriel Garcia

LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE Being home is the feeling that each and every one of us wants to feel to stay alive. This feeling undeniably keeps us sane. This is how their clique feels whenever they are together. Combine dance competitions, parties, pageants, and sports-related activities. Mix them altogether and you get an unbreakable bond that continues to grow which shows that despite their differences, they all meet at a common point and unite as one. For Giezelle and Nick, who consider themselves as straight, coming into the group never felt awkward nor did it seem weird for them. "Hindi naman ako papasok sa kanila if hindi ko sila naiintindihan," Giezelle elabortes. Nick, on the other hand, immediately felt ease in the company of these people. He happily shared that every moment with them is filled with unforgettable moments and laughter. He waved off the stigma against the LGBTQIA+ community and chose to welcome the four friends in his life with open arms. Even though he is new to this kind of group as he has only been with his hetero friends, he finds no awkwardness because the moment he embraced the diversity of the group, he receives nothing but respect and love. However, whispers and judgmental eyes couldn't be avoided. There are still people who question Giezelle and Nick for being a part of the group. Some would assume that the two were closeted gays and hanging out with the rest is just a way for them to cover up their true colors. But of course, Giselle and Nick would shrug this off and accept their friends for who they are and who they chose to love. "Hindi ko kailangang ipaliwanag sarili ko sa kanila kung bakit sila yung pinili ko [...] masaya ako sa kanila, sa kanila ko nakikita yung second family ko," Giselle explains.

n a world full of insincerity, where will you find authenticity? This is one of the many question continuously haunt us up to this day. With all the happenings that has been occurring in our lives, it seems as if being with legitimate people feels extremely hard to happen. But this isn’t the case for a group of Wesleyan Tourism students. As the popular saying goes, opposites do really attract. Renzo, Francis, Jhanella, Giezelle, and Nick prove this to be right as their bond continues to get stronger through time. What makes them better together are there differences as individuals. It is what makes up the foundation of their friendship.

For Francis, Renzo, and Janella, they have never experienced nor felt hypocrisy within the group. They know that each of them genuinely respects and loves one another. In fact, these three have shared that the students and faculty have been very open about them also. Whenever and wherever they go, these three are the ultimate defense of the group to the people who dare go against them.

And what makes their friendship stand out from the rest? Simple. When you enter the room and see these people, you can see how they share an undeniable spark that stands out from the rest.

ADJUSTMENTS No matter how strong their bond is, there are still things that annoys each one of them. But the popular saying goes, opposites do really attract. The five of them prove this to be right as their bond continues to get stronger through time. What makes them better together are their differences as individuals – the foundation of their friendship they say.

THE BEGINNING It was like any ordinary day. Except for the fact that during a class, a transferee is present in their class. Francis, being his usual self, caught the attention of Renzo and his friends. Maybe it’s because of his superb aura or his undeniably aesthetic taste in fashion, but whatever the case is, the two of them clicked. It’s highly unlikely that people with different sexual preferences to come together and become one as a group. As for how they got together, these five admit that there wasn't really a specific time as to how they realized that they were already becoming one group. 21

"Basta may something extraordinary [sa amin] na kusa lang lumalabas," Renzo shares. Just like with Francis, Renzo began being friendly and open with Giezelle and Jhanella. Eventually, these four hit it off. For the longest time, they shared endless achievements, laughs, embarrassing moments and heartbreaks together. They have seen each other through thick and thin. But even then, their family continues to grow as Nick became a special addition to their group. Despite the short amount of time he has spent with these people, Nick grew to love them quickly because of the respect that he receives from them. Maybe it was destiny that brought them altogether.

The group shared some instances where they find someone annoying, proving that they are adjusting every now and then. In this case, let’s use Francis' constant murmurs when he talks. Everybody finds it hard to understand what Francis is trying to say at times. Also, somehow they find it annoying when Jhanella puts on serious face and the rest of the group don’t know what she is thinking. They revealed that oftentimes their playful bickering escalates into argument. Instead of walking away, they chose to confront their situation, be honest with how they feel about it and compromised for the sake of the other(s). It’s inevitable for any relationship not to encounter situations. They are not perfect after all, not even their friendship, but they always choose to move forward.

Jhanella Paguinto, 21

College of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Francis Daquigan, 22

College of Hospitality and Tourism Management

GROWING AND MOVING FORWARD Renzo De Leon, 22

College of Hospitality and Tourism Management

When asked how they see their friendship five years from now, they answered that they would still be together, leading separate careers yet conquering the outside world hand-in-hand. Maintaining a stable and delightful friendship is never going to be easy. There will be ups and downs. There will be a lot of obstacles along the way. According to them, understanding, adjustment, acceptance, and love are the key factors to achieve a long-lasting friendship. Because at the end of the day, even if everything seems to be chaotic or out of place, love would always win.

Giezelle Domingo, 21

College of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Nick Angel Sarile, 20

College of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Life Through Pastor's Eyes Words Ezra Mae Dimapawi Photography Jayson Gabriel Garcia

erome Cariño is just like any other man, struggling with acads, missing home, but he keeps on staying strong. Gerome or Pastor as what his classmates usually call him, is originally from Pangasinan—a five-hour drive away from Nueva Ecija. He’s been staying here in the province because of his dreams, that of being a Pastor. Wesleyan isn’t his first choice, and he was not supposed to be a Theology student but unfortunately or rather fortunately, he couldn’t make it to Pangasinan University as a secondary teacher so his last resort is to push through Nueva Ecija; and God’s plan didn’t disappoint him, for he find the right path that God made for him. To serve Him and to spread the words of wisdom. Pastor Gerome is not an active member of Methodist until he turned Grade 3. He started to become an assistant pastor when he entered seminary last year. His role is to assist pastors during masses, officiate communion, join missions, and even act as liturgist sometimes. Once you get to know Pastor Gerome more, you will feel nothing but a strong admiration because at a young age, he is brave enough to be away from his family just to fulfil God’s calling for him. It is hard to be away from the family that nurtures and protects you, and it is the same for Gerome’s situation. “Mahirap [mapalayo sa pamilya.] Kasi once na mapalayo ka sa pamilya mo, doon mo rin makikita kung gaano sila kaimportante sayo. Doon ko naramdaman ‘yung parang ang layo mo sa kanila. ‘Yung hindi mo alam ang gagawin ‘pag malayo sila sayo. Kaya ako at saka yung Panginoon na lang.” Luckily enough for him that even though he is miles away from his home, there is still a second home for him in the Divinity School. This became his shelter for a year now and to the following years here in the university. He is also a full scholar of the University so he doesn’t need to bother for his tuition, his food and his home for the rest of his stay at Wesleyan.

Being a pastor isn’t in Gerome’s plan because all he wanted is just to serve God, but he believed that God has bigger plans for him. “Sakin naman noon hindi pagpapastor ang gusto ko, kung hindi ang magserve lang sa kanya. Pero ginawa ng Panginoon binigyan pa niya ako ng authority na maghandle ng isang church para sa kanya. ‘Yun din yung kinakagalak ko, na binigay sa akin ng Panginoon ang pagiging pastor. Na binigyan ako ng isang responsibilidad para sa kanyang iglesya.” There are many people losing their faith, doubting if there is really an Almighty and Omniscient Being. For Gerome, it is not as simple as they didn’t get to witness the grace God gives to the fortunate one, but rather, there are deeper reasons. He said, “It’s their choice. Kung natanggap mo na noon ang Panginoon bilang Tagapagligtas tapos nagbackslide ka, ang mali ay nasa iyo, hindi sa Panginoon. Kasi baka tiningnan mo e, yung kamalian ng ibang tao, hindi yung kamalian mo.” Even though some people doubt this big decision he made, he still believes that God calls him to be one of his voices here on Earth.

CONTRAST

Gerome Cariño, 20

College of Arts and Sciences

Now that he’s in a University where he meets different kinds of people, we asked Pastor on what was his initial reaction when he found out that there are an entirely different beliefs that are existing, and he answered it lightly and humbly, “Mas lumawak yung kaalaman ko na mayroon palang ganoon na religion, na hindi sila naniniwala sa Diyos. Okay lang naman sa akin dahil ‘yon ‘yung kinalakihan nila, ‘yon ang paniniwala nila. Naka depende naman sa environment na kinalakihan mo ‘yon e, sa akin nakalakihan ko na ang Kristo s’ya ‘yung authority, s’ya ‘yung aking tagapagligtas. So, yun yung pinaniniwalaan ko.” It is hard for Gerome to just endure all the mock, all the hate that was being thrown to his God. It is not easy for him to just ignore the fact that the God he is worshipping and serving is being made fun of and ridiculed by non-believers. But he remained still on the ground because he tries to understand them. This is what he learns after the many encounters to the different beliefs of people around him—to first, understand. Pastor Gerome genuinely accepts indifferences he sees in everyone. That we all have our own version of truth.

The Journey of Brave Explorers Words Aloha Balbuena and Melvin Clarence Dowes Photography Jayson Gabriel Garcia

ave you ever been in this situation at night, when all lights suddenly went off and you could see nothing but darkness? If yes, then surely, that must be a tough one. You might have been stunned; stopped whatever you’re doing and became confused and unsure of which way you should go or actions you should do. You might have been scared; felt anxious that one wrong move and you will accidently break something or cause something to hurt you. And in spite of those uncertainties, you might have still continued. But since the lights were off, you couldn’t see anything and you might have ended up bumping onto something, or stumbling, or fell. We personally associate communication to light, for we believe that communication is the light illuminated our world which helps us not only to see things clearer, but also to understand each other and therefore establish relationships. Lack of communication results to misunderstanding. There are lots of communication barriers, but the most common ones were found in language and culture. Some people might have wrong conceptions about one’s culture, and in this world where racism and stereotyping were currently trends, others might have mistreated and discriminated some people from diverse culture, not caring about the effects that it could possibly cause them. Instead of helping them to cope up, they are making their light to faint dimmer and dimmer. But Lhing Nei Neng from COEd and Raihan Ifthikar from CONAMS were the lights of their journey. In spite of being culturally different, they didn’t let it to affect them and chose to withstand the strong waves and whirlwinds that dared to shake their dreams.

Lhing Nei Neng, 19

College of Education

INFORMATION DESK, GETTING TO KNOW HER Born and raised in Myanmar, Lhing Nei Neng, or “Neng-cha” as what her family and friends call her, grew in a Christian family. His father is a Baptist pastor who also graduated at Wesleyan Divinity School in 2005. She has two brothers who were in Myanmar. Nengcha is a faithful child; an active church member who’s also a part of the chorale.

BUCKLES ON, READY TO TAKE OFF Nengcha wasn’t here by chance, but because of works of fate. After graduating high school in Myanmar, she was asked if she wants to pursue her college education here in the Philippines. When she heard the offer, she felt excited and willingly agreed. Nengcha wants to improve her English skills, she took the opportunity with no doubt. Through the help of his father’s connections, she met Tita Vergie—her foster parent who adopted her and supports her in her education here. Of course, it wasn’t easy at first. It was her first time to be away from her family and her country as well. It was her first time to be here in the Philippines. But being a brave and determined person that she is, she did not suffer from severe culture shock when she got here; for she already accepted in her mind that Philippines, is also her country, her home.

kind of food we have. Our most stable food is rice, which is different from Myanmar. “It is best when partnered with chicken adobo and sinigang,” she giggly said. She also likes our street foods such as tokwa and her favorite, lugaw, which she eats almost every day. She also adjusted from the clothing. In Myanmar, they’re wearing longyi, a sheet of cloth worn around the waist, running to the feet. Now, she’s wearing clothes like a typical Filipina does. But the thing that captures her heart the most is the faith and commitment of the Filipinos to God. Most Burmese were Buddhist, that’s why she was wonderstruck when she knew how faithful Filipinos were. “In Myanmar, you’ll see the “Pagoras” wherever you go, but here, wherever you go, you’ll see churches and bible verses; I think that’s beautiful and it really grows my faith,” she uttered. Adjusting from language became a tough fight for Neng-cha. Though she can understand and speak some Tagalog, it is still difficult for her to understand what someone is saying when it is said in pure Tagalog. That’s why in her minor subjects, she self-study most of the time. Even in some conversations with her friends, when they can’t understand each other, they’ll just say “Bahala na” and they’ll laugh. She is really enjoying the company of her friends now, especially the Wesleyan Chamber Singers, where she found her second family here in the Philippines. “They’re good! Because if they’re not good I don’t think I can stay here haha!” she grinned.

The thing that she noticed firsthand when she got here is the 32

SOARING GREATER HEIGHTS Education is what brings Neng-cha here, and like every one of us, it’s her main goal to graduate. That’s why even when she experiences some sort of discrimination, she’s not minding them at all. “When somebody says bad things at me, I am hurt. But then I just also thought that ‘it’s okay, your goal is to graduate, and not to focus on them,’” she emotionally stated. Aside from studying hard, she is also a member of Wesleyan Chamber Singers. Aside from being her second—or third family, the club helped her to boost her confidence as well. Before she often complains why she can’t sing like the original? But now, through the help of trainings they’re conducting, she can now hit the right notes for every song. They were really close to each other; sometimes they go out and eat whenever they had a chance, and sometimes they go on different places.

CHATTING WITH NENG-CHA What’s your plan when you graduate? “I am planning to take the board exam here and also teach here, if I can speak Tagalog by that time *laughs*. But I will support those in Myanmar by being a good educator. But in order to be a good educator, I need to have experience here in the Philippines.”

What advice can you give to those foreigners here in the Philippines, especially those who were experiencing discrimination? “Know your reason why you’re here, focus on your goal. When you feel discriminated, don’t mind them. I know that it’s hard but just move on as fast as possible because it will affect you and your journey. and always believe in God and always pray. Always have a positive attitude, a respectful mind, and a good communication with others.”

Raihan Ifthicar, 20

College of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciencecs

hoever said that “one must be of the same feather to flock together”, definitely hasn’t met Raihan Ifthicar yet. Being born with an Arabian blood and all, he isn’t exactly on the same feather with his Filipino friends at WUP but still, he manages to get along with everyone just the same. And that is saying something, because while everybody tries to fit in in this warzone of a society, there goes Raihan with his Arabian features and easy smile—standing out and standing proud. If a person’s skin is a collage of the places they have lived in, Raihan’s face would probably make a nice piece of art worthy of the United Nations.

here. Little did he know that he’ll be on the move again. His aunt took him to UAE to continue studying from grades 6-10. It was a good thing for Raihan though, because finally, he was with his parents again.

At the age of 20, Raihan Ifthicar already spent his life living in four different countries—Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, UAE, and the Philippines. With all those travels, his passport must have suffered a battered syndrome from all the stamps it got from different airports. One thing about his travels though is that he learned to speak different languages. He knows Arabic, Tamil, Filipino, and English. That is why when he was a child, he was called “Thambi” at home, a Tamil word for “little boy”.

“That time, excited ako kasi makakasama ko na ulit parents ko”, he said, smiling at the memory of it.

Now here comes the back-to back airport story. Born to Muslim parents, Raihan spent the first year of his life in Saudi Arabia, his birthplace. After a year, his parents had to work in another country so they moved to Sri Lanka where he spent his preschool years. It was during his elementary years when he first came to the Philippines and his good grandma took care of him. Six years in the Philippines and Raihan must have thought that he’s finally staying 33

However, he had to be separated from them again because he needed to move back to the Philippines to continue his studies. At present, he is now a second-year student from CONAMS taking his Rad Tech degree. After being exposed to different languages and cultures, Raihan brought with him the experiences he learned from each of the places he lived in. “Pinahahalagahan ko talaga 'yung mga experience na nakukuha ko sa ibang bansa, ayoko kasi na umalis ng walang nakukuhang experience or knowledge sa isang lugar.” Raihan said, talking about his travels. 34

“I can say I am more confident now. Kasi dati kapag nakakakita ako ng mga tao, napapasabi ako sa isip ng, ‘Luh, hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko, kahit mag-shake hands. Pero ngayon, alam ko na kung paano sila pakikitunguhan.’”.

BEHIND THE FAÇADE

To most of us, country-hopping might sound really cool. What with the constant travel here and there—going places, meeting people. It sounds like a dream, but to Raihan, having to move to another place is one of the ordeals he had to go through in his life. Needless to say, starting over in new country with a totally different culture and language is like being an astronaut who just landed in Mars. What is worse is knowing that it is not the place that is different, rather it is you, because you are the one who’s the foreigner. For Raihan, it took a lot of courage and humility to fit in and be accepted. He’s not the guy to just sit and wait for people to approach him. Raihan believes that the first key to friendship is letting go of pride. “Halimbawa, mapride ako, paano tayo magiging magclose. Di ba kailangan na may magparaya?” he said matter-of-factly. But if there is one thing he hates about moving to a different place, it is being away from his parents. He’s very lucky though to be with his grandmother who really takes care of him. Raihan admits that he used to hold a grudge at his parents for not being there but now, he completely understands that it was for his own welfare. The good thing is that it made him independent and flexible to adapt in new places. “Nag-adjust ako even sa foods and way of living. Sa UAE din ako natutong maging independent. Busy kasi sa trabaho ‘yong parents ko no’ng andoon ako, kaya natuto na din akong mamuhay mag-isa.” However, being an independent guy and all, didn’t give him free pass from being discriminated in the past. Throughout his childhood, he had his share of being called names like “Arabo”, “Bombay”, or “Muslim”, as if being such is bad thing. According to him, stereotyping really exists especially for being a Muslim. But knowing Raihan, he beats it by always deciding to go to the positive side. He shrugs it off and choose not to think badly about other people’s behavior. “Iniisip ko na, ipapasok ko pa ba ‘yon ng todo sa isip ko? Eh ‘di ako lang din nagka-problema. Dahil lumaki na din naman ako dito sa Pinas, iniisip ko nalang na ah, baka nakikipagbiruan lang 'to.” he said, smiling. Raihan is indeed one remarkable guy. It must have been awfully hard for him to adapt and start over when moving to a completely foreign place but he did so with a smile. To Raihan there is always a choice. Being different doesn’t mean you have to change to fit in, nor become indifferent. And for that, his message is this: “Wag mong iibahin ang sarili mo para lang makasama ka sa ibang tao. Kung hindi talaga kayo vibes, wag mong ipilit. Doon ka na lang sa mga taong nakakaintindi sayo. Ipakita mo lang kung sino ka talaga. Hindi mo na kailangang itago 'yung identity mo, religion mo. Kung saan ka galing, maging proud ka lang.” he said with sincerity in his voice.

By living in a foreign country, he saw the differences among people—that even he, is different. And he embraces it. He admits that it was awkward for him to interact socially at first, but eventually he came to work well with other people. 35

What he said sure feels like breath of fresh air in this society where everyone seems to be hardwired to look, talk, and even walk like everyone else just to feel accepted. But definitely not to Raihan, whose name means “flower”. And was named very fittingly so. Like a unique flower, Raihan has a personality that explodes into vibrant colors, whose purpose is to spread smiles to the people around him.

EDITORIAL

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

In the year 2000, the late Senator Miriam DefensorSantiago and former Akbayan Representative Loretta Rosales filed the earliest version of the bill which was refiled in the 14th and succeeding Congress up to the 16th to no avail. Following the viral case of Gretchen Custodio Diez, a transwoman who was arrested after a standoff between a janitress preventing her from using the female bathroom of a mall in Cubao last August 13, LGBTQIA+ community and advocates such as Senator Risa Hontiveros refiled the Senate Bill No. 689, the latest version of the SOGIE Bill, in the 18th Congress. However, the majority of the Congress and the public remain against the bill. Questioning the public safety, concerning of sharing public bathrooms among straights and transgender, but mostly because of ignorance and narrow-mindedness. “Anti-discrimination on persons, p’wede. Pero focused on gays, which the SOGIE bill is, and religious and academic freedom impeded plus smuggling of same sex marriage? No chance,” Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III showing his opposition. First off, SOGIE is not just about allowing transwomen to use the public restrooms meant for females. Just because people are against this part of the bill does not mean that they should antagonize it as a whole. Remember that it is still just a bill and not yet a law, which means it’s still subject to revisions and modifications until it meets a standard that is acceptable by everyone.

SOGIE EQUALITY BILL:

IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE

Second, it is not exclusive for people from the LGBTQIA+ community, even straight people have them. Sexual orientation is about whom or what gender a person is attracted to, most known types are gay, bisexual and straight. On the other side, gender identity pertains to how one identify oneself in their head, whether they think that they are male, female, genderqueer or cisgender which means that one’s gender identity matches one’s biological sex. Finally, gender expression is about how one expresses oneself, masculine, androgynous or feminine – which was contrary to the belief that the bill is only for the LGBTQIA+

community and it will subject the community into special treatments. In addition to these misconceptions – or should we say fake news, a post from a Facebook page Bongbong Marcos - Sara Duterte 2022, falsely claims that the bill includes the penalization of insulting members from the community by P500,000 and imprisonment for six years and six months, that assigning sex on birth certificates are not allowed until they reach the age of 12. Any priests and pastors who will refuse to perform marriage ceremonies of LGBTQIA+ will be stripped of their rights as leaders of their religious community and it will also impose the community’s lifestyle on the straight community. To put this simply, what the bill proposes is the equal access of the straight and LGBTQIA+ community to basic rights and services and to prohibit discriminatory acts made based on someone’s SOGIE. There is also no provision in the bill that states same sex marriage will be legalized and that assigning sex to newborns are not allowed, neither insulting a person will be penalized, except when it is made to ridicule or harass them. For example, an LGBTQIA+ applicant should not be rejected by an employer solely because of their being part of the community. The misconception that rejecting them because they are not qualified for the job is plainly wrong. Just as how a straight, cisgender, feminine woman should not be rejected from a job “for men” just because she is a woman – if she is capable and qualified for the job, why not? As for the religious-based statements that castigate the bill for it is against their morals and beliefs, depriving someone their rights because they have different perception, is just as immoral. The fact that what they believe is only their interpretation of what is right or wrong and doesn’t necessarily mean it is the truth, also weakens their counterclaims. SOGIE Equality Bill should be passed by the Senate and it will benefit not just the member of the LGBTQIA+ community but also the straight community. People shouldn’t be quick on judging and antagonizing bills like this just because of narrow-mindedness, misinformation or lack thereof.

German Philosopher named Nietzsche was unto something when he said that all things are subject to interpretation; whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth; that is the case as to why the Anti-Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression or the SOGIE Equality Bill remains unaccepted and antagonized by many, particularly the religious, straight people – which it should not be.

COLUMN

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

Color me Orange

From a Rainbow’s Perspective

Ceteris Paribus

Mental Lexicon

Hannah Marie Olanda, Editor-in-Chief

Mark Joseph Nuñez, Associate Editor

This is the color I’m painted with and I won’t let others steal the paintbrush and color me as they see fit.

If being their “normal” would bombard me to delight in the glamor of who I am, then I bravely say, I am their “peculiar”.

was not born with Snow White’s skin. I am neither white nor black. I like to think my shade is as soft as a caramel. Growing up, I blamed being premature because of it. Well, I was under a special light for days like a chick but chicks don’t get brown, I realized. It is also a lame excuse for justifying my color I was born with. Most of the members of my family have fair skin. I refused to take photos with them because of it. They always say that I’m the coffee grounds and they are the creamer - the thing is, we let people maneuver us and it’s too late to realize how much toll they have taken in us. My experience with color discrimination reduced my selfconfidence and altered my beliefs on how a person should look like. I wanted to be accepted in my family’s eyes, to fit in their standards. I tried whitening soaps and lotions, believed in 7-day effectivity of whitening products and got my heart broken when I realized it’s not working. I didn’t wear shorts during reunions because all my relatives were glowing white and I was just a dull brown. They would say, “Oh, you are a true Morena beauty!” I hope those compliments were true but I knew it was all lies not because of my low self-esteem. There were people who gave me whitening products to lighten my complexion. After three days, they would say, “Oh, pumuputi ka na!” I dislike this line for it is falsity. Some people are happy when the whitening soaps and lotions work out, but they curse the sun for showing what their color really is. Filipinos don’t applaud tan-skinned women, we prefer the white ones. That has been the Filipino mentality for decades and I am glad it is changing now. I hope it does not take another decade to accept all colors. When buying clothes, even the sales lady won’t recommend the colors that I like because it doesn’t suit on the pigment of my skin. I 39

remember buying an orange top because I felt like it, then the woman said that it’s not complementing my skin color. Who gets to decide that? This is my body and orange is my favorite. I can’t say that I am innocent in terms of bullying people with a color darker than mine. It’s not only darker people who are hurt, even the white ones are. I am no better than those people who discriminate because of color. Sometimes I didn’t mean to hurt, but those petty words even how insignificant they are, for us, is already an act of discrimination. Discrimination and bullying starts at home, in the place where I feel safe. It started as soon as I let their judgments took over me. I am not angry today because in a weird way, those petty words prepared me for the outside world. We, people set our standards based on other people’s standards, based on what we think is beautiful and acceptable. This is our color, where the race we are belong and made to be like this. I still believe it’s a choice on what you want to do for yourself, but sometimes we alter ourselves because we see we don’t suit in the world of glutathione. I know now that the color of my skin is not the problem. It is just that people are becoming obsessed with being judgmental. This is the color I’m painted with and I won’t let others steal the paintbrush and color me as they see fit. This is my body and my life. The people outside are just onlookers. To stay sane, I live by always repeating this golden rule - which I changed a little in my head: Do not say what you do not want other people to say unto you. Continued on Page 48

f only people would be Alice enough to enter the Wonderland of Rainbows, we’re close to approaching a path of a nondiscriminatory world. A world that in a wide loving sense, we, humans - regardless of color, size, age, religion, social status, sexuality, gender – are worthy of. This is why I hate labels. People make these wide generalizations and have fixed notions of what you’re supposed to be and of who you are based on a few words. They’re damaging. Sadly, we live in a world where people easily discriminate people whose minds don't fit the society's version of normal. “Queers” are often by passed, misunderstood, and stereotyped and discriminated. Sure, there are similarities among certain groups, but it would be risky to assume that all stereotypes are accurate. Lots of stereotypes are associated with being gay. Every time I meet new groups of people, they tend to generalize and carelessly assume my sexual orientation to my gender identity. It does hurt; one way I don’t feel I’m seen and recognized – that’s because they seem to master the knack of stereotyping. It’s saddening when they repeatedly create idea in their minds after my telling them I’m only attracted to men and that they automatically form their simplification that I’m a woman. With the words, “Gusto mo pala lalaki, so babae ka,” “When did you decide you’re a woman?” “So, bakit ‘di ka nagdadamit pambabae?” There are really questions that can somehow seclude me to them. “How gay are you?” Seriously? Does it matter? I’m gay enough for me. Not because I’m gay, I identify myself as a woman. Or that, I have to wear in a “girly” way because I’m attracted to men. Not because I identify myself neither man nor woman, I’m still “puzzled.” And worst, some add, “’Di ba immoral ‘yan?”

The beauty of human complexity is not just about blue and pink or boy and girl. Guess what, most of them would raise their eyebrows after giving that as my response. I did not decide to become a rainbow. Same as how straights didn’t decide to become the default man or woman. Being a rainbow is not a matter of choice. Thus, one cannot attach immoral judgment to my state. I will never blame fish for swimming, or birds for flying. Same for us, the LGBT; it is our nature. One thing that these experiences continually teach me: you simply have to be in the right circle, if you don’t want to feel isolated; surround yourself with people who can understand you. My family has proven how big the hearts of humans can be. Growing up in a safe and supportive environment, they never poisoned me with my personal relationship to my own sexuality and gender. As a child, they allowed me to learn about my own body and sexuality healthily and confidently. They allow me to transform and blossom and enjoy my truest self. It’s just so lovely how the core of my support system, my family and friends, is as embracing, inclusive and welcoming. I wonder how my life would be if mom and dad wouldn’t let me adore owning Barbie dolls - dolls I dressed up and customized according to my taste; how my life would be if they wouldn’t allow me relish the alacrity of playing Dragon Ball Z action figures and toy guns, playing with pride with young “normal” boys in our area. I still wonder what my life would be if they, in the first place, labeled toys as for girls and for boys, and if they fixed me with the negative polarity of the word “discriminate.” They just let me be me. Continued on Page 48

COLUMN

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

Think Before You Speak Riez Souvent

Pia Ada Xena Valerio, Art Director

Uniqueness is our power! Never differentiate yourself from others’ achievement and character. You walk a different path through your goal and that is how you evaluate yourself. We are never a nobody just because we are different or just because we are not like what everyone assumes us of what we should be. Let’s appreciate ourselves for who we are so we can turn our weaknesses into strength. Self-appreciation is humble bragging, because it was your hard work to fight your flaws. There is this girl who never talks a lot; who never knows how to pop communication with new faces; and thinks carefully before she speaks. When you are a teenager, everyone builds up friendship with exciting topics every day. Their stories do not stop midway, they never let their brain stop their voice and she is never that, all she can do is smile, laugh, and reply with a sentence or two whenever someone opens a topic. She doesn’t hate them, she’s just afraid that in time she will lose a story to tell; she will lose them too soon. Then, she ends up losing them the moment she lets her fear dominate her voice. She is always afraid to build a relationship with any one, because attachment is always the cause of her tears; hated by everyone because of her silence and weak voice. This teenage girl whom overwhelmed herself with no presence of anybody believing it was comfort that nobody can cause her pain if she puts a high wall - no one can climb. At an early age, she learned to hug herself to sleep, wiping the water in her eyes, blame herself for being consumed by fear to the point that she even lost the ability to communicate even with her own parents. And so, I am writing this down to let everyone have a glimpse of a frail girl. Still remaining silent with a lot of thoughts in her head, but has learned that it is fine, and as of now she can argue in paragraph form and have a lot of stories to tell. Silence is not a weakness – it is a strength - not a lot of people know when to keep their mouth shut, setting aside how powerful words

are. I am fine hearing all those unpleasant words being said by horrible people. I am always careful of what I am to say – because I never want to be one of those self-proclaimed cool kids with awful character. I have learned to open a topic with no fear of losing the relationship. In life, we will have a lot of acquaintances, unmaintained relationships, we lose a lot of people, and we will be broken and hurt a lot of times. Yet, losing is still winning. So let’s not get in to us those who had left. Being sad is normal, missing them is normal, but let us remember the memories they have left us even through their absence. And that is when we will understand that losing people we care about is fine, because the memories and lessons they gave us is what will remain for our growth. Through art, it helps me to externalize my emotions. I draw what I feel and I write what I want everyone to hear - and so through this. I want everyone to hear that you will never be you without your experiences. What everyone says about you is not what you need to hear. It is what you tell yourself every night while you cry from the scar they have left. You are fine and you can get through this, because you are strong and have yourself who believes in you. We all differ from one another and that is the strength given to each of us. Nobody can be us as we can’t be anybody else. Uniqueness is our power! Never differentiate yourself from others’ achievement and character. You walk a different path through your goal and that is how you evaluate yourself. I still get regrets through things I was not able to say because of my thoughts, but I will never have regrets being careful with my words. Words are powerful and it can affect the whole stability of a person. That’s why this quiet girl with a lot of considerations in her mind is ending this story through the hopes of you being good to everyone else.

My ID is Filipino Culture Bona Fide

John Vincent Pascual, Managing Editor For Finance

I believe that anyone, regardless of their social status, deserves to be heard on a public discussion. It was the elderly who taught us the ways of this world; the same people who led us towards the path we took. I have huge respect to them for inspiring the younger generation to become a better version of themselves. Inevitably, we cannot reach our goals without the guidance of the old folks in our society because of their greater experience in life.

Not only did I feel discriminated and outcast but something more horrible. I questioned my existence, as if I do not have a place in an important discussion because I am younger than all of them. The memory haunts me every time I try to converse with an older individual. It left a scar on me.

We better understand how a system works through them. More often than not, I use the instructions of the elderly to easily grasp a situation and find my way out. I grew up in a traditional Filipino family, where we are accustomed to favor the veterans of this nation. As an innocent kiddo, I don’t see any harm following the practice.

The age discrimination is rampant on social media. Older folks always find a way to invalidate the judgment of my generation because we are only a bunch of pretend “woke” as they say. Just because our ideology clash with the elders doesn’t necessarily mean we are incorrect. Our wavelength may not be of the same with them but at least, try to consider and understand our viewpoints like we always do.

There were times the people of my age want to voice their perspective on an issue with older individuals but would result on keeping it to themselves. Usually, the seniors would invalidate our opinions because we have less experience in life. They assumed that younger ones have limited knowledge on certain topics that would be insignificant to matter. This social stigma isn’t new to me; I have been struggling to fight these occurrences. My age has become advantageous to me in several social occasions as I get to be prioritized since I am often the youngest in the event but there was an isolated incident where I felt discriminated because of age difference. It is good to be young but not all the time. I know it is rude to barge into someone else’s conversation but a casual talk among the people in the circle dictates otherwise. I believe that anyone, regardless of their social status, deserves to be heard on a public discussion. I was in a get together of my clan where the elderly debated on a political issue, everyone gathered to share their sentiments and I thought it was only proper to give my argument. It was an opposing opinion against the majority. I was dumbfounded when one particular person assumed that I have no founding knowledge on the subject and was cut out of the meeting immediately.

I believe that no one wanted to feel lesser in any circumstances. It will be healthy if the two diverse generations have a decent talk about issues surrounding them. This will lead to a better understanding for both parties. We get to know the perspectives of the other age groups and vice versa. This kind of discrimination is hardly talked about these days because my group is cautious not to tap the issue - if we do, then a heavier load will burden us. It all boils down to our culture. We are obstinate with the word respect that we frequently forget it is earned not asked for. Our nation needs to establish a new principle regarding this age difference. Humanity evolves and I think the culture must change too. I am not telling my generation to stop showing respect and compassion to the elderly. I am asking everyone to give equal opportunities to anyone regardless of their age. It is only proper to stretch our perspectives and see all sides.

Continued on Page 48

OPINION

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

Why the terms “re-opening” and “dormant”, you may ask? Well, for you freshies and transferees, the food court in the last semesters wasn’t really serving its purpose. It was not well serving because there weren’t many food stalls and didn’t actually fit the students’ taste. This was ensued when the Management and University Cooperatives, according to Mrs. Emma Mangabat, Head of Procurement and Business Center, decided to drive the operations of the establishment, which, apparently, did not turn out too well. Now, that the Food Court has been re-established in rental scheme, the life in the facility has once more lightened up. Nonetheless, being flourished does not mean that everything there is all beautiful and delicious. The Food Court is pioneered with prominent Cabanatuan diners, that’s for sure, and there’s an evident that the service and ventilation facilities are lacking. For starters, Cabanatuan City is one of the country’s hottest cities, needless to say that the temperature in a cramped area increases, yet the electric fans don’t accommodate all the students gathering at the food court. Another thing is the bussing out of used tableware and left overs. There seem to be no specific people to take out finished dishes and to clean the dining spots. The students, of course, are expected to put their own trashes out, but there is just no designated place to put reusable dining materials into. Don’t even get me started on the price range of the foods there.

In relation to the facility’s revamp, we garnered 50 students to rate the food court stalls and the food court in a general sense, from 1 to 5; 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest, and the results are as follows: Annyeong: 3.02; Citrus Alley: 4.1; CLT: 3.88; Humanitea: 3.08; Klik: 3; Kyle’s: 3.28; Anjelo’s: 3.12; Food court: 3.35. As we can see from the total scores, the concessionaires’ performances, may it be food-wise, quality-wise, or servicewise, don’t really exceed each other that much. These results only show that the stalls are considerably good, bearing in mind that none fell in half of the overall percentage which is 5. But the fact that it’s good doesn’t mean that it can’t be better. I believe that the Food Court could help spread awareness on climate change and environmental attentiveness despite the lack of implementing the simplest policies like banning plastic straws, or discouraging the use of non-biodegradable materials such as plastic cups and bags, and disposable cutlery. Even the Food Court that was once inactive flared back to life. My hopes are high that we, as the Wesleyan community, could make small changes that could lead to a big and positive impact.

FOOD COURT RE-OPENING:

A GASTRONOMiCAL REVAMP Words Athina Bales Photos Jayson Gabriel Garcia

t is not hidden to every Wesleyanian that the University Food Court sparked its re-opening and now fully functional – the same time when the school year began. Proud of its concessionaires such as Annyeong, Citrus Alley, Caffe la Tea, Humanitea, Klik, Kyle’s Sizzling Canteen, Anjelo’s Snack House, the then-dormant facility now boasts the packed traffic of students that enter and exit on its grounds every now and then.

COLUMN

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

Ang Kulay ng Inspirasyon

Dissecting Discrimination

Fleur de Bleau

Frozen Flame

Paulo Mari Supeña, Cartoonist

Dominic Pangilinan, Staff Writer

Hindi mo naman kailangan punan ang patlang para mabuo ka, dahil may mga bagay naman na p’wede mong ipanghalili na kung sa ano lang ang mayroon ka.

It is our job to be part of the crusade in promoting equality and harmonious relationships in the society.

ahit saang anggulo ka tumingin, walang tao na gugustuhin na makaranas ng diskriminasyon. Ang dumating sa puntong kuwestiyunin ang sariling pagkatao kung “Bakit ganito lang ako?” Ang maging manhid sa mga binabatong salita mula sa iba na kakaiba rin ang tabas ng dila ay nakasasawa. Ngunit ang mga pangyayaring katulad nito ay ang siyang huhubog sa kung ano ka ngayon at sino ka sa darating na panahon. Pagdating sa iba’t ibang aspekto ng buhay, sa pamilya, paaralan, trabaho, kaibigan, pag-ibig o maging ano pa man, 'di ba nakapapagod lang kapag hindi napapansin 'yong mga nagawa mong tama pero mas nakikita 'yong mga mali? Tila mawawalan ka ng interes sa mga bagay na dapat at hilig mong gawin – minsan nga kahit kung saan ka pa magaling. Kapag dating naman sa isang samahan, ayaw naman natin ‘yong pakiramdam na parang hindi tayo kabilang sa usapan. Hindi malaman kung saan ka lulugar - kung dapat ka pa bang manatili sa pinaroroonan mo o hindi kaya’y kumaripas nang takbo papalayo tutal wala namang nakapapansin. May mga pagkakataon din namang ikaw ang bida, hindi dahil interesado sila sa kuwento mo o wala silang makausap, kundi ikaw ang napiling tampulan ng tukso. "Ay, ang itim mo, papunas naman, mukha ka kasing poon." Isa lamang sa mga madalas na biro na aking natatanggap. Hirap man akong iwasan na masaktan pero pinipilit ko pa rin makisabay sa malakas nilang halakhakan na kahit madalas gusto ko na lang maglaho na parang bula lalo na kung may ibang nakaririnig.

ng sabi nila ay nakasasama. Hindi mo na lang mamamalayan na untiunti nang nabubuo ang pader sa pagitan ninyo, ang distansyang dati ay wala, ngayon ay hindi mo na masukat. Mas pipiliin na lamang na magisa kaysa sila ang kasama. Malamang lahat tayo ay hindi talaga maiiwasan na makaranas ng diskriminasyon. Hindi natin maiiwasan na may makasalamuha na mas nauuna pa nilang mapansin ang ‘yong pagkukulang kaysa sa sarili nila na magbibigay sa‘yo ng rason para matakot na sumubok ng mga bagong bagay na nais mong gawin. Sa kabilang banda, ang pinakamagandang bagay na naibibigay ng diskriminasyon sa atin bilang indibidwal ay ang magamit ito bilang inspirasyon. Nasa tao rin naman kung paano gagawing positibo ang negatibong mga pangyayari sa buhay. Kung paano ito magsisilbing instrumento para bumuo ng tulay para makarating sa destinasyon na nais nating puntahan. Matuto tayong tiisin ang lahat ng sakit, ang maging matatag sa lahat ng problema na maaaring makatagpo natin sa ating buhay. ‘Wag mong hayaan na ito’y maging hadlang upang huminto tayo na bunuin ang ating mga pangarap. Hindi mo naman kailangan punan ang patlang para mabuo ka, dahil may mga bagay naman na p’wede mong ipanghalili na kung sa ano lang ang mayroon ka. Dahil sa huli, sarili lang natin ang tutulong upang makaahon tayo mula sa ating pagkakalugmok. At ikaw na nakababasa nito, hindi ka sana maging dahilan para ang isang tao ay manliit mula sa kanyang kinatatayuan–na busalan ang sariling bibig at lamunin ng takot at tanong na mga bakit.

t’s the 21st century.

Yeah, maybe you thought it is the golden age of peace and prosperity - but no, let me crack that delusion of yours as I imbued to you the never-ending issue about discrimination. Just as much information have spread further and technology has progressed, it seems that nothing stops the historical problem of unfair treatment towards people that can be seen across the world, by having peculiar image, brackets of social status, different beliefs and perspectives. Over time, society has found ways to be both subtle and direct outright in being rude and cruel to someone who is not on the same page on where they stand. Discrimination, on the negative context, is an unjust and prejudiced treatment on a group of people that typically involves some form of rejection or exclusion. It can make someone lose interest and confidence on making his own way. Even now, nobody can escape being discriminated from their sex, age, political opinions, nationality, race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender identity/expression or any difference they may have. And we cannot refuse the fact that physical appearance appears as the most important substance.

In our own country, the notion that white is better than brown is still prevalent. Most of us would buy whitening products to avoid being discriminated. It is sad to associate the color brown or even black with poverty or being stinky while white is classified as that of rich, powerful and classy. This even extends on the Filipinos’ patronizing foreign products and services over our own. For example, Hollywood movies instantly sell out while our own movies take a while to have its tickets run dry. I am not saying that it is bad to watch something that is not of our own creation but I think it’s bad to have it take precedence consistently. Why don’t we try to at least be proud of what is ours? As much work had been done to curtail the errors of our past, there are also elements working to destroy it. It is our job to be part of the crusade in promoting equality and harmonious relationships in the society. To escape from the negative bias – not because our stand was based on the most frequent answer doesn’t mean it is already correct. We must put aside any differences. Learn to be open and adaptive in this dynamic world. It is time to work on our understanding, knowing that being diverse makes us so unique and something that should be respected. Reject our old, negative notions and start building over before various kinds of hatred threaten to trample again. Only then, can discrimination be severely limited and people will walk as equals without fear of prejudice. Remember that acceptance starts within us.

The denial of the existence of discrimination is equivalent to the denial of our reality. We are not blind for us not to see how it can affect the mentality of every human being.

Hindi ko naman maitatanggi na ganito talaga ako at isinasantabi ko na lang ang aking nararamdaman pero lahat yata talaga ng sobra gaya

OPINION | COLUMN

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

Color me Orange

from page 39

As I observed, all of us are waiting to be accepted as what we are, but why cannot we just give this easily? Can’t we just spread it like oxygen so everyone can benefit from it? Acceptance is our common denominator; I mean, I’m sure white, black, pink, tan, we felt unaccepted in their lives. Is it so hard to give? I think not. And if it’s not given, will I still continue to be my color? Of course, because I learned to accept and respect myself first. In my perspective, acceptance should start within us. As we embrace our own, it will be easier to accept, love and respect others too.

From a Rainbow's Perspective

from page 40

I don't think I’m still the MJ who gets to live the truest and best version of himself and ignores the opinion of others, without their understanding and acceptance.

BATTLE FOR THRONE Words Justin Jade Tuates Photos Google Images

Sadly, it does not apply to everyone. Not all the rainbows have the strong foundation of the support system same as mine. No one deserves to feel as if he’s invisible. We deserve to feel good about ourselves. So, if I have to go through the pains of explaining what SOGIE means, in order to raise awareness, be it. Once more, my sexuality and gender is not a matter of “choice”, but people’s comprehension of it is. If being their “normal” would bombard me to delight in the glamor of who I am, then I bravely say, I am their “peculiar”.

o, nabubuhay tayo sa isang demokratikong bansa sa paniniwalang mayroon tayong matatag na pamahalaan. Pamahalaang naglalaman ng mga taong bukas ang isipan na kayang tanggapin ano man ang i-atang ng mga nakatataas, tatango at sasangayon lamang sa dikta ng administrasyon, may pakialam at handang ipaglaban ang kanilang p’westo para sa nasasakupan at hindi para sa kapangyarihan – ang paniniwalang ito ay isang kaimpokritohan.

kung ang dahilan nila ay ang makatulong sa maraming mamamayan ng Pilipinas, hindi ba’t kaya at puwede naman?

With impregnable clarity, our understanding about rainbows is a choice we have to embrace if we want a genuine, inclusive though diverse, harmonious, fair world. I love to think that we can achieve this kind of world if we’re just human enough to open ourselves to discussing things like these frowned-upon-but-should-be-talked-about topics.

Bago pa man mag-eleksyon, kaway rito, kaway roon, patutsyadahan, pabanguhan ng pangalan, siraan sa kani-kanilang kalaban sa p’westong nais nila maluklukan. Oo, ganyan karumi ang eleksyon sa Pilipinas na hindi na mabago-bago.

To my wonderful, resilient queers, there will always be people who would accept you as who you are. Soon, time will come when you don’t have to craft scenes in your heads to serve as your brief escape from this unkind reality. Soon, we can luxuriate in the world full of understanding and recognition, without labels, but just love.

Ang pagiging lider ay may malaking responsibilidad at sakripisyo, hindi lamang sa kanyang sarili pati na rin sa kanyang nasasakupan. Kamakailan lang nang naghalal tayo ng mga senador, kongresista, alkalde’t bise alkalde hanggang sa pinakamababang p’westo sa ating barangay na siyang may kakayahang manguna sa kanilang mga nasasakupan. Kaakibat nito ay ang pagsilbihan ang mamamayan at bigyan ng pag-asa ang mga taong nasa laylayan ng lipunan.

Alin mang puwesto sa gobyerno ay hindi dapat pinagtatalunan, at hindi ito Jack en Poy na talo ng papel ang bato, ‘di rin Bb. Pilipinas na kung sino ang may magandang sagot siya ang tatanghaling panalo, hindi rin iyan parang Miss Universe na kung sino ang may magandang adbokasiya ay siya na ang mamahala. Ang pagiging lingkod bayan ay 'di payabangan o pa-angasan – na kailangan mong ilantad ang iyong mga nagawa, bagama’t ito ay paglilingkod nang buong tapat sa bayan at sa bansa, kung di man ikaw ang mapipili sikapin pa rin na maging totoo sa serbisyo.

Noong nakaraang Mayo 13 nang ganapin ang halalan, ngunit ang akalang usapan patungkol sa mga uupo ay hindi pa pala nabigyan ng tuldok. Kung sino nga ba ang mamahala sa Kamara ay isang malaking kuwestiyon pa sa Pangulo – na naipit kung sino sa dalawang malapit sa kanyang puso ang pipiliin na manguna sa Kongreso. Samantalang, ang bawat kongresista ay naghain ng kani-kanilang manok kung sino ang gustong mailuklok sa puwesto. Mahirap naman talaga pumili lalo na’t kung importante sayo ang dalawang tao, pero isipin mo kung sino nga ba ang dapat? Eto bang si Romualdez na bago o etong si Cayetano matagal na sa serbisyo? At bakit nga ba maraming politiko ang uhaw na makakuha ng mauupuan sa gobyerno na ginagawa lang naman nilang trono kapag nakaupo? ‘Di pa ba sapat ang p’westong pinagkatiwala sa kanila ng taong bayan? At

Kahit sino mang mamuno sa atin kung wala sa puso nila ang kanilang pagbabagong nais ay wala lang din kahihinatnan. Nakalulungkot lamang isipin na nagtiwala ka sa kanila pero wala namang nagawa – ni makausad man lamang. Tutal naman habang bakante ang puwesto, ang PangkalahatangKalihim naman ang nauupo bilang tagapagsalita sa Kongreso habang di pa nakakaupo ang taong hinalal. Nakasaad sa Saligang Batas na ang pamimili sa magiging tagapagsalita ng Kongreso ay sa pamamagitan ng pagpili ng karamihan sa kanilang ibig mamuno sa kanila, kaya bakit kailangan pa na isang tao lang ang mamili sa magiging tagapagsalita kung puwede namang kapwa nila kongresita ang mamili.

My ID is Filipino Culture

from page 42

Nonetheless, all of us should learn to adjust depending on the situation. At the end of the day, I know that respect is what binds our great country. Let us keep the healthy practice and change what must be in our culture. As for the people of my age, we should keep on loving our elderly and stand for the right, especially if necessary. Do not go beyond our boundaries and retain a humble heart God has given us. Whoever we converse with, remember that our principle will not always match with them. We have different perspectives. Keep your feet on the ground. Achievements and experiences do not represent one’s entire familiarity on a certain topic. Cliché as it sounds but there is no wrong and right opinion but only a reasonable explanation. As for my last column, I hope it is clear to all of us that we should treat everyone as our equal. This is Bona Fide signing off.

DEVCOMM

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

Dahil sa hilig ng mga Pilipino sa pag-aalaga ng aso, pangalawa ang Pilipinas sa mga bansang mabilis lumobo ang bilang ng mga aso at pusa ayon sa Philippine Pet Birth Control Center (PPBCC). Ang patuloy na pag-akyat ng bilang ng mga aso sa bansa ay isa sa mga nagiging sanhi ng karahasan sa mga ito. Maraming barangay na ang nagpapatupad ng “Aso mo, itali mo” upang maiwasan ang mga aksidente sa kalye gayundin ang pagnanakaw sa mga ito. Ipinapatupad ang ganitong alituntunin upang maiwasang makakagat ang mga aso sa mga taong naglalakad sa daan pati na rin ang mga motorista. Naging kaugalian na rin ng ilang Pilipino na magbenta ng karne ng aso sa kabila ng pagbabawal dito. Ayon sa Republic Act No. 8485 An Act to Promote Animal Welfare in the Philippines o ang Animal Welfare Act Of 1998 , hindi maaaring saktan, pabayaan, maltratuhin, paglabanin, at gamitin sa mga eksperimento ang mga hayop, kabilang na dito ang mga aso. Ito ang bahagi ng konstitusyon na naglalahad nito: “It shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare." Ang ano mang pagpatay sa hayop maliban sa baboy, kambing, tupa, kuneho, kalabaw, kabayo, usa at buwaya ay labag sa batas maliban na lang kung ang pagkakatay sa mga hayop na ito ay ginamit sa pangrelihiyosong ritwal o may nakakahawang sakit na matatagpuan sa hayop na yon. Ang mga aso ay may taglay na rabies na maaaring makapatay ng tao kapag nakagat sila nito kung kaya’t ang pagkatay at pagkain ng karne ng aso ay hindi sinasang-ayunan ng batas dahil sa maaaring dulot nito sa kalusugan ng tao. Ayon sa pananaliksik ng Asia Canine Protection Alliance (ACPA) mayroong ebidensya na nakakakuha ng rabies ang tao sa pagkain nito at posibleng maging mitya ng pagkalat ng rabies sa iba pang lugar. Sabi dito, "There is mounting evidence- spanning over two decades- of the role the trade in dogs destined for human consumption plays in rabies transmission as it encourages the mass movement of dogs of unknown disease and vaccination status to be transported long distances, between provinces and across international borders.” Noong 2016, nagkaroon ng kontrobersiya sa Oro, isang pelikula na kabilang sa MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival). Mayroong isang parte ng pelikula na ipinakita ang pagpatay at pagkain ng aso. Nagsampa ng kaso ang Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) laban sa may gawa ng pelikula dahil sa paglabag nito sa Philippine Animal Welfare Law. Naipatigil din ang paglabas ng Oro sa mga sinehan.

DOG MEAT FOR MEAL Words Justine Jade Tuates Photo Hannah Marie Olanda

ikas sa ating mga tao ang pagkahilig sa pag-aalaga ng mga hayop, pangkaraniwan na rito ang aso. Itinuturing ang mga ito bilang “man’s bestfriend” dahil sa pagiging malapit nito sa tao na parang isang kaibigan na maaasahan lalo na sa pangangalaga sa ating mga tahanan. May iba't ibang uri o lahi ang mga aso ngunit dito sa Pilipinas, pinakakaraniwang inaalagaan ng mga Pilipino ay ang AsPin o Asong Pinoy na naging malaking parte na ng pamilyang Pilipino.

Sa Tsina taon-taon nagsasagawa ng Yulin Dog Meat Festival. Isang tradisyon ng mga Tsino upang gunitain ang gitna ng tag-araw o summer solstice sa Ingles. Marami ang mga kritiko nito hanggang ngayon. Sa isang pagsusuri, halos 10,000 libong aso ang pinapatay sa pagdiriwang nito. Hindi lahat ng bansa ay may patakaran ukol sa proteksyon ng mga aso, o iba pang mga hayop, lalo na ang pagbabawal sa pagkain nito. Ang problema wala namang “dog farm” sa Pilipinas, hindi kagaya ng mga manok o baboy na legal ang bentahan. Mayroong babuyan o mga poultry farm para sa baboy o manok. Hindi ngayon matutukoy kung saan galing ang mga aso naibinebenta nito. Ang iba pa ay hindi mo masabi kung ano ang naging sakit ng aso, o paano ba ito pinatay o saan nanggaling. Ano pa mang hayop ay may buhay pa rin. Maski baboy mayroong tama at wastong pagkatay. Ang mas nakakabahala sa patuloy na pagkatay sa mga aso upang ihain sa hapag bilang lamang tiyan ay maaari ring maging sanhi ng isyung pangkalusugan. Taliwas man sa kasabihang “Dog is a man’s bestfriend” ang mga gawaing ito, higit na nangangailangan ng sapat na kaalaman ang mga taong nangangalaga sa kanila upang maiwasan na ang pagkatay at pagkain nito. Marami ring kailangang pagdaanang proseso upang masabing ligtas ang ating kakainin. Wala namang makakapagsabi kung may sakit ang aso o wala. Kaya hindi lamang ang kapakanan ng mga aso ang isinasaalang-alang dito, kundi pati na rin ang kalusugan ng tao.

DEVCOMM

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

A House that Saves Lives

Partnered with people and non-government organizations who have the heart to help and support, Home for Girls makes sure to give the best care and services for those who need it. Bolivar said that these girls are entitled to have their rights as it is really innate whether locally or internationally.

The Parents Social workers and volunteers stand as parents. Per household, a house parent is assigned to monitor the girls and help them in what they need.

Words Hannah Marie Olanda Art Roaila Iniwan

During my visits with my friends, we saw the familial atmosphere inside Home for Girls. It is truly what these girls need. Bolivar shared that she always reminds her staff to be a good role model for them as the girls seek for someone to look up to.

hey always say that the youth is the hope of the nation. The sentence could probably round the earth a million times; however, not all youth can bring hope. Others cannot give it yet as they are still striving to get a taste of hope in a sea of dark clouds.

The social workers play a significant role in the girls’ recovery as they are really like a parent. They work to help the girls recover from their dark past. Bolivar shared her prayer for the girls: “Everytime that I pray for them—healing, recovery, and hope. ‘yon ang lagi kong (prayer). Unang-una magheal sila, na matuto silang magpatawad. Makarecover sila mula don sa pang-aabuso na naranasan nila at magkaroon sila ng malaking pag-asa sa buhay para maayos ang buhay nila. Ang end goal ko para sa kanila ay maging successful, maging mabuting tao. Whenever I pray, laging i-bless ang buhay ng bata at pamilya,” she said.

Fortunately, in the Philippines, there are agencies of the government which gives hope and home to children and teenagers. There is a house that continue to give hope to countless of soon-to-be-heroes. That is Home for Girls—a house that saves lives. THE GIRLS THE INSTITUTION Home for Girls is an institution under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which provides shelter and care for young girls. In Nueva Ecija, Home for Girls was established in 1998. During its first years, it only housed girls around Nueva Ecija and was called Nueva Ecija Home for Girls, but as it grows, it eventually expands and creates a safe place for girls in Region III. Victims of incest, rape, abuse, exploitation, and abandonment are the usual cases. According to the center head, Emelita Cruz-Bolivar, the most number of cases is incest. It is a sad reality that family can do that to their own flesh and blood. Based on reports, 33% of sexual abuse is incest rape, and the DSWD even said that this statistics is somewhat inaccurate as some cases are not reported to the authorities. The most victims of incest rape is girls between 15 to 17, and some even as young as five years old. According to the Philippine Commission on Women (PWC), one in every 10 Filipinas has been raped, while one in every five Filipinas survive physical or sexual violence between ages 15 and 49. CNN reported that there has been 7, 037 reported rape cases from January to October 2018. Every hour, someone is raped in this country. Imagine the horror that we are living in. A lot could happen in a second, what more in an hour. Here in the Philippines, 8 out of 10 Filipino children experienced violence and abuse which typically starts from home according to the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in their “National Baseline Study on Violence against Children (VAC) last year. The data are very alarming. It means no one is really safe—not even from the safe confines of a house where supposedly the family is the primary protector. The results of the study showed that physical violence at home came from the “toxic trio” which are: parental histories of physical abuse, financial stress and substance misuse. But the world is lucky, there are countless protectors, advocates, and charities who will protect the girls' welfare. Home for Girls is a temporary residential facility that helps in making sure the welfare of children is protected and not harmed by any means.

Home is now designed to cater girls below 18 years old. However, a few girls above 18 are still there because their cases are not yet done. The girls get their education, but not all the girls go to a regular school. Because of traumatic experiences, some prefer to stay at home, in which they are encouraged to take the Alternative Learning System. But during our weekly visits there, the children were complaining that their ALS teacher is not present all the time. On the other hand, the in-school girls do well in a regular school. During our visits, before we go home, the girls will return for lunch and they will tell us what they achieved or will ask us to help in their homework. Of course, the social workers also tell us stories of how the girls are achievers. The problem with girls who go to a school, they are being bullied once their classmates knew they are from Home for Girls. It is really alarming as those bullies will add up to the stress and anxiety of the girls. The social workers said that some students refused attending regular school as they have been bullied. According to Bolivar, the girls might look normal on the outside, but in the inside, the girls lost the will to live, hope, and dream. She added that they are developing the trust and respect of the girls “Lahat ng bata dito parang normal niyo lang nakikita pero kapag nagte-therepy ‘yan patapon ang mga buhay nila. Ayaw na nila mabuhay, ayaw na nila mangarap,” she expressed. It is a depressing reality that these girls whose not even on the edge of maturity lose all their hope in life. They should be energetic, full of life, dreamer, instead they feel nothing. The girls are blessed as Home for Girls in Nueva Ecija is continuously devoted in improving their living conditions to make them feel loved and cared for. Bolivar also said that they are reinforcing good attitude which will help boost the confidence of the girls. The house parents help the children in all the ways they can—doing home works, entertaining the girls, listening to them, and so much more.

Director Bolivar shared that to be where they are today, a lot of ups-and-downs were encountered by them. She has been serving the Home for years and she saw the changes it has undertaken. From one building, today they have built several buildings which comfortably provides a roof for the girls. 51

DEVCOMM

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

What Happens Inside I first knew about Home for Girls because of my friend who had been there to volunteer. Since then, my classmates and I made it as a goal to visit the Home and try to volunteer. Months later, our hope became a reality. We were riding a jeepney thrice a week, enduring the summer heat, as we travel to the city of Palayan. There we met some of the joyful people on Earth, unfortunately, we also met some of the saddest teens. We heard about inspiring stories as well as those that would make your stomach churn. I never fully absorb the extent on how cruel the world can be until I have been exposed to true stories told by people who are younger than I am. It made me wonder what else creeps in the shadow and in the light. There was a girl who told us her story. She was a victim of incest rape. After her graduation day, she was raped by her father, followed by the other members of her family. Thinking about it now still send shivers down my spine. You could see the smiles on the girls’ faces, but when you look at their wrists, you will see the sadness that lurks behind. The youngest I’ve met there is seven years old. I admire her because of her maturity. She told me one time that she would never hurt herself because it is a bad thing to do. Out of all the girls, she was lucky because her parents visit her as much as they can, and I really hope that she is with her family now—safe and protected. A social worker shared that during family-related events such as Family Day or Christmas, that is the days where most of the girls hurt themselves. The reality inside the Home is that some families do not visit their children nor reach out to them. Every Saturday is their visiting hours for family, and when we were there, we witnessed how girls wait at the what they call “kubo” for the faces of their parents. But the Saturdays I had been there, I can only count on my hands the number of parents and relatives who visit the girls. Now I understand why they are so eager whenever they have visitors or volunteers. The girls also have a livelihood program. They make mats, key chains, and other decorations, and also some food.

What We Can Do To Help For Bolivar and the whole Home for Girls, their advocacy is protecting the rights of the children. Bolivar said that they are open for volunteers and visitors as it helps the girls to feel more loved, more confident, and more hopeful. “Lagi kong ina-advocate na let us protect the rights of this children. Punta kayo dito, pwede kayo makimingle sa kanila, makipagkwentuhan, maging ate o kuya dahil importante sa kanila ‘yan. Madadaldal yan kahit hindi mo tanungin, ikwekwento nila ‘yong life nila.” She further said that the mere presence of volunteers is more than enough. Even us students can go there to bring light to the girls. Home for Girls also accept donations. Used bags, clothes, and other things could be donated as long as they are usable and in good condition. Even used papers could be donated as the girls love to write and draw. “Hanggat kaya nating tumulong, tulungan natin. Lahat ng pangangailangan nila provided. Malaking bagay ‘yong mga donations, mga school supplies, bags, kahit na used na, basta nagagamit pa,” she added. Bolivar admitted that their funds are not sufficient to cater to all the needs of the girls to provide them the comfort they deserve, so as a center head, she makes sure to find other parties to help. She is happy that there is a continuous support from the government as well as non-government organizations and individual donors. Though Home for Girls is really a haven, the number of victims, no matter how low or high, are still disturbing because there you will see that people turn into a monster. It was both a scary and touching experience. It was scary because people can do such crimes, and touching because the girls are fighting. Home for Girls is a good institution, but I hope to see one day that Home for Girls is not needed anymore. As different Home for Girls grow in number, it also means that perpetrators are increasing, victims are spiking, and innocence are lost. We can educate ourselves more, read and share about their stories to promote awareness, and learn how to help, even in our tiny ways. With contributed effort of the community, we could better provide a safe place for not just girls but for everyone elses.

LITERARY

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

M E TA P H O R S Art Sharina Mel Adriano

The Undiscovered Paradigm Jessica Maureen Gaurano

The old, vandalized doors of Maria’s classroom burst open as Mrs. Garcia, her physics instructor, made her way towards the teacher’s table placed in front of her entire class. When Mrs. Garcia reached the table, the words that filled the room evaporated into respectful silence. As if on cue, the entire class immediately stood up and greeted Mrs. Garcia a pleasant afternoon. The ironic thing was that their tone didn’t paint any pleasantries at all. Instead, all Maria heard was the sound of weariness and nonchalance. Mrs. Garcia ignores the tone and simply responded with a simple nod. She usually has classes back to back, which starts at nine in the morning and ends after this particular class at five in the afternoon. You could tell that she was tired. Her hair was now tied in a messy ponytail, her uniform looked as if it was unironed, and sweat was drizzling down on her chin. She took a towel from her drawer and pressed it on her face as she motioned everyone to sit. Immediately, everybody sat quietly and took out their notebooks from their bags. Mrs. Garcia slumped her bag on the table and started discussing the Doppler Effect. Maria didn’t need to look around to notice how her classmates’ attention was leaning towards somewhere else. She could hear the sound of faint whispers coming from her right, a conversation held in secrecy. The boy seated by the front was quietly tapping replies on his cellphone, completely disregarding their instructor. This was the usual scenario every day in Mrs. Garcia’s class. Maria could never really understand why her classmates always took this class for granted.

After 30 minutes of discussion, Mrs. Garcia wanted an application of what has been defined. Maria felt a rush of excitement as their instructor started writing a physics problem on the chalkboard. After Mrs. Garcia presented the problem, Maria immediately started scribbling numbers on her notebook, deriving from formulas after formulas, trying to compute for the acceleration of a moving object. “Can anybody—“, before Mrs. Garcia could finish her question, a hand shot right up in the air. It was Maria’s. For her, the world has come a long way since its creation, humans have certainly evolved, new species were born and kingdoms have become countries, countries became colonies and wars changed the course of history. However, she believes that what the world knows is only a small fraction of what lies beyond the universe. Knowledge is only as limited as what humans dictate and it is up to us to come across these hidden truths for ourselves. When Maria stood from her desk and slowly approached the chalkboard, Mrs. Garcia’s face changed somehow as if she painted hope in Mrs. Garcia’s eyes. She took a chalk from Mrs. Garcia’s table. While she began writing her answers, she was hoping that somehow this derivative formula will slowly unveil an answer to at least a thousand questions that is our universe.

LITERARY

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

Is There a Fabric for the Soul? Clarence Jairra Javate

Welcome to the ghost town, where all of the ghosts frown. We paint the city with colors of a soft cloud, Like a clown, I can make you happy. In a feast each moon with no sound. Play start in the night, Walk home by the light. The days are spent like old cherry wine; The more that it last the better it rusts. Therefore my bones is a blue ocean, And like the ocean, I will dance.

Elites

Annika Eketerina Tugaff

Impulsive and carefree, That is how these people ought to be. Living their best lives at an early age, Not knowing what it’s like to earn a wage. Spending their money like there is no tomorrow, Always on the high, never getting low. Using wealth for power as their advantage, Evading their way out of the suffocating cage. And being privileged means being worry-free, Unlike those who can’t afford a tuition fee. It is not that hard to comprehend and see, That the position they have is what we aim to be. And if they just take the time to open their eyes, They would see how the world is covered with lies. Because not everything is all about the luxury— As life is all about living and making it thoroughly

I lived in the heavens, if heaven's not cold. Tragedy is written but not all of it was told, For each night I was an angel in favor of your sin, Look me in the eye and tell me once and again, As the sweat starts to fall for the pain of it all, Even if I burn myself in hatred, my dinner depends on your call. Is there a fabric for the soul? One that can cover any dirty holes, One that erases a quiet cold. Something that can build you a home, Even when you ruin some more. Is there a light blinking at the end? Like lips hoping to touch one last midnight cigarette, When the bodies start to bend, As I pain while I try to give the mend, Is there one last trail of light before the last cloth touch down this bed? Before the lights were set to rest, I was a daughter - one that's best. I was a miss, a soft cloud from heaven a flavored candle, a kid. A picture of a gentle kiss, a drop of tequila mist. I was a mother's daughter, as good as a perfect priest. But this city is a monster And the beauty is the beast.

LITERARY

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

Screams of Insanity Edcristina Salmos

I have a friend whom I always guide. Through the chambers of darkness, It is I who escort her So she wouldn’t have to feel alone again. As we pass the hall, Similar souls greeted our entrée. Like my friend’s, Madness mirrors their pitch black eyes. Outside of these four corners, There hovered distorted screams, “Nuts!” What good would it do, if we were to acknowledge them? I squeezed her hands, Plastered a grin and told her that it’s fine. We continued on walking past the hall, As we get swallowed by the void And as the scream gets louder, We got stuck in a loop. I held her even firmly, Refusing to let go of her cold hands. But the scream gets more deafening, “Crazy!” Until I got lost in the dark and it strikes me. It’s no longer my friend’s hands I am holding onto, It’s a man in a white coat, Who told me I had no friend. And those were just the demons that kept me company. “Insane!” It’s either of the two. Perhaps I— Perhaps your stigmatized judgment.

Silent Note

Sakit Sa Lipunan

Jelly Ann. Arceta

Ma. Ysabelle Fernandez

Do you hear the whisper? Feel the peace and nerve weaker? Speak voices unheard— It falls upon dead ears and bursts into the air.

Itinuturing na kriminal ‘pagkat nakagawa ng kamalian, dito sa bayang hustisya’y hindi makatarungan. Kakainin ang pagkaing kahit asong nakatanikala’y tatanggihan. Pipiliting makatulog sa higaang ikasasakit ng katawan. Maliligo ngunit hindi na aasang mabubura ang kasalanan. Patuloy na pupukulin ng pambabatikos, At tatanggapin ang masaklap na kapalaran.

Showing an interest, How you sign swear words for the best. Standing alone, a matter to Around people who doesn’t value you. What to do? What to say? Trying to change the face of disability, Still, there’s a stereotype of the deaf in our community. Beyond your weakness, oh deaf, Please, don’t be ashamed of yourself. No matter how hard, Sign language served as a lifeguard. The letters H, O, P, E— A beautiful word and your key. 59

Isang araw, gumising ako na nasa labas ng selda. Hindi na nakakapit sa nangangalawang na bakal at kasiyaha’y nadama. Malaya ako at tila ba may magagawa. Mabibigyan ng pagkakataong kumilos at maging tama. Muli kong nahagkan ang aking mga anak at pamilya. Nakita ko ang kanilang mga nangungusap na mata, Habang ang luha’y umagos at binanggit ang pangungusap—”Itay, adik ka.” Sarili ang sinisisi, hindi nag-isip at ipinagpatuloy ang paghitit, Ng gamot na ipinagbabawal at pagtutululak pati sa paslit. Kinabukasan ng iba’y nadamay at may mga buhay na nasa bingit. Wala akong magawa pakat ako’y gipit na gipit. Para sa iba’y, sa lipunan, ako’y sakit. Ngunit pagbabagong buhay ay dapat bang ipagkait? 60

SPORTS FEATURE

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

STORIES AFTER STORIES THE INSPIRATION BEHIND WESLEYAN ATHLETES Words Jessica Maureen Gaurano

eginning, climax, and ending. This is what makes the basic structure of a narrative. What people oftentimes look at when they are entranced in a story. However, what most people fail to realize is that beneath a narrative lies a dozen more that serves as the very foundation of what the real story stands for.

Most athletes have spent almost their entire lives working hard to earn their place among a line of legends. Like all stories, obstacles and conflicts became a challenge for them to chase after whatever it is they seek. But their narrative doesn’t really end with triumph at the end of the race. If one would look closely, the story of an athlete has another overlapping story in between, a driving force that encourages the main character to keep moving forward. Having someone who inspires these athletes gives them the strength and courage to overcome those challenges. For these Wesleyan athletes, their games have been inspired by legends, hoping that their own narrative becomes an inspiration to the next generation to come.

THE UNEXPECTED CHAMPION MC RAY JULIO

t fifteen, he just wanted to learn self- the South-east Asian games (SEA games). Just defense techniques. like MC, Lizardo began training at a very young age. After winning a gold medal at a tournament MC Ray Julio never thought that taekwondo when he was 11 years old, he would go on to would play a huge part in his life. After training compete with national tournaments shortly for a short period of time, he began joining after. At the age of twelve, Lizardo became a competitions for the Central Luzon Regional part of the Philippine Black Belt contingent, Athletic Association (CLARAA) in 2016. One which is the national team for elementary and year later, MC would go on and represent high school students. Shortly after, he would Nueva Ecija at a national championship game go on to join international competitions and in Metro Manila. For years, he’d been training exemplify strong performances that brought and kicking his way into the local Taekwondo huge honor to our country. scene. Now, MC has been selected to represent CONAMS in this year's Palarong Wesleyan Throughout Japoy Lizardo and MC’s battles, and other competitions. When asked which both players learned more than developing athlete continues to inspire him, he answered kicks, punches, and jumps. MC admires Japoy Lizardo. Lizardo's performances, discipline and how effortlessly he balances form and technique Filipino Taekwondo practitioner Japoy Lizardo with his attacks or strikes and hopes to embody made a name for himself by competing in this for the rest of his taekwondo journey. several international tournaments, including 62

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

SPORTS FEATURE

FREEDOM IN PLAY SHAINA MAE PADUL

er fascination with softball began at an Famous American Softball pitcher Jennie early age. Lynn Finch inspires Shaina to work harder. Finch pitched for several softball teams like Shaina Mae Padul from the College of the Arizona Wildcats and the USA national Business and Accountancy has been playing softball team. She also won the 2001 Women's softball since her elementary days. The feeling College World Series and helped Team USA of hitting the home run gives her a sense to win the gold medal at the 2004 Summer of freedom, triumph, and happiness. With Olympics and the silver medal at the 2008 softball, everything becomes background Summer Olympics. Finchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pitches have earned noise. She loves that triumphant feeling of her championship titles in several international hitting the home run and though she's been games, including gold medals in four olympic playing for almost half of her life, Shaina never games over the years and has been hailed as the felt like she was competing. After several years most famous softball player in history by Time of training, she represented her college at magazine. Shaina admires how strong Finchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palarong Wesleyan 2018, bringing home the pitches are. With dedication and perseverance, championship title. This year, Shaina and her Shaina hopes to write her own story in the team is determined to work harder to defend Philippine softball scene, just like Finch did for their crown as they represent their college. her country.

SPORTS FEATURE

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

SPORTS VENUES IN CABANATUAN CITY Words Clarence Jairra Javate Photos Clarence Jairra Javate, Hannah Marie Olanda, and Jayson Gabriel Garcia

OOD TO KNOW: Three main things that annoy an athlete -first on the line is weather appears out of what is needed; every shot fails, "maalat" is the right term, that is the second; to complete the list is when you are dying to play but, equipments or area are not available, either or neither of the two. All of these annoying stuffs are negotiable, possible to settle through these all-set sports venues in Cabanatuan City.

MANRIO BOWLING ALLEY

nside the farm-filled province of Nueva Ecija, who would've thought that there are plenty of bowling alleys you can enjoy? One of them, and by far the most popular one is Manrio Bowling Alley. Located in Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan City, just at the back of Royal Crest Hotel, where the management added the bowling alley for their stop-byers to enjoy. From the outside: the establishment looks like it has been built from the time minimalism and modernity was still under-appreciated. Faded wall paints and limited exposure to public’s eye. From the brown old-aged doors to the dusty windows, it looks like it has been there, from a very long time ago, being the little secret of the city just waiting to be found. As I walked down the wooden floors where my feet swept away floating tiny dusts and crooked paint, the smell of varnished woods and chairs greeted a welcome. The first thing that you’ll see as you enter, is the consecutive bowling lanes from left to right. A combination of green, brown and yellow filled the room an old flavor vibe. The feeling like you are in the 70’s listening to an early Elvis Presley record, is the same feeling you’ll get while paying inside the four corners of the room. Chairs finished like benches able the players to pause for a little time out. And when the call for a rest calls, there is a small canteen place inside the alley on the right, where foods are being offered. Cold beverages, snacks and sandwiches. They also make made-to-order specialties like bilao and many more. For 400 pesos, many people started checking sheets and hitting strikes inside Manrio. Having fun while bowling, is not strictly for those who play professional. This alley makes things in play a lot easier and smoother. The thought of the feeling like you are just playing inside your grandpa’s house with your aunties and uncles will collect yourself into a more safe and stable state. Bowling is usually not the first thing in mind of a person when asked about familiarity in sports. One could say that it is one of the rarest and hardto-find hobby space. But who knew, that in the city of a little province called Nueva Ecija, surrounded with people busy in all things but sports, we are ought to have one to enjoy. The place gives an authentic vibe, maybe it’s because of the history and story behind of the bowling place, but what makes it so much more special despite looking old and rusty, is the smell of hard wood floors, the poor lighted roofs, the corners and parts are composed of old materials, are just a perfect image for the alley. Because it is what makes the place special and oddly, enjoyable. Manrio is a great place to create your first bowling adventure at. Besides being the prominent bowling alley in the province, it is an outlet to unwind, to refresh, to get back on track. People who have already played and slid and stretched to hit a perfect 10, proved that this bowling place is a place for fun. Having to play an unusual sport in an unusual place to find, is what makes it memorable. Its building is hiding behind a hotel and cannot be easy to find. But although it is not as exposed as the other sports center in the town, they have their customers going home satisfied. With various social media posts by variety of people who experienced playing in Manrio, many have shared their promising bowling experience. From bowling with friends and families, some even held their family gathering and get together playing bowling in Manrio. This bowling hub is placed in the middle of the city. Near in the sights and marks of the city, means after a fun play with your friends or family, there are plenty more enjoyable establishments to visit. To keep away from mini culture shock here are the guidelines you should know: • outside foods are prohibited inside the alley: disobedience to this rule will have you charged • wearing of thongs, sandals or open toed footwear is not allowed once you're inside the alley Simple rules are applied, that makes the alley function better as well for its customers to maximize their experience. Bowling is a sports that needs and at the same time, deserves its rightful attention. Many people find playing this sports “relaxing," because it demands focus, thinking, strategy and determination. To play a sports we are unaware of, is one of those feelings that could make us too nervous to try. But as I stared at the bowling balls, it’s three holes patterned perfectly, the sound of the sliding ball waiting to strike one, two, or three: I have learned that this sports needs to be more talked about. Play about. Given effort about.

SPORTS FEATURE

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

POWERSMASH

Badminton; it may not be the first choice of sports of many people including our country, more particularly in a small populated province, but that can't make this sport lesser. In Nueva Ecija, there are plenty badminton stations to go to. One of the most popular one, especially to old timers, is Powersmash.

Powersmash is one of the first badminton hubs built in the city. Established way back in 2004, people have been smashing and rallying inside their courts for good 15 years: the same year they had the highest peak of players battling, having friendly games and tournaments inside the four blue corners, up to now, with a continously increasing number of people joining in the list each year. The owner, Analyn Uy who is also a badminton player, found the inspiration to jump in this business all because of the love she have for badminton. Who would've thought that there are huge badminton courts lying just inside a small establishment located next to tall green grasses of vacant spaces in the city? As my foot stepped up the tiny narrowed stairs, my ears were already hearing the sound of the squeaking, sliding and swerving shoes hoping to score a good shot, the pounding of stamping feet running here and there, power of the fist to the racket hitting the head of a shuttle cock, and the shouting, groaning of the players, eager to cut a win from every match. Above is the front desk, where a variety of rackets of different brands will welcome you. May it be the classics: Yonex, Wish, or the uprising new ones like Babolat, etc. Which they are offering on a "for rent" basis for a hundred peso. The good thing about it, is that if you don't have one to use yet in sudden urge to smash and smooth-play, or you did not come prepared, forgot to bring your own gear, you have plenty of choices to pick your game for the day. And just in front of the cashier area, is a refrigerator full of different beverages stored inside. They say an empty stomach is an empty charge. And if that's the case, this sports center is also offering meals to order. Friends and families who are interested to watch your game play can also be able to witness the intense action game contra every challenging opponents. Visitors who are not going to play a game inside the courts are being accepted without any charge, unlike the players paying for a pass to the game. Inside, is air-ventilated. The warmth of their fully-covered roof brings even more determination to feel the pain of every good game. Making every smash, backhand hit and pleasing a sure smooth and hassle free. Badminton players can enjoy not only one, but four choices of courts. The vibe of the green background colored matching the blue plastic badminton mat, brings an encouraging feeling for it really gives off a picture of yourself, playing intensely in such a professional stage. There is a closeness between the players and viewers, because the distance between the two is just right for the players to focus, and perfect for the viewers to watch games up close. Viewers could scream and shout or even hold onto their seats while sat down in the visitor's seats area witnessing a doubles category match or a singles battle to triumph against each other. This badminton center is bigger than how it appears to be on the outside. Being lined with other several stores and a restaurant and a trademark hotel inn, its wide size on the inside may seem to be impossible to think and imagine but just like the first timers like I was on the first time I entered the Powersmash’s open doors before, it was such a surprise. With four well-measured and newly equipped net-complete courts to choose where to start your game, sweat will surely and intensely fall, a good game will start until it finishes, as the determined shouts from focused individuals in the play will echo out of extreme excitement. And for only a total of 100 pesos, paid visitors have one whole day of unlimited badminton game may it be with your friends, family or maybe new badminton buddies to catch a match with from their regular goers. When it comes to the environment of the badminton center, it is assured that it is friendly and safe. With plenty of commuting vehicles availability, they are just a very short ride close to Cabanatuan City’s jeepney and buses terminal. After a tiring game, worry not if you’re looking for a place to unwind at. Powersmash badminton center is not a kilometer away from the City’s biggest mall. Located at Circumferential Highway, Cabanatuan City, beside Jollibee Circumferential particularly just along the side of SOGO Hotel Cabanatuan City and above MUKJA Korean Restaurant, they open with no daybreaks from Mondays even on weekdays, Saturday and Sunday. Visitors are being accepted inside starting at 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM. All range of players at different scales are being welcomed. Regardless being a beginner, an experienced player or a veteran, Powersmash is no wonder a place to be when it comes to having a good badminton match. At this point in time, better to check your Google map, chat your good old friend, or have a safe drive to the location mentioned above. Weather, equipment, area, and even 'maalat' shot will surely turn into a sweet adventure of sports. 67

SPORTS OPINION

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

PALAYAN SPORTS COMPLEX NILUMOT NA PALASYO

Taong 2019 nang pumutok ang isyu tungkol sa sira-sirang sports complex sa Palayan City. Labing tatlong taon ang nagdaan simula nang itayo ang Nueva Ecija Sports Complex sa ilalim ng Administrasyong Joson, subalit kasabay ng pagkatalo sa pulitika ay siya ring pagkatigil sa konstruksyon nito. Makalipas ang labing-dalawang taon, gumawa ng ingay ang sports complex sa pamamagitan ng isang viral post ng isang concerned citizen na syang dahilan upang umani ito ng pansin at kabi-kabilang batikos lalo na mula sa mga mamamayan na nasasakupan ng probinsya. Mapapabuntong hininga na lang ang mga taong makakakita ng kalagayan ng pasilidad, maihahalintulad sa isang sanggol na hindi pinanagutan ng kanyang ama; may umako man ngunit hindi naman pinansin dahil wala sa linya ng prayoridad. Marahil sa mga taong may puso para sa sports, nagnanais kang bumyahe sa Palayan upang makita ng akto ang aking sinasabi mula pa kanina, bago ka tumuloy, bibigyan muna kita ng ilang pasilip sa sitwasyong iyong madaratnan.

Isa si Ivan Antonino sa mga naapektuhan ng hindi natapos na pasilidad. Ang pangarap na sumali sa mga ‘higher meets’ tulad ng Palarong Pambansa ay tila nagiging malabo bunga ng kakulangan ng angkop na sukat ng swimming pool. Kung sa iba ay simple lamang ang problemang ito, puwes sa mga atleta natin na nangangarap ang sagot ay malaking hindi. “Nanghihinayang po, na puwede naman po pala naming ma-training yung sa endurance at ma-train kami sa Olympics size, [Pero] hindi naman naming nagagamit, nakakapanghinayang.” Ayon kay Ivan sa isang panayam niya sa Reporter’s Notebook. Kung ikukumpara ang Nueva Ecija sa mga kalapit probinsya nito katulad ng Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga at Bataan, dapat hindi na naisipang ikumpara, sapagkat hindi na tanaw sa layo ang pagitan at pagkakaiba, ang mga atleta mula roon ay kung hindi matatawa, tiyak na maaawa sa sandaling malaman na kaya pala hindi pinaggaganapan ng CLARAA Meet ang Nueva Ecija ay dahil puro planong palyado ang probinsyang ito.

Words Ezra Mae Dimapawi Photos Jon Francis Balagan

alang mag-aakala na sa galing at pamamayagpag nina Manny Pacquiao, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Hidilyn Diaz at ng iba pang mga atletang Pinoy ay pawang mga produkto pala sila ng isang bansa na luray-luray ang punching bag, bakubakong training field, walang permanenteng pasilidad at hindi makausad ang sistema sa usaping pampalakasan.

Kung ang manlalaro ng Estados Unidos, China, Europa ay "ganado dahil suportado" dito sa atin "ganado dahil pursigido" tipong pamilya, talento at lakas ng loob lang ang puhunan, lilipad kahit saan pa ang pag-gaganapan, maitayo lang ang bandera ng Pilipinas. Nakakayamot nga lang talaga na hindi kayang takpan ng gintong medalya ang kasiraan ng bansa; pagsama-samahin man ay kulang pa rin upang maitago ang nilulumot na palasyo.

50 METRONG SWIMMING POOL (50:50 NA ANG LAGAY)

Naniniwala na ako ngayon sa kasabihang "Daig ng maagap ang masikap" biruin mong nauna pa ang pamilyang palaka sa paglangoy sa swimming pool ng sports complex kaysa sa mga Novo Ecijano. Isa sa mga malaking naaapektuhan nito ang swimming team ng Fort Magsaysay na nagti-tiyagang mag-ensayo sa isang 25 meters na swimming pool na bukod sa hindi natutugunan ang endurance na kailangan ng kanilang katawan, nauubliga pa silang magbayad ng upa dahil pag mamay-ari ng army camp sa Fort Magsaysay ang nasabing lugar. 69

Mula sa paglangoy na hindi matuloy-matuloy, tara na sa takbuhang -tinakbuhan.

TRACK AND FIELD: HUWAG KANG TATAKBO, MATITISOD KA LANG Anong mas nakakainis, ang hindi pa man napapakinabangan sira na o ang matapos pakinabangan saka sinira?

Sa palagay ko pangalawa, pero sa kaso ng bulwagang ito, niyamot niya ang taumbayan sa pamamagitan ng una -- hindi pa man nagseserbisyo, napagod na. Ayon sa Quality Control Divison Head na namamahala sa mga 70

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

infrastructure project sa probinsya, ang kawalan ng proper maintenance ay siyang pangunahing problema kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi magamit ang sports complex. Kung susumahin, hindi lamang iyon ang maituturing na problema kung bakit hindi napanatili ang ganda ng lugar. Ang pagbinbin sa proyekto dahil hindi natuloy na Palarong Pambansa ay isa sa pinaka malaking sanhi ng krisis na ito ng Nueva Ecija.

matatagpuan sa pinagmulan nilang bansa, kung saan sila hinubog at patuloy na humubog ng mga kampeon.

SPORTS OPINION

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang purpose o ang objective was the Palarong Pambansa. So, kung ano ang gamit napu-puwede dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;yan sa ngayon except siguro sa Provincial Meet, na ginagamit naman nila. Iyong facility kasi, unang-una para mai-rehabilitate mo will require a lot of funds. May ibang projects ang Kapitolyo, so medyo, somehow iyon ang napa-prioritize." Ayon kay Atty. Alejandro Abesamis, ang Administrator ng Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija. Tugmang-tugma ang sinabi ni Atty. Abesamis sa kasalukuyang lagay ng Sports Complex na bubungaran ka ng talahib at ligaw na halaman -- ligaw na damo para sa naligaw na balak para sa larong pampalakasan; at lumot -- lumot na kumakapit lang sa mga bagay na walang kagalawgalaw, eksaktong eksato hindi ba? Kung hindi matutugunan ang gutom sa aspekto ng sports, malulunod tayo sa pag-aakalang maunlad tayo dahil lang sa may nagtataasang gusali at naglalakihang mall ang nakapalibot sa atin. Hindi pasyalan ang sukatan ng pagiging maunlad; higit pa sa masasayang palaruan ang kailangan natinâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ito ay ang mapalakas ang atletang Novo Ecijano. Kung ang permit sa pagpapatayo ng makabagong pasyalan na kakain sa ekta-ektaryang lupain ay madaling pirmahan, ang pagtugon sa hinaing ng bawat pagod na katawan ng manlalaro na humihingi ng kahit isa man lang na tahanan na hahasa sa kanilang husay ay kukupkop sa pandaigdigan nilang kakayahan ay karapat-dapat ding pakinggan at aksyunan. Lumang tugtugin na kung tutuusin ang hindi pagpapatuloy ng nasimulang proyekto ng kalaban sa politika at ang pag abandona nito ngunit, sa tagal na sumasayaw ang tao sa musikang ito, nananawa rin sila. Humahanap ng mga ulo ng bayan na hindi pinepersonal nang maigi ang hidwaang politikal. Nananabik sa mga pinunong iniiwan ang laban matapos ang eleksyon at hinaharap ang panibagong laban para sa nasasakupan; nag-aasam ng mga tagapanguna na kung maganda naman ang plano ng sinundan, ay hindi itinuturing na kahinaan at kahihiyan ang sundan ito at ipagpatuloy. Kung nakakahanap ng mga manggagawa ng tulay at kalsada, posible rin na makahanap ng mga trabahador para sa pagsagip at pagbuhay sa Sports complex ng ating probinsya na ngayo'y kritikal ang paghinga. Sa mga pagkakaton na may pinapalad mag-uwi ng mga medalya na nga lang ba mapapansin ang mga manlalarong pinoy? Sa mga araw na may mapapabalitang may nag wagi ng unang karangalan na nga lang ba makukuha ang pansin ng mga sports coordinator? Suma tutal, hindi nila kailangan ng suporta pagkatapos ng laro, kundi higit bago maglaro. Mga pagkumusta at pagdalaw habang nag-eensayo ang tunay nilang kalakasan at hindi ang mga panayam pagyari ng laban; pampabuhay na mga salita habang tuwalya pa lang na puno na pawis ang hawak nila at hindi kapag may nakasabit na medalya lang sa kanilang mga leeg; mga panalangin bago pumasok sa ring, at hindi pagkuha ng larawan sa twing may titulo na; paghatid sa paliparan higit sa pagsalubong; pagbuo ng pasilidad na may kumpletong kagamitan at hindi basta tseke. Huwag tayong magkamali ng pagkaunawa, hindi palakpak at pera ang tunay na suporta sa manlalaro, kundi pasilidad na mababanggit nilang 71

SPORTS EDITORIAL

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

Groundwork for the regional multisport event continued to push through despite the dynamics between POC and PHISGOC and the delayed passage of national budget as approximately 6 billion released from the government is still in tough process, both in financial progression and unending complains of some critics suggesting that the budget should be used on more worthy concerns. However, in order to set real priorities, the government is fuelled by the hope that the success of this event could contribute in sports an economic growth. Through this investment, the country’s reputation as a premier sports destination is anticipated to establish. The aim is not only to become prominent when it comes to sports, like how the spirit of beauty pageants continually exist in the country, but mainly to encourage Filipino athletes to jump out from their local comfort zone by means of having their own place and specialized equipment that can be used to support the demand of trainings.

SEA GAMES IN THE PHILIPPINES

KEEP THE BURNING TORCH ALIVE W

There are further developments heading into the regional biennial meet set from November 30 to December 11. The construction of the facilities should be completed on time yet, a series of roadblocks and gaps have led to a rush to ready the country for the big event being pointed out by the PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez. According to him, there were enormous disagreements and politics on 2019 SEA Games as the bulk of the P6.1 billion had only been released on May 29 which was about a month after President Rodrigo Duterte signed the 2019 national budget. Ramirez added that the government’s procurement laws involve a lengthy process that takes months- explaining why equipment requested by many national sports associations

have not yet been delivered. Equipment was manufactured based on specifications and must be shipped to the Philippines abroad. However, Malacañang still has commanded the entire government to extend their support on the 30th Southeast Asian Games through a memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, where hosting of the SEA Games requires involvement, coordination, and support of concerned government of agencies, different national sports associations, and private sectors. Since it is not the first time that the Philippines will handle big events like this, it will not be that hard to cope up and fill the needs of visitors from the foreign land and accommodate them; Filipinos known as being hospitable. SEA Games with 530 events in 56 sports is the most ambitious so far and will be held across Luzon particularly in Metro Manila, Clark, Subic, and Tagaytay. The participants to represent their flags are from 11 countries namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam. Home court advantage is to be served to Filipino athletes as they have an opportunity to train with equipment and facilities to be used in the actual competition. The country features the sports expected to haul in gold medals such as weightlifting, gymnastics and boxing which fired during the Rio Olympics and Asian Games before. PSC Chairman also said that he did not want to embarrass the country, so they would do their best to procure the equipment and finish the venues on time because these were what we were showing to the world. As our government started to flash and show high hopes that SEA Games will not be another burden on country’s poverty in the future but a turn to be the key to victory by stabilizing and promoting sports in the Philippines that can build a strong alliance with another nations through this life-long investment.

ith the tripartite agreement signed by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), the Philippines - as the host country - remains optimistic to the completion of preparation for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

SPORTS COLUMN | SPORTS OPINION

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

SOLO SPORTS WHERE ARE WE IN PRIORITY LIST?

Heath Conditioning: Basagin ang Nakasanayan Psalmist

Jackquilyn Javate, Sports Editor

alang tapon sa ano mang parte ng pageensayo. Samakatwid, pantay-pantay ang sukat ng disiplina na inilalaan mo sa bawat bahagi ng paghahanda. Kung sandaang porsyento ng lakas ang ibinibigay mo sa warm-ups, puwes kaparehong porsyento rin para sa pagmementina ng kumpletong tulog at balanseng pagkain. Yaon nga lang, sa kabila ng napakaraming “dapat,” mabibilang lamang sa daliri ang mga atletang sumusunod at nagbibigay importansya. Sa katunayan, nakagawian na ng marami na gawing basehan ang timbang, taas, at laki ng katawan upang masabing handa na sa aktong laban. Sa ganitong sistema, hindi na ako nagtataka kung bakit hamak daling mapagod ng mga manlalaro ngayon. Halos hindi makatagal ang mga ito sa tuloy-tuloy na praktis. Marami ang iniindang sakit, nauuhaw kaagad, at mahina ang resistensya. Biruin mo, naglalabas ng tagaktak na pawis habang walang sapat na tulog. Dagdagan pa, na ang dumadaloy na lakas lamang sa'yo ay galing sa softdrinks, mamantikang pagkain, sitsirya na hinaluan pa ng samu’t saring bisyo.

Sa tuwing mapapadaan nga ako sa gym at open court ng Wesleyan, puro pisikal na aktibidad ang nakikita ko; tumatakbo, nag-streching, naglalaro. Madalang pa sa pagri-repaint ng court ang may makita akong coach na pinapaliwanagan ang manlalaro tungkol sa mga kinakain at iniinom nito bago at pagkatapos ng pag-eensayo. May nabubuong pananabik tuloy sa akin na isang araw sabihin sa akin ng senior ko sa Genré na mag-cover ukol sa seminar kung paano magkakaroon ng proper diet at health conditioning na maaaring maging daan upang mas madisiplina ang mga student-athletes. Hindi naman ako ipinanganak kahapon para hindi ko maintindihan ang hirap sa pagbasag sa nakasanayan. Gayunpaman, wala namang imposible kung gagawan ng umpisa. Kapag idinagdag ni coach sa listahan niya ang pagmo-monitor sa pahinga at sa laman ng plato at baso ng mga atleta, sa ganoong paraan tayo tunay na panalo.

Words Jenine Maricar Barnachea

avoritism is expanding its territory; no longer just in family, classroom and workplace but also penetrating and found to be present in sports.

There are roughly 8,000 indigenous sports and sporting games played worldwide. Two hundred of these have international recognition through an international governing institution. Olympics, the pinnacle of sport for most, recognizes 33 categories among these. Philippines excels in an estimate of seven competitions, mostly in individual sports. Even in Asian Games, our country outmatched others in individual games such as weightlifting, golf, roller sports, martial arts, cycling, pencak silat and boxing. Most athletes prefer team sports rather than individual ones, and I honestly can’t blame them. Playing as a team means focusing on your own role and trusting each other’s strengths. Plus, knowing that you are playing as a whole boosts your confidence in the game. When final whistle is blown and the lights go out, whether it might result into a triumph or defeat, you know that you are sharing the responsibilities with your teammates, but playing in an individual sport is a complete opposite. The fact that you are playing alone on the wide court also means assuming all the positions in the game by yourself and carrying the weight of the burden the game might result into. But, have you ever wondered why in our own country, and proximity wise -- in our university, people tend to recognize more the skills of the players and the sport itself in teams such as basketball, volleyball, and the recently added favorite, football? It’s kind of a shame to compare the number of audience watching a volleyball game versus supporters in a table tennis match. However, it is

acceptable, yet this is just a hole in a big picture of unbalance treatment between athletes in team sports and solo. This predicament happens even in annual school intramurals and inter-school sports competitions where the faculty provides games mostly in team categories. Are we just going to neglect on the possibility of having varsity players or even Olympic medalistists from these 'setaside' games? A huge what if arises, 'What if we truly excel in sports that are being neglected? I'm certain, it would result in a waste of talent and of pride and recognition. And it is indeed miserable seeing waste potential. Little we know, there might be students that are always checking the University Gymnasium, hoping that there is a try-out for varsity on individual sports; or looking for a poster around the school longing to read an announcement that the administration finally has invested for solo sports' venue and equipments. To you student, specially a Wesleyanian, who is continuously waiting for an open door in sports, keep the fire. To the administration, let all Wesleyanians' fire burning. Take the risk to open more doors; every student is a risk worth taking.

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OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

Cleaning Operation inilunsad sa palengke ng Cabanatuan City

ESGUERRA

YUTE

Words Justin Jade Tuates Photo Jon Francis Balagan

Inilipat sa taas na bahagi ng palengke ang mga sidewalk at ambulant vendors ng Cabanatuan bilang pagsunod sa malawakang clearing operation na inilunsad ng gobyerno. Matapos ang halalan 2019, naging maugong ang paglilinis ng bawat sulok at kanto ng Pilipinas, Pinaalis ang mga iligal na nagtitinda sa gilid ng kalsada at mga sasakyang nakaparada sa kalsada na nagiging sanhi ng trapik pati di umano mga tanggapan ng

barangay at tanggapan ng pulis ay di rin nakalampas sa clearing operation. "Na-Isko Moreno kami, akala namin sa Maynila lang may ganon, meron rin pala dito" sabi ng isang tindera. "Na-Isko" ang kanilang naging termino sa ginawang pagbabaklas ng kanilang pwesro marahil na rin siguro sa pagiging aktibong pakiki-isa ng bagong halal na alkalde ng Maynila sa mga clearing operation.

"Sa paglipat namin dito sa taas wala na kaming nagiging benta kasi yung paninda namin meron din sa baba, ‘di naman kami pwedeng bumalik sa baba kasi mahuhuli naman kami, kaya kahit matumal nagtyaga na kami dito," apila ni Aling Lourdes. Para naman sa mga mamimili, nahihirapan raw silang pumanik sa hagdan, lalo na ang mga may edad na. “Kapag marami kang dala, mahirap umakyat. Panik-panaog ka pa,” ani ng isang

senior citizen. Mula sa utos ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kanyang ika-apat na State of the Nation Address o SONA noong Hulyo, ay nagbaba ng memorandum ang Department of the Interior and Local Government sa Local Chief Executive office sa buong bansa para alisin at linisin ang ano mang nagiging sanhi ng mabagal na daloy ng trapiko.

Cabanatuan City road Clearing affects street side workers Words Justin Jade Tuates

Cabanatueños got mixed reactions in response to the road clearing operations conducted by the city’s Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). This is in compliance with Memorandum Circular (MC) 121-2019, ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. In the implementation of road clearing operation, Ghel's food house, known for selling variety of street foods, is one of the affected structures of the signed memorandum. “Syempre 77

negative.

Wala

akong kita, walang hanapbuhay, walang pera,” the owner said.

tumabi. Ngayon okay na, hindi na masyadong traffic."

On the other hand, one of the WUP toda, Arnel Mariano said that the road clearing operation was beneficial to them.

As confirmed by one of the officers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the clearing operations in Cabanatuan City has been implemented 100%.

Mariano said, "Maganda sa daan, maluwang. Sa area na ‘to dati kasi one way lang, hindi gaano nakakadaan pag four wheels, e ngayon okay na, mas maluwang sya ngayon… dati kasi diba may mga booth dito halos lahat ng estudyante nasa kalsada na, minsan kahit businahan yung mga estudyante ayaw pa rin

"100% ang implementation sa Cabanatuan... government property ang kukunin, babakbakin at gigibain. Kung private pa at napatunayang may titulo or sa inyo, hindi pwedeng gibain," the DPWH officer explained.

Meanwhile, DILG stressed that the MC 121-2019 is only for road clearing and not for road widening purposes. The mandate includes the removal of “illegal structures, illegally parked vehicles, and similar obstructions.” In an official statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año emphasized that the government mandate is "only for purposes of removal of road obstructions and cannot be used for road widening purposes.

YAP

DELA CRUZ

FRANCISCO

CONAMS produces 5 topnotchers in RadTech board exam Words Georliza Pascual

Five topnotchers and 36 passers from the College of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences (CONAMS) emerged from the recently concluded Radiologic and X-Ray Technologist Licensure Exam, as announced by the Professional Regulation Commission last August 2. Among the top 10 were Randell Dela Cruz, who ranked fourth with an average score of 83%, followed by Maria Aurora Esguerra, who ranked fifth, garnering an average of 82.50%;

Jenzer Yute, who ranked seventh, with an average of 82%; Mariel Joy Francisco, who ranked eighth, with an average of 81.75%; and Roselle Yap, who rank 10th, with an average of 81%. When asked about what she felt upon knowing that she was one of the topnotchers, Mariel Joy Francisco expressed her pride and joy for herself and for the University. “It is an honor of course kasi hindi lang sarili mo ‘yung dala mo pati ‘yung buong school mo, sobrang saya at sobrang nakaka-proud," she said.

On the other hand, Roselle Yap gave an advice to the next board takers, “Magreview nang nasa isip mo talaga na gustong gusto mo ‘yong ginagawa mo. Tapos, ‘wag masyadong sagarin ‘yong sarili." According to program head Professor Roberto Yumul, they always prepare their students to answer board exam questions and inculcate in their minds the importance of preparedness. "Board exam is a matter of preparation, if you fail to prepare,

then you prepare to fail," Yumul added. As announced, 2,338 out of 4,505 board takers passed the Radiologic Technologist Licensure Examination while 64 out of 240, in the X-Ray Technologist. For the overall school performance, the passing rate of Wesleyan University-Philippines (WUP) in Radiologic Technology is 58.5% or 31 out of 53 while 52.7% or 19 out of 36 in X-Ray Technology. 78

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OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

WUP recognizes students who made big contributions in research Words Sharina Mel Adriano

Outstanding students from different colleges were given awards to recognize their research contributions through Likhang Wesleyan Awards 2019 last May 30 at the University Gymnasium. Among the competing colleges, three emerged as winners from the six award categories they’re competing in: College of Education (COEd), with most received awards, followed by College of Engineering and

Communications Technology (CECT), and College of Business and Acountancy (CBA). COEd proceeded their way to the top by winning three out of six awards: Best Students’ Research on Behavioral/Social Sciences won by Christopher P. Ferrer, Rian Carlo C. Nimenzo and Christian M. Tababa; Best in Oral Presentation on Behavioral/Social Sciences received by Hannah Marie E. Olanda; and Best Poster

Presentation on Behavioral/Social Sciences attained by Shaira D. Dela Cruz, Roselle Joi L. Mijares and Via V. Toledo. CECT on the other hand won two awards: Best in Oral Presentation on Science and Technology/Research and Development achieved by Kiv Ryan A. Albino, Philip Raphael G. Siwa, Red Jordan Salazar, Christian B. Estrella and Christopher John D. Escarza;

and Best in Poster Presentation on Science and Technology/ Research and Development won by Allan Wally Baldadera, John Angelo Dela Cruz, Roxanne Ann Estrella and John Hurleyette Mangulabnan. Lastly, CBA won the award Best Student Research on Science and Technology/Research and Development by Chester John V. De Leon and Margarita Isabelle D. Ramos.

CBA implements new retention policy Words Levi Bautista

The College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) implemented a new retention policy for its Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) program effective on the First Semester of A.Y. 2019-2020. The policy was revised to give more chances to Accountancy students pursue their study in the BSA program. The revision allows the students who failed to meet the retention grade to retake the subject without limit.

“As we see, the students are not yet ready to face college, that is why we give them ample time for them to adjust,” Professor Jidheo Tobita stated as to why the retention policy for first year subjects was waived. Furthermore, according to Professor Antonio Celis, dean of CBA, courses such as Accounting 1-A and Accounting 1-B were added on the first year courses, to complement the K-12 program’s preparation which is the Accountancy, Business and

Management (ABM) strand for the Accounting Program. Moreover, not all enrollees of the BSA program were from the ABM strand. Additionally, Professor Lourdes Pallarca also stated that the euthenics subjects be added to the curriculum and great possible outcome in terms of values formation are to be expected. Lastly, as a countermeasure

for the quality of education being compromised upon the waiving of the three lives policy, CBA will continue to practice the selective retention policy and will continuously enhance the program and also raise their hiring standards to make sure that the faculty and staff are also of quality. The revised version of the BSA program policy is accessible from the CBA office.

WUP introduces program reducing cost for opening subjects Words Rose Ann Corpuz

WUP implements a policy to lessen the costs of student requests in opening a subject under non-board courses starting this Academic Year 2019-2020. According to Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), Dr. Marietta B. Agustin, the new policy will only require eight student enrollees to open a requested subject as opposed to 79

the prior practice of the University that requires students to cover up the tuition fees of 15 students. “Like for instance yung IT, Business Administration-ayan mga non-board ‘yan, so papayagan natin ang eight. They have to pay for tuition fees of eight students and this will be treated as tutorial classes," Dr. Agustin said.

However, while subjects under board courses are unaffected, the requesting students still need to cover up the expenses of 15 enrollees which are enough to pay the salary of the faculty who will handle the course. “For board courses, syempre kasama yan sa board, hindi siya pwedeng tutorial, kailangan

i-meet siya as regular class," the VPAA added. Included in the guidelines of the tutorial class is the minimum consultation hours and the required outputs that is to be complied with the students. Meanwhile, the implementation of the new policy aimed to phase out the old curriculum in the University.

Tourusm Student wins silver medal in HRAB Words Roice Nieves and Jelly Ann Arceta Photo courtesy of Kyle Yvonne Martin

Wesleyan UniversityPhilippines’s Ma. Kyle Yvonne Martin, bagged silver during the HRAB’s (Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio) 15th Annual Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Week held at Baguio Country Club, last October 10-12. Martin, a second year BS Tourism student, competed against 28 different schools in the Travel and Tours: Nature Trail of Cultural Interest student division category. Among the schools that Martin competed against, were University of Santo Tomas, Saint Louis University in Baguio City, Araullo University in Cabanatuan City, and Palawan State University, to name a few.

"I am happy to have been able to represent the school in that competition for the first time, and being the silver medalist made me feel so grateful," Martin said. According to Martin, she used to join and win in Tour Guiding competitions before, so her past knowledge and experiences helped her because it is also applicable in tour package competition. "For me, the most important part of the competition is the moment that we, the students of Wesleyan University-Philippines showcased our skills and talents that we learned inside our school and that we faced everyone without fear, but with pride," Martin added.

Martin also told that a technical problem occurred before the presentation that made her feel nervous but despite that, she gained confidence in her presentation. Her coach Maria Donna Valenzuela said, "As their assigned coach, I did make sure to collect ideas and tips to my fellow faculty so that we could come up to a very selective approach of mentoring. Since it was my first time also to handle Tour package student division. When it comes to our participants, even from the start, I believed in them, both teams has unique way of presenting themselves to the judges and for whatever the outcome. We

already called them as champions and I will always be thankful and proud of handling them." Aside from Martin, other HRM and Tourism Management students also competed on other categories such as cocktail mixing, mocktail mixing, fruit carving, wedding cakes, creative cakes, baby cakes, napkin folding, flair, pantry, pasta, and others. Meanwhile, Martin is looking forward to joining the upcoming COP (Chef ’s on Parade) and in COHREP (Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines) skills competition.

Cancellation of Buwan ng Wika celebration not due to CHED memorandum Words Sharina Mel Adriano

CAS Language and Literature Program Coordinator Dr. Efraim Vidal stressed that the skipping of Buwan ng Wika celebration has nothing to do with the CHED Memorandum Order (CMO 20) stating the transference of the Filipino subjects to Senior High School. As remembered, the University has been consistent in organizing a Buwan ng

Wika event yearly to provide opportunities for students to show their appreciation to the Filipino language. However, this year, the said event was skipped. According to Vidal this is due to lack of preparation time caused by the late enrolment and bad weather conditions which resulted to cancellation of classes.

“Pero hindi naman totally walang celebration,” he said. According to him, there were small celebrations done by Filipino subject professors in their classes through the small contests like slogan and poster making. “Sinabi nga ni Sir [Vidal] na maghold na lang kami ng small contest sa room namin,” Professor

Evangeline Agpoon added. Some students shared that they missed performing a sayawit, a usual competition held during the celebration of Buwan ng Wika. “Sana mabalik next year. Iba rin kasi ‘yong nase-celebrate siya, para rin maalala naming mga kabataan ang kahalagahan ng wika natin,” a student from CAS shared. 80

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Campus Ministry launches programs to strengthen faith Words Hannah Marie Olanda Photos Jayson Gabriel Garcia

Campus Ministry is in action to strengthen the spirituality of Wesleyanians through its four main programs: Life Group, Regen Worship, Prayer Works, and Reach Out. As the University is nonsectarian, Campus Ministry is reaching out to all students in WUP, where everyone is welcome to join and attend the programs for free. “In nurturing ng spirituality ng mga Wesleyanian, kahit anong religion, kahit anong sect o denomination, ang mahalaga lang naman 'yong spirituality ng mga taga-Wesleyan ay manurture kasi iyon 'yong isa sa mga arm na gusto natin dito sa Wesleyan, na hindi lamang tayo matuto in academics but kung hindi, ma-nurture din 'yong ating spirituality,” University Chaplain Rev. Francis Fajardo said. Programs Every month the Campus Ministry has different themes in which the discussions take place. For the month of September, the theme is about Loving God. For the month of October, it will be Loving Others. During Life Group, the students are divided into small peer groups. Its purpose is for students to have their own support group and to create a right kind of friendship. Each peer group has a student coach who will facilitate the meetings. The meetings are composed of sharing the word of God and every member’s 81

personal experiences. Regen Worship is a contemporary worship which is led by Wesleyanians. They lead the songs of worship. According to a CAS student, joining the worship service helps in maintaining the relationship with the Creator. He shared that he feels relaxed when coming to the program every Wednesday. “Dito rin, makakaramdam ng pahinga, sa kabila ng magulong isip ng isang tao, lalo na ang mga estudyante na mayroong mga personal na pinagdadaanan at dalahin kasabay pa ng pakikipagbuno sa pag-aaral,” the student added. Prayer Works is a prayer meeting conducted for students who have prayer requests and concerns. The ministry is also extending their arms to help the street children and the environment through its Reach Out program. The office believes that faith without work is dead. The first three Wednesdays of the month are provided for the Regen Worship, while the last Wednesday is for the fellowship. The venue of the Regen Worship is at the JJDG Auditorium where it starts from 5PM onwards. Goals One of the goals of

Campus Ministry is to create the right kind of friendship. It is normal to have many friends, but the University chaplain stressed that it should give a positive effect on one’s life. “Gusto nating labanan 'yong mga pangit na barkada na naglalayo sa kanila doon sa goal nila na makatapos ng pag-aaral. Gusto natin mga positibong barkada na mag-eencourage sa bawat isa para magpatuloy doon sa kanilang pagde-develop ng kanilang sarili, ‘di lang pag-aaral kung ‘di madevelop 'yong kalinga nila sa lahat ng aspekto ng buhay nila,” the chaplain expressed. Another goal is to nurture

the relationship of the student to his Creator regardless of bases. Fajardo also shared that they want to help students develop their social action and social awareness. “'Yong ating University ay serious [sa] goal niya na hindi lamang tayo mai-handa sa future para sa ating skills, kung hindi ma-nurture spiritually. Para doon sa bawat estudyante natin, gusto natin silang imbitahan na makasama natin… We want to grow together— ang ating socialization, ang tamang Christian socialization. At gusto rin nating makasama sa pag-serve sa iba na 'yong ating faith should be manifested by sharing and serving others.”

The Campus Ministers The campus ministry is composed of around 3040 volunteers from different departments in the University as mentioned by the chaplain. However, during Regen Worship, the population can range from 60 to 70 attendees. Message of the Chaplain Fajardo welcomes everyone to attend the programs under the campus ministry. He had a message for the students who are still not aware of the programs under the Chaplain’s Office.

“Ang maganda kasi dito, wala tayong pinag-uusapan kung anong church. Wala tayong pinag-uusapang kung anong denomination. Paglabas mo sa Wesleyan, pag-uwi mo, you go to your church. Ang gusto lang natin mag-grow ka and hopefully magamit mo 'tong natutunan mo. Ang goal ng Wesleyan, ng admin, ma-equip tayo bawat estudyante hindi lang skills kung 'di spirituality saka 'yong ating social action, social awareness. Ang tatak Wesleyan, 'di lang tayo tinulungan matuto, tinulungan tayo kung papaano maging mabuting tao. 'Yon ang gusto natin,” he said.

WUP earns high passing rate in Pharmacy board exam Words John Vincent Pascual

Wesleyan UniversityPhilippines secured an 80.95% over all passing rate for Pharmacy Board Examination last August 2019. A total of 17 out of 21 examinees passed the exam. The College of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences (CONAMS) consistently registers an above national passing rate for the Pharmacy program for its second batch of board exam takers. It was a challenge for CONAMS to produce a higher rate this year or an equivalent

result last year as they have just started the program lately, unlike the other courses offered in their college. The second batch of takers include transferees from other universities who didn’t start their formative years in WUP but still managed to pass the board. Newly appointed CONAMS dean, Dr. Wilfredo C. Ramos, revealed that the faculty of their college is the secret why they always produce an above national passing rate. He said that all of the professors teaching in every

classroom are experts of their field. “We hire faculty from the industry. Meaning, they are working here as part timers. Yung practice sa industry na ia-apply also in the classroom. ‘Yong mga bata they [become] aware. And mostly some of the board exam questions were taken from the industry. Somehow nae-expose na sila [students] without really being. [Because of the] The richness of the faculty that we have.” Students undergo

Professional Related Course as part of the program which develops them on how to be aware with how the exam is given. This subject aided the students to cope up with the real board questions and answer them using strategies taught. Meanwhile, according to the Professional Regulatory Commission, 4,455 took the Pharmacy Board Exam and 3,097 passed resulting to a 69.52% national passing rate far behind the WUP’s over-all passing rate performance. 82

ENTERTAINMENT

OMG 2019 THE TRUEST SELF ISSUE

GENDER PENGUIN

Ang Silver Lining ni Doi by Aira Wycoco

Art and Words Russel Manubay

Home by Pia Ada Xena Valerio

Praeteritum by Yzza Ectin

onfusion and misconception often gets in the way of understanding a person’s gender identity when selfmade assumptions exist. So, here’s a gender penguin to give some must-have information to change the atmosphere. How a person is labelled as a male or female based on what genitals and chromosomes they are born with, is called biological sex.

Glam by Yzza Ectin

But, being born a man or a woman, cannot only be the reason for a person to act accordingly. That’s where gender identity is about. One’s gender identity can only be determined by the person itself, regardless of biological factors. Being able to freely expresses how a person’s feeling inside by showing it depending on what manner they find comfortable to, like in clothing, hair or make up. Gender identity is a choice, a free will. On the other hand, a person’s sexual orientation depends on who that person is emotionally or romantically attracted to, regardless of their own sex or gender. Our world today still has a long way to understand this battle for gender equality and acceptance. But we are getting there. Just as penguins learn to adapt over millions of years, eventually we will too, but luckily we would not wait forever to accept the changes around us, instead we can do it now. Did you know that penguin is a bird? It may not fly, but it reminds us that even as the majority is doing the same thing, even if everyone physically looks identical, it is not a sin to be different and unique. We get to choose our own paths and still be the best version of ourselves with no pretending. 83

MEET THE TEAM

DevComm Editor Talking about nonsense things and point out someone's mistakes in public.

ATHINA

Literary Editor Most people don't like it when I joke about my death.

JACK

Sports Editor I love walking behind my 'repakols' and unzipping their bags as a prank.

JAYSON

Multimedia Director Giving meaning to almost everything up to the slightest change I can see or feel.

e are here to promote diversity, we are here with a straightforward vision. We believe that there is an amazing amount of uncertainty in the world and we are about to face it by introducing our “truest self ” as the team answers in the most transparent way the ultimate question of: What do you love to do that bothers and annoys other people? Every story inside this magazine is made out of love, hard work and sleepless nights. During those days when we are busy doing our thing, we can’t notice the hobbies we were doing. As we reach the top of Malow’s Hierarchy of Needs, it will open us to the new beginnings and will bring us the self-actualization we deserve. Now, witness our team as they strips down their self naked when they answer the question in the most honest and purest way.

HANNAH

Editor-in-Chief My pinky toes are battered toes. It looks super unhealthy because I like to pick the dead skin around it with my bare fingers.

Managing Editor-Administration Interrupting someone's yawn and calling my friends "ate" or "kuya" though I'm the oldest among them.

Associate Editor It's heaven when I watch a muted romantic movie, read a heavy drama novel, and listen to a hilarious podcast at the same time. But I just can't stomach when people see me weird only because I simultaneously show obvious kiligs on the flick and cry really hard on the book and unwholesomely and "puppysoundingly" laugh at the podcast! Big WHY? Come on! It's my "normal"!

ALOHA

News Editor I pick my nose in public, and my thumb and other finger turn “it” into a miniball. I wash my hands after, don’t worry.

LEVI

Associate Editor Playing music at maximum volume, that even though I have my earphones on, people around me can still hear what I'm listening to.

EZRA

Features Editor I love staying in silence. Like I will keep my mouth shut even though I have tons of words I wanted to tell. Less talk, less mistake, right?

JANVI

Managing Editor-Finance The publication admits that I am the cutest among the team yet I always remind them about this fact. I know they are bothered just by reading this honest statement.

GEORGE

Opinion Editor I tend to put my hair in front of my face sometimes—okay, often times. When someone’s staring or talking to me, whom I’m not that close with, or his or her glaring eyes are just too much to handle.

ADA

Art Director Pulling dandruff off my scalp, and cracking it half gives me a tingling sensation. (DI KO KAYA TO)

AIRA

Senior Cartoonist Being guilty of lacking selfawareness, I decided to ask my friends. It ranged from, “Mabuhok ang office kapag nagsusuklay si Aira” to “You ask too many questions.”

JENINA

Senior Staff Writer I love teasing and calling Tasha (my best friend) "Pantasya" and "Tarshier" just because she has thick eyebrows and big eyes. I already made her cry several times because of it.

YNA

Circulations Director Asking too many questions on everything even on simple matters. (Maybe I still haven’t gone past the stage of trust vs. mistrust lol)

CEDIE

Senior Cartoonist It satisfies me watching gore and killings. Most of the time I crave human blood.

JENINE

Senior Staff Writer My sister and I used to share the same bathroom. She would often tell me how much hates it when I listen to loud music whenever I'm using the bathroom.

PAULO

Senior Cartoonist I like posting and sharing A LOT of memes online, that is why I think some of my friends are annoyed already and they unfollow me hahaha.

FRANCIS

Senior Photojournalist Cracking jokes while having a chit-chat with my friends or classmates. I know that it's deeply rooted and part of who I am as a person, but there are instances when my friends can't understand the meaning behind my jokes, often resulting to a confused frown from my peers.

ROSE ANN

Senior Staff Writer My friends told me that they hate it whenever I always bail on our "gala", but tend to be persuasive when I'm the one making plans.

RUSSEL

Senior Cartoonist Sometimes I can't look to someone's eyes while they're talking to me (it creeps me out)

GERALD

Senior Videojournalist I don't know if people around me dislike this, but out of the blue, i'll dance even thou there's no music playing and all of a sudden I spout out unusual words that make people uncomfortable.

DOM

Senior Staff Writer I ask questions a lot. But most of my friends are annoyed because they think that the questions I ask are common knowledge.

JAI

Trainee I like dancing to any kind of music that interests me. Unfortunately, I'm not quite a good dancer. That's why my friends are often annoyed with my 'lolo moves' as they labelled it.

GWEN

Trainee I love doing other things while I'm eating, which makes me 10 times slower than the people I eat with but I only do it when I'm with somebody.

KIM

Trainee Not eating the crust of a pizza slice and sending pictures that triggers trypophobia.

LAARNI

Trainee I sometimes go to school for three consecutive days without taking a bath

MICHAEL

Trainee Farting in the front of my classmates and friends

YSABELLE

Trainee I'm your "always nagpapa-picture pero ‘di marunong mag-picture" type of girl. Tara coffee?

JELLY

Trainee Make a loud noise while watching thrilling and scary movies. Eating at the dining table while raising my legs and feet.

IVAN

Trainee Being a “grammar nazi” (as my friends say). And mimicking K-pop high notes that were not supported by my range.

ROICE

Trainee Sometimes, I don't talk much during social gatherings, unless it's necessary. Then people would go up to me and ask if there's anything wrong even if there isn't.

MAU

Trainee Eating food from somebody else's plate without asking first, and unfriending people on Facebook whenever I feel like it.

YZZA

Trainee Watching tooth extraction videos on YouTube. It’s very satisfying and makes me calm. Eating pancit with banana ketchup and fried egg on top.

Trainee Listening to ear blasting heavy type of music. I honestly can't blame people if they dislike my 'too edgy' playlist but I want them to at least leave my odd music preferences in peace.

JAZ

Trainee Tapping my nails and cracking corny jokes/ puns most of the time. Another is when a friend says anything, for example "Nagulat ako" I'll be like "pAno yUng guLaT?"

CLARENCE

Trainee Singing at the top of my lungs with my 'not-so-pleasant' voice HAHAHA.

TIN

Trainee Annoying someone annoyed.

DANA

ANNIKA

Trainee Saying and inserting the phrase “sana all” whenever I feel hyped about a certain topic or when the urge to include it in a conversation becomes very strong.

JULIUS

being

Trainee I love making corny jokes and when people don't show any reaction to it, I would attempt to earn their laughs by saying, "Parang awa mo na oh!". I also love listening to horror podcasts and not being able to sleep with the lights off afterwards.

Trainee As a prank I spoil movies, and it really pisses them off.

ALANNA

Trainee Making comments while watching a movie like the characters can actually hear my rants.

ROAILA

Trainee Playing mobile games even when someone is talking to me.

FAITH

Trainee I love procrastinating way too much. That it feels like I’m a burden to my education and future.

SIR EMMAN

Technical Adviser I answer questions with questions.

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