Genré Tabloid (Volume XXV - Issue 2)

Genré

The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

Volume XXV, Issue 2 August-September 2019

Last-ditch

Maneuvers If there’s a book breaking down a successful clean-up drive of the Earth, no one in our generation would’ve written it. Why? With the excessive consumption of environmental resources and the failure to conserve natural reserves nowadays, it is no argument— if this imbalance continues, there will come a time when we’d no longer have the chance to tell history, assuming that we live to see humanity make a drastic one, and assuming that we have the next generation to tell history to.

This millennium has been a mixture of ironies: mass movements has been prevalent while governments tightened their political superbia; fertility rate has arisen while mortality rate, with a notable amount of suicide, upsurged, and; environmental activism has finally been causing a stir, while mass consumption has never been worse.

Environmental Activism has been networked as, “the coming together of various group of individuals and organizations that work in collaboration in social, scientific, political, and conservational fields with the main purpose of addressing environmental concerns.”

Putting it in a nutshell, environmental activists are people who seek diverse solutions to environmental problems and the ones who man the protection and preservation of the environment towards sustainable development. follow the story on page 12

Climate strike pushes through at University grounds

Our action creates an Endless Ripple

Fallout: Vaccine Gone Wrong

NEWS

FEATURE

DEVCOM

2

HEADLINES

Volume XXV • Issue 2 August-September 2019

JON FRANCIS BALAGAN

Climate strike pushes through at University grounds

by Annika Tugaff and Aloha Balbuena

E-life, in partnership with Konseho Kritiko, and John Wesley Academy and Critical Thinking center, hosted “Climate Strike and Noise Barrage” held at John Wesley Park last October 11.

The event was part of their eighth-year critical movement anniversary.

Professor Gladys Mangiduyos from the College

of Education (COEd) stated that through this certain act, people will be able to pay attention to what they are advocating and will also be more knowledgeable with issues concerning the environment.

When asked what the intentions of their group were, Mangiduyos answered, “We did a climate strike to call the attention of the community so that they would be mindful and be conscious on what is going

on.” Furthermore, she added that planting trees is the most concrete thing to do to fight global warming.

At the end of the strike, the participants which consist of Konseho Kritiko members, E-life organization, and College of Engineering and Computer Technology (CECT), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and COEd students were each awarded with seedlings which serves as a small step

towards the betterment of the community. Every year, the seedlings which will turn into trees as time passes by will be monitored and reported to the group’s page to see its growth and progression.

Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate activist was also the inspiration of this event as her speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit has been an eye-opener for the organizers of this event.

Through the success of this event, the organizers were very much motivated to continue educating not just Wesleyanians, but the entire Wesleyan UniversityPhilippines as well.

Mangiduyos ended her speech quoting, “The University is the last bastion of accountability and stewardship to sensitize people.”

WUP’s Guidance and Placement Center receives an increased amount of cases compared to previous years

by Christian Ivan Pallorina

Guidance and Placement Center declared that the number of visitors in this First Semester of the Academic Year increased, as with comparison from the previous years.

Guidance Director, Dr. Annie Dinh Maria Alfaro said that upon her third year as the counselor, she’s glad with the growth of the number of visitors compared to the previous years, and she was grateful towards the student who recognized the significance of the office, not just to discipline them, but to also help them with their problems.

“Nakakatuwa nga ‘no, kasi sa’min dito, hindi katulad noong iba, noong panahon namin, or siguro noong panahon ninyo na, para bang maraming takot na pumunta sa Guidance Office, kasi may misconception na kapag sinabing ipapa-Guidance kita, meron silang maling nagawa,” she said.

The Guidance and Placement Center is always open for counseling, testing, and other offered services, which will be followed by an interview with respect confidentiality over the usage of information. “So, siyempre, ang gusto ko lang sabihin na, ang aming opisina, e nandito, unang-una, hindi lang naman para tulungan sila, sabi nga natin, maituwid naman ‘yung mga mali nilang magawa, pero basically, gusto naming

ipromote na maraming services na ino-offer ang Guidance and Placement Center dito sa Wesleyan. So, siyempre, ‘yung testing natin, uh, ‘yung mga seminars natin, ‘yung mga preemployment seminars natin.

And most of all, sa end of sem, siyempre dapat mai-promote ‘yung ating Job Fair para naman sa mga graduates and alumni’s natin ‘yon,” Alfaro explained.

First year and fourth year students make up of the majority of visitors, citing cases due to adjustment problems and graduating issues respectively. The beginning and end of the school were when the Guidance and Placement counseling received greater number of students visiting, with common cases of family problems and academic problems, whilst depression with suicidal thoughts was reportedly the worst case.

“Sa college, lalo, puwedeng-puwede na, kasi lalo na sa kanila, lalo na kung legal age ka, ‘yun nga ‘yung pinaka-maganda, kung sa kanila mismo manggagaling ‘yung initiative. Ibig sabihin noon na, talagang wala ka ng, wala ka ng ico-condition, wala ng denial, kasi sila mismo sa sarili nila, alam nila ‘yung kailangan ng tulong. Pero sa minor, siyempre kailangan ‘yon, siyempre ‘pag minor ka, kailangan ng parents’ consent, kailangan alam ng adviser, so very sensitive kasi ‘yon kapag nasa basic ed[ucation] kasi tayo,” Alfaro added.

JAYSON GABRIEL GARCIA

Mass Communication Society joins 2nd Central Luzon COMMvention

by Jessica Maureen Gaurano

Selected students from WUP's Mass Communication Society took part in the Second Central Luzon COMMvention, “DISENTHRALL: Revolution in Retrospect” held at Holy Angel University in Pampanga last September 26.

The event opened competitions in editorial writing, photojournalism, live radio drama, advocacy print advertisement, public service announcement, and extemporaneous speech. The Mass Communication Society competed in three categories: live radio drama, advocacy

print advertisement and public service announcement.

Aside from these contests, the event also welcomed guest speakers who shared their expertise in their own respective fields. The speakers included writer and director Jason Paul Laxamana who discussed the state of the Kapampangan culture in media and shared how he was able to portray it in his films.

Followed by Lec Flores, the creative director for Long Story Short, showed how creativity becomes a key to an effective advertisement. The last speaker was GMA News TV reporter Raffy Tima who presented some of the highlights of his

career.

Twelve schools and universities from different parts of Central Luzon participated the event which includes Baliuag University, Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Columban College, Gordon College, Jocson College, Mondriaan Aura College, Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU), Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), Saint Mary’s Angels College of Pampanga (SMACP), Tarlac State University (TSU), and Wesleyan UniversityPhilippines (WUP).

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NEWS

Genré The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

JPIA hauls awards in the 23rd RMYC

by Levi Bautista and Melvin Clarence Dowes

The WUP's Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) took home multiple awards after placing 1st in non-academic competitions, 3rd in academic competitions, and overall 2nd runner up in the recent 23rd Regional Mid-Year Convention (RMYC) with the theme, “SINIKATURA: Embracing and Upholding the Golden Age of the Filipino Culture, Honoring the Pride of the Filipino,” held last September 19-21 in Chateau Royale Hotel Resort and Spa in Nasugbu, Batangas.

Fifty-two delegates from the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA), with their advisers Prof. Jhideo C. Tobita and Prof. Jelwin DL. Bautista, participated in the event who showcased their skills, intelligence, and talents in the academic and non-academic competitions.

The event hosted by

CHRISLIE ESPINOSA

the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants—Region 3 (NFJPIA-R3) aimed to develop the unity, solidarity, academic excellence, leadership and holistic thinking of the future

WUP opens up scholarship opportunities to SHARE

by Jenina Marie Lipana

WUP passed an ordinance granting scholarship to all Support for the Handicapped and their Rehabilitation Education (SHARE) covering their tuition fees in partneship

with Elementary Department with the partnership of Elementary, Center for Child Development (CCD) and Extension Program last October.

The scholarship will be gathered through collaborative

Certified Public Accountants in the making.

Additionally, weeks before the RMYC, WUP JPIA almost withdraw from the competition due to the panic caused by the alleged

meningococcemia outbreak in Nasugbu, which was later on refuted by the Department of Health. However, it was not the meningococcemia that endangered the health of the participants, but the suspected

food poisoning that victimized at least 65 students from different participating schools, including WUP, who were hospitalized after experiencing abdominal pain and diarrhea on their way home.

efforts of all students in WUP that will be taken from their outreach payments starting this School Year 2019-2020 wherein P20.00 is allotted to SHARE Fund.

However, Elementary and CCD pupils are excluded for they will share P50.00 each.

Professor Cristy Fernando, principal of Elementary Department, CCD and SHARE Program said

they (in partnership with Extension Program) want to help SHARE students not just for compassion but also for accountability.

“Common na ‘yong pagmamalasakit sa kanila kasi may kapansanan sila e, but they also need support for their studies kasi hindi naman lahat sila ay may kakayanan mag-aral. ‘Yong labas nga ng University natutulungan natin,

bakit hindi rin natin sila isali sa outreach program natin,” Fernando added.

According to Fernando, the percentage that scholarship grantees may take is based on their socio-demographic status.

In history, the program was started since 1980s with the sponsorship of North Georgia but unfortunately, the sponsorship stopped last year.

WUP’s new two-storey building inaugurated

by Hannah Marie Olanda

After two years of construction, the inauguration of the two-storey building of WUP took place on December 5.

The buildings which would initially house the Senior High School Department started during the presidency of Pacifico B. Aniag, who was also present during the event. In the ceremony, Aniag presented the buildings to be consecrated, while current President Benjamin D. Turgano accepted the consecration.

Turgano congratulated Aniag for his contributions for the betterment of the University during his presidency.

JAYSON GABRIEL GARCIA

“We deal on the labors of former presidents because whatever honor, whatever reputation and goodwill that we now enjoy in these building blocks are the dedication and commitment of all those who have done ahead of us in stewardship of this University,” the President said.

Furthermore, during President Turgano’s speech, he shared his hope for the new occupants of the buildings.

“It is our wish, our hope, our prayer that all those who will come and go in the corridors of this facility enjoy learning and instruction, and research,” Turgano expressed.

During the opening of the inauguration, the wife of WUP’s

President, Ms. Rose Mary Lou J. Turgano, together with former president Aniag’s wife Ms. Alicia Aniag, led the ribboncutting ceremony.

The buildings will house the Senior High School Department and the College of Medicine which will open next Academic Year. The buildings consists of 48 air-conditioned rooms.

Also in attendance were former president Emmanuel G. Cleto who served as the second president of the University, the United Methodist Church Bishops Rodolfo Juan, Ciriaco Francisco, and Pedro M. Torio, Jr., and the University’s deans, heads, and faculty and staff.

CONAMS produces 13 registered medical technologists

by Julius Corpuz and Jessica Maureen Gaurano

Thirteen medical technologists passed the September 2019 Medical Technologist board examination.

Among these passers were Janmarie Q. Cabangon, Kimberly Joyce G. Canoza, Jessa Mae A. Cortez, Vincent Jerome P. Diaz, Andrie Louie P. Hermoso, Queency Jasmine B. Mangahas, Kyline Monique T. Matute, Danica Nagum, Gian Carlo C. Padilla, Jazer M. Palasigue, Cherzee Sofia A. Palma, Francic Dom M. Romero, and Elijah R. Vergara.

As preparation for the examination proper, College of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences (CONAMS) takes all cautions to ensure the students’ readiness for the actual board exam.

Additionally, College Dean Dr. Wilfredo Ramos, explained that they prepare the students well by exposing them in the academic and clinical area so that they can be familiarized with the topic and setting.

Moreover, he added that not only does the college prepare them examinationwise, but the faculty and department administration also provide these students

moral support by praying for them prior to the examination to let them know that somebody is cheering for them back home.

However, Dr. Ramos also shared that this year’s passing rate for Medical Technology did not match the last year’s passing rate. Nevertheless, the department took this situation as another door of opportunity in improving their preparation plans for the following examinations to come.

According to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), out of 6,453 examinees of the Medical Technologists licensure examination, only a total of 4,743 passed.

74+26+H Overall Passing Rate

74%

Passers 4,743

4

HEADLINES

Volume XXV • Issue 2 August-September 2019

Population of foreign students increases this Academic Year 2019-2020

by Alanna Soriano and Clarence Jairra Javate

WUP welcomed five foreign students this Academic Year 2019-2020, which is higher than the number of foreign student enrollees (four) last year.

Composed of different nationalities, these students are enrolled in the programs of Wesleyan such as degrees in Psychology, Nursing, Tourism Management, and Education.

According to the University Registrar, Dr. Carmelita Tiglao, there were two denied foreign enrollees due to the delayed process of documents from

their previous schools.

“Kasi before one month ng enrolment kailangan nila maiprocess ang mga documents nila sa immigration and yung

mga i-card nila [International Student Identity Card]," Tiglao said.

Despite the needed adjustments of studying in

a foreign country, one of the students, Kim Eun Ji from BS Psychology expressed ease in coping up in a different school environment.

“Madali lang ako nakaadopt sa environment ng Wesleyan since fluent naman ako magtagalog kahit papaano,” she said.

TELON goes musical

by Christian Ivan Pallorina

Auditionees of Teatrong Laan Para Sa Obra Ngayon (TELON)—the official Theater Guild of WUP—geared themselves into their last step of being a member of the organization with TELON Goes Musical; a musical performance also participated by the organization’s senior members, at JJDG Auditorium, October 18.

The whole production team performed Star In A Million in the opening, followed by group performances to showcase their respective piece as part of the audition process where Bohemian Rhapsody and You Can’t Stop the Beat performers won in tie.

Sixteen new artists were welcomed to the theater organization as per judged by Sir Mark Miranda (Creative Director), Mark Roman (President), Santos Maranan III (Alumni), and Rina Gonzales (Alumni).

The event is the finale of the CURTAIN UP: TELON Artista Search 2019 that aims to find new theater artists, which started with an orientation and monologue to self-introduction last September 27 at the Mass Communication Laboratory.

In the first weeks, auditionees and senior members performed a short play in pair, and sang a song randomly picked by a performer, in which top 10 were selected every week: part of their free theater workshop dubbed as TEATROeskwela.

TELON is expected to have their first performance with the new team earlier this December.

BLIANCA MARANA

COEd celebrates 8th year of Critical Thinking Movement

by Jon Francis Balagan and Christine Joy Mactal

In celebration of the 8th year founding anniversary of Critical Thinking Movement, the COEd led the Symbolic Handprinting at Wesleyan University Philippines, last September 17, 2019.

University President Benjamin Turgano presided the Critical Thinking Movement along with the entire Board of Trustees to

officially seal the movement in the University. "That was so significant because it was not an ordinary celebration.

It was actually a University celebration because it was very official having involved the President and the Board of Trustees," added Prof.

Gladys Mangiduyos, head of the Critical Thinking Movement.

Students also expressed their gratitude to the

president for joining the event. “Masaya ako na makita si President na sumusuporta rito,” a fourthyear student expressed.

The handprinting signifies their commitment and steadfast call to every individual to use his or her criticality in every facet of life. Being exclusive for College of Education, Prof.

Mangiduyos also added that they were planning to

spread the movement in the entire University involving all colleges to cultivate the critical minds of the students so their criticality, fair mindedness, impartiality, prudence and judiciousness will be use in every decision they would make in life.

Approximately 100 students also joined in the said event to show their support for the advocacy.

CBA alumnus ranks 12th in October 2019 CPALE

by Jenina Maricar Barnachea and Melvin Clarence Dowes

Garnering a general point average of 87.00%, John Michael DS. Torreda, an alumnus of WUP CBA, ranked 12th on the October 2019 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE) held last October 5-12.

The result of the October 2019 CPALE was released last October 21, 2019. WUP produced 14 passers on this year’s CPALE garnering 19.44% on the overall University’s performance, and 20.63% for the fresh graduate passing rate, which is above the national passing rate of 14.32% BS Accountancy Program Head Professor Lourdes S. Pallarca expressed her pride towards this achievement of the College.

“We are very proud na in spite of the very difficult examination that they took, talaga namang they made it.

For the glory of the Wesleyan and the College of Business and Accountancy, we congratulate the new CPAs, and we welcome them in the profession,” Pallarca said.

Torreda, however, did not expect that he will be among the top 20 of the CPA licensure exam.

“I was shocked because I was not really expecting it.

Passing for me is such a huge blessing already, and to be part of Top 20 is something that I would have never expected given the difficulty of the exams,” Torreda said.

He also added that his parents, professors, and friends became his inspiration while reviewing for the board exam. “I have always been very passionate about doing things that will make my parents proud. I know na naging mataas din expectation ng parents ko and some of my professors, and I don’t want to disappoint them,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the College is working on future plans

to improve the passing rate of the University in this examination.

“We are thinking of new enhancements that we could do. To further ensure na iyong ating performance in the CPALE, will not be only simply passing kun’di surpass the previous performances,” the program head stated.

Rank 12 Torreda further urged the future CPA candidates of WUP to prepare for the examination. “Prepare as early as you can, focus on your studies, and have faith. Don’t be too hard on yourself whenever you fail.

I failed so many times as well, but I look at it as an opportunity to grow and become better. And ask the Lord for guidance and peace of mind.” Torreda said.

The CPALE is designed to assess the knowledge and

skills that a Certified Public Accountant needs to practice to be competent with the profession. The board exam covered six subject areas that include Taxation, Regulatory Framework for Business Transactions, Management Advisory Services, Auditing, F i n a n c i a l Accounting and Reporting, a n d Advanced Financial Accounting a n d Reporting.

Genré The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

Colleges conduct acquaintance parties

by Melvin Clarence Dowes

Colleges conducted their respective acquaintance party during the months of September and October.

The College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) was the first to grace the dance floor with the theme: “CBA at the Disco” on September 27.

The CONAMS and COEd consecutively conducted the

event on October 4 and 5 with the themes: “Rock and Roar” and “Glamorous and Fabulous” respectively.

The College of Criminology and Justice Education (CCJE) held their party on October 6 with the theme: “Hollywood”.

The CAS kicked off their party on October 10 with the theme: “Past Tells”, followed by the CECT on October 11,

with the theme: “CECT Night Life”.

The series of events was concluded by CHTM on October 17 with the theme: “Outer Space”.

Gia Mae Teñoso, a freshman from CBA shares her experience of her first acquaintance party in the University, “Okay naman, na-enjoy ko naman ‘yung program.” she said.

JON FRANCIS BALAGAN

NEWS

5

WUP alumnus places first in August 2019 Social Work Licensure Examination

by Jacquilyn Javate and Alanna Soriano

Social Work’s fresh graduate Lilibeth Francisco Torres topped the August 2019 Social Worker Licensure Examination, with an average score of 83.60%.

Out of 61 board examinees, WUP produced a total of 39 licensed social workers this year, having an overall school performance of 60.66%, which is higher than the 46.43% national passing rate.

Consequently, the number of enrollees in the WUP CAS increased after the college produced a board exam topnotcher.

On the other hand, Social Work Professor Dr. Erlinda Mones said that their department already expected Torres to top the board examination.

“Ine-expect

namin na 6-10 lang ang makakapasa but expected na talaga namin na mag totop si Lilibeth kasi during our local in-house review and mock exams, nagta-top talaga siya.”

She also emphasized the modifications on strict monitoring to this year graduates, which aims to ensure that Wesleyan’s candidates for Social Work Licensure Examination have all undergone an inh o u s e review.

WUP welcomes new batch of college freshmen and transferees

by Rose Ann Corpuz

To formally welcome the freshmen and transferees, WUP held a convocation ceremony at the University Gymnasium, last September 14.

During this first academic assembly of the school year, President Benjamin Turgano gave the new students a glimpse of what they may experience in the next years that they will be spending in the University.

“Like you, I have arrived here in the hope that I could make a unique contribution to this University, to this very special venue of learning,” said Turgano.

Being in his first year as the University president, Turgano also shared his thoughts on starting a journey in the University.

“The journey that we are to embark as we begin our time here—there will be many challenges and you will find yourselves under tremendous pressure,” he also added.

Together with the faculty and staff, the students pledged during the opening ceremony, and the University’s mission, vision, goals, and core values were also discussed.

Moreover, the second part of the program included performances from Brass Band and

JON FRANCIS BALAGAN

various inside aiming student

organizations the University to encourage participation in

various registered school organizations.

Also present in the event were Vice President for

Academic Affairs Dr. Marietta B. Agustin, college deans and professors, and program heads.

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OPINION

Volume XXV • Issue 2 August-September 2019

L

editorial

LEADERSHIP:

LET YOUR PASSION BE ALIVE

Catastrophe

Melvin Clarence Dowes Trainee

It Doesn’t End Here, We Can Do Something I love conspiracy theories and myths since I was a kid, and I am one of those weirdos who believe that during the time when God showered his blessings all over the land, Amazon Rainforest must be the biggest bowl.

Amazon rainforest is a home

to more plant, it is also a home to more plant and animal species than any other extraterrestrial ecosystem on the planet, including at least 40,000 plant species, 2.5 million insect species, 2,200 fish species and 427 mammal species.

Endemic plants and medicinal

First Semester 2019-2020

cannot decide on to whom best suits the position if there are no candidates presented. But there are few who are able and wholeheartedly willing to accept the duty.

Yet, individuals have different bets within their minds when it comes on choosing, different standards on what one must possess of – for example on who should take the seat – not just within the school vicinity but also on big and important happenings like national election, but do you think that it is what the majority wants? – No, what the majority needs? If this person took the role because it best suits for him/ her, does it flow as well as what you think? These questions didn’t make a loud drone in Wesleyan community, which should not be a thing.

Everyone has the freedom to voice out their opinions, to

be heard regardless of who you are, as long as you belongs to the group, you must have the right.

In this aspect, Wesleyan students did not have the opportunity to decide on who should be going to seat base on who will run or who are willing to take the charge in Student Supreme Council for one Academic Year – the lack of information indeed happened.

Wesleyan University – Philippines have yearly election in every end of Second Semester where the aspirant leaders will going to have a debate against another party not just in front of students but also in front of administrators, proving theirselves and answering the questions on, ”Why they should be elected?” “What they can do to serve their fellow students?”, “What is their edge against the opponent?” Presenting their vision on how they can improve the institution as well as to influence everyone in the peer – and from it they will be judged, the decision will finally raise within the minds of individual who witness on what they called Meeting de Avance.

But this year many were shock that the election for Supreme Student Council had already over after the official Facebook page and official account on Twitter of Wesleyan University-Philippines released the list of the new sets of officer for Academic Year 2019– 2020 after they held a special election on September 29, 2019.

This raised the question, how did it happen?

According to the post, these students were endorsed by their College Deans to ensure that the Wesleyan UniversityPhilippines has knowledgeable and forward looking students who can strengthen the mantle of leadership while fostering the welfare and rendering services in order to have a balance and wellmaintained relationship between the University and the students.

In this, we can clearly see that the only one who got the chance to choose came from college offices.

They picked a candidate for every college and had an interview before they get in to their assigned seats. Basically, they didn’t bother to ask the opinions of the students – whether if they agree or not or to at least decide since they are the priorities and will be given services by the group.

Administrators have the

authority to rule over and to guide the students but looking in different angle, does the opinion of students doesn’t matter?

The council aimed to have a change and the positions on SSC is now divided into two: The Executive Committee, where it is compose of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Public Information Officer(s) and Business Manager(s); and House of Representatives which comprises of House Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Secretary General and a representative per college.

Unlike from the previous years, the council included the House of Representatives.

SSC has a big role, they are responsible for University-wide activities like Palarong Wesleyan and Foundation Day. They also conduct seminar; getting speakers for certain topic inside and outside the campus.

The budgets, the efforts and the time consumed are not a joke. So it is important to look on someone who can do the job well because they should stand as a strong cord for an organization to operate well.

Conversely, as long as the council thriving to do their works and function, we can say that the process of choosing is successful, but still, the fact cannot changed that – it is not decided by majority.

Because it is still important to have a voting to make a collective decision and to express an opinion – a very important part of any equality.

However, being a student leader is neither about your looks nor what talent you’ve got because it is the ability to serve your community. The determination you have is an opportunity to stand along with others and not to be just another echo.

Everyone should look forward since there’s a new set of first year, – should be inspired to serve the community, to shaped what they have, to become a leader – leading with enthusiasm and purpose.

It is true that leadership can be seen on each person. You can be a role model on your own yet why you don’t at least try to become one of the student council to stand firm and built your ability if you have the power to serve, to lead and influence other? Let your opinions matter.

animals inhabit Amazon rainforest as well, including 70% of medicinal ingredients that help fight serious diseases like cancer, 10% of the known species by man also inhabits the rainforest, along with approximately 250,000 Amazon natives and 34 million non-natives who depend on its resources.

The benefits that we get from it are priceless. In fact, if only a place could be honored as hero, I think it must have taken home the recognition.

Sadly, no matter how big the contribution of it in our lives and in our planet some people still take it for granted. Since 1960s, the deforestation on the Amazon escalates. Ninety percent of the deforestation on the rainforest was caused by cattle ranching, where farmers intentionally put grass

fires and cut trees on the borders of the Amazon so they could have a land to start their businesses with.

Soy plantation is another issue. From 2001 to 2012, a roughly 17.7 million hectares of Amazon rainforest has been wiped out resulting from deforestation and arsons. And if this dilemma will continue, deforestation could double to 48 million hectares, which means it is more than a quarter of the Amazon forest would be without trees in 2030.

Conserving the Amazon rainforest is a global concern that should be taken immediate action, but others do not seem to care about this alarming dilemma. Even with tight government restrictions, some people were still setting fires in the Amazon. Even media outlets were spreading fake news just to

earn cash from this issue.

What would happen to us if the Amazon rainforest is gone? Yes, we might possibly survive without it because 50%-80% of the world’s oxygen was generated from the oceans, but we will surely suffer from extreme climate change.

Amazon rainforest holds about 400 billions tons of carbon dioxide, and if all of its trees will be gone, that 400 billions tons of gases will be released and lurk in our atmosphere, which will cause our global temperature to increase by 2°f, and will perish all of our chances to fight climate change.

Expect the ice caps from Antarctica to melt faster, stronger typhoons that will occur across regions, intense heatwaves and wild fires

Editor-In-Chief Hannah Marie Olanda

Opinion Editor Georliza Pascual

Sports Editor Jacquilyn Javate

Jenine Maricar Barnachea Rose Anne Corpuz

Associate Editors Mark Joseph Nunez Levi Bautista

News Editor Aloha Balbuena

Art Director Pia Ada Xena Valerio

Features Editor Ezra Mae Dimapawi

Multimedia Director Jayson Gabriel Garcia

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

DevCom Editor Justine Jade Tuates

Circulations Director Sharina Mel Adriano

Photojournalist Jon Francis Balagan

Literary Editor Athina Bales

Staff Writers Dominic Pangilinan Jenina Marie Lipana

Videojournalist Gerald Lara

Managing Editor for Finance John Vincent Pascual

EDITORIAL BOARD

eadership is not just all about power; it also covered the ability to lead and to take the responsibility amidst the challenging situations – embodied with commanding authority and influence.

You cannot compare two things if there’s nothing to be compared of. You cannot recognize a thing which cannot be seen, of course. Just like in choosing to have a leader, one

Managing Editor for Administration John Mark Santiago

G/F Bishop Dionisio D. Alejandro Hall (formerly Computer Studies Bldg), WUP Cushman Campus, Mabini Extension, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

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continued on page 9

Trainees Alanna Soriano Annika Tugaff Christian Ivan Pallorina Christine Joy Mactal Clarence Jairra Javate Dana Capones Edcristina Salmos Genesis Faith Veloso Gwen Garcia Jazmine Tumibay Jelly Ann Arceta Jessica Maureen Gaurano Julius Corpuz Kim Clarisse Zabat

Laarni Bernardo Melvin Clarence Dowes Michael Roman Roaila Honey Rose Iniwan Roice Mico Nieves Ysabelle Fernandez Yzza Marielle Ectin Technical Adviser Mr. Emmanuel John R. Pangan

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Genré The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

Oceanic Athina Bales Literary Editor

We Are Not Getting Any Other Earth Environmental activism hasn’t been as rampant as it is now. Despite countless “Plant a tree, Save the future” posters, or advisories to begin habits that’ll affect the environment positively delivered by the normative forms of media, the innate mentality that we possess resonate still: As long as it doesn’t affect me directly, I don’t care. We never seem to take notice.

Not until Greta, though. You can only be living under a rock if you haven’t heard of that name yet – but it’s not so familiar still.

Why, she only made it to almost all media platforms, voicing out her environmental concerns and, at times, dissing prominent, dysfunctional organizations, pertaining to some prominent dysfunctional people.

Greta Thunberg, a Swedish Climate Activist, has sure stolen the global attention because of her conviction to environmental change. Despite being a 16-yearold, an unconventional age for being political, she has become the face of Climate Change Activism.

She champions the pushing of governments and corporations to address climate crises, especially the cutting of carbon emissions.

Back in 2018, she started a school strike for the climate outside the Swedish Parliament, and is now called Fridays for Future. This movement encourages students to skip school on Fridays to demand action on climate change from their governments.

And I guess the aforementioned facts are what shocked the world most: The irony

of her age and her advocacies – Hey, it’s not everyday that you get across a child that has more to say about the world than most adults.

Which leads us to a premise; the world is changing.

I no longer need to break some statistical data to prove that fact. I mean, walk along the highway for a couple of minutes and tell me that Climate Change

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We can actually feel “change” and it concerns me how the majority of the Earth’s population doesn’t get scared of their approaching destruction.

isn’t real. The vigor of the “normal” rains we experience nowadays has inarguably the same intensity as the storms way back. Go to the mountains and ask them where their trees have gone to.

We can actually feel “change” and it concerns me how the majority of the Earth’s population doesn’t get scared of their approaching destruction. I mean, sure, you can soak yourself up in your privilege, but once that the apocalypse has proclaimed its arrival; your tan won’t be any use except make your burn look real

Lebensmüde Levi Bautista Associate Editor

Parented Role in Developing the Skills and Talents of Youth Start ‘Em Young Growing up, I’ve always wanted to explore and learn new things. I’ve always envied those who can play musical instruments, those who are good in arts and crafts, those who are adept at sports and a lot of other people in my age who can do things that I can’t - which I wish that I could.

And for sure, I am not the only one to have this kind of sentiment, and so what? It’s never late to try and learn something new, right?

Most of the skills take time and effort to master – except if it is only an innate talent or maybe because you are a prodigy – waiting to be discovered, and if we look at our situation as a college student it will be really hard for us if we consider the overloaded schedule.

I believe in the saying that you should strike the iron while it is still hot because it’s then that iron is the softest and most pliable, for it will be easier to shape, just as how a child’s mind is more malleable and adaptable in learning new things than those who are approaching

young adulthood – arriving to the conclusion that parents play a big role in developing child’s skills and talents.

Their support, may it be moral or financial such as enrolling them to lessons or tutorials and providing them with instruments and materials is a very important factor.

I, for one, can be an example.

I used to be fascinated with musical instruments, I am awed by those who can play the guitar, drums or keyboard. I always want to learn and to become one of them.

However, none of my parents know how to play, so naturally, they weren’t able to teach me. We also weren’t that financially stable back then and we couldn’t afford enrolling me to musical lessons.

Of course, I could’ve practiced by myself, after all practice makes perfect, right? But I remembered asking my parents for a guitar and another time a keyboard which was being offered by a walking salesman – and both requests were rejected. The only experience I’ve

VIEWPOINTS bad. Believe me, the apocalypse already has.

Greta has already posed a great example of what we should not become. Remember her words at the United Nations Climate Action Summit? “You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words,” Those are the words of a child that has been let down by a lot of people.

The best we can do now is to not strip the generations next to ours, the leisure of breathing clean air filtered by clean trees planted on clean soil.

As always, instead of disregarding the societal measures that only encourage the worst out of the world, some upheavals has arisen. In fact, the Alberta Government in Canada has passed a law prohibiting underage females without a government license to express themselves verbally within the province.

According to Premier Jason Kenney of Canada, they’re only keeping Alberta safe from “unlicensed underage female communication”, and must not be mistaken in relation with some current issues. Well I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty oppressive and sexist to me.

Now in relation to all these, I think it is safe to say that we are facing a great political battle against the environment, the society, the economy, and ourselves. A battle that will determine how much humanity has progressed, or how we intuitively repeat history.

And if by now, you are still unconcerned of what lies beyond, – let me ask you something: What would make your apathy a little less dense? When the tides are already up the city because the whole Arctic has long ago melted?

Or when only the rich has access to your current excesses? Or perhaps when you finally get sick of the tall buildings and their suffocating shadows?

Think fast, and think rationally because this economic progress that the government only seems to focus on isn’t bound to last forever. Worst, maybe our idiocy would be our endgame.

had with was a keyboard playing on the cheap piano toy with seven keys; at least, I did learn to play Happy Birthday and Joy to the World though.

When it comes to moral support, I’m sure I won’t have to provide proof for this one. Even you will agree that there’s just something wonderful, something satisfying and encouraging whenever you see your parents support you in pursuing your passion and dreams – looking at you with their gleaming and proud eyes.

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Because at the end of the day, whether you admit it or not, you’re doing your best on the most things you could do, more for our parents – either to please them, return their sacrifice, prove yourself just to make them feel proud.

Because at the end of the day, whether you admit it or not, you’re doing your best on the most things you could do, more for our parents – either to please them, return

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Email

Ezra Mae Dimapawi Features Editor

Intoxicated When I first saw my family took a sip on an unfamiliar drink and later on laughed as they opened their fifth bottle of a circular small drink, I started wondering why they laughed on such petty things - on such simple joke that was thrown.

I questioned myself why their laugh became different compared to their conversation on their first bottle; why their laugh turned out to be so genuine each time they drink that shot. Their simple get together became an honest talk show, full of pun.

I was just a curious child; I held lots of question, an impatient one who wanted an immediate answer. However, there are things better left unsaid unless you reach a certain point when you are ready. This time, my curiosity once picked me and I lose. The questions I was once wondering when I was a child is now answered and it became clear to me: yes, we can’t justify the reason why we are drinking alcohol but there is this certain feeling where our body magically fail to recall the things that bother us.

It doesn’t taste sweet and even the smell doesn’t appealing.

It’s just the fact that when the alcohol starts penetrating your body, your mind starts to wander.

Your body will start to get numb, you can’t feel your lips even if you bit it, and your face will no longer feel the pain when somebody slaps you. It will convince you and will talk to you in no person, even you can explain.

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Yes, we can’t justify the reason why we are drinking alcohol but there is this certain feeling where our body magically fail to recall the things that bother us.

I have witnessed my friends’ laughter, cries, vomit party, their dizzy walk, their unidentified talking, their rants and even the heartbreaks that no one knows not until the drunk-talked.

Alcohol is really intoxicating; it really does wonders in your body. Surprisingly, it can also be a source of strength, I witnessed a timid and shy person sing beautifully, it can help you dance through the beat even reveal that hidden talent that really should be hidden. As the famous saying goes “nanghiram nang tapang sa alak,” it can be both good and bad.

It is really up to you how to use it but I wish you use it correctly.

I never imagine that I could be that person — the one who’ll be handling a bottle of beer and starts shouting cheers to every person we have on table. When my world started to fall apart and I thought I couldn’t find anyone near me to save me, I then started to grab bottles of bottles just so

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Kiyoubinbou Jacquilyn Javate Sports Editor

Red Tagging: Walang Lapat ng Patunay Ang gobyerno sa kasalukuyan ay nagiging masipag sa paghihinala sa kung sino ang tunay na mga kalaban nila, ngunit tamad naman sa paghanap ng ebidensya bago sana kumalabit sa gatilyo and magpakawala ng bala.

Dito sa atin sa Pinas, ang kumaliwa ay kasalanan; kahit pa sabihing may posibilidad na nasa kaliwa ang katuwiran at katotohanan.

Pilit mang tabunan, o mas tama yatang gamitin ko ang salitang pagtakpan ang mga mahahalagang usapin tulad ng red-tagging sa pamamagitan ng samu’t saring isyu sa showbiz, ito ay itinuturing kong isang basura na hindi na mapipigilan ang pagalingasaw nang masangsang na amoy, kahit ano pang gawing pagtatago sa totoong kalagayan ng bansa.

Tulad nito, nang mabanggit ko ang salitang red-tagging, natitiyak kong malaking porsyento ng karaniwang Pilipino ang walang ideya; tinitimbang ko tuloy kung isisisi ko ba ito sa pagiging ignorante ng mga tao o sa mapagmanipulang mga kamay

upang ang mga mai-ere lang sa midya ay mga balitang hindi naman talaga kabali-balita.

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Ngayon, ay higit na naging klaro sa akin na ang paninindigan sa paniniwala ay kadalasang buhay ang taya, lalo kapag ang nasa taas ay nagsara na ng pinto sa panig ng iba,

Katunayan, nito lamang Agosto ng nakaraang taon, si Brandon Lee, banyagang mamamahayag na nakadestino sa probinsya ng Ifugao ang nagtamo ng mga tama ng baril, at nalagay sa bingit ng kamatayan nang dahil sa umano’y pakikisimpatya sa mga komunistang grupo, ng

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OPINION

Volume XXV • Issue 2 August-September 2019

Middle Ground Literacy Genesis Faith Veloso

Michael Roman

Amidst technological advancement and information overload, there are quite numerous things you could not find simply in the World Wide Web – this student bill of rights. The ability to uphold and promote just implementation of University guidelines that is said to have no other aim but to create a sound learning environment for the students could be strengthened through proper information dissemination.

Chance Lit

Christian Ivan Pallorina Trainee

Real is The New Ideal Last season on My Life as a Netflix Addict: I click a certain show’s first episode and it ended with a cliff-hanger. Eager to know what happened and what will happen next. I clicked play for the next chapter without thinking twice, but it also ended with an even more suspense cliff-hanger, so I did what my guts is telling me, to watched the following. Every ending of it remains the same which makes me more curious. I played the next one and the cycle continues.

Forty minutes—it’s amazing how that forty minute episode consumed me; how that play button just suddenly dragged me away from, and forget the reality; how a certain character made me want to replace him in his life although he is only fictional but in the equilibrium of idealistic and realistic; how a series made me commit to ever-watching ‘til I lost interest—which seems that will never going to happen because I’m so dedicated into it.

Binge-watching was done by thousands, and I know exactly why I became one. Lure was my mind when the moment I put myself on a character’s shoe.

Popped off questions like, “What if I was there?”, “What if I am the one enjoying that seemingly almost,

but not too quiet perfect life?” — Which something I can never have but I can always ponder. If I can’t have it, I can’t think of it— as if I was the one living the way that he does, that was way too cool for me to handle. It made me dive deeper into watching. Wow! That’s the power of imagination.

A complete whole season is fine, but greater than five hours of watching seems to not satisfy me. I wanted more than that. So I explored the whole site and see more characters whose lives were pretty enjoyable, good enough for an average person. Trying to imagine as if one’s life was mine that I actually forget my life outside the shows I’m watching.

Yet, it feels so surreal to have their life even just in my head, because it filled everything that’s missing within me; the things I ever long for. Only if those things in screen can suddenly manifest in my life, it would be great. Having everything I wanted would be so fantastic. What more could I ask for? But all of these were just mere thoughts created by overwatching. It continued for days, weeks, and months. Suddenly, I can’t differentiate what’s real and what’s not? But then, reality hit me, there’s more life than what I see on screen.

The Department of Education (DepEd) issues the enclosed Basic Guidelines in the Development of Learners’ Discipline Manual which shall serve as basis amending their Learners’ Discipline Manual, Anti-Bullying Policy, and Child Protection Policy.

D e s p i t e the issuance of basic guidelines to be provided and presented to the students, illiteracy regarding Student Rights and Responsibilities remains abundant among universities.

The lack of provision results to the inability of students to exercise their rights, as well as to comply with policies related to academics.

Regional Order No. 07, s. 2018 from May B. Eclar, Ph.D., CESO V, Regional Director of DepEd dated November 13, 2018, entitled “Basic Guidelines in

the Development of Learners’ Discipline Manual” shows that the use of student handbook, gives students, parents and/ or guardians an insight of the general rules for receiving education from the institution.

The chief purpose of the student handbook is to establish guidelines that protect the rights of students, and to outline responsibilities, obligations, and expectations for students necessary to ensure the success and stability of these policies. But it is no secret that not all students are knowledgeable about the content of the handbook due to lack of material presented to them or the inability to receive proper information.

These days, students do not really read the handbook.

It is just brought out under the table when a certain student right is violated. It causes misunderstandings in such simple policies like what is considered as a proper uniform or even the right haircut. Sometimes students need more explanation, more evidence. If all the school policies and regulations are

written in a handbook clearly, then the students will have a better understanding of their environment.

A good handbook is one which is written with both parties—the students and the administration, so that they will come into a mutual understanding, they will know what they need. Moreover, updating handbooks based on the needs of the students is a must. Administration has to consider that students are diverse; every year, students are getting more and more different. Handbooks that are old and unchanged will not possibly be reliable as times and needs are changing.

The use of handbook is undermined and is often overlooked as students enter the University but better dissemination of information is the neutral zone which favors both parties. This is the middle ground that will ensure a quiet coexistence between the students and the administration—one that we will hopefully do our best to keep.

It started with a single show, followed by another, then another, until I can’t even enumerate what’s on my list, to think none of these was even necessary at the first place. I didn’t notice it was eating me up that everything that surrounds became gloomy, and things got off control. I unconsciously neglected the fact that I should take care of myself; my appeal, health, and physicality regress; my academic performance also descended. I got myself deprived over sleeps more than I need. My social activity even regress because I unconsciously distant myself from my friends and my family. Cliché it is, but all too much is unhealthy. Maybe we won’t take a common quote seriously, unless it hit us, and this knocks me out. I, then, realized that imagining myself in the life of others, not to mention that they don’t really exists; it’s having no life at all.

someday, and I’d be giving back everything that they had sacrifice for me. Maybe I should’ve been more goal-oriented rather than focusing on a screen that distracts me from what’s happening around me. I never thought I would even think that shows somehow act like a virus when you let it consumed you. And I was a victim. I wanted to help myself, but I couldn’t.

Everytime, I’m all eyes at the screen, little did I know that in a moment, the battery will initially be emptied, that whatever I do, it won’t turn on, it’ll leave me dumbfounded and that only means

I need to get back to the reality. Yes, it could be turned on again, but everytime it dies, I have to face the real life, and one time, I saw that all things were left blue and messy.

Maybe, I should’ve never waited ‘til things went worst.

Nobody really went against me watching, it’s just that, everybody told me to keep in touch with real life, and not to spend my entire day and night. At the end of the day, it won’t help me when I go too much of it. People told me to have discipline, but maybe that is something I lack—that something I should have at the first place.

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I never thought I would even think that shows somehow act like a virus when you let it consumed you. And I was a victim. I wanted to help myself, but I couldn’t.

Netflix has been my utmost priority regardless the fact that it should’ve not been one of my focus.

After all, I’m just a mere student trying to pursue my dreams, so that I could be successful, and through that I could help my parent

Intoxicated • from Page 7 if I can’t have someone I can instead have something to hold on to. I shared gallons of tears, the tipsy talk and questioning my own worth.

You see how youth run to alcohol for fun? For a solution that will only last for a while?

See how teenagers used to drink buckets and liters of alcoholic beverages just so they can feel the relief and that everything is okay. That’s how tough life can be.

Yes, I could have just walked my problems out, I could have just voice it out to someone whom I trust or to a complete stranger, but it is never wrong to drown all the negativity away, it is never wrong to puked it after the long night of bottoms up shots, it is never wrong to find drinking as a way to forget your worries for a while. Still, there are always people who are ready to listen, who are willing to lend you their hands when you needed it. I know that you can find those kinds of friend, because I did, and I never been this thankful for meeting them.

The burden inside me, somehow starting get lighter and lighter every time I get to talked them out to someone.

Alcohol will always be there, but it will never be able to hug you when you are down, it won’t tap your shoulders, it can’t whisper words of encouragement and appreciation, all you can see on its bottle is the ingredients and how much alcohol content per volume and it can’t wipe away your tears. It will never give you the warmest embrace a person can ever give you.

Drinking doesn’t make you any less of a person but it much more feels right when you are pouring it with another person, talking and making fuss about anything. Talk about everything under the sun; scream if you must, let that burden out you deserve to breathe. But you know what really makes you strong? That is when you manage how to be a responsible drinker, when to stop taking shots and when to say no.

VIEWPOINTS

Genré The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

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Fool Me Once, Shame on You. Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me. Melvin Clarence Dowes

Jenina Lipana

They say that everyone deserves a second chance, a take two - to find a better shot. With a reason that we are humans and committing mistake is already our nature. Come to think of it, but what if that “mistake” someone had done was of pure grim and in no way seem to be forgiven? Is there any amount of wishes or plea that could make that person be worthy of mercy and be freed from the consequences of his grave acts? These questions make me think that it should not.

The citizens of this country were hopping mad when Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, stated

in an interview that former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez will be released very soon as he

It Doesn’t End • from Page 6

that will rage anywhere, and crisis in medicines and possible extinction of certain species.

But this is not the end, we can still do something. We don’t have to be rich or a great influencer to help the Amazon rainforest, even by small steps, if all of us will participate and move it will create a giant leap. Look for a solution that’s more convenient to you.

Like for example, United

States, Mexico, and other countries that were part of the Amazon rainforest were the top suppliers of beef in the world. If many people will reduce their intake of beef, it will cause the cattle rancher owners to cut back and therefore refrain from deforesting the Amazon.

Second, interfere. Show your support in the ways you could. Using social media platform is a great option for it reaches

allegedly qualified in the computation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law (GCTA Law). The news

wide range of users. Let others know your opinion and suggest solutions to combat deforestation.

Third, support different ecological organizations which aim to conserve the Amazon rainforest.

Rainforest Action Network is a great choice to start with, winning multiple lawsuits involving big time companies who illegally or unethically use resources from the Amazon.

Lastly and I think is the

promulgated among social media, creating a major public backlash to the Supreme Court. Sanchez, on the other hand, was convicted and sentenced with nine reclusion Perpetua, after found guilty of double murder of his political opponent's supporter and its son, and the vicious rape-slay of two students of University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

The said evaluation left a big "how" in the minds of the citizens. How a prisoner convicted of such vicious crimes be granted of early dismissal because "he have shown good manners and right conduct" while on his stay behind the metal bars?

The reason given by the Supreme Court might be accepted if there's no conflict really took place involving Sanchez before, but we are not fools. In fact, in 2010, the former Mayor was busted of keeping 1 kilogram of illegal drugs concealed inside a statue of Virgin Mary on his cell. Sanchez was also reported of selling illegal drugs to these fellow inmates.

There are also findings that Sanchez is enjoying high comfort in the prison, for his cell has forbidden privileges.

Eyewitnesses were also popping saying that there are times where former Mayor was walking outside New Bilibid Prison, with no police to accompany him, no hand cuffs; just with on his own, walking like a regular citizen.

Another reason stated by the Supreme Court is that he already stayed 49 years in prison, exceeding the maximum time of 40 years. When the truth is he only stayed for 26 years for he was convicted on 1993.

When you do Math, 2019 minus 1993 is 26, not 49. So I'll just give a quick shoutout to the Supreme Court, "what happened to your mathematical skills, Sirs? Is this mishap?” Obviously, not.

The defendant's party is clearly taking advantage of the GCTA Law. The Republic

most important – be a responsible citizen. The simplest but yet not everyone comply on this one. Be an individual who cares for the nature, putting your trashes on the right place will suffice.

There is no weighing scale that will weigh out our contributions to help lifting the Amazon rainforest and will judge whether our efforts were worthy or not in the end. What’s important is that we opened our

Act No. 10592 or the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law, signed by the former President Benigno S. Aquino III in 2013, lays out the allowance for good conduct for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). If the Supreme Court thinks that the violations of Sanchez stated beforehand are acts of "good conduct", then I think not. He's even denying the crimes that he'd done until now. Twenty years have passed, and still not sorry. Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez, families of the victims of the rape-slay, said that Sanchez is still not expressing any apology.

No, an amendment of the said law is not necessary.

What should be done is proper compliance which is not driven by any amount of cash. Justice system in the Philippines sucks because those who are powerful and rich could buy effortless pardon with their eyes closed, while those who have-nots and oppressed, have no power to defend themselves to be free from sins — most of these they did not commit.

For Mr. Antonio Sanchez it was a nice try, but you can fool us no more. You have already fooled us once; it will be a shame to us if you will succeed for the second time.

In today's world, money can buy anything, even justice.

Funny how money can turn people into clowns Learning from this case, all of us should be responsible and accountable with all the things that we have done in the past and will do in the future.

When one has committed a mistake, one should face the corresponding consequences.

Maybe some other time, that person will triumphantly dodge the rightful claw of justice and be freed from the deep chasm of Nemesis, but always remember that the final jurisdiction is neatly waiting for us, there, at the end of our races in life.

mind and wholeheartedly helped even just by simple things.

I am dreaming that several years or a decade from now, by the time when we already have our children, they will still be able to behold the enchanting beauty and wonders of the Amazon rainforest. I am excited to see the sparkles on their eyes, and I will thankfully say in my mind, “we made it.

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OPINION

Volume XXV • Issue 2 August-September 2019

Proper Waste Management: What Do You Contribute For Good?

Clarence Jaira Javate

Roaila Honey Rose Iniwan

Building a campus community of discipline and manners with more or less 7,000 different individuals with different point of views must be challenging - a challenge that will seem to keep on going for the next long coming years. Picturing a regular day at the campus, there, sits a used cup of someone’s lunch with flies gathering around inside, a splat of dripping fish ball sauce staining the concrete chair at main gate partnered with awfully crumpled water bottles on the side is such a view that anyone wouldn’t miss: for there’s never a day that it’s not like this.

Starting from kindergarten, children are already taught where to put and how to manage their garbage. The teaching of proper waste management goes on up to now and backed up by city or barangay ordinances, environmental advocacies and Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle programs to encourage communities to practice proper disposal methods for the benefit of the environment and the community itself. Reasoning from this fact, is a deep wonder why there are still grown, well-educated people with the privilege of studying at one of the, perhaps the most, prestigious University inside the province proper are contributing negative impacts to the life-long battle of fighting environmental issues.

Completely removing disposable, single-use plastic is a massive adjustment to be done especially that most students prefer convenience over the hard work of putting in the effort to sustain an environment-conscious way of living. Although it is not absolutely intentional besides the limited availability of the

alternatives for everyone, but because it is the easiest way of surviving a whole day. But somehow it appears ironic that everyone wants things to be convenient and go as smoothly perfect as it can be, but then despises the consequences that fill in when the negative effect takes place.

Looking at the bigger picture, the immense use of one-time-use disposables is seemingly just one of the major problems. What makes the already filthy situation is the lack of discipline and awareness of some campus residents. Despite the fact that proper waste management is a matter that has been on the front lines of the things we first learn at a young age: being taught, fed to us the knowledge of its importance -- there's still vast number of people refusing to recognize and act upon it.

Even at a rational level of age, the word "Climate Change", "Proper Waste Management" is constantly circulating only to land on deaf ears. If this matter was taken with enthusiasm, by this time everyone should be capable of gracefully practicing the

proper disposal of waste.

Putting garbage to the right places and completely detach from the disgusting habit of leaving one's bunk of trash anywhere possible.

Students and locals should realize that it is a rightful duty to maintain the wellness of the environment inside the campus. Everyone has access to University trash cans spread out everywhere on designated areas inside the school premises in each respective department a n d particular areas. Meaning, proper way of disposal is not denied and in fact, a responsibility of everyone.

Although complicated, it's being taken step by step: an existing rule applied to all Wesleyanians, led by the University - the use and entry of plastic inside the campus is now being controlled and monitored for the goal of reducing waste and improperly disposed garbage inside the school vicinities.

Through expanding the efforts to combat disposal

issues and with solutions being maximized, the biggest contribution the campus residents can

give is to start being concerned, be more disciplined and put initiative actions for the benefit of everyone, the University, and the environment.

rarely have playmates and I’m still not that close with my parents, so I had to find a new way to spend my free time.

That’s when I discovered pocket books, thanks to my grandmother who’s now in peace. I used to escape from the house then run to my grandma’s house nine houses far away from ours and borrow some of her pocketbooks, then run as fast as I can back home before my absence was noticed.

And look at me now, I may never have accomplished that much with my writing yet, but I am

confident to say that I can write – which I believe that I developed from the moment I was creating those stories about my toys and up to the passion for reading I’ve got from reading pocketbooks.

If my parents supported my wish to learn how to play instruments, I may not have been a writer but a musician. Or if they gave me attention or allowed me to go out, I won’t spend that much time reading or playing with my toys, for all I know I could’ve been the sporty type or something different to what I am now.

Role of Parents • from Page 6 their sacrifice, prove yourself just to make them feel proud.

Although sometimes, our parents’ support restricts our choices, especially when they are giving all their assistance for us to learn, something they want for us or they think we want rather than what it is we really desire. And we can’t voice out our opposition back then for we were afraid of being scolded or disappointing our parents. Yet, the lack thereof can also have a positive effect.

Just like in my case, their lack of attention and support helped

me to developed one of my most coveted skills.

I lived with only my mother and my father, and due to being sickly back then, I was rarely allowed to go out of the house, so naturally, I have no one to play with, for my parents are also always busy with whatever they are doing.

The only company I had then was my boxful of toys. Mobile devices aren’t so rampant back then and each of them has a name and different back stories. I used to drag them around the house,

almost every corner has a city and its own citizen and story – living out their adventures and battles inside my mind. I wasn’t your typical child, bumping his action figures together while making loud whooshing noises, I used to roll a dice or flip a coin during their battles and I was never one to make a noise, all their dialogues and sound effects are confined in my mind.

Then as I was getting too old for toys – I meant grade 8, for I only stopped playing with them when I was at this grade – I still

Red Tagging • from Page 6 siya ay maglabas ng mga artikulo na tumutalakay sa mahirap na pamumuhay sa kabundukan.

Para saan pa at may gobyerno ang bansa, kung ilalagay at ipauubaya lang din naman pala nila sa kamay ng iilan ang batas?

Hindi ba’t kaya may pamahalaan upang nang sa gayon ay idaan sa legal na proseso ang kaso; at hindi idaan sa duda at init ng ulo ang pagreresolba – nakuk’westyon tuloy palagi ang kredibilidad ng mga namumuno sa posisyon nila dahil karamihan ay hindi kumikilos ng tulad ng may pinag-aralan.

Nabanggit ko na rin lang naman ang ‘pinag-aralan’, ang Unibersidad na Pilipinas, na s’yang paaralan na hinahangad ng karamihan na maging estudyante, ay binasag na rin ang kanilang katahimikan noong Oktubre, nang maglabas ng saloobin ang mga mag-aaral at empleyado ng UP Visayas ukol sa

mga posters malapit sa entrance ng Unibersidad. Naglalaman ang mga ito ng akusasyon sa mga kabataan, at organisasyon na nakikipag-ugnayan daw sa mga kalaban ng pamahalaan.

Isang malinaw na istratehiya ng gobyerno upang patahimikin ang kanilang mga kritiko, mapagkakaila pa ba kung sa mga posters na iyon ay lakasloob na binanggit ang partikular na pangalan ng mga samahang tulad ng Anakbayan, Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayan (SAMASA), National Union of Students of the Philippines at iba pa. Ang ganitong tahasang pagtuturo ay naglalagay sa mga miyembro nito sa kapahamakan sa ano mang oras.

Ngayon, ay higit na naging klaro sa akin na ang paninindigan sa paniniwala ay kadalasang buhay ang taya, lalo kapag ang nasa taas ay nagsara na ng pinto sa panig ng iba, dahil bago pa

man mangyari ang mga insidente tulad nang pagbaril kay Lee at mga akusasyon sa posters, ang Commission of Human Rights (CHR) ay nagbitiw na nang paalala sa awtoridad noon pang Abril sa pamamagitan nang pahayag ni CHR Commissioner Jacqueline De Guia na nagsasabing ang direktang alegasyon habang wala pang desisyon ng korte ay isang paglabag sa konstitusyon ng bansa. Dinagdag pa n’ya ang posibilidad na ang red-tagging ay maging mitsa ng aktibong pagkilos ng mga militanteng grupo at maging malaking kaguluhan sa umiiral na seguridad.

Mapapakibit balikat ka na lang kung iisipin mo na mismo silang may mga impluwensya at kapangyarihan ay hindi napakikinggan, gaano pa kaya kahina ang epekto ng mga salitang nanggagaling lang sa ating mga karaniwang tao?

Dumaragdag tuloy ito sa

pangamba ng mga estudyante na tumatahak sa mundo ng pamamahayag -tulad ko.

Subalit higit sa namumuong takot na dulot ng ganitong mga pangyayari, mamayani sana sa mga kapwa ko estudyante na magsilbing paunang sabi ito na ang propesyong aming pinili ay delikado, parang mga sundalong walang armas, maliban sa dignidad at paninindigan na sana’y hindi “for sale”.

Isa pa, magdodoble-isip ka na sa panahon ngayon kung sasama ka pa sa organisasyon kahit pa nga pinapangarap mong mapabilang doon, dahil kulang na lang i-alis na ng administrasyong ito ang karapatan natin sa pag-pili at pagkakaroon nang interaktibong pamumuhay bunga nang walang prenong pagtuturo sa mga kakampi raw ng kalaban; oo, maaaring tama, p’wede ring hindi, kaya sana maghunos-dili.

Wala namang problema

kung may mga natutunugang banta ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno lalo na ang mga nasa sektor ng seguridad tulad ng sandatahang lakas at kapulisan.

Nagkakaroon lang ng isyu kapag kating-kati sila sa paggamit ng baril habang nakatungtong sa umuugang pundasyon ng ebidensya.

Kung akala ng gobyerno na dahas ang uubos sa mga sumasalungat sa kanilang patakaran, p’wes ang madugong kaparaanan, maliban sa luma na, ni isa sa mga sumubok na gamitin ito -- walang nagwagi.

Ito ang aking paki-usap, bumalik tayo sa tamang proseso: Hinala – imbistigasyon – korte.

Hindi man ganoon kalinis at kabilis ang takbo ng batas sa Pilipinas, sa huli, ang batas ay batas, tulad kung paano ang buhay ay buhay.

Genré The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

FEATURE

11

Our action creates an

Endless Ripple A

s a child, my first steps were a momentous part of my parent’s life. It marked the start of a journey with a bright future they envisioned for their daughter. They counted one, two, and three as I take on brave steps balancing the weight of my body resting on my tiny feet.

Little did they know, these feet would do nothing more but to create history no one would be able to witness.

I often wonder what they think of me, as I wander our tiny house up and down, through the halls, crawling, walking, and running and at times, I even stumbled. What a risk, they must have said, such tiny body yet what vigorous mess I make.

The stumbling did not stop me from wanting to learn. They sent me to school where they spoon fed me the ABC’s, teach me how to write, how to read, helped me identify the different parts of the body, and even the layers of the Earth. I even learned that climate change is the ultimate effect

Run, Walk, Run Walk, before you run you often say to me. of pollution caused by us, humans – carbon footprint.

I took a deep breath as I stared at the words printed at my textbook. To my surprised, NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, says that the sun still has about 5 billion years to go before it burns out which would eventually cause the end of the Earth. I sat and thought to myself, what a relief that I would not be around to see the end of it.

But what I did not know, that our own actions are rapidly eating off the time we all have by producing greenhouse gases by electricity generation and simple transportation that increase greenhouse gas emissions by over half 14 percent an article says by Environmental Protection Agency, an agency of the United States federal government.

Waiting for the green light before crossing the road, I scrolled through the my newsfeed and saw a news on

BBC that says by 2030, the world’s population in cities will be consuming 73% of world energy, which accounts for 70% of CO2 emissions which means we could kiss 5 billion long years goodbye, but instead have 14 months left. Terrified, I could no longer read the following lines as I realize I may not live long enough to see the bright future my parents had envisioned for me.

Should we even dream when no future awaits us?

With blinded eyes, I tried to look at the world as if nothing is changing.

To push back any worrisome thoughts about the near arrival of the end. But when the green light finally came, each step I took within the busy streets of my neighborhood, I felt the weight of the wind against my skin as if it was burning. It was then, when it became clear to me, I can no longer turn a blind eye.

If I don’t do anything now, even breathing will become a sin.

Slapping me with the bitter truth, the statements released by the United Nations saying that our carbon footprint goes beyond more than just pollution. It encompasses global consumption that shows in every year 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted as some 2 billion people suffer of hunger and malnutrition which where 70 per cent of global carbon emissions are produced. If not careful, they say we may be the last generation that can prevent irreparable damage to our planet. Your carbon footprint — your impact on the environment Looking at it now, one person acting on it may cause no difference.

But every person from the 7.7 billion people in the world may shed a ray light to this misery we found ourselves in.

Now run you say, because there’s no time to walk.

Genesis Faith Veloso Russel Manubay

12

ON THE COVER

Being an environmental advocate.

I

f you seek environmental sentience, Professor Mary Ann Nacpil of the College of Arts and Sciences is one of the people to look for. Being actively engaged in Organic Agriculture, her advocacies primarily include the mitigation of climate change, to lessen the carbon emissions in the air, and to encourage as many people as possible to take action towards the environmental degradation.

Aside from the evident manifestations of the Earth’s change of state, her background in Ecology and Environmental Science pushed her being an environmentalist all the more.

“Very evident ‘yong mga data na ipinapakita sa atin ng mga scientists with regards sa mga nangyayari sa mundo, say for example, ‘yong mga strong typhoons, which are primarily caused by high evaporation dahil sobrang init na ng atmosphere, at kulang na ‘yong mga puno, kakaunti na ‘yong mga puno, and then ‘yong mga plastics around us, so we really have to do something about it.”

A struggle between what’s right and what we’re used to According to Nacpil, one of the major issues of the Philippines directly affecting the environment is solid waste management; a facet that lacks supervision and modeling, especially in terms of segregation. “’Yong mga nanay kasi, hindi naman sila nagse-segregate.

E ba’t magse-segregate ‘yong anak? Sa school hindi rin naman nakikita ‘yong teachers, mga professor na nagse-segregate, paano magse-segregate ang estudyante? So parang culturalized na. Ang hirap, maski na anong gawing turo ‘pag masyado nang embedded sa culture ‘yong kawalan ng disiplina.”

She also implied that not only the lack of discipline serves as a huge contributory factor to the degradation of the environment, but the inhabitants’ mentality as well. “’Yong Filipino psyche na gusto niya, lagi siyang excused.

So kung ‘yong kapitbahay niya, nagse-segregate, at siya ay hindi, parang ang iisipin na lang ay ‘Eh, excuse mo na lang ako kasi hindi ko kayang gawin yan.’ So mali. Mali talaga.”

FEATURE

13

Bio(die)versity “Loss of biodiversity is so rampant,” Nacpil began, “Ang sabi nga sa status, eh, about 1000 species go extinct each day, tignan mo na nga lang ‘yong naging sunog sa Amazon. Eh my God, ang Amazon, it contains about 50% ng Earth’s species. And it is the Earth’s Lungs, ‘yon

ang description, pero nasunog. Not only that, but nagiging subdivision na ‘yong mga bukid, ‘yong mga bundok, ‘yong mga parang. So natataboy ‘yong mga animals saka ‘yong mga plants, wala na silang mapuntahan, mamamatay na lang.”

Modernization and the Earth Technology and the progress we have obtained with the help of it led us to this peak, if one would consider the present world as on its best.

Nevertheless, this growth will continue; inevitable.

These advancements, though, don’t seem to blend well with nature. In fact, modern-day novelties are being built at the expense of environmental reserves such as forests, different types of lands, and bodies of water—as if we couldn’t get anything done without putting damage in nature.

Professor Nacpil doesn’t agree on this disparity.

“Sana ang modernization ay ineembrace niya at nire-respect niya ‘yong first inhabitants. Like halimbawa, may isang puno diyan, nauna siya e, igalang mo siya. So palibutan mo na lang ng building ‘yong puno pero ‘wag mo siyang alisin. Sabi nga, ‘If you design something with nature, don’t go against nature.’”

“Ang modernization ay mabuti, kasi nagpro-provide siya ng livelihood, accessibility sa mga tao, pero, at the expense of nature and the environment.

So sana hindi gano’n, sana blending lang.” she added.

Public Opinion vs. Personal Take In these present days, people who advocate for the protection of environment seem to become enemies of the state. It is no secret— environmental activists’ deaths are high and the Philippines is considered as one of the deadliest countries for them. It is no secret but it is not widespread either.

I wonder why.

Public opinion, according to Nacpil, is very important because it can, or it

cannot, move people.

“It will all boil down sa peronal perception ng tao. Kasi maski na may public opinion, ‘yong personal perception pa rin nila ang susundin nila kasi ‘yon ang paniniwala nila. Siguro maaapektuhan sila, pero at the end of the day, would they still segregate?

Would they still recycle? Wala, e. Tao lang ang sasagot sa sarili niyang mga perception.” Nacpil stated.

The Youth and their Future I asked Professor Nacpil what she thinks the dominant perspective of the youth towards the environment is. She told me, apathy.

“Itong Generation Z at Millenials na ito, apathetic sila masyado. Ang dating sa’kin, personally,’I will do what I want to do and what will make me happy.

So whatever you’re saying, whatever you’re telling me, I don’t care ‘cause it does not make me happy anyway.’ Pero sayang, kasi this is a very strong force na kung sana ma-divert lang ‘yong energy nila into something as significant as this, it can make a change.”

But why should the youth get involved?

“Ay jusko, kayo ‘yong future!”

Nacpil started. “Kami, papalubog na. In the next 25 years, you will see a lot of tremendous changes for the worst, and if you will not act today, ‘yong generation niyo will be adversely affected.

Nacpil added that the youth no longer has the option to do nothing.

“The only thing that you must do is to go for it, do something for the environment, kasi otherwise, kayo talaga ang sasapulin niyan.” She said.

An end towards a hopeful beginning.

Nacpil’s tips to start change: · Start with yourself.

“If you, yourself, will know the principle of segregation, na lahat ng nabubulok, sa lupa babalik, lahat ng ‘di nabubulok, ibabalik sa pabrika—it’s as simple as that.” · Plant your own food. · Refuse plastic usage. · Tree planting.

“Hindi mo naman kasi kayang baguhin ang mundo, e. But you can start from yourselves, from within.

Kailangan talaga, gustuhin mo to make a change. We’re here to engage as good stewards and managers of the planet.

Sana mahalin natin, and if we did so, alam ko matutuwa si Lord, and ‘pag natuwa si Lord, may blessing.” Nacpil stated.

Athina Bales

Gerald Lara

14

FEATURE

Volume XXV • Issue 2 August-September 2019

A HYBRID TRANSPORT THAT CAN TAKE US BOTH TO THE

uring unpleasant weathers, especially when the streets are flooded, caused by the heavy rain, it’s hard for us to go out of our lairs and straightly drive through the

D

pavement of muddy water. Sure, we can get through if it only reaches up until our feet and if we’re willing to get our wheels dirtied. In times of these moments, when the cabinets of our goods have long been emptied, we have troubles travelling to buy stuff or even on going to our desired places. Unless we both have a car and a boat, it’s not possible. But what if this certain inconvenience can be resolved through a vehicle that can easily drag us to our destined locations regardless of the land or water obstacles along the way? Everybody loves something convenient. This is a catch, for sure.

Because the vehicle we have all been aspiring for is finally in construction in our region.

In a group of people, only a couple of them would have an idea when they’re asked what an amphibious vehicle is or if they are familiar with the term. We can already get the conception from its root word ‘amphibian’ which means having two modes and can be either on land or water. Only a less number knows the existence of this kind of transportation that is viable both on land and water.

Amphibious vehicles may vary.

They can be bicycles, cars, trucks, boats, buses, hovercrafts and other forms of vehicles. Ours, are in the form of a boat and a six-wheeler truck.

Edcristina Salmos

We asked Dr. Ryan De Lara, one of the campus personnel who’s in-charge with the project some details about the origin, description and what bouts of this conveyance.

According to him, the creation of our own amphibious vehicle sparked because of the two main problems that we often encounter during disasters like typhoons and storms. The first one is the swamped areas while the latter is the areas that are dry.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the military were the ones that handle the preparation of relief goods to be distributed to the typhoon victims. It is very impractical and troublesome for them to transfer relief goods on a truck then to a boat alternately.

The research team then came up with a solution to create a vehicle that is able to cross high levels of water and can operate on land at the same time—thus, the creation of amphibious vehicle project. Instead of tiring the staffs out, amphibious vehicles would make their job easier as there’s no longer a need to carry the goods in such a long process of shifting the means of transport multiple times.

Even the operation respond would be faster. We all know that we hate stumbling upon this kind of inconvenience and this alternative s o u n d s actually pretty convincing.

T h e vehicle is 9-10 meters in length and 2 and a half meter width.

The vehicle itself weighs 6-8 tons but is designed for a 16-ton capacity.

It can carry until 200 packs of relief goods and can sustain a 25-person c a p a c i t y including the crew. This is first of its kind as it is cheaper, locally made and composed of indigenous materials. It is lightweight compared to other amphibious vehicles that tend to overheat cause of heaviness. This

Wesleyan University-Philippines

wouldn’t overheat easily because of its more maximized heat absorption. To further prove its capabilities, it went through a water test which ensured that excessive liquid and harmful substances are not going to pass through.

When it comes to structure, a good substitute material for metals is the organic abaca fiber which would be used for the canopy or the upper portion of the vehicle. It is unlike other automobiles which use metals for the upper portion and can get rusty. While for the lower portion, the material that would be used is composite fiber that has the ability to withstand the depth and impact of water. The steels used, on the other hand, would provide much strength into it. The Industry Technology Division of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) supervises the materials.

Another interesting feature of this carrier is its navigational equipment that can detect the depth of water and any other complications underneath. It has also a broadcasting capability, can transmit into AM/FM and can make announcements to the radio for the operation respond purposes.

Possibly in the future, the coordination with the disaster centers would be automated as well; all data would be saved immediately which may come in handy on the next operations.

water.

On 2017, project application was held and it was on 2018 when the funding was approved. The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology (PCIEERD), an arm of DOST provided more than 11 million pesos to fund the prototyping.

Region III will benefit from this project however, Pampanga in particular would represent as the main user of the vehicle for they sent the intention of letter stating their need of this conveyance.

The project design started on 2016 and this design phase ended the year after which is on 2017. Alongside Holy Angel University and their Mechanical Engineering Department, Don Honorio Ventura State University and their Electrical Engineering chairperson and WUP as the project leader, the Amphibious Vehicle Project is expected to be finished by April 2020.

Amphibious vehicle is purposely constructed to bring help for the victims of disasters particularly typhoons across different places. And if we were to acquire with a similar vehicle that works like magic, we should no longer worry about floods that can ruin our travels for we can now easily get through various locations which can drive on the surface and on the water reassuringly that it wouldn’t submerge—things

Numerous experts are hired including architects who are responsible for the design and construction of ships and carriers to make sure that this will float above the

that our typical fancy wheels aren’t capable to do. Apparently, neither a boat nor a car can do it two-way unlike how an amphibious vehicle can do it effortlessly and without a sweat.

TRENDS

Genré The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

15

Pages through the looking glass:

MY TOP FIVE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS Jessica Maureen Gaurano People often ask me 'what makes a good book?', and I always answer one thing-- authenticity. A good book doesn't need to be happy and perfect. Sometimes, a good book needs to paint reality and the truth behind all the happily ever afters. For me, it makes the book more relatable and much easier to connect with.

My top five books may not be for everyone because of the themes that it explores, but I guess it's better to accept that we live in a terrible world than to live in a sugarcoated lie.

1 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

by Taylor Jenkins-Reid

2 Radio Silence

by Alice Oseman

3 Circe

by Madeline Miller

4 Educated

by Tara Westover

5 The Hate U Give

by Angie Thomas

The story follows a 50's Hollywood icon named Evelyn Hugo, who chooses an unknown writer, Monique, to write her autobiography. As Monique starts to piece together parts of Evelyn's life, it becomes clear how her life intersects with Evelyn's.

There are so many things that I love about this book but I will try to compact it all in this review.

First, the readers will surely fall in love with Jenkin-Reid's writing.

Something about her writing style seems so engaging. It pulls you in the mystery that is Evelyn Hugo.

Though some people criticize her writing juvenile, I thought that it makes the story more relateable.

Second, the complexity of her characters, the themes and the setting of the book is what makes the story painfully human in the first place. I really admire how Jenkins-Reid was able to paint real human emotions and situations in the story. Evelyn Hugo's life has been paved with trials, tribulations, love, desire and loss and Jenkins-Reid allows her reader to go through the same emotional rollercoaster as Evelyn

Hugo or the other characters from the book.

Despite being set in the 50's, the story has one of the most diverse stories I have read, considering the story was in Old Hollywood. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo also has the best bisexual representation I have read so far.

Overall, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a compelling read that is amazingly put together as it is emotionally satisfying.

Ruthless study machine. This is what Frances Janvier’s school friends always think of her. At a young age, everybody knew she is set to go to the University of Cambridge. She have led a life where she separates true herself from the people. However, when she finds out that Aled Last, her neighbor and the twin brother of an old friend, was the boy behind her favorite podcast show, Universe City. Since then, her life was never the same again.

Here, Alice Oseman makes a

commentary about the educational system. Though some of the points mentioned are not new, but it is, however, still relevant, especially to young readers today.

The book is also a show of unity of the teenage experience.

Reading this book felt really close to home, like I honestly saw pieces of myself in both Aled and Frances and the other characters. Aside from the pop culture references, the conversations these characters had throughout the story was done with so much depth.

Radio Silence may not be for everybody, especially those who already has their life ahead of them. This book is mostly directed towards people who haven’t figured out what they want in the future. But nonetheless, the book gives us a perfect balance of flawed and loveable characters, nuanced relationships and diverse representations and I highly recommend this book.

If you are familiar with Greek mythology, you might recognize the name Circe from the Odyssey.

Though Odysseus plays a huge role in this story, Circe is the main focus.

As Circe discovers a powerful ability, a threatened Zeus exiles her into a deserted island. With a boiling conflict on the rise, Circe is left with a choice to stay among the gods of Olympus or the mortal world whom she found herself in

love with.

I was captivated with this book from start to finish. The prose was written beautifully, rich in description, and so many beautiful quotes to choose from. I also love how Circe just moves seamlessly from time to time, from the home of the gods, to the small island where Circe was exiled.

The readers are also shown the harsh reality of the male dominated world. Through Circe’s

eyes, we see that no matter how much power a woman exerts, it will always be a means to an end to further the achievements of man.

Madeline Miller’s Circe is a unique take on a side character from the Odyssey. She was able to take bits and pieces from the original tale and made it its own powerful tale of desire, motherhood, pain and love.

This is different from the previous books I have mentioned because Educated is actually based off on real life events.

Educated is a memoir, telling the story of Tara Westover’s life in a survivalist family from Idaho.

Traditional, very conservative and insane, her family forbade hospitalization, education, and allowed violence to prevail in their household instead. Their family was basically isolated from the rest of the world and literally didn’t exist for some time. This is a story of how Westover rose from her circumstance and re-invented

herself through self-taught education.

Just a little disclaimer before I review this book: Though the story mentions a particular religion, the book is not a commentary on this religion or any religion in general.

I’m not going to say anything about this book, since this is an account of somebody’s actual story, other than Westover’s story is truly an inspiring one.

Despite all the abuse that she experienced growing up, she was still determined to build herself outside her family and her past.

She was able to transform herself

and see the world by means of education.

Educated by Tara Westover may feel uncomfortable for a lot of people because of this book deals with a lot of gaslighting and violence, but what makes Westover’s story so compelling is the one important lesson that Westover wants us to take away from her story: The past, no matter how cruel, does not define who you are and that despite everything, you can still seek a better life for yourself.

Starr Carter has been leading two seperate lives: one at the poor neighborhood where she lives and one at the fancy, prep school she attends. However, these two lives intersect when she witnesses her childhood friend, Khalil’s death in the hands of a police officer.

This book comes out political.

Personally, the commentary on discrimination and politics is what makes this book strong in the first place. While I was reading this book, I was actually reminded of the situation we have in our own country right now.

Starr Carter is one of the strongest female characters I have ever read. She slowly found her

own voice and stood against her own adversity. The way she stops at nothing to give a voice to her fallen friend inspires, not only women, but young people to speak up for their own truth.

For a young adult novel, The Hate U Give certainly poses heavy themes but Thomas’s novel is very important because of its need educate of what is happening in our society today. Personally, more young people should read this to make them more aware of pressing matters such as discrimination and just like Starr, encourage more young people to speak up for the truth and make everybody listen.

So before I end this review,

I want to make something clear.

You’re probably thinking the world is already a terrible place, why do we need to be reminded of it through these books? Simple, because this is what the world actually is and we need to embrace this. These authors were able to portray the human condition with poignancy and authenticity through different narratives. If you ever decide to pick up at least one of these books, I sincerely hope that it impacts your life in a way that it did mine and possibly encourage you to find your own voice in the endless cycle of cynic and ruthless living.

Trigger Warning

Abuse

Trigger Warning Abuse & Animal Cruelty

Trigger Warning Rape & Graphic Violence

Trigger Warning

Abuse

16

DEVCOM

Volume XXV • Issue 2 August-September 2019

ANG

PATAY NA HANAPBUHAY MULA SA MGA PALAY Edcristina Salmos at Ezra Mae Dimapawi

Hannah Marie Olanda

K

abilang ang mga magsasaka sa pinakamahirap na sektor sa ating bansa. Mula sa proseso ng paghahanda ng lupang tataniman, mga binhing gagamitin sa pananim, at araw araw na pagsusuri sa palay, hindi maitatatwang lubhang mahirap ang pinagdadaanan ng mga magsasaka bago umani at maipagbili ang mga ito. Kapalit ng inutang na puhunan sa pagsasaka at ilang buwan na pangangalaga sa tanim ay kapirasong tubong kikitain. Tila niyurakan na ng ipinanukalang batas ang kanilang buong kabuhayan at nagdala pa ng doble pasakit sa dinadala nila araw-araw. Ang pagbagsak ng presyo ng palay bunga ng pagpapatupad ng Rice Tariffication Law noong Marso ng nakaraang taon 2019 ay lalo lamang nalugmok ang mahihirap na mga magsasaka sa kahirapan.

KABALIKTARANG BUNGA NG BATAS

Ang RA 11203 o Rice Tariffication Law na akda ni Sen. Cynthia Villar ay nilagdaan ni Pangulong Duterte noong Pebrero 14, 2019 at naisabatas noong Marso. Ang batas na ito ay tungkol sa liberalisasyon sa industriya ng bigas na naglalayong pagkalooban ng murang presyo ng bigas ang mga konsyumer sa bansa kaalinsabay ng pagpapataas ng kita sa mga magsasaka sa bansa. Bumaha ng pag-angkat ng bigas mula sa ibang bansa dahil dito. Gayunpaman, ang dalawang positibong layunin na inaasahan sa pagpapatupad ng batas na ito ay hindi naisakatuparan. Bagkus ay naging kabaliktaran pa nga ang naging bunga ng naturang panukala. Tumaas ang presyo ng bilihing bigas at bumaba ng husto ang presyo ng palay na ibinebenta ng mga magsasaka salungat sa inaasahang mangyari ng mga ekonomista.

Ngayong Oktubre, malinaw na dumadapa pa rin ang presyo ng palay.

Kasalukuyan itong sumasadsad ng P7 hanggang P10 kada kilo.

Sa Gitnang Luzon na kinikilala bilang Rice Granary of the Philippines, ang presyo ng palay ay umaabot mula P9 hanggang P14. Nasa P11 hanggang P15 naman ang presyo sa Cagayan Valley. Samantala, ang gastos sa produksyon ng palay ay P12.40 kada kilo. Tatlong piso ang nawawalang kita ng mga magsasaka sa bawat kilo ng palay. Mas malaki pa ang ginugugol na pera sa puhunan kaysa sa nababawing kita ng mga lokal na magsasaka na siyang nagpapatunay ng kanilang pagkalugi.

Sa pamamagitan ng RTL, mawawalan ng limit ang

importasyon ng bigas sa bansa.

Ang kailangan lang ay permit ng trader mula sa Bureau of Plant Industry at pagbabayad ng 35% taripa para sa pagpapadala ng produkto. Bago pa maipatupad ang batas na ito, nakikitang mayroon itong mabuting epekto lalo na sa mga mamimili dahil sa inaasahang mas mababang presyo ng bigas. Sa kabilang banda, ang bigas sa merkado ay pumalo ng hanggang P60 ang isang kilo. Masasabing hindi naging makatarungan ang idinulot ng panukala, malayo sa sinabi ng gobyerno na matutulungan nitong lumaki ang kita ng mga magsasaka at magiging mura ang halaga ng bigas sa Pilipinas.

TRANSISYON SA SISTEMA

Posibleng sa mga susunod na taon pa magkakaroon ng mabuting epekto ang taripikasyon. Ang nakukuhang P10 bilyon bawat taon na taripa o Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund na manggagaling sa traders ay mapupunta sa mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng pautang, buto ng palay at iba pa. Bibigyan din umano sila ng mga libreng makinarya na makakatulong sa paglilipat, pagtuyo at pagani ng palay.

Nangangailangan munang magsakripisyo ng mga magsasaka para lang matamasa ang magandang epekto ng Rice Liberalization. Ang mga pangakong ito ng gobyerno ay maaaring maisakatuparan ngunit 'di ito ang kailangan ng ating mga magsasaka kung gutom at kawalan naman ng hanapbuhay ang siyang magiging kapalit nito sa ngayon. Aanhin pa ba nila ang pondong ito kung 'di na sila makausad sa pang araw-

araw nilang pamumuhay sa kasalukuyan?

PAGKABIGO NG MGA MAGSASAKA AT MANGGAGAWANG BUKID

Mahigit 200,000 na magsasaka na ang tumigil sa pagtatrabaho sa food production matapos ipatupad ang RTL sa takot na lalo lamang silang maubusan ng pera.

“Pang-pahirap lang ito sa aming farmers. Wala kaming kita dahil sa rice tariffication na ‘yan. Kawawa lang kami.

Puros pangako lang ang gobyerno, hindi naman lahat ay napapaburan.” Iyan ang hinaing ng isang magsasaka sa Nueva Ecija. Ayon sa kaniya ay dalawang anihan na’t mas nabaon lamang silang magsasaka sa utang.

“Mahal pa ang darak kaysa palay. Pagdating ng araw, ang Pilipinas ay aangkat na lang ng bigas,” dagdag pa nito.

May halong poot at sakit ang maririnig sa tono ng boses ng mga magsasaka pati na rin ng iba pang mga manggagawang bukid. Mapait para sa kanila ang brutal na parusang ipinataw ng panukala sa kanilang ikinabubuhay, lubhang nagdurusa sa mabilis na pangyayaring ito sapagkat maging ang pangtustos sa pamilya ay unti-unti na ring nauubos. Sa isang iglap ay wala na ang kaytagal nilang negosyo na binubuhusan nila ng dugo’t pawis para lang maka-ani at maka-ahon sa kahirapan ng buhay.

PAGPANAW NG AGRIKULTURANG PALAY

Tayong mga Pilipino ay kilala sa pagiging mahilig natin sa kanin. Sa tuwing kakain sa

karinderya o fastfood chains, di maipagkakailang karamihan sa atin ay humihirit pa ng extra rice. Magiging isang malaking bangungot para sa ating lahat oras na mawalan tayo ng palay na aanihin sa ating sariling lupang sakahan.

Isa ang Pilipinas sa may pinakamalaking produksyon at konsumpsyon ng bigas.

Ngunit kung magiging patuloy ang delubyong dinaranas ng ating mga magsasaka dulot ng kawalan ng kanilang kita, maaaring tuluyan na lang silang sumuko’t iwan ang sakahan.

Pag nangyari ito, darating ang araw na mauubos na rin ang produkto ng bigas sa ating bansa. Ang mga dating lupang tinatamnan ng paborito nating kopra dito sa loob ng bansa ay tuluyang maglalaho na parang alikabok at mistulang magiging subdibisyon ito na kung saan ay sementadong mga pader ng bahay o anumang establishimento na ang nakatanim imbis na palay.

Isa pang nakababahalang posibilidad ay kapag nagkaroon ng kakulangan ng suplay sa mga pinagkukuhanan natin ng bigas sa ibang bansa. Di malayong mangyari na untiunting maubusan tayo ng butil na ibubusal sa ating mga tiyan.

PROTEKTAHAN AT PANAGUTAN ANG LOKAL NA SAKAHAN

Sa halip na makatulong ang panukala sa mga magsasaka o konsyumer ay mga middlemen at traders lang ang nakinabang sa sistema ng RA 11203. Hindi lamang mga magsasaka ang naaapektuhan nito kundi maging ang seguridad ng pagkain sa loob ng ating bansa na nangangahulagang damay pati tayong mga Pilipino.

Kung hindi mabibigyan ng agarang aksyon ang isyu, nananawagan ang mga magsasaka, manggagawang agrikultural, konsyumer at mga stakeholders para ibasura na lang ang batas na ito. “‘Yung mechanization, totoo makakatulong ‘yun. Pero kailan ka pa makikinabang doon sa mechanization? At the earliest, baka one to two years.

Pero ‘yung nawala sa bulsa, ngayon na ‘yun,” giit Sen. Kiko Pangilinan upang depensahan na hindi sapat ang murang pautang, makinarya at iba pang ipapamigay ng gobyerno sa mga magsasaka sa darating na panahon.

“Tsaka na natin i-mechanize.

Unahin na natin ang direct cash assistance,” dagdag pa ng senador. Suhestiyon nito na ang pagbibigay prayoridad upang magpamahagi ng direktang tulong pinansyal ay makakatulong sa mga magsasaka.

Isa rin sa mga posibleng solusyon sa problemang kinakaharap dulot ng panukala ay muli itong suriin ng pamahalaan at gawan ng paraan ang mga nakitang butas na siyang nagpalala sa kondisyon ng marami. Ang pagtataas sa 35% na taripa sa pag-import ng bigas ay isa ring paraan na makakapagbigay proteksyon sa mga lokal na magsasaka.

Mahirap gumising isang araw na baka wala ng magsasakang natira sa ating bayan upang paglingkuran ang higit 100 milyong Pilipino na abutan ng pagkain kundi natin sasagutin ang kanilang saklolo.

Maaari silang matulungan kung mahihikayat lamang ang lahat na suportahan at bilhin ang kanilang produkto.

DEVCOM

Genré The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

17

FALLOUT:

VACCINE GONE WRONG Christine Mactal

H

ealth has been part of the priority list of every country for its people. The right of every individual to healthcare must be delivered by the government to prevent disease outbreaks within its community. As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”, vaccination will be on the top list. However, outbreak and supplementary immunization activities were disrupted due to the Dengue vaccine controversy which led to significant immunity gaps among younger children.

VACCINE SCARE

With the rise of dengue cases in the Philippines, hoping to end it, dengue vaccine or known as Dengvaxia was licensed in December 2015. Dengvaxia aims to protect school children from dengue.

Around ten percent of 800, 000 students were immunized by the vaccine.

However, according to its manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, Dengvaxia can cause severe disease especially those who did not have prior dengue infection that put the

OPENED DOOR

Increasing the vaccine hesitancy of people comes along with the opportunity

children’s lives at risk. The World Health Organization also stated that Dengvaxia may act as a natural infection that primes seronegative vaccines to experience a secondary-like infection upon their first exposure to dengue virus. Nonetheless, DOH said that it has provided medical assistance to thousands of children who reported showing signs of adverse effect following the vaccination of Dengvaxia. 3,281 Dengvaxia vaccines were reported to

be hospitalized after the immunization of the dengue vaccine for various illnesses from March 2016 to March 2018. Some children died from the vaccine but no deaths were scientifically verified. Due to deaths of many having the same signs, parents blamed the vaccine for the death of their children. In this matter, the Department of Health temporarily suspended the expansion of the vaccination program to study and analyse the adverse effect of

Dengvaxia. After the scare it has brought to people, vaccine rate plummeted on the following years.

Philippines is a country where immunization coverage was low for various reasons including challenge in reaching remote areas, seasonal workers, shortage of vaccines, budget and such. And with the trouble caused by the Dengvaxia vaccine scare, it fell even further. After Sanofi Pasteur highlighted the effects of Dengvaxia, it sparked a

crisis on overall vaccine confidence of people that resulted to major fallout.

According to the study of 1500 participants revealed a dramatic drop in vaccine confidence, from the majority (93%) “strongly agreeing” that vaccines are important in 2015 to third (32%) in 2018. The researchers say the findings highlight the importance of identifying gaps or breakdowns in public confidence in vaccines in order to rebuild trust before a pandemic strikes.

of infectious diseases to enter. Wary of the effect of the vaccine to be injected in

children led them to more risk of health problems. Viruses can easily be caught by

anyone once it is inhaled and without immunization, our body cannot fight it which can

cause death. These include the rise of measles and polio outbreaks in the country.

on February 2019, whereas cases are being reported

from all 17 regions. 4, 758, 520 individuals have been

vaccinated against measles and rubella.

of Health into a matter of concernment for the Filipinos now that the virus is circulating in three provinces.

According to Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, World Health Organization Representative in the Philippines, “WHO and UNICEF are working closely with the Department of Health to strengthen surveillance and swiftly respond to this outbreak.”

They are also encouraging

parents and caregivers of children under 5 years of age to have the vaccinated to be protected against polio virus.

The alarming case sent panic to us especially those who were in the affected areas.

As the vaccine rate plummets, Rapid Coverage Assessments (RCA) conducted

by UNICEF and WHO in nine regions found 91% of all checked children vaccinated.

The most common reason

for non-vaccination were lack of information about the campaign, procrastination and/or sickness. 50% of parents who refused their child to be vaccinated declined to mention why; 25% replied they feared the vaccine, and 12% mentioned dengvaxia. Truly, the failure in Dengvaxia vaccine evaluation had gotten things worse both in health and public trust.

DEAL WITH MEASLES

The Department of Health declared measles

outbreaks in five regions: Region NCR, III, IV-A, VI, VII

POLIO OUTBREAK STRIKES

Polio is an infectious disease which spreads rapidly that can cause paralysis and, on rare occasions can be fatal. Polio has no cure and can only be prevented with multiple doses of polio vaccines. Soon after having effective vaccines in the 1950s and 1960s, polio was brought under control and practically eliminated as a public health problem.

After nineteen years of

being a polio-free country, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) announced an outbreak of polio in the country last September 16, 2019 after a 3 year old girl from Lanao del Sur was confirmed to have had polio virus. Sewage in Manila and waterways in Davao were also confirmed to contain the virus. These brought the World Health Organization, UNICEF and Department

96+4+H

Number of Students Immunized by Dengvaxia1

Total Population 80,000

Vaccinated 76,719 Hospitalized 3,281

Reasons for Polio Vaccine Refusal2

50+50+H 25+75+H 12+88+H 50%

Declined to mention why

25%

Fear of Vaccine

12%

Mentioned Dengvaxia

DOH, 2UNICEF and WHO

1

GMA Network

d

18

PROSE & POETRY

Bedtime Story Jamaika Gwen Garcia

I tucked her in and kiss her forehead and was about to leave her room when my little kid called out to me, “I can’t sleep, can you read a bedtime story for me mommy?,” she asked.

I smiled and responded yes as I took my favourite childhood book beside her bed.

“When I was seven, I used to climb an old Narra tree in our backyard…,” I began speaking.

“Can you describe to me what an old Narra tree looks like?,” I stopped because this was the first time she asked me to describe a tree.

I nodded and began telling her how beautiful its green—sometimes brown leaves and how woody its branches and trunks are. How its smell makes you feel at home.

I continued telling her the story, “Also dear, I used to chase different kinds of butterflies and dragonflies that fly around our backyard when the clock hits five…”

She interrupted me again and asked, “Can you describe to me what a butterfly and dragonfly look like?”

I am really astounded because she never ask about what does the tree, butterfly, and dragonfly looks like – this is the very first.

But then again, I told her how beautiful their wings and how pleasing in the eyes to watched them fly around you and how it makes you feel summer during those times.

“But, what happened to them mommy? You said you used to,” she innocently asked.

I look at her melancholy and said, “Humanity fails dear. We became greedy and forgot to take care of them.”

“How?” “I don’t know, dear. All I know is that we fail big time that even you, my child, didn’t survived. You’re just a product of my imagination.”

I laughed hard and stared at nothing before everything went black as I closed the book of my favourite childhood story.

Earth’s Life Jenina Lipana

I am scared that someday, The noisy earth became silent.

A lifeless land, Where living things were nowhere to be found.

I am scared that someday, We only see trash on the road.

Rainy like trash falls to the floor, Slowly destroying the world.

I am scared that someday, Waste is slowly breaking the core And a sea wave like garbage turning on the shore

Why am I here?

Jelly Ann Arceta

I, Robot I have no feeling There’s no enough pleasure It cannot produce something No depressing sadness Controller takes me Automatically, I’m nothing But why, oh thing?

For a moment I felt bad With buttons for its eyes Metal like a wooden spoon for its hands Like a prisons in a black dawn Pain inside me, oh no! Oh no! It’s nothing.

People around me, all the waste no balance and equality I’m asking you people, am I like the mouth of a dump truck?

Oh, I see. My purpose is to make your universe clean Despite having an invisible heart steel, I think I’m strong as a superman I’m here to help you. No doubt.

But I want you to know that you need to do an action to keep your environment pure Let’s make it together!

You people, my creator.

The changes is with us.

METAPHORS

19

Artificial’s Love Jazmine Liberty Tumibay

Everywhere I go is just the same.

Streets covered with emptiness, I cant contain this loneliness But who is there to blame?

I’ve always been alone, In this place I call my home.

Been focused on fulfilling my duty, But I was swayed by your beauty.

Your presence was unexpected.

You are also an android?

When you came to my world, My impression to you lasted, Never thought about this foreign feeling.

When I’m with you, moments are fleeting.

For you I’m willing to risk it all I’ll be there in just one call Something changed inside of me, Though a living lifeless I may be, Body made up of countless metals and gears Losing you became my number one fear I may have an artificial life But I swear my love is never a lie I may be a simple machine But I swear I’ll treasure you my queen

Parasites of the Earth Alanna Soriano

Dear, you are a parasite of the Earth.

You don’t respect how much she’s really worth, Not a symbiotic relationship, you take more than you give.

The hills burned, the sky turned gray, with the smoke of judgment day.

Oceans of garbage flowing by, you’re too deaf to hear the animals cry!

Mother nature does its best to balance out this selfish mess— You’ve taken over this sphere of life!

You killed her, drilled her and teemed her with strife!

Everyone has no fear.

Greed and indifference fills the air.

You’ve told all is done for your own good, And there’s just less money in doing what you should.

Use her up and throw her away. You’ll find another world away.

Yes you... You are the parasite of the earth.

SHE - Save Her: Earth Roaila Honey Rose Iniwan

Simple yet sturdy wood, white and hollow cement, with hardened metalloids as support; things that make a homeless man feel at home.

It makes us comfortable and paid our uneasiness, It heals our hearts and the only place where we can rest, And a place where we can stay while our lives are full of burden.

We all think that houses were our home, Thinking that houses made of woods, covered with colorful paintings and a green grass around it, were our permanent habitat.

True peaceful life comes when we see a flower blooming healthy, Seeing those small green plants growing freely.

Our planet’s million miles away from the sun, Supporting and protecting us from everything, Do not let ourselves left things undone, Creating our own punishments for not doing our responsibility.

Every second, small efforts can change a lot, Every minute, we can melt our stone heart, It is easy to open our eyes that our true home is about to vanish, Our world needs us and don’t wait for it to fade like burning ashes.

20

SPORTS EDITORIAL

Volume XXV • Issue 2 August-September 2019

editorial

TROPHIES:

VIRTUAL OR REAL ONE? L

ife is simple. Before.

B e f o r e computers, video games and television sets were in nearly every home.

People had to look elsewhere for their entertainment and for most, the obvious choice was outdoor games.

Even during the 80s and 90s, when all of these electronics were relatively common, everyone was still choosing the outdoors.

It is not until recent years that kids and youth have begun choosing the indoor life, preferring computer games over anything outdoors can offer. To justify, the idea of video game addiction was taken to another level when the World Health Organization classified a gaming disorder as an official disease. Of course, the video game industry has always been about sales and getting people to play as much as possible. Today’s graphics and storylines are undeniably mind-blowing compared to decades ago.

You can see a person bows in the middle of the night but he is not praying or doing some sort of rituals.

Actually, he is focused on the mobile game and eyeing for the victory to get a star or a diamond as a reward. There are also people who play video games competitively for a living. Today, everyone gets frustrated to have a virtual trophy. Who else wants to have a real one?

The outdoor games have been replaced by indoor ones.

The simple life has been made

complicated.

It is not uncommon to hear of a casual gamer going on a binge when a new game comes out.

Ever since there have been video games in our homes, there have been parents yelling at their children to stop playing and go outside for fresh air and exercise.

Slowly the present world is forgetting the outdoor gaming as a leisure activity.

Nobody cares about gaining body fitness, developing muscular strengths and having healthy physical growth. It is okay to play without having active practices and without maintaining your physical appearance. Again, it is okay with playing mobile games.

Maybe because there is no need to worry about the weather, and you can play alone with digital games, some wouldn’t mind staying indoors than to set out to a field and play rough. We are aware of the scorching heat we experience everyday especially during summer, and playing outdoors could be tricky. For most people, the

Connoisseur Alanna Soriano Trainee

Isa pang checkmate, Wesleyan Mapurol at nangangalawang ang laro ng chess para sa Wesleyan sa loob ng apat na taon; bagay na hindi ko maiwasang pagtakhan dahil, sa panahon

ni Dr. Gener Subia, kilala ang unibersidad sa pagsasalang ng mga kampeon sa larangang ito.

Hanggang ngayon ay tinitimbang ko pa rin kung

advantages of online or mobile games outweigh the advantages of playing outdoor games.

According to GamingScan, online or mobile gaming is always faster and fun to play regardless of gender and age. It is less time consuming than outdoor gaming. Plus, you get to choose your characters, locations, modes, appearances and you pretty much have a firm control over your game.

While this free reign provides you all the fun you want, they also help boost your brain cells. Sooner, this modern world will replace the tennis, badminton, and basketball with digital ones. The indoor

enthusiast would be more acknowledged than those who are physically equipped when it comes to playing baseball, for example.

One of the biggest advantages of mobile gaming is its ability in improving senses.

Studies and researches have proved those who engage in mobile games have keen knowledge on thinking and their brain cells and neurons are much active compared to those who don’t.

However on a psychological note, most people who play online games were found lacking social skills.

While online gaming helps you be keener on work, it also causes different illnesses

ang pagkawala ba ni Dr. Subia ang ugat kung bakit biglang bigo ang mga subok natin, o ang pagkaligaw ng prayoridad palayo sa atletang utak ang puhunan?

Mainam na mapaalalahanan tayo na hindi porket nakaupo kung laruin ang chess ay mas mababa na ito kumpara sa ibang laro. Oo nga’t hindi ito tulad ng volleyball at basketball na nakabibingi ang hiyawan, ngunit mayroon namang nakabibinging katahimikan sa bilang ng suporta na natatanggap mula sa manonood at maging sa

administrasyon.

Ang sabi ko noong una, nagtataka ako, ngunit hindi ibig sabihin noon ay gulat pa ako na minamaliit kung minsan ang chess. Patunay na riyan ang tubong Cavite na si Wesley So, ang First World Official Fischer Random Chess Champion na umukit ng sariling pangalan at binigyan lamang ng pagkilala ng gobyerno noong nalaman na siya’y isang Pilipino.

Ito ngang gumawa na ng ingay sa internasyunal na lebel ay hindi pa rin nakaranas ng mainit na suporta, saan ko naman kaya hahagilapin ang

such a s obesity.

A study explained that there is also a connection between excessive mobile gaming and cases of depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges. These are serious issues. Underlying mental health conditions surrounding excessive mobile gaming and dependence can have a significant impact on people’s lives - socially, academically, and emotionally. Outdoor gaming, on the other hand, is ideal for fitness, health and relaxation but made you prone to physical injuries and could be inconvenient in some cases.

However, choosing your pick of preference is solely in your hands. There is no correct opinion. You can either stay indoors and play online or go outdoors and play on a field. After all, with all the flowers come the thorns as well. pag-asang mapansin ang mga nagsisimula pa lamang?

Ang mga manlalaro ng chess sa Wesleyan ay parang mga pawns -- marami sa bilang at nakahilera na sa unahan, handanghanda nang sumugod at makipagsapalarang bawiin ang panalo. Ang masaklap nga lang rito ay mukhang walang balak ang mga opisyales sa kanilang likuran, maliban sa maging pila ng mga may kapangyarihan subalit walang galaw.

Kung sila ay mabubuhusan lamang talaga continued on page 21

REPORTS

Genré The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

21

NECSL opens Season 8 with its newest member

by Ezra Mae Dimapawi

Nueva Ecija Collegiate Sports League opened its Season 8 in Wesleyan University-Philippines’ Gymnasium last October 3 together with its newest member and addition to the line-up.

Ten different colleges around Nueva Ecija showedoff its jerseys and cheers as it gathered in the University Gymnasium to start off Season 8 of NECSL including the newest team of the Core Gateway College Inc. Eagles.

The lighting of torch was led by one of the mythical five in the basketball from Midway Vikings while Athletes’ creed was steered by Riders very own Jeremy Ingusan.

Vice Governor Doc Umali was not able to attend the opening, however he managed

to extend his greetings and encouraged the athletes to play with sportsmanship and camaraderie.

Meanwhile, WUP Riders once again proved its dominance as it started to harvest gold on the opening day after winning the crown in Miss NECSL and the championship in Dancesports.

Giselle Domingo, WUP Riders muse reigned as Miss NECSL 2019 after edging out other candidates as she caught eyes of the judges and crowds, followed by College of Research and Technology muse as the 1st Runner-up, and Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology muse as the 2nd Runner-up.

Dancing duo Lenerlyn Mababa and Jerwin De Jesus became the title holder in dancesports competition after setting the stage on fire

Wesleyan Fitness Center continues to promote a healthy lifestyle

by Genesis Faith Veloso

and leaving the CRT Fox and the College of Immaculate Concepcion with 1st runnerup and 2nd runner-up respectively.

WUP adds ML in Palaro ‘19

by Genesis Faith Veloso

Despite conflicts on approval regarding E-sports as new game category in Palarong Wesleyan, WUP officially added Mobile Legends in its annual sports tournament and confirmed by the official list of events included in the intramurals released by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA).

Prof. Darren Gonzales, OSA Director, was the one who originally proposed the idea of adding the E-sports category, to be managed

by Tournament Manager Dominic Manuel, Supreme Student Council’s CECT (College of Engineering and Computer Technology) Representative, along with his co-officers.

The E-sports category features only Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB)–a fiveversus-five (5v5) Multiplayer Online Battling Arena (MOBA) Mobile-based game developed

by Moonton–for now, but according to Manuel, if the said event will be successful then they might consider adding more games.

When asked about the benefits that this new category will provide the students, . Manuel said that, “We know that participating in extracurricular activities boosts students success a lot, regardless of the activity.”

In addition, . Manuel enumerated some skills, traits and characters such as cooperation, social skills, strategic planning, managing success and failure and

JON FRANCIS BALAGAN

Isa pang checkmate • from Page 20 ng tulong, panigurado ay may madaang kompetisyon aani tayo ng tagumpay at saka lamang huhugot ng maaaring higitan pa ang representante. Kahit suntok mga isports na kasalukuyang sa buwan ang posibilidad tinututukan.

Nagagawa na manalo, masabi lamang ngang bigyang alalay ang na sumali. Kahit pa sila ay basketball, volleyball, table may kakayahang kumilos na tennis at iba pa, kaya naman parang reyna – na lahat ng hindi imposibleng balansehin paraan ay susubukan para lang natin, sa paraang walang lang makakilos ang kanyang naiiwan. mga pawns, ngunit ang Sila coach naman na nangyayari ay kabaligtaran. aminadong hindi kasing Sino naman kaya ang gigilas ng mga nakaraang mga bishop? manlalaro ang mayroon tayo Wala na akong maisip na ngayon ay masasabi kong may ibang sasakto pa maliban sa similaridad sa rook – diretso mga nasa Sports Committee. lamang direksyong kayang Sila ang mga pinunong puntahan, iyong tipong kung pampalakasan na palihis lang

sportsmanship that playing online games can develop, values that he believed will lift up students throughout their lives.

However, WUP Sports Coordinator Professor Hilario Duran voiced out his concern that the E-sports category is not beneficial and were only added to satisfy the demands of the students.

Duran also said that should the decision be upon him, he’d rather focus on events included in the Nueva Ecija Collegiate Sports League (NECSL) and Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) to strengthen the University’s competitiveness in these competitions.

On the contrary, Manuel claimed “This way we can help the students to engage in playing online games such as ML in the right manner and also to mitigate their vices, at the same time improve themselves. Playing online games are also fun which will help the students relax their minds and most importantly, they also feel better about themselves and engage in fewer harmful behaviors like smoking and drinking.” ang maaaring takbo, depende lamang kung nakatuon muna sa ibang mas kilalang isports o kung hindi naman ay taga-abang lamang sa “go-signal” ng hari. Dalawa lamang naman ang pwede nilang puntahan -- puti at berde. Kumbaga mistulang de numero, bawal ang umiba ng daan kung hindi, masasabihan silang hindi marunong maglaro ayon sa kalakaran.

Gusto mo na rin sigurong malaman kung sino ang maihahalintulad ko sa horse piece. Kung ganoon, pwes, tayo ‘yon.

Simple process of membership is the front offer of WUP Fitness Center to encourage students, faculty and staff in maximazing the use of facility in upholding a health-conscious way of living.

Photocopy of the identification card, assessment form and 100 pesos membership fee, and another 100 pesos that serves as monthly due are the requirements for claiming privileges to use the university’s Fitness Center, located at the ground floor of the College of Arts and Sciences, open from Monday to Friday, 8AM till 8PM. According to Arnold Domingo, second year student from the College of Education, fitness center enabled him to manage his time in both academics and daily routine.

Sharie Solis said, “Dahil criminology student ako, nagbebenefit talaga ako sa gym. Since I am a beginner,

nakikita ko ‘yong sarili ko na gagamitin ko pa rin ‘yong Fitness Center sa future dahil bukod sa affordable, mas convenient kasi nasa loob na ng school at open siya mula umaga hanggang 8 ng gabi.”

Moreover, based on a quick survey, 10 out of 10 students are satisfied with the experience they have as members, although still suggesting to improve the space of facility and requesting for additional equipments.

As the university witnesses for 73 years the efficient performance of students and staff when they are actively participating in physical activities and exercises.

“Excercising, kasi magiging maluwag lahat e, mula sa paghinga hanggang sa pagkilos. It also improves lahat ng galaw mo, pati pag iisip mo kaya mas madali lahat” the fitness center incharge operator stated.

JON FRANCIS BALAGAN

Tayong mga taga-suporta, tulad ng kabayo sa laro, tayo lamang ang may kakaiba, at nag-iisang direksyon sa chess.

Mayroon tayong sa letrang L; hayaan mong gamitin ko iyon bilang L – para sa Laban, laban lang. Wala tayong ibang tulong kung hindi ang maging positibo at nakapanig sa pag-asang kapag hindi tayo tumigil sa pagtayo sa tabi ng mga manlalaro ng chess, maririnig at makikita rin tayo ng mga nasa taas – ng hari 2015, nang ang Wesleyan ay magkamit ng unang karangalan sa chess, mahaba at sapat na panahon na rin

siguro para tuminag na tayo.

Angkinin natin sa isa pang pagkakataon ang teritoryong noon ay atin, apat na taon na ang nakalilipas.

Iuwi natin ng minsan pa, hawakan at huwag nang muling bitawan. Ang aking mga paghahalintulad ay maaaring mabago pa, mula sa mabagal at depekto ang paggana patungo sa epektibo at may pag-usad.

Ang kampeonato ay minsan ng nasa atin.

Panahon na para hasain ang mapurol at nangangalawang na paglalaro. Isang pang checkmate, Wesleyan.

22 SPORTS OPINION Sa Bulwagang de Numero ang Tao Jacquilyn Javate

Nakakita na ako ng mga taong humuhulas sa pawis habang bilang at sukat lang ang galaw. Nahahati sila sa iba’t-iba ngunit, maliliit na teritoryo sa loob ng bulwagan ng Wesleyan.

Maliban sa pagtitiis ng init, pagsasayaw at paglalaro, tinuruan ako ng WUP Gymnasium na makiramdam -- makiramdam kung wala ba akong naiistorbong klase; magpasalamat ng maraming beses, tuwing may mga mananayaw na pumupulot ng nalayo naming bola sa table tennis at humingi ng pasensya ng paulit-ulit, kapag may natamaan o nabangga habang nagvovolleyball.

Mula sa mataas na bahagi, maaaring sa entablado o sa huling bahagdan ng bench sa palibot ng lugar, masasabi kong para akong nasa isang pagtatanghal ng teatro.

May nag-eensayo ng sayaw kasabay ang malakas

nilang tugtog; naglalaro ng basketball pero follow-up lang dahil walang espasyo kahit para man lang sa halfcourt game; nandyan din ang mga manlalaro ng volleyball na tuloy lang kahit walang net; mga nakahiga, nakadapa, nakatayo, at nakaupong estudyante na nagkaklase tungkol sa posisyon at warmups -- tipong nag-aaral ka na nga, tinatantya mo pa kung hihiga ka na ba dahil ano mang sandali’y maaaring may bolang lumilipad at ikaw ang target; at mga guro sa PE na kailangang nang sumigaw para lang marinig.

Maniniwala ka bang naranasan naming magklase sa hallway ng Auditorium?

Maniwala ka na, pwera biro totoo.

Mistulan kaming lumilikas habang sinasalba ang mga gamit sa table tennis palabas ng gym. May dumating kasing isang balita na may mag-ta-try-out daw para sa basketball, kaya nakiusap silang lumipat kami ng pwesto. Sakto namang practice teacher lang ang nakabantay sa amin ng araw na iyon kaya wala kaming nagawa. Habang nag-aayos sa gilid ng auditorium saktong pagdating naman ng instructor talaga namin.

Ipinaliwanag n’yang hindi tama ang nangyari, dahil schedule ng klase ang sinagasaan nila.

Nabangit ko ito hindi para magkwento lang, kundi para malaman ng hindi nakakaalam, at magkaboses ang hindi makapagsalita na may problema ang sistema ng pamamalakad sa ating bulwagan.

Ang paghingi ng isa pang covered court ay isang mahabang usapan, lalo at nasa diskurso ang usapin ng pera. Kaya minabuti kong silipin ang solusyon sa walang gastos na paraan.

Tutal nagkukumpulan ang mga security guard natin sa pagbabantay ng gate, hindi naman siguro kabawasan ng seguridad ng unibersidad ang isa o dalawang mailalagay sa pinto ng gymnasium.

Sila ang magiging bantay at nakakaalam ng mga schedule ng klase o pageensayo sa partikular na araw, ang sisiguro na walang napeperwisyong klase, nang

Volume XXV • Issue 2 August-September 2019

dahil sa malakas na tugtog; walang mga tumatambay lang na estudyante, at naglalaro na walang permiso.

Oo nga’t nakakapanibago, at sobra naman yatang istrikto lalo’t isa ako sa nakakaalam ng saya na dulot ng paglalaro.

Ang totoo hindi tayo mawawalan ng karapatan sa malayang pagpasok sa gym, kumbaga ilulugar lang at itatapat sa mga oras na walang nagkaklase o mahalagang kaganapan.

Pagka ganitong naiipit tayo sa gitna ng pagpili sa pagitan ng maayos o masaya lang, sana’y piliin natin ang kaayusan -- kaayusan kung saan lahat makikinabang.

At kung mapagbibigyan ...

Makakakita na rin ako ng mga taong hulas man sa pawis ngunit hindi naman bilang at sukat ang galaw.

FIBA World Cup 2019: Pagyakap sa Isports at Pagyapos sa pagiging Pinoy Ysabelle Fernandez

Hindi alintana kung sementado ang court, nakajersey man o nakadamit lamang ng pambahay, nakasapatos man o nakapaa -- likas na sa ating mga Pinoy ang pagyakap sa larong Basketball.

Sa kanto yata ng bawat barangay ay mayroong basketball court. Kadalasan nga, inilalagay lamang sa puno, sa pader ng bahay at kung saan saan ang ring, makapaglaro lamang at makapagshoot.

Sa paglahok ng Gilas Pilipinas sa Federation International Basketball Association (FIBA) World Cup na ginanap sa China ay kitang kita ang labis na tuwa at galak sa mukha ng mga humahanga at tumatangkilik sa larong ito.

Pero bago pa man sumabak ang ating koponan sa nasabing World Cup ay tila binalian na sila ng pangulo ng pag-asang manalo.

“Wala. Talo. Walang laban. Sa China na lang kayo pumusta.” Ito ang linyang

kay ikli subalit nagawang sampalin hindi lamang ang ating mga manlalaro, pati na rin ang bansa.

Humakot ito ng pagpuna at mga negatibong komento sa social media, kaliwa’t kanang pambabatikos mula sa mga Pilipino na patuloy na naniniwala sa ating team at sa galing ng kapwa Pinoy.

Gayunpaman, marami ang umasa na kahit papano ay makabibingwit ng panalo ang Gilas sa FIBA, ngunit hindi ito nakapalag sa

International Basketball Federation (FIBA)

lahat ng mga nakatunggali nito. Tinambakan agad ng Italya ang Pilipinas, 108-62.

Inilampaso rin ng Pinas ang Serbia matapos palobohin ang 126-67. Pinilit nating bumangon sa ikatlong pagkakataon, ngunit tayo ay nanatiling lugmok nang hindi tayo pinagbigyan ng Angola. Dikit ang laban ngunit nagawang lumamang ng Angola, 84-81. Nakapagtala naman ng 86 na puntos ang Tunisia habang 67 lamang ang nakayanan ng Gilas.

Lubusan nang nilusaw ng Iran ang ating pagnanasa nang kumamada ito ng iskor na 95 at iniwan ang Pinas na may iskor na 75. Hindi maikakaila ang kalungkutan at dismaya ng maraming Pilipinong uhaw sa panalo sa naging resulta at ipinalabas ng ating pambato.

Sa kabilang banda, lumaban at ibinigay ng Gilas ang kani-kanilang lakas sa bawat nakatunggali. Kahit pa kilala ang mga Pinoy sa pagiging pandak kumpara sa mga banyagang kalaban ay hindi ito umurong at nanatiling determinado maipakita lamang ang katapangaan at husay sa paglalaro. Sa bawat talbog ng bola at sa bawat puntos na naiguguhit, kasama nila

tayong bilang kanilang inspirasyon. Huwag sana nating alisin o kalimutan ang pinagdaanan ng ating mga manlalaro makaapak lamang sa preshistisyosong paligsahang ito. Bitbit ang bandila, matatandaang nakamit natin ang ikaapat na puwesto sa FIBA ASIA World Cup Qualifiers na nagsilbing tiket papasok sa FIBA World Cup. Hindi rito natatapos ang pagtungtong natin sa court, bagkus, ito pa lamang ang simula. Hanggang may Pinoy na nag-aalab ang puso, walang susuko, makamit lang ang hinahangad na kampeonato.

Patuloy sana nating yakapin ang bawat isports habang patuloy na niyayapos ang pagiging isang Pilipino.

Genré The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

SPORTS FEATURE

23

GINTO SA SPORTS AT ANG MGA MINERO NG PILIPINAS Ysabelle Fernandez

Saksi ang buong mundo sa pagmimina ng ginto ng dalawang atletang Pilipino sa loob ng ring at sa world gymnastic stage.

Naiguhit ang kasaysayan at pinatugtog ang Pambansang Awit sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon –hudyat ng pagkakabihag ng kampeonato at himig ng taas-noong pagkakaisa, pagdiriwang, pag-asa at pagkakakilanlan bilang isang Pinoy. abingwit ni gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo ang gintong medalya ng men’s floor exercise sa prestihiyosong 2019 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships noong ika-12 ng Oktubre sa Hanns Schleyer Halle sa Stuttgart, Germany.

Siya rin ang pangalawang Pilipinong nagbulsa ng tiket papasok ng 2020 Tokyo Olympics matapos makapwesto si Ej Obiena nitong Setyembre.

Napatunayan naman ni Nesthy Petecio na ang paggamit ng kamao at pagsabak sa boksing ay hindi panlalaki lamang matapos bitbitin ang ating bandila at maging pangalawang Filipina world champion sa featherweight division sa 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships sa Russia noong Oktubre 13.

Palaban ang mga Pilipino at walang pinipiling edad ang talento at kagalingan. Bumida ang 19 taong gulang si Yulo sa pamamagitan ng paglista ng 15.300 points buhat sa 6.500 (difficulty) at 8.800 (execution) upang makoronahang first Southeast Asian Male World Champion. Produkto ng tiyaga at dedikasyon ang tagumpay.

Nag-ensayo ang 4-foot-9 na si Yulo sa Tokyo, Japan sa loob ng tatlong taon. Siya ay alaga ni Munehiro, Kugimiya. Sa kabila ng madugong training, nagawa niyang pagsabayin ang karera, at edukasyon. Sa katunayan, siya ay kasalukuyang nag-aaral sa Teikyo University.

Marami siyang surpresa.

Binulaga niya ang mundo nang maging impresibo ito sa kanyang mga junior competitions at nagpamalas ng husay sa senior competitions noong nakaraang taon na nagbigay daan sa international gymnastic events.

Matatandaang itinuluy-tuloy niya ang ritmo sa kanyang isport nang kumolekta ng mga

N

medalya mula Melbourne, Baku, Doha at Cattbuns.

Subalit, hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay sumasangayon ang tadhana. Noong 2018 Asian Games, nalugmok sa pampitong pwesto si Yulo na inaasahan sanang mangunguna sa nasabing kompetisyon. Ngunit siya’y bumangon at humataw nang kinuha ang ginto sa World Cup sa Melbourne at isunod ang tansong medalya sa Doha.

Nananatiling nagbabaga

Pilipinas gaganapin ang 2019 Southeast Asian Games sa ikaisa hanggang ika-siyam ng Disyembre sa Rizal Memorial Sports Complex sa Maynila.

Sa kabilang banda, pinanday na ng panahon ang kakayahan at kaalaman sa boxing ng dalawampu’t pitong taong gulang na si Petecio. Bata pa lamang ay na agad siya ng potensyal.

Nagsimula siya noong siya’y pitong taong gulang sa Tuban, Davao del Sur at naging

nanatili siya sa pagtahak ng direksyon upang abutin ang kanyang pangarap. Umani siya ng pilak sa bantamweight division noong 2011 at 2015 at sa featherweight division noong 2013 SEA Games. Kahit hindi pinalad sa 2014 Asian Games sa Incheon, nagawa pa rin niyang makabingwit ng isa na naming pilak noong 2014 World Championships sa Jeju.

Ngunit lahat naman ata ng tao, maging sa mundo ng mga manlalaro ay nakararanas ng

ang damdamin ni Yulo para sa kanyang isports. Nais magpakitang gilas at mithiin din nitong maglampaso ng pitong events sa gymnastics tournament lalo pa’t sa

parte na ng national team sa edad na 15. Hinablot niya ang kanyang unang tansong medalya sa Asian Amateur Boxing Championships sa Ulan Bataar, Mongolia at

mga pagsubok. Nang maisama ang boxing sa Olymipics noong 2012 ay sinubukang makapasok ng beteranong si Nethsy sa sumunod na

edisyon ng quadrennial event subalit siya’y kinapos sa 2016 AIBA Women's Boxing World Championships sa Astana, Kazakhstan.

Yaon nga lang, matatandaang walang naging pambato ang Pilipinas sa 2016 Rio Olympics pagkat pumalya siya sa Morocco’s Zohra Ez Zahraoui sa women’s flyweight division. Katulad ng silver medallist na si Hydilyn Diaz, hindi rin nakalaban si Petecio sa 2017 Southeast Asian Games nang sibakin ng Malaysia ang women’s boxing event. Nagkaroon siya ng tsansang lumaro sa 2018 Asian Games ngunit pinayukod siya ni Yin Jun Hua ng Tsina sa pamamagitan ng kontrobersyal na 2-3 split decision.

Dulot ng mga isyu, nanganib na matanggal ang boxing sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics ngunit target pa rin ni Petecio na ipagpatuloy ang kanyang nasimulan at muli niyang tatangkaing makipagkompitensya sa Olympics sa women’s 57kg division ng 2020 Tokyo Games upang makadagit muli ng ginto at titulo.

Hinahagkan ng sambayanan ang karangalang hatid ng ating mga atleta. Ang kaba at tensyong mayroon ang mga manlalaro ay dama ng bansa. Sa bawat hakbang patungong tagumpay ay ang pagwagayway ng watawat.

Ang dugong nananalaytay sa atin bilang Pilipino ay lalong tumatapang sa bawat kombinasyon ng suntok sa boksing at sa bawat pagbalanse at galaw sa gymnastics at sa kahit ano pang uri ng sports.

Ang pagkakabinyag ng kampeonato ay hindi isang tuldok ngunit isang makahulugang simula – simula upang lalong magkaisa, magdiwang, patuloy na umasa at makilala bilang isang Pinoy.

Team Philippines SEAG 2019 (top) at Thomas Kienzle (bottom)

Volume XXV, Issue 2 • August-September 2019

The Official Student Publication of Wesleyan University-Philippines

SPORTS Genré

GAMBOA SIBLINGS: IN THE BUSINESS OF GUARDING THE KING Laarni Bernardo

Jon Francis Balagan

Some have found their fulfillment in travelling, doing music of their own, being passionate with their profession, raising a child, remaining faithful spouse and also few in playing a checkered board guarding a kingdom.

Among few, is Catherine.

S

itting by the corner of the table, having a chess board as her ally, playing either alone or with an opponent, there are life-changing revelations during the games.

Catherine Rayo Gamboa, a 5th year BS Accountancy student, proves everything about how chess can turn your world around. The benefits are so vast that sometimes it is difficult for an experienced player to jot them all down.

She has been playing this sport since elementary and has competed several times starting on her 4th grade, but she says she’s still learning for this territorial war game offers unnumbered techniques that a lifetime would be insufficient to master.

If Nelson Mariano II, a Filipino chess player awarded as grandmaster of International Chess Federation on 2004 and currently the chief coach of

Chesskidz LLP, had his training under the tutelage of his father started when he was 3-year old kid, well, not everyone – including Gamboa.

When she was in her old innocent days, she went to her neighbors and saw them playing quietly. Out of curiosity, as she watched, she understood how to use every pawn, unique direction of the knights, purpose of the bishops, and alongside, her’s.

Everytime she went home, she taught her younger siblings – selflessly shared what she had seen. In the long run, it is no longer new to them when there are competitions they become rivals. In fact, she and her brother had competed in the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) during their elementary and high school years.

To add, she received many awards including being champion for three consecutive years in Dual Meet and Congressional District (CD) IV Meet, two times champion and one-time 1st runner up in Provincial Meet and participated twice in CLRAA. In college, she is a varsity player since 1st year.

As a member of Team CBA, she won 1st runner up twice and one- time champion.

Gamboa allows us to hear the inner

voice inside us saying “opportunities are just around the corner, most of it are in our childhood.”

Even her degree program has been influenced by her passion in playing chess. Just like what Vladimir Putin said during the 2001 World Championship knockout in Moscow, “Chess makes man wiser and far-sighted.” Many people think playing chess is a waste of time but Catherine experiences the pleasure that proves the worth of this game.

A chess enthusiast is pleasurable in finding the best move, playing in a competitive spirit, trying for a win, trying to recover from a disadvantage and finally winning the game. She says that her skills in analyzing are improved because of playing chess and analyzation is where an Accountancy student should focus.

She has the competitive spirit, patience, and perseverance to achieve the victory that she’s longing for a long time because of this sport. “Chess games go on for hours and I need to maintain the concentration for a long time. As I reflected this in any other area of my life, I developed a never say die attitude which also made me strong when facing the storms of life,” Catherine explained.

She also said that her attitude is shaped

by analyzing her losses and developing sportsmanship.

In chess, if you just wait for your opponent to make a mistake, he would be reciprocating your thoughts and waiting for you to lose, as if the security of your kingdom depends on the foe’s failure and not on your planned success. There must be plan A-Z in your pocket ready to come out anytime soon. Chess teaches every player to be suspicious towards every move of the challenger, leaving no piece without back-up, leaving no path for checkmate.

Chess taught her to focus on the most important thing, and that is to prioritize the King’s safety- to guard her territory until the rival’s kingdom will eventually find no single place to move so a white flag would be visible from the other side.