We rise to unveil the truth
VEXILLUM V STA The Official Student Publication of BSEd English 3A SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2021 | VOL. 1 ISSUE NO. 1
Photo Courtesy: Cavite State University-Naic Campus
INSIDE ISSUES: NEWS Ressa wins PH’s historic first Nobel prize
EDITORIAL
Sogie Bill OPINION COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for CvSU Students
FEATURE Readiness to the Implementation of Face to Face Classes
LITERARY “REMINISCE” SPORTS Carlos Yulo bounces back for double victory
CVSU GEARS UP TO RESUME PHYSICAL CLASSES by Aikcel Caindug December 13, 2021, Monday -
Cavite State University, waits for the final decision of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on their application for Face-to-Face classes – assured that the information will be relayed to the student leaders of CvSU-Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs reports to PARKAM. NATIONAL VACCINATION DAY: CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY URGES STUDS TO GET VACCINATED By Ma. Teresa Lozada December 1, the
government launched a Nationwide 3-day COVID-19 vaccination drive with the target of 9 million jabs to ensure safeness against COVID.
RESSA WINS PH’S HISTORIC FIRST NOBEL PRIZE BY Rodolfo Dacleson II
Rappler Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maria Ressa became the first-ever Filipino recipient of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize during the awarding ceremony held at Oslo’s City Hall last December 10, 2021.
ASPIRANTS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, EMBARKS RELIEF OPERATION FOR TYPHOON ODETTE VICTIMS BY ellen grace BAROLA
President Rodrigo Duterte’s six years term is near to end, as the new set of candidates running for National election position started to conduct a campaign and unique strategies to take the pulse of Filipino voters.
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______________________________________________ Aspirants Presidential Candidates, Embark relief operation for Typhoon Odette victims by Ellen Grace Barola
President Rodrigo Duterte’s six years term is near to end, as the new set of candidates running for National election position started to conduct a campaign and unique strategies to take the pulse of Filipino voters. On December 16, 2021, Filipinos witnessed the landfall of typhoon Odette that devastated and severely affected Central Visayas which is currently in need of help. The Presidential aspirants launched relief operations after Typhoon Odette landfall on affected areas. Presidential aspirants like Senator Ping Lacson and Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. said that they mobilized volunteer networks to distribute relief goods to the victims. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said that he seeks help for relief operations in affected areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.
According to Moreno, his campaign chief Lito Banayo has already reached out to Cebu officials and relayed Moreno’s plan to personally visit the province. Presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao wants to coordinate with other presidential aspirants in helping the victims of typhoon Odette. Vice President Leni Robredo made a headquarters to receive relief goods. As they continue to help the Typhoon Odette victims, their campaigns are still on the way for the upcoming voting election next year May 9, 2022 despite the threat of COVID-19.
National Vaccination day: Cavite State University urges studs to get vaccinated by Ma. Teresa Lozada
December 1, the government launched a Nationwide 3-day COVID-19 vaccination drive with the target of 9 million jabs to ensure safeness against COVID 19. CvSU Imus campus urges its students to join the threeday vaccination drive to support the upcoming faceto-face classes by going to vaccination sites the LGU’s provided. The Main Campus also participated in the said vaccination drive, the Indang RHU held the vaccination in CVSU-Main’s quadrangle for its employees and students. Meanwhile, the University still waits for the guidelines on the proposed face-to-face classes from the From the Commission for Higher Education (CHED).
From December 15-17, another round of vaccination drives is to be held by the government. Six among ten people in Bicol have been vaccinated following the extension of the National Vaccination campaign through Friday, allowing local health authorities to immunize another 635,459 individuals against the virus.
CvSU gears up to resume physical classes by Aikcel Caindug
December 13, 2021 Monday -Cavite State University, waits for the final decision of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on their application for face-to-face classes – assured that the information will be relayed to
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______________________________________________ the student leaders of CvSU-Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs reports to PARKAM. Recently, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has announced their “OK” signal as the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) has approved the roll out of faceto-face classes for all colleges and universities across the country. However, only a maximum of 50% capacity is allowed to ensure that the health and safety protocols are strictly implemented within the school. "First, students and faculty members must be vaccinated [against the Covid-19]. Second, there is concurrence or support from the local government unit (LGU) where the university is included, and third, school facilities must be retrofitted for limited face-to-face classes," CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera explained. Meanwhile, PARKAM, a political party comprised of students from various organizations and colleges has called the entire Cavite State University to take note
of the suggestions and viewpoints from e party for the impending face-to-face classes in January 2022 – such as a general concrete plan of action regarding the implementation of face-toface classes to thousands of students of the University and to urge CvSueños to get vaccinated in compliance for the health and safety protocols.
Ressa wins PH’s historic first Nobel prize
by Rodolfo Dacleson II
OSLO, Norway — It’s official! Rappler Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maria Ressa became the first-ever Filipino recipient of the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize during the awarding ceremony held at Oslo’s City Hall last December 10, 2021. “Without facts, you can’t have [the] truth. Without truth, you can’t have trust. Without trust, we have no shared reality, no democracy, and it becomes impossible to deal with our world’s existential problems: climate, coronavirus, the battle for truth,” Ressa said in her laureate lecture. The 58-year-old veteran investigative journalist coshared the coveted recognition with current Novaya Gazeta Editor-in-Chief Dimitry Muratov of Russia. On October 8 this year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Ressa and Muratov as the annual peace prize winners via a press release for their commitment to championing press freedom in their countries amid all forms of attacks and repression. Ressa joined the ranks of Timor Leste’s Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo and José RamosHorta (1996), Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi (1991), and Vietnam’s Lê Đuc Tho (1973) as the only recognized Southeast Asian laureates. On the other hand, the Court of Appeals (CA) granted Ressa a five-day trip to Norway from December 8-13 to receive the distinction personally by deeming her bail “necessary and urgent.” This came after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) tried to convince CA to disallow Ressa from traveling abroad but the court found no sufficient evidence supporting their “flight risk” argument, citing the defendant’s vocal criticisms against the Rodrigo Duterte administration.
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he Miss Universe Philippines, Beatrice Gomez Luigi, spoke about her stance regarding the ongoing issue of the reintroduction of SOGIE Equality Bill in the Senate.
Unsettled Issue of SOGIE Bill in the Philippines
In December 2020, the House Representatives Geraldine Roman from Bataan 1st District and Tom Villarin from Anakbayan Partylist together with Risa Hontiveros from the Senate then again sponsored the bill, now called the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Bill No. 1934, to continue advocating inclusivity and nondiscrimination. The purpose of the SOGIESC Equality Bill is not only focused on the LGBTQIA+ community but will also benefit every citizen of the Philippines. During an interview with Karen Davila for ANC’s “Headstart” (Dec. 16, 2021), The Miss Universe Philippines supported this matter as Beatrice Luigi Gomez, a proud bisexual, stated, “It is a human rights bill. I totally support it not just for the LGBTQIA+ community but for everyone, men and women alike.” Because of many instances of invalidating an individual based on their SOGIE, which includes unemployment, prohibition in entering establishments, access to healthcare, education, and more. The bill promotes equal opportunity to avoid marginalization and prejudicial treatment. For instance, a heterosexual man expresses himself in a feminine way and a homophobic person already assumes that the person is gay; the bill acknowledges the rights of a person regardless of sex, identity, status, religious belief, etc. Since most Filipinos are Christians, it worries them that this law may cause harm to the Christian community. According to Hontiveros, "the bill respects religious freedom as a basic human right,” thus the provisions do not contravene with religious belief, teachings, and practices. 4
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he proposed punitive action to the people who tend to commit crime or harassment will have a fine ranging from PHP100,000 to PHP500,000 or imprisonment of 1-6 years, these penalties could be charged both depending on the court’s settlement. It has been two decades since the advocates of anti-discrimination in the Philippines are seeking help to support the rights of the people in our community as well as the members of the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual). Most people disrespect those who express and identify themselves differently from others. There had been a lot of incidents such as hate crimes, criticisms, violence, and such because of genderbased discrimination.
"SOGIESC Bill is for every Filipino Fellowmen."
Everyone wants to have fundamental rights as a human being. No one deserves to be discriminated against or marginalized based on a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics. In order to put an end to our current issue, we should spread awareness and we must be engaged in discussing the importance of the SOGIESC Equality Bill, not just for the members of the LGBTQIA+ but for every Filipino fellowman.
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opinion
______________________________________________ Technological Barriers in an Online Class Setup
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nline classes or the virtual learning class setup created a huge impact not just on students but also on teachers and on the people who are involved in this mode of learning. It brought challenges that are difficult to get rid of or to come up with solutions especially when it comes to technology. In Cavite State University– Imus Campus, lots of teachers and students are experiencing hindrances when it comes to managing online classrooms and it was inevitable to have the proper discussion without any complications. malfunctioning while in class. According to Ms. Rachel Soberano, a thirdyear Education student, she is experiencing a troublesome outcome in using her cellular phone. She cannot afford to buy herself a new progressive gadget to help her study
and so, she is always having a hard time to cope especially when she needs to make an online visual presentation. On the other hand, teachers are also experiencing these situations. I often heard how they complain about their own gadgets' lagging and malfunctioning while in class. With these issues, it would be great if both teachers and students would meet ends and be considerate to each other’s reasonable situations. To be fair, I think, we should be more open to hear and consider how each and everyone are having a hard time finding solutions and alternatives to have efficient
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and effective outcomes. We all know that we cannot always ensure the effectiveness of our own gadgets. It would be better to appreciate others effort in using alternatives to prevent technical issues related to technology. Furthermore, for us to keep moving forward; we should also maintain a positive attitude and approach to keep the learning environment productive despite the struggles of personal and academic life. That way, we can still somehow ensure that we are learning, we are progressing and we are stepping up to keep on striving for the best.
Filipino lawmakers pass bill requiring to play local music
he draft measure mandates flights arriving from abroad set, upon landing on Philippine soil, at at least 50 percent of its piped-in music aside for Filipino songs. Tourist buses
will also be made to prepare playlists with the same amount of local music. 6
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______________________________________________ Under the bill, Philippine music is defined as any musical composition – whether purely instrumental or with lyrics – which has been originally composed, written, arranged, performed, or played by Filipinos. Those who do not comply risk being fined: Airline company directors or officers could be fined PHP300,000 for every offense, while bus owners or operators could cough up to PHP50,000. The owners and operators of hotels, resorts and restaurants could pay up to PHP20,000 fine for every offense. The bill would also mandate the country’s Department of Tourism come up with and implement rules and regulations 60 days after its passage into law.
COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for CvSU Students
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avite State University– Imus Campus conducted a survey for students regarding whether or not they have received the Covid-19 vaccine already. If not, are they planning to get vaccinated? Why is it important for CvSU students, who will attend face-to-face classes, to be vaccinated against the virus? The former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced the approval of face-to-face dry-run for those places that have lower cases. With that, CHED opens face-to-face classes for the medical course and some programs that need
on-hand trainings. In January 2022, the Philippines will start face-to-face classes in all programs but the problem is many students are still not vaccinated. According to Medina (2021), "mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for students is good for our health to be safe in severe cases of COVID but some students do not want to get a vaccine because of different reasons so if the mandatory vaccination is implemented we violate the freedom of some students. Additionally, if the school wants to pursue face-toface class this coming year the school needs to think of another plan to ensure the safety of all staff and students." As a student, mandatory vaccination for all is a must. It is for the safety of the students and all of the staff of the school. I know being vaccinated will not hundred percent make you immune from possibly getting the virus but, it will help and protect us from experiencing severe and critical conditions. It also helps us to protect not only ourselves but the people around us as well especially our family, friends, classmates, and neighbors. Do not waste your time students; be vaccinated before we open the classes. It is better to learn and know we are safe while we shake hands and embrace our missed classmates and schoolmates. Do not be afraid, be brave, this is the time we move forward to learn in a school environment. Let us stand for mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for students! 7
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______________________________________________ CHECK THIS OUT! Readiness to the Implementation of Face to Face Classes by Jedidiah Santos
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ue to the threat of a pandemic caused by COVID19, educational institutions have been forced to close and implement a different mode of learning: Online Distance Learning, a form of learning system maneuvered by digital devices and media platforms to re-connect the teachers with their students in virtual settings. Despite no concrete assurance of continuity regardless of the immediate effect of the launched pilot face to face classes in some selected regions around the country, the National Capital Region and its nearby regions had already launched pilot face to face classes with the green light of Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) as a dry run reopening of educational institution this 2021. The possibility of continuing face to face classes still hangs on any modifications
in COVID-19 transmission rates and reinforcement of health protocols,such as vaccination programs and reinforcement of health protocols. In the recent events, the IATF had allowed theCommission on Higher Education’s recommendation in the implementation of face-to-face classes on higher education institutions under all alert levels.
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n response to the recommention, IATF provided guidelines in executing the face face classes for all degrees, programs, and levels in accordance with the safety protocols. In the recent events, the IATF had allowed the Commission on Higher Education’s recommendation in the implementation of
face to face classes on higher education institutions under all alert levels. In response to the recommendation, IATF provided guidelines in executing the face to face classes for all degrees, programs and levels with accordance to the safety protocols The launching of the first phase of implementing face to face classes started in December 2021 and will resume its phase 2 in January 2022 onward.
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he Philippine educational institutions, though keeping up the learning progress during lockdown are gradually getting on amidst pandemic with one at a time opening of classes until it regains its maximum. 8
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______________________________________________ HODGEPODGES
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Clickbait: Irrational puppeteering effect of performative activism by Germar Erfe
nalogously to snare, social media in the recent month spurred another clickbait internet trap where, consumers and tech-savvies, ostensibly endowed fingers sliding on rapid-fire. Instagram, unconsciously became an arena for the culture of clownery and clout-chasing became a norm. In recent months, Instagram ubiquitously surfaced chain-mail like posts with the inscription: “Share this if you’re against rape. I can see you skip.” and similar post which reads: “Share if you’re against rape and sexual abuse” hypnotizing netizens to click the post and join the trend. The said Instagram posts produced massive 300,000 shares online. Just like a puppet show, the nature of such Instagram post merely exhibits deep dependency of social media consumers on media reliance – a lookingglass self aftereffect that
controlling strings from what media platforms resonate attached to mimic as sense to perceived social constructs as reality; disregards twice-thinking to check the nature of messages and their possible larger effects on audiences. As on the case, the discourse on sexual abuse altered as staging a shallow to almost false altruism maneuvered by algorithms of likes, shares, and comments, where in fact, it should and is a matter that needs to transcend the discussion on higher critical thinking to propel visible changes, we might want, ahead. The Luring Demons: When guilt-trip uses as the language of persuasion “I Can See You Skip.” This click-bait action imbued on the context of message markets a “hypnotic” aftermath that mongers fear of tirade and disapproval from lurking netizens. The inscription from the cryptic Instagram post, laconically concocted as it is, catapulted to “guilt-trip” or intrigued the sense of moral obligation which eventually pushes social media users to share the said post. On the other half, it outgrew to equate series of denouncements those who did not re-shared the said Instagram post, connoting to link as “enablers” of malevolent acts of sexual abuse – a misdirects rooted in the usage of good faith of intention but the wrong platform of execution. Performative Activism
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oston Medical Center elucidated the idea of performative activism. The institution expresses that
performative activism aims solely to boost “social capitalism” instead of the devotion to real causes. Social Capitalism, according
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______________________________________________ Britannica is a concept in social science that involves the potential of individuals to secure benefits and invent solutions to problems through membership in social networks. Beneficial-sounding as it may seem, however, performative activism is definitely inadequate in solution output. It stagnates on the idea of planning and alliance-network building instead of mobilizing and operational. Performative activism can be concluded as the fruit of the cryptic Instagram post fiasco. The said post is a result that misleads people and establishes a false “thread of hopes” as mitigating circumstances on pressing issues. Social media users became a victim who impulsively safekeep themselves believing sharing cryptic posts is the right recourse to do on sensitive matters. It distracts the real issue, that the mathematics dictated by social platforms are unreasonably missing the point on where to hit the focal – reconstructing to take “action” but unknowingly giving a murky substance to the context.
Living in a country where macho-feudal is a standard, the intention to create a room of conversation on sexual abuse and domestic violence is both relevant on these days. As Philippine social media deeply marred by tumultuous amount of mis, dis, and malinformation, to give light on pressing issues in more legal dialogue and intelligent discourse should be the nascent action instead of pitching vociferously on wrong fora that beleaguered the real essence to the spirit of initiatives and volunteerism.
ISKOLAR NG BAYAN
Chai Evangelista: Environment Activist, Demanding for Justice
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by Marie Claire Pagasartonga
hai Lemita-Evangelista is a student leader and a CvSU Imus alumna. Evangelista was an active CvSU student leader who advocated for the needs of the people. She joined the Save Waters Indang Movement (SWIM), which was successful in halting the PTK2 Project in Indang. She also joined the Aquino Resign Movement (ARM) and spearheaded education initiatives in the province of Cavite. She was also a founding member of CvSU Kilos Na as one of the original student leaders. Apparently, five human rights defenders were slain and four were captured on March 7, 2021, in the controversial Bloody Sunday Massacre, amid coordinated operations led by the police and military in the Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal provinces bordering Metro Manila. One of the human rights campaigners killed was Chai Lemita-Evangelista. They were kept at the Antipolo station and Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna. As part of a coordinated operation in Calabarzon on March 7, 2021, police and military personnel conducted separate 10
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______________________________________________ raids on the houses of human rights campaigners and others in the early hours of the morning. The operation was carried out against accused "Communist Terrorist Groups" members. Prior to the raids, search and arrest warrants were issued; however, it is unknown whether the warrants were submitted by officials during the raids. Chai and Ariel Evangelista's home was raided by the police, who shot and killed both of them in front of their 10-year-old son. Chai lived her life in accordance with the university's values. She was firm in her beliefs and campaigned for the betterment of society. She exemplified excellence as a student leader by sincerely serving not just the kids, but the entire community. May this re-ignite CvSUeos' battle to advance our democratic rights both inside and outside the institution.
GO OUT, BE VACCINATED, INK YOUR FINGERS, AND VOTE!
Engineering suffrage literacy that constructs future
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by Raniel Guim
s of now do you even think who is your bet as the next President of the Philippines? How about the country’s future amidst the vicissitudinous pandemic? How about those qualities that pop your thumbs up and
dislike certain aspirants in the election? If these series of questions are encircling on the top of your head, maybe you are in the right room to talk about this! Voting has been essential in the present discussion as it was a key that harbingers a better leadership system through good governance. Likewise, it is also crucial since the future will definitely depend on the voter’s supported candidate that shall predict fate in succeeding years. One important thing that we must discuss is the voters' education or simply the basic information about rights on suffrage bequeathed by our democracy and defined imbued on Article 5 of the 1987 constitution.
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n educating our fellow Filipinos, the applicant must apply to register to vote.They must comply with the basic requirements needed including an accomplished application form from the electoral commission. In the day of the election, voters must correctly fill the ballot so their chosen candidates will be valid and counted in the final result of the election. They must also know the system of voting or the rules set by the Philippine government in conducting elections. The
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and local civil society organizations collaborated to strengthen voter education delivery through projects that empowered parts of society to advance in promoting the participation especially of disadvantaged communities, including citizens the 11
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______________________________________________ Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), marginalized sectors, and other remote areas and cities. In the statistical report of the COMELEC released in November 2021, it was projected 66.9 million registered voters for the upcoming election this coming 2022. 30% of these are aged 18-30. When voters are educated, they will create a significant impact in our democratic society because if everyone is educated meaning they can actively participate and they are able to exercise the rights that our Constitution provides for them.
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t is about time to contemplate the names of those we think to qualify in the position they pursue because in the year 2022, we Filipinos will face the new dilemma – to choose the best leaders of the country. As a part of a democratic country,
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it is our responsibility to choose the most qualified candidates to sit at the higher positions in the government. That's why everyone is encouraged to register for the upcoming election 2022. Today, more than ever, we can unite our voices from the
four corners of society to choose the best leaders that will lead our country for the brighter future that awaits every Filipino no matter what challenges we cross paths with. Together we can be as one to decide not for ourselves but for the generation of tomorrow.
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“Reminisce" Juan Miguel Gervacio
remember myself waking up early in the morning to prepare for class. Taking a cold shower is my first fight for the day. I always scream whenever the first drop of cold water touches my bold skin. Riding a jeepney is the cheapest way to go to school at the right time. Staring at their faces and their fancy clothes is a human instinct of mine but naturally, it has become a habit and I cannot stop looking and judging their bare faces. It is time to walk in the aisle of the corridor and greet my friends until I reach my classroom. It was said that I look like I am going to run as a public official because I always greet and have a lot of friends. The classroom environment is what makes me amazed the most. There are different students with different personalities that I am encountering. All of them have a deep story in between their laughter. Classes have begun and the teacher in front of me is like a living encyclopedia who teaches us about everything in the world. Based on the words that she is using; I can say that 12
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she really knows and is confident about the lessons that she is implying and wants us to learn. The bell rings and it indicates that the class must end, it also means that it is time to take our break. The cafeteria is the most crowded place in the school. All students from different grade levels are here. Some students are walking with their friends, circle of friends, and look at me. I walked solely to the cafeteria without anyone on my side. The class has started again. New lessons and another teacher is standing in front of us. All the students are waiting for the bell that indicates that the class has already ended for the day. That is the typical day of a student like me before this pandemic happened. The true story started on the 13th day of March, 2020. It was a lunch break during that time when the government declared that they are going to lockdown and all of the public facilities will be closed. All of the citizens are required to stay at home and stock up on food supplies. I was so scared during that time, and I thought that it would only last for a week. Months have passed and all of the people are starting to feel starved and need some assistance. They need money and food to survive. The cases of covid patients are increasing and increasing every day. I couldn’t stop worrying about
my family and friends. I cannot stop thinking about everyone’s safety, but I cannot do anything. This is the exact position that I always do every day. Looking at my computer and thinking about those memorable things in the past. I always ask myself, “Until when am I going to sit here?”. I am looking outside the window and seeing myself walking without a facemask on my face. I want this to be the exact same thing from before. I want to go back on those days without this pandemic. Until when am I going to sit here?
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e called it our second home. It is a place where we spend most of our time. A place we love the most because it is the place where we made memories in every class. A classroom is a special place where we learn from our instructors, and we remember the place throughout our life. It may be for an elementary, for a secondary, as well as for a college in a university but the purpose remains the same. Classroom is the safest, most comfortable place where we are all having opportunities to learn with the special guidance of our teachers. The place is very unforgettable for me, it is on the second floor, capacious, well ventilated with four ceiling fans, has four wide windows, and two big white boards where we have to provide our own markers. The mint green interior made it look more relaxing and nature friendly. It has forty chairs, good enough to accommodate one section that usually has twenty to thirty five students.
“Classroom" Jenzen Javinal
In front of the white board you will find a white chair paired with a plane surface organized table for the instructor. All of the students sit facing the white board on which the lesson work is assigned to us. The good thing about being in college is we don’t have such a thing as alphabetical sitting arrangement. You can sit anywhere you want and make chikka with your friends while the instructor is conducting a class. Our classroom is not only a place for us to learn, it is also a place where we joke and make fun. Then COVID-19 came, resulting in schools to shut all across the world. Education has changed drastically; this is where we’ve met elearning also known as online class whereby teaching and learning is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms. Classrooms became virtual and it is our new normal. Video conferencing instead of face to face. Online whiteboards instead of the usual white boards that we had in our traditional classroom. Screen sharing instead of live demo teaching. Chatting on social media became our way to make chikka with our friends. They say it’s more convenient. We don’t have to travel to school, materials are accessible, and it’s more flexible than the traditional ways of teaching and learning. It also gives us more autonomy over our learning and allows us to work at an individualized pace. E-learning is sophisticated, innovative, and convenient but nothing beats the traditional education because it is highly valuable, it maintains our interpersonal relationships, and the excitement that gives us joy meeting our professors and peers in person while exploring campus ground is a different kind of happiness. Online and traditional ways of learning are both beneficial for students and we all hope that we can have all the best of both worlds. “eLearning makes learning not something you have to get over with, but something you look forward to! From experience, you learn more when you enjoy the process”
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"Before All of These"
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Marie Claire Pagasartonga
year full of blast and expectations, Looking forward, an amazing surprise. Ditching old chapters’ realizations, I take photos of everyday sunrise.
My old film is full of stupid notions. All my life I actually compromise, And I believe in interconnections, That is why sometimes I cannot arise.
Not astonished with dissatisfactions, But I’m always used to my own chastise. Avoiding these disorganizations, Everyone doesn’t know I’m in disguise.
All of you have their participation. In my changing self, I don’t take advice, Doesn’t show but has documentation, You will never find me with no device.
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sports
______________________________________________ E-sports Déjà vu: Team Secret has TNC’s TI6 magic
Yulo bags vault world crown, silver in parallel bars by John Lester Saltiban
TWO BIRDS, SINGLE SHOT
by Rey Donggon Filpinos created another mark. Now, in e-sports. Philippine representatives Team Secret shook the world with their exceptional performance during the Valorant Champions 2021 — a global firstperson shooter video game tournament. Team Secret’s all-Filipino line-up composed of Jessie Cristy “JessieVash” Cuyco, Jayvee “DubsteP” Paguirigan, Jim “BORKUM” Timbreza, Kevin “Dispenser” Te, and Riley “witz” Go and mentored by Gilbert “Gibo” Sales participated in the Valorant’s world tour held in Berlin, Germany from Dec. 1-12, 2021. In the competition’s first stage, Team Secret stole the opener against the VCT Stage 3 Masters Berlin champion Gambit Esports with their come-frombehind strategy. However, Gambit bounced back and became victorious in the second and third round sets of their best-of-three showdown. Their performance surprised the world as they held themselves against a powerhouse. Despite losing their opening match, the Filipinos still progressed to the best-of-three quarterfinals. Team Secret squared off against European Ascend for a semi-final spot in a singleelimination bracket, with one defeat ending it all. And pulled off a five consecutive round win with Team Secret trading back two rounds of their own. But the lead was enough for the Europeans to overthrow the Southeast Asians, 13-6, en route to a 2-0 sweep. The remarkable performance of Team Secret mirrored the miracle made by fellow Filipino team TNC Predator during the annual Defense of the Ancients.
Filipino gymnast Carlos “Caloy” Yulo grabbed a gold and silver in the men’s vault and parallel bars events of the 2021 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan last October 24 to complete his sweet comeback. In the last 2020 All-Japan Gymnastics Championships, Yulo only snatched two bronze medals and finished eighth in the men’s all-around category. Yet, this time, he ensured another triumphant ending for the Philippines. The 4-foot-11 Manila-born gymnast outscored seven other athletes in the vault event by executing Kasamatsu double twist and Dragulescu—one of the vault’s most difficult tricks—to claim the gold medal in a new apparatus after losing his floor exercise title a day ago. Moreover, Yulo finished second in the parallel bars finals with a score of 15.300, trailing behind China’s Hu Xuwei, who tallied 15.466 points. On the other hand, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) awarded the young superstar 750,000 pesos—500,000 for the gold and 250,000 for the silver in the men’s vault and parallel bars, respectively. Every
incentive “that he receives is well-deserved. Caloy has created his own niche in the halls of Philippine sports history. Caloy is truly an inspiration to our youth and Filipino athletes,” PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said. Yulo made his mark for the country’s sports history by becoming the first Filipino multi-medalist in the world meet, including the floor exercise tilt last 2019. 16
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sports
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Rewriting PH sports history with video games by Raniel Guim “When a game is played competitively, and prizes are available to the best players, then it is an esport”. — Joab Gilroy Yes! You’ve heard it right. E-sports is on its way to bringing Filipinos to a whole new sports scene. It became their hobby, given that there are quarantine restrictions.
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hey spend much of their time playing online games to kill boredom. Plus, gamers are competitive to win cash prizes. Electronic sports (e-sports) transcend the traditional arena or stadium-based sporting competitions, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. One only needs an Internet connection and computer or console for gaming to join different tournaments worldwide. In a statistical report published last November 2021, the revenue in online gaming as a thriving industry dramatically increased unlike in previous years. In 2020, the country had 52.8 million active gamers nationwide, with the majority of hey spending much of their time playing online games to kill boredom. Plus, gamers are competitive to win cash prizes. Electronic sports (e-sports) transcend the traditional arena or stadium-based sporting competitions, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. One only needs an Internet
connection and computer or console for gaming to join different tournaments worldwide. In a statistical report published last November 2021, the revenue in online gaming as a thriving industry dramatically increased unlike in previous years. In 2020, the country had 52.8 million active gamers nationwide, with the majority being mobile gamers (74 percent). Most players came from the young generation aged 16 and above. This growth occurred because of the day-today smartphone and Internet usage that became a norm in the new normal since people transact online nowadays. Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) is the most popular game among Filipinos followed by Player Unknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG), Tekken 7, Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) 2, and League of Legends (LOL). All had a significant
impact on the continuing growth of e-sports in the country. According to Lloyd Manaloto, Smart Communications Inc. Head of Corporate Marketing Strategy, e-sports are always growing and changing. Thus, players must adapt to any situation by enhancing their skills through constant participation. In the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the all-Filipino Sibol team bagged three gold medals, inspiring young Filipino talents to get involved in e-sports. New gamers emerged after discovering a newfound passion for this type of competition and aimed high to be professionals someday. The pandemic became an opportunity for youngsters and everyone who seek thrill and excitement amid struggles brought by the health crisis. 17