Adventure Volume 20 Issue no. 1 by J Mirabuéno

OFFICIAL STUDENT AND COMMUNITY GAZETTE OF GENERAL SANTOS HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020 SCHOOLS DIVISION OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY REGION XII, SOCCSKSARGEN

RECORDING

HIT BY THE FAST

MELLIFLUOUS

While embracing a new normal, residents of Municipality of Matanao — who are now gripped with fear — come as one to narrate their experiences and whisper prayers

One question to consider: Is TRAIN Law burdening students? Answer: Continuing increase on gas and sugar-based drinks due to the excise imposed by the TRAIN Law is troubling students in managing their money

Local-gone-international violinist has gone with the harmony of classics. The crowd favorite wants musicians not just to follow the notes on the staff, but also to give their auditory something intricately new

NEWS 04

NEWS 07

FEATURES 14

DISTRESS TRAIN

MELODY

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EMBRACING A NEW

VOLUME 20 ISSUE 1

GENERATION

JUNE 2019DECEMBER 2019

Our 20th issue is now in its all-new look! OPINION 08

EVERYONE’S STORIES YOU NEED TO READ EST. 2000

Top Story | Environment

The land that people had forgotten Introduction by FRANCIS PRIETO 8-Numbers

“ EARLY-MORNING LAMENT While searching for molluscs he could feast on for breakfast, a local regrets the ignorance of his fellow kabayans who have zoomed down the bay and left the mangroves uncared. PHOTO BY JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

Minsan hindi kasi sineseryoso ang pagtatanim, kaya hindi nabaon nang maayos ang seedlings natin. Kathy Bitco Project Coordinator, City Environment and Natural Resources Office

Co-written with FRANCESKA TABANDA 8-Leviticus

ENERALS NOW LIVE IN A time when scoffing at the environmental sector is nothing to be concerned of. It is quite hilarious how they could care less of the people living in Barangay Buayan, away from the downtown, somehow remote from the suburbs, but open to the waters. Kathy Bitco, one of the coordinators of the Mangrove Preservation Project spearheaded by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office believes that there is a U-turn to any impasse reached beyond control. Within a day, she talks to some students after a mangrove planting program was participated by General Santos Hope Christian School. Bitco clarifies that there are currently protected bays across the waters of General Santos. One of these is Buayan situated east

of the city. Together with officials from the CENRO, intrepid students are able to catch a glimpse of the reality that is ongoing in the eastern barangay. What about the mangroves? They serve as barriers of the residents from the harsh waters of the Pacific. Are they ever taken care of? Several local non-government organizations have been planting mangroves in this area, but these are underdeveloped and the place is left uncleaned. The exasperation is brought about when the seedlings are not planted accordingly to how they should be. Several seedlings are leafless, and this signals the attention of environmentalists in the city. Jude Mirabueno, Adventure’s chief editor records his observations no less relevant. Staring straight the horizon, he kneels down on black sand, thinking of the horrors that might come soon. MIRABUENO’S ACCOUNT THIS MATTER BEGINS SCIENCE 18.

ON ON

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news EDITOR JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

Starter & Shutter

GenSan fish landings reach peak in 10 years

For Christmas: GSHCS, UEC sends help to

Tiu is GenSan’s Mr. Tourism 2019 NEWS 06

NEWS 02

quake victims

NEWS 05

But spike in frozen imports is propelled by the decrease in local produce, expert says

Story by JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

From initial reports by EDWIN ESPEJO Journalist on extended leave

“ We see this as a positive sign and maximizing the capacities of our canning plants. Rossana Contreras Executive Director, Soccsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industry

T THE HEIGHT OF APRIL workdays at the fishport complex, two lads — fish porters namely Manuel* and King* identically wearing a purple and green drifit shirt — were about to heed the signal of the bangkas. Their fists clenched on tunas and dragged them onto their carts. Through an act of playing with water on themselves, they also freshened up the catch as it got wet from the mist “Kasagaran mao na ni ang amoang ginahimo, daghan man gud nagaabot,” King said. (Regularly, this is what we do since many are arriving here.) It is a usual practice for both as total fish landings at the General Santos Fishport Complex reached its peak in ten years’ time. Numbers reveal a total of 247,637.20 metric tons (MT) of tuna harvested in 2018 that is greater compared to 210,760.85 MT that was recorded in 2017. Records from 2018 were the highest since decades ago when ports opened their wharves to frozen imports due to high demands from local manufacturers and canneries. In account, 31,577.56 MT were from foreign source while 6,701.97 MT were from fishing companies based in Manila, showing a mounting line starting a decade ago. In 2010, landings amount to 143,139.17 MT. However, in spite of the persistent growth, local fish landings dropped by almost 1400 MT causing it not to meet demands from tuna canneries. Six of eight tuna canneries that are located in General Santos City utilize 80 percent of the landings for exporting processed and canned tuna. Executive Director Rosanna Contreras of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industry said, “We see this as a positive sign and maximizing the capacities of our canning plants.” Presently, the Philippines is maintaining conservation measures in order to control and protect areas where fish spawning occur. *NAMES ARE REQUESTED TO BE CHANGED FOR PRIVACY

“ Our hardest times often lead us to the greatest moments of our life. Let faith arise! Glenny Soledad Former Filipino Coordinator

Person of the Year In her battle, Soledad keeps the faith Story by JARUZELSKI RANES 8-Leviticus

“OUR HARDEST times often lead us to the greatest moments of our life. Let faith arise!” Thus said former Filipino Coordinator

Glenny Soledad on a Facebook post dated October 16. Her statement has inspired many of the Hopean community as she

remains steadfast on her faith while battling breast cancer. Soledad was diagnosed of the condition on February this year after having felt pain on her chest area. The community has gotten wind of

the news in May. As such, parents were able to fund Soledad’s first breast surgery in June. At present, Soledad is thankful for the donations. Help is still being welcomed as of this writing.

SYNERGY BY TWO Though for some it may seem as time-off, a play with water — both done by Manuel* and K

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King* — is a day’s starter while sprinkling droplets to the harvested tunas brought in by the bangkas. Fishes are weighed then packaged for shipping to Metro Manila.

PHOTO BY JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

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QUAKE ON OCTOBER 18

QUAKE ON OCTOBER 19

QUAKE ON OCTOBER 20

QUAKE IN TULUNAN, COTABATO, OCTOBER 16

Story by JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

ATANAO, DAVAO DEL SUR – “More EQ victims need help.” Such words — painted in white — display on a wooden sign hanging on an acacia branch with its nails loose. It is a welcome sign however with an urgent request. In all of the municipality’s narrow streets, makeshift tents of tarpaulins fill all open areas, but some of its residents who remain susceptible to damage remain blank-minded of yesterday’s disaster. Close friends Welmer Pinongpong and Gerald Cahilig — 11 and 10 respectively — run through this scene every time trucks that carry donations zoom into the town. It is December 30. Fifteen days have passed since a 6.9-magnitude earthquake has struck Davao del Sur causing families to stay far from home while Christmas — the most-anticipated celebration of a typical Filipino household — has gone. As soon as donations from the United Evangelical Church of General Santos arrived in town, Welmer and Gerald rush near. “Blessing ni siya,” Gerald would say to his two other friends. “Mao na ni’ng gihatag sa Ginoo nato.” (This is a blessing. This is what God has bestowed upon us.) Welmer is also excited to get a hand of what his family needs. Gastronomic delight for the new normal? He says it’s good enough to cure their hunger. Before the earthquake, Gerald and his family would eat together on one table, he recalls. However, they now live in tarpaulin tents and frail canopies at Matanao’s plaza; the way they take in food would never be the same again without a table to eat on — and the same goes to his ‘migo. Not only both are filled with fear, but also each one there who was about to receive the relief. At any time, another temblor might occur. REMEMBERING YESTERDAY On December 15, Welmer and Gerald were in their respective households. Both, who were then done with their Sunday worship felt the ground shaking. They hurried outside to evacuate. Now they have no house to return to; luckily, some scrap tarpaulins sheltered them for the moment. “Nahadlok mi kay tungod naguba ang amoang balay,” Gerald says with a tear flowing down. (We were scared for our house was pummelled.) On the other hand, 37-year-old Marvin Diaz — a father of three — was away from his family when the earthquake jolted his hometown. He was in Digos City attending his workplace’s Christmas party. When tremors began, he attempted to get in touch with his kin, but mobile phone signal in that area was too weak to transmit the call. “Nabalaka ko tungod dili nako sila makumusta inig nagkurog ang yuta. “Inig paghuman sa Christmas party nako, nag-uli ko dayon,” he furthered. (I was suddenly worried because I cannot ask of their situation.) (As the Christmas party I attended was finished, I rushed home.) It took almost an hour for Marvin to reach his beloved ones. Upon arrival, they were tasked to move their shelter to an open area where tents may be set up. Question is, would it be different for his family to spend the holidays this way? He answered it is the “most fine” for now. Marvin’s family is sustained by efforts executed by several non-government organizations in Matanao, he says. Those are even “more in amount” than what the government has offered. NEW YEAR’S PRAYERS In Jenelito Jao’s narrative, his shelter was badly damaged. As a result, he has to live in his sibling’s compound where he sleeps on a banig under a tarpaulin’s shade. Come Christmas. He, 56, has yet to gather three sacks of his plates and figurines of treasured porcelain and glass — those he collected for decades now. Presently, he says he has to abandon all material things; what’s important is good health, he says. “Ampo nako na matagaan kami og maayo nga lawas. Ampo sab namo na maprotektahan kami sa Ginoo. Bahala na ang ubang kabtangan ug mga balaydan.” (It is my prayer that our bodies will be given

PRAYER FOR TOMORROW Four children — including Welmer and Gerald (first and second from left respectively) offer prayers as they hope for a better future to

Special Report | Community

Davao del Sur quake victims cope reality; share stories of horror, prayers While embracing a new normal, residents of Municipality of Matanao come as one to narrate their experiences and whisper prayers

well-being. Also, I pray that we will be protected by God. Come what may to other properties and household furniture.) Many people are left jobless as another neighbor Marites Balangue, 60, would say. “Kaluoy na kaayo ang mga tawo diri kay wala na’y balay. Wala pa gayud trabaho ug wala’y sweldohan.” (The people here are piteous since they have no houses. Many are out of their jobs and left unwaged.) However, she has kept her earnest prayers that these sudden movements would stop for a while. “Unta maghunong na ang linog aron maka-move on mi. Unta makabangon na usab ang mga tawo,” she prays. (I hope these tremors will stop so that we can move on. I hope we will soon rise up from this disaster. As they embrace a new decade, they also have to slowly adjust to a new normal. The moniker “city of tents” attests to it. They have gotten used to it somehow, but the future, they say is uncertain. For Matanao and its people, someday they will look back onto this disaster. This too shall pass. But soil cracks left by the passing of that day engrave a mark in the town’s history.

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QUAKE IN TULUNAN, COTABATO, OCTOBER 31

QUAKE IN TULUNAN, COTABATO, OCTOBER 29

A DUTY TO ATTEND TO Remy Lim, a member of the United Evangelical Church of General Santos and former member of the school board prepares medicine to be given to the residents. PHOTO BY ERNEST LADRINGAN 8-Leviticus

For Christmas: GSHCS, UEC send help to displaced Matanao residents Story by FRANCIS PRIETO 8-Numbers

“

o encounter.

Kailangan talaga nila ng tarpaulin kasi ‘yon lang ang pwede nilang pantabon sa gabi.

PHOTO BY JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

Rocelle Sales 9-Proverbs

IT IS ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR TRUCKLOADS of donations bound for earthquake victims as the Hopean community and the United Evangelical Church of General Santos mobilized a relief operation early December. School Directress Liza Co wrote in a letter that students who wish to take part in the operation may drop their donations at the Guidance Office. According to United Evangelical Church of General Santos (UECGS) Senior Pastor Ramello Borres who headed the operation, the group arrived in Balatukan to turn over the relief goods including food, tents, and clothing. He added that operations facilitated by several non-government organizations are still ongoing however monitored by the local government. “We’re happy to have delivered them safely and successfully.” But despite such, Rocelle Sales of 9-Proverbs who went to the same area said that the donations altogether are still insufficient. She reminded that displaced families needed more equipment for shelter, beds, and medicines. Tarpaulins were also encouraged to be given in order for evacuees to build makeshift tents in open areas. “Kailangan talaga nila ng tarpaulin kasi ‘yun lang ang pwede nilang pantabon sa gabi,” Sales said. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in October recorded three major quakes ranging Magnitude 5 to 6 followed by 600 aftershocks that struck several areas in Cotabato. The agency explained that the Cotabato Fault System is one of the seismically-active networks included in the Mindanao Fault System. Any quake in the system means it can trigger jolts in nearby areas as well, it said. Considering their statement, GSHCS partnered with UECGS will roll out another operation in mid-December to continually aid the affected residents composed of 30,000 families.

Shopping mall catches fire after magnitude-6.3 quake jolts Cotabato town Story by JANNA ESPINOSA 7-Colossians

GOING HOME A resident of Matanao wears her smile on her way home after receiving a sack of rice and a number of canned goods. PHOTO BY JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

FIRE BROKE OUT October 16 evening a shopping mall in General Santos City that gutted almost 90 percent of the establishment that equates to almost P2 billion. This follows a magnitude-6.3 earthquake that rocked Tulunan, Cotabato on the

same day, 7:37 P.M. Intensity IV was felt here. Source of the fire that engulfed Gaisano Mall of GenSan — one of the city’s early established shopping centers and recently renovated — came from the kitchenware section at the ground

level, accounts from its employees say. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) initially reported that faulty electrical wirings and a gas leak caused by the earthquake caused the fire. Fire Chief Inspector Reginald Legaste, former BFP head further found out that the fire might have been triggered by a combustible chemical

that leaked in the hardware section, also at the ground level. Meanwhile, the local government has approved immediate relief for the displaced 2,000 mall employees. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera who chairs the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council allocated P21 million from calamity funds.

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Investigative | Large-scale Fraud

Investment scheme shutdown sp in GenSan to plead Duterte for re Despite being out of touch of what will happen in the future, investors continue to plead the president for their benefactor’s resumption

Story by JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

F “ Wala na akong mababalikang trabaho. Kung wala nang KAPA, wala na akong pera. Adonis Hinoctan KAPA Investor

IFTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD ADONIS Hinoctan worked as a fish carrier in the city’s fishport complex. Upon resignation, he invested his last pay in investment scheme KAPA Ministries International expecting it to be doubled in a few months. It is in the name: KAPA is two Cebuano words — Kabus Padatoon which means “to make the poor rich” — condensed. Hinoctan — though he thought it is risky — tells Adventure that it might be worth when his money becomes nabawi. After all, enjoying the luxury in Alabel, Sarangani Province compared to working in General Santos City is his lifelong fancy. Added to the joy of receiving a payout that comprises of a monthly thirty-percent compound interest, the construction of his new abode and his purchasing of a new motorcycle were his dreams come true. He relished it all until President Rodrigo Duterte comes to shut down June 08 all investment schemes in order to ensure the safety of Mindanao’s citizens from the hoax. The investor then sighed, expressing his frustration over the president’s order. “Wala na akong mababalikang trabaho. Kung wala nang KAPA, wala na akong pera.” (I don’t have any work to return to. If KAPA ceases to exist, then my money does, too.) Even his house under construction is left unfinished, he told. According to a Rappler report, 50,000 members — coming from neighboring places including Davao, Sarangani Province, and South Cotabato — of the investment scheme staged June 13 a protest through prayer at the Acharon Sports Complex in Barangay Calumpang. Protesters however failed to touch the

RELUCTANT TO PART Although warned of KAPA as a form of syndicated estafa, Investors join a rally to ask the P

president’s heart. Duterte — who was, on the same day, at the Lagao gymnasium to distribute land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries — stood firm on his decision. Irked of the situation, he said, “If it is too good to be true, then it is really wrong.” “Maniwala kayo sa akin kasi abogado ako, presidente niyo ako. [Kapag] totoo pa iyan, porbida ako na magsasabi ‘sige’ pati ako sasali na. Huwag kayo pumasok diyan, panloloko iyan,” he added. (Believe me because I am a lawyer and your president. If it is true, then I’ll definitely say ‘go on’, I’ll join. However don’t do so, it is fraud.) Meanwhile making the last attempt to plead the president for the investments resumption, protesters, including Hinoctan, gathered in the city’s Oval Plaza to voice out their pleas and give Duterte an ultimatum. Wood-framed placards attached with

tarpaulins translating to: “Pity us, president. All of us have been medicated, provided food, and helped by KAPA” and “The government is one with KAPA in championing the poor” were raised as people shout, “Go KAPA, wa’y sarado!” For some of its members including Hinoctan who gave up work to invest, KAPA is a ticket to a good life. They are even reluctant to sue KAPA and its officials, saying that they do not want to antagonize the latter. Meanwhile, Hinoctan is not prepared for a day of reckoning and for a life at stake as he has no source of income yet. “Nagahangyo ko sa imong kaluoy, president. Wala na koy mabalikan na trabaho.” (I am begging for your mercy, president. I have no job to return to.)

After resurgence, school wards off poliovirus; tells parents to have preschoolers vaccinated Story by JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL PUPILS ARE wary of the poliovirus after it resurfaced in September — nineteen years after the World Health Organization declared the Philippines as polio-free But this disease that causes paralysis may be diminish if children aging five below have their dose of full vaccination, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III said. To help synchronize efforts with the health department, the school administrators encouraged the parents to be one in the fight against the virus by boosting the preschoolers’ immune system. It said, it will also help those at the medical frontline curb the spread of the virus. The school sent invitation letters to parents in order to inform them of the DOH’s “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio”, a houseto-house campaign pushed through by government medical personnel. Three doses of oral vaccine are needed to be consumed by the children regardless of their immunization status. “We should not be satisfied with our children receiving only one or two doses of the polio vaccine. Let us ensure that they receive the complete doses of the vaccine to fully protect them from Polio,” Duque appealed.

The Health Department furthered that it is time for those kids who were not vaccinated to take the chances offered by the national government. TRACKING ROOTS The first case after decades — discovered in Lanao del Sur — was recorded in a threeyear-old girl who can hardly move her limbs. Doctors working in the municipality of Marogong told media that the Maranao girl resided in Quiapo was unvaccinated until she turned one-year-old. Her parents brought her back to their hometown where she spent two years. Last June, the girl complained of severe fever. Authorities said that the girl now barely goes out of their house. Yet the second case was recorded in Laguna where the disease was confirmed to have been manifested in a five-year-old boy. Alarmed and prompted to conduct mass vaccination accross the archipelago, Duque said, “We continue to urge parents and caregivers of children below five years old, health workers, and local chief executives to take part in the synchronized polio vaccination to be scheduled in their communities.” He also stressed that Filipino households must continue to observe proper hygiene, to consume well-cooked food and clean water, and to wash hands regularly as measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

ALL GLORY TO GOD Tiu gives his best pose after being crowned Mr. Tourism 2019. PHOTO BY CHAMP FONG

Tiu is GenSan’s tourism ambassador for 2019 Story by FRANCIS PRIETO 8-Numbers

WIT AND CHARM MADE GRADE 12-STEM student Earl Tiu crowned as General Santos City’s Mr. Tourism 2019. The Mr. and Ms. Tourism GenSan — a pageant held September 3 at the Lagao gymnasium — is one of the highlights of the

week-long celebration of the city’s annual Tuna Festival. Asked on what it had contributed to him, the pageantry novice said that it gave “a lot” of opportunities to promote local heritage. “We got to work with different brands. At the same time, we were exposed of how the city lives with tourism,” he said. “I believe if something scares you, you should do it,” he added.

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Question to Consider

parks protest esumption

How are Hopeans hit by the TRAIN Law? Continuing increase on gas and sugar-based drinks due to the excise imposed by the TRAIN Law is troubling students in managing their money

Story by JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

STUDENTS OF GENERAL SANTOS HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL LABELED themselves “stressed” in managing their finances as they are saddled by the Philippine’s excise taxes in spite of the decrease in inflation rate, a survey finds. This year, 65 percent of the Hopeans gauged their stress levels in a five-to-six range according to the online survey collated by Adventure. Attributed to the survey, the country’s inflation rate lowered to 0.8 percent in October 2019 under President Rodrigo Duterte’s enactment of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law as opposed to the 6.7-percent inflation rate in the same month last year. Such figures that are linked to the setting of raised prices on basic commodities in markets are probable to raise pressure among the Hopeans’ financial management despite knowing that the government does not overhaul the TRAIN Law’s impact on student life. Keanu Piamonte of Grade 12 was troubled to quickly adjust to the situation. “This was frustrating because it usually happened every other month, and I sometimes couldn’t adapt right away; it was so sudden.” Moreover, he noted that the TRAIN Law puts a burden on parents, too.

President Duterte to resume KAPA.

STRUGGLE ON SUGAR-BASED BEVERAGES In 2018, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) levied excise tax on sugar-based beverages as the Philippines faces the burden of obesity among Filipinos. The tax imposition is backed by a research study of the World Health Organization (WHO) that revealed that the country can forestall 24,000 deaths linked to blood sugar diseases such as diabetes, stroke, and heart failure in the next twenty years. Market surveillance indicated a 16.6–20.6-percent increase — amounting to almost P6.00 — among sweetened drinks in neighborhood stores. Sales in those stores dropped by 8.7 percent. Nevertheless, seventh graders who usually drink such beverages found it necessary to rearrange their budgeting at a time of increasing prices. Among them, Rebecca Timario said that her drinks during meal times are greatly conditioned. “It was during the summer of 2017 when I felt the effects of the TRAIN Law. Usually on summers, I would buy a bottle of Coke Mismo from a sarisari store in the subdivision I reside in. I was surprised to see that it had increased by P3,” she said. The same experience was felt by Gerald Gerafusco of the same grade, seconding that prices of sodas have drastically spiked. “I was shocked to see that the bottle in that store costs P30.00 and so I returned to my mom empty handed and asked for more money,” Gerafusco narrated while recalling that one-liter sodas costed around P24 before the tax was imposed in contrast with the present price of P30. “It is apalling,” Priya Valdez of the same grade level said.

PHOTO BY JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

“ Maniwala kayo sa akin kasi abogado ako, Kung totoo pa iyan, porbida ako na magsasabi ‘sige’ pati ako sasali na. Huwag kayo pumasok diyan, panloloko iyan. Rodrigo Duterte Philippine President

KWF calls DepEd to use ethnic languages in student journalism Story by ASHLEY ESPINA 8-Leviticus

IN AN ATTEMPT TO FULFILL ITS DUTY to preserve the country’s heritage, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) wanted the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Schools Press Conference — an annual competition among campus journalists — to encourage school-based writers to use the Philippine’s ethnic languages. The move, it said is in line with the celebration of 2019 as the Year of the Indigenous Languages when the comission is taking efforts to enrich the use of 130 ethnic languages of the country.

Through Board Decision 19-62, Series of 2019, the commission ensured that the youth will be writing using the ethnic languages as part of its campaign in advancing local journalism and literature. “Nais nating hikayatin ang mga kabataan na magsulat hindi lámang sa wikang Filipino, kundi pati sa kanilang mga katutubong wika. Sila ang magbubunsod ng pag-unlad ng ating mga katutubong wika at panitikan,” KWF Chairman Virgilio Almario said. Aside from this, the KWF has called on other agencies to use the ethnic languages in communicating with the common people. It has also annually, since then held the Pambansang Kampong Balagtas — a writing workshop for student journalists.

Ban on mobile games to take effect this year Story by JULIUS PACLIBAR 10-Ephesians

FACULTY ADMINISTRATORS DIRECTED ALL teachers on June 24 to keep a keen watch on students playing mobile games, saying that the these will be banned inside the school campus in order for the learners to shift their focus. This followed an alarm on teachers that students on recess and lunch break times do not

take time to study but instead play games on their smartphones. High school teachers, particularly classroom advisers oriented the students that restriction only applies when inside the inner gate of the campus. While when getting the urge to play, they must stay outside, teachers add. So far, the school has not yet banned the use of smartphones in campus due to coping up with the advent of technology in studies.

“ It was during the summer of 2017 when I felt the effects of the TRAIN Law. Usually on summers, I would buy a bottle of Coke Mismo from a sari-sari store in the subdivision I reside in. I was surprised to see that it had increased by P3.oo. Rebecca Timario Grade 7-Colossians

FUEL WOES Public transport drivers and chauffeurs welcomed a new year, but they would have also readied their pockets as fuel price shot up in January 2019. Senator Win Gatchalian who chairs economic affairs of the higher house said that pump prices increased by P2–P3 still under the TRAIN Law. Many student-drivers were caught by surprise of the hike partly caused by the government-set excise that led to the triggering of frustration among them. Eighteen-year-old Nathan Tan said that although he asks gas money from his parents, a set budget would only suffice for a few days. “I am very frustrated because my 200 pesos — which is really a small amount for gas — would only last me 3 days and after that I have to refuel again.” Mark Tan also expressed that before the levying of excise tax — particularly before the Duterte administration’s TRAIN Law — the same distance covered by a particular amount of gasoline stored was greater than now. “Before TRAIN law was implemented, P350 worth of gas would last a week. After TRAIN law was implemented, P350 would not suffice anymore and needed more than that to last a week. The distance travelled daily and the frequency of car usage is no different two years ago,” he said. COPING MECHANISMS In spite of their struggles, students searched for ways to cut the burden brought by the TRAIN Law. Twelfth grader Leynard Cordero responded to the survey that the TRAIN Law helped him to be contented on what he has. “I don’t usually buy anything I don’t need except for fuel and food,” he said. “Sometimes I do eat fast food to save a little but most of the time I eat at home or I prepare a meal for my lunch in school.” Most of them bring their packed lunch to school instead of buying from the canteen. “My mother cooks food for me so I don’t spend money on food everyday. I also limit myself from buying food from stores so that I can save a little for other things,” 14-year-old Peter Lao said. “Umiba na talaga ang mga price of meals so I need to do something. There are a lot of people suffering from financial difficulties,” he followed.

THE “QUESTION TO CONSIDER” SERIES IS A COURSE OF ANALYSIS WRITTEN BY ADVENTURE’S CHIEF EDITOR. WE CONSIDER QUESTIONS VALUABLE IN GIVING LIGHT TO CAMPUS ISSUES. QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME TO OUR EMAIL.

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comments EDITOR FRANCIS PRIETO

agi, ‘Nong ayaw’g a! colorum man k

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Together, we embrace a new generation

Jun Acharon’s four-way test

Tulfo is the new face of justice; does it bring any good? COMMENTS 11

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COMMENTS 09

9,000 TRICYCLE UNITS ARE IDEAL AND FEASIBLE TO CIRCULATE WITHIN THE BUSINESS DISTRICT AND THE BARANGAYS ACCORDING TO A STUDY FACILITATED BY THE CITY COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION. CARTOON BY KYLENE DU 9-Psalms

Editorial | Adventure’s comment on “Oplan Linis, Ligtas Kalsada”

GenSan has to tidy its roads as traffic jam worsens, but ineffective legislations won’t do the job The attempts of the local government are worryingly vague while drivers are also susceptible to violation

“ Nonetheless, the reality that even registered drivers need money to live cannot be dismissed. But this reason renders them to become abusive.

ENERALS APPARENTLY SEE how horrendous and vexing the buildup of motorcycles fills the Pan-Philippine Highway that would boil down to a cup of rage—commuters and locals are stranded, with hundreds of overtaking SUVs, and on the sidestreet are commuters sweltering as they wait for vacant public transport. A reason to cite is the growing number of tricycle operators in the city. Among the marginal sector, 42,00 tricycles maneuver daily in the 26 barangays. However, tricycle drivers from the municipality of Polomolok were captured to have operated in the city, causing more traffic. To solve such, city legislators agreed with the General Santos City Police Office [GSCPO] to implement “Oplan Ligtas, Linis Kalsada” on October 15. Soon after its effectivity, colorum tricycles and other slow-moving vehicles were

Forward Together, we embrace a new generation Fresher stories and a different way of storytelling — both can be found in this newly-dressed Hopean gazette. Welcome!

DEAR READER, One of my seniors in this enterprise, Achi Andrea Lim — The Weekly Sillimanian’s former Chief Editor — exchanged regards early this academic year. It led me to assess how Adventure has been for the past 20 years. So as to really do the job, I found old issues

of the publication and scrutinized whether or not it had maintained its quality through the decades. This year, the editors decided to clothe the publication with something new to slowly keep up with the times and set another quality — a new standard that our readers will expect. From that moment on, I

gathered ideas and curated content for a fresher issue. Shifting the focus from winnings and other achievements gained, to how stories in and out the school is what I find essential in giving this change to the readers. FOR OUR NEW LOOK, we opted for a fresher and classic look that

would give appeal to both youth and adults. Our scope of readership is no less than 300. The challenge we now face is to produce in print when most of the youth have long considered print as a “dying” medium for journalism. Now we try to get them back onto reading news in print.

commanded to occupy the outer lane of the highway. While tricycle drivers from Polomolok were banned to operate in GenSan. City Transportation Committee disclosed that tricycles will be clustered by color that will designate them from their respective routes to the business district of the city. CLEANING THE ROADS? NOT QUITE The operation makes a serious loophole: It does not prohibit drivers to operate private tricycles. While the Land Transportation Office has stopped giving franchises to tricycle drivers, many drivers will still attempt to operate without papers. By continuing this measure, our legislation is just a stockpile of failed reinforcements. It is evident that after a week, tricycles were still able to travel inside the inner lane of the highway and inspections along the down town are not even done well. This is why more colorum drivers — when involved in an accident

As we are driven to preserve our new identity in the next five years, our new nameplate show much of our purpose. I had a total of five designs for the nameplate, but the editors decided to choose a cleaner, bolder, and italic type for simplicity and elegance. Many asked us why we chose blue. We answer: Trust. Another noticeable element is the swashed ‘T’. Why so? I’d like to give emphasis to this mark of change done after two decades. We’re gradually changing to a publication that is timeless, truthful, and trustworthy. We firmly believe that it never fails to give change a space in these trying times.

NOT LONG AFTER, school organizations received an invitation to a mangrove planting activity in Buayan. Although a preliminary lecture has been given by a local named Mang Danny, I headed to the shore to see how Mangroves shield the land from violent waves of the Celebes Sea. It turned out to be that many seedlings are uprooted because they are not planted well. I was disappointed to see how it actually was. Ate Kathy, who came to the scene shared to me her sentiments of the situation. “Minsan hindi kasi sineseryoso ang pagtatanim, kaya hindi nabaon nang

with an SUV — would immediately reason out, “Pasensya na, wa koy kwarta ug kinahanglan nako og kíta.” Residents even complain of the smoke being belched by tricycle drivers, which accounts to a hundred-kilogram release of carbon in the atmosphere. This is even more considerable because GenSan’s heat index has been shooting up to 42 degrees since 2016. Such circumstances have long impelled our attention to monitor the operations of tricycle drivers in the city. Yet our legislators might have failed to notice that the oplan is just a shortterm remedy with aftereffects. They have taken much efforts to disallow colorum tricycle drivers to operate, and we’re now here at the edge when even registered drivers are accountable for the traffic buildup in the highway. Nonetheless, the reality that even registered drivers need money to live cannot be dismissed. But this reason renders them to become abusive. Topping complaints from riders even say that the registered drivers do not follow the fixed rate suggested by the law (which must now, be studied and revised to suffice the drivers’ needs). The answer to these problems is not just to capture colorum and outside drivers, order registered drivers to occupy the outer lanes and color code them, but rather to control the amount of tricycle operations by minimizing the amount of tricycles travelling in a day. Should the routes be surmounted, 9,000 tricycles a day is feasible to cater the commuters. The present local administration must not just work on GenSan’s being a business city, but rather fix the traffic where the common people is involved. In the climate of rising amount of vehicles, its residents cannot be provided with band-aid solutions anymore. Cleaning the roads require effective legislators, but why do we have ineffective legislations?

maayos ang seedlings natin,” she said. We cannot dismiss the fact that many of us have gone to the Minanga Mangrove Forest Park in order to conduct photo-ops. People have that nature to participate in Mangrove planting sessions without knowing how important it is. This chance of being able to record the present situation and future horrors cannot be missed.

王崇诚 JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs Chief Editor

STORIES SUCH AS “The land that people had forgotten” and Meryll’s “No myth ever in marine biodiversity” are just one of the many stories that our community can tell. We know that some of these are unheard and given less focus by the locals. Adventure is committed to tell stories that everyone needs to read in this generation we are yet to embrace. ENJOY READING!

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Southern Comfort Jun Acharon’s four-way test Former representative is put under test of a pledge that he lives up to

ATON INI!

A review on how present Congresswoman Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles of the South Cotabato’s First Congressional District earned her spot in the lower house

EDWIN ESPEJO Guest

UNDER PAIN OF BEING HELD IN CONTEMPT, I will continue to hold on to my position that former Representative Pedro Acharon Jr. is disallowed, if not barred, by law from seeking a fourth consecutive term as member of the House of Representatives. This time, however, I will no longer delve on the merits of the issue since a disqualification case has already been filed against his candidacy and the case, I was told, has also been raffled. I will, however, burrow on the propriety of his action in seeking yet another term where his arguments are anchored not on solid legal grounds but on a court decision that could come later (prospective). That to me is making a mockery of the sovereign will of the people. He may gather the largest number of votes in the October 26 election for the reapportioned lone district of General Santos, which was postponed last May. But his victory will be tainted by lust and hunger for political power. His victory, if ever, will not come in a fair and honest election. I am tempted to ask the four-way test which Rotarians like ex-Rep. Jun Acharon have avowed to guide them in their daily lives. IS IT THE TRUTH? Was former Rep. Jun Acharon truthful when he said, under oath, that he is eligible for the position he is seeking? Remember, he is seeking a seat in the 18th Congress where the law said no member of the House of Representatives shall served for more than three consecutive terms. Mr. Acharon already served the 15th, 16th and 17th Congress as member of the House of Representatives. IS IT FAIR? Every lawyer that I consulted about the fourth consecutive term said there are solid legal grounds to disqualify him. But a handful also said, there are gray areas that Mr. Acharon may use to argue is his case if the matter is brought up to the court. As I said, I will not dwell on the legality of his qualification or disqualification. But if he is allowed to run, wins and is proclaimed but later is disqualified, is he not being unfair to the people that voted for and against him? Remember, if he wins and is later disqualified — after October 26 — he will be unseated and the position of congressman for the lone district of General Santos City will be held vacant until the next regular elections (2022). The candidate with the next highest number of voters will not be able to succeed and take over his seat. Every which way, the people of General Santos are cheated of their votes.

“ But his victory will be tainted by lust and hunger for political power. His victory, if ever, will not come in a fair and honest election.

WILL IT BUILD GOODWILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIP? Remember, if Mr. Acharon is allowed to run, wins and is proclaimed, he would be starting the first of another three-year term that could extend until 2028. By then he would have been an elected official for a total of 33 years. A full 18 years of that as member of the HoR. (He served one term as city councilor, one term as vice mayor and three terms as city mayor). Once he is again seated as congressman, what would prevent Mr. Acharon from again reapportioning the Lone District of General Santos to run for another three three-year terms that will perpetuate his self in the position until 2037? Is that building goodwill and better friendship? WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED? Seriously, the only one who will be benefited is Mr. Acharon himself. At this stage, he has already arrogated the position to himself after authoring the reapportioning of the former First District of South Cotabato. In a democracy, we say the will of the people is the will of God, vox populi, vox Dei. But in a democracy, we too say salus populi est suprema lex, the welfare of an individual yields to that of the community.

EDWIN ESPEJO IS A JOURNALIST ON EXTENDED LEAVE. HE FORMERLY SERVED AS THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE DEFUNCT SUNSTAR GENSAN.

194,929 VOTES CASTED MAY 13 FOR PEOPLE’S CHAMP MOVEMENT (PCM) BAÑASNOGRALES

44,802

42,005

VOTES CASTED MAY 13 FOR INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE MENCHIE DINOPOL-CATALUÑA

VOTES CASTED MAY 13 FOR ACHIEVERS WITH INTEGRITY MOVEMENT (AIM) CANDIDATE ARTURO CLOMA

no.1

PEDRO ACHARON JR. COMES TO THE LOWER HOUSE BY WINNING THE SEAT AS CONGRESSMAN OF THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF SOUTH COTABATO (SOCOT) IN 2010, AND WON AGAIN IN 2013 AND

no. 2 2016.

no. 3 no.4

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY WAS REAPPORTIONED TO A THIRD LONE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF SOCOT THROUGH REPUBLIC ACT 11243 ON MARCH 11, 2019. ACHARON WROTE IT INITIALLY AS HOUSE BILL 5162. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS (COMELEC) — THROUGH RESOLUTION 10513 — SUSPENDED THE MAY CONGRESSIONALS IN LINE WITH MEASURES OF R.A. 11243. OCTOBER 26 BECOMES THE DATE OF THE SPECIAL ELECTIONS FOR BOTH THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF SOUTH COTABATO AND THE LONE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY. CERTIFICATE OF CANDIDACY WAS FILED BY ACHARON ON AUGUST 28. HE EYED FOR A FOURTH TERM IN THE LOWER HOUSE BUT FOR A DIFFERENT DISTRICT — HIS HOMETOWN.

of 14 14 SUPREME COURT JUSTICES STOOD WITH BAÑAS-NOGRALES TO PROCLAIM THE LATTER AS THE WINNER OF THE CONGRESSIONALS.

RESOLUTION 10612 SAYS THAT ELECTION FOR THE CONGRESSMAN WHO WILL SIT IN THE LONE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OF GENSAN WILL TAKE PLACE IN

2022

City councilor Franklin Gacal said that the Constitution is clear on a three-term seat in the congress. Bañas Nograles originally filed a status quo ante order to validate the votes casted for her on the May 2019 elections.

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Soliloquy

‘Go KAPA, wa’y sarado’? Understanding Ponzi schem Mindanaoans — not to men and Visayans, too — are tied to this ticking time bomb Under the guise of love gifts to proclaim their “faith”, cash from 5 million Filipinos across the archipelago are involved in a shenanigan that KAPA heads

H CARL MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

“ This is where it becomes a pitfall: When there is no money to be released, the solicitor runs away with all the previously gathered cash.

OW CAN YOU AVOID THE chance of earning a lot of money in a few months? Isn’t it hard to decline? But what if it seems to be a booby trap? The widespread of such has lured Mindanaoans to an inescapable sorcery that KAPA Community Ministry International enchants. With the peer majority railroading thousands of Mindanaoans to invest in the seductive Ponzi, the “ministry” generously distributes its promised money to investors. For more than two years now, residents nearby Sarangani Province such as General Santos City and South Cotabato continues to feast on “easy money.” MAKING THE POOR RICH It is in the name. KAPA is coined from two Cebuano words Kabus which means “poor,” and Padatuon which means “to make rich.” Joel Apolinario, a pastor and the founder of the ministry developed a system that allows people to make an investment with a 30% monthly growth. For example, a P10,000 investment would promise profits of P36,000 after a year. PONZI FRAUD Basically, a scam may be classified into either a ponzi scheme or pyramid scheme — two that aims to deceive people.

There might be a small difference between the two systems, but both are the same in essence: to deceive people and encourage them to be greedy by putting a large amount of money in their investment account. A Ponzi scheme is named after Italian Charles Ponzi who pioneered the system. In this, the solicitor will solicit money from the investor with the promise of returns every interval. KAPA alike asks investors to invest in the guise of ‘donation’, and also gives the monthly payout until the investor gets his principal. An investor however does not know that the money the solicitor was giving was from the accounts of other people. This is where it becomes a pitfall: When there is no money to be released, the solicitor runs away with all the previously gathered cash ECONOMICAL SABOTAGE Farmers in Sarangani Province have reportedly given up in the farming industry and have sold their livestocks and poultries to invest more in KAPA. Laborers in General Santos City had also resigned from their workplaces and took their last salary to the “ministry”. Due to these, complaints from banking companies have been raised that unending loan and withdrawal transactions would pile

up their desks so that investors may put in a huge amount of money SEC CEASE-AND-DESIST The Securities and Exchange Commision (SEC) invalidated the papers of KAPA as it was found to have illegal solicitations from the public. In a resolution released on March 14, released a permanent Cease-and-Desist order against KAPA after it failed to file a motion to lift the temporary CDO It also revoked KAPA’s certificate of incorporation due to operations without license. The SEC continues to advise the public to take precaution when investing. GAME OF GAMBLE When one tries to hear a story of a man who tries to hit a jackpot after investing, the pressure to invest comes out. Investing in KAPA is an all-risk decision. A huge population has already put their lives in investing to be in a bed of roses. But soon when it crumbles, investors will rue after the game. A scam is anything that deceives. But when equipped with knowledge, one is safe.

Primary Agendum Donald Trump takes it away from war veterans. Now Filipino families are pretty much disappointed

FRANCESKA TABANDA 8-Leviticus

THE DONALD TRUMP opposition can now strive and rejoice in capturing the side of the Filipinos living in the United States (US)and the Fil-Ams. Even from those who have resided in the US before the 2000’s, Trump may be afraid of failing to get a seat in the next Election Day.

For Tony Taguba, chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education project, being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal is an honor and a proud moment. By that time, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recognized that it: “...remains indebted to the

bravery, valor, and the dedication that the Filipino war veterans of World War II displayed...”, but those words seem to be a fallacy. Trump this year ordered the USCIS to issue a notice that stops the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program, a program intended to support the Filipinos.

Filipino war veterans pushed to be recognized and justify their miitary service. The Philippines used to be a territory by the US during World War II. And so, they advocated to receive benefits from their military service and pleaded the US to join them in America through a petition

requesting for green cards. Enabling the parole program allowed families of the war veterans to be united and provide support and care for each other. Terminating the program would mean worse to the beneficiaries, US has broken their faith in Filipinos. It would

even lessen the definition of sacrifice for the country while enduring the ravages of gunshots and bombs. These war veterans deserve more as the lived the days of their youth with so much honor in horror. The US must keep their promises made to the families of the war veterans, and

stop the termination of the parole program. Our veterans are almost marking their centennaries, and their bravery to defend the Philippines and the US deserve to be recognized. There is just no valid reason for them to end the parole program, to take away the war veterans’ honor.

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Idea Trade

mes and how ntion Luzonians d

Tulfo becomes the new face of the masses’ justice; does it bring any good?

FRANCIS PRIETO 8-Numbers

5,000,000 SECURITY-AND-EXCHANGECOMISSION-QUOTED INVESTORS ARE DUPED BY KAPA AND ITS FOUNDER JOEL APOLINARIO

“ Letters The essentiality that students find in free, vacant times

I WOULD SAY IT DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION. IF STUDENTS HAVE BEEN AT SCHOOL FOR consecutive days, then it’s good to have a break — which is why I think weekends are important too. However, if the given time feels excessive, I’d say it’s good to sprinkle in some time to study other lessons and learn more skills. Of course, you can have leisure breaks along the way. It is unhealthy to always work. After all, the time given to you is free so you can choose when you can take your breaks. Unwind with leisure because work usually takes most of the time anyway. AERIL VILLANUEVA 7-Colossians FREE TIMES SHOULD BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS FOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES. PERSONALLY, LIKE most students, I use my free time to play and do things that helps me destress because it gives me energy to cope with the daily responsibilities of being a student. It also recharges me so that I would still be lively and participative for the next class. CHLOE BACQUIANO 7-Colossians

We should as well consider that her anger may have originated from the stress of handling 60 students in one classroom.

FAMED COMMENTATOR RAFFY TULFO OF “Raffy Tulfo in Action” drew flak as one of his episode — aired last November 18 that involved a 47-year-old woman — publicly shamed a teacher without due process. The woman who claimed to be a 2nd grader’s grandmother complained about an alleged abuse that happened to her grandson in class. A CCTV footage was also displayed on the screen which shows the teacher angrily locking her student outside of the classroom after failing to return a report card. She furthered that there were same instances before. The principal was told of this incident yet the complainants insisted that the principal didn’t actually give the justice they were looking for their child. They also claim that the boy is traumatized — causing him not to sleep and eat well. The mother of the child — who appeared in the latter part of the show didn’t want the teacher to be put to jail, but instead to have the teacher’s license revoked. Tulfo asked the teacher if she wanted to let this go through the court of if not she will lose her job. The teacher picked the latter. Tulfo didn’t go through with the proper process of mediating a certain conflict made the netizens angry. Most netizens showed concern for the teacher instead of the poor traumatized boy. It is reasonable for the teacher to do these things for the student to be disciplined and this is what I believe is right: Discipline is one of the key factors for a child’s upbringing in becoming a responsible citizen in the future. The “shame” experienced by the child cannot be equated to the shame experienced by the teacher. Complainants could have made peace with each other without seeking public sympathy. I concur that the teacher might be wrong for doing such, but this is not the judgment she deserves. We should as well consider that her anger may have originated from the stress of handling 60 students in one classroom. Doing her job, the teacher exerts effort to meet the needs of the students and to discipline them. Tulfo should have not meddled but instead gave authority to the DepEd for handling the matter. However, he in defense said that he sides with the family and cited the Republic Act No. 7610 or “Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act” that provides special protection and stronger deterrence against child abuse, exploitation, and discrimination and for other purposes. Tulfo recalled the DepEd Child Protection Policy which gives zero-tolerance to any form of child abuse. I am against these for I believe that what the child has experienced is not considered as abuse. Spare the rod, spoil the kid. This applies to the student if he does not experience such things as it can cause the child to be spoiled. Instead of Tulfo doing his job as a journalist, he paints himself a picture of being the judge of the masses. Consider it convenient for one to seek justice over the station, but we can’t let a fool handle the case.

Editorial Board JUDE MIRABUENO Chief Editor FRANCIS PRIETO Associate Editor FRANCESKA TABANDA Managing Editor JUDE MIRABUENO News Editor FRANCIS PRIETO Comments Editor FRANCESCA TABANDA Features Editor MERYLL MIRANDA Science Editor JOSH TENG Sports Editor ERNEST LADRINGAN Chief Photojournalist JANNA ESPINOSA Assistant Photojournalist JUDE MIRABUENO News Designer FRANCIS PRIETO Copy Editor CARL MIRABUENO Columnist KYLENE DU Cartoonist JULIUS PACLIBAR, ASHLEY ESPINA, JAMES AMANTILLO, JARUZELSKI RANES Junior Correspondents BLANCA MARQUEZ Adviser JENITH ANG English Coordinator RONALDO CENTENO Principal, Editorial Consultant LIZA CO, PH.D. Directress

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features features EDITOR FRANCESKA TABANDA 8-Leviticus

Food Guide | Sino-Eats

Tastes of love and tradition in the world’s

When his strings sound, it sure emanate a

Through the fire, to the limit FEATURES 16

oldest Chinatown

mellifluous melody

FEATURES 13

FEATURES 14

Author’s Picks

灌湯小籠饅頭

印度油豆腐

1. XIAOLONGBAO AVAILABLE AT: CAFÉ MEZZANINE, ONGPIN STREET

3. INDONESIAN TAUHU AVAILABLE AT: QUIK SNACK, CARVAJAL STREET

2. DURIAN MOONCAKE AVAILABLE AT: ENG BEE TIN, ONGPIN STREET

4. KUCHAY PORK DUMPLINGS AVAILABLE AT: DONG BEI DUMPLINGS YUCHENGCO STREET

中秋榴蓮月餅

韭菜豬肉餃子

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lifestyle

Places

Tastes of love and tradition in the world’s oldest Chinatown

August in the south Story by DEVIN WANG 9-Proverbs

I FIND ENDINGS always beautiful. Since childhood, my year comes to an end in August despite what the calendar says. The paroxysm of its mirth begins when July’s raincloud hovers past south and the evergreens start to bear fruit. My mornings are complemented by a sip of coffee as sunlight wallows through the branches. Over those days, the aroma of the earth changes as the rain has gone. The dried branches and leaves drenched in mud bring about a stronger, sooty smell. The sun dries the wetland and the fruits start to ripen. Visible is the abundance of earth when fruits start to fall off the trees, those fruits covering most of the farm area signals the locals to harvest such bounty. In that season, the durians, of variety and sweetness continue to reign the kingdom of fruits. By that time, locals love to eat the seasonals: The Kob variety (milky when ripe, that to my palate is the best), and the Golden Puyat variety (the sweetest among all, only if orange in pulp). But those are far different from the cheap and procurable in any time. Fruit stalls situated by the foot of Mount Matutum beckon you to baskets of Chanees and Arancillos that are fond of by many, but not by fruit connoisseurs. Chanees and Arancillos are pungent that when inhaled from one’s mouth, is disconcerting. Other locals feast on mangosteens, lanzones, and rambutans, and marangs that are among the cheapest.

Binondo is an enchanting place designed for sharing food, love, laughter, and memories

ANDREA LIM

Alumna, Batch 2012

“ Fellow foodies here and there, helping themselves with Chinese food too familiar to the Filipino taste buds, is a pleasurable sight as I feel a sense of belonging. This dieting self admits that she’s with the right crowd.

OR A CHINITA WHO’S BEEN ON A DIET FOR THE longest time, a stroll around Binondo poses a challenge to self-imposed food restrictions — all the more when the significant other is the food buddy for the day. One cannot experience the oldest Chinatown in the world without a food-trip agenda in mind; an eatout is also one of the best kinds of dates in which two can enjoy each other’s company and simply get to know each other more over conversations and food. Divisoria located within the area is a plus — I know I can unwind here after all Manila-work-related assignments are accomplished. Work-life balance, I mumbled to myself while watching JP, my lam pengyu, sip chrysanthemum tea in Café Mezzanine, a Chinese restaurant known as a volunteer fireman’s coffee shop with its cafeteria-style firemen-theme interior. Have I forgotten to remind him we’re both working out and watching over our food intake? He’s really into his share of xiaolongbao1 and beef noodle soup — I can tell now with his siopao- shaped face — so I let go of the need to count calories. Just let love in. The bustling scenes of business and gastronomy on each corner seem to not appear overwhelming even on late Friday mornings and weekends. Fellow foodies here and there, helping themselves with Chinese food too familiar to the Filipino taste buds, is a pleasurable sight as I feel a sense of belonging. This dieting self admits that she’s with the right crowd. Binondo’s food scene reminds me of my father. Papa, just like this historical place, is a testament that the Chinese take their food seriously. I consider him one of my best food buddies. In Chinese restaurants, he always has a pro-tip or two as to what dimsum dishes one cannot miss ordering. He is also well-versed with all the condiments such as black vinegar that go well with all the meat cuts, and he does not shy away from requesting chiligarlic sauce to waiters no matter how busy they are. AT HOME, PAPA WOULD ALSO COOK LUMPIA USING A recipe he acquired from a Chinese family who owns an old, widely loved restaurant in Marikina where he is a regular customer. His version of lomi and misua are soup noodle dishes I look for when I have a fever or just homesick. Where else would I feel love but in a place with all the food that leads me home? JP figured. Binondo is now our official usual date goto place in Manila. This historical place of commerce for Chinese traders since the early 1590s is also proof that the Chinese influence is undeniably part of Filipino culinary tradition. Ngohiong, for example, is a familiar kikiam. All variants of the lumpia or spring rolls are also our food staples on Filipino parties. Here, our body clock for eating becomes messed up and perceptions on ideal food portions become blurry; snack time becomes brunch because of big servings of quick bites offered in stalls and sit-in restaurants. OUR FIRST DATE IN ENG BEE TIN’S THE GREAT BUDDHA Café is an unforgettable memory; we were supposed to eat at Café Mezzanine, but all tables were occupied, so we decided to head somewhere we can still hear each other talk. No one’s celebrating a natal day but we ordered birthday noodles — for long love life, I joked with an accent only Mano Po movie actresses can pull off — steamed chicken, and xiaolongbao1 or soup dumplings. Eng Bee Tin, an established Chinese bakery and deli since 1912, is known for its hopia, mochi, tikoy rolls, and mooncakes. Because we

went here days before the start of the Mooncake Festival, we bought the limited edition durian mooncake2 and special golden pork floss hopia together with other popular flavors like the kundol and munggo. Later on, we tried their famous ube siopao and milk tea. In Binondo, stopovers at Carvajal Street are a must. Cantonese restaurant Quik Snack is located in this narrow street tucked between many food stalls selling ChineseFilipino dishes and delicacies. On our second Binondo date, JP and I enjoyed some of its bestsellers such as the Indonesian tauhu3, fried tofu in a sweet sauce with a spicysour, nutty taste, and the savory ngohiong. Plating alone shows how tasty these meal-sized appetizers are. As if we’re not full, we walked a bit further in the busy alleyway to the New Po Heng Lumpia House for fresh lumpia that looks like a hearty thick roll filled with ground pork, tofu, greens, rice noodles, seaweed, and crushed peanuts seasoned with sweet-and-spicy sauces. Freshly rolled in front of us, no wonder this unintimidating eatery with its stall is a popular place for a lumpia fix. After a bit of shopping around Lucky Chinatown Mall—we were trying our best to burn calories and feel hungry again for the next food stop—we once decided to go to Dong Bei Dumplings along Yuchengco Street. We were lucky this quaint hole-in-the-wall dumpling shop is still not full of hungry people yet when we arrived. Beside the entrance, one can see the staff preparing freshly steamed kuchay (garlic chive) pork dumplings4, one of Dong Bei’s most sought-after menu items besides its Chinese fried stuffed pancakes. I suggest dipping these bite-sized kuchay dumplings4 in black vinegar mixed with garlic sauce as it complements the meat flavor. On another brunch date, across Manila Chinatown Hotel in Buenavidez Street, JP and I checked out Wai Ying Fastfood to indulge in roasted and steamed meat cuts and more dimsum. By its entrance glass window, hung roasted duck and chicken are displayed alongside the open minikitchen. We ordered Wai Ying’s roasted duck and soy chicken rice meals and radish cake, a not- so-easy-toprepare classic dim sum dish that Papa was able to make successfully after many attempts and recipe alterations. To cap off the hard work of chewing around Binondo, we decided to go back to Eng Bee Tin and buy soya milk, our kind of cheery non-dairy coolers. JP NOW BLAMES ME FOR HIS DIMSUM CRAVINGS THAT get into him more often than usual. Whenever I’m back in Cebu and he’s left with all the Chinese restaurants in Manila, he’s more tempted to get short orders through food delivery apps, always looking for xiaolongbao1 in every menu list. “Blame the Chinese,” I joke. “Invite my dad na for a dim sum date, ahem.” Their influence on the Filipino taste, like true love you can’t help but let in, does not spread thin but runs deep. Mine to his, well, in all senses.

ANDREA LIM IS PRESENTLY PURSUING HER MASTER’S DEGREE IN LITERATURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS IN CEBU. SHE FORMERLY SAT AS ADVENTURE’S ASSOCIATE EDITOR IN A.Y. 20112012. SHE ALSO WORKED AS THE CHIEF EDITOR OF SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY’S THE WEEKLY SILLIMANIAN.

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL PREVIOUSLY, A SELECTED NUMBER OF HOPEANS PARTICIPATED IN THE SUMMER TOUR IN XIAMEN, FUJIAN PROVINCE IN CHINA. GIVEN THE LIMITED VOCABULARY ONE IS EQUIPPED WITH, HE ORDERS FOOD BY HIS “YI GE, LIANG GE, SAN GE ZHEI GE’S” AND FINGER POINTING. BUT IF YOU ARE READIED WITH A HANDFUL KNOWLEDGE OF “ROU’S” AND “CAI’S,” LIFE — THAT IS SATISFYING GASTRONOMY AS CONSIDERED BY MOST — THERE WOULD NOT BE SO PROBLEMATIC AT ALL.

“ The sun dries the wetland and the fruits start to ripen. Visible is the abundance of earth when fruits start to fall off the trees, those fruits covering most of the farm area signals the locals to harvest such bounty.

MY CLASSMATES’ faces are marked with gusto when my twin brother and I bring bags of those fruits that are ‘unfamiliar’ to them. Most of them, apt in eating quickly, contest over the harvests — it is true —and they go late for Physical Education classes which come after a 20-minute break from afternoon sessions. WHAT AN EXCITEMENT it is to stay away from the hurly-burlies of the city and take a breath in the countryside. My father’s family owns an ancestral farm in South Cotabato. It takes us a 30-minute drive from General Santos City to the farm. We must arrive early, impervious to the scorching of the sun; otherwise, several of the fruit trees are to be quickly pillaged by stray people.

SOUTHERN AUGUST TO PAGE 14.

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SOUTHERN AUGUST FROM PAGE 12. As for one who gets up the bed an hour after the rooster noises, he is left with trails of leaves and the hanging twigs left by the vanished fruits. HARVESTERS ROVE around, it is sunup and tall shadows are projected over the place. The scenery is well-lit enough to scrutinize the grove with both eyes. And both eyes for one must not mistake the fruits from the leaves that cover most of the sight. Wear your head a hard hat when in chase for durians, and the best time to harvest them is when the place is radiant in order to spot and point them. Lanzones fruits are onerous to find. When shadows are cast all around, you might be confused between the fruits and large white fungi. A clump of lanzones fruits are nestled by hanging onto branches, they however are far from leaves. It brings me thrill when the farm’s caretaker starts to pluck the fruits, accurately and dexterously enough not to mar the clump, falling directly into the baskets which are then delivered to the fruit stalls. It is a pleasure to trail down the grounds as if it were my very own, the trees I have identified since childhood, whose exact place I am careful never to blab, that even the people closest to me cannot search for what I consider mine.

“ It is a pleasure to trail down the grounds as if it was my very own, the trees I have identified since childhood, whose exact place I am careful never to blab, that even the people closest to me cannot search for what I consider mine.

IN THE FARMLAND, chats between two fruit pickers are breviloquent and cagey — those are of a Hiligaynon-Bisaya mix: “Kapoy kaayo ko súbong. Kumusta na ka?” “Okay lang ko súbong oy, ingon ana jud ang kinabuhi!” “Labing gamay ang ani, dili ba?” “Abáw ah! Bátiag ko guid man. Gikan ko didto,” pointing at where he went to prior to conversing. “Ay ako, naghalín ko didto kag nagpahúay, tapos naglakat naman didto,” to boast, with his right palm open over his chest, swaying from left to right, directing the other’s sight to an area both were initially unfamiliar of. With a mutual sneaky glance, they part, intending to not reveal where they had really come from. They would have been exulting had another picker roamed off a part of the county that has already been reaped! TO TOURISTS AND lovers of both food and nature, the southern land is a rural idyll — head early. So will the fruits run out by August? The question is futile, the fruit-bearing evergreens’ fate is decided — their fruits are overflowing, and are less likely running out.

Aran Miguel Bandolon When his strings soun a mellifluous melody

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n Villanueva: nd, it surely emanates Local-gone-international violinist has gone with the harmony of classics. The crowd favorite wants musicians not just to follow the notes on the staff, but also to give their auditory something intricately new

“

Story by JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

With additional reports from FRANCESKA TABANDA 8-Leviticus

When I play, I imagine myself living in a dream — an international professional musician that can really impress the audience, especially fellow musicians. Aran Villanueva Grade 10-Ephesians

GLORIOUS DEBUT Villanueva serenades music fanatics in California. PHOTOS FROM MICHELLE BANDOLONVILLANUEVA

N JULY, ARAN MIGUEL VILLANUEVA OF 10-Ephesians became the school’s music superstar. He went to Singapore, giving it his best shot through intensive practices in quite a few months prior to his global debut. To his surprise, he also got everyone in California applauding. “It was my first time to join a competition, and the judges were all foreigners and with very good Hollywood credentials! I was very intimidated.” His version of the William Tell Overture composed by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini enveloped the auditorium and got everyone’s attention. Villanueva’s performance was compelling, with his body in primness while the music of the night pleased the auditory — as if it were the music composed by the Phantom. That enabled him to grab a silver and two bronzes. Perhaps, but it is worthwhile to remember how he shot up as a musician. Aran, now 16, has been into violin and guitar, and that’s true and testified by his teachers. His notable genius craftsmanship in merging the styles of rock into classical is not at par with a usual Filipino high schooler-musician; he searches for the soul of every song, and applies his technicals that would give off a spectrum of a broad musical delight. There indeed exists magic in the strings that the child prodigy handles and it has made

a big leap beyond his stints in local recitals. His violin and guitar would sound in every musical performance in school. When people need specialists to play, it is Villanueva whom they call. BEFORE THE BIG DAY As he prepared for the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in California, a thought tickled him: He made different shows, separately for rock and classical. In his hometown however, will the common like the classics? This question showed the gap between a musician and the bystanders. “They get bored with pure classical music. “In fact, there was a time that I got bored in playing classical music on the violin. That was my rock and roll and metal phase. I just wanted to play my electric guitar,” Aran related himself. For him in this case, he must stand as a bridge between the spectators and the musicians. “One can also make a arrangement of a famous song of this time with some classical techniques... everyone will love that,” Villanueva told. How can young musicians like him turn the tables? “As an artist, you have to learn to be flexible and versatile in your styles.” The string specialist hardly forgets his experience when the audience at a local concert understood each piece. “Here in GenSan, there are people who appreciate classical music. I am part of the Gensan Youth Orchestra and we play and love classical music. We also have an audience that greatly loves to hear us play. “I hope to make people happy by entertaining them with high quality music that many people will remember very well. I hope they would be really looking forward for my next performance and they would really have high expectations to see me and they would already have a mindset on how you will play and entertain the audience. “That is my ultimate goal in life and I can achieve it by striving hard and practising. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and by perseverance and discipline in all my rehearsals, I can realize my dreams,” said the prodigy after he had loved the guitar and the violin that are somehow used in contrasting music. Pitch-perfect notes are a must, and so are connections between the people and the musician. While performing, Aran makes sure that the music he plays enters the inner auditory of the audience. FORESIGHT Villanueva prefers to perform locally on different stages. “I would be more relaxed if I perform here because I am doing it for my fellow Filipinos and I’m really used to that.” An enjoyable manner of classical music is feasible for Aran to connect with his audience. He ended up with people in enjoyment of what medley he has served to their ears. But he believes he still has a long way to go. “If there is one thing that I learned in WCOPA, it’s that there is so much more that I have to learn,” Aran said. “I am excited to work hard and be an even better musician.”

HIGH-PITCHED HUMOR ROCK MUST BE THE HARDEST MUSIC TO LEARN.

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UNFINISHED Firemen pursue operations. PHOTO BY LLOYD DE LOS SANTOS Photographer

Through the fire, to the limit Firefighters pursue to put out the blaze in a pasyalan where memories are kept

PLACE OF MEMORIES BURNT Fire hit Gaisano mall of GenSan, described as a “place of memories” by many due to its cheap and unique buys. PHOTO FROM CHARL ANGDERSON Alumnus

“ It’s heartwarming to see the firetruck of KCC Mall helping to put out the fire that engulfed a competitor mall. TAKING BREATH OUT OF FUMES After 18 hours of trying to put the flames out, a fire fighter attempts to take fresher air into his airways. PHOTO FROM CITY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

Literary Solitude Story by JOSH TENG 10-Ephesians

RAINY DAYS bring about mixed emotions from different people.

Some see them as a day of boring things as one cannot leave his house or

do anything that does not need a roof overhead. Others on the other hand see them as a time to be unproductive, to watch media on Netflix, and to chill. It is certainly lonely but has happy spots also — It is in this time when people reflect on

themselves when others do not. JONATHAN DID not understand this concept. For he’d rather spend his time with his friends: playing ball, strolling in malls, or simply doing any crazy act anyone can do when in state of euphoria —

euphoria of getting along with peers. As rain raged on with no end in sight, Jonathan’s temper rose. He is at home. When his temper reached its boiling point, an angered Jonathan shouted, “Enough is enough!” He had enough of being locked inside.

Eliazar Gomez Volunteer Fireman

Soon, he — in his large pink jacket, his usual top in days like these — headed to the confluence of his friendship: the mall. When he stepped out the house, the flood spreading throughout the city began to rise. Jonathan intially journeyed by a slow walk, then by a jog,

E ARE STILL ASSESSING the situation. We are not declaring the fire out yet,” says GenSan City Fire Marshall, Chief Inspector Reynold Legaste, during an interview on a rusty Thursday morning. One thing was clear of his statement — it was going to be a long, painful morning. October 16th of this year was such a big day for Generals — for they have had to witness the unfortunate burning of our Gaisano Mall GenSan, due to a massive magnitude 6.3 earthquake. It was said to have started prior to the quake at around 7:37 P.M., somewhere around the kitchenware and plasticware section — a traumatizing and shocking experience that affected the lives of 1,500 workers and personnel of the mall. The fire was said to have damaged, more or less, 75% of the entire building, and had cost around two billion pesos. However, it would’ve done so much worse if it weren’t for the brave souls that aided the process of putting out the massive fire. It was reported that several fire fighters and firetrucks from the General Santos Fire Office, Filipino-Chinese Fire Brigade, and the KCC Fire Department had arrived at 7 a.m. on Thursday to help. A local fire volunteer, Eliziar Gomez, stated, “It’s heartwarming to see the firetruck of KCC Mall helping to put out the fire that engulfed a competitor mall.” All had anticipation growing in their hearts as they attempt to save what’s left of the mall, even if it meant blood, sweat, and tears on their part. Despite the countless bashing and judgement of some individuals for not arriving sooner and working longer than their expected to, they’re still motivated by those that cheer them on and offer their undying support. Just by offering food, water, supplies, they’re hearts grow stronger and find even more reasons to go on. The mere sight of the people watching them, the way they gaze at the firemen intently as they do their job, the way they acknowledge them through social media platforms — a sign of pure love for our heroes at work. Finally, after 16 hours of hard work and determination, the Bureau of Fire Protection declared “fire out.” Everyone was exhausted, but relieved to have put out the fire at long last. Several were injured during the process, but was worth all the pain to have accomplished such feat. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, extents his utmost gratitude to those who had gone to great extents to have willingly risked their lives for the city and its people.

then by a run, then by a dash with great speed. He moved fast to where his feet may lead him so as to get away the proximity of the rainfall since water left his jacket damp. JONATHAN WAS hearing the same rhythm of steps behind him. The puddles kept

splashing louder and louder... it kept going until lightning pierced through the night sky. Now he is nowhere to be seen. He drowned into a body of water. He should have spent his time at home. It would not hurt to spend some time in solitude, wouldn’t it?

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science EDITOR MERYLL MIRANDA 8-Numbers

No myth ever in marine biodiversity

Gina Lopez: Nature’s savior

The land that people had forgotten SCIENCE 18

La Mer

SCIENCE 17

If there’s one thing in the environment we must focus on, it’s marine biodiversity — and there’s no myth in it

SCIENCE 17

PILE OF MARINE BONES Officers from the National Bureau of Investigation showed dismay upon seeing stacks of fossilized clams. PHOTO BY KENT ABRIGANA ABS-CBN Network | Southern Mindanao

Shenanigan | Endangered Species

₱2-B giant clams seized in Brgy. Bawing

MERYLL MIRANDA 8-Numbers

In defense however, the caretaker says that there is no violation because the fossils did not emanate from the waters when accessed

Story by ASHLEY ESPINA

“ Ngayon lang kami nakasakote ng ganito kalakin na 120 tons of endangered species. Ezel Hernandez Assisant Regional Director, National Bureau of Investigation 6

8-Leviticus

AROUND 120,000 TONS OF GIANT CLAMS, each weighing almost 30 kilograms were found in Barangay Bawing, General Santos City and were confiscated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Locally known as taklobo, the giant clams are considered as endangered species by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in its Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This means that anyone caught taking endagered species is subject to legal action, according to the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. The NBI said on October 29 that the kilogram of a taklobo sums up to ₱2,000, and the total loot amounted to around ₱2-billion. Ezel Hernandez, the assistant regional director of the NBI Region 6 wondered how the taklobos were able to reach GenSan from Cagayan, Davao, and Zamboanga.

Operations soon commenced when he was alarmed of the stockpiles of the fossils. “Visually talagang may stockpile ng mga items na ‘yon that’s why we opted to confiscate these endangered clams without the benefit of a warrant. “Ngayon lang kami nakasakote ng ganito kalaki na 120 tons of endangered species,” he followed. Meanwhile, the BFAR clarified that the violators will be imprisoned and fined with a value of “five times the value of the fossils”. “Ang violation nito is mayroong imprisonment na five to eight years plus a fine of P300,000 to P3 million,” explained Jose Andrew Abello, fishing regulation officer of the BFARSoccsksargen. However, the caretakers justified that there was no violation as the clams were taken from the mountain areas. But the BFAR answered that marine or land hunting of these is still illegal. As of now, suspects are neither revealed nor found.

Obituary Gina Lopez: Nature’s savior

Story by MERYLL MIRANDA 8-Numbers

ON AUGUST 19, 2019, Former Environment Secretary Regina “Gina” Lopez passed away at the Makati Medical Center due to multiple organ failure. The Filipino philanthrophost and environmentalist was earlier diagnosed with brain cancer. After a long foght with the disease, she finally rested in

peace at the age of 65. The ecowarrior was passionate of saving the environment. In 1998, Lopez founded Bantay Kalikasan that helped rehabilitate the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Watershed. She was also tasked to clean up the Pasig River, and after

much success was appointed by former President Glora Macapagal-Arroyo to lead the Pasig River rehabilitation. She was appointed as DENR secretary by President Rodrigo Duterte, serving for 10 months. She was able to shut down multiple mining companies and canceled lucrative contracts for mines that harmed the

natural world. This was until May 2017 when the Comission on Appointments rejected her designation due to mining companies and environmental going against her anti-mining movement. “What a waste,” Lopez said after she was forced out. “Everyone would have benefited from the management and care of the

environment.” Sacrificing the comforts of her life to pursue her passion of serving the environment is a remarkable act. Lopez is a fearless woman. The environmentalist perceived her tasks and problems through a lens of virtue. With her passing, the Philippines had lost one of its greatest gems.

“ Sarangani Bay is now becoming perilous considering that more people go to the beaches in summertime, and try to disturb the butandings in the time when they migrate from north to south. But the CENRO is alarmed and imposed fines to those people who harmed the butandings as they rested upon the coast.

NOT UNTIL I STARTED A TALK WITH environmental experts from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), I did not know how rehabilitation of our seas has been a major problem since 2018, and what truly went wrong. Our environmentalists have had a long history of rehabilitating and recovering the waters, after fisher folk have wantoned over our natural resources. Recently, the CENRO was alarmed of the decreasing number of marine species off the coast of Sarangani and General Santos City, they recorded even marine mammals slowly gone in population. Our fishermen swarmed over a large portion of the bay, now this allows us to carry a problem of overfishing. But despite having to suffice their incomes by fishing over the vast waters, it is alarming that marine biodiversity is deteriorating. And if we read by the lines, we have fished three times more than we nurture our animals. To solve this matter, the CENRO embarked on coastal rehabilitation, initially launching a strict watch-over in coastal Barangays including: Calumpang, Fatima, Baluan, and Bula. After this, they were able to subjugate the people and educate them on biodiversity. But let me clarify this: CENRO’s move is not anti-poor. We have set where our fishermen can only fish and get their livelihood, because if this keeps up, we would have done more harm than good. And now we see how a solution, once deemed anti-poor, is not after all. In fact, it is a strategy for us to further implement this to avoid overfishing and maintain the life among our waters. The CENRO had even planned to give alternative livelihoods to the fishermen by the time a budget is reimbursed: Coastal areas are economically developed into baywalks that can function as a tourist spot and an avenue where people can learn more about our marine species. Should we continue to overfish in the Southern waters, then by 2030, we could’ve lost our species. But another knot we need to untie is the killing of our protected species. In April, almost five sightings of whale shark, locally known as butanding, took place in Sarangani Bay. Their population increases bit by bit (whereas people oftentimes think Sorsogon is the best place to sight them). But as they float off the sea and die by the coast, people in beach resorts prick on butandings. Sarangani Bay is now becoming perilous considering that more people go to the beaches in summertime, and try to disturb the butandings in the time when they migrate from north to south. But the CENRO is alarmed and it imposed fines to those people who harmed the butandings as they rested upon the coast. Our marine animals call us to preserve marine biodiversity and to sustain life in the future. The goal that environmentalists urge us to reach, is not just merely rehabilitating the damaged areas and ink regulations that are band-aid solutions, but to avoid the damage and let our animals thrive in the waters. Deep in the blue, we cannot afford to leave the waters lifeless.

WATER BLUES WHAT DOES A BUTANDING SAY WHEN IT SEES SOMEONE THROWING GARBAGE INTO THE SEA? “SHARKS! I’M GETTING STUFFED WITH PLASTIC! OH WHALE, HUMANS!” WATER BLUES, KNOWING MY FATE IS TO BE WITH YOU. WATER BLUES, FINALLY FACING MY WATER BLUES!

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PLANT A BETTER FUTURE Aiming to help in the city environmentalists’ initiative, Grade 5 students and adviser Aileen Demerin takes part in the planting activity. PHOTO BY JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

“ Madalas kasi nilang nakalilimutan ang maayos na pagtanim. Kaya marami ang hindi nabubuhay Mang Danny Local Caretaker

FORGOTTEN LAND While many seedlings are struggling to thrive across the shore, some are uprooted while seedling bags remain afloat on the water during low tide. PHOTO BY JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

Top Story | Environment

The land that people had forgotten Man-made climate change throws us all into a global crisis, and time is running out. People living in coastal areas deem Mangrove planting as a solution and protection, but how is this initiative treated by others?

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science humbly. I pity the four girls — Annika*, Rocelle*, Sefia*, Jazmine*, and Crisher* — who rode atop the pickup’s cargo area. It never came to me to check on them; if I were with them, I would have sneezed all the way to our destination. We have driven here to unwind for the very least after a tiring week of piling tests. More than that, we are called to a duty of getting close to nature. All of us are in a convoy to Barangay Buayan, one of General Santos City’s coastal barangays. In its shores, an extent of mangroves lies — a place that the local government is presently keeping an eye on. I see it as a protected area where I suppose many species live in. Sparrows swoop down the seaside of the barangay and accompany the children at play; the black sand is constantly ruffled by the summer waves — what calming sight. Now we have reached Minanga Mangrove Forest Park. My curiosity drives me to check out the place. I steady my knees on the sand and took a picture of the shore. I am not yet in the nursery compound where students gathered as soon as they arrived. “Now things are getting interesting. Let’s see what’s actually going on,” I say to myself. MANG DANNY**, THE NURSERY’S CARETAKER takes us to a preliminary. I approach him and try to take note of what must be done later on. He is known for his particularity — he starts with his voice in full volume. He mentions three mangrove species that all of us are going to plant in the shores: The lalaki, shorter as a seedling and unable to reproduce; the babae, which is taller in height and can bear seedlings from time to time; and the bakla, which can either reproduce or not all year-round. These mangrove species, Mang Danny says are specifically planted here in Buayan. Each time one of us dozes off, Mang Danny** immediately calls his attention. I see the reason why: His particularity and stringent standards tell us to plant the seedlings well. It isn’t the only purpose. He is rather worried that a hundred seedlings — all reserved for us to plant — might be put into waste. “Marami ang nasasayang. “Madalas kasi nilang nakalilimutan ang maayos na pagtanim. Kaya marami ang hindi nabubuhay,” he laments. Mang Danny gives us the permission to take the seedlings. He furthered by giving his instructions:

no. 1 no. 2 no. 3 no.4

PIERCE VIGOROUSLY YOUR FEET INTO THE SAND AND LEAVE A HOLE MEASURING ONEFEET HIGH; SQUEEZE THE SEEDLING BAGS GENTLY UNTIL THE SEEDLINGS, DEEPLY-SEATED WITHIN THE SOIL, COMES OUT; POSITION THE SEEDLINGS FIRMLY, MAKING SURE THAT THE WAVES DO NOT MAKE THEM FALL; COVER THE SOIL WITH SAND. STEP FORCEFULLY ON IT AND WATCH IF EVER THE WAVES TUMBLE IT DOWN.

These instructions must be followed in order. Mang Danny says, one step missed or rearranged is a whole process to be repeated again. We head to the shore and plant these.

NO STEPPED MISSED Mang Danny demonstrates to the students how to plant the seedlings into the sand. PHOTO BY JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

Story by JUDE MIRABUENO 9-Proverbs

T IS NOT A BURDEN FOR HOPEANS TO give nature some care. To tell, most of us were taught in classrooms of how nature works: A fact we’ve known since then is that the sun heats the earth and gives light to all of its organisms, all of the expanse’s greens will undergo photosynthesis to produce its internal energy; soon after animals eat them, energy is transferred but on a minimal amount, humans will next eat livestock and poultry; count it by ten percent less of the first and if plants — on a primary level — will receive 1,000 of an energy, then humans — on tertiary — will receive 10. That’s how energy is cycled. As plants undergo photosynthesis, they also consume in carbon dioxide from animal respiration and give off oxygen for animals to thrive. Exchange of these essential gasses occurs in every second we live. The sun’s heat also play an importance to the weather: Seawater is evaporated and condensed in the atmosphere to become rain that may take its first fall on the mountains.

It is a perfect network designed for all animate and inanimate matter — it is not enough for an average human mind to specifically comprehend and point out how this complex system works. But for geniuses, it is no madness. Take one from the system — everything will fail to work. ZOE’S* CHAUFFEUR NOW DRIVES EIGHT students — including me — to an unfamiliar road. An early wind gusts through the dust which hazes the sight of the chauffeur. My camera is ready to take a shot of a familiar place. On my first shutter, I am able to get a photo — perfectly timed with a sight of the sunrise — of the old Buayan airport which both of my parents would mention before. “Ito pala ‘yong sinasabi nila na hanggang sa Facebook ko lang makita,” I tell my twin brother Carl, Zoe, and Regine*. From school, it is a 20-minute drive to the forest park had the highways been cleared before the rove of tailing cars. Sir Jeno, a grade school Mathematics teacher along with his fellow teachers in his red sedan takes the lead. On a road is a trip of goats counterflowing us. The goatherd, used to raising his eyebrows with his eyes closed in the midst of the dust greets us

I AM NOW STANDING AT THE VASTNESS OF prickly sand. My sandals are left near the hut, so I walk barefootedly through the dunes of black sand. On the horizon is the wideness of Sarangani Bay. For a morning walk I say, it is the best due to the coolness of the seawater. After too many steps from the hut, shells and other sharp mangrove twigs bruised my foot. But the salt in the water may disinfect the wound — or does it? It might be some sort of tradition... or superstition perhaps? — and my skin. So I pressed on. Many of us lift our jogging pants. Lucky me who wears shorts that easily dry. The struggle is real for those who have worn pantaloons. Upon our feet swim tiny fishes that have nursed themselves under the mangroves, and clams protrude through the black sand. Suddenly, I see something foreign. “Hindi ba ito mga seedling bag?” puzzled, I ask Mang Danny while wondering how it got there. “Ito ‘yong sinasabi ko sa inyo kanina. Marami ang hindi nagtatanim nang responsable,” he replies. At first, though, I think what he has meant earlier is that many of those who come here to plant do not regard his instructions. He shows the trashes that prevent the seedlings from getting its first light by the sea. The bags where the seedlings have been planted in are scattered across the water. Not long ago, several non-government organizations (NGOs) have been to this expanse and conducted planting activities. But problem is their seedlings were uprooted. Mang Danny tells me the reason why: Many of them do not dig the holes properly. True enough. Had the holes been dug according to the preferences, the sand could have kept them in place. Now, many are floating and

brought by the current of the water. We had to pick them up. I understand Mang Danny’s particular instructions. He wanted to make the mangroves thrive in the best environment possible. Surprised to know his motives, most of those who planted might have forgotten what they went for. While it is true that giving a hand to nature gives us the excitement to attend to its duty, nature — all with its picture-perfect sceneries — has been only used as backgrounds for social media vanity. All has been forgotten: The seedlings have been forgotten, and the the land has been forgotten. THESE SALT-TOLERANT TREES, AN ABODE to many of the sea’s fishes, crustaceans, and molluscs are more than themselves. Its prime characteristics — the sturdy roots and trunks — function as blockers of the strong current and can ease the force of any water surges, thus inhibit flood. Our country is a collection of thousand islands. GenSan — which lies south of Mindanao is open to waters. Polar caps in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are presently melting due to rising global temperature, and that allows the sea level to accelerate beyond human thought. When Typhoon Haiyan plummeted through towns in Eastern Visayas, many lives were lost when both water and wind surged. However in the Municipality of General MacArthur, people thanked its stretch of mangroves that defended them from the waters. Though wind has severely damaged the town, people still would not trade these trees for anything. If the same is not observed in the city, Celebes’ waters can exacerbate today’s situation in Buayan. Worse, it can wreak havoc in the future. GENSAN’S LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ITS tourism council in 2015 launched its #GoGreenGenSan campaign that serves as an answer to the continuing challenges posed by climate change and by threats to marine biodiversity. Here in Minanga that year, a total of 3,500 shoots were planted by environmentalists and personnel from the local government. It is the start of the intensified battle of the Generals to climate change and the dry spell, Council Chairperson and First Lady Jane GollonRivera said. The first lady’s dreams however are yet to come true. Now, mangroves are highlighted as a tourist attraction when the city’s baywalks are established. Then, fisherfolk are able to catch produce in the nearby waters where fishes from the mangrove nurseries will become abundant. Locals, on the other hand can generate income while taking care of the baywalk. Alarmed of the rising temperature in the city, then Vice Mayor Shirlyn-Bañas Nograles thought it is timely for us to act on the manifesting heat. “GenSan is one, or perhaps, the hottest place in the country right now. We have to do our part to alleviate the extreme heat and planting of trees is one of the best ways to do that,” she said in 2015 in a Manila Times report. A land of use only to its economic growth is not leading its own. As Generals, we have keep on improving ourselves in different sectors, but not in the environment. A changing climate is no new thing. General Santos is the home of the champions, and championing our environment, could be our greatest asset. FOR ME AND MANG DANNY, THINGS TURN saddening when planters neglect the main purpose of planting these trees. Like in any place, tree planting must be taken seriously and not for photo-ops. We see from afar a white sedan zooming into the road leading to us. Out came Ate Kathy Bitco who presently coordinates all activities being held here. Mang Danny went inside the nipa hut while left outside are Ate Kathy and I. All projects that the local government planned in 2015 are now coming true. Greenbelts, passenger wharves, baywalks, bird watching towers that would help protect fauna and flora like mangroves are being presented to the Regional Ecotourism Council, she says. Ate Kathy tells me that when the youth is involved in activities like this, the interest in nature begins. I accept her invite to any projects to be presented to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office. Anyone can become a savior when presentations to help this campaign are made known to the officials. GUNSHOTS FIRE IN THE AIR IN A SHOOTING range nearby us. Now that shooters have come to test themselves, it is a signal for us to go back to school. I bid Ate Kathy and Mang Danny good bye. But the gunshots perhaps signaled me to start thinking of ways on how to help fortify initiatives like this to remember the forgotten land. *NAMES ARE THE AUTHOR’S CLASSMATES AND BATCHMATES. **NAMES ARE REQUESTED TO BE CHANGED FOR PRIVACY. ***ILLUSTRATION ACROSS THE PAGE SHOWS HOW MANGROVES WORK AS BARRIERS. THE WATER HITS COLUMNS OF TEXT (MANGROVES) AND BECOMES STILL AT THE END.

YEAR-OLD ELCED MANINGO STARTED HIS INTEREST IN MOTOCROSSING AND WENT UPHILL WITH VICTORY.

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VOLUME 20 ISSUE 1 JUNE 2019DECEMBER 2019

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EVERYONE’S STORIES YOU NEED TO READ

PIPE Feature | Motocross

ON THE

‘It inspired me’: Rider hopes return to track after injury Sudden injury will not stop a juvenile motocrosser from racing on.

Story by JOSH TENG 10-Ephesians

D GEAR ON Maningo readies his motorcycle before facilitators give the go-signal. PHOTO BY JAY RIVAS

ID HE EVEN THINK IT WAS the end of his career? One motocrosser has made it into local competitions where he bested out others among his age. In his bright and vibrant longsleeve, he raced forward and went up high into the sky just like any other motocrosser would pull of. However, he was young when he first started — at the age of six. That was 7th Grader Elced Maningo’s life. He had started the career since elementary. Perhaps it is a daring experience to be on wheels and race among many. Maningo did not find it that way. Now he is competing in the Surallah Motocross Competition where he was yet to best out fellow motocrossers from neighboring towns and towns in the Davao region. The thirteen-year-old racer has been used to the sight of many people rooting for him while on a towering height. However, the jump went wrong. He did think it was the end of his passion.

“Naisip ko talaga na baka katapusan na ng lahat. “Sobrang sakit nang nangyari kasi malakas ang bagsak ko at ng motor ko pababa sa lupa,” he said. Maningo was pertaining to a horrible stunt where his feet slided off the motorcycle’s footpeg which made him drop despite the motorcycle was accelerating up high. His parents and all medical teams rushed towards him. There they discovered Maningo has sustained a dislocated left shoulder. In an interview with Adventure, Maningo said the force was too strong when he fell down that it made him feel nothing at that time. “Parang nahiwalay yung mga buto ko noon hanggang sa di ko na maramdaman ang aking mga balikat. Sobrang masakit kasi,” he narrated. That made him put into sojourn for months. Itches of racing again were on him, however his injury prevented him to do so. However, he said, “Hindi ako nag-isip na mag-give up ako kasi yan kung gusto ko na sport. “That time I was really anticipating na makababalik ako sa passion ko.” Maningo does not give up on his sport after this unfortunate event. “It has damaged my bike and me, but the passion won’t stop.”