Heraldo Filipino Vol. 34 Issue 2

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 | PAGE 1

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019

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VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

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HALIMAW SA CAULDRON. UGATLahi artists and other sectoral organizations marched together from Liwasang Bonifacio to Mendiola Peace Arch to burn the Halimaw sa Cauldron effigy, calling out the higher officials on Human Rights Day, December 10.

Photo by Jean Quinto

Good governance certificate programs to be offered this AY

by Patrik Aboy

Following the appointment of George Francisco (former College of Liberal Arts and Communication dean) as School of Governance, Public Service, and Corporate Leadership director, the school is set to start its full implementation this second semester of the academic year (AY) 2019-2020, which will serve as a training grounds for local government units (LGUs), politicians, and private agencies in good governance.

“Creation of the school started this school year 2019-2020, when

the Brother President appointed me to serve as director after my

deanship. I started planning out or mapping out the entire programs

that the school will offer,” the newly appointed director explained.

Initially, as mentioned in The HERALDO FILIPINO Broadsheet Volume 32 Issue 3, the school was expected to be in fruition by AY 2018-2019.

However, it has failed to commence due to the Ayuntamiento only being

completed at the beginning of this AY, as most of the operations of its programs are situated in the new building, where its function hall, viewing hall, and small discussion rooms for its students are situated.

As of press time, the School of Governance, Public Service and Corporate Leadership is

tentatively expected to transfer to the Ayuntamiento building on December 16 to 21, once office fixtures are “settled”.

The long term project The School of Governance has been in plan by Br. President Augustine Boquer, FSC, EdD, since 2007, with initial target program See GOVERNANCE | page 2

Freshmen raise concerns on Student Engagement Program

by Kelsey Telo

After a semester of the implementation of the Student Engagement Program (SEP) as a replacement for Intro 01 and Intro 02, some freshmen students have raised various concerns regarding the Immersion Passport, which requires collecting 25 stamps from clustered activities, and 10 from mandated activities inside the University all throughout the academic year.

The program As stated in an article published in The HERALDO FILIPINO Broadsheet Volume 34 Issue 1, the program was designed to encourage freshmen student participation in various activities offered in the University, as stated

by Office of Student Services (OSS)

Dean Arch. Antonio Gutierrez Jr. Multiple mandated activities are set throughout the academic year including orientations for freshmen (SEP, Aklatang Emilio Aguinaldo, Office of the University Registrar, Information and Communications Technology Center, and other academic units) and participation

in the Student Elections.

Activities that are offered from other departments include event attendance and membership in the following: activities organized by the University Student Government (USG), Council of Student Organizations-Recognized Student Organizations (CSO-RSO), and

DEKADA. In the 10th year anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre, the Communication and Journalism Department and the Broadcast Journalism Program Council remembered the single deadliest attack on media with a solemn prayer for all the victims at the JFH grounds on November 23.

See SEP | page 3

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LITERARY

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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 | PAGE 2

NEWS

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

DLSU-D passing rate increases to 78.64% in Oct 2019 Psychometrician Boards

by Justin Dabuet

DLSU-D achieved a 78.64 percent passing rate in the October 2019 Psychometrician Board Exam as administered by the Professional Regulation Board (PRC), marking an improvement compared to its October 2018 Psychometrician Board Exam performance, with a measly 47.10 percent overall passing rate.

Revisiting the “No review, No TOR for boards” policy Previously, the Psychology Department released a “No Review, No TOR for boards” policy, requiring board exam takers to be enrolled in PRCaccredited review centers to be able to acquire their transcript of records, which is one of the requirements for taking the board

exam.

The policy also stemmed from an administration mandate on programs with licensure examinations to get an expected 85 percent mark for first time takers, along with it being a preventive “measure” department to address the sudden drop in passing rate last year, as stated by Psychology Department (PSD)

Chair Evangeline Ruga, PhD. Despite backlash on the policy, Ruga asserted that a majority of board exam takers were enrolled in PRC-accredited review centers.

Withholding and dismissing of the policy The policy was reportedly withheld for 2019 graduates, See PSYCHOLOGY | page 3

SEP from page 1 The HERALDO FILIPINO (HF), OSS activities, Academic Support activities, environmental activities, and cultural promotion activities.

CLAC’s concerns The International Development Program Council (IDSPC), Communication Program Council (CPC), Political Science Program Council (PSPC), and Community Development Program Council (CDPC), among others, started to receive concerns from the freshmen after the Students’ Week, which was relayed to the College of Liberal Arts and Communication Student Government (CLACSG).

A meeting among all block representatives in CLAC was held on December 10 to gather all of the concerns, as well as to formulate possible solutions for the next semester.

In a list that the PSPC gave HF, the concerns they have initially gathered among freshmen students include “small number” of activities accredited by SEP, “struggle to claim the stickers after events, and required activities with fees that are not “student-friendly”.

Meanwhile, some students have also voiced out worries of

“not moving to second year” if the total number of required stamps is not met by the end of the academic year.

SEP coordinator clarifies In an interview with SEP Coordinator Venicris Alonsozana, he mentioned that he is already aware of some initial reactions from the students, some of which are positive and some are not.

Alonsozana shared that the SEP gives students an “element of excitement” to join various activities. While, he has also received complaints from students regarding conflict of schedule, event fees, and low number of stickers collected yet.

“Yes, mayro’n talagang activities that require payment, but they are not being forced to join that activity. Maraming programs ang kanilang councils that are for free, especially active councils,” he said.

The only concern that he is worried about, according to him, is the tree planting activity which the students need to document for six months. Some, if not many, of the freshmen are still yet to accomplish the requirement as part of the SEP stamp collection.

He also clarified that students will still move to second year, but will leave the subject failed if their Immersion Passport is not completed. The University Registrar itself confirmed that SEP will not be part of the GPA computation, as per Alonsozana.

What’s next for SEP While Alonsozana expressed that it’s still early for him to tell what needs to be changed in the program, he said that it is still on its first year of implementation and that “it’s not really that perfect. It’s still subject for evaluation and improvement.”

When asked if he thinks of suggesting to lower the number of required stamps, he said, “actually, may estudyante na nga halos tapos na ng isang cluster, imagine that. So, now they need to focus now on other clusters … [Ibig sabihin] kaya nilang matapos ‘yan.”

“They just have to be active.

Passion of participation should be there.”

On the other hand, CLACSG Governor Charliemagne Asuncion addressed that they will be coordinating with all the chief executives of the college to plan the possible actions in addressing the issues raised to the student government.

SERVING THE STUDENTS. Chief Justice Christian Cabatay takes oath as the Judicial Department justices assume their duties during the oath taking ceremony at the Gregoria Montoya Hall held on November 19.

Photo by Pia Maragarita Marantan

First batch of USG high justices take oath to office

by Patricia Recaña

University Student Government (USG) justices, along with members of the House of Representatives (HOR), the Internal Audit Service, the Solicitor General, Attorney General, and University Student Election Commission (USEC) commissioners take oath in office as the transition government on November 19.

“We (administration) are hoping that you will be helping not just the OSS (Office of Student Services), not just the University, but definitely [in building] your own legacy as you charter what would be the next years for your respective organized office,” USG Adviser Edwin Lineses said, inspiring the present members of the student government body.

Judiciary Department Chief Justice, George Cabatay, along with Associate Justices Ramon De Paz, Sean Getape, Danarose Lanto, and Jan Maligaya took oath which was followed by the members of the HOR. Judiciary Department, Section 4, provision of the USG Constitution states that before members of the High Court

enters performance of their duties in office, they will take an oath to “impartially” administer justice and provide equal rights to students in the performance of their responsibilities.

Following the Judiciary Department, Warren Narcisso as the Auditor General, and Annie Boado, Alexandria Bayani, Paul Apostol, and Althea Credo as Inspector Generals, out of 10 members of the Internal Audit Service, took oath.

In addition, part of the new USG Constitution is the introduction to the Internal Audit System as seen in Article IX, Section 7, which states that “there shall be an Internal Audit System under the direction and control of an Auditor General.”

Solicitor General Cherokee Toledo, and the new chairperson of USEC, John Genova along with four commissioners of USEC, Joshua Balinon, John Bronia, Lhouida Cueto, and Madielen Pangato, also took oath. Attorney General Sharina Sale and two other commissioners of USEC were not present for the oath taking.

“What amazes me … when it comes to student leadership is that no matter how many students pass by, no matter how many student leaders graduate, there will always be students out there who will step up for those positions,” chief justice Cabatay shared, pertaining to his experience with the newly appointed members.

R E AC T

Shortly after the first case of a vaping-related medical illness in the Philippines as confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH) on November 15, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a verbal ban on the use and importation of e-cigarettes in public places. We asked Lasallians what are their thoughts about the vaping ban.

If we are going to focus on effectively managing possible vape-cause illnesses, the ban would definitely cause a change on the usage of vape products of Filipinos but since it was a verbal ban and is not supported by any written legal documents, the arresting or confiscation of these vape products are illegal.

Regarding the ongoing issue about the vape ban, I agree to it because aside from health-related risks associated with vape, I find “privacy” is an issue as well. Some people are easily bothered by the smell of the vape, which disrupts their privacy.

Disagree, because they don’t have any research or any concrete proof that vape can cause illness. There is a country that promotes e-cigarette and vaping because it has health benefits [over the use of tobacco-based products].

Niña Margaret Millares First year Communication Arts

Vincent Rodriguez First year Communication Arts

John Lerry Hernandez First year Architecture

I agree on the ban of e-cigarettes for the sake of prevention of respiratory diseases.

However, the cigarettes itself, should also be discouraged since it is considered one of the primary factors if illnesses.

Ban for the electronic cigarettes or vape is highly a quite ambitious plan. Following the ban of cigarettes [in public places], which quite failed, I still think they should ban the use of e-cigarettes or vape especially when used publicly.

No, I don’t think that it would be effective in alleviating vape-caused illnesses for the reason that using e-cigarettes are an individual’s preference and addiction, it won’t be that easy to suddenly prevent them from using it.

Trishia Pacayra First year BS Psychology

Paul Leonor Fifth year Architecture

Karl John Punzalan First year Computer Science

I disagree, there is only one case of illness reported in the DOH, so there is no sure effect or illness connected to vaping. From the start, e-cigarettes are made for the cigarette users to use this because it is healthier and does not made major impacts or illnesses unlike cigarettes.

Audrey Gene Bautista First year Secondary Education

I disagree, because based on my experience and being surrounded with people who are using vape, e-cigarettes has a lesser nicotine than the usual cigarette.

For me, the verbal ban on vape is quite ridiculous because it was done on an impulsive decision [which lacks an executive order]. An implementation would mean that there’s an executive order signed by the president or a bill filed by the legislative. Regulation of the usage of vape is much needed.

Zion Jil Villela First year Communication Arts

Ross Caroline Riva First year Tourism Management

NEWS

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019| PAGE 3

PE uniform to roll out on January 2020; miscommunication causes delay in bidding

by Patricia Recaña

The newly designed Physical Education (PE) uniform is set to roll out on January 2020, before the start of the academic year (AY) 20192020 second semester, as mentioned by the Materials Management and Ancillary Service Office (MAMASO) director and University Bidding Committee chair Gerardo Sergio Ill. “September siya, sabi ni ALMB (winning bidder), bigyan siya ng mga three months para to deliver ‘yung uniform so we’re expecting

by January [for the uniforms to arrive],” Sergio explained.

The MAMASO director explained that the University Bidding Committee opened the PE uniform bidding on July last year. While in August 2018, the Office of Student Services (OSS) dean questioned the changes in the design of the uniform, which caused a delay for the release of the uniform.

“Nagkaroon sila (OSS) ng issue na about the changes ng uniform, doon nagtagal so hindi na namin (bidding committee) alam what had transpired, parang hindi na sila nakapag-usap … hanggang matapos na ‘yung school year.”

Sergio mentioned that starting from June to September 2019, the bidding committee and the PE Department finalized the decisions for the specifications for the newly designed PE uniform in order to open the bidding again.

In response for initiating the change of design of the PE uniform, Sergio explained that the

MAMASO has no right to dictate on what design is to be used by the PE Department, instead, they gave only suggestions.

PE Department addresses side In contrast, according to the previous PE Department Chair Neddy Oraña, the bidding started already by 2017. “By 2017 [until] 2018, may bidding na. I attended a meeting, ‘yun nga, with the suppliers.”

Oraña attributed the delay to the OSS office needing approval for the release of the PE uniform in academic year 2018-2019 despite already having the winning bidders.

“Naproseso na ‘yan (PE uniform), may bidding na, nag-meet na, tapos bigla ngang na stop kasi it (process) should go through the OSS ... the ball is not in our hands anymore.”

According to Oraña, the PE Department agreed and did their part of providing the design of the new uniform, and since the department is not aware that the process needed to go through the OSS, the delay occurred.

In response to the delay of PE uniform, the second and first year students are prescribed to wear

OSS ‘not aware’ of design revision According to OSS Dean Antonio Gutierrez, the department did not receive any information regarding the change of the PE uniform design. The OSS dean mentioned that the discussion for the release of the PE uniform was only opened during the proposal meeting for the National Service Training Program (NSTP) shirt on August 2018.

Gutierrez also emphasized that there was no opposition or action done by the OSS department in the process. “Hindi kami nag-cause ng delay sa request [for the selling of the PE uniform],” Gutierrez explained.

As of press time, despite the anticipated release next semester, the OSS department said they still have no information regarding the newly designed PE uniform.

Photo by Aprilean Octavo

UFS pavilion extension to accommodate new food stalls

by Patricia Recaña Construction of the University Food Square (UFS) pavilion is ongoing for the accommodation of four new food concessionaires and additional seating capacity for students, as mentioned by Materials Management and Ancillary Services Office (MAMASO) Director Gerardo Sergio. during its 2014 accreditation visit in the University.

“Napansin nila (PAASCU) during peak hours na tayuan ‘yong mga estyudante [at] naghihintayan sila [ng available spots],” Sergio explained.

In line with this, MAMASO requested for the construction as the office under its supervision, the Materials Reproduction Office

PSYCHOLOGY from page 2 however, the department kept a blind eye over reviewing board examinees.

“It was withheld because it was supposed to be violating certain laws, but it was the Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research (VCAR)’s Office that discovered about it before there was the final implementation of the policy,” Ruga stated.

Furthermore, the department also cooperated with RGO Psychology Review Center, which has the largest number of takers from the University, to look into effective

review practices and to work on performance improvements for initial mock exams to be taken by board exam takers.

Ruga dismisses the policy as it was said to have no approval from the admin.

“Actually, it’s not really a policy. It was supposed to be a policy kaya lang nga hindi sya na-approve. They [board exam takers] are encouraged [to enroll in review centers], I think they are highly encouraged pero hindi iyan policy. Nobody is forced to go to a review center. ” Ruga expressed.

For future licensure examinations, the Psychology Department is also keen on improving board exam result performance to achieve 85 percent performance score for first time takers. As such, Ruga added that it is unadvised for board exam takers to not enroll in PRC-accredited review centers.

“Titingnan pa namin ano ‘yung other feasible means to ensure continuous improvement of our graduates’ performance in the board exam. But definitely hindi pwede ‘yung hindi sila magreview [center],” she furthered.

proper sports attire as mentioned by the current PE department Chair Chona Manalo. “So we have to abide [to the policies] and we have to help the students through, just stating to them that you can come to class wearing any sports attire, proper sports attire.”

WORK IN PROGRESS. Electrical wires along Magdalo Gate are being transferred underground, removing posts previously used as a temporary power source during the power failure last year.

“The purpose [of the construction] is to ... cater more concessionnaire para more variety of foods [can be offered] for the students [and] then to increase the seating capacity of the food square,” Sergio said.

The Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) recommended the addition of the UFS pavilion

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

and Concessionaires, handles the UFS, while the University bidding committee handled the selection of the contractor in which Sergio chaired.

As of press time, Sergio furthered that the construction is expected to finish and turned over to the University by the first week of January. “Hopefully, by the start of the second semester, fully operational na.”

METAMORPHOSIS. A showcase of vibrant and festive butterfly-themed costumes filled the streets of Dasmariñas City once again during its 9th annual celebration of the Paruparo Festival.

Photo by Ma. Pamela Beatriz Cordero GOVERNANCE from page 1 offerings for undergraduate students wanting to be trained as public and corporate leaders.

“It’s actually the dream of Br. Gus to institute an office designated to offer programs related to good governance and that is why the School of Governance, Public Service and Corporate Leadership was conceived,” the appointed director said, pertaining to the plan of the brother president ever since his arrival to the University.

However, Francisco explained that as the school is set to open next semester, it will only offer short-term certificate programs on “Sustainable Development and Good Governance” with focus on the following: Environmental Management, Cultural/Tourism Management, Executive Communication, Public Leadership, Development Planning and Management, Community Resource Management, Governance, and Mobilization Strategies, and lastly, Sustainable Economy.

During its “experimental” phase, the school is under the College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLAC), “For the meantime, it’s going to be under the College of Liberal Arts [and Communication], but his (Br. Gus) long-term vision is to make it a separate entity,” Francisco furthered. While, it is expected that in three years time that the school will begin to offer degree programs.

Demonstrative capacity of DLSU-D As soon as he assumed the position, Francisco shared that comparative analysis on other institutions offering programs in good governance has been conducted, such as the Ateneo De Manila University School of Governance, which focuses on public management, the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration, whose expertise is public administration, and De La Salle University Jesse Robredo Institute of Governance,

with thrust as a research institute for good governance, among others.

“This (comparative analysis) help to create our very own program which will showcase our unique feature. The schools I studied they have their own area of concentration,” he said, pertaining to determining DLSUD’s “development capacity” in which the school’s programs will be based on.

As such, the flagship programs that the school will offer are on Environmental Management and Cultural/Heritage Management, in consideration that the University has gained awards and recognition in both fields, such as greenest university in the Philippines and being the location of the Cavite Studies Center, to name a few, “By looking at it, we have the two spaces … [that makes] these are our demonstrative capacities.”

In determination of these “demonstrative capacities”, the director has conducted focus group discussions with key persons: Marlon Pareja, biodiversity advocate, Museo De La Salle Director Cecille Gelicame, and Cavite Center Studies Director Palmo Iya, along with Silang City Vice Mayor Aidel Paul Belamide.

However, Francisco clarified that the programs are not limited these flagship programs as the school may also offer based on the needs of LGUs. “Let’s say councilors who are not knowledgeable in ordinance writing can take up a short course from us. Or those agency heads or department heads of local government units who need to take trainings on upward and downward communication, public leadership, ethical leadership can enter into our program.”

“Making Sustainable Societies” As part of its 10-year vision and mission, the School of Governance is bound to offer “relevant and sustainable” capacity programs, which is geared towards adapting to the needs of the Cavite province, while ensuring that its

programs are sustainable, wherein evaluations are conducted in order to assure that the needs of the province are being met, Francisco said.

“I want to see the Cavite province to be a model province in 10 years time. Meaning to say, sa loob ng 10 taon, kapag marami tayong nakuhang local officials na mag-aaral dito sa school na ‘to. Definitely, what they will be learning from us will be articulated or resonated to the Caviteños. Kung maging maganda ‘yung pamamahala o paglilingkod nila sa lalawigan ng Cavite, that is also a validation of our programs.”

Despite being under the CLAC, there will be key persons and facilitators from other colleges depending on the areas needed by LGUs in order for the School of Governance programs to materialize. For example, coordination with the College of Criminal Justice Education for a city that would need training in law enforcement management, Community Development program under CLAC for training in resource mobilization and community organizing activities, among others.

In the evaluation of the sustenance of its programs, the School of Governance will be conducting research activities in assessment of what the LGUs have learned from the University.

“Halimbawa, ordinance writing ang gustong gawin ng isang local government unit. After several years, gagawa ang school, ng research whether paano ba …

Nakinabang kaya ang mga tao sa bayan na ito mula sa natutunan ng local officials sa La Salle [Dasma].”

In the fulfillment of the vision and mission of the program, “This is a big move for the University because we’re serving the society. It’s a big challenge. … [but] after a year or two, once we mastered the system, it will be seamless,” Francisco expressed.

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VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

How the primary election failed

by Patrik Aboy Infog by Stephanie Ann Arreza

On November 27, the University Student Election Commission (USEC) declared a failure of primary election as a result of lack of University Student Government (USG) presidential candidates for multiple colleges.

“Either inadequate number of candidates or meaning ... hindi kaya magconduct ng election kasi kung isa lang, sino pa ‘yung bobotohin natin,” USEC Chairperson John Michael Gabriel Genova said.

Genova cites Section 16 of the first primary election implementing rules and regulations (IRR), the IRR is a provisional set of guidelines initiated by the commission for the 2019 primary election while the Omnibus Student Election Code is underway, “All candidates for a particular position failing to qualify before the counting of votes or before Election Day.” Moreover, according to USG

Constitution provisions on the primary election, deans from the seven colleges will be recommending candidates for presidency, where two candidates with the highest votes in the primary election will be proceeding to the general election, along with their chosen running mate for vice president from the roster of the losing candidates, “[at] dahil isa lang ‘yung nag-file, hindi maari magkaroon ng election,” Genova said.

One-year residency One of the factors that led to the lack of candidates is that the majority of the undergraduate population of the University is comprised of first year and second year students, USEC Deputy Chairperson John Cedrick Laco explained.

Among the qualifications to run for USG president, a one-year residency at

the University should be met as stipulated in the USG Constitution, “been at least one year on the day of the primary election a resident of the university.”

“Automatically, since two years lang ‘yung available sa school natin ngayon, [ibig sabihin nito], ang mangyayari [ay] ‘yung [mga] second year [students] lang ang puwede tumakbo,” Lacro said.

He added that in consideration of recommendations for candidates will be coming from the college deans, it was “tough” for the deans to look for those who are interested in the presidency, which was what the colleges actually experienced Having no candidate recommendation, College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLAC) Associate Dean Evelyn Perez shared that the college had initially recommended a freshman to the primary election

not knowing the qualifications as stated in constitutional provisions “I explained to the freshman that she’s not qualified, she’s ineligible to run, she understood it. It was okay for her at least she has more time daw to prepare,” Perez said.

‘Busy’ upperclassmen Brought about by a surplus of second year students eligible to grab the presidency, College of Education (COED) Dean Paterno Alcatardo said that the college has failed to recommend as the available second year student officers have other commitments and priorities. “[They said:] Sir, wala po talaga, meron po kaming other priorities. Okay pero at least I opened it (candidacy) up to the group (second year officers),” he said.

Similarly, Perez explained that she had first reached CLAC upperclassmen, who are deserving of the position of USG president, however, they have mentioned to prioritize their academics.

“I’ve had four students that I asked, but they declined because again the academics are concerned,” Perez said. “At the second year they can already feel the pressure or the stress from their major subjects.”

While, College of Science and Computer Studies (CSCS) Associate Dean told The HERALDO FILIPINO that they initially had a representative, however, upon the submission of the requirements along with the certificate of candidacy (COC), they were informed that she will have to file a leave of absence (LOA) from her post as the CSCS Student Government (CSCSSG) governor.

“Any sort of absence in my CSG, our CSG, will affect the council greatly ‘cause we’re working on a lot of things and we need everybody on board,” CSCSSG Governor Martina San Jose said, explaining why she couldn’t continue with her candidacy.

IRR for the 2019 Primary Election, qualifications and eligibility provisions, Article 3, Section 4.h, states “Other necessary requirements set by the Commission (USEC) … or a leave of absence from office for the incumbent officers.”

Short preparation time Despite the commission releasing announcements about the primary election, Lacro added that another factor that may have contributed is the shorter preparation time for the election.

“Hindi kasi kami makapag-announce for the presidential position ... kasi hindi nila (Congress) napasa agad ‘yung act (IRR for primary election) na ‘yon. Na-stay sa Congress ‘yung implementing rules and regulations for two or three weeks,” he said.

Initially, the commission has set a timeline for the schedule of activities in preparation for the primary election that commences as early as the end of October. The USEC has endorsed the IRR to the Congress on October 15, while it has been signed into an act by the USG president on October 30.

Although having a relatively shorter time span for the primary election, Lacro clarified that all necessary requirements in filing for candidacy may be completed within one day.

On political parties Lacro shared that the absence of political arties preparing for the elections shifted student governance in the University.

“That’s really a factor, since before mayr’on tayong mga political parties na nagpre-prepare ng candidates yearly. As of now, wala pang political parties,” he said.

With the University in transition period to the USG, the deputy chairperson clarified that there may still be political

parties, however, this might cause confusion during the primary elections.

“Kasi ngayon [ay] nasa transition period tayo, so kami rin naga-adjust pa kami as the electoral body of this University.

Ang dami kasing clauses or provisions ‘don na nakalagay sa Constitution, na honestly nahihirapan talaga ang USEC [intindihin].”

Recently, political party SINAG Lasalyano has changed to SINAG Society of Leaders as a student organization under Council of Student Organizations.

How it progressed In contrast to CLAC and COED, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy and the College of Criminal Justice Education have already nominated their candidates as of November 15.

With the deadline of filing of candidacy on November 18-19, no candidate has submitted their COC despite having four recommendees receiving their COC, which resulted the USEC to extend for one day.

Although lacking a candidate initially, CSCS student John Manuel Tala is the lone presidential candidate that has filed his COC. As such, the commission released Resolution No. 8 Series of 20192020 on November 27, declaring the failure of the first primary election.

What happens next?

In consideration of the recent shift to the USG, this means that its Constitution is fairly young and undergoing improvements. As such, no provision of the USG Constitution states what happens when there’s a failure of election.

“They’re (second year students) also partly afraid because the [USG] constitution is new and they don’t understand it entirely, they’re not as courageous as the freshmen that I initially recommended,” the CLAC associate dean said.

With that, USEC Deputy Chairperson Lacro explained that the commission will be releasing guidelines on what happens once a failure of election occurs, which will be included in the Omnibus Election Code (E-Code).

“Since wala pa tayong Omnibus Student Election Code to guide us with things everything about election, ire-release na lang namin ‘yung magiging procedure ... kasama na do’n sa mismong Election Code,” he said.

As of press time, the commission will be releasing the E-Code by the start of the second semester.

Despite the failure of the primary election, the USEC added that the first general elections to be held in May will push through, where other USG and CSG elective positions will be voted upon by the student body.

“Ang magfe-failure lang naman kasi is 2019 primary elections, ‘yung general elections ... proceed ‘yon as usual,” Lacro said. “Ang pinaka-affected lang talaga dito sa failure of elections is ‘yung vice president and president [positions].”

USG elective positions include the members of the House of Representatives and senators of the Senate, along with governors for College Student Governments.

USEC called for students who are willing to take positions in student governance, “sana talaga, magkaroon ng willing students na tatakbo for the future general elections para maging matagumpay [ang student government],” Lacro said. “‘Wag sana matakot ang mga students na mag-lead, kasi wala tayong mararating ... magiging arbitrary kasi ang government natin if puro appointed [student leaders] lang lagi,” USEC Chairperson Genova addressed.

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VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

What makes Filipino ‘Pilipino’ K-12 curriculum and the removal of Filipino subjects

by Lean Jane Pantorilla and Elaine Aznar

One of the most frequently debated topics regarding implementation of the K-12 curriculum was the necessity of Senior High School (SHS), and how it affects those who will and will not go to college. In line with this, The HERALDO FILIPINO takes a look at Filipino as part of our culture, and examines how K-12 changes that.

K-12: A timeline In a summary provided by the CIIT Philippines, the first batch to complete the K-12 curriculum is expected to graduate by 2023-2024. By then, each graduate is expected to be equipped with information, media and technology skills, learning and innovation skills, effective communication skills, as well as life and career skills.

The K-12 curriculum, which was conceptualized in 2010, launched the Universal Kindergarten in the following year (2012), implemented a new program for Grade 7 (starting S.Y. 2012-2013), and was formally institutionalized in the same year, as President Benigno Aquino III signed the Basic Education Act of 2013. Grade 11 curriculum was formally implemented on 2016-2017, Grade 12 the following year, which leads us to 2018-2019, where the early batches of SHS graduates are expected to enroll in college.

Senior High School: “Is it worth it?”

Despite the Department of Education (DepEd) ensuring that SHS graduates may already apply for jobs as soon as they finish Grade 12, employment concerns still remain, as companies continue to prefer college graduates over SHS graduates.

“I think our schools have to show a proof of concept.” Philippine Institute of Corporate Directors President Alfredo Pascual shared during the 2019 Annual Public Policy Conference. “In concept, K-12 is supposed to produce employable graduates. Industry people have yet to see the proof of the concept.”

While according to the official gazette of the Philippines, SHS creates opportunities, such as application of standard requirements to ensure “graduates know enough to be hireable” and graduates are also able to get work experience while studying. After graduation, especially those in the Technical Vocation and Livelihood track, can also apply for TESDA Certificates of Competency (COCs) and National Certificates (NCs) to “provide better work opportunities” with partnerships with different companies.

On the other hand, in a study aiming to assess the likelihood of achieving the employment and entrepreneurship objective of the K-12 program, it has been found that the Grade 12 respondents are not very confident that they will get a job even after graduating from SHS, even after passing National Certification assessments.

Meanwhile, firms expressed their lack of in-depth knowledge of the SHS program, and expressed the need to “be exposed to SHS graduates” before being confident in hiring them.

The development of K-12 and removal of Filipino subjects in college As SHS remains an integral part of the K-12 Basic Curriculum, it is also important to note that its influence extend all the way to college, with the curriculum being developed in line with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

This will result in a totally revised General Education Curriculum, now having fewer units, as subjects taken up in the Basic Education (Elementary to Senior High) will no longer be included for undergraduate students.

Art by Stephanie Arreza

One particular change was the removal of Filipino and Panitikan in the list of subjects required for college, as observed in CHED memorandum order (CMO) No. 20, series 2013. According to the commission, this was implemented to ensure that there would be no duplication of subjects in Grades 1 to 10, SHS and college, as the said subjects are already within the scope of K-12 curriculum.

The memorandum, which was already approved by the Supreme Court, garnered a lot of mixed reactions from students, schools, and Filipino advocates alike. As a matter of fact, the Supreme Court once filed a Temporary Restraining Order to hold the implementation of CMO 20. This was in line with a petition filed by Tanggol Wika, which included 86 signatories, and at Filipino professors and officials of at least 14 universities.

However, the Supreme Court eventually lifted the TRO as of November, along with declaring K-12 constitutional.

Removal vs. Non-inclusion While others argue about the possible implications of the memorandum, one way of looking at it is through semantics.

“The meaning of removing is … it is there then it was taken out,” Languages and Literature Department professor Constantino Ballena clarified in an interview. “We have a new college curriculum, which did not include Filipino. Did we remove Filipino? No ... [as] it was not included in the first place.”

But then again, Ballena also argues that it is not only semantic, as removal presupposes inclusion. Hence, through the use of “noninclusion”, we can see a new perspective regarding the CHED memorandum: with the new curriculum in tow, CHED is giving the universities the option to include Filipino subjects, as well as others.

It is important to note the fact, though, that what really happened in Filipino subjects is still debatable, as they use “Revised General Education Curriculum” and “New General Curriculum” interchangeably.

Educational progress or cultural extinction?

As the new curriculum aims to include more globally recognized courses, many advocates continue to argue against the removal of Filipino and Panitikan in the core curriculum, calling the removal “unconstitutional” and the beginning of a “cultural extinction.”

In a 22-page letter, the Alyansa Alyansa ng Mga Tagapagtanggol ng Wika (Tanggol Wika) warned the High Court of the possible consequences following the removal of Filipino and Panitikan subjects in college, as well as its violation of the 1987 constitution, which observes a “well-defined mandate for Filipino as medium of instruction at all levels of education.”

“Filipino and Panitikan will not only be killed as mandatory subjects in the curriculum, but Filipino will also be murdered as an effective medium of instruction,” Alyansa ng Mga Tagapagtanggol ng Wika (Tanggol Wika), in their attempts to convince the Supreme Court against the decision to remove Filipino and Panitikan in the required list of subjects.

While National Commission on Culture and Arts Chair Virgilio Almario also shared the same sentiments: with Filipino being our national language, it must be used in the “highest and lowest level of education” in order for it to be properly cultivated. In the same way, netizens have expressed their concerns on the move being “colonial in nature”, with Filipinos adhering to the western standards of education

at the expense of our own.

CHED eventually clarified that colleges and universities may choose to include the subjects, as observed by some universities such as the University of Santo Tomas (UST), who retained Filipino and Panitikan for this year.

“To be university-ready, graduates of the basic education curriculum should have taken Filipino, Panitikan and the Constitution.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may enhance these competencies by including additional subjects in Filipino, Panitikan or integrate these into existing subjects in their curriculum.”

In line with this, Filipino professor Lakandupil C. Garcia also shared his thoughts on the removal of Filipino subjects, questioning how we are so adept at using the English language, yet are helpless when it comes to translating them into Filipino.

“Ako, as a translator, I would like you to know ... marami na ‘kong international conferences na dinaluhan, malinaw para sa akin [na] ang [mga] Pilipino lang ang may ganitong problema. Ano iyon? Hindi natin kayang isalin ‘yung sinulat natin sa Ingles patungong Filipino.” “‘Yong iba, kayang ‘kaya. Bakit tayo hindi?” Garcia asks a question that resonates to all. Seeing how it’s a given fact that language plays a huge role in shaping national identity, perhaps that fact that we also struggle in our own language the most speaks volumes. While steppingup for the global competition is good, it is important that we never forget our roots—because how else can we expect to be adept at other languages, if we cannot even master our own?

“Hindi ko kalaban ang english. Actually, dapat magkasabay ‘yan.”

What makes Filipino ‘Pilipino’ Social Sciences Department Chair Loreto G. Camiloza told The HERALDO FILIPINO that even though DLSU-D still offers one Filipino subject, it is still not enough.

“Nagpunta ako sa ibang bansa, at nakita na ko na ‘yung ginagamit nilang wika ay sarili nila,” Camiloza shared. “Kahit mula sa pagkabata hanggang sa kolehiyo at unibersidad ay ginagamit pa rin.” He also explained how Filipino, although taught in Elementary, Junior High and Senior High, should be continuously taught, and practiced all the same.

“Ang wika ay salamin ng ating kultura. Ito ang nagdadala ng ating kultura.” Camiloza stated. “Kung kulang ang ating paggamit ng sariling wika, sa ating unibersidad o kolehiyo, natatakot ako na mabawasan din ang ‘yong pagkakataon ng mga mag-aaral upang ipahayag ang kanilang kultura sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng sariling wika.”

Furthermore, the social sciences department chair strongly encourage the use of Filipino in history subjects, such as “Mga Babasahin Hinggil sa Kasaysayan” at “Kursong Rizal”.

Our challenge as a university is to develop a unique subject that requires the use of Filipino, so that we may use our own language in different ways,” Camiloza said. “Kung bibigyan natin ng maraming konteksto kung saan ito ay ginagamit, ito ay huhubog sa ating kamalayan bilang Pilipino.”. *** As our curriculum evolves to provide more opportunities to the next generation of Filipinos, it is vital that we also pay attention on the way it is being taught, and place importance to the actual quality of education.

With the international standards growing more and more competitive, Filipinos could only adapt and improve for the better, but hopefully not at the point of losing what makes a Filipino ‘Pilipino’.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 | PAGE 6

OPINION

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

EDITORIAL

Reality check

Did we land on the right feet in 2019? Now is a very good time for a reality check for the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program and the so-called war on drugs—the grandest ventures set out by President Rodrigo Duterte’s regime.

In a way, critics can just say that these two, among many other plans, have come short of its high goals. Only now, these flagship projects have panned enough for data to show its fruits, if apparent situations don’t tell us enough. Reflecting on these with perspective doesn’t have to be a one-partisan point of view, because if anything, this is the one thing we can do as citizens, taxpayers, and as stakeholders.

Firstly, President Duterte unveiled this ambitious infrastructure program at the start of his term, targeted for completion, or substantial progress in implementation, by the time he steps down in 2022. He said his term will be the “golden age of infrastructure”.

Ralf Rivas of Rappler got into BBB’s project update earlier this year. It shows that most of the revised project list of BBB will be under a public-private partnership arrangement, among which almost half will be finished by the term of the next president, and some have already started even before Duterte’s presidency. If all existing projects sail smoothly, he will finish at least 56 of the 100 projects. Most importantly, this “golden age of infrastructure” will cost us at least 4.3 trillion of Pesos we don’t have.

These projects include roads, transportation facilities, airports, and sources of water for Metro Manila. These are promises with public interest to be completed—projects that the citizens deserve to be completed.

Of the original 75 projects under BBB, only nine are under construction as of November 2019, which Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon described as a “dismal failure.”

Meanwhile, Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia explained their revisions.

“Usually human nature, we tend to, in general, tend to be ambitious at the start then [have] a long list of undertakings to be carried out. We find out that there are standing blocks, hindrances, constraints to carrying them out. That is [a] natural occurrence,” he said.

Likewise, in a press briefing on November 13, Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects Secretary Vince Dizon said that Duterte never promised to

this is the one thing we can do as citizens, taxpayers, and as stakeholders complete all of the pricey infrastructure projects during his term.

“That’s impossible, nobody promised that,” Dizon said.

Now, going about promises and its denials, the drug war that supposedly would have eliminated all drugs in the country only did not fail, but also took quite a turn this year.

On November 6, Vice President Leni Robredo surprisingly announced that she would be accepting President Duterte’s offer for her to co-chair the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs, trying to prove that the war could be bloodless.

The offer was made shortly after Vice President Robredo said in a Reuters interview that his drug war strategy was “not working”, as if Duterte was trying to pick a fight.

In just less than a month, Robredo was fired as drug czar in consideration that Duterte’s men hesitated to allow her access to pertinent documents and classified information regarding the “drug war”. What could have been too sensitive for Robredo, a critique of the war, to know?

“Ang kinatatakutan ko magkalat siya. Kaya ako takot. The more that she stays with the ICAD, the more that she would create issues and the more that the people will be like wondering, ‘Ano bang totoo dito?’” Duterte said in an interview on December 2.

It’s true nonetheless, people already have been wondering ‘Ano ba ang totoo dito?’—among all promises that were left unfulfilled, projects that progresses slowly, and “wars” that should not have been waged the way it was. Reality checks fit the most trying times of democracy and collapsing economy, especially now when reality is blatantly and forcefully denied just to protect their grandest ventures.

The Official Student Publication of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Founded: June 1985 Member, College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Life and death in journalism I always knew I wanted to work in the media, but for years, I couldn’t get myself to say it around other people. One time, in a social gathering, one family friend asked me across the dining table, “So are you gonna be a doctor?”

I said no, but he persisted, “so what?”, followed by what felt like long and insufferable silence before my mom answered for me.

“Journalism,” she said. *** Journalism entails many forms and ideas of deaths, figuratively and literally. They each came to me very gradually in my journey as a student journalist which started in high school.

Before anything else, of course, journalism meant deadlines. Short and ambitious ones. At one point, we developed a rapport within my circle to call it deathlines.

Next, I learned that print is dying, and that there was no way I would be pursuing journalism in college. No one told me that, but I neither had a good word about doing so. Nevertheless, I did pursue the career, and for a few years that I have been studying, where I’d end up in the future has been a constant question to me.

Then again, that doubt I had all along morphed into something else. It is now also an underlying fear. Philippines ranked first in the most dangerous countries for journalists in Southeast Asia in 2017, rising above Iraq, according to the International Federation of Journalists. Our rank will most likely remain high as long as Maguindanao

Massacre, the single deadliest attack on journalists in the Philippine history, remains in court. But even if the case finally attains justice after a decade in a long overdue verdict, impunity still thrives in the country, imbued in all injustices and human rights violations which journalists fight for to tell.

Unfortunately, they take the toll for it with all the systematic silencing of the press, and direct and indirect attacks that intend to flay critics on their knees.

Before Maria Ressa was named an icon on the

it’s one thing to read these events on the news, and it is another to be the one to tell.

TIME 100 Most Influential People of 2019, she was arrested and released on bail multiple times, most recently for allegedly violating a dubious “cyberlibel” law. She, however, remained dauntless.

“We are journalists, and we will not be intimidated. We will shine the light. We will hold the line,” she said.

Now, for students like me who are expecting to work in media, these events can be haunting. In fact, it actually shows.

In an article published in The HERALDO FILIPINO Broadsheet Volume 34 Issue 1, Communication and Journalism Department Head Artin Umali said that concerns on safety is one of the reasons why AB Broadcast Journalism enrollees

SENIOR STAFF Casvel Teresa A. Lopez, Christian Ralf Dugan Pia Margarita C. Marantan, Sheka Ignaco JUNIOR STAFF Aprilean V. Octavo, William Clarenz P. Constante, and Jacinth N. Banite

Dr. Lakandupil C. Garcia, Adviser

The HERALDO FILIPINO has its editorial office at Room 120, Gregoria Montoya Hall (Administration Building)w De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines 4115.

Telephone: +63 2 8447832, +63 46 416 4531 local 3063 Email: officialheraldofilipino@gmail.com Website: www.heraldofilipino.com Contributions, comments, suggestions, and signed letters should be addressed to the Editor in Chief.

The construction of the University Food Square extension is under way to add more seats and tables for students to occupy during lunchtime or peak hours when the University Food Square is often full.

*** Putting aside everything I am yet to face in the future, the one truth I have now is this: I still have a job to do, some parts of it I am yet to discover on the way, as a journalist of a student publication, where I have founded my continuous becoming, and where I’ve learned deaths along my process of learning life.

OK Boomer

EDITORIAL BOARD AY 2019-2020 Kelsey V. Telo, Editor in Chief Patrik S. Aboy, Associate Editor Rose Kristine A. Amarillo, Managing Director Gerardine Fatima M. Alcala, Office Supervisor Stephanie Ann N. Arreza, Graphics and Layout Coordinator Marco R. Belarmino, In charge, Art Jean S. Quinto, In charge, Photo Dean Jeffer Xyre M. Rivera, In charge, Video Justin Andrei S. Dabuet, In charge, Web

dropped to 8 this academic year.

Aside from this, Umali also shared that there is an economic factor for the decrease because of the low income of working in this industry, which isn’t a surprise for many. To be quite frank, it is something that we live with—the fear that we might not make it, and if we do, will it be enough for us to make a good and sustainable living?

I did not realize this early as someone who had a romantic idea of the pursuit of my job, and perhaps I was just too young and too passionate to fear taking on a journey this uncertain. When I turned 20 a few months ago, I have only begun to unite with the fact that unlike others who can freely pursue the profession without worries, I do not have the safety net of parents with money. This is a death that I am only starting to come to terms with.

Among all, what slaps me so hard, is the actual deaths, or appalling tragedies and crimes. In a span of a month, we delivered news on alleged kidnapping, sexual harassment, bomb threats, and gunning, which all happened relentlessly without a caution. If anything, these are what pushed me closer to the reality that some stories rise to this magnitude, and it’s simply my job to tell it, realizing that it’s one thing to read these events on the news, and it is another to be the one to tell.

If you are a mere observant like me on popular trends on social media, I am certain that you are aware of the OK Boomer meme that recently gained its ground on social media. Following the remark of 25-year-old politician directed to a group of “older” politicians dismissing Chloe Swarbrick during her speech on a New Zealand session for climate action, OK Boomer takes varying views and creating mixed reactions from the internet.

OK boomer? Many saw this as a step further in creating a divide between generations but what people fail to realize is that this is actually a call to break that barrier between the old and young. Now, don’t get me wrong when I say that this addresses the gap, but it sure calls for an action.

The phrase roughly translates to “Boomers, we’ve had enough”—and for sure millennials and younger generations have had enough of past generations messing up the economy and most particularly, the environment. In fact, it is a call for previous generations to humble themselves down, admit that there’s something wrong that needs to be addressed, and listen to the current generation’s calls for changes.

It is evident that the youth now has been expressive in voicing out their concerns.

At 16, environmental activist Greta Thunberg has sparked the world with her words addressed to world leaders “How dare you? You have stolen my childhood”, stating that they failed to protect and sustain the world that is now leading to an impending mass extinction.

With the urgency of the matter, it must be the time that baby boomers respond to “OK boomer” with a “Sure thing, millennial” and “Good point, gen z” or much better (as the world gets warmer

one unified generations with the progression of the world in mind and warmer), directly say “we’ll see what can do” or “we’ll act on it”.

However, this narrative is different from country to country, as other countries may have progressed in their economy differently, which plays a vital role of what causes a gap, while the Philippines may have established another generational distinction.

While the aim is ideal and very much

Some of the I.D. turnstiles at the Magdalo Gate (Gate 1) are still often marked with a cross, leaving only two out of four I.D. turnstiles usable for entry to and exit from the University.

needed, the method has created much more divide as younger generations has resorted to memes in discussions that failed to reach a satisfactory answer to healthy discussions.

OK Boomer has now shifted from an internet joke to being offensive. In the United States, workers 40 years and older are protected by an Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as the phrase “OK boomer” may be agesensitive.

Even Filipinos had their own versions of the meme (“Sige, Enrile” or “OK, tanda” in response to their titos or titas), which may all sound age derogatory and solely for fun, defeating the original goal to call out anything wrong.

In this discussion, there is no winner but one unified generations with the progression of the world in mind. Times have changed. Progress is vital.

Generations may have different challenges, traumas, experiences, and opportunities growing up, but it doesn’t mean that the younger generations indeed have it easier.

After all, there are greater conflicts out there than debating who had it better or worse, for something that is obviously just a clash of perspectives.

Okay, boomer?

Freedom walls on HIV-AIDS are situated around the campus to encourage critical thinking and healthy discussions among students.

OPINION

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 | PAGE 7

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

Academic lapses I briefly experienced part of my childhood here in the Philippines. It was around kindergarten by the time my father relocated to another middle eastern country, securing a job and a home for our family. Since the transfer, I was supposed to start my pre-elementary education but ended up advancing through primary school and remained in the same academic institution until the end of high school.

During that span of ten years of living in the Middle East, I made friends who studied in institutions that catered mostly to the Filipino community. Comparing their school with the Philippines’, it’s suffice to say that they have it better.

Public schools here in the Philippines have insufficient rooms and faculty to accommodate students. It was even reported in an article that the teacherstudent ratio last year was at most 1:45,

which is not conducive for learning, especially when the classroom is jampacked and lacks proper ventilation. As shared by friends who graduated from public schools, students have to work harder in their academics compared to their private school counterparts because it consists of mostly part-time teachers, who do not have enough time to ensure that the students have properly absorbed and understood the lessons being taught. On the topic of public schools, considering that there is a large number of enrollees in public schools, there are morning and afternoon sessions implemented that would alternate between sections from elementary up to the high school level. With classes that start at 7 AM and end at 5, with 7 PM being the latest dismissal, it gets monotonous considering that there are several requirements due within a week or so. From what I have observed during my years spent studying in this institution, some (or most) schedules

are planned out to make room for the subjects that have only a limited number of teachers who are usually available at later hours due to them being only parttimers.

Faculty are spread too thin, handling two or three subjects that are

The government should also give more importance to teachers taken by almost all sections in their respective college departments. Taking into consideration that instructors, especially those teaching in public schools, are underpaid, it makes sense why many opt to work overseas to seek better opportunities. Different from the schools here in the Philippines, schools in other countries have shorter hours:

starting from 8 AM and ending at 2 PM, having classes that each lasted for an hour at most.

Despite these shorter school hours, the overall performance of students are relatively better while also having time to rest and partake in recreational activities. An article that was recently published had brought to light the problem that had long since arisen in the Philippines; the measures taken to ensure that proper education being given to the youth is lacking. Statistics show that the Philippines has notably scored the lowest in reading comprehension and second-lowest in mathematics. It is undeniable that the social standing of an individual is a big factor when it comes to receiving quality education. Program for International Student Assessment 2018 profile of the Philippines showed that the socio-economic status accounts for 18% of the contrasting reading performance.

On the other hand, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

(OECD) countries had an average of 12%. Students coming from families that are financially disadvantaged have been reportedly performing poorly in contrast to those who come from economically stable families.

As a student who has experienced two different academic curricula, dare I say that the education system in the Philippines is inefficient for both the faculty and their students when it comes to providing adequate hours for their lessons while also having enough time to rest. The government should also give more importance to teachers to be able to at least increase the number of fulltime faculty members that can sufficiently provide lesson plans covered by part-time faculty members. If executed properly, students might just be handled better by respective subject teachers and maybe that’s when we’ll be able to say that we’re well equipped enough to be considered “globally competitive”.

In the dark of the day Run. They say that demons crawl at night, waiting for darkness to take over someone before they rejoice in glory as the victim is filled with thoughts of doubt, pain, and endless sadness. No way out from that cage you were forced to build around yourself in hopes that it would protect you from what seems to be inevitable.

At times, everything changes and adapts to strength only for everything to return to being weak.

What was once a creature of the night appears as you wake up filling you with tears that would overflow from your eyes. For hours on end, you cry until you feel dehydrated with one main question: What have I done in my past life to not deserve happiness?

It’s 2:00 PM and you have just woken up from another round of sleep from the crying that you just did this morning. With numbness flowing through your body, you remember the feeling of failure again from your failed subject followed by the feeling of not being enough and being a disappointment for your parents as they fund yet another semester for you.

And then, you remember that recent fight you had with your significant other, making you question every inch of yourself again as you want to burst but nothing flows out. Am I not worthy for happiness? You stare at the ceiling wanting to get up and do the things you are still required of doing but you just stare blankly for an hour and so—lifeless, numb, and running out of hope.

You finally get up by 3:30 and start to get a move-on. You reject

all responsibilities thrown at you for what you think is self care but, really, you just lost the drive that pushes you to do everything. You continue to feel bad no matter how much you stuff your face with food or even if you don’t eat at all.

Stop and breathe.

Eventually, you realize that all

time is not wasted when it means caring for ourselves feelings you keep on ignoring will always be there feeding off of you and there’s no point in faking it.

You can’t always fake everything until it becomes reality. We have to accept the fact that we’re not okay and understand that’s okay.

It’s okay to frown and not put

up a smile in front of people. Cry all day and let everything out. Life is not designed to be perfect and spotless. Everyone will have their own days filled with misery and despair.

Accept.

Accept that there are those days where all you feel is hopelessness.

One thing that you won’t learn in school is that growth and healing starts when you accept the fact that you’re not okay. *** It has been almost two years since I got myself checked professionally and despite doing so, I know and still feel that I am not okay but that’s alright. It’s all a process and caring for your mental health is not the easiest thing to do, because despite all the medicine and help you get, it’s ultimately up to you. All of which took me by surprise because I thought once I’m

on medication, that’s it—that’ll be all that I need. But a part of it all is conditioning your mind to be strong as the medicine is only there to help you, not to totally heal you.

It all boils down to being the only one there for yourself at the end of the day. We must remember that our minds are made to be stronger than we think it is.

This goes out to everyone who is struggling constantly to even breath day by day. These things won’t last.

The demons who we think control us is not as powerful as they seem to be. Just stop, breathe, and accept.

Healing is not an easy nor a quick feat. It’s a process that takes time differently from person to person.

I’m not fully okay and that’s okay. We live in constant fear that we may be wasting our time crying and sulking but time is not wasted when it means caring for ourselves.

WITBREAD

Tanglaw sa daluyong

by Kobi Tolentino (PHI11) Noon pa man, kinahiligan ko na ang paksang agham panlipunan, tumungo sa lansangan para makipag-laro at kumausap ng kung sinusino kahit minsan nararamdaman ko na nakukulitan na sila sa akin.

Naging malapit ako sa ganitong mga gawain. Iyon nga lang, hindi tulad ng nakaraan, hindi basta laro at pagkatuto sa mga paksang nilalaman ng agham panlipunan ang aking gawi.

Sa patuloy pa na pag-andar ng orasan ay napansin ko na mas naging mainit na ang usapin ng mga suliranin dito sa ating inang bayan. Marahil, ito ay dahil sa mga dagdag pa na kaalaman na aking natututunan o dahil sa aking mas lumalalim na pang-unawa hinggil sa

ang edukasyon ay hindi lamang nakukuha sa paaralan, bagkus, ito ay mas higit na nakukuha sa lansangan ganitong usapin. Ayon sa aking pakiramdam at pagtingin, higit pa na nagbigay init ang mga suliraning panlipunan sa ilalim ng Rehimeng US-Duterte. Maging ang bumubuntot na imperyalistang Tsina ay ‘di nawala sa aking pagsusuri.

Dahil na rin sa patuloy na pag-init ng mga suliraning panlipunan ay nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na mas kilalanin pa ang aking sarili at ang lipunang aking ginagalawan. At dahil malapit nga sa aking puso ang nakasanayan ko, ang mga teoryang natutunan ko ay mas

Fluctuating and inconsistent Wi-Fi uptime in various buildings in the University due to connection issues, possibly hindering productivity and tasks to be carried out by students, faculty, and staff.

nagagamit ko na at naisasabuhay. Ano nga naman ang saysay ng pinag-aralan kung walang praktika?

Kung noon ay nabubuhay ako para sa sarili ko, ngayon mas naiintindihan ko na ako ay nabubuhay bilang parte at para sa masa partikular na ang masang api. Totoo, ako’y isang aktibista—isang aktibistang may tiyak na paninindigan, isang aktibistang patuloy na natuto mula sa mga libro, puna, mungkahi, saloobin, at sa iba pang mga pamamaraang pagpapa-unlad. Isang aktibistang ayaw na muling mabigo, maapi, at masiil ang bayan. Isang aktibistang inilulugar ang galit at isinalin ito sa pagiging parte ng solusyon. Isang aktibista, na hindi pinangarap maging aktibista, ngunit mas nanaig ang paniniwala na dapat lumaban kahit nakakatakot at mapanganib.

“Hindi ba mas nakakatakot kapag hinayaan nating nakakatakot?”

“Sino ang magpapasya?”

“Matitiis ko bang maginhawa ang akin kalagayan kasabay ng pag walang bahala sa mga nangyayari? Gutom? Demolisyon?

Kontrakwalisasyon? Minimum wage? Paglabag sa karapatang pantao?”

“Kasalanan ba talaga ang pumikit kapag namulat na?”

Ilan lamang ito sa mga katanungang paulit-ulit kong binabanggit.

Ilan lamang ito sa pagkarami-raming prinsipyo’t dahilan na nais kong panagutan at isabuhay. Kung kaya, kasabay ng hamon sa akin ng masa, hinamon ko ang sarili ko na sumulong at sumabay sa daluyong ng masa. Itong pasya ko ay alay sa lahat ng mga martir ng sambayanan, mga bayaning aktibista na ibinuhos ang buong lakas at diwa upang mapaglingkuran at mapalaya ang masang api sa pamamagitan ng pakikiisa sa kolektibong pagkilos na may hangarin pagbabago. Ang pagyakap sa masang api ay para sa aking salinlahi, dahil ayaw kong dumating sa puntong kakailanganin din nilang humarap sa ganitong lipunan. Hindi maitatago na marami nang utang sa bayan ang hindi mabilang na mga “lingkod bayan” daw. Bago ang eleksyon noong 2016, sa aking murang edad, mayroon na akong mataas na pagtingin at matinding paniniwala sa pamumuno ng ngayon ay presidente nang si Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The operational response for the alleged bomb threat was handled professionally by the General Services Office, not tolerating the motive of the bomb threat, and cooperating with the PNP AntiCybercrime Group for investigation.

Nagpakilalang siyang maka-masa, ngunit, ito lamang ay nanatiling sa kaniyang dila sapagkat sa administrasyon niya muling tumaas ang bilang ng mga maralita, pagkawala ng oportunidad sa trabahuhan, karahasan laban sa mga kababaihan at pambansang minorya, utang, pagbaba ng presyo ng bigas, at pagdami ng mga pribadong kumpanya para sa serbisyong bayan na nararapat. Bukod pa, sa ilalim ng administrasyon na ito, dumami rin ang bilang ng mga namatay na maralita na biktima ng pekeng gera sa droga, magsasaka, aktibista, mamamahayag, at mga tunay na mga lingkod bayan.

Napatunayan din ng administrasyong ito na ang ating edukasyon ay komersyalisado, kolonyalisado, at pasista dahil sa patuloy na paggamit sa paaralan bilang mga negosyo, kolonyal dahil tayo ay inihahanda upang pagsilbihan ang mga dayuhan kaysa sa bansa, at pasista dahil sa grabeng paglabag sa karapatan ng mga estudyante.

Kung kaya nararapat ito na palitan ng isang makamasa, siyentipiko, at makabayang tipo ng edukasyon na nararapat matamasa ng lahat.

Bilang pagtatapos ng aking sulatin, nagpapasalamat ako na umabot kayo sa puntong ito. Kung may natutunan kayo sa aking maikling panimulang talambuhay at pahayag hinggil sa lipunan tiyak na mas may matutunan kayo pag tumungo na kayo sa lansangan, sa komunidad, sa mga paggawaan, sakahan, at sa marami pang lugar.

Kasalanan nga ang pumikit kapag ikaw ay namulat na, ngunit mas higit na pagkakasala kung ikaw ay walang ginawa noong namulat ka na. Hamon sa ating mga kabataan na ipaglaban ang ating karapatan at demokrasya. Huwag nang manatiling tahimik. Nawa’y maisalin natin ang akademikong lengguwahe sa lengguwahe ng masa at magamit natin ang ating lahat ng ating natutunan upang mapaglingkuran nang tunay sa makabayang pamamaraan ang sambayanan. ***

Ang Lasalyanong makabayan, lumalaban. Lupa, trabaho, sahod, at karapatan, ipaglaban!

The lack of interested presidential candidates to run for the first primary election to be held supposedly on December 2, resulting for the University Student Election Commission to declare the failure of the first primary elections.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 | PAGE 8

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 | PAGE 9

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

F E AT U R E S

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 | PAGE 10

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

Google knows everything.

What does it know about you?

by Ahmad Mahusay and Kelsey Telo Art by Sheka Ignaco

We use Google for almost everything, and this doesn’t make it so hard to think that Google is everywhere—an omnipresent entity that seems to know exactly what we are thinking of buying so that online ads would start to be oddly specific.

The question of whether the internet is watching us or not is not new. It’s been with us for a while even before commerce boomed online, and it is for the main reason that it’s true.

Now, the question is: how much does Google know us? And should we be worried?

You might be a little skeptical about this because what does a multi-billion dollar empire got to do with your personal information?

Actually, a lot.

Big bang data theory Simply put, this is the algorithm that turns your data into monetized analyzation of your data, which can be attained through cookies. Big data is a field that treats, approaches to dissect, deliberately separate data from, or generally manage informational collections that are excessively enormous or complex to be managed by customary information preparing

application programming.

Some websites like Yahoo! and MSN allow an average of 64 cookies to get the information of the user in online behavior. But interestingly, Google itself doesn’t show the number of cookies it uses in their privacy and terms.

What is your personal data, even?

All the things you input such as your accounts, your basic data including name, address, and contact numbers aren’t just what your data are made of.

Your location histories, search-engine queries, the selfies you upload, even the way you tap onto your smartphone, and other harmless and mundane activities all consist your “personal data”.

These information they gather from you can be used for academic research, hackers, law enforcement, and foreign nations—and of course, for companies who are dying to know your deepest desires, or your grocery shopping list.

You don’t follow ads, but they follow you.

Go away, Google

Don’t Track Us, a site made by internet privacy company DuckDuckGo, outlines the lurking, lingering giant that is Google:

The world is an app

How mobile service applications change society

by Casvel Teresa Lopez

Art by Bernice Obias

Daily errands from morning until evening can be an exhausting task, especially for those who belong to the working class, or for those simply living on their own. With the little time left for ourselves, most people can’t afford someone to prepare for a nibble after-work nor stop by at any stores to buy the things they need.

And yet, the dilemma isn’t over: the present state of going home is terrible as hell—hours spent waiting for a ride, passengers standing on a commuter bus, and being stuck on the road due to congested traffic—extremely during rush hours on weekdays add to the stress.

As culture changes, the approach of services are catching up with the digital era that let people aided with internet and applications available online to receive serviceability of food delivery, transport booking, and shop purchasing that will be available next to their doorsteps.

The question is: how do all of these change our society?

Convenient trip is on the way The rise of online scheduling for a ride with Grab, Angkas, and Sakay.ph are some platforms that are known to provide convenience to travellers. These ride-hailing apps are established to give alternative trip methods as the Philippine public transport system doesn’t exactly meet the demand of commuters. According to a study by the Boston Consulting Group in October 2019, an average Metro Manila commuter loses more or less P100,000 of economic opportunities in spending 16 days in traffic per year.

In resolving this issue, online ride-hailing apps takes on the spotlight, providing the best solution with reliable, effective, and safest norm to travel from one place to another.

Starting with the well-known Grab Philippines which pioneered as Southeast Asia’s largest mobile technology company that started in Malaysia back from 2012.

Not only do they transport everyone to desired places, but also have contributed 5.8 billion USD to the Southeast

Asia economy, provide jobs and earned incomes to over 9 million micro-entrepreneurs, and reached 9 times higher of cashless usage based on their social impact report year 20182019.

Next on the list is Angkas, a motorcycle-hailing application that allows travelers to have a quick fix to be free from being stuck on a bottleneck. According to BusinessMirror.com, this company aims to make habal-habal services (a well-known motorcycle ride which is highly used in Thailand and Vietnam, and at some parts in our province then later in Metro Manila as a sharing ride).

As these two component travel schemes proved their service, there are other developing applications to sustain the transport convenience with safe and efficient ride, which are: 1. Hype - works like Grab which allows users to book a private car or taxi with its app yet differs with its SMS booking feature to allow users to secure their ride offline.

2. Go Lag - it covers about 95 percent of Laguna area, which enables traveling to, from, and around the province convenient in just one-tap booking ride.

3. Hirna - solely facilitating the transport operations in Mindanao area with about 4,000 partnered taxis around Davao and doesn’t have a booking fee, making it a secure and affordable option for commuters.

4. JTransit - a Cebu-based app that has offline mode that provides users with route details of various Cebu jeepneys.

Food galore in just a single tap We Filipinos love to feed ourselves with salivating cuisines and refreshments that are fit to our cravings. From pizza, milktea, chicken buckets, and other meals we tend to eat are now available to order online with food delivery apps which allows customers to browse, choose, and receive shortly.

According to SteelKiwi, Inc., on-demand delivery apps have great patronization due to its fast transaction, convenient service, and transparent performance to the customers. In the country, we have FoodPanda, GrabFood, Honestbee, and Lalamove to transport our meals with a door-to-door service.

Not only do these companies help in bringing easier

1. Google trackers are sneaking on 75% of the websites.

This implies that they are not just following you around.

Likewise, they’ve been also following you on the sites that you visit.

2. Google uses your data so that ads will follow you.

They will let those advertisers follow you around two million websites and apps.

3. Your own personal data will not remain in Google indefinitely. It can be subpoenaed by lawyers, including civil cases like divorce. Google answered over 100,000 requests in 2017 alone.

Apparently, Google gathers and weaves your search history, IP address, and area into your own online character. Social media websites and other unknown websites frequently show promotions from outsiders, which utilize the online personality to make a profile for the client (age, sexual orientation, interests, physical attributes) and afterward give them with related advertisements all over the place. It’s just like magic.

Creepy, complex magic.

$0.0005 = Your data According to Chris Palmer, the tech director of the

lifestyle to the society but also provide job opportunities to their partner delivery teams who underwent training to ensure quality service as they build trust with the community.

Though these food deliveries deal with bringing your delightful nibbles in front of you, they have varying company policies such as having minimum orders, service fees, and cash-on-hand course that matches people’s interest and arrangements.

Shopping online is a real deal Purchasing clothes, ornaments, and other stuff we opt buy might be a personal shopping or through online shopping. Considering the time consumption and effort exerted, people tend to go to the latter option with its sweatfree and hassle-free method of clicking and paying online.

Brought with modernization and new era’s technologyaided lifestyle, online shopping is a real deal for people globally—especially for shopaholics The availability of various merchandise in just one look makes it preferable to use than going to malls and stores, added with the cheaper costs of items plus shipping fee and discount vouchers are all worth it. Aside from convenience, low price offers, security matters, wide options, is the opportunity to read first-hand reviews from real clients before buying an item.

In the Philippine setting, there is a 5.9 percent growth rate in retail industry in lieu of increase of online customer spending in 2018 as per jaio.asia, with 70% of online

Electronic Frontier Foundation, “You’re getting a free service, and the cost is information about you”.

Way back in 2013, the Financial Times made an interactive calculator, wherein your data is calculated to be sold for $0.0005. But if the sale is massive, say, 1000 people, the price will be higher at $0.50.

Certain achievements and milestones in an individual’s life bring significant changes in purchasing behaviors, whether that is turning into a parent, moving homes, getting ready for marriage, purchasing a vehicle, or experiencing a separation. For $0.26 per individual, purchasers can get to arrangements of individuals with explicit well-being conditions or taking certain solutions. *** People are very protective of their personal details in the online world. We are not blind to the fact that on the web, our privacy is never truly protected. Yet, it is still boggling to discover how fragments of ourselves, identity, activities, and preferences, are a part of a capitalistic purpose.

This is close to knowing that even if you’re away from your computer or smart phones, somewhere in the digital realm, a version of you exists.

Google knows you so well, try to know them too.

shoppers coming from our country with 71.4 million internet users according to We Are Social and Hootsuite.

The truth is: Filipinos are ironically price-conscious yet impulsive buyers. In 2019, the average basket value of our nation reached 56 USD and is the second highest spending rate in Southeast Asia, concluding that90 percent of Filipino internet users are searching for a product or service and spending an average of four hours of daily browsing.

The emergence of Shopee, Lazada, O Shopping, Zalora, and other virtual shops make it a lot easier and safer for shoppers. Their established names with mobile apps lift their identity in the e-commerce industry and just like food delivery markets, their service provides real-time updates about the transactions and communication with concerns related to their exchange. *** As they serve good offers, cons do follow with unreliable products to be received, the authenticity of shops aren’t verified as anyone can create business profiles easily, payment can be more costly, and transport services also add to the total volume of traffic.

Lastly, the techie generation gives birth to the cuttingedge society that depends on convenient browsing and passive lifestyle that might affect health, communication, and later on, the entire system in which society works.

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F E AT U R E S

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

The math behind the match How algorithms work in online dating

by Maria Vicoria Busine Gone are the days when we were told to not talk to strangers. The way we think about dating has changed over the years. Today, we witness the development of technology and how it intertwines with our lives—even in the way we interact with other people and form connections with them.

However, along with the rise of online dating sites comes new questions about the everbaffling concept of dating—including how algorithms work within the mystery of this human interaction.

The rise of online dating: It’s complicated The way we see dating itself is already complex, encompassing a wide range of concepts revolving around the culture of romance intertwined with technology.

Due to the rising popularity of online dating and the emergence of online dating sites, the industry has grown and is worth $2 billion according to The Fiscal Times. From the first prominent online dating site Match.com launched in 1995, eHarmony in 2000 and OkCupid in 2004, and up to now, online dating has only grown and emerged further through mobile applications, such as Tinder and Bumble.

The rise of online dating changed how people get to meet new people and form relationships.

Before online dating sites, we find dates by putting ourselves out there, meeting new people in real life and engaging in conversations and social activities.

The rise of technology has brought so many changes to our daily lives. This brought a difference to how we meet new people, allowing ourselves to put ourselves out there in the digital world through different dating sites.

Putting yourself out there: Algorithm in the works Although you might think that the hunt is the challenging part of online dating, building your profile is actually the main obstacle, because one’s profile is what the potential match could see at first before the first date.

Building your profile involves disclosing details about you, from your basic information like your birthday to how much you like referencing to How I

Met Your Mother.. Different online dating sites also ask questions about a user’s preferences in a partner such as personality traits, preferred hobbies, and ideal dates.

The question on how online dating sites use the data provided by users arises in figuring out how dating sites set matches. The data you input plays a role in how online dating sites predict potential matches for you. It is what algorithms analyze and try to make sense in matching you to other people who could be your match. Online dating sites vary in the use of different methods in matching people, but it’s all in the maths.

You might think that mathematics and relationships are two concepts that are far from each other, but online dating bridges these two concepts together.

Imagine a pool of many people searching for someone they could be with—it can be overwhelming.

This is where algorithms come in.

American dating site OKCupid identifies itself through its use of mathematics in matching people.

Their tagline “we use math to find out dates” already says so.. But how does algorithm work before two people who met online start hitting it off? It heavily relies on data that a user inputs when asked a variety of questions and tries to match the user with others who would answer likely in a similar way.

The thing is, algorithms could predict desire and attraction but compatibility is a different question. In Samantha Joel, Paul W. Eastwick and Eli J. Finkel’s research Is Romantic Desire Predictable? Machine Learning Applied to Initial Romantic Attraction, the prediction of romantic attraction to someone

Art by Rachelle Calaustro you meet online is easier, when basing on the data gathered from the questions asked by online dating sites. However, long-term compatibility may be challenging to predict before two people actually meet.

to access potential partners, there’s this tendency that people are reduced to two-dimensional displays of information that do not capture someone’s totality, one that requires experiences of social interaction in evaluating compatibility with someone.

The two sides of online dating The arguments for online dating points out to transcending barriers when it comes to meeting new people. It’s what the internet has made possible as well, having a connection with different people regardless of where they are from, making the bigger world seem smaller. It can even be described as an introduction to connecting with people in different walks of life, allowing opportunities to get to know people living a life that is different but as complex as yours.

OKCupid’s Vice President of Engineering Tom Jacques argue that dating apps are instrumental when it comes to finding love. According to him, online dating provides opportunities to break down barriers and allows you to connect and develop relationships to people you never expect to have the chance to meet.

On the flip side, there are also arguments appealing to the misconception that revolves around how people are connected online. Jacques argues that what online dating does is present the people who are available and show the things that can be used to connect. Rather than the physical aspects, the concept of online dating looks at the practical and behavioral measurements, looking at the availability of the person in the online realm.

Most of all, the entire concept of computermediated dating develops a tendency of encouraging people to treat others like transactional objects in a superficial manner. Sociologist Eric Klinenberg has described the transactional nature of dating apps that focuses on looking at what is seen online, which tell so little about how they behave in the real world, how they engage in conversations and how they perceive and read others’ body language, the basic emotional intelligence.

As stated in research article Online Dating: A Critical Analysis From the Perspective of Psychological Science, while online dating makes it easier for people

Online dating and the paradox of choice Through online dating, connecting and meeting new people have become even easier with just a click of a button. Getting to know someone better, however, is a different story altogether. To many people, online dating has become another way to socialize, in a way that is very much like other social activities that provide opportunities to meet people.

The rise of different online dating sites has changed the way we think about our choices when it comes to looking for someone we could see ourselves with online. Online dating has given us a nearly endless choices of those we can date, introducing a faster way of screening and selecting those we think we would like with a quick swipe left or right. While this makes connections with other people easier, there’s this tendency that it makes us more picky.

This paradox of choice makes us believe that there is something better out there, while possibly missing the opportunity that is right in front of you.

Author Barry Schwartz further explores this concept in his book The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less. He explains that delving into the variety of choices maximizes the search for perfection, thinking that the ideal someone we dream of being with may come. There is this tendency to keep one’s eyes open for something better to come, where there are hesitations before actually committing to someone. ***

It is true that gone are the days we’re told to never speak to strangers. Somewhere in the development of technology, the dating landscape has changed as well, opening doors for new people in your life. In the same way that we try to make sense of the mystery that lies in dating, algorithms also attempt in helping to deal with the question of finding someone you can have a connection with. Who knows what could come next in the future?

LITERARY

NOVEMBER- -DECEMBER DECEMBER2019 2019| PAGE | PAGE12 12 NOVEMBER

VOLUME34 34ISSUE ISSUE22 VOLUME

Elena

By Sophia Ruth Romasanta

“ All I wan t f o r C h r i s tm a s i s y o u ~ ” U mi nda k a k o s a m g a h i m i g n i M a r i ah Ca r e y ha ba ng n a g l i l i g p i t n g m g a k a l at d a l a n g pa g di r i wa ng n am i n s a s a l a n g b a h a y . G usto n gg us t o k ong n ag p ap a n g g ap n a n ag k o - c o n c ert, k a s o bi ni li na n a k o n i n a n ay n a h u w a g m a sy a d o n g g uma la w. K a i n i s n am an ! H an g g an g k e m bo t l a n g t uloy a k o.

K a k a t a po s l a n g n g p a g d i r i w an g n am in n g Pa s k o k a s a ma an g m g a k a m ag - a n ak a t k a ka a l i s la ma ng ni la T i to L o r e n z o a t T i ta Be l e n ba go ma g ha t i ng - g a b i . A n g i b a n am an s a k a n i l a a y i na bot pa ng u m ag a d i to s a a m i n . Nam i -m i ss k o na a g a d a ng m g a p i n s a n k o k a h i t n a k a k a a l i s p a la ng ni la . B i ti n p a n g a a n g p a g l a l ar o n a m i n n g

j a c ksto n e eh. M a m a m a sk o p a ra w ka si sa mga n i n o n g a t n i n a n g n i l a k a y a n a u n a n a . Gu sto ko ri n sa n a su m a m a sa p a m a m a sk o k a so m a ga galit si Na n a y a t b a k a ku n g a n o ra w a n g m a n gy ari kay El en a .

S i m u l a n o o n g d u m a l a w ka m i sa d o k to r, p u ro n a l a n g “si El en a d i to , El en a d o o n !”

K a p a g n a m a n p i n a b a y a a n ko si y a , a ko ri n ang m a l a l a go t. Hi n d i ko n a m a n gi n u sto i to . S a na m a y d a gd a g i p o n a k o n ga y o n k u n g p w ed e lang a k o l u m a ka d . Hm m , a l a m k o n a ! Isa sa b a y ko n a n ga l a n g si El en a sa p a g-i k o t sa su b d i v i sion ka p a g ka y a n a n i y a m a n ga ro l i n g. K a k a rga hin ko p a ri n ka y a si y a p a ti d o o n ?

Pi n a gti ti m p l a ka m i n i n a n a y n g m a init na tso ko l a te ha b a n g a k o ’y d a ha n -d a ha n g m a gl inis

ng mga kalat sa sahig. N apatingin ako sa sofa namin kung saan nagkalat ang mga iniregalo sa akin ngayong Pasko. Ilan sa mga ito ay isang pulang jacke t at lipstik galing kay Tita D orothy na dumayo pa mula Maynila para lang makapunta sa aming reunion. Tatlong taon pa bago ako magdebut pero ineenganyo na ako na mag-ayos ng sarili tulad ng iba kong mga dalagang pinsan.

Si Ele na kaya? G ugustuhin din kaya niyang matuto gumamit ng make -up?

“Kailan pa nga ba kita makikilala, Ele na?”, bulong ko sabay haplos sa aking namumukol na tiyan.

“G usto ko na ulit bumalik sa pagiging normal na bata, anak.”

Mabaya

By Louise Nicole Escario

Bu g h a w a n g l an g i t, d i r e ts o la m a n g a n g ti n gi n Bi n u b u l u n g a n

ng

mga

k ata ga n g

hi n d i

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ka y a n g

i n ti n d i h i n P i n a n i w a l a s a m ah i k an g ti n a ta w a g n a hu sti sy a Bi n u r a a n g i m a h e n g k u n i g , ka l i m b a hi n , a t l i l a Na g tata g o , g u m a g ap a n g , s u m i si l i p S a l u n ti an g ta l ah i b k u n g s aa n n a gm a m a si d P i n i n ta h a n n g s u g a t a n g k a ta w a n g n a n gi n gi n i g A n g l a p i s ay n a g i n g k u ts i l y o

Laso

By Kayla Nicole De Quiroz

P i l i t n a i n u k i t an g g al i t s a p u so A r m a s a n g k a ta b i , k ak a m p i ’ t ka l a ro P a g d am p i n g k a k a r a m p o t n a d a l i ri sa ga ti l y o Ig i n u h i t s a m u r an g i s i p a n an g b a go n g m a p a n g m u n d o M a l am ay a, p u r a w , d a g tu m M a b a y a a n g k i n i l a l an g k u l ay n g p a gl a y a S a h u l i n g p a g k u r ap a y n a s i l a y a n n i y a Bu g h a w a n g l an g i t Bak i t n g ay o n l a m an g n ak i ta A n g n a g m a m an ts a s a d a m i t n g b a ta ...

C ra y o l a , hi n d i b a l a .

D ala ang mapupungay mong mga mata naga-atubili kang lumapit una muna’ y patagong nagmasid parang hangin—hinablot papuntang gilid Walang habas na pinunit ang makukulay na saplot, pinanggigilan ang aking laman, sa higpit ng hawak ay ‘ di na nagawang manlaban Pagkatapos ng matagal na pagkakakulong sa iyong yakap, tuluyang pinagsawaan, ako’ y pinakawalan, sinuot ang maamong mukha, lumisan matapos makinabang Ako’ y iyong iniwan sa madilim na sulok kasama ng alikabok na sa aki’ y mamamahay sa kabila ng balot na pinagtagpitagpi ang kulay at kinang ay mananatili Hindi naman ako para sa ‘ yo, ngunit kahit ako’ y sinira mo, mapupunan pa rin ang aking layon, dahil ang balot ay panlabas na anyo, tinanggal man ang buhol ng laso, ginto pa rin ang halaga ng re galo

LITERARY

NOVEMBER -- DECEMBER DECEMBER 2019 2019||PAGE PAGE13 13 NOVEMBER

VOLUME 34 34 ISSUE ISSUE 2 2 VOLUME

Morning of June

By Jacinth Banite

M y e y e s o p e n e d u p as l i ghtn i n g b o l ts h i t th e as h - g r a y s k y . I w a i te d f o r a ro a r, a n d th u n d e r r e s p o n d e d i n a c ho i r. Tw i l i ght w as b a ttl i n g th e g l o o m y f ad i n g d a w n a s t h e c l o c k ’ s h an d s r e ac h e d f i ve a n d tw el v e.

R ai n d r o p s s tar te d to m a k e n o i se o v er the r e d - p ai n te d r o o f . F r o m ti n y d ri zzl es, they b e c a m e a s to r m . A s th e s m e l l o f d a m p so i l p l u n g e d i n to m y n o s tr i l s , I wel c o m ed tha t morning in June.

M y b o d y w a s c ar v e d i n bed , thro u gh t h e w r i n k l e s an d f o l d s . I w a s p eek i n g t h r o u g h th e w i n d o w , ti g h te ni n g a sta re b e tw e e n m e an d th e f l o a ti n g sm o g.

A n o th e r s h ar p c r ac k w as d r a w n i n hea v en , a s p ai n i n m y tu m m y m a d e m e q u i v er.

I r e m a i n e d a s s ti l l as a p o n d f i l l ed w i th

f ro gs j u m p i n g u p a n d d o w n i n si d e m e.

I f el t l i ke a w et ro se i n the m i d st o f a m ea d o w m o i sten ed b y the ro m p i n g b u tterf l i es. The sky i n a n gu i sh k ep t on ru m b l i n g a s m y teeth c l en c hed . M y body sta rted p l ea d i n g f o r c o m f o rt b u t the pain j u st go t w o rse.

Tha t m o rn i n g w a s f a m i l i a r, y et i ndeed a stra n ger.

I b ega n to o b serv e ho p i n g m a y b e I was i n si d e m y o w n n i ghtm a re, b u t ev ery thing w a s to o rea l to v a n i sh. I p i n c hed m y se lf, m y ey es w a tered f ro m the a c he. There was n o si m u l a ti o n f o r m e to rev i v e m y sel f.

The j u m p i n g f ro gs a n d ro m p i n g b u tterf l i es m a d e thei r w a y u p to m y

stomach. Burning nausea joined the odd adventure that my body was going through. G e ntly, I sat down—putting extre me pre ssure in my middle . Hot fluid trave led down me —extracte d betwe en my legs. I looked up the roof, e xpe cting to see a hole in it as what went out from my body had the same shade. The choir silenced and the noises faded. From the outside, it se eme d like the sun has won.

Birds started chirping as rooste rs rang in the ne ighborhood. Eve rything be came brighter, exce pt for the giant drop of blood that staine d my favorite pink she et. Inde ed, the re was no be tter way to welcome that morning in June .

Takatak

By Shekynah Angelene Samadan

G nashe d as my he art become s blue The bre eze ke pt slashing my cheeks.

Rag-like clothe s, and a boxful of candie s, and cigarette packe ts Caught in the frigid breeze with dirtied bare feet.

N oticing the way you hastily walk to not meet my gaz e, How the blaring cars battle my voice “One stick for a loaf! One stick for meat!”

In front of the church; the nativity scene — taunting brightly Bones

be rating underne ath my scrappy shivering skin Tell me , as I walk this shadowless stre et— Where is salvation in the time of ne ed?

Look at me when I plead, as the trinkets on my hands scream Joyously, a mockery to my sulky e yes and we ary he ad Weighing he avily on my hold.

Stomach filling with hunge r as I walk And come home to such a scene : A drunke n father and his alcoholic haz e, An empty stomach and a strike across my face .

I prayed for warmth, fire ! Oh, anything that will warm such flurry From the bre eze that numbe d my spirit cold.

I praye d for innoce nce, water! Oh, anything that will cleanse such stains From the smoke that corrupted my lungs black.

Look by the pave me nt and liste n close ly, Spare me a thought as I fight for e ase.

A cruel curse se t upon little , fragile shoulde rs A disdain or a dime , I will not be silenced with defe at.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 | PAGE 14

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

11 countries vie for gold and glory in 30th SEA Games PH record best over all medal haul

by Joanne Cabasag

Boasting the home court advantag e, the Philippines welcomed 9,800 delegates from 11 participating countries as the country hosts the 30th Southeast Asian Games 2019.

Hosting the SEA Games in its fourth time, venues for the tournament ranged from La Union to Laguna, divided into the four main cluster of the country— Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, Subic, and Clark.

The biggest biennial multisport event in history featured 530 events with 56 sports, along with 11 participating countries which includes East Timor, Brunei, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The Philippines, finishing sixth place with 24 gold medals from the last edition, takes a giant leap to dethrone Malaysia, tallying 323 medals and hoarding 145 gold medals as the event kicks off from November 30 until December 11.

2030 Asian Games early bid Staging the ceremony at the Philippine Arena last Saturday, the country marks the history of opening the competition in an indoor stadium—the first in SEA Games’ history.

Performing groups, including Ramon Obusan Folkloric group, student performers from different colleges and universities, and local artists executed an outstanding performance at the ceremony.

The entrance of the Philippines’ eight greatest sporting icons felt like recapturing the memories from the past as they grace the opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena, Bulacan, last November 30.

The four-time eight-ball world champion Efren “Bata” Reyes’ introduction made the loudest applause from the crowd.

The 65-year old legend is still hungry for action and represented the country in carom billiards.

Lydia de Vega, the seventime SEA Games track gold

medalist, led the Southeast Asian Games Federation flag bearers, along with 15-time SEA Games gold medalist swimmer Eric Buhain, fourtime bowling world champion Bong Coo, four-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Alvin Patrimonio, two-time SEA Games boxing gold medalist and Olympic silver medalist Onyok Velasco, sixtime bowling world champion Paeng Nepomuceno, and seventime SEA Games gold medalist swimmer Akiko Thomson.

Meanwhile, serving as torchbearers, Manny Pacquiao was shown running in the middle of the crowd in a pretaped segment of the ceremony.

The eight-time world division champion passed the light to Nesthy Petecio lighting the cauldron to officially mark the opening of the event.

Presenting the prerecorded footage from New Clark City in Tarlac, the lighting of the 55-million peso cauldron was followed by a dazzling fireworks display.

On another note, the Olympic Council of Asia official urged the Philippines to bid its post for the 2030 Asian Games as Council Vice President Wei Jizhong was impressed by the country’s opening ceremony and venue, commending the facilities in Capas Town, Tarlac as well as the welcoming attitude of the Filipinos for the event. He furthered that the Philippines is capable to organize biggerscale games.

Patriots bringing pride An alumnus of the greenand-white team, Alnakran ‘Ran-Ran’ Abdilla joined the Philippine Men’s Volleyball

Team in bringing glory for the Philippines. Abdilla, from the Philippine Air Force and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology graduate from DLSU-D, along with the national team aims to add to the country’s medal haul in this year’s event.

The Philippine Men’s Volleyball Team made history as they dethroned the four-time defending champion Thailand in a five-set triumph in the semifinal round, 17-25, 25-20, 23-25, 2725, 17-15, last December 8 at the PhilSports Arena.

Skateboarding Star Didal collects second gold Reigning supreme in the game of skate, Margielyn Didal collects her second gold medal after ruling the women’s street competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at Tagaytay Skate Complex held on December 5. Dominating the event, the 20-year old Cebuana native exhibit a front side nosegrind for her best trick, tallying a total of 12.7 points.

On the other hand, Christiana Means claimed her second silver finishing behind Didal after garnering 7.3 points in total. Indonesia’s bet, Kyandra Susanto secures the bronze medal after collecting four points.

Philippines missed out on a sweep of the street event after Renzo Mark Feliciano settled for silver behind Indonesia’s Sanggoe Tanjung, who won the gold with a score of 21.2 points.

Feliciano, who hails from Baler, Quezon, tallied 20.6 points, while Sothichai Ruksumruach of Thailand took the bronze with a 19.1 score. Philippines’ Daniel Ledermann ranked fifth with 16.4 points.

Photo by Jean Quinto ARMILLO from page 16 Back to the ball game Her performance in the 2017 National Capital Region (NCR) Meet paved way for more invitations to play on other basketball leagues in her region and opportunities than she expected. Armillo was given a chance to play during the Palarong Pambansa in 2018 where she clinched the gold medal for NCR.

She shared that if it was not because of Louie Fernandez, her coach from the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in Las Piñas, she would not have had the opportunity to compete in the national event.

Defending the crown to secure the region’s seven-peat win, her comeback was never easy after experiencing a series of downfalls

*** Armillo shared that being an athlete requires courage and strength. Fear and doubt will shake one’s will to continue but difficulties should never hinder reaching one’s dreams. One should take the risk in exchange for a chance to grab the victory or else forever regret the chance and lose not in the battle but the opportunity.

Kapag may tiyaga, may nilaga Ako ay isang estudyante na may kursong Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. Bawat isang taong nakapagtapos sa kursong Akawntansi ay may choice na kumuha ng Certified Public Accountant Licensure Exam (CPALE) o hindi.

Ngunit para sa mga nais maging isang ganap na Certified Public Accountant (CPA), kailangan itong kuhanin at maipasa.

Bilang isang estudyante na may kursong pang-board exam, hindi madali ang tinatahak naming paglalakbay patungo sa dulo ng kolehiyo hanggang sa pagkuha ng board exam dahil simula pa lang sa pagiging kolehiyo ay hinahasa at pine-prepare na kami nang maigig para sa CPALE. Mula first year sa kolehiyo, may quota na kaming dapat maabot at dapat i-maintain para ma-practice kami sa pag-abot sa quota ng CPALE. Katulad nito ay para makapasa sa CPALE at maging isang ganap na CPA, kailangan makakuha ng 75 na iskor ng isang taker.

Hindi ko nililimitihan sa Akawntansi ang mga sumusunod na sitwasyon, bagkus maaari

ring maranasan o nararanasan na ito ng iba pang estudyante na kumukuha ng iba pang kurso bukod sa Akawntansi.

Kailangan kong pumasok araw-araw na may bitbit na kaalaman mula sa past, present, at future lessons sa bawat asignatura. Halos arawaraw din ang quizzes kaya kailangan may baon ka palaging kaalaman. Kung walang recitation, m ay seatwork, o alin man sa dalawa. 100item comprehensive exams ang ibinibigay ng aming mga propesor kada prelims, midterms, at finals para masukat ang aming kaalaman.

Lahat ng mga ito ay ilan lamang sa proseso ng preparasyon namin para sa CPALE. Sa kabilang dako, kung papansinin natin, pababa nang pababa ang CPALE National Passing Rate. Mula sa nakaraang Mayo 2018, Oktubre 2018, Mayo 2019, at Oktubre 2019 na CPALE Passing Rate 28.92%, 25.18%, 16.46%, at 14.32%, kung saan naitala ang pinakamababa kumpara sa mga nakaraang taon.

Bakit kaya ito nangyayari? Kulang ba ang preparasyon ng mga unibersidad at ng mga estudyante? May kakulangan din ba ang Board of

Accountancy (BOA)? Kanino nga ba ang mali? Kung titignang maigi, hindi mapipin-point kung sino ang tunay na may kasalanan.

May mga pagkakagulong nangyari, ayon sa past CPALE takers, sa CPALE noong nakaraang Oktubre 2019.

‘Di umano, hindi naging malinaw ang instructions kung luma o bagong standards ba ang gagamitin sa pagsagot ng mga tanong sa CPALE. ‘Yong iba, in-apply ang old law at ‘yong iba naman ay in-apply ang new law. Isa pa, may mga lumabas na questions na wala naman sa coverage na ni-release ng BOA. Malamang ay nagulat ang

Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa. karamihan dahil hindi ito naisama sa mga topics na nireview at pinaglaanan nila ng atensyon at pansin dahil sa paga-akala na hindi ito lalabas sa eksaminasyon.

Lumalabas na may inconsistency na naganap.

May mga pangyayari ring nagiging maluwag ang mga guro sa mga estudyante, may mga lessons na hindi naitu-turo dahil sa mga factors katulad ng time constraint, at iba pa. Mayroon din namang mga

pangyayari na dawit ang mga estudyante. Halimbawa na ang talamak na kopyahan at pandaraya sa loob ng classroom, kawalan ng gana mag-aral dahil sa stress o pagod, at maaaring hindi effective ang teaching style ng isang guro sa isang estudyante.

Ang punto rito ay tayo ang gumagawa ng sarili nating kapalaran. Ika nga nila, ‘pag may tiyaga, may nilaga. Maaari tayong mangarap ng marami at ng matayog. Ngunit kung hindi natin ito sasamahan ng effort at pagsisikap, hindi natin ito makakamit. “Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.” Para sa BOA, marami na ang mga hinaing na nailabas. Nawa ay makagawa ng aksyon na nararapat at sapat upang hindi na muli mangyari pa ang mga nakaraang insidente.

Para sa aking kapwa tao, gawin natin ang nararapat, ayusin natin ang ating bawat aksyon at ibigay natin ang ating lahat ng makakaya para sa huli, hindi natin masabi na tayo ang nagkulang. Mahirap na magsisi sa huli. Para sa mga kapwa ko estudyante, mag-aral tayong maigi dahil para sa kapakanan din natin ito. Huwag tayong umasa sa mga sagot at kaalaman ng iba dahil sa huli, tayo dapat ang tatayo sa sarili nating mga paa. Sa huli, ang sarili lang natin ang ating kakampi.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 | PAGE 15

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

Hitting beyond floorball’s golden goal Erika Balquin, the South’s floorball ambassadress

by Christine Marie Romero Erika Balquin, a second year Psychology student in DLSU-D and a member of 30th Southeast Asian Games’ Philippine National Women’s Floorball Team training pool, is just one of those who continue to conspicuously prove that a student-athlete can definitely be more than just an athlete.

Returning to her roots Grasping her godfather’s influence, who was a Sports Development Head in her alma mater De La Salle Santiago Zobel (DLSZ), it did not turn difficult for Balquin to be involved in the world of sports.

Having been able to encounter various ball games in her school at an early age, she was enticed to also be physically active and engage in sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and even athletics.

Up until now, she brought these learnings in being not just a player of these sports, but an excelling one—bagging achievements in games in DLSU-D from here and there. But above all these, one sport has become her comfort zone: floorball.

Floorball introduced Back in her high school days, a colleague introduced her to floorball, a type of floor or indoor hockey, who also invited her to join United South Floorball Club (USFC), which was established by DLSZ coaches.

It was a quick persuasion for her to join considering that most of who instituted the club had also been her mentors in her previous sports.

However, Balquin does not deny the fact that floorball, being a sport that has not been very popular in the country, was not even that familiar to her. But as someone who is enthusiastic about exploring new things, she became much interested to take a plunge.

Her journey did not go easy, especially that everyone in the team was fairly new to floorball. During that time, the USFC continued to suffer more losses over triumphs.

Getting frustrated every time she would go home with wounds and body pain, Balquin admits that she had a hard time balancing herself as a student and allotting time for trainings and competitions as an athlete.

Staying optimistic amid her struggling beginnings, “Minsan, naiisip kong mag-skip ng trainings kasi nahihirapan din ako pero naaalala ko na if I want to be a champion, then I should train like a champion,” Balquin said.

Balquin switched across various sports and even other fields, including dancing, but her heart always goes back to floorball. “Sa floorball, mas confident ako [more] than my other skills and talents kasi ‘pag sinabing ‘[mag] laro ka [ng] track and field’, may pagdududa pa sa sarili ko noon. Pero sa floorball, ayos lang kahit anong circumstances.”

The fruit of her perseverance amid all odds has turned the tables as achievements kept rolling up for her. Through relentless willingness to face adversities, she was able to make her mark in the sport nationally, being named as the first ever registered match secretary of the Philippine Floorball Association, which was founded in 2011.

Moreover, she became the USFC Secretary General in 2016

and the team captain of One La Salle Team. Her skills and hard work contributed to her team that went victorious in the Br. Ceci Floorball Cup. With these capabilities that the Lasallian pride has to excel in her sport, it was truly just enough for her to make a spot on the national team training pool.

Beyond the norm To say Balquin is “more than an athlete” might be a cliche but it certainly reflects her life as she has been exceptional in aspects other than just playing her game.

To begin, she has been a studentleader, positioned as a former logistics committee member, previous assistant secretary, and the current secretary of Psychology Program Council.

The green-and-white loyal also shared her dream to enter the world of medicine and teaching in the future, emphasizing that she does not take education for granted. She shared, “I am trying my best to pass all my subjects and stay in my program.”

Balquin constitutes her love for sports with being its advocate. As a floorball ambassadress in the South, she helps in tournaments and conducts floorball seminars and demonstrations in order to introduce the sport to the country. Even welcoming the possibility of bringing the sport

Photo by Jean Quinto to the university if ever the opportunity knocks.

More than that, the floorball star has always been willing to serve the country through manifesting her knowledge and skills in the sport not only by playing it.

Just recently, although she was not able to play for the country, she became part of the officiating team in the said sport during the 30th Southeast Asian Games. In the same year, another international tournament, Asia Oceana Floorball Competition, also

had her as an officiator from the Philippines.

Hopes for the sports Unquestionably, floorball has not been something as renowned in the country as basketball or volleyball—and even Balquin admits that. But it did not stop her in pursuing it and inspiring other student-athletes to continue playing their sports whether they get the support that they want or not—or whether they could play their games inside their schools or not. Although, she doesn’t want to stop believing that one day, her sport will also get enough spotlight as other sports in the country.

“Play and spread. Do everything for the love of the sport,” she advises the athletes who also aim to attain the same goal. “Sooner or later, it will be known at hindi lang tayo ang maglalaro nito,” she emphasized. *** Erika Balquin has proven how pouring every ounce of effort into every moment on and off the court could definitely lift one up while climbing the ropes to success. Her courage to make total effort although there are those that seemed to be insurmountable odds, have brought her to excel not only in her sports but also across her duties beyond the ball game.

UNIGAMES from page 16 University of St. La Salle (USLS), USA, UM, University of Northern Philippines (UNP), and Rizal Technological University (RTU).

DLSU-D showed off in the elimination round as it overthrew USLS with 66 points, 90-24, and USA with 25 points, 80-55.

On the other hand, UM, UNP, and RTU knelt to the Patriot cagebelles with final scores of 56-52, 68-34, and 81-47, respectively, in the elimination round.

An attempt to seize a rank While, the DLSU-D Men Basketball Team and Athletics Teams unsuccessfully ended their UNIGAMES journey,

failing to grab a spot in the top of their respective events.

Bagging two wins out of their four games in the elimination round of the league, the Patriot cagers experienced their first loss in their first game against Colegio de Sta. Ana - Victorias (CSA-V), 8493, followed by their win against USA, 96-93.

Suffering another loss, DLSU-D cagers collapsed in their third game against University of Perpetual Help System - Jonelta (UPHS-J) by 22 points, 80-102.

Winning by default, Patriot cagers added another win in their haul as Technological University of the Philippines -

Manila (TUP-M) failed to show up on their scheduled time.

However, their 2-2 win-loss record did not suffice to pay for the tickets to the semifinal round, ending their battle in the UNIGAMES. For the Athletics Team, University of Sto. Tomas (UST) topped the Women’s 100-meter, 300-meter, and 4x200-meter relay events, while the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP-D) seized the first place in the Men’s 100-meter, 300-meter, and 4x200-meter relay events.

Meanwhile, University of the East’s (UE) Vincent Dela Cruz placed first In the Men’s 5-kilometer walkathon event.

SDO shares dev’t vision Intellectual training part of SDP

by Rose Kristine Amarillo The Sports Development Program (SDP) aims to “place our school as one of the leaders in sports among various institutions”, as mentioned by Sports Development Office (SDO) Director John Casidsid.

The SDP targets DLSU-D to be part of the governing bodies in the sports industry not just in CALABARZON but also internationally.

Photo by Ma. Pamela Beatriz Cordero

‘Catalyst of change’ Soaring higher, SDO Director also mentioned that the SDP hopes to create possibilities for athletes around the world. Through sports, athletes may have “possibilities that will utilize sports as one of

the catalysts of change in our society,” he furthered.

Casidsid also encouraged every athlete to bring change to the society by choosing to continue in loving one’s sport.

Intellectual training In order to achieve the SDP’s expectations, Casidsid mentioned that the athletes’ skills will not just be trained but also their whole being.

Casidsid shared, “dito sa Sports Development Program, part of the

training is their whole being, that means even on intellectual.”

SDP expects the athletes to be mindful not just in playing their sports but also academically.

“Isa sa mga sinasabi ko sa kanila, ‘pag may bagsak sila, it can be a ground for them na matanggal [as varsity players] … so that means, the formation of the person must be holistic, hindi lang sa isang aspeto kundi buong pagkatao,” he added.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019 | PAGE 16

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019

VOLUME 34 ISSUE 2

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PLAY-BY-PLAY Sea Games page 14

SPORTS BRIEF

SDO shares development vision page 15

SPORTS FEAT Erika Balquin page 15

#WEWINASONE. Jericho Jojit Francisco grabs his first gold medal in SEA Games 2019 during the event Skateboard Park Men that was held on Tagaytay City Extreme Sports Complex last December 8.

Photo by Jean Quinto

Taking a leap after setbacks Angelika Armillo, the up and coming female basketball player

by Rose Kristine Amarillo Beginning somewhere, most athletes might have found a clear path starting day one.

Who would have thought that after such an unexpected event, one will find her passion and realize her own dedication Despite being a newbie in the University, DLSU-D Cagebelle Angelika Marie Armillo is making a name as she brings pride to the greenand-white team. Although her entry into basketball is a sudden turn-over, her sheer dedication has driven her into becoming one of the best in an otherwise men-dominated sport.

Leaving a mark It was never part of her plan for she only dreamt of becoming a member of a varsity team in universities—which she sees as the only way to help her

parents through scholarship while pursuing her favorite sport.

“Ngayon ko lang po ‘yuo narinig, ngayon lang po na nagla-r ako sa La Salle.”

She never even considered playing on bigger tournaments and leagues but as she kicks off leaving a mark after leading her crew to secure their victory at the University Games (UNIGAMES) held in Iloilo city, her skills and agility had been highlighted.

A shot in the dark Despite not gaining the

approval of her mother, the 18-year-old rookie continued to play her chosen sport. But like everyone else, her strength as an individual was tested when she felt being left behind from her own team way back in junior high school.

“Hindi ko feel na bahagi ako ng team [noon]. ‘Yong rotation ng players, hindi equal.

Kumbaga parang kung sino lang ‘yong malalakas. Ipapasok lang kami kapag tambak na ‘yong laban,” Armillo recalled.

Reminiscing head-to-head battle during the Cluster Meet in the year 2014, the seventh grade

Armillo, player of the Women’s Basketball Team of Las Piñas East National High School, faced the disappointment from her parents after spending her time sitting into the bench throughout the game and not having had the chance to show off her play as her team bowed down to its opponent.

She had a choice to quit being a member of her school’s varsity team after being embarrassed in front of her parents ,but Armillo strongly decided to turn the table into her advantage, pushing herself by striving and practicing to

improve her skills. “Tumigil ako sa paglalaro sa team pero naglaro po ako nang naglaro.

Nakikipaglaro ako sa mga lalaki, para ma-improve ko ‘yong sarili ko kasi gusto ko may marating ako.”

Her uncle’s legacy Her journey to overcome numerous setbacks was never a smooth sailing one, yet she reflects back to the time when she had to move forward, she knew life taught her to be adamant like a soldier who is getting tougher when being wounded. “Kung hindi

ako tumuloy sa meet na ‘yon, wala siguro ako rito (DLSU-D Women’s Basketball Team),” she said.

Holding a step back after she found out that her uncle passed away, the only child of the Armillo family was stuck in choosing to whether to take a step forward into reaching her dream and represent her school in the National Capital Region’s Meet in 2017, or to withdraw her appearance from the competition and be with his uncle who had been her number one supporter ever since.

See ARMILLO | page 15

DLSU-D cagebelles place 4th in 24th UNIGAMES Patriot cagers and tracksters failed to notch a spot

by Rose Kristine Amarillo Waving the Patriot flag among 40 other universities from around the country, The DLSU-D cagebelles, cagers, and tracksters participated in the 24th Philippine University Games (UNIGAMES) held on October 20 to 27 at the University of San Agustin (USA), Iloilo City.

CAGEBELLES’ JOURNEY. Participating in the recently concluded 24th Philippine University Games, the DLSU-D Women’s Basketball Team faced a total of seven matches in the tournament including a fight against UM for third place shortly after falling off in their game against DLS-CSB in the semifinal round.

Infographic by Stephanie Ann Arreza

Notching the fourth Equipping themselves with honed skills and unbreakable determination, the DLSU-D cagebelles ranked fourth in the Women’s Basketball event having a record of 5-2 win-loss in the elimination round.

Falling short by just one point, the Patriot cagebelles failed to secure the third spot and succumbed to University of Mindanao (UM) with quarter scores of 10-6, 22-16, 33-34, 45-46.

Before losing to the UM cagebelles in the battle for

third, the Patriots faced the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) and tasted another defeat in the semifinal round, 43-46.

In the elimination round, DLSU-D supplied an outstanding 5 win - 0 loss record, overpowering See VWOMEN | page 14