Heraldo Filipino Vol. 33 Issue 2

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018 | PAGE 1

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

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NINJA SPRINTS. Student from different colleges, PAG representatives, and CSA participated in the Naruto Run activity held at the University Oval as part of the Students’ Week Opening Day on November 19 spearheaded by the USC. The activity has gained approval from the administration to proceed as part of the events lined up for this year’s Students’ Week after being disrupted last AY.

Photo by Jean Quinto

DLSU-D undergoing discussions for drug testing next AY

by Patrik Aboy

With a report from Bianca Isabelle Lariosa Following the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 18 Series of 2018 regarding the guidelines on drug testing for students in higher education institutions (HEIs), the University is undergoing discussions on the implementation of the CMO for academic year (AY) 2019-2020, as per Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research (VCAR) Dr. Marco Saez.

“For sure naman [that] the University will follow,” Office of Student Services (OSS)

Dean Arch. Antonio Gutierrez Jr. said. “As mandated here [in the CMO], it will start ng

2019 - 2020, so that means next academic year,” referring to Rule VI Section 8 of the CMO

which states that “all HEIs are mandated to implement a mandatory random drug testing of the students.”

The memorandum order released by CHED on November states that drugs remain a “national concern” in the Philippines. In its objective in addressing this

persisting drug problem by promoting “drug-free” campuses, as stated in Rule IX Section 21.2, “All HEIs shall establish a DrugFree Committee (DFC) which shall formulate their internal drug testing rules.”

Furthermore, as currently stipulated in Section 19.2.1

of the 2018 - 2022 DLSU-D Student Handbook, “drug addiction and/or possession or use of prohibited and regulated drugs (without valid prescription) within and outside the premises of the university” is an offense with a corrective See DRUG TESTING | page 2

Freshmen prescribed to wear uniforms next sem New design for male uniform in production

by Andrew Encapas Freshmen and transferees will be prescribed to wear the proper school uniform by the second semester of academic year (AY) 2018-2019 as per Office of Student Services (OSS) Dean Arch. Antonio Gutierrez Jr., as the male uniform design has been finalized and currently on the process of production.

“Actually ang gusto ko sana ay first week of December…pero magbabakasyon na rin perhaps second semester sure na sure na may [male] uniforms na tayo, but what I am thinking now is sa second semester na,” the OSS Dean said regarding the release of the uniforms.

As of press time, freshmen are still permitted to wear proper civilian attire until the end of the See UNIFORM | page 3

CHILDREN AGAINST TYRANNY. In commemoration of United Nations Universal Children’s Day, Lumads, volunteers, and child rights advocates such as Save Our Schools (SOS) and Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concern united the University of the Philippines - Diliman on November 20 to call for an end to Martial Law in Mindanao and attacks on IP children.

Photo by Justine Bea Bautista

SPECIAL REPORT

FEATURES

LITERARY

SPORTS

Maliksi III

Sa Pag-alpas

Guryon

PSL 2018

page 4

page 11

page 13

page 16

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018 | PAGE 2

NEWS

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

NEWS

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018 | PAGE 3

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

UNIFORM from page 1 NEWS BRIEFS

DRUG TESTING from page 1 action of 3, 4 or 5 which may sanction a student either for suspension, non-readmission, or expulsion, respectively.

With the release of the revised 2018 - 2022 DLSU-D Student Handbook, Gutierrez clarified that despite the CMO ruling to incorporate the mandatory drug testing in the student handbook, changes will not be made as the revision was held before the CMO was released. However, Gutierrez

added that the policy will be implemented as the University is governed by CHED. Moreover, following the guidelines of the Dangerous Drugs Board, the CMO also states that student cases testing positive to the drug test shall receive recommendations to public and private rehabilitation centers depending on the drug-dependency level.

“The University will respect the rights of the student, if the results

would [be] positive, ang action natin is more of transformative rather than punitive,” Gutierrez said in response to the guideline.

As of press time, there is yet a definite process for the mandatory drug test as the implementation is set to be discussed between administrators concerning the released memorandum order.

“We (admin) hope to finish [the discussions] before the start of [AY] 2019-2020,” Saez mentioned.

Students’ Week 2018: “Y.O.U.T.H.” calls back to last AY’s Naruto Run

by Bianca Isabelle Lariosa

DLSU-D hosts Luzon Leg of Sandaan, holds film seminar with esteemed industry names

by Christine Moreno and Bianca Isabelle Lariosa

Infographic by Reignand Bongao

Marking the Philippine Cinema centenary, DLSU-D was chosen to host the Luzon leg of “Sandaan: Philippine Cinema Centennial Conference – The Filipino Film Centenary Expedition” (TFFCE) by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) held from November 22 to 23 at Tanghalang Julian Felipe (TJF).

Rosanni Recreo Sarile, Executive Committee-Luzon Representative and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Cinema Committee member proposed to celebrate the centennial in the three major islands of the Philippines to celebrate homegrown cinema this 2018.

“Sandaan, because it was 100 years, ngayon ginawa natin sa La Salle na The Filipino Film Centenary Expedition kasi nag-start tayo nang Spanish period, and ‘yong expedition is from Magellan expedition,” Sarile explained regarding the fruition of the event.

Sandaan in DLSU-D was organized by the Communication and Journalism Department (CJD), headed by Chair Artin Umali. “Personal sa akin ang cinema kasi ito ang nagbibigay linaw sa akin kung ano ang nangyayari sa society,” Umali furthered, stating that it was a privilege for the University to be part of the event.

As per Sarile, “cinema has the potent tool for information, education and entertainment.” Filipino film historian and Sandaan Day 1 speaker and esteemed award-winning documentary film-maker Nick De Ocampo also mentioned the economic spectrum of Philippine cinema, stating the large number of jobs the industry has provided during his talk.

Meanwhile, Sandaan sa Mindanao occurred on November 16 and 17 at the Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan; while the Sandaan sa Visayas will take place in select universities, schools, and locations around Iloilo, Capiz, and Bacolod from December 7 to 9.

R E AC T In observance of CHEd Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 18 on implementing drug tests on all students of higher education institutions, DLSU-D is holding discussions regarding drug testing of students next academic year (AY) 2019 – 2020 with a “transformative” consequence to students who will test positive. DLSU-D students were asked whether or not they agree with the implementation of the CHEd Memorandum Order in the university.

“Sang-ayon ako na sumailalim ang mga college students sa sa kadahilanang maaari nitong mapigilan at mabawasan ang bilang ng mga kabataang gumagamit ng droga.

“I agree. Mandatory drug tests should be implemented on all higher education institutions. Once implemented in DLSU-D, the transformative and early rehabilitation programs will definitely help and rescue those students who will test positive.”

“Yes, I agree for implementing drug test because to discipline the behavior of each student that might affect their performance in the university.”

Louise Nicole Perez Fourth year BS psychology

Stephen John Raymundo Fourth year Information Technology

Kristian Arbes Fourth year Business Administration

uniforms and black pants already available for acquisition.

Other uniforms such as for NSTP-CWTS and Physical Education (PE) classes are still on the process of bidding, as the College of Education (CoEd) has bid an updated design for the PE uniforms.

A GLANCE OF THE PAST Film director Patrick Campos tackled the local film industry during the “Sandaan: The Filipino Film Centenary Expedition”, a centenary celebration of the Philippine cinema, held in Tanghalang Julian Felipe from November 22 to 23.

Photo by Aprilean Octavo

New CEAT building construction to finish by next AY

by Patrik Aboy After two years since the demolition of the previous College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) building, the construction of the new CEAT building has commenced, beginning with the groundbreaking ceremony held on October 18, and expected to be completed before the start of the next academic year (AY) 2019-2020, according to CEAT Laboratory Supervisor Engr. Edgardo Alasco.

“Ang pangako nila (contractors) is baka bago magpasukan ng new school year: school year 2019-2020,” Alasco said.

The construction committee in charge of assuring the quality and maintaining the structural integrity of the building is headed

by Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (VCFAS) Deodoro Abiog II and comprised of representatives from the Buildings and Facilities Management Office (BFMO), CEAT Dean Engr. Rizaldy De Armas and Engr. Edgardo Alasco from CEAT, hired project manager Eric Yusinco, and contractor Teodoro Construction Corp.

On February of AY 2011 - 2012, former Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (VCFAS) Epifania Anfone ordered the academic community to vacate the previous CEAT building after technical consultants deemed the previous CEAT building ‘structurally unfit.’

CEAT construction committee representative Alasco added that “we (admin) learned from past experiences,” referring to

the old CEAT building, assuring there will be ‘no structural problems’ in the new building.

Following the Hispanic theme of the University, designed by the Nazareno Guerrero Design Consultants, the new building shall be constructed with eight stories, with the three lower ground floors allotted for laboratory rooms, ground floor for CEAT administration offices, exhibition rooms, and chapel, with the second to fifth floors for lecture rooms, as per Alasco.

“First lower ground [floors] … [are] exclusive for ME (Mechanical Engineering), CE (Civil Engineer), tsaka IE (Industrial Engineering).

And then ‘yong ground floor natin will be mga administration offices … And then from second up, bale eight floors lahat, up to fifth floor is … para sa ECE (Electronics and Communications Engineering), CPE (Computer Engineering), EE (Electrical Engineering), Architecture, BGM—multimedia,” Alasco said. “’Yong layout, almost the same do’n sa old building natin.”

Alasco added that the new building will utilize an VRF air-

conditioning system, comprising several units in one condensing system, which is ‘more economical’ compared to the window-type previously utilized.

Moreover, Wi-Fi routers and CCTVs will be installed within the hallways and laboratory rooms in the building, along with three elevators accessible for the students.

“Halos lahat yata ng program may mga computer lab na exclusive for each particular program,” Alasco furthered pertaining to the laboratory needs of programs under the college which shall be provided with internet access.

As of press time, the concrete pouring for the foundation of the building has initiated, as per BFMO Director Arch.

Dennis Pontanilla.

Moreover, CEAT shall occupy the new building before the start of AY 2019-2020, according to Alasco. “Kung ang pasukan natin is August, baka by July nasa stage na tayo ng preparation, ibig sabihin ‘non pwede na lumipat, nandon na ‘yong mga gamit, siguro by June - July.”

UAO to attempt recordbreaking Animosaic 2

by Andrew Encapas

“Yes, I agree because it is for the safety of every student in our university. We all know that drugs is dangerous to our health and it can also affect the personality and emotion of the person, sometimes it can lead to death due to overuse of drugs.”

May mga extra-large diba at small, pero it will not go beyond which is far lower than the almost 1,000 [price range],” he clarified.

The new design will be a white linen polo barong with embroidered “De La Salle University- Dasmariñas” emblem similar to the female

This Students’ Week 2018 celebration showcased the theme “Y.O.U.T.H.: Youngsters on Unity to Harmony” from November 19 to 23, as the University Student Council (USC) introduced new events for the Lasallian community such as Naruto Run and Capture the Flag held at the University Grandstand and Oval.

Regarding the chosen theme, USC President Jessica Lorino said that “we are totally on the millennial age para gawin ‘yong activites na ganito. ‘Yong unity to harmony, it’s the way to form a relationship [among students].” The USC President furthered that the council’s goal for Students’ Week 2018 was to build the bridge between the new and older batch of Lasallians.

For the opening day of Students’ Week, colleges and Performing Arts Group (PAG) representatives participated in the Naruto Run race—a callback to the viral “Naruto Run” trend last academic year which invited DLSU-D students to run “ninja-style” from Rotunda to the University Food Square, a Facebook event which was then halted by the Student Welfare and Formation Office (SWAFO) last September 28, 2017 and opened the discussion on student rights and safety.

USC Internal Public Relations Officer and project head Joshua Ladaga explained the council’s decision to initiate an administration-approved Naruto Run event. “Since nangyari sa La Salle ang [Naruto Run] last year at hindi natuloy, why not make it happen this year pero through proper means?” Ladaga stated.

On the final day of Students’ Week, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy were deemed the champions of the opening day ceremonies.

DROP IN MAJOR OFFENSES. From 165 to 47, there has been a significant drop in the total number of recorded major offenses during the first semester of AY 2017-2018 compared to AY 2018-2019, as recorded by SWAFO as of November 22. In both AYs, CBAA committed the highest number of major offenses garnering 51 and 11, respectively.

first semester as the uniform policy will be implemented on the second semester, as per the OSS Dean.

Gutierrez stated that the proposed design and price range of the new male uniforms have already been opened with the prices ranging from 300 to 400 PHP depending on the sizes.

“No, it’s not necessary. I’m personally against drugs and I promote spreading awareness about it but I think drug testing is too much.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with implementing drug test on students. As a psych[ology] major, important na mabigyan ng attention yung students na magpopositive dahil maaari na may iba pang rason or issues na nagiging factor din why they did such an act na kailangan din i-address.”

Alex Cuevas Fourth year Hotel and Restaurant Management

Afaf M. Elsayed First year Multimedia Arts

Danica May Mendoza Fourth year BS Psychology

“Sang-ayon ako sa CMO No. 18 dahil ang mga estudyante ay kailangan na mas lalong magabayan tungkol sa mga pinagbabawal na gamot. Hindi lang ang mga empleyado ang dapat i-drug test. At hindi rin lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat na ang mga pinagbabawal na gamot ay ginagamit din ng mga estudyante lalo na sa mga nasa kolehiyo.”

“I agree kasi using prohibited drugs is not allowed by the law. However, the students should know what will be the consequences if in any case the result is positive. The results should be for the betterment of the university.”

“Para sa’kin tama lang na may consequence for the students na magpopositive kasi una for health issue kasi masama sa katawan ang drugs.

At pinatupad sa government natin na may antidrug law syempre as a student I am [in] favor for drug testing not just for my safety and para sa safety ”

Rommel B. Sese Fifth year Civil Engineering

Bryan Joshua Lomtong Fourth year Business Administration

Kurt Louis Loyola Fourth year Hotel and Restaurant Management

The University Advancement Office (UAO) has initiated their plan to attempt a new world record with the event titled “Animosaic 2: The Humans of La Salle” to be held next semester on January, 2019 in celebration of De La Salle Philippines’ commemoration of the 300th death anniversary of Saint John Baptist De La Salle through a record-breaking attempt of a umbrella mosaic human formation to be held at the University Track Oval and Grand Stand, according to UAO Director Marco Polo.

In collaboration with the University Student Council, Polo said that Animosaic 2 will be a “3-in-1 event” with at least 5,000 expected participants from the Lasallian community.

Polo added that the human formation will consist of 5,000 Lasallians carrying green or black and white umbrellas in guided formations to construct the image of Saint La Salle from a bird’s eye view. The human formation is also an attempt to

break China’s “Largest Human Formation with Umbrellas” umbrella mosaic world record in 2016 with 3,099 participants.

“We physically gather people for a common cause.

Hindi lang siya [simply] formation, it’s a cause [that] we try to raise [for] the scholarship funds,” Polo clarified in regards of Animosaic 2, which will also serve as a fund-raiser for University Scholarship Endowment Fund.

The Animosaic 2 was proposed in lieu of the postponement of Project SMILE last academic year to give way to St. De La Salle’s 300th death anniversary commemoration. “’Yong Project SMILE was supposed to be implemented last year. We understand na na-publicize na natin (UAO) siya and we actually intended to implement it [on the celebration],” Polo stated.

SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH HUES. Participating schools and organizations vividly filled the streets with their respective butterfly costumes and floats as Dasmarinas City celebrated its annual Paru-Paro Festival on November 26.

Photo by Gerardine Alcala

47 major offenses committed this first sem - SWAFO

by Patrik Aboy and Bianca Isabelle Lariosa In stark contrast to the 165 major offenses committed during the first semester of academic year (AY) 2017-2018, only 47 major offenses have been recorded by the Student Welfare and Formation Office (SWAFO) during the first semester of current academic year (AY), as per SWAFO Director John Casidsid.

“This is already the accumulated so many [major] offense[s] before,” Casidsid stated, explaining the higher number of recorded major offenses last AY with students processing their violation cases prior to the enrollment of AY 2017-2018.

“Nagkataon na June talaga ‘yon dahil mageenroll sila … hindi sila maka-enroll, hanggang [umabot ng] August [ang violation].”

For the second time in a row starting from AY 20172018, the commission of a third minor offense remains as the most committed major offense due to the accumulation of minor offenses, Casidsid explained.

Since June of 2016, the second and third most committed major offense is ‘committing other violations while a student is under violation’ and ‘acts of gross dishonesty’ with 138 and 24 recorded, respectively, out of the total 572 major offenses recorded as of November 22. The nature of the sanctions was handled by SWAFO through placing the students under probation for one year.

“Because students keep on violating minor offenses being part of the [University student] handbook,” Casidsid mentioned, emphasizing the violation of the updated dress code policies stipulated in the DLSU-D Student Handbook 2018-2022.

He furthered that the different college-prescribed practicum uniforms and corporate attires policies implemented by the college deans have contributed to the accumulation of minor offenses.

“Students do not follow the dress code being given to us by the dean, by the college. We just implement what the dean gave to us,” Casidsid said.

Despite the significantly lower number of recorded major

offenses this AY, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) remains as the college with the highest number of violations with 11 recorded offenses, followed by the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management with 10 recorded offenses.

Casidsid explained that this is “[for] not following the dress code of their college …

Halimbawa, ‘di sila sumunod doon sa taas ng takong, hinuhuli namin sila.” He furthered that CBAA students that do not follow the dress code implemented by the college, leading to accumulation of minor offenses which result to the commission of third minor offense as a major offense.

Furthermore, SWAFO mentioned that “rampant minor offenses” occurring during the first semester with breaches in the updated DLSU-D Student Handbook 2018-2022 dress code, such as non-wearing of prescribed uniforms during Fridays and non-wearing of the prescribed “business shorts.”

In the previous DLSU-D Student Handbook 20142018, students were required to wear uniforms on Mondays and Thursdays, however in the updated Student Handbook, the addition of Fridays as prescribed uniform days were added due to the abolition of Lasallian Green Shirt Day. “Mostly the ones who violated the wearing of uniform (on Fridays) are the higher years,” Casidsid added.

The College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (CEAT) and CBAA—with a population 2,424 and 1,832, respectively— garnered the highest number of

minor offenses, according to Casidsid. “’Yong sa dalawang big colleges, ‘di gaano kalayo ‘yong gap ng violators na may [minor] offenses,” he furthered.

In addition to this, Casidsid also added that the SWAFO has implemented stricter policies on certificates of registration (CORs) and identification (ID) cards this AY due to the rampant scenarios on borrowing of CORs and ID cards.

“Because many people are using other [student’s] IDs [and] CORs. Ngayon hindi na [pwede], pag nakita kang walang ID, tatanungin ka, bakit hindi pumunta ng SWAFO [bibigyan ka ng access pass],” Casidsid said.

He clarified that violators should retrieve their confiscated CORs and return the access pass, “parang ginagamit nang ID ‘yong access pass. It’s a violation, kasi nakalagay ‘don, one whole day lang ‘yon, not for the entire year. “ Aside from the stricter policy on ID and CORs, Casidsid said that SWAFO has conducted a room-to-room orientation discussing and distributing the DLSU-D Student Handbook 2018-2022 for freshmen, with the aid of the Religious Education (REED) department, in addition to the general orientation of the SWAFO during each college orientations, which he stated has contributed in lessening the number of recorded offenses.

Moreover, Casidsid advised students to look at discipline as formation rather than punishment. “[The] Lasallian way of forming students is supposed to be holistic, hindi lang [sa] academics …

SWAFO is part of your (students) formation in the university.”

SPECIAL REPORT

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

The fishermen’s fight: Maliksi III Village in Bacoor City Sustaining lands and livelihoods Enveloping the shores facing Manila Bay and sheltered by communities justified by abundant source of livelihood and food with most of its residents and families relying on their daily catch of fishes, shellfishes and established mussel farms in the way of bamboo branches standing upright amidst the bay for future harvest is the coastal community of Maliksi III, an nondescript village in Bacoor City that is over 800 hectares and holds more than 2,000 families. Being so near to the coastal area, the residents’ primary source of livelihood and income is that of fishing, and that with it being the biggest threat they are facing as a community.

Households built their homes following the patterns of the land patches settling the shorelines of mangroves that form the community of fishermen and families who seek sustainable livelihood for relying on the sea. The shores of Bacoor City was involved for the huge number of residents inclined for fisheries due to its sufficient location for vigorous catches of aquatic resources, and the nearby metropolis for accessibility on their industrial occupations.

With Bacoor City government’s proposed projects for infrastructure and urban development such as the Bacoor Diversion Road, Bacoor Diversion Road Crossing, and Riverwalk, they set their own plans to take over the land areas that the Maliksi III residents occupy, which have led them to the fight for their land rights and livelihood.

Inside the barangay One of the urban poor communities in focus is that of Barangay Maliksi III, a remote area of Maliksi that passes through the fishing ponds that divides the settlement among other barangays in Bacoor. Narrow streets that only pedestrians can pass by due to the settlements of household that are close to each other occupying the small area of lands along the nearby shoreline are

the path to access the village. The presence of the bay among them, being their primary source of livelihood is the cause for these urban poor families to prevail despite their treacherous location and displacement attempts by the government.

Shyne Bohol, a resident of Maliksi II and a housewife, shared her concerns over their loss of livelihood since of the presence of abundant population of fishermen among the neighbourhood including her husband, who has been fishing for their livelihood since adolescence. Shyne shared that the once-clear shores have turned into swamps of mud and unsustainable habitat for aquatic resources after construction of the CAVITE Expressway (CAVITEx) that previously been a viaduct to prevent environmental effects of the shoreline to the fishermen. At present, Maliksi fishermen are sailing away to the bay by passing through the bridges as their only way out of the muddy shoreline of their homes.

Next is the construction of a diversion road to Kawit and reclamation projects along the shore for economic development issued by the Local Government of Bacoor, as they are planning to demolish affected communities; purchase private properties, and displace illegal facilities into a

resettlement area in Naic, Cavite. The fight for livelihood plays a vital role in the displacement, forcing the residents to abandon fisheries for an alternative Livelihood Program for the poor performed by the Bacoor City Social Welfare and Development. Yet despite these livelihood programs provided for them, no jobs are available on the relocation area as they are independent to their own livelihoods.

Shyne’s mother, Myrna Candinato, said that they have settled in the Maliksi III area since 1984 for mussels as their source for income.

Candinato has has also shared her voice as Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya (PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas), an alliance of activist fisherfolk groups. Candinato is a local leader in Bacoor and president of the Alyansa ng mga Mandaragat saBacoor Cavite (ALYANSA). She has since then been observant of the government actions along their community as well as aware on the public action related to the threat of their livelihood and community.

One of alliance’s concerns are their rights and livelihood, stating that they just signed a document from the landowner allowing them to occupy the land until further notice just last year yet they have settled the area for over 30 years giving a voice on the community’s urge to remain on shore where their lives

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018 | PAGE 5

are relied on. The commitment of these fishermen on their livelihood can not be denied, as the reason why these fisherfolks fight against the loss of the sea they live in cannot simply just be for the benefit of the elite. Candinato stated that these projects rely on the sake of capitalist elites and put the poor like them into oppression, saying that they are never blind and illiterate on the actions being done to push them away from their living.

Candinato added that they are informed to for a tenement-type community along the area as a part of the reclamation project, yet they do not see any community of households in the development plans of parks, river walks, and development facilities that appear on the publications materials released by Bacoor City Hall.

Fiery mishaps On April of 2017, a fire occured in the neighboring seaside barangay of Maliksi I, totalling homes and displacing families in the process. 500 families and over 300 hectares of land were affected by the fire that spread quickly in the area. but promised was their relocation to a safer haven. According to an initial investigation and reports from residents by Maliksi III, the source of the fire was from an abandoned house.

In an eerily similar turn of events, a fire also broke out in Maliksi III this June of 2018, as the flames spread swiftly in the suburb and engulfed most of the houses made of light materials and rendering 348 families hopeless and garnering around 1.5 PHP million in damages to the community. Before displacing the homeless families to Naic, they were temporarily settled in at the grounds of Maliksi Elementary School for almost two months, while others stayed at their relatives’ house, as per Maliksi III barangay tanod Kapitan Nieto Toledo.

The event was a comparable situation among Candinato and other residents of Maliksi III, who went through one and a half years ago where the fire was allegedly started by children playing with matches, according to investigations. The residents have expressed doubt over the outcome of the investigation and state foul play might be at hand, despite opposing claims from their barangay tanod and the case already being closed..

Despite this, there is also no way to make Candinato and the residents back down from their battle to defend their community. Candinato has made sure that their properties were theirs to keep by fencing parts of their land from those eyeing parts of the barangay as they may be the assets of the reclamation project in Bacoor.

The project runs through multiple barangays, including Maliksi III, and would construct the Diversion Road, including other plans to revitalize Bacoor with an extensive construction plans that definitely look innovative on paper, but do not have concrete plans for the communities and families to be displaced.

The residents’ side With Maliksi III having residents that rely on the seas for their livelihood, the locals’ views on the issue cannot be forgotten. Bohol is one of the many residents that have a firm stance on this issue with his husband having his sea-driven roots in the barangay. “Talagang dagat na yung nakamulatan niya eh, dito talaga siya pinanganak eh.” Bohol stated, referring to her husband who has been fisherman in the community for years. Furthermore, projects by the government such as. CAVITEx have made fishermen pick up less shellfish and sail further from the shore, also causing reduced field for fishing with municipal waters.

Some of the fishing residents also worry over the fitting livelihood and lifestyle in their site of relocation. As such relocated residents from Naic have went back to Maliksi III in in hopes to receive their livelihoods back. There were also complaints regarding the lack of basic necessities such as electricity and water in the places for relocation reported by the displaced residents, seeming as the process of putting the relocation into fruition was expedited by those providing help for the residents.

Another resident from Maliksi III, Noelyn Tigon, stated her view on the issue of planned demolition of their properties and displaced.

“Wala silang lilipatan (residents of Maliksi I), babayaran lang (sila).”

Aling Noelyn attested, alluding to the displaced families.

Barangay point of view As similar to all villages, a barangay tanod is present for the residents of Maliksi III, someone who serves as the watcher and lowest-ranking law enforcement officer of the village. Kapitan Nieto Toledo of Maliksi III acknowledges the hardships that the villagers face as someone looking from the outside of the resident fishermen’ plight.

Regarding the concerns from PAMALAKAYA and residents that there is no specific time and date specified by the government when they will be displaced, Toledo confirms to this lack of transparency, stating “Hindi

SPECIAL REPORT ko alam, hindi ko masasabi. Walang nakakaalam pa” over when residents can expect to be taken to Naic for displacement.

However, he does state that it can take a little over three to five years in the making, likely developing in the year 2020 and 2025 due to the long time it will take for the constructions and preparedness for the residents. During the first half of 2018, Toledo also said that the barangay tanods were informed of the Bacoor constructions and the 800-hectare land planning to be converted into development projects, however no meetings have been set for the second half of the year.

Furthermore, despite PAMALAKAYA’s active outcry for fishermen’s rights in Maliksi III, Toledo claimed that no one has approached him regarding issues with livelihood, nor the displacement that looms over the community’s shoulders due to the fires that have started from 2017 to this year.

Toledo has already had his brushed with PAMALAKAYA, as he understands the stance they will have as a progressive group, however stating “Pag ginusto ng gobyerno, no choice naman tayo eh,” in regards to the organization’s demands, an unfortunate way of looking at their situation Moreover, also in contrast to the statement set by the residents revolving around the displeasure with the displaced families to Naic after the fire in 2017, the tanod claimed that the persons he has spoken to after displacement remained positive. According to Toledo, “halos lahat ng makausap ko nasisiyahan na dun (Naic), nagagandahana na sa lugar,” he stated, furthering that complaints may be due to the fact that electricity is not yet availale due to the step-by-step process of the lands given to them still being underdeveloped. Despite no word from those displaced in Naic regarding their livelihoods, Toledo does confirm that many return to Maliksi III in order to earn money, either that be through fishing or continuing operations as tricycle drivers to sustain their families back in Naic, as the hefty sum given by the government is simply not enough to start a life, according to Maliksi III resident Tigon.

Toledo disputes this, stating that residents should already be thankful for the roofs and livelihood programs provided by City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) of Bacoor for victims of the fire, “Kaysa naman wala malipatan, walang bahay. Importante meron ka nang nasisiluhan.”

Regarding PAMALAKAYA’s concern that government officials are already setting up camp and planning for their displacement by measuring the perimeter of the village, Toledo confirmed that this may possibly be to measure the coastal area eventually turned development land, stating “syempre sinukat nila para malaman nila yung sukat na mga titled na lupa dun,” as it will be utilized for deeper measurements sooner or later Despite the way he positively views the community at present, Toledo still ultimately believes that in the long run, all residents will be displaced due to the illegal settling that is currently occuring in Maliksi III and the government’s plans to build an industrial Cavite in lieu of the livelihoods and jobs of those residing in small suburbs and urban areas.

Finally, Toledo firmy stated wthat rumors and hearsays are rampant in the community, may that be with the people’s displacement, fires allegedly staged, and more. “Mga ibang nasa gobyerno galing, marami din chismis na meron na lilipatan ganon,” he said,

Fishering policies and laws To add weight to the community’s concerns over their land, the community also aims to equip themselves with the proper knowledge on policies and protocol that may aid them in their fight for their outcry regarding their land and livelihoods. Candinato emphasized that RA 8550, the republic act governing fisheries and its subsequent amendment lapsed into law in 2015, RA 10654, failed to help improve the living condition of small fishermen like themselves.

RA 10654, or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Fisheries Code, titled as “An Act to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing” was signed into fruition during the Aquino administration in 2015, aiming to provide necessary protocol to oversee illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the country as mandated by the European Union (EU) which plays a vital key in the fisheries market around the world. As compared to its predecessor, RA 8550, the revised code in 2015 has a firmer grip and higher prices to pay for illegal approaches to fishing. The revision had been highly anticipated by environmental sectors and branches of government, however local fishermen up to today still fight against RA 10654 restrictive and firm consequences. According to the IRR,

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

violations of fisheries law stipulated “shall be penalized with confiscation of catch and gear, and an administrative fine of five (5) times the value of the catch or the amount indicated below, whichever is higher”. One of the most notable amended violations include the failure to secure permits required for commercial vessels to breach the 15-kilometer distance from coastline.

P50,000 PHP to P100,000.00 PHP will be fined for small-scale commercial fishers caught breaching the IRR. Through these policies already being implemented for three years, it sends a clear message to illegal fishers, and an unfortunate fare for those who cannot follow it. In an article by Rappler.Inc dated 2015, it stated that fishing groups during the time have started to fight against the RA 10654 way back in 2015, stating it to be “oppressive and confiscatory”, pertaining to the higher imposed fines and confiscation of catch and gear of the fishers upon violation.

A Business Insider article published in the same year reported states that Candinato, in a forum held by PAMALAKAYA, stated their situation and the measly actions of the government towards her fisherfolks even before the fire at Maliksi III occurred, furthering that even before the Fisheries Code was amended, small fishermen like those from Maliksi III have already been encumbered by taxes and fines against them. These fishermen with small power are experiencing even greater hardship due to the higher penalties and restrictions that hinder their production provided by the amended law.

Furthermore, as the RA 10654 was mandated by an international union that is EU, it cannot be denied, as it has been stated by fishing groups beforehand, that it is mainly catering to international fishing operations, and not entirely witnessing the realities of the local fishing industry in the Philippines which require our fishermen working below the poverty to meet the policies and standards that are not suited in the fishing context of the country.

The political effect on fisheries today There have been countable milestones in taking back West Philippine Sea and making it ours, but China continues to bat an eye on these matters despite the unanimous decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague back in 2016, favoring the Philippines.

The lengthy dispute on the West Philippine Sea continues to ensue up to this day. Chinese naval vessels were reportedly sailing across the West Philippine Sea, intimidating, scooting, and barging fishermen from fishing and entering the territory. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit has prompted the two world leaders to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding the joint oil and gas development at the West Philippine Sea, sparking outrage and controversy. With China explicitly showing to much prowess on our territorial waters, local fishermen’s livelihood will continue to be compromised, as odds will most likely play out on China’s favor. Despite MOU having less commitment than the usual memorandum of agreement (MOA), this accord could still harm our fishermen; settling to fish around nearby waters and continue to struggle for their livelihood.

Furthermore, infamous construction of around 7,000 hectares foreshore land areas in Cavite to give way to the R-1 Expressway Extension Project and the reclamation of another 5,000 hectares of shallow coastal waters to expand Sangley Point Naval Base to make it one of the biggest international seaports in Southeast Asia. This is no new news for the residents of Maliksi III, as in 2009, 16 fisherfolk braved the murky waters of Manila Bay and staged a daring 10-kilometer swim protest from Bacoor, Cavite to the Philippine Senate to protest the construction of 7-kilometer R-1 Expressway Extension Project.

The government’s obsession with Build, Build, Build program has paved way to a staggering numbers of infrastructural developments that displaced different sectors of the society, including the New Clark Green City which displaced thousands of Aeta tribes; and now, the Bacoor Development plan that will be displacing the fishermen along the coastal communities of Bacoor.

Furthermore, recent reports earlier this August has resurfaced regarding the importation of Galunggong in the country, as there is a relative low production of the said specie in the country according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). This situation has been a blatant representation of the shortcomings of the fishery industry, especially the select government departments and bureaus responsible for maintaining the aquatic resources and livelihood of the Philippines. The thought that an archipelagic country with one of the richest biodiversity is in dire need to import one of its fishes reflects too much of the fishing industry, more importantly the state of our fishermen.

Politics and economics go hand in hand in shaping the industries in the Philippines. It is imperative to note how development caters the middle class and the elite, compromising the livelihood of those trying to barely survive everyday.

Development should be inclusive regardless of social class, and it takes a great economic decisions and political admirations to execute this.

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OPINION

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OPINION

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

Lost generation

EDITORIAL

‘Republic of China’ On the morning of November 20, on live telecast in front of millions of Filipinos, President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping—who was walking in front of him with the lone Chinese flag raised behind them, the Philippine flag nowhere in sight. It was a breach of state visit protocols, and an indication of submission to an imperialist neighbor country.

In the wake of the historic two-day state visit—the highest a foreign leader can make to another country—of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines on November 20 to 21, 29 deals involving trade and economic policies have been signed between him and President Duterte, strengthening our ties with

one of the most powerful and power-hungry countries in the world. In a surface perspective, economic aids from China such as loans to fund the Build, Build, Build program are evidences of our ties, considering how invested China is in cradling through globalization and industrialization.

Yet considering China’s past circumstances with thirdworld countries such as the Philippines, these foreign aids and agreements are glaring traps of economic submissions that will only harm our sovereignty and national identity—with the West Philippine Sea conundrum only being the icing on an already rotting cake.

The Philippines and its friendly relations with

China comes from a long line of tolerance, from being subtle to being outright in the past few months. Budget Secretary Ben Diokno admitted this past June that he doesn’t care if the projects under Build, Build, Build will

When transparency is no longer a priority, it is our duty to assert our rights prompt to hire workers from other countries, as long as the projects will be executed. Meanwhile, earlier this February, former Presidential Malacañang Spokesperson Harry Roque said that we might one day “thank” China for their claims

of the West Philippine Sea. With current Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo going on to say that the Philippines’ win to have sovereign rights of the West Philippine Sea from a United Nations (UN) Arbitral Tribunal in 2016 was “useless.” Finally, with the commander in chief claiming that China already has rights to the sea and its resources that we once so actively fought for.

Looking back, this isn’t the first time that China has lent financial aid to the Philippine government. President Duterte’s visit to Beijing back in 2016 brought our country $6B in foreign aid and $3B in loans to finance the “Build, Build, Build” program.

According to experts, such as Gregory Poling from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, the state visit had simply been

for aesthetic, a way for the two countries to show their camaraderie and partnership to the public, but it should be taken into account that China is no ordinary country with an ordinary leader, and these “friendly” loans are a double-edged sword that will only cause severe harms to the country. Whether or not we succumb to China’s form of neocolonialism, these 29 deals will ultimately make the Philippines indebted to China in more ways than one.

The infamous Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) from the Chinese government—a plan wherein China aims to build infrastructure projects across 68 countries in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Middle East, and Europe—utilized as a “debt-trap diplomacy” wherein poorer countries such as Djibouti, Kenya, Maldives,

Turkmenistan, and Venezuela were in the clutches of the loan fist of China. In inevitable cases of incapacity to pay, these countries are bound to give China access to their natural resources and at its very core, their sovereignty as a nation.

The worst part is how, once again, Filipinos are being swept under the rug while two powerful world leaders are compromising themselves and their people to each other. When transparency is no longer a priority of the government, it is our duty to demand and assert our rights for the sake of salvaging this country from imperialist and machofascist decisions of our leaders.

With China in line for global domination, our country is at stake—as there is threat looming in both our seas and land.

Memento mori The Official Student Publication of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Founded: June 1985 Member, College Editors Guild of the Philippines EDITORIAL BOARD AY 2018-2019 Ma. Bianca Isabelle C. Lariosa, Editor in Chief Christian Ralf Dugan, Associate Editor Casvel Teresa A. Lopez, Managing Director Jason Christopher C. Paz, Literary Coordinator John Zedrick E. Simeon, In charge, Sports Marco R. Belarmino, Art Coordinator Pia Margarita C. Marantan, In charge, Photo Paolo Lorenzo G. Salud, In charge, Web

SENIOR STAFF Mikaela Torres and Justine Bea Bautista JUNIOR STAFF Marjorie Alanzalon, Jomar Villanueva, Jean Quinto, and Bermanie Jean Doniña Dr. Lakandupil C. Garcia, Adviser

The HERALDO FILIPINO has its editorial office at Room 213, 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.

CLAC Communication Arts students majoring in Public Relations “Team Verity” were awarded as one of the Grand Finalists during the 2018 Students’ Grand Prix.

Memento mori (Latin): Remember, you will die.

You and everyone you know will die.

It’s not the cheeriest way to start, but it’s the truth nonetheless. Around 151,600 people die every day, but that doesn’t make death any less painful or the idea of it any less surreal. A grim reminder that our days are numbered, and our lives are ending one minute at a time is not something all of us want to confront, but the fact that over 108 billion people have died in history to the 7.7 billion people currently alive today is a stark reminder of our own demise. We will die, inevitably; but when we leave our physical forms, that shouldn’t mean it’s the end of our time on Earth.

I’ve had my first brush with death earlier this year when my dog of six years abruptly died this October. I’ve never experienced death before in my life, and I couldn’t bare watching him take his last little gasps for life. It led me into a downward existential spiral of thinking about death (as if I needed more of that already)—and how much time I’ve really spent on Earth.

When you’re on the clock, you know how much time is left to do the things you’re supposed to do, and the people leaning on you to accomplish it. When we take a step back from our biased views of our lives and see the bigger picture of

what we’re trying to accomplish before we die, it seems less of a hassle to lose that night of sleep or exert that extra effort to get something done.

For us millennials on the cusp of adulthood and living out the rest of our lives, phrases like “I’m ready to end it all,” and “us2 q n mamatay,” are phrases that we utter without a second thought.

This nihilistic approatch to life has been ingrained in most personalities for so long that we forget it shouldn’t be passed off as a trait.

It won’t matter what you give, but what you have given up There’s a difference between normalizing and glamorizing, and when it comes to death and despair, the line is as thin as it gets. Dark humor about death has become shorthand for expressing frustration for a minor inconvenience to a general discomfort about the state of the world—and we all know it’s not in a good one. Actively wanting to die is not the same as being indifferent to life, and most millennials (myself included), mistake the former when only they feel the latter, and as a result, don’t do anything about. The question we should be asking ourselves isn’t why we feel the need to ponder death, but what makes our daily lives unappealing enough to consider.

Dread about the political climate, the economy, our future, and the

The recurring elevator breakdowns in CBAA have brought inconvenience to students and faculty alike, especially to PWD students and faculty members.

nonsensical state of affairs of our future has forced us to feel out of the loop with the world today, and thus feel the need to practice escapism on our own terms. Like earlier forms of Dadaism, a 1920s movement born from making light of the mundane, our nihilism and insistence to die is simply a way for us to cope with how lost we feel in the world through the most modern art form—the Internet.

The best way to refrain from being indifferent about life is to take part in it as much as we can. To take that extra step just for the hell of it, to go ahead and have that experience even if it makes your bones tired at the end.

It’s about how much we give a part of ourselves to others while we’re still alive that will make it worth it when they only have memories with us to hold on to. At the end of our lives, or when we get those degrees after graduation, it won’t matter much what you give, but what you have given up for others. How much of yourself have you given up to those that trust you? How much of wyour appreciation have you shared to those that deserve it? Touching as many people’s lives and doing right by them is the only solace we can attain after we’ve passed on (or, alright, graduated).

We will all die—but that’s no excuse for us to not try living. Enjoy and scrutinize life, but never forget what you’re living for—nobody gets out alive anyway. It’s not the cheeriest way to end, but it’s the truth nonetheless.

DLSU-D’s first coffee table book titled The Wisdom of Our Builders by Orlando Oliveros has been published to commemorate the founding history of the university’s formative years.

Kabilaang mga gawain na malapit na ang pasahan—mga plates at proyekto na sumasabay sa hell week at mga pagsusulit sa pangunahing mga paksa; dagdagan pa ng personal na problema at pisikal na kapaguran, tiyak na sasabog ka na lang sa bigat na nararamdaman.

Sa pagsapit ng huling termino ngayong Disyembre, tiyak kong halos lahat ay tutok na sa pag-aaral upang makabawi sa mga grado sa nagdaan na prelims at midterms, lalo na’t karamihan ay magtatapos na (isang ehem para sa mga #ULS2019). Sa bilis ng panahon, karamihan sa ati’y gusto ng hilahin ang oras upang ang paghihirap ay matapos na rin. Positibo man kung iisipin, kaakibat naman ng usaping ito ang pagkabagabag ng iilan sa atin bilang estudyante sa iba’t ibang responsibilidad na ating gampanin.

Hindi lang naman nauukol ang pananagutan na nakaka-stress sa atin

bilang isang estudyante; nariyan rin ang tungkulin natin bilang kaibigan, kapatid, anak, at miyembro ng ating lipunan na kung minsa’y binabalewala na natin sa pag-aakalang hindi naman ito mahalaga tulad ng ating pag-aaral Lost generation—terminong buhat sa mga Amerikanong manunulat noong wIkalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig noong 1920s na inuukol na rin sa henerasyon natin ngayon.

Ayon sa isang artikulo mula sa Huffington Post noong Nobyembre 2016, ang mga millennials ay may mataas na datos ng depression, stress, at suicidal thoughts kumpara sa ibang henerasyon na nauna rito. Ito ay sa kadahilanang lumaki sa layaw ang mga kabataan dahil na rin sa matiwasay na pamumuhay na naipundar ng ating mga magulang at kahinaang-loob sa pagharap sa pressure dahil sa aspeto ng pamumuhay na kinabibilangan, mataas na gradong pang-akademiko, at pagdedesisyon ayon sa sariling kagustuhan. Lahat ng ito ay bunsod na rin sa kung papaano tayo pinalaki ng ating mga magulang. Mula pagkabata,

palaging pinaparamdam ng ating pamilya na nariyan sila’t nakasuporta sa ating tatahaking landas kung kaya’t nakadepende tayo sa kanilang mga desisyon hanggang sa paglaki. Dagdag pa rito, positibo ang pinapakita ng

Hindi naman lahat ng gawain ay matatapos sa isang iglap mga taong malalapit sa atin kung kaya’t pag may negatibong ibinigay sa ating buhay, mabilis nanghihina ang ating loob hanggang ito’y mauwi sa anxiety.

Bukod sa pagkakaroon ng mga kaguluhan sa ating isipan, ang kabataan ngayon ay nakapokus sa sariling kapakanan dahil sa mga materyal na kawgustuhan, kasikatan, at karangyaan. Sa katunayan, ang mga ito ay resulta na rin ng teknolohiya lalo na ng sobrang pagtangkilik sa media dahil sa pagkainggit sa mga nakikita at madaliang pagkakaroon

ng mga bagay na naisin natin. Isa pang aspeto ay ang paghahanap ng sisi sa iba o mas kilala bilang “blame game”.

Inilahad ng Psychology Today na ito ay mekanismo upang protektahan ang ating mga ego mula sa mga pagkukulang at pagkakamali ng ting mga sarili na maaring magdulo ng pagkasira ng ating self-image.

Sa kasalukuyan, karaniwan na lamang ang mga ganitong aspeto ng coping mechanism, ngunit sa katotohanan ay negatibo ang naidudulot nito dahil hindi lubusang nasosolusyonan at bagkus ay naibabaon at naiipon lamang sa ating kalooban.

Ang pang-huling aspeto ay ang pagkakaroon ng patongpatong na responsibilidad na siyang pinagmumulan ng pagkabagabag ng mga kabataan. Masasabi kong ang kabataan talaga sa ating henerasyon ay mapupusok at lahat ng bagay ay nais maranasan at akuin. Sa madaling sabi, ang mga responsibilidad na ating dinadala sa kasalukuyan ay dahil na rin sa ating kagustuhang maging maayos ang ating pagtalima sa likas ng mga

pananagutan at pagbuo ng kumpyansa sa sarili sa paghawak at pagtapos ng mga gawain.

Sa mga nasambit na ugat ng pagkakaroon ng bigat na pasanin sa murang edad, masasabi ko na ring hindi naman masama magkaroon ng iilang responsibilidad dahil nakakatulong ang mga ito sa pagkilala natin sa ating kakayahan at pagtitiwala na kaya nating hawakan ang responsibilidad nang matiwasay at akma sa ating kagalingan.

Gayunpaman, hindi naman lahat ng gawain ay matatapos sa isang iglap.

Tulad nga ng sikat na kasabihan, “slowly but surely” ngunit dapat ay ayon rin naman sa panahon na kung kailan ito nararapat matapos. Ang pagkakaroon ng maayos na kaisipan sa pagpaplano at pagiging responsable sa mga tungkulin ay ang pinakamabisang paraan upang maging magaan ang pagtatapos sa proseso—isama pa ang pag-iwas sa mga bagay na ‘di naman makakatulong at pagtanggi sa iba pang responsibilidad na maaari namang ibigay sa iba ay malaking bagay na rin upang pagkapagod ay gumaan bahagya.

Build, Resist, Build We often imagine that infrastructure development breeds an economically progressive country.

As an architecture student, it is our duty to develop and curate communities by designing buildings and establishments for the comfort of the people, yet we often forget that infrastructural designs should benefit everyone, not just those in power.

Last 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration announced the “Build, Build, Build” program pledging to usher in a “Golden Age of Infrastructure” in the next five years as a solution to the neglect with the

infrastructure sector in the country.

However, there are numerous cases wherein agricultural and ancestral lands are stripped off from their rightful owners in order to pave way for development. Rapid urbanization has turned these lands into commercial and industrial sites, all for the purpose of business and capitalism.

One specific and vital case is that of the proposed development of Clark Green City in Pampanga, which is seen as a possible solution to Manila’s polluted environment and congestion. The project will be covering 36 square miles—twice as large as the land area of Manila. Personally, I was excited when I read about it since it would be the very first green city in the country, until I found out that the project has land-grabbed several ancestral lands which are home to 16 Aeta tribes.

What’s unfortunate about that is that I wasn’t surprised that indigenous people are being displaced from their lands; the “Build, Build, Build” program has provided us a bridge to economic and industrial development at the expense

We design for common good but end up doing the exact opposite of the marginalized. It wouldn’t be the first government project where Indigenous People (IPs) are being displaced, which makes me wonder as to why there haven’t been any projects or any kind of development

for the indigenous people. It’s easy to appreciate buildings and other developments, but we forget to ask ourselves: At what cost?

One vivid memory during my childhood was when I overheard one of my relatives say, “If I were a city official, I would abolish all these informal settlers,” and the first thing I thought was “where would they go?”

It was only a few months back when our professor asked us whether we would abolish these informal settlers within the slum areas or let them stay for the sake of improvement. I was reminded by the comment my relative made when I realized that real progress wbegins with inclusivity because when we design for the common good, but we often forget that by doing so, we sometimes end up doing the exact opposite.

Another childhood memory is whenever I see subdivisions being developed, I would get concerned about the agriculture sector. I would be worried that if more infrastructure are built, there would be no more land left for rice fields and other vegetation. Ironic how the program course I chose is wholly concerned with the design of buildings and communities.

We are always focusing on improvement but we forget how to be responsible citizens in the process.

Development should be inclusive for all the Filipinos, and should benefit us without costing lives, lands, or people’s survival. Starting with social inclusion may be the first step into creating a society accessible to everyone.

WITBREAD

Environmental hierarchy

by Hanna Dugay (COM12) Lately, social media has been buzzing on the current environmental problems that Earth is facing. From photos of sea birds washed ashore with their stomachs filled with a collection of plastic wastes they mistakenly consumed; articles warning the looming threat of global warming with only a decade left to fix before the impending doom of our planet as we know it; to marine animals holding on to human wastes, such as a fish covered with a transparent plastic glove. These situations, although heart-wrenching, are merely the tip of the iceberg that is environmental damage.

Growing up, the nature had

always been a huge fascination for me, which is why it has been a great disappointment to see where the future is headed when it comes to Mother Nature. Although there had been a massive support from companies and thelocal government to lessen waste consumption in the country, solutions covering the bare minimum are not enough. Some businesses even tried to offer alternative options by selling reusable items in unreasonably steep costs, items which are sometimes held against people who cannot afford lavish expenses.

While scrolling online, I remembered seeing a picture of a murky, trash-covered estero in Manila. Breezing through the comments section, the collective number

Complete sets of the prescribed uniforms for freshmen are still unavailable, despite the second semester of the AY just a few months away.

of users had expletively expressed the same thoughts: the lack of discipline among informal settlers prompting consumers to buy more environmentalfriendly products. These comments made me realize that though being environmentally-aware a race against the destruction of mother nature, it is much more than that. It is a race against the tycoons who take advantage of this opportunity to make this crisis about themselves.

Yes, the poverty-stricken citizens of third-world countries such as the Philippines lack regulation and discipline when it comes to trash disposal, but try to place yoursewlf in their shoes.

Lacking monetary funds to even eat three swquare meals a day and the dirt-cheap

options available to them, it would be a no-brainer to choose the things that are easily accessible albeit environmentally dangerous.

Large companies such as fast-food chains and shopping malls would be more open to the idea of using recyclable or paper products because they have the means to do so; the elite and middle-class citizens are easy to entice or guilt-trip into buying the so-called environmentally safe products because they know they lack the disciplines themselves before (and some continues to do so) the whole campaign for global awareness started; the poor and the marginalized, however, do not have the financial capacity to do so—even if they wanted to.

Instead of bringing down the less

Despite their hiatus from the UNIGAMES last AY, the Patriot volleyball men were given the chance to represent DLSU-D this year with financial aid from the USC and OSS.

privileged citizens of our country, why don’t we bring down the companies who dump their contaminations onto natural resources? According to The Guardian, only 100 companies are responsible for a whopping 71% of global emissions, a testament that pollution stems from those more privileged and have the means to destroy our environment in spite of our best efforts. For those eligible, why don’t we use the upcoming elections as an opportunity to vote for candidates who are not only for the people but for the environment as well?

It’s time to acknowledge the fact that environmental problems are more than just the pollution that trash harbours, but more so the pollution that inequality creates.

Unstable internet connection in the ICTC building has affected classes, and even cancelled some due to the lack of internet.

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F E AT U R E S

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Periodic Dimensions in a Timepiece

Clocking in relative experiences

by Justin Andrei Dabuet

Graphic Art by Reignand Bongao

12:03 am Everyone collectively goes through the hoops of time. The lapses of survival manifests with every hour in a day. Some would grasp time as nothing more than an accessory that becomes a reference, making it pass by without remorse. Progressing further, it’s staggering to think that time flies by so rapidly that we’re already at a distant point—in retrospect becoming a reminder that time constantly moves, never stopping for the sluggish. Is it time to sleep yet? Everyone’s already closing their eyes…

2:54 am Time unprecedentedly moves. It is a construct everyone takes advantage of to keep track of moments.

Each one continues to value it—thus time has evolved into a uniform measurement of progressively passing moments deeply connected to our experiences. A circular definition by United States Naval Observatory’s Chief Scientist Dr. Demetrios Matsakis, time is a coordinate that lets most of us simply understand the evolution of the universe. The meaning of time can vary from person to person with regards to their mindset.

In the same notion, everyone is born with contrasting features that makes each one feel unique, especially in the aspect of different perspective over the idea of time. In 24 hours, how would four Lasallians seize their day? It’s fitting that it’s approaching the time to wake up, so it’s time to breeze forward

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

7:30 am At the blooming strike of the sun, a working student and Reserve Officer Training Corps official is still hustling for a bright future while an Information Technology student is programming for her life. On the flip side of the coin, a Tourism student brushes her teeth before going to school and a Psychology student is hustling for her upcoming quiz. The dulling rush is felt for early birds, especially those unadjusted for the initiating hours but the reassuring ambiance during these times make it worth the while to strive for greatness.

For the multitude of working students and student organizations members, time is relentless. It may seem that the time in a day isn’t enough to take advantage of. Moreover, having multiple responsibilities in full synchronization and braving them proves one can take on the storm that comes as the aftermath.

During this time, bearing a great sense of time management mitigates the obstacles that comes with having a lot to handle. Correctly and neatly organizing the agenda helps a person make it through the day without the fuss and fizzle.

12:57 pm It’s past lunchtime and a luminescent sun is long overhead. At this time, the Psychology student may still be in the middle of her quiz, while the Tourism student is waiting for the hypothetical bell to ring. Meanwhile, the working student just arrived at the campus, ready to march on his duties as a striving student and ROTC officer. The persistent scorching heat of the sun makes this a dreadful time of the day.

3:36 pm.

Maximizing time is one real thing and missing being another. In time maximization, efficiency is the key and it’s the usual assessment of needs and wants—even steps to make the best out of time. The expected outcome of those looking to maximize their time is the fruit of productivity, as they have followed steps to success.

The concept of time consciousness also comes into fruition at this point. All are largely concerned with knowing the current time, averting the true reality of time. “Indeed, our preliminary reflections on time depend upon a series of successive events but a succession of experiences or perceptions is not yet an experience or perception of succession,” an excerpt from Edmund Husserl’s Phenomenology and Time-Consciousness narrates.

7:45 pm At this point, the IT student has just got home safely and the Tourism student may still be at school training for her passion in dancing.

Both of them receive a message from their significant others. This message tells both that everything will be alright, and all is worth it at the end, the typical and usual. But diving deep, some may already be exhausted from going back and forth with loving—or rather, giving time for their significant others.

8:10 pm Being affectionate and attached to a person shakes one’s world in a manner that there’s adjustments to be made. It’s never been easy to love but it’s the worthwhile to do so, keeping other responsibilities in check. There might be regrets that come with dedicating time to a person, but the bliss that comes with the radiant smile of someone beloved is worth to do so. Dr. Gary Chapman identified that there are five love languages that defines an individual’s expression of affection, which are receiving gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, and physical touch. Knowing one’s love language isn’t enough, as individuals must also be aware of their partner’s own way of expressing love.

9:22 pm One common denominator for the four Lasallians is that the idea of time one way or another passing by rapidly comes from their senses—a universal concept that makes us put life in perspective as time fuels our existence.

The Attentional model of time perception theory perceives that “when more attentional resources are allocated to a particular event, that event appears longer lasting,” according to Eve Isham, a professor in the University of California – Davis Center for the Mind and Brain. A contrast to this statement is that events in time are given little to no attention, making one believe that time moves swiftly— when it truly doesn’t.

None must become convinced that time is a burden as it feels like it’s too fast or it always runs out. It is nothing but a mere fountain that flows endlessly; a prevailing tool for obstacles and a means of living in the judgment of progression. Everyone progresses with time but not everyone yields for change. Developing with time is a compelling sign that one grew from what is now memories and experiences.

11:12 pm Dedication and commitment is what sets apart those who are willing and yearning to become successful with the path they’ve chosen.

Being dedicated entails not giving up in the light of challenges. It’s a matter of going forward and bravely directing the gales of continuum to be in favor of the one fighting against the immensity of time. An idea from a 2014 study by John Michael and Elizabeth Pacherie “On commitments and other uncertainty reduction devices” states that committing to something equates to a predictable behavior in changing pursuits. We become typical when we commit, but it’s a risk we must take in order to be fulfilled.

11:59 pm At the end of each day, what’s done is done—only to be a collective glimpse at the current time to know what part of the day it is.

Everyone looks at the clock, but with each varying peek differentiating in views, it provokes a thinking that a sense of individuality is at play.

There are some that partake on leisurely activities and there are those occupied and drowning with their overwhelming tasks. Nonetheless, everyone must take ample advantage of the amount of time at reach, as it can either be an unforgiving storm or a tame drizzle. Time is never merciful nor plentiful, alas it may be a gift for a lot or a weight to carry throughout a lifetime, commanding those who are stagnant to move onward and upward.

As the clock strikes for another day, who knows what’s beyond?

Expecting the unexpected Expectancy and our own longetivity

by Mica Nakadai

Art by Marco Belarmino

We often focus too much on what the beginning and end of our liveswill be that we tend to overlook the process of what’s to come—or simply put, what’s between. As we take through the course of our lives, we curate everything by setting expectations and filling our own timelines with achievements.

We often succumb to the reality of getting old, perhaps in fear of facing the struggles and responsibilities along the way. A far fetch from when we were younger, our persistent excitement back then as we anticipated our legality has now faded through time—fantasizing the freedom we have craved for so long. The days of carefree and innocence might have passed, but the concept of our hairs turning gray has and will always lurk on the back of our minds.

Assumptions It is typical of humans to think ahead and expect how their lives would become. Achieving a college degree by the age of 21, attaining a job shortly after, getting married before 30, and hoping to barely survive for the next few decades—it’s been a pretty long journey but as it slowly materializes, everything is just an accumulation of past and fast events.

When they say “life is short,” it literally and figuratively measures the span of our lives. This 2018, 72 years old is the global life expectancy of an average person according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

It has drastically increased by 5.5 years since 2000 and is still expected to rise in the following years. Merits goes to the contribution of the advancement and development of healthcare. With the proper healthcare, death due to illnesses could be prevented and now less feasible through the help of improved public health measures.

Our World In Data, an online publication that focuses on changes in living conditions mentioned that

child mortality highly affects the life expectancy thus, children who die before their fifth birthday are not taken into account on the estimation of the life expectancy— so their life expectancy wouldn’t be at risk at drastically declining.

Life expectancy is affected by several aspects including gender, intelligence, and economy. As our life is tricked with various facets affecting our well-being, life expectancy stands as a reminder that there’s more to our lives beyond economic, social, and cultural aspects.

Actualization With the intensifying poverty of our country, majority of Filipino citizens are facing difficulty in making it through every single day. The lack of accessible and proper public healthcare in the country propelled the life expectancy of Filipinos to decrease through decades. Based on the study titled The Determinants of Mortality by David Cutler, a Harvard University professor, the government’s attention to the public healthcare is a vital contributor for life expectancy as it is a prominent aspect that can affect and reduce a population’s mortality. Compared to the global life expectancy of 72 years, the Philippines has an almost 3 years lower average life expectancy of 68.5 years.

This reflects how impoverished Filipinos, especially those living in far-flung places, choose not to go to hospitals when they are ill due to financial factors.

WHO indicated that there is an apparent evidence between the differences of mortality in the poor countries compared to economically fortunate

F E AT U R E S

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018 | PAGE 11

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

Sa pag-alpas Pagdalumat sa biyaya’t sumpa ng oras

By Ahmad Mahusay and Jomar Villanueva

Napatingin ka sa iyong relo. 6:57 AM. Nasa Kadiwa ka pa lang. Tatlong minuto na lang ay mahuhuli ka na naman sa klase mo. Ilang minuto na rin nakahinto ang sinasakyan mong jeep. Kinakabahan ka dahil baka magkaroon kayo ng isang eksaminasyon. Aabot ka pa kaya? Tumingin ka muli sa iyong relo, nagdadasal na lamang na makaabot pa bago ang 15-minutong marka.

Hindi maipagkakailang karaniwan na lamang para sa mga mag-aaral ng pamantasan ang ganitong klaseng mga eksena. Ang madalas na dahilan ng mga estudyante ay napuyat raw sila sa mga tinapos na mga pang-akademikong gawain. Bagamat totoo, ang ganitong mga klaseng kwento ay sulyap lamang sa katotohanan na hindi lahat ng Lasalyano ay ipinanganak na may pilak na kutsara sa labi.

Bukang-liwayway Karamihan sa atin, kaakibat ng pagsinta at pagsunod sa layaw ng mapanakit at kapanapanabik na pagpupuyat ay ang pagbangon sa bagong umaga na nananatiling kasuklamsuklam sa ating paningin. Subalit para kay Gab Basañez, 21 taong gulang at isang fourth year student sa kursong Communication Arts. Simula pa lamang ng isang masalimuot na araw ang pagbangon ng alas-quatro ng umaga. Dahil bukod sa pagiging estudyante, empleyado rin si Gab sa isang call center agency sa Bacoor tuwing Sabado at Linggo. Kaya bagaman tulog pa ang araw, dapat ay mulat na ang kanyang mga mata—mulat sa realidad ng pagbabanat ng buto kasabay ng pagnanais na makapagtapos ng kolehiyo.

Bago pa man maging call center agent si Gab, iba’t ibang karanasan na ang dumating sa kanya. Pagkatapos kasi ng isang semestre sa pamantasang una niyang pinasukan, kinailangang huminto si Gab. “Nag-stop ako sa school when I was 18 years old. Wala akong magawa noong mga panahong ‘yon kaya nagtrabaho muna ako sa isang call center agency sa Pasay.” Pagkatapos ng kalahating taon bilang call center agent, nagdesisyon siyang iwanan ang kanyang trabaho

upang bumalik sa pag-aaral. Sa pagkakataong ito, lumipat siya sa DLSU-D upang dito na magpatuloy ng edukasyon.

“But then, na-realize ko na kailangan ko ng pambaon sa araw-araw. Kailangan kong mag-work para may maitulong ako kay mommy. So, naghanap ako ng part-time job.” Nang makatagpo ng isang maliit na call center agency sa Bacoor, bumalik sa pagiging agent si Gab. Sa edad na 19 taong gulang, naging supervisor na si Gab ng kumpanyang kanyang pinagtatrabahuan. Aniya, “I’m never late. I’m never absent. I always do my job kaya na-promote ako after six months.” Magtatatlong taon na rin mula nang magtrabaho si Gab doon.

Kasabay ng pagiging call center supervisor ni Gab ang pagiging student assistant (SA) niya. Ngayong sem, singkwentang oras ang kailangan niyang bunuin bilang SA. Malaking ginhawa nga raw ang dulot ng kanyang bawas na matrikula ng pamantasan. Kung tatanungin si Gab, ganito raw ang itsura ng kanyang karaniwang linggo: “Monday is family day. Tuesday is duty day. Wednesday to Friday are acads days. Saturday and Sunday are working days.”

Hindi naging madali ang buhay ni Gab. Gayunpaman, hindi siya sumuko bagkus gumawa siya ng paraan upang mas makatulong sakanyang pamilya kahit na madadamay ito sa pang-araw araw na pamumuhay niya.

Dapit-hapon “For me, it’s very challenging.” Nakatindig na ani ni Karen Kate Celajes nang tanungin patungkol sa kanyang pagiging fourth year student sa kursong Broadcast Journalism.

Lahat ng senior students ay patuloy na lumalaban at iginagapang ang mga kinakailangang tapusin para sa kanilang huling taon sa kolehiyo. Ngunit para kay Kate, hindi lamang pagiging estudyante ang kanyang ginugugol. Bukod sa pagiging isang estudyante, nahalal rin si Kate bilang isang lider-estudyante sa kanilang kolehiyo at Sangguniang Kagawad sa kanilang barangay.

Ayon kay Kate, hindi madali ang maging estudyante habang kasapi ng iba’t ibang organisasyon sa loob at labas ng pamantasan. Madalas ay nagkakaproblema siya sa pagbabalanse ng sarili niyang oras. Bilang mag-aaral, nangangailangan ang kurso niya ng sapat na panahon at atensyon—lalo na dahil sa kanyang graduating status.

Malaking hamon para sa kanya ang pagsabayin ang pagaaral at serbisyo para sa pamantasan at sa bayan.

“I do still have my personal time, kasi it’s very important. Bago ka magbigay ng oras sa iba, maglaan ka muna para sa sarili mo,” aniya. Subalit sa kabila ng kanyang personal time, alipin pa rin daw si Kate ng sarili niyang oras. Sapagkat ang maliit na parte ng oras niya na ito ay isa lamang pansamantalang pagtakas, dahil nasa likod pa rin ng kanyang anino ang mga obligasyon at tungkulin na dapat niyang gampanan.

Bawat isa sa atin ay may landas na tinatahak—kung hindi mabato, ay matinik. “We have to continuously work on ourselves to allow growth,” wika ni Kate. Ang kanyang samu’tsaring gawain ang naging tulay upang mas matuto siya sa ibang mga bagay. Sa pagiging journalism student nagmula ang kanyang boses, pluma, at papel na nagsilbing sandata para ipaglaban at isulong kung ano ang tama.

Bagamat alipin si Kate ng sarili niyang oras, natutunan niyang isaayos ang lahat ng aspeto ng kanyang buhay—natutunan niya kung paanong maging mahusay sa pagbabalanse ng oras, kung paanong maging maagap. Sinabi niya na ang oras ay hindi maaaring mabago, mabawasan, o madagdagan para lang matapos ang mga bagay na kailangan

mong gawin. Napagtanto niya na ang oras ay limitado, at ang tao ang patuloy na susunod sa mga takda nito.

Ayon kay Kate, susi sa pagbabalanse ng oras ang pabibigay ng sapat na atensyon sa mga mahahalagang trabaho at konting panahon naman sa mga gawaing hindi nangangailangan ng pansin. Naniniwala siya na lahat ay nangyayari sa tamang oras, na may tamang panahon para sa mga bagay na dapat pagbigyan at paglaanan ng pansin. Nang sa gayon, matagumpay kang makaka-alpas rito.

Pagtatagpo Pareho si Gab at Kate na alipin ng kanilang sariling mga oras. Bagamat mahirap, patuloy nilang ginagawa ang lahat para matapos ang mga dapat tapusin. Patuloy na ginagawa ang mga obligasyon sa loob ng pamantasan at mga gawain sa labas nito.

Patuloy na gumagapang, bumabangon sa bawat pagdapa, sinusuong ang mga unos para maabot ang pangarap. Kahit na pareho silang nakakaranas ng mga pagkakamali, hindi ito nagiging hadlang upang hindi nila mapagtagumpayan ang isang bagay. Ayon kay Gab, “I’m a slave of time. I always chase time. I always meet deadlines. But in the long run, malalagpasan ko din siya. From being a slave of time, I can be a master of time”. *** Bagaman magkakaiba ng antas ng karunungan at landas ng buhay, may pagkakahalintulad sina Gab at Kate—ang kakayahang dalumatin ang biyaya ng oras sa kabila ng sumpang dulot nito.

Bagaman ginagapos tayo ng bawat minuto, patunay ang buhay nila na likas sa atin ang pagnanais na maka-alpas sa pagkaka-alipin sa oras. Masisipat sa kanila ang pagpapahalaga sa bawat panahon. Sapagkat hindi tulad ng ibang bagay, hindi na natin magagawang ibalik ang oras kapag ito’y umalpas na.

Bare learnings countries. One of the factors in increasing life span is the result of development and enhancement of sanitation, nutrition, education, and medicine worldwide. Thus, the Philippines with only ₱106 billion budget for the Department of Health for the year 2018—which deflated compared to the 2016 budget of 113B PHP—is inefficient for the public health needed in our country.

However, despite the necessity to improve the country’s medical health, our government still has its shortcomings in our health sector. The presidential agendas hugely and directly impact the state of our country, therefore the explicit concentration of this administration focuses on war on drugs compromises other sectors such as public healthcare.

Acknowledgement In the present time, only a few people are capable of living for a century, as it takes a handful of discipline, proper diet, and exercise to achieve the secret to be a centenarian. Although there is no one definite recipe to extend one’s lifespan, the aspect that contributes the most is the healthy lifestyle—an idea that is both simple and complex enough for people to realize.

According to Kaitlyn Moore, a writer at everydayhealth.com, conscientiousness, extraversion, and optimism are the most common attributes which affect aging. Moreover, the public health given by the government to the people who are in their stage of senescence, which makes them more demanding with health care needs, should be prepared with the unprecedented costs due to the increase of elders. As the elderly are unable to contribute to the workforce anymore, they ought to be provided with benefits and insurances. The steadfast aging of people on their senescence stage, provides a clearer perspective on how our increasing life expectancy is an achievement of humanity. Although the elixir to immortality has still yet to be formulated by Science, mortality experts have been always proven wrong on their assertion that the human life expectancy is close to its limit. *** Despite geographical and lifestyle causes, we are ultimately still the ones responsible for prolonging our own lives. It would require us a handful of discipline to be able to live a healthy living lifestyle, and a helping hand from our government with accessible public healthcare. Life’s greatness isn’t about how long we lived but it should be on we’ve lived our lives to its full extent.

I still ponder over how academically competitive I was three years ago—acing quizzes and exams, getting frustrated over that 2.0 grade either on paper or portal, and dreaming about being one of the most prominent people in the business and auditing industry. I’ve perfected my vision—wine glasses raised for my success as I would celebrate my 21st birthday, smiling in front of a crowd confidently in my place as I have proved myself enough for the recognition.

Yet years later, I have now shifted to another program, almost brought my thesis on the verge of failure, and dropped certain subjects I could barely salvage. It was a tough ride, but am I regretting it?

Definitely not.

The treasured memories are still clear to me—taking the five-hour entrance exam and losing myself during the panel interview and reading that congratulatory remarks after almost disappointing

myself from succumbing to pressure. After several years of writing and serving, I can’t still find the right words to describe my acceptance to The HERALDO FILIPINO (HF).

Enough with the story time. That’s not the important part.

The important part is how every one of us has built ourselves through years of self-loathing, predicaments, pressure, and self-doubts as we aim to track our paths toward yearning for excellence— no, not excellence— but passion. Despite the academic standards swallowing ourselves down the line. being an HF member has never been a success for me, although it was a dream before. As I spent almost half of my college days at GMH213, I learned how I was destined to write and seek stories of the people in places I will never bother to visit if I was still in the industry of business and confined within textbooks. It hasn’t been just a mere task—it has been a responsibility. To be a writer is to undress yourself—accepting that your passion comes with imperfections and challenges.

Yet the point is not to delve yourself too much on rectifying your being (although still part of the

process); rather, the sheer sense of seeking for the things that matter and fulfilling the journey you have crafted in your mind is where that target lies, awaiting you to throw that hook.

I never regretted delaying myself in enduring the academic system that breeds

There is great power and wisdom beyond the university walls thieves, capitalists, and opportunists in this semi-colonial and neoliberal education system for the opportunity of strolling through cities, farmlands, riverbanks, shores, and slum areas to converse with locals and translate their stories for you, the Lasallian community. I‘ve come to realize that the academe lacks the necessary theories that I learned and acquired on my own through the publication. In fact, I dare say that all the accumulated learnings I have gathered in my three years in HF is greater than what my stay in La Salle has taught me so far.

It’s also been about privilege, as not

everyone has the access to be admitted in this publication as much as many Filipinos do not have the access to education. At the end of the day, learning is still chained in the privilege that a colonialized education has bred through centuries of crafting students as slaves of the elite. However, learning is not only limited to or induced by classroom walls. There’s so much more to learn if we choose to step down our ivory towers and reconnect ourselves to society.

You will never feel the weight of poverty rate until you face a hungry child in the slums of Tondo. You will never know the importance of rice as your staple food until you talk to a farmer and witness their struggles in defending their lands to produce the food on your plate. You will never understand the essence of education until a Lumad student approaches you, telling you that their schools are being bombed and militarized. You will never understand life if you haven’t seen it through the eyes of those who have lived through it.

Despite this, we can continue to topple the forces that bind us, for there is great power and wisdom beyond the university walls.

LITERARY

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018 | PAGE 12

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 1 2

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018 | PAGE 13

LITERARY

Ukol sa Wika at Panitikan: búhay at buháy

Kamakailan lamang ay ipinag-utos ng Korte Suprema sa Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ang pagtanggal ng mga asignaturang Wika at Panitikan sa kurikulum ng kolehiyo na tinatawag na CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 20 Series of 2013. Ngunit ang memorandum na ito ay lumalabag sa RA 7104 o ang Organic Act of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, ang RA No. 232 o Education Act of 1982, at ang RA No. 7356 Organic Act of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Kung kaya’t kaakibat ng pagsabog ng balitang ito ay ang samu’t saring opinyon at mga tanong ng mga Pilipino kung pinapahalagahan pa ba ng gobyerno at ng ating sistemang edukasyon ang ambag ng mga asignatura na ito sa pagpapausbong ng kamalayan, imahinasyon, at pagkakakilanlan natin bílang mga Pilipino.

Batay sa report ng Philstar Global, maaaring mahigit sampung milyon na mga guro ang matanggal sa trabaho dahil sa memorandum na ito. Mariin na kinokondena ng mga guro, mga propesyonal sa larangan ng wika, panitikan, at kultura, mga manunulat, mga mambabasa, at mga organisasyon tulad ng Alyansa ng Mga Tagapagtanggol ng Wikang Filipino (Tanggol Wika) ang pagtanggal ng

Wika at Panitikan sa kolehiyo dahil sa patuloy na pag-atake ng Korte Suprema sa mga asignaturang ito kahit noon pa man. Noong 2015 ay nag-isyu ang Tanggol Wika ng isang temporary restraining order (TRO) para panatiliin ang mga asignatura sa kurikulum ng kolehiyo. Ngunit pinagpatuloy pa rin ng CHED ang CMO sa kabila ng TRO. Kasalukuyang pinaglalaban pa rin ng organisasyon ang naging desisyon ng Korte Suprema—nagsasagawa ng mga forum tungkol sa kalagahan ng Wika at Panitikan at mga kilos-protesta kung kaya’t mapapansin na naglipana ang pakikiisa ng mga netizens sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng profile picture na kulay itim na nagsasaad ng pagsuporta sa Tanggol Wika. Kung para sa iilan, ito ay isang mababaw na pakikipaglaban, dahil ano nga ba ang kahalagahan ng Filipino at Panitikan? Hindi ba itong mga kurso ay tila interest subjects na lamang? Electives? Hindi naman magagamit ng mga estudyante sa kanilang mga trabaho.

Ngunit malaki ang nakaambang epekto nito, unang-una sa pagkakakilanlan natin bílang Pilipino.

Hindi maihihiwalay ang wika sa kaibuturan ng ating pagkatao. Nakasanig ito sa bawat buka ng ating bibig, sa bawat ligalig ng ating isip, at sa ating pang-araw araw na búhay. Hindi ito kailanman mawawaksi ng kahit anong batas, o kagustuhan ng naghaharing-uri na mang-alipusta ng yamang kultura. Kung kaya’t ang pagtalikod natin sa wika at panitikan ay pagtalikod sa ating kasaysayan, sa ating laban para sa kalayaan, sa ating sarili, at sa ating bayan. Ika nga ni Jose Rizal, “ang hindi magmahal sa

sariling wika ay higit sa hayop at malansang isda.” Isang kabalintunaan isipin na marahil ay nakakalimutan na ito ng mga taong nasa kinauukulan—mga tagpaglingkod ng bayan na siyang dapat na magpanatili sa ating wika at panitikan.

Ang pagtalikod natin sa wika at panitikan ay pagtalikod sa ating kasaysayan Isa pang salot sa ating Wika at Panitikan ay ang walang habas na kultura ng rebisyonismo na unti-unting linalason ang ating sistemang edukasyon. Hindi makakaila na ito ay isang manipestasyon ng isang komersyalisado at mala-kolonyal na sistema ng edukasyon. Ang pagtanggal ng Wika at Panitikan ay komersyal dahil sa kagustuhan ng reaksyunaryong gobyerno na ito na paigtingin ang mga kursong patok sa mga dayuhang bansa katulad ng nursing, o engineering at iba pa. Kung kaya’t kitangkita ito sa kultura nating mga Pilipino na nakabatay ang pag-asenso ng isang tao kung sa ibang bansa siya nagtatrabaho kagaya ng imperyalistang Amerika.

Kung tutuusin, ang ideya ng pagiging globally competitive ng ating sistemang edukasyon ay isa lamang

dayag, dahil kung huhukayin, makikita na nagiging negosyo na lamang ang kalakaran ng edukasyon upang paboran at magsilbing kalakal sa mga naghaharing-uri at imperyalistang bansa. Investment, ika nga, ang mga estudyanteng nagtatapos mag-aral ng “magandang” kurso. Ang edukasyon natin ay mala-kolonyal dahil nakaangkla pa rin sa pagiging westernized ang mga tinuturong asignatura, kung kaya’t ang dali na lamang para sa CHED na tanggalin ang Wika at Panitikan sa kolehiyo na tila isang natapos na aralin na nakasulat sa pisara.

Binabaon na sa limot ang ating wika at panitikan sa patuloy na kibit-balikat ng ating neo-liberal na edukasyon.

Kapalit nito ang kagustuhan ng global market ang mga kursong may pera, mga kursong pagkatapos mag-aral ay maninilbihan sa mga dayuhang bansa. Sa bawat araw, unti-unting binubura ang ating pagkakakilanlan habang ang mga estudyante ay patuloy na nakakadena sa isang komersyalisado na edukasyon upang linlangin, maliitin, at maging alipin ng mga banyagang korporasyon at bansa.

Manindigan tayo at lumaban sa paurong na sistemang edukasyon at ating itaguyod ang isang makamasa, makabayan, at siyentipikong edukasyon. Magsisilbi itong hámon sa atin na panatiliing buháy ang mga asignatura na hindi lamang nagpupurga ng imahinasyon kundi nagpapaunlad ng kamalayan, at mapanuring ideolohiya at pag-iisip sa mga kabataan. Mananatili pa rin na matatag ang Wika at Panitikan sa pagsulong para sa isang malaya at mapagpalayang bayan.

Guryon

By Christine Claveria

Mapanghalina ang hanging dumadaluyong sa himpapawid. Hinihila nito paitaas ang guryong pinaglipasan na ng panahon. Kumakalas ang pisi; nililisan ang aking mga palad. Bumisita ang gunita ng pagkabata sa paglayag ng kulay bahagharing laruan. Malayang nakikipagsayaw sa pagsipol ng hanging dalisay— Palayo nang palayo.

Paliit nang paliit.

Hanggang sa kaya nang isilid sa aking balintataw—kung maaari ay manatili. Naglaho ang naglalagablab nitong kulay. Unti-unting sinakluban ng mga ulap ang aking paningin. Nakakasilaw ang kanyang paglisan.

Hanggang sa kapusin ang pisi, at tuluyan itong humayo palayo sa akin, hindi na alam kung saan patungo. Hinabol, sinubukang abutin ang buntot ng pisi. Ngunit tila pumiglas. Tinitigan ko lamang na mayakap ng panganorin ang guryon. I-aalay na lamang sa mga bituing nahihimbing— hihintayin ang pagbalik.

Good Samaritan

By Hanna Dugay

It was almost midnight when eight-year old Gachio quickly rode a jeepney on his way home. Just like usual days, the jeepney was filled with people just wanting to go home from a long day. The cold breeze seemingly not bothering them, or was it just Gachio with his skinny body—bones hugging his ribcage tight—who felt like he could be swept by the wind anytime. In his dirty palm was a couple of coins he managed to collect today from begging in jeepneys and among crowded streets. Usually he would cling to the bars of the jeepney and sing a few songs for the passengers, but now his legs would have to thank him for the much-needed rest.

“Bayad po, isang Bacundala.”

He said, reaching his frail little arm to the driver who mindlessly accepted the fare. He held a plastic bag containing leftovers a man handed him earlier on the street.

The man gave him a kind smile, said it was food and even offered him two hundred pesos. Gachio, feeling the torrent in his stomach worsen, took the plastic bag with the money and ran. His stomach grumbled, despite not knowing if it was clean or not, but he trusted the Good Samaritan anyway. He didn’t know the last time he ate because the coins he collected were for his mother at home.

The lights from a distance danced along with the cold night, but Gachio was too sleepy to distinguish the view. Yet when a familiar blue and red light flashing violently passed by the jeep he was riding, his eyes fluttered opened and he huddled closer in the corner of the jeepney, as though trying to be the plastered poster of a sexy woman on the metal wall of the jeep. He called those lights “the bad lights” as he remembered them on some cars spewing out men in navy blue uniform taking his father away from their home. He was four when it happened, the men in uniform broke the hinges of their wooden door, interrupting their meal that night.

Gachio didn’t even have the time to swallow his food as it happened, as though time itself permitted the men—“those bad men”—to take his father. His mother, who couldn’t even stand, wailed and spewed out incoherent words—the remnants of the stroke she had suffered long ago.

Gachio ran to his father but was immediately greeted by the sight of him being pushed inside of their car. Everyone in Gachio’s barrio talked, offered sympathy with their eyes, but they looked as though it was a normal occurrence in their place. They were used to it. They were as though numb to the pleas of a child whose father was taken

away for something he didn’t even know. What could they do? Gaze at the fading blue and red lights was all they could do. That’s all Gachio could do.

If it was not for the driver shouting that it was his stop, Gachio would have missed the alleyway he was always dropped off. The surroundings was dark, and the shadows from the streetlights felt like giants following him. Every step he took from the rough old ground matched his heart being plummeted by a hammer. The buzzing of crickets drowned with the sound of his very heart beating from his ears.

It was quiet as a grave, but loud enough for Grachio to frantically look to his sides for any signs of the men in blue—or someone that might be interested in taking his food for that matter. He needed to stay quiet, or he would get caught.

What if this time, he would be the one taken by the bad lights?

Yet the silence was broken when loud footsteps came from behind him. As soon as Gachio heard them, without glancing back, he immediately fled from the dark alleyway. The footsteps became louder—rushing, angrier, and heavier with each thump in the ground. Even though Gachio could feel bruises forming on the soles of his feet, adding to the

old bruises he got from walking barefoot everywhere, he didn’t stop. He ran, with the plastic bag swinging in the air. Making a turn and hiding behind a wall, he could see the shadows running past him.

His conscience was right, they were out to get him. It was his turn.

Releasing a breath of relief, he scampered to the wooden house with rusty galvanized iron as a roof, plastered with old and moist tarpaulins of politicians promising change to their barrio he calls home.

Around the house was the poignant stench of a stagnant river, and mountains of wet garbage creating another layer of Earth. Home—he whispered to himself as the wooden door creaked upon his arrival. He dusted off on the makeshift rug made of worn-off clothes and made his way upstairs where his mother laid. Resting on the cabinets were old pictures of him and his parents, his father bright and cheery before he was taken away. The wooden floorboards creaked with his every step. He peaked to see if his mother was sleeping, his hand still gripping the plastic bag. “‘Nay…” Gachio whispered to his mother’s ears. His mother’s eyelids slowly opened.

“Ngacho…”

His mother uttered sleepily. Gachio understood every syllable because he was the

one who took care of his mother when their relatives didn’t even bat an eye, he was the one who bought her medications and fed her after her stroke. Gachio smiled and excitedly showed the plastic bag he had been itching to open.

“Pagkain, ‘nay. May mamang tumulong,” he said between shuffling of plastic. He was greeted by a heavy brown paper bag, and failed to notice the awry look of his mother. When he opened it, it was an odd-looking rice, Gachio said in his mind.

But food is still food. A blessing is still a blessing.

Gachio started spooning the rice to his mouth, offering his mother who in return smacked his son’s hand away. She was saying something Gachio couldn’t recognize—words that were foreign to him. Gachio started feeling his head ache with every bite, his heart warming as though someone was setting a fire in his chest—the rice had a peculiar taste but an even worst after burn. His mother used all her remaining might to smack the plastic bag away from his grasp, and the rice scattered on the floor.

The next thing he heard were footsteps rushing upstairs and his mother groaning as though she was screaming through her pained predicament. His arms were gripped

by big rough hands and he was dragged away from his mother and the suspicious plastic bag.

Even when the world was spinning, he made out the words of the police talking among themselves as he was ruthlessly thrown in a wall outside his house.

“Parang tatay lang niya. Parepareho lang sila.”

The rice was not rice but cocaine shaped to look like rice.

The man—who was not the Good Samaritan Gachio thought him to be was a whistle-blower in his barrio who tricked children to deal drugs then told on the police. He could hear people around him whispering among themselves, but because of his aching body, he could not look up to see if they were offering sympathies with their eyes again, as they always did in the beginning.

His mother was shouting inside the house, but no plea of a mother could reach the consciousness of a police whose orders contradict the ones he should be serving in the first place. They are not Good Samaritans. They are shadows that tore themselves apart from their bodies to point guns. With his mouth turning bone dry and eyes dilating, Gachio felt an icy cold gun barrel meet his temple, and could only wish to see the “bad lights” once again.

Pagsisid

By Christine Claveria Sinisid ang dagat upang perlas ay masuyod, ngunit sinalubong ng agos na gumapos sa hiningang kinakapós, at unti-unting tinatapos ang sinag ng araw.

Ang pagkampay ng mga kamay ay siyang lalong pagkalunod.

Ang pagsayaw sa alon ay naging paghalik sa dilim at pagyakap sa kawalan.

Hanggang sa tuluyan akong malunod sa kaibuturan ng pira-pirasong gunitang natuklasang nakalibing sa buhangin.

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

SPORTS

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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018 | PAGE 15

SPORTS

Serving on and off the court

Behind every team sport’s success story is their coach— the man who helped form a triumphant team of volleybelles.

Though he wasn’t the main coach, he still offers something huge to the volleyball court.

And that man’s name is Vic Carranza—the assistant coach of the volleybelles for over years now. Let’s stroll down the memory lane and witness the dedication that Carranza has given to the volleybelles as the man behind the curtain and the coach behind the court after all these years.

The CSA governance of John Joshua Tengco

by Rose Kristine Amarillo That effort exerted during rigorous training could have been allotted for a quiz; for every drop of sweat, they say, is an honor that persists in the team.

Being a student-athlete demands perseverance, discipline, and management, all while taking too much from one’s time and energy. Not to mention if you’ve been appointed to pioneer as a first-time student council member—it’s a tough life ahead, on and off the court.

This is how John Joshua Tengco, starting libero of DLSU-D Men’s Volleyball Team (MVT) and the president of the newly-founded Council of Student-Athletes (CSA), grinds through his academic and athletic life.

There’s too much to learn and endure, but for Tengco—it takes passion and an eagle’s eye view to ace every ball that life throws at him.

Seeking the passion Being one of the students of the cream of the crop during his grade school, Tengco strived to excel not just for his academic standing but also for his extra-curricular activities ranking. With athletic blood running in his family, Tengco is motivated by his father and brother who are softball and basketball players, respectively. He found his passion in playing volleyball since taking inspiration from his family and carried it with him until college.

Tengco took a hiatus from playing volleyball in his first year in DLSU-D as he focused on maintaining his academic scholarship. His then academic scholarship turned into an athletic scholarship when he was linedup for the DLSU-D MVT during his second year in the university. Despite knowing that libero was the only spot left, Tengco still pushed his way into the team, switching from a high school spiker to collegiate libero.

“Ako ‘yong tipo ng atleta na desidido pero dekalibre,” Tengco said regarding his way of being a student and athletes.

He also advised his fellow teammates that they, like himself, should never

show weakness both in the game and in real life, as “once na pinakitaan mo sila ng kahinaan, hindi ka man nila matalo on that game, tatalunin ka naman nila by the words na pwede nilang sabihin sa’yo.”

the administration that need to hear it.

“We can raise now our concerns kasi before, nakakalungkot lang na meron kaming mga concerns pero saan namin sasabihin?” Tengco shared.

Leader type This academic year has been a remarkable year for the athletes as the first-ever Council of Student Athletes (CSA) was founded by the Office of Student Services (OSS) and Student Development Office (SDO). “Passion ko ang leadership,” Tengco said as he recalled on how he accepted the position of president of CSA. Time management is Tengco’s key to make through his student-athlete life. “I manage my time relevantly [and] equally.

Nakatulong din talaga nang malaki ‘yong course ko kasi it’s more on technical skills and being organized,” he shared, as his course being.

Tengco narrated that each athletic team will be electing two representatives on the election day—a captain and a co-captain.

“Supposedly, hindi dapat ako ‘yong magiging co-captain but sabi ni coach, ‘Ikaw kasi ‘yong sa sector niyo (Catholic), siya (Al-Khaizar Que) ‘yong sa sector nila (Islam)” Tengco said.

Through the conceptualization of CSA, the concul has been able to meet other outside organizations to aid the Patriot athletes, and most importantly, fto raise athletes concerns to members of

What’s to come While discussion about his concerns, Tengco addressed the lack of participation and support of the Lasallian community for the Patriot athletes. More than anything, it is the moral support of the community during their games that the athletes in general would like to request from the students.

Tengco also stated that rebranding is the CSA’s main priority when it comes presenting the Patriots to the student body and even outside DLSU-D. “When we say rebranding, [we mean] refreshing [and] promoting [the Patriots],” he furthered.

Sharing one of his steps towards rebranding, “nagco-come up kami ni OSS Dean (Antonio Gutierrez Jr.) na we should mark the Patriots’ name in every form. Meron tayong sariling atin, ‘yon dapat ang tangkilikin natin. Don’t make an illusion that you are an Archer.”

Three main plans for the athletes were enumerated by Tengco as (1) for the athletes to be known within the university, (2) for the athletes to have a voice and to be heard, and (3) for the athletes to be promoted. As of present, CSA is currently arranging their other plans for the athletes such as athletes’ formations (retreat and recollection), pep rallies, and testimonial dinners.

Tengco furthered the pressure put upon him as the pioneer president

Photo by Gerardine Alcala of CSA, yet how this inspires him at the same time. “Literally, I’m the first but I should be the best. Sabi nga nila, kapag inumpisahan mo nang tama at may sistema, aayon at lilinya ‘yan,” Speaking out his expectations from the student-athletes and SDO, Tengco asked them to give their biggest participation. “Appreciation [of the community] will not follow if you don’t have participation,” he expounded.

Lastly, Tengco also expects a lot of support from the DLSU-D

community as he knows that his fellow students are a vital factor in being a student-athlete and council member. “I expect from you your wildest cheers, your social media blast, your moral support, and your prayers for the De La Salle UniversityDasmariñas.” he said in addressing the DLSU-D students. *** Being a student-athlete and pioneering president is no easy match

for the libero, but just like each game played by the MVT, it’s not accomplished just for the titles to be attained. In order to win it all, one just has to be with the people in the stands cheering them on through each hit, spike, and block. Setting the standard for the rest of the AY and for the future members of future councils will be no easy task for the CSA President—but just like every spike he faces, he’ll be ready to give it all he’s got for the glory of the Patriots.

of Adam, 1-0. The scores got tied 5-5, but the Falcons strayed away with 3 points off Mark Alvarez’s consecutive quicks, 8-5. With 7-11 in the fourth set, the Patriots built momentum and managed to come through with veteran spiker Aidam Adam’s offense, 10-11. “ANIMO LA SALLE!” the Patriots shouted as they marched onward to the intense game versus the Falcons.

The Animo Spirit wasn’t depleted as at 13-15, they took advantage of Falcons’ errors and put up a 5-0 run, 18-16, through the combined efforts of Salapuddin and Kasim. However, the Falcons’ claws once again went through the Patriots offense as

they came back sturdier with a 9-3 run, 22-24. The crowd went wild as the game was coming into a close. The next points, the Falcons’ Pablico and Amburgo committed errors adding two points to the green-and-white scoreboard as Pablico was blocked by Salapuddin, 25-24.

The bench of the Patriots also went into cheer mode. It was the Patriots’ perfect opportunity to comeback. Kasim flew, but in an unlucky situation, he was blocked by the Alvarez, 26-25.

The spiker flew again. He swung his arm but a Falcon was waiting for him. It was the other team’s ace, Pablico ended the Patriot campaign with a block, 27-25.

UNIGAMES from page 16

READY, SET, LAUNCH. Patriot Aidam Adam towers over two Adamson University Falcons during the final game of their UNIGAMES campaign on October 25 in Dumaguete City.

Photo by Bermanie Jean Doniña

But the Patriots fire sparked as they put up a 4-2 run, 15-13 lead

by Kasim and Patriot Chandler Salapuddin. The Falcons flew close again to the Patriots, 16all, through Captain John Philipp Yude’s two consecutive spikes off points. Adam’s inner beast went off as he flew higher than the Falcons with three beastly spikes that aided the Patriots, 19-16.

Forward to 20-19 as the Patriots froze the Falcons and grabbed a 3-0 run with combined efforts from Adam and Salapuddin. The Falcons tried to bounce back with 20 points from Bello and Pablico, 25-22, but failed, 25-22 Stare downs started between the two teams at the first spike

Dasvidanya You may be wondering what that title means—it means goodbye. I heard it from a childhood movie that I’ve watched over a countless times, and what encompasses this column. It is the last hurrah—with a little bit of an existential crisis.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride since my first day in DLSU-D. I had a family within The HERALDO FILIPINO (HF). It was the best time of my life when I met them and though I wish they would have stayed, I do realize that life goes on and people leave. The people who you’re with now, at whatever point of life you may be,

will not be the people who you’ll be with five or ten years down the line.

College is meant to prepare us for the real world. It’s full of heartbreaks and a ticket to the real world. Heck, I think college is only a fraction of what’s to happen in the real world.

College prepares us as for what will happen when we set foot on the doors of the world where you have to be independent. A place where you have to do everything on your own, without your parents’ supervision; a place where you individually make your own decisions and apply what you’ve learned when you were younger.

I realized that I’m slowly losing everything—including myself—by trying to fit in to society’s demands, by trying out new things I’ve never done before, by forgetting who I was as a child. But along the way I’ve also realized that maybe this is the process of

growth. Sometimes, you lose yourself in the world—a world where everybody is just as lost as you are. The biggest lesson I learned was do not hurry change. Change is constant, but it should be gradual and a process. “If you forget who you are before, you’ll forget who you are

Do not hurry change now.” To this day, this quote from our former Editor in Chief in HF is still imprinted on my mind. When this thought comes, regrets sink in. At the end of the day all that matter is you being you. Never should we shape ourselves in order to be good in the eyes of many.

There comes a time when there’s too much problems to handle and you can’t help but give up—but you shouldn’t ever give up on life.

Instead, give up another thing in order to move

forward; give up that anchor that’s holding you down; give yourself a space to breathe. But never ever be complacent with what you have worked hard for. Never let anyone speak of it as something invaluable as it will confuse you in what you want to become.

But I still do hope that there is hope for me in finding the myself I’ve known before these tragedies. Slowly losing everything I’ve worked hard for is the biggest tragedy I’ve ever encountered yet; but perhaps losing everything is the only way to know what’s really worth having. After all, there is an equivalent equilibrium to everything.

My journey isn’t ending anytime soon. I still have a lot to go through in college. It’s just my time to say goodbye to a responsibility that was given to me. A responsibility I’ll surely miss—and ended early.

Dasvidanya.

Photo by Mariel Almendras

V for Victorious

by Carl Camara You might’ve seen the volleyball women in green and white clutch another victory under their belt. Though continuous praise goes to the DLSU-D Lady Patriots for their commendable effort in lifting the Patriot pride, only a few Lasallians would commend the man who helped build and mold the formidable team that stands today.

The first whistle At first glance, Coach Vic might look rigorous and strict.

His meticulous demeanor might have intimidated freshmen students, but behind that stern face is a humorous yet straightforward personality.

Observing him further, one would notice how dedicated he is in coaching the voleybelles toward victory—a passion he reaps from the environment he grew up in. “[Nagsimula ang lahat] sa tinirahan ko sa Cubao dahil may volleyball court doon. Kung tawagin natin, ‘yung sinaunang laro,” Coach Vic shared regarding how he learned about volleyball. Coach Vic was introduced to volleyball casually as it was the game popular at the community where he lived.

His high school days proved to be memorable for him as he started to pick up the ball during the 1970s.

Years after several spikes and hit, he soared to new heights as he served himself to the competitive scene under the banner of Adamson University Falcons. The volleyball player-

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2

turned-coach started as his team’s spiker and secondary setter. During his golden years in 1981, he ascended to 2nd place in University Athletic Association of the Philippines with his fellow Falcons.

As the student will become the master, Coach Vic proves that even masters can return to the classroom Serving the court Back in high school, he would manage himself from studying to coaching volleyball as soon his classes were dismissed. Initially, Carranza never wanted to be a coach.

Despite prestigious schools granting him coaching offers, he turned them down to solely focus in his career as an instructor. “‘Di ko tinatanggap ‘yong coaching job noon. [Mayroong] mga offer especially UE and Adamson [lalo] no’ng graduate na ako pero ‘di ko tinanggap,” Coach Caranza admitted, emphasizing the hardships in shifting from following plays to conceptualizing them for others.

Before he embraced his coaching journey, he started as an instructor for team sports at DLSU-D in 1997. He picked up the whistle after his retirement as an instructor in an attempt to mold the next generations of the Lady Patriots. From then on, he focused on serving the ace, bouncing back from all the defeats and triumphs every now and then.

Beyond the game Just like dependable coaches inside and off the court, Coach Vic has maintained close ties with his trainees and

players. “My relationship [with them ay] parang father-daughter relationship,” he proclaims.

In establishing bonds with the volleybelles, creating valuable relationships as well as maintaining professionalism is necessary, may it be during games or grinding during trainings. After going into overdrive at the volleyball court, the Lady Patriots developed their camaraderie through eating their meals together while conversing about their lives. They have managed to keep their relationships firmer and stronger through undergoing a series of team building activities.

Beyond the bonds and relationships established, the Coach Vic envisions the team to excel in the sport as their top priority. The blood, sweats and tears that the team has shed will always be for the success and victory of the Lasallian community, according to Carranza. *** The next time we spot another social media post about the victories of the Lady Patriots, we should remember success isn’t singlehandedly attained by the players; we have the coaches to extend our gratitude to. The volleybelles are not just limited to the players playing the game; it extends even to the coaches behind the scenes.

At the end of each game, triumph is not solely achieved through the players’ prowess, but also through the coaches’ game knowledge and expertise accumulated throughout the years of being amateurs, to veterans, to being coaches themselves. True enough for the Lady Patriots, you just can’t spell victory without Vic.

One shot: Mariel Campasa’s basketball journey

by Angelo Reyes Being on a championship run over the past years, the DLSU-D women’s basketball team continuously exceeds expectations by bagging championship after championship to uplift the Lasallian community. Carrying the legacy of the DLSU-D Cagebelles, 19-year-old shooting guard Mariel Campasa is determined to continue giving her best not just for the team, but for everyone who believes in her as well as for everyone who doubts her capabilities.

However, for Campasa, being a full-time student athlete and a senior Criminology student, one thing is clear: academics will always prevail over her varsity life. Like the rest of us, she is not immune to stress, anxieties, and other demons that we also face as college students.

But the dedicated Cagebelle fights them with focus, perseverance, and hard work, the same formula that she utilizes in her varsity life. So before we witness her one last shot as a Cagebelle and as a Lasallian, let’s call a time-out and delve into her life donning both the green and white uniform and jersey.

A passion ignited Campasa’s older siblings and cousins introduced her to basketball during her childhood years. Being the only girl among them, she was oftentimes invited to play basketball. but only to the extent of being just a salimpusa, or just for the sake of having another player in the game. Little did they know that this will ignite Campasa’s love and passion for the game. Consequently, she said that she liked the idea of a girl knowing how to play basketball that can keep up—sometimes even be better—than boys.

Fast forward, there was a basketball league exclusively for girls which was organized by her school, Balibago National High

School and her brother urged her to try-out. Just as what Campasa’s brother and family were expecting, the young prospect was accepted, starting a new journey as she took on the mantle of a basketball varsity.

Transitioning adventure Coach Tito Reyes, the head coach of DLSU-D women’s basketball team, recruited Campasa at the age of 15 after discovering her in a tune-up game in 2013. Seeing her potential, Reyes offered her a prestigious chance to be a Lasallian student athlete, inviting her to join the DLSU-D women’s basketball team. Not thinking twice, Campasa grabbed the opportunity of fulfilling her passion and helping her family financially at the same time.

Her initial experiences as a Cagebelle were rocky. Born and raised in the city of Santa Rosa, Laguna, Campasa moved to Cavite when she was 15 years old. But that move was filled with trying times.

“First time kong nag-dorm [no’n] e hindi ako sanay na malayo sa family ko [at ‘yong] weekends lang ang uwi ko.

Nanibago rin ako sa training program [ng DLSU-D women’s basketball team], mas mahirap,” Campasa explained. Yet these obstacles didn’t stop her journey as a Cagebelle.

Inspired by her family and driven to improve herself on the game, she

didn’t stray away from the basketball path.

But it didn’t take a long time before her heart finally settled in DLSU-D. “Sobrang masaya ako na kasali ako sa DLSU-D women’s basketball team kasi natutulungan nila ako. So bilang isang player, kailangan ko rin mag-give back sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral ng mabuti at ibigay ‘yong best sa bawat laro ng team,” Campasa said.

She commended Coach Reyes and the rest of the coaching staff on how they train and develop the team.

“Dinidisiplina at hinuhubog nila kami hindi lang as a player, hindi lang sa larangan ng basketball, kung hindi bilang tao rin talaga.”

Throughout the Cagebelles’ several accomplishments, Campasa’s skills and talents shined. which had brought her personal awards. She was honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 2017 PRISAA – Provincials and Regionals, along with a Best Guard award in the PRISAA - Nationals. In the following year, she dominated the PRISAA - Provincials, coming home with an MVP award and the honor of being part of the Mythical Selection. Unfortunately, the shooting guard was unable to play in 2018 PRISAA - Nationals due to an ankle injury. Moving on to NCRAA, Campasa was part of the Mythical Selection in their

Photo by Mariel Almendras 2018 NCRAA championship.

But among of all her legacies as a Cagebelle, her most cherished achievement yet is the MVP award that she received from the 2017 PRISAA Nationals after her historic game-deciding free throw shot that defeated their archrivals, the Davao region, with a score of 49-48 that earned the team’s sixth straight championship award. Furthermore, she is the Most Improved Player as per Coach Reyes. But despite all these accomplishments, Campasa doesn’t aspire for personal awards.

“Binibigay ko ‘yong best ko hindi para sa akin, kung hindi para sa team [talaga]. ‘Yong mga personal awards [na ‘yan], bonus na lang talaga sa akin,” the Cagebelle humbly said.

Maintaining her priorities Campasa, a fourth year Criminology student, revealed

that there are times when a class schedule becomes conflicting with her training schedule, so she had to adjust both as to not to compromise one of them. It is usually the second semester of the academic year wherein majority of the leagues are scheduled, leaving the athletes less time to rest and to study.

Despite struggles and requirements of being a student athlete, the Cagebelle still manages to cope up with them through focus, perseverance, and hard work. She also noted that time management is the most important key in becoming a student athlete to achieve an optimal balance between academics and sports—which is essential in both fields. She also stresses that academics will always be more important than sports, that their studies should

be their primary focus, not the other way around. “Kaya nga lagi sa amin pinapa-alala ni Coach Reyes na ‘wag namin sasayangin ‘yong pagkakataon na makapag-aral kasi hindi naman habambuhay maglalaro ka e.

Kapag grumaduate kami, may iba kaming patutunguhan, hindi lang sa larangan ng sports,” she said. *** For aspiring student athletes, Campasa advises them to follow their passion, but keep in mind their priorities as a student.

She told them to always give their best—focus, perseverance, and hard work not just in sports but in academics as well. Despite her success as a Cagebelle, her true accomplishment is finding and living out your passion and sharing its fruits to others.

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SPORTS FEAT John Joshua Tencgco page 14

SPORTS FEAT Mariel Campasa page 15

SPORTS FEAT Coach Vic Carranza page 15

TOUGH GRIND. Despite their efforts, the Lady Patriots failed to draw sets against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors during the preliminary round of the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) Collegiate Grand Slam 2018 held at the Caloocan Sports Complex on November 24.

Photo by Jean Quinto

DLSU-D heads up despite second consecutive loss in PSL 2018

by Angelo Reyes The DLSU-D Lady Patriots were pierced by the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in their first-ever encounter with a monster sweep of 11-25, 24-26, 13-25 during the preliminary round of the Philippine SuperLiga (PSL) Collegiate Grand Slam 2018 on Saturday, November 24 at the Caloocan Sports Complex in Caloocan City.

Similar to the Lady Patriots’ previous match on November 10 against Far Eastern University (FEU), rookie open hitter Rain Ramos once again led the Lady Patriots in scoring with six points while Basilyn Delfin assisted with five points and nine digs.

Pearl Pena also fortified the Lady Patriots’ defense with ten digs.

The two Most Valuable Player (MVPs) of the game were Lady Warriors Judith Abil finishing with 11 kills while Mary Ann Mendrez fired up seven points along with nine digs to clinch their first victory in the league. Team captain of the Lady Warriors Roselle Baliton had 5 points along with Zilfa Olarve. Jasmine

Alcayde contributed with four points.

Laizah Bendong, Lhara Clavano, Seth Rodriguez, and Remcel Santos had three points each. Juliet Catindig, Carol De Leon, and Mariella Gabarda finished with two points each.

The Lady Patriots had an unfortunate start at the first set with a seven-point run by the Lady Warriors

early in the game. Furthermore, they were plagued by a barrage of service aces by the Lady Warriors in the first set, resulting to an established momentum in favor to UE which held down DLSU-D with 11 points.

The green-and-white squad came in close to disrupt the impetus of the Lady Warriors in the following canto.

A successful block by UE’s Remcel Santos opened the Lady Warriors’ early six-point run in the second set, preventing the Lady Patriots from taking the lead throughout the set.

Lady Patriots Mara Galicia and Rain

Ramos coincided with two spikes and one spike respectively to make the game a one-point lead, 21-22.

But DLSU-D squandered their threepoint run with an outside spike by Angel Protacio, making the score 2123. The Lady Patriots tied the game with the scores of 23-23 and 24-24 due to UE’s errors, but an unfortunate outside spike by Lady Patriot Angel Protacio pushed the score 24-25.

Lady Warrior Remcel Santos took advantage of the set point, proceeding with a rock-solid block to secure the second set with a score of 24-26.

The Lady Patriots were unable to withstand the momentum of UE as the Lady Warriors had an early six-point run in the third set, with MVP Judith Abil and Zilfa Olarve leading with spikes that penetrated DLSU-D’s defense. At the scores of 13-21, The Lady Warriors made quick work of the Lady Patriots with a game-ending four-point run in the final seconds of the third set. The red-hot MVP Judith Abil erupted with nine points in the third set to end the game in a dominating fashion, 13-25.

Patriots fall prey to ADU Falcons in UNIGAMES 2018, 1-3

by John Zedrick Simeon After a neat record of 3-2, the DLSU-D Patriots ended their Philippine University Games (UNIGAMES) campaign at the hands of the Adamson Univeristy (ADU) Soaring Falcons, 17-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-27, at the Foundation University Gym, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, October 25.

“Kakaunti ‘yong veterans natin. May confusion na nangyari sa mga palo. Nalilito sila, kinakabahan. ‘Yon sinasabi ko nga lagi ang panalo talagang pinagsisikapan. Hindi pwedeng depende sa lakas.” Patriot head coach Joven Racelis said after the game.

UNIGAMES COMEBACK. Garnering a 3 wins-2 losses tally, the DLSU-D Men’s Volleyball Team ended their Unigames campaign as they battled Holy Angels University, Negros Oriental State University, University of Davao, University of San Agustin, 6and Adamson University on October 22-25 at Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Infographic by Reignand Bongao

Falling to sharp claws In the second set, Patriot Eddiemar Kasim grabbed the spotlight as he led the Patriots to a 10-7 lead. However, the Falcons Leo Miranda, Royce

Bello, and Paolo Public added three points to put the game in a deadlock, 10-all. It was a game of changing scores from then on as three deadlocks comprised the next scores of the Patriots and Falcons. Until the greenand-white squad Patriot spiker Aidam Adam’s 2 consecutive points helped the Patriots stray away, 15-13. However, the Falcons didn’t back down as once again the blue-and-white squad flew close to the Patriots at 18-18. Three deadlocks once again happened in the next

scores. Until the Falcons’ Bello and Miranda grabbed the golden opportunity at 22-22 as they put up a 3-1 run courtesy of spikes and buried the Patriots, 22-25.

The Patriots were down two-sets to none but turned the tables in the third set, 2522. In the third set, a deadlock welcomed the two teams at 3-3.

But the Falcons diverged at 4-7.

Patriot Spikers Adam and Kasim didn’t back down as they put up two spikes plus an error from Falcon spiker Miranda, 7-all.

Deadlock came again at 11-11.