MARCH 2021 - AUGUST 2021 | PAGE 1
VOLUME 35 ISSUE 2
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS MARCH 2021 - AUGUST 2021
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ONE SHOT AT A TIME: Senior citizens and people with comorbidities line up to get their first dose of the vaccine at the covered court of Amadeo National High School (AMANAHIS), Amadeo, Cavite, as part of the nationwide vaccination campaign ‘Resbakuna’.
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Photo by Aprilean Octavo
USG Judiciary identifies violations in 2021 general election Investigation continues for USEC by Patricia Recaña The University Student Government (USG) High Court raised awareness on found unconstitutionality within the 2021 DLSU-D General Election, as indicated on an en banc statement posted via their Facebook page on June 25.
Conducted by the University Student Election Commission (USEC), the general election was identified to
have cases of breach of integrity and lack of transparency. In an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, Chief
Justice Sean Getape and Deputy Chief Justice Ramon De Paz mentioned the possible violated provisions of the USEC.
Discussing the overall case of unconstitutionality, Getape cited Article IV, Section 6 of the USG Constitution, which indicates that the primary election shall be held before the general election. The chief justice shared that there was an investigation
of unconstitutionality with the postponement of the primary elections because “ang pinasa kasi nilang (USEC) formal files sa’min is regarding the postponement of the primary election. ... We were expecting na it would be rescheduled before the general election is conducted.”
For the lack of transparency, Getape highlighted Article III, Section 14, which states that “no student shall be denied full access to information in matters under students’ concerns.” “Sobrang kulang yung transparency ng USEC. Hindi sapat ‘yong mga information See GE VIOLATIONS | page 4
DLSU-D offers first masteral program in Sustainable Leadership and Governance in PH by Lance Mejico As one of the programs of the School of Governance, Public Service, and Corporate Leadership (SGPSCL), DLSU-D has offered the first master’s course on Sustainable Leadership and Governance in the Philippines starting January 2021. In an online interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, SGPSCL Director Dr. Christian George Franciso stated that the program aims to educate Cavite leaders and public servants in
crafting sustainable policies, legislations, and projects that would benefit local communities and different sectors in the future. “You cannot find this program in any institutions
here in the Philippines. ... We are offering governance and leadership with the component of sustainability,” Francisco said. The program, which started on January 23, is a trimester
WORK IN PROGRESS. As of April 15, construction of the new College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) building remains in progress following the effects of lockdown and pandemic.
See GOVERNANCE PROGRAM | page 2
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SPECIAL REPORT
FEATURES
LITERARY
SPORTS
Meeting in the middle
The truth about lying page 11
Midnight noises page 15
War of the Seven Pillars page 24
page 5
NEWS
MARCH 2021 - AUGUST 2021 | PAGE 2
GOVERNANCE PROGRAM from page 1
NEWS BRIEF
DLSU-D wins Altamente Elogiado Award in the 2021 International Green Gown Awards by Patricia Recaña Among the eight finalist schools within the Sustainability Institution of the Year category, DLSU-D bagged the Altamente Elogiado Award or the Highly Commended Award given by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) in the International Green Gown Awards (IGGA), an online bilingual ceremony from the United Kingdom on July 7. In his message, University President Br. Gus Boquer said, “We (the University) are committed to do all that we can to reach out to countries that can receive whatever moral support is possible, so that we can, together, take care of our planet Earth so that our environment is greener and healthier.” Sharing the top three spots with Polytech Montpellier of France and Keele University of the United Kingdom, DLSU-D was the only Asian university to reach the finals, and the only Philippine university to receive top honors. Meanwhile, Environment Resource Management Center Pollution Officer Jocelyn Luyon presented different practices made by the University in a virtual climate conference organized by the EAUC on July 8.
New CSG leaders elected for AY 2021-2022 by Lance Mejico The College of Liberal Arts and Communication Student Government (CLACSG) and the College of Engineering and Architecture Student Government (CEATSG) have elected a new governor and vice governor after its candidates reached the vote of confidence in the 2021 General Elections, officially proclaimed on June 30. Securing the required vote percentage in their respective colleges, University Student Election Commission (USEC) proclaimed Jacob Ely Pablarica and Jenna Medina as the CLACSG governor and vice governor for the academic year (AY) 2021-2022, while Sean Noah Punongbayan and Justine Arguelles won the CEATSG governor and vice governor positions. Candidates with no electoral opponent must be able to reach the vote of confidence, which varies depending on the voter’s population of a particular college. As the University Student Government (USG) Constitution requires the collegiate executive positions to be elected jointly, Pablarica and Medina garnered 505 votes from CLAC students, while Punongbayan and Arguelles won their
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positions with 1,102 votes from the CEAT population. Meanwhile, CEAT also identified legislative councilors for AY 2021-2022 with only three out of five candidates obtaining the vote of confidence, namely: Angeline Marie Garcia, Elijah Louie Barabat, and Kenneth Daulo. On the other hand, the USEC also proclaimed one legislative councilor in the College of Business Administration and Accountancy Student Government (CBAASG) after its one and only candidate for the post, Chandan Khaira, won the position by surpassing the required number of votes to be elected. Vacancies during elections While the General Elections was able to elect new leaders at the
University level, many CSG posts remained vacant due to the absence of candidates in several elective positions. USEC recorded no candidates for all elective collegiate positions from the College of Education Student Government (COEDSG), College of Science and Computer Studies Student Government (CSCSSG), College of Tourism and Hospitality Management Student Government (CTHMSG), and College of Criminal Justice Education Student Government (CCJESG). Additionally, CBAASG was not able to identify candidates for the top two collegiate executive positions, while there were no candidates for the legislative council of CLACSG.
Infograph by Rachelle Ann Calaustro
master’s course with a span of 15 to 16 months. Any graduate of a four-year bachelor course may apply, especially those who work and hold positions in local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sectors. Francisco said all classes are held virtually every Saturday in line with the nationwide ban of on-site classes. Preparations and planning phase As the program is offered in DLSU-D for the first time, the University prepared through multiple consultations with several local government officials in the province. According to Francisco, he even reached out to Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla Jr. to discuss their plans on offering the program. During the consultation, Remulla even committed himself to teaching some courses in the SGPSCL in the future. Instead of following the original plan of the administration last year on offering short-term courses, the consultation with various government officials prompted the office to introduce a masters degree in Sustainable Leadership and Governance. “So I mentioned to Brother Gus to offer the masters program in two to three years, but the demand is pressing us,” he clarified. In an article released on The HERALDO FILIPINO Vol. 34, Issue 2, Francisco mentioned that the office was targeting to offer short-certificate programs on Sustainable Development and Good Governance in their first few years.
He said that short-term courses were supposed to be offered first in the University in the second semester of AY 2019-2020, but were pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the change of plans, the director confirmed that the offering of shortterm programs will still push through this 2021. To make the course offering official, the director applied the curriculum to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in September 2020, and was approved as early as October. This gave the administration the go signal to make the course available for enrollment in January 2021. Improving pandemic response Following the program’s goal of assisting public leaders in developing sustainable projects for their community, Francisco believed that the master courses will also help improve the pandemic response of LGUs in Cavite. Part of the course offerings include Introduction to Sustainable Leadership and Governance, Public Policy and Development, Ethical Leadership in Public Service, and subjects that will aid LGUs in planning sustainable projects. “It’s not just a homo or a single-based program. It’s an eclectic program that would address basically the leadership and governance aspect of a local government unit,” Francisco said. By the end of the course, students are expected to come up with a “sustainability project” that includes a proposal on how LGUs should address an existing problem of their chosen community. The project
will then be proposed to the concerned government agencies, officials, and sectors for the program’s implementation. Future plans Apart from offering a master’s course, Francisco also mentioned that they are planning to launch shortterm courses, which is the compressed version of the masteral program. The first installment of the course was supposed to be offered first in March 2021 in Dasmariñas City LGU, but got “temporarily parked” due to the reimplementation of stricter quarantine protocols in the province and its nearby areas. However, Francisco clarified in a follow-up interview in April that plans for introducing shortterm courses will still push through once quarantine measures are eased in Cavite. SGPSCL is also planning to offer a doctorate program in Sustainable Leadership and Governance in the University after two to three batches of the masters course. While plans for the offering of certificate courses were put on hold, Francisco shared that SGPSCL will be signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)CALABARZON for a research collaboration by April 28. “DILG reaches out to us to aid them in doing evaluation of their regional online training among its personnel. So DLSU-D shall be coming up with a research team through the initiative of SGPSCL,” the director stated.
CWTS opts to online community service projects for this AY by Lance Mejico Following the shift to distance learning, the DLSU-D Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) program organized various online community service projects for the academic year (AY) 2020-2021, making it an alternative for the usual onsite community engagement.
In an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, CWTS Coordinator Eric Vargas said that alternative projects and activities centered on education, environment, health, and livelihood were implemented in the past two semesters. During the course of the program, students have conducted webinars on voter’s education and mental health, assisted students from public elementary schools about distance learning, and initiated environmental advocacy programs by providing tips and lessons on various kinds of gardening. “Admittedly, they (students enrolled under CWTS) have very few clients compared to face-to-face community engagements but it did not stop them to pursue and continue doing community projects,” Vargas pointed out. Despite the implemented changes in community service
activities, the coordinator mentioned that requirements for CWTS students were not modified. Similar to the course requirement in a face-to-face setup, students were still required to submit documentation of their projects at the end of the program. Concerns and future plans With the adjustments implemented for the CWTS program, Vargas shared that the department has received ‘minimal concerns’ for the AY 2020-2021. According to him, most of the concerns were centered on the number of assessments given by professors, which has also been a general concern from students since the implementation of distance learning in the University. “To cater also to the concerns of students’ mental health, the number of assessments is minimized
without sacrificing the learning objectives of the program,” Vargas added when asked about the department’s response to the student concerns. As DLSU-D retains online mode next semester, the coordinator shared their plan to partner with various communities to gain more attendees in the virtual community service initiatives. Additionally, reflective and service-learning will be integrated into the course framework for the upcoming semester to familiarize students in conducting community service projects. “As long as we are limited by the health and safety protocols and having students’ safety as the utmost concern, we will find creative ways to provide the reflection and learning needed by the youth to contribute to their formation as responsible citizens of this country,” Vargas said.
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NEWS
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USEC proclaims new USG president, vice president for AY 2021-2022 by Patricia Recaña
Announcing the overall voter turnout and official results of the 2021 General Elections on June 30, University Student Election Commission (USEC) proclaimed Niña Ligan and Reine Cruz as the University Student Government (USG) executive department leaders for the academic year (AY) 2021-2022.
HAPPY EASTER. Celebration of Easter Sunday continues at Bahayang Pag-asa, Imus, Cavite as devotees parade the image of Risen Christ from Sto. Niño de Molino Parish Church, on April 4.
Photo by Miguel Luis Abenales
DLSU-D launches special issue journal on COVID-19 educational response
Claiming the president and vice president electoral positions, Ligan and Cruz garnered 2,723 student votes out of the total 4,852 voter turnout. On the other hand, Nico Murla and JC Lising gathered a total of 1,524 votes. In line with candidacy outlines, Article II Section I of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the 2021 General Elections required executive positions to be elected jointly. Plans and Platforms In context with the winning candidates, Ligan and Cruz posted their platforms for their candidacy under the Facebook page “Ligan and Cruz: The Presidential Anecdote” on June 18.
In the said post, Ligan enumerated the main platforms under their candidacy such as the Mentorship Training Program, USG Technical Team, Media Publication Protection Program, and the Research Accessibility Program. While the Mentorship Training Program focused on providing support and knowledge to DLSU-D leaders, the establishment of the USG Technical Team aimed to promote the utilization of the power of social media in order to strengthen student engagement and virtual presence. Under the Media Publication Protection Program, the post highlighted that “as the
people view the youth as the true change of this country, then we must continuously endeavor to uphold the fight for truth and transparency.” Lastly, the Research Accessibility Program aims to create a platform or website to help students utilize different researches. Moreover, Cruz pointed out main virtues of their plans namely Abot-Kamay, Angat Dangal, and Hawak Kamay. While the focus of AbotKamay falls under student assistance, Angat dangal aims to accompany the students on different types of issues, and Hawak Kamay focuses on being “in service to promote the holistic welfare of the students.”
by Patricia Recaña Aiming to learn more about University processes and responses to the pandemic, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research (OVCAR) and the University Research Office (URO) officially launched the Academia Lasalliana Journal of Education and Humanities (ALJEH) special issue via Microsoft (MS) Teams on July 14. Starting in 2019, ALJEH serves as the University’s bi-annual release showcase research by DLSU-D professors and teachers. As stated within the journal, ALJEH “offer[s] a platform for the presentation of scientific knowledge pertaining to a myriad of subjects related to education and humanities”. For its first virtual launching, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Research Emmanuel Calairo welcomed the audience with a special issue titled “COVID Creases: A Curriculum in Crisis?”. According to ALJEH Editorin-Chief Maria Virginia Aguilar, the journal was a “proof of how much hard work we have shown collectively and individually in DLSU-D to fulfill our task to educate, [...] to respond to the demands of online teaching.” Meanwhile, Research Communication, Dissemination, and Utilization Coordinator Jaime Zeus Agustin then explained the process of submission, evaluation, and acceptance of articles for publication that were reduced to six research papers.
more developed personalized instructions and instructional facilities and services, evolved teacher skills, and expansive education. This was followed by Mathematics Department Professor Nelda Nacion’s discussion on “Caring for what matters: DLSU-D course design framework for SY 20202021” which tackled the effectiveness of the newly implemented academic framework of the same name. Effective since the first semester of the academic year (AY) 2020-2021, the care-centered model of learning included updated provisions on time management and assessment types along with homebased modular learning. In line with the framework, overall results of the article showed that the new care-centered model was perceived to be effective by both the college faculty and student respondents. However, student respondents raised that the connection between them and their teachers, self-care time, and the minimum weight for enabling assessments were unsatisfactory despite its effectiveness.
Discussing university processes and course design effectivity For his presentation, VCAR Marco Saez talked about his paper titled “Has the school ‘run well’ since the pandemic began?” that focused on the assessment of the learning and teaching processes of DLSU-D from March to September 2020. “The University was hearing so many voices and it was really a challenge on how to organize these voices and make sense of all of them. It was ... important for the University to understand them thoroughly because it’s still committed to deliver quality education,” Saez shared, expounding on the rationale behind the research. Defining “run well”, the paper specified how the term originated from the Vitality Criteria which distinctly characterizes the Lasallian education. The presented principles were then utilized as direction for Lasallian educational institutions. As concluded within the article, the areas of improvement for the curriculum include: having more active and present vocation promotions, strengthened and improved sectoral participation and communication,
Faculty and graduate studies’ status and work monitoring Nacion also handled the next research paper regarding the wellbeing of DLSU-D faculty members during online learning. Additionally, Nacion explained that well-being should be the focus of the administration’s support. As seen in the results, “for the comments given by the respondents, fir this the most evident is the assistance for gadgets to be used in online class, electricity and internet connection.” In terms of graduate students’ status, School of Governance, Public Service, and Corporate Leadership (SGPSCL) Director Christian George Francisco presented the article “Sanas at Pamamahala ng mga paaralang gradwado ng DLSU-D sa panahon ng pandemya”. Part of the results showed that the main concerns under graduate studies were gadget capacity, internet connection, and the drive for face-to-face learning even with limited sessions. ALJEH also included the paper called “Developing a Framework to Monitor Teacher Engagement
in Learning Management System: Perspectives from an Educational Technology Office which studied on the framework development for monitoring the faculty and staff through their utilization of the Learning Management System (LMS). As one of the writers, Center for Innovative Learning Programs (CILP) Director Paul Anthony Notorio stated that the paper focused on teacher engagement for monitoring purposes. “When a teacher is more engaged to their learning management system, it will yield better results to the student ... if our teachers are not well-trained or disengaged, it would translate to the students’ experience as well,” he added Examining DLSU-D’s senior high school In discussion of ALJEH’s last article, the webinar also talked about the students’ self-perceived and teacher-measured academic competence in the University’s senior high school level. Senior High School Academic Coordinator Robbie Ann Jesser Eullo said that the article aimed to answer the question “how can we assess our students to become more aware of and be more responsible to their own learning process?” Initial points of observations gathered within the paper were information and learning environment presently available to the respondents, current state of mental and psychological well-being of the respondents, grading system applied by teachers in computing subject grades, and effectiveness of the online questionnaire used. *** Concluding the event, URO Director Johnny Ching encouraged faculty to pass research proposals and articles for publication and shared, “despite the problems and the challenges, but we (DLSU-D researchers) manage to create ways.” To access ALJEH, the complete and online copies can be found at DLSU-D’s research portal.
Infograph by Rachelle Ann Calaustro
Dasma mayor names ULS as COVAX megasite DLSU-D starts projects for vaccines by Patricia Recaña Ugnayang La Salle (ULS), dubbed as a “COVAX megasite” by Mayor Jennifer Barzaga, opened its doors for a mass vaccination held by the City Government of Dasmariñas on June 26. As megasites hold large vaccination efforts, “a total of 1,209 senior citizen residents of Dasmariñas received their first doses of the Pfizer Vaccine and I administered a number of vaccines along with the Medical Staff and Volunteers of our City Health Offices,” Barzaga shared through a Facebook post. Additionally, the city government encouraged citizens to register for vaccination as a protection against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). According to a post uploaded on July 5 by the Dasmariñas City Information Office, vaccination efforts started on June 7 at mall sites such as Robinsons Place, SM, Central Mall, and Vistamall. The post stated that “nasa 300 hanggang 400 kada araw ang itinakdang bilang ng target na mabakunahan dito. Nakadepende pa rin ito sa alokasyon ng Department of Health.”
Vaccination for DLSU-D students As part of the University’s efforts against COVID-19, the Office of Student Services (OSS) released a vaccination survey on June 10 which also served as a requirement by the De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) and the local government unit (LGU). The survey also let the students choose from LGU’s free vaccination program, DLSP’s selfpay for the Moderna vaccine, or any of the options listed. As stated on the DLSU vaccination program website, DLSP procured the Moderna vaccine through an agreement with three parties, which DLSU also utilized to complement LGU vaccination programs. As of press time, there are no further updates regarding the student-centered vaccination offered by DLSU-D.
On vaccination projects for University employees In terms of projects for DLSU-D employees, the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) partnered with the City Government of Dasmarinas and De La Salle University Medical Center (DLSUMC) for the event “Vacc to La Salle Dasma: Lasalyano, Bakunado, Protektado” held on July 27. Similar to the options given to students, the first phase of the program was allotted for employees who chose LGU-sponsored vaccines, while the second phase was for individuals who decided to use the DLSP-sponsored vaccines. Moreover, HRMO mentioned that “continuous coordination with DLSP is observed to ensure immediate vaccine allocation, however due to limited supply the delivery of vaccines is yet to be determined.”
NEWS
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DLSU-D joins support for Damayang Lasalyano Pantry by Patricia Recaña In support for frontliners within the campus, various staff and faculty members in partnership with the Lasallian Community Development Center (LCDC) and Kabalikat ng DLSU-D. (KND) Inc. initiated the Damayang Lasalyano Pantry on May 5, at the Julian Felipe Hall (JFH) area.
According to LCDC Faculty Lorenzo Centino, around 48 housekeeping and groundskeeping personnel around the University received aid that included rice, condiments, canned goods, and soaps on the first distribution. For the second distribution, 65 beneficiaries within the housekeeping and grounds department received an eco-bag with essential goods, as per LCDC’s Facebook post. In acknowledgement of the bayanihan spirit and the Lasallian mission, the post also mentioned that the third and fourth distributions were set on May 19 and 21 that aimed to provide essential supplies to 217 individuals. Initially, the core group of the project wanted to help the staff of Diar’s Assistance Inc., the University’s housekeeping and maintenance service providers, after their jobs and income were affected by the implemented quarantine and safety protocols amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Due to the partnership with KND and LCDC, more
people responded to the call for donations. “We were surprised by the people who were quick to respond to our call for donations. Former employees of the University, those who are sharing without expecting anything in return, those who wish to remain anonymous when they extend aid to the needy,” the group members said through a DLSU-D website post. Other efforts for Lasallians With continued efforts to help University staff, Care to CARE Philippines, a sharing community which spreads happiness and positivity, also collaborated with the LCDC for a pop-up pantry which was set up within the campus on May 28. More than a hundred employees including hired housekeepers, grounds personnel, and security personnel were given essential goods that would last for one to two weeks, as per the organization’s post. Care to CARE Philippines also mentioned that DLSU-D high school and college alumni provided supplies for financial aid
scholars that were stuck in Dasmariñas due to the pandemic. Additionally, the organization On AIR: Music For A Cause hosted a virtual open mic session wherein its proceeds went to the funding of the pop-up pantry. Along with DLSU-D staff, residents from identified barangays in Dasmariñas have been assisted through the supplies. Continuing the distribution of mixed essential goods, the LCDC and Care to CARE Philippines held another pop-up pantry at the College of College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) building to help 109 Lasallian scholars and third-party service providers on June 2. These workers were part of partner agencies with the University under security, housekeeping, Diars, and Mec-Air, as established by the LCDC in a Facebook post. “Truly, it is in this time that we all the more need and appreciate the generosity and compassion of everyone. May we continue to do our best and be a channel of blessing to others,” the office concluded.
STAYING TRUE. The HERALDO FILIPINO hosts the first virtual Truth Be Told seminar on April 21, via Facebook Live and Zoom Meetings. The event also featured Renowned journalists including Ms. Janess Ann Ellao of Bulatlat, Mr. Mark Angeles of GMA News Online, and Mr. Jonas Terrado along with Mr. Mark Villaluna from Manila Bulletin.
GE VIOLATIONS from page 1 na binibigay nila sa students ... kung nagkakaroon ba ng concern or problem during the general election,” Getape said. With the possibility of candidates violating provisions from the newly released omnibus code, the chief justice added that USEC did not release any statement. Meanwhile, in the case of the breach of integrity, Getape emphasized Article IV, Section 7 of the USG Constitution, which states that bonafide undergraduate students were the qualified voters for the elections. “The fact that nakaboto ‘yong graduate students and the undergrad students ... have the knowledge na nakaboto rin ‘yong grad students, sobrang laking breach,” he added. In confirmation, USEC released a statement regarding the matter and said, “We have requested the master list of the graduate study students from OUR (Office of the
University Registrar); their votes shall be voided.” Process of discussions De Paz explained that the department suggested holding the voting process to give the USEC more time on posting events that transpired during the elections and be more transparent to the students. Getape added that they negotiated to help the commission with publications especially on issues and concerns, and the entire progress of the elections. Despite the offer, USEC chose to proceed with the election on the designated period, resulting in hearings regarding the different cases of unconstitutionality, breach of integrity, and lack of transparency. As of press time, these hearings are not yet feasible due to the amount of preparation needed. Getape added that “we (the judiciary) will see kung anong pwede naming
gawin,” as the process for the hearing and investigation for USEC will take long. Plans and Statements With the different violations, the High Court assured that there are undergoing investigations. “Until now, hinahanap pa rin namin ng paraan on how we can correct this or how can we justify the things that happened, we are trying our best until now,” the chief justice said. When asked about possible sanctions to parties responsible, Getape shared that these will be discussed during the hearings. “We will try also to communicate to our adviser kung ano man [yung sanctions], para magkaroon ng clarification sa gagawin natin,” he added. Meanwhile, when asked about the statement made by the High Court, USEC responded through an interview that the commission cannot release any information as the matter has yet to be concluded.
Outside looking in Sitting in front of a screen the whole day seems like our reality these days, and a part of me keeps gnawing on the fact that individually, I am such a small and miniscule part of the Internet in the grander scheme of things that happened this year. Seemingly when I felt this the most, I saw different Filipino Twitter users share and draw their own artwork of a personalized cartoon hand, calling people to stand up. All types of people from artists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and even human rights activists pitched in to this, showing support to the message of the art. The Tumindig illustration by Artist KevinKalbo on Twitter brought sense to me, and this event unfolding on my social media timeline was a clear sign that communities and connections matter, even in a digital space. Individuals have a chance to be seen in the ocean of content on the Internet, to have an impact, to make a mark. As he resonated in an interview with ABS-CBN, “Wag tayong mabuhay sa takot. Let’s use our skills and talents to our advantage. Having the choice to ‘be positive’ in our art is a privilege.” This spark of activism made me see empowered individuals, and served as a symbol of unity among Filipinos standing up against poor governance in the country, especially during lockdown. What makes a
community if not solidarity, self-expression and communication, even on the Internet. With this clear proof against oppression, digitally and physically, we eventually gravitate to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Gnawing on my mind, I wondered when I felt a sense of community. My second year in college is almost coming to an end and I still am unsure what makes someone a Lasallian. Is it just because you’re enrolled under any of the La Salle universities? Would it be only the students that the university recognizes? Most of the online events that I’ve attended virtually, especially university-wide live events, have shown emphasis on the DLSU-D spirit. One leadership seminar and one research journal conference later, I am still doubting if I deserve to be pitched in with these successful and incredibly stable people. During my freshman year, I felt as if I was missing an insider reference whenever there was a major event and most seniors presented themselves with their neatly designed college shirts and that oh-so familiar green ID lace. By the end of my first semester, I did look the part but I still felt like I was outside looking in. A part of me understood that I am placed in this new world and did not get enough time to process. With the current reality of online classes, students cannot get a footing on where and why to find connections, especially within the University. We all just drown in the overwhelming digital world. For me, it’s reminiscent of pre-quarantine life outside (I
trust it’s not just me). After some time thinking, this made me realize that communities can be formed because you have a certain element that you can connect with that certain group of people. Whether it may be your likes, your hobbies, or even your university. I see that being a Lasallian is not only about the title, the achievements or the glamour but this bond among individuals, and the acceptance that you are part of the group. In acts of solidarity, the DLSU-D community has stepped up by initiating so
No matter the case for people digitally and physically, eventually, we gravitate to be part of something bigger than ourselves. many relief projects which directly supported people affected by the pandemic. For the last few months, these organizations and members of the university handed out relief and essential goods, volunteered in evacuation camps, provided monetary support and even donated blood for patients. Recounting everything that happened, individuals still strive to help despite being in a low place as the pandemic hit. In these vast and large virtual platforms or echo
chambers, communities still thrive. I personally might not feel to be part of the community but I did eventually see the greatest form of connection within the DLSU-D community. A bond that aims to provide help is a strong one. For the second semester, I recount the collective effort to spread the importance of registering and voting for the national elections. Different organizations hosted various live discussions on how to register, and even invited a representative from COMELEC to speak. What more solid sign is this to be more united as Filipinos other than to join and engage with voting our government officials and hold them accountable to their words. These types of efforts show a great deal of connection not only as students within the university, but also with the Philippine society. *** Sure, we got to spend the most time with ourselves because we got cooped up inside for more than a year but this can also prove that different and tight bonds can also be made virtually. The virtual world may be overwhelming and there is a lot to take in but we don’t have to be alone to go through it; it doesn’t have to be that way. Even if it’s just creating a bond with someone virtually, it always matters. An online connection that celebrates your individuality with other people allows another space of activism, and commentary. Online activism does matter now more than ever.
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SPECIAL REPORT
VOLUME 35 ISSUE 2
Meeting in the middle Recounting DLSU-D’s first ever virtual election by Lance Mejico | Photo by Aprilean Octavo
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to halt onsite classes and physical school gatherings, all ventures leading to and after the election were conducted online. In response to this, three consecutive academic years (AY) passed for appointing student leaders under the University Student Government (USG) and College Student Government (CSGs). From its planning, filing of the Certificate of Candidacies (COCs) to the proclamation of winners, read as The HERALDO FILIPINO unfolds the entire process of the University’s 2021 general election on its first and newest platform: virtually. What happened before? Before proceeding with a virtual election, different hearings were made in investigation with prior declarations of primary and general election failures. Members of the Senate, University Student Election Commission (USEC), and student government leaders gathered virtually on February 3 to clarify and discuss said declarations. Along with this, USEC also disclosed information on the progress of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the upcoming general election, the process of the entire election period, and their plans for possible voting platforms. The proposed voting platform was in collaboration with the Information and Communications Technology Center (ICTC) to ensure its security and accessibility to students. USEC later clarified in an online interview that while waiting for ICTC to complete the election platform, the commission also asked the Center for Innovative Learning Programs (CILP) for the utilization of the Schoolbook. Before settling with the Schoolbook, USEC said that “we thought of using a platform that you (the students) can rent/buy online, but this requires a lot of money and the administration won’t let us use our fund for this.” Disclosed by the commission, the election platform coded by the ICTC was still on its prototype stages by June 22.
Pre-voting period On May 24, USEC opened the filing of COCs for all elective positions, which lasted until May 26. Interested candidates were asked to submit their COC through a mini-website that gives access to forms and documents needed for the election. Just three days after the deadline of COCs, USEC has officially introduced the candidates through its social media pages and allotted three weeks for the campaign period. Instead of the traditional booths and room-toroom campaign tactics within the campus, candidates used specific social media channels to echo their plans and platforms as aspiring student leaders. For the executive positions, the two independent parties created their own Facebook pages, which included the tandem of College of Liberal Arts and Communication Student Government (CLACSG) Governor Nina Ligan and College of Education Student Government (COEdSG) Governor Reine Cruz, and USG Senators Nico Murla and John Christian Lising.
Various promotional strategies were released in their campaign Facebook pages, including a podcast-series, surveys, videos, and publication materials that presented their plans should they win the executive posts. Listing the candidates in the legislative department, Medical Biology Candidate Rizza “MR” Cerilles was the only contender under the House of Representatives. In terms of CSGs, CLAC had two candidates which was Jacob Ely Palabrica for governor and Jenna Medina for vice governor. College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) also had candidates for governor and vice governor who were Sean Noah Punongbayan and Justinne Arguelles, respectively. In terms of college legislative councilors, CEAT had five candidates out of the supposed seven members while College of College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) had only one candidate. Meanwhile, COEd, College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), College of Science and Computer Studies (CSCS), and College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) had no candidates. Aside from personal campaigns, students also anticipated a virtual debate named TALAKAY among candidates, in lieu of the town hall debates that were usually held days before the date of election. However, USEC has cancelled the event on June 18— the date of the debate itself, citing “time constraints of involved parties” as their primary reason. Furthermore, CLACSG raised that USEC stated a different reason on the TALAKAY 2021 cancellation through a communication letter and stated that the commission had lapses in processing papers on alternative class and excuse letters, which resulted in its delay then cancellation. When asked, the commission explained that “we initially thought that we don’t need to process alternative classes and excuse letters since the event is going to be an online event.” When USEC tried to process the papers, the Office of Student Services (OSS) said that it should already be passed one to two weeks before the actual event. Instead of the debate, the commission released a series of interviews with the candidates, which were released via the virtual election precinct in Schoolbook on June 21— the first day of the week-long voting.
Election week and technical problems As established with CILP and USEC, students’ votes were casted through an automatic enrollment to the E-Precinct in Schoolbook. The election ballots appeared as part of required assessments, while the candidates’ dialogues and interviews were accessed through the Modules Section. After voting, students received a Certificate of Participation to mark as confirmation of their votes in the student polls. However, despite the effort of ensuring the accessibility and security of the elections, technical problems have surfaced on the fifth day of the virtual polls, raising concerns on the validity and credibility of the elections. On June 25, USEC revealed that some graduate studies students were able to access the ballots and vote for the elections as they have been reportedly enrolled in the virtual precincts. Only undergraduate students should be able to cast their vote for the student elections as per Article IV, Section 7 of the USG Constitution. The commission added that the registered votes from students outside the undergraduate programs will be voided -- votes that were not included in the official voter’s turnout. “This (void votes) includes votes with incorrect student number and/or incorrect college, vote from a student who is not currently enrolled as an undergraduate student in the University this semester, and choosing abstain and a candidate name at the same time for a position,” USEC said in an announcement. Meanwhile, with the technical problem that concerned the validity of the student polls, the DLSU-D High Court probed USEC regarding its alleged “unconstitutionality, lack of transparency, and breach of integrity” in handling the virtual elections on June 25 -- the same day of the commission’s announcement of the technical glitches. When asked about their statement regarding the general elections, the High Court Deputy Chief Justice Ramon De Paz shared that the online setting needs less time and less expenses for its utilization in comparison but there were points of improvement. Meanwhile, Chief Justice Sean Getape acknowledged the effort by the USEC but also pointed out factors to consider if the online elections would continue, such as the differences in everyone’s situation and knowledge of the new functions of the student government.
Thoughts by executive candidates For the perspective of the candidates regarding the entire process of campaigning, The HERALDO FILIPINO also reached out to the student leaders who ran for the executive positions. Most of the concerns raised by the candidates were the vagueness of the campaign processes and communication with the USEC and their campaign partners. As they have to use online means, the candidates have to handle different problems such as
proper information dissemination to students, types of posts and campaign material to use, and internet capacity of all parties involved. Cruz added that “not all students are aware that the campaign period already started,” which posed challenges to the executive candidates. Murla also claimed that during the campaign period, “we (Murla and Lising) were accused of something that didn’t have any merits on our existing university laws,” and explained that they exhausted their efforts to talk to the student body but their intentions got twisted. The candidates then shared personal suggestions for future elections such as more clarifications and orientation for the newly released Omnibus Code or IRR, and security for the continuation of debate, dialogue, and speeches of future student leaders. Ligan suggested a single platform and design for future candidates to use, while Lising added that, “I personally would want to see improvements in terms of preparing the candidates through proper orientation/s to be conducted by the USEC to discuss the rules, the policies, and address some of the students’ concern in the soonest time possible.”
Proclamation of voter turnout and results On June 21 until June 25, USEC posted the percentage for voters within their colleges and the overall student voter turnout via their Facebook page. Instead of posting on June 26—the last day of the polls, USEC released the overall tally and the breakdown of students’ votes per candidate by June 30. Furthermore, USEC explained void votes which included “votes with incorrect student number and/or incorrect college, vote from a student who is not currently enrolled as an undergraduate student in the University this semester, and choosing abstain and a candidate name at the same time for a position.” *** As everybody faced changes and compromises brought by the pandemic, different University processes were also threatened. Working through the sudden shifts of systems, USEC pushed through with the election after the three-year appointment streak for student leaders. In an effort to exercise every student’s right of suffrage in a collegiate setting, different problems prior and during the actual election got revealed but that does not pose a ruin and end to this democratic practice. While the future is still murky, this should not stop us from striving and hoping for a better system, a better governing body. While assigning accountability on the election commission’s decision for what comes ahead, they simply stated “we can’t say for sure what going to happen in the future, and the USEC will need to be flexible at every challenge we face.”
MARCH 2021 - AUGUST 2021 | PAGE 6
OPINION
VOLUME 35 ISSUE 2
EDITORIAL
Why we’re failing the war on pandemic We’re failing the “war” against the pandemic for one reason: a health crisis should never have been treated as a war in the first place. One year ago, on March 7, the country fell into a nationwide lockdown in order to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. One year later, on the same date, and we find ourselves back to where we started — with new strains of virus being detected, active cases still at large, and the death toll rising each day. Throughout that span of time, we have grown used to the terms “war on pandemic” and fighting an “unseen enemy”. Since then, we have faced the worst economic slump we’ve had in years – with our country’s tourism and workforce halted until further notice– and our healthcare system stretched to the bone. Months of delayed mass testing and contact tracing left us no choice but to weather the work-from-home setup and online classes. The “war on pandemic” is a rhetoric that allows the government to justify its militaristic rule, using state forces as a means to quell the masses’ plight, instead of providing concrete plans and addressing the needs of the less privileged. This twisted warspeak continues to frame the virus as an enemy, when it was clear from day one that incompetence, delayed responses, and inaction had been the ones doing the killing. The “war on pandemic” labels our medical workers as frontliners, as though it were normal for them to die in line of duty, when they could have been equipped, compensated, and taken care of with the same fervor and compassion these frontliners extend to our fellow Filipinos.
We’re failing the“war” against the pandemic for one reason: a health crisis should never have been treated as a war in the first place. The government lauds the number of quarantine violators apprehended, without considering that most of them had come from the poor – those who have no choice but to work for their families in order to survive. We cannot even call it a proper “war” against pandemic, given how much time has already passed and how many opportunities to eradicate the virus have gone to waste. To call it as such means addressing the crisis by means and limits of warfare — coming up with strategies that maximize our resources and minimize our losses, taking advantage of everything we got and looking after our own people. To call it a “war on pandemic” means fighting with the means to eradicate the virus or to drive it away, waging war with the purpose of ending it as soon as we can. But we are losing this “war” for one reason: it was never about the pandemic, never about curbing the spread of the virus. This is a war against dissent.
The Official Student Publication of De La Salle UniversityDasmariñas Founded: June 1985 Member, College Editors Guild of the Philippines EDITORIAL BOARD AY 2020-2021 Lean Jane Pantorilla, Editor in Chief Ahmad Mahusay, Managing Director Christine Marie Romero, In charge, Copy Sheka Ignaco, Creative Director Aprilean Octavo, Office and Circulations Manager Patricia Ann Recaña, News Coordinator Maria Victoria Busine, In charge, Features Shekynah Angelene Samadan, Literary Coordinator Rachelle Ann Calaustro, Graphics and Layout Coordinator Emmanuel Esmilla, Art Coordinator William Clarenz Constante, Web Manager SENIOR STAFF Kelsey Telo, Stephanie Ann Arreza, Jacinth Banite, and Alexandrea Rey JUNIOR STAFF Lance Angelo Mejico, Charles Howard Gaa, Elaine Aznar, Justin Andrei Dabuet, Azriel Nathanielle Nuestro, Alyanna Nicole Tiaga, Hedrick Alcantara
Dr. May L. Mojica, Adviser The HERALDO FILIPINO has its editorial office at Room 120, Gregoria Montoya Hall (Administration Building) 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.
What survival mode looks like Survival mode is not meant to be a lifestyle, but for us living through a time of crisis, this is our reality. We can talk about survival tips, turn misfortunes into opportunity, and reframe our minds to see ways to thrive amid a pandemic all we want –- but the truth is we are all barely hanging on — and survival, no matter how glorious or valiant we paint it, has always been messy. There are many perspectives tackling survival amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Generally speaking, the most obvious proof of survival is remaining COVID-free. But in a time where healthcare facilities and its workers are operating beyond their capacity, many people with terminal illnesses, life-threatening injuries, and immunocompromised are put at highest risk too - with many dying without even making it to the hospital. Systemic problems, partnered with emerging COVID variants and incompetent governance are slowly killing us - and it will continue to do so, if we don’t break the cycle of reactionary responses and band-aid policies. Next, we have day-to-day survival. Workers, students, and healthcare workers are at the end of their rope trying to make ends meet - desperately maintaining the status quo in a situation that is anything but. As more lockdowns are implemented, more workers and vendors lose their chance to earn a living, thus impacting their families. More students are also forced to skip enrolling for the school year to accommodate financial difficulties, while those who have no choice but to enrol anyway are subjected to the challenges of online classes. One by one, we see students dropping out
of the roll. Survival becomes a matter of endurance - and for some, an act of letting go - where we don’t have luxury to choose how we survive. Throughout the lockdown, we’ve seen different takes on how survival looks like for others: we’ve had toxic positivity, romanticization of resiliency, redefining productivity, and many more. We had different takes on self-care and
We forget that while we entered survival mode because of the unexpected, the way we survive too, does not always come as we envisioned it.
how it’s important to be protective over one’s energy, how to set boundaries, and how to manage expectations. We are taught that to survive is to get it together, and that we have no business of falling apart. And we try to get it together, we do, but there’s only so much one can do when the odds are stacked against them, falling together like dominoes. It would seem that the harder you struggle, the harder things get. This is especially true for everyone who’s ever had to go into the pandemic thinking they would end up doing a lot of things, only to burn out.
In the face of responsibilities, it would make sense how giving up should not be in the options. But giving up is part of the process. We can talk at great lengths about how we can pick ourselves back up, build ourselves back, and how we can stay on our feet this time around, but all these would not matter if we don’t acknowledge the gravity of our fall, the damage it caused us, and the hurt that comes with it. Living through a pandemic is not easy. Trying to be a functional member of society or in our case, even our group works - is not easy. Yet we blame ourselves for struggling. Some would argue that no one has the time to reflect in times like these, and they would not be wrong, technically speaking. Between trying to survive and the multitude of problems the pandemic caused right until this day, no one has the time to mull over how things didn’t go exactly as the way it was planned, or ruminate how the situation gets worse every day. This too, is part of the process, but some of us get stuck here. We forget that while we entered survival mode because of the unexpected, the way we survive too, does not always come as we envisioned it. We can list down all the things we should have and could have done, but in the end, we are better off letting go of the ideal surviving version of ourselves. We must acknowledge every bit of effort, no matter how big or small, is a step towards survival itself. This includes slip-ups, missed deadlines, sick days, and even times where we think we can no longer go on but somehow manage to keep going. Whatever we do to survive, be it choosing to take a step forward or one step back – it all adds to the messy, convoluted, painful, and sometimes redeeming image of survival. This piece too, is proof of survival.
Start-up Moving amid the pandemic is very difficult as almost everyone is devastated by the situation. Its effects made no exception to establishments and businesses as they were forced to shut down due to lack of funds, customers, and mobility thanks to ever-changing quarantine restrictions. This also led to frustration on the workers’ end as some businesses were forced to lay off employees, reduce salaries and benefits to cope with the pandemic.If we are going to analyze the demographics, many small business owners are students who need money to support their educational needs, and help their parents financially. In my perspective, it is also part of the “adulting” phase experienced by those in their 20s and above At this point, I even personally know some of my college friends and classmates who have started their small businesses to have enough money to buy goods, or maybe help their parents pay the school fees, and maybe even set aside a budget for themselves. Talking about these businesses will also enlighten us on how the students affect their lives while doing it. One of my college friends applied in a startup business that sells almost anything that can be created with polymer clay but focusing on earrings.
On April 5, the University issued a reminder on tuition fee obligation appealing to Lasallians to settle 70 percent of their tuition by May 10, wherein students who are unable to comply will be contacted and informed of “specific consequences”.
She applied as its supplier since she also has her own business which is focused on resin art, all while studying as a RadTech student from EAC-Cavite. It was really hard for her to juggle all the activities since she needed to focus on her academics as well while also responsible for various tasks in the two businesses. However, for her, being involved in businesses helps her to think more clearly and produce more ideas even in crunch time. Juggling three in her life every day helped her become more mature in handling her finances as well. Some of my friends also started their small businesses, and as of now, they are running smoothly since they sell mostly relevant products to specific market demographics. Even if the competition is wider now than it was, they still have customers to buy their products. According to Robert Boreman in his article, “Online shopping is a natural solution. Shop around the web and find the best deals at the best prices.” Meanwhile, even employees are building their businesses on the side, believing that they have something to fall on or a backup in case of retrenchment. They are also in the market, selling some of the trending things that people can buy online. Since they are employees, they have an advantage in terms of knowing the strategies and all.
I also started to work on a start-up business that focuses on jewellery that promotes sentimentality. *** In a nutshell, having a business while also undertaking other life matters such as academics
In a nutshell, having a business while also undertaking other life matters such as academics or jobs is not bad, as long as you truly know your priorities. or jobs is not bad, as long as you truly know your priorities. If you know you can balance those things without sacrificing everything, it doesn’t matter because you know what you are doing. Building a small business can also be an advantage for students as they somehow give you a grasp of the real world. Lastly, this is a personal stepping stone, and can also be a means to help other people.
Student Development Activities Offices (SDAO) launches the Self-Care Hub aiming to “rejuvenate and nourish the overall well-being of the Lasallian community”.
OPINION
MARCH 2021 - AUGUST 2021 | PAGE 7
VOLUME 35 ISSUE 2
Leaving Well If you are in your final year of college amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, what’s supposed to be your best semesters might have been disrupted and very different from what you had expected. As a college senior myself, it has been a daunting process to finish my final academic responsibilities during this crisis. But at the same time, it is also a huge relief and achievement, and I am proud to say that I am on track to finishing this course. It’s not always easy to have a ‘great’ experience in the last journey of college. You would deal with a lot of struggles in the form of exams and assessments, breakouts, and pressure from others asking you what you want to do after you graduate. There were also times that all you could do was
At times, everything would turn out to be too much that all you could do was lie in bed or just stare blankly at the Schoolbook. Hours would pass and everyone else could have already fallen asleep, but you’ve barely solved a few problems from a hundred. You’d find yourself constantly coming up with new easy ways to solve problems and still couldn’t figure it out. In Engineering, we’re long used to that. Before the pandemic, I hoped to travel and spend some time relaxing and exploring new places after my board exam and all these years of schooling. But the onset of this global crisis has forced me to modify those plans. I had to start thinking about adulthood much sooner, concentrating on my part-time job hunt as our board exam always gets postponed due to the situation. One day, you will realize what it’s like to make your academic years pass in the
be one of the most interesting aspects of your final year. Yes, it feels good to finally be in your senior year of college, but this thought comes with the fact that leaving will also bring an end
to a lot of things I hold dear—not only in my academics, but also within my organization. Looking back, college is not just about studying, but also about becoming a wellrounded individual with diverse experiences. Personally, I have had some of my best times in college outside the classroom, and learned some of the most valuable lessons in my
everything I could to leave the organization (maybe) in good condition. I walked away thinking I’d done everything I could to ensure the work had the best chance of surviving. In my experience, I have learned the importance of engaging in extracurricular activities, as long as you do not let them fully take over your college life. It’s true that the final year of college would be stressful at times. Burnout is a common occurrence, and when you’re stressed, it’s easy to put self-care on the back burner. But no matter how difficult this part of your life would seem to be, it’s important to make time for healthier behaviors like eating well, exercising, meditating, and remaining connected to your support system. One of the most stressful aspects of my senior year could be the idea of leaving all of my college friends and the home I’ve built there. As I write this, tears are streaming down my cheeks as all the goodbye embraces flash before my eyes.
the cruel world difficult. Eventually, you know that every memory of your college years will be cherished inside you, and will be remembered with zeal at reunions or get-togethers. I have never imagined myself in the position I am in now. To whoever reads this, my first piece of advice is to remain resilient. In these uncertain times, it is important to make the most out of the free time you have, and to be as efficient as possible. Above all, don’t compare yourself to anyone. It’s easier said than done, and you may feel that others are ‘more successful’ than you are. However, each person’s path is different, and it is important to note that we can all achieve our goals at our own pace. We, the class of 2021, have faced a great deal of challenges and have successfully made it to the finish line. This moment does not reflect our entire college career, and these circumstances do
cry before the exams, and worry about all the things you didn’t know in hopes that they wouldn’t come up on the exam.
blink of an eye as I did. Even though it can be overwhelming at times, planning what you will be doing once you’re out of college can
organization—The HERALDO FILIPINO. Being a member of HF has been an honor for me, and I’m glad I put in the effort to do
No matter how much you despise your studies, assessments, or professors, the college gates have a distinct feeling that makes stepping out of
not negate all we have accomplished so far. Without a doubt, the 2021 class has and will continue to defy the odds.
The college gates have a distinct feeling that makes stepping out of the cruel world difficult
Values amidst crisis We all have the things that we value, may it be our family, friends, our dreams, our career or academics, and our beliefs. Values are what we deem to be the most important to us and these, in return, guide us on how we live our lives. In his Ted Talk titled Why values matter, Jan Stassen referred to values as “situation independent decision helpers”, defining how we want to do things based on what we really treasure. For instance, if we value our dreams enough, then it is only natural that we would want to study hard to finish college. Or maybe we value our families so much that we want to strive hard and be successful for them — the list goes on. We all have plenty of things we care about. However, the ever-changing trends and continuous distractions in our generation makes it hard to focus our minds on what is truly important. Sometimes, because we are too caught up on our own activities and experiences, we tend to overlook our deeply-held values and trade them for short-term dalliances, or things we believe that matter for one, small moment. These sacrifices seem small in hindsight, but have a way of biting us back in the end. I for one have experienced sacrificing a lot of things that I value.
A lot of the time, I would obsess about everything that even the smallest, sometimes insignificant, things would frustrate me. The next thing I knew, all I could focus on was those small things and I have completely set aside the things that essentially hold a greater weight in my heart. There’s also my academics where I really invest a lot of my time with, as every student has to, but then I get anxious a lot over getting high grades that I tend to bite more than I can chew, which would end up taking away all my energy for other important matters. Social media is one factor too, where I can just obsess for hours about what I should post next or how I should fix my Instagram feed, taking too much time and effort just to keep my presence online intact. And sometimes, it’s the things that I thought I was investing for the future. It’s the rigorous activities and training both in and out of school because I always feel that I should be doing more for my future. These things are certainly not a bad thing, because at some point they will provide relevance of their own in my life. However, as I got too busy with these things, I forgot about those that really mattered to me and that I should prioritize in the first place. At that point I was already sacrificing my well-being, health and relationships. It took the pandemic taking the whole world and everything in it completely shaken
for me to gain a little perspective about what I truly value in my life and how I should treat them. Interestingly enough, just as I said I was focused on my future then came March 2020 and doubts began to topple any hope I had of a great future. At that moment, the things that got me so distracted before became irrelevant and pointless, and all that was left for me to hold on to are the things that really mattered to me. Recently, one of my co-church members encouraged us to start reading this book titled “The Values-driven heart” by Joey Bonifacio. In the fifth chapter of this book, Bonifacio emphasized that what we truly value will eventually rise above, that whenever in crisis, the higher values in our lives will have a way of naturally surfacing to the top. He made an example about his experience talking to the people who were present on the day the United States were attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001, which was later known as the 9/11 incident, and how the people’s values suddenly changed because of that tragedy. The economy went down, malls and different establishments were closed down and were not able to operate for several days. The people were in shock, scared, and mourning for the lives they lost and things like the current trends in society didn’t seem to matter that time. And as I was reading this, it made me think about how this seems so familiar for us today as we are also experiencing one of the greatest global crises
in our history. This COVID-19 pandemic has changed us and how we live in ways we can’t fathom. We’ve lost countless lives, and
I hope that what you consider as your truest values are the things that when push comes to shove and everything went downward spiral yet again, these are the only things that you will ever get back to sacrificed a lot of things in order to survive. And true enough, this pandemic has made us realize what matters to us the most. In these times of isolation, I was able to put on hold the things that were distracting me before and really focused on answering the things that really mattered to me. During this pandemic, I was able to focus on my personal and spiritual growth. I was able to renew my faith and just take the time to take care of myself physically and emotionally. I was able
to really be conscious of my relationships and how I can be there for my family and friends in this time of need, and how I can keep them safe and protected. I think, ultimately, these are the things that I truly value—my faith, personal growth, family and friends, and just the ability to survive every day; and everything else is just a “background noise,” as Joey Bonifacio says. I figured that these are the things that I should prioritize most, not the high grades, social media presence or even the future which, as what this pandemic really emphasized, will always be uncertain. Our values may be different from one another, but I think what this pandemic has really revealed about our values is that these are mainly the things that we know, regardless of what happens, will remain in us. I hope that what you consider as your truest values are the things that when push comes to shove and everything went downward spiral yet again, these are the only things that you will ever get back to. The truest values that you have are the things that deserve not to be neglected and set aside because you know in your heart that these are the things and the people that will stick with you in the face of adversities. And if we ever get back from this crisis and return to our “normal” lives, I hope that we will try not to forget these values because ultimately, these are the things that we truly live for.
WITBREAD
Mga Pangakong Binitiwan by Adriel Jerome Toledo Kasunod ng paglatag ng kanilang mga plataporma sa mahigit-kumulang isang buwan ng kampanya, ang mga kandidato ay nagtuos sa eleksyon. Ang kapangyarihan na kanilang inaasam ay nasa kamay ng mga estudyante—ang kapangyarihang sila ay mailuklok sa pwesto. Mga pangakong kay tamis, ang ilan ay nangumbinsing sila ang magiging susi sa magandang pagbabagong inaasam sa Unibersidad. Gayunpaman, mapanindigan kaya nila ang mga pangako at salitang kanilang binitawan o ang mga ito ay mapapako lamang? Ang pagkapanalo sa eleksyon ay hindi katapusan ng karera o tagumpay, ito pa lamang ang simula ng mga tunay na
hamon na kanilang haharapin. Noon pa man, nasaksihan ko na ang iba’t ibang uri ng mga kandidatong nangako. Ang ilan ay buong tapang at pagpupursigi sa pagtupad ng mga ito, habang ang ilan naman ay daig pa ang mga payaso. Ang manalo sa eleksyon ay isang matamis na tagumpay, ngunit nakakapanindig-balahibo ang mga responsibilidad na dapat gampanan, at nakababali ng likod ang mga suliraning papasanin. Sa mga nagdaang taon o semestre, kaliwa’t kanan ang mga suliraning ating kinaharap, ngunit ang mga hinaing ng mga estudyante ay tila kinulang sa pagtugon. Marami ang dismayado sapagkat tila hindi
The University Election Commission (USEC) cancelled the Talakay 2021: General Elections Debate, a highly anticipated event for every #DLSUDHalalan.
maramdaman ang aksyon ng Unibersidad. Matapos ang ilang taon, nagkaroon na muli ng eleksyon at ang mga magaaral ay tila nakakita ng liwanag sa dilim. Mabibigat ang mga pangakong binitawan ng mga kandidato sa kanilang pangangampanya, ngunit mayroong mabibigat ding mga katanungan ang nabuo sa aking isipan. Sila kaya’y handang panindigan ang mga ito o ang mga pangakong ito ay mapapako lamang? Naluklok ba natin ang karapatdapat o tayo ay nagoyo? May mga kandidatong ramdam mo ang presensya sa kampanya ngunit pagkatapos manalo’y tila naging bula at naglaho na lang bigla.
Mga pinuno na tila naupo sa gintong trono subalit ang pamamahala’y katumbas ang tanso. Kung sino man ang mga nailuklok sa pwesto, nawa’y panindigan nila ang mga pangakong binitawan. Ika nga, ang mga salita ay walang saysay kung walang itong kaakibat na aksyon. Ang panibagong yugtong ito ay hamon sa mga kandidato upang patunayan ang kanilang kakayahan bilang lider. Gayundin, nais kong iparating sa mga nagwagi sa nagdaang eleksyong hindi namin malilimutan ang mga pangakong inyong binitawan sa kampanya. Maigi kaming magbabantay sa mga aksyong inyong gagawin. Masasaksihan namin
sa mga darating na buwan ang tunay ninyong pakay, ang malinis na intensyon sa pagseserbisyo o paninilbihan sa sariling interes. Pakatataandaan ninyong ang hindi pagtupad sa mga pangakong inyong binitawan ay pagbigo hindi lamang sa mga nagluklok sa inyo, kundi ay kabiguan rin sa inyong mga sarili. Ang eleksyong naganap ngayong taon ay pagsalubong pa lamang natin sa panibagong yugto sa Unibersidad. Ang nailuklok kayang mga lider ay karapat-dapat o tayo’y nalinlang? Iyan ang malalaman natin sa mga darating na buwan. Ang tanging hiling ko lamang ay nawa’y hindi tayo nagkamali sa pagpili ng mga pinunong kakatawan sa atin.
On June 10, the Office of the Student Services (OSS) released a vaccination survey aiming to assess student interest in availing LGU’s vaccination program or De La Salle Philippines’ self-pay Moderna vaccine.
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The Truth about Lying by Elaine Belen Graphic Art by Juliana Octavio
Growing up, we have always perceived that telling the absolute truth is a must, in order for us to be perceived as transparent and acceptable in society. People usually associate an honest person as someone who has integrity, is trustworthy, and reliable with true information. We do our best to live up to the famous “honesty is the best policy” motto — until we couldn’t. When a person tells a lie, there is an implicit acknowledgement that it always follows drastic consequences, regardless whether or not we are found out. Lying is never the best option, but there are times where we are left with no choice but to lie, or in some cases, left unaware that we are actually already weaving our own web of lies. Why do people twist the truth? There are many indications that people share the same motives for telling a lie. One common reason is to avoid being punished by the truth. In a sense, dishonesty has become a person’s defense mechanism to protect themselves from difficult situations that let them confront their feelings. No one would ever put themselves in trouble, especially if it could be avoided. As with lying to avoid personal punishment, motive does not change with intent to protect another person from being punished. Aside from punishments, another motive for telling a lie is to protect oneself from possible threats and harm. A child who is home alone telling a stranger that their parents are sleeping or a woman pretending to be waiting for a friend if a creepy guy approaches her could exemplify this. Lying has also been used as an excuse to obtain a reward that is not otherwise readily achievable. For instance, a person may falsely claim their work experience during a job interview to increase their chances of getting hired. It leads to another kind of motive where a person lies to win the admiration of others. Similar to Cady Heron from the movie Mean Girls, telling lies for popularity or social acceptance can range from little “white lies” and creating a story that introduces their new persona to making it entirely fabricated.
On the flip side, lying in the midst of planning a surprise party for someone is a common fib that becomes somewhat acceptable since it can do no harm. In an article from the University of Rochester Medical Center, behavioral experts agree with the moderate use of “white lies” as preservation to social harmony. However, this can deprive the person being lied to of information that might be useful for them even if they find it unpleasant. Another common instance wherein people tend to lie is avoiding awkwardness and embarrassment in social situations. Some may have ended a phone conversation by saying they have other plans just to avoid the person they are talking to. This could also be just another motive to maintain one’s privacy without notifying others of that reason. Telling lies with the intention of avoiding its consequences happens for real in many people, in the same way it is still possible for some people to use lying for their personal gain. Arguably, one of the most dangerous motives for telling a lie is when someone exercises this as their power over other people by controlling the information the target has such as blackmailing. Living the Lie Every lie has its own consequences that could greatly affect how people deal with another individual forever. People can either see through the lies in terms of insecurity and lack of self-confidence, which also
affect the overall judgment and respect for someone. There are also some tendencies to lie due to low selfesteem wherein they want to impress, please, and tell others what they think they want to hear. No matter how significant the lie or reasoning behind it, a person who is compulsively lying affects other people’s trust in them. Even if we talk about “white lie” as not entirely harmful, it is still a lie that misleads people from the truth. Especially during the times when we convince ourselves that a lie is fine and bearable, it still violates the dictates of our conscience. A study by Garrett, Lazzaro, Ariely, and Sharot showed that the brain can adapt to dishonesty, and that lying can be a problem that needs professional help when one has trouble controlling it. Pathological liars can lie constantly for no apparent reason. They do not target anyone in particular simply because it is a way they relate to people. However, narcissists and psychopaths target people who can be useful to them. This is where living in a lie is considered as psychologically unhealthy. Although, this does not mean that we should straight up confront our friend that their breath smells like fish or tell someone that they are dressed inappropriately. We have to act upon the truth through making considerations and deciding whether we can be truly honest. Some considerations we can ask ourselves is if anyone would be harmed once we reveal a bit of the truth, if someone can change and grow from our honest feedback, if we are being unnecessarily blunt that can be hurtful, how it would feel for someone being withheld from the truth under the same circumstances, and if avoiding the truth in the situation is an act of cowardice or compassion. Reading between the lies Determining whether a person is lying can depend on their approach and how deceptive they
can be. It allows someone to perceive control over a situation by manipulating it. When someone is lying, there are two messages a face can often contain: what the liar wants to show and what the liar wants to conceal. Like a mask in which we can choose what to wear, the liar will show the ideal characteristics that will make them look good to other people and conceal what they know will damage their reputation as this “true good person.” Even their emotions and feelings might seem to adapt to how they want to present themselves. Hidden emotions can be leaked in a form of micro expressions, or a brief involuntary facial expression that can reveal true emotions. Dr. Paul Ekman, a well-known psychologist and co-founder of micro expressions, signals that a single micro expression does not suggest a conclusive proof of lying but these expressions are one of the most effective non-verbal behaviors to monitor and indicate whether a person is being dishonest. *** While there are many reasons that drive us to lie, the choice to speak and live our truth always remains. Each situation will call for different judgment, but the conscious choice of staying truthful does not only help us avoid the mental pressure that comes with lying — it also allows us to be the best versions of ourselves, without having anything to hide or be ashamed of. The truth about lying is that it follows us everywhere we go – whether we are the ones lying or the ones being lied at – deception lingers with truth like light to shadow. By understanding how truth and lies come together, the better we get at being able to spot lies upon encounter, and the better we get at staying true to ourselves in every way that matters.
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Lies that travel miles Discerning lies and truths in the online world by Jerome Toledo and Azreil Nathanielle Nuestro Graphic Art by Sttephanie Arreza
Browsing the social media news feeds to keep ourselves updated about relevant current events became a part of our everyday lives like checking fresh pages of a newspaper in the morning. Now that millions of information conveniently accessible with a few strokes of our fingertips, deception lurks in social media news feeds, waiting for its next victim. An old trick in a new era Deception is timeless, which takes on different forms throughout the years. Many nations over the previous decades have shown their power, even resorting to violence and justifying it through deceptive strategies. Manipulation has been used to fabricate truths to the advantage of the powerful, and unfortunately, it has become a common practice. Today, we see manipulation in the form of face accounts created by people who hide behind the screen, using anonymity to create fake accounts on social media. It’s scary enough to engage in an argument with these so-called internet “trolls”, but what’s alarming is how these trolls are getting paid to drown out the relevant issues that circulate online, allowing them to redirect public attention and spread fake news as they see fit. Disinformation knows no bounds in the online world, especially with how much time people spend on the internet, and how social media has become a
the the are the
vital part of our everyday lives.The far-reaching net of false information cast by manufactured “online trolls” is only one of the many ways people take advantage of our social media dependence — but it’s one of the most effective there is, given how many people fall for it. The online trolling movement not only spreads false information purposely, but it also involves coming to the defense of a political party. Los Angeles Times reviews pro-Duterte comments blaming the previous administrations for the problems that the country is currently facing. Taking a closer look, these commenters only have basic profile information and mostly post progovernment statements. Along with the rapid spread of disinformation comes the “six degrees of manipulation” that includes impersonation, conspiracy, emotion, polarization, discrediting, and trolling according to Sander van der Linden, PhD, a professor of social psychology in society at the University of Cambridge.
In this concept comes the falsification of statements from esteemed experts, the use of emotional language, and the invention of conspiracy theories to manipulate the readers. The trolls tend to use this often because people tend to believe only what they want to hear, and so the manipulators feed on this idea to disregard the truth. These tactics create bigger noise, thus gaining more attention as it distracts the public from pressing matters. From this, the overabundance of information that is readily available brings a huge risk to the dissemination of information as it is now being used to share wrong information to subvert the response toward public health and promote other agendas outside the purpose of passing on necessary knowledge about the pandemic. Deceiving its way into society Distinguishing the truth from false information became even more difficult in today’s online landscape as it can be easily disguised as factual. Suspiciously, sometimes they are too good to be true, and many fall into believing false information without a second thought. Many clickbait articles can be found online with head-turning captions and headlines to deliver information without immediately exposing their entirety. Without thorough checking, this leaves many of us vulnerable to falling prey to false information. According to Mohammad Yousuf, Ph.D., a journalism and programming professor in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma, this kind of trend brings difficulty to the readers when distinguishing between reliable and unreliable news. A few months back, several fake quotations from esteemed personalities and world leaders circulated social media in the Philippines, commending President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It was then shared repeatedly online by those who blindly believe in the present administration, without knowing that these are made-up statements. One of the main reasons why many easily believe those quotations without a second thought is cognitive bias, wherein an individual only believes something that is aligned with their opinions. As it confirms what someone already believes in, it clouds someone’s judgment thinking that they know everything based on a few pieces of information that they have gained, but at times, that information can either be fake or not credible. This is not the first time a series of intentional attacks and deliberate misleading that consist of fabricated information was published online. There are still too many to name and it only increases in number as each day passes by, even to the point that it sometimes exceeds the amount of truth you can see online. Oftentimes, people become easily susceptible to misinformation, as “the things that tend to spread are things that are remarkable,” according to Jeff Hemsley, Associate Professor of Information Studies at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies.
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Hemsley added that “Remarkable just means people are talking about it. And that’s virality.” Just like gossip, inaccurate news information is shared more because it can easily grab the interest of people, making it seem interesting to talk about. Such harmful information is often used as a reference by some people when engaging in online arguments, which is usually seen in the comments section in different local news publications. Without verifying information, many use these to justify their stand that eventually leads to fallacy. How to outwit the deceiver The new era of technology may have an advantage in accessing a multitude of information within the span of a single click, but it also entails great threats, to the point of putting our actual lives in danger. Relevant information is now readily available within our fingertips, and some are wielded toward the promotion of wrongful propaganda against the opposing side. And with that, it is highly important to develop Media and Information Literacy (MIL) to navigate the online landscape. Critical thinking can also be exercised in discerning what is true in our social media timelines. With the spread of disinformation all around us, it helps to keep an open eye in evaluating the information that we see. Part of exercising critical thinking is asking some questions that take a closer look at what has been presented, such as Why is it there? What wasn’t included? Does it affect our society? From there, the intention behind could be clearly understood, whether it’s to mislead or to inform us of the truth. The skepticism and a closer look at the credibility of the source can also be used as a basis in deflecting the looming threat of unjust propaganda, which is why fact-checking is an important way to discern disinformation as well. Thoroughly assessing whether a source is reliable can be a useful tactic to oppose the attacks from online trolls since verified information is a solid proof against their ill intentions. Fact Check Philippines and Rappler are only some of the many that have been making efforts in the battle against the spread of false information. *** The world continuously progresses into the new era of technology, and knowing how to discern deception becomes a part of it with its timelessly cunning trait that gives rise to the spread of misinformation and disinformation. As people who are part of the dawning age, it is necessary to learn how to differentiate the truth from the lies because it won’t only protect us from blindly believing what is untrue, but it also makes us socially aware. Battling deception requires effort, and it begins with finding ways to be media literate. What we know right now is not enough against its everchanging trickery, and so we need to know how to adapt to the online world and outwit the deceiver as we navigate through information every single day.
It’s tiring to be resilient When other people describe someone as a resilient person, we tend to brandish this label as a badge of honor. Why not, right? Being resilient becomes an achievement or a seal of approval in itself, that the different hardships we encounter become obstacles to prove our worth to the world. For the longest time, we have been told that we must continue to push through, especially in the face of trials and tribulations throughout our lives. It is where we develop our “sense of resilience”, they said, because the hard things we encounter are already given in every sense of the word, and that we simply have no choice but to endure it. Some may even say that it’s just the way that life goes, so we grit our teeth and bear the heavy weight that can crush us the moment we falter. But at times, maybe the way we view resilience as something to be proud of tells something more about why we have to bear such hardships in the first place. When we compliment someone as resilient, why are we not questioning whether it is necessary to go through all that heavy weight that the world asks so much to endure? Why
are we not having second thoughts when we praise someone for overcoming and surviving hardships while someone else did not? I’m not saying that resilience is bad. I think that resilience is a defining trait we have that transcends the passage of time and generations. I just wonder sometimes about the attitudes toward this value being a problem, especially when this narrative of withstanding and enduring hardships is being used as an excuse to not hold accountable the people who caused these hardships or those who have done nothing to solve this problem in the first place. At a time where each month brings about one challenge after another comes a flurry of stories branded as hope during dark times, featuring people who can still smile and remain optimistic even when they are knee-deep in the effects of the disasters that devastated their lives and their homes. And many people praised that resilience as a manifestation of the Filipino spirit that can endure calamities that may come their way. While it’s undeniable that the posts praising resilience might mean well, what I don’t see enough are questions about how we can solve the problems so that we don’t have to endure
them every time. In an article The problem with Filipino resilience, Shakira Sison poses the idea that “the problem with our resilience is the speed by which we transform trauma into acceptance.
While it’s undeniable that the posts praising resilience might mean well, what I don’t see enough are questions about how we can solve the problems so that we don’t have to endure them every time Instead of solving problems, we simply cope or wait for the problem to pass.” Sison pointed out that we become so used to coping and letting things pass that we learned
all by ourselves that seeking solutions tends to be futile at these times. We have become so used to hearing things like “Ganyan talaga eh, anong magagawa natin?” whenever things go wrong. As a result, we are taught to just accept things as they are, and that we have no choice when it comes to what we can do about it. But the thing is, there is something that can be done besides glorifying and romanticizing what it means to be resilient. In an article Challenging the narrative of Filipino resiliency, Abu Al-Rasheed Tanggol discusses the idea of challenging the dominant narrative that revolves around resilience as a virtue. We should go beyond the idea of being resilient as just enduring hardships, as that can be tiring. If we just continue to endure, I fear that there may come a time that the heavy weight of what we are enduring would finally crush us. We should instead, emphasize building our capacities to adapt and recover that considers confronting our narratives of suffering and trauma instead of brushing it off. And when the time comes that we become capable of this, resilience would be built as a virtue that empowers us instead of leaving us with no choice but to bear the weight.
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Looks can be deceiving How social media became our stressor by Elaine Aznar
Graphic Art by Juliana Octavio
It is within our basic knowledge that social media is designed so that we can communicate with anyone regardless of where they are. However, as our relationship with social media transforms over time, we also see how it paves some changes in the way we perceive our life through the lens of what is displayed on our screens.
Behind all the “Sana all” The familiar phrase “sana all” (I wish everyone has that) that we see online may be hilarious at best, but in many ways, it mirrors the tendency of people to be jealous of what other people have, may it be material things, body image, or life achievements. This claim was supported by Dr. Rachel Andrew, a clinical psychologist from Time Psychology, who asserted that there is an increase in envy from people who “can’t achieve the lifestyle they want but which they see others have.” Andrew claimed that our use of social media platforms affects people’s extremely unsettling mental and emotional conflict. “I think what social media has done is make everyone accessible for comparison. In the past, people might have just envied their neighbors, but now we can compare ourselves with everyone across the world,” she added. However, we should be reminded that people tend to filter their social media posts by what they want to show to others. Postdoctoral researcher Dr. Erin Vogel shared that people are selectively presenting only the positive versions of themselves in social media by “talking more about the better aspect of their lives and making themselves seem like they’re having this great life.”
Why do people fall in the rabbit hole? Most people have been pressured to expose themselves on social media, using their accounts to conceal themselves as someone they wish to be. As they build an image that they want for other people, there lie some reasons why people are not showing their authentic selves in the online world. 1 An escape mechanism from reality- Social media, at times, is used to hide the difficult and unpleasant aspects of our lives. To be precise, many tend to use social media in order to escape from reality rather than engage with it. Our real lives are already chaotic, so it’s not reasonable to expose our flaws as well. However, this kind of mindset can be unhealthy because we’ll end up deceiving ourselves if we hold on to the standards that we see online. 2 Validation- With browsing through our timelines comes the abundance of perfect selfies, achievement logs, and other similar posts that depict a sense of a picture-perfect life. However, these posts could also turn into a hunt for validation from others through likes and comments on social media, which encourage people to post more things that they think others want to see to receive more likes. 3 Reputation over authenticity- While authenticity or showing one’s true self is a good thing, people also want to avoid getting their reputation damaged due to their
shortcomings. Michael W. Austin, a philosophy professor in Eastern Kentucky University revealed in his article Self-Deception and Social Media that people should avoid hyper-authenticity or overexposing their true selves. He wrote that “We can easily fall into hyper-authenticity on social media. It encourages us to constantly share our thoughts and feelings, with little or no tact and discretion. It also can encourage us to let people into our inner worlds, to an unhealthy extent.” Revamping the authentic self Though used as an escape mechanism, people must also be reminded that comparing our real lives to the constructed lives of those we follow online is the most common source of envy and jealousy associated with our use of online platforms. With that said, reconnecting one’s authentic self amid all the existing societal constructs that social media platforms push upon us is truly an important matter to achieve. This reconciliation
may be done in the form of simply uninstalling those social media applications for a while to have some peace of mind, or convincing ourselves that we don’t need to create a specific personality that’s intended to be shown in our social media accounts. *** As author Michael Naughton writes, “social media is a shared delusion of grandeur.” We may like to think that social media, which has become a part of our everyday lives, is designed as a platform to show and express who we really are. But oftentimes, we tend to use it to escape from the reality that we are in, which can be unhealthy if it makes us feel that who we are is not enough and that we need to pretend to be someone else to be accepted. Given this, we must empower ourselves to believe that we do not always need to possess what other people have, especially on the conceptions and standards that we see as we scroll on our timelines.
THE HF RADAR by Elaine Belen, Azreil Nathanielle Nuestro, and Adriel Jerome Toledo
BOOK
MOVIE
The Great Gatsby: Powerful lies and broken dreams Ambition is something that can eventually direct you toward success, or can also lead you to your downfall. The desire to reach our dreams in life tends to be overwhelming at times, but for some people like Jay Gatsby, they would go beyond measures to attain those— even through deception. The literary masterpiece titled The Great Gatsby was brought to life by American short story writer and novelist Francis Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 during the Jazz Age. The story revolves around the fabrication of truth through its main characters narrating a tragedy amid one of the liveliest eras, which also reflects one’s ultimate desire for power, wealth, and love. Fitzgerald’s figurative writing style ventured into some of the most pressing issues such as social classism during that time, which ultimately led the protagonist Jay Gatsby to create an image of himself that is wrapped with lies. As he continues to link together fragments of information that sound intriguing and slightly believable, Fitzgerald allows the readers to speculate and make assumptions about Gatsby, and how his power and influence came to be. Delving deeper into the storyline, we can see how the other characters themselves contribute to the roots of deception, connecting abstract concepts such as class difference and societal expectations. Money becomes a symbol of power in The Great Gatsby as without it, people may never recognize who you are. In the story, Jay Gatsby is one of the wealthiest in New York, a selfmade millionaire that is famous for throwing lavish parties every weekend in his mansion at the West Egg. However, trickery is present in the way he earns his money, which is a reason why he has become a compulsive liar. Shame dragged him too far to the brink of being unable to distinguish the truth from the lies, and the only way that he saw fit to his deed was to lie himself toward fame, success, and wealth. Fitzgerald also took a sharp turn in love within Gatsby’s tale. Even through emotion, it’s a vicious and never-ending cycle of twists with deceit, heartbreak, and broken vows leading from one thing to another, the lies based on confusion and shame. A notable character with this struggle is Gatsby’s true love, a woman named Daisy Buchanan who is trapped in a messy marriage, resulting in having an affair as her mind becomes more clouded. A lady in her time who was so unsure of herself that she became unaware of the things that she really wanted beyond the walls of lies and pretentious splendor. *** Aspirations become fatal if it’s met with the twistedly charismatic nature of deception, and Jay Gatsby knew that all too well. The Great Gatsby is a timeless literary tale showcasing the destructive power that a lie can hold, and how it can change a life you never wanted in the first place. But it goes to show that no matter how hard someone tries, you can never really evade the truth in the end.
Shattered Glass and deception through storytelling
The biographical drama film Shattered Glass (2003) tells the real-life story of a young journalist Stephen Glass, a sought-after writer driven with creativity and passion. As the pressure of the industry stacked up for him to perform exceedingly well, he had decided to put his pen game to a higher notch, which turned his life unexpectedly. Written and directed by Billy Ray, the film explores the ethics of journalism and deception in the hands of a journalist. The story follows Glass and his entertaining stories that quickly rose to popularity, earning him respect and admiration from his colleagues in The New Republic, an American left-wing magazine. At first, he wrote about “Hack Heaven”, a story about a teenager infiltrating the system of Jukt Micronics, a large software company. This too-good-to-be-true story got him in trouble when a journalist from Forbes Digital Tool, Adam Penenberg, grew suspicious of the narrative. The details of the article did not corroborate with the evidence that Glass has provided, prompting his editor, Charles “Chuck” Lane, to fact-check the details. The arguments of Lane and fellow journalist Caitlin Avey in their investigation for the truth show ethical dilemmas in journalism and the pain in recognizing the truth. As Lane finds out about Glass’s fictional stories, Avey refuses to believe it at first, turning a blind eye in the face of solid evidence. However, as a journalist, Avey must hold fellow journalists accountable for their mistakes, no matter what degree. Without journalists being held accountable for their mistakes, it defeats its purpose of providing accurate and reliable information to the people. Trust is also a key element that allowed Glass’ fabricated articles to remain undetected for as long as it did. Cognitive bias clouds someone’s mind from having a clear and mindful judgment. Similar to Glass’s case, society today still falls into loops of lies and misinformation for trusting a questionable source. Along with cognitive bias, someone’s credentials make deception elusive. Glass received praises left and right and his expertise in writing stories made him seem unquestionable and trustworthy. Taking this deception outside the field of journalism, when someone we know or trust tells us a story, we tend to hold our tongues in questioning its credibility. *** Shattered Glass may be a decade-old film, yet it continues to reflect our contemporary society and all its fractured edges. Authenticity, fabrication, and perceived authority — all of these are just the tip of the iceberg compared to the many faces of deception that lies underneath. To that end, Shattered Glass drives us to be critical in accepting too-good-to-be-true narratives, possess an adequate amount of vigilance, and develop the ability to discern the difference between the truth and lie.
PODCAST
Path to Logical Liars in Radiolab’s People Who Lie
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of the so-called “pathological liars,” you might’ve cracked your head open once or twice by wondering why and how they do it. But while we are no strangers to lying ourselves, there is a science behind it, especially for those who mastered it down to an art form. In Radiolab’s podcast episode People Who Lie, producer Ellen Horne shares a glimpse inside the inner workings of pathological liars, along with a psychologist’s perspective from the University of Southern California (USC). The episode kicks off with Horne’s story that she heard from a friend who encounters a con woman named Hope. This story is said to be about someone that Horne’s friend, Jude, dated and changed him. At first, Jude and Hope both had the connection right through to the back of their eyes but then followed with a series of problems along the way. Jude then receives a phone call from Hope’s roommate and reveals her secrets in spiral-bound notebooks that contain crypt notes for a con woman. There are existing liars who rip people off with the same stories, until such time that they actually start to believe in their own lies. At this point, the brain is already hard-wired to create lies that contain a pinch of the truth, twisting it into made-up stories before projecting it as if it really happened in real life. Some people may simply do it by showing off or gathering trust like how they lie about the price of their new phone. But some people simply do it for the kicks, like Hope who will exhaust any possible means to gain someone’s trust, establish a plausible aura, and eventually make a run for it after getting what they want. Yang also underscored how the minds of these liars work, emphasizing people’s inability to control their impulse to lie — in an attempt to deceive, mislead, and manipulate others. In fact, the psychologist discourages the usage of the term ‘pathological lying’, as they define the act now as ‘people who cannot stop lying’ because of its habitual, repetitive, and compulsive nature. A little experiment through brain scanning discovers something ‘special’ in the minds of pathological liars, where they observe heightened activity in a liar’s prefrontal cortex. There are times when we try to make up stories at the moment maybe because there is a creep trying to talk to us or we are asked by our parents where we have been after coming home late, but what happens in our brain during those times is that it passes information within two kinds of tissues: gray matter and white matter. Non-liars may process and control these kinds of information but could possibly stumble off unlike pathological liars who have more connection of thoughts in their white matter which plays a crucial role with in-the-moment storytelling of lies in just a breeze. **** Elizabeth Santiago People lie multiple times in their lives, but when lying becomes too much a habit, it can turn into a self-destructive lifestyle that will not only ruin oneself, but also the trust of people around us. In times like these, we must remember that people are not born with the propensity to lie, but rather, they are simply developed over time.
LITERARY
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On plans By Shekynah Angelene Samadan The rest was nowhere, yet it was here all along. To think you have your whole life planned right to a T: finish school, get a decent job, love a woman, have kids, and then disappear. But fate decides to strip you from all of that, so once your foot weighs itself hard on a measly ant in the garden, your parents suddenly call you up, saying you cannot enroll next year. They say that this is just until this crisis ends. Or at least, when “normal” peaks through the sooty blinds again. But why now? Why, in this god-awful lifetime, this historic event chose to dawn on your phase of existence? Some dramatic irony this is, I guess. Like the song says. *** On colorful sticky notes, you have your decade laid out in front of you. On paper, they seem so alive they could dance on their own. You were hyper-focused on conquering every heartbeat you have yet to pump out. You say you will run to the finish line in glorious, flying colors. Drowning in the rays of the rainbow, never blue. But tragedy strikes at you like an agitated blind man with a cane made out of metal. It swings and it swings until his uncertainty appeases. *** Well, life is sure damn funny for diverting our expectations, isn’t it? Giving us heart, then comes pain. Giving us no spoons and no knives, leaving us to eat with our hands. We go through its slow-burn motions; passive until the sea salt accumulates to foam, seeping into our nostrils until it blocks our airwaves completely. Keeping us from seeking above where oxygen thrives. The once calm seas raged into a melodramatic storm. The question now becomes clear: must we float or must we swim? Here’s to hoping we still choose both, since the only other option is to drown. Lest we forget, the self is immaterial. To dust and dirt. However, we are of life, for in the end, chances will reveal that everything does, indeed, make sense. “It figures,” she sings.
Hereafter By Jacinth Banite
Hair with perfect waves rests on rigid shoulders Blends with the suit in the shade of umber Firm as the hand that holds the microphone Eyes settle to a stare while the camera begins to roll. The world throws a glimpse when reality makes noise Told by a pair of scarred lips, bleeding scarlet shade The epitome of truth that speaks the unwanted With steadfast bravery, she is well-braced In a narrower room, the same soul stands in front herself Bears the heat inside a pair of white and green, Pressed with her grip is a hairbrush under her chin She perfects a posture, then spills out makeshift spiels A pile of paperwork, rotting on the table Thick as the lanyard hanging from her neck Carries it with the weight of baffling reasons Traversing precarious-ridden seasons As time travels far, reality breeds characters One withstands fear, the other keeps chasing chances As the latter thrives for the possibility of hereafter, A noblewoman made of vigilance, remains in the making
Returned Letter By Jacinth Banite I wrote a letter. I put it in a scarlet red envelope, sealed it with melted blue wax, and sent it away with the lingering uncertainty that had been residing in my heart for the longest time. I made one to make sense out of my existence. Some said it’s futile, but few believed it to be special and beautiful. I needed an answer. The letter was addressed to Heaven. God is the recipient, but any angel could read it. I sent my regards with a warm greeting: “Blessed Day, Lord” …then my pen started scribbling mere questions. Most of them started with What, the other half asked How, but the latter part had been all about Why…”Why me?” “Why US?” A few months later, the carrier arrived, handing over a
letter with the same shade of red. A huge “RETURN TO SENDER” was striking enough to be noticed, plastered on the front face along with my name and address. No trace of any magical indents from angels or Highness to be distinguished, but something was definitely missing. The seal was no longer blue, but a stunning rainbow. There was a tiny rip in my heart, frayed along the edges with bits lingering dismay. Yet, the longer I stare at the well-mixed dapple of colors, happiness dwelled in and started stitching the cutcut. It might not be as clear as I wanted it to be, but the answer I got was more than enough.
LITERARY
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Midnight noises By Jacinth Banite
The door opens, heavy stomps pervading from the outside. I rise awake, breaking myself from my lucid dream. I leave my imprints on the couch as I welcome the horror of your presence, priming myself for the noises we are about to make. There you are, coming forth. Setting foot inside this dungeon we built together, yet your unyielding, foreboding silhouette owns every inch of this space. Even the ground is thrilled by your arrival that it shudders with the flickering chandelier as it swings from the brittle ceiling. Permeating in the air is the noxious smell of your breath—tracks of alcohol and cigarettes, fusing with an ambrosial scent that perfectly matches your favorite dish—a lady with a name you never speak. I wonder about her in secret, for I fear a soul-splitting roar might tear this place apart if her name ever spills from my lips.
Perhaps, she is nothing but a ghost I invented. Yet, as the dark grows fond of my bewildering questions, the shade of switching hours shines an unblinding light, enough for me to recognize the creature behind the shadow—a beast with shrinking amiable features, a complete stranger in my memories, overly familiar with today’s wonderland. Each moment you linger with such an elusive demeanor, those stabbing horns you flaunt like a crown become more and more discernible like your bloodshot eyes glaring with lust and pride. Your once satin skin is slowly revealing its sharp thorns. With your soul-stirring hunger, I keep you sated while I settle with your empty kisses that taste like bitter lies; your touch burns like the sting of winter frosts.
You dance with me while your palms grip my mouth. Razor-sharp claws stab the scars around my neck. In silence, I scream in pain as you howl in satisfaction. While the rhythm stops, you leave me swaying alone, drenched in my own faults, trying to discern the first night you began haunting me in my sleep. Constantly, I ask myself… “When…why?” With your haunting arrivals, when the night meets its death, all answers I have are mere possibilities. At this exact moment, there is only one thing about you I am certain of— you were once the prince in my lucid dream, now you are just a monster who ruthlessly lurks and enters my door at midnight.
Sa aming pagtulog By Shekynah Angelene Samadan “Ili-ili tulog anay” Sa munting banig kami nagkasya ni Denise Maliit, makati, pero wala kaming imik Nagpapaypay si Ate sa aming tabi Malamig ang huni laban sa init ng tanghali “Wala diri imong nanay” Sanay na kami na wala siya Si Ate na lang ang siyang nag-aabala Pero ngayong tanghaling tapat Kami’y matutulog muna “Kadto tienda bakal papay” Pumalubot ang bisig ni Ate sa amin Ngunit ‘di kasing higpit Katulad ng kandado Sa aming kahoy na pinto “Ili-ili tulog anay” Nagsimula sa isang putok Isang sigaw Dumagundong Ang mga hiyaw “Mata kana, tabangan mo” Gusto kong dumilat Makita ang paputok sa labas Ngunit humigpit ang kamay sa amin At siya’y umawit muli “Ikarga ang nakompra ko, kay bug-at man sing putos ko” Buti hindi pa tapos ang putok Sana’y magtagal pa upang maabutan ko O si Denise, pero siya’y humihilik na Sana si Ate rin ay makapagpahinga “Tabangan mo ako anay” Huminto ang kasiyahan sa kalsada Gusto kong tumayo at makihalakhak Pero bumigat ang mga braso ni Ate At mas lumambot ang kanyang boses “Ili-ili tulog anay” Sana sa aking pagdilat Maabutan ko ulit ang Nakabibinging putok at kulay Sa labas “Ili-ili tulog anay”
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To the sky By Shekynah Angelene Samadan
The sky was as gray as it was last June. Mother said it was too dangerous for us to fly underneath the impending storm, but the Flock knew better, and I knew less. On days like this, the City Loft was as dreary as ever. That’s why the Flock and I would always fly around to catch us some delicious grub, or play around and see who could fly the farthest from the group. Just to free ourselves from the gloom of it all. Beakly, our leader, with his bright and shiny, always polished beak, was the reigning champion of our little game. He was always leading us to the grassy meadows, then woop! There he swooped up, laughing like a loose goose. Of course, that was the signal for the rest of us. Raven and Pjohn both sprang upward like a giddy human boy’s first try on a bouncy trampoline, and up they went to the fogs of Father’s creation. Every time they did this, I also did my damn best to even just get a taste of the electric breeze coming from the air. Mind you, I was trying, but Mother’s words would always slow down my pace. “If you flew up the way those Flock birds do, you’ll end up like your great-great-grandfather Icarus. Now look at him, dead and gone. All fried, that bird.” It was never my intention to take my Mother’s teaching to heart. Heck, I’m no Tweety bird or whatever it is the humans call that annoying yellow character (and just so you know, it’s an offensive term for us) I saw on the television when we were gliding near the skyscrapers of Layala. But as much as I hated to admit it, deep inside, I knew my wings were still underdeveloped, and my beak was still blunt. I mean, come on! I was a growing bird and I think it’s justifiable why I was the slowest. So, that became my excuse. “You know, Avi, if you stop being a Mama’s Bird once in a while, maybe you’ll experience the thrill of actually flying,” Raven teased, “I mean, you’re a bird for Father’s sake! Fly!” Oh, Father. I wished it was that easy. “Um, excuse me, aren’t we flying right now? We are literally at least 10 feet up in the air.” Yep, I knew good comebacks, too. “You know that’s not what I mean, drop nut. Like, you only go with us on trips, but you’re a literal caged bird. It’s like your Mom has your wings pinned or something…” Raven zoomed right past me the moment she stopped talking. I was about to shout out my retort when Beakly spoke up. “Yeah, Avi. Father gave us wings to experience the sky, something humans have yet to dominate. We were the chosen guardians, don’t let old Mama Brd beat you down.” I hate how wise Beakly is. He’s like some sort of a wiz when it comes to these things. Every time I felt like I was being too much of a wuss, he always knew what to say. Thank Father he’s not the peerpressuring type. “Too much of a baby bird in my opinion,” Raven said, an obvious snide. Uh huh. “You know, Raven. Maybe if you minded your own business, Avi wouldn’t be scared to actually try it out with us.” Silently, I praised Beakly as we floated above the fading trees. “Baby birds need to grow some feathers, that’s all. I’m actually encouraging the coward.” Okay, now that’s just uncalled for. “He—” I was about to return yet another cool retort but Pjohn suddenly swooped up!
“Oh, you sneaky fowl!” Beakly shouted. There he went— drifting upward, swiftly turning into a mere dot in the vastness of the sky. Raven, of course, followed suit. Doing a little twist and, I swear I saw it, with a wink towards my lowly direction. Zooming, they went. Flying as young birds do, up and up and up until my long and feathery neck couldn’t locate them anymore. At that moment, I was lost under the blue, cloudless blanket of the heavens. It was as if I was the only bird in the world, cursed with wings that couldn’t even create a draft to supply me speed. Like the others. Although I was hovering almost ten feet from the ground, the rush they must be feeling right now left me marooned instead. I floated, while they were conquering limits that even humans couldn’t reach. It had been like this for years and yet I still felt… “Hey, Avi!” A distant squawk disturbed my weary monologue. It was Pjohn! “Get your flaps here, there’s gold!” Gold? Curiosity got the best of me so I flew in the direction of the voice. It was unlike the Flock’s pace, but I was sure an extra five minutes wouldn’t hurt them. *** “Thought the Colonel crisped you up already,” Raven said the moment I came to view. They were standing on a sturdy, wet branch. Bleakly was head-on, looking directly at the oddly shining yellow underneath the thundering rain clouds. I was still catching my breath the moment I stood with the Flock. “I think we should go and check it out.” The determination in Beakly’s voice had all our necks turning to him. Even Pjohn who was busy tending his green and slightly soaked wings shot up at the leader’s spot. “Don’t you think it’s just Sun?” I darted the reply to Beakly, who was still focused on the glorious shine. “Can you not hear the rumbling? Or did you hit your head on a pine tree again?” Raven said as if I was the dumbest bird in the world, “It’s barely dry and you say it’s Sun?” “Avi’s got a point,” Pjohn butts in, “What else could it be?” “Thank you!” I said, finally happy someone was sticking up for me. To be honest, the light was too bright to actually distinguish its form. Sun has always had this inviting warmth in it, possibly the reason why Uncle Icarus was so obsessed with it. Mother always warned to never be that obsessed with something. She didn’t believe in things like “passion.” She told me it would only rot my brain, but I’d be lying if I say I wasn’t intrigued with how focused Beakly was with the light. I was more drawn to his expression rather than the unknown light from the sky. “Can you not hear it, guys? It’s playing… a tune?” The thunder rolled, obscuring any form of sound that might be near us. Beakly widened his eyes, as wide as his shiny young eyelids could go. “It’s… a lyre!” Beakly exclaimed. “What?” The three of us were quick to respond to our leader. We noticed how each and every feather in his form slowly rose up as if ready to take flight. “Whoa, Beaks. Don’t tell me you hit your head on a pine tree too? There’s no—” “No, Raven. It’s so loud it’s even drowning out thunder! Let’s all go!”
I dreaded those words when they came out of Beakly’s beak. I admired him so much, but I detested how reckless he could be. How he took on challenges like he didn’t have a nest to go back to after his silly adventures. I remember one time when we were asked by Fawkes, an elder owl who was in charge of the school nest, if we had a word that we totally hated. Some said the normal ones like “scarecrows,” “hunter,” and “shotgun,” but Beakly said that he hated the word “No.” Reason? Because he said it limits possibilities for him. Sure enough, we got a whole 30-minute lecture on how thinking like that would get you an arrow to the chest. I enjoyed that, honestly, because I agree. As I admired the shining glow from afar, some moments passed until I felt the familiar sweep of a sharp breeze. There he went! Beakly flew up as if the bird suddenly had propellers underneath his feathery wings. An updraft of some sort. “Beaks! Wait up!” Raven yelled, mimicking the motion with the same grace. I was then left with Pjohn who was also ready to take flight. “Tell our parents we might be home late, Avi.” Identical to what Raven did, he boosted and glided swiftly toward the Flock’s three-birded echelon. At that moment, as I froze in place, scared of what to tell their parents, I was baffled at how easy it was for them. How crude and senseless they could be! “Bird brains!” I screamed to the horizon where they were headed, but my squawk was drowned out by the roaring thunder. They were already out of sight when I realized the shining glow dimmed to mere nothing. Afraid, I quickly flew back to the City Loft. Back to the warmth of my nest and my Mama. How dare they just leave like that and fly so carelessly? How would I tell their parents? How could they just… leave me so easily? *** Two moons passed and City Loft had been trodden with gloom as if the night stayed permanently. The Hawkes had been on guard, endlessly searching the sky to look for Raven, Pjohn, and Beakly. I still remember how I flew home that night, heavy-winged and sullen. I remember how the guards of our city saw me, how they were quick to ask if I was alright and why I was alone. Right there, I rushed to my friends’ nests to meet their families. I broke the news to them, and then I caught on to who I was that very moment—someone who broke their peace of mind. Someone who built uncertainties in their heads. Raven and Pjohn’s mothers were crying, tweeting out sounds of despair as their children remained missing. I tried to reassure them that they might get back soon once the morning dew perspires, but they were so heartbroken that I could also feel their pain. But an interesting case was Beakly’s parents. As I told them how their son acted before speeding to the unknown light, his papa’s figure never left the window of their nest, looking strangely in the direction where his son had gone. Etched on the mother’s face was sadness, but it was not as dire as Raven’s and Pjohn’s. She only sat on her chair, looking over her husband as he sighed, bringing me back to my current situation. “They will be back,” Beakly’s father said, assuring me and his wife. That was the moment I knew where Beakly got his determination from. The tone and the voice were almost the same as his son’s, except for the labored deepness. “Aren’t you a descendant of Icarus, Avi?” Beakly’s mother asked.
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Strange. I knew my great-great-grandfather was famous, especially in their time, but… “Yes, Ma’am. I am,” I said, nodding politely. Beakly’s mother gave me a meek smile and his father’s eyes glinted for a short second as he turned his feathery back at us once more. I knew our conversation had ended at that. The night breeze kept on flowing through our humble, floating city, and the birds were all ready to head on to their nest to tuck in their youngins to bed. I was out the whole day, hovering near the branch where the Flock and I had seen each other, hoping to have a little sense of faith that they would return. To be honest, as I let this thought linger in my head, I couldn’t seem to deny some sort of relief from not following their spontaneous adventure to the unknown. I could never handle the weight of worry my mother would feel, it would surely pull me back to my talons. As I flew near our nest, smelling the dish my mother had prepared for me, an unnaturally blinding light split the night sky like a chasm. It is as if it broke the heavens into two! Slowly, the stars blended in the background because of the proud lights the split was emitting, and slowly, lyres blared around us. Soft yet dominating, it awoke the drowsy citizens of City Loft from their straw-made beds to their windows and doors. Many hurried to their front branches to look at the strange display of lights, possibly half scared and half excited altogether. I flapped my wings fastly to my mother’s side when I saw her leave our nest and into our small branch. “Mom, I think it’s much safer if you come inside,” I said, a tinge of worry in my tone as not to scare her. “Nonsense. I want to witness this… this thing!” she said in excitement as she raised both of her greying wings up high. Not a single hint of fear in her raspy tweets. I was visibly shaking down to the tip of my blunt beak while my mother just stood there, small and beady eyes glued to the light. Wait… light! The same damn light that lured the Flock! It was just like that! The lyres and brightness of it all, except no one seemed to want to follow it this time. Almost all were mesmerized but no one was dumbly heading over the way Beakly did. As I remembered our leader’s name, I turned my head, almost snapping it completely, onto where his nest is located. There I saw his father with the same bold stance as ever, chest-high with eyes dead-set on the light, the same went with his mother but with more relaxed shoulders. The lyres plucked me out of my fixation on the couple
and drew me into the strange phenomenon in the sky. The white bright light had suddenly burst with colors of greens and pink, in waves they went! The little birds that were hiding behind their parents were now in front, awestruck by the spectacular light show. And as we knew it, the light opened up completely, so much as if morning came early. The lyres boomed all throughout City Loft and one by one, winged, undistinguishable beings made themselves known. “Here, the rulers of the sky. Blessed by Father, those who aspired,” one of the figures spoke loudly, drowning out the string instrument to mere background noise. One by one, our necks and knees bent involuntarily, as if an unknown force softly manipulated them. It was only a second then we were in control once more. I saw my mother on my side, eyes insatiably wide with tears streaming down her feather cheeks. “Your great-great-grandfather Icarus!” she yelled, a mix of joy and shock. As the name slipped from her beak, all of the citizens broke down to tears, happily taking in my great-great-grandfather’s presence, But unlike them, I stood still like a stone. “R-raven!” I heard someone squawking. It was her father, pointing at the direction next to Icarus. Yes, there she was. Covered in silk veils and jewelry, from claws to wings. Like a fully changed bird, but when she saw her parents below, she instantly swooped down at such a quick pace I could have missed if I blinked. “Mama! Papa! I missed you so much!” the bejeweled bird cried. “I was in Father’s palace with Pjohn and Beakly. We were adorned and loved so much there, I don’t know why!” She hugged her parents tightly. I saw Pjohn too, swooping down to his own nest as quickly as Raven did. He carried all his brothers and sisters into a warm hug, and went to his parents who were crying in happiness for their eldest son’s return. I averted my eyes to the emotional reunion that was happening to our neighboring nests to look at the sky once more. There, I saw Icarus, finally in flesh. He was just like the stories my mother and people told me about. Unlike other birds, he was tall, probably a different species, built so strong that it made me wonder why I did not inherit that trait. He headed over to our nest, and my mother jumped nervously to how gigantic he was. “You must be my family.” Dignified, he was. His voice could make any person bend to his will. It was as if Father personally crafted it for him to make fun of us mortal birds.
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A simple nod and a mere tweet were what I gave as a response to my great-great-grandfather, however, mother went on and on about how he had been and what he had missed. He knew he was not getting any word from me so he kindly chatted with my mother, condensing all the many generations he had missed into one conversation. I focused my gaze now on Beakly. The same as Raven and Pjohn, he was also in a glorified suit of armor, golden and bright. Surveying the scene the way he usually did. When he located his nest, he went to it swiftly, giving his parents a hug. They were all laughing and crying at the same time, but not as teary as the others. “What a brave bird, that Beakly. He reminds me of when I was your age,” Icarus said, startling me. When I went back to see what was happening, mother apparently went back to the nest to prepare him food. “I never would have thought someone in this generation would follow Father’s Light like I did back then, but Raven, John, and Beakly did…” he trailed. I felt small being next to Icarus, but I felt even smaller as he told me the story of the Flock’s brave decision. Who would’ve thought it was Father’s Light?! Slowly, I only bent my head low to hide my guilt. “I must admit, I was disappointed when my descendant wasn’t with them…” Icarus paused briefly. “But courage takes time, you are not the reckless type. Like us. Hopefully, someday you will be able to hatch fully out of your egg.” And with the last nudge to my feathery shoulders, Icarus went inside our humble little nest at the call of my mother. I stayed in the front branch to take in what was happening. The light had dimmed but the gap was still noticeable. At that moment, I did not know what to feel. Sure, I was already feeling the guilt… but to see my friends succeed at such a high rate due to their wild decisions felt… undermining. Was it jealousy? I really couldn’t tell. As I was heading over back to my place to converse with Icarus and mother, to fully wrap around all of these unnatural things that happened, a familiar squawk greeted me. “Bird brain!” It was Raven. Pjohn was the first to land and then came the two. Their auras were exquisite. It was as if they were not birds at all. With all their new trinkets and clothing, I knew those were not the only things they have brought back. Their eyes were filled with eagerness, wonder, and most of all, stories. As much as I was grateful for the Flock’s treasures they achieved, there was this crawling thought in me that kept on saying “I wish I was there to see it,” and by Father, I hoped they could sense that as well. “Come with us, next time,” Beakly broke the ice, seeing right through me.
Community pantry not Communist Party I, for one, think we have suffered enough, and the community pantry can attest to that fact It’s been more than a couple of years since the start of this grueling health crisis, and like a tired Ouroboros, we are back at it again with adding letters to quarantine levels like it’s the only thing our government is capable of doing, or even willing to do. Even though our country already has access to China-made, American-made, and England-made vaccines, it’s still a long wait for us citizens, who have no concerning ailments or are part of the medical workforce, to finally get “vaxxed.” Urban universities and schools still undergo online classes, and the economy is yet to spring back to life, and due to the lack of urgency from the head of state, the second hard lockdown was met with disdain from the public. Some local government officials didn’t even give out stimulus packages to aid their residents with food and other necessities while the city was shut down. Their military-style corporal punishment even led to a man’s death just because he stepped out mere spaces from his house to get water. It was apparent our government had, and still has, no plans on getting us to the ‘better normal’ they keep promising, and as for us, constantly clinging to a failed regime will not fix the smorgasbord of negligence that still persists at this time. It will not feed our families nor help the country stop the spread of the virus. I think one million contracted cases are enough for us to open our eyes, and thank God, someone was brave enough to literally make a stand on the
pavement of the bustling street of Maginhawa, Quezon City. A mobile bamboo cart filled with canned goods, spaghetti strings, rice, and so much more was erected to help people in need. This impeccable deed was pioneered locally by a woman named Ana Patricia Non. Little much is known about Ana Patricia “Patreng” Non. Aside from being a graduate of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines, she is also a fairly active community worker according to her friends and colleagues. Interviews with her do not normally focus on her life or anywhere beyond her personal cause. It might have stemmed from many things but many believed it was that reason why the government conspired against this 26-year-old, comparing her efforts to Satan’s doing—yes, the devil-incarnate himself—just because they had a suspicion that she might be a part of a radical political group, and because her acts had sprung in rapid succession that they felt threatened. NTF-ELCAC’s spokesperson General Antonio Parlade has said those accusations with so much vigor that it was utterly sickening to even read. People in the same vein like to talk big about Filipino resilience in the time of this health crisis, but when said resilience is shown and shared, they try to find ways to fight against it. They vilify it just because it is an indictment of how much of a failure they were in managing the pandemic. And what for? To purposely drag the nation down with them? To feed their fascist souls and heartless egos because their insecurities
are eating them whole and there’s not much food left to sate their monstrous appetite? It may just be all of the above. It’s painstakingly obvious they retreat behind their filthy bravado once their dirt is exposed because that is all they are good at: words. Nevertheless, it is nothing short of baffling to watch it all unfold so rawly.
On and on, speeches after speeches, statements after statements, their predictable and ineffective plan is a testament that we, as students, should be wary of the people who are pulling the strings. This regime’s way of using their misjudgment to detrimentally ruin societal progress as we all clamor for positive change is tiring. On and on, speeches after speeches, statements after statements, their predictable and ineffective plan is a testament that we, as students, should be
wary of the people who are pulling the strings. Trust me, by airing out these people’s stupidity through protesting, signing petitions, using your platform, and just spreading it in your own unique way is already doing our country a service. Now, the national task force just unearthed a picture of Non with a raised fist, and surprise, surprise! They are using it as ‘proof’ that she is part of the communist party. All because of a clenched left hand is raised upwards—a symbol of solidarity; one with the downtrodden masses; one of us. Truly a concerning move on how this government views its people. It speaks volumes on how quick they were to label her as ‘terrorists’ when she had done so much more than any of their abusive figures combined. This woman they bullied and then eventually copied reshaped people’s think on giving. “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs”, her sign reads. At the end of the day, I hope Non’s story won’t end up as another cautionary tale in our history books. I trust in this outspoken generation that it won’t happen, not even once. That these horrendous claims won’t deter those with hearts from achieving genuine freedom for the country against such dangerous, gun-bearing hurdles. I sincerely hope we will continue to march on with unperturbed faces, arms linked, stature and voices unwavering as we call for competent leadership. May we continue to help one another as a form of protest—with love and spite.
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SPORTS
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ATHLETES’ PRIME TIME: Lalas and Pamienta’s unquenched senior years On shattered moments and hopes for future Patriots by Hedrick Alcantara Before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic struck, graduating students would envision the moment they would pass the baton to their younger teammates, carrying on the hopes and dreams of their batch. However, aside from having this moment stripped away, senior student-athletes face the reality of graduating without quenching their prime thirst. With a clap of congratulations, the traditional send-off, and an ending shared with their fellow teammates whom they spent years training with, seniors would leave their alma mater somber yet fulfilled, having reached the long-awaited peak of their collegiate sports career. But faced with a pandemic, former woodpusher Genten Lalas and graduating volleybelle Cleobel Pamienta are curtailed of games to play and no ending in sight—at least, not the one they could have achieved in their prime time.
Photo by Genten Lalas (contributor) “‘Yong unang months [ng lockdown], in-expect namin na baka next month, matuloy na ‘yong liga. Then after a few months, na-cancel na nila [admin]. Hindi lang disappointed eh … Nakakapanghinayang,” Pamienta expressed. She furthered, “‘Yong mga what ifs—na sana nakapunta na kami sa ibang lugar, maliban din do’n, sana nabigyan kami ng opportunity na mas mabigyan pa ng honor ‘yong school kasi alam naman namin na gagalingan naman ng team namin.” Academic struggles With no more games left to play, both the woodpusher and the volleybelle were finally focused on their academic tasks. Like any other student, they persevered through the online setup despite its many hardships, although the challenge was greater for fulfilling their requirements as graduating students. The last move Lalas took before finishing his course was also conducted online, where for him, the struggle was indeed real. “Nag-pe-prepare kami for our pre-board subject ... ‘Yong masasabi ko, mahirap siya. Ang ginawa is dinamihan nila ‘yong mga pasasagutan to compensate kung ano ‘yong missing … so mahirap siya.” Following his endgame from chess, Lalas budged his way through the academic pressure, finishing his BS Electronics Engineering course in the academic year (AY) 2019-2020. Meanwhile, during her fourth year studying BS Entrepreneurship, Cleobel Pamienta had her fair share of concerns over online synchronous classes. “Before, medyo nahirapan ako mag-transition from face-to-face to online. Masarap kasing makinig sa teacher [physically] lalo na kapag magaling ... So, nagkaroon ng worry na baka mahirapan kami sa [online] study namin lalo na complex ‘yong subject.” After some time, the 22 years old volleybelle managed to adapt with the digital setup by focusing more on her self-paced studying. No training this year undoubtedly meant more time for her to focus on her academics, as she awaits to get a hold of her degree. Leaving their mark Before accomplishing their respective courses and leaving DLSU-D, both Lalas and Pamienta have scribed their triumphs as remarkable studentathletes. From the first moment they wore the green-and-white cloth to the moment they bid their farewell, their pride of bannering the Patriot flag had materialized to their awards. Having started his chess career as a woodpusher in 2016, Lalas was able to collect awards that would mark the DLSU-D’s chess team a formidable opponent, not just in the provincial level but piercing all the way to the nationals as well. “Lagi naman kami nakakapasok sa Regional, gold medalist tayo lagi for Provincials. Tapos isa pang notable is, naging gold medalist sa 2017 PRISAANationals. Second team overall kami sa UniGames 2016,” Lalas shared.
Anticlimactic turn of events As a senior student-athlete, Genten Lalas was eyeing to reach his zenith before letting go of his collegiate stint, especially when he already got the taste of victory in his first years as a Patriot. This includes the Private School Athletics Association (PRISAA) events that he usually excelled in, leaving his graduating year unlaced. Lalas recalled, “Aim talaga namin ng mga teammates ko na makapasok kami ng Nationals.
Ever since, hindi pa namin talaga totally nasweep ang Laguna, Rizal, [at] Quezon. So, hindi namin madala [nang] mismong buo ang [Cavite] sa nationals.” Given the situation, Lalas could only imagine what their team’s triumph would look like, and how much it would mean for them. “Syempre heart of a champion, so, gusto namin sa last year namin mag-champion kami … kung nagawa naming mag-champion, ma-re-recognize kami ng school … so malaking accomplishment [sana] ‘yon sa amin.” Sharing the same disappointment that Lalas has, volleybelle Cleobel Pamienta had her fingers crossed in the early stages of lockdown, hoping that the community quarantine would soon ease up—just enough for the women’s volleyball team to still vie for gold in the 2020 Provincials and Nationals. However, her hopes of sealing her final ordeals were pushed back as the pandemic lasted longer than she expected.
Pamienta, on the other hand, had maintained her spot in the DLSU-D women’s volleyball team as one of the gentle seniors during her time. The volleybelle contributed well with the win streak of the volleybelles in the PRISAA for five years before the pandemic, while also lined up for the beach volleyball squad. “Mas malawak ‘yong [playing] scope ko … halos libero na lang ata ang hindi ko na-position-an. Lahat siguro. Pero mostly nilalagay ako sa kwatro as utility, sometimes open spiker,” told Pamienta. Genten Lalas and Cleobel Pamienta are names that would go down in DLSU-D history with their notable awards and crucial contributions in the chess team and volleyball team, respectively. Taking the highway One way or another, this DLSU-D alumnus and the soon-to-be alumna had their respective career plans to take. Both of them mapped their paths practically due to the adverse effects of the pandemic on their personal lives. With this, to play professionally in chess and in volleyball is something they ought to minimize along the way. Genten Lalas, who at the moment spends his time working and preparing for the board exams for electrical engineers, had pushed himself into a corner with a priority in mind to pick his working career over his sport, but will still play chess on an occasional basis. He explained, “When the time comes na graduate na ako, sabi ko, ‘I’m not aiming to be professional’ … magiging hobby ko na lang siya [chess]. If ever I want to play, i-e-enjoy ko na lang.” On the other hand, Cleobel Pamienta said that she had original plans to audition for a professional team along with her graduating volleybelles, but the pandemic left them no choice but to set their sporting goals aside. “I think I will prioritize muna ‘yong mga [necessities] dahil mahirap talaga. Tutulong muna ako sa family ko dahil sobrang naka-affect sa amin ‘yong pandemic,” Pamienta shared. Despite her four-year entrepreneurship course, Pamienta surprisingly applied for the military as she sees this way to help both of her parents who are also part of the military. She admitted that this track she chose after college is far from her course but entering the camp would be a good way to make use of her learned values as an athlete Patriot mantra Lalas and Pamienta may be leaving the University for good but their values and learnings—both as students and athletes—will no doubt stay for generations to come. Lalas saw how Patriots are, among other things, persevering and formidable despite the struggles they face. “As a Lasallian athlete, ano … palaban. Lahat naman kami palaban talaga. Hindi kami nag-give up whatever challenges ang dumating. Nakita ko rin ‘yon sa
Photo by Cleobel Pamienta (contributor) iba’t-ibang team. Nakita ko ‘yong mga struggles nila at kung paano nila nalampasan… Hindi madaling sumuko ang mga Patriots,” he said. As Pamienta bids her farewell, she reminds those who will follow her footprints to always value their time, manifest persistence and composure as a volleybelle. “Siguro ‘yong mentality na kahit hopeless, kahit walang chance, huwag silang susuko … ‘wag nilang sukuan ‘yong sport. May chance pa kayo eh, may oras pa kasi kayo. So, habang may time pa kayo, gawin niyo ‘yong efforts na kailangan para mapanatili sa inyo ‘yong skills tsaka ‘yong kondisyon ng katawan,” Pamienta emphasized. *** To say that the pandemic changed the course of the games is an understatement. Those who were just
beginning their journey and those who were looking for fitting an end to their sports journey both had to cut their trips shorter than planned—just like what the woodpusher and the volleybelle had done. Both Lalas and Pamienta proved that collegiate athletes are indeed no exception to the discontinuation of what might have been, and this sad reality continues to resonate with the sports community from the fresh bloods up to those who were making their final steps. From this point forward, turn to new ways of waving goodbye to the graduating athletes: by congratulating all their hard work, by reminiscing the good-old days and extracting values out of the past, and finally, by carrying on the grain for future studentathletes, picking up what was left off, retrieving what was lost, and paving the way for the new.
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2020 OLYMPICS from page 22 against his Ukrainian foe in the semifinals. This was followed by Carlo Paalam in the men’s flyweight division, who might have stomached a knockout in the finals but successfully doubled our country’s silver reap. These three pride boxers—who are already tagged as ‘legends’ by some—have their strong roots in the Mindanao island. Hailing from Davao del Sur, Petecio first wore the boxing gloves at the early age of 11 when her father introduced boxing to her for the purpose of self-defense rather than a sport Marcial, a streetworker from Zamboanga, started boxing as his livelihood to support himself with his earnings, and help his family at the same time. Just like Marcial, Paalam had humble beginnings. Working as a landfill scavenger in the Cagayan de Oro slums urged the then young Carlo to raise his fist for his family and enter the ring. Little did they know that someday, they would bring home pride to the nation and to the roots they hold dear the most. Boxing legends In retrospect, Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial, and Carlo Paalam’s fisticuff outputs had just contributed even more to the boxing medal case of the Philippines. As father-and-son Jose Luis and Anthony Villanueva plunged two Olympic medals way back in 1932 and 1964 respectively, the boxing brand of the Philippines in the Olympics had found its starting point. Amusing as it looks, the Villanuevas were at the same age of 19 when they seized the medals. What made the difference is that the son of the boxing legend who trained him exceeded his father with a silver medal around his neck. Flashforward to 1988, the late Leopoldo Serantes represented the country for the Seoul Games and got the bronze in the light flyweight category. His third-place finish in the prestige brawl retrieved the medal hunger of the Philippines for 24 years—equivalent to six Olympics. Another pair of sparrers of the same blood raised the flag of the Philippines in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. It was Roel and Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco who made into fruition the third bronze and second silver medal of the country for boxing. Now that they are both retired, Roel—the elder one— was aligned in the hall of fame of Philippine Sports while also chipping in to train pep boxers; one of his students is now the silver medalist Petecio. On the other hand, Onyok joined the new medalists this year when he received his due incentives and a rare Order of Lapu-lapu, among other awards, from the government 25 years after his silver win. The first Filipino medalist Teofilo Yldefonso, an Ilocos Norte swimmer, claimed the title for being the first Filipino Olympian to have a medal. Though it sounded like the first-man-in-the-moon statement, winning a medal in the Olympics and being the first one to do so, especially for a thriving country who just joined the multi-sport event for the second time, deserves the high praise it would get. As Yldefonso splashed the Amsterdam waters in 1928 and reaped a bronze medal, he was further known as the “Ilocos shark” for reaching the final round of 200 meters breaststroke heat. After four years, the Ilocos shark once again swam for bronze in the same event and made him the sole Filipino athlete to own two medals from the Olympics. Not until Hidilyn Diaz emerged almost a century later to be the first Filipina to do so. Athletics relics Marking his second try in the quadrennial conclave, Simeon Toribio in 1932 was instrumental for the first multi-medal foray of the Philippines, along with boxer Jose Villanueva and swimmer Yldefonso. As a high jumper, Toribio leaped 1.97 meters to reach the third spot. Many of his constituents considered Toribio’s performance in Los Angeles as the greatest moment of his jumping career. During the 1936 Summer Olympics, Miguel White followed the win of the Philippine athletics team in his own field of choice: the 400m hurdles. White charted a 52.8 runtime in the qualifying track, a decimal-time close from the world record in 1927 which was 52.6. In the finals, White then finished in third with a promising 53.4 posting—a triumph that bannered the far Eastern flag as he was the only Asian among Western finalists. Toribio and White then encountered the Second World War where they both survived the episodes of the Japanese invasion, and spent their latter careers as the athletics relics that they are now. *** Athletes of old and new continue to amaze us with their greatness. Unreachable as they may appear, but the conquest of the Filipino Olympic medalists have also had their own starts, uneasy tolls, and roots to hold on to. The honor they brought home and continue to bring back to the country are victories that are all for us to share, along with the sparkle of hope. Their glories abroad give out inspiration for a nation that has endured too much life’s misfortunes—that with their victories as proof, we can possibly win in life as well. So far, this is the best we have become. Soon, we will see another batch of champions that will serve as touchstones for those who will come before them. We cling on to see more uplifters of sports spirits—showmasters of passion, deeds, and medals for that matter—which will go down in history as the pride of our own.
SPORTS
War of the Seven Pillars Remembering the Intramurals hype by Pauline Meneses | Graphic Art by Rachelle Calaustro
Stuck between the online learning setup and physical isolation during this time of the pandemic, it has been a long time since Lasallians last took part in the pressure of winning, the feeling of excitement as the series of games commence, the collaboration between different programs in one college, and the camaraderie constantly built year by year as these seven colleges face each other at the height of a friendly but highly competitive matchups. With the festivity of individual, dual, and team sports competitions in place, we resurface and recollect the games fought within our walls that have given off an authentic experience to seven competitive colleges—on what could have been a great chance to exert their shared fights, banner their prideful colors, and live up to the the mantra of their respective monikers. Home of the East Notable as one of the key colleges in the East Campus, the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) Sparks have established their identity as spiker kings and queens as they have dominated the volleyball scene of the Intramurals. Bagging the championship in 2019, the Sparks still remain as the defending champions in Men’s Volleyball, while their Women’s Volleyball team established their name in the game for being the defending champions from 2009 to 2015. Known for igniting the cheerdance competitions of the sports festival in the University, the Sparks remain to be toprunners as they maintained to be in the Top 3 finalists for the event since 2007. Manifesting their welcoming attitude as always, the Sparks take part mostly in facilitating athletics exhibition games with different colleges and with the senior high school department as well. Fluttering their wings and soaring high, the College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLAC) Haribon embodies the true spirit of a Liberal Lasallian. According to a CLAC Student Government (CLACSG) representative, with the wings that represent the free will of the diverse culture of the college, the Haribon signifies their spirit as a competent fighter in the field and embodies the college’s strength and determination. “Since CLAC speaks for the truth and promulgates justice...the moniker represents the college well,” CLACSG shared. As their signature tag suggests, the College of Sciences and Computer Studies (CSCS) Aces were named for their excellence and the capacity to give it their all in any adversities faced. To be remembered as a team who excels in what they love to do, the CSCS Aces are known to be a team that fiercely works together to achieve their common goals. Coalesced by their team moniker and color that symbolize the competitiveness and fighting spirit, the CSCS Student Government (CSCSSG) exclaimed: “CSCS Aces are passionate and committed to what they ESPORTS from page 22 University-Quezon City (OLFU-QC) and University of Cordilleras (UC), the DLSU-D Falcons seized all the top titles of the blitzes. Apart from the ML:BB and Valorant, the missionenthused game Call of Duty: Mobile (COD:M) was added to the roster of games. In an online interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO held in April, CCJESG emphasized the purpose of the virtual games during the Lasallian Festival Week as a factor on “lessening the stressful environment the pandemic has caused.” Furthermore, the department mentioned that esports served as a platform for socialization “with other students, not only from our college, but from other schools.” Yellow Esporters The Haribon community also jumped in with organizing online contests as an alternative to the annual interdepartmental games. On June 4, Raphael Simbulan, CLAC Student Government director of sports and recreation, kicked-off the CLAC Esports Tournament. “This tournament will provide a space where everyone can still enjoy leisure and recreation amidst the tough situation ... a chance to show their talent and skills
do. Their strong will and dedication lives up to their name as the best of the best.” The wild, wild West Situated in the middle of the campus, the College of Education (CoEd) Sharks remain true to the qualities of their moniker. “We would like the Lasallian community to remember our college as competitive, fair, active, and excellent in the field of sports,” said a representative from the CoEd Student Government (CoEdSG). Recognized as the Edukados, their qualities as the CoEd Sharks are not only known to be efficient, curious, innovative, and observant in the field of academics, but also apply to their characteristics when the Intramurals season is in place. Meanwhile, with the motto of “Maliit man kami, nakakapuwing pa rin,” the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE) Falcons exemplify their strengths, mirroring the quality of a falcon as a flexible bird—a jack of all trades. As the college with the smallest population in the University, the CCJE Falcons retained their presence in the sports scene as they are known to be the agile ballers of the hard court. “We want our college to be remembered [that as though we are] small, we are (fighters), someone that other colleges can look forward to [as a] competition,” swagged CCJE Student Government (CCJESG). Donning their identity as a powerhouse, the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) Stallions are not only known for their academic prowess but also for their strength and power in the athletic arenas. The CEAT Stallions are believed to live up to their moniker as an aggressive character that is hard to handle in the games they dominate. A representative from the CEAT Student Government (CEATSG) expressed how the CSG wanted their college to be recognized, “as striving individuals not only when it comes to academics but also as a strong team with good sportsmanship and a winning heart.” Last but definitely not the least, having their nest located in the West Campus, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) Phoenix is recognized as one of the fiercest and proudest teams in the University. The Phoenixes are known for rising from the ashes to dominate in the athletic events that they excel in. Retaining their competitive energy, the Phoenix remembers that what matters in the said events is the as they practice sportsmanship and humility in the virtual setting,” said Simbulan on his Facebook live speech during the opening ceremony. “Almost” official varsities Although it was the first time for some colleges to conduct virtual tournaments amid the pandemic, esports is not new to the Patriot sporting blood. Pre-pandemic, the DLSU-D had produced online gaming teams that battled in national tournaments such as the League of Legends Collegiate Leagues (LCL) Summoners’ Rift in 2017. Prior to the collegiate scene, the players sought to secure their organization affiliation from the University as it was a requirement by the Garena, a lead organizer of esports in Southeast Asia. The team saw the former Genshiken club, a student group of gamers and anime enthusiasts in DLSU-D, as the fittest affiliation for the requirement. Their training was interestingly formatted with calculated strategies, avatar combinations, and battle hacks that helped them fight a great campaign on the national level. But while they carried the green-and-white Patriot flag in the tournament, the team, however, was not recognized by the University administration as official varsities just yet.
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experience that each participant gains apart from the athletic accomplishments. “Even though we do not get to be (the) overall champions, [the college] knows that we did our best and had fun throughout the event,” said a representative of CBAA Student Government (CBAASG) in an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO. On intramurals and sportsmanship Hosting the 2019 Intramurals, the CEATSG shared their experience of facilitating the annual sports event, unaware that the said event was the last to be held before the University has implemented a distance learning setup due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As CEATSG described, “We were aware of how big that responsibility is, and we made sure that we were able to make it great… and exclusive, for this is an event for the whole university.” Furthermore, the CEATSG representative recalled in an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO their collaboration with the other CSGs as the spearheads of the previous Intramurals. As the CSGs emphasized, the essence of an Intramurals event is to cover the holistic development of a student in their social interactions, and build camaraderie with their fellow students from other college departments. “The fun part of it all was seeing the students happy in doing what they love and what they are passionate about,” CBAASG reiterated. Meanwhile, the CSCSSG had their share of regards about the Intramurals. “It is very unfortunate to not [be able to] experience the Intramurals this year, but it is for the safety of all (students).” The CoEdSG echoed the importance of the inter-college matches stating that “The gap between students (from each college) seemed to increase and the bond [formed from interacting] with each other is fading.” With the absence of university-wide events like the Intramurals, student governments expressed the disappointment of not being able to experience the said event due to the current online education setting. “It is quite sad because (the) Intramurals [has been] a part of our tradition,” said CoEdSG. The CEATSG representative also shared their sentiments with the current situation, “It is sad but we must persist and adapt.” Reliving the sportsmanship Hoping that they will soon be able to hold the physical Intramural events, these college student governments relive the energy and spirit of sportsmanship experienced in the past sports festivals. “Sportsmanship is when you share your talent, knowledge and skills, [and] gain new friends after the (games),” shared by a representative of CTHM Student Government (CTHMSG) on the value of sportsmanship for their college. “[As] events like this helps (sic) our students have a little time off from their academics, it helps make out community closer, and (at the same time,) gives them the opportunity to know more people in the University outside their circles,” the CEATSG voiced, sharing the importance of Intramurals event in the University. Furthermore, the student governments shed light on the framework behind the Intramurals. In a shared point of view, the student governments wrap the campus-wide games as a venue to bring each and every student a common activity where everyone can attend and participate. The CSGs also emphasized that to fully enjoy the objectives of the Intramurals, participants should acquire both the burning passion for sports and the respect with fellow competitors. “It is this thing—the passion in every single athlete playing in the sport—in every single one of us that makes the competition fun and memorable,” said CSCSSG. “We (CEATSG) believe that good sportsmanship is a crucial part of being a Lasallian. It is something that we will take with us wherever we go,” the CEATSG representative furthered. As of the current implementation of the online learning setting, the college student governments, in partnership with the University Student Government’s Electronic Sports (E-Sports) Commission, outlined their plans to keep the spirit of competitive interaction between the colleges through esports tournaments held during the second semester of academic year (AY) 2020-2021. In an article by The HERALDO FILIPINO in 2017, one of the five starters for the LoL skirmish Erwin Gaa clarified that the transition of the Office of Student Services (OSS) Dean during that time caused to leave the paperwork on making them official varsities unprocessed. Hopes for virtual leagues Now that esports once again emerged in the University as a new way to reignite sportsmanship, the question still stands the same. Will esports continue to be for mere recreational purposes, or will it soon be part of the usual premier leagues that DLSU-D partake in? On August 2, the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Executive Director’s Office mentioned in an online interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO that the PRISAA will resume this academic year after its postponement, noting that the competition will be held virtually. As far as the developments of the virtual PRISAA is concerned, the full details remain undisclosed by the Office as of press time.
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ATHLETE’S PRIMETIME Lalas and Parmienta page 19
SPORTS FEATURES
Pre-COVID Intrams hype page 20
SPORTS COMICS
Solo play page 21
GO FOR GOLD. (From left to right) Filipino Olympians Nesthy Petecio, Hidilyn Diaz, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial pull off the biggest multi-medal haul of the Philippines in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Graphic Art by Alyanna Nicole Tiaga
BEST TEAM PHILIPPINES: Seize of the Medalists Wins of Filipino Olympians through the years by Hedrick Alcantara Breaking the impossible is what athletes set on to pursue. In the case of the Philippines, our pep medalists in the 2020 Tokyo Games have attained what was long sought for the country, even adversities around, and dared to ascend and reach for the best they can.
This year’s triumphants: Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, and Hidilyn Diaz astoundingly pulled off yet the biggest multi-medal haul our country has ever had. Resounding their glories may be but this historic and—yes, emotional sporting moment had brought us to a memory lane, and made us look back to our Olympics hall of fame after almost a century. Hidilyn Diaz This wonder of a woman needs no introduction for giving the Philippines its first gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. After beating People’s Republic of China’s Liao Qiuyun in the 55-kilogram category, Diaz finally carried the shiniest medal she has ever grasped—a gold medal.
It may have been a buzz for some but for those who have followed Diaz’ weightlifting journey, the golden triumph was much more anticipated than unexpected. Clinching the silver medal in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil proved Hidilyn’s capacity to reach greater heights as she ended the Philippine’s previous medal drought for 20 years. Take note: Diaz was there in the world stage twice-in-a-row before the silver gain. In 2008, theZamboangahomegrown athlete performed as a neophyte lifter among the world’s bests. Then, the second time around for Diaz in the 2012 summer games had her compete with an injury that she endured as a wildcard contender,
Infograph by Rachelle Calaustro
making her chance to chase a medal thinly possible. As she landed in Tokyo this year, the gold medal after all was there for Hidilyn to claim—and sure she had lifted heavy weights for the country. Boxing prides Aside from the boxing maverick Manny Pacquiao, the Philippines has a lot more to offer when it comes to the sport; and our 2020 Tokyo Olympic finest showcase wouldn’t be possible without them. Nesthy Petecio in the women’s featherweight class pounded a silver, riding on the coattails of Hidilyn’s winning momentum. Then, living up the medal streak was Eumir Marcial’s bronze in the men’s middleweight division, after fighting tooth and nail See 2020 OLYMPICS | page 24
Esports sparks sportsmanship in the University Still as ‘recreational’ by Hedrick Alcantara Set up the online gears, test the gaming speed, and eat a lot of tomatoes to gain vitamin-E because esports is about to be the go-to event, recapturing the sports vibes of the Lasallians. However, will esports continue to be for mere recreational purposes, or will it soon be part of the usual premier tournaments that DLSU-D partake in? Reigniting sportsmanship within DLSU-D students without the traditional on-site intramurals and other universitywide events is still possible amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic—thanks to the reemergence of esports in the academic year (AY) 2020-2021. DLSU-D Esports League Carried out by the Electronic Sports (E-Sports) Commission of the University of Student Government (USG), the DLSU-D Esports League is the first campus-
wide esports competition held via Facebook Live on June 7 to June 11. Players were set to compete between the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (ML:BB) and Valorant for a prize pool of Php 30,000. Team entries from the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT), College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM), College of Science and Computer Studies (CSCS), College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA), College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLAC), College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), College of
Education (CoEd), DLSU-D high school department, and other mixed groups were qualified on June 6—a day before the online tournament. ML:BB received a total of 16 entries namely; CCJE Gwapulis, CTHM Jehv and Friends, COED Sharks Esports, CBAA Squirtles, CSCS OGL Esports, CEAT IE Youth, CEAT Nazgul, CSCS Phantom Knight, CBAA Mavens, CTHM Sparks Esports, CCJE Unknown, HS Whitelist Local, HS All Star, SUPREMACY, Pogi Esports, and Badminton. After a bracket tournament warfare, the CBAA Mavens prevailed
as champions of the ML:BB in the best-of-five finals against the second placer CEAT Nazgul, via a 3-0 round score. The high school contender, HS Whitelist Local, placed third among the rest in the virtual skirmish. Meanwhile, 16 egaming groups also locked and loaded for the Valorant battle, which included: CEAT Ekrixi Gaming, CCJE Oblivion, CTHM Sparks, CBAA Underdogs, CTHM TOMAN, CBAA Mary Jane, CSCS Among sus, CSCS James Marvin G, CEAT Juka’s Testament, CCJE Invictus, CLAC Rendezvous, HS Gerwinatics, HS Redwood, Kuya Brim, AUTO, and MAVENS. Valorant also adapted the best-offive championship system. Acing all the terrains and winning the final mission was CSCS James Marvin G squad with 13-8, 13-9, 13-3 supremacy. Their foe,
the MAVENS, automatically landed in second place while HS Gerwinatics ranked as a runner-up team. Apart from the gaming experiences, the winners were awarded hefty prizes by the esports commission. Both the champions of ML:BB and Valorant received Php 5,000 apiece; second placers got Php 2,500; and a reward of Php 1,000 was given to the third placers. The remaining amount from the 30k prize pool was allotted as a consolation prize for the esports participants.
Aside from the ‘Course vs. Course’ and ‘Streamers vs. Streamers’ nighttime matchups, the GAME NIGHTS provided a platform for their college players to promote their businesses, gather some gaming collectibles and points, and meet local streamers on the wrap-up day of the week-long virtual event. Reliving the hype during the online collegiate games were the invited shoutcasters Nomad PH and SSRyujin, who are both proactive gamers themselves.
Esports at night Living up the virtual e-sportsmanship was the CEAT Student Government’s (CEATSG’s) GAME NIGHTS, a gaming jive held via Facebook and Discord on June 21 to June 26.
Blitz of the falcons Back on April 24, the CCJE Student Government (CCJESG) held the Virtual Blitz: The Ultimate BattleInvitationals. With a moment to pulloff a virtual fisticuff with other CCJE students from Our Lady of Fatima See ESPORTS | page 20