Heraldo Filipino Vol. 33 Issue 3

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 | PAGE 1

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

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#DEFENDPRESSFREEDOM. At the wake of her arrest for a cyber libel case on January 13, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa encouraged media practitioners and civilians to stand for press freedom amidst looming attacks against journalism during the Black Friday protest alongside the National Union of Journalists (NUJP) and Let’s Organize for Democracy and Integrity (LODI) on February 15 in Quezon City.

Photo by Aprilean Octavo

Tuition fee increase proposal under deliberation

by Marjorie Alanzalon The proposal for a tuition fee increase for academic year (AY) 2019-2020 is underway as the multi-sectoral committee will conduct a consultation meeting on February 28 regarding the details for the proposed increase, as per Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (VCFAS) Deodoro Abiog II, CPA. The first multi-sectoral meeting comprising of admin

representatives, college student councils, and the University

Student Council was held on February 13. The basis for

another tuition fee includes the inflation rate in the country, improvement in facilities for student use, and upgrading of equipment for the furtherance of competitiveness in the various programs being offered, as per Abiog, as inflation rate in

the Philippines hit a 10-month low of 4.4% this February.

Regarding the allocation for the proposed increase, Abiog stated that the administration will continue to follow CHEd Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 3 series of 2012, wherein

70% of the incremental income will proceed to the salaries and benefits of the employees while the remaining 30% will be used for the added operating expenses of the university.

As of press time, the percentage increase and the incremental proceeds are still under See TUITION | page 2

USC holds Con-Con sessions for USG Constitution draft

by Patrik Aboy To discuss the entirety of the proposed University Student Government (USG) Constitution with the College Student Councils and various administrators under the Office of Student Services, the University Student Council (USC) held Constitutional Convention sessions discussing the articles of the draft USG Constitution, aiming to change the organizational structure and the various functions of the highest student-governing body.

As stipulated in Section 2. a. of Article XII, Amendments and Revision of the Constitution, of the 2013 Amended University Student Council Constitution,

“a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) for the purpose of revising the Constitution.

Each member coming from the following offices shall be entitled

to one vote each: University Student Council Executive Board, College Student Council’s Executive Board, University Student Commission

YOUTH LEADERS. Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago addresses the situation of the Dasmariñas youth during a mobilization comprising of Cavite students in front of Parksons City along Aguinaldo Highway on February 15.

See CON-CON | page 3

NEWS FEATURE

FEATURES

Photo by Pia Margarita Marantan

LITERARY

SPORTS

Online surveillance

Commitment through time

Panganorin

PRISAA - Provincials

page 4

page 11

page 13

page 16

NEWS

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 | PAGE 2

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

NEWS BRIEFS

Anakbayan establishes in DLSU-D

by Patrik Aboy

Initially named Anakbayan – DLSU-D, Anakbayan Kalayaan (KL) Chapter comprised of different students in the University was established on January 17 through an official release on Facebook. With other chapters originating from different parts of the country, Anakbayan is a youth organization that aims to fight against causes in the country.

Aiming to amplify the struggle of the marginalized sectors as students, Anakbayan KL currently consists of 22 members with the organization holding mobilizations, educational discussions, and leadership programs for their members.

In addressing student passivity in the University, the organization aims “to be the medium in which it shall strive to be the spark for [DLSU-D students] to open their eyes to see the harsh realities, to be able to make stances, to engage in discourses, to criticize, and therefore proposing a solution,” as per Xyza Temanel, co-founder of Anakbayan KL.

Endemic owl rescued in University premises

by Bianca Isabelle Lariosa A young endemic Philippine scops owl nicknamed “Juan” for St. John Baptiste De La Salle was found at the Museo De La Salle parking area by Presidential Management Office (PMO) Director Richie Bongcaron on January 23.

After finding the owl, Bongcaron reported the injured bird to the University’s Environmental Resource Management Center (ERMAC) where it had been determined injured after falling off a tree in the parking area. “Juan” was then released to his natural habitat on the same day after assessing he suffered no serious injuries.

After gaining traction on social media, “Juan” is just one of the 34 species of birds habitating in the University. In The HERALDO FILIPINO broadsheet Vol. 32, Issue 2, former ERMAC Director Marlon Pareja mentioned that the office’s bird sanctuary project consists of hosting various endemic and rare species of birds among the 1,400 trees in the University, which makes the entire campus an ecosystem free for birds to roam.

BOARD E XAM PERFORMANCE. The performance of the University in various 2018 licensure examinations as administered and released by the Professional Regulation Commission.

Infographic by Stephanie Arreza TUITION FEE from page 1 deliberation. The deadline for the submission of the proposal to CHEd is March 21 of this year.

TF increase in previous AYs There has been a continuous increase in tuition fee for the past AYs from AY 2015-2016 up to the present, as per data from the Accounting Office.

The average percentage increase in tuition fee for the AY 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018 is 3.04%, 2.48%, and 5%, respectively; with the highest increase per year level being constantly attributed to the incoming freshmen.

Meanwhile the highest percentage increase in terms of program offering

during AY 2015-2016 is Associate in Computer Science with 3.085% while the lowest is BS Business Administration having 3.032%.

On the other hand, the lowest tuition fee increase in the program offerings during the AY 2016-2017 is BS in Office Administration having 2.48 %.

CLEANING THE BAY. 11 years after the Supreme Court ordered a full-scale cleaning of Manila Bay, the DENR spearheads it’s maintenance. However, effluents as far as Central Luzon end up in Manila Bay which make for a longer process in the long run.

Photo by Pia Margarita Marantan

R E AC T In response to House Bill 8858 passed by the House of Representatives on January 28, we asked DLSU-D students whether they agree or disagree with the amendment of Republic Act 10630 that aims to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 years old to 12 years old.

“I disagree, because these are children who may have been lacking guidance that nobody should blame them for. What they need is someone or an institution that will nurture and guide them, [and] not imprison them. This does nothing but isolating them [from] education.”

“I agree on the lowering the age of criminal responsibility because of children that are 12 years [who] are doing crimes, what more can they do when they reach the legal age (18 years old)? I think that the younger we can teach the youth, the better will they become when they grow up.”

“[I] agree with reservations because I believe that “some minors” are vied to illegal practices … with reservation because if we could put these children on rehabilitation and make them to be one of the role model[s] of our society. I think if we could do that, we can still aim for [a] better Philippines.”

Cherra Yebron Fourth year Communication Arts

Joahb Reymundo First year Hotel and Restaurant Management

John Carlo Navarro Fourth year Communication arts

“I approve in lowering the age of criminal responsibility, but it must be dependent on the gravity of the said [committed crimes] to make sure that justice will prevail.”

“I disagree [to] the bill which has been approved because in [the age] of 12 years old, children do not have the right maturity and they are still in the process of growing mentally.

The age of such that may be involved in such crimes maybe because of [their] desperation and not intentional. ”

“I disagree. Lowering the age to 12 years old can be a bit disturbing because there are still much to learn a[s] kids. This may affect the physiological and psychological needs of the child and can affect the mental, physical and emotional health of these children. ”

Justine James Ferrer Fourth year Electrical Engineering

Mary Joyce Gayanilo First year Architecture

Nery Balatay Fourth year Communication Arts

“I disagree, they are just a teenager who lacks certain values that’s why they commit crimes. The parents are responsible for their children but due to certain situations like poverty and government corruption, children [or] teenagers tend to misbehave.”

“I agree with the lowering of age for criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 years old. For the crime [rate] to stop increasing, the instruments for this must also be eliminated.

Children are complacent knowing that they will not be responsible for the crime they have done.”

“Yes, I agree, since some [syndicates] use children for their malicious acts. Also, it is good that since when children aged 12 years old onwards will be placed in the rehabilitation centers, it would be a great help for them to have and know the right or wrong that will help them and benefit from it as they grow older.”

Jannyl Kendrue Lontoc First year Electronics Engineering

Jelie Lou Santiago Fourth year Human Resource Development

Mirza Christine Tabisola Fourth year Hotel and Restaurant Management

NEWS

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 | PAGE 3

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

Admin addresses male freshmen uniform delay

by Andrew Encapas

The postponement of wearing prescribed school uniforms from February 4 to 25 was caused by the acquisition of the raw materials to the supplier, ultimately affecting the arrival of new stock and leading to shortage on sizes for the male freshmen uniform at the University Warehouse, as per Purchasing Department Head Alma Columna.

BRINGING IN LUCK. Dragon dancers snake their way through the streets of Binondo, Manila to usher in good luck and fortune for the Year of the Pig during the celebration of Chinese New Year on February 5.

Photo by Pia Margarita Marantan

Ayuntamiento bldng to be operational this June

“Ang tela kasi niyan inoorder, hindi ‘yung basta bibilhin na lang. Sa dami niyan (male uniforms), talagang maghihintay ang supplier sa tela,” Columna said, pertaining to the lack of the raw material linen causing the interruption of the targeted 3,000 uniforms as per their contract with the supplier.

Moreover, the bidding committee had requested the supplier to deliver the uniforms for male freshmen based on

the available amount of fabric due to the continuous size orders from students, however it still has not been sent to the University Warehouse.

Another factor was the miscommunication between the committee and the supplier regarding the full delivery of male uniforms instead of a partial one, as mentioned by a memorandum released by the Office of Student Services on February 1 regarding the

delay of the uniforms which were originally supposed to be in the beginning of the second semester.

“Humihingi kami ng pasensya kasi may mga circumstances na hindi natin hawak katulad ng [pag-order ng supplier ng] tela,” Columna addressed to the students regarding the delay.

As of press time, supplies of the female freshmen uniforms remain available in the University Warehouse.

Admin offices to gradually move in by April

by Marjorie Alanzalon In light of the near completion of the Ayuntamiento De Gonzales building in the East campus, the target schedule for active operations will begin this June, while admin offices in Gregorio Montoya Hall (GMH) are expected to gradually start moving to Ayuntamiento beginning this April as per Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (VCFAS) Deodoro Abiog II, CPA.

In a previous article released in The HERALDO FILIPINO (HF) Volume 33 Issue 1 broadsheet, Abiog mentioned that the target opening of the Ayuntamiento building will be during the second semester of academic year 20182019. Official operations will start on June due to the gradual transferring of offices from GMH to the new administration building.

The offices will start moving in during the weekends of April to avoid disruption of operations of the admin offices, “That will be a sacrifice for us, but we have to do it. Let’s say, one Saturday, [or] Sunday of April, [the] Accounting office will move, by Monday dapat operational na sila doon,” Abiog said.

The Ayuntamiento building, ‘Chateau Caviteño’, and an amphitheater are the three projects of the late De La Salle Brother Andrew Gonzales, FSC. As per Abiog, the Ayuntamiento is the only project near completion.

Furthermore, the cost of construction needed for the completion of the Ayuntamiento has 40,000,000 PHP according to the webpage Lasallian Giving at the DLSU-D official website.

GMH student org space allocation Once the administration offices have completely vacated GMH, there will be a new space allocation for offices of student organizations in the building such as Council of Student Organizations, University Student Council, Performing Arts Groups, Vicissitude, and HF; as confirmed by Office of Student Services (OSS) Dean Arch. Antonio Gutierrez Jr. Meanwhile, there will be no major renovation to the GMH as there is no official directive from the administration regarding the vacating of student organizations currently residing in the building.

“Ang mangyayari lang doon, maglalagay lang ng ilang partitions.

Walang major renovation na mangyayari for now, I don’t know sa future plan ng institution but I’m sure the administration will do something about it in the future,” Gutierrez said.

Moreover, the OSS has already accepted the proposal of the Student Center Spatial Design Committee for the new space allocation of each student organizations, the said proposition will be presented to the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (VCFAS) and Buildings and Facilities Management Office (BFMO) director for approval.

According to the tentative space allocation, the new offices that will be transferred to GMH will be the Reserve Officers Trainings Corps, the National Service Training Program, and the Student Welfare and Formation Office.

As of press time, Gutierrez awaiting approval from the VCFAS and BFMO regarding the proposal.

CON-CON from page 1 on Election Executive Board, and Office of the Student Services Administrators” Draft USG Constitution Last academic year, USC 2017-2018 attempted to revise the 2013 Amended USC Constitution with a proposed USG Constitution, which was subsequently voted upon “yes” by the DLSU-D student body through a plebiscite. However, due to the “wrong version” of the draft constitution being posted online, the USC then decided to invalidate the results.

This AY, the draft USG constitution was authored by USC Vice President Jason Real and USC Secretary Joshua Ladaga, together with their Adviser Edwin Lineses during

the start of AY 2018-2019 last August, and finalized for ConCon discussion on November.

“We want to expand student inclusivity in all matters sa University, then open the opportunity of student leadership for all, [and] not just for the popular few,” Real explained regarding the reason behind revising the 2013 Amended USC Constitution.

Meanwhile, Ladaga mentioned that they reviewed the draft constitution from last academic year and assessed that certain provisions were “if not ill-defined, vague.” However, he clarified that these has been incorporated in the draft constitution upon making clear on the provisions, along with different consultations with

students knowledgeable of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

As of press time, the USC has conducted six sessions discussing all articles in the draft constitution. Currently, the council is editing on the proposed draft constitution with a target Adoption Ceremony of the USG Constitution on March 1, with a plebiscite is scheduled on the same month.

“We wholeheartedly ask for your support because what we are doing here is not for ourselves, the draft constitution is not for the USC and CSC[s] alone, but for the benefit of the student body,” Ladaga said, as the USC is requesting students to participate and look into the proposed constitution once released to the student body.

CULTURAL REPRESENTATION. Uplifting Filipino cultural arts, the La Salle Filipiniana Dance Company performed the Dumendingan dance of the Subanen Tribe at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on February 3 during Pasinaya 2019.

Photo by Aprilean Octavo

Engineering Department subdivided into clusters

by Christine Moreno

The Engineering Department is now subdivided into three departments with clusters of the different engineering programs effective starting this second semester of academic year (AY) 2018-2019, as per College of Architecture, Engineering, and Technology (CEAT) Dean Engr. Jose Rizaldy De Armas.

The new departments are Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering Department, the Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Department, and the Civil and Sanitary Engineering Department, joining the Architecture and Graphics and Multimedia Departments as five departments under CEAT. “Engineering is a very broad course… each program should be supervised by a specific department chair who’s in line with the particular field expertise,” De Armas said pertaining to the need to cluster the Engineering Department, which are now

supervised by their respective department chairs Engr.

Emmanuel Longares, Engr.

Ma. Nathalie Pineda, and Engr. Francis Villareal for Electrical, Electronics and Communication and Computer Engineering, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, and Civil and Sanitary Engineering departments, respectively.

PAASCU accreditation During the accreditation visit of Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU), they recommended to cluster the Engineering Department way back on 2014. The planning

started the same year by the Engineering Department however was not executed during that time due to the number of students as a result of the K-12 program.

“But unfortunately, we can’t do it during that time, so mahabang planning ‘yon, mahabang usapan.

There were suggestions coming from different program heads and different departments, so we came up in this plan,” De Armas furthered.

In the proposal submitted to the Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research, the current clustered departments may add up depending on the increase in number of the students in programs.

N E W S F E AT U R E

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

A look into the University dormitory SOP On student safety inside campus Serving as an on-campus accommodation that currently houses 328 DLSU-D students, the University dormitories aim to serve as a secure space for Lasallian dormers.

However, security in the DLSU-D dorms has come into the light after reports of students’ items going missing right inside the very dorms they pay for. Albeit no students coming forward to the dormitory matrons themselves, with the aid of the Student Dormitory Manual 2010-2015 and an interview with the Dorm Matrons, The HERALDO FILIPINO takes a look into the campus security provided to DLSU-D dormers and how proper upkeep is provided.

Security and dormitory policies For the purpose of providing security to the University dormitories, two security guards are stationed at the entrance where inspections of bags and vehicles for everyone entering the premises for both men’s and women’s dormitories are conducted and with another roaming guard during night time, as per Dormitory Matron Ivy Muñoz.

However, despite guards being directed to inspect student bags before entering dormitory premises, dormer accounts state that this does not occur all the time.

The dormitories are served by a monthly cleaning service provided by the University to clean each room accompanied by the matron. Before the said cleaning service, a memorandum is posted on each door informing dormitory occupants advising to securing their personal belongings as stipulated in Dormitory Manual 9.1 stating that, “It is the responsibility of the occupants to secure his/her

belongings. The dormitory is not responsible/ liable of the theft, damage or loss of personal properties, it is recommended that all things should be kept in the safe place at all times for safety and security.” Occupants are also recommended on the security of their own personal belongings by putting a lock of their cabinets.

Furthermore, whenever any loss of property is reported to the office, the complainant should write a formal letter about the loss and the office will check if there are any intruders during the time or any schedule of cleaning and repair; students are encouraged to report any incidence of theft for the Matron’s office to have any actions, as per Muñoz.

The investigation will then be performed inside the matron’s office, together with the Student Welfare and Formation Office (SWAFO), and the Security Office. While in the Student Dormitory Contract signed by the student dorm occupant with the University, it is stated under the terms and conditions number 13, responsibility that “the University will not be accountable to the loss and/or damage to life or property.”

Given that the dormitory matron is required to accompany and oversee housekeepers and cleaners every time dormitory rooms are maintained and cleaned, and there is no any waiver for liability that students sign for any theft or loss of properties wherein it is not expected in the dormitories: It is the responsibility of dormitory occupants to secure their belongings.

Despite the security measures being implemented by the University Dormitories, there are various reports coming from the student occupants that these implemented policies are “weak” and needs “better internal control.” With certain cases of non-dormitory occupants being able to enter and leave the premises freely.

In stark contrast with the implemented dormitory protocols.

Stricter security protocol Earlier this academic year, student dormers have raised that there have been stricter dormitory security policies, with two security guards at post in the men’s and women’s entrance in the morning, while three are posted at night, having one roving around the dormitories in order to patrol the dormitory area ensuring it is free from disturbances.

Meanwhile, as stipulated in the Dormitory Policies of the Student Dormitory Manual, 7.7, Curfew, “all occupant/s must be inside the dormitory premises by 9:00 p.m. and be in their respective rooms by 10:00 p.m. The residential gates are closed from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.”

Despite the leeway for occupants to be in their rooms by 10 PM, students have raised that ever since the AY started, there have been stricter control over the occupants entering the dormitories past 9 PM, wherein they may be reported to the SWAFO for being outside their respective rooms past the curfew.

Alleged dormitory missing items In a deleted tweet by a DLSU-D student on February 8, he claimed that the housekeepers tasked to maintain the cleanliness of the dormitory rooms are alleged to touch personal belongings, with certain cases of lost items in the dormitories.

Moreover, with the Twitter thread gaining attention on the social media platform, different cases of lost items have been raised by the students.

The HERALDO FILIPINO has tried to reach the student; however, has failed to answer back the request to be interviewed.

Worker burnout As someone who just recently finished my onthe-job training (OJT), I have so many questions to those who’ve worked before me—questions that could possibly educate workers after me. Being at the field is hard, the long hours under the sun had been my life for almost 200 hours. But now that I think about it, I had not been acquainted with my rights and duties as a trainee under the company—and part of this fault is with me.

To say the least, I didn’t expect to be working long hours at the sit under the scorching heat, when you’re left with no choice out of all the available options – site or field, cost estimates or office worker; I’m an engineering student, after all. But there’s more to expect as a student journalist when you’re working at an office with as much freedom to go out the field (or around the University) as much as you want. I realize that it’s a privilege to expect the same working condition.

On a larger scale beyond the everyday worker, the road to economic development isn’t easy. With President Rodrigo Duterte’s major infrastructure project known as the ‘Build, Build, Build’ (BBB) program, construction firms nowadays need to adapt with the rising demand for projects even if it means utilizing workers at all cost. But as much as the BBB prides itself on providing quality jobs to the Filipino people, it instead provides a shortage in manpower due to the lack of skilled workers in areas meeting the expectations of projects.

The situation has gotten huge that the President himself has acknowledged the dilemma, stating “dito sa Pilipinas ngayon, maraming trabaho … Ang construction humihinto kasi walang trabahante.”

This lack of skilled workers is a result of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) choosing to work abroad, resulting in the delay of Duterte’s already divisive program, meanwhile politicians from opposing parties say that the lack of skilled workers is a mere excuse for the rising number of Chinese workers in the country (but that’s for a column for another day). Meanwhile, the Trade

Union Congress of the Philippines explains workers decision to migrate abroad due to the “low pay, poor benefits, and the unhealthy working conditions” of construction workers in the country. Not all have the privilege to choose how and where they work, however, this doesn’t mean that one’s freedom must be limited.

The road to economic development isn’t easy

Once I enter the workforce, I have decided to steer away from construction firms, to avoid being a site engineer due to its unhealthy working conditions of exceeding working hours and placing you in areas you haven’t recieved the education to manage. To oversee constructions myself is great for one’s resume because of its learning opportunity to collaborate with those experienced, however the more you spend time in this field, the more you realize that you’re overworking your body only to realize you’re being paid less, for a job you spent five years (in my case more so).

Filipino workers are leaving the country due to better opportunities and more money that foreign countries can provide, all while having the same hours and job description as ours. As for myself, I’ll be contributing to this statistic as I leave college as growing up in a foreign country has contributed to my interest to leave the country for work opportunities. But more importantly, remember that before we leave this University and enter the workforce, whatever field it may be—engineering, journalism, or creatives—you have to know your rights as a worker.

Being aware of one’s civil liberties and human rights is vital to know when you and others around you are being exploited as workers. Every time you enter a job, understand the work and output you’re creating before aspiring to join the company. As millennials about to enter the workforce and about to bring in a new generation to the working class, it is our duty to educate ourselves on our rights and assert these rights for those who have not become aware.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 | PAGE 5

N E W S F E AT U R E

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

A question on the freedom of speech: Student social media monitoring SWAFO and student explains side In a time where social media has gone on new lengths for expression, the onslaught of online concerns against the university and the administration have increased. With that, came several reported cases of students being sent to the Student Welfare and Formation Office (SWAFO) due to the unknowingly defamatory posts published in their social media accounts, which begs the question: Does the DLSU-D Student Handbook govern the behavior of the student in social media?

Majority of the student cases are in violation of the provision in Section 19 category 2 of the DLSU-D Student Handbook 2018-2022 stating that: “Acts maligning the good name and reputation of the University, its duly constituted authorities, and other members of the academic community tending to discredit or cause dishonor and contempt to the good name or reputation of the university shall be subject to disciplinary action.”

Albeit this provision being used against student, it ultimately causes confusion among Lasallians as it does not denote the extension of the provision to social media.

SWAFO explains Lasallian norms and conduct Though the DLSU-D Student Handbook does not directly imply the extension of the coverage to social media, Lasallians are still guided by the norms and standards as explained during orientation of new enrollees in the university, SWAFO Director John Casidsid explained in an interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO. “When you enter in the University you are already bringing with you the name of the school and we have to take care of the good name of the school [because] it reflect[s] who we are. Tayo rin ang mapapasama doon, [that is why] we need to protect our University … So, siguro if you have comments and some clarifications there are proper forum[s],” he said.

Moreover, Casidsid said that the students are free to give any comments online, but the Student Handbook will always limit this freedom if the comments concern the university, its duly constituted authorities, and other members of the academic community.

To add, an appointed SWAFO formator regularly monitors foul posts from students on social media, wherein they will act upon an issue whenever there is a case reported to them from any member of the administration, alumni, students, and even faculty.

In addition, Casidsid advised the students, “You are free to write whatever you want to write but be responsible. If you have comments and some clarifications, there are proper forums. You have to protect the name of the school and if you do malign it and then you will be sanction and the University will [have to] intervene.”

Students involved speak out Fourth year marketing student Louise Gabriel Alonzo was one of the students sent to SWAFO because of a comment against the rescheduled midyear graduation published in the group ‘DLSU-D Students’.

“The dismissal of the case filed against me, proved that we [Lasallian students] are allowed to defend and make a statement or speak up. But, we should also first be careful on what we say,” Alonzo said in an online interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO. Upon further investigation with due process, the SWAFO dismissed Alonzo’s case.

On the other hand, an anonymous student from the College of Business Administration and Accountancy who had also been given case from SWAFO due to online complaints had expressed disapproval against this policy, stating that freedom of speech for students extends even to the online realm.

“Ngayon nabigyan ako ng issue regarding that kasi nag-open lang ako sa social media, nag-rant ako … ngayon nasaan ang freedom of speech ko kung ako bibigyan nila ng punishment?” the student expressed.

Analogous cases Cases of social media monitoring has also surfaced in other Universities, with the most recent being in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) where a

student posted a tweet criticizing the PLM President due to the reply of the latter in an open forum with the Student Council and other organizations of the university.

The student was later on sent to the Office of the President for questioning, whereas he was given three days to act upon the issue otherwise the student will be expelled.

To cite Senior Associate Chief Justice Antonio Carpio regarding the freedom of speech, “A democracy needs a healthy public sphere where the people can exchange ideas, acquire knowledge and information, confront public issues, or discuss matters of public interest, without fear of reprisals. Free speech must be protected so that the people can engage in the discussion and deliberation necessary for the successful operation of democratic institutions.” *** The case of social media monitoring is a complicated matter, with University policies and issues of student online freedom clashing with each other.

Albeit social media wariness always being put in the forefront, when the time comes that students are being suppressed in their most comfortable selves online is when policies not blatantly stated in the Handbook we hold accountable must be questioned and brought up.

OPINION

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 | PAGE 6

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

EDITORIAL

The silencing of the press Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was arrested on the early evening of February 13 for cyber libel as officers from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) came in the Rappler office wearing civilian clothes past court’s hours to bring her in, resulting in Ressa’s inability to post bail that night—an indirect show-off and abuse of power as hundreds of news stations reported the arrest. Despite the audacity of the matter of the arrest, not only does this make for an exceptional hunt for a so-called criminal—but extends the string of the underlying agenda of press freedom.

The cyber libel complaint was filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng for a story that allegedly linked him to illegal drugs and human trafficking published five years ago on May 29, 2012, months before the Sec. (C)(4) of RA 10175 or the cyber libel law was enacted in September of the same year. In short, the case was filed retroactively with an amended provision, extending liability to 12 years instead of one. The typographical edit made on the article in February 14, 2014 was then considered a republication, thus a new crime.

The worldwide media and numerous organizations slammed Ressa’s arrest, as this isn’t the first time that media outlet Rappler has been subjected to crackdowns from the government. Although the arrest isn’t conclusive, harassment on the Philippine press has once again come into question, to which President Rodrigo Duterte once again heavily denies. “Aysusmaryosep. Far from it,” he acclaims.

We have to keep our searchlight burning The fight between the government and Rappler is hard to see with bare eyes. There is no declared war in the first place—no weapons raised nor direct evidence for the everyday Filipino people to accept. “How could Rappler’s cyber libel case be connected to media suppression?” is the question that naysayers would ask.

This is why Rappler’s proclamation of holding the line and continuing to proclaim the fight to protect democracy is a thing many people see as petty. And we know pettiness when we see it: a convicted politician on a wheelchair or a plunderer too old for jail time but apparently young enough to run for senate. But the Rappler case isn’t just another news story for us to scroll past or scoff at. Maria Ressa went behind bars almost immediately—photos of her in custody surfaced that we never had the opportunity to see convicted politicians undergo. Justice in the Philippines is usually slow, elusive, and most of the time, even impossible. Ressa’s arrest all is an admission of the junk justice system of this country—ineffective and at its worst, selective. If these times don’t wake us up to blatant acts of media suppression, then we must think again before it’s too late.

The reason why it matters that we know these attacks are real is because when they come for our journalists, the fourth estate that checks up on the government, we’ll hear nothing about their wrongdoings

thereafter. In this essence, the truth matters—the truth from the stories in the sidelines, like those of the families of extrajudicial killing victims and even those of the gunmen.

When control over the media prevails, stories of the people will forever be forgotten and remain untold. Unspoken stories against those in power are democratic tools to keep the public watching and hold the government accountable for their implicit wrongdoings. It is no coincidence that these are the very stories that Rappler keeps reporting, and why the government keeps trying to hold them down.

The persistence of media being controlled should be in question. In times like these in our country, why isn’t the press free? In this administration that dangers democracy through human rights violations, we must ask ourselves: why is the press—the bedrock of democracy itself—being jeopardized? The latest attack on Rappler is identifiably a routine mechanism in disguise. This is the time we should unravel the truth, and recognize the role of the independent press as being one of the most powerful forces in the struggle to change an oppressive regime into a progressive service to the people.

Correlatively, being one of the leading online news websites in the county, Rappler allows the combination of quick access to information and wide public participation in social issues. In this way, independent media helps ease social conflicts by helping groups of people from all backgrounds shape their own opinion. This cultivates an environment of civic inclusivity in which people of all status help shape society’s development.

A free press is not just valuable for democracy, a matter already widely acknowledged, but is also vital for human development.

Former World Bank President James Wolfensen puts it this way: “A free press is not a luxury. A free press is at the absolute core of equitable development, because if you cannot enfranchise poor people, if they do not have a right to expression, if there is no searchlight on corruption and inequitable practices, you cannot build the public consensus needed to bring about change.”

We have to keep our searchlight burning, because when they have already come for our journalists, that is when the dark times begin.

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

SENIOR STAFF Jomar Villanueva JUNIOR STAFF Marjorie Alanzalon, Jean Quinto, Stephanie Arreza, and Sheka Ignaco

Dr. Lakandupil C. Garcia, Adviser

The HERALDO FILIPINO has its editorial office at Room 213, Gregoria Montoya Hall (Administration Building)w De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines 4115.

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

The University’s continued actions to preserve the environment and sustain living creatures such as the endemic Philippine scops owl found in DLSU-D premises.

In December of 2018, Time Magazine honored their Person of the Year to the Guardians of Truth: Jamal Khashoggi of Saudi Arabia, Maria Ressa of the Philippines, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo of Myanmar, and the Capital Gazette staff of Maryland.

And just this February, Ressa was arrested for a 2012 cyber libel case and was not permitted bail. In this age of post-truth politics and where the media is literally and figuratively put on trial, it’s imperative to ask ourselves the question: who do you trust to tell the story?

A record number of 251 journalists were imprisoned in 2018 according to statistics from the Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ), meanwhile around 52 journalists have been murdered. Reportages has and always will be prone to human errors—yet without journalism, entire democracies would be at question. Even with journalists fighting to share the truth to the public on a daily basis, the case of media literacy and digital literacy still prevails.

You might have heard of the recent viral study stating that Facebook users over the age of 65 were the largest demographic to share fake news articles, but there’s more to the story than the headlines let on. Researchers from Princeton University and NYU analyzed the Facebook data of over 1,200 users during the 2016 United States Presidential elections, coming to the conclusion that elders lack the digital literacy skills of their younger counterparts, or digital

natives such as millennials. Yet it also should be noted that these elders were also those that identified themselves as conservatives, or more in support to the government’s promotion of traditional social institutions.

Bubbles in social media algorithms such as these create echo chambers among its users, heightening false information and ultimately demobilizing online media literacy.

The 21st century ought to be when accurate information is most accessible, as advancements in technology continue to reach new heights. Yet outdated forms of censorship have taken a more modern

Who do you trust to tell the story? forms of misinformation as well. No longer widespread fear from one source of information like the television news, modern misinformation roots from mistrust of credible facts and thrives on the confusion fashioned by social media. People who benefit from misinformation try to dirty the once-clear image of journalism and facts, so that when targeted people see the truth, they find it harder to recognize. The illusion of truth has never been more rampant, as our minds are prey to this effect because of our instinct to shortcut judging plausibility. All in all, the fight on who tells the story has become a lot more complicated.

Yet for journalists, the struggle of storytelling is just part of another day’s work. “[Journalists] are not at war with the administration. We’re at work,” Washington

Long queues for adding and dropping of subjects have opened operations until 10PM during the last day of adding and dropping.

Post editor Martin Baron said in an interview with Time magazine regarding the attacks from the Trump administration. Truth is the baseline we need to discuss issues that are vital, there must be no gatekeepers in a world where only a few people in power are in control. We must be equipped with as much true information as we can. In a world wherein journalists like Khashoggi are murdered by scrutinizing Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Ressa’s freedom is under attack by exposing extrajudicial killings of the Duterte administration, and Lone and Oo are kept from their families for reporting on the Myanmar government’s silence on the Rohingya genocide, the danger starts when we trust the wrong people to tell the story.

Admittedly, I used to think that the 2009 Maguindanao massacre was the so-called extinction of journalism in the country, mostly because I have never heard of anything as heartless done to our reporters. But with all the more gruesome issues happening today, honest and responsible journalism will prevail as long as we as citizens equip ourselves with the necessary tools to know what’s right from wrong. We have no more excuse to willfully be blind ourselves in a reality where people risking themselves for us to be better and well-informed citizens, in order for us to see through the facade of those in power and to think for ourselves.

When in doubt of whose story we should listen to in this age where telling the truth has become a revolutionary act, we must remember: the place of honor is in the line of fire.

Newly cemented walkways along CEAT and PCH areas give more comfortable walking spaces for students.

OPINION

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Serbisyong transportasyon Transportasyon ay isa sa mga mahahalagang parte sa araw-araw na gawa ng tao, ngunit ‘di kailanman pwedeng mawala sa araw-araw na buhay. Buhat sa kasaysayan, ang tao ang naglalakbay sa pamamagitan ng paglalakad at nang umusbong ang panahong Industriyalisasyon, nabuo ang mga makinaryang sasakyan na pagpasahanggang ngayo’y ating napapakinabangan. Ang ebolusyong nasambit ay nagbunga sa pagkaroon ng angkop at mainam na pagbyaheng de-makina sa bawat pook na pinatunguhan at pinanggalingan, at ayon sa oras ng paglalakbay.

Kung ang mga paliparan ay para sa mga eroplano, at ang mga daungan ay sa barko’t mga bangka, mayroon ding palupang terminal para sa mga pampublikong pampasada tulad na lamang

ng Parañaque Integrated Transportation Exchange o mas kilala bilang PITX sa Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque na nabuksan sa publiko noong Nobyembre 2018. Sinimulan ang proyektong ito ng administrasyong Benigno Aquino III kung saan ang pangunahing aksyon ay bilang pook-babaan ng mga pasaherong buhat galing sa Cavite at Batangas at sakayan tungo sa Kamaynilaan. Ayon sa datos mula sa Metro Manila Development Authority taong 2017, umaabot ng higit kumulang 365,000 ang bilang ng mga sasakyang tumatahak sa EDSA highway kada araw na siyang maituturing na problema sa usaping transportasyon ng ating bansa.

Ang paglulunsad ng world class na panlupang terminal na PITX ay naglalayong mabigyan ng matiwasay na byahe ang mga commuters bilang tugon sa konsumisyong nararanasan ng mga pasahero mula sa nasabing probinsya sa katimugang bahagi ng Maynila. Hindi naman kailan sa disenyong akmang pampaliparang

internasyonal ay tunay na ang gobyerno’y makakapagbigay ng angkop na serbisyong publiko, ngunit ang kanilang pananaw ay hindi naisakatuparan sa paglunsad ng landport na ito—na nagbunga ng kaguluhan sa pagbiyahe ng mga bus, mas

Kahit world-class ang PITX, low-class ang serbisyo sa Pilipino mahabang pila ng mga pasahero, at dagdag oras sa pagbyahe. Ang inaakalang magandang proyekto para sa publiko, naging isa pang suliranin ng mga tao.

Ayon sa kaibigan kong ang pamilya ay may linya ng bus rutang Cavite-Manila, ng dahil sa pagkakaroon ng ticketing counters sa PITX, ang kinikita sa bawat araw na pagpasada ng drayber at kundoktor ay matatanggap nila sa itinakdang araw,

gayun na rin ang pagkabawas ng bilang ng pasada kung kaya’t ang kita nila’y natapyasan rin na kaiba sa nakasanayang matapos ang byahe’y may maiuuwi na para sa pamilya. Sa kabilang dako, ang personal kong karanasan sa paglalakbay rito, tunay ngang nakakalito ang terminal na ito dahil sa iba-ibang lugar at floor level nagbababa at nagsasakay ang mga bus; pati na ang politikal na aspeto ay kalahok dito sapagkat may ilang bus companies na nabigyan ng permit upang makaderetso ng biyahe patungo sa Maynila o kaya’y makakaraan sa EDSA, ngunit kailangan ring umikot sa terminal bago magpatuloy na sya nga naming hindi patas para sa ibang kompanya. Kahit world-class nga ang pagkakaroon at pagsisimula proyektong PITX, low-class ang serbisyo sa tao. Sa kasalukuyang sistemang ganito, pawang panay plano ang nangyayari, ngunit ang aksyon ay tagilid sa pag-aakalang sagot na ito sa problemang transportasyon ng ating bansa.

Sa tatlong buwan na regulasyon ng landport sa masa, nakakasanayan na ng Pilipino ang sistemang mayroon dito, ngunit hindi ibig sabihin nito’y nagtatapos na ang kinakailangang aksyon na kaugnay sa pagsasabuhay ng kanilang bisyon na kaluwagan sa paglalakbay. Ang ating gobyerno ay marami pang kailangang pag-aralan sa sistema at patakaran. Samu’t sari ang nagiging komento at panawagan sa mabilisang pagsasaayos ng kalakaran ngunit ang lahat ng sambitin nati’y hindi makakatulong, kundi ang ating pakikiisa sa pamamagitan ng pagpapasenya, pag-unawa, at paghahanap ng mga alternatibong pamamaraan sa pagbyahe ay malaking bagay na sa paunti-unting hakbangin ng maging angkop ang planong serbisyo sa publikong makakatamasa patungo sa matiwasay at huwarang pagbabago sa usaping transportasyon na mayroon tayo.

‘Vote for me, I’m on TV!’ The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has a policy that limits candidates of television show appearances and the official campaign period lasting from February 12 to May 11. While this condition is meant to level the playing field for all the candidates, it also emphasizes that any amount of media exposure before the 12th of February is fair game.

See, if you’re gunning for public office and you’re not in the position to launch and politicize ‘timely’ infrastructure projects (traffic islands, footbridges with your name in Comic Sans, or god forbid another road widening), the next best thing is to show up on television.

I respect their freedom of expression—or whatever basic human right that allows them to do this—but there has to be a better way to self-

promote than turning national television into a massive cringefest. I mean, who cares how good you give love advice, or how many ping pong balls you can shoot on a cone within a minute? Bong Go on GGV? Bam Aquino on Minute to Win It? You might as well have guested Juan Ponce Enrile on Ang Probinsyano, and try to outlast modern civilization in longevity. Or better yet, cast them all in Pinoy Big Brother to put up with each other.

I’m not raining on their parade just for the hell of it. In case anyone missed the memo, these people are running for government officials, not celebrities. They make appearances in comedy talk shows, game shows, or have their ‘tear-jerking’ and ‘inspirational’ life stories told—all just to seemingly say, “Vote for me! Ain’t I a swell and relatable guy?”

But what about the things that actually matter, like their plans and platforms? What do they envision for

this country, and what concrete solutions do they have to remedy our current problems? Now, you could argue that there’s the campaign period and the televised debates for that, but that’s pretty much all that we really need to decide on who to vote for. You might also argue that this is a chance for us to get to know our senatoriables, but guesting on an

These people are running for government officials, not celebrities entertainment show? It doesn’t matter how “ultra HD” your TV is, you’re not going to see their true colors that way.

This huge farce only means that these politicians are taking us, the masses, for fools. They make their impressions by

participating in trendy but meaningless entertainment in hopes of winning our vote via pogi points. Unfortunately, they’re doing this because it actually works. An article published by Rappler on 2013 titled, “4 media rules for election bets” claims that Pia Cayetano’s comeback victory in the 2004 senatorial elections could be partly credited to the aired MMK episode of her father, the late Rene Cayetano. Similarly, we can’t deny former president Noynoy Aquino III’s win o have come with the help of exposure on his mother, Corazon Aquino, who passed away around 9 months before the presidential elections. Of course, this isn’t limited to television appearances. I assume you’ve seen Larry Gadon in our university once or twice roaming the grounds making his sensational “bobo” remark in an attempt to regain popularity.

Politicians have been using the same old trick since time immemorial, and we, as voters, should know better by now.

We should judge a candidate by their plans, their priorities, their loyalties, and their integrity, rather than the amount of pogi points they accumulate. Vote for someone who prioritizes fighting for the oppressed, and not someone who only aims to make rich people even richer.

Vote for someone whose loyalties lie with the Filipino people, and not someone who blindly follows their master. Vote for someone who has been serving the people for years with a squeaky clean record, and not someone who literally just got out of prison.

It’s high time for us to wise up, and be careful not to repeat our past mistakes when it comes to electing the wrong people, because this is a mistake that’ll haunt us for 3 to 6 years in a country that’s already in hot water. Ignore the exposure and focus on the substance. If they’re expecting us to vote for them just because they’re familiar faces, then we ought to prove them wrong.

WITBREAD

Against (political) bloggers and social media ‘influencers’

by Allen Casey Severino Gumiran (contributor) Over the past three years, with occasional mockeries and subtle jabs as exceptions, I have refused to explicitly comment pertaining on current politics.

I’ve simply wanted to bide my time to speak, and if I speak, I want nothing more but ruins to whom I direct my piece.

Three years of silence has perhaps given me an ample period to contemplate and assemble my perspectives, in relation to this putrid mire we refer to as our country—the Philippines. Unsurprisingly, my expectation for this regime, like the administrations prior, has been bleak and cynical. Worse, the present climate of hostility and mutual distrust has revealed the darkest of our passions in opposition of one another. On top of it are those who profit from our division and fragmentation

as a people. It is those scums of the earth who are actively sowing and intensifying discord in exchange for thirty pieces of silver. They are also the same scoundrels who are willing to sell this country to the highest bidder, as a way to save bodies from damnation.

The previous administration of Benigno Aquino III’s ineptitude has set the motion for to be replaced by a laughable despotism. The State itself is brutalized to service the comedy of errors known as our Cabinet. Our Congress is a nest of pirates; and our Senate is a den of thieves. The already broken justice system, is further broken up to the point where the Law is utterly and entirely meaningless. All these talks of political will are spooks or ideations deprived

Information was not shared to aspiring scholars regarding the schedule of the release of the final list of approved student scholars until into the third week of the second semster.

of content. The present order of things reflects the upper crust’s timidity and incompetence. Privileged enough to have wealth, they mask their lack of principles and their open contempt for everyone under populistic aphorisms. They exhibit their own brand of vulgar solidarity, their own take on socialism: communism for them, hell and scraps for the rest.

I view the persons Antonio Contreras, Rafael Nieto, Sass Sasot, that disbarred lawyer, Erick Su and countless other bandwagoners to the status quo as parasites. They feed upon the feebleness of our national consciousness, if there is even a national consciousness to begin with. They are as despicable as their so called “yellow” adversaries in terms of their capability to lead the people astray and

from not recognizing the true enemy. But despite of these individuals, our disease will not be cured by their removal, and neither will this administration’s overthrow can this be remedied. Our society, a byproduct of colonial legacies and our attempts to overcome it, is a society afflicted with a cultural schizophrenia, of a hollowed identity out of a despairing modernism. We are schizophrenics by default, manifested in our mis-education to our rotten institutions, the institutions crumbling before the weight of defects in our character.

However, we must not be anxious.

One thing that this administration has done correct, whether advertent or inadvertent, is a radical break from the past failed revolution of 1986.

Student-made petitions and USC movements to action urging to continue the midyear graduation came through for first semester graduates.

Fortunately, this administration, despite of its pretensions, is only exhibiting mere glitter, with its foundations built on sand.

It thrives on its delusions of the past. Two alternatives are therefore opened. One which is common is to actively resist it in on the streets and in parliament. The other is to incisively undermine it by appropriating its image to make a fool of it. The latter methodology is working, and at last, the true believers are eating their own kin. The third option, that of a rapture to fulfill the ghostly dreams of 1896, will only be available once we realize that a total solution is needed to rid our country of its ills.

Neither Gods or Masters can do that; the burden is in all of us.

Online reports of theft happening in the DLSU-D male dorms have surfaced, coming into question the safety of housing inside the University

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F E AT U R E S

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Asexuals & Aromantics: the non-love story

by Mica Nakadai (contributor) Art by Marco Belarmino The human race’s most basic drives include rest, food, and love. Having a problem with at least one of those components always changes the equation, or worse: would make you judged or persecuted. People with unusual sexual orientation are more often than not the victims of widespread misunderstanding, thus leading to discrimination that divides us as individuals.

As the dominant perception of relationships are confined within societal norms, the queer paradigm also goes down swinging to challenge the status quo—and enlighten the majority with fluidity of sexual orientations.

Thus comes in the so-called “invisible orientations”: asexuals and aromantics, those that have low or no sexual desire and people who do not experience any romantic attraction, respectively, to wave their rainbow flags for all the spectrums to see and learn about.

Asexuality: the invisible orientation One of the most ousted orientation in the queer spectrum for older generations—asexuality, was once even mistaken to appear as a psychiatric condition. However, University of British Columbia researchers, Lori Bratto and Morag Yule, concluded that asexuality is not a disorder of sexual desire and it is very much different from the hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Thus, it is a distinct sexual orientation and thus classified as one.

A professor of Health Sciences and Psychology at Brock University and the author of Understanding Asexuality, Anthony Bogaert, defined asexuality as the lack of sexual attraction and the little to no desire for any sexual activity.

It is also considered as the fourth category of sexual orientation as it is discrete from heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality.

Asexuality is also particularly dissimilar with celibacy wherein it only refers to the state of abstention in marriage and sexual relations and that does not include the absence of sexual attraction and desire.

Aromantics: Repelled attraction On the other hand, aromantic people simply do not experience any romantic attraction to any member of any gender or sexuality. It’s not similar and interchangeable with asexuality, yet it can coexist with it. Being aromantic doesn’t mean that a person doesn’t feel any love at all because contrary to the myths and misconceptions, aromantics can still love deeply and passionately as people do—just not in a romantic way, but a platonic way. Aromantics can engage in familial love, friendly love, parental love and even partner love, wherein they choose a primary partner that serves like their romantic companion who they can depend on in terms of cohabitation, physical affection, child-rearing, financial interdependence, and owning properties, yet they do not feel the need for this to take a step further through affection.

Though the assumption is that aromantics turn out way they did because of a disillusion with traumatic or bad romantic relationships from the past, it is a legitimate sexual orientation and part of a person’s nature and should not be considered as a side effect of mental or physical illness.

*** People should take into account the spectrum of sexual orientations and accept the fluidity of genders. They’re not moving the margins of the mainstream, because they also want everyone to be aware of an aspect of their identities without getting criticized. The mere social constructs of gender and sexuality should not reflect to a person’s health, rights, and worth as a human being—no matter who they are attracted to or not attracted to.

The shallow and twisted ideas of love, romance, and relationships of our society have become the basis of norms, which make people who go against the current become a so-called opponent of waves of the stereotype. Their battles may be hidden, but sooner or later with our understanding and insight, they are to win this fight and raise their own flags up high.

Affinities in new horizons On same-sex parenting

by Justin Andrei Dabuet Photo by Aprilean Octavo Ask a parent how raising a child is like and you won’t get any simple answers— it can be dreadful, fun, and a lot more than what the term “raising” offers. Despite the hardships, it’s a redeeming duty worthy until the end. Yet there is a particular type of parents that can be considered unsung in their vie to be accepted by others— same-sex parents who break away from the heterosexual norm of molding a family.

Amidst the traditional way of thinking that children ought to be raised by the nuclear type of family consisting of a mother and a father, a research on same-sex parenting by the American Psychological Association poses that there is a little difference in psychological aspects of growth in children of same-sex parents and heterosexual parents. This presents that stigmatizing same-sex parents for the possible psychological effects to their children is baseless and instills an adverse image.

And even in a conservative country such as the Philippines, there is also a good number of LGBT parents that stand in the shadows of the typical. Even more so around Dasmariñas—as we meet with a couple corresponding to share their experiences as same-sex parents in a society gradually accepting of their lifestyle.

Meeting the family In a bustling neighborhood in the Dasmarinas City village of San Agustin live the small family of 51-year-old Heidi Manrique, 60-year-old Emilia Saulog, and their nine-year-old adopted son Mark Brent. Emilia was born in Cavite while Heidi is from Bicol. The couple make a living by collecting recyclables, doing laundry, and other minute trades that help that get by day-to-day—all to provide for their fourth-grader. Mark was adopted by Emilia and Heidi because of the financial struggle of his biological mother, Heidi’s niece.

Heidi and Emilia have been together for 26 years and their families know of their sexual identities from the ground up and don’t oppose on what their hearts call for. The

couple describes their relationship as a bout of compromises.

“Bigayan, pasensiyahan, pag hindi mahaba pasensya mo, wala,” shared Heidi.

“Kailangan mahaba talaga (ang pasensiya) kasi, lalo na iyan, nagkaka-edad, makulit na, nako, para akong may alagang bata. Maigi pa ang bata eh napapag sabihan mo eh iyan napipikon, ayaw magtanggap ng pagkakamali niya,” Heidi said jokingly said to her partner. They even admitted that Mark also somehow serves as the intermediary between the couple whenever they quarrel. But after some time, they’ve learned to compromise and depend on each other’s arms again and again. After all, that’s how they define their commitment after all.

Pursuing happiness It brings genuine joy to the both of them to earn and provide for the family. They swear by the fact that happiness that doesn’t require extravagance. A simple feast of food and a small celebration from time to time has become their own way to reignite their love, despite many naysayers.

“Matatag kami, sinasabi nila kung anong ipapakain niya sa akin? Sabi ko eh wala naman kayong pakialam doon kasi ang katuwiran ko naman hindi sila ang sinasamahan ko kung hindi yung sino siya. Kung ang magulang ko nga hindi nag-hadlang sakanya, sino kaya sila? Basta ako kung sino` yung kasama ko iyun yung pinapahalagahan ko”, Heidi stated. “Papahalagahan kita, kaya pahalagahan mo ako.” Emilia furthered.

The lovers dispute each other to break up a lot of times already. In this regard, the couple also keeps stressing out meeting halfway is an essential means of remaining together.

It’s the conditional giving that turns them to accept their

flaws, swallow their pride, and finally forgive each other.

“Ayaw niya (Heidi) lang humiwalay sa akin” Emilia defended.

On a note to other same-sex couples in a family, the two said that they must find their own happiness by finding something that puts them on a same ground for developing a bond stronger than steel. Giving conciliation together ensures a lasting relationship that Emilia and Heidi can attest to.

“Hindi naman tatagal ng basta-basta yang dalawang yan eh.” Their neighbor laughingly testified in the middle of the conversation.

Parenting as an LGBT couple In their experience as same-sex parents, there aren’t any particular major difficulties that arose in raising Mark so far, they recalled. Their only hope is their son’s health, for the fear of not being able to provide for him if he falls sick.

However, the couple is happy about how they have people willing to support them in times of dire. These include their loving neighbor, families, and friends to fill the void of having close to nothing.

For them, they’ve always motivated their son to stay in school. Happily, so far, they’ve never gotten any reports that their son is getting bullied in school because of his parents’ sexuality. The same-sex couple also tells other parents and kids that they should not give flak to the child because of his parents, as this may affect him psychologically.

Mark serves as their inspiration for them to wake each day, being one of their greatest joys as a couple.

They narrated how their son always shows strength in the daily household chores to prove that he is capable of being responsible.

Heidi also lectures his son about human sexuality early in his childhood. With this little effort, their son has learned to accept them for who they are at a young age. Mark is not ashamed of the sexuality of his parents (whom he calls Emilia “daddy” and Heidi “mama”) and is also not affected by the painful words cruel people spew out. Mark is strong for his age—like mothers, like son. *** wThere’s already proof that the phenomenon of being a same-sex parent has essentially no difference to that of being a heterosexual parent. Yet, there are still conservative sectors against same-sex parenting and what it brings to children. Nonetheless, the silver lining to the constant opposition is the unyielding belief for change that makes same-sex couples such as Emilia and Heidi bold and proud.

Stories of same-sex parents like Emilia and Heidi could inspire their situations as a favorable standard for this society. Their constant hustle to not fuel others’ negativity is already a way of life in their books. Acceptance, to them, is refuge for struggles endured in fighting for their ways.

“Laban lang nang laban.” Heidi concludes.

F E AT U R E S

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

Commitment through time: discussions on love, sexuality, and family

by Ahmad Mahusay

Photo by Kelsey Telo

Society’s love expression has changed drastically throughout the years. Family dynamics have modernized and the sexuality spectrum is growing—and they’re not showing signs of stopping any time soon. Through the progression of time, we as individuals have kept redefining our very definition of culture and morality; but these changes don’t come by alone without a hitch, as they are born from conflict and confusion, with gaps that stretch between different generations. Thus, the ultimate question comes in mind when we think of modern relationships and commitment: how much have we really changed?

With this in mind, The HERALDO FILIPINO held a roundtable discussion with four individuals from DLSU-D coming from different upbringings and paths to tackle the 21st-century definition of commitment on the three domains that comprise modern relationships: love, sexuality, and family.

LOVE: Contentment and online dating R.L.: I used to study relationships. Kasi I really found it interesting, and then I found two theories. For millennials, we grew up with this fairytale promise, because we grew up like—in Disney, and books, Nicholas Sparks movies.

They called it as modern romanticism. So, we romanticize what love is supposed to look like.

Love is supposedly beautiful and sweet; all the time that’s what we think. But that’s completely wrong, because the reality is love has problems.

Second, we live in a digital age. There’s online dating now, noon wala naman. ‘Di syempre ‘pag hindi ka happy sa isang relationship mo, you can either choose to stay in it or not. A lot of people just say “Well may iba pa naman d`yan eh, I’ll try again na lang” and see what happens, I believe that’s why a lot of people switch and change instead of staying.

J.J.: In relation to what Rachel said, parang at this period of time na kung saan nasa point tayo ng neoliberalism, masasabi ko na siguro every one of us has a chance to win the lottery.

Parang we have plenty of tickets para mag-give in do`n sa ganoon na situation. Every take, we put our best foot forward na “OK, sige game face on” and parang oriented na tayo na if it doesn’t work sige. ‘Yung mga three-month rule, parang “Okay, sige rest muna ako then, try ulit ako”. Kasi parang these days, we already break the norms pati ‘yung cultural beliefs natin, parang we’re not contented in a Darwinian evolution. Bilang tao hindi tayo uniformed, hindi tayo classified as one, and talagang variegated ang bawat isa.

M.P.: I’d like to compare it dati, kasi dati `di ba lalo na ‘yung panahon ng mga parents natin sobrang pinaghihirapan para makuha ang isang babae—like kailangan manligaw, kailangan mo mag-igib ng tubig, magsibak ng kahoy para lang mapa-oo mo ‘yung isang babae pati ‘yung pamilya niya. Sa ngayon kasing panahon, namimisinterpret natin kung ano ba talaga ‘yung meaning ng love. Ang daming nape-pressure, kunwari in a group of people ‘pag ‘yung mga friends mo may boyfriend or girlfriend tapos ikaw lang ‘yung wala feeling mo may kulang sa`yo, feeling mo left-out ka, hindi ka maka-relate sa kanila so parang ang laking impact sa`yo na bakit sila meron, ikaw wala.

Naghahanap tayo kung sino ‘yung magco-comfort ganu’n. Ang nangyayari, pasok lang tayo ng pasok sa isang relationship without even thinking na dapat pag pumasok tayo ng relationship goal natin is marriage, ‘yun dapat. Eh ngayon kasi trial and error, “sige try kita, pag ekis ka ligwak ka” ganon.

Dati kasi pag pumasok sa isang relasyon kailangan kasal na kasi du’n din naman punta nu’n. Ang

● ● ● ●

Bernard Esternon (B.E.) – 58, straight male, Sociologist, married Janniel Janer (J.J.) – 18, gay male, in a new relationship Maricar Perdito (M.P.) – 18, straight female, liberated, in a complicated relationship Rachel Lionel (R.L.) – 20, straight female, in a long-term relationship

babaw ng tingin sa love na hindi naman dapat.

B.E.: Iba ngayon ‘yung mga kabataan, siguro nu`ng time namin may mga instances kaya lang hindi siya exposed. Meron din noon na nagliligawan pero hindi umaabot sa kasal.

Para ma-feel ‘yung experience ng may boyfriend or girlfriend. Pero napapansin ko ngayon ‘yung tolerance siguro ng kabataan ngayon sa mga problems sa isang relationship. Kasi wala naman relationship na hindi nagkaka-problema eh. Marami sa mga millennials talaga ang hindi malakas ‘yung tolerance pagdating sa isang relasyon. Ang tendency `pag nakakita sila ng problema sa isang relationship at hinahanap niya sa ibang tao, siguradong makikita niya ‘yun— imposibleng hindi. So kung sino ‘yung karelasyon ng taong ‘yun, tapos nakita niya sa ibang tao, makikita’t makikita mo ‘yun. Kahit ako, married life na eh, hindi pa rin kumpleto. May nakikita pa rin kaming flaws and problems sa isa’t isa.

Syempre habang pa-edad na, mas nasasanay ka na sa mga ganoong problema; sa younger generations hindi na siya nakikita. Iba ‘yung society ngayon, iba ‘yung environment. *** J.J.: I think people rely on online kasi it’s quick and easy. As a millennial masyado na tayong bugnutin, mabilis tayong mainis sa mga bagay bagay. What more pa sa relationship na sabi nila “It requires patience” s`yempre most people talagang magde-delve in na sa mga online dating apps like Tinder or kahit ano. Especially to the group of people where I belong, the LGBT. Let’s face it na ganu’n ‘yung nangyayari kasi it’s hard to find someone in real life. Especially if you’re living in a society like this, na very tribal when it comes to those situations. I think ‘yung mga dating apps, it becomes accessible for everyone. Somehow, to find the person that will love you for a while.

Most of the time, sa mga online [dating apps], you don’t know each other eh. Lahat tayo fake online. We always sugarcoat and present ourselves as the best.

M.P.: Based on my experience nahanap ko kasi ‘yung boyfriend ko online. That time kasi broken ako no`n. I want someone na magcocomfort sa`kin or mapaglalabasan ko ng sama ng loob. Kasi pag may gusto tayo na bagay, gusto natin makuha natin agad. Kasi ‘yun ‘yung uso—

sumasabay kasi tayo sa uso. At kailangan ‘yun para makasabay ka sa ikot ng mundo. In order na makasabay ka sa globalization, kailangan mong gawin or magkaroon ka kung anong meron sila. Kunwari sa friends mo, ‘yung influence— kailangan ganu’n ka rin. Madami nang uso na mga dating apps and kailangan makisabay para sabihin na nakikisabay ka talaga. Madali tayong ma-impluwensiyahan kasi andu`n pa tayo sa point na kinikilala natin ‘yung mismong sarili natin.

B.E.: Nakikita ko rin sa iba, na mga online na ang reason ay learning experiences eh. Hindi ka masyado masasaktan `pag may problema ‘yung online relationship. Kasi in actual, hindi kayo nagkikita talaga. May nabasa rin ako sa online na puwede siya maging girlfriend for a day, pwede kayo mag meet up for a day.

SEXUALITY: LGBT’s growing spectrum J.J.: I think ano, dahil pa rin sa age natin ngayon, hindi na tayo nagiging mas conforming. I feel like hindi naman talaga sila dumadami. Marami lang umamin ngayon. Marami lang nagpakatotoo.

Kahit sabihin pa natin sa internet, we don’t present our real selves; we present our best selves.

In this age, tapos na tayo sa renaissance period.

Naliwanagan na tayo kung sino ba tayo. Nandito na tayo sa point na we know which road we are going, pero hindi natin alam kung anong road tinatahakan natin. Tapos ia-add pa natin kung saan tayo pupunta, tapos I think na bakit siya mas nagiging diverse kasi more and more people are becoming open about it. Parang “Ah! Acceptable naman pala” in a way.

R.L.: I think I can add to what Janniel said.

Kase I believe that we have finally reached a point in our society where we start encouraging the exploration of the true self. So, the dynamic of man and woman has lessened over the years, `pag gusto mo puwede pa rin, but there are other options for you now where you can explore outside the traditional role of “I’m a man, I’m a woman—I earn the bread, I stay at home”. I’ll have to agree with Janniel with it not being a trend. It’s more of a domino effect.

B.E.: Tsaka we’re living in an ever-evolving society. When society accepts something, it will continue. Before, hindi naman umaamin but

because tolerated na ng media marami nang gumagaya.

Paanong hindi ito-tolerate eh kung mismong family member ganu’n? That’s part of growing up. Ang tao kasi `pag hindi mo tinanggap, mas magkakaproblema.

Maraming dadaan na proseso pero hindi madali. We have to accept talaga, hindi na natin made-deny `yan eh, wala ka nang magagawa. Siguro dapat nating i-prevent ‘yung mga unwanted na problems galing sa kanila; kasi lahat naman nagkaka-problema.

J.J.: I think kaya lumalaki ‘yung spectrum kasi we give labels, kasi we want to be identified. Actually, puwede naman `yan i-adapt sa society natin. Lahat [ng lugar], nilalagyan ng capital [letter[] kasi we have to be known—to relate to others, to be different.

M.P.: Kahit anong gawin naman hindi na `yan mababago. Kahit bugbugin mo pa or what, hindi na yan mababago eh. Mayroon akong friend sinabi nila kung may choice sila na hindi maging bading, mas pipiliin nila ‘yun, kasi doon ka tatanggapin ng society.

R.L.: Kaya nga we live in a progressive stage of society. We’re currently fighting for a lot of things: women’s rights, children education, LGBTQ+, and everything. Kaya nga sa generation namin ngayon mas proud ako kasi we’re active to fight for advocacies.

We use social media, we do rallies, and we scream our opinions using different media platforms. But I understand someone who’s different kasi everyday, kailangan nilang ipaglaban na ganu’n talaga sila.

FAMILY: The economy‘s impact on marriage B.E.: Pero meron kasing mag-aasawa na ‘yung surname ng anak ay puwedeng gamitin ‘yung surname ng nanay. Pupuwede rin naman ‘yung hindi legally na kasal. May mga relatives akong ganu’n ‘yung concept eh, anak muna bago kasal. Maraming ganu’n. Ang problema lang siguro sa relatives. Kasi ‘yung iba gusto magastos, engrande. Eh ‘yung mga millennial ngayon ayaw na nila ng ganu’n; mas gusto nila tipid.

R.L.: Let’s admit, millennials are poor. Bottom line, millennials are in the bottom of the barrel. We got expensive housing. Inflation is increasing. The price of everything has gone up, but salaries are changed. I know wedding is very costly. One day you can cost 1 million, the dress and everything. Millennials are struggling in everything, that’s why the marriage isn’t their priority.

M.P.: Siguro parang ‘yung marriage is a form of requirement na lang. Magpapakasal na lang para sa mga tao, para hindi ma-issue ng society. Kaya mas marami ngayon ‘yung anak muna bago kasal; umuusbong ‘yung pre-marital sex.

J.J.: For me, a marriage contract is not the key for a successful relationship. Minsan kasi `pag kinakasal du`n sila muna mas nagiging magkakilala. `Di na masyadong prioritized ‘yung kasal— mas kailangan natin makasurvive.

LITERARY

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 | PAGE 12

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

Borrowed

By Jason Christopher Paz

All of my things are not really mine—my favorite backpack that faded through the years is actually a hand-me-down; my dog is a gift from my sister; Janine, my girlfriend who I just learned was sneaking off from our own house during the most ungodly of hours, only to return tucked in the bed, is making me ponder if I am the only one. Nevertheless, I would push those thoughts aside when I turn to her side and see her beautiful face close to mine. I never confronted her about it because it would make me seem suspicious, and only feeling the waves of her breath pulling me to her was enough to keep me from questioning.

I can’t resist the torrent and I dive into her lips. Mine. She tasted mine, and I know she would say the same.

It turned out—my girlfriend was actually cheating on me when I saw her in the mall with another guy wrapped around her shoulder like a snake. No surprise, but hell did it hurt like a mallet smashing my heart into pieces.

Her heart wasn’t mine to begin with. I thought she was the one. With the grain of pride I have left, I decided to walk the opposite direction and leave. I didn’t want to be alone in my house where all the memories of Janine could immediately waft over me in a heartbeat, so I stayed in a park until the moon could witness my tragedy.

Love makes you a fool, and I’m the damn fool who wanted to talk to her and try to fix what could be fixed. Yet when I got to our home, her clothes, things, and all of her belongings were gone. It was no longer “our” house I don’t even know if it can still be called a home.

The sudden departure felt like it sucked the soul out of me, leaving me with an empty shell of the man I used to be—now useless.

I started to find alternatives to my emotions.

I became furious at her and replaced my sadness with anger. I thought of things that led me to believe that shifting and putting emphasis on the person who hurt you would be healthier for me—the victim and suspect conundrum. Thoughts like “I’m better off without her” and “I don’t want to make her feel that she has the upper hand” worked—for a while.

It was not easy to appease a broken heart.

I went to bars, chugging down alcohol like water, and tasting women like appetizer. My friends were there to make sure that there were only three things I have on my lips: a smile, the coldness of the brim of the shot glass, or another person’s lips to warm me up. I hoped that it would fill the gap in my chest, but the lost piece was too big to make the gears start working again.

Instead of going to therapy, I attended church. I didn’t like mass but if it would make cheer me up then be on with it. I wanted to heal. The priest was preaching something from the Bible—he says our life are only borrowed from God and one day we would again return to him. Oddly, I agreed to his posit. There is comfort in believing that one day you would return to someone someday. Even though that somebody is not Janine anymore, I wanted to believe that someone would accept me again.

Someday.

But would God accept a broken man?

The ceremonies helped me at first—it made me believe that there was something I should be waking up for. The sunlight peeping from my curtains didn’t. The smell of coffee didn’t. The welcome sign on the marble floor before my door didn’t.

Yet the images of my memories with Janine were like fire—quick to ignite yet hard to extinguish. The forest fire of an effect somehow transformed into something tangible that ached in my body. It gripped to my body and kept me in place where the oxygen is easily replaced by smoke. My skin would have goosebumps. My body would rattle. My lips would shake. My cheeks would have tears rolling down on them.

Somehow, I wanted to believe that something tangible would be something I could hold onto for hope. A crutch. A pole with a flag in which I can poke into the ground and proudly say that my body is mine again. A knot.

A knife.

The mirror has my reflection was replaced with someone else’s. The loathe spread over my body as I held my hand in the air and swung a punch into the glass. He was not me. My knuckles bled. I didn’t imagine the shards were sharp enough to cut deeper into a place other than my bones and muscles.

Will the broken glass show the same broken man? The shards were scattered over the floor, there was this one long piece left. I picked it up and held it before my chest.

He wants what I’ve borrowed. Even if this hollow vessel has nothing else to offer, a debt is a debt after all.

All of my things are not really mine.

Lumilikha rin ang mga nilikha

Isa akong manunulat. Armas ko ang panulat upang isulat ang mga hindi pa naiuulat para makapagmulat. Ngunit wala sa akin ang kapangyarihan, sapagkat nasa aking mga titik.

Sinisikap kong ibahin ang anyo ng mga panguring dinadamitan ang mga tauhang musmos pa lamang, pinaparangalan sila ng pangalan upang maramdaman ang pagiging buo. Isisilang sila sa mundong may tungkuling hindi pa nila natutuklasan. Sinisikap kong maging salamin— isang paglilimi upang gampanan nila ang sarili kong mga adhikain sa panibagong perspektiba, sa panibagong boses, at sa panibagong mukha.

Lubos kong uupusin ang aking hininga upang buhayin ang aking mga salita. Hangad hubarin ng mga tauhan ko ang kanilang pag-iimbot—walang metapora, walang magagarbong salita, walang kontradiksyon.

Hindi sila nakakulong sa mga taludtod o mga

talata. Malaya silang maka-alpas at maligaw sa mundong hindi sila matatagpuan ng sinumang diyos. Ngunit babalik sila. Isa lamang ang aking hiling—iyon ay pagkatapos nilang simutin ang kalayaan ay dumako sila sa mga estero, sa mga kalsada, sa mga bahay na yari sa yero at kahoy na natatakpan ng mga gusali. Matanaw nila ang mga ina na pinapasuso ang kanilang mga anak na buto’t balat, ang mga kinakalampag na kaldero at mga kawali dahil wala silang laman, at mga pinagtagpi-tagping retrato. Maramdaman manlang nila ang kumakatok sa kanilang mga puso’t diwa. Awa? Sisi? Hiya? Galit? Hindi man nila mauunawaan ang pakiramdam na iyon, nasa kanila kung ibabalewala nila o gagawa sila ng aksyon. Pagkatapos ay uuwi na sila sa mundong kanilang nakasanayan, hihiga sa kanilang mga malalambot na kama, at mahihimbing. Sa mga oras na ito ay makakalimutan nila ang mga madudungis na mukha at mananaginip.

Dadaan ang mga araw na tatatak ang mga mukha nila sa mga isipan ng mga tauhan ko.

Kung kaya’t dumako ulit pati sa karating bayan na sakahan, nagsama ng ibang mga karakter,

at pinakinggan ang kanilang mga kuwento.

Sila ay mga manggagawa, mga magsasaka, mga maralitang lungsod, mga katutubo,

Ang pag-ibig para sa paglikha ay dapat nag-aalab ng pag-ibig para sa bayan. mga kabataan, mga mangingisda, at mga kuwentong na kinalimutan na ng kanilang mga awtor. Sila ay nangako na sila ay tutulong sa kanilang makakaya, at sa ilalim ng iisang langit ay natuklasan ang tungkuling mas malaki sa kanila.

Isa akong manunulat, ang mga tauhan ko ay bunga ng aking imahinasyon ngunit sila ang nagmulat sa kanilang mga sarili. Sila ang magpapatuloy ng sarili nilang kuwento.

Kaakit-akit ang paglikha ng kuwento tungkol sa kasikhayan ng isipang namulat, ngunit

hindi ito hihigit sa kariktan na madudulot sa pagkakataong makapagmulat ng iba sa pamamagitan ng pagsulat.

Minamarkahan ng pluma ang papel.

Minamarkahan ng pluma ang naratibo ng masa. Ang pag-ibig para sa paglikha ay dapat nag-aalab ng pag-ibig para sa bayan. Hindi nagagawa ng sining at panitikan ang kanilang tungkulin kung hindi ito nagdudulot ng pagpapanibagong-hubog sa mga nakakabasa o sa nakakakita nito. Dahil ito ang kalamitan na hindi nagagampanan ng mga manunulat at mga artista, ang pag-iisang dibdib ng adbokasiya at arte—ang radikal na mga prinsipyo at pagiging malikhain.

Ang kuwento ng siphayo ay dapat kinikilala, sinasalubong sa gitna ng unos, at sa mga espasyo kung saan matatagpuan ang ingay ng may mga busal ang bibig. Kung minsan nakakarating pa ang pluma at brotsa sa kasuluk-sulokan ng mga pinakamaliliit na siwang ng pagsasamantala, at ang mga titik ay mas may kapangyarihang makapanghamig kaysa sa mga salitang binibigkas.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 | PAGE 13

Panganorin

By Christine Claveria Papanaog ang singaw ng dagat.

Unti-unting maglalaho ang tangay nitong bigat.

Maglalaban ang dilim at liwanag at magtatagpo ang asin at alikabok patungo sa kalawakan.

Mabubuo at sa giwang ng kalangitan iyong matatagpuan ang mundong niyayakap ng mga ulap ay nasa likod ng iyong mga talukap.

Otopsiya

By Jason Christopher Paz Punitin mo pa ang saplot ng aking pag-iimbot, hubarin mo na ang aking pag-iisa.

Ibunyag mo ako gamit ang iyong mga mata.

Hiwain mo ang aking dibdib, padaluyin mo ang dugo sa iyong mga daliri habang isa-isa mong binabaliang aking mga buto.

Tanggalin mo ang aking mga bahagi.

Unahin mong tuklapin ang aking balat nang malantad na ang aking mga minimithi, isunod mo ang puso kong madalang nang tumibok, at ihuli mo ang utak kong minsan nang naging taksil.

Ngayon na wala na akong lihim dahil kamalayan ko’y nakikipagsiping na sa iyong hiwaga.

LITERARY

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

SPORTS

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019 | PAGE 14

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

VMEN from page 16 powerful 2-point shots and the wellcalculated 3-pointers made the greenand-white team’s rank to be above others and finished the match with a final score of 94-65.

Glory awaits Proving that they truly deserve the PRISAA Provincials Kings’ crown, the DLSU-D Men’s Basketball Team faced the championship round and clashed with the UPHSJ-GMA

for the second time in the league’s Day 2.

Owning the game from the start, the green-and-white cagers prevented the Joneltas to taste a lead in the first quarter, 24-13.

The Patriots stretched their advantage in the following quarters as they outscored the GMA-based squad, 50-36, ending the third quarter, 73-49.

Recalling their weaknesses and drawbacks during the NCRAA,

DLSU-D Men’s Basketball Team’s head coach Arnold Oliveros mentioned that he will strive to improve some of the skills of the Patriot cagers. “[Kailangan pa] i-improve ‘yong defense. Marami pa kaming mga lapses.

Gusto ko maging advanced ‘yong defense namin. Totally, magfo-focus kami doon (Patriots’ defense skills) and [sa] mga shooting drills…mababa ‘yong shooting drills namin… ‘yon ‘yong naging problema namin sa NCRAA,” he said.

Patriot cagebelles remain in PRISAA Provincials throne

DLSU-D trounce UPHSJ-GMA, 71-22

by Rose Kristine Amarillo

COURT DOMINION. Riding high with his groundbreaking spikes, Patriot spiker Eddiemar Kasim lands a score against UPHSD-M during the championships game of the PRISAA-Provincials at the Ugnayang La Salle.

Photo by Gerardine Alcala VWOMEN from page 16

managed to execute sharp attacks and heighten their defense.

Solidifying the Patriot squad, all players made a solid head-start for the competition with the service aces, defensive receives, and offensive spikes and blocks of Pasco, Carranza, and Delfin, together with rookies Rain Ramos and Kimberly Wong, which made the team’s rank-one standing possible.

Moment of triumph

On the second day of PRISAA Provincials, the Lady Altas once again attempted to break the top standing of the Lady Patriots as they battled once again for the championship game. The maroon-and-white squad performed a challenging battle, striving to be this year’s flag-bearers of Cavite Province for Regionals tourney.

Starting the first set, Lady Altas Christine Sto. Domingo, Princess Montealegre, and Charlotte Tutanes showered services aces and powerful spikes. But DLSU-D bounced back strong and ended the canto with a 9-point advantage, 2516.

Point per point, the Patriots pulled off the Altas’ dream to fly to the regionals by the mighty blocks and strong spikes of Pasco, Ramos, and Delfin, finishing the second set with another 9-point lead, 25-16.

Acing the final canto with a final set score of 25-21, the green-and-white team proved that they are one of Cavite’s pride and should be watched out for on PRISAA - Regionals.

Coach Carranza commented on the Patriot volleybelles’ performance, “maganda ang performance nila

(DLSU-D Women’s Volleyball Team), straight sets [ang panalo], tsaka less ang error.”

Finishing this season, setter-spiker Myell Pasco was awarded as the finals’ Most Valuable Player; while Basilyn Delfin, Kimberly Wong, Katrina Carranza, and Rain Ramos were included in the Mythical Six. Heading to regionals Seizing the championship throne with all team member’s contribution to their winnings, Captain Pasco noted “lahat talaga nag-improve individually, and then as a team”.

Preparing for the upcoming league, the Lady Patriots will continue to hone their skills and improve their game plan to represent Cavite for PRISAA - Regionals to be held at Caviteños’ homecourt on March 14-17.

Proving that their training and hard work of almost a year were paid off, the DLSU-D Women’s Basketball Team were once again hailed with the Provincials crown after trouncing De La Salle Health and Sciences Institute (DLSHSI) and University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA (UPHSJ) – GMA in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) - Provincial Meet on February 9 to 10 at the Ugnayang La Salle.

Growl of the girls Already showing off their skills during the first day of the PRISAA Provincials, the Patriot cagebelles notched their first win in the league as they overthrew their first opponent, DLSHSI, with a final score of 48-36 last February 9.

Facing their second and last opponent with a puissant energy, the Patriot Cagebelles pounced and tore apart their long-time PRISAA Provincials rival, the UPHSJ–GMA Lady Blue Saints with a sensational 48-point lead, 71-23, during the second day of the league.

DLSU-D effortlessly handled the lead in the opening quarter as they exhibited a 23-0 run. Lady Blue Saint Ronalyn Paras supplied UPHSJ– GMA’s first two points with a lay-up, 23-2, but the Patriots quickly returned it with Dela Cuesta’s three-pointer and Jon May Sajul’s lay-up, 28-2.

Lady Blue Saint Anna Joy Villeza chipped in another lay-up to add to their basket, 28-4, but Dela Cuesta strongly closed the canto by firing another threepoint shot, 31-4.

DLSU-D opened the second quarter with an easy jump shot from Mariel Campasa, 33-4. Hoping to even

up the scores, UPHSJ-GMA’s Shayne Echaluce contributed a lay-up while Villeza scored two free throws, 33-7.

Both teams retaliated with a 5-10 run until the Patriots’ lead subsided to 21 points, 38-17. However, the green-and-white cagebelles prevailed at the end and furnished back their haul with Sajul’s lay-up and Salvador’s two three-pointers, two lay-ups, and one out of two free throws in the end of the quarter, 51-17.

Earned coronation Showing no sign of stopping to earn points, DLSU-D delivered two consecutive three-point shots and two consecutive lay-ups in the dawn of the third canto, 60-17.

Lady Blue Saints Echaluce and Villeza chipped two and four points, respectively, 60-23, but the Patriots dominated the canto with Campasa’s two three-point shots, and Sajul and Gel Malabonga’s two points each, 7123.

With approximately four minutes remaining on the clock, UPHSJ–GMA waved the white flag which led to the coronation of the Patriot cagebelles as PRISAA - Provincials champions and the team’s advancement to the

Tunay na may sala

“Kung ayaw mong mabastos, ayusin mo ‘yong pananamit mo.”

“Igalang mo muna ang ‘yong sarili bago ka galangin ng mga lalaki.”

“Kaya ka nababastos eh, nagpapakita ka kasi ng balat.”

“Ginusto mo naman.”

Ilan lamang ito sa mga pangungusap na sinasabi sa mga babae tungkol sa pambabastos. Sa realidad, hindi lamang babae ang nababastos at hindi lamang lalaki ang nambabastos. Hindi lamang kabataan o matatanda, mayroon ring mga batang paslit at maski-sanggol. Hindi lamang ang mga nakasuot ng maiikling shorts o sleeveless, kundi pati rin ang mga naka pantalon o jacket.

Mapa-umaga, mapa-gabi. Walang pinipiling kasarian, edad, pananamit, o hitsura. Walang pinipiling tao, lugar, o oras, ang nabibiktima ng mga nambabastos. Walang makakatakas sa taong hindi maayos ang pag-iisip.

Ang catcalling ay isang paraan ng pambabastos kung saan ang nambabastos ay sumisipol o nagsasalita ng may malisyosong intensyon. Minsan, ang ibang lalaking nambabastos ay ginagawa ito dahil nararamdaman nila na nakakapag-bigay ito ng kapangyarihan sa kanila lalo na kapag ang nabibiktima nila ay ‘yong alam ilang walang muwang at walang kalaban-laban.

Marami akong kakilalang biktima ng catcalling. Ako mismo ay naging biktima na nito. At tuwing magku-kwento ako sa aking mga kaibigan o sa ibang mga kakilala ko, may ibang magtatanggol sa akin at magbibigay ng simpatya. May iba namang sisisihin pa ako at sasabihing “kasalanan mo rin naman ‘yan kaya nangyaari sa’yo ‘yan.” Kaya sa mga sumunod na pangca-catcall na nangyari sa akin, sa piling tao na lang ako nagku-kwento o sinasarili ko na lang ito.

Bakit nga ba mas sinisisi pa ang mga biktima at hindi ang mga nangbi-biktima? Dahil lang ba sa naka-shorts o nagpakita ng balat sa katawan nang sobra ang biktima? Paano ‘yong mga nabastos na nakapantalon? Paano ‘yong

mga nabiktima na sanggol? Paano ‘yong mga nabiktimang hindi kayang ipagtanggol ng sarili nila? Nakasalalay ang tanong kung paano natin bibigyan hustisya ang mga biktima.

Noong Oktubre 2018, naisabatas ang Senate Bill No. 1326 o ang “Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act of 2017” na iminungkahi ni Senator Risa Hontiveros. Ito ay naglalayon na mabigyan ng parusa ang mga “nangca-catcall, wolf-whistling, cursing, leering, groping, persistent requests for name and contact details, use of words tending to ridicule based

Walang mababastos kung walang nambabastos on actual or perceived sex, gender expression, o sexual orientation at identity” sa mga pampublikong lugar. Ang mga lumabag dito ay magmumulta ng isang libong piso o mahigit at maaaring makulong hanggang anim na buwan. Ayon kay Senator Risa Hontiveros,

PRISAA - Regionals meet this March 14 to 17.

DLSU-D Women’s Basketball Team head coach Tito Reyes stated that their edge among other competing Cavite schools in the league was their one-year preparation for the gold.

“Magtuloy-tuloy lang [sana] ‘yong improvement ng mga bata individually and as a team [at] maging disiplinado lang sa pagsunod ng system na pinapagawa ko sakanila,” he added regarding his expectations for the Patriot cagebelles for the PRISAA Regionals.

Stars of the spotlight Hailed as the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), Patriot cagebelle veteran Mariel Campasa shared that they will give their 100% for the PRISAA Regionals. “Mas magfo-focus kami sa training namin tapos [aayusin] ‘yong mga execution ng play namin kasi marami pa rin [kaming] errors,” she stated.

Also sharing the spotlight are Patriot cagebelles Gabriele Dela Cuesta and Roxanne Salvador as they were included in the PRISAA - Provincials Basketball Women Mythical Six.

ang pagsasabatas ng Senate Bill No. 1326 ay isang “major push back” laban sa lumalalang misogyny at sexism sa Pilipinas.

Mga bata pa lang tayo ay tinuturuan na tayo ng tama at mali. May isang kasabihan pa na “Bata pa lang, turuan mo nang gumalang at remmespeto ang anak mo.” Walang sinabi rito na turuan mong gumalang at rumespeto sa babae lang o sa lalaki lang, bagkus sa lahat ng tao ay. Wala ring sinabi rito na ang igalang at irespeto lang ay ‘yong mga nakapantalon o long sleeves, kaya naman igalang at irespeto ang lahat, ano mang klaseng damit ang isuot nito, o kahit nakasuot man ito ng damit o hindi.

Wala ring sinabi rito na igalang at irespeto ang nakakatanda lang, kaya naman igalang at irespeto kung ano mang edad, mas matanda man ito sayo o hindi.

Walang mababastos kung walang nambabastos. Hindi ang biktima ang dapat umintindi, umunawa, at mag-iba ng sarili para sa mga taong walang galang at -respeto.

Sumunod sa batas at matutong magbigay galang at respeto. Ang pagbabago ay nasa sarili natin.

SPORTS

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

SPORTS BRIEFS Representing the Patriot pride against fellow Cavite athletes, the DLSU-D Badminton, Table Tennis, and Chess teams battled against De La Salle Health Sciences Institute (DLSHSI), University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA - GMA (UPHSJ-GMA), and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA - Molino (UPHSD-M) as they seized a total of 14 gold and 4 silver medals during the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) – Provincial held from February 9 to 10 at the Ugnayang La Salle.

With their hard-earned wins, the following teams will now team up with other Caviteños and represent the Cavite Team in the PRISAA Regional Meet this March 14 to 17.

Patriot shuttlers ace 6 golds, 1 silver

by Bianca Isabelle Lariosa The DLSU-D Badminton team bagged all golds in the doubles match while three out of four golds in the Singles events as they faced and smashed fellow Cavite schools during the first day of the PRISAA - Provincials at the Raquettaz Badminton Center in Dasmariñas.

Prevailing in the Men and Women’s Division of the Singles part of the tourney, Patriots Kyle Reyes, Jenny Lupango, and Jenina Oliveros bagged consecutive gold medals through their solid determination and steadfast performance despite also performing for the Doubles event.

Meanwhile, John Zenn Cayucaran notched the second place for Men’s Singles B event, chipping in a silver medal.

Harmonizing their commendable teamwork, Patriot duos Jan Adrian Pullon and Oliveros; Joie Orata and Jinelle Herrera; and Oliveros and Orata successfully added three golds to the Patriot haul as they came out on top in the Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles events, respectively.

DLSU-D Paddlers head to PRISAA - Reg’ls with 3 golds, 1 silver Ensuring three seats for the PRISAA - Regionals, the DLSU-D table tennis team paddled their way up and achieved three gold and one silver medal during the PRISAA – Provincials Day 1 held in Ugnayang La Salle (ULS).

Nabbing a total of two gold medals for the Men’s Division, Patriot Antonio Emmanuel and partners Roi De Vega and Timothy Espiritu were hailed as first placers for the Singles B and Doubles events, respectively.

For the Women’s Division, doubles teammates Hazel Anne Campoto and Janna Sophia Jarin swung their way to the top, while Patriot paddler Faye Gertrude Mandia achieved the second place in the Singes B event, bringing in the total for the Women’s Division to one gold and one silver medals.

Patriot woodpushers dominate PRISAA Prov’ls; 5 golds and 2 silvers Proving that they are not strangers in dominating wooden boards, the DLSU-D Patriot Chess team reaped five gold and two silver medals on their way for the Regionals crown during the first day of the PRISAA Provincials tourney held at DLSHSI. Claiming their crowns as kings, Patriots Rafael Dionisio, Andres Clinton Paulo, Genten Lalas, and Genrech Lalas pulled swift moves and knocked down their opponents in Boards 1, 2, 3, and 4, reigning with four gold medals in the Men’s Division.

Maintaining the DLSU-D’s overflowing haul, Patriot Paula Manalo capured another gold medal in the Women’s Division, crowning her as the lone Patriot Lady chesser who will be representing the Cavite team this coming Regional Meet.

Garnering a total of two silver medals, Patriots Stephanie Baliguat and Kristelle Alliah De Paz fell short and placed second in Boards 2 and 3 of the Women’s Division.

BRAWN THROUGH BRAINS. Patriot woodpusher Paula Manalo shows of her chess prowess as she nabbed a gold during the PRISAA - Provincials and will head to the Regionals on March 14 to 17.

Photo by Kelsey Telo

PLAYING WITH FINESSE. Patriot shuttlers Jinelle Herrera and Joie Orata smashed their way to the top during the Women’s Doubles event at the Raquettaz Badminton Center on February 9. The duo will represent Cavite in the upcoming PRISAA-Regionals.

Photo by Aprilean Octavo

Unstoppable DLSU-D MVT advances to PRISAA Regionals

by Rose Kristine Amarillo Holding an unblemished record of three wins and zero losses, the DLSU-D Patriot spikers triumphantly surpassed their opponents, De La Salle Health and Sciences Institute (DLSHSI) and University if Perpetual Help DALTA – Molino (UPHSD-M), during the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) – Provincials held at the Ugnayang La Salle from February 9 to 10.

Three out of six spots in the Mythical Six were taken by DLSU-D’s Eddiemar Kasim, Chandler Salapuddin Jr., and Jan Cedrick Item while their teammate Marco Polo Ordoñez nabbed the the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.

Patriot Ordoñez stated that his strategy for the upcoming PRISAA Regionals is to improve his consistency and to “triple time” in his trainings to maintain his competitive level.

First day’s battleships Despite not having the presence of their head coach, Joven Racelis, during the first day of the PRISAA Provincials, the DLSU-D Men’s Volleyball Team successfully contended their first two games against DLSHSI and UPHSD-M last February 9 at the Ugnayang La Salle.

With the help of their appointed coach Jerome Mirano, the Patriot spikers notched their first win after sweeping the DLSHSI spikers in a three-set match, 25-12, 25-18, 25-14.

Shortly after celebrating, DLSU-D successfully braved their second and last opponent for Provincials Day 1, the UPHSD-M Altas.

The Altas successfully grabbed a set in their match but failed to outshine the green-andwhite team as the Patriots seized three sets, giving them a twice-tobeat advantage in the second day

of the coup, 27-25, 23-25, 25-16, 25-18.

For the main event Battling for their second encounter this time for the championship round, the Patriot spikers once again competed with the UPHSD-M Altas in the PRISAA Provincials Day 2 at the home court of the Patriots and swept them in a 3-0 match, 2517, 26-24, 25-19.

Commencing the first set, the first point came through for the Altas’ because of Christian Rey Muñoz’s service ace, 0-1, but the Patriots strongly bounced back with Ordoñez’s three services aces, Item’s powerful spike, and Jasper John Gaspillo and Item’s solid block., 5-1.

DLSU-D stretched their lead by seven points by supplying two services aces, a spike, and a block, 12-4. UPHSD-M tried to catch-up with the green-and-white team’s score with Walt Amber Gervacio’s spike and Richard Inno Anelle and Muñoz’s block, 24-17, but their own error gave the Patriots the winning point to end the first set, 25-17.

The two Cavite teams retaliated in the opening of the second canto, 4-4, until the service ace of Patriot Alkhaizar Que broke the tied score, 5-4. However, the Altas managed to execute a 4-0 run that gave them the lead, 5-8.

When UPHSD-M has just captured the lead by five points in

the middle of the second quarter, 7-12, DLSU-D sparked their momentum and supplied five consecutive good balls that tied the score to 12-all.

Untying the knot at 19all, Patriot Salapuddin’s two service aces, and Kasim and Item’s spikes paved the way for DLSU-D to be on the top with 23-19. The errors of the Patriots became a window of opportunity for the Altas to take the lead, 24all, but Kasim and Que’s strong spike and unbreakable block, respectively, helped the greenand-white team to notch the second set, 26- 24.

After the nail-biting second set, a cooled-down third and last set was executed by the teams as they exchanged shots that led to an equal haul of 14-all.

UPHSD-M stopped scoring at 22-19 when Patriots showered the Altas with Ordoñez’s two service aces and Kasim’s neverfailing spike, finishing the championship round with 3-0 sets, 25-19.

“Matagal na talaga ‘yong preparation namin sa [PRISAA] Provincials. Nakita namin dito kung ano ‘yong kulang pa.

Dadagdagan lang namin ‘yon ng konting-konti ‘yong mga timing, combination play, [at] perfection sa service, dig, pass, [and] blockings,” said head coach Racelis regarding the team’s planned-out strategy for the PRISAA Regionals.

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 3

PLAY-BY-PLAY Basketball Women page 14

PLAY-BY-PLAY

Volleyball Men page 15

SPORTS BRIEFS Shuttlers, paddlers, and chessers page 15

FLYING PATRIOT. Patriot cager Kobe Caronongan finishes the PRISAA-Provincials bout with flying colors while earning the Most Valuable Player awarding during their game-winning battle against De La Salle Health Sciences Institute (DLSHSI) on February 9 at the Ugnayang La Salle during the first day of the tourney.

Photo by Jean Quinto

DLSU-D Cagers defeat UPHSJGMA, 96-65, win ticket to Reg’ls

by Rose Kristine Amarillo Having a tarnished record in the recently concluded National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) Men’s Division, the DLSU-D Patriot Cagers went full blast as they bounced back strong and captured the title in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Provincials last February 9 to 10 at the Ugnayang La Salle.

Failing to edge the Patriot Cagers in the eliminations and final rounds, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Molino (UPHSD-M) ranked second while the University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA (UPHSJ) – GMA placed third in the Provincials tournament.

Patriot Kobe Caronongan stepped up and was hailed as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. Meanwhile, teammates Christian Loyola and John Cantimbuhan cross-overed other Caviteño

athletes as they earned a spot in the Mythical Five.

Perfect streak The green-and-white Cagers successfully built a tower of winning streaks by overpowering their all-time provincial opponents, UPHSD-M and UPHSJ-GMA, at the Ugnayang La Salle in the first day of the competition proper.

Battling UPHSD-M first, the Patriot Cagers crashed the chance of the Altas to grab

the lead at the scores of 61-60 as they stocked a 14-0 run towards the end of the fourth quarter, 75-60.

After rejoicing on their first win, DLSU-D faced their second and last opponent for the eliminations round and secured their slot for the championship round after trampling the UPHSJ-GMA with a jawdropping 29-point advantage, 94-65.

Patriots held the Joneltas in the dying minutes of the last canto by administering a 20-3 run. Fortunately, the

PATRIOT HAUL. The DLSU-D Patriots bagged 14 gold and 4 silver medals, as well as 4 championship trophies in the PRISAA Provincials held at the Ugnayang La Salle from February 9 to 10.

Infographic by Stephanie Arreza

See BMEN | page 14

Patriot volleybelles rule PRISAA Provincials

by Casvel Teresa Lopez

Giving their best to defend the title, the DLSU-D Volleyball Women had their game face on and overpowered the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA – Molino (UPHSD–M) Lady Altas, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21, in this year ’s Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Provincials championship game held at Ugnayang La Salle on February 10.

INSTANT ATTACK. Patriot volleybelle Basilyn Delfin lands ferocious hits against UPHSD-M during the PRISAAProvincials championships game at the Ugnayang La Salle.

Photo by Pia Margarita Marantan

Teamwork to dream work Defining volleyball prowess to represent their hometown for the upcoming Regional Meet on March 14 to 17, DLSU-D successfully battled other Cavite teams, such as: De La Salle Health and Sciences Institute (DLSHSI) Crusaders, 25-9, 25-6, 25-19, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA – Molino

(UPHSD–M) Lady Altas, 25-10, 25-15, 25-16, during the first day of the league on February 9.

Fresh from the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) Collegiate Grand Slam on 2018, DLSU-D senior players Myell Pasco, Katrina Carranza, Eunice Castillo, Cleobel Pamienta, and Basilyn Delfin spearhead their team as this year is their last to

represent the Patriots.

“Whole year-round ang preparation namin, nagkaroon lang kami ng break dahil naglaro kami sa PSL”, said assistant coach Vic Carranza, who was assigned by head coach Joven Racelis to supervise the first-day games of the volleybelles. Despite the short break trainings for the meet, the green-and-white team still See VWOMEN | page 14