Heraldo Filipino Vol. 32 Issue 4

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 1

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS JANUARY - MARCH 2018

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VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

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LASALLIANS MARCH. De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) joined Tindig Pilipinas’ mobilization titled “People Werpa” on February 25 to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the first People Power uprising. Lasallians from Luzon-based schools, including faculty and students from De La Salle University - Dasmariñas, marched from La Salle Greenhills to EDSA People Power Monument in solidarity with DLSP’s call to defend democracy, human dignity, and human rights.

Photo by Bermanie Jean Doniña

USC VP, Treasurer, BM resign PRO Internal files LOA

by Naomi Lane Tiburcio University Student Council (USC) 2017-2018 Vice President Risstin Limalima, Treasurer Kim Sierra, and Business Manager Kurt Rayburn formally resigned from their posts one semester after assuming their position.

As per Resolution No. 0029, 0030, and 0031 declaring the vacancy of the office of the Business Manager, Vice President, and Treasurer, respectively; Limalima and Sierra resigned due to “academic reasons” and Rayburn due to “personal reasons.”

As USC 2017-2018 President Israel Pajarillo furthered, his fellow officers Limalima and Sierra obtained a failing grade during this AY’s first semester.

Sierra confirmed this in a public Facebook post where he also affirmed to continue

serving the students despite the recent resignation.

“I’ve seen my purpose as a leader and not having a position won’t stop me from serving. I’ll still serve my fellow students, esp[ecially] my CEAT (College of Engineering, Architecture, and

Technology),” Sierra said in his February 26 Facebook post, one week after filing his resignation on February 19.

Meanwhile, Rayburn, who filed his resignation on February 9, explained being “overly-bombarded” with the responsibilities of being an entrepreneur and student.

“I had to give up one.

Between my professional career, business, academics, and council duties, the responsibility that would bear the least consequence if given up would be our beloved council,” Rayburn said.

The Heraldo Filipino (HF) has also reached Limalima for her

statement following her resignation on February 17, however HF is yet to receive a response as of press time.

USC Constitution According to Article VII, Section 2, b.), of the 2013 Amended USC Constitution, a USC officer may be disqualified to continue holding office after obtaining a failing grade in any of the subjects enrolled “immediately before and/or during his/her term.”

Upon reference to the Constitution, the two USC members were considered “disqualified.” However, to give Limalima and Sierra nearly one-

month leeway to contest their grades to their respective professors concerned, Pajarillo said the USC decided to extend the required three working days of passing a resolution to declare the vacancy of a position.

Pajarillo added that during the time Limalima and Sierra were trying to come to an agreement with the professors who gave them a failing grade, they decided to file a resignation to officially leave their positions vacant before the time of their leeway came to an end. As such, their removal from office is classified as a resignation instead of a dismissal.

See USC | page 2

DLSU-D JHS dissolves Grade 7

by Naomi Lane Tiburcio The DLSU-D Junior High School (JHS) will discontinue accepting enrollees for Grade 7 in academic year (AY) 2018-2019 to “focus on strengthening” the Senior High School (SHS) program, as per Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research Marco Saez.

“Starting [AY] 2018-2019, the high school unit will not be accepting enrollees for Grade 7. We would like to focus on strengthening our senior high school as a direct feeder unit of our college programs…focus will be on ascertaining that

current JHS students receive the best education and that all of them complete the program as scheduled,” Saez said.

The decision to discontinue offering Grade 7 was made by the administration in September 2017 upon consultation with

the Board of Trustees together with its Executive Committee.

On the other hand, the offering of Grades 8, 9, and 10 will be determined this month if the reservation for the said grades reaches the target of 33 sections—10 sections for grade See JHS | page 3

NEWS FEATURE

FEATURES

Cavite Number Coding Scheme page 4

ROAD WIDENING. The Dasmariñas City Government has continued the road widening construction along the perimeters of the campus around DBB-B to further lessen the traffic congestion, which in turn has caused temporary traffic congestion.

Photo by Pia Margarita Marantan

LITERARY

SPORTS

Dayo

The shadow’s knife

Volleybelles rule prov’ls

page 11

page 12

page 14

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 2

NEWS

New curriculums for all courses to be implemented next AY

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

USC from page 1

by Bianca Isabelle Lariosa In preparation for the enrollment in academic year (AY) 2018-2019 of the first batch of K to 12 program graduates, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research (OVCAR) initiated a “curriculum roadmap” as the framework for the upcoming curriculum changes for all college courses, as per VCAR Marco Saez.

The proposed roadmap aims English and Filipino classes “to influx of freshman enrollees as a result to provide a shared direction in develop a global perspective” and of the K to 12 implementation.

As Saez mentioned, “It’s a developing, reviewing, and delivering “re-engineering” Religious Education the programs that the University will (REED) classes to incorporate constant cycle of fine tuning based on activities with the University Lasallian the needs of the times.” offer freshman enrollees next AY. Family Office, Campus Ministry Saez furthered, “We (admin) Office, and Lasallian Community CHED approval want to develop graduates who are Development Center.

As of January 8, the curriculum active agents of social transformation.”

The planning stage of the According to Saez, the changes course curriculum changes started roadmap has been approved by the can be classified into two types. in 2013 when CHED released the Academic Council and a separate The first classification of changes is CMO. However, the implementation institutional curriculum committee. institutional curriculum based on the direct order from the was paused until freshman enrollees The Commission on Higher Education return to the University, as well as committee is comprised of college (CHED) Memorandum Order in anticipation for the new set of deans, the Director of the Quality (CMO) No. 20 released in 2013. The Policies, Standards, and Guidelines Assurance Office, Curriculum (PSG) that was released by CHED in Coordinator, Assistant Vice CMO focuses on freeing Filipino, December.

Chancellor for Academic Services, Science, English, Mathematics, In order to evaluate the progress Literature, Humanities, and of the new curriculums through the and the VCAR as the chair.

The council aims to finalize Social Studies subjects from the years, data from a baseline test taken General Eduction Curiculum of the upon entering the University will be the schedule of subject offerings incoming undergraduate students, as collected during students’ first year before they send the proposal to be those subjects are more appropriately in campus, and the same test will be approved by CHED. DLSU-D aims to submit the proposal for approval given before they graduate. taught at Senior High School.

The curriculum roadmap is only ahead of the deadline set by CHED, The second classification of changes aims to be more “DLSU-D- one of the projects that the OVCAR which is before the opening of classes, specific,” such as designing Intensive is spearheading in preparation for the as per Saez.

SEA OF BELIEVERS. Millions of devotees flocked to the 22-hour Traslacion of the Black Nazarene procession starting from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church on January 9.

Photo by Bermanie Jean Doniña

USC’s new lineup Meanwhile, USC Public Relations Officer Internal Tim Cruz filed a Leave of Absence (LOA) on February 15 due to his bid to run in the upcoming University Student Elections, according to Pajarillo.

Due to the resignation of the three USC officers and the LOA of one, USC Secretary Gelo

Dela Cruz was elevated to assume the position of Vice President, replacing Limalima.

Meanwhile, Pajarillo admitted to the challenge of losing three officers and one in LOA this semester. “After mawala ‘yung tatlo (na nag-resign) medyo nagkaproblema (sa USC) kasi there was a lack of manpower tapos there was too much things to accomplish with few officers to handle it

e most of us are graduating students,” he said.

However, Parajillo adds that he is “proud” and “glad” to work with the officers who he described are the “true meaning of leaders” for helping USC even after their respective resignations.

“We started na magkakasama kami, we’ll end it na magkakasama kami even though wala na kami sa posisyon,” Parajillo said.

DLSU-D to offer online classes through FLEXI next AY

by Marjorie Alanzalon The Center for Innovative Learning Programs (CILP), in partnership with Academy of Continuing Education (ACE) of DLSU-D, plans to offer accredited undergraduate degrees online through the launching of the digital platform FLEXI next academic year (AY) 2018-2019, as per CILP Director Roland Ruben.

According to Ruben, the trimestral program FLEXI is an online platform that offers Lasallian undergraduate education to students who wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree. FLEXI was derived from the word “flexible” due to the adaptable online classes that can be based on the schedule of the students enrolled in the course.

The CILP director also mentioned that FLEXI will be offered next AY. “Our launching target date is next school year 2018-2019, August or September,” he added.

Furthermore, Ruben said that ACE will target FLEXI to students who are incapable of going to school due to increased workload or physical disabilities. He clarified that FLEXI will not accommodate everyone, “Kung for everyone siya, baka wala nang mag-enroll for regular classes.”

Moreover, ACE intends to extend the online platform abroad.

“We [ACE and CILP] plan to tap the OFWs in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc., who want to continue studying and eventually finish a degree,” Ruben said.

Regarding the courses that will be offered, he mentioned that ACE targets to provide degrees that do not require board exams, bar exams, and laboratory activities.

FLEXI courses will be provided under the College of

Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) are BSBA major in Operations Management, BSBA major in Human Resource Development Management, BS in Office Administration, and BS in Entrepreneurship, while the offered courses under the College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLAC) will include AB in Philosophy, AB in Political Science, and AB in Development Studies.

As of press time, the settlement fee for the online degree program requires a payment of P2,080 per unit.

“The lesson materials are provided online so the students can access it anytime anywhere kung hindi sila masyadong busy puwede nilang mapuntahan, sagutan,” Ruben said.

Beginning stage of FLEXI Due to the distinct curriculum of the courses being offered in the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), FLEXI poses as a challenge to the ACE team.

“Sa ngayon ang concern namin is ‘yong curriculum. We have updated our curriculums and they are not yet ready (the curriculums that will be offered are not yet finalized). We plan to offer FLEXI kasi this coming school year (AY 2018-2019) so we hope, we’ll have them soon kasi we have to plot it na gawin siyang trisem (trimester), so matrabaho din ‘yon,” Ruben said.

VLE acts as the learning platform in the online system that allows professors to share online educational materials with their students. In the case of DLSU-D, the Schoolbook powered by EDU 2.0 is the VLE tool utilized in blended classes.

As to who will be teaching the courses in FLEXI, Ruben mentioned that ACE proposed to tap DLSU-D’s “Level 3” professors who have training and experience in conducting blended classes on Schoolbook.

Ruben also clarified that the enrollment process for FLEXI enrollees will be the same as regular school admission processes upon indicating that they will be enrolling in a FLEXI course.

Ruben furthered that DLSU-D ACE plans to have partner schools abroad to be able to facilitate the admission process of OFWs. As of press time, the FLEXI program under the ACE is still in its beginning stage, “We’re taking it one step at a time. We hope to finish all the necessary requirements to offer online courses this semester.”

DLSU-D initiated ACE for those who aspire to finish their education. At the end of the prescribed period for the offered course, the students will be granted certificates or diplomas in their finished courses.

R E AC T With the rampant use of “fake” or edited Certificate of Registrations (CORs), as per the Student Welfare and Formation Office (SWAFO), the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) implemented the policy of distributing only one official COR per student this semester. Lost or damaged CORs may be re-printed at the OUR for P50 upon request. With that, The H eraldo F ilipino asked DLSU-D students to share their thoughts on the said implementation.

“Disagree. Although it (providing one COR) is a good idea, that is too much for students. We already have a lot of other fees to pay. There must be another option that won’t involve money (reprinting fee for CORs).”

“Okay lang naman‘yong isang COR kada estudyante kaso, P50 para sa re-print? Hindi ba medyo may kamahalan ‘yon? Tama lang siguro kung may bayad para at least hindi nila ulit ito mawala pero murahan lang nila (admin) somehow.”

“I disagree with this implementation. I think there’s no need to pay an amount of P50 just to have another copy of COR because the admin or adviser can easily trace if the student is officially enrolled or not.”

Anne Gerlie Hermosura Third year Tourism Management

Luis Anthony Mangubat Fourth year Mechanical Engineering

Lyka Faith Meran Fourth year Elementary Education

“I do agree with the said implementation regarding the Certificate of Registration since its number one purpose is for the safety of the school as well as the students. As college students, being responsible is expected so the P50 price for replacement should not be an issue.”

“I agree on the official COR policy because of rampant excuses of the students who intentionally don’t want to wear ID. I beg to disagree on the price of re-printing because the amount of printing proposed is merely unjust to the actual price of printing colored papers. The time that will consume by the student who faked/damaged/lost their COR is already a punishment because of transaction period.”

Lemuel Ongpico Fourth year Political Science

“Yes, I agree with the said implementation because CORs are very important files for a student. In this implementation, the students will be forced to keep their CORs and they won’t be able to use it in cases such as faking their tuition fees and attending classes they are not enrolled in.”

“I respect the implementation of the policy of distributing only one official COR per student. I think this policy will be fair since students need only a single COR and will be fair also to the SWAFO to implement rules and regulations for the security and welfare of the students.”

“Agree, kasi wala namang magagawa ang mga estudyante kundi sumunod. Mas mabuti na rin para hindi magkakaroon ng offense [ang students] sa SWAFO nang dahil sa multiple COR.”

“Yes, I do agree with the new implementation. Tutulungan kasi nito ang school na ma-discipline ang mga student properly.”

Michael Melliza Third year Operations Management

Marco Paolo Novenario Second year Electrical Engineering

Ma. Lealyn Reyes Fourth year Human Biology

Alyssa Loraine Croox Third year Human Biology

Marshall Alcala Fourth year Political Science

NEWS

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 3

‘New course offerings on hold until 2019’ - VCAR

DLSU-D preps for institutional re-accreditation

by Naomi Lane Tiburcio To give way to the institutional re-accreditation for 2019, the offering of new courses will be put on hold until the said year, as per Vice Chancellor For Academics and Research Dr. Marco Saez.

The Institutional Accreditation, which is a seal of quality given to select universities with high level of credibility, was awarded to De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) in 2015 by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies in the Philippines (FAAP).

The Institutional Accreditation is effective until 2019 and reapplication requires 75 percent of all programs to be accredited, regardless of the level.

To qualify for accreditation, new courses must have been offered for at least six years and must have at least two batches of graduates from the program, as per Quality Assurance Office (QAO) Director Lucille Rivera-Calairo.

“There’s no such thing as accreditation of newly-offered programs na agad-agad may accreditation siya. Kasi unanguna, para ma-accredit ang isang program, dapat may graduates na siyang, at least two batches pagkatapos nag-a-undergo siya ng self-assessment and visits

[from Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities or PAASCU,” Calairo explained.

The QAO Director added that DLSU-D has currently met the 75 percent minimum accredited programs.

As such, adding unaccredited new courses would risk the University’s chances at its Institutional Accreditation renewal.

Aside from the accreditation, Saez added that the addition of new courses will also affect the use of resources in the University.

“At least 75 percent of our programs need to be accredited to maintain such accreditation.

If we fall short of 75 [percent], we will be spreading our resources too thinly to the detriment of existing and new programs. That is something that we cannot do to our community, especially our students,” Saez said.

Meanwhile Calairo clarified that there is no rush and “pressing need” to offer

new courses, as the main priority of the University is to enhance the quality of the existing programs.

Affected in the course postponement are the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology’s BS in Interior Design, BS in Industrial Design, and BS in Engineering Technology, which were planned to be offered in AY 2018-2019 as per an article released in The H eraldo F ilipino Broadsheet Volume 32 Issue 2. Among other colleges with proposed courses to be put on hold are the College of Liberal Arts and Communication and the College of Business Administration and Accountancy, according to Calairo.

The Institutional Accreditation serves as a “seal of quality” education among universities and colleges where DLSU-D stands with universities such as Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas, among others.

6 CEATSC officers dismissed, CLACSC Treasurer resigns

by Patrik Aboy

College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology Student Council (CEATSC) 2017-2018 President Christian Cabatay, Secretary Aira Angeles, Treasurer Jeru Gaitera, Auditor Nico Eugenio, Business Manager Jarlo Carampot, and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lois Angeles were disqualified upon being unable to meet the academic requirements of council officers, in accordance with the 2013 Amended University Student Council (USC) Constitution.

Meanwhile, College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLACSC) 2017-2018 Treasurer Frances Anne Delos Santos resigned from the council on February 8.

CEATSC disqualification As confirmed by former CEATSC 2017-2018 Vice President and the newly appointed CEATSC 2017-2018 President Angelo Salvador, officers of the council were disqualified from holding office on the grounds of acquiring failing grades.

Referring to Article VII, Section 2 of the USC Constitution, “The USC* officer/s shall be disqualified to continue holding office on any of the following ground: b.) having obtained a failing grade in any of the subjects enrolled immediately before and/or during his/her term.”

Former officers of the CEATSC 2017-2018 admitted having shortcomings in their academics after focusing on SC work, leading to their dismissal from office, which took effect on the first day of second semester. Since the dismissal, the outgoing officers have assisted in the transitioning of the council.

“Alam na namin na matatanggal na kami, no’ng moment na ‘yon, do’n na kami parang, kailangan na namin ayusin, like linisin, bago kami [umalis], ‘di puwedeng do’n sa susunod (SC officers) na

pagpapasahan namin may mga unfinished [business],” former CEATSC 2017-2018 Secretary Aira Angeles furthered.

Former CEATSC 20172018 PRO Lois Angeles also reminded the current student council not to neglect their studies and to maintain balance, emphasizing the importance of work management rather than time management alone.

Meanwhile, former CEATSC 2017-2018 Business Manager Carampot believes that the new council will be better after seeing the mistakes of former student council officers and trusts that the new council will “know what to do.”

According to Article V, Section 8 of the USC Constitution, any permanent vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled by the Vice President. Thus, former CEATSC 2017-2018 Vice President Angelo Salvador has assumed the position of CEATSC President for the remaining semester this academic year, while remaining officers, such as PRO Aljhon Cabason and Assistant Secretary Joyce Oyco, filled in as Vice President and Secretary, respectively.

In line with the provisions of the USC Constitution on filling vacancies in college student councils, the incumbent officers are in the process of recommending potential officers, with the assistance of the legislative board. The reccomendations will then be

given to the CEATSC Adviser Conrado Monzon, who shall have the final say as to who will sit on the council for the remainder of the semester.

Despite the changes in the said council, Salvador assured the CEAT students that the council will do everything to provide events that will cater to the needs of the students, hoping to end the second semester better than the previous semester.

The Heraldo Filipino contacted former CEATSC 20172018 President Cabatay for an interview, however the request has gone unanswered.

CLACSC Treasurer resignation On the other hand, former CLACSC 2017-2018 Treasurer Delos Santos officially resigned from office on February 8.

“It’s a personal decision and I want to focus on my studies,” Delos Santos said.

As the position of the Treasurer remains vacated, CLACSC 2017-2018 Auditor Lea Albeza shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the position for now.

As of press time, CLACSC is in the process of filling in the vacant position in their lineup. *According to Section 3 of the Transitory Provisions, Article XIV, of the USC Constitution, “...the term University Student Council (USC) as mentioned in this Constitution shall also pertain to college student councils.” shall also pertain to college student councils.”

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

JHS from page 1 8, 11 sections for grade 9, and 12 sections for grade 10. One section holds approximately 40 students.

If JHS fail to reach the target reservation count, the JHS Core Committee including VCAR Saez, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services Deodoro Abiog II, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Services Sonia Gementiza, and JHS Director Cristina Padilla will determine whether the remaining JHS levels will be offered for next AY.

As the decision to offer the remaining grades is on its process, Saez plans to transfer SHS operations to the current JHS complex.

“The [JHS] complex will be for the SHS program, which we aim to strengthen in the coming years. The current resources that will prove vital in strengthening the SHS program will be redirected to the SHS program,” Saez furthered.

Meanwhile, all qualified faculty members under the JHS will be invited to teach for the SHS according to the needs of the students once the decision

to continue or discontinue the remaining JHS levels is finalized.

According to Saez, current JHS students will continue their education at DLSU-D until they complete the program. He also emphasized their pursuit to continue delivering “Lasallian quality education.”

“DLSU-D remains to be committed to deliver the kind of Lasallian quality education it is known for. I call on the members of the Academic Community to focus on the better opportunities that will arise out of this situation,” Saez said.

A GLIMPSE OF FAITH. Artist Wilfredo Offemaria’s traditional and mixed media pieces were displayed in the recent Urna 2.0 exhibit launch at the Museo de La Salle on February 14, and will be up for display until March 14.

Photo by Bermanie Jean Doniña NEWS BRIEFS

DLSU-D wins first PRSP Grand Prix gold

by Marjorie Alanzalon DLSU-D’s Public Relations (PR) Team Elevate and Team Alpha Communications Inc. garnered the first and third place, respectively, in the nationwide PR Plan Competition of the 2018 Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) Students’ PR Congress and Grand Prix, held on January 20 to 21 at the University of Santo Tomas.

This is the University’s first champion title at the PRSP Grand Prix, and also the first time that two DLSU-D teams placed in the top three, as confirmed by Communication and Journalism Department professor and PR course track mentor Marco Polo.

PRSP Grand Prix theme, “Youth vs. Climate Change,” tasked student participants to use PR techniques in raising awareness of wood as a sustainable material to combat climate change.

Team Elevate headed by Nicole Bedaña with members Marielle Cruz, Alexis Tecson, Bea Katrina Granada, Mariel Delos Santos, Camille Gallardo, and Ysabela Baria presented their PR campaign “KAHOY” which stands for “Kalikasan, Agham, Hanapbuhay, Obra Maestra, at Yaman,” comprised of activities such as sustainable forest management, wood-based architecture, and local wood entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, Team Alpha Communications Inc. managed by Ron Angelo Pineda with members Kathryn Arienda, Eiunece Delos Reyes, Patricia Dana Bravante, Melissa Sta. Cruz, Jaselle Madelo, and Rain Gaspe, conceptualized “Challenge Accepted: I Could, I Wood” with activities such as fourhill tree planting activity and wood mural making with participation of the masses.

Team Elevate and Team Alpha Communications Inc., mentored by Polo and comprised of fourth year AB Communication students under the PR course track, received P20,000 and P10,000 cash prizes, respectively, along with trophies and certificates.

USC to initiate Magna Carta for Student Rights

by Anri Ichimura The University Student Council (USC) 2017-2018 announced their plan to enact a Magna Carta of Student Rights on February 21 during the USC’s first Town Hall meeting held at the College of International Hospitality (CIH) Kitchen Demo Room. The Magna Carta of Student Rights plans to expand the existing Bill of Rights in the 2013 Amended USC Constitution to encompass all the rights and liberties of DLSU-D students.

As per USC 2017-2018 President Israel Pajarillo, the USC’s objective is to fulfill the responsibility of “enjoining the students to act as one in advancing their rights and welfare,” which is one of the tasks of USC stated in under Section 18.1 (Student Government) of the 20142018 DLSU-D Student Handbook.

USC will be opening a committee for students to voluntarily join should they wish to participate in the creation of the Magna Carta, as announced during the Town Hall.

As of press time, a set date or schedule has yet to be finalized, as the proposal for the project is still pending with the Office of Student Services, however their goal is to complete the document by this semester in order for its implementation next academic year.

N E W S F E AT U R E

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 4

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

Cavite Number Coding Scheme: A ‘solution’ to traffic congestion

by Jazmine Estorninos

Photo by Justine Bea Bautista

While Cavite is far from the turtle-like pace of EDSA in Metro Manila, the traffic dilemma of metropolis has made its way to the province. Beyond being merely a nuisance for transportation, traffic congestion can cause major losses in the economy as well as hours of lost time.

As traffic along the major roads and highways in Cavite has become more and more evident, the provincial government of Cavite has made a bid to resolve the issue with Provincial Ordinance No. 164, which imposes a number coding scheme on private vehicles travelling on the major roads in the province of Cavite.

“We are all concerned in the traffic situation in [Cavite]. It is we who find solution,” Provincial Board Member Hon. Gilbert Gandia, the author of the Cavite number coding scheme, said.

Implemented on February 5, the scheme was enforced by the Cavite provincial government on private vehicles travelling along identified roads such as Aguinaldo Highway, Governor’s Drive, MolinoSalawag-Paliparan Road, Molino Boulevard, and a section of Daang Hari road. The scheme began to take full effect after the provincial government crafted traffic measures in September 2016 (more than one and a half years before the coding scheme’s implementation), and underwent observations, dry runs, and revisions.

As stated in the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) ordinance, private vehicles are now restricted on particular days based on their plate numbers’ ending digits. The number coding scheme, or Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, was adapted from Metro Manila’s coding scheme that restricts private vehicles (such as cars, vans, and trucks) with ending digits either 1 or 2 on Mondays, 3 or 4 on Tuesdays, 5 or 6 on Wednesdays, 7 or 8 on Thursdays, and 9 or 0 on Fridays. The scheme will be strictly observed from 7 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 7 PM on weekdays. However, the number coding scheme is exempt on weekends and holidays.

The Office of the Governor delegated the implementation of the number coding scheme to the Road Safety Division, where provincial enforcers are tasked to apprehend the coding ordinance violators.

The transportation chair also said that numerous

vehicle owners have already been apprehended since the coding’s implementation.

Furthermore, the provincial government implemented a coding window, a five-hour period from 10:01 AM to 2:59 PM, that allows all vehicles, regardless of their plate number, to pass along major roads without being apprehended.

Solution for traffic “In the event of chaos created in major thoroughfares in the province, number scheme is observed capable of road rationing to reduce volumes of vehicles, decongest traffic and restrict other types of vehicles during peak hours,” Gandia said.

In the previous weeks since the coding scheme’s implementation, Gandia notes that traffic congestion has been reduced.

“The governor (Cavite Governor Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla) is satisfied with what is happening now and during the flag ceremonies namin (officials), sinasabi nga niya, he’s giving an 85 percent grade for the implementation [of the ordinance] because naimprove talaga ‘yong movement ng traffic [in Cavite],” he said.

Meanwhile, car manufacturers offering low down payments for selling private vehicles were also mentioned by Gandia, stating that the ordinance was also crafted to further address the lack of restrictions on the number of cars on the road, which adds to the traffic congestion in the province.

“We do not still have the resources to build other (sic) roads [unlike Metro Manila], and there is no national law that restricts the [number of] cars and vehicles in the Philippines, unlike countries such as Singapore. Sa atin dito sa Cavite, parami nang parami (cars). Car manufacturers are offering very low down payments, so before it gets worse, we decided to craft this ordinance—and of course, it’s part of the governor’s agenda,” Gandia said.

Apart from restricting affected vehicles from driving along the said major roads and reduce the traffic congestion in Cavite during peak hours, the ordinance was also implemented as it was originally part of Remulla’s plan for the province.

Although comments contesting the provincial government’s coding scheme were raised both online

and offline, Gandia furthered that, “There was no easy way especially if the government is introducing new policy that may implicate great change in their travel including commuters and private vehicle owners.”

Gandia added, “Kahit medyo may resistance [from the public], alam mo naman tayong mga Pinoy ... siguro in the long run they would understand why we’re implementing this and everybody will be happy.”

Exemptions Initially, the ordinance was supposed to be implemented on January 1 of this year, however, due to the preparations and refinements made for select public’s exemptions, the enforcement was moved to February 5.

“The coding scheme of Cavite has resemblance with the number coding in Manila. The only difference was the provision for exemption, PUVs (Public Utility Vehicles) are not covered and there have been only identified road considered choke points in Cavite. Also, an alternate route is provided for our motorists’ convenience,” Gandia added.

According to him, PUVs are not covered by the provision as there are no alternate PUVs which will aid commuters in the absence of affected PUVs unlike Metro Manila commuters who have the option of taking the Metro Rail Transit or Light Rail Transit.

Certain exemptions in the provision were also provided for vehicles delivering perishable goods, company shuttle service vehicles, vehicles used by people with disabilities, ambulances, doctors, public attorneys, prosecutors, judiciary members, tourism agents, business locators, and vehicles used for carpooling with at least three passengers inside the vehicle. *** Calling for every citizen’s support and discipline, Gandia said, “For every solution introduced, it requires cooperation from the public … these public policies on traffic must be respected and followed by all, no exemptions provided.”

—With a report from Naomi Lane Tiburcio

MAIN ROADS UTILIZING CODING SCHEME ► ► ► ► ►

Aguinaldo Highway Governor’s Drive Molino-Salawag-Paliparan Road Molino Boulevard Daang Hari Road (within Cavite)

NUMBER RESTRICTIONS PER DAY LAST DIGIT OF LICENSE PLATE

RESTRICTED DAY

1 or 2 3 or 4 5 or 6 7 or 8 9 or 0

Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays

CODING IMPLEMENTATION HOURS

CODING WINDOW

7 AM - 10 AM 3 PM - 7 PM

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Political divide I hated news—at least before—especially politics.

Politics is a hassle; it’s complicated, corrupt, messy, and requires too much research to even understand what people are talking about. Politics and news were so appalling to me, and this was even coming from a Broadcast Journalism student. However, the tables have turned and I’m now swallowing my words as I learned to embrace journalism. But as I recall, I can’t blame my old self from shying away from political news, because not only does it get complicated and not “interesting” enough for millennials, but it also causes more division than unification for a relevant matter that demands accord.

Take it from the Heraldo Filipino or any other media outfit—there is always a pattern of rage and partition in the Facebook comments section when politics hits the headlines (except the topic of casting Liza Soberano as Ganda in Bagani—you get what I mean). With this reality, even as I air my own political opinion on social media, I need to carefully construct

my words beforehand so as to not trigger an argument in the comments section—and sometimes, I suppress my opinion altogether. Truthfully, I was more scared of being disliked and going into a circus-like argument than having to say anything on an issue at all—and I believe this reality throws cold water not only on me but on everyone who currently thinks the same way.

These stumbling blocks are some of the reasons why people end up uninterested toward politics. In the context of a democratic country such as the United States, where its people there also deal with their fair share of heated online debate, Abby Douglass of The Odyssey Online shared that citizens have a responsibility to be involved in the government ruling over its citizens. She further shared that people across the world would do anything to have the freedom to tell their opinion of their government and have the power to influence change, yet this blessing continues to be taken for granted, even in the Philippines.

Democracy is a political system where people are deemed sovereign and citizens are given the responsibility of to be informed, to become watchdogs, and to become a mouthpiece of opinion on matters of public interest.

Veteran journalist Melinda Quintos-De Jesus precisely connects the dots between political divide and democracy when she associated what she called “political factionalism” as the cause of animosity and hostility

among people, which prevents any kind of exchange.

“Without that exchange, democracy does not work, walang demokrasya kung hindi kayo makakapag-usapusap because democracy is conversation,” she said.

Having a voice on politics may earn us a few comment section rivals, but disputes are a part of freedom of expression, or to say more precisely, freedom in general.

To shy away from heated arguments and political division is to shy away from democracy Thus, to shy away from heated arguments and political division is to shy away from democracy. There is power in words—a power that is often taken for granted. This is the reason why silence only benefits the oppressors. Silence doesn’t only make us safe—it makes us careless. This column is not an invitation to argue with trolls, but an invitation to challenge ourselves to have the drive for a deeper understanding on the government, and eventually form our own intellectual and conscious opinion on diverse issues.

I may not be any political virtuoso, but it takes no expert to know that deception happens amid negligence.

Particularly, political apathy and the disinterest to research and dig deep on the details of all-thingspolitics is a tool that politicians use against people which manipulates us in the long run through corruption and the distortion of truth.

Before we know it, justice flashes before our very eyes—and we have let it happen. *** The more we understand what’s at stake in the involvement and awareness in political affairs, the more we realize how involvement is more about the future than our present, and ultimately, it’s more about our children than ourselves.

Having an opinion on politics is not simply having something to say, but also saying something that can spark ideas from healthy arguments amid political divide. From Albert Einstein’s words, “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.”

Action is born out of having an opinion. Words ignite change, even those coming from students. So go ahead, take a stand. Political indifference may be the easy choice, but nothing great ever comes from something easy.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 5

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 6

OPINION

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

EDITORIAL

The urban hassle

Worsening from a mere inconvenience to a national crisis, the growing road congestion exacerbated by the unstoppable increase in the number of cars occupying the roads and the worsening state of public transportation has created one of the least transportation-friendly countries in the world—an environment that Filipinos should not be forced to endure: traffic.

In response, the government, particularly the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory (LTFRB) have made numerous efforts regarding this matter, despite the fact—or perhaps because of—our title of having the “Worst traffic on Earth” in 2015 and being the “Worst place to drive” in 2017 by navigation app Waze. The results of the app’s 2017 survey even stated that Filipino drivers are the “least happy” in the world.

The problem, however, is not in the traffic congestion alone. Public transportation as a whole is something that millions of Filipinos struggle with every day, and we have become desensitized to the point that inconvenience has been a part of our lives. In reality, there’s a multitude of problems that branch out to more and more complications, turning every commute into a personal hell for us and our economy.

Rooting from the poorly systematized public transit system and the culture of undisciplined Filipino drivers and commuters, the entire problem might seem too impossible to fix. But even so, that doesn’t mean we should cope with it with completely passive acceptance, especially when the government can do much better than making only a few of our Metro Rail Transit (MRT) trains run.

It gets largely disappointing once the country’s transportation system is compared to the likes of South Korea, Japan, and other Asian countries, especially when we remember that the Philippines was once the second richest country in Asia less than 40 years ago and one of the first to introduce the public railway system. It fares even worse once you realize the wasted potential and opportunities of the Philippines to reach the caliber of bullet trains and disciplined motorists, but failed to follow through. The efficient transportation system in other countries is a testament not only to the culture of orderly commuting and transportation, but also to just how effective their government has been—a far cry from the 500 recorded MRT glitches in the last year alone.

What is largely compromised in transportation failures is our productivity— individually and collectively as a nation. The transportation woes has a domino effect on us all, disorienting the pace of our daily lives and substantially delaying our development in the long run. We must realize that major transit difficulties we face, particularly traffic, is essentially the root of unproductivity.

As much as we turn to the government to improve the transportation system, the blame is also shared by the people—especially upon realizing that driving habits should improve first before the traffic situation can and other solutions can be found instead of depending on faulty train lines. Though our role to make it happen is important, the enforcement should also take bigger steps on improving the efficiency of existing infrastructure by traffic management guided by comprehensive urban transport development strategy.

A good start would be to crack down on the corrupt traffic enforcers, each with a not-so-alleged quota on doling out traffic tickets.

The collective national development being hindered needs the government to commit to turning visions into practical solutions. Yet we as citizens should take courses of action as well. We must open our eyes to the potentials the country is missing, and acknowledge the importance of efficient transportation and its correlation to improving the quality of life. Let’s look at the bigger picture: that the accumulation of transportation drawbacks drastically affect the quality of life when it comes to access, maintenance, mobility, and safety—all which directly impact our environment, health, time, and economy.

This construct is not a state of mind, and so we must also take account to the solution that includes the exertion of discipline, even with the fact that the system could have been better and that we are entitled to complain. Because either way, we are just making it worse by denying responsibility.

At the end of the long commute, the road to convenient transportation will require us all to take an extra mile to get through our urban hassle.

Wise man Like most, our campus’ environment was simply about aesthetic in my eyes—it wasn’t until I reached my last year in college that I saw the school’s green advocacy for what it was: a human responsibility. Age taught me to see the world through a wide lens that puts everything into perspective, and I saw this: for the most advanced species on earth, we are also the most foolish.

From the supposed problem solvers to the problem itself, it’s ironic to think that we are too small to fix the colossal climate crisis we created in the first place. This is nevertheless the mentality the population has adopted, refusing to make big sacrifices and content to think of earth’s crisis as something for someone else to miraculously fix.

I’ve seen it myself: whenever students are roped into discussing climate change, we take on a disassociated tone that styles these problems into abstract ideas too big and too far for us to solve. So, we simply go about our own business, consuming without care, unable to process how the plastic bag we just threw away will eventually suffocate a sea creature; how the batteries we just bought will leak chemical residue into our rivers; or how every minor act we make will in turn create a major impact to the systematic devastation of our planet.

That’s where Giddens Paradox, a theory coined by sociologist Anthony Giddens, comes in, which explains that we won’t do much

Anri Ichimura, Editor in Chief Jazmine N. Estorninos Associate Editor Casvel Teresa A. Lopez, Managing Director Ma. Bianca Isabelle C. Lariosa, Copy Editor Glazel Ricci H. Noceda, Office and Circulations Manager Naomi Lane T. Tiburcio, In charge, News Yna Marisse B. Sodoy, In charge, News Kelsey V. Telo, Features Coordinator Jason Christopher C. Paz, In charge, Literary John Zedrick E. Simeon, Sports Coordinator Mikaela L. Torres, Graphics and Layout Director Justine Bea V. Bautista, In charge, Photo Kristine Mae H. Rebote, In charge, Video Christian F. Mateo, In charge, Web Edline Abigail S. Eribal, In charge, Web SENIOR STAFF Lynoelle Kyle Arayata, Fernan Patrick Flores, and Camille Gallardo JUNIOR STAFF Rose Kristine Amarillo, Marco Belarmino, Bermanie Jean Donina, Christian Ralf Dugan, and Sheka Ignaco Dr. Lakandupil C. Garcia, Adviser The HERALDO FILIPINO has its editorial office at Room 213, Gregoria Montoya Hall (Administration Building) De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines 4115.

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

Students can now send an email of enrollment confirmation to the Treasury and Ancillary Services (tas@dlsud.edu.ph) for online unblocking if payments are made through credit card, bank, or bayad centers.

Here is the best place to start Here are the facts: this life-sustaining planet that we call earth is 4.5 billion years old.

We, homo sapiens (which means “wise man”), are 140,000 years old. Our existence on this planet is but a microscopic fraction of the earth’s life, and yet because of unchecked activity by the “wise men,” the sea level has risen eight inches, the air contains 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide, the oceans acidity levels have increased by 30 percent, and the temperatures in the 21st century have broken historic records for being the hottest years ever.

I don’t mean to get existential, but yes, it can seem like we are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. After all, earth has survived eons upon eons nourishing and extinguishing species greater than us. But that’s the same thinking that got us in this mess in the first place. The solution is not impossible nor is it beyond us—in the last century alone, humanity has made leaps in science and technology, and it can do so again, but this time, in the direction of cleaning rather than contaminating the planet.

This starts with enlightening lawmakers who are too busy politicizing even climate change, with nations debating over the forms of distributive and corrective climate justice to be exacted. In the game of international climate politics, it’s the least developed countries who will be the most vulnerable to climate change, yet it’s the most developed countries that have contributed the most to global warming. Aside from answering to climate change justice, we also have to establish a society where ecology and economy are not mutually exclusive—where we can have a green economy as well as a green democracy that moves towards the survival of the people rather than the interests of industries. But this all begins with realizing that collectively-caused harm will require individual responsibility.

Eventually, we have to stop unconsciously cupping our ears at the words “climate change” and open our eyes to what science has been telling us for years—to start committing to solutions.

Because after all, what we fight for will mean nothing if we have no home to fight in. We must free ourselves from the chains of our own making, from the dependency on waste products and reliance on fossil fuels—we need to initiate action on the small-scale and large-scale, from our homes and communities to industries and the economy, from initiating waste-free lifestyles to lobbying for ecologically sustainable government action.

While I have faith we’ll get there in time, time is running out. So rather than remaining accomplices of our own destruction, it’s our human responsibility to be the problem solvers of the very problem we started in the first place.

And here is the best place to start—the greenest university in the country.

Dangal bago parangal

The Official Student Publication of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Founded: June 1985 Member, College Editors Guild of the Philippines EDITORIAL BOARD AY 2017-2018

about climate change until it dramatically affects our daily lives, but by then, it will be too late.

Imagine a fire happening in your neighborhood and your tunnel vision refuses to notice the smoke until the flames lick at your doorstep.

Unfortunately, we have all the resources at our disposal, but we’re so occupied with the comforts of capitalism that we’ll sit in this house fire until we burn along with it.

Nalalapit na naman ang Luntiang Parangal, isang taunang parangal para sa natatanging galing ng bawat Lasalyano sa iba’t ibang aspekto.

Wala na sigurong hihigit pa sa pakiramdam na mabansagan o mabigyan ng prestihiyosong parangal, titulo, o mataas na posisyon sa tanang buhay natin. Marahil nga, may katangi-tanging dahilan kung bakit napipiling mabigyang-parangal ang isang tao, ngunit sana’y lagi rin nating tandaang ang halaga ng parangal, titulo, o posisyon na ibinibigay sa isang tao ay hindi kailanman magiging sapat na dahilan para masabi nating sila nga’y karapat-dapat purihin at tingalain.

Ang mga gantimpalang ito ay hindi batayan ng aking mga nabanggit dahil sa totoo lamang, ito’y sumasalamin sa kung papaano ginamit ng mga nakatatanggap ng gantimpala ang kanilang talento, kaalaman, at abilidad sa wastong paraan.

Sa kasawiang-palad, kamakailan lang ay umusbong ang balita ukol kay Palace Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux Uson, mas kilala sa tawag na Mocha Uson, na siya’y ginawaran ng Thomasian Alumni in Government Service Award. Ang University of Sto. Tomas Alumni Association Inc. (USTAAI) na siyang naggawad ng parangal kay Uson ay isang malayang organisasyong hiwalay sa University of Sto. Tomas (UST). Nang nalaman ng marami ang nasabing balita, hindi maikakailang umusbong din

ang pagkamuhi nila sa nangyari habang ang iba nama’y patuloy na sumuporta rito. Kilala si Uson sa kanyang masugid na pagsuporta kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte gayon na rin sa kanyang patok na Mocha Uson Blog. Itago man nati’t sa hindi, marami ang hindi pabor kay Uson dahil na rin sa patuloy nitong pagsasapubliko ng mga maling impormasyon at sa hindi pagiging magandang halimbawa para sa nakararami. Ngunit iginiit ng UAAI na ang batayan lamang ng makatatanggap ng parangal na iyon ay ang pagiging isang UST alumna at pagiging ganap na taga-lingkod-bayan.

Maging karapat-dapat para sa pamagat

Kalaunan, ang ginawad na parangal kay Uson ay kaniya rin namang ibinalik kasabay ng pagsabing, “Hindi ko hiningi ang award na ito. Binigay sa akin, tinanggap ko, pero para matigil ang issue na ito na isang maliit na bagay, ibinalik ko na lang po dahil sobra na ang pambu-bully ng ilang Thomasians kay sir Henry Tenedero (dating UAAI president).”

Siguro nga’t masasabi ng nakararaming ito’y isang mababaw na isyu lamang, “Awards?

Marami pang ibang bagay na mas dapat bigyang halaga e.” Ngunit kung ating susuriing mabuti, ito ay isa na rin sa malalalang isyu ng ating bansa.

Habang may iilan na talaga namang karapatdapat sa mga prestihisyosong parangal na ito tulad ni Efren Penaflorida na nagantimpalaan bilang “Hero of the Year” ng Cable News Network

The long lines for Counter 12 during the enrollment period almost reached the CBAA building, bringing into question if the Registrar can have online unblocking rather than manual unblocking.

dahil sa kanyang “Kariton Klasroom” para sa mga batang nasa lansangan, mayroon ding mga opisyal na nakaupo sa pamahalaan kahit na hindi tugma ang kakayahan sa posisyong ibinigay sa kanila.

Kung ako ang tatanungin, ang pagiging karapat-dapat sa ibinigay sa’yo ay mas mahalaga kaysa sa mismong titulo o parangal lamang, dahil wala nang hihigit pa sa kagandahan ng kalooban at integridad na mayroon tayo sa kabila ng kung tayo’y may makukuha mang kapalit o wala. Kung papaano mo tunay na napagsilbihan ang marami sa iyong pamumuno at pakikipagkapwa-tao ay higit pa sa leadership o service award na puwede mong makamit. Dahil sa puno’t dulo ng ating paglalakbay, ang ginugol na oras, pagsisikap, at karanasang pinagdaanan ay siyang mas makabuluhan kaysa sa mismong patutunguhan.

Marami sa atin ang higit na napapansin kaya’t nabibigyang-parangal, subalit alam kong mas marami pa rito ang tahimik na gumagawa’t nagsisilbi nang may likas na layunin para sa nakararami. Simple lang naman ang mensaheng nais kong iparating—ang maging karapat-dapat para sa pamagat, may parangal mang makakamit o wala, may mga mata mang nagmamasid o wala.

At sa nalalapit na pagsapit ng Luntiang Parangal sa ating Unibersidad, nawa’y hindi lamang tayo umasta bilang karapat-dapat sa gantimpalang nais nating matanggap, kundi umasta bilang karapat-dapat sa lahat ng oras at sa bawat pagkakataon.

The Schoolbook upgrade lets the students utilize Microsoft Office 365 account with features such as downloads for Office Word, Excel, and Power Point, as well as free 1 TB storage space for free on One Drive.

OPINION

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 7

Modernisasyong pag-urong Kabilaang pag-usbong ng mga gusali mula sa dati’y payak na palayan; biglaang paglatag ng konkretong kalsada sa dati-rati’y pulos kakahuyan at lupang taniman—ito ay karaniwan na sa ating kamalayan sapagkat sa araw-araw nating pamumuhay, tiyak kong kabilaang konstruksyon ang bumubungad sa ating bawat paglalakbay. Sa pagiging representasyon ng proyektong industriyalisasyon sa pagkakakilanlan ng pagyabong ng ekonomiya ng ating bansa, hindi ba natin nababanaag kung bakit marami pa rin ang tutol sa mga proyektong lakip ng industriyalisasyon?

Sa pagpasok natin sa ating Unibersidad, bubungad sa atin ang kabilaang pagbubungkal at pagbubuhos ng semento sa kalsada na siyang nakapang-iinit ng ulo dahil sa mas pinatagal na biyahe kumpara sa inaasahang oras upang makaabot sa ating mga klase. Makikita rin natin ang mga paggawa ng iba’t ibang gusali sa dating nadaraanan lang natin na tahimik at berdeng kapatagan. Subalit, ngayo’y may kabilaang harang nang yerong asul at berde.

Land use ang tawag sa aktibidad na tulad ng mga nabanggit na ang paggamit ng isang kalupaan

ay kino-convert ayon sa mas mabisang gamit nito.

Ang Executive Order No. 72 ay naghahanda sa pagiimplementa ng “Comprehensive Land Use Plans” ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa kanilang nasasakupan.

Ang mga local government unit (LGU) ay may kapangyarihang magsagawa ng I kung saan ang mga nagmamay-ari sa lupang gagamitin ng gobyerno ay

Bumabagsak ang yaman ng ating kapaligiran bibigyan ng akmang kompensasyon, gayundin ang kalakaran ng pribadong sektor sa pagbili ng ari-arian mula sa katutubong pagmamay-ari. Gayunpaman, maraming nanghihinayang sapagkat wala nang pansakahang lupain at tila maaapektuhan nito ang balanse sa pagitan ng agrikultura at urbanisasyon.

Nakapaloob sa Memorandum Circular No. 54 ang gabay na pagbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga munisipyo at lungsod na ire-classify ang mga lupain bilang non-agricultural areas kaya’t hindi rin natin sila matutulan sa proyektong kanilang sinang-ayunan.

Sa mga nabanggit na senaryo’t batas sa paksang aking tinalakay, hindi pa rin sapat ang tekstong ito sa pagdinig sa mga sumisigaw na magsasakang nawalan na ng hanapbuhay dahil sa pag-angkin ng sakahan para sa komersyo, gayundin ang epekto

ng mga proyektong ito sa kapaligiran. Unti-unti na nating nararamdaman ang resulta ng modernisasyon sa pagkawala ng mga puno’t halamang nagbibigay, ginhawa sa alinsangan ng panahon. Dahil dito, nauubos na rin ang produktong sariling angkat, at mga tirahan ng mga lagalag na ibon at iba pang hayop sa kagubatan sa pagtatayo ng mga yunit residensyal upang matirhan ng tao’t umunlad ang ekonomiyang aspeto ng nasasaklawanng lokal na gobyerno.

Nakalulungkot dahil sa pag-unlad ng ating ginagalawang mundo ngayon, bumabagsak ang angking natural na kagandahan at yaman ng ating kapaligiran.

Hindi ba’t mas mainam pa rin ang unpopulated ng kapaligiran, preskong hangin pa ang ating malalasap sa kabila ng pagunlad ng ating bayan? Ang pagsali sa mga environmental activity o maging pagpirma sa mga panawagan upang mapangalagaan ang kapaligiran ay mabisang hakbang upang kahit isa sa atin ay may magawa para sa katiwasayan ng pamayanan. Hindi naman nasasalamin sa mga gusali o sa kagandahan ng kalsadang daraanan ang pagyaman ng lipunan, ang pagkakaroon ng balanse sa pagitan ng urbanisasyon at agrikultural na aspekto ay siyang magdadala ng may kakayahang estado sa ating ekonomiya.

Context is divine

It was a dark day for Philippine journalism when the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked online news outlet Rappler’s license last January 15. Media outlets and organizations took stands both online and offline—and so have the opposing side. A nation divided again, this time with those writing the stories on the front page themselves.

It may be first instinct to shrug off the issue as Constitutional—but face value is human, and this is why context is divine. As Rappler CEO Maria Ressa puts it, “What is publicly stated is not what is privately going on behind the scenes. But that is what journalists do: we will shine the light.” It’s true that what we see is not what we get in national issues, it worsens for us students who feel off the radar.

We must realize that the attacks on journalism are nothing new, with the Rappler case being a foreseeable—if not expected—culmination of the two years of attacks on the media, even from the commander in chief himself. Less than a month after being sworn in the presidency in July 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte sought to “kill journalism” in the country and claimed he was not afraid to attack journalists critical of him. A man of his word, he attests to in April 2017 by threatening to shut down

ABS-CBN for allegedly failing to air his campaign ads, nitpicking Rappler for being “fully owned by Americans” during his second SONA last July, and threatening the Prieto family of the Philippine Daily Inquirer with a plunder case last August.

However, the SEC’s decision to revoke on the grounds of violating the constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership may be difficult to dispute, but the Philippine Depository Receipts (PDRs) in question raise more questions than answers. Defined by the Philippine Stock Exchange as, “a security which grants the holder the right to the delivery of sale of the underlying share,” PDRs are not actually evidence of a company’s ownership as what the SEC is claiming foreign-owned company Omidyar

We will hold the line Network to have due to their hold over 5.5. per cent of the media outfit’s shares. Additionally, other media outfits such ABS-CBN and GMA also issuing PDRs from foreign companies, yet the SEC deciding not to review their cases further complicates. The argument that Rappler serves as just one of the hundreds of media outlets in the country should consider the government’s willingness to target an outfit without due process—without forewarning or considering the counter-evidence—is an act reminiscent of decisions the administration has made. And with Rappler’s decry against the administration, the evidence is deafening.

As a student-journalist for The Heraldo Filipino for three years now, defending press freedom is no empty promise—talking about these issues isn’t for the aesthetic, but to make it known that even in Cavite, the concerns are still very much alive. Because no matter how geographically far you are from Manila, the SEC office, or Rappler Inc., there is no such thing as “off the grid” when it comes to fighting for the truth.

Journalism outlets such as Rappler, CNN, ABS-CBN, and even student publications are the foundations of critical thinking. The press as the Fourth Estate is not an empty moniker, as it is through fearless truth-seeking that we see through the government and become the stepping stone for what we can achieve as a nation. This is why context and access to information is crucial, because before we step into the so-called real world, right now we are students and ultimately members of this University. We shouldn’t wait for those providing information to stand down (or be revoked) before we fight back. Because soon we will be the ones in the frontlines, on the front page, and we must never disappoint those who have provided us with the knowledge to make our own decisions. We must use the freedom we have now to set the foundation for everything to come.

In time, we will be the ones to shine the light. But before that time comes, we must—and we will—hold the line.

Biyaheng EDSA Shrine Mabilis lumipas ang oras, ang imahe ng mga nagsisiksikang gusali, ang mukha ni Marian Rivera sa mga billboard, at ang mga linya ng poste, lalo na’t kung nakadungaw ka sa labas ng bintana ng sinasakyan mong Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

Sa loob, mabagal at mistulang nags-slow-mo nang paurong ang panahon. Ang montage—pumapatak na pawis sa noo, handrail na may bakas ng pasmadong kamay, sirang aircon, mga binting nagkikiskisan, mabibigat na bagaheng ayaw ilapag sa nagpuputik na sahig, at ang naiinip na katahimikan. Babagal ang tren at pansamantalang titigil.

Magallanes station. Matatanaw ang malawak na katawang konkreto ng Skyway at ang mga nagtataasang gusali sa kabilang kalye. Sa paanan, kapansin-pansin ang mga aleng nagtitinda ng kakanin at si kuyang naglalako ng dyaryo—sabaysabay na nabibilad sa matinding tirik ng araw.

Idinidikta ng estadong walang espasyo sa maunlad na lungsod ang maralitang “pampasira sa magandang tanawin” sa kalunsuran. Kaya’t hindi rin tiyak ang kanilang pinagkakainipan—makabenta’t mairaos ang araw, o mag-abang sa ika-sandaang demolisyon at pagpapalayas sa kanilang latang tahanan.

Lumipas ang eksena at nagsara ang mga pintuan.

Ayala station. Inisiip ko, wala namang masama sa nagtutumayog na mga imprastraktura. Sa

katunayan, essentials ang mga iyon. Mas napabibilis ang galaw ng mga transaksyon, katulad nitong pagsakay ko sa MRT. Pero sa milyon-milyong masang hindi naaabot ang kanilang batayang pangangailangan, nawawalan ng saysay ang urbanisasyon, ang mga highway at multinasyunal na korporasyon—nagtutunggali lamang ang mga uri sa lipunang neoliberal, na ginagawang kalakal ang mga karapatan at pangkabuhayan ng mamamayan.

Bubukas ang pintuan. Pagkatapos, magsasara.

Buendia station. Iniisip ko rin, paano naman kaya nakatutulog gabi-gabi ang pinakamayamang 0.1 porsyento ng populasyon natin, habang pinipiga

Bubukas. Sasara.

Kukurap. Mumulat. sa masa ang nagmamahalang presyo ng mga bilihin?

Habang walang habas na pinapalayas at pinapaslang ang lumalabang maralitang tagalungsod para sa kanilang mga tahanan, ang mga katutubo sa kanilang lupang ninuno, at ang mga magsasaka sa kanilang mga lupaing ginagawang resort o kung ano man para gawing “tourist destination” o itala sa “wonders of the world”, at pagkatapos ay pagkakakitaan ng iilan?

Bubukas. Sasara. Kahit nakakulong ako sa kabagalan ng panahon sa loob, pakiramdam ko’y naaamoy ko ang usok ng kabulukan ng lungsod na iniikutan ko.

Guadalupe station. Pakiramdam ko, kung kakalasin ko ang higanteng piring ng lungsod, mahuhubad sa paningin ng marami ang

Restrooms in the CBAA building are still not being provided with working bidets, even after requests from students.

nilapastangang katawan ng kasaysayan—ng mga katutubong patuloy ang labang hindi naitatala sa mga libro, sa balitang mainstream, o malamang sa malamang, pati rito sa nagkalat na billboards sa kahabaan ng Guadalupe, habanag ibinabalandra ang mga mukha ng Korean stars at ni Bossing Vic Sotto.

Bubukas. Sasara.

Boni Avenue station. Sa sobrang dami ng high-rise condominiums, hindi ba’t nakapagtataka ang dami ng masang ginagawang tahanan ang lamig ng konkretong kalsada? Nakanganga sa gutom, sa patak ng butas-butas na bubungan.

Bubukas. Sasara. Kukurap ang mga mata.

Shaw Boulevard station. Tumatayo sa kalugmokan ng lakas-paggawa ng mamamayang nagtitingala sa kanyang kataasan, sa kanyang kayamanan, ang SM Megamall. Kung mauudlot man ang pagtaas at pagdami ng SM Centers, malamang ay dikta na ng lupang kinatatayuan na mayroon lamang sapat na bitak, sapat na luha at dugo ng manggagawa ang kaya nitong tiisin.

Bubukas. Sasara. Kukurap. Mumulat.

Ortigas station. Nag-iba ang pokus ko sa pagdungaw sa bintana ng MRT. Hindi ko agad namalayan na nakatingin na pala ako sa imahe kong nakapirme, habang patuloy na umaandar at kumakaripas ang lungsod sa labas ng bintana ng MRT, habang patuloy na may nagugutom, pinapaslang, at pinagkakaitan ng mga karapatan.

Sa istasyong ito, nagdesisyon na akong lumabas at kumilos. Dahil marahas ang panahon, ngunit mas marahas ang manahimik at manatiling statik.

The Town Hall meeting led by the University Student Council brought together students from all sectors to discuss pressing campus issues.

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

WITBREAD

On Islam, Muslims, and the Quran

by Gorki Muhammad Y (IEE42) There are numerous misconceptions about Islam, Muslims, and the Quran; misjudgements and false beliefs that have been ingrained in society from long ago. Oftentimes, false learning about Islam from unqualified sources is what leads to misunderstandings, but I would like to mention the common misconceptions of my religion to shed truth on the beliefs shared by more than a quarter of mankind.

Allah is exclusively the God of Islam. This is wrong because Allāh is simply the Arabic word for “The God” which is the God of Abraham that includes Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The lineage for Jews and Christians comes under Isaac and Ismael, both sons of Abraham. An Allah said in The Quran, Abraham is not a Christian or Jew, rather he is a man who submits to the will of Allah. If the Creator is Eternal and Everlasting, then His attributes must also be eternal and everlasting. He should not lose any of His attributes nor acquire new ones. If this is so, then His attributes are absolute and we all share one God. The Quran summarizes this argument in the verse, “ALLAH has not taken to Himself any son, nor is there any god with Him: For then, each god would have taken of that which he created and some of them would have risen up over others,” from the Quran (23:91).

The second misconception is that Jihad is an offensive Holy War. Jihad in Arabic does not mean “holy war”, but means “to strive, to apply oneself, to struggle, to persevere.” Jihad can either be personal or a community struggling against oppression. In essence, it means to become closer to God in lifestyle and community. In fact, this type of struggle ( jihad) is to ensure that a peaceful and equitable community continues to exist.

The third common misconception, and a large-scale and timely one at that, is Islam oppresses women. This is inherently wrong because in Islam, men and women are viewed as equals before God, in terms of both receiving equal reward and accountability for their actions. It is

‫هللا‬

‫داهج‬

It all boils down to tolerance and coexistence not gender that distinguishes people in the sight of God, but their level of piety. As Quran 49:13 states, “Verily the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is the most God-conscious.” This verse proves that honor is not attained because of an individual’s social class, race, or gender, but attained through piety and devoutness.

The second to the last common misconception is that The Quran is a simple history book. That is false, as the Quran is the divine literal word of God Almighty, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (meaning: peace be upon him). It is a criterion for the truth, containing guidance for humanity to live by. The Quran cites lessons from preceding generations and the history of the Prophets so we may learn from their experiences.

Lastly, the misconception that Islam permits terrorism is an idea that has cost the lives of dignities of many slain believers. Because the media generally portrays any Muslim who fights as a terrorist, regardless of whether they fight justly or unjustly, or whether they are oppressing others or being oppressed. But in war, the targeting of innocent non-combatants is a despicable act which Islam clearly prohibits. In fact, Muslims are not allowed to unnecessarily destroy plants and animals, let alone faultless humans. The Quran clearly demonstrates the seriousness of killing an innocent person, and emphasises the value of human life.

It all boils down to tolerance and coexistence, fellow Lasallians.

Do not be misled into accepting misconceptions and false information about Islam—the belief shared by more Lasallian brothers and sisters than you think. After all, God did not create humans to simply wander aimlessly, as the test of faith is in using one’s intellect, free will, and reasoning abilities to contemplate and recognise God’s signs: one of the greatest signs of the Quran, and a trait of an open-minded and advanced society.

WRITE FOR THE HERALDO FILIPINO We are accepting contributions for Witbread, the opinion section of the broadsheet open to all students, faculty, and staff in the DLSU-D community.

Send them via email to officialheraldofilipino@gmail.com Contributions are subject to selection and editing of the editorial board and should not have been previously published in any way.

Due to the jeepney phaseout happening all around Cavite plus the roadside construction along Mangubat Avenue, commuting has become more of a hassle to travel to and from the University.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 8

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F E AT U R E S

Lagalag

Life on the road

by Paolo Lorenzo Salud

Flash back to the 60s to the 90s, trekking the roads was one of the most innovative forms of commerce the pre-technological Philippines had ever seen: roaming vendors.

Travelling from town to town with their cows or carabaos, they carry with them a variety of walis tambo, duyan, and other similar crafts. Back then, business flourished and their products were high in demand.

Fast forward to the 2000s until today, these wandering peddlers have turned obsolete, together with the rise of technology in the travel and trade industry. “Viajeros,” they’re called—old school merchants riding cattle-drawn caravans.

Little by little, their numbers have dwindled, and whoever is left of them today are the last remnants of a dying breed.

A relic of the past Hailing from Pangasinan, viajeros are spread across the land carrying local-made goods from their home province. Here in Cavite, two viajeros

are stationed, setting up their base of operations in Dasmariñas, on the roadside near what the locals call “bagong palengke.”

One of the viajeros, Simeon Velasquez, or Kuya Marvin, spends his idle afternoon leisurely sitting on the gutter accompanied by his colleague, Rodrigo Perez, and his trusty canine partner Coco, an aspin, with his white cow grazing at a nearby pasture. Like most viajeros, Kuya Marvin inherited his caravan from his forefathers. Woven baskets, hammocks, and wooden chairs are tied and strewn across the surface of his caravan. The interior, filled with basic household items, has served as his makeshift home for about 25 years now.

At 45 years old, Kuya Marvin had spent more than half of his life with a job he didn’t dream of at first. Originally, he had planned to graduate from college and at least work in a factory. But at the young age of 20 having only finished high school, Kuya Marvin opted to become a viajero due to financial demand. Thus began his journey as a wandering merchant.

Away from home You wouldn’t notice from Kuya Marvin’s friendly demeanor and welcoming personality, but the life of a viajero isn’t exactly dream job material. Being a viajero means absorbing all the noise and smoke of the highways while having nothing but thin, galvanized iron sheets as a meager cover from the merciless midday sun.

To top it off, imagine spending every day like this when you’re roughly 260 kilometers away from your hometown. Riding his caravan, it takes Kuya Marvin an entire month for a one-way trip to Cavite. Within the province, he and his partner decide where to travel and stay for the next two to three days. Sometimes they’re in Imus, Molino, or Silang, but nowhere further, since Tagaytay established an ordinance that rendered the city off-limits to slow-moving, overloaded caravans.

“Malungkot din. Malayo sa pamilya e,” he shares.

A viajero only gets to see his family every two to three months, and only for a couple days each time. When he does, he leaves his caravan in the care of his colleague, and takes public transport to Pangasinan and stays for a couple days during special occasions. And when you can only go home around five times a year, you tend to miss a lot.

Kuya Marvin celebrated last Christmas and New Year in Cavite, and the bitter reality is that, for a viajero, these things happen so often that they inevitably end up getting used to it.

Even after two and a half decades of a tiresome life on the road, Kuya Marvin says that he doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon—or rather, he can’t. “Siguro matagal pa, kasi grade six pa lang ‘yong bunso ko, e. Pagtatapusin ko pa [ng pag-aaral].”

His wife works a temporary job washing dishes in a canteen and at the same time taking care of their house and children, so despite the meager pay, his job still brings most of the income in their family. Until his youngest graduates from college, it’s safe to say that Kuya Marvin will continue being a viajero for a while.

The end of the line Throughout Kuya Marvin’s journey, he and his colleague have gone through all sorts of life

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4 experiences. They left home 25 years ago with 49 other viajeros, passing through Manila, Bulacan, and even Laguna and Batangas before deciding to remain in Cavite. They cook their meals with their portable lutuan and take baths outdoors every day of their wandering lives, throughout the extreme hot and cold seasons, struggling to find shelter from the occasional storms. Their cows have been injured—sometimes stolen—and their caravans that are generations older than them have been broken and repaired multiple times. Their sales are unstable, relying on the chance that ordinary people living their busy daily lives would even stop to look at them and their merchandise, and as if that wasn’t bad enough, lowlifes often prey on their unsecured caravans and steal from them while they sleep.

But it’s not a job completely devoid of reward.

Working as a viajero, Kuya Marvin’s eldest managed to graduate with a degree in agriculture, and his youngest is now steadily attending school. He had found a lifelong companion, Coco, while he was vending in Kawit. Though he’s away most of the time, their family remains intact.

Still, the life of a viajero is something Kuya Marvin does not want his children to inherit.

“Wala na. Hindi ko na rin puwedeng [ipamana] sa anak ko [itong pagiging viajero] kasi mahirap. Kaya nagtiya-tiyaga ako para makapagtapos sila ng pagaaral.”

Out of 50 viajeros that once roamed Pangasinan 25 years ago, only four of them are left. Two in Cavite, and the other two in Antipolo, according to Kuya Marvin. Due to its highly demanding lifestyle, and with the introduction of modern viajeros riding motorcycle-driven caravans, they are likely the last generation of traditional merchants with cows and carabaos. *** Far gone from their flourishing trade in the latter half of the previous century, traditional viajeros have been beaten by the rapidly changing times. Their outdated form of trade is further burdened by the inadequate pay that doesn’t do their lonesome life justice.

So the next time you happen to encounter one, take time to appreciate them, because that time could very well be the last.

Makita kang sakdal laya

by Kelsey Telo

It was pure silence that filled the consultation room in the office which held the three of us—two sophomore students and a gentle-looking man in a simple white t-shirt and slacks. It was around 4 in the afternoon, just right after our classes and we were obviously tired. I have learned that you can always pretend and deny everything you are—except when you are sleepy.

But that was only before he answered our question, “So naaalala niyo pa po?” The hush dropped and there was not a single yawn.

“Estudyante rin ako tulad niyo,” he said. Jerermias Celestino is now 58 years old, waking up with the sun shining, a simple detail that he longed to see when he was 16. He spoke gently about 1972—the year Martial Law was declared. He told the story without a hint of rage, for his story rages itself.

He was in his last year of high school at the time.

He said that he had a closely ordinary student life, yet outside the four walls of the classroom, he had become involved in a religious youth organization of the National Council of Churches Philippines. When asked why he joined these dangerous organizations at the time, he spoke with pride, “Bilang estudyante, paano ka mai-involve diyan [sa movement]?”

He shared that after attending the organization’s meeting, he would bring home leaflets and give them away to his classmates, teachers, and even to passersbys in Silang, Cavite where he lived. Jerermias loved discussing with people; I could sense no regret as he retold his golden days of bravery and recklessness.

“Hindi ako napigilan.” People were anxiously telling him to stop the blatant defiance before he got caught red-handed. They were right. The municipality soon had him in their hands for interrogation. “Bakit ko daw iyon ginagawa?” he recounted how he was questioned and how he answered with a question

too, “Paano naman iyong mga tinuro niyong aral ni Bonifacio; ni Rizal?” With today’s generation growing up to learn about these heroes, it had never occurred to me how we can follow their footsteps until that very moment.

He could still remember exactly how the interrogators threatened, “Makukulong ka ‘pag tinuloy mo ‘yan.” However, he wasn’t put behind the bars yet and his story continued. Reaching college at the age of 19, he finally had the chance to study well and start his life without the ghosts and prying eyes from his activist past. But as a Christian in a country turned into a pool of killings and corruption, he would constantly ask himself during those days, “Ano’ng magagawa mo diyan?” And I had to ask myself, what could I do now that my future self wouldn’t look back on without regret?

He continued, while I remained seated as my mind wandered to where his bravery would take him.

His story unfolded at the time when he fully joined the underground movement. “Kasi huhulihin ka.

‘Pag hinuli ka, papatayin ka,” it sounded like he was sharing the rules of a dangerous game. “At tanggap naming mamamatay [kami],” he said casually—as if death was not the worst thing that could happen.

He stopped his studies in his third year of college. Their group of activists enrolled in new universities—not to study, but to secretly extend their organization.

On June 18, 1979, units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) arrested Celestino and his comrades and took them to Camp Crame. He wasn’t surprised, as the group really had the plan to oust Marcos, but he could still hardly believe that they were falsely charged of possession of firearms; especially when they had no weapons with them.

“Aanhin naman namin ang baril? Estudyante kami, ‘di ba?”

He recalled the pain of interrogation they suffered in that small, locked chamber in Quezon

City, “Ang grabe do’n ‘yong mental torture e.” He couldn’t count how many times he was beaten, but he can remember every pain and name every bruise.

His eyes squinted over how worse others suffered, “Nagkukuwento rin kasi kami ng mga kasama ‘ko. May sinunog ng sigarilyo ‘yong pag-aari, kinuryente.”

I could trace a hint of that fire in his eyes, even after decades had passed. He could still describe in detail how he couldn’t tell the day from night while being held captive. “Ang recollection ko, one week lang e. Kasi naka-blindfold kami. Pero sabi ng mga kaibigan ko two weeks daw ako sa Crame.”

His story then took him to Bicutan, when they were brought to Camp Bagong Diwa, in a small dungeon which held all ten of them after authorities failed to crack them in Crame. After a week, they were transferred to a building for “public order violators.” “Ang sabi kasi ni Marcos wala raw ‘political detainee’ noon.” All of this was done without any proper hearing.

At the end of the 52 days of torture, the case against them was finally dropped. Their organization had religious back-up which was guided by international laws as well—they were still a student organization, after all. “Masyadong nagkaroon ng pressure kay Enrile…kay Marcos, so hindi rin kami nagtagal. Na-release din kami.” They were also too young in the first place, not old enough to carry guns—let alone be accused of using them.

He lighted up his testimony with a genuine smile—a smile that made me feel like he just reclaimed his freedom yesterday, after 52 days in the hands of the authority. He took his steps out of the jail, and out of his youth organization as well.

He knew that once he had the slightest contact with the authority, he was never getting away from them—and he definitely didn’t want to leave any trace for them to capture him and his friends again.

“Para kang apoy e, nakapag kinontakan ka ng mga kasama mo, masusunog sila.”

He let go of his involvement, but he knew someday the collective perseverance would succeed.

“Kasi kapag tama ang ipinaglalaban mo, mag-go-grow [ka] e.” He had this sweet delight in his smile as he finally said the come-true of their ultimate dream and the fruit of all days trying to collect hope piece by piece—the EDSA revolution.

The EDSA revolution was the happy ending of his story. But before he drew the curtains closed, blanketing memories out of recollection, he gave one last tribute to their most dreadful time in a dungeon at Crame—affirming to me that all the weight of the heavy world was worth it. They were all blindfolded inside the jail and Celestino remembered holding nothing but a guitar. Among everything he told about the years that he endured to fight for freedom, this was when I felt his pride the most. He was laughing heartily, “Kantahan kami.” I asked him why would he want to start a song in such a depressing moment, he replied “Kasi gusto kong makita iyong mga kasama ko kung wala na.” The songs that they caged with the detainees and how he almost died in a click of their captor’s gun while they all sang, “Maya-maya naramdaman ko, may baril na nakatutok sa akin.” He knew that no death threats had tumbled him down, because he was now in front of me, just smiling now.

He ended his story with a laugh—a laugh which sealed his pain. After hearing a story unknown to the rest of the world, I contemplated on how much of history hasn’t been told yet and kept within one’s own traumas and hidden crevices of the heart.

It appalled me to think that the very freedom I have today was once an impossible dream to fulfill.

Looking at Celestino, I felt undeniably humbled and challenged; knowing that as a young man, he was once foolish enough to spark a change he could have watched others pursue—but he didn’t.

He took his feet to action and heart in passion. He wanted to see his country in freedom. He did—and so will we.

F E AT U R E S

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 11

peryahan kung saan sila nagtatrabaho. Doon sila nananatili sa tuwing walang operasyon ang perya—sa munting bahay na malayo sa tunay nilang tahanan.

“Hindi kami umuuwi. Minsan kapag may pagkakataon, umuuwi kami. Pero kapag tuloy-tuloy ang operasyon ng perya, dito lang kami.” Ayon sa kuwento ni Nanay Jennifer, Hunyo pa noong nakaraang taon nang huli siyang makauwi sa kanila—walong buwang kahit minsan ay hindi niya nakapiling ang iba pa niyang mga anak.

Kapag “nabodega” o nasiraan ng rides ang peryang pinagtatrabahuhan nila, doon lang sila nagkakaroon ng pagkakataong makauwi sa kani-kanilang tahanan.

Ngunit sa kuwento ni Nanay Jennifer, nakadepende sa kasalukuyang lokasyon ng perya ang tsansa nilang makauwi sa kanila. Wala ring saysay kung nabodega ang perya dito sa Dasmariñas dahil kung iisipin, masyadong malayo ang Nueva Ecija. Kailangan pang problemahin ni Nanay Jennifer ang ipapamasahe niya para makasama ang iba pa niyang mga anak. Ganito kasalimuot ang kalagayan ng tulad niyang nagpeperya, pero para sa kaniya, walang ibang maaaring pagkakitaan kundi ang trabahong kinamulatan at kinasanayan niya.

Dayo

Sulyap sa mekanismo ng sahurang-pang-aalipin

by Jomar Villanueva

Photo by Christian Ralf Dugan

Kilala ang perya bilang pasyalan ng masa— kahit saan mo ibaling ang iyong mga mata, ingay at tawanan ang iyong maririnig at makikita. Ngunit kapag lumipas na ang kapistahan at kailangan nang magsara ng perya, kapag kinalas na ang ferris wheel at itinago na ang mga colorwheel, masisilayan mo ang nakakubling katotohanan sa likod ng kasiyahan.

Ang pasyalan ay nagiging pahingahan ng mga manggagawang pagod sa isang buong palabas ng pagdiriwang. Subalit sa kasamaang-palad, hindi mapipigilan ng kanilang pagod ang walang patid na operasyon ng perya. Bagong landas ang muli nilang tatahakin patungo sa susunod nilang destinasyon.

Pangako ng perya Ang magpalipat-lipat ng lugar ay hindi bago para sa mga nagpeperya. Paulit-ulit silang nagiging dayo kung saan pambayang pagdiriwang o pista. Ito ang kinasanayang kalagayan ni Jennifer Coronado, 33 taong gulang.

Dalaga pa si Jennifer nang hinikayat siya ng kaniyang amang magtrabaho rin noon sa perya dulot ng magandang sahod na iniaalok sa kaniya. Mula noon, hindi na naisip ni

The truth will set you free, it’s true. But it’s also freedom that will bring you truth. *** If you come to know just how far we reached in performing our part in the national discourse in the past, you would also wonder what happened to hush the voices of the DLSU-D community now. Back then, our University never shied away from engaging in advocacies that encouraged critical thinking and immersion in national issues—much has changed in the activism and passivity of our school since then. Even so, while it’s not directly your fault, it doesn’t have to be your fault to be your responsibility.

Little do Lasallians know, 15 years ago, the University Student Council (USC) launched a campus-wide AntiPassivity Campaign that aimed to boost awareness among students. The participating sectors were led by several organizations such as the Performing Arts Group

Jennifer na humanap pa ng ibang trabaho hanggang sa siya ay magkaroon na ng asawa. Kinalaunan ay isinama na rin niya ang asawang si Crisanto sa pagpeperya. “Security guard siya dati. E, ayaw ko naman na malayo kami sa isa’t isa kaya sabi ko, mas gusto ko dito sa peryahan kaya nagperya na lang din siya.”

Nanggaling sa Pampanga ang mag-asawang Coronado bago madestino ang peryahang pinagtatrabahuhan nila sa Dasmariñas, kung saan nila ipinagdiwang ang kanilang Pasko at Bagong Taon, hiwalay sa piling ng kanilang buong pamilya. Pansamantala niyang iniwan ang tatlo niyang anak sa Nueva Ecija sa pangangalaga ng kaniyang biyenan, samantalang isinama niya ang kaniyang isang taong gulang na bunso. Sambit niya, wala siyang ibang pagpipilian kundi ang isama ito.

“Kasi estudyante pa ’yong mga anak ko kaya walang magaalaga sa bunso ko. E, hindi ko rin naman pwedeng iwan sa byenan ko kasi matanda na ‘yong byenan ko.”

Pangarap ng pamilya Tanging pinagtagpi-tagping plywood at trapal lang ang kanilang tinitirhan noong narito pa sila sa Dasmariñas—isang barong-barong na makikita malapit sa

(PAG), Military Training Services, University varsities, University Student Council Commission on Elections (USCCE, now SCE), Council of Student Organizations (CSO), and all student councils.

The campaign was simple, but this is the kind of movement that builds an atmosphere free of apathy and a strong culture of free-thinking vocal Lasallians. The same programs from the University’s leaders are what we need today in our community, recognizing the reality that the society’s danger is when the youth stop asking questions.

We don’t need to shake the coordinates of reality all at once; it is enough to reasonably question what violates morals and cancels rights one injustice at a time. In the news article STAND-LaSalle protests against anti-pregnant student policy in The Heraldo Filipino Broadsheet Vol. 16 Issue. 4, Student Alliance For the Advancement of Democratic Rights La Salle Cavite (STAND-LaSalle) spokesperson Kristian Sumabat stated that reconsideration of such policy was a “slap in the face” coming from a group “promoting compassion and open-mindedness in the academe.” That was when the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights La Salle Cavite (STAND-LaSalle) joined a multi-

Porsyentuhang sistema Ganito ang patakaran sa perya: may isang ride na nakatoka sa bawat manggagawa na maaaring i-operate.

Habang operator ang iilan, assistant naman ang iba.

Mangilan-ngilan naman ang nagiging kahera o mga manggagawang nakatoka sa booth kung saan bumibili ng ticket. Sa kaso ng mag-asawang Coronado, operator si Tatay Crisanto habang secretary naman si Nanay Jennifer.

Porsyentuhan ang sistema ng sahod sa perya—15 porsyento lang ng malilikom na kita sa isang ride ang napupunta sa operator nito bilang sahod. Dahil dito, ang halaga ng sahod ng operator ay depende sa kabuuang kita ng ride na nakatoka sa kaniya. Kaya maituturing daw na swerte kung patok sa masa ang ride na nakatoka sa’yo. Ang pagiging patok kasi ng isang ride ay nangangahulugang malakas ang kita nito—mapalad naman ang mag-asawa dahil nakatoka sila sa isang patok na ride. “Minsan nga, kapag dire-diretso ang operasyon ng perya, linggo-linggo kaming nakakapagpadala ng pera sa mga anak namin.”

Subalit sapat man ang kinikita ng mag-asawa sa perya upang tustusan ang mga pangunahin nilang pangangailangan, kulang pa rin ito upang makaalpas sila sa kasalukuyan nilang kalagayan. Bakas sa mga mata ni Jennifer na may nalalabi pa rin siyang pag-asa para sa kalagayan nila. Ayon sa kaniya, matatagalan pa bago nila makamtan ang ginhawang tinutugis nila, subalit alam niyang hindi sila habangbuhay na maghihikahos sa perya. “Hindi rin kami aabot ng habangbuhay dito. Kasi yung mga anak namin, syempre, gusto rin namin silang makasama. Matanda na rin yung byenan ko na nag-aalaga sa mga anak ko. Kaya may balak din kaming humiwalay sa perya. Pero sa ngayon, hindi pa.”

Punla ng pakikibaka Sa unang tingin, mapagkukunan ng inspirasyon ang buhay ng mag-asawang Coronado—na sa kabila ng pagkawalay, may mga magulang na masigasig na ibinubuhos ang lakas, dugo, at pawis para sa kanilang pamilya. Ngunit gaya ng maraming manggagawang Pilipino, ang kanilang buhay ay napagkakakitaan ng mga mapansamantalang mekanismo. Maaaninag sa peryang pinagtatrabahuhan nila ang parehong mekanismong sumasagasa sa mga manggagawang Pilipino—ang wage slavery. Pero upang lubos na maunawaan ang mekanismong ito, may dalawang konseptong kailangang itatak sa isip: ang sahurang-paggawa at pang-aalipin.

Batid ng maraming Pilipino ang pang-aalipin bilang isang lumang sistema ng pag-angkin ng isang tao sa isa pang tao bilang sarili niyang pag-aari. Lumalabas na ang sistemang ito ay madalas na nauuwi sa pang-aabuso at pananamantala. At higit sa kahit anong sistema, ang pang-

Kaligta

sectoral movement along with other youth organizations in Cavite to call out the anti-pregnant student policy back in 2001.

From the lessons of the past, we should learn that it is not wrong to fight for our rights as students and voice out when we feel violated. Sadly, now the number of students who try to question the administration about

It doesn’t have to be your fault to be your responsibility certain changes, like tuition fee hikes, is only a few and far between.

However, we can’t blame the careful majority who’d rather not engage in (peaceful) acts of protest when the opposition can look like nothing but madness to those who think students should ideally focus only their studies.

Proving this is how University of the Philippines students are now attacked online for their passionate rallies about national issues, like the Duterte administration—simply

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

aalipin ay hinabi na ng lipunan sa sarili nitong kasaysayan at kultura. Tila sumpa ang maging alipin—sa mga sinaunang sibilisasyon at emperyo, walang kawala ang isang alipin sa tanikalang ito.

Sa isang banda, ang sahurang-paggawa naman ay isang sistema na ang lakas-paggawa ng isang tao ay itinuturing na “kalakal” at binibili ito ng amo sa pamamagitan ng “sahod”. Dahil dito, nagiging pag-aari ng amo ang lakas-paggawa ng manggagawa—kahit sa katunayan ay hindi pa binabayaran ng amo ang mismong lakas-paggawa. Ipinaliwanag ng Filipino revolutionary socialist na si Filemon Lagman ang pananamantala sa sistemang ito. Sa pamilihan, kinakailangan mo munang magbayad bago mo makuha ang kalakal na nais mong ikonsumo. Ngunit taliwas dito ang sahurang-paggawa— kailangan munang makuha ng amo ang kalakal na nais niyang ikonsumo bago siya magbayad. Ayon kay Lagman, isa itong sistemang walang nais umusisa—isang sistemang kinalalagyan ng unskilled, semi-skilled, at manual labor o mga manggagawang may mababang sahod gaya ng mga construction at factory worker.

Sa isang socialist perspective, pinaglalapit ng wage slavery ang dalawang konseptong ito bilang isang mekanismo na ang isang manggagawa ay nasa isang trabahong may mababang sahod—pero hindi niya maiwan ang kaniyang trabaho dahil ito ang kabuhayan niya. Sa kawalan ng angkop na salita, ang wage slavery ay isang tanikalang nagpapabigat sa kalagayan ng mga manggagawa—isang taling kinakapitan ng mga maralita para mabuhay sila, pero ito rin ang parehong taling sumasakal at gumagarote sa kanila. Ito ang prinsipyo ng wage slavery: kung walang lakas-paggawa, walang sahod, at kung walang sahod, walang ipapantustos sa pangangailangan—wala ring ikabubuhay.

Ayon sa akda ni Lagman na Aralin sa Kahirapan, ang mga manggagawa ang nagdadala sa atin sa kaunlaran at ang makinang hinahawakan nila ang instrumento. Pero hindi ang nagpapaandar ng makina ang umuunlad kundi ang “may-ari” ng makina. Wala itong pinagkaiba sa kinalalagyang sistema ng magasawang Coronado. Kung iisipin, hindi ang gaya nina Nanay Jennifer at Tatay Crisanto ang umuunlad kundi ang may-ari ng perya kung saan sila nagtatrabaho.

Nagiging instrumento sila upang umunlad ang buhay ng kanilang amo samantalang hindi nila matugis ang kaginhawaang hinahabol nila. Ito ang ritmo at siklo ng kanilang kalagayan: magpapagal, susweldo, kakapusin, repeat. Bilang manggagawa ng perya, ang buhay nila ay maikukumpara sa rides—umaandar nga ngunit paikotikot lamang.

Minsan, sinasabi ng kaniyang mga anak na gusto rin nilang magtrabaho sa perya—sapagkat sino bang titingalain ng mga paslit kundi ang mga magulang nila? Ngunit bilang ina, hindi nais ni Jennifer na maghikahos ang kaniyang mga anak. “...Pero ang sabi ko—‘kapag nagperya ka dito, ‘nak, hindi ka na magiging doktor.’ Tagakalahid ka na lang,” sambit niya. “Kaya pinupursigi ko silang mag-aral para mayroon naman silang marating—na hindi kagaya namin na sa peryahan na lang.” *** Dahan-dahang tumataas, ngunit biglaan kung bumaba, at kung saan nagsimula, doon din nagwawakas. Ang kalagayan ng mga nagpeperya ay hindi isang bugtong—ngunit hindi ito malinaw na naipamumulat sa kanila maging sa maraming manggagawa. Gayundin, hindi ito madalas na naipapasipat sa mga Pilipinong hindi mulat at hindi danas ang pangmanggagawang pakikibaka.

Sa perya, kapag tapos na ang operasyon at kailangan na nitong magsara, panibagong pagsubok ang kailangang harapin ng mga manggagawa sa susunod nilang destinasyon— bilang mga dayo sa isang liblib na pook bitbit ang isang pamilyar na sistema.

because people fail to grasp the purpose of their fight in the first place.

Likewise, in 2000, according to the article in the Heraldo Filipino Broadsheet Vol. 15 No. 4 titled DLSU-D calls for Erap’s resignation, DLSU-D joined the Oust Erap rally in Liwasang Bonifacio and Mendiola, headed by the incumbent deans, administration personnel, discipline officers, student-journalists, and regular students. The act was to shout La Salle’s official stand in the national political crisis as Lasallians believed that then president Joseph Estrada had “lost his moral ascendancy to govern.”

These were not all, but just some of stories to prove DLSU-D’s significant involvement to its own community and the nation. As a part of this community, unless you’re comfortable with the current lullaby of our blameless silence, we shouldn’t forget the strong, sensible, and vocal force we once were—and can one day be.

The students activists who once proudly roamed our school have long been gone from campus, but that doesn’t mean their mission is too. The ball is in our court—it is now our responsibility to bring back the forthright Lasallians we used to be. And that will only happen if we care to know, ask, and fight—just like they did.

LITERARY

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 12

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The shadow’s knife

By Jason Christopher Paz The walls echo the gentle ticking of the clock— 3AM, it says. Its hands turning and turning like planets revolving around the sun, yet every second burns you, scorching you alive until you’re only a sculpture of bones.

You sigh and run your fingers through your hair, releasing the breath you were unconsciously holding. The clock on your wall mocks you and its rotating hands become constant reminders of your sleepless nights.

Getting a wink of sleep isn’t the problem; it’s what comes after your eyelids shut and darkness seizes your vision.

In the first hour, it’s as quiet as a temple until your mind starts to play tricks on you. You would see shadows crawling out of the walls. Their sinister laughter constantly blares in your ears like fingernails on a chalkboard. These creatures whisper your name, luring you into an inevitable trap—an unwanted invitation. The images continue playing as your body freezes like a statue. They transform into a figure-shaped as a man, ready to sneak up on you while you’re hopelessly immobilized in fear, like easy prey to a hungry predator. As though your voice has been sucked from your lungs, you can’t scream as he reveals a knife that lusters in the moonlight. The man’s face is void of emotion, even when he starts to stab you again and again with a force you can’t comprehend.

You would wake up, sweaty and tears running down your cheeks, still feeling the sting in your chest from the invisible knife.

It’s been like this for six months. In fear of being visited by the phantom in your dreams, you visited a psychologist who referred you to a sleep therapist.

You even kept a knife under your pillow. As these nightmares and your paranoia worsened, you quit your job, refusing to leave the house or interact with people altogether. Therapy sessions with your sleep therapist took most of your time and your body nested in all sorts of medications. During one session, he suggested lucid dreaming—when you have absolute control over your dreams, he said it can help people with insomnia get some shut-eye. He laid out the benefits of lucid dreaming and how to properly prompt it. Hope glittered in his eyes, the one you wish to see in the mirror one day.

Before you bade him goodbye, he left you with the tip of keeping a sleep journal to track your dreams.

Now you’re reading some articles about lucid dreaming; one said you should be familiarized with the things in your house to see if anything changes, and so your eyes scan every corner of the house. As the sun drowns in the horizon, the shadows stretch across the walls until darkness finally devours the light your room once had. All the lights in your house are turned off.

A sigh escapes from your lips as you pull the blanket closer. Your alarm is set to wake you up in six hours. As your breathing relaxes, you remind yourself that your consciousness would soon transcend your dreams and reality again. The alarm goes off, but you continue to lay in silence. Blots of different colors start to sail across the room. Closing your eyes, the ticking of the clock gets louder, more demanding, and the bed shifts like someone sat on the foot of it.

It jolts you—signaling to your brain that the collision between fantasy and reality has now begun, and you’re in the middle of it all.

Your eyes snap open as cold air brushes your face.

The curtains are dancing in the breeze as the moonlight peeps through the windows. You slowly raise your hand and push a finger through your palm to see if it would go through—and it did. With your mouth agape, you look around like a child brimming with wonder.

Suddenly, the light flickers outside your room and you hear clanking of metals, like someone is rummaging in the kitchen. You could go get the knife, or call the police, or get out of the house. A cold shiver crawls up your skin as the stairs creak and you hear footsteps coming up the stairs.

As though a bomb is about to detonate, you have to choose.

A. Freeze You quickly peel the blanket off your body and get up on your feet. The voice inside your head screams for you to flee the house. The footsteps you heard stopped for a while; the only sound you can hear is the subtle ticking of the clock and your harsh breathing.

The ribcage encasing your heart seems to tighten. As you peek through the open door, there is no one in sight. Sighing in relief, you sneak through the carpeted hallway. Everything is in its exact place—no signs of robbery or trespassing. You should feel relief right now, but the lump in your throat still proves otherwise. At the first step of the stairs, you stop as the light downstairs is off. Uncertainty creeps over you like dipping your feet in the ocean when you cannot fathom how deep it is or what creatures lurk at the bottom just waiting to pull you into their worlds.

As you walk through the pitch-black hallway, it seems like there is no end as if, somehow, the universe has stretched infinitely. The lights flicker to life as the end of the hallway is in sight, and a sense of relief washes over you. As your hand is an inch away from reaching the doorknob, you hear a gun cocked behind you.

“Shit,” your ears perk up at the sound, cursing under your breath. You feel a cold hard metal—a gun, you assume—grazing behind your neck. Despite that, you gather enough courage to face your assailant. Upon seeing the gun menacingly pointed at your direction, you freeze like your feet are planted on the ground. You could see his pitch black eyes that don’t look human enough boring into your soul, but it only takes seconds for his eyes to be last thing you see.

He pulls the trigger, and you plummet down to the ground.

B. Flight The footsteps sound like they’re coming up the stairs. You search for your phone under the messy blankets, making them fall to the carpet. The light from the screen nearly blinds you as you quickly dial 911.

Your hands are shaking as you put the screen near your ear. “P-please,” you beg even if no one is answering

Buntabay

By Jazmine Estorninos

yet. Every second, the ringing buzz in your ear is like an incoming train coming your way, its vibration resonating waves in your ribcage. A woman answers the call, and with your trembling and faint voice you waste no time telling your address.

The door suddenly flies open, but you’re too quick on your feet and crouch down to crawl under your bed. A streak of moonlight illuminates the room.

At your doorstep is a pair of black shoes. The shoes are static, but its upper body moves like its looking for something—or someone—a vessel brimming with life, a light in the darkness. The wooden floorboards creak as it—yes, it—paces forward and circles around the room like a wild animal marking its territory. Your body is starting to collect dust, but you don’t mind, not with a stranger inside the room with you, and wanting you dead. Sweat trickles from your temples down to the floor, until it makes a puddle out of your terror. The footsteps vanish, but as soon as your breathing calms, your phone suddenly sets off an alarm, piercing the silence like glass breaking so loud it can be heard from miles away. Bolts of electricity travels across your body, paralyzing you and keeping you in place. You quietly weighed your odds.

Everything is silent; even the clock lost its sound, even your heart stops beating.

The silence is deafening.

Suddenly, a pair of cold hands grab your legs, pulling you to their line of sight. There it is again the same eyes as before, those dark and empty orbs incapable of feeling. The man’s hands move up to your neck, trapping your breath. When you see his abdomen unguarded, you take the chance to kick him, successfully dismantling him.

As you escape from his chokehold, you scramble to your feet get out the door and careen down the stairs. The last step is unnoticed, and you twist your ankle and the floor catches your fall. Pain rises through your body like needles sticking deep in your skin as you crawl your way to the door.

You hear footsteps. The man finally reaches you; his black shoes stopping you from moving any further. As you look up, he is grinning from ear to ear. It’s the end, you thought. But the siren of the police car booming in the distance halts him from laying a single finger on you.

After the siren is an officer kicking the door open, and police circle around you and the man—with their guns pointing at him like soldiers cornering the last and only enemy. Cuffs are placed around the man’s wrists as the police escorts him out of your house.

The man is finally caught—you can finally breathe.

C. Fight You can’t think straight, the panic and worry burn in your chest like a flame rekindling, only to see an inferno engulfing everything in its path. The walls are as though closing in on you, and to flee seems like the only option.

You slide your hand under your pillow and retrieve the knife. The metal mirrors your face, the stained variation of every chance you’re willing to take—or risk—to stand up against the intruder. Gripping the knife tightly, you stand

up with your back against the wall near the door, trying to hear any form of movement from the other side. The light from the hallway diminishes a grain of darkness as you peak through the door that stands ajar.

No one in sight.

“Good.” You say in relief. Slowly, you open the door and continue walking out. The floor creaks and adjusts to your heavy steps. There is the metal clanking again coming from the kitchen. You tiptoe downstairs, and your figure casts a shadow towering on the carpet.

If there were ants or small insects living there, they would cower in fear. On the floor are scattered pieces of crumpled paper, broken glass from picture frames, and dirty footsteps lining up to the kitchen, like a serial killer giving out clues to the police.

It’s like he wants to get caught.

The light sooner reveals someone crouching in front of a now disorganized kitchen cabinet. His back is against you, unaware of your presence. Ironically, it’s now you who is sneaking up on him and your knife waiting to pierce trough his skin. You close the space between him. Like a Venus flytrap catching pray oblivious to its forthcoming, you lunge at him and stab his back—again and again.

You can’t seem to stop the knife—it’s as if it has a life of its own, controlling the bones and muscles in your body and forcing the victim to become the monster. The victim that once hid in the shadows now has its bare face finally shown in the light, transformed into a more raw and crude depiction of reality. The thought of “it’s either you or him” fogs your mind as you try to convince yourself.

You could only see red—a violent and brazen red blurring your vision, blurring the man whose blood is on your knife. It is embossed in your mind like a child seeing wildfire engulfing his hometown—remnants of ashes left to be remembered for years to come. The fire continues to burn—crackling louder than ever, burning away all the innocence you once had with every swing of your knife, drowning the cries of the man now clad in crimson.

As blood bursts everywhere, a huge grin grows on your face—no evidence of remorse if there’s anything to wash away your sins of killing.

Even when the body stops moving, the blood continues gushing.

*** The cold air wakes you up, and the curtains are once again dancing in the breeze of the wind. The ticking of the clock resonates in the room, albeit more tranquil than before. You look around to see if everything is in place. To see if this is still a dream, you try putting your finger through your hand, but it doesn’t pass through this time. You sigh, feeling the weight lift off your chest.

Then you notice the light is opened in the hallway, but you’re sure you closed the lights last night. A familiar sense of uneasiness crawls over your skin.

Out of nowhere, you hear a crash downstairs. A shadow moves across the room.

Sa paglubog ng araw ay nasaksihan ko ang kadilimang bumalot sa mundong ginagalawan ko.

Nakita ko ang paghantad sa kalawakan at dahan-dahang pagdating ng buntabay sa karimlan.

Buong gabi’y nagbabantay ang buntabay— nakatitig, nangungutya, sa kabila ng kislap ng mga bituin.

Ngunit maghihintay pa rin ako sa paglaho ng buntabay— ang pagbalik ng liwanag na nilamon ng kadiliman na tila hindi na kailanman lilisan.

LITERARY

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 13

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Smile

By Anri Ichimura 3:30 AM A breath in my ear, a tickle on my neck, he stirs beside me, on my shoulder lays a peck.

Lips cold as ice graze my tender skin, beckoning me to succumb to his abyss of sin.

Frozen in his embrace, I struggle to be free— bound in his hold, of this man beside me.

3:31 AM Counting breaths in this limbo where I lie, sweat trickles down my neck, my mouth bone-dry.

My eyes seal shut, my breathing unsteady, as he inhales my scent—I am not ready to behold the shadows of his soul, his face streaked with blood and kohl, his stare that promises only dread, for the real terror to begin in this bed.

3:32 AM Awaken, awaken, I cry to my soul, as a hand grabs my cheek—I am in his control.

Fingers pry open my closed eyes, to witness the cause of many a victim’s cries.

Empty eye sockets widen as lips stretch into a slow smile, on the face of this monster with intentions so vile.

3:33 AM Breaking awake, my mind still fresh of his sinister hold that defiled my flesh.

Still is the air into which I release my breath, yet like the clock, it remains as quiet as death.

In the distance, I hear the whisper of my name, the master calls me—a pawn in his game.

3:33 AM In a start, I rouse and swallow my cries, for above me lies the devil’s smiling eyes.

Endless slumber

By Bianca Isabelle Lariosa Day 01 “Pio Garcia, extreme blood loss, six-wheeler truck accident, traumatic brain injury.”

The last thing I remember is the road blurring.

And flashes of red. I also recall Sarah and I getting into a fight before I left to buy lolo’s meds. I just know she was likely off to read a book or listen to outdated 50’s music with lolo. She’s the artistic Garcia sibling after all—the smarter one, ask anyone.

My body is at a stand-still; darkness consumes my vision. Yet I feel the curve of a mattress on my back, and the clear sound of aircon hums and electronic beeps. The feeling of immobility is surreal, like a hundred bricks are on top of me without the weight. I know I’m still alive though, the soft thumping of my heart proves that. And I can hear each sound—from the buzz of a fly from my left to the muffled busy steps outside. With all the beeping and people coming in and out to probe me along with medical lingo, I guess I’m in a hospital.

Overhead, Chopin’s Nocturnes, Op. 9 is playing in the background, my favorite.

I’m no idiot, I know my body’s in a slumber I can’t wake up from—a comatose. My thoughts flash to my family: our parents abroad, our poor lolo at home, and, of course, Sarah.

Day 02 Lolo visits today with the help of our neighbor— his caretaker when I’m not around. Lolo doesn’t utter a word, but his deafening weeps fill the room. His thick palms clutch mine like when I got dengue when I was younger—only this time I can’t assure him I’m fine. Our lolo has early dementia, and I’ve been taking care of him while our parents work abroad. When he was diagnosed right after my high school graduation, I can still remember how I immediately let go of my dreams of college to take care of him as our parents

provided for us in another country—with Sarah thriving in her studies at only 13. It’s not like they could afford lolo’s medical bills and my tuition at the same time too. Even after five years, I still carry the weight now, but the assurance that Sarah will be off to college on a full scholarship in a few months is a testament that my sacrifices will all be worth it.

I can’t help but be annoyed that Sarah didn’t visit today though. She’s likely still angry over our fight—a master sulker through and through. I just hope she’s taking good care of lolo.

Day 03 Here’s the thing about dementia, it’s an ambiguous loss. It comes in waves, and today lolo was on a high one. He tells me stories of his life during the war, and how he and lola used to dance to the songs that he and Sarah dance to now; his voice pouring with enthusiasm with each anecdote.

Hearing him go on about the good days brings me back to the times Sarah and I would sit on his lap and listen wide-eyed to his stories. Although I can’t shake the unsettling feeling that just yesterday his cries rattled my bones. I wonder how Sarah has been handling his mood swings without me, especially since she still doesn’t want to see me.

After lolo leaves, people arrive to check me and I swear, I hear one of them say Sarah. It sounds like it was coming from ten thousand leagues under the sea, but I swear I hear it.

Day 05 Lolo is quiet today, he’s watching the news and patting my head. We aren’t much talkers, we would rather express ourselves through silence and service, the complete opposite of brash Sarah. We often get on each other’s nerves because of this, both our tempers rising.

Before leaving that night, there are things that are coming back to me that I’m sure are real, the car running seventy, the honking of angry horns, and my knuckles turning white from gripping the wheel too hard. But there are some details that I don’t have an answer for, still blurry in my mind—two seatbelts clicking into place, me shouting at something, or someone, and—why do I remember this?—screams from the passenger seat.

Day 08 The classic compositions are easing into the blues, and the change is more than welcome. Little by little, I feel my hearing starting to fade from the strain of being my only connection to the outside world. I feel it, the panic clasping me and the room slowly crumbling into a prison cell, the oncesoothing hums and beeps now mock me. This deep sleep has become a slow purgatory, leading me to the precipice of decay with each breath I take. I can’t help but think of the alternative—how easy it would be to let go if I was given the choice.

The music starts to play Jody Reynolds and something in me lights up. This is Sarah and lolo’s favorite song. The song they played when lolo needed to recall from his memory gaps or Sarah would need cheering up. Their song.

The night was black, rain fallin’ down / Looked for my baby, she’s nowhere around I hear the couch squeak as lolo wakes up.

“Sarah,” his voice quivers, “Paborito ‘to ni Sarah.”

For a moment, I think he’s about to go on another anecdote, but he begins to weep. Louder than ever with all snot and deep breaths. “’Yung mga apo ko…” Mga? His voice is barely heard through the inhales, but the rush of the memory of the night hits me like images shuffling in my mind. The memories flood in.

The fight didn’t happen in the house, it began when Sarah offered to go with me. On the road, she confessed that she called her college and turned down the full scholarship. I remember her twiddling her thumbs, but her voice remained determined.

She spoke brashly, too quick that she didn’t even think twice before saying the words that triggered everything, “Ikaw kasi kuya nasa bahay ka lang.

Hindi mo maiintindihan.” I felt like a bubble inside me burst, and all the strings holding me together broke. All the sacrifices, all these years, and I didn’t understand?

Flashbacks of my parents saying no college rang in my ears, “Alagaan mo na lang lolo mo, Pio,”, “Babawi kami sa’yo, kuya”. The endless days placing their needs first, and all my friends eventually graduating while I could only cheer for them in the crowd. All these impossible what-ifs twisted into road rage. Fury hit me, and all I saw was red—blinding red.

Sarah cried for me to slow down. “Kuya, masyado kang mabilis!” The roads blurred, but I kept on driving. Sarah’s shrieks and the incessant honking of passing cars were silenced by the earthshattering collision of the six-wheeler. She never could have survived that impact.

My little sister forever stuck at eighteen— because of me.

The heavy thumps of my heart feel like drums awakening the guilt starting to consume me, and I hear the heart monitor beep faster than ever.

On the other side of the room lolo continues to wail—we’re a million miles away from each other.

Once connected through Sarah, he and I just have ourselves now.

Suddenly the darkness turns into light, and all my senses steadily resuscitate—everything is slowly snapping back into focus.

“L-lolo?” I hear myself say.

SPORTS

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 14

Volleybelles hailed as prov’ls champs thru five-set victory

by Rose Kristine Amarillo

Securing a spot in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Regionals, the DLSU-D Lady Patriots successfully held the Provincials crown after a close combat with University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA (UPHSJ) – GMA Lady Saints 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 21-25, 15-8, in the volleyball women championship held at the Ugnayang La Salle (ULS) on February 12.

ELIMINATIONS GAME SCORES

found an open space to drop the ball, 1-0, but the UPHSJGMA rebutted with Ilano’s two consecutive spikes, 1-2.

Lady Patriots’ impeccable spikes and blocks prevailed in the half of the third quarter, marking a 4-point lead against their opponent, 16-12. With another error for DLSU-D, the Lady Saints gained another point, 16-13, but the Animo spirit poured out as the Lady Patriots retaliated with Frances Dominique Bartolazo’s aces, 2213.

Taking advantage of the Lady Patriots’ outside spikes and sturdy blocks, the Lady Saints heightened their defense, 24-18, but a strong spike from

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

Lady Patriot Eunice Castillo sealed the third set, 25-18, gaining another winning set for the DLSU-D team.

A smooth 3-point lead for the Lady Patriots opened the fourth set, 3-0, with Pasco and Delfin’s drop and two spikes, respectively.

The Lady Saints retaliated and attacked the green-andwhite team with their heavy spikes and blocks, 12-13.

DLSU-D forced a 21-22 score match as Bartolazo and Galicia unleashed their powerful spikes that made the scores close. Pushing a nerve-wracking fifth set, Lady Saints Solinap and Harlene Gabuay teamed up to stop Patriot’s chase, 21-25.

Hungry for the crown On the deciding canto, the green-and-white volleybelles easily snatched the lead through their relentless spikes and unbreakable spikes, 8-0.

Swapping three points, the lady volleybelles paved a way for a 3-3 surge, 11-4. Continuously attacking each other with their compelling defense, the teams pushed a 14-6 match scores.

Lady Saints Ilano and Gabuay intensified the match with their mighty spikes, 7-8, but Lady Patriot Parohinog stepped up as she escalated the winning spike, 15-8, that secured the green-andwhite team’s ticket to the PRISAA - Regionals in Quezon province from March 8 to 11.

canto through Patricia Bautista’s five points, 14-18.

The Lady Saints extended their scoring spree up to the start of the second quarter via Bautista’s unstoppable plays, 1623.

Alarmed by the UPHSJGMA’s move, Campasa, Pelardo, and Reyes combined points from charity and jumpers to cut DLSU-D’s deficit to two, 2123. Although Ross Eustaquio adjusted Lady Saints’ lead to four, Campasa’s sure-hit trifecta plus one point from the paint put the first deadlock of the game, 25-all.

The green-and-white squad restricted their opponents’ plays by upgrading their defense, but the scores went neck-and-neck again. In the last minutes of the quarter, Fiel ended the first half through a buzzer-beater layup, 29-all.

Wrecking the deadlock, veteran Lady Saint Dorio’s threepointer and Nica Echaluce’s layup widened the gap by five to start the second half of the game in their favor, 29-34.

Patriot stellar shooters Reyes and Campasa joined forces to take the lead for DLSU-D, 37-36, but the combined efforts of Bautista, Dorio, and Dimapilis boosted the GMA-based squad to a six-point lead, 37-43.

Reyes’ hunger to win the game was evident as she scored Patriots’ last five points in the third quarter. However, the Lady Saints’ solid defense and tactical offense bombarded DLSU-D further, 44-52.

Trailing by six points, the pressure on the defending champions weighed heavier during the fourth canto despite PRISAA - Nationals 2016 MVP Reyes’ layup in the

opening minute of the canto, 46-52. The fourth year guard continued her excellent plays as she singlehandedly lifted the Patriots with an 8-0 run scoring in the paint, 54-all.

DLSU-D tried to take the lead with free throws but missed four out of six attempts on the free throw lane. Luckily, Reyes and Campasa’s appearance was helpful to maintain the scores close in the last three minutes of the quarter, 58-60.

Unstoppable, Eustaquio sank a smooth downtown shot to keep the scores distant, 5863, but Campasa immediately answered back with a trifecta, 61-63.

With less than a minute remaining, the light started to shed on the Patriots’ corner as they finally took the lead through Fiel’s jumper and Campasa’s clutch three-pointer, 66-65.

The PRISAA champs’ chance to pull off a victory increased after hotshot Eustaquio was fouled out from a pushing foul encounter against Reyes at 44.5 mark.

The fight for the regionals ticket grew more intense when UPHSJ-GMA’s Villeza managed to tie the scores from the free throw line with 16.4 seconds left, 66-66.

Sealing a come-frombehind win, Reyes took possession before dishing the ball to Campasa as she sank a trifecta—which unfortunately missed. But Crissei Famoso quickly grabbed the ball and passed it to Perlado, who hit a shot over UPHSJ-GMA’s Bautista to avoid an overtime period and seal the provincials chapter with an astounding victory, 68-66.

BWOMEN from page 16

Bannering the Animo pride, captain ball Mara Galicia was hailed the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and included in the mythical six, together with Lady Spikers Myell Joy Pasco and Basilyn Joyce Delfin.

The Lady Patriots outshined the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Molino and the UPHSJ-GMA in the PRISAA elimination and semifinal rounds, leaving a two winszero loss reputation that cinched them a win away to achieve the championship title.

Bad start, solid comeback Facing UPHSJ-GMA again, the Lady Patriots had a bad start as

the Lady Saints rallied an 8-point streak in the first canto with five service aces, 8-15.

DLSU-D attempted to make the scores close as captain ball Galicia and Yasmin Shane Parohinog unleashed three spikes and a service ace, 15-17 but UPHSJ-GMA’s Kate Ilano fired back a spike, 15-18. Lady Saint Darlene Solinap ended the first set with a wild spike that Lady Patriot Delfin failed to receive, 22-25.

The volleybelles exchanged shots in the opening of the second canto, knotting the score at 3-3. After a back-and-forth trading stint, the score tied once

again, 14-14, as Lady Patriot Katrina Carranza achieved a service ace.

The Lady Saints stole a point with DLSU-D’s error, 1415, but the Patriots kept their heads up and pushed a 5-point rally, giving them a 4-point advantage, 19-15.

The DLSU-D team closed the chance of the Lady Saints to snatch another set as they claimed the second canto right away with Galicia’s solid spike, 25-19.

Stained streak Earning the first point in the third canto, Patriot Pasco

VOLLEYBELLE POWER. Bouncing back from a loss in the eliminations, Eunice Gercie Castillo landed a tremendous spike against the University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA – GMA (UPHSJ-GMA) for the PRISAA – Provincials championship at the Ugnayang La Salle, February 12.

Photo by Jean Quinto

Along the way The Lady Saints immediately scared the defending champions during their first encounter in the competition meet after escaping the Patriots in a 69-70 victory, putting UPHSJ-GMA a win away to steal the crown from the reigning PRISAA queens.

But the heart of the greenand-white squad remained strong as they came back from a heartbreaking loss in their second face-off, 75-69, to force a decider match in the tourney.

Before pulling off a sixpoint lead win, the Patriot cagebelles had a hard time keeping up the momentum as the GMA-based squad constrained the Patriots’ offenses in the first three quarters, 51-52. The Lady Saints continued their scoring spree as they started the last canto in an 8-0 run, 51-60.

In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Patriots finally found their rhythm to post a huge comeback with a 14-2 run to take a three-point advantage courtesy of Campasa, Fiel, and Reyes, 64-61. With less than five minutes remaining, UPHSJGMA attempted to scare the Patriots with six consecutive points to steal the advantage, 64-67, but the stellar Patriot trio of Campasa, Fiel, and Reyes showered trifectas and a jumper to end the game on a high note, 75-69.

Do or die With the heat left from the previous game, both teams showcased determination to claim the crown as the scores seesawed in the first minutes of the game, 14-13. But the GMAbased cagebelles eagerly pulled off the momentum with a few seconds remaining in the first

Ang kryptonite ng NCRAA

Bago ang lahat, gusto kong ilahad ang sinabi sa akin ng aming propesor sa public relations (PR) upang magkaroon kayo ng ideya kung patungkol saan ang aking isinulat. Ito’y isang isang sikat na sipi mula kay Bill Gates, “If I had one dollar left, I’d spend it on PR.” Kasalukuyang nagaganap ang ika-25 na season ng televised league na National Capital Region Athletic Assocation (NCRAA). Naglalayon itong maging pangatlong “successful collegiate sporting event” kasunod ng University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Sa aking pananaw, dahil sa pagkukulang ng mga organizer, marami ang naging hadlang upang makuha nila ang gusto nilang makamit.

Isa na rito ang paglalahad ng impormasyon sa publiko at ang mismong liga ng mga ito.

Kung susuriing mabuti, mayroong malaking

kakulangan sa pagkakandili ng relasyon sa pagitan ng organisasyon at ng publiko, o mas kilala sa tawag na PR. Sabagay, ano nga ba ang sikreto sa isang “successful collegiate sports”?

Kung titingnang mabuti, ang UAAP at NCAA ay—hindi sa pag-eeksahera—nakikita, naririnig, at nababasa kahit saan man maging sa Facebook, TV, at sa ating mga kapitbahay na ubod ng ingay kung manood ng isports.

Nakikita nating abot ang mga ligang ito sa kahit anong panig ng Pilipinas, lalo na sa Luzon telecast ng UAAP at NCAA. Sa kasamaang-palad, wala pa ring iskedyul ng mga laro ng basketball women, volleyball men, at volleyball women ang NCRAA magpasahanggang ngayong oras ng aking pagsusulat. Ayon sa ibang mga tagasanay ng Patriots, ang orihinal na iskedyul ng naturang kompetisyon ay Pebrero, ngunit nang aking tanungin ang iba’t ibang atleta at tagasanay na aking kilala, iisa lamang ang kanilang isinasagot—“walang balita.” Maging sa kanilang Facebook page ay wala silang balita. Nakalulungkot lang dahil sa panahon

ngayon, ginagamit natin ang social media para magkaroon ng mas mabilis na pagkalat ng impormasyon ngunit hindi pa ito nagagamit nang mabuti ng NCRAA. Sa katunayan, #ANewBeginning ang kanilang tema ngayong taon subalit sigurado akong hindi ito ang inaasahang new beginning ng mga tagapag-organisa.

Lahat ng bagay ay nagsisimula sa small steps Katulad ng NCAA at UAAP, may mahuhusay na coaches at players ang NCRAA. Kung may dapat tayong isaisip, ito ay dapat na nagsisimula ang tagumpay sa itaas at hindi sa ibaba. Ang maayos na pamamahala ang nagsisilbing pundasyon sa bawat matagumpay na organisasyon. Lalong-lalo na kung alam nila ang kanilang layunin, o para sa NCRAA, ang pagkuha ng loob ng publiko. Magagawa nila ito kung magkakaroon sila ang maayos na paggamit ng social media at mauunawaang ang

publiko ang kanilang daan upang maging isang “successful collegiate sports.”

Lahat ng bagay ay nagsisimula sa maliliit, sa small steps o baby steps. Sa pinakamaliliit na detalye, at ang NCRAA sa paglahad ng detalye. Kung mahusay tayo sa maliliit na bagay, makukuha natin ang gusto natin. Kung dahil lamang sa kawalan ng tamang pagoorganisa para sa iskedyul ng nasabing liga, ang pagkakaroon ng magandang relasyon sa pagitan ng NCRAA at ng publiko ay hindi matututukan at malayo pa ang daang kanilang kailangang tahakin.

Hindi sapat ang pagbibigay ng entertainment at bakbakan sa mga laro, kailangan ng isang “successful collegiate event” ang kanilang public. At kailangan naman ng publiko ng rason kung bakit nila ito papanoorin.

Magagawa ito kung malalaman nila ang ibang nangyayari bukod sa mainit na laban ng mga basketbolero.

Isa lang ang aking masasabi para sa huli, kapag natuunan na nito ng pansin ng NCRAA, maaari na nilang mapantayan o malagpasan ang kanilang tutunguhin.

SPORTS

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 15

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

SPORTS BRIEFS

Shuttlers smash 4 gold medals in PRISAA – Prov’ls

by Rose Kristine Amarillo The DLSU-D Shuttlers sealed all gold medals in the four out of seven categories during the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) – Provincials badminton tournament held at the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute (DLSHSI) Animo Center from February 10 to 11.

Despite being the lone Patriot representative in the singles event, Patriot Jenniline Lupango captured the first place in the women’s Singles A bout as she outsmarted the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) – Molino.

Showing strong coordination and solid teamwork, Patriot duos John Michael Navarro and Jan Adrian Pullon, Dana Audrey Enriquez and Ma. Estrella Baja, and Joie Elisha Orata and Carl Justine Eugenio added three coups to the DLSU-D Badminton Team as they ousted the UPHSD-Molino and DLSHSI shuttlers in the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events, respectively.

Paddlers finish PRISAA – Prov’ls with 3 gold, 1 silver Securing three seats in the regionals, the DLSU-D table tennis team seized three gold and one silver medal in this year ’s Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) – Provincials.

DLSU-D’s Antonio Emmanuel Tan cinched a gold medal as he surpassed the UPHSDMolino in the men’s Singles A event. On the other hand, rookie Patriot Francis Fajardo landed in second place in the men’s Singles B event as he fell short to the University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA – GMA (UPHSJ-GMA).

Chipping in two gold medals, Patriot tandem Corizza Soriano and Rosalyn Zapanta occupied the first spot in the women’s doubles event. Meanwhile, Patriot pair Hazel Anne Campoto and Jose Christian Roi De Vega also contributed a gold after seating in the first place in the mixed doubles bout.

Woodpushers outshine in prov’ls with 5 golds and 3 silvers Proving their dominance in the woodpushing field, the DLSU-D chess team reaped five gold and three silver medals in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) – Provincials tourney.

Booking three seats to regionals, Patriots Andres Clinton Paulo, Genten Lalas, and Genrech Lalas aced in Boards 1, 2, and 3, respectively, of the men’s division. Meanwhile, Patriot rookies Kent Gaytos and Mervin Malaran claimed the second spot of the men’s division Boards 4 and 5, respectively.

Flaunting their well-chiseled skills, woodpushers Christine Hernandez and Paula Manalo added two golds in the woodpushers’ shelf as they placed first in the Boards 1 and 2, respectively, of the women’s division, while Patriot Joyce Tiempo received the second spot.

WINGED SUCCESS. DLSU-D volleyball men closed the curtains of the PRISAA - Provincials championships held at the Ugnayang La Salle on February 12. Unleashing a clever dropball, Aidam Adam outsmarted the formidable wall of University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA – GMA (UPHSJ-GMA) while snatching the trophy with a 3-0 scorecard.

Photo by Jean Quinto

Patriot Spikers advance to reg’ls, blank Saints, 3-0

by Fernan Patrick Flores

The DLSU-D Patriot Spikers swept the University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA (UPHSJ) – GMA Saints in an outstanding 25-19, 25-22, and 25-21 tally in the men’s volleyball championship of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) – Provincials held at the Ugnayang La Salle on February 12.

The new helm of Patriot Spikers Mikko Gako expressed his pride after debuting his first championship as DLSU-D Spiker’s coach. “No’ng malapit na [ang PRISAA], nag-focus kami sa set plays, pinulido namin ang mga set play. May mga binagong sistema and tumutok lang talaga sa training, [at] mas dinoble lang talaga [namin] ‘yong ensayo.”

Showing off their spiking skills, Patriot liberoturned-setter Marco Ordoñez, and spikers Aidam Adam and Eddiemar Kasim were awarded as part of the mythical six. Kasim was also hailed as the tourney’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Photo by Pia Margarita Marantan

Piece of cake It was a powerful yet sloppy start for the Patriots as they successfully scored four points from attacks courtesy of Kasim, Adam, and Cedrick Item. However, they gave away three free points to the Saints from unforced errors, 4-all. DLSU-D immediately composed themselves to post a 12-3 run, taking a five-point advantage, 16-7.

Patriots kept distance against the Saints, 2013, until the GMA-based squad pulled off a 4-0 scoring spree and stopped the bleeding through Danilo Liberato’s three consecutive aces and Patriot Adam’s service error to cut their deficit to three, 20-17.

Halting the momentum, Liberato’s service error and Kasim’s consecutive kills once again widened the gap in favor of the Patriots, 23-17.

Attempting to post a comeback, Saints’ Bren Antonio’s drop and Jovy Lachica’s ace pushed them to a 23-19 tally. But Patriot spiker Jayric Racelis’ towering block and Patriot setter Marco Ordoñez’s ace took the first set win for the DLSU-D squad, 25-19.

The nip-and-tuck tempo hit the second set as scores went to a rise-and-fall situation before reaching at 22-21. UPHSJ-GMA’s defense collapsed as DLSU-D cruised to set point via Adam’s two-

with an 11-4 surge capped off by Padrogaya’s trifecta at 7:50, 5750. Patriot Cantimbuhan stopped the bleeding with a free throw, 58-50. But the Saints’ second half flare-up was too much to handle as they once more opened the floodgates with threatening offense after Cantimbuhan’s freebie. They finally took the driver’s seat once again when Cacho sank in two freebies, 5758. DLSU-D proved they had plenty of gas left in the tank, as they gained the lead again with

De Vera’s jumpshot, 59-58.

UPHSJ – GMA’s Joseph Andrew Capacete connected two free throws to take the lead again, 5958. However, Caronongan finally set the pace of the game with buzzer beater putback, 61-60.

In the pay-off period, DLSU-D ended with resiliency and perfect offense.

Patriot De Vera lifted the Patriots’ spirits up with two rainbow shots at 8:46 and 8:06, 69-63, after Padrogaya signaled he still had a hot hand

VETERAN KNIGHT. Woodpusher Christine Hernandez outsmarted her opponents in the PRISAA - Prov’ls, adding another gold medal to the jackpot as the DLSU-D chess team hoarded a total of five gold medals and three silver in the tournament.

straight unstoppable spikes, 24-21. Adam ended his scoring rhythm after giving away a point to the Saints as he committed an error from the service line, 24-22, but Kasim’s powerful spike handed the Patriots a two-set advantage, 25-22.

With the desire to claw back, the Saints spikers’ sense of urgency kicked in the first part of the third set as they marked a three-point advantage led by their mythical six members Karl Paras and Lachica, 14-11.

The game went neck-and-neck afterwards as both teams were tied at 20-all. The Patriots’ eagerness to seal the match finally went into their system as they reached the match point through a 4-0 run and turned down UPHSJ-GMA’s offense courtesy of Al-Khaizar Que’s blocks, Item’s ace, and Paras’ service error, 24-20.

After a net service error by Item, power spiker Adam finally sealed the game after a smart push on the opponent’s court, clinching the PRISAA – Provincials championship title, 25-21.

ELIMINATIONS GAME SCORES

Spiking highlights Starting off the tourney on a high note, the Patriots overpowered the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA - Molino Altas in four sets, 25-16, 25-12, 23-25, and 25-17, in the first day of the provincials chapter.

On their first encounter, the Saints already tasted a defeat at the expense of the Patriots that booked DLSU-D’s ticket off to the championship match in four nail-biting sets, 26-28, 25-22, 2521, and 25-20, in the semifinals of PRISAA – Provincials.

BMEN from page 1 took charge after the run with 6 more points, 20-23.

It would be the last time UPHSJ – GMA ever tasted a lead more than one as DLSU-D didn’t look back on the last 3 quarters.

From the get-go of the second quarter, DLSU-D quickly turned the tables with a Cantimbuhan-led 11-0 run that ended at 5:44, 31-23. The cushion became double digits when Jesse Remonte put up a lay-up at 1:51 remaining, 42-

32. Getting back on track, the Saints kept the Patriots at bay and ended the quarter with an Ervin Mercado free throw and a Sapida John Vincent lay-up, 46-37.

Determined and ready, the Saints attacked with ferocity in third as the Saints’ Russel Cacho and Padrogaya helmed the offensive department with 8 and 7 points apiece.

DLSU-D led by 13 but the Saints went marching with a surprise attack as they exploded

with a three pointer at 9:03.

The Saints tried a turnaround with Kenneth Cayanes’ fastbreak and Padrogaya’s lay-up, 69-67.

But the basketball monster in Cantimbuhan led the way with 6 fastbreak points, 75-67.

Eventually, the offense of Cantimbuhan would force the Saints to call a timeout and construct a game plan.

DLSU-D still protected their lead with 14 points, their biggest margin of the game, at 1:44 minutes remaining.

Never say never—that was the mindset of the Saints. They never said never at garbage time and they never treated it as such.

The Saints teamed up to cut down the lead to 5 through Sapida’s 2 consecutive putbacks, 90-87 with 12.4 remaining.

But time proved to be the real enemy of the Saints as they put up intentional fouls in the final touches.

However, Patriot Remonte wasted no shot from the stripe to seal the deal, 94-89.

JANUARY - MARCH 2018 | PAGE 16

JANUARY - MARCH 2018

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

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VOLUME 32 ISSUE 4

SPORTS BRIEFS individual/dual games page 15

VOLLEYBALL MEN Road to PRISAA Reg’ls page 15

VOLLEYBALL WOMEN Volleybelles back as champs page 14

JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS. Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) - Provincials Most Valuable Player Mariel Campasa sliced through the University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA – GMA (UPHSJ-GMA) defense as she led the Patriot cagebelles to the gold in the championship game on February 12 at the Ugnayang La Salle.

Photo by Justine Bea Bautista

Rookie Perlado’s buzzer-beater lifts Patriots in Prov’ls victory DLSU-D edges UPHSJ-GMA, 68-66

by Fernan Patrick Flores Rookie Dana Perlado scored only four points in against the University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA– GMA (UPHSJ-GMA) Lady Saints, but they proved to be the biggest shot of the match against the Lady Saints.

Perlado’s shot under the ring with eight-tenths of a second remaining, helping the DLSU-D Patriot cagebelles defend their seven-peat provincials title in a 68-66 decision in the women’s basketball championship of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) - Provincials on February 12 at the Ugnayang La Salle (ULS). The Patriot cagebelles will represent team Cavite in the upcoming PRISAA – Regionals

to be held in Lucena, Quezon Province from March 8 to 11.

“Blessing ‘yon (provincials victory) para sa amin kasi talagang this year [is] very challenging kasi si ELIMINATIONS GAME SCORES

Reyes lang at Campasa ‘yong natira [and] the rest bago na lahat. Tapos ang ikli pa ng rotation namin. Sabi

MEDALS ACQUIRED BY PATRIOTS IN PRISAA - PROV’LS

ko nga sa kanila kanina no’ng pregame talk na protektahan nila ang bahay namin,” head coach Tito Reyes said.

PRISAA - Prov’ls basketball women’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Mariel Campasa, Patriot point guard Diane Reyes, and Claudine Fiel established 60 of the green-and-white squad’s 68 points with 24, 24, and 12 points respectively. The three also stood out as a part of the mythical five.

See BWOMEN | page 14

PATRIOT TERRITORY. With 39 gold and 4 silver medals, the Patriots were once again hailed the overall champions of the PRISAA - Provincials, which were held from February 10 to 12 at the Ugnayang La Salle and De La Salle Health Sciences Institute.

Infographic by Stephanie Arreza

Patriot cagers wrap up PRISAA – Prov’ls with gold

by John Zedrick Simeon

SCORING MACHINE. With Patriot captain John Cantimbuhan crowned as Most Valuable Player (MVP) during the PRISAA – Provincials, the Patriot cagers were hailed as champions against the University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA – GMA (UPHSJ-GMA) at the Ugnayang La Salle, February 12.

Photo by Pia Margarita Marantan

No pain, no gain.

After years of failing to get a Regionals ticket, the DLSU-D basketball men finally got hold of a Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) – Provincials championship together with the men’s basketball finals of the tourney upon pummeling its semifinals tormentors, University of Perpetual Help JONELTA – Saints, 94-89, at the Ugnayang La Salle gym on February 12. cagers Kyle Amponin and Jonas De hot shooting was already brewing ELIMINATIONS GAME SCORES Vera were also aggressive offensively in the opening minutes of the game. with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

The star two-guard chipped in 7 Together with Cantimbuhan, points in a 10-0 run, 12-5. But the Pacholo Loor and Kobe Caronongan Saints’ Mark Jayvee Padrogaya, who were selected to be part of the had 30 markers in the game, had a fiery hand of his own Patriot captain, PRISAA Most mythical five which helped UPHSJ – GMA Valuable Player (MVP), and one of claw their way back in the game the mythical five, John Cantimbuhan Retaliation The first quarter saw DLSU-D’s with an 11-4 run, scores at a was all over the court with a sizzling 35-point outbreak in the win. Patriot early lead as Patriot Cantimbuhan’s deadlock 16-16. The Saints See BMEN | page 15