Heraldo Filipino Vol. 33 Issue 4

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 1

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS MARCH - MAY 2019

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

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#LABANKABATAAN. In light of anomalies and inconsistences such as vote counting machines malfunctions, accounts of vote-buying, and pre-shaded ballots during the 2019 midterm elections, progressive organizations and students held a mobilization and marched to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) from Morayta calling to demand for voter transparency.

Photo by Gerardine Alcala

‘No midyear graduation next AY’ - University Registrar

by Marjorie Alanzalon

Approximately 3,000 students to graduates this July University Registrar Paulino Gatpandan confirmed that there will be no midyear graduation for next academic year (AY) 2019-2020 due to the limited number of incomig graduating students, therefore graduates from special term and first semester of AY 2019-2020 will participate in the 45th Commencement Exercises.

In an article posted by The HERALDO FILIPINO on December 12, 2018 titled February Commencement Exercises moved to July; merged with second sem graduates, Gatpandan stated that for the succeeding AYs the administration will decide for the

continuance of midyear graduation as there will only be first year and second year students dominating the undergraduate student population.

The previous decision of the administration to merge the schedule of the midyear graduation with the yearend graduation as the

43rd Commencement Exercises caused varied reactions from the students, however through the united effort of graduates, students were able to overturn the decision of the admin as the midyear graduation commenced on February as originally scheduled See MIDYEAR GRAD | page 2

3,314 freshmen enrollees projected next AY 2019-2020

by Marjorie Alazalon 3,314 freshmen students are forecasted to enroll in the following academic year (AY) 2019-2020 according to the Center for Student Admissions (CSA) data based on the number of sections per program being offered by the respective deans of the seven colleges.

#MAYOUNO. In celebration of Labor Day on May 1, workers and various progressive mass organizations took to the streets of Manila to address ongoing labor issues such as calling for the end of contractualization, demand for wage hikes, and further pressing worker concerns.

Despite the gradual normalization of the freshmen enrollee count after the complete adaptation of the K-12 program, there is still an estimated 7,248 enrollees next AY, a lower count from the 7,516 enrollees this AY.

The 7,248 students is comprised of the remaining students from the second semester of AY 20182019 and the additional projected freshmen less the tentative count of graduating seniors this July.

The College of Business

See FROSH | page 3

Photo by Pia Margarita Marantan

SPECIAL REPORT

FEATURES

How green is the greenest university? page 4

Administration and Accountancy has still the highest projected freshmen count with 912 students, 266 of which comes from the Accountancy program.

In an article published in The HERALDO FILIPINO

LITERARY

SPORTS

Environmental sustainability

Laman

PRISAA - Nationals

page 11

page 13

page 16

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 2

NEWS

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

NEWS BRIEFS

USC signs DLSP-FSC membership

by Patrik Aboy

With the aim to connect the DLSU-D community with other Lasallian schools nationwide, the 2018-2019 University Student Council (USC) signed its membership in the De La Salle Philippines – Federation of Student Councils (DLSP-FSC) as the DLSU-D representative to the federation on March 31, as per USC Secretary Joshua Ladaga.

“USC recognizes the FSC as an avenue that could enrich the student experience by opening doors where students of DLSU-D could interact with its fellow Lasallian schools, not just in Luzon, farther located in Visayas and Mindanao,” he said. “All schools part of the Lasallian system are within easier reach.

This means the open communication with the other Lasallian institutions makes DLSP-FSC a platform for dialogue, formulation of stands, and brings together the Lasallian Youth.”

Among the other member councils include De La Salle College of Saint Benilde Central Student Government, De La Salle Lipa University Student Council, De La Salle Medical and Health Science Institute University Student Council for Luzon, University of Saint La Salle Student Government for Visayas, and La Salle University University Student Government for Mindanao.

MOVING TO SERVE. Atty. Chel Diokno along with Atty. Erin Tañada III and Ka Leody de Guzman attended the DLSU-D senatorial forum held at the Ugnayang La Salle on April 25. The senatorial candidates answered questions and queries from the university’s students, support staff, alumni, parents and faculty in light of their candidacy.

Youth delegates come together for 7th DMUN

Photo by Aprilean Octavo

SCE undergoing E-Code revision

by Bianca Isabelle Lariosa Aiming to establish student-centered events where the youth can discuss and collaborate on important international issues, the 7th Dasmariñas Model United Nations (DMUN) with the theme “Aligning Global Efforts to the Enhancement of Human Life” was held from May 8 to 10 with delegates coming from De La Salle University - Manila, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Xavier School, among others.

Standing as a three-day event in DLSU-D, the first day of the event had resource speakers discussing international relations, environment, and health along with the opening ceremony. Moreover, further international relations were discussed during the second and third day of DMUN—such as simulation Model United Nations (MUN) wherein delegates gain further information on different countries environmental and health crisis, and solution-making for the over 60 countries represented.

Meanwhile, DMUN Project Organizer Kimberly Omlang shared inclusivity concerns in light of the registration fee for the event, suggesting alternative areas to practice MUN for the youth, “We (DMUN) somehow agree with that. However, platforms where we can engage with our fellow youth is not limited to MUNs. MUNs, as a platform, may entail to us that there are a lot of ways as to how we can address different problems that concerns the world.”

by Patrik Aboy Following the ratification of the University Student Government (USG) Constitution during the plebiscite held from March 25 to 30, the Student Commission on Election (SCE) Election Code (E-Code) will also be undergoing revision due to the 2016 Amended Student Election Code of DLSU-D to suit the major changes in electoral processes of the USG Constitution to be implemented next academic year.

“The SCE had already started conducting meetings for the revision of the E-Code. Our officers are still in the midst of revising the E-Code in congruence with the ratified USG Constitution,” SCE Chairperson Christine Joy Jael said.

Among the differences from the 2016 Amended E-code also stated in the USG Constitution include the bipartisan system, and the selection of student government leaders: with a Primary Elections during the first semester, and a General Elections during the second semester.

As of press time, the SCE cannot disclose specific details about the progress of the revision, however they mentioned that the E-Code revision will be finished on or before June 15.

MIDYEAR GRAD from page 1 with 607 graduates marching at the Ugnayang La Salle.

Moreover, Gatpandan assured that Office of the University Registrar (OUR) will not withhold mid-year graduates’ transcript of records and diploma as these are necessary for job application.

NATIONAL SITUATION. Discussing the national situation on the rule of law and juriprudence, Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago addresses the role of the youth in nation-building in Political Science Program Council’s ‘A Series of Talks 2’ on April 22

Photo by Patrik Aboy

Approximate graduate count Meanwhile, as of press time there is a tentative 3,009 students as of May to graduate for the 44th Commencement Exercises on July 17 to 19, as

per data from the OUR. The official number of graduating students will be released after June 10, as this will be the last period for the submission of the final grades online for graduating students On the first day of the 44th Commencement Exercises, approximately 981 students will graduate from the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) College of Education, and College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE); while College of Liberal Arts and

Communication and College of Science and Computer Studies has a total of 979 graduating students on the second day; and the third day has the highest count as there will be 1,049 graduating students from the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology and College of Tourism and Hospitality Management combined.

CBAA has the highest count with 800 students whereas CCJE has the least number with 48 students as there is only one program offered at the college.

R E AC T As a result of the implementation of the K-12 curriculum, there is a lower number of undergraduate students due to the lack of freshmen enrollees for the past academic years (AYs). Even at present, the lack of complete year levels is felt by students and the administration alike. With this, The HERALDO FILIPINO asked Lasallians how they think the incoming AY 2019-2020 transition period with fewer enrollees will affect them and DLSU-D as a whole.

I think it will indirectly require us to get more mature at this early point. The fact that we (freshmen) will be the “ates” and “kuyas” too early as compared to the other batches, it will surely affect in terms of the system of leadership and coping strategies in different aspects in the academic environment.

It can affect us negatively in a way of the pressure that will be put on us (incoming sophomore). I think the professors will focus on us because they will treat us as the mature ones. This can really affect us in a way we are very much pressured next academic year.

As part of a CEAT Program council, ang lahat ng akaupo sa amin ngayon is either fifth year or fourth year. ‘Pag grumaduate (sila), sino na ‘yong uupo?

Hindi pa masyado nate-train ‘yong mga lower year sa amin which is mali.

Christine Marie Romero First year Communication Arts

Angela Mycca Rebulado First year Tourism Management

Abigail Duran Fourth year Industrial Engineering

The university might be affected by connection or linkages to other companies since there will be limited of no upperclassmen that will be taking OJT. Inside our university, there will be limited opportunity for the lower-class (year level) and incoming first years to get tips and advice from their seniors.

Paul John Abig Fourth year BS Secondary Education

Our senior[s] and professors are encouraging us to become mature in terms of being a leader because there will be no one [to] lead our department except us freshmen. For me, it has a positive effect because it would also build up our confidence to lead out college department to become future leaders.

Leila Efryl Quinto First year Communication Arts

I think the main problem is the back subjects of irregular students. They will not be able to take some of their remaining subjects.

Parang wala kaming mapag-tatanungan na seniors at parang walang maga-guide sa amin para sa mga future na gagawin namin.

Romeo Ralph Russel Dela Fuente Fourth year BS Psychology

Christian Capistrano First year Human Resource Management

It will affect the tuition fee and other expenses since the lesser the students, the higher the fee theoretically.

Denzel Reiginald Aquino Fourth year Graphics Design and Multimedia

Wala nang posibleng mag-lead sa kanila (freshmen), maituturo sa kanila ang mga naging ways natin sa apat na taon nating stay dito. Siyempre, fresh from highschool hindi mo alam ‘yong ginagawa sa college lalo na sa organizations.

Cristell Dioneda Fourth year BS Psychology

NEWS

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 3

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

Student orgs to begin GMH office reshuffling

by Andrew Encapas and Patrik Aboy The reshuffling of student organization offices, such as the University Student Council (USC), Council of Student Organizations, The HERALDO FILIPINO (HF), various Performing Arts Groups (PAG), and more in the Gregoria Montoya Hall (GMH) building will commence as administrative offices have begun transferring to the Ayuntamiento building, according to Office of Student Services (OSS) Dean Arch. Antonio Gutierrez Jr. The new set of office assignments were decided by the OSS Council based on the activities, needs, and conditions of each student organizations, providing them the ideal office location, the OSS Dean said.

New offices to be transferred to GMH include the National Service Training Program and Reserve Officer Training Corps, while PAG are set to occupy the GMH second floor, along with a gallery and warehouse. Meanwhile, USC, CSO, and Student Commission on Elections will be occupying the Office of the University Registrar, among others.

Whether or not GMH will be undergoing renovation, Gutierrez mentioned that it

will not occur immediately, “it will take time pa for up to 2 to 3 years” the OSS Dean mentioned, as it will happen with the help of student organizations taking initiative like volunteering and fundraising programs to improve GMH facilities.

He added that there is still no initial plan whether the building will be architecturally restored and renovated or if additional floors will be constructed as planning is currently under process.

Admin transfer to Ayuntamiento The gradual transfer of administrative offices began with the Office of

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services on May 9, as the first batch in order to avoid disruption of administrative operations in the GMH building.

Meanwhile, the Marketing Communications Office started transferring on May 16.

Despite administration offices vacating the GMH building, Gutierrez added that some admin offices like Accounting will be providing satellite offices at the GMH. All administrative offices are targeted to have transferred to Ayuntamiento by the start of AY 2019-2020, with the Human Resource Management Office as the last office set to transfer on June 22.

THROUGH GRACE AND WIT. The student representatives of Ginoo at Binibining La Salle post for the audience in Ugnayang La Salle as they are bound to represent their respective colleges after being crowned.

Photo by Aprilean Octavo

DLSU-D celebrates St. La Salle Tercentenary for a cause

by Kelsey Telo

Animosaic 2 garners 5,459 participants In commemoration of the 300th death anniversary of St. John Baptist de La Salle, DLSU-D held Animosaic 2: Humans of St. La Salle umbrella human formation on April 7 at the University Track Oval, gathering 5,459 participants in the record-breaking umbrella mosaic in formation of the image of St. La Salle.

“We at the University Advancement Office (UAO) decided to make it a fundraiser.

Apart from celebrating the tercentenary, apart from gathering the community, we wanted to help our scholarship program,” UAO Director and Animosaic 2 project manager Marco Polo said.

Supported by students, alumni, faculty, and sponsors, the event collected an estimated P2.5 million and a net of P1.25 million which will go to One La Salle Scholarship Endowment Fund to be distributed among the colleges and high school departments of the University.

Record for a cause Among all human formations conducted by De La Salle schools nationwide, DLSUD’s Animosaic is the only one to raise funds for a cause, similar to the first Animosaic in 2014 held to raise funds for disaster relief from typhoon Yolanda.

As for the world record attempt, UAO is still in the process of submitting all the requirements to Guinness World Records for validation, which will take two to four months to finish. “The current record is 3,099 (China). Since we exceeded that, we are confident that we will break the record,” Polo said. Polo, who coined the

term Animosaic from the words animo and mosaic, shared that the conceptualization for Humans of St. La Salle started a year ago, while actual preparations took about six months, and two and a half weeks for the formation grounds.

“It’s really a historic event that people will hopefully remember.

Apart from the funds we were able to raise, I think it’s the pride that was instilled not just in the participants but those who saw the Animosaic,” Polo shared.

As the UAO is currently planning future projects, Polo confirmed this will not be the last time the University will hold Animosaic.

GRADUAL NORMALIZATION. With the 3,314 freshmen enrollees projected for next AY 2019-2020, there is a substantial increase compared to the 2,250 recorded freshmen students this AY, according to Center for Student Admissions’ forecast.

Infographic by Stephanie Arreza FROSH from page 1 broadsheet volume 33 issue 1 titled Number of undergraduate students ‘lowest in years’ Registrar, University Registrar Paulino Gatpandan said that the university population will normalize starting AY 20212022, when there will be undergraduate enrollees from first year to fourth year.

However, Gatpandan said that it will be expected that the undergraduate student population will not be the same due to the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act which aims to offer free tuition to student from local colleges and state universities.

Transition period On the other hand, the current AY 2018-2019 marks as a transitory period considering both the graduating seniors on July, leaving only the incoming first year, second year, and fifth year, along with irregular students.

First year Business and Operations Management Ernand Luiz Legaspi, expressed his perspective on the issue, stating: “I could say that the lack of upperclassmen can be the same to a lack of student leaders. It is true that our current fourth years will be graduating soon and their responsibilities will soon be pass[ed] upon us (incoming second year students).”

He added that the absence of graduating students might affect first years, stating that this is a huge leap to take duties and responsibilities as early as next AY. Meanwhile, Office of the Student Services Dean Arch.

Antonio Gutierrez Jr. shared that student organizations are also currently experiencing hardships this AY 2018-2019.

“Wala tayong third year, wala tayong second year, so ‘yong mga normally [na] gumagawa sa isang organization, wala. Ang first year bago pa lang, tapos ang mga student leaders, fourth year [on their] OJTs [and] thesis so definitely we should also look on that context,” Gutierrez said.

URBAN GREEN. Dazzling lights fill the area as residents of Dasmariñas take a stroll at the newly constructed “Promenade Des Dasmariñas”, a public park located at the riverside along Mangubat Avenue.

Photo by Pia Margarita Marantan

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 4

N E W S F E AT U R E

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

Student leaders raise concerns on bureaucratic processes; admin explains strict measures An inquiry on DLSU-D student organizations Student leaders from various Recognized Student Organization (RSO) and Program Councils (PC) have expressed their sentiments against the administration’s bureaucratic procedures regarding accounting transactions, as the issue came to light through a widely shared Facebook post of Council of Student Organization (CSO) Treasurer Kean Tan stating the struggles faced by student leaders regarding the strict policy of the finance office on accessing the funds of the organization adding the rigorous and time-consuming process of accomplishing all the requirements in order for student organization events or activities to take place.

The post went viral among RSO student leaders, calling for the administration to take action on making the process for each transaction more accessible for student organization members.

Student portal blocking Aside from the issues of administrative process, United Patriots Football Club President Mary Angelique Ballesteros raised her concern on her blocked student portal since February due to the temporary receipts (TR) issued under her accountability last semester of academic year (AY) 2018-2019.

Serving as a means for a student to assess their grades for the current semester, Ballesteros, a graduating student, said, “Nabo-bother ako kasi I don’t know what my grades are mula February until now, and then ilang weeks na lang bago mag-end ‘yong school year.”

Under the new guideline of the Finance Office, each student who is a bearer of a temporary receipt will be held accountable once a TR and fund collection were not returned at the cashier as this is the property of the university; to ensure that it will be returned, the Finance Office will block the students’ portal until then.

Many RSO students have shared this sentiment as most of them have their portals blocked due to the unreturned temporary receipts at the cashier that is still pending at the CSO as the latter is responsible in communicating to the Finance Office for the unblocking of student portals.

OSS’ side Office of the Student Services (OSS) Dean Arch. Antonio Gutierez Jr. clarified that the financial policy of the University is that all transactions should go through the cashier of the Finance Office to safekeep the money of the students.

The Finance Office keeps track of the financial information, recording of financial transactions, supervision and monitoring of revenue, as well as expenditures of the University.

On why the Finance Office followed a stricter measure, the OSS Dean explained, “Basically safeguarding ng pera, kasi in the past may mga instances na umaalis ‘yong student leader, hindi nakakapag turn-over ng maayos kung may excess fund … the University [only] want to be systematized.”

Moreover, Gutierrez backed the Finance Office on blocking the student portal as the latter is also being audited externally, “Sa Accounting [Office] kasi once na nag issue ka ng [temporary receipts] may pananagutan din sila dahil ino-audit sila, ‘pag nawala ‘yong mga receipts na ‘yon siyempre magkakaroon ng findings … [Iyon] ang way nila para ma-ensure na ‘yong mga bata ay ibabalik ‘yong temporary collection,” he said.

The RSO is required to return the TR with the collections to the CSO in order to comply for the unblocking of portal, the latter then will then coordinate with the Finance Office, however, in most cases, the returned TR has allegedly been pending with CSO. “Napansin ko, na after nila (RSO) ibalik ‘yong

The struggle of student leaders Adding to the stringent policies of the administration, Broadcast Journalism Program Council (BJPC) President Ivan Medina shared the dwindling manpower of the BJPC as there will be 12 graduating seniors this July leaving behind only seven members comprising of incoming sophomores to take over the organization for the next AY 20192020.

Medina said that the measures being implemented by the administration has been an obstacle for student leaders to perform their duties to their constituents, “The processes are counterproductive to the point that the students have to exert extra amount of effort other than the effort they are exerting to produce that event, that the policies and the measure they are implementing becomes a hindrance on the council’s work,” he said.

Moreover, the BJPC President discussed the difficulties experienced during the organization of The Journ Project, an event aiming to educate senior high school students on journalism; among the struggles experienced by the BJPC were the request for medals and trophies at the Purchasing Office.

“Ang sabi sa amin, it should be one month na lead time for the bidding, after ng bidding may creation pa, siyempre hindi mo naman kayang gumawa at mag-allot ng two months para lang doon sa trophies,” he said.

Due to the time constraints, the council decided to buy the medals and trophies at the span of three days shouldering the 5,000 PHP expenses.

When asked if the members were able to reimburse the money spent, Medina said, “Nagrerequest sila ng TIN number, [but] not all stores have their own TIN number, [they do] not [have] their own official receipts, hindi namin siya na-reimburse.”

As there are long periods of accounting transactions, various RSO has experienced the same difficulty of shelling out money before the event without the assurance of reimbursement.

resibo, hindi na sila tumutulong ngayon [sa] CSO para iayos ‘yong problema sa Accounting [Office]… niremind ko nga sila that there should be coordination at dapat joint responsibility, kasi responsibility ‘yan ng organization at CSO kung tutuusin, kaya [hanggang ngayon] naka-block pa din sila,” Gutierrez said.

The OSS Dean further assured that he will still aid the RSO and CSO in solving the issue of unblocking of Student Portals.

Finance director explains On the matters of lengthy delays in processing of financial matters for RSO and PC, Finance Office Director Beverlyn Dela Cruz, CPA explained that the Finance Office has been overloaded with numerous transactions with no added manpower.

“Ang dami na kasing transaction … ang nagpoprocess ay hindi naman nadagdagan, kaya medyo nagbibigay kami ng two weeks para naman magpreprepare din naman sila (RSOs and PCs) ng maaga, kasi mayroon din namang naka-schedule [bago sila],” Dela Cruz said.

Moreover, the Finance Director clarified on why the Finance Office does not accept certain official receipts (OR) presented to them by the students for reimbursement, as they only accept OR from duly registered companies under the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“May mga receipt kasi na talagang hindi siya official, dapat ‘yong mga registered ng BIR. Mayroon din na official nga siya, registered sa BIR, expired naman [‘yong OR], kasi may expiration date ‘yong OR, five years, kaya kung titingnan niyo ‘yong OR, dapat titingnan niyo doon kung kailan na-print at validity, ‘pag expired ‘yon, hindi nila tatanggapin.”

The HERALDO FILIPINO has reached CSO to explain their side of the story, however, as of press time the CSO is currently still undergoing meetings on the issue.

On the contrary We have a long way to go.

As far as policies, economic growth, and national development are concerned, ou country has yet to meet the standards of our Asian neighbors. It may be the initial instinct, but I just can’t help but compare the Philippines to countries like Japan—and I know I’m not the only one. This came into light in a recent tour trip to Japan where I realized how most of the conversation involved “buti pa dito, ibang-iba,” or “kung sa Pilipinas yan, wala na yan.”

Let me get started with how pristine the streets of Japan are. You can’t spot a speck of litter or trash left on the sidewalk despite only a few trash bins around

each area. Although there are vending machines almost everywhere, a person drinking their soda will hold on to the empty bottle and bring it at home to throw away.

On the other hand, you could see unattended bicycles parked at the designated racks. Even though they are heavily reliant on walking or cycling as means of transportation, their transit system is top of the line and world-class. There’s even less the chance of getting lost because you can’t understand where to go even though there are clear signs directing which line you’re supposed to go.

Now all of these are rooted with policies being embedded into their own culture. Them being accustomed to recycling is mainly derived from their experience of previously producing so much waste beyond their capacity to manage turning themselves into a wasteland. How were they able to resolve it?

By enacting laws, like the Waste Management and Public

Cleansing Law, that helped subside the persisting problem.

In fact, not only does this help in public health, but also promote a sense of discipline and responsibility to citizens.

While the same is conducted with their elections, even though I haven’t experienced it myself, politicians vying for

Work with the mindset of doing everything not just for ourselves, but for a better nation positions conduct themselves in a professional way with no cringey political jingles or overspending for campaign materials. In a photo circulating on social media showing how Japanese candidates have limited spaces for campaign posters, it’s evident how our two cultures are different: who are they serving in the first place. On the streets,

they go about minding their own business, while as a nation, they consider the overall well-being of their constituents.

But as I go on to talk about Japanese culture, it is important to emphasize that we are honed from different cultural and historical backgrounds. We are shaped from our own distinct experiences that made our nations the way it is today.

We have a long way to go, that much is true.

You voted for your bets during the 2019 Midterm Elections, great. But it doesn’t stop there. Even though we’re quite different as nations, we m utilize it to our advantage. Call out culture?

Call out unnecessarily inappropriate, or corrupt even, public officials. Work with the mindset of doing everything not just for ourselves, but for a better nation, for a better Philippines.

Para sa bayan.

N E W S F E AT U R E

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 5

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

Inside ERMaC: How green is the greenest university?

DLSU-D prides itself in advancing sustainability initiatives as the greenest university in the Philippines, going as far as considering the entire environmental pursuit as its core and novelty.

But what exactly does it mean to be a green university? And what makes ours the greenest?

Starting from 2001, the programs and actions of the Environmental Resource Management Center (ERMaC) have become a culture among the community instead of a rule, as new students only take a semester to adapt to the campus’ green lifestyle according to current ERMaC Director Joseph Dinglasan.

However, it doesn’t end with a lifestyle guided by programs and campaigns, as there are measures and facilities under operation that shows that there’s more to being green than the lush trees we see in campus.

Waste, water, energy Following the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, ERMaC implements its own comprehensive Solid Waste Management Program that involves the use of Materials Recovery Facility (also called Ecology Center), where waste is segregated (recyclable, reusable, and residual).

Meanwhile, although still under Dasmarinas Water District, the University sources its water from its own deep well pump.

Given the abundance of the deep well, there has not been a serious case of water crisis inside the campus, except for operational issues.

Aside from an independent water source, ERMaC is also integrated with a centralized wastewater treatment facility which collects sink water from all comfort rooms and treats it through a process of removing contaminants. Afterwards, the “managed water” is discharged to the river beside the campus. This poses no problem at all as this

water has already reached the standard as to not be considered pollutant.

In light of the water crisis in Manila, ERMaC is now looking into tying up with private companies to upgrade its treatment facility, allowing the recycle of “managed water” for watering plants inside the 29-hectare campus and for toilet flush. In that case, the potable water from the deep well will only be used for faucets and drinking fountains.

This operational shift is targeted to materialize in the first semester of academic year (AY) 2019-2020.

On sustainability With ERMaC serving as the main proponent in the upkeep and management of campus resources, it is undeniable that it has a major role on sustainable development, “We see to it na nagco-comply tayo sa Environmental Laws,” Dinglasan said. These array of laws include the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Philippine Clean Air Act, Philippine, Clean Water Act, among others.

The ERMaC imposes stringent policies with campus waste management being the priority of the office in operation of its Material Recovery Facility, having the method of recycling recovered solid waste as a means of income generation, while water waste are treated before being thrown out into sewerage.

Aside from these, ERMaC maintains the around 1,300 existing trees in the University beneficial in absorbing the air pollution produced around

campus. While ERMaC’s duty in promoting sustainability also extends beyond campus. The office continuously spearheads with outreach programs, such as tree-planting and coastal clean-ups outside campus open for both students and outsiders alike, as well as seminars on solid waste management, environmental laws and policies, and many more. Wherein ERMaC is in support of De La Salle Philippines’ program One Million Trees and Beyond.

Campus biodiversity Serving as a home to 34 different bird species comprised of eight Philippine species, four migratory species, and 22 new species, among the efforts being conducted by the office in preservation of campus biodiversity is to prevent the cutting of trees within University premises.

ERMaC’s effort on this is evident enough in allowing the birds to freely roam around campus. The same is stated as such in a previous article of The HERALDO FILIPINO on broadsheet volume 32 issue 2, titled DLSU-D bird sanctuary up for DENR recognition, as former ERMaC Director Marlon Pareja explained that the office sought to get recognized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as a bird sanctuary as it serves

as habitat for birds residing in the University. Current ERMaC Director Dinglasan stated that “Natural habitat naman talaga eto (University) [ng birds]. Nandyan lang sila [at] mao-observe lang natin diyan sa may lake.”

However, there is yet an update regarding the University’s bird recognition status from DENR but the ERMAC remain as key manager of the bird habitat in the University.

Meanwhile, among other animals situated on campus proving a rich ecosystem for animals to stay, feline strays have considered various University areas as home. Making their way into the East Campus in the JFH Kubos and the University Food Square, heavily reliant on food from the students.

“Dumadami talaga ‘yong stray animals sa campus especially ‘yong [mga pusa] ... [and] saan

*** With programs on various environmental aspects of the University, the Environmental Resource Management Center remain as the keeper on preservation of the environment of DLSU-D for future generations of Lasallians to enjoy. As the University has earned the title “greenest university” in the country, with indicators such as providing greener spaces, energy efficient buildings, and waste, water, and energy management, upkeep goes beyond educating generations to come in order to call the University sustainable.

sila pupunta? Sa canteen, kasi doon ‘yong may pagkain. … Na-observe namin na ‘yong iba pine-pet, nilalaro pa ‘yong pusa. Although siguro matuwain sa hayop, pero once kasi mabigla’t masaktan ‘yan, makakalmot ka niyan,” Dinglasan explained pertaining to the gradual increase of cats in the University who feed off from students.

In management of the number of cats in the University, the ERMaC director added that despite the obvious decline in the number of the feline animals in-campus, no cats have been killed or hurt in the process as the office has assigned housekeepers of the various buildings to catch the strays and “traditionally” handle them to send them away from the University.

As of press time, ERMaC is in the process of outsourcing companies to “professionally” handle stray animals in the University.

OPINION

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 6

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

EDITORIAL

The myth of“bobotante” You can’t call Filipinos “bobotante”, as voting is not just a matter of intellect.

This past May 13, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) declared the 2019 midterm election “generally successful”—yet majority of Filipinos said otherwise when the results started to unfold. Questions and controversy stormed the election, not only for drawing a full house of President Rodrigo Duterte-endorsed senatorial candidates, but also for the incompetency and impunity among the winning candidates.

The rage is of reason, nevertheless. Seating unqualified bets is a loss to the nation and the rise of plunderers to power is a death of justice. An election is either one ticket to hope or one ticket to destruction. Thus, heavy weight is laid upon the 2019 elections, especially at a time of despair for the country. The blame goes easily to the voters themselves, as the majority is the decisive factor of the country’s future.

Although it’s true that there are more deserving candidates who likely would have changed the course of our societal demise, the bigger anomaly here is not that people came across ignorant for their choices—but rather how these choices came into shape. The truth is, these choices aren’t made on May 13 alone, as the people’s decision is only a manifestation of lifelong struggle. The decision-making started long before the campaign season. What we see during elections is

An educated vote comes from privilege which those called “bobotantes” are systematically robbed of an ensemble of resentment and frustration of many Filipinos through years have accumulated. It’s faulty, but it’s not the people’s fault, and every time you think it is, check on yourself because an educated vote comes from privilege which those called bobotantes are systematically robbed of.

If anything, they are just victims of what they’re fed to believe in and what they’re capable of knowing given their circumstances.

Information does not reach everyone in a singular, effective, and progressive way. Worse, information doesn’t reach some people at all.

It’s true for this case that information is power. But it’s much truer that information is privilege.

The tendency to vote for a rather alternative choice is nothing new, as seen in 2016 when former mayor of Davao City Rodrigo Duterte, whose platform is an ironfist of change, was elected president and businessman Donald Trump in the United States. After years of unchanging, desperate situation, voters see these men with something new to offer, and they hopped on it on a landslide.

This only speaks to say that platforms and credentials do not exactly make an effective and affective selling persona, say winning senatorial candidate and former Philippine National Police

Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who didn’t use his Master’s degree and PhD in public administration and development administration, respectively, as his novelty. His association with President Duterte and his role in the drug war were enough to earn him 18 million votes and the 5th spot in the senatorial race.

Platforms and credentials are factors of course, but voter’s behavior in general follow who offers “common good” as what they understand it is. It’s also a matter of influence where prominent names, no matter what know for, are a sufficient edge to be elected. The next one is power and power relations which refers to who can do what to whom.

Politics is power in the first place. Who gets this power is the main game, and those with greedy and destructive underlying agendas do everything to earn a seat in the senate—the senate that’s been a home to rumble, and a refuge of impunity for people who don’t want to be thrown behind bars for their criminal charges. For the power, money, and immunity high positions offer, candidates dare run—and they win all the time.

What Filipinos can learn to this, especially those who protested against Duterte-endorsed candidate, is that Filipinos will always be diverse, and should focus on unifying pursuits. This refers, for starters, to not engaging in shaming voters for their choices, but educating them rather. In this way, positive purposeful engagement sets in.

Moreoever, this should remind everyone of the struggles of the poor. Election gives hope at first, and then it gives perspective. If anything, the 2019 elections really was a chaos, not to mention the compelling anomalies of cheating. But whether, the votes that elected a full house of Duterte-endorsed circle are legitimate or not, the bottom line is that no one is entitled to humiliate uninformed voters.

It’s not soon before the next elections come, and as the country faces tougher challenges, this newer landslide calls for another hill to climb—and it starts with getting out of echo chambers, reaching out as much to others with an open understanding of their upbringing.

It’s time we bring up voter’s education, not shaming.

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

SENIOR STAFF Marjorie Alanzalon, Christian Ralf Dugan, Jomar Villanueva, John Zedrick Simeon, Stephanie Arreza, and Jean Quinto JUNIOR STAFF Kelsey Telo, Hanna Relanes, Sheka Ignaco, Aprilean Octavo, and Dean Jeffer Xyre Rivera

Dr. Lakandupil C. Garcia, Adviser

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

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

Bringing mobile government services in-campus, the De La Salle Dasmarinas Alumni Association held Serbisyong Lasalyano 2019 Pre-employment Activities from May 6 to 8 providing opportunities to sign up for Postal IDs, PhilHealth IDs, and SSS numbers.

“I know there will be lost weekends, lost lovers, and so much lost time, but I’ve still got two long years to go and I’ll keep you updated on what I find.” *** I wrote that two years ago for my fourth opinion piece for The HERALDO FILIPINO (HF) during my sophomore year. This is my last and 13th column and suffice to say, I only have a few weeks left to go. I’ve always thought that beyond the years, I’d end up talking about all the things I’ve learned about myself—but the thing about being a part of something bigger than yourself is that you’ll grow to know that it’s not about what you take in, but what you leave behind.

Much is expected from the youth of today, the cultural shift from what our parents grew up in to the environment we have before us today is enough to idealize that the future we create for ourselves today will be vastly different—if only we get up and have the courage to stand up for what we know is right.

You don’t have to go so far to see this come into fruition, as take for instance the huge gap between mock election results from colleges and universities Philippines from the hugely disappointing real midterm election results.

There is a generational gap happening before our very eyes—and bridging the society we know from what we wish it to be requires a great deal of will and sacrifice.

But having the capacity to wield will and sacrifice doesn’t happen overnight, yet not entirely impossible. Those of us in college—

especially in a private institution such as DLSU-D—have the privilege and pain to be on the inside of our sheltered bubbles with all the possibility of breaking out. Our formative years in college ought to teach us the right way to handle a crisis, negotiate on your own terms, ultimately recognize and fight for those who don’t have the privilege we have, and more.

These are difficult tasks to squeeze into four to five years along with academics and the ticking time clock of #ULS[fillintheyear], but that responsibility is on no one but ourselves to find opportunities and challenges for us to be better individuals.

Keep your oath It was my favorite author and philosopher Alain de Botton who said “there’s no such thing as a work-life balance, everything worth fighting for will unbalance your life.” And that can’t be more accurate for the kind of fire that being part of a cause bigger than yourself is. The ultimate indicator to know when you’re fighting the good fight is when you unconsciously but naturally exclude yourself from the narrative of the people you’re servicing and see things in a much bigger picture than your wants and even needs, but therein lies the problem of losing yourself in the struggle of life.

It happens like this: Often, so many people forget who they are or what they’re fighting for at the end of it all—because they forget to hold on to the solemn oaths we all make with ourselves.

Look deep within you right now. You know in your heart you have a solemn oath that only you yourself know, the very reason

There is still lack of transparency surrounding the proposed 5.5% tuition fee increase submitted to the CHEd for approval.

you stand up and will fight when given the chance. It may be something like fighting for the good fight no matter what it takes, starting a family at a certain age, or finding a career that doesn’t hold you back, or providing for your family after you graduate, or some even petty as proving yourself worthy to that person who crossed you so many years ago. Whether we admit it or not, inside all of us is a solemn oath that bounds us to where we are now—the hidden answer to the “whys” in our life. It may take longer for some, but the moment we notice our lives start to unravel is when this solemn oath is realized.

Whatever happens in this life, the reason to stay afloat is to keep your oath. Hold on to it like steady flame in the palm of your hands and life in college—and even after—won’t be so difficult to navigate.

As for myself, I will be keeping my solemn oath of knowing that there are places that need me than that class, there are people that will require my attention more than my professor who needed my seat filled for an hour, and causes that will require my passion more than others—and that’s alright. You cannot always give equally, some passions will need more of the flames in your heart than others, and only you can determine what you provide worthy.

Respect the solemn and silent oath you make with ourselves and allow yourself to yield to a struggle worthy of lost lovers, lost weekends, and so so so much lost time— because what you find borne from having pure will and sacrifice will always be a thousand times better than what you’ve lost.

After everything, this is what I’ve found. I hope you find the same.

CLACSC, together with CLAC program councils, released a statement calling for transparency on the 2019 Midterm Elections amid various election errors and malfunctions.

OPINION

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 7

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

Omega “Mas marami kang kailangang harapin na sarili lang ang iyong maaasahan.”

“Hindi ka na pa-bata, ikaw na anguukit ng sarili mong kinabukasan.”

Ang wikang ito ang tumatak sa akin sa mga pag-uusap namin ng aking mga magulang—mga paalalang simple pero malaki ang epekto sa paghubog sa aking sarili lalo na sa pagtayo sa sariling mga paa bilang pag-alalay sa aking nalalapit na pagtatapos.

Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman nating mga kabataan na sa kolehiyo natin natututunan ang iba’t ibang klase ng pakikisalamuha sa kapwa at mga karanasang may samu’t saring resulta.

Dagdag pa rito, masusukat din ang ating intelektwal na pagkilatis sa mga bagay lalo na’t sa panahong ito’y may laya na tayong gawin ang ating naisin.

Bilang huling artikulong isusulat ko, ang paksang ito ay may malaking parte sa paglingan ko sa sarili na may malaking ambag ang publikasyong aking kinabibilangan— ang The HERALDO FILIPINO (HF).

Maraming napaisip kung bakit ang layo ng organisasyong sinalihan ko sa kurong inhenyero, ngunit masasabi kong dito ko nakita ang sarili kong kasiyahan at kagaanang tiyak kong matutulungan ako’t may maiaambag ako.

Sa loob ng higit tatlong taon kong pamamalagi sa HF at sa dalawang taon ko bilang namumuno sa operations department marami akong nakilala at mga karanasan na masasabi kong tumulong sa akin upang mas makilala ko ang sarili at kapasidad sa pagiging responsableng indibidwal, lalo na sa pagtantya ng aking oras para sa mga gawain bilang isang estudyanteng manunulat sa ating unibersidad.

Bukod dito, nakasanayan ko rin makipagtalastasan sa propesyonal na pamamaraan at magdesisyon hindi lang para sa sarili kundi para sa grupo at mas nakararaming maaapektuhan.

Gayunpaman, ang pananatili rito ay permanente lamang na hahantong rin

Ang lahat ng nagtatapos na siyang hudyat ng panibagong simula sa katapusan. Tulad ng katayuan ko bilang mag-aaral sa prestihiyosong Unibersidad na De La Salle – Dasmariñas, matatapos rin ang aking buhay-estudyante at magsisimula naman sa isang panibagong yugto na kung saan lahat ng nalingap kong karunungan ay akin naming isasabuhay sa mas malawak at mapusok na mundo

ng propesyong aking tinapusan.

Hindi man tayo pare-pareho ng mga estado sa pagiging mag-aaral at bilang kabataan, Iba-iba man ang ating mga ninais at piniling pamantayan sa pagpasok sa kolehiyo at grupo na nakabase sa ating hilig at talent, natitiyak kong ang mga pangyayaring kinaharap ng bawat isa ay gumising sa atin upang matuto at paghandaan na bigyang pansin ang mga panibagong yugto sa ating buhay.

Maganda at masaya ang pagiging kabataan pero tulad ng aking naturan, ang lahat ay natatapos na siyang hudyat ng panibagong simula sa landas tungo sa tinatawag na “adulthood”.

Ang mga taong umalalay, sumama, at gumabay buhat sa ating pagkabata, pati na rin ang mga ekspiryensyang napagdaanan ay magiging parte na lamang ng nakaraan na tila isang mayang hinahayaan ang kanyang inakay upang matutong lumipad sa

sariling pamamaraan. Sa madaling sabi, talagang dadating ang panahong tayo na lamang ang aakay sa ating sarili at magbabalik-tanaw na lamang tayo sa panahong nakalipas na siya namang magiging gabay para sa kasalukuyan at panghinaharap nating pinapananaw.

Nakakalungkot man isipin ngunit nakakagalak na rin na ang kinakasabikang pagtatapos ay tunay na nalalapit na. Ang mga pinaghirapan upang maipasa ang akademikong antas, ang mga luha at tuwa sa mga pangyayari sa publikasyong aking kinabilangan, at mga pangaral na palaging pinapaalala ng ating mga magulang at mga nakakatanda ay masasabi kong malaking ambag na gumulang sa atin na sana’y humubog para maging maayos, responsible, at patas sa mga makakasalamuha, dagdag na rin ang pagiging mapanuri sa mga bagay at pangyayaring mararanasan sa mga susunod na panahong kakaharapin.

Unlike the movies *Knock knock knock* I heard a faint sound coming from your door as My Chemical Romance’s album The Black Parade plays for the nth time. And somehow, I managed to dry and wipe my tears away as I ran to see who’s at my doorstep.

“It’s you,” I mustered as I see him carrying some of my favorite comfort food. Right then and there, I started to cry again and hugged him as tight as I could. Who would have thought I’d have a knight who would fend of my demons—the darkness that haunted broad daylight.

Sadly, it’s not like that. But I guess that would have been a great part of a movie we’d cry to at the cinemas. Together, love and mental

health is a double-edged sword that can only be wielded by the bravest and toughest of souls. It’s a constant battle between doing what’s right for you and what you think is right. Often times, we get blinded by our feelings that we forget ourselves. We’ve all been there, seeing the truth right in front of you but choosing to ignore it because of what you feel.

Breathe.

Life has been difficult juggling academic work with organizational work and with your mental health as well as your personal happenings. It all gets mixed up into one big pile of mess that seems to move and feel alive to swallow your whole being whole and bring you back to the darkness; helpless, alone, and full of tears.

Despite having medication to help myself get better, there really will be days wherein you’ll still feel

down in the dumps. And, usually during these times we run to comfort that we built inside of people; homes that have no physical appearance other than your favorite eyes to look at and a voice that is a melody to tame all the demons inside.

That’s the thing, we build homes inside people but we never thought of having a to-go bag when the tides turn.

Never invest on something you can’t afford to lose When your home becomes a barren land of nothingness, what will you do? Where will you go as your demons crawl beside you during your sleep, again? Only, this time, you have no knight in shining armor to save you.

You’re alone, without any comf or t .

We often lose and forget ourselves in the sheer chaos of it all.

Relying on people is not a bad thing but we forget how to take care of ourselves, to be fine when no one is around. Think of it this way: we don’t really build houses when we aren’t sure that we will be able to pay for it in the long run.

Well, it’s the same with building homes inside of people; never invest on something you can’t afford to lose.

Because, at the end of the day, the only home we have is ourselves. We forget the struggles we face inside of us for a short-term comfort with someone that was really injecting poison inside of us rather than planting seeds of support.

Rest and accept.

You above everyone else. Selfish as it may sound, but always choose

yourself. Take care of how yourself because it’s the only thing you have in the end. Go, be stupid about someone and chase your feelings, but we must not put our mental health in line. It is, also, not a weapon to use to keep someone beside you by threatening them of doing horrible things.

Mental health has always been something that I’m passionate about fighting for and educating people about because, as far as it has come, it still has a long way to go to be accepted and understood by many.

RuPaul said, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” And I believe that’s one thing we should keep in mind: love yourself.

Build a home inside you, first so you’ll never be homeless when somebody leaves.

Credits

WITBREAD

Inside the precincts

by Nyel Estrada (JOU11) Two months before the 2019 midterm elections this May, my mom who is a public-school teacher, asked me if I was interested to be part of the elections as a support staff. She said that if I got in I would get an honorarium from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). I said yes—not because of the money that I’ll be getting, but the experience to be in our precincts during elections and to be of service for my country.

As a first-time voter and support staff, I was excited on how things would turn out.

Since I’ve undergone through training with COMELEC. But even though I was new, the elections and politics is never new to me since I’ve been immersed myself in it since I started studying journalism.

The Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) assigned me to guide the voters and help

them with the general instructions to should follow. I became an assistant to the elderly since most of them could hardly read the ballots. It was fun since I saw how they react whenever I read to them the name of the candidate. They would really give their full and honest opinion. There are points that I want to have a discourse with them, about what they think of a certain candidate. But then I remember that I am not in the position to do that since I am a support staff. And with that experience, I found out that Filipinos vote for who they can recall and those who are popular. I also saw signs of regionalism since most of the Lolo’s and Lola’s that I’ve assisted said “Ay iboboto ko to kasi tagaKabite ‘yan!”

I know it is sad but there’s nothing I could be mad about. I completely understand

Only 13.42% of the DLSU-D undergraduate student population participated in the USH Constitution plebiscite held from March 25 to 30 in ratification of the proposed draft by the USC

that our voters think and perceive that way because they need powerful voter’s education. Only a few came with their list of candidates and did their research. There are 800 voters registered in our precinct but only 491 voters voted. It’s sad because many people who did not vote said that

We, the voters, are the ones responsible for the change that we want they refused to vote because they feel like nothing will change. It saddened me more when I took the jeepney going home and saw that I was the only one with a violet tinted nail.

It means in that jeepney, I was the only one

Amidst the rising heat levels due to the summer season, the OSS Dean has approved the extension of wearing of prescribed civillian attire until the end of teh semseter.

who voted seeing that my co-passengers were all older and professionals.

I hope that our future elections will never be the same and it would be 10 times better. We, the voters, are the ones responsible for the change that we want.

Next elections I’ll be watching if things will change.

The HERALDO FILIPINO is accepting contributions for WITBREAD, the open opinion section of the broadsheet. send your pieces officialheraldofilipino@ gmail.com.

Freshmen students have raised concern on the continuous shortage of PE uniforms despite the academic year coming to an end.

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F E AT U R E S

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4. After seven days, the seeds can be processed by planting them inside seed trays filled with potting soil, sectioning the seeds in the process. The seed trays must then be covered with plastic for at least 10 days for the germination of the seeds.

5. Exposing the plant in sunlight and delicate watering is vital for growth.

6. After the stalk of the plant reaches 2 inches in length, it must now be placed in a pot with the same potting soil as with the germination.

7. After this, the stem of the tomato stalk must be guided upwards by placing a stick then tying the stem to it.

8. The leaves on the lower portion should be removed to induce ripening once the plant bears fruit.

Modern farming

by Justin Dabuet

Graphic Art by Stephanie Arreza

The Philippines is agricultural in nature. Yet in spite of this, local farmers face the massive threat of industrialization, lack of government support, unjust wage from landlords, declining workforce, land-grabbing, and more. Considering all these problems, agriculture in the country comes closer to dying given that majority of Filipinos undermine the farming sector—including but not limited to the youth. However, this generation is not completely out of ways to involve themselves in agriculture, be it through large-scale farming methods or not.

With sustainability in mind, here are a few of the accessible and alternative ways of farming at the ease of one’s own locality—giving us an opportunity to help agriculture persist in these changing times.

Urban farming Urban farming is a mode of farming that makes it possible for non-farmers to be able to grow produce at the convenience of their backyards, especially in a metropolitan area.

It is also known as backyard farming wherein an open lot nearby one’s own property can be utilized to grow a variety of plants. Backyard farming is an accessible way to farm, as soil, seeds, and water are the only things needed to get started. The crops that can be planted for urban farming range from home-use and small-scale to profitable and large-scale produce.

What people should know is that farming in the city is not impossible. Anyone can start with the practice of urban farming to get a hold of fresh, organic, and safe produce all the while enjoying the glory of being outdoors and being one with nature even in the comfort of their own homes.

How to practice urban farming: *Discarded seeds from vegetables and fruits, such as tomatoes, can be planted with seed-specific methods as one way for urban farming.

1. To plant tomato seeds from fresh tomatoes, it is advised to remove the seeds then put them inside a jar with water.

2. Once the seeds are no longer afloat, the seeds must be dried thoroughly with a paper towel.

3. Once the seeds are fully dried, they should be stored in a dry, cool place and inside an envelope or any dry paper container.

Eco-friendly alternatives or responsible consumption?

by Jomar Villanueva and Kelsey Telo

Art by Andrew Encapas

Do we really need to choose “eco-friendly” alternatives or do we simply need to consume responsibly? There are always two sides to a coin, especially in maintaining our natural environment amid the cost of human life, or aptly, environmental sustainability—if it does really exist.

Hydroponics farming Hydroponics is starting to be regarded today as a modern farming method that uses water as the base to grow plants instead of soil, with nutrients coming from a mineral solvent. This indoor farming system can grow a range of plants such as lettuce, cauliflowers, kale, different types of herbs, and more.

Related to this is a method of raising different species of fish in water called aquafarming, which when combined with hydroponics becomes aquaponics. Aquaponics helps conserving water as it reuses its own water through a liquid circulating system. Both fish and plants then mutually benefit from each other, as the plants use the fish’s feces as its nutrients and clean the water for the fish in return. Suffice to say, aquaponics makes a highly sustainable and positively coexisting form of farming.

The practice of aquaponics is also starting to thrive in Cavite. Basilio’s Aquaponics Farm, an aquaponics startup in Silang, Cavite, showcases this innovative, organic, and sustainable way of farming to the community and visitors. Since this farming method is essentially easy, the farm gives free basic tutorial of starting their own aquaponics farm, hoping people would start their own in their houses and help it gain more popularity.

Basilio’s Aquaponics Farm is located along Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, at the right side of the road when reaching the Lumil area in Silang.

Vertical farming As the spaces of commercial residences are starting to get cramped, vertical gardening makes it possible to grow plants through the method of stacking. Encapsulated inside large drums or similar food-grade containers, this type of modern farming saves space for what would otherwise be a spread-out method of farming.

As most soil in cities are already polluted and unsafe to use, the entire system is soilless and rather uses dried, shredded mixture of rice hulls and coconut husks. Quantity-wise, vertical gardens can have up to 50 plants in a single container. A composting vessel is also situated at the middle of the system that would contain biodegradables like grass clippings that give nutrition to crops taking root.

With regards to how eco-friendly vertical gardening is, the farming system also reuses and saves water with a technique that catches liquid from above when being irrigated. The water in the reservoir can be used to moisten the vertical garden again and again, making a murky water called compost water that is rich in nutrients for crops to siphon. Vertical farming itself is also deemed organic as there is no chemicals involved at all.

To start one’s own vertical garden is easy enough.

1. The first thing needed is a large drum container with holes to hold the crops.

2. The next thing needed is the “soil” being a mixture of dried biodegradables. Setting up the compost bin in the middle of the system can top it off.

3. These are the just some of the things needed to kickstart one’s vertical farming venture—just water the system daily to keep it in check.

Being free to customize the system to one’s liking, a backyard with a vertical farm may even radiate an aesthetically pleasing feast for the eyes, with a range of crops to be planted to help the environment as well. *** The initiative to grasp the gravity of agriculture as it slowly becomes a lost art is always there to be put into practice. Agriculture is the fuel of life, thus it must be kept alive for generations to uphold its importance in humanity’s race to advancement. As we depend on agriculture on a day-to-day basis, we must start to consider it as the field where innovations and technology also prospers.

The battle to fight beside our farmers continues, but if we can only do so much, remember that agriculture strives in other ways too—through our own efforts.

Eco-friendly alternatives A young whale was found in March this year, swimming while it vomited blood into the waters of Davao Gulf. When it shortly died, researchers picked up its body and found 88 pounds of plastic waste bursting out of its belly. In reality, whales do die, but not usually from plastic waste it unknowingly consumed.

We now find our trash wherever, including places humans haven’t been close to, or in places where it shouldn’t be, like outside trash cans and worse, inside an animal’s stomach.

Even it might actually be a little late, this year has been a time of social breakthroughs advocating to flip our fortune in terms of environmental demise. These movements, whether it be large or small-scale, are further amplified online where most individuals—especially the youth—are onboard. However, despite these alternative opts of switching plastics to paper and tote bags, or using metal straws instead of plastics among many, the question is: are these really sustainably and directly helpful to Earth?

The answer is yes. in a broader sense, “environmental sustainability” means “meeting the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” It all comes down to the swinging equilibrium of meeting needs and destroying our own home, a paradox deeply instilled in the way we’ve designed our lives to function. In the onslaught of our resources’ depletion and ecological destruction due to humankind, the concept of “environmental sustainability” sets in prominently now more than ever. It is perhaps because Earth has become the worst through time as well. Though it may be a long shot for us, the collective effects of the “sustainable” shift makes a huge difference through time.

It’s was as early as the 2000s when cities and municipalities in the Philippines started to ban plastic.

This is a likely case of intervention especially given that the country is one of five countries that produce half of world’s plastic waste along China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, according to the United Nations. Worse than this is how half of all plastic produced all over the world is designed for single use. Paper bags and tumblers instead of plastic bags and plastic bottles are the most common prompts taken into action. Little by little, people have started to adapt eco-friendly means, for the cause and for its beneficial durability.

The wave of corporate plastic straw ban worldwide came thereafter and has birthed the use of metal straws.

Here in the Philippines, reusable and washable metal, bamboo, and leaf-made straws are sold. Local private companies also came to action by offering reusable cups and straws, which is a vital move for their role in addressing these challenges and minimizing their own environmental impact.

Responsible consumption Life is a physically consumptive process and it’s unfortunate that to sustain life, we need to continuously produce waste. The Philippines alone produces 35,000 tons of trash daily as per the Asian Development Bank—which leads us to this question: Is it really possible to live sustainably in a consumptive society as ours?

If your answer is yes, then British professor Christopher Barnatt disagrees. In his article published by The Guardian titled Is sustainability a dangerous myth fueling over consumption? Barnatt said sustainable living is impossible.

In fact, sustainability is not as simple as buying tote bags and metal straws like what most of us might think—there is more to understand and to do to achieve its integration in our daily lives.

“Sadly right now, sustainability has become a trendy obsession,” Barnatt said. Today, more and more people have turned to sustainable living. People have replaced plastic bags with tote bags, plastic straws with metal ones, and plastic cups with sustainable bottles or mason jars. This may sound like good news for many but this is where the dilemma on sustainability enters.

Take this scenario as an example: when you buy a metal straw, they are often wrapped in plastic packaging while its brush is made up of plastic bristles. This can be similar when buying sustainable bottles as they are contained in carton boxes. The bottom line? You may be producing more carbon footprint and more waste than you should be as you live sustainably.

Sustainability doesn’t start and end in responsible consumption, waste management also plays a vital role.

Sustainable solid waste management means “proper managing of solid waste in order to minimize environmental degradation, reduce consumption of energy, reduce the use of virgin materials through recycling as well as prevent pollution and contamination of land, air and water, on which sustainability of cities rest.”

According to the Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines, national and local government units must seriously implement the national law on solid waste management while “people must not only follow the law but by their own volition must help to conserve precious resources by not being wasteful with the resources that they possess.” *** An effective and complete sustainable program includes elaborate efforts, as our deep-rooted environmental dilemmas are huge and complex to begin with.

It’s true, there is a big question whether the principle of sustainability lies on design or use.

Either way, they both respond to the immediate need of the environment: action.

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 11

F E AT U R E S

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

Renewable energy: An alternative tool

by Christian Ralf Dugan and Ahmad Mahusay

Graphic Art by Stephanie Arreza

According to scientists, we only have ten years left to save the Earth before its actual doom come upon us. That includes a collective effort of protecting the environment, saving the species of this planet, and sustaining the remaining resources we were left off. Suddenly, after years of exploiting and consuming, we are found staring at our plates served with bigger responsibilities. Shocking.

However, the silver lining in all of these is that there are available options for human being to grasp the last chances to save this dying planet.

Yes, with all the destruction we have severely caused, we were provided with tools to combat our own greed and irresponsibility. We seek to find alternatives with our resources continuously depleting through decades—and so we must.

A beacon of hope The pinnacle of industrialization of the West had led to a number of scientific innovations. As we unfolded steel right in front of the eyes of the world, the first nations created and expanded the opportunities of industrializing the world, with a promise of improving the quality of life. In a snap, technology has changed the world and it continues to do so. Eventually, we relied on fossil fuels to sustain our augmented technologies, but these do not last forever.

Fossil fuels are mainly coal, petroleum, and natural gas that are being burned to generate energy. The energy which keeps almost everything else in this world moving and functioning on a daily basis. Our industrial civilization has been manifested because of the advent of fossil fuels as a source of energy. Based on a US Energy Information Administration data in 2011, approximately 82% percent of the world’s primary energy were accounted for fossil fuels. This is a relatively huge chunk that shows the sheer dependence of human existence to these deposits.

Unfortunately, burning fossil fuels emit carbon emissions which is the main cause of

global warming. They are basically harmful to the environment, Moreover, fossil fuels are not infinite. These are non-renewable resources that will be totally depleted in years to come. Few more decades and energy will be compromised because we have found ourselves lacking from sources of energy. Imagine a life without energy.

Imagine a life without electricity. Imagine not using your phones.

Gladly, renewable energy has joined the conversation. It has been birthed from our critical analysis of finding alternatives to fossil fuels as we wage our fight toward environmental issues specifically climate change. Believe it or not, our persistence in advancing renewable energy has benefitted our environment, health, and economy.

New Light Renewable energy is an energy that is collected from renewable and natural resources replenished on a human timescale, like sunlight, wind, and geothermal heat. In the Philippines alone, we are starting to adopt this new way of collecting and transforming energy from major powerplants to individual households.

The most popular type of renewable energy is solar energy. This deals with obtaining energy from the heat of the sun using different types of technologies such as solar panels which are the most famous one. In the Philippines, renewable energies such as solar energy were adopted during the height of crises in electricity during the 1980s.

Two decades later, the country uses enough solar powers to sustain electricity not just in households but also in most industrial places like malls and manufacturing companies. It has been advocated and already well-known across the archipelago. Its usage has contributed relative benefits in environmental sustainability as well as in other aspects of human survival and conditions.

Union of Concerned Scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology studied and enumerated several benefits of renewable energy use. One of the benefits of going to renewable energy is that this will help to lessen global warming. Compared to fossil fuels which have been proven to harm the atmosphere and the ecosystem within it, renewable energies emit little to no global warming emissions. It has also seen to contribute to the improvement of public health. Carbon emissions and health risk have been proven to be linked according to several studies. Renewable energy such as wind and solar systems form electricity without emitting harmful pollutants.

Despite several major benefits of renewable energy, it is obvious that this is hardly being adopted by third-world countries like the Philippines. It cannot be implemented in normal neighborhoods and can only be found in high-rise buildings in the metro.

UL, a global safety certification company, explains that many renewable energy sources are expensive and difficult to retrieve. This is one of the limitations of this beacon, yet there are continuous innovations that are being conducted to make these resources more available to everyone.

So what now?

Clearly, the obtainability of various renewable resources set undeniably brighter expectations and gleaming hope in our world as we constantly destroy our planet with high levels of carbon emissions from fossil fuels.

The Philippines, since its adaptation of renewable energy resources almost four decades ago, has been making small steps toward implementing a sustainable use of our resources. The government formed the Republic Act 9513 or also known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 which “an act promoting the development, utilization, and commercialization of renewable energy resources and for other purposes.”

Under this law, the Green Energy Option Program or GEOP exists—“a renewable energy policy mechanism which shall provide end-user the option to choose renewable energies.”

Despite these breakthroughs, there are still necessary improvements that need to be addressed and resolved. There is a need for it to be reached by the common people as the development will not thrive if its people will remain untouched and unresolved. *** There are greater responsibilities in taking care of the environment in our hands more than ever. This is not just about worrying too much on our accessibility and comfort, but this also prompts a greater cause for a better future that will be inherited by future generations. Renewable energy is more of an eye-opener rather than a sheer problem solver. However, it still thrives to resolve one of the biggest and most critical issues we’re dealing today—environmental destruction.

LITERARY

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 12

Laman

By Jacinth Banite

Nagsimulang maglakbay ang kamay ng orasan. Isinuot ko ang maskara sa ibaba ng aking mga mata at narinig ang mga hakbang ng segundo nang balutin ko ang aking mga kamay ng pares ng puting gwantes. Pumwesto ang aking mga kasamahan sa aking magkabilang gilid—sa harapan namin ay isang metal na lamesa kung saan taimtim na nakalatay ang isang babaeng hindi pa kumukupas ang ganda. Sa kanyang tiyan ay may nakaguhit na linya kung saan sisimulan ko ang operasyon. Isinindi ng nasa aking tagiliran ang ilaw na nakatutok sa ilalim ng baba ng babae, at tuluyang pumanhik ang magkatuwang na mga kamay ng orasan nang inilagay sa aking mga palad ang isang matalim na kutsilyo.

Ibinaon ko ito sa katawan ng babaeng nakahimlay, tuluyang dumausdos ang umaawas na mga butil ng likido mula sa gilid ng aking ulo, pababa sa aking leeg. Sa pagsisid ng naipong laway sa kaibuturan ng aking lalamunan, ang aking dibdib ang siyang lumulunok sa di matahan at lumalakas nitong paglagok.

Sanay man akong itarak ang patalim upang buksan ang isang saradong katawan, ngayon ko

lamang ibinaon ang punyal sa isang murang laman. Hinila ko pababa ang punyal sa pagitan ng dibdib ng dalaga, at umawas ang malapot na pulang likido mula sa winawakwak na balat— dahilan upang ito’y bumuka at tumilamsik sa aming mga mukha ang makalat na itinatagong mga laman ng naturang katawan.

Kinuha ko muli ang tansong kutsilyo upang kalkalin ang pakay na parte—na pawang perlas sa gitna ng malalim na karagatan.

Sa kabila ng malalim na biyak, nanatiling kalmado ang apat na sulok ng kulay puti at asul na silid mula sa daing ng siyang sinugatang kerobin na patuloy sa paghimbing. Napukaw ang interes ko sa sulok kung saan naroroon ang mga damit ng babae, at sa kanyang bulsa ng pantalon aking nakuha ang isang pirasong papel na may nakasulat: 092734.

Marahil na lumipad nang panandalian ang aking isip nang kalabitin ako ng isang kasamahan ko. Narating ng naglalakbay na mga kamay ang gitna ng orasan—at ang mga bakas ng humahakbang na segundo ay hindi na nasundan. Sa pusod ng pulang dagat natagpuan ang puso nito—walang kibong

sumusulyap sa mga sangaysangay na lamang sinusubukan itong ikubli. Sa kabila ng lumalakas na musikang hatid ng pagtambol sa’king dibdib, bigong makasabay ito at tuluyan nang huminto sa pagsaway. Gamit ko ang kambal na gunting na siyang puputol sa ano mang sanga na dumudugtong sa karagatan at sa kanyang perlas. Nang tuluyang maputol ang huling ugat, bumukas ang pintong pinapasok ang isang higaang de gulong, tulak-tulak ng mga tauhang may malinis na uniporme, kagaya ng sa aking mga kasamahan sa silid na ito. Sakay nito ang isa ring mahimbing na katawan ng isang munting lalaki na malapit pa sa kulay ng palubog na araw ang mga balat kumpara sa dalagang singputla ng ulap tuwing tagulan.

Naiwan sa gitna ang mahabang kamay habang nauna nang bumaba sa pagitan ng isa at tatlo ang maiksi, matapos silang pumanhik pataas upang patuloy na malibot ang bilog na orasan. Nanatiling bilasa sa loob ng silid na pumalagi ang amoy ng mga gamit na gwantes at mga gunting na ipininta ng dugo, tuluyan nang hinilamusan ng dumatagaktang na pawis

Lubid

By Jason Christopher Paz Batang sa lubid ay tinadhana, marahil ay lalaya na kung hindi dahil sa kanyang diyos na muli siyang bubuhayin mula sa karimlan ng kanyang ataul— isang hila lamang ng kanyang tali.

ang aking mukha. Hindi man ito ang unang pagkakataon na aking alisin ang laman ng iba, nananatili pa rin akong bangag sa napakagandang itsura ng mga lamang ikinukubli. Sa paglahad ng aking palad ang siyang lagay ng kambal na gunting at kutsilyo na sinimulan kong himayin ang kaibuturan ng babae. Kinuha ko muna ang mga nagkandabuholbuhol na bituka, pagkatapos ay ang atay, at hinuli ko ang puso na hindi na muling titibok pa.

Nilagay ko ang mga bahagi ng kanyang katawan sa isang plastik bag na umaalingasaw, may likido na pumapaslit sa ilalim at pinagpe-piyestahan ng mga langaw.

Tinawag ko ang aking mga kasamahan upang alisin na ang katawan, at kanila namang hinila’t tinapon sa isang silid na may metal na pintuan. Sinitsitan ko muli sila at kanilang nilipat ang katawan ng lalaking pinasok nila kanina sa lamesa.

Bago ko simulan ang operasyon ay tiningnan ko muna ang bulsa ng lalaki. Kinapa ko ito at nakuha ang isang piraso ng papel.

092735. Special order.

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

LITERARY

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 13

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

Pyramido

By Dox Cantimbuhan and Jason Paz O aking sinta— ilan pa bang mga panahon ang papalagpasin, ang iaalay muli sa bagwis ng hangin, upang makarating sa ating katapusan.

Sa kaibuturan ng kasaysayan, hintayin mong hukayin ka upang gunitain ang puso mong binalutan at inilibing kasama ang pinaglumaang nakaraan na tumitibok muli sa panibagong hinaharap.

Hapag

By Hanna Relanes Kinubra ng maralita mula sa ngumangawang basura, iniluto—inihaing marangya.

The struggle awaits Huli kong na itong column. Pagkaraan ng ilang buwan ay hindi niyo na muli makikita ang mga opinyon ng social justice warrior na ito sa diaryo ng The HERALDO FILIPINO (HF).

Mamamaalam na ako sa nakasukbit na larawan ni St. La Salle sa mga silid-aralan, susuotin na ang toga, at hihintayin na lamang na mabigkas ang aking pangalan sa entablado ng Ugnayang La Salle. Ngunit hindi ko kailanman makakalimutan ang mga aral na hanggang ngayon ay bitbit ko pa rin. Iyon ang mga aral na kahit mag-aral ka nang magaral, ang totoong katalinuhan ay umaalpas sa silid-aralan. Ang kariktan ng pagsusulit sa ating sistemang edukasyon ay ang taospusong kagustuhan na baguhin ang mismong sistema. Aaralin ang batas para baguhin ang batas. Aaralin ang kasaysayan para baguhin

ang kasaysayan. Aaralin ang sikolohiya para baguhin ang mga kaisipan ng sambayanan.

Ilalapat ang mga natutunan sa panibagong teorya, sa panibagong perspektiba at sa panibagong kuwento.

Katatapos lamang ng 2019 eleksyon, at atin narinig ang mga pangalan nila Neri Colmenares, Leody de Guzman, Samira Gutoc, Chel Diokno, at Erin Tanada, at ang mga iba pang nasa oposisyon. Kalimitan na nakita natin sila sa mga resulta ng mga iba’t ibang university mock elections. Hindi man sila lubos na kilala ng ating mga magulang ay nakuha nila ang atensyon ng mga kabataan.

May kapangyarihan sa boses ng kabataan.

Sariwa ngunit busilak. Tiyak. Kung minsan ay sa unibersidad ang nagsisimulang kumatok sa kamalayan ng mga kabataan, ngunit desisyon ng mga estudyante kung kanila itong ihuhulma’t gagawing progresibo.

Nakakalungkot man isipin ngunit kailangan nating harapin ang masalimuot na katotohanan: ang tunay na kamalayan sa Pamantasan ng De La

Salle Dasmari ñas ay hindi pa nararating. Marami sa mga Lasalyano ang sanay pa rin sa pribilehiyo dahil sa mga pinagmulang mga uri—kalimitan ay hindi napaguusapan sa mismong pamantasan ang salitang “aktibismo” dahil sa pumapalibot na takot at pangamba. O kung mayroon man, sila ay mga huwad na aktibista, o pumipili lamang ng mga pinaglalaban. Ngunit naniniwala ako na

Ang pagiging mulat ay walang hangganan, kung kaya’t dapat ito ay lubos na pinapayabong hindi dapat ito hinahatulan, dahil ito ay walang iba kundi hamon para sa ating mga kabataang lumalaban na makapagmulat at makapagpakilos.

Ang pagiging mulat ay walang hangganan, kung kaya’t dapat ito ay lubos na pinapayabong dahil hindi hadlang ang pribilehiyo sa Lasalyanong nasa puso ang masa. Ito ang layunin ng

column ko, at kung bakit naglilimbag ang HF. Ngunit hindi nag-iisa ang HF sa layunin na makapagpamulat. Kamakailan ay nabulabog ang buong komunidad ng Lasalyano sa pagusbong ng balangay ng Anakbayan sa DLSU-D na ngayon ay tinatawag na Anakbayan Kalayaan.

Bunga ito sa nakitang pangangailangan ng mga Lasalyano na magising at bumaba sa kanilang mga toreng garing.

Lubos akong nagpapasalamat na nagbubukas na ng diskusyon ang mga Lasalyano sa naratibo ng masa, at dalangin ko’y sana mas dumami pa ang mga organisasyon sa DLSU-D na inuuna ang interes ng mga Lasalyano at ng masa.

Nasa lansangan ang ating laban. Tinatawag na tayo ng sakwil ng sambayanan—ikaw na lamang ang hinihintay. Ang Lasalyanong lumalaban, makabayan. Marahas na mag-aral, lumaban, at makita ang sarili sa piling ng masa.

Huli ko man itong column, buháy ang kasaysayan na ipagpapatuloy ng mga kapwa kong Lasalyano na tumitindig at lumalaban.

The struggle awaits, Lasallians.

SPORTS

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 14

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

NATIONALS from page 16 this year’s tournament with triumph, the lads of the Cavitebased clique set themselves to strive for perfection on their defense on the net and on the floor as they head back to Davao.

With all positivity, Patriot spiker senior Jayric Racelis sees this year’s Nationals tournament as a challenge at all cost as they will be facing tough peers but still believes that the Southern Tagalog natives are at an advantage due to their intensified teamwork and improved skills.

On the other hand, the young bloods of Caviteña volleybelles is up to face another trial in their first Nationals with excitement after spiking the

crew of Batangas off the court in the Regionals meet.

Senior Patriot volleybelle Katrina Carranza shared that the team prepares well and minimizes all the errors that they had in their past games.

Moreover, they are rooting for a no-error game in order to be crowned in their Nationals journey. Carranza wanted the team to enjoy the game and at the same time, to concentrate on their targeted intention.

With two different stories, Region IV-A’s men and women’s volleyball squad will be rooting for the nationals league as the volleybelles aim for their first crown and the Caviteños to finish the trail they had last year.

Every game counts Aside from team sports, CALABARZON representatives have geared up to flaunt their expertise in Badminton, Swimming, Table Tennis, Athletics, Chess and Taekwondo in the Nationals leg in Davao City.

Lead by the rookies, the Swimming and Athletics teams acknowledge the pressure of beating the time but remains gallant on facing the nationals opponents as they had set their minds to go all out in the field.

With an eagerness to win, the Badminton and the Table Tennis representatives focus on self-discipline and determination to smash through their peers and win while the Chess and Taekwondo teams excite themselves to face their challengers and will continue to move until they have the crown.

PRISAA - Nationals opening ceremony joined by 16 regions

by Sheka Ignaco

A SENIOR’S FAREWELL. Diane Reyes, a senior athlete of the DLSU-D Women’s Basketball Team, bids goodbye to the cagebelles as she graduates this AY 2018-2019.

Photo by Jean Quinto

Aiming for a new beginning to give their supporters exciting battles and to feature the outstanding athletes from 16 regions who battle for athletic supremacy, the opening ceremony of the Private School Athletic Association (PRISAA) - Nationals 2019 tournament happened last May 19 at University of Mindanao (UM) in Davao City, from the Matina Campus Chapel Grounds up to the Track and Field area.

REGIONALS from page 16 Minor games Cavite chessers Paula Manalo and Rafael Dionisio aced each Board 1 of the Women’s and Men’s division, giving Dionisio the first time to step in the Nationals league being a rookie while being the second time for Manalo.

Delivering a balanced play, Patriot paddler Elton Tan aced the Table Tennis Men’s Singles B event, while Patriot partners Anne Campoto and rookie Janna Jarin topped the Women’s Doubles event.

Two golds were achieved

by Grabriel Manabo and Tristan

Oliveros in the Men’s Singles A and B events of the Badminton tourney, respectively. Meanwhile, shuttler duo Joie Orata and Jenina Marie Oliveros grabbed another gold in the Women’s doubles event.

Teammates Jenniline Lupango chipped in a silver as she placed second in the Women’s Singles B event while partners Jan Adrian Pullon and Kyle Reyes ranked third in the Men’s Doubles event.

Patriots Sajawal Waheed and Dean Juntilla both captured golds in the Taekwondo Men’s Division while Patriot Jhalyne Juanillo and Caviteña Reign Arciaga both

snatched golds as well in the Women’s Division. Meanwhile, Jins Marx Voltaire Basco and Jhona Burce contributed two silver medals.

Maintaining their speed and agility, the Cavite tracksters showed off their well-trained skills and reigned with ten gold, six silvers, and four bronze medals in the Athletics division of the league.

Adding the most medals in the Cavite haul, the Caviteño tankers dove into the pool of 17 gold, 13 silvers, and two bronze medals while the Caviteñas seized an additional 11 golds and four silvers.

Due to other prior commitments, Hon. Jaffar Usman Marohom-Salik delivered the written speech of City Mayor Sara Duterte for the opening salvo. “Yet being the best athlete shall not defeat your duty of being the best child at home and the best student at school. Remember how your responsibilities in your family and in your study off to be place

above your passion for sports.

The equation for success, your interests are your variables, and your family is your constant.”

Regional Director Atty.

Alberto Escobarte, President of UM Guillermo P. Torres Jr., and PRISAA Nationals President Ma. Lita Montalban gave some welcome statement in the first half of the program. Meanwhile, other keynote speakers were

Commission in Higher Education (CHEd) Chairman Dr. Prospero E. Devero III, Department od Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor M. Briones, and Philippine Sports Commissioan (PSC) Chairman William L. Ramirez.

Mark Anthony Caseñas of UM led the annual lighting of urn while the oath of sportmanship was headed by Judy Ann Enalim of UM.

AT H L E T E S R E AC T For the past years, DLSU-D has been participating in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA), a prestigious league honing the skills and bringing pride to aspiring and dedicated athletes all around the country. Representing the province of Cavite in the next level of PRISAA, Patriot-infused Cavite Teams once again battled with might against the other CALABARZON squads and hailed as Regionals kings and queens.

With this, The HERALDO FILIPINO asked the Patriot varsity players who represented the University during the PRISAA Nationals how they embody the Animo spirit as athletes.

Sa pamamagitan ng pagiging matapang at disiplinado kapag may game. Every game [dapat] maging matapang na [at] ibandera ‘yong pangalan ng school. Gaya nga ng sinasabi ni coach (Tito Reyes), wala siyang player na duwag [at] pagkadating sa laro [ay] hahayaan lang magpatalo.

Bilang atleta ng La Salle, kailangan naming ipakita kung anong mayroong talento kami kasi pag sinabing Lasallian, kailangan nandoon ‘yong skills na maipapanalo namin ‘yong bawat game namin.

When we say Animo spirit, [it is the] spirit to fight wherein you aspire to win and to develop each value of being a Lasallian.

Mariel Campasa Basketball Women

Roma Decena Volleyball Men

Mara Galicia Volleyball Women

Sa pagkakaroon ng pride sa loob ng court in a positive way. As an athlete, kailangan pride sa loob ng court kasi kung wala, may possibility na tatapak-tapakan tayo ng kalaban natin and iispin nila na hindi natin sila kaya.

Bilang isang atleta, kailangan namin ipakita ‘yong pagbaba-balance namin sa acads at sa paglalaro [at] i-apply ‘yong mga [ginawa namin sa] traning namin. Tsaka sumunod lang sa mga coaches at [magkaroon ng] selfdiscipline.

Jubilee Anne Del Rosario Volleyball Women

Gabriele Dela Cuesta Basketball Women

Que Alkhaizar Volleyball Men

...ina-apply namin ‘yong Lasallian core values na natutunan namin dito sa La Salle and ‘yong pagiging isang role medal namin sa mga students bilang isang athlete dito masusubukan kung pa’no namin i-handle ‘yong responsibilities namin as an athlete and as a student.

The Animo spirit is my guide in my life as an athlete. It enables me to show my true self and give my best shot in every game to represent Animo pride on my jersey.

Sa pagiging responsible. Tulad ng sinasabi ni coach (Tito Reyes) kapag naghu-huddle kami, kailangan may time management [din] kami bilang athlete at estudyante.

Marco Ordoñez Volleyball Men

Ethel Tono Volleyball Women

Cherylane Cuyom Basketball Women

I embody the Animo spirit by showing my best, being humble at all times, and being courageous to give pride to the green-and-white.

SPORTS

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 15

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

It’s okay to be soft “Umiiyak ka? Mahina pala loob mo e!”

“Naaapektuhan ka do’n? Ang weak mo naman!”

Ito ay ilan lamang sa mga pahayag o sinasabi ng iba sa isang taong umiiyak, nalulungkot, o negatibong naaapektuhan dahil sa isang sitwasyon. Ngunit bakit kaya nila ito nasasabi? Maaaring hindi nila nararamdaman ang mga pakiramdam ng ibang tao o maaaring hindi nila nagugustuhan ang reaksiyon ng ibang tao dahil magkakaiba tayo ng paraan ng pag-unawa sa isang bagay o sitwasyon.

Ako mismo ay naranasan ko nang mahiya sa aking nararamdaman at itago ang aking reaksyon sa isang sitwasyon o pangyayari dahil alam kong may mga taong hindi mataanggap o magugustuhan ang aking mga paraan. Hindi madali para sa akin ang tinahak kong kurso.

Bilang isang Accountancy student, ako ay nakakaranas makakuha ng mabababang puntos sa mga pagsusulit o hindi makatapos sa mga exams dahil sa kagipitan ng oras na ibinigay sa amin. Natural sa akin na makaramdam ng lungkot at kaba tuwing nararanasan ko itong mga nasabing sitwasyon dahil ako ay isang grade-conscious na estudyante.

Dumating sa puntong nilalabas ko na lang ang aking mga nararamdaman kapag wala na akong kasama o kapag kasama ko na lang ang mga pinagkakatiwalaan kong tao katulad ng aking pamilya at ibang matalik kong kaibigan na alam kong hindi ako huhusgahan.

Kung isa ka man sa mga taong hindi mabilis makaintindi ng nararamdaman ng iba o hindi alam kung anong sasabihin kapag nag-pahayag ng damdamin ang ibang tao, mabuti na ang ‘wag nang magsalita kaysa magsabi pa ng masasakit na salita.

Maging sensitibo sa mga nararamdaman ng bawat tao at subukang magbigay ng empathy.

Kung isa ka sa mga taong katulad ko na nahihiya ipakita ang nararamdaman sa iba dahil

nangangambang mahusgahan, ang maipapayo ko sa iyo ay humanap ng mapagkakatiwalaang tao o lugar kung saan hindi ka mahihiyang malabas ng iyong saloobin. Katulad ng sinabi ko kanina, kapag kasama ko ang mga kaibigan ko, hindi ako nahihiya magsabi o maglabas ng nararamdaman ko kasi tulad ko, estudyante rin sila at nararanasan nilang maghirap sa pagaaral at sa pamamahala sa oras.

Tandaan, mapa-lalaki o babae man, hindi krimen ang makaramdam ng negatibo.

Hindi krimen ang makaramdam ng negatibo Libre lang ang pag-iyak, at nakagagaan ito sa pakiramdam. ‘Wag ninyong hayaan na i-invalidate ng ibang tao ang inyong nararamdaman.

Isa pa, ‘wag pagtuunan ng pansin o ‘wag ugaliin ang paggamit ng “false positivity” o ang

pagpe-peke ng emosyon. Oo, minsan ay kailangan natin mag-peke ng emosyon sa ibang sitwasyon ngunit hindi ito nakabubuti para sa atin at para sa sitwasyon. Maaaring lalong lumala lang ang sitwasyon o maaaring maging dahilan ito ng miscommunication o misunderstanding sa ibang tao.

Kung anong nararamdaman mo, ilabas mo.

Maging totoo ka sa iyong sarili nang sa gayon ay wala kang sama ng loob o iba pang masasakit na nararamdaman na maki-kimkim. Pagkatapos mong ilabas ang iyong emosyon, pakawalan mo naman ang iyong sarili sa negatibong dulot nito.

Siguraduhing may gagawing aksyon para makawala sa mga negatibong implikasyon at para hindi ka na masangkot pang muli sa mga iyon.

Kung hindi ka gagawa ng paraan, maaaring bumalik at maramdaman mo ulit itong mga negatibong emosyon. Tandaan, palaging kilalanin at igalang ang mga negatibong emosyon. Ngunit, tiyakin na sa positibong emosyon mamamalagi ang iyong isip at kaluluwa.

Diane Reyes: Cagebelle pointguard through the years

by John Zedrick Simeon

Our lives are filled with small choices that cause ripples—ultimately determining the big changes that make us who we are and experiences that mold us into being people we’re meant to be. For DLSU-D pointguard Diane Reyes, this small choice started an unexpected ripple that caused the waves on the way to her passion—the moment she chose Basketball as a sport.

This small but certain choice provided her not only a sport to play—but a ticket to success in her own chosen path.

NO PAIN, NO GAIN. Along with other varsity teams, the DLSU-D Volleyball men spend their days and nights training for the PRISAA - Nationals to give pride to the Patriots

Photo by Jean Quinto Starting from the grassroots When “Oteyp”—as Reyes is nicknamed as—was in Grade 3, her eyes flashed on a group of boys playing at her elementary school’s basketball court. The glimpse of the game provided an opportunity for the young Reyes to love the sport.

It was then when Reyes hadn’t known that simple sport would change her life. Before, Reyes just wanted an ice tubig for a reward, but after that Reyes wanted more.

Not only did watching her male friends play basketball pique an interest in her, Reyes further wanted to play the sport because she wanted to prove that whatever men can do— women can also excel in. “Tinry ko kase gusto ko mapatunayan na kaya din naman gawin [ng mga babae] ang gawain ng lalaki sa larangan ng sports” she shared.

Continuing as a player up to high school and following her passion straight to college, Reyes started playing for the Patriot basketball in 2014 when she graduated from Balibago National High School in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

The Patriot cagebelle was first admitted to Far Eastern University (FEU) but when Reyes had a tuneup with DLSU-D in 2014, little did she know that this was an opportunity for her to be recruited and represent the green-and-white squad for the years to come.

Idols and inspirations Just like most of her fellow student-athletes, Reyes sees her family as her inspiration. “My

family. Friends. Ginagawa ko ‘to para sa kanila. Lalo na’t gusto ko maka-graduate, makapagtrabaho, maka-tulong sa pamilya [ko at] maiahon [sila] sa hirap.

Mahirap [siya] pero masaya.” she said.

Yet in terms of a role model , the only idol she knows is none other than her coach here in DLSU-D—Coach Tito Reyes whom she wholeheartedly respects. “Para sa ‘kin international [at] professional sa ’kin si Coach Tito Reyes. Kase magaling sya mag handle mag-disipline ng player, magpa-kundisyon at mag payo sa mga player niya. Naa-amaze ako sakanya kase kinukwento nya simula nu’ng bago sya ma-discover sa larangan ng pag lalaro.” Reyes said.

Besides her Patriot idol, Diane Reyes is also a fan of the Philippine Women’s basketball team—the Gilas Pilipinas Women. In fact, some of Diane’s basketball aspirants during their high school stint was in the national team.

Looking back and starting anew Reyes’s powerful demeanor is evident in and out of the court, although her inner beast is more recognizable when she turns beast mode inside the court. Diane’s most vivid memory of her life in DLSU-D is when she grabbed the MVP spot in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) – Nationals Finals game during a clutch game between the Patriots’ national rivals, Davao Region.

“Nu’ng nag-MVP (Most Valuable Player) ako sa

Nationals pinakamataas na nilalaro ng school namin sobrang nagulat ako at ako ang napili sa dinami dami namen manlalaro buong Region,” she shared.

Reyes furher reaped more fruit as she also hailed as the season MVP during last year’s National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA).

As her parting words, Reyes advised young basketball aspirants to try the sport— especially women. “Walang mawawala basta unang una nyan hindi yung napipilitan ka lang kasi tropa mo gano’n dapat gusto mo kase hilig mo—handa kang mapagod [at] handa ka mapagsabihan ng coach” she said.

Through it all, Reyes’ continuous story proves that amidst the hardships; the pain, and the grind will be worth it once the glory starts to pour down and one will be awarded after all their sacrifices.

After all, in sports and in life: pain comes before pleasure. *** Reyes’ current situation wouldn’t be possible if not for that one significant choice she made when she started playing basketball, as her journey proved to be a once in a lifetime adventure.

Through it all, whether your interest is piqued or there is something calling you to do a duty you’ve never thought you’d do before—following your heart proves that whatever path you take, as long as you hold steadfast in your endgoal, the journey at the end will be— “masaya at ‘di imposible”

First-timers on the run: The rookie’s road to PRISAA - Nat’ls

by Ingrid Claire Del Rosario Having already headed to the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Nationals last May 19 at Davao City as first-timers, the green-blooded athletes of the CALABARZON squad are determined to defy the odds against other regions’ outstanding athletes and ready to bring pride to the Lasallian community with pressure sitting on their shoulders which drives themselves to answer the rising expectations of their coaches and teammates.

Aiming for the bright future for their career, athletes dream of playing in big leagues. Fortunately, some of our Patriot varsity players finally reached their goal as they will extend their championship-worthy skills in the PRISAA - Nationals.

Grace under pressure Being the new blood who will approach the national tournament, the Patriot rookies cannot cannot brush off how big this league would be for them as this will serve as their stepping stone as the new faces of the Patriots. However, the rookies remain adamant to step up and bring glory home to Region IV-A. Unlike the rookies who yearn to compete in the Nationals for new experiences, the Patriot senior players cry out to finish their last Nationals journey with medals and trophies at hand since this league will be the one of the marks of the end of their career as student-athletes of DLSU-D. Calm before the storm In every player and team, a ritual is done in belief that the game will be favorable on their side. It can either be

praying before the match or some unusual acts that may or may not be seen in the court like singing or dancing around before the game starts.

For the captain of the men´s swimming team, Alton Sañez, his ritual before submerging in the 25x50m pool is to refrain from eating beforehand. On the other hand, rookie woodpusher, Rafael Dionisio, motivates himself by foreshadowing that he can deliver, if not defeat, his opponents in order to calm the tides within him.

But above all, the CALABARZON fleet´s most important ritual is to pray and wish for the guidance of The One above.

Mixed emotions With all these new experiences offered by the PRISAA - Nationals, the CALABARZON representatives are overwhelmed as they feel the excitement and anxiousness on how their games

will turn out, but at the same time, these drive them to persevere to get the championship titles.

To avoid succumbing from their overflowing feelings, the Patriots push themselves by training harder for physical improvements, being mature inside and outside the court, and setting their minds on their goal.

The Region IV-A team already expect that they will be facing adept athletes who had been in the Nationals tourney multiple times.

Aside from this, they also foresee new learnings from this journey that had been opened for them. *** Amateurs as they say, but the CALABARZON fleet has been ready to their top opponents and still see themselves at an advantage point for they believe that being newbies in the Nationals means that their opponents had not yet seen their plays and has a huge chance of surprising their challengers.

MARCH - MAY 2019 | PAGE 16

MARCH - MAY 2019

VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

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VOLUME 33 ISSUE 4

ROOKIE’S PROFILE Road to Natl’s page 14

COVERAGE

PRISAA Natl’s Openings page 14

ATHLETE’S PROFILE Diane Reyes page 15

PASSING THE PATRIOT TORCH. The DLSU-D Women’s Basketball Team’s graduating players, Diane Reyes and Mariel Campsa, entrusts the squad’s future in the hands of rookie players: Gabriele Dela Cuesta and Roxanne Salvador. Graduating senior cagebelles not shown are Agatha Martha Azarcon and Marie Nicole Visitacion.

Photo by Jean Quinto

REGION IV-A’s sprint toward PRISAA Nat’ls

by Ingrid Claire Del Rosario

After being crowned as the kings and queens of the Regionals meet, the Cavite squad have warmed up to take on the challenge of representing REGION IV-A by boosting their prowess in the four-cornered arena for the recently passed Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Nationals meet in the city of Davao.

“Babawi talaga kame sa Davao” No longer wanting the taste of defeat from last year´s Nationals, DLSU-D’s Women’s Basketball team captain Mariel Campasa was eager to reclaim the crown after the home-based squad of Davao had stolen the Cagebelles’ supposed to be 7-peat title.

Before reaching the nationals, Campasa concedes

that the team is still patching up with their communication and chemistry on and off the court but remains positive as she believes that everyone in the team will step up to represent REGION IV-A. Returning to Davao City, Campasa is well-rounded at the chance that the CALABARZON Cagebelles will be standing on the other side of the line as they face the huge crowd of the city

but still got their hearts fueled with the hunger to bring the crown home once more.

With the gigantic height of the cagebelles’ opponents shadowing over them, the team focuses on utilizing their speed and endurance as the key to demolish the towers of their opponents.

Different story, same target Determined to finish

WINNERS’ WELCOME. Along with 15 other regions, Region IV-A was warmly greeted for the PRISAA - National festivities during the opening ceremony at Davao City on May 19.

See NAT’LS | page 14

Photo by Jean Quinto

Caviteños dominated PRISAA - Reg’ls with 82 medals, 4 trophies

by Rose Kristine Amarillo

The Patriot-infused Cavite teams successfully exhibited their dominion against other CALABARZON squads as they exhausted all means to earn three gold and one bronze trophies, 49 gold, 26 silver, and seven bronze medals in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) – Regionals held on March of this year.

THE REIGN OF GLORY. The Patriots-infused Cavite team accumulated a total of 82 medals and 4 trophies during the Private Schools Athletic Asssociation (PRISAA) Regionals held on March.

Infographic by Stephanie Arreza

Major ball games Notching the championship title in the Women’s Basketball Division, Caviteñas effortlessly made their way to the top after establishing a zero loss-two wins record in the league, beating the Rizal cagebelles twice.

On the other hand, the Cavite team ranked third in the Men’s Baketball Division as they succumbed to

Batangas in the semi-final round and performed a one loss-two wins record, knocking down Laguna and Rizal in the elimination round.

Earning a twice to beat advantage after battling the Rizal and Batangas athletes, the Cavite volleybelles faced the Batangueñas once again in the final round.

Batangas made it a bit of a

challenge for Cavite as they owned the first game but the Cavite team secured their crown and beat Batangas in the second round.

Spiking their way to the top, the Cavite spikers smoothly ended their regionals journey as they outwitted Batangas and Quezon teams, marking a clean record of zero loss-three wins.

See REGL’S| page 14