InThis Issue
HI-LITES EDITORIAL BOARD
ABOUT THE COVER On heaven and hell
Editor-in-Chief Liana Apostol
Photo by Clar Cabinta Editing by Ther Largo Modelling by Tina Jao and Ethan Galvan
Associate Editor Tricia Alcantara Managing Editor Dominic Aumentado News Editors Angelo Naorbe Nicole Tong Feature Editor Camyl Fernandez Art and Layout Editor Theresa Largo Sports Editor Vito Martin Broadcast Editor Lilac Fameronag Chief Photojournalist Clarisse Cabinta Social Media Editors Shawnn Nadurata Matthew Varona Contributors Bea Alejandro, Stella Arenas, Carey Baisas, CJ Caruncho, Maxine Cuartero, Jasper Fausto, Rebecca Filasol, CJ Forlales, Ethan Galvan, Marcus Garcia, Sabina Guerrero, Thristan Ison, Tina Jao, Justin Jimenez, Lexi Lagamon, Gwen Latoza, Nat Mariano, Andrea Medina, Celestino Mendoza, Katrina Moñozca, Kimi Pantasonas, Ferdynan Perez, Shan Porras, Sophia Sibal, Voltaire Sto. Domingo, Jana Tan, Shawn Tongson, Jacob Ugsimar
Moderators Ms. Caroline Laforteza Mr. Enzo Pisig
FOREWORD In the midst of our nation’s social and political ruckus, accompanied by the rise of the social media, we may see ourselves drowning in an influx of news and opinions– some of which are good, some of which aren’t. It’s like living in a world of heaven and hell with the distinctions between the two blurred by constant retelling and personal biases. The overthrowing of a plunderer, love forbidden by culture, all the games we’ve won, and the ones we’ve lost. In the latest issue of Hi-Lites, straying away from the typical broadsheet, we explore the heavens and hells we face in our efforts to distinguish one from the other, and make sense of life. As you browse through the pages of the magazine, you may notice the inverted pages for the two segments. As we show the parallels of the year, we invite the readers to refer to the page numbers found on the top or bottom of each page labelled as either HVN | # or HELL | # for better understanding.
HEAVEN Ateneo Looks Back on Sanggu Themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Mental Health and Wellness Launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Mentutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Formator’s Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Women in Politics: Filipino Firsts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 A Tulong Dunong Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Mayer’s Tug-o-War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sportsfest: Reward para sa mga Atenista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Cabradilla Frenzy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Sowing the Seeds of Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 A Talk with Mrs. Dimalanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 HELL Gunslinger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 There’s Something Missing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 An Excuse Letter for Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Seeing Through Pink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 PET Junks Marcos 50% Threshold in Vote Recount . . . . . . 6 Unclothing the Fast Fashion Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Inflation at 6.7% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Aftermath of Typhoon Rosita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Good Dies and the Bad Lives On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Is the Great Wall Racist? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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ATENEO LOOKS BACK ON SANGGU THEMES
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by Nicole Tong
With four months left to go before graduation, it’s time to look back at the past four Sanggu themes the batch has experienced and see how it has affected, moved, and changed them. This year’s theme, “Todo”, was launched roughly two months ago, telling the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) students to give their all in everything they do, whether it be academics, TD, service, or love. For the juniors, it’s saying to start the race strong and to keep being consistent with that strength. For the seniors, it sends a message telling them that it’s their last year and they should push harder to finish strong. Before “Todo” was “Tayo”, the theme reassuring everyone that despite changes and obstacles, people are not alone. For those that hail from the Ateneo Junior High School (AJHS), that year brought a new environment despite being around familiar faces, different classroom dynamics, and separation from the classmates they’ve been with for two years. For those who transferred, that year brought a sea of unfamiliar faces and for some, their first times staying away from home. “Tayo” meant to say that no matter the context different people have, the ASHS will always be a welcoming home to each one. The 2016-2017 theme was called “Kaya”. That year marked the separation of the JHS and SHS campuses, making it difficult for some to transition. The theme was meant to motivate them to pull past the difficulties by telling them they could do it. “Tara” was the first theme that this batch experienced as they entered high school. It was titled in such a way to encourage its students to immerse themselves in Ateneo high school life, whether through academics, extra-curricular activities, varsities, and student leadership. Reminiscing about the theme that inspired him the most, Joaquin Vasquez from 12-Walpole talked about “Tara” and its effects on him saying, “As a freshman, I considered myself as shy and indifferent to the activities and events happening in the school because I was still adjusting to the new system and culture of the AHS. When the song Tara played on the PA system, and the school year’s theme was released to us, I felt like it was a calling for me.” He believes that calling carried over to his willingness to serve the school and urges that other people do the same. When asked about his favorite theme, Niño Albano from 12-Bobola chooses “Todo”, marking that choice by saying, “I’m that type of person that gives my all for the things I love. This theme, the song and the words we can read in our I.D. laces remind me to continue giving my everything whenever I lose my way. Todo for service. Todo for love.”
Todo!
From “Tara” at the beginning to “Todo” at the end, the seniors have gone through four years of hardship, service, and love that marked their high school journey. For the juniors who have a year left on that journey, the best of luck to you.
2018-2019
Tara!
Kaya!
Tayo!
2015-2016
2016-2017
2017-2018
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING OFFICE LAUNCHES MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS DAY by Jacob Ugsimar The ASHS Guidance and Counselling Office organized and spearheaded a series of wellness activities directed toward helping the students’ awareness on the importance of maintaining a stable mental health and overall well-being last October 17, 2018. The initiative sought to provide rest and relaxation for students, teachers, and community members alike after a rather demanding semester. Members of the ASHS community actively participated in the various enjoyable activities offered by the Guidance Office. Among the activities for the day was a screening of the
documentary, “Tashi and the Monk”, which revolved on the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community in the Himalayas, and how the ill-tempered and youngest orphan, Tashi, eventually learned about the importance of friendship, hope, and love. The students were then given prompts for reflection and were asked to share the realizations they have obtained after watching the film. Students also had a chance to take part in the Zen Room program, held in Room 212. However, due to the restrictions on the room’s capacity to accommodate participants, only a limited number of students were able to participate in the said activity. Participants were given the chance to spend an hour to either rest or meditate through the provision of a dimlylighted, calm environment.
Most of the student body, on the other hand, grooved to the music along the halls of the ASHS First Floor during the Street Dance workshop. The said activity was led by members of UPeepz, the UP Diliman-based internationally renowned dance crew. Finally, in partnership with the Kanlaon committee, the class facility management officers (FMOs) were given a session to thoroughly discuss to their respective classes the procedures that are to be followed in case of different life-threatening emergencies, in the hopes of establishing a disaster-ready and resilient Ateneo. This proved to be important in the successful run-through and execution of the community earthquake drill held last November 9 within the school grounds.
MENTUTORING
OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE ASHS COMMUNITY by Angelo Naorbe
to gather students who have a passion for sharing their knowledge with others, rather, it In an effort to transform the also aims to develop friendships community into a more conducive and long-lasting bonds, environment for learning, the especially with the MenTutors SINAG organization, in partnership and their respective Men with the ACO Strand Chairs, Tutees as personal concerns opened its MenTutoring program may also be raised within the to the entire ASHS. community. Initially created to exclusively cater to fellow Grade 11 scholars last school year, the SINAG organization found it fitting to include the entire ASHS community inspired by the values of cura personalis and being persons-for-others. As stated by Jonas Esguerra, project head and SINAG Academics Committee Head, MenTutoring does not only aim
Committee of SINAG and the SINAG core group, second semester sign-ups will close by Nov. 24 and MenTutoring will resume by Nov. 26 every Monday,Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Hence, students may participate in either one of the two parts of MenTutoring: (1) Study Halls, a series of hour-long discussions between a MenTutor and a MenTutee, or (2) Help Desks, a place where students may ask the aid of MenTutees to answer specific questions. Headed by the SINAG moderator, Sir Cheo Crispino, and administered by the Academics
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Celebrating Formator’s Week the Ateneo Way by Angelo Naorbe and Bea Alejandro
PHOTO | Sabina Guerrero
“We went back to our previous experiences in the High School Covered Courts. Presided by the chaplain of the Ateneo and our former schools on how we the Senior High School, Reverend Father Braulio M. Dahunan SJ, the celebration was also done in commemoration of the celebrated Teacher’s Day.” BJ Balana of 12-Navarro, overall head of the Formator’s Week, on how they came up with a plan for this year’s celebration of Teacher’s Day in the ASHS. The Sanggu-SHS, along with several students, organized a string of programs for the Formator’s week, which is a weeklong celebration filled with numerous treats and surprises for the teachers, administrators, staff, and other employees to commemorate their unending service and commitment to the community. “We were guided by the theme we chose, the four seasons and the four elements, which we think represents the faculty as a whole.” As stated by Balana, employees were treated with different surprises from Monday to Thursday in accordance with the theme, such as the prepared breakfast for the faculty and staff to represent the element fire. Additionally, daily activities in the form of games such as, “Guess the Teacher” were also done as a form of entertainment for the community. Baby pictures of notable members of the faculty were shown at the ASHS foyer where people have to guess the owner of the picture.
Duffy-Delaney Day “We had a lot of things in mind, such as students acting as assistants to teachers, and so, we just combined them all to form these surprises.” Ending the Formator’s Week was Duffy-Delaney Day, which coincided with the global celebration of World Teacher’s Day. The celebration of Duffy-Delaney Day began with a mass at
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feast day of Our Lady of the Most Holy RosaryIn his homily, Fr. Dahunan spoke of Mary and how she served as a role model for not only Jesus, but his disciples as well. The mass then concluded with Fr. Dahunan giving his blessing to all faculty and staff in attendance. The sponsoring sections were 12-Acquaviva of the ABM strand, who served as the readers for the event, and 12-Xavier of the STEM strand, who made the backdrop of the mass. Said backdrop featured Mary with a rosary, signifying the feast being celebrated that day. After the mass, the culminating activity went underway, with Doms Cordero of 12-Kibe, and Troi Balisi of 12- Daniel serving as the emcees. The opening remarks were given by Sanggu President Bea Legaspi of 12- Evans. The first part of the program was the Rampa Look-alikes, where selected students dressed up as different members of the faculty and administration, and gave spiels that helped encouraged the student body to guess who they were portraying. Afterwards, a video presentation asking what the students’ favorite things about their teachers was played, serving as a sort of transition to the following activities. What followed was the reveal of those in the nene pictures shown in the foyer earlier in the week. The winners who were able to guess correctly were also given their awards. Another activity was a game that involved students bringing teachers who fit the given category to the stage to introduce themselves. After the game, palancas written by the student body were distributed by the different class officers and some volunteers. While this was happening, a poem video thanking the teachers and staff was being played. Ending the celebration was BJ Balana, overall head of the D3 committee, who gave the closing remarks.
facebook.com/HiLitesASHS/
@HILITESASHS Layout by Maxine Cuartero
Women in Politics:
by Kristina Jao
Filipina FirstS
With the Philippines leading the recent Gender Parity Score for the Asia Pacific, it seems that Filipinas are slowly inching their way to reveling in complete, equal rights and opportunities with men. Evidently, in politics, there is a little and staggering increase in female leaders who serve as the torchbearers of the Filipina voice and dream. Still, the journey towards equality in politics – from a faint whisper to a reverberating echo – was not easy for Filipinas. Among the barriers in involvement of women in the Philippine government was Philippine society’s meaning of their role in the community. A societal norm that depicts Filipinas as more fitting for supporting roles, such as, being secondary to their their lawmaker spouses; being suppliers of philanthropy and social welfare works; and being a) Geronima Pecson was elected in 1947 as the first Filipina senator. She headed the Committee on Education and Social Welfare and later became the first Filipina and woman of the UNESCO executive board. b) Loren Legarda is the first Filipino woman senator to top the Senate race twice in 1998 and 2007. She is also the first Filipino woman to become Majority Floor Leader of the Senate. c) Leticia Ramos-Shahani was the first Filipino woman to become President pro-empore of the Senate in 1993. She was also once the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Social and Humanitarian Affairs.
#FEMALEEMPOWERMENT
caretakers of the household. The Filipino stigma expects Filipinas to “sit still, look pretty” for the cameras, for the public, for the rest of their lives. But for the modern Filipina who dreams and envisions herself standing not in the shadows of a “greater” person but leading in the frontlines, this was not possible. Breaking this mentality, that seems innately etched in the Filipino mind, did not happen overnight. It took decades and it took brave and driven women to do so. The list is long but this part celebrates the ones who took the first step for theirs and generations of Filipinas to come:
d) Santanina Rasul is the first Filipina-Muslim senator. She co-authored the Women in Development and NationBuilding Act of 1995 that outlawed discrimination against women; opened the doors of the Philippine Military Academy to women; and mandated that a substantial portion of government funds at all levels be used for programs that would benefit and develop women’s capabilities. e) Tecla San Andres Ziga was the first woman in the Philippines to top the bar examinations for law degree graduates. She was elected as a senator in 1963. f) Miriam Defensor Santiago was the first Filipino and first Asian from a developing country to be elected as a judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
These Filipina women forged diversity, equality, and respect for women in politics. And because of them and every single Filipina who has fought and still continues to fight, truly, Filipinas have taken their seats at the table – and certainly, they have come to stay. Layout by Sophia Sibal
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A TULONG DUNONG STORY by Camyl Fernandez
Photos by Mark Miralles
When was the last time you talked to your TD kids? We tend to overlook the small acts of kindness we do for our kids thus we also fail to realize how big of an impact they can make to their lives. Worse, some reduce the entire tutoring journey to merely a numerical grade. Well-crafted lesson plans; small gifts and surprises; enduring the scorching heat of the sun; meeting our kids’ parents; incessantly explaining that one math problem to make sure our kids understand the lesson; we leave all these tiny moments and nuances behind, but for many TD kids, like Jeffrey Estores and Riki Bilog, these memories reside forever in their hearts. For Jeffrey Estores, Tulong Dunong meant growth, acceptance and the realization that you can be something bigger than yourself. “I remember na yung grade six na TD Kuya ko ay artista. His name is Mico Samson. He was a star of ABS-CBN back then,” Jeffrey Estores opened up about his TD days. He was a student from Malanday Elementary School and a member of the Hi-Ho B group. A smile emerged from his face as he recalled one of his fondest TD memories: the home visit. Mr. Estores described the experience as humbling and flattering; nearby locals flocking to see the sight of a celebrity, who starkly contrasted the disarrayed and cramped home he and his family lived in. In elementary, he considered himself an average student who possessed inadequate math skills. Today, he tutors advanced math and science to high school students from Miriam College, La Salle Greenhills, and Ateneo. Although he considers his successes a matter of luck, Mr. Estores says he owes most of his academic skills to his Kuya Mico, who enabled him to learn and appreciate math. “Sobrang bait [ng TD Kuyas ko]. Naalala ko pa nga nung Christmas party namin yung gift sa amin [galing sa kanilang] dalawa [ay] Molecules na t-shirt, kasi siguro sponsor si
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Mico [noong] time na ‘yun. Kilala ‘tong brand na ‘to as mahal so tuwang tuwa ako nun,” Mr. Estores recalled only positive things about his relationship with his TD Kuyas, remembering the simple joys they brought to his life. Beyond academics, Mr. Estores said that TD imparted values like the discipline and perseverance that sparked from friendly competition with Hi-Ho A and the patience gained from enduring hours under the heat of the sun in await of his TD sessions every Thursday. Mr. Estores did not pass the TD scholarship exam. He said he was initially saddened and frustrated at the missed opportunity to help and support his family financially and to enter his dream school. “Nung sumama ako sa [TD Program] at nalibot ko yung buong Ateneo, siyempre [ginusto] ko na din mag-aral dito. Although seeing the inequalities of my status back then tsaka yung students na nakita ko nag-aaral doon, parang feeling ko di rin ako makakacope up. So buti na lang hindi ako nakapasa,” Mr. Estores opened up about the harsh realities of the social disadvantages he had to face. After taking the entrance exam for Loyola Schools and failing to secure a slot, he realized the Ateneo was just not meant to be. Months later, all of his worries were washed away when he was accepted as a chemical engineering major at the University of the Philippines Diliman. However, things did not sail as smoothly as he expected them to be. Mr. Estores said he also struggled to fit in during his stay at UP. He also worked as a part time student assistant in the UP Education Library before applying as a tutor in Katipunan. Although balancing work and school hindered him from graduating on time, he found his passion in teaching, saying it is now his way of giving back to the students who taught him before.
HVN| 6 “Naniniwala ako sa pay it forward. So siguro time ko na ngayon para magturo sa mga natutunan ko rin kasi di naman ako makakarating position ko ngayon kung hindi lang dahil sa mga tumulong sa akin before,” Mr. Estores expressed his gratitude towards TD. He is now aiming to finish his master’s degree in order to teach in obscure public schools where he says education is needed the most. “Pwede [ko] sabihin na nagsimula [ang tagumpay ko] sa TD, kasi nung grade school ako… typical na lalaking bata na pasaway, na makulit pero siyempre nung time na yun ginusto ko na rin magachieve. Tulong Dunong was the first to recognize na meron pala akong ganitong kakayahan,” Mr. Estores said, ending his story almost in tears. For Riki Bilog, Tulong Dulong meant long lasting friends, her career and spirituality. “Nag-iiba talaga yung buhay ng mga TD scholars.” When Mrs. Bilog recalled her TD journey, she celebrated and relished in the simplest moments and littlest things: from the big blue school bus that would signal the arrival of the TD Kuyas, to the Choco Choco sticks she received as prizes for winning a spelling bee, to the surprise birthday party her TD Kuyas hosted for her during their home visit. She explained her Thursday routine in Kalumpang Elementary School: how a batch of enthusiastic kids patiently waited by the gates; how the concept of older students from another school coming just to help them learn a subject fostered excitement; how this excitement always overcame the discomfort of waiting. Being the eldest child in the family, Mrs. Bilog found the older brothers she always wanted to have in her TD Kuyas, Kuya Luigi and Kuya Leon. She saw them as kuyas to look after her and help them in their academics. Although she felt intimidated at first, she said her TD Kuyas always made ways to reach out and make her and her fellow classmates feel comfortable. The sincerity she felt from her TD Kuyas in teaching, despite being unrelated and belonging from different schools, taught her to reciprocate this sincerity to others. “Yung genuine warmth na na-feel ko sa kanila, it’s something I learned na pwedeng gawin ko rin sa iba kasi sila ginawa nila yun sa akin,” Mrs. Bilog remarked.
Layout by Andrea Medina
Mrs. Bilog also opened up about the difficulties and struggles of being a TD scholar like balancing work and school. As is by fate, she felt inspired by Mrs. Meng de Guia, a CLE teacher and a fellow TD scholar, who always reminded and her fellow classmates of the blessings that come with TD. For Mrs. Bilog, TD’s biggest impact was its help in lessening her family’s expenses; relieving her parents from the burden of paying her tuition fee enabled them to send her siblings to school. This pushed her to power through her academic workload even further. Mrs. Bilog passed the scholarship exam and transferred to St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina; however, she struggled to adapt to a private, all-girls school. “Yung pinakanaging struggle ko as TD scholar is yung kung nanggaling [ako] sa poverty...Minsan mababa yung tingin mo sa sarili mo...You’re coming from your context na ito lang yung meron kayo or marami kayong kulang sa family,” Mrs. Bilog explained. Fortunately, she had friends who were able to help her adjust to this new environment. Additionally, she continued enrolling in advance lessons taught by Ateneo students and alumni during the summer. “Until college magkakasama kami tapos ngayon kahit may work na kami we still connect with each other…’Yun talaga ‘yung kind of friends na nakita talaga kung saan ka nanggaling,” Mrs. Bilog stated. In high school, she joined different organizations with her fellow scholars and graced in the acceptance of the community around her, which she says eased the process of adjustment. She then entered Miriam College as a communications major, continuing her streak of academic and extracurricular commitment. Today, she is a grade 12 Filipino teacher and the moderator of the Council of Student Organizations (CSO). “I’m blessed to be working here in the Ateneo and at the same time nakakatuwa rin na ‘yung idea [na] bumalik sa Ateneo kasi parang home ko rin ‘yung Ateneo,” Mrs. Bilog remarked. “I don’t think I can be in this job and yung mga previous na job [ko] kung ‘di ko natapos yung studies ko so talagang importante talaga yung education for students...Buti na lang Ateneo gave us a chance to receive good education [through TD],” Mrs. Bilog said.
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MAYER'S TUG-O-WAR: How Class Unity Inspired 11-Mayer to Never Give Up by Shawn Tongson
Court One was where all the Tugof-War action happened. The sweat dripping from the faces of the frontliners. The cheers and shouts of support. The close calls and the tears of both joy and sadness. Throughout all the sports that were presented at the 2018 ASHS Sportsfest, the Tug-of-War was the one that truly exemplified the idea that you are only as strong as your weakest member. Every class planned using different strategies and arrangements, bringing their A-game to the event because this is one where strategy truly matters. Ultimately, the class of 11-Perez dominated the competition in resounding fashion with sweeps of all rounds except in the finals where they faced 11-Mayer. What made Mayer’s run to the finals unique was the way they got there. In the semi-finals round where seemingly all hope was lost, with a loss seeming evident and where the rope was inches away from signaling the victory for the opposing side, they never gave up. Kobe de Vera, class president of 11-Mayer mentioned “that the class just wanted to prove that [they] belonged where [they] were, and [they wanted to prove that [they] had more to give.”
What came after were chants of their class cheer, MAYER POWER as they tugged and pulled their way to tie the game at 1-1. They ultimately won the semi-finals and locked in their finals match-up versus 11-Perez. In the finals, both teams had supporters that ranged from teachers, strandmates and of course, from fellow classmates. Unity is a word thrown around a lot but that finals was something else with how loud the cheers were and how much everyone wanted to throw their support towards their class. The first match was a quick and resounding victory for Perez that got them to lead the finals 1-0. The second match was as back and forth as it can get. As if a flashback to the semifinals, Mayer was on the brink of elimination as the rope neared closer and closer to the Perez side. They stood firm and shouted their eponymous cheer as they came back yet again to tie the series. The third and final match of the Grade 11 Tug-of-War finals was a show of dominance for Perez as they clinched the championship in tremendous fashion. Both classes showed a sense of class unity that led to an absolutely amazing finals.
For Marcus Garcia, member of the Blue Babble Band and the frontliner on the rope for Mayer, class unity manifested in how “people were more than willing to do their part, be it by pulling, cheering or even providing bandages and water.” Kobe added by saying that “...these acts, more so than anything else, show the unity that Mayer brought, if only because they felt genuine and sincere.” In many ways, Mayer’s journey to the finals is a reflection of the paths of many classes. Despite their differences, a class’s unity is contingent on the little things of being there for each other and throwing your support. Both Mayer and Perez showed this in the finals and many other sections had similar stories. The feeling of having your closest friends there to support you can give you an extra life like what happened with Mayer in their matches leading up to the finals. Ultimately, the biggest prize anyone reaped from the sportsfest is the feeling of inspiration and empowerment that being with your family gives you. Class unity is alive as ever in the ASHS and the Tug-o-War event showed this.
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t s e f s t r o Sp Ni: Cele Mendoza
Isang semestre ang nakalipas na tinuldukan ng isang linggong pagsusulit na kung tawagin ay 'hell week, finals week'. Matapos ang madugong finals week ay ang linggo upang magpahinga ng mga mag-aaral ng Ateneo Senior High School, magsaya, magliwaliw, enjoyin at ipagdiwang ang natapos na semestre. Isang paraan ng pagpapahinga ng mag-aaral ng ASHS ang isang linggong paligsahang pampalakasan na kung saan ginanap noong ika-15 hanggang ika-19 ng Oktubre, walang iba kundi ang sportsfest. Nariyaan ang Basketball, Football, Frisbee, Volleyball, Tug-ofwar, at Footsal na kung saan pinaglaban-labanan ng mga mag-aaral upang hirangin na pinakamagaling sa natatanging isports. Ngunit, ano ba ang kahalagahan ng 'sportsfest' at ang mabuting dulot nito sa mga mag-aaral? Una, isa itong paraan bilang 'reward' para sa natapos na semestre. Matapos ang madugong finals week, ay ang linggo upang magsaya at magdiwag sa pagtatapos ng unang semestre ng taong
reward paraista sa mga Aten
pampaaralan 2018-2019. Isang linggo na kung saan walang iisipin ang mga magaaral na may kinalaman sa pang-akademikong aspeto kundi tanging kompitisyong pampalakasan lamang. Ito ay isang linggo 'reward' na magbibigay ng saya at aliw sa mga mag-aaral na nagsikap para mairaos ang isang buong semestreng punong-puno ng mga requirements. Liban sa naunang nabanggit, nagsisilbi rin itong isang tulay upang maipakita ang kagalingan ng mga magaaral ng ASHS sa larangan ng isports. Gamit ang iba't-ibang laro at iba't-ibang hilig ng mga mag-aaral sa kompetisyon ay napapalutang ang pagiging masigasig ng mga mag-aaral sa labanan na nasusukat ang kanilang kakayahan bilang isang indibidwal. Nagiging determinado silang ipakita ang kanilang talento sa sports at talunin ang mga kopunan na kanilang makakaharap. Gayunpaman, pinapanatili parin ang mabuting samahan kahit ito ay kumpetisyon. Ikatlo, isa itong paraan upang mahubog ang pisikal na pangangatawan. Dahil ito nga ay palarong kinakailangan ng lakas, karaniwang ginawamit ang katawan ng isang manlalaro
at nahihibog ito dahil sa sports. Nagsisilbing isang paraan ang sportsfest upang makundisyon ang pisikal na pangangatawan ng mga mag-aaral sa ASHS at maging malusog. Panghuli, nagdudulot ito ng pag-kakaisa ng isang pangkat. Dahil lahat ng laban ay 'team sports'. Nahuhubog ang kakayahan ng mga mag-aaral upang magkaisa at patatagin ang samahan ng kanilang seksyon. Ang pagtutulungan sa bawat laban at ang pagpapalakas ng loob ng mga natirang 'di maglalaro sa pamamagitan ng pagcheer ng mga manonood ay napapatatag at nahuhubog ang pag-kakaisa ng isang pangkat na nagpapakita ng solidong suporta sa kanilang kakalse. Marami pang kahalagahan ang sportsfest sa konteksto ng mag-aaral, marahil iba't-iba ang dahilan ng mga mag-aaral kung bakit ito mahalaga ngunit ang apat na nailahand ang pinakalumulutang at makikita ng dalawang mata sa mismong kumpetisyon. Tunay ngang isa sa 'di malilimutang karanasan ang sportsfest para sa mga mag-aaral ng ASHS at ang kahalagahan nito ay nakatanim na sa isip at puso ng bawat mag-aaral ng Senior High.
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Photos by: Clarisse Cabinta, Stella Arenas, Dom Aumentado, Sab Guerrero, Marcus Garcia, Thristan Ison and Gwen Latoza
“Maghanda na kayo, kakainin namin kayo.” These were the first words Miguel Cabradilla told me the afternoon after the first day of the annual ASHS sportsfest when we saw each other at the Moro Oval for training. Our classes were poised to match up on the second day of the sportsfest for basketball, as we had both defeated our previous competitions: 12Evans overcame both 12-Miki and 12- Acquaviva, while 12- Kibe brushed past 12-Pro. I decided to take his words lightly. After all, it was just some friendly trashtalk between competitors. However, he instilled into me a slight sense of fear of what was to come. I’ve been both his teammate and his enemy on the basketball court countless times, and I knew what that man could do with a basketball. Adding unto his basketball skills was a fire that seemed to light a spark in him every time he faces competition; a sort of magic he brings out when he needs to. The next day, he did nothing but prove my fears right. Kibe led for most of the first two quarters, until he came in and changed everything. Cabradilla hit three three-pointers to start the third quarter, pulling up to take shots right as he crosses the court, and drilling them with ease. He capped off the game by hitting two more in the fourth. The crowd went crazy after every three swished in the net, but
THE CABRADILLA FRENZY 2019 ASHS SPORTSFEST
By: Vito Martin
little did they know that the Cabradilla Frenzy was just getting started. Miguel Cabradilla continued the show in a double overtime thriller against 12-Daniel in the semi-final. No matter how many times Daniel tried to pull away, Cabradilla would just hit more threes to keep Evans afloat. He finished the game with a total of 11 three pointers and the win. Evans booked a visit to the finals. It seemed like nothing could slow him down. Unfortunately, Miguel Cabradilla and 12-Evans would soon face a class more talented than any other they had faced. 12-Denn consisted of a multitude of talented basketball players, topped off with three players playing for Ateneo’s UAAP juniors basketball lineup: Daniel David, Geo Chiu, and Migo Narciso. All three players were over six feet tall, and all three were frighteningly good. Had Cabradilla’s previous two showings not existed, no one would have believed Evans, or any class for that matter, would have had a chance. They kicked off the match with Denn steadily controlling the lead, but Evans still fighting to keep themselves in the game. The crowd patiently waited for Miguel Cabradilla to enter the game and see if he could explode for another great outing against
another strong class. As he stepped foot on the floor, he did not hesitate to give the crowd the show they were asking for. He scored at will and rejuvenated his class, which had been struggling against the might and height of Denn, bringing them back the lead. For a moment, the strength of Denn seemed to be waning against the will of Cabradilla and Evans. That moment fell apart in the fourth quarter, when Geo Chiu came back in the game, and Denn showed their power. The stifling length of Migo Narciso and Geo Chiu made it almost impossible for Evans to shoot over them without feeling the intimidation, and Denn took back the lead, and the game. Cabradilla tried hard to get back the momentum, hitting a three and a floater over Geo Chiu, but the damage had been done, and Denn was just too much for Evans. Evans’ amazing sportsfest run was cut short. However, though they lost the match up against the immensely talented Denn, they won the respect of the Senior High School, battling against the best classes in the batch, and ultimately, all that would not have been possible without the Cabradilla Frenzy. Layout by Theresa Largo
HVN| 10 It has been all too familiar: the jitters, the uneasiness, the stress. Whatever options existed before, they all collapsed into one, a mental block. Part of every student’s journey is that big test, that Math Midterm or Physics Final. Students spend hours upon hours burying their noses in textbooks and notes yet still come test time, their minds draw nothing but blanks. In those crucial minutes, students see the fruits of their labor go to waste. To see the road ahead, we must ask those coming back. A man with mountains and forests of experience, Mr. Alex Manuel, resident Guidance Counselor of the Ateneo Senior High School shares his tips on how to plant the seeds of success and harvest the fruits of our labor.
Sowing the Seeds of Success
By : Voltaire Sto. Domingo
Setting the Soil Most of the time, the amount of information one retains is controlled by how conducive his or her environment is for learning. In line with this, Mr. Manuel recommends to first and foremost, organize your space. Reducing the amount of clutter in a student’s study space would be able to liberate the mind of the fixations of the environment, allowing one to focus on his or her studying materials. Secondly, separate yourself, physically and electronically. It is best that during studying that you remain on your own for a while to mitigate the division of their attention. Therefore, turn off or mute your social media notifications as Mr. Manuel said that these are bigger distractions than a messy environment. Thirdly, create a study plan. Big tests don’t come everyday; it may be in the student’s best interest to tweak their schedules just a bit, in order to maximize the 24 hours before a test. Mr. Manuel stresses that cramming can be easily prevented b y creating a plan, the plan sets the
studying in motion and everything follows. Tending the Tree Study styles are different for everyone. Students take time to discover their preferred learning style, that may be visual, auditory or kinesthetic. For example, one might prefer reading their notes aloud while others might prefer using arts and crafts to organize their notes. When studying, Mr. Manuel recommends beginning the study session with the most difficult subject (such as Math for most people) , in order to prevent fatigue the further you go into a study session. He also recommended to study for 90 minute intervals then take a 10-15 minute break to stand and stretch but to refrain from checking social media. Instead, use this time to review your study plan and check your progress and adjust accordingly. Ripe for the Picking After all the notes have been rewritten and all the powerpoints have been read, students must be able to complement the time spent studying with an ample amount of rest and relaxation. Mr. Manuel stated that 8 hours of sleep is enough to make sure that mind and body is rested and
ready. It is also important to eat properly the night and morning before the test and to drink lots of water the night before, and not before the exam as a full bladder could lead to discomfort. Mr. Manuel added that around two hours before a test, it is best to relax as this makes the mind more fluid and flexible, yet it still preserves a tiny amount of stress to get the mental gears going. A few browses through the notes would suffice or perhaps a small brainstorm with peers would help review yet still relax a few hours before an exam. Now that the seeds of success have been planted and the fruits of labor are ripe for the picking, take a moment to calm down before the test and stay optimistic by believing that preparations made were enough. At the end of the day, as Mr. Manuel puts it, “It is not hard work that is hard, it is self discipline.” All students are capable of studying for a test but not all students take the effort to do so and this effort determines the difference between a success and failure. Moments before a test are always familiar: the jitters, the uneasiness, the stress, but a little planning and preparedness goes a long way. As the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
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On Challenges and Blessings:
A Talk with Mrs. Dimalanta on Positivity and Redemption by Kimi Pantanosas As students of the ASHS, and more importantly as members of the youth, it has become easier for us to have a negative outlook on things. Whether it be our student lives or our personal lives, the hurdles we face may seem like sufficient reason to be cynical about everything around us. For our principal Mrs. Dimalanta, however, this is not the case. In fact, she always finds a way to see things in a positive light. “When something happens, no matter how negative it may seem, I would not consider it as negative. Coming from experience, and maybe coming from a very deep spirituality, ‘nega’ is not in my vocabulary. I always see it as an opportunity for me to become better,” she says. Sure enough, Mrs. Dimalanta’s focus on good moral character and excellence has always guided her during her hurdles in life. “I never really considered it to be like a failure, or a negative experience, but it’s always a challenge, a blessing, because I always look at the bright side of things.” As our principal, she arguably holds the most demanding position of the ASHS; overseeing the entire student population at times tends to be very taxing and exhausting. Perhaps what is most impressive about Mrs. Dimalanta is her commitment to find the good in all situations, despite the number of problems our community is facing. “Based from my own journey, I just realized that every incident
“find the beauty in what happens.” and everything that happens has a reason. At all times, something good will always come out. And in the end, that has been very helpful to me because I am able to find God in all events. In every personal event, in every happening, in every experience, for me God is always there trying to tell me or teach me something.” For Mrs. Dimalanta, a positive and loving attitude towards everything makes all the difference. In a piece of advice to the SHS community on how to keep positive during the challenges of life, she says that it’s all about attitude. “Everything is a matter of attitude, and everything must come from the heart. How do you view things? What is your core? What direction would you want to take? Because maybe not just from my own experience, but also from my encounters with people, if you really focus on the negativity, or if you don’t find any meaning in what is happening, it’s a pity... Be positive, at all times, and find the beauty in what happens.” In the hustle and bustle of SHS life, just when we’re about to lose our own motivation to continue, perhaps it is wise to heed the words of Mrs. Dimalanta to be still for a bit and “find the beauty in what happens.” Perhaps then, we will be able to turn a positive outlook on everything.
Layout by Sophia Sibal
2018 IN
HEAVEN & HELL Photos by: Marie Clarisse Cabinta, Stella Arenas, Dominic Aumentado, Marcus Garcia, Javier Sale, Sabina Guerrero | Editing by: Theresa Largo
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IS THE ‘GREAT At the heart of Filipino-Chinese relationships and relationship-wannabes lies the all-toofamiliar term, the ‘Great Wall’.
The Great Wall is quite literally characterized as a barrier between the Chinese and nonChinese (especially Filipinos), since it forbids Chinese to have romantic relationships with foreigners. In fact, the Great Wall is often a conversation starter. Chinese people assimilated into Filipino communities are often asked, “May Great Wall ka ba?” by hopeful suitors. The buzz and outrage around the Great Wall idea may stem from the fact that many perspectives, mostly non-Chinese ones, see it as inherently racist while Chinese families see it only as a facet of Chinese culture. Origin of the ‘Great Wall’
Theories on the origin of the Great Wall go back as far as colonial-era Philippines, where Chinese people were regarded as figures at the bottom of the social ladder.
“The Chinese could only get into retail at the time, and the Philippine government wouldn’t provide them a permit for retail. They were discriminated by us [Filipinos], and the only people that would help them were fellow Chinese,” notes Reyno*, a Filipino student who has received multiple theories on the Great Wall idea. Reyno mentions that the Great Wall idea is possibly a play on irony, since the Chinese that were discriminated in the past are currently discriminating Filipinos. “It might be payback for the discrimination of Filipinos against Chinese in the past.” A similar view on the issue states that the Great Wall might be derived from the basic discrimination against Filipinos. “I think that those people [the Chinese] thought that some Filipinos were below them, so they had to set up those standards,” explains Alex*, a student who has heard opinions about the Great Wall from Chinese friends. Mina*, a Chinese student, seeks a different rationale. “I think … Chinese people really place premium on keeping the bloodline ‘pure’, and passing on the family name.” Scholars state that keeping a ‘pure’ bloodline and carrying the family name has been a part of Chinese culture
photo from 360-expeditions.com
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WALL’ RACIST? By Jana Maxine O. Tan
even during imperial China.
Negative implications of the ‘Great Wall’ The open rejection of Filipino or foreign suitors is seen as racist. For example, common tropes revolving around Filipino-Chinese relationships often include the general discrimination against the non-Chinese partner or spouse. According to the Chinese respondents, many of their relatives stereotype and discriminate Filipinos when discussing matters related to them. “I have an aunt by marriage who has only a bit of Chinese blood. She didn’t grow up in a traditional Chinese family either,” narrates Leah*, who was raised in a conventional Chinese household. “It was hard for some family members to accept her at first, and even when they stopped saying things, it felt like they were still harboring ill feelings toward her.” This may cause self-esteem issues toward the non-Chinese partner or suitor because of feelings of inadequacy due to outright discrimination. Generally, in most cases of courtship and relationship, the Great Wall also causes a rift between the Filipino and Chinese party. “This sets one race higher than the other,” voices Alex. Positive view of the ‘Great Wall’ While most opinions regarding the Great Wall involve negative reactions to the issue, some Chinese argue a positive outlook to the concept. “My parents told me that in itself, the Great Wall isn’t racist,” states Leah. “Parents are just worried that the cultural differences between the Chinese and Filipino might make it hard for the interracial couple to last.”
Chinese culture, which identifies more with East Asian traditions, share very few elements with Filipino culture. Anthropologists assert that Filipino culture is mostly affected by Polynesian and Spanish influences. Overcoming the ‘Great Wall’ Multiple respondents emphasize that there is no way to overcome Chinese families’ standards of the Great Wall idea. “They can’t,” states Mina, “especially if [the suitor] is Filipino.” According to Alex, however, the issue of overcoming the Great Wall does not lie in the qualifications of the suitor. “It depends on the context, but the only solution is [for the Chinese family to] either to lower these standards or accept the person.” “[The Great Wall] sets a restriction, but I personally don’t mind because I kind of understand why,” explains Mina. While the Great Wall is still widely seen as negative, positive perspectives are coming to light in order to open balanced discourse and promote understanding between Filipinos or foreigners and Chinese families.
*Respondents’ real names replaced for anonymity
Layout by Jasper Fausto
photo from pngmart.com
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THE GOOD DIE THE BAD LIVE The Ferdinand Marcos Administration lasted for twenty-one years, from 1965 to 1986. He is without a doubt the president with the longest term the Philippines had ever had. The media portrays him as man without morals, with his declaration of martial law that happened in 1972 being at the forefront of their criticisms.
His rule during the Martial Law period was one of complete control. He shut down Congress and most newspapers, jailed his major political opponents, assumed dictatorial powers, and ruled by presidential decree. In layman’s terms, he had complete power over the Philippines at the time. He even began using the national army and police force to enforce martial law and his dominion over the Filipino people. During that period, the army and police became notorious for their use of torture. Victims– which included political dissidents and suspected drug dealers– were beaten, flogged, given electric shocks, and were even murdered. To further enforce his control, Marcos enforced a strict curfew wherein anyone found in public after curfew was as good as dead. He silenced the media and had the military takeover. He banned international travel and captured thousands of anti-government suspects and had them thrown into military camps.
Marcos Administration had over nine thousand human rights violation over the period of 1969 to 1986. Their data showed that the almost half of all violations happened in Mindanao (46.6%), One-third (31.6%) happened in Luzon, and the remaining 21.8% occurred in Visayas. It also presented that the most prominent human rights violation was arrest/detention. Marcos had nearly every political opponent he had imprisoned. In this way, he had almost control over the political scene of the Philippines. One of his most well-known opponent, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., had to stay in exile because he knew staying in the Philippines was paramount to death, which was proven with his assassination on August 21, 1983 at the Manila International Airport as he was returning to the Philippines.
However, for all the evil that happened, some good did come out. After all, how could he have stayed in power for so long without quelling the masses? The Marcos Administration gave rise to numerous economic and infrastructural changes that benefited us in the end. He helped production
increase rice with the
According to the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines or TFDP, the
photo from search.wn.com
photo from inquirer.net
search.wn.com
photo from martiallawmuseum.ph
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ES AND ES ON By Shan Alecxander L. Porras
introduction of the IR-8 Hybrid Rice and for the first time since the American period, in 1986, the Philippines became self-sufficient in rice production. However this is not noticeably in the current times as, administrations after Marcos did not continue to give much support to our country’s rice production. They also initiated the Kilusang Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran (KKK) changed to National Livelihood Support Fund (NLSF) which supported twenty-five thousand entrepreneurial projects through 1.8 billion pesos and helped 500,000 beneficiaries. The administration also implemented Tenant’s Emancipation Act of 1972, the first Land Reform Code of our country, in December 1985. The act benefited 1.2 million farmers. They also created the Primary Health Care (PHC) Program which made medical care accessible to millions of Filipinos all over the country. The program was even awarded by United Nations as the most effective and most responsive health program among the third world countries. Not to mention the numerous heart, kidney, and lung centers established during that period. They also built the
Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) which provided poor Filipino children with subsidizes for quality medical treatment for. Our country also became the first in Asia to use dendrothermal energy and was once number two in geothermal energy utilization. The administrations extensive energy resource research, exploration and development led to a reduction of oil imports from 100% in 1965 to 40% in 1985. Furthermore, during his time, the country experienced an unprecedented infrastructural growth rate with our road network improving from 55,778 kilometers in 1965 to 77,890 kilometers in in 1970 and reaching 161,000 kilometers in 1985. Construction of irrigation facilities all over the country also made 1.5 million hectares of land irrigated and increased the production and income of farmers. In addition, the nationwide telecommunication systems were also improved with telephone systems and interprovincial toll stations being built. However, most of their improvements, legacies, and changes are no longer present. This is because of the stigma against the Marcos Administration which led the administrations after them to put great efforts in demolishing, hiding, and even destroying the good things they have built leaving only the bad. As Marc Antony said in the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, “The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones;” The Marcos Administration was the first to build a legacy like theirs in the history of the Philippines. Whether we want to admit it or not, they have left a lasting mark on the annals of history. Whether it was a good or a bad mark, it is up to you to decide. Layout by Jasper Fausto photo from rappler.com
photo from thedefai
nt.net
photo from inquirer.net
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UNCLOTHING THE FAST FASHION I N D U S T R Y
by Katrina Moñozca It is believed that people are becoming more aware of global issues. Some are taking small steps towards sustainable living–using metal straws, reusable bottles, containers; some towards protecting workers’ rights– boycotting Jollibee, NutriAsia, and the like. However, a documentary entitled “The True Cost” made in 2015 pointed out an issue in which these two meet. “The True Cost” reveals how certain practices of the fashion and textile industry have much to do with both environmental degradation and workers’ rights violations.
atmosphere during production. On the other hand, cotton is a pesticide-intensive crop which wastes more water during production and can also pollute nearby water sources. However, these materials can still be made sustainable when manufactured under the right conditions: zero waste, zero pollution.
“Fast Fashion” may not be a term people hear very often. After all, people tend to buy clothes based on fleeting trends and crazes, without thoroughly thinking about how often one will end up wearing them or the accumulated cost of it all. Consumers buy clothing based on aesthetics and prestige, without considering how unethical its process of production can be.
Another dire consequence of fast fashion concerns the lives of workers. Labor is much cheaper in third world or developing countries such as Bangladesh, India, China, Thailand, and the Philippines, where there are inconsistencies in labor laws. Textile factories are heavily concentrated in these areas, making violations of the labor code difficult to keep track of.
“Fast Fashion” is the practice of the fashion industry where clothes sold have taken inspiration from catwalks, trends, and celebrity culture at breakneck speed. Clothes which were swiftly designed and sold, only to be phased out in a few weeks are products of fast fashion. Well-known clothing companies like H&M, Uniqlo, Zara, and Topshop are all guilty of fast fashion because of the numerous benefits they offer to consumers. It is cheap, accessible, and always up-to-date with the latest trends. According to the research of Vertica Bhardwaj and Ann Fairhurst, fast fashion companies encourage a “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” attitude by changing the collections quickly so customers will want to buy much more during a shorter period of time.
According to the documentary “The True Cost,” a factory worker in Bangladesh earns merely two dollars a day and wages in other countries may be even lower. The film also captured views of the laborers’ unstable working conditions, going as far as showing clips of the most recent factory disasters. Finally, the film presented the life stories of many textile industry workers who, out of desperation, were forced into these jobs.
But what exactly is the bane of the fast fashion industry? One of its greatest impacts is on the natural environment. In order to maintain cheap and fast production, some environmental corners are likely to be cut. Some cheap materials used in factories for our clothes include polyester and cotton. Polyester, although less energyintensive to produce than nylon, still emits harmful chemicals to bodies of water and the Layout by Andrea Medina
Besides factory-generated waste, there is a great excess of fabric on factory floors and in trash receptacles that are dumped in underdeveloped areas such as Panipat in Northern India–the world’s “cast-off capital.”
The workers in this industry are also affected in terms of their personal health. Prolonged standing, overexposure to fibers and chemicals, etc., all make for a harmful environment. It is unsafe that hundreds of factory accidents involving fires, explosions, and building collapses have been occurring the past few years. Buildings are worn-out as workers are jammed into every corner, forced to labor in sweatshops. Fast fashion brings us comfort. It is low-cost for both manufacturers and consumers, but the real expense is hidden in the environmental degradation it exacerbates and the better conditions it inhibits for workers.
INFLATION at 6.7% in Q3 2018 By CJ Caruncho Stories of how a person can survive the whole day on a single peso alone aren’t uncommon. Intricacies of the modern society raised the standards for the bare by CJ Caruncho minimum, with 100 pesos nowadays providing just enough sustenance with a basic meal. The effect is amplified among Filipino consumers in the recent months as inflation reaches an all-time high for the first time in 9 years. Inflation in October clocked in at 6.7%, higher than the second quarter’s average of 4.8%. This spike is attributed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to the increase in food and fuel prices. The figure also brought the year-todate inflation to 5%, and put Philippine inflation on top of the ASEAN while GDP growth slowed down to 6.1% in the third quarter, lower than the revised second quarter figure of 6.2%. With the announcement of the figures comes the proliferation of some misconceptions about the nature of inflation. Inflation is bad. Simply put, inflation is the rate in which the average prices of goods and services increase over time. The economy is driven by inflation within
THE AFTERMATH OF TYPHOON ROSITA by Lexi Lagamon
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an acceptable range. Higher inflation, however, is not an indicator of economic prosperity. As inflation rises, the purchasing power of the peso diminishes more quickly. Inversely, deflation – the decline of the prices of goods – is not good either. Inflation is solely caused by international factors. BSP officer-in-charge Maria Amador identified the global oil price hike and US-China trade war as the primary forces that drive the domestic scene. Local policies and reforms also affect the economic issue at hand. TRAIN’s taxes directly add to the rising costs of petroleum products while the Philippine peso has slumped, the lowest exchange rate being PHP 54 against the USD. Imports also experienced doubledigit growth rates. Inflation affects only business owners and conglomerates. Inflation means you need to pay more for the same good and services. The elevated prices of goods hit hardest the consumers, who are able to purchase less than before.
While the ASHS community was on semestral break, Typhoon Rosita (international name Yutu) affected various parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila. Typhoon Rosita entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility last October 27. Three days later, on October 30, it made landfall in the town of Dinapigue, Isabela. The typhoon traversed through the provinces of Benguet, La Union, and Pangasinan before leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility on October 31. Disaster officials stated that the casualties of the typhoon left at least 17 people dead and 11 injured while many still are missing. At least P1.85 billion in agricultural damage has been caused by the typhoon,
Higher annual increases were observed in commodities such as food, utilities, fuel, and transport fares. Regions affected by Typhoon Mangkhut, which wiped out at least 26.7 billion worth of agricultural goods, registered high inflation rates – Mimaropa (7.3% to 9%) and Cagayan Valley (7.6% to 8%). CAR (5% to 5.2%), Caraga (6.1% to 6.2%) and Western Visayas (7.6% to 7.7%) also experienced a significant increase. BSP raised local interest rates 5 times, following increases in May 10, June 20, August 9, September 27, and November 15. In September, a Pulse Asia survey revealed 51% of Filipinos disapprove of how the administration is handling the issue of high inflation.
according to the Department of Agriculture's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DA-DRRMOC). A massive landslide also hit the DPWH Second District Engineering Office in the town of Natonin, Mountain Province. Approximately 29 people were said to be trapped in the three buildings that were buried in the landslide but volunteers were only able to rescue 19 survivors from the buildings. In Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, the flooding caused by Typhoon Rosita intensified as water from Magat Dam was released. Meanwhile in Metro Manila heavy flooding was also experienced with workers cleaning up debris that washed ashore on the baywalk in Manila.
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SEEING THROUGH
PINK By Kristina Jao
If you have ever once bought something from the ladies section at a department store or even from the shelves containing feminine hygiene products at a supermarket, chances are you have unknowingly paid for the pink tax.
What is the pink tax? It is the extra amount women pay for certain products and services that are usually related or associated with women. As found by a study by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, items marketed particularly toward ladies cost an average of 7% more than items advertised for men. This discrepancy happens 42% of the time and applies to clothes, toys, and hygiene services and items, in addition to other things. Moreover, it stated that the biggest price gap came to hygiene products, where ladies’ items cost 13% more than men’s, disregarding the difference in volume. How do companies get away with this? A commonly used marketing strategy takes completely repackaging the exact same product, changing the color to something associated to femininity (for instance, pink), and labelling it “FOR LADIES” or “FOR GIRLS.” Thus, there are some gender specific items in the country that have inconsistencies in the prices through which they are sold. Danee Torres of NOLISOLI.ph pointed out that a blue Spiderman bike for boys costs P459 while a pink Hello Kitty bike of a similar brand and producer costs P520 in a popular local online one-stopshop. In line with this, another online retailer offers their men’s razors for P81.75 and female razors of precisely the same brand for P122.25. Where does this tax come from? According to USA Today, to advertisers, ladies are less price conscious, which means they care less about the cost of products than men. This is because those who have a more urgent need to purchase an item are most likely willing to pay significantly more and consequently, women are regularly exposed to this discrimination, especially in the tampon and napkin industry. Since such are items that they need to purchase, they can be sold as high as businesses would need and they would still sell. Companies abuse this notion, bringing in costs of living for women being higher. Basically, the humanitarian essence of the Pink Tax is nonexistent. It does not exist for the greater good or for an underlying cause. The Pink Tax exists because of the universal corporate value of companies which is TO EARN and even sometimes, for others, TO EARN MORE than what is just. Despite being given such concrete proof, some institutions and organizations, like Forbes, still reject the idea of the Pink Tax, claiming that it has nothing to do with public policy, that it lacks substance and that price discrepancies can be attributed the production or manufacturing of such products. However, such a matter that concerns half of the entire population is not something to wave by. And therefore, be aware and see through the pink.
Layout by Jasper Fausto
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PET junks Marcos’ 50% threshold in vote recount By Ethan Galvan
MARCOS
ROBREDO
Quezon City, PHILIPPINES- As the legitimacy of her election remains questioned, Vice President Leni Robredo emerged triumphant with the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) ruling in her favor in a landmark decision that moved her one step ahead in her two-year gridlock with former Senator Bong Bong Marcos, son of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. The Supreme Court sitting as PET in a 21-page resolution released last September 18 sided with Robredo over the use of the 25% ballot shading threshold in the official recount of the 2016 polls in connection with the poll protest of Marcos. The poll body affirmed the position earlier held by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) which set the 25% threshold for the manual counting of the votes since it was the threshold recognized by Vote Counting Machines (VCM) throughout the 2016 elections. The ruling cited that for even before the get-go, the 50% shading threshold was already junked by the COMELEC and therefore makes it clear that a new threshold has been applied. “After assiduously going thru the parties’ comments and arguments, the Court herein resolves to partially grant the subject motion [of Robredo] setting aside the use of 50 percent threshold in the revision (recount) proceedings is concerned,” the resolution read. Robredo has fought to retain the COMELEC’s previous ruling of the 25% threshold amidst inquiries raised by Marcos who cited that the 50% rule must be recognized since it’s in line with PET’s 2010 decision. “It is a significant legal and political victory for us,” said Atty. Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s chief legal counsel. “This only proves that Marcos’ baseless claims that using the 25% threshold is tantamount to changing the rules in the middle of the game. The truth is that Marcos poll protest is hollow, and Leni Robredo is our country’s duly elected Vice President”. The official manual audit which covered the provinces enumerated by Marcos to be key battleground areas namely Ilo-Ilo, Camarines Sur, and Negros Oriental began last April 2. Before the said ruling, the PET used a 50% threshold in the official Manual recount of the votes. Marcos poll protest stems from allegations of cheating and electronic manipulation in the 2016 elections which resulted in him losing to Robredo by 263,473 votes.
THERE’S SOMETHING MISSING If there’s something distinctly Atenean, it’s the active participation of students in extracurricular activities. Service is held in high regard in the senior high; student leaders comprise a large chunk of the student population, and the Sanggunian’s presence is always felt within the school. The servant-leader culture of the Ateneo is something to admire; it’s unique, it’s organized, and it’s prolific. Social media is filled to the brim daily with publicity materials and the quintessential display picture (DP) blasts. The Sanggunian, in particular, has accomplished many feats this year, from fulfilling several campaign promises to continuing projects from past Sanggus. This mindset of commitment has spread to the entire student body, Sanggu or not, promoting Atenean values such as doing everything with magis and being persons for others. As we tread on to do our acts of service, however, one question lingers: what is our service really for?
The Assembly of Class Officers (ACO) has its trademark event: makiALAM, an initiative to raise awareness on different issues concerning the country. This year, ACO has held various makiALAM talks on matters like federalism and, more recently, mental health. One thing to note, however, is how makiALAM operates. Sometimes, two strand councils collaborate on a makiALAM talk. After weeks of planning, they release publicity materials
HELL | 3 (and ask members of the ACO to share the posts through a blast group chat-- something common in student groups). A DP frame is shared, a caption is made, and students do their duty. All is well.
Scrolling through Facebook in the midst of the most recent makiALAM blast, however, something was troubling. The mental health blast caption featured a fill-in-the-blank portion (also a norm in student activity culture): “one thing on my mind is ______.” Students put random phrases to fill in the blanks, like jokes about crushes, sleep, or food. It’s funny, yes. It makes these students appear relatable and witty. The problem, though, is the dilution of the actual issue at hand. It makes it seem like students blast for the sake of blasting, and fail to persuade their friends to realize how relevant this event is. To add salt to the wound, class officers are required to attend (or send a representative) to these talks in fear of a sanction. This is worrisome. What’s the point of hosting a talk when majority of the audience had to attend? Both these issues point to how this structure of student government can be detrimental to the very purpose it tries to fulfill. This institutionalization of service carries several burdens for other councils, too. For instance, the Council of Student Organizations (CSO) requires orgs to have at least four projects per year. As a result, organization heads had to brainstorm and cram four project proposals in order to reach the quota. These projects, then, run the risk of being half-assed, because they were created as a means to fulfill a requirement. The essence of the project, then, disappears, and all that’s left is something to carry out in order to portray your org as productive and helpful---at least according to the standards set in place. If that’s the case, is everything we do out of “service” just for show? Service is wonderful, but it has to come with genuinity. While the student government’s culture of organization and productivity must be recognized and praised, and student leaders are admirable for their dedication in working for the school, we must pause to think of why we tire ourselves to go the extra mile in our student activities. We serve not out of personal fulfillment or orders from authorities, but out of pure recognition that this community is in need of particular things, and that we have the ability to have these needs met. In order to do this, however, we have to view these needs through the eyes of the people we serve. This is where we truly live up to being an Atenean servant-leader.
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AN EXCUSE LETTER FOR JUSTICE Imelda Marcos is Bypassing the Law Again and it’s Getting Old.
An uphill struggle After a two-decade long struggle, the Sandiganbayan had ordered the arrest of Imelda Marcos, the widowed wife of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, for seven counts of graft. She is facing six to 11 years in prison for each count. Marcos, who was running for Ilocos Norte governor in the 2019 elections, was found to be using her position in the Cabinet to direct public money into private organizations in Switzerland. The several Swiss foundations that were created by the Marcoses held approximately $200 million. May edad na Not so long after her issued arrest, Marcos cited several health conditions to the Sandiganbayan to allow her to post bail once more, and appeal. This was said after her absence at the court’s promulgation of its judgement, along with her then lawyer Robert Sison. In spite of this, the former First Lady was seen attending a party that evening hosted by her daughter. From this, she received little sympathy from her critics, being called out for failing to miss her court hearing while being well enough to attend a party. Regardless, The PNP Chief told the media that the former First Lady’s age would be considered by the police in the event of her arrest.
Editorial Cartoon by Lilac Fameronag Bypassing the law Marcos’ actions and the response of the courts begs the question regarding whether the guilty is truly physically unfit or rather using her age and state as a means of bypassing the law and avoiding the punishment that she arguably deserves. Going past this, it also brings up for discussion the long debated topic of whether law authority should be more lenient with those who are older or physically unwell. But based on previous occurrences and recent events, even the aged and the sick have not been exempt from the iron fist of the law, while Imelda Marcos receives only a gentle hand. It’s in this selective practicing of justice that hinders this nation from growing past previous mistakes. It’s another form of forgiveness borne from pity, which is difficult to differentiate from empathy or humanity, that leaves both us and the offenders having learned nothing. But if the justice system can show the same mercy to those of the same age and level of impairment, then we’ll start listening.
Art by Lilac Fameronag
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GUNSLINGER
IN THE DARK, BEHIND THE NAME
SET C
PLANNER
#METOO
IMPRACTICAL NEGLECTFUL
FAKE
REPUTATION
Home to the iconic Blue Eagle, the Ateneo has consistently taken to the skies, maintaining its reputation as one of the most prestigious institutions in the country. Even as a new student who has been studying in the senior high school for less than a year, I found it easy to love the school and everything it advocates for. However, as the days pass, the wind seems to blow the other way. What I once saw as indefectible started to reveal its dirty secrets, hidden by the near spotless name and reputation of the school. This is the root of the problem: the masking of the issues in order to save the school’s reputation rather than trying to resolve the matters that persist. The attitude that the school administration is starting to pile negative emotions in me and other fellow students. This is extremely unbecoming of a well-respected school that has a hefty tuition fee. The community deserves more than an administration that sweeps issues under the rug. For starters, the school gave out the annual school planner, dedicated to us to be able to manage our schedules well and not miss out on important affairs. The planner was released in late October; the school year began in June. The planner was five months late. The administration’s rationale for this was that they had to wait for the dates of the different school events, as well as revisions of the student handbook. As if having the planners late was not inefficient enough, the school even decided to keep redundant pages. Even the months that have passed were still included in the planner. They already foresaw the late release of the planners, as they said, but they did no revision whatsoever to reduce the paper wastage and redundancy. What the
HELL | 2 hell are we supposed to do with those extra pages? So much paper wasted for each planner printed, especially for a school that promotes environmental sustainability. If you cannot live by what you preach, don’t bother preaching. On the topic of practicality, the administration has greatly exemplified how gravely they fall short of being so. Just a few months ago, the school required us to buy purchase the Set C shirt. Apart from the already existing uniforms, the administration had the ingenious idea of having an additional shirt. Up ‘til now, I see no definitive purpose of the Set C shirt. What purpose does it serve that the Set A and Set B cannot perform? When decisions are met and announcements, no matter how late and inefficient they are, are released, it is us who are forced to deal with change. Speaking of announcements, the administration treads behind in terms of proper communication. Announcements, letters, and memorandums are released late or even just days before whatever event is enclosed in them. Late announcements assume every student is capable of getting the necessary materials a day before it is needed. So much for making everyone feel welcome and included when the administration cannot even bother to spare a thought for the students. Again, where is the example in this? Do they not feel the pressure to do their part well? Words cannot describe how infuriated I am to find out how the administration completes their duties, and to think that they always reiterate the gravity of being responsible and going the extra mile, aiming for magis, yet they can’t even achieve the bare minimum. Evidently, the administration has made it their habit to neglect the needs of the students. Based on the things I’ve personally heard from my seniors, this has been going on even since the past year. As they recall, the administration has faced multiple cases of sexual harassment, yet even up til now, there seems to be no definitive resolution. They have kept quiet about these issues, keeping them in the dark. Why is the administration afraid to talk about issues that need to be talked about? Why do they prefer to brush off
issues that concern human dignity, something that is well versed in the CLE lessons. The administration lacked concrete resolution that students, even beyond what they already have on their plate, have taken it upon themselves to do the administration’s job. Last year, Lakambini held a project that was similar to a freedom wall where victims of sexual harassment could share their #MeToo story. This project went through rough questioning before being approved with changes brought about by the administration. A #ThankYou section was added, as per the administration’s request, to add some positivity so that if someone from outside the high school saw the board, they wouldn’t see all the negative stories only. Why is the administration trying to hide the truth? Why are they covering up what really happened? Does the administration think that it is justifiable to sugarcoat sexual harassment? The administration has kept the lid on the issue, being idle and unresponsive to the truth; this is as bad as condoning such acts. Not taking a firm stand and just going by how the river flows lets the perpetrators be free to victimize more people and leave the victims undignified. Sexual harassment is not a light issue; it needs to be dealt with the utmost seriousness and respect, but unfortunately, this is not what we see from the administration. A lone memorandum on the issue is not enough. We deserve concrete action, a resolution to end all causes. Where are the repeated memos that should serve as deterrents? Why don’t we hear stories of justice and hope from the victims? Why don’t we feel that we can live happily in a safe school environment? We are tired of this repetitive, inadequate system that the administration continually reflects. We need change. We deserve change. It is time that the school properly and truthfully live up to its renowned standard that everyone expects from it. They need to hear our voices and hear our plea. We are not pleased. The administration needs to learn to accept flaws and start resolving them, rather than hiding them in the dark to save its reputation. Faking it until you make it no longer works. It is time to change.
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