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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF JOHN B. LACSON COLLEGES FOUNDATION (BACOLOD), INC.
GREEN ON A BLACK SATURDAY. Youth groups went mangrove planting in Barangay Balaring, Silay City with a call to #SaveNegrosForests.
RUER TORCULAS
NegOcc youth begin 1st wave of mangrove planting BY RUER TORCULAS
On Black Saturday, youth organizations and other groups went green to mitigate climate effects in coastal communities in the first wave of mangrove planting activity, April 3 in Barangay Balaring, Silay City. The ongoing community-based project “Bakhawan para sa Katawhan” or “Mangroves for the People” is initiated by Mangrove Matters PH (MMPH) and Youth for Climate Hope, and is funded by Kabanatan: An Online Fundraiser to address issues and promote sustainable solutions through mangrove conservation and protection in Negros Occidental. According to Matthew Vincent Tabilog, a Marine Biology student of Silliman University and founder of MMPH, the activity can lessen the climatic impacts because of “carbon sequestration” and its role in protecting the coastal areas. “Ang mangrove, buffer zones ni sila, so
editorial Turn a blind eye no more read on page 06
for example, may potential storm surges nga matabo or may typhoons, at least ang coastal community ma protect sila,” he pointed out. Tabilog also reiterated that mangrove areas could provide ecological services like breeding and wintering grounds for both terrestrial and aquatic organisms, increase the fish production in the locale, and generate income in the community through its seedlings. “Kay what if may iban man bi nga organizations gusto man mag-mangrove planting so maka benefit man sila, at the same time mangin diverse ang gina tanom naton,” he said in an interview. The initiative consists of multiple waves of the mangrove enrichment planting activities in different parts of the province and a monitoring process to attain sustainability and management of the project. “Our goal is to plant 10,000 seedlings of mangrove at the same time to monitor para ma check gid kung ga grow or wala,” Tabilog said.
feature Pageantry to military transpired read on page 10
health and lifestyle
Why copper masks are not recommended by experts read on page 13
Moreover, approximately 50 individuals volunteered for the project, and 1,500 ‘Avicennia marina’ seedlings or locally known as ‘Bungalon’ were planted in the zone. “Gusto man namon makabulig biskan sa amo lang ni nga simple nga butang kag also maka contribute man sa aton nga island kay para paano maka lessen man ta sang climate crisis nga gina pangatubang,” Maria Precious Gruspe, one of the volunteers shared. In an appreciation statement, MMPH also extended its gratitude to the participants and acknowledged the local community for agreeing in conducting the activity. “There is still hope in the minds of the people despite the fact that we are in a global health crisis. We should keep on moving forward in doing our acts of stewardship for our environment. The climate crisis is here, and many are affected, and we must act now.” MMPH wrote in a Facebook post.
sports feature Taking the long lane read on page 15
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VOLUM E 3 NO.2 JA NUA RY - M AY 2 0 2 1
PhilRCY campaign training equips youth, JBLCF-B volunteers
BY RUER TORCULAS
In preparation for the youth on combating viruses and vaccine misinformation, an educational training was conducted for the Red Cross Youth of John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (Bacolod), Inc. and other councils last March 28 via Zoom. The Red Cross Youth-National Headquarters (NHQ) and National Youth Council spearheaded the activity entitled “#ViralThanVirus: Vaccination and Immunization Training for Youth Volunteers” to equip more than 1,000 youth nationwide with knowledge on vaccination and immunization against infectious diseases. Senator Richard J. Gordon, Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross, shared his valuable insights of the campaign and the role of the youth in creating an impact. “If you’re doing a lot of good things, you can stand up to anybody.” Alongside Sen. Gordon, speakers and experts invited to the training were: Sec. Gen. Elizabeth
Zavalla, Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergerie, IFRC Regional Emergency Health Coordinator Dr. Abhishek Rimal, Mr Mark Alvin Abrigo, and Brian Kae Enriquez, Coordinator of PRC COVID-19 Response. “You can’t just ignore the fear and doubt that people have, but you can lessen it through spreading facts and sharing the
benefits of the vaccine,” Ma. Hagia Malunes, an RCY volunteer shared. They were given various activities to identify the challenges in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic and exploring solutions. Moreover, the said training prepares a capable network of potential youth volunteers to be mobilized in the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The activity was held in
batches by participating RCY councils worldwide, which ran on March 27, 28, and April 10, 2021. This activity is in partnership with the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) through the Youth against COVID-19 through Unified Response (Y-CURE) and the National Society Development (NSD) Project of the American Red Cross.
MA. HAGIA MALUNES
JBLCF-B student orgs aid flood evacuees in Silay
BY PAUL IVAN QUEZON
SILAY CITY— A week after flash floods hit cities in Northern Negros, the Supreme Student Government, Peer Facilitating Program, and The Carrier, with the Community Extension Services from John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (Bacolod), Inc., delivered their week-long donation drive to some affected barangays here, last January 16. The long-standing concrete bridge which connected Pulo Tambulong to the other side of the river for years was destroyed by the violent rush of water, making the locals improvise a zipline made of old rubber and ropes. The groups gave sanitary kits and relief goods to Pulo Tambu-
long, Hacienda Malisbong, Brgy. Hawaiian, Malisbog and Hacienda Culahao, Brgy. E Lopez. “Ang tubig naglapaw na da sa taytay. Perte ang kulba namon. Gapangamuyo na lang guid kami,” one of the residents shared.
Moreover, SSG President Franz Gabriel Baylon explained that they have to cross the river through the zipline to avoid a disorderly mass and ensure that every household receives relief goods and a fair number of
donated clothes. This initiative is a part of ‘Bangon Negrosanon’, an independent donation drive of JBLCF-B student organizations to raise funds for displaced families in severely affected areas.
BAYANIJuan. Lacsonians crossed the river in Pulo Tambulong, Silay City to hand over the donations collected by different MARY AILEEN LABIOS organizations of the school.
T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F J O H N B . L A C S O N C O L L E G E S F O U N D AT I O N ( B A C O L O D ) , I N C .
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news 03
VOLUME 3 NO.2 | JANUARY - M AY 2 0 2 1
CBE join in mental health, spiritual enhancement webinar BY JASELE MAE PRIOLO
Discussing mental health awareness and spiritual enhancement to prepare the second and third year students from the College of Business Education is the central theme for the webinar conducted on March 8. Guidance Office Head Johnna P. Ojoylan talked about the myths and facts, key factors, and ways to improve mental health and well-being of individuals. “When they say nga ang mental illness is rare, that is not true. We are all going through something so let us be sensitive sa surroundings ta, and know that it is okay to seek professional help,” she said. Meanwhile, Jude Anthony Chua discussed struggles, the
process of assessing them, and how to act on them with his presentation titled “Crossroads: What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do”. “When we’re faced at a crossroads, we must think first of our actions because the consequences will affect our future, and the best thing to do is to bend your knees and pray,” Chua emphasized.
After finding a significant number of students were unaware of the school’s Integrated Environmental Management Program (IEMP), JBLCF-B student project proponents and members reintroduced the program’s agenda in a two-part online summit via Zoom. A two-day webinar called “Knowing Home” held on February 4 and 8, was conducted and aimed to present the school’s unique implementation of IEMP, an environment-related program, to the students. Its eight components are discussed by corresponding school staff and department heads, including various projects initiated to promote sustainable developments and environment-friendly practices. Franz Gabriel Baylon, one of the project proponents of Knowing Home, said that the rein-
824th NROTC-U Cadets top Military Science 3 class BY RENGIL MANA-AY
JASELE MAE PRIOLO
9 in 10 Lacsonians unaware of JBLCF-B’s IEMP BY ALLEN TORDESILLAS & PAUL IVAN QUEZON
REYNALDO JR. CALPOPORO
troduction of IEMP to the students was due to a pre-assessment done online with a 90% rate of students being unaware of the program nor its components’ existence. JBLCF-B has garnered multiple awards for its continuous environmental practices in the school and community, which Baylon believes is a feat the school must be recognized for. “I hope this initiative would spark the change to my fellow Lacsonians so we could maintain the excellent record that we already started with the Provincial Environment Management Office,” Baylon said. Knowing Home is a proposal by Franz Gabriel Baylon, Jesus Capuras Jr., Mikko Dadivas, Rengil Mana-ay, Paul Ivan Quezon, and Kyle Jenelle Salazar to Project Silak, a webinar series organized by youth advocates in the Philippines tackling renewable energy.
19 Cadet Officers graduated from 824th Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit of Military Science 3 Class 20202021 Batch Tatag Kalasag, with two top notchers last January 15. Among 150 students, Mdpn. Calpoporo, Reynaldo Jr. C., who ranked 1st and Mdpn. Bulahan, Roberto Jr. F., who followed third, were awarded with Certificates of Merit. “The experiences and knowledge we attain during the training helped and molded us to become more efficient, resilient, disciplined, and well-rounded leaders and individuals. To overcome the problem brought by the crisis, we learned to always see the good in every bad situation and never to let any single circumstances set a boundary or hinder us towards achieving our goal,” Calpoporo said. Military Science 3 or also known as the Regional Summer Camp Training, is taken by Third Class ROTC Cadet Officers in their respective regions to enhance their military proficiency and physical condition. This training aims to train officers for the reserve component and possible direct commission in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It prepares the Cadet Officers for leadership positions in the
defense establishments in case of a national emergency. Only four NROTC Units of Negros Occidental among the other units in Western Visayas had the training in face-to-face with proper protocols, namely 824th NROTC -Unit of John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (Bacolod), Inc., 829th NROTC -Unit of Technical University of the Philippines -Visayas, 837th NROTC -Unit of VMA Global College Inc., and 871st NROTC -Unit of Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology. 824TH NROTC-U LIST OF MS3 GRADUATES CLASS 2020 BATCH TATAG-KALASAG: 1. Arlos, Peter Paul D. 2. Bulahan, Roberto Jr. F. 3. Calpoporo, Reynaldo Jr. C. 4. Laluna, Cristian L. 5. Libo-on, Roger Jr U. 6. Rodriguez, Mark Gleen J. 7. Margario, Jose Maria Miguel C. 8. Cagalawan, Nelson D. 9. Ducado, Rolan Dominic G. 10. Ducado, Romel Gregory G. 11. Hortillosa, Lester Ace A. 12. Lasona, Joven S. 13. Malaque, Eugene F. 14. Montano, Neil Rojs P. 15. Quizan, John Rey D. 16. Sanchez, Mary Louise E. 17. Tanate, John Jr. P. 18. Torres, John Uriel D. 19. Villaester, Jhon V.
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VOLUM E 3 N O.2 | JAN UARY - M AY 2021
TheCarrier
JBLFMU invites gov’t agencies, shipping companies on 1st Virtual Maritime Confab BY PAUL IVAN QUEZON
In line with the 73rd Foundation Week Celebration on February 23, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University held its first Virtual Maritime Conference with invited speakers and representatives from government agencies and international shipping companies to share their insights on the current state of the maritime education and industry amid the global pandemic via Zoom. Dr Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Director for Programs and Standards Division, emphasized the importance of quality and excellence in the maritime industry, with JBLFMU as one of the pioneering maritime universities. “This is sending a very strong signal among Maritime Higher Education Institutions that even with the evident disruptions brought by COVID-19 pandemic, quality and excellence in teaching never
stops,” Dr Ancheta-Diego said. Deputy Administrator for Operations of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Nannette Dinopol introduced the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP), a unifying roadmap or long-term plan for MARINA, and it is intended as a platform to take advantage of the perceived plans and opportunities in the country’s maritime sector, and its implication to the academe. She presented the projected world shortage of officers estimated at 92,000 by 2020 and 147,500 five years after. “We are yet to know what would be the updates of this projection by the International Maritime Organization,” Dinopol said. There is a projected increase in arrival in tourism via ship cruises, which is estimated to reach more than 400,000 passengers with 402 port calls by 2022. “But then, if the pandemic would stay in the next two years, God forbids, then this projection may no longer be accurate.” She also added that the prospects for
further growth of domestic shipping and fishing are expected to remain high, mainly due to the country’s archipelagic configuration. Moreover, Atty. Brenda Pimentel, President of Philippine Maritime Research, Studies and Services, discussed “Seafarers Rights and Nuances in the Proposed Magna Carta for Seafarers”; and Engr. Felix Oca, Chairman of the Philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI), talked about “MET Challenges and Opportunities in this Pandemic Time”. Also invited to the conference is
Hon. Sandro Gonzales, Representative of the MARINO Partylist. Representatives from various shipping companies such as Vega Manila Crew Management, Odfjell Philippines, Inc., Pacific Basin Maritime Personnel, Inc., Marlow Navigation, Misuga Management Services, Inc., and Princess Cruise Inc., imparted their respective practices in addressing and taking necessary actions to the concerns of the Filipino seafarers in this time of the pandemic. This event was participated by the students, faculty, and staff of the JBLFMU System.
Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego shares her insights regarding the significance of PAUL IVAN QUEZON quality and excellence in the maritime industry.
STO organizes pre-employment webinar series for incoming onboard cadets BY ANGELO PINEDA
In line with the transition to the ‘new normal’, the Shipboard Training Office (STO) conducted its first virtual pre-employment seminar for graduating maritime students and incoming onboard cadets in a series of Zoom sessions held every Saturday of February. The first part of the weekly webinar included instructional and step-by-step procedures for processing necessary documents from various government agencies. Five resource speakers from various government agencies in the province were invited to highlight important requirements the cadets should
comply with. They are Luis Gonzalez, Chief Statistical Officer of the Philippine Statistics Authority (Negros Occidental); Raymond John Villanueva of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Engr. Rufina Aquino from Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA); Floramie Belarte Magbato from Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Bacolod; and Martizel Taclobos of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Bacolod City. For the second day, which discussed preparations and tips for post-graduation life, the talk consisted of marine officers who are also instructors of the institution. C/M John Erll N. Destacamento, Program Head of Bachelor of Sci-
ence in Marine Transportation, discussed the Graduate Attributes and its relevance to seafaring; 2/E Cloyd Verdeflor, Program Head of Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering explained hiring and deployment as maritime trends; and Capt. Norlito Lopez for the Magna Carta of Seafarers. For the third leg of the webinar, 3/E Joni Gan discussed the adverse effects of alcohol and drug intoxication and the impact on seafarer’s career for his talk on “Care of Person Onboard, Alcohol, and Drugs”. Mrs. Johnna P. Ojoylan, Head of the Guidance Office, also shared her thoughts on psychological enhancement, effects of isolation and boredom, and its impact on the seafarer’s
well-being, and concluded by two JBLCF-B alumni and top-ranking officials: C/E Solomon Salhay from Odfjell and Capt. Achilles Cuadra of Fukujin-Kisen. As accomplished seafarers, they both shared their respective experiences and wisdom with the graduating class of 2021. For the final day, 2/M Edgar T. Lemoncito Jr, Safety Officer of JBLCF-B, discussed care for the environment while onboard and safety protocols. Meanwhile, Mrs. Maria Cristina B. Gallego, Placement Coordinator of JBLCF-B, talked about the pertinent documents and other things to prepare before reporting to the company office.
T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F J O H N B . L A C S O N C O L L E G E S F O U N D AT I O N ( B A C O L O D ) , I N C .
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news 05
VOLUME 3 NO.2 | JANUARY - M AY 2 0 2 1
Non-partisan youth coalition for voters registration, education launched BY RENGIL MANA-AY
BACOLOD CITY— A non-partisan coalition of youth organizations from various causes and sectors converged to launch Bacolod Youth Coalition for Democracy (BaCoD) on May 15, at Saint John Mary Vianney Hall, San Sebastian Cathedral to push for youth voters registration, education, and empowerment. The launching event dubbed “Bangon, Pamatan-on!” aims to introduce BaCoD to the public, and to get youth leaders to sign a manifesto of support for the coalition that was attended by student councils, campus-based organizations, the Sangguniang Kabataan, and the youth arms of civil society organizations in the city. “BaCoD aims to maximize the capacities of the youth in taking active roles for the upcoming 2022 national elections. The initiative centers on voter registration through the establishment of a localized and unified issue-based voters education
YOUTH FOR THE COUNTRY. Former COMELEC Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Jessie Suarez graced the kick off the campaign together with the BaCoD conveners.
BACOD COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
program and the intersectional creation of a 2022 youth agenda representative of the Bacolod youth,” says Joshua Eusebio Jr., the Secretariat Lead of BaCoD. The coalition emerged as a response to the urgent calls for a collective youth-voter empowerment movement for the upcoming May 2022 elections, and it intends to increase youth voter registration and turnout by making voter registration accessible to the youth, as well as develop a relevant, innovative, and engaging voters’ education program to intensify campaigns for the 2022
GAD orientation held to promote all genders in HEIs BY ARJEN CASTILLANO
JBLCF-B Student Affairs and Services with College Guidance Office conducted its Gender and Development (GAD) Orientation this March 10-15 with the aim to mainstream all genders to higher education institutions, private, public, and nationwide. The orientation was held online in line with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 01, 2015. JBLCF-B Administrator Engr. Roberto Neal Sobrejuanite said that the institution aims to ensure achievements with
regard to gender equality. “It is to attain an environment free from violence, apply gender equality, strengthen human rights implementation to both women and men. Gender sensitivity is in fact delivered to staff, teachers, faculty and students.” Furthermore, Ms. Trina Pahilanag, College Guidance Associate, discussed the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) and how far an economy together with its society can go by defining what men and women can do. The event was participated by students from the College of Maritime Education and College of Business Education.
national elections through collectivizing efforts for the youth. “The creation of a youth coalition is necessary and strategic in helping the community of young individuals to be more informed of their political and legal right to vote. It is also essential for young voters to educate themselves on political issues, and the coalition will be of great value in fulfilling the short and long-term goals in strengthening the community as a whole,” Ayesha Villaflor, SK Federation of Bacolod President, said. BaCoD also aims to take on grassroots-centered initiatives
that shall make registration and voting accessible to every youth while instituting voters’ education programs on a more localized and issue-based level, especially within campus grounds and barangay communities. Alongside these efforts, the coalition will be extending their functions to craft a multisectoral issue-based agenda representative of the calls and needs of Bacolodnon youth amidst the backdrop of campaigns for good governance and civic participation. “Educating our young voters must really be a priority because we might not care about choosing our political leaders now, but in the coming years where we will be affected by the policies they will be implementing, we will realize that it is important to have a say, to make a choice and to take part in the election to protect our interests in real world. That is why we are encouraging more youth organizations to be with us in realizing our goals and help create a better community,” Villaflor emphasized.
COVID-19 jab in Bacolod City starts BY ALLEN TORDESILLAS
Two hospitals in Bacolod City were identified by the Department of Health as priorities for COVID-19 vaccines. The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) and Riverside Medical Center, recognized by the Department of Health as the two hotspots for COVID-19 admission, began their vaccination program on their medical health employees, March 7. A total of 6,300 vials of Sinovac vaccines arrived in Bacolod prepared for the medical frontliners of both hospitals known to be Level-3 COVID-19 facilities by DOH due to high reported numbers of COVID-19 admitted patients from across the province of Negros Occidental
and the LGU’s recorded number of Locally stranded individuals (LSI). According to Dr Chris Sorongon, deputy for medical data and analysis of the Emergency Operations (EOC) Task Force, these vaccines are only intended for medical frontliners working in the two hospitals. He also added that the unused allocated vials of the Sinovac vaccine would be given to the medical employees from Level 1-2 hospitals in Bacolod, including medical workers at City Health Office. Medical employees who acquired the vaccine will be given two doses of the Sinovac vaccine. The second dose will be administered exactly after one month. The 6,300 vials were part of the 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine donated by China to the Philippines.
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06 editorial TheCarrier
VOLU M E 3 N O.2 JAN UARY - M AY 2021
Turn a blind eye no more
The West Philippine Sea is a vast maritime domain rich in natural resources where the Philippines has sole legal rights. It is well within the 200 nautical miles demarcation set forth by the United Nations Conventions on Laws of the Sea as the exclusive economic zone the country has the right to use. But the Philippines’ ownership of the said area is always under constant threat. With China’s maritime militia swarming the West Philippine Sea, the Julian Felipe Reef, which is 324 kilometers from the southern tip of Palawan province— is China’s “last piece of the puzzle” before taking control of the entire Union Reefs, according to Jay Batongbacal of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea. In July 2016, the Department of Foreign Affairs chief Albert Del Rosario, together with former Solicitor General Paolo Hilbay won an arbitrary case in The Hague that ruled in favor of the Philippines, solidifying its claim on Scarborough Shoal, a maritime feature found 127 nm west of Zambales, and a traditional fishing area of Filipino fishermen. The arbitrary case is a result of the Chinese occupation of the said shoal in 2012. But to no avail, the said arbitrary case is widely ignored by the current administration all in the name of “friendship”, and it’s one-sided. China has become this administration’s friend; Duterte, being a confessed communist, has an unexplained fetish towards pleasing Xi Jin Ping, the communist president of the communist
TheCarrier EDITORIAL BOARD S.Y. 2020-2021
country who has multiple border conflicts with multiple countries. Duterte’s soft stance against Chinese aggression on the West Philippine Sea is highly criticized by both national and international entities. Whenever confronted with the issue, Duterte keeps on shrugging it off, saying the Philippines is no match for China militarily, or a nuclear war is something he is trying to prevent. This simply shows that
Duterte is either unaware of other channels he could use to enforce our sovereignty, or he is deliberately throwing our rights to the area out the window in exchange for a few economic favors, he has two perfectly capable eyes, but all of them are completely blind. The recent appearance of the Chinese maritime militia on Julian Felipe Reef, on the other hand, has changed the tone of
this administration’s diplomatic policy. Government agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of National Defense, for the first time during Duterte’s presidency, harshly criticized Chinese behavior in Filipino-claimed maritime features. This is in direct opposition to the status quo set by their Commander-in-Chief. The Chinese embassy in Manila chastised Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for allegedly being “unprofessional” in issuing a statement that they disagreed with, but that did not stop Lorenzana from issuing another statement reiterating the Philippines’ ownership of the field. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it joins the DND in calling out the Chinese incursions and would continuously monitor the West Philippine Sea through regular air and maritime sovereignty patrols apart from the 24/7 land-based monitoring stations. Moreover, Batongbacal believes there will still be a different outcome because the Philippine government acted early enough, immediately after the Chinese vessels were sighted in the area. If the government didn’t sound alarmed on the latest incursion, he warned of a possible repeat of China’s takeover of Scarborough Shoal. This represents an extraordinary paradigm change in the Philippines’ foreign policy toward China; Duterte is undoubtedly under pressure, and the time will come when he will no longer be able to turn a blind eye.
E DI TO R- I N- CHI E F Paul Ivan R. Quezon
MANAGING EDITOR Allen P. Tordesillas
NEW S EDITOR Angelo C. Pineda
L IT ERA RY EDI TOR Ruer G. Torculas
A SSO CI ATE E DI TO R
ASST. MANAGING ED ITOR Jasele Mae S. Priolo
FEAT URE ED ITOR Mark John P. Priolo
LAYOU T A N D PAGE EDI TOR Chryshan Nheil F. Alejano
Rengil V. Mana-ay
T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F J O H N B . L A C S O N C O L L E G E S F O U N D AT I O N ( B A C O L O D ) , I N C .
TheCarrier
opinion 07
VOLUME 3 NO.2 | JA NUARY - M AY 2 0 2 1
Mediocrity is toxic positivity “Grades don’t define me” is probably a statement you’ve already seen online posted by someone who continues to receive low marks on their academic report cards. As this simple phrase might be seen as “uplifting” and “optimistic”, I have come to realize this is rooted in mediocrity. Last time, I’ve seen posts from various Facebook groups, especially those who aim to boost seafarers’ morale, about grades not being a measure of intelligence. Not only do they justify that resourcefulness or “diskarte” is what one should possess, but they also insinuate that intelligence is not a requirement if one aspires to be a seafarer because they will still come out successful nonetheless. I am not, in any way, invalidating his story. But the mindset of mediocrity should never be used to influence others— it’s toxic positivity.
paulychrome
To succeed, we need courage, perseverance, and grit; we must never settle for less.
Paul Ivan R. Quezon piquezon@gmail.com
Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how hard the situation is, we shall maintain a positive mindset or “positive vibes” only. There is nothing wrong with sharing your experience and success to inspire other people, but we must always be sensitive because not everyone was given the same amount of privileges and opportunities in life for them to attain the same level of success you took pride in. Some students need to strive in achieving the
highest grades because this is where opportunities knock for them to be successful. A lot of maritime students have to maintain a GPA of 85 percent and above. After all, they rely on academic scholarships, subsidies, and other financial help they could claim to lessen their school fees because most of these students do not come from well-off families. Most do not also come from a successive bloodline of seafarers who could serve as
their “backers” when they got on board. Backers are those who can easily refer relatives or friends to the shipping company. These students also have to keep a good academic status because shipping companies require applicants with outstanding grades. Most international shipping companies prefer applicants with good academic standing. Some companies have high standards when it comes to selecting their cadets based on the administered knowledge and skill-based examinations, including their proficiency during interviews. To succeed, we need courage, perseverance, and grit; we must never settle for less. Yes, those people could succeed through their mediocrity, but I think a tale of a student who rose to greater heights through hard work and achievement will encourage me more.
Murdering trees for progress?
At a very young age in primary school, we are already taught about the importance of trees in the environment. Despite its essential benefit to its ecosystem, there are always groups of people who would destroy these trees for their own hidden agenda. Recently, there was a controversy about the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) cutting down 26 fully grown trees along Araneta Street, Bacolod City which was also known as the national highway bound from Kabankalan-Bacolod. I believe that this action should be criticized and also liable government offices shall receive a proper sanction for cutting 26 out of 35 trees which was composed of 15 Molave, 12 Narra, seven mahogany, and one Eucalyptus. First, the Department of Envi-
PHOTO S AN D GRA P H I C E D I TO R Emmy S. Nava STA FF W R IT ER Arjen P. Castillano
‘Major’ Problems
...progress does not mean they need to destroy natural resources and replace them with man-made structure.
Allen P. Tordesillas allentordesillas1@gmail.com
ronment and Natural Resources should stick to their mission and vision which is protecting the environment and that includes the preservation of centennial trees; hence, they shouldn’t have signed the request of DPWH to cut those trees just for the enhancement of the sidewalks along the street. Second, progress does not mean they need to destroy natural resources and replace
P HOTO G RA P HE RS Mar y Aileen R. Labios Nele Stephen M. Pacurib M O DE RATO R Alyn G. Libertad, MAEd
them with man-made structures. There are a lot of netizens that have knowledge about road works who shared their sustainable proposed designs on how to remodel a sidewalk without cutting trees. This unfortunate event gathered the campaigners from various groups and environmental organizations to conduct a silent protest which they called “mourn the death” last April
EDITORIAL POLICY. TheCarrier is published twice every year as the official newsletter of John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (Bacolod), Inc., Pauline Village, Alijis, Bacolod City. TheCarrier accepts original articles from students and faculty. We edit contributed articles and provide correction for write-ups that need modification or improvement. All contributions must be legibly written and double spaced. All submitted articles automatically become properties of TheCarrier.
16, 2021. They’ve been carrying placards showing how dismayed they are to DENR and DPWH for committing such ignorant action. Responsible government offices that are in charge of the enhancement of our city and even in the province as a whole should find ways on how to create sustainable development since we are already in the stage where our environment is deteriorating. The city government as well should thoroughly examine every permit and license that has been submitted by the DPWH and DENR because it is not the first time that they cut numbers of centennial trees in the city, that is why they need to have stronger and strict regulations about this matter to avoid another tree cutting incident.
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08 devcom TheCarrier
VOLUM E 3 N O.2 JA NUA RY - M AY 2021
Suicide cases sa bansa lumobo sa gitna ng pandemya; JBLCF-B guidance assoc nagbigay paalala
EMMY NAVA
BY RENGIL MANA-AY
Pumalo na sa 3,529 na kaso ng pagpapakamatay ang naitala ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) noong 2020, mas mataas sa 2,808 na kaso noong 2019, at para kay Bb. Trina Pahilanag, Guidance Associate ng JBLCF-B, nakakaalarma ang balitang ito at hindi dapat isawalang-bahala. “The growing number of suicide cases among Filipinos is very much alarming. Suicide is not a joke. And those lives that were taken away by it or other mental illness should not just be treated as a number or part of the statistics. They have names, and stories. They have loved ones who are in need of comfort and help. It may be complicated for others to understand, but the least that these victims need is judgment,” aniya. Alinsunod dito, nabahala rin ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno at umapila sa mga simbahan sa bansa na magbigay ng payo at gabay sa mga nasasakupan nila upang maiwasan ang pagkabalisa at matulungan silang mailigtas ang kanilang mga sarili mula sa “self-destruction” sa gitna ng pandemya. “I share [National Task Force against COVID-19] Secretary Galvez’s concern and respect-
fully request our spiritual leaders to bring this much needed message of hope to our suffering countrymen in order to stave off more incidents of self-destruction,” ani ni Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. Ayon naman kay Bb. Pahilanag, dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ang mga inisyatibong makatutulong sa ating mental health at ipatupad ang Mental Health Law upang mas makamtan ang mga serbisyong naaayon dito sa lahat ng Pilipino. “There’s still a long way to go to make every Filipino see the importance of mental health because of the stigma embedded in our culture, it’s nice that there are now initiatives/programs/ organizations nga naga advocate for such here are online support group on Facebook (like Hey Hay Ph) where strangers could have a safe place to talk about their struggles. There are also webinars or talks about psychosocial well-being, self-management, etc. “Makita pa guid tani ang importance sang mga mental health professionals as they are the ones being trained on how to properly handle mental health concerns, especially those complex ones. Hopefully, starting with those, maamat-amat kakas ang stigma and ma improve ang sistema.”
Pinapaalala rin ni Bb. Pahilanag na napakaimportanteng bantayan ang sarili sa kabila ng mga stress, takot, at kabagabagan. Nagbigay din siya ng ilang hakbang kung paano pangangalagaan ang mental health ng bawat isa: Magkaroon ng sapat na tulog. Maghanap ng mga gawaing makapagbigay ng kaligayahan o aliw. Mag-ehersisyo dahil nakakatulong ito magpalakas ng happy hormones sa katawan. Para sa ilan, kapag maraming mga bagay na bumabagabag sa kanilang isip, sinusulat nila ito sa dyornal para madaling maayos. Repleksyon. Maaaring huminto para suriin ang iba’tibang aspeto ng buhay na kailangang isaayos. Tandaan na ang paghingi ng tulong ay hindi senyales ng kahinaan. Humingi ng payo sa mga propesyonal tulad ng psychologist, guidance counselor, o psychiatrist. Maaari ring humingi ng kaagapay sa mapagkakatiwalaang kaibigan. Huwag maliitin ang bisa ng suportang panlipunan lalo na ngayon na tayo’y magkahiwalay, kung saan ang mga damdamin ng kalungkutan ay lalong lumalaki. Maging bahagi rin ng sistema ng suporta ng isang tao. Sa mga araw ng lumbay, laging isaisip at paalalahanan ang sarili na ayos lang maging hindi maayos minsan dahil nag-aabang ang mas magandang bukas.
T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F J O H N B . L A C S O N C O L L E G E S F O U N D AT I O N ( B A C O L O D ) , I N C .
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lathalain 09
VOLUME 3 NO.2 | JA NUARY - M AY 2 0 2 1
Hamon sa Gitna ng Makabagong Normal sa Edukasyon BY MARK JOHN PRIOLO
“Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting!”, ang bagong tunog na kahit na ang mahimbing na natutulog na estudyante ay napilitang bumangon upang makapasok sa eskuwela. Ang paaralang nakapatong na lang sa ibabaw ng lamesa o di kaya ay hawak sa kamay ng magaaral na makikinig sa gurong kilometro ang layo sa kanya. Ang malaking pagbabago na ito ay nagdulot ng iba’t ibang suliranin sa mga mag-aaral. Mahinang internet, kawalan ng kuryente, selpon na nasira, at hindi tugmang apps sa kagamitan. Ito ay ilan sa mga karaniwang problemang kinakaharap sa ngayon. Bagamat may panganib na kinakaharap tuwing lalabas mula sa kani-kanilang bahay, ang mga mag-aaral na ito ay piniling suungin ang panganib na hindi nakikita makapasok lang sa paaralang nakapatong sa palad. Kagaya na lamang ng mga pursigidong mag-aaral ng John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (Bacolod), Inc. na mas piniling lumabas sa kani-kanilang tahanan upang harapin ang hamon ng bagong normal sa pag-aaral sa kabila ng lumalaganap na kapintasan ng pandemya. Sina Cyfred Tiples ng BSME 3-Polaris, Allyssa Mae Pinoy ng BSMT 2-Polaris, at Ernie Paul Torrenueva ng BSMT 2-Aldebaran ay ilan lang sa mga mag-aaral na araw-araw kinakaharap ang mga pagsubok na ito. Noong magsimula ang klase, si Cyfred ay nagpasyang na umupa. Bagamat mayroon siyang sariling kagamitan para sa online class, ang kanilang bahay ay hindi makahagilap ng malakas na koneksyon kaya naman napilitan siyang mangupahan nalang kahit dagdag pa ito sa gastos. Habang si Alyssa naman ay paminsan-minsa’y tumitira sa kanyang kamag-anak sa Bacolod kahit siya ay taga Munisipalidad ng Pontevedra. Napilitan siyang magsakripisyo makasali lang sa diskusyon ng guro. Si Ernie
EMMY NAVA
naman ay araw-araw na iniinda ang pagbyahe mula sa kanilang bahay tungo sa kanilang plasa na kung saan siya pumepwesto upang makasagap ng koneksyon at agarang makapasok sa klase. Kahit na ginagawa naman nila ang kanilang mga responsibilidad bilang mag-aaral, paminsa-minsa’y naantala pa rin ang kanilang pagpasok sa klase. Ayon kay Ernie, lalo pang pinahirapan ang kaniyang nararanasan tuwing umuulan dahil sa plasa lang siya pumepwesto subalit ‘di niya ito alintana. Aniya, “Magpursigi pa rin tayo sa ating pag-aaral kahit sa mga ganitong sitwasyon na ating kinakaharap. Dapat ay lagi tayong positibo sa pang araw-araw na hamon ng buhay upang tayo ay umunlad sa larangan na ating tinatahak, para sa mga pangarap na ating gustong makamit at upang matulungan ang ating mga magulang. Kaya laban lang.”
Isa sa mga nakikita nilang solusyon ay manood ng kanilang leksyon sa YouTube o basahin ang modyul sa JEL tuwing magkakaroon sila ng magandang internet connection. “Kahit papaano masasabi kong worth it ang ginagawa ko dahil naiintindihan ko naman nang maigi ang leksyon kahit sa YouTube o Google ko lang ito napanood at nabasa,” ani ni Cyfred. Kahit na nahihirapan na sa pang araw-araw na ginagawa makapasok lang ay hindi nila ito iniinda sapagkat sa kanilang pananaw ito ay pagsubok lang at may katapusan din. Dagdag pa ni Cyfred, “Huwag sumuko. Ito ay isang pagsubok na lilipas din pagdating ng araw. Huwag isipin ang pandemya o ang problemang kinakaharap natin dala nito. Ituon ang isip sa iyong mga pangarap. Magpursige, dahil pagkatapos ng lahat ng ito ay ang magandang kinabukasang
nakalaan sa bawat isa sa atin.” Ang kanilang paghihirap sa pang araw-araw ay halos doble sa pagsisikap ang kanilang ginagawa kaysa karaniwang kinakaharap ng ibang estudyante. Ang pagpupursige na ito ay hindi matutumbasan ng kung anumang salita sapagkat ito ay ginawa nang walang alintana makapag-aral lang nang mabuti. Ika nga ni Allyssa, “ Kaya ko to! Katagang kinakapitan ko. Para sa kinabukasan ko at ng pamilya ko.” Sa kabila ng mga hamon, ang mga mag-aaral na ito ay nagpapatunay na walang imposible sa taong may pagpupursige. Dapat nating intindihin na tayo ay may iba’t ibang hamon na kinakaharap, kinakailangan natin itong intindihin at dapat ay tulungan. Ang bawat isa sa panahon ng pandemya ay may kanya-kanyang tungkulin na dapat gampanan, kaya magtulungan upang maiahon ang isa’t isa.
FA C E B O O K / T h e C a r r i e rJ B L C F | I S S U U / j b l c f b t h e c a r r i e r | E M A I L / j b l c f b t h e c a r r i e r @ g m a i l . c o m
10 feature TheCarrier
VOLUM E 3 N O.2 JANUA RY - M AY 2021
PHOTOS FROM RONNIELYN JOCHICO
Pageantry to military transpired The Ronnielyn Jochico plot twist BY ALLEN TORDESILLAS
She nervously stood backstage along with her glam team hustling to retouch her hair and makeup. Amidst the clamor from her fellow pageant candidates and the loud cheering noise from the crowd screaming for their bet, her world remained silent as she woke up from the yells of her comrades wearing their combat boots and preparing for their 2 AM training in the boot camp. For Ronnielyn R. Jochico, going from a beauty queen to a combatant is a 360 turn that no one has ever anticipated. 23-year-old Ronnielyn is a proud alumna of John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (Bacolod), Inc. where she took Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management - Major in Cruise Ship Services as Cum Laude in 2019. Before she decided to enter the Philippine Coast Guard, she was an avid fan of joining beauty pageants since she has beauty queen’s attributres. She was crowned as the Lin-ay sang Silay
2017 and soon represented her city in the Lin-ay sang Negros which is celebrated during the Panaad Festival. She was also crowned as Miss JBLFMU 2019 during the System’s 42nd Foundation Anniversary held in JBLCF-B. When she graduated from college, she did not have a hard time finding a job since she has a promising background. She was then hired by a 4-star hotel in Bacolod City where she worked at the front desk. Until one day, she realized that she wanted to look for a different adventure for her career; far from the things she used to do. That was the time when the Philippine Coast Guard knocked on her door. She grabbed the opportunity without any hesitations. The Philippine Coast Guard is an armed and uniformed service tasked primarily with enforcing laws within Philippine waters, conducting maritime security operations, safeguarding life and property at sea, and protecting marine environment and resources; similar to coast guards around the world. The Coast Guard also
serves as an attached service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in wartime. Entering the PCG was difficult for her at first. She had a hard time adjusting to the environment knowing that she came from a sassy and classy background, far from the values and practices introduced in the military world. “While undergoing the training, there were a lot of lessons that I learned where you need to have that positive attitude despite all the difficulties from the day to day challenges and it molded me to become a fine young individual intellectually, tactically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically to become a commissioned officer in selfless service to PCG and the nation,” Ronnielyn said. But with the constant support from her family and colleagues, she successfully finished her training as P/ENS RONNIELYN R. JOCHICO, PCG, last December 2020. Now, she is happily serving as a full-time member of the Philippine Coast Guard. It might be a whole new road for her, but what matters is the fulfillment and the
passion that she had for what she’s doing right now. “For the entire aspiring women who want to be an instrument of serving the country and the people, do not be afraid to start your career away from home and the comforts of life. You are empowered. You can conquer everything that you want in life. No amount of discouragement and doubts can hinder your success. Always be yourself and believe that you can empower others to do and be better. Live your legacy,” Ronnielyn concluded.
T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F J O H N B . L A C S O N C O L L E G E S F O U N D AT I O N ( B A C O L O D ) , I N C .
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VOLUME 3 NO.2 | JANUARY - M AY 2 0 2 1
Going the distance
Two Lacsonian bikers shared their journey, challenges, and experiences on bike around Negros BY MARK JOHN PRIOLO & PAUL IVAN QUEZON
For many of us, unplanned trips are always the best. These impromptu decisions become more memorable even though the experience may not be easy. That feeling of freedom when we are already on the road, reaching new limits and farther places. However, the challenge for a group of friends riding on the pedal during a hot day is conquering a loop half the size of the entire province of Negros. REACHING NEW LIMITS A major biking feat that Team Seakad buddies Reyginald Mabilog and Robert Militante will always be proud of is when their group conquered the North Negros Loop— an unplanned trip that took 14 hours to complete. It started from Talisay City to Silay City via Circumferential, then to E.B. Magalona, Victorias City, Manapla, and Cadiz. They were supposed to end their journey t h e r e, but then t h e group decide d to go
PHOTOS FROM REYGINALD MABILOG & ROBERT MILITANTE
further since it was too early to go home. So they took the loop. “We ventured through my hometown via Sagay City and found ourselves gasping for air while passing along the high roads of Don Salvador Benedicto during night time. Definitely a route worth remembering,” says Reyginald. The tiring loop was a challenge for him. Upon arriving home, Reyginald sat on a chair with relief and disbelief that he finished the route despite having cramps while they’re still in Sagay City. “Your body will tell you to stop, but your mind will tell you to pedal up,” he added. The burning heat and the wind slowed them down during the journey, but going home in one piece is enough reason for him to smile and affirm himself he made it. Meanwhile, Robert felt weak after that excursion. “[It] made me lie on my bed for almost 12 hours but at the same time, I felt proud of myself since I have done [those] very excruciating uphills and jolly downhills.” PEDALING FORWARD Both Reyginald and Robert aren’t strangers to biking, and they have both seen their growth with this hobby. The first time they started biking, it was a
hurdle to boost their stamina staggering at a short distance, but due to hard work and dedication, and of course, their love for biking came to a fruitful result. Running out of air, exhaustion, pain in the legs, and sometimes mechanical problems in the bicycle, this challenge had made them both learn and become a new version of themselves. “When I was just starting, I always ran out of breath for [even] just a few kilometers which is very embarrassing and my friends would wait for me since I was the slowest,” Robert said, remembering his past biking experience. “As time goes by, just by cycling consistently… I can say that [even] beyond 100 kilometers, I can still keep on cycling together with my friends.” The merits of cycling made Robert fit and gain new friends along the way. And every time he’s on the road, he feels free. “I feel like I am out like a bird roaming the roads of different places. Of course, I always think of my safety and others
since we share the road that we always use around Negros.” Reyginald shares the same sentiments of being free every time he goes out biking. “The feeling it gives me is beyond explainable. But whenever I ride my bike, I feel like I’m free of problems, stress, and all the negative things are forgotten.” TOUGHER ROADS AHEAD For Robert, biking can be an awesome hobby or passion. It can be a way for the body to remain active. Biking has also made him explore Negros; seeing different views and visiting faraway places. However, venturing the road is dangerous, especially where accidents are prone to happen. “Always remember safety is still your priority,” Robert reminds. “In order to enjoy cycling, consistency is the key rather than intensity.” In a week, Reyginald goes for a spin 5 to 6 times, with only a day to rest. ‘“Your body will tell you to stop, but your mind will tell you to pedal up’ is what I’m always thinking of whenever I feel the pain in my legs and whenever I’m running out of air,” he says. His advice for those who want to start their biking journey to always prepare their gears and tools when they ride. But the biggest thing he will always b e l i e v e in while on the road is the power of prayer. “I pray before and after every ride to ask for guidance and protection. That’s my strength and it keeps me going.” There is a blissful feeling for every accomplished task no matter how difficult it is. And reaching that goal unexpectedly is even more exciting. It will be a surprising journey and it is not too late to make impromptu goals.
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12 news feature TheCarrier
VOLUM E 3 N O.2 JAN UARY - M AY 2021
Ang bilyon-bilyong danyos ng pagbara sa Suez Canal BY RENGIL MANA-AY
Umabot sa mahigit anim na araw na nakaharang sa Suez Canal, Egypt ang isang malaking container ship bago ito tuluyang napalaya sa karagatan at maibalik ang dating operasyon ng mga barko rito. Simula Marso 23 hanggang 29, sumayad sa dalampasigan ng Suez Canal, isa sa pinaka abalang ruta sa pangangalakal sa buong mundo, ang MV Ever Given at nagdulot ng napakalaking danyos sa kalakalan at pandaigdigang ekonomiya. NAPAKALAKING MGA NUMERO Ang MV Ever Given may
habang 400 metro o 1,312 talampakan at tumitimbang ng 200,000 tonelada, na may kapasidad na 20,000 containers. Ang barkong ito ay isa sa pinakamalaking container vessels sa buong mundo. Mahigit kumulang 12% ng pandaigdigang kalakalan ang dumadaan sa Suez Canal, na siyang kumukonekta sa Mediterranean Sea patungong Red Sea at nagsisilbing pintasan sa pagitan ng Asya at Europa. Nasa isang milyong bariles ng langis at tinatayang 8% ng liquefied natural gas ang dumadaan dito. Ayon kay Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie, umaabot sa $14M-$15M (₱728,115,750) ang nababawas sa kita ng Canal bawat
araw ng pagharang dito. MAS MAHABANG RUTA “We’re hearing reports now that shipping companies are starting to divert their ships around the southern tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, which adds about 3,500 miles to the journey and up to 12 days,” pahayag ni Guy Platten, secretary general ng International Chamber of Shipping. Sa mga datos naman ng Lloyd’s List tinatayang $9.6B (₱466,131,046,884.28) ng kalakal ang nahaharang bunsod nito. Dagdag nila, mahigit 160 barko na may kargang langis, mga damit, muwebles, kasangkapan sa paggawa, at mga parte ng sasakyan o kotse ang napadpad sa kabilang
dulo ng Canal. DAHILAN NG PAGSADSAD Bago pa man sumadsad ang barkong Ever Given, mistulang mas mabilis ang takbo nito kay sa speed limit na isinaad ng Suez Canal Authority. Pumalo sa 13.5 knots (25 km/h) ang naitalang bilis ng barko, 12 minuto bago ito sumadsad, batay sa ulat ng Bloomberg. Ang maximum allowed speed padaan ng Canal ay nasa 7.6 to 8.6 knots lamang. “Initial investigations suggest the vessel grounded due to strong wind,” wika ng Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, ang technical manager ng nasabing barko, sa isang pahayag.
T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F J O H N B . L A C S O N C O L L E G E S F O U N D AT I O N ( B A C O L O D ) , I N C .
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VOLUME 3 NO.2 | JANUARY - M AY 2 0 2 1
health & lifestyle 13
Fast to fit
BY ALLEN TORDESILLAS
COPPERMASK.FIT
Why copper masks are not recommended by experts BY PAUL IVAN QUEZON
The popularity of copper masks have spiked controversies about their effectiveness against the virus. But while copper does have antimicrobial qualities, Dr. Michael Johnson, a microbiologist from the University of Arizona, and others said you should think twice before buying into many of these products’ claims. CopperMask, the first and original copper film face mask in the market infused with copper strands, was said to have an antimicrobial property that helps stop and kill pathogens within a few hours of contact. It is also said to be environment-friendly since it is washable, reusable, and recyclable, and can also be used continuously for 30 days. Seeing that the product was patronized by celebrities, people were able to also jump with the trend of wearing copper masks. They are considered aesthetic to look at and could match your get-up outfits, however, it’s notrecommended to be used for medical purposes. The Department of Health (DOH) says copper masks are “not medical grade”. A group of physicians and even hospitals discourage the use of copper masks, saying these
allow the unfiltered breath to escape since they have holes under the chin. Karrera Djoko, a biochemist and microbiologist at Durham University in England said that for copper masks to work properly, however, they need to be made with enough copper to fight viruses. “If your mask is only 1% copper, that means it’s 99%, not copper,” Djoko said, adding that if the copper doesn’t meet the microbe, the mask “won’t confer any more benefit than just regular masks.” Djoko also expressed concerns about the durability of copper masks, especially if the masks are frequently being washed or disinfected, as many household cleaners contain compounds that could strip off copper ions. In a New York Times article, all experts emphasize that having the metal around doesn’t let anyone off the hygiene hook. Copper on its own is no cure-all— and its effects aren’t instantaneous. It takes about 45 minutes for copper to reduce the amount of virus on a surface by half. Although experts cautioned that copper’s effects aren’t instantaneous, and therefore shouldn’t replace handwashing, social distancing, and other strategies of avoidance to protect against the new coronavirus.
All of us have an ideal body that we want to achieve. We tend to think overnight about the balanced diet we want to take and plan the different exercises we would do to achieve a healthy and fit figure. The next day, all the plans that you listed down in your notes will just become a dream and that is one of the primary reasons why most people cannot get the body they want. They lose the drive to have their daily exercise and keep on eating the same unhealthy diet. People are likely to follow the traditional way of flattening their stomachs and have a fit figure, and that is through intensive
exercise and a strict diet that sometimes leads to starving themselves. According to the University of California, Irvine Health Dr. Bavani Nadeswaran, a UCI Health expert in weight management and professor of internal medicine at the UCI School of Medicine, Fasting has become quite the thing to do for restricting calories. And unlike the intermittent diet, which is basically a cycle between periods of fasting and eating that does not specify the amount of food intake and specific food you should eat but rather focuses on when you should eat them. In this respect, it’s not a diet in the conventional sense but more accurately described as an eating pattern.
Here are some facts about intermittent fasting and how it works:
For the beginner’s plan, it is recommended to have a 16-8 pattern. It is the number of hours where you should eat and not – 16 hours fasting and 8 hours feasting.
For intermediate and advanced fasting, the pattern ranges from 19-5 to 23-1.
You can eat whatever you want during eating periods, however, a well-balanced diet can help you stick to your intermittent fasting plan longer.
It is preferable to eat 227-680g of vegetables, 160-400g of fruits, 0.8g of protein per kilogram of body weight, whole grains, Beans, Omega-3 rich seafood, and healthy fats every day.
Losing weight is one of the benefits of engaging in intermittent fasting. Research from 2014 shows that intermittent fasting can reduce weight by 3-8% over 3-24 weeks.
A person could have a controlled blood sugar since during fasting; the blood sugar levels drop by 3-6%.
Intermittent fasting can reduce inflammation, a condition that can lead to many chronic diseases.
It can also improve brain health since it increases the BDNF, a protein in your brain that helps produce new nerve cells to keep your brain from aging.
Having an effective eating pattern has a lot to offer but before trying this kind of fasting, always keep in mind to consult your doctor if you are under 18 years old, trying to conceive, pregnant or breastfeeding, have health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, underweight, have eating disorders, and have irregular periods.
FA C E B O O K / T h e C a r r i e rJ B L C F | I S S U U / j b l c f b t h e c a r r i e r | E M A I L / j b l c f b t h e c a r r i e r @ g m a i l . c o m
14 values corner TheCarrier
VOLUM E 3 N O.2 JAN UARY - M AY 2021
We asked our fellow Lacsonians how they interpret and embody the Core Values of our institution. Here are their respective responses:
INTEGRITY
Integrity makes a person stand out from the rest. Having integrity as part of the school’s core values is what makes Lacsonians one of a kind. We’ve been taught from the very beginning, the value of doing things at our best capacity every time even if no one is looking. And thus the ability to say ‘NO’ to the things that are morally and lawfully incorrect. For me, this is the Lacsonian integrity. KENNETH CORDOVA BSCA 3-ALPHA
PERSEVERANCE
When it comes to completing your goal, perseverance is important. It helps you to be strong and keeps you going even in times of difficulties. It does not matter how difficult or how long it is to achieve your goal, the only thing that matters is your will to keep pushing. Don’t stop trying. FRANCES GERALD JAVELLANA BSMT 3-POLARIS
LOYALTY
It may be hard to be loyal sometimes, and often costly, but loyalty defines who we are and how well we sleep at night. It guarantees a clean conscience and a positive and transparent life. Being loyal pays off with a legion of people who are loyal, who have our backs and protect us from the disloyal. People who are loyal deserve my entire admiration and respect. As I said, loyalty is rare so if you find it, keep it. MARSOL ANGELO SALAR BSMT 2-ALDEBARAN
EXCELLENCE
Excellence is the urge to succeed in every endeavour you choose to take. As a Lacsonian, I define it as doing the best I could in everything I do. As I travel to places around the globe, I must show to the people I encounter that we Lacsonians are capable of excelling in every way. RONNIE MARTUS BSME 3-GENERATOR
DISCIPLINE
Having discipline in myself means that I have full control of how I manage my time—including all the priorities and responsibilities in life. It helps me to keep track of time and use it efficiently without neglecting my overall well-being. Also, it helps me know how to react in certain situations without losing composure and respect for others. JOE BERNARD SOBORNIDO BSMT 1-POLARIS
GODLINESS
As a Lacsonian, projecting Godliness to the people around me may be challenging but it will always be easy and natural as to how important your relationship with God is. It will boil down to your desire and actions every day... From there, people will see what type of person you are. In that, you will become a blessing to others. It’s not about the Glory that you can get from people but it’s the glory that they can give to God through your life and actions. JOHN VIRGEL MAGBULOGTONG BSME 2-BITTS
EQUALITY
In my view, equality ensures fair treatment for each student in John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (Bacolod), Inc. regardless of age, gender, religion, and race. It is also the fairness for each student to gain the benefits without any biases. Showing that there’s nothing that hinders each and every one of us to attain the necessary objectives in order to achieve our greatest goals and career. REGGIE MAE REMETRE BSHM 3-ALPHA
T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F J O H N B . L A C S O N C O L L E G E S F O U N D AT I O N ( B A C O L O D ) , I N C .
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VOLUME 3 NO.2 | JANUARY - M AY 2 0 2 1
sports feature 15
Taking the long lane BY RUER TORCULAS
Players positioned themselves in starting blocks designated to their corresponding lanes. The official blurted “ON YOUR MARK”. Eyes affixed on their track, as feet placed on the blocks with fingers steadied on the ground; readying to speed their way to the end line. “SET,” the official commanded. At this point, runners shift their gears as the feet push hard on the blocks, hips slightly above shoulder level and holding their breath for a sprint. BANG! A 100-meter dash commences. One racer accelerated on the drive phase but his pacing was slow yet he is unflustered. He is behind two players in clinching the gold medal. With adrenaline surging in his system, he revved up his engine to a top speed, passing one player on the lead. Remained relaxed as the endurance kicked and pulsating his tempo. This time he charges with an extreme effort to his straightforward motion. The last thing he remembered was the crowded oval cheering him on. His late burst made its way across the finish line –leaving his competitors in the back of his trails. This scenario has been constantly playing in the mind of John Christian U. Mediano, as he tries to recollect the familiarity of rushing over a cup of morning coffee. While the COVID-19 pan-
demic canceled collegiate sports leagues and training temporarily, Mediano, a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering student and a track and field athlete of the school has persisted to become optimistic despite the halt of his routine. Mediano is no stranger to a gold medal and holding a Palarong Pambansa record in the year 2018 in a 4x100m relay event. But with crises arising, he foresees the situation at hand as it forces individual athletes into their homes. “Dako gid ang epekto sang pandemic sa akon… kay sugod sang pang lockdown wala nagid ko proper training tungod indi pwede ka kadto sa oval,” he said. It undeniably left him hopeless at some point during the quarantine period, driving him to adjust to his accustomed practice. “Bago sang pandemic… naga training gid [ako] tudo para biskan papano ang speed kag ang time ko ma maintain ko lang japon,” he added. However, the drastic changes to his athletic drills did not put Mediano out of the track as he still trains in the comfort of his environment, paired with a goal-setting mindset to further improve his ability and maintain his fitness. “Every athlete may kanya-kanya nga training program,
PHOTOS FROM CHRISTIAN MEDIANO
like sa akon gina pa improve ko akon nga pag dalagan sa pag training sa higad sang baybay nga taga hawak ang tubig kag all out gid nga workout,” he shared. Moreover, at times when he can’t squeeze his usual training into a hectic online class schedule, Mediano deviates his attention to remain active through jogging early in the morning and riding his bicycle whenever he gets a chance. Mediano also became sentimental in his experiences as a varsity player as he shared his longing. “Na hidlawan ko bilang isa ka athlete is… ang pag bugtaw aga pa kag ma training… ang mga kasadya sa pag biyahe pakadto sa lugar nga amon na hampangan kag syempre sa mga team mates ko kag sa mga coaches nga gin kabig kona nga ika duwa ko nga pamilya.” In light of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) issuance of Resolution No. 68 of September last year, this signaled the resumption of student-athletes training of collegiate athletic associations as defined under Republic Act 10676 or the Student-Athletes Protection Act in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). Mediano is hopeful that some of these days it will slowly transition to his “new normal” training while complying with the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) issued health guidelines. Although the finish line is still out of sight for Christian, imagining things that await beyond the end can be both scary and exciting for him. Thus, sharpening his prowess in preparation for the hurdles on his trail. No matter what it is, he will sprint his way through it. The possibility that he will grace again on the racetrack is approaching. But at the moment, he may rather choose to take the long lane to run for now and wait until it becomes better for all of the athletes.
FA C E B O O K / T h e C a r r i e rJ B L C F | I S S U U / j b l c f b t h e c a r r i e r | E M A I L / j b l c f b t h e c a r r i e r @ g m a i l . c o m
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SPORTS VOLUME 3 N O.2 | JA N UA RY - M AY 2021
Negrense beach volley teams reaps sweet success BY RENGIL MANA-AY
Negrosanon beach volley duos made waves in Subic Bay, Zambales as they clinched a championship title and a bronze medal in the 2021 Gatorade-Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup. Erjane Magdato and Alexa Polidario of Abanse Negrense Team A, outscored Sta. Lucia Team A: 21-15, 21-17 to secure their first major victory since the lockdown. Magdato and Polidario exhibited their zest to give Negros a prominent representation in the PSL that led to a sweep over Ariane Alarcon and Christina Canares of Kennedy Solar Energy-PetroGazz and Sta. Lucia B’s Bang Pineda and Jonah Sabete for the 2-0 lead in Pool A. “I think yung tagline na City of Smiles yung (dinadala
DIG FOR GOLD. Erjane Magadato saves the ball to snatch a point in the gold medal match.
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namin). Palaging nakangiti kahit nahihirapan na,” Magdato said. Meanwhile, Abanse Negrense Team B of Jennifer Cosas and Gelimae Villanueva finished third after beating Sta. Lucia B: 21-13, 22-20. Jennifer Cosas and Gelimae Villanueva of Abanse Negrense B
snatched the most thrilling win of the tourney after toppling former Challenge Cup runners-up DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia of Sta. Lucia A with a come-frombehind 6-21, 21-14, 15-11 victory. Volleyball tournaments were halted when the pandemic
RNG hailed two-time LoL MSI champions BY RUER TORCULAS
Royal Never Give Up GALA’s final Killer Instinct slams the world champion Damwon Gaming KIA as RNG advances for victory push, taking the second MSI title for RNG with 3-2 final series finish at Reykjavik, Iceland. With one Best-of-5 series away from the title, RNG Yuan “Cryin” Cheng-Wei’s Lucian and Chen “GALA” Wei’s Kai’Sa skirmish composition wins out in an intense 39-minute game 1.
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DWK KIA Kim “Khan” Dong-ha’s then pulled out a Lee Sin pick in game 2 knocking out RNG’s carries with a flawless kick to set up a win, drawing the series 1-1. In game 3, legendary GALA’s Kai’Sa flew through DWG KIA’s frontline, instantly shutting down his rival carry, Jang “Ghost” Yong-jun’s Jinx in the backline, extending RNG’s lead 2-1. With DWK KIA hanging by the thread in an intense tug-of-war series, Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu’s Nidalee out-smitten RNG’s jungler Yan
“Wei” Yang-Wei in a Udyr pick with a large jungle difference and an explosive pentakill from Ghost’s Tristana on the top lane to shut RNG in sealing off the deal, making the series dead even. Both teams’ back now against the wall, the clash between DWK KIA and RNG reached for a silver scrapes game. Laid back DWK KIA cowered in fear on Cryin’s off-pick Nocturne and straight 5-games Kai’Sa pick from GALA, ballooning RNG’s gold difference to take full control of the game, leaving DWG KIA no room to breathe as they dominate the early and mid-game. Royal Never Give Up (RNG) with long-time veterans Shi “Ming” Sen-Ming and Li “Xiaohu” Yuan-Hao alongside their rookies, Crying, Wei and grand final MVP, GALA took home their second League of Legends (LoL) Mid-Season Invitational’s (MSI) trophy after defeating Damwon Gaming Kia (DWG KIA).
started to make its presence felt in the country in 2020 and lasted for almost a year until PSL was allowed to stage the beach volleyball tournament. This is the first-ever volleyball tournament to be held in the country amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
JBLFMU-M beats JBLFMU-A, JBLCF-B in MLBB tilt BY ARJEN CASTILLANO
Fighting with strategy and the best gameplay to conquer the game victoriously, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University- Molo won against the other JBLF System campuses during the 73rd Foundation Celebration. As per team battled in the first five rounds of the game, in a best out of 5 series, JBLFMU- Arevalo squad did not make it into the grand finals, leaving JBLCF-Bacolod and JBLFMU-Molo in a challenging head to head combat. With a total score of 3-0, JBLFMU-Molo team earned the championship of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament.
T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F J O H N B . L A C S O N C O L L E G E S F O U N D AT I O N ( B A C O L O D ) , I N C .