KAPAWA
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
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Bacolodnons rally against plastic problem
EDITORIAL A HYPOCRITE’S MASK page 2
NEWS BACOLOD BUDGET TO ROCKET TO 2.52B page 4
F E AT U R E LOSING SIGHT OF THE MASSKARA page 8
photo courtesy of Linghod Offical Page
SCI-TECH
RESOUNDING. Environmental advocates flock to the old Bacolod City Hall as they participate in the Silent Protest regarding the city’s Plastic Bag Ordinance.
by M a p h i D a n i e l T. P o l vo r a Twenty-one combined forces, from concerned students to plastic activists, gathered at the Fountain of Justice, located in front of the Old City Hall, to silently voice out the concerns revolving around Bacolod’s plastic policy and general waste management on Aug. 27. Draped with plastic wraps and bags, the advocates, who labeled themselves as “Bacolod Against Plastic”, firmly made their mark as they situated themselves in the middle of the park, armed with slogans expressing the numerous problems brought upon by the city’s unprecedented waste problem. “Everyone cares about the planet— but they often need to be reminded of their personal responsibilities to the Earth,” Krishna Ariola, one of the
organizers, expressed. Ariola added that the aim of the silent protest was to raise awareness about the global issue of plastic pollution and that they wanted to voice out and make the people see that something is being done in their city. During an interview, when asked about why Bacolod suffers from constant flash flooding in numerous areas, the advocates mentioned that other than the global overproduction of plastic, there was the lack of discipline on waste refusal and disposal among Bacolodnons. “When the need calls for it, we won’t hesitate to pool our forces again and try, in our small ways, for change,” Bacolod Against Plastic remarked. The said protest was not organized by a specific group, however, it was a collective operation between
the concerned citizens, young and old alike, which, according to Ariola, greatly emphasized that the current waste management problem of Bacolod affects everyone.
“Two days or three days before the protest, it rained hard in Bacolod and there was flooding in certain areas, and that catastrophe awakened my
THE 21st CENTURY WAR page 10
SPORTS NOPSSCEA ATHLETICS: BTTHS SUCCEEDS DYNASTY page 11
soul to join the movement,” Roberto Miguel Yulo, one of the advocates of Bacolod Against Plastic, stated. This was the first ever silent protest held by the advocates.
DPWH installs flood drainage b y M i c h o l l e P. C o r t e z a n o
Located from the streets of corner Rizal-Lacson to the Mandalagan Bridge, a drainage system was built and was expected to be finished by November as a part of Bacolod City’s flood control project. The said project was spearheaded by Abraham Villareal, the city district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). With a total budget of 62 million for the
construction and 14 million for the planning, the project started on February and focused on addressing the flooding problems in the city. “We are doing this because we have a duty and obligation to provide a smooth riding comfort to our riding public and motorists. We are also installing a drainage system to arrest the flooding problem. This will help because of the quick recession of flood waters during the occurrence of heavy
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
rainfall. The discomfort is just temporary. We will all enjoy the comfort of these projects once completed,” Villareal said in his interview with Sunstar. The members of the Bacolod Anti-Baha Alliance, under Jean Trebol, held a meeting with City Administrator John Orola Jr. and with the officials of DPWH, led by Leah Jamero, their assistant district engineer. Bacolod’s Flood Control | page 5
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EDITORIAL august - november 2018
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. But amidst the recent case of Bacolod’s waste segregation problem, one man’s trash, is a whole city’s conundrum. Bacolod had thrown the 39th Annual MassKara Festival with the theme of “Happy Birthday Bacolod!” and the surprise gift the celebrant’s guest left around the town was more than enough to cause an uproar within the community. A viral photo showcasing the littered yard of the New Government Center (NGC) has sparked various groups of concerned citizens to take the war on waste into their own hands through promulgating propaganda using social media. “Where’s the City Ordinance 9003?” was one of the main cries the netizens proudly expressed in their posts. But who is really at fault here?
illustrated by Michelle C. Tupaz
A Hypocrite’s Mask
“The picture was taken immediately after an event wherein people camped outside NGC for a long period of time. But after an hour, our cleaners from the DPS cleaned up the place.” MassKara Festival Action Officer Em Ang expressed. The war on waste is a double-sided coin
wherein one side is represented by the government, and the other being the people. Ang’s statement proves that the government of Bacolod is doing whatever they can to maintain the cleanliness in the city, but ultimately, the Bacolodnons have no one to blame but themselves.
However, in the sense of equality, let us try to look into what the people tried to do regarding the problem. In a decisive action, the concerned citizens of Bacolod took a picture of the apparent littered fields of the NGC and captioned the picture with spiteful messages directed to
the MassKara officials in charge of the cleanup after every event. That is quite the noble action; however, nobility without knowledge comes off as stupidity and ignorance. Hours after the infamous picture was posted, the fields of the NGC was spotless, thus rendering the attention and the hate garnered over the hateful post useless. ...Plastering posts about the previously ruined state of a venue is a futile attempt for change. Change is worked on and genuinely concerned citizens get up on their feet and help clean up the mess made. Bacolod truly is the city of masks. Most Bacolodnons hide themselves beneath masks labelled as “concerned citizens” through showing petty attempts tantamount to whining over spilled milk. Let the message be a warning—not the subject of ridicule.
E d i to r ’ s N ot e
The fundamental aspect of what makes life worth living is change. A world, wherein its sole purpose is to adapt and constantly be in motion to thrive, demands its inhabitants to conform to the same doings. As the earth revolves, we revolve with it. But within the fray of rampant changes, one must always remember to go back to one’s roots since development was gained, but at the cost of one’s humanity and identity. This issue revolves around the very concept THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
of dynamism. Coupled with the fitting theme of topics, the atmosphere truly captures the essence of the piece—change. From the change taking part in the grassroots level of democracy through protests about the plastic policy to the very moment one looks back at her ‘past’ in order to appreciate her ‘present’ as a volleyball star, the underlying theme of development and change has been woven with every turn of a page. Change will come for all. But one cannot simply disregard this fact since this has made us into what we are today—adaptable beings. ....Through change we learn how to evolve and become better. ....Delve deep into the intricacy of change, and chance a look at life’s complexity.
OPINION
3 Removing the Victim’s Handcuffs
KAPAWA Internet: a way to enter neat connection. Given the demands of this modern society, not a single person could surely survive unless they have access to internet connection. Nobody could deny the fact that most of us—if not all—are hooked into the world of internet, making it a ‘need’ rather than a want. Because of that, a poor connection has become the greatest disturbance, not only to a few but to thousands of its users. However, blaming the networking companies could not bring any good—especially if you are the one that should
be liable in the first place. Before smashing your computer with a hammer, try to go back to the type of connection that you have chosen to wage for. If you are the type of complainant who only pays monthly for 2mbps internet connection, then let this sink in: you are paying for something that cannot do so much. If you want a faster connection, then pay for a more expensive package. The point is, you should learn how to not expect beyond the limits of what you can afford. On the other hand, if you think it is the network companies that do not
august - november 2018
Truth be told, we only judge the things that we know.
N o n-sto p Sto p Robin Williams once asked, “Why do they call it rush hour, when nothing is moving?” I guess he was an avid fan of Bacolod’s infamous traffic problem. It is rush hour again. The city’s one-way schemed streets are now filled with commuters waiting for a ride and rows of vendors occupying the sidewalks, narrowing the space for vehicles to pass. At times like this, people from all walks of life face the same fun everyday—traffic jam. The title for the “Most Number of Motor Vehicles Registered” currently adorns
I was looking for the drive to finish this article, but unfortunately, I am stuck in traffic.
over Bacolod’s name. Numbers from Land Transportation Office 6 (Western Visayas) showed that Bacolod has 92,827 motor vehicles registered in 2017—7,849 more than the 84,978 record registered in 2016. With this amount of bikes, can Bacolod’s streets accommodate them all? This pressing issue generated concerns for students, entrepreneurs, and emergency vehicles. ......Who knew that waking up early could not guarantee that you will get to your first period on time? Since students spend almost 30 minutes in traffic,
do their job, then you might reconsider asking for their assistance. But before doing so, check the health of your computer first. Who knows? Your computer might be inhabited by main factors of poor internet performance. Two of which could be spyware and viruses. While spyware can slow your system through monopolizing your internet connection, viruses can infect your computer by installing codes which can soon propagate themselves to the network. However, if you cannot find any problem with your
computer, then you can proceed with calling your internet provider. Rather than pointing our fingers somewhere else, let us not disregard to initially check the scratches within our control. If we are not served well by the network companies that we are paying for, then we really have the right to complain. However, if we are only unconstructively criticizing what we are presented with, then our problem might just happen to be the person we see in front of our mirrors. Truth be told, we only judge the things that we know, without understanding the things that we should have known.
there is a high chance of getting late, being unable to submit homeworks and missing quizzes— thus, affecting their academic performance. Like education, when you are not there sitting in class, you tend to miss opportunities to learn. Now replace that opportunity as a mere delivery in the business world, and you missed the chance to get more out of your gas tank because you were gridlocked in the streets for more than an hour. This daily dilemma does not only upset the aforementioned sectors but also an ambulance rushing to the hospital, where a
patient is fighting for his/her life. Cars usually give way to an ambulance; however, tight spaces in congested areas hinder it to pass. Traveling at a slower speed causes delay, meaning the patient could be in a potentially fatal position. I was looking for the drive to finish this article, but unfortunately, I am stuck in traffic. It is evident that the traffic management team of Bacolod has a lot of things to accomplish, most importantly, to develop a comprehensive traffic management plan. If they fail to do so, it is indeed a non-stop stop whenever and wherever you are in the city.
The Costs of Being Priced
A Filipino household is never complete without a television. More often than not, it is utilized because of the local networks it provides to the viewers. And fortunately, these networks are made available to all. However, in the ever-increasing demand for TV, should local networks stay free? Of course, yes. For one, these local TV networks such as ABS-CBN and GMA play a great purpose in information dissemination in the country. It is a known fact that being aware and updated with the latest news is an absolute
necessity, especially during typhoons and disasters. So, if this privilege will be marked with a price, then what will happen to those who belong to the lower rank of society? Information must always be free because it is every Filipino’s right. With that being said, there is no point in expanding the economic gap between the wealthy and the poor. Additionally, broadcasters will no longer be considered as public servants but workers living for money. Their real mission as purveyors of credible
...an exact manifestation of how money can transform a righteous hero into a greedy villain.”
facts and stories will most likely be overshadowed by the fact that they are doing their job with the purpose of gaining bills an exact manifestation of how money can transform a righteous hero into a greedy villain. Having these local networks accessible to everyone, nevertheless, can help reporters fulfill their one true goal of serving the masses voluntarily and fairly. Most importantly, there will be a dramatic drop in demand for televisions when local networks are
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
charged. Not all, who are reveling in the convenience and entertainment of local networks, will be willing to buy TVs if an additional payment is required. This is obviously because paying another expense when availing a television is far from Filipinos’ practical nature. Local networks have proven to be of significance to every Filipino nationwide. If not for their zero prices, they would not be able to connect with the viewers—to bring value to TV. After all, what is the point of free information when it comes with a price?
NEWS
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by A a r o n P a u l D. I n fa n t e Bacolod’s annual budget will soon rise to Php 2.52 billion, 12 percent higher than this year’s, after the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of the city approved the proposed budget in its first reading on Oct. 3. The proposal, which was 270 million bigger than the budget in 2018, was submitted by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and was accepted by the City Council during their regular session. “The bulk of the budget, or Php 1.33 billion, will be allocated to the maintenance and other operating expenses; and Php 660 million to personnel services; Php 252 million to the development fund; Php 81.7 million to equipment expenses; Php 7.9 million for financial expenses; and Php 184 million for other purposes,” said Councilor Caesar Distrito, the chairman of the City Council Committee on Appropriations and Finance, in an interview with SunStar Bacolod. He added that the money will be spent on health services, solid waste management, social welfare services, public order and safety, anti-drug campaigns,
improvement of traffic management, economic and infrastructure development, education, and tourism. The councilor also announced that there will be a series of public hearings on the proposed budget on Nov. 15, 19, and 20, wherein the different heads of the 40 offices will defend their respective budgets. Meanwhile, the first half of the fund, which is equivalent to Php 1.26 billion, will be generated from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and the remaining portion, Php 1.258 billion, will come from the city’s local sources, particularly taxes. The mayor also mentioned in an interview with SunStar Bacolod that over the past two years, there is a steady rise in the collection of the local taxes in the city, most especially the ones that were gained from real properties and businesses. “[Bacolod] is now at the turning point of its fiscal management history considering that it is slightly dependent on the IRA and [I] hope that by next year, the City will finally break the long-time dominance of the IRA over the local sources,” he concluded.
photo by Alyssa M. Rosales
2 0 1 9 B a co l o d b u d get to r o c ket to 2 . 5 2 B
EVOCATIVE. Negrosanon artists convey history through the strokes of their brushes.
Local artists unite to repaint BPC walls by Zoe Milabeth B. Bacnutan & Micholle P. Cortezano
The concrete walls outside the Bacolod Public Cemetery (BPC) were filled with historical murals by several local painters in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to celebrate the 80th founding anniversary of Bacolod City. Associated with the theme of this year’s Charter Day celebration, which was “Full speed ahead!”, the important economic progresses that happened all over the city since 1938 to the present were showcased through this project
composed of seven frames. The first frame displayed the theme and the names of the top city officials, namely Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and Rep. Greg Gasataya; the second panel featured the sugar cane plantation of Bacolod, the third frame included the Cinco de Noviembre revolt against the Spaniards, and the fourth showed the modernization of sugar milling. Moreover, the fifth frame showcased the signing of the Charter of Bacolod by former President Manuel Quezon, while the sixth exposed poverty and agricultural
crises in the past, and the seventh mural focused on the city’s MassKara festival. “We are here to help finish the mural. We also expect more artists to assist in the project,” said Edgar Fernandez, the head of the National Committee on Visual Arts and the project director of Arts in Public Spaces during an interview with the Philippine News Agency. Fernandez also stated that the NCCA is donating Php 125,000 to the “Bacolod Historical Mural @80” project, as requested by the local artists for the completion of the mural painting.
by Zoe Milabeth B. Bacnutan While the construction process is still ongoing, the Ayala Mall Capitol Central, along with more than 40 confirmed tenants, has officially opened job hiring for different positions and employments, giving opportunities to nearly 5,000 Negrenses and job seekers outside the province. Last June, the Ayala Mall Capitol Central started to open positions for building engineers, operations associates, marketing associates, finance analysts, credit analysts, cashiers, lease admin staff, and point of sale admins.
“[The job opportunity will] help me to provide my needs and [also] to help my family,” said Jeson Patriarca Semillano, a cookery NC holder and an aspiring applicant. Moreover, there are approximately 40 confirmed tenants, including: Salon De Rose, Bigby’s, Anglo Eye Center, Bench, Penshoppe, Oxygen, Regatta, Human, Guess, Toys R Us, Cotton On, Mangan Restaurant, and big-scale businesses such as Levi’s, Power Mac Center, and Daiso Japan are also in the process of hiring qualified applicants for the respective job positions. “Ayala benefits to the
photo by Kirstin Nicole K. Bueno
Ayala Mall opens hiring for 5000 job seekers
OPPORTUNITY. Ayala Mall opens doors for workers.
community [by helping] others, [such as my fellow applicants], to have work and to [also] sustain their needs,” Semillano added. Furthermore, he mentioned that Ayala Mall will feed hundreds of people by giving them an opportunity to work as well as help
progress the city’s economy. The Php 6 billion development project, located at the center of Bacolod, covers the surrounding nine hectares of the Provincial Capitol building and the Lagoon Park, and it includes the Ayala Mall itself, Ayala Steps residential building
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
found behind the mall, Juan Street, and the newly opened Seda Hotel beside the Philippine National Bank. ..........Meanwhile, the opening of the Ayala Mall Capitol Central has been moved to the month of December, in time for the Christmas celebration.
KAPAWA
NEWS
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august - november 2018
JUBILANT. Handumanan Jail inmates prance around the block for their first ever competition.
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The inmates of Metro Bacolod District Jail (MBDJ)Male Dormitory Annex in Barangay Handumanan held the title as the first ever winner of the MassKara Festival Special Indoor Participation on Oct. 22. Along with their rival from MBDJ-Male Dormitory in Barangay Taculing, the inmates practiced for a month and wore colorful costumes, masks, and headdresses made from fabric, rubber, and recycled materials that they designed themselves prior to their performances, which were held inside of their separated jailhouses.
When asked about the purpose of such event, Senior Inspector Norberto Miciano Jr., the jail warden of Handumanan jail, stated that it was to make the inmates feel that they are still constituents of Bacolod City. Furthermore, Jail Officer 1 Romel Lagos said that the event was to help the inmates develop their skills in crafts and dances and to keep them updated of the outside services despite being confined in the jail facilities. Both Miciano and Lagos expressed that this year’s event was made special due to the presence of proper judging unlike in the previous years, which excited the inmates.
Several city officials namely Regional Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-6 director Senior Superintendent Joel Superficial, Bacolod City Representative Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilors Cindy Rojas, Bartolome Orola, and Wilson Gamboa Jr. were acknowledged during the competition. This event was also in line with the National Correctional Consciousness Week, a celebration among the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology offices that emphasizes the reformation of the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).
academic programs which meet commonly accepted standards of quality education. “I believe La Salle has developed much already with the improvements in the infrastructures and facilities; however, it needs to focus more on their sustainability in the progress of the institution,” Brian Mesada, the Student Affairs Council (SAC) president of the Integrated School, stated. Some of the infrastructures and facilities that USLS has improved on over the past few years are the St. Br. Miguel Building, Handumanan Park, Yun An Log-College of Business
and Accountancy (YALCBA) classrooms and offices, High School building classrooms, and comfort rooms around the campus. “PAASCU is very essential to institutions like La Salle since it would provide the school the proper recommendations that would make it a better institution [….] As for me, I think PAASCU should be unannounced, like the year of the visit will be announced but the exact dates will be a surprise,” Mesada added. The results for the Basic Education resurvey have not yet been announced but are expected to be released around the months of December and January.
USLS improvements set for PAASCU visit by Z h a i n a Za n i c a Z . Za fra The Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) once again visited the University of St. La Salle (USLS) to conduct a resurvey program for Basic Education on Sep. 3-4, wherein La Salle prepared and showcased the improvements of the institution over the past few years. With Ms. Jane Martinez as the PAASCU representative during the said visit, the accrediting association is a private, voluntary, non-profit, and non-stock corporation, as well as a service organization that accredits
photo by Miel V. Cañete
photo courtesy of Bombo Radyo
Handuman Jail prevails in first inmate dance tilt
WELCOME. New landmark greets visitors along Bacolod- Silay Access Road
Las Vegas style signage to separate BCD, TSY by Kimberly L. Nocon Inspired by the ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign’, the new Bacolod marker, located on the boundary of the cities of Bacolod and Talisay, along the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road, was set to be finished just in time for the 39th MassKara Festival highlights on Oct. 26-28. ......Megaworld Senior Assistant to the Vice President for the Public Relations and Media Affairs Harold Brian Geronimo said that the structure will be completed by Oct. 15, however, it is still under construction up to this date. ......“I’m not sure yet of the lighting and everything else, but this month, we will be able to do that,” he added. ......Megaworld has partnered with the city government of Bacolod to develop the Welcome Park, which was set to welcome tourists and locals alike with a 7.2-meter marker that features colorful masks illuminated at night, symbolic of Bacolod’s MassKara Festival. ......Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia proposed the Bacolod’s Flood Control from page 1
“The design was a reinforced concrete pipe culvert which is 1.52 in diameter which is bigger than the existing drainage with 1.07 in diameter which was installed 30 years ago and is currently silted. The present drainage project is not yet fully functional
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
idea of the official welcome marker to Megaworld, which has a 53-hectare township development on the boundary of Bacolod and Talisay. “This is going to be a new symbol of Bacolod City. This is going to be the only welcome park in the Philippines, and that will be an advantage for us in Bacolod City,” Leonardia said in an interview with SunStar. In addition to that, the marker was unveiled by Leonardia and Megaworld Senior Vice President Jericho Go on June 18, simultaneous with the commemoration of the 80th Charter Day of Bacolod. “This is not just a milestone for the people of Bacolod but also for Megaworld. This will be the first time for the company to construct a city’s official welcome marker similar to that of Las Vegas, and we are excited to have it in Northill Gateway,” Go said during the function. .Moreover, the inauguration of the Welcome Park will be held after the MassKara Festival. but it already helped rain waters subside. There were exits that were obstructed. But we will continue the maintenance so it can help serve as drains,” Jamero stated during the discussion. Meanwhile, the Mandalagan River and the Mambulok Creek will be the outfalls of the drainage.
CENTER
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prepared by Tamara Louise T. Fuentesfina, Kathleen Joy C. Aruta, Aljohn Cris C. Locsin
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F E AT U R E august - november 2018
LOSING SIGHT OF THE MASSKARA It was 1980 when the price of sugar reached an alltime low, along with the spirits of the Negrense. When American corn syrup was then introduced, the sugarcane industry came crashing down, taking with it the economy of the entire province. Things went from bad to worse, as on the same year, the Motor Vessel Don Juan crashed into a tanker and sank. Seven hundred and fifty lives were lost in the tragedy—750 irreplaceable lives. However, instead of wallowing in their sadness, Bacolodnons got together and planned the MassKara festival, intended to brighten up the city. Stunning costumes and mesmerizing dances managed to captivate the eyes of the people. It indicated that the city of Bacolod would cope, pull through, and triumph. It was a sign of better things to come. And better things did.
Never before has a city so devoid of joy, so quickly sprung back to life. The biggest signifier of this would, of course, be the MassKara festival. Nowadays, the festival is of a more extravagant nature. In contrast, the festival of before was simpler
and more rustic. And the occasion today isn’t quite as spontaneous as before, when it was this sudden get-together where people would haphazardly celebrate. This more systematic approach of doing things has cemented the MassKara as a more dignified affair
and grander fiesta. Yet the Bacolodnons have forgotten the spirit of the MassKara. It used to be this grassroots event, envisioned to help cheer up the depressing atmosphere of the time. But now that this has dissipated, the festival has become something else entirely.
photo by Ricardo U. Cueva Jr.
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Many businesses are using the event to their advantage, finding ways to market it to increase their profits. Have these developments really been for the better, or have they made the MassKara festival lose its way? Indeed, change isn’t something to be resisted. It is to be embraced and accepted as the sole constant that progresses the world. But let us not stray too far from our roots, from our very foundations, lest we forget what the MassKara really means. These advancements in the festival have brought wonders for its popularity and ornateness, but the spirit of the MassKara does not just lie in the magnificent spectacles and displays. It does not lie in the costumes that adorn the performers or in the flourishes that line the avenues. It lies in the fundamental bonds that allow us to laugh in the face of adversity, smile in the midst of despair—and love even in the most hateful of times.
A GENER AL’S GAMBIT : THE MOR AL OF CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE
Revolution has always been a recurrent theme in Philippine history. In the past, we Filipinos grew to be very familiar with war. But each time it occurred, the Filipino response was the same—to fight back. It was an instance of David versus Goliath. On the 5th of November 1898, a ragtag group of Negrenses did more than fight back, they did the impossible. The Filipino contingent, miniscule compared to the Spanish forces, took up arms with rifles carved out of nipa and cannons made of bamboo—and forced a surrender. Their actions are now widely regarded as perhaps the first bloodless revolt in the country. The man behind the gambit was Juan T. Araneta. Before becoming a general, Araneta was a planter and a businessman. Not initially successful—he was once a
photo courtesy of www.neg-occ.gov.ph
by Gabriel Francisco V. Gatuslao
victim of a corrupt society. He had lost his lands to a dishonest lender, and the friars he had run to for help had sided against him. But Araneta collected himself—he became more strategic with his business. He started anew by moving
his family to Ma-ao, a barangay of present day Bago City, and engaged in diversified agriculture. However, life as a successful planter would not be for long, as Araneta was later imprisoned by the Spaniards for a mere suspicion.
Araneta’s experience against a corrupt system had taught him that he couldn’t fight it head on. He learned that one must be creative, strategic, and resourceful. He showed all of these traits in his plans during Cinco de Noviembre. By looking past
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
traditional military tactics, skillfully positioning his men, and using wood and paint to create weapons— they misled the enemy. They evolved and adapted against the formidable opponent. It is for this reason that we should be celebrating Cinco de Noviembre: to remember that Filipinos, exemplified by General Araneta, do not merely respond to violence with violence—but rather we do so with the ingenuity and drive to overcome when the odds stacked against us. Years ago, General Araneta led the battle against an invading military force. Today, we encounter even greater enemies such as: poverty, unemployment, corruption, and inflation. These are just a few of the Goliaths we face today— but like David and General Araneta, instead of following tradition, we must use the Filipino vitality we have seen before—to overcome giants we face.
Fair Fare: A Driver’s Perspective
passengers usually ignore and still pay the previous fares.” With the already low take-home pay of drivers, paying the fare insufficiently is tantamount to stealing from a poor man’s pocket—shamefully pathetic. Drivers wake up early and battle the sun’s heat to provide their services, yet commuters fail to appreciate their effort over some pocket change. Mr. Operiano believes that the rise of jeepney fares is a reality we all have to face. After all, how do we expect drivers to keep up with the skyrocketing fuel prices? Before we complain about a peso or two, let us remember that the men behind the wheel are also fathers and providers sustaining a family.
What goes up will come down. Linghod retorted as the streets of Bacolod City were yet to be filled with floating colors in the air—of plastic that is. This was when L’Fisher-Bacolod received numerous opposing critiques and opinions from several environmental groups and individuals as it announced its Balloon Run as a celebration of its 28th Anniversary on
September 30, Saturday. Ironically holding an antiplastic event that would make you smack your forehead. The event has created noise on social media with negative feedbacks consistently thrown at L’Fisher. Various online posts have shown that the netizens raised their voices, telling the management to take the event down, once and for all. This even came up to the point where the Sea Waste
Th e C o n c ea l ed A rt As the media becomes the middle ground for political actions and resistance, so do the walls of cities transform into canvases of powerful graffiti messages. Street culture and graffiti art are well-known for being bold, appealing, and provocative— oftentimes stirring a person’s curious mind. Originally used by gangs to mark their territory in some urban area, graffiti has now become the means to spread not only artistry but as well as prevailing messages that would urge passersby to stop and think. On February 2018, Gila Inefable, an AB Communication Senior from University of St. La Salle (USLS), transformed the barren wall outside USLS into a mind-boggling advocacy. The mural is aligned with the seniors’ project named “Project Express”. Using profound imagery and striking words, Inefable had shed light to sexual harassment. Through her intriguing mural painting of women’s clothing on an orange background
along with a striking line of “No Dress Code for Rape”, many have been moved. However, months later, the prominent mural was entirely covered by another graffiti by a group of teenagers that remain anonymous up to this day. When the mural painting was concealed with a ‘regular’ graffiti, people were in a state of uproar. Photos of the unknown teenagers behind the incident had spread all over social media while sentiments on the issue filled every newsfeed. As fleetingly unbound street art can get, Inefable’s mural had been vulnerable to obstruction since the beginning. There is always a risk in doing mural art in a public place as it is subjected to repercussion and criticism. On a lighter note, although there is no possible way of knowing the motive behind the action that took place, what matters is that despite the inevitability of social issues being pushed to the edge of our consciousness, the mural art had sparked something greater in us —even for just a moment.
Education to Eradicate Plastic (SWEEP) needed to have a face-to-face chit-chat with the managers of L’Fisher. As the management’s name was stained with harsh comments that seemed to be going on forever, it made a move to chase back its reputation, saying it appreciated the stakeholders’ concern for Mother Earth. However, L’Fisher clarified that the Balloon Run was not intended to be another pain
for the environment; oh! For the environmentalists, too. Fortunately, L’Fisher has managed to face the public after the humiliation, taking the criticisms positively and turning the “Balloon Run” into the “Run for Hope”, which has gained a lot of “love” reacts from the proenvironment netizens and the environmental organizations, stabling the online outburst with the response: “We are postponing and taking out the use of balloons and
plastic cups to move it to an ECOLOGY RUN on December. Heal Our Philippine Ecosystem. Run for HOPE!” A number of associations have also expressed their utmost gratitude to the management for hearing out their cries. Kudos to L’Fisher for taking this as a lesson rather than a curse. This also implies that thinking twice and actually having knowledge about what you post online or plan to do will help you avoid making a laughingstock out of yourself.
A CELEBRATION OF IRONY AND IGNORANCE
by Bea Rose M. Celo
9
Photo by Alyssa Rosales
Due to inflation, jeepney fares, as well as stress levels, are escalating. Rants about the abrupt and unreasonable fare hikes are filling everyone’s newsfeeds. However, commuters often forget who are suffering the most because of rising prices of fuel. For Bernardo Operiano, a jeepney driver, it is them who are more burdened by the recent changes. “In the past, drivers could bring home as much as 500, but today, we can hardly reach that amount,” he said. Commuters who pay less than the required fare— he reveals, are also to blame. “Even if the tariff was in effect since August 30,
august - november 2018
photo by Miel V. Cañete
by Pa ul Oliver G. S idayo n
F E AT U R E
photo by Ana Lirio Lyn L. Mapa
KAPAWA
by Kathleen Joy C. Aruta
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
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The 21st Century War
by M a p h i D a n i e l T. P o l vo r a The Philippines is at war. The plague of war touches and covers a wide area— yet it is unseen. The 21st century breeds a new era of warfare, and it humbly opens its doors for you. Welcome to the Digital No Man’s Land. Amidst the trend on the current rise of technical prowess companies are displaying in the world of business, entering the fray of the harsh industrial world without adequate knowledge
on the necessary technology required in one’s field is a one-way ticket to losing. The organism willing to change survives the most, as stated by Charles Darwin himself. And taking this saying into stride, change has come manifested as the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology’s (BNEFIT) two-day Freelancers Fair and Digital Careers Expo. .....“Digital skills are necessary for all fields as the future of work will demand
technical skills as the highest priority,” stated BNEFIT Executive Director Jocelle Batapa-Sigue when asked on the reason behind the event. Fresh off the boat, the rookie recruits of 600 senior high school and college students, teachers, and freelancers from various schools all over the province swept through back to back, semi-rigorous talks, forums, and presentations— all in the name of arming themselves with the required knowledge to partake in the world of Information
and
Communications. And of course, making their entrance, experienced freelancers and accomplished entrepreneurs shared their stories ranging from a ‘ragsto-riches’ type to a story of hope and dedication. “Partners’ skills required by digital careers are possessed by freelancers and they can, therefore, help influence and inspire the students to learn and develop such skills,” Sigue mentioned. Sigue added that the strategies must be widespread either through
formal educational institutions or technical vocational centers, online platforms or interactive activities like hackathons and career talks. ........In a dynamic world where change happens continuously and abruptly, the fate of the nation’s state will forever be shrouded in mysteries. However, preparation and anticipation will always triumph over the unknown. And in the games of the generals, the ones who win the most, are the ones who adapt the most.
A Philippine Biodiversity Milestone Another milestone was awarded to the Philippine Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation of the Philippines as a Filipina wildlife conservationist was named after a newly discovered Mistletoe species. Lisa Paguntalan, the Executive Director of the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. (PBCFI) was given the rare honor of being named after a newly-discovered species of Mistletoe endemic to the Negros province—Amyema Lisae. As published in the scientific journal Phytotaxa entitled “A new species of
Amyema (Loranthaceae) and a new Gastrodia (Orchidaceae) record for the Philippines from Negros Island.”, the plant species was named after Paguntalan to honor her contributions to the nature and wildlife conservation of the Philippines which she has been doing for over 20 years. The Amyema Lisae is a Mistletoe species discovered in the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park. It is endemic to the island Negros which means that it could not be found anywhere else in the world. The Mistletoe possesses a unique yellow hue as compared to most Mistletoes found in the country which are
orange and red in color. According to Paguntalan, Mistletoes are poorly understood plants. Thus, she and a team of wildlife conservationist,
are strengthening their efforts in studying these species to help botanists and taxonomists provide a scientific description to these plants. When asked about the recognition of being named after a plant species, Paguntalan stated, “I feel so honored […] so much so that this is from my home province in Negros Oriental.” Since her childhood, Paguntalan was exposed to nature and the wildlife, and through this, she discovered an interest towards it. “My childhood was filled with memories of my friends and I looking for wild fruits, catching insects or when we gathered flowers for Flores
De Mayo,” She narrated. This interest turned into a passion as Paguntalan ventured into the world of Biodiversity and Wildlife conservation. With her love for nature coupled with various educational achievements and international recognitions, she established a career devoted to protecting and amplifying the biodiversity and wildlife of the Philippines. .....The absence of biodiversity would have hindered the growth of life as biodiversity is life itself. That is why Paguntalan encourages everyone to take part in the conservation of nature and wildlife.
different ISTs, such as Globe Telecom and Philippine Long-Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has been significantly ‘fast’. Yet, even with the great offers they could advertise to the public, their Internet speed still lags behind the consumers’ expectations. Converge offers people a service of streaming with clearer and faster speed. Yet, unlike other broadband services, Converge is falling behind in terms of its coverage areas in contrast to Globe, PLDT, and Sky Cable. Moreover, the company foresees that in three years time, they will be able to cover the entire Luzon and after that, they will start to extend
their services throughout Visayas and Mindanao. Surely, their mission would take time, but considering the benefit of faster Internet connection with a much more affordable price, there is no doubt that Converge would still be able to cope with the other Internet service providers of the country. Converge has also partnered with some telecommunication brands from all around the world such as: Cogent Communications, Singapore Telecommunications Limited, Telstra, and many more that will guarantee a greater experience of fast Internet access for the users. Furthermore, they are associated with some of the
most popular media services providers namely Facebook, Netflix, and Google. Surprisingly, two of the main competitors of Converge that were mentioned—Globe Telecom and PLDT—are actually one of its clients as well. In regard to that, even when Converge ICT is new to the industry, many Filipinos are already anticipating for its growth in the market and development for the country. Indeed, Internet has made our lives easier and better, but with Converge FiberX— an even faster connection is guaranteed. Sooner or later, we just might be able to catch up with the other countries’ extremely fast Internet speed—or even best them. Who knows?
photo courtesy of Lisa Paguntalan
by Colleen Ann D. Benedicto
Fast Switch to Converge by Shanniah I. Dubouzet & Marhinesse C. Javier
There was a time when a 54kbps Internet speed was already considered as a luxurious privilege. Back then, it costed an average of Php 5,000 a month, and the only other option of the people was to stop by an Internet café that offered a Php 30/hour rate. Fortunately, those times had settled in the past. Internet access has now become a common accessory, thus allowing a wider population to have Internet access. Nevertheless, a gradual improvement of Internet speed has been observed and
experienced throughout the years. Prices have stepped down and performances have risen from an unbearable 128kbps to 1mbs to 10mbps. Yet, the improvement of the Philippines’ Internet connection speed is still lagging behind other countries. Meanwhile, Singapore claims to be one of the few countries with the fastest average Internet speed—61mbps. Converge ICT or also known as Converge FiberX, is a rising Internet service provider (IST) in the Philippines; ramming at an average of 25mbps for a generous price of Php 1,500/month. The rise of
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
SPORTS
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photo by Sofia Francine O. Moscoso
KAPAWA
TRAILBLAZER. Taytung Thunderbolt blazes across the track.
NOPSSCEA Athletics: BTTHS succeeds dynasty by B e a t r i z N i k k a L . C o r t e s A wave of blue took over the track at the Panaad Stadium on Oct. 12-13 as Bacolod Tay Tung High School reasserted its reign in the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) Season 38 athletics competition after sweeping the secondary boys’ and girls’ division. ......The Thunderbolts vanquished the entire scene and copped their fourth straight secondary girls’ division title after garnering a total of 12-4-2 gold-silver-
bronze medal haul, while their male counterparts bagged their second straight title after amassing 16 medals (8-4-4-gold-silver-bronze). ......“It feels good knowing that as a team, we were able to maintain our respective titles. Also, bagging the championship showed the efforts of every member of the team who really strived hard to become the best that they could be. I’m very grateful for our coaches, parents, and of course God.” Jaden Gil Rivera of Bacolod Tay Tung High School, as he shared his sentiments
Coming in third with a total of five medals for both the secondary girls’ and boys’ divisions were University of Negros OccidentalRecoletos (3-1-2-gold-silverbronze) and University of St. La Salle (1-3-1-goldsilver-bronze), respectively. ......The most bemedaled award was bestowed to four incredible athletes namely Antonette Jay Aguillon (BTTHS), who fished five golds in 100-meter sprint, Long Jump, Triple Jump, 4x100-meter relay, and 4x400-meter relay; May Therese Gula (BTTHS), who
about the competition. ... Tay Tung put up an all-around performance to take the title as they successfully emerged as victors in 20 events in both the boys’ and girls’ division. ..Trailing just behind the BTTHS Thunderbolts in the boys’ division was the University of St. La Salle Stingers, who snatched victories and tallied 5-7-4-gold-silver-bronze medals, while in the girls’ division, St. Scholastica’s Academy took the second place after garnering 14 medals (3-6-5-gold-silver-bronze).
finished with four golds in 1500-meter run, 3000-meter run, 800-meter run, and 4x400-meter relay, Lynch Mananquil (USLS), who took home four golds and one silver in the 100-meter sprint, 200-meter sprint, 400-meter sprint, 4x100-meter relay, 4x400-meter relay, and Jaden Gil Rivera (BTTHS), who won three golds in the 1500-meter run, 800-meter run, and 3000-meter steeple chase. ......A total of 11 schools participated in the secondary division of the NOPSSCEA Season 38 athletics competition.
by Ella Mae C. Abendan & Bea Rose M. Celo P
r o d i g y . The very definition of a young girl who learned to tame the ball in the football field at the age of three, outplaying the other opponents in championships. With a goal-driven personality and a devoted heart, she continues to aim for conquest among a stadium filled with thundering cheers of citizens waving the banner of the Philippines. Meet Mikaela Jacqueline Villacin, a Grade 9 student
attending her junior high school in the University of St. La Salle, and an athlete who’s a member of the U16 Women’s Football team, which recently represented the country in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 2018 in Nepal, and is now preparing for the upcoming NOPSSCEA. It is no wonder that Mikaela emerged as an amazing child athlete since the people around her also support her goal. When asked who she is looking up to in the football industry, she replied: “My coach in the Philippine
photo by Sofia Francine O. Moscoso
The Rise of the Prodigious team, Mariel Benitez.” “When I was a kid, I already wanted to be professional. My grandfather trained me because he was also in the Philippine team once,” she said, admitting that, as a kid, she did not only see football as a mere hobby— but a feat to be mastered over time. Indeed, even someone like Mikaela, who is deemed as a rising star, needs support for her dreams to skyrocket. But with all these preparations for games, she also managed to balance the athletics and academics. “Studies first— always,” Mikaela confessed,
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
reminding everyone that education doesn’t hinder your dreams or another way around, shedding light for those who are pursuers of their passion. Mikaela has begun to build her legacy—a living proof that you can attain your goals even if you are young. “If you really want something, you have to dedicate your time.” In 20 years, it would be no wonder if we’d see her on a national television playing for the World Cup, proudly carrying the name of the Philippines.
SPORTS
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august - november 2018
by Jan Kristoffer J. Hinolan
Loud roars and applause from the audience and tension builds up as the game is deadlock at 24 in the deciding set. The opponent releases a loaded serve and targets the libero, the players scramble to chase the ball, the setter sends the ball to the open spiker. Triple blockers gather from the other side of the net while defenders move a step backward expecting a strong hit, but she tips the ball finding the doughnut hole in the defense. She is Mahriz Anne Cosain, a Grade 12 student of Liceo-De La Salle, taking up Accountancy, Business and Management, who carried La Salle to a bronze medal finish and won as 2nd Best Outside Spiker during the recently concluded
Rebisco Girls U18 Volleyball Tournament Regional Finals. “I felt overwhelmed and proud of my team because even if we [lost] we still [gave] La Salle and other schools the game they expected from us and I know that we gave our best,” Mahriz remarked. ..........The five-foot-four outside spiker from Silay City, Negros Occidental was a runner for Saint Theresita’s Academy before discovering volleyball in sixth grade where her father became her first trainer. The journey continued as she harvested awards from different tournaments such as Palarong Pambansa, wherein she participated twice. Aside from being an ace for the Lady Stingers, she also aims to balance her sports and academic life. The struggle gets harder
especially when games are held outside Bacolod. She could personally talk to her teachers on how she could make up with missed quizzes, performance tasks, and exams. “As a Lasallian student I can advise them to set their minds on how to make their parents proud and happy in their own ways. Take time to know yourself if what do you really love and want and if you discover it, nurture and practice it because all of us have talents but it depends on us if we can make it productive and help us in our future.” Mahriz said. Despite all her achievements, she remains humble playing for her family, friends, and all the people behind her success. “Be patient in everything you do because if it’s God’s will then it will be,” she concluded.
De Jose : A Rising Phenom A guy who may not have secured any MVP title, yet, certainly poised as a paladin inside and outside the court. His juggling act from classrooms and libraries to gymnasiums and sports arenas for two consecutive years has been continuously paying off as he carries on his highly regarded trace as a student and an athlete. As one of the new and highly recruited players in the university, Gabrielle De Jose has been nothing but a solid contributor since he walked onto campus in 2017. Upon his entrance to the University of St. La Salle, the five-footeight student-athlete has emerged as one of the most well-rounded players of the university’s volleyball squad for his deadly spikes, tenacity inside the court, optimism, wit, and unrelenting spirit; he has earned a huge respect from his coaches, teammates, and even his opponents. Following his first championship in NOPSSCEA bannering La Salle in 2017, De Jose
photo by Ana Lirio Lyn L. Mapa
by A s h l ey J u n e M . G o m e z
stunned everyone after his name was called as one of three senior high students who bagged highest honors for the first semester of the previous academic year having a general average of 97.67 %. According to him, being a student-athlete is indeed a challenge; you go off from classes to trainings, from spikes to essays, from shorts to slacks, and from balls to stationeries, sure enough, a high demand to his time management skills. Just recently, he has been granted by his hard work a championship in the Brother’s Cup Invitational Tournament and another
Principal Distinction Award for the first grading of this school year; a very commendable attainment since PD is only given to students, who has an average of 95 and above with no grades below 95. Although numerous school works and busy trainings are always a fuss, he said that it’s solely the people who believe in him makes his gigantic triumphs possible. “I recognized all the sacrifices of the different people behind my success, especially my parents, their love for me is certainly unconditional. To do well in my endeavors is just one of my little ways to give back,” plucky De Jose said in an interview. “And also, it all works with the help of the Man above,” he added. Making De Jose’s greatness more impressive is the fact that he both excels in his studies and debilitating trainings with the NOPSSCEA’s men’s volleyball as a defending champion looking forward to forfend their title in the recently opened NOPSSCEA Season 38.
photo by Sofia Francine O. Moscoso
A Humble Beginning
New Zealand grants 800K to hone rugby in Neg. Occ. b y A a r o n P a u l D. I n f a n t e Eight hundred thousand pesos graced rugby enthusiasts after the ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, David Strachan, gave away the grant on Oct. 30 for the development and promotion of the sports in Negros Occidental. In an interview conducted by SunStar Bacolod during his visit in the University of St. La Salle, the ambassador expressed that the primary purpose of his stay in the province was to boost the influence of rugby among the Filipino youth. “We, being the world’s leader in rugby, want to share the good things about this sport in our neighbors – particularly the Philippines,” Strachan elaborated. Moreover, he mentioned that the help was an honor for New Zealand to further the knowledge as well as the development of the said sport in the country, specifically in Negros Occidental. The Php 800 thousand check, which was passed over to the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), will be used in assistance to the PRFU project “Rugby for All” that will provide the same shot to select youth and increase involvement in sport activities. Strachan also stated that they are delighted to take part in the project since they will be able to equally give chance to young athletes to enhance not only their capabilities but also their passion for
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 • AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018
a ‘great sport like rugby’. Furthermore, the financial aid will be utilized to provide rugby trainings, clinics, and festivals in Negros Occidental and will be implemented in 60 schools around the province with the goal of giving fair opportunity for boys and girls to participate in an organized sport. On the other hand, Strachan initiated a twoday rugby event wherein 28 teams coming from various schools across the country battled for the top spot in men’s and women’s division. The tenacious ruggers hailing from Ateneo de Davao toppled the Cameleon Rugby Kids Team and the JL Suarez Elementary School to snag the gold medal in the Under 13 female division. Meanwhile, Mandalagan dominantly took over the paddock after conquering the Under 13 male category where they swept Magcorao Elementary School and JL Suarez Elementary School with their sinewy throws and impressive flair. For the Under 16 female, the EB Magalona High School Team A savored a well-deserved victory as they left the ABKASA in the second place and D’ Cameleon Warriors Rugby B in the third place. Lastly, the Cebu Junior Dragons A bested E.B. Magalona High School Team A and Cebu Junior Dragons B through their speed and wit to finish strong as champions in the Under 16 male division.