Kapawa Vol. 5 Issue 5 (March–May 2021)

KAPAWA

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

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photos taken from SAC; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT

J. DE LOS SANTOS

E DITO RIAL

Who do you call?

Page 2

S C I- T EC H

Fat and Stigma: Two Different Things Page 7

Rheims emerges as House Cup champion

L IT E RARY

Omnipresent-ed Page 13

ANGELI M. GEROSO

FIERY. Rheims’ Blazing Phoenixes challenge their rivals in several competitions to procure the House Cup.

After a year of proving themselves worthy, the Blazing Phoenixes left another legacy for the House of Rheims as the Student Activities Council (SAC) hailed them as the new victors of the House Cup on May 9 via SAC’s official Facebook page.

Their virtual cheers dominated the premiere of the awarding ceremony when the council revealed Rheims as the champion with over 1,522 accumulated points, followed by the houses of Rouen, Paris, and Parmenie in a runner-up finish with respective points of 1,505, 1,463, and 945.

“The House of

Rheims always instilled the Lasallian values and the spirit of camaraderie, which led to our blazing glory. [....]

We stay true to our goals and priorities, and we never forget to recognize each other’s efforts despite the outcomes,” expressed Renzy Capillo, former House of Rheims coordinator.

Prior to their victorious feat, the phoenixes came neck and neck with the other houses as they competed in numerous competitions throughout the Academic Year (A.Y) 2020-2021.

“It was a rough start, however, the House of Rheims still made sure

that the points they are garnering are already placing them to the top spot. Eventually, we were able to emerge as the House Cup 2020 champion after topping several major competitions,” Capillo added.

One of the notable events that ushered the phoenixes to the House Cup was the “Mr. and Ms. Vanguard 2020: Advocates for Change”, wherein they bagged special awards and earned the titles of “Mr. Vanguard 2020” and “Ms. Advocacy”, last Nov. 24.

Apart from that, they also reigned supreme in the musical events of the

S P O RT S

An Underdog’s Conquest

“Patimpalak sa Literari at Musikal” during the “Buwan ng Wika 2020”, the musical medley of the “LiterarySpeech Festival 2021”, and the quiz bowls of the “Academic Festival 2021” as well.

“The House of Rheims Committee, that works day and night [to make] sure the house will comply with the best quality outputs and presentations, was one of the pushing factors behind the success of the house,” Capillo mentioned.

Regardless, the other houses still put up a good fight with the Blue Hydras finally conquering

the tides as this year’s House Cup 1st runner-up and Larosalyano Cup titleholder despite falling short in the previous years.

“We managed to break the curse by having the right mindset [and by] cultivating mutual respect with one another. [....]

The hydras’ dedication and excellent teamwork served as a driving force to dominate the games,” stated Kaye Figueroa, former House of Rouen secretary.

different fields,” stated John Kemuel Semillano, former SAC executive president.

For the individual categories, Gian Boyero, Mary Mosquera, Slara Garzon, and Joan Guererro triumphed as the most outstanding students for culture and arts, environmental advocacy, religious services, and community engagement, respectively.

Moreover, John Macasero, Shealtiel Jamoles, Bea Tabligan, Andrea Sagario, and Polina Canson successively prevailed as the most outstanding class mayor, club member, club president, house coordinator, and strand governor.

“While every project we had may not be perfect, I am still beyond grateful and humbled. […] What truly

matters most to me is that I am able to inspire others by living out my advocacy,” expressed Garzon in being the program’s recipient for religious services.

The council also lauded the awardees of the group categories, which included Berdeng Parola, the House of Paris, and the Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) Council as the most outstanding club, house committee, and strand council, consecutively.

“We have conducted many online initiatives that promoted and exposed the strand to dealing with the new normal, and to show that we are unstoppable, innovative, and adaptive,” said Canson, former ABM strand governor, on behalf of her council.

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Laurier de La Salle ’21 recognizes notable achievers ANNA SOPHIA C. GALZOTE

CATALYSTS. The respective recipients of Laurier de La Salle 2021 for religious services, club member, and house coordinator, namely (from left to right) Slara Garzon, Shealtiel Jamoles, and Andrea Sagario. photos taken from Slara Garzon, Shealtiel Jamoles, and Andrea Sagario; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

Recognizing those who pushed beyond the barriers of the new educational system, the Student Activities Council (SAC) pursued the second “Laurier de La Salle” on May 9 to award the most outstanding Lasallian individuals and organizations for Academic Year (A.Y.) 2020-2021.

The said event is an annual award-giving program that acknowledges the members of the Liceo community who have excelled in various fields despite being bounded by the pandemic.

“This year’s Laurier de La Salle was meaningful because it showed that the pandemic and other adversities can’t stop Liceo to have a program through an online platform, with the purpose [of recognizing] the students who excelled in

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

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EDITORIAL

KAPAWA A.Y. 2020-2021 KIM T. DIAZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

JUSTIN ANDREI D. TANILON ASSOCIATE EDITOR

JED EMMANUEL M. REYSOMA MANAGING EDITOR

NICOLE KAYE E. LIPA NEWS EDITOR

ALEIA NICHOLE M. TAYO

JEWEL IRISH S. BELASCUAIN

FEATURE EDITOR

Illustration by

Who do you call?

WILLIAM KHALID VIBAR SPORTS EDITOR

SABRINA YSABELLE C. LEDESMA LITERARY EDITOR

HANNAH NICOLE R. ESBLACA LAYOUT, GRAPHICS, AND PHOTOS EDITOR

CHELSEA ANNE A. RALLOS CREATIVE LAYOUT EDITOR

LOU MARCIAL M. CUESTA ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

JEWEL IRISH S. BELASCUAIN ASSISTANT ASSOCIATE EDITOR

NICOLE FRANCES H. SAZON ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

ANGELI M. GEROSO ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

FRANCIS EXEQUIEL P. AMPIL ASSISTANT FEATURE EDITOR

GIOLLAN HENRY P. DEMAULO ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

RYAN A. RODRIGUEZ ASSISTANT LITERARY EDITOR

JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS ASSISTANT LAYOUT, GRAPHICS, AND PHOTOS EDITOR

ANA DOMINIQUE G. MANABAT ASSISTANT CREATIVE LAYOUT EDITOR

BEN JOSEPH L. MAIDO YAMANA D. MONTERO SPORTS WRITERS

Who do you call when the police are the murderers?

Every now and then, we come across this statement. May it be in some graphic illustration or wall street art, this online protest chant has been the result of the unjustified deaths of our countrymen under the bullet of our police force. Take for example, the documented murder of Lilybeth Valdez by Police Master Sergeant Hensie Zinampan, on May 31. This incident had reignited our country’s long and tedious battle against the abuses enabled by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

And we dare say,

we are tired of the national government doing nothing about this—because this wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last if we continue to believe that these are isolated cases, made by a few bad apples in the police roster. Hence, we should hold the entire institution as responsible for the crimes their cops enact.

Furthermore, if we are to retrace the cases of the Gregorio mother-son tandem, we relive the horrors these men do; how under the clear cut of day, a police had the guts to kill—in front of his own daughter—with no remorse nor guilt. The same can be said for Zinampan as he pulls

the trigger on the old lady’s neck. Somewhere in both of their systems, taking the life of a citizen seems to have been ingrained as automatic and normal; that their guns have been licensed to kill.

The public has spoken on what should be done, but the problem lies on whether we are being listened to or not. We should restructure the police institution: from the pre-existing veins of hypermasculinity, until our very president who seems to be a big sympathizer of these murderers. It’s all a fairly complex system of violent acts, supported by prejudice towards the poor, the minorities, and the activists.

However, one might say that it’s too far of a stretch to blame every cop for the sins of a few. Yet, they might have overlooked the fact that no good cops will ever exist if they are complacent and feeding off of the hierarchy of violence. Everything must be uprooted by defunding the police, intensifying the police academy, and legislating for the immediate use of body cams.

Indeed, it’s a chilling reality we live in, especially when our sworn protectors turn out to be the sly murderers.

This is a reality that must be changed because we would have no one to call when a next time occurs.

Discrimination isn’t a joke are the countless women sexually assaulted and abused every year, the LGBTQ+ people suffering hate crimes for simply existing, and the indigenous people whose homes are freely stolen. But mind you, this isn’t everyone. It’s a very few compared to the many names that aren’t even given a chance to be known nor be given justice.

This culture of violence will simply be brushed off as another meager everyday loss

because we have been taught to accept that these toxic cultural remnants doesn’t stem from a nationwide ill. Yet, this stench reeks every time we blatantly tolerate rape jokes, easily paint sexuality as a demeaning punchline, and diminish our natural skin as detestable.

And I’m particularly talking about how these subtle and not physical aggressions are as much as a problem to literal deaths because know that

Falling for the Right Person

range from buying those shoes, dancing your heart out to Just Dance on Wii, or starting a non-profit organization to save the forests—the possibilities are endless, and needs to meet

Reality is stained with the blood of Filipinos—victims of systemic violence.

“

Loving is a double-edged sword.

The struggles of love look different from personto-person. Others might be

hopelessly looking for their other half, while some of us loathe the person we see in the mirror. The latter is more prevalent, in the context of the pandemic, as more of us are shut in bedroom walls— left alone to ponder on our self-worth.

With loads of free time in our hands, we often find ourselves looking at the pictures in our screen which make us question our selfidentity and ultimately lead us to self-destruct. However, knowing our self-worth

might just be our saving grace from that problem.

“

A year has passed, and the virus has not yet died down which is the perfect opportunity to revive the love we have for ourselves.

Self-love doesn’t only limit us to settle for the things at our disposal, right there and then. It can also

“

“

Philippines is not yet free.

Not when, up to this day, our nation still embodies and normalizes the oppressive values subjected by 333 years of colonization— misogyny, colorism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia. No matter how you think that this country is a utopia of kindness and hospitality, reality says otherwise.

Because reality is stained with the blood of Filipinos—victims of systemic violence. These

only one criterion: Your heart’s happiness without marginalization.

A year has passed,

ANNA SOPHIA C. GALZOTE LANCE RAFAEL M. LAZARO SAM HERVEY T. SABORDO NEWS WRITERS

JOSIE ANN H. APDOL KHRIZTYL GRACE J. BULAO MA. ENRICA CLARISSE M. DIO KYLE BRYAN T. PALPARAN TAVIN KALE V. VILLANUEVA LITERARY WRITERS

ANASTASIA R. ALCANTARA KRISLA GAIL J. BATAC MILES U. GUANCIA RIEDEN DENIELLE N. CUADRA GRACE KAY L. MILAN FEATURE WRITERS

STEPHANIE ANNE O. ALOLON CHARLIZE REYANNETE T. NICASIO LUCILLE MARIE L. MAGCUMOT PHOTOJOURNALISTS

ZERJEMAE C. ZARAGOZA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WRITER

CASSEL DAVE G. TIVA MARY ANDREA S. GEOLINGO ELI T. GOZON STEPHANIE LOUISE L. GREGAS RIZLE M. PATOPATIN ILLUSTRATORS

RHIZNAN FAITH D. FERNANDEZ, LPT MODERATOR

these “jokes” are the same justifications murderers and rapists use to disrespect the life of another.

They do not necessarily cause the other, but as a society, we must face that these jokes targeted to people of minority are relative to the societal disrespect they are relentlessly facing every day.

It’s 2021, and it’s shameful that in the 1500s, clothing wasn’t people’s suspect for rape, queer people expressing themselves didn’t cost trauma nor lives, and microaggressions still didn’t need a name. and the virus has not yet died down which is the perfect opportunity to revive the love we have for ourselves.

Disappointing the mass belief, self-love does not equate to narcissism.

While narcissists focus more on their own ego as they are running on self-inflation, knowing your worth is a compass to making better decisions for your heart’s happiness. It’s never too late to start—even if the starting line had just appeared today.

And as much as love is a double-edged sword, the cuts, pains, and scars should be worth it as long as they were meant to better ourselves.

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

OPINION

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

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Pride, Prejudice, and Pacquiao

“ Pride is year-long, celebrated when queerness lives and thrives.

“

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Something Manny Pacquiao throws out harder than a punch is a company’s credibility with the queer community.

A tweet made near Pride Month went viral, regarding the brand Bench’s hypocrisy on their position with the LGBTQIA+ community, including a photo of Manny Pacquiao—known for scathing homophobic remarks—on their billboard, next to their promotional material “celebrating love and equality.” To which we say, sure, Jan. Straight people might see big companies embracing gay people

with open arms and stores as a total win, but the trained queer eye knows better. These attempts to look gay-friendly are rainbow-capitalism—the market adjustment to focus on queer people; their wallets ripe for exploiting.

Remember when Disney introduced their first-ever queer character in a film with live-action Beauty and the Beast?

Then with Onward? And again, with Cruella?

Contrary to headlines, this trend isn’t progressive but virtue signaling—attempts to convince people that this big-name corporation likes gay people! Newsflash: they

under, some as young as 12 or 14. This is allowed mainly because our country’s age of consent is at the shockingly low number of 12. Hence,

paedophilia. This allows citizens to take advantage of children under the age of legality.

Yes, we may have

“

like money more and they’re not beneath pandering.

We also see a harmful splinter from this with how brands try and cater to a palatable gay audience. Most companies’ vision of queerness aligns with how truly willing they are to understand it, to which we see their understanding is just rainbow colors to a shieldyour-eyes degree, feminine traits on full-display, and yet sanitized versions of queer love—no true recognition of our real hardships or move to stand with us.

The most damning evidence comes at June’s

end, when loud and proud brand-waved flags are swept away by July’s arrival.

Now that it isn’t Pride Month, companies discard of the rainbow palette to find the newest audience to relate to. But while June is dedicated to it, the celebration of pride isn’t restrained there.

Pride is year long, celebrated when queerness lives and thrives. No use for brands to show how they care when all they really care for is cash. But if brands want to do goodwill, then at least, do it right.

So, when it comes to brand activism, it’s Pacquiao off the bench or us.

Policies may come across as something to base our ideals in, allowing for loopholes that anyone can exploit at the future of our society’s expense.

At the age where our curiosity is itching for answers, we tend to try things on our own rather than ask our parents, mostly revolving around the questions of adulthood.

One of those questions circle around sex and sexuality. Nowadays, there is a rise in teenage pregnancies, with young girls laying in at ages 18 and

it should be changed to a higher digit in a country where premarital sex is considered taboo, teenage pregnancy is on a rise, and paedophilia is looming over.

12 is just too low of an age for a country that has teenage pregnancy problems. Most of these children are far too young and unaware of the consequences of their actions.

Not only is it a root for premature pregnancies, but it also promotes

“

BAN

laws protecting minors from such, but those just don’t help considering that people still allow this to happen.

Such policies may come across as something to base our ideals in, allowing for loopholes that anyone can exploit at the future of our society’s expense.

Something as simple as the age of consent is a double-edged sword for everyone. But all in all, the current situation here isn’t really working in our favor.

Illustration by

LOU MARCIAL M. CUESTA

Far from Greener Pastures

“

Child labor and mulat sa reyalidad are entirely two different things.

If you are looking for an inspiring narrative, then the popular documentary of a 10-year-old boy—struggling to make both ends meet—is not for you.

That documentary followed the life of Reymark, who—instead of playing and studying—was out plowing a two-hectare land with his white horse named Rabanos so he could buy sardines and medicine for his grandparents. With this, it’s no surprise his story blew up after having been featured

in GMA’s Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) on May 23.

Many people shared the stills from the episode entitled “Hingal, Kabayo”.

Either they will urge you to be more grateful or to be more responsible. But no matter what they tell you, they are still missing the bigger picture—and that is Reymark being forced into labor at the tender age of 10.

This young farmer from Sultan Kudarat is living proof that we are under a broken system.

Reymark might even be just one face among millions of children who have been robbed of their childhood, potential, and dignity due to exploitation and child labor.

To romanticize this act is tolerating the system that puts Reymark in such situation in the first place.

His misfortune is not a rite of passage for us to realize how lucky we are. Instead, it should provoke us to demand accountability for the lack of child support, family planning,

“

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

and reproductive health education, among others.

Reymark does not need to be resilient—he just needs to live a life of comfort, and this systemic problem should never kill that right. Child labor and mulat sa reyalidad are entirely two different things. Kids like him did not choose to work because they want it but because they need to do it.

And such circumstances will never be inspirational.

KAPAWA

NEWS

Liceo holds first-ever LiceUNITED event NICOLE FRANCES H. SAZON

REMARKABLE. Some of the 29 individuals from the Liceo community that were featured as the “Best of Liceo” in the official Facebook page of the Student Activities Council (SAC) after excelling in their respective fields. photos taken from SAC by GIOLLAN

HENRY P. DEMAULO; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

What’s News ANGELI M. GEROSO

Liceo awards STEM’s top research studies Recognizing the top studies of the Grade 12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students, the University of St. La Salle (USLS) Center for Research and Engagement – Basic Education Research declared the winners of the Second Liceo STEM Research Colloquium on May 12 via Zoom.

Voters webinar prepares students for upcoming 2022 National Elections To be enlightened on the process and significance of voter registration, Lasallians signed up for “Voters Registration: A Guide on Why and How to Vote”, a webinar hosted by De La Salle Philippines, together with the Diokno Foundation, on Apr. 8 over Zoom.

Lasallian journalists PressPlay 2021

sharpen

skills

in

With the aim of enhancing their prowess, journalists from Liceo-De La Salle attended “PressPlay 2021: The Fourth Estate—Reimagined” held on Apr. 21–24 through Zoom

by The LaSallian and The GUIDON, the official student publications of De La Salle University (DLSU) - Manila and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), respectively.

Letters from YOUth campaign emphasizes importance of youth engagement In pursuit of a socially aware student body, the Department of Advocacies (DOA) - Commissioners on Education and Social Welfare launched “Letters from YOUth: Generating Global Voices”, a week-long campaign that featured six students with their assigned world issue on Apr. 12–16.

No matter the differences among the students, they still coalesced in “LiceUNITED: Igniting Solidarity in a Diversified Liceo Community”, a week-long event led by the Student Activities Council (SAC), along with the strand councils, organizations, and

clubs, on Mar. 22–23 and 26–30.

During this time, SAC paved the way for Lasallians to maximize their involvement in school activities through “Academic Festival 2021: Honing Intellect and Critical Thinking Skills in the Virtual World” and “Strand Week 2021: Empowering Future Professionals”.

“LiceUNITED allows the students to harness their skills and shows them that they can still be virtually productive and creative.

The activities during this week are made to fit the interest of the students, thus encouraging them to participate,” said Izobelle de Oca, former Humanities

SAC initiates virtual Academic Festival SAM HERVEY T. SABORDO

Well-equipped with their knowledge and skills, Lasallians battled it out in the “Academic Festival 2021: Honing Intellect and Critical Thinking Skills in the Virtual World”, organized by the Student Activities Council (SAC), together with Berdeng Parola, Kapawa, Liceo Math Club (LMC), Liceo Science Club (LSC), and Argumentum: The Liceo Debate Society.

The Academic Festival involved four quiz bees and a debate tournament, where the Liceo houses clashed once more to prove their superiority in various subject areas.

“This is the first Academic Week done through an online setup but it exceeded a lot of expectations, and it fulfilled its purpose, which is to

hone the intellect and critical thinking of the Liceo Students,” former SAC Executive President John Kemuel Semillano remarked.

To start off the event, Berdeng Parola tested the houses’ knowledge about the Filipino culture and history in “Kasay-sanayan” on Mar. 26, where the Golden Chimeras outshined the phoenixes, hydras, and griffins, respectively.

On the other hand, the Mighty Griffins snatched the gold by besting the hydras, phoenixes, and chimeras in “Big Brain 2.0”, an English quiz bowl carried out by Kapawa on Mar. 29.

“Competing was nerve-wracking, and with each passing day, the tension felt bigger because everybody wanted to win.

However, my teammates were there […] to remind me that I am not alone, and

accounting knowledge, “Wonders of Negros: Tour Guiding Video” competition that toured Lasallians to Negros’ popular spots, and “Promote-A-Product” which displayed the students’ craftsmanship.

At the same time, the STEM Council conducted “Project Coding”, which aimed to enhance the students’ coding skills, while the Technical, Vocational, and Livelihood–Cookery (TVL–Cookery) Council encouraged those under their strand to share testimonies through “Who is TVL?”.

To conclude the festivities, the HUMSS Council initiated “Hu Got

photo taken from

JEWEL IRISH S. BELASCUAIN and ANNA SOPHIA C. GALZOTE

the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Council showcased the professions under their strand through “Humanista Filters” on Instagram, while the Arts and Design Council flaunted the diverse styles of the students in “Liceo Fashion Week”.

Upon the second day, only the “Cinema-One in Science” took place, wherein the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand featured the film “Hidden Figures” on Zoom.

For the third day, the ABM Council initiated three activities, namely the “Accountancy Quiz Bowl” that tested the students’

we will persevere together,” Griffin Asilef Carbon stated.

Dominating the Academic Festival, the Blazing Phoenixes prevailed back-to-back in LMC’s “Mathdom: Conquering Math Problems” on Mar. 29 and LSC’s “The Science Quiz Bee” on Mar. 30.

“With all those victories, I was undeniably happy and proud. [….] Those achievements were proof that the House of Rheims also exhibits excellent skills not only in the field of culture and arts but also in academics,” said Renzy Capillo, former House of Rheims coordinator.

Putting an end to the competition, the Blue Hydras washed off their competitors in the “Inter-House Debate Tournament” hosted by Argumentum, leaving the chimeras, phoenixes, and griffins in a runner-up finish.

SAC by JEWEL IRISH S. BELASCUAIN; JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

Strand Week ‘21 builds bridges for future professionals To intensify the importance of career planning, the Student Activities Council (SAC), together with the five strand councils, carried out “Strand Week 2021: Empowering Future Professionals” on Mar. 22–23 and 26–30 to aid the student body in their future endeavors.

The event commenced with the launching of “Tatak ABM! Merchandise”, an initiative by the Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) strand to promote their clusters, while also extending support to the Missionaries of Charity in Barangay Banago.

On the same day,

and Social Sciences (HUMSS) governor.

Furthermore, SAC ensured that the celebration was one for the books by inspiring the student body one last time in “Best of Liceo”, an activity where they acknowledged the Lasallian prowess of 29 individuals who excelled in their talents, advocacies, and engagements.

“Being chosen as one of the bests of Liceo was unexpected and personally gratifying. It has motivated me to participate actively in programs and reflect on how I can be of service towards my fellow students,” Cindy Samson expressed after being recognized for Student Participation.

edited by

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ENCOURAGING. The official poster of “Strand Week 2021: Empowering Future Professionals”, posted by the Student Activities Council (SAC) on their Facebook page.

It: HUMSS Game Day’’, where John Rosh Macasero from HUMSS 11-A, Heart Yapoyco from HUMSS 11B, and Julienne Villanueva

from HUMSS 11-C claimed the championship title as they tackled social issues with their proposed solutions.

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

VOX POPULI

What was the weirdest dream you ever had

?

Izobelle De Oca, HUMSS 12-A

Odd dreams aren’t new to me, but the time I dreamt that I was chasing myself might be considered as one of the weirdest and most vivid dreams I have had. It was especially weird being that I was wearing the exact same clothes I wore earlier that day. That dream gave me goosebumps because of how vivid and bizarre it felt.

Miko Forsyth, STEM 11-I

Oddly enough, I don’t usually dream. I’ve always wanted to dream just for the sake of actually experiencing them.

However, whenever sleep rolls around, I usually just fall asleep immediately, probably due to exhaustion, which doesn’t really leave any room for fantasies or nightmares. This fact about me leads me to believe that there really isn’t any necessity to dreams; I’ve lived my whole life without them! Maybe it’s because I don’t experience them, but dreams during sleep have never really left an impression on me as something that could affect my life or be of use as self-reflection. Instead, I invest more of my time, energy, and effort in turning my dreams into reality. Although I don’t dream in my sleep, it’s always better to be living your dream instead, right? After all, the best dreams we have are us living our best lives.

prepared by

FRANCIS EXEQUIEL P. AMPIL, JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS, AND MILES U. GUANCIA

Timothee Consing, A&D 11-A

I had a dream that I was a security guard in training back on July 28, 2020. I was roaming around until one of the guards whispered in my ear, “The police are useless without weapons.” After that, he killed one of the other guards with a knife. I witnessed this as we were alone.

He told me, “Tell anyone and I’ll kill you next.” I, then, woke up in real life and checked the time while I heard a faint tapping on the door. It was 4:44 a.m., [which I know] because I have written this down in my notes app. This was the first time I’ve received a death threat and it was from my dream.

I also had a dream where I ate McDonald’s with Nicki Minaj. I can confirm that she eats with her hands and puts in a lot of gravy. The gravy was all over her rice and chicken. It was overwhelming.

Angela Grace Diamartin, TVL 12-B

Oftentimes, my dreams are so close to reality. I see familiar faces and places, and experience ordinary day-today life encounters. I don’t usually have nightmares or absurd dreams, but this one night was an exception.

The dream felt like I was in a loop. I met with my best friends in a mall, then we went strolling. As we reached the exit, however, we were given weapons. As soon as we went outside, there were unknown creatures that started attacking us, and we had to defend ourselves. In my dream, my best friend died in the process and it broke my heart. I woke up, but it started happening again, like déjà vu, ending the same.

As I woke up [once more from that second dream], my heart was pounding as if it were real, but that dream was [the final] one. Waking up from that made me question if I was indeed really awake or still asleep. For me, that was the weirdest dream I have experienced.

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

Catherine Joy Seminio, ABM 12-D

I was trapped in a dream I couldn’t escape. Filled with fear, I trembled as I carried a rosary in my pocket, walking towards an unknown destination, praying for my life. I vividly remember seeing a chapel, crawling towards the altar, and begging our dear Lord to spare my life from persecution. As I continued to journey in an unwanted path, I came across a dark river. It had an awful smell, as it was [...] full of dead bodies. Perhaps, persecuted Christians. I did not know what to do but I continued to move forward with fear, knowing that death was near. I remained strong in my faith.

It was the weirdest dream I had because back then, I never prayed the rosary or even owned one; so as soon as I woke up, I grabbed my phone and wrote my dream down as detailed as possible.

Looking back, I knew it was God’s call for me to serve, and as surreal as it may sound for someone who can’t even recite the Lord’s prayer, I began to be active in the ministry.

Indeed, our dreams give us visions of the future and a reflection of what was and is to come.

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SCI-TECH

5 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 6

A World Yet to Live

illustration by

CHELSEA ANNE A. RALLOS

JEWEL IRISH S. BELASCUAIN

Earth, as we know it, has been human beings’ home for millions of centuries.

It was the birthplace of life itself, a place where abundance and beauty reside. However, this has not always been the case, because with every bliss comes destruction.

Humans today, despite of the many blessings enumerated, are still faced with environmental and political challenges that demand one’s active participation. But no matter how far one’s mind can run, time can only tell how their solutions are enough

to prolong their stay here on Earth.

But look, the stars are shining brightly in darkness!

What if this has been the answer to our “whatifs”? That the human race can still avoid their cursed demise here on Earth—and that leads to a foreign land in space?

It was not long when the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has started their investigation in search of life amongst the celestial bodies we gaze at the night sky; those include the moon,

What to Bring Back to (Online) School LOU MARCIAL M. CUESTA

When the new setup began, we were thrown off to the deep-end, and we had to survive the rocky waves by accessing technologies foreign to us. Luckily, we’re all about growth and by discovering these new widgets for our virtual campus, there is hope that next school year, it won’t be as daunting anymore.

Here is an unofficial guide for the supplies you need in an online backpack: 1. Your University Email

It’s not just for module or teacher concerns, for your student email holds wonders. Signing up to selected apps, with this email, can grant you premium deals. Why bother storing items on a 15 GB limit when unlimited space awaits you? Try it on any educational app or site and get the same VIP treatment!

2. Discord

An organized space to communicate with anyone at school is what we need to swiftly collaborate.

What started out to be an easier way for gamers to talk, coincidentally became a useful tool to chat classmates with, to hang out at, and to hold projects in. It’s definitely a communicative space made for the 21st century learner.

3. Student Essentials: Notion, Canva, and Microsoft 365

This group can be appropriately labeled as the “let-me-get-my-life-together” kit. Firstly, Notion is a sleek workspace app wherein you can jot down lessons, plot calendars, and organize virtually anything! Next, Canva is the friendly graphic designing tool for anyone, especially with the never-ending demands of infographics and posters. Lastly, Microsoft 365 gives us the top wordprocessing apps to do our assignments in. Pro tip: Use your university email to all three apps and get free premium features.

Before you know it, online school will come rushing in. But with these resources at your disposal, back-to-school will be smooth sailing!

stars, and exoplanets. But little did the people know that NASA was already targeting for a much bigger mission—to land on the planet Mars.

Since the 1970s, scientists have been sending spacecrafts with distinctive specialties to the Red Planet. As of May 2021, NASA has successfully landed five robotic vehicles called “rovers”, namely Sojourner (1997), Spirit (2004), Opportunity (2004), Curiosity (2012), and Perseverance (2021). These operational machines drive around to different areas, helping researchers in their quest to understand and to study what the planet is made of, such as its rocks and its mixture of chemicals.

In the case of our recent Mars explorer, Perseverance, its specialty is to look for signs of past or present life and see if

humans could one day explore the Red Planet. This served as a continuation to what the precedent vehicles have studied during their operation, like finding lasting water and right chemical ingredients.

What lies beyond is still a never-ending mystery, and the search is still far from over. There are still a gazillion things

people need to surmount before purchasing their launch ticket for an intergalactic adventure. After all, the universe still has a lot on its sleeve, and it’s just a matter of time for the people to call another celestial body their home.

For now, enjoy your stay on Earth while you still can!

‘There’s no going back’: CHED to continue flexible learning as new norm KYLE BRYAN T. PALPARAN

To avoid the waste of investments and resources on schools, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero J. de Vera III has adapted a policy for the continuation of ‘flexible learning’ for Academic Year (A.Y.) 2021 in a webinar entitled “Educating Our Children in the New Normal”, organized by the Center for Strategy, Enterprise and Intelligence (CenSEI), Inc. on May 21.

During the webinar, de Vera stated that they

opted for the adaption of ‘flexible learning’ as to avoid facing the problems found in traditional face-to-face classes.

“Why are we doing this? Because if we go back to the traditional face-toface classroom, […] we run the risk of exposing our educational stakeholders to the same risks if another pandemic comes in,” de Vera said.

Additionally, the chairman also stated that with the adaption of the

policy, they are able to save the assets and funding directed to the adjustment of virtual learning, adding that the “old paradigm of face-toface versus online will now disappear”.

‘Flexible learning’ for higher education institutions involves a combination of digital and non-digital technology, which CHED said doesn’t necessarily require internet connectivity.

FLEXIBLE. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero J. de Vera III opted to continue ‘flexible learning’ for the next academic years during the “Educating our Children in the New Normal” webinar. photo taken from

Rappler; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 7

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

A War We Might Win RYAN A. RODRIGUEZ

illustration by

Nobody likes wars. They’re happenings of senseless loss ought to be solved by human compassion.

Yet under nature’s conditions, there’s no reasoning with the visible or microscopic citizens of the world. Consequently, humans are to engage in this struggle of food chain.

But in this archaic battlefield, reliable allies are hidden in plain sight.

Let’s first head on to the “warzone”. Bacteria are one of the first life forms to have existed on Earth and proliferated almost anywhere—from the surfaces we touch to the insides of the human body.

Some are blessings, but they also pose great risks, inflicting sicknesses from something simple as infected cuts to a deadly tuberculosis.

LOU MARCIAL M. CUESTA

Since then, humans relied on crude tools such as bloodletting and toxic mercury as treatment.

In some way or another, they were effective. But think of it as randomly deployed landmines; they often accomplished exterminating bacteria— at the expense of destroying normal human cells.

Fat and Stigma: Two Different Things MILES U. GUANCIA

It’s about time people rediscover how fat is not the problem—fat shaming is, and why both mustn’t be tolerated.

Body positivity began as a powerful antidote to the media’s obsessive adoration of ultrathin models and waifish influencers. With thousands and millions of Barbieproportioned people out

illustration by

Only about a century ago, a superweapon was invented to solve this. “Antibiotics” treated illnesses by these hostile microbes, all in one gulp.

However, as consumption increased, bacteria reacted. As living organisms, some evolved to “superbugs”, mutating resistances to antibiotics that would’ve exterminated them instantly. Terribly, it’s estimated that by 2050, there will be more deaths due to superbugs than cancer.

But fret not, for secret allies are deployed into the field!

Bacteriophages or “phages” are ubiquitous viruses that are one of the world’s deadliest killers. But there’s no need to fear as although they commit bacteria genocide for breakfast, they don’t have the ability to even recognize human cells.

As they say, “The enemy of your enemy is your friend.”

Phages are to bacteria, what bacteria are

to humans. In fact, they’re specialized killers, targeting only a certain bacteria species or family.

Inadvertently, making them more efficient than our current weapons.

But bacteria can still evolve against phages, right? Yes, and so can phages. It gets better too, as for bacteria to increase their resistance to phages, they’d have to decrease their resistance to antibiotics, leaving them defenseless.

People may now be adamant to cheering that golden victory but not everything is set in stone.

This treatment in itself is still highly experimental and currently under research.

Besides, the world’s still under siege by a much deadlier opponent—the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Taking things step-by-step is the most pragmatic approach after all, so trust the process.

Time will simply tell humanity when it can deploy its secret ally.

DOH launches Resbakuna to battle COVID-19 NICOLE FRANCES H. SAZON

there, one who is shaped otherwise would, naturally, feel self-conscious. While there’s nothing wrong with defending those who are put to shame, human beings have already came to an era where people should relearn what fat really is and what they can do about it.

Body fat is basically your body’s self-storage of food reserves. Too much fat,

however, roots from energy imbalance. That’s because when the energy input, or the food you eat, is greater than the output, like physical activity—energy reduces itself into fat. Once left for too long, it will accumulate and likely make you susceptible to various diseases.

Moreover, hormonal and metabolic changes experienced by obese people reduce the body’s response to overeating and the brain’s sense of “too much”. These consequences, therefore, make the person unaware of what is happening to their body, despite it possibly being cancer, diabetes, heart disease, et cetera. And yes, the same people actually have a higher mortality rate; they are more likely to experience premature death.

A way to counter these adverse effects is to accept the need for a new lifestyle. One of the biggest steps that can be taken is seeking professional help from a bariatric specialist. Remedies also depend on a nutritious diet and consistent exercise.

Remember, it’s not entirely about countering negative feedback or becoming a ring-waist model, it’s simply just loving you—and listening to what your body is really telling you.

Challenging the limits of the virus, the Department of Health (DOH) launched a free vaccination program to battle the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) called “Resbakuna: Kasangga ang Bida” on Mar. 1.

The said program was intended to prioritize the frontliners for vaccination and later on was rolled out to the different Local Government Units (LGUs) all over the country for the senior citizens and the people with comorbidities to be injected by the antigens to combat the virus.

Resbakuna began shortly after Sinovac’s first batch arrived in the country, containing 6,000 doses with Philippine General Director Gerardo Legaspi as the first recipient of the CoronaVac vaccine.

However, the vaccines administered to the public is not only limited to Sinovac as the government availed the different materials for immunizations, such as AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and the like, to the priority groups.

A total of 4,495,375 doses were provided for the priority groups which

JEWEL IRISH S. BELASCUAIN

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

fall under the workers in frontline services (A1), all senior citizens aged 60 and above (A2), and persons with comorbidities aged 18–59 (A3) as of May 25.

People who fall under A3 will be needing a proof of comorbidity, while the A2 shall only need to present an identification card for registrations.

Nevertheless, some people are still reluctant to avail the vaccines made, due to them being “rushed” as well as conspiracies about them sparked.

“We encourage you to trust the science in vaccines. Rest assured that our utmost priority is this: to make sure what we do and what we work for will always serve the best interest of the Filipino people.

Ang Science ay para sa tao [Science is for the people],” Sec. Fortunato de la Pena stated on the delivery of quality vaccines for Filipinos.

S o m e registrations can also take place online in your LGU’s website and some may be taken care of with a walk-in registration.

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FEATURE

Boogeyman Counts the Sheep FRANCIS EXEQUIEL P. AMPIL

The scariest place on earth is the bedroom.

Or so goes the tagline of 2015’s nocturnal documentary The Nightmare. The film chronicles what honestly looks to be the worst kind of dream imaginable— not the one where you’re naked in front of the whole school or running away from Freddy Krueger in the boiler room.

It’s one where you’re wide awake, but with your body shut down and eyes wide open, the horrors of the unawake reality seeping into the waking one, sitting on our chest. Sleep paralysis: scarier than caffeine, but better at making you want to stay up.

Slumber psychology

“I had zero control of my body,” “I would hear all the sounds of hell,” “I felt a presence next to me trying to take my soul out,”—just a series of truly wild quotes pulled from the aforementioned d o c u m e n t a r y , proving that insanity and experiencing sleep paralysis come hand-in-hand.

But what exactly is it? For the external onlooker, you might not even realize that it’s happening to the person beside you until they’re finally upright, freed and reeling from the terror. But for the uninformed, it’s a bizarre kind of condition, defined by a state of wakefulness while your body’s unconscious, followed by terrible hallucinations—both visual and auditory.

Each of these sleep paralysis staples is gone through and adapted by The Nightmare, from the experiences of interviewees scattered throughout America. The doc even uses actors in black morph suits to actually adapt the figure most associated with the phenomenon, the recurring guest in both tweets and nightmares, the Shadow Man, also known as the Sleep Paralysis Demon.

just to the Philippines, but even some Liceo students’ bedrooms.

“Everyone wants to be in control, and with sleep paralysis, you feel powerless and vulnerable which is a scary experience for most,” says STEM student Juan Javier Bonnin on his onetime experience with it.

Others, however, don’t get off the nightmare hook too

easily, like HUMSS student Heart Yapoyco, who’s been affected by the phenomenon since her first year of high school and experiences it every other night until now. She elaborates, “Sometimes, I feel something pushing my chest. Other times, I see a black figure staring me down.”

New nightmare W h e r e v e r ,

whenever, and whoever sleep paralysis and its dark-clad demons strike in the dark are a mystery undetermined. But like thieves in the night, robbing us of our peace and quiet when we least expect it, you don’t know until it’s too late.

But until then, have a good night’s sleep if you can—because you never know if it’ll be your last.

Sleeper hits

Unfortunately for us, the Sleep Paralysis Demon isn’t averse to the idea of a world tour—not illustration by

JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

photo taken from Biography; edited by

JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

Fleetwood Mac ’ s Rum ours: A Review FRANCIS EXEQUIEL P. AMPIL

What do sleepless nights, horrid relationship problems, and mountain-loads of cocaine give you? Apparently, one of the greatest albums of all time.

Such are the jokes made about the difficult recording background of Fleetwood Mac’s magnum opus, Rumours, the band’s eleventh album, a foray into new territory after

albums upon albums of soft and folk-rock.

The album is 11 tracks (plus a whopping 47 on the Super Deluxe edition) of pop-rock tunes—the lyrics sharp and biting, like the shards of the band’s fractured relationships, jutting out of the speakers at the listener’s core, softened by the airy, twangy production.

The legacy of Rumours is undoubtedly up there, both lifted up by the context of the album and by the actual quality of music itself. Every song is ready to play on the radio, something the family could rock out to with “Don’t Stop”, or by yourself, ripe to contemplate to with “Never Going Back Again”.

Three songs, however, launch out from the bunch and into the cultural pop-sphere with a guitar string smoke trail.

Penned by Lindsey Buckingham, a kind of letter to Stevie Nicks, whose tenuous relationship with him inspired the writing, “Go Your Own Way” is a heart-thumping tune, the kind you’d run to and away from the girl who cleaved your world into two, steps in sync with the beat.

Conversely, the Nicks-written “Dreams” is a song about the same relationship, but less punchy and venomous. It’s the song the girl who broke your heart would send you—an explanation, a good-bye, and a middle finger, all those emotions packed off in a cassette and the four minutes and 17 seconds they allow.

Finally, “The Chain”. Stitched together from different songs and by the lyrics of the diverging band members—fitting seeing the message. Just as a song about being on the verge of collapse became an all-time great, so did the band it was talking about.

The whole unpacked baggage of relationship problems, wrapped with a chain of crisp and clear pop-rock production, Rumours is a gift to the music world, great on its own— cocaine unneeded.

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

FEATURE

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

9

Point of No Return MILES U. GUANCIA

Modern-day cinema captures the details of future dystopia with much hunger and grave mistake.

This case flips the switch, however, on the visions of artists, architects, and enthusiasts who, most of the time, depict the world to come through curvaceous buildings, winged automobiles, and Fibonacci-boned superstructures. Whether or not these advancements are the result of societal ruin or economic gain, it’s high time that we accept Tomorrowland as far beyond our reach.

Pandemic warfare

The introduction to the ultramodern narrative, whether in dinky old towns or hightech cityscapes, sits on the current status quo: We’re still in a pandemic. Most of the world waits on the vaccine to eradicate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), meaning this socially distant way of life has rendered technological touch-ups impossible to introduce to society, most scientific advancements being said vaccine formulas against the pandemic. While that word has become an ear sore, it is also widespread reality. Every day, COVID-19 sweeps through the grouts of homes, hands, and bronchial linings; this invisible enemy cleaving us from the part of what drives our core naturally as social beings—human connection and security.

Daydream in disaster

Now, with our lives forcefully pushed to different, completely terrestrial paths, it is tempting to think of the aftermath. In quiet moments, you find yourself sitting, imagining the biopic of your life, but while its scenes are rollercoaster-like, they end in the most preferable, non-cliffhanger way possible.

You would like to think of friends and coastlines, even coffee hangouts where you’d hug a buddy when meeting at a rendezvous. Your mouth would then open up as wide as it can when giggling, chit-chatting, and exchanging aerosols. But the question is, will it ever be like that again?

Post-pandemic peek

Experts have stated in countless, often low-toned notions that completely eradicating the virus is possible but going back to how things were is not. The unfortunate truth of this point of no return has been on film via fiction and non-fiction: time heals all wounds, but it leaves a scar to remember.

Perhaps, for now, we can quietly fancy the subsequent world of no face masks, no blinding face shields, checkpoints, and pocket ethanol. But, in this present, always ensure your knapsacks are packed because we remain a long way from recovery.

Teaching is Izzy RIEDEN DENIELLE N. CUADRA and LOU MARCIAL M. CUESTA

They say that if one should desire the vocation of Saint John-Baptist de La Salle himself, there is no such thing as a first step—only a step. That is what brought Miss Hana Isabella Hautea, known as Miss Izzy by her students, to her dream job: one destined step on a fateful Monday morning.

Following your butterflies

“I got butterflies,” she promptly described her feelings as.

It was this unexplainable blossom filling her with joy whenever she earned the spontaneous chance to unriddle her peers’ difficulties. Whether it be with her little sister, her college classmates, or a Thailand internship, this fluttering was ever-present during her teaching gigs. Although it could be dismissed as momentary, for Miss Izzy, it sounded like a calling—to build brighter futures.

The road ahead

It wasn’t a million-step staircase nor a rocket off to the moon. Ms. Izzy’s road to teaching was an elevator. Having been repeatedly told time and again that she’d make a great teacher—with educators even lining up her family tree—everything pointed toward this direction. But it wasn’t this simple. In her first year of college, she even went through a political science course before shifting towards education—then, everything else followed.

“The next few years were a blur of classes, demos, and even an internship in Thailand as I worked my utmost best to arm myself with the knowledge, patience, and compassion to properly guide all my future learners to greatness,” she recalled.

Meet “Ms. Izzy”

Just like any dreamer, she had further aspirations once she found her footing in the workforce. After scoring an internship at Hua Ming in 2017 and formally beginning at Bacolod Trinity Christian School last year, she mentioned her college alma mater.

“My dream school had always been La Salle, and if you had told me 5 years ago that I would be teaching in my dream school […], I probably would not have believed it one bit.”

Lasallian soil was where she liked to leave her legacy on, and her stay at Liceo only fortified that, leading her to take up a master’s program to better her skills for her students.

Changing times

Delving further on the vocation, Ms. Izzy realized the power entailed in gracing young minds, especially in today’s setup. Additionally, she felt that the faculty had been finally acknowledged and appreciated more, as sudden transitions abound the educational system.

“I want to take this opportunity to wish my fellow educators the best […]. Our profession is a draining but worthwhile one. [….] Padayon!”

Truly, Ms. Izzy is a living testament that most times, dreams are paths we’ve known all along. All we have to do is take the big step. photo courtesy of Izzy

Hautea; Edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

Prepared by

FRANCIS EXEQUIEL P. AMPIL and ANA DOMINIQUE G. MANABAT

LITERARY x x x x

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x

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Becoming by

MILES U. GUANCIA

I

easily forget the good things that happen to me that my mind chooses to lean on the proclivity of a desperate ailment.

KAPAWA

x x

Unheard by

s.l.

Eulogy

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veryone says that I’m born with a gift, but you were the only one who actually made me feel like that.

I was never one for touch. I guess being an empath always made me lose the crave a normal human has towards it. I mean, why would I risk having my heart ambushed by someone else’s deepest affections just for a moment of comfort? It was always too much for me when I could even barely handle my own remorse.

xx

There are but few digestible answers in a town where men, who have attended university, are limited in their But with you, I never had to fear that overwhelming profession. The number of their clinics is wave of apprehension. Even when I was afraid, I knew also finite. My mother finds a particular it was going to get better the moment my hand was liking in counting every office, name, and in yours.

You were always like that, believing in expertise in her stubby fingers; the number Illustration by people so much that it rubs off on them.

JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE couldn’t reach to ten.

LOS SANTOS

It’s different now though, isn’t it?

She would often tell me, while I gathered near You’re gone because god knows why and I’m her bosom with my sisters, that pharmaceuticals just this wretched mess standing beside your couldn’t be trusted. I argued that gentlemen are corpse. Deluded enough to hope that if my palm made profound by their knowledge as wrought by touches yours even in the slightest, I’ll feel that tiny hint of experience. She then directed her fingers to me, and life you always gave me when I needed it. amply referenced my youngest sibling, of lost youth, as a failure of medicine.

But it’s all nothing. I mean, who am I kidding? I felt it the night you died. I felt you fading from everything,

By then, I could not believe how a woman of great even from yourself. I felt it creeping up on me on my yield could easily correlate the death of her youngest child drive here.

And I feel it now as my fingers brush against to the possibility of me being ill, thus needing professional yours—nothing but this sea of emptiness spilling all treatment. I wondered how she could steadily forbid the over the place. urgent demand for leeching, rest, and diagnoses that

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looked like hooch.

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In its stead, she offered me a set of what seemed to be ginger root, bracken fern, and broken plant from the underbrush; it was a terrible way to die.

PA In RA N throbbing groans, stars shatter silently in darkness— a chronic yearning for those gentle strokes and scented voice —pierces the fabric of my skin.

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CHELSEA ANNE A. RALLOS

I guess some truths can just never outlive death, and my empathy is now nothing but a constant reminder of yours.

Syndro me

Its hunger only fueled by greater sorrow; sleepless nights and fading memories from an endless cavern of hysteria and delirium, infesting my world with dismal affliction.

Illustration by

How is being able to feel death in my lungs a gift? How can a single touch wreak havoc into me until I feel the grief aching in my bones?

How could I feel anything else now but this?

I am sick— always wanting you as my own.

Feeble emotions that wrestle the weight of your face in my head: a flash of sunlight beneath your wrinkles, dying to greet me.

I promised to meet you again; see you again— suffering each day for the remedy you promised to bring into my soul.

All my bones have leaked from misery—dripping a lasting blackness.

They cry to me for your voice; your comfort like the void that howls between you and me.

I have died all day, lingering—listening—to the sore butterflies that twist my skin into maladaptive daydreams into persistent doubts, scratching what’s left of my joy.

I’ll lie and wait for the cure— your tender strokes and pale whispers—that’ll mend my endless plaguing thoughts with your lullabies, promising this afflicted world I live will soon be healed.

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

LITERARY

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

Und er a n E p i ta p h by

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A. R

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—in death does two part, but vows are easily forsaken;

d e t n

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you did not.

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only, you sought lesser sorrow, only, a bottomless river, only her ashes— you inhaled; that itching prickle of smoke, needles, in your gut, in your lungs:

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a remainder of her. and her haven’t W h y is the only lived long would I commend word you enough to this thing that has can read, u n d e r s t a nd given me power to so you clung, the concept of blame it? Not having you sewed that longevity. All I know is to go to classes, nor to thorned lump to tell words and meanings make up reasons to stop in your throat as apart from each other—to take going out, and being strangers paraded the accepted actions of our collective able to lie down forever around; you human society and be constrained to and stare at a screen of wanted them to shut up, Illustration by them in a straitjacket of normality.

ANA DOMINIQUE G. binary code lined up in because they shared tears MANABAT megapixels of virtual data.

—shared aching

When I first heard the word Maybe I’m just another one of you didn’t understand. quarantine in the context of a pandemic, I hadn’t those souls, trapped in a room of so you sewed your ears too, because, really thought of it the way everyone else did. It was electrical signals bisected by a window

if they continued, you’d understand. just another normal day as eyes glued to monitor of polycarbonate plastic with nothing to live by. because you can’t mourn, when it’s not lost; screens. I never enjoyed the act of life: the exertion Is this a better fate? My time would be wasted when you can still feel her of effort to live—in the loosest sense possible. I asking no one. despite the drowning, hated moving and loved the fact that chairs had and that’s enough—her is enough. wheels on. Quarantine was my lifestyle, and the

I’ve always lived in a so-called quarantine— to patch a void, as she always did. world wide web was the dealer. in a glass box where people bending over to please and you’d rather wallow, each other is crystal clear. I can see everyone wade through wither and cold

If friends would invite me to hangout, moving, always have. But it seems like nobody has because of I wouldn’t have to concoct a new emergency ever noticed me, or the boxes that have always h her to preserve my state of immobility. Or when confined them regardless of their actions. mother would pester me to get a haircut, so you don’t move on and live I could remind her that the parlor could

They remain trapped in these because if you do be a festering nest of deadly virus boundaries, not having the courage to t —then she will truly part, and she’d back off. escape, but wishing to push the edges so you stay, just a little bit further. As do I. and this was greater sorrow.

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LOU MARCIAL M. CUESTA

i dream of John and white horses, of solitude melting at my fingertips, and the profanity of false prophecies.

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i see how our eternity falls apart, (we die in a whimper) it’s a plaguing prayer that demands our attention, and it all ends when faith falters. i wake i am a witness at the precipice, and the open sky rumbles: what is the cost of lies? “this” and await further destruction.

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

Illustration by

CHELSEA ANNE A. RALLOS

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ANA DOMINIQUE G. MANABAT

Description We take a look back to specific artists, albums, and songs that the Recording Academy has recognized, overlooked, and everything in between. These names will forever be etched as legendary (one way or another).

Arm Gone Rogue by

Melodrama

WAP

HAIM

Feature

Lemonade

Daft Punk

Macklemore

Folklore

Fiona Apple

Speak Now

Teenage Dream

Doja Cat

Carpenters

Golden Hour

ANA DOMINIQUE G. MANABAT

Riddle me this...

A thing is veiled in page and dust; borne from a nibble or sigh.

So small a thing before the hundred death, now the world of flames is nigh.

Brace our souls, the tearing have sundered— forever—lest man be purged or sequestered.

Hint: The answer is hidden within the Literary page

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kapa-playlist #1

kapa-playlist #2

kapa-playlist #3

kapa-playlist #4

aka songs to miss someone you haven't even met face-to-face yet

aka songs to pretend you're the frontman of a rockband to

aka songs to chill to in your house after a long day of nothing

aka songs to remind you what dancing at a party feels like

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

NEWS

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

USLS kicks off virtual run fundraiser LANCE RAFAEL M. LAZARO and SAM HERVEY T. SABORDO

ZEALOUS. Finishers of the “La Salle BCD: Virtual Run for Hope 2021“ strike a pose after completing their chosen distances. photo taken from

USLS-BED

by

STEPHANIE ANNE O. ALOLON;

Carrying on the Lasallian zeal for service amidst the pandemic, the De La Salle Brothers of Bacolod, in partnership with the University of St. La Salle–Basic Education (USLS–BED), launched “La Salle BCD: Virtual Run for Hope 2021”, an online fundraising event held on Mar. 13–28.

edited by

JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

All proceeds generated from the event were turned over to the Agape Fund of the University of St. La Salle (USLS) and St. Joseph School–La Salle (SJS– LS), wherein it will serve as a contingency fund to support the urgent needs of Lasallian partners.

“This online fun run was primed to promote

the significance of healthy living and wellness […] while supporting members of our Lasallian community who are in dire need of financial assistance by raising funds for the Agape,” remarked Br. Mico de Leon, FSC, the project head.

To commence the said initiative, USLS President and Chancellor Br.

LUPAD remains superior in SAC elections SABRINA YSABELLE C. LEDESMA and ALEIA NICHOLE M. TAYO

LUPAD; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

Conquering the heights for the next academic year, the Lasallian Union for Progressive Advocacies and Development (LUPAD) gained triumph against the Association of Model Lasallians for an Improved Government (AMLIG) with 27 procured positions in the Student Activities Council (SAC) during the online 2021 General Elections on May 7.

As per the official declaration of the LiceoDe La Salle Commission on Elections (COMELEC), new victors hailing from LUPAD graced the executive board with Mark Imperial, Veronica Aruta, Cindy Balbastro, James Solacito, and Cindy Samson as the executive president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and public information officer (PIO), respectively.

“We would really

like to highlight problems [concerning information dissemination and student body engagement] and create solutions and projects that would not only battle these but also champion the potential of Liceo students,” Imperial answered when asked about the central line to their goals.

In addition, LUPAD raised its flag once more after upsweeping the four seats in each of the five strand councils, while AMLIG clinched two positions to its name: the Technical-Vocational and Livelihood-Cookery (TVLCookery) governor and treasurer.

“[There] is a big difference in terms of the overall experience of becoming a strand governor [...], but as part of the pioneering batch of Liceo to experience [shiftEd], I would

vocation tells us that whenever something goes wrong, people are not too far behind from helping each other,” said Br. Martinez in his speech.

Moreover, Lasallians and interested people worldwide partook in the virtual fun run by completing selected distances at their own pace and locations, while documenting themselves through fitness tracking applications of their choice.

“Overall, the event was commendable given how it was pulled off amidst the pandemic. Aside from this, it did not just help us improve our health but also made us an instrument in extending help to others as well,” former House of Rheims Coordinator Renzy Capillo stated.

Formally bringing the endeavor to a finish, the De La Salle Brothers of Bacolod spearheaded an official ceremony to turn over a total of 475 PHP thousand cash proceeds to the Agape Fund of USLS and SJS–LS on May 28 outside the St. La Salle Coliseum.

Larosayahan makes virtual debut ANGELI M. GEROSO

SUPREME. The newly elected executive board of the Student Activities Council (SAC) for Academic Year (A.Y.) 2021 - 2022, (from left to right) Mark Imperial, Veronica Aruta, Cindy Balbastro, James Solacito, and Cindy Samson. photos taken from

Joaquin Severino Martinez, FSC led the kickoff ceremony on Mar. 13 at the Br. Roly R. Dizon, FSC Sports Complex, which was streamed live via the USLS–BED’s official Facebook page.

“This is one of the beautiful experiences where God inspires us to do something for our community […] and this

15

do my best to be visible [...] in every activity in the upcoming year [...],” TVLCookery Strand Governor Shane Lacson stated in the light of an online election.

Following victory after victory, LUPAD’s house coordinators took flight into another clean sweep with Giollan Demaulo, Thea Law-a, Monica Parcon, and Sheloe Treyes elected as the Rheims, Paris, Rouen, and Parmenie coordinators.

“Winning accolades isn’t the only way to assess success. It’s doing something that you are passionate about. [….] We will all look back on this period of our lives as a time when we were molded to become more promising, dependable, and productive students of Liceo-De La Salle,” Law-a conveyed in regards to her thoughts on the results of the election.

Not letting the distance get in their way, Lasallians gathered in the firstever “Larosayahan: Interbarkada MiniActivities” to build rapport with each other through the activities held online by the Student Activities Council (SAC) on Apr. 7–10.

The student council pushed through with the said event to champion the inclusiveness of the Liceo community by allowing those who are not contenders for the week-long “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy” competition to still partake in the festivities.

“It aims to build stronger connections in the student body.

Larosayahan was conducted during the Larosalyano event to serve as an avenue for students that are not into online gaming to have a sense of entertainment,” former SAC Executive President John Kemuel Semillano remarked.

For the first activity, Lasallians engaged in “Liceo Virtual Lounge” to take a breather from their academic commitments by

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

interacting with their fellow students in a Discord server with music, stream, and open game rooms.

“The council values the importance of communication and building relationships despite being separated due to the pandemic. [....] This paved the way for interaction among the students in order to promote camaraderie and to solidify connections,” Semillano stated.

Not only that, the Liceo community also signed up for “CinemaLASALLE: Virtual Movie House”, wherein the student council officers featured four movies, namely “Raya and the Last Dragon”, “Miracle in Cell No. 7”, “Insidious: Chapter 3”, and “Four Sisters Before the Wedding”, via breakout rooms in Zoom.

Moreover, the students showed what they got as they competed in “TikTok Challenge Influencer”, a competition launched by SAC, together with the Association of Clubs and Organizations (ACO).

16

KAPAWA

SPORTS

SAC; JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

photos taken from

edited by

ENTHRALLING . The four houses battle in “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy’s” different tournaments.

Behind the Screens FRANCIS EXEQUIEL P. AMPIL

question hung in the air like a basketball at the start of a game: What now?

“L i c e o l y m p i c s wouldn’t be the same,” said Stacy Caña when she realized that this Liceo staple would not happen face-to-face. No Coliseum full of cheer or hype from its students. But as the former Vice President of the Student Activities Council (SAC), she knew there needed to be a compromise for some version of Liceolympics to come to reality, if even just virtual.

Enter “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy”, a work of labor for this milestone to come true, the last time for some, first for

Sorry Not Sorry

A seasoned cyclist could agree that the province of Negros Occidental has untapped potential on offroad trails. Consequently, cycling has presently caught wind on both the youth and adults alike, with side roads flooded with cyclists every weekend. Famous biking

destinations include the Arceo–Alangilan road, the Murcia trail, and the San Carlos–La Carlota long ride track. But commercial and private vehicle owners bring up that some cyclists hog the road—potentially becoming nuisances to the commuting public. However, does this really pose as a big threat to the drivers than they present to cyclists?

Well, I mean, a 1.3-thousand-kilogram automobile could deal more damage to the cyclist’s physical wellbeing, could it not? What is the most harm a bike could deal? A scratch on your 2-year-old Honda Civic? A follow up concern would come up with them

others. Albeit it did not enter cooperatively—not at first.

Renzy Capillo was one of Liceolympics’ most fervent anticipators as the former House of Rheims coordinator. He was also one of the people worried by this digital shift. “How are we going to conduct our practices?”—one of his first thoughts on the situation, among other questions like “How could they help their players?” and “How will the SAC hold this event?”

The initial plan was an on-site event for the alma mater to behold, its grounds to be hallowed by the feet of Lasallian athletes as it should. The key to that was

holding only non-contact games—like Chess, Othello, et cetera.

But alas, rising coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases forced the players out of school grounds and in front of their computer screens, for just e-games officially.

The nerves of organizers, uncertainty of participants, and skepticism of observing students built a wall of expectations upon the event that only added to the pressure.

But against the odds— with such unexpected complications and a limited time frame— they achieved the event successfully, with games

like DOTA 2, Valorant, and even Skribbl captivating students, along with their attention and engagement.

In retrospect on Larosalyano, Caña said, “Due to the efforts and hard work of the organizing committee, […] Larosalyano was able to deliver to the best of its abilities the entirety of the competition and provide the virtual experience of house competitions and the essence of e-gaming to the Liceo community.”

Even for those without a peek of what happened behind the screens, it would be hard to disagree.

not following the standard pandemic protocols. Well, since most cyclists do not ride side by side and often wear masks, I don’t really see the point of this argument.

competitions held in the more mountainous regions of the province with roadside coffee stops being the top sponsors. In Alangilan for example, a recent event was

increased muscle strength, and mobility.

In short, cycling in the province seems to only show pros for both cyclists and the

“

What is the most harm a bike could deal? A scratch on your 2-year-old Honda Civic?

Thus, it would be best to allow the common cyclist to enjoy a portion of the road and also a sense of safety that their presence is acknowledged, yet they must also obey traffic rules and drive defensively.

In the present, there are multiple cycling

held at the lot of “Kap-pihan sa Alangilan” which was also sponsored by Gatorade. In the future, this could become another outlet for both good health promotion since benefits include advanced cardiovascular health, joint fluidity, decreased fat ratio, strengthened bones,

“

It’s any Liceo student’s most anticipated event.

Hydras, phoenixes, chimeras, and griffins going head-to-head in battles on the field, the court, the board, and what have you.

No classes, uniforms, or mercy—only the color of your house worn with pride as they try and claim victory.

Of course, we’re talking about the Liceolympics, which didn’t happen this year.

That was one of the biggest expectations— and fears—most students, athlete or not, had coming into this first shiftEd year which sadly came to fruition. As classrooms were switched out for Canvas, the

community since it promotes health welfare. And in the sense of following the pandemic’s protocols, cyclists are often observed following them.

Lastly, this could also be another opportunity for tourism to flourish; after the pandemic that is.

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

SPORTS 17

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

An Underdog’s Conquest \

\

GIOLLAN HENRY P. DEMAULO

photo taken from TiMi Studios by JEWEL IRISH S. BELASCUAIN; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

Climbing through the brackets and grasping momentum easily left aftertastes on the tongues of spectators who witnessed their games firsthand. They were dubbed the house to

beat, the team to be wary of, and the squad worthy of the trophy from the start.

They didn’t only win—no— they dominated the Call of Duty: Mobile Tournament of “Larosalyano 2021: The Great

Synergy” which was held on April 7. They were the griffins of the House of Parmenie, the champions of their craft and they have proven that they were a force to be reckoned with.

Mark Riego, Miguel Apolinar, Louie Tipdas, Iñigo Henares, Kirc Samulde, and their team captain, Jabeh Remollo, comprised the mythical six—the men who carried the banner of Parmenie to universal acclaim. For their first match-up, they were pitted against the shining chimeras of the House of Paris, and it was the first match and both parties didn’t really know what to expect from each other. The battle was fierce— with the score originally becoming a seesaw, wherein a loss was duly followed by a win. But nearing the half of the first match, it was made

clear that Team Captain Remollo had other plans, pulling his team together and showing that they were a different breed, which ended with them being able to pull off an amazing victory, scoring 8–4 by the end of the tournament’s second match.

It was smooth sailing from thereon forward, with only a few bumps on their seemingly glorious trail— but everything was about to change on the fifth match of the entire tournament.

They were undefeated, but they were up against an enemy that was shrouded in mystery. The phoenixes of Rheims were not at all known to both competitors and some of the audiences, but they were having quite the trouble in climbing the ladder. They were unable to settle a victory, with their last game being a total tragedy.

The fifth match-up started off casual for the Mighty Griffins with them swatting enemy soldiers.

However, nearing the end,

the phoenixes proved their nature and rose from the ashes pulling a miraculous win, earning their first triumph with a hairline score of 149–150. But the griffins did not show any signs of defeat. Rather, they chose to become legends by following up their game the next day.

By the time that they found themselves in the final match of the championships, it became clear that all of what they were working for stood right there and then. The last match spelled either the championship throne or the spoils of first runner-up. Yet, after a close fight, they did it—they were the champions.

Virtuoso Mark Riego explained that being the MVP did not really matter, for their performance as a team gave them a chance to prove that they were not to be meddled with. With which it was proven to be true— something taken out of an underdog’s tale, but with an explosive and adrenaline pumping conclusion.

Hydras conquer the tides of othello NICOLE FRANCES H. SAZON

Different representatives coming from the Liceo houses braved the online othello competition, but only the House of Rouen emerged as victors during “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy” which occurred on Apr. 7–10.

The Blue Hydras scored a total of 15 points, leaving Paris, Rheims, and Parmenie with a score of 10, 5, and 0, respectively, in the girls’ games.

Othello boys’ category was led by the House of Rouen’s Joseph Ledesma, Jansen Usi, Ethan Gatuslao, and Ralph Rectra, leaving the houses of Paris, Rheims, and Parmenie in a runner-up trail.

Winning the first round against Rheims, the House of Paris’ Len Debulgado, Katherine Belasa, and Shaniah Castillon swept three out of four games with Phoenix Rhea Ramos, snatching the flawless streak.

WAVY. Eli Gozon, an othello athlete from the House of

Rouen, takes center stage. photos taken from SAC and Eli edited by JOSEPH BRYANT

Gozon by STEPHANIE ANNE O. ALOLON; J. DE LOS SANTOS

M Meanwhile, the hydras swept the victory from the grasps of the Mighty Griffins with Ezrah Demanalata, Trisha Echavez, Angeli Geroso, and Eli Gozon bringing home the bacon for the House of Rouen.

Chimeras roared after snatching the victory from the griffins’ claws even as Paris’ Jun Ang and Parmenie’s Kashina Gatilogo settled for a tie.

The fourth round was in favor of the Blue Hydras as they took three games from the House of Rheims.

Moreover, Paris bowed down to the champions on the game’s round five as Demanalata, Echavez, and Gozon took the lead once more.

Down to the final round, phoenixes Mary Frances San Marte, Gella Perez, and Rhea Ramos won against their griffin opponents with only Parmenie’s Kathreen Magpantay clutching the round.

Griffins, Hydras reign superior in Larosalyano chess SAM HERVEY T. SABORDO

Asserting their dominance on a board of black and white, the Mighty Griffins and the Blue Hydras were enthroned as kings and queens in the chess tournament held as part of “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy” which occurred on Apr. 8.

As the four houses clashed in the chess competition, the houses of Parmenie and Rouen prevailed as champions with both attaining a universal score of 12 points on the men’s and women’s division, respectively.

Starting off with the men’s division, Cedrick Ignacio, Kian Anoran, Chester Bacusa, and Raven

Dequilla from the House of Parmenie tactfully conquered the match which earned them a total of 12 points, forcing the House of Paris to second place, followed by the houses of Rheims and Rouen.

“As their sports coordinator, I felt proud and the first thing that came into my mind was to congratulate them. Seeing the boys ecstatic and excitedly sharing their experiences in our [group chat] was heartwarming and fulfilling,” said Rham Siason, former House of Parmenie sports head.

Meanwhile, on the women’s division, hydras Rizle Patopatin, Venn Ignacio, Elaine Gabrido,

Aliah Belaño, and Jazel Geronca were crowned queens after they dominated the game with an overall score of 12, outshining the Golden Chimeras to second place, leaving the Blazing Phoenixes and the Mighty Griffins in a runner-up trail.

“I was filled with great joy when it was announced that our girls were crowned champions.

As the sports coordinator, I could have not been prouder knowing that our players trained really hard [....] to win a championship title for the house,” Adrian Gasataya, former House of Rouen sports coordinator, stated in an interview regarding their victory in the

women’s division.

Moreover, the winner and runners-up for the said competition were announced the same day in a post on the official Student Activities Council (SAC) Facebook page.

CHECKMATE. Hydra Rizle Patopatin stands behind the legendary board. photos taken from SAC and Rizle Patopatin by STEPHANIE ANNE O. ALOLON; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

18

KAPAWA

SPORTS Parmenie’s legends seal championship title GIOLLAN HENRY P. DEMAULO

Hydras explosively sweep Valorant arena RYAN A. RODRIGUEZ

ADAPT. The final match between Parmenie and Paris undergoes. photos taken from SAC and Vinni Magalona by LOU MARCIAL M. CUESTA; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

Parmenie’s griffins came off as legends after they triumphed over their equals E ANNE O. TOS in the final match-up, driving the chimeras of N Paris to 2nd place during the League of Legends tournament of “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy” which closed on the 10th of April.

After a grueling battle for the championship title, Parmenie was able to seal their crown by winning the final pitch with a score of 26–10, winning two games and losing only one, leaving the chimeras suspended on their trail.

Yet, the journey to the top was not as quick

as expected as the glorious House of Paris held their ground on the first matchup, scoring 28–12 and earning the first point for the chimeras.

“I think that me and my team won the championships [because] of our communication and coordination,” said Vinni Magalona, the MVP of the House of Parmenie for the championships, in an interview regarding how they won the match-up.

“I believe that my team is different from the others [because] we analyzed their gameplay […] and we learn from our mistakes,” added Magalona.

Parmenie’s team has collectively agreed that the chimeras’ mid-laner proved to be quite the worthy adversary and Magalona, being the MVP, has reiterated this when asked about their problems during the match.

Although the livestream of the championships was not aired due to technical difficulties, the Student Activities Council (SAC), who spearheaded the four-day event, released an official announcement crowning the griffins as champions for the tournament.

Rheims, Parmenie take over Games of The Generals ANGELI ANGELI M. M. GEROSO GEROSO

photo courtesy of the players; Game elements taken from Riot

Games, TiMi Studios, and Moonton; Prepared by LOU MARCIAL M. CUESTA and FRANCIS EXEQUIEL P. AMPIL

With their tactical skills, there was no doubt that the players clad in red and green seized victory after capturing their enemies’ flags in the women’s and men’s Games of the Generals tournament on Apr. 7–8 as part of the minor games of “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy”.

It only took the Red Phoenixes a total of 12 points to seal their house’s title in the women’s division of the strategic war game which left the chimeras, hydras, and griffins right on their tail.

“The team did not possess any complacent attitude in every match against the other houses. We made sure

Photo taken from SAC

to give our 100 [percent] best to secure the championship title,” Phoenix Bea Junio expressed.

On the other battlefield, the Green Griffins outflanked the hydras, phoenixes, and chimeras in the men’s category after deploying and mobilizing their forces to repulse sudden enemy incursions, earning the winning troop a total of 15 points from owning three rounds.

“When any one of us would lose a match against a house, the rest would make sure to earn a victory to ensure that we’d come out on top,” Griffin Tavin Villanueva shared how they charged toward the crown.

SWEEP. Team Captain Ceus Hagoriles of the Blue Hydras is presented. photo taken from Ceus Hagoriles by STEPHANIE ANNE A. ALOLON; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

Crashing through virtual furies of bullet storms and skill shots, the ferocious hydras of Rouen whiplashed the championship title of “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy’s” Valorant arena on Apr. 8–10, which was streamed live on the official Facebook page designated for the tournament.

Reaching the heights of the finals, the blue-bannered house skirmished against the valiant Mighty Griffins, reckoning four duels and a scoreboard of a rare 19–19 overtime, 13–1, and 13–1, in favor of Rouen, receiving a 12–14 loss for the deciding playoff rounds.

“I think we were just doing better both individually and teamwise. We had a better understanding of what to do and how to do it. Hence, we were able to take the win,” Ceus Hagoriles, Rouen’s team captain and

MVP of the tournament said.

Hydras’ agents, Santino Varela, Daniel Carampatana, Renvi Novero, Jude Galvez, Christopher Arangote, with their team captain aced the final match with a whopping score of 13–1 that secured Parmenie’s 1st runner-up spot, dispatching the houses of Paris and Rheims in a runner-up trail.

“We simply let our players have [scrimmages] against strong teams in order for them to improve and be equipped with the [macro and micro skills] they will need for the [...] tournament,” stated Adrian Anthony Gasataya, former House of Rouen sports coordinator.

To maximize the teams’ coordination, the four teams communicated live through voice call via Discord, supervised by the Student Activities Council (SAC).

MVP MAJOR GAMES

SPORTS 19

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

A Generation of Legends KYLE BRYAN T. PALPARAN

photos taken from SAC and Moonton by GIOLLAN edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

HENRY P. DEMAULO;

Multiple commentaries, aggressive breakthroughs, and endless recalls—plain words are not enough to describe the scene when champions take over The Land of Dawn.

Many may have already forgotten about the power-packed games and events that were brought about by “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy”, however, the undying spectacles shown during the Mobile Legends tournament were unmatched in itself— disruptive comments, heated matches, and clamorous pare’s plagued the whole week as each house battered one another in the virtual round robin arena.

As the battlefield opened its gates on the 8th

of April, fortune favored the House of Parmenie’s griffins with two victories under their name, trailing behind were the House of Rheims’ phoenixes, the House of Rouen’s hydras, and the House of Paris’ chimeras.

Similarly, the second day can only be described with greater ferocity as the griffins climbed towards the leaderboard and eventually secured the title of champions. However, the stars were not aligned with the Golden Chimeras as they suffered much of their losses and were displaced to last place on April 10—the final day—before the Blazing Phoenixes and Blue Hydras.

During the weeklong struggle of supremacy, it was no surprise that all of

the teams were not willing to back down from the fight, filling the map with much excitement and noise which echoed its way to the comments, as they displayed their wits in overcoming the different towers, heroes, and minions which they came across.

With the rise of more virtual games, especially during the pandemic, it is expected that Mobile Legends has had a place in the hearts—and hands— of many teens and adults, having a significant impact in many mainstream influencers and players. We ought not to be shocked, that the virtual platform has its own world like Larosalyano and with that the rise of new legends to come.

Golden Chimeras reign supreme in Scrabble Go

M

O AJ

R

GA

S ME

MV

chimera, Nicole Nuñez, placed fourth.

“P a r t i c i p a t i n g online just brings out extra effort and several uncertainties that are more discouraging than appealing to one. However, it’s always a different story when it comes to the House of Paris.

It was through their support and passion that kept me going,” Ledesma remarked.

For the men’s category, Chimera Gerald Isagunde also did not fail Paris as he proved that every letter counts by securing the top score of five

PS

LUCK. Avegale Santos from the House of Rheims shares her thoughts on Larosalyano’s Tic Tac Toe tournament.

WORDY. Sabrina Ledesma of the Golden Chimeras poses behind the scrabble board.

Rheims burns through Ultimate Tic-Tac-Toe tournament

SAC and AVEGALE SANTOS by STEPHANIE ANNE O. ALOLON

photos taken from

points, succeeded by Phoenix Jed Reysoma in 2nd place and hydras Eugene Labrador and Hayden Villaluz in the 3rd and 4th seeds, respectively.

“I’ve spent a couple of days learning different strategies [...] just to be good enough to represent the House of Paris. Thankfully, I was able to master the game before the actual competition, which [led] me to my success,” Isagunde stated.

Not straying far from the crown, Rouen followed closely behind with their overall wins in both categories.

photos taken from

It seemed like nothing can stop the House of Paris, as they went for the gold, after a full sweep in both the male and female categories of the Scrabble Go competition on Apr. 7–9 during the “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy” held online.

With over 28 matches, Chimera Sabrina Ledesma refused to back down as she garnered seven points in the women’s division, forcing hydras Katherine Zaragosa and Cassandra Lorenzo to settle in the remaining spots of the top three, while her fellow

SAC and SABRINA LEDESMA by STEPHANIE ANNE O. ALOLON; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

ANGELI M. GEROSO

GIOLLAN HENRY P. DEMAULO

The Blazing Phoenixes from the House of Rheims sealed their spot on the champion’s throne of “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy’s” Ultimate Tic-TacToe tournament, after trailblazing the competition in both the men’s and women’s division which concluded on Apr. 9.

The men from the House of Rheims led the charge on their final day with a three-point lead while the women scored six on the digital grid, sealing their spot as champions of both

divisions of the tournament.

Through the threeday battle, the phoenixes’ men’s division managed to freeze the rest of the competing houses while forcing them to settle for 2nd place with a carbon copied score of four for all, which left the placement decision to multiple tie breakers.

In the women’s division, on the other hand, Rheims nabbed the medal after seizing a one-point lead against another player from their house, as well as a competitor from the House of Rouen which left them to their wits in a desperate battle for second.

“It was fun and thrilling knowing that my

opponent is real, and [...] we have the same goal—which is to win for the sake of our house,” said Avegale Santos, an athlete from the House of Rheims, when asked about her thoughts and experiences regarding the online face-off.

“Also, it’s not that different from the traditional tic-tac-toe, you still just have to outwit your opponent in order to become a victor,” added Santos.

In the heat of the fierce competition, the Blazing Phoenixes kept their lead until the end which granted them to earn their own crown as the glorious champions of the tournament.

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021

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KAPAWA

SPORTS

Golden Chimeras stand superior in DOTA 2 frontier Emerging triumphant in conquering their opponents, the Golden Chimeras from the House of Paris were crowned as the rising champions for DOTA 2 on their respective “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy” Facebook page and livestream after garnering a score of 21 kills through an intense battle with the Mighty Griffins of Parmenie on Apr. 9.

Showing that one’s collected kills do not entirely result to a team’s success, the chimeras were still hailed as victors, even when they were 10 kills behind their rivals, after six vigorous matches between the other Lasallian houses.

Dominating the virtual arena, the House of Parmenie took over the first game against the warriors of Rheims with the score of 39–22, while the chimeras defeated the Blue Hydras in the second match with a 35–15 tally, and the 45 kills of the chimeras surmounted Rheims’ score of 30 in the third round.

“Of course, I feel honored to be the MVP (Most Valuable Player) for my team,” said Golden Chimera Vince Alec Quinto when he received the

award after the championships.

“All I [thought] about that time was to win the game. [....] I thank all my teammates for helping me execute the strategies that I suggested and [for] following my commands.

Without them, I [couldn’t] achieve this victory,” added Quinto.

Persisting to defend their place, the Green Griffins gathered 41 kills in the fourth game which bested Rouen’s 20 marks, while the House of Rheims destroyed the hydras’ Ancient in the fifth round with a tally of 31–6, and lastly, the Green Griffins claimed the arena from the chimeras with a neck-to-neck kill table of 39–38.

When asked what made him become the most recognized player in the battlefield, Quinto believed that his knowledge and understanding of the game, along with his perseverance and will to win, were his weapons to soar triumphant.

With the Golden Chimeras at the top of the ladder, the Green Griffins of Parmenie settled at the second rank, with the houses of Rheims and Rouen filling the 3rd and 4th places, consecutively.

photos taken from SAC and

GLORIOUS. Vince Quinto. the team captain of the House of Paris, is highlighted.

CREATIVE. Xet Gonzales of the House of Paris stands behind the Skribbl canvas. photos taken from SAC and XET GONZALES by STEPHANIE ANNE O. ALOLON; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

Phoenixes, Chimeras snatch Larosalyano Skribbl crown ANNA SOPHIA C. GALZOTE

With their impeccable wits and drawing expertise, the fiery contenders of the houses of Paris and Rheims did not fail to put up a fight after trampling their rivals and dominating the Skribbl throne in the men’s and women’s division, respectively, during this year’s “Larosalyano: The Great Synergy” held via Zoom on Apr. 7-9.

Xet Gonzales, of the House of Paris, released his golden victor within as he emerged victorious after he conquered the men’s division, accumulating a total of 6,545 points followed by Hydra Joey Zuloaga with 5,890 points, and Phoenix Timothee Consing with 5,740, claiming the top three ranks.

However, due to power interruptions, only five out of the eight players remained in the men’s division where two were griffins from the House of Parmenie and one player coming from each of the remaining houses.

Meanwhile, in the women’s division, Phoenix Nicole Cañada soared past her fellow contenders as she ranked first, garnering

Multiple houses earn the title ‘champions’ in Typeracer tournament

a total of 7,785 followed

by Hydra Andrea Sagario ranking second with 7,490 and Griffin Kayte Libo-on ranking third with 7,430 points.

“At first, representing the House of Rheims sounded like a lot of pressure, [….] later on, I learned about cooperation through helping my teammate all throughout and just had a good time guessing doodles and racing to the keyboard in typing the answer,” stated House of Rheims athlete, Vianne Yu.

Finishing the game, the House of Paris beamed victoriously in the men’s division followed by the houses of Rouen, Rheims, and Parmenie while Rheims blazed through the ashes in the women’s division, placing the houses of Rouen, Parmenie, and Paris in a runner-up trail.

The game consisted of five rounds, where two representatives from each house stepped in the Skribbl battlefield in both the men’s and women’s division and each player was given a time limit of 40 seconds to draw and guess as rapidly as they can.

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GIOLLAN HENRY P. DEMAULO

Sweeping the competition, the House of Paris dominated the boys’ division of the “Larosalyano 2021: The Great Synergy’s” Typeracer Mobile and PC Tournament, while the Phoenixes of Rheims and the Hydras of Rouen were crowned champions for the PC and Mobile Tournament of the girls’ division, respectively, on Apr. 9.

The chimeras faced

off against the phoenixes during the championships and were able to carry on their lead until the end, with a whopping average of 121 words per minute (WPM) for Carlos Ocampo (PC) and 55 WPM for Kelcie Jacob (Mobile).

Angela Del Rosario (PC) of the House of Rouen scored a close two-point lead against the trailing Chimera Richylle Delante, on

the other hand, Marielle Garbanzos (Mobile) of the House of Rheims also scored a two-point WPM lead against her opponent from the House of Parmenie.

The Student Activities Council (SAC) hosted three-round contests for each player and their average WPM were taken, with which their final ranking was decided upon.

rouen

paris rheims

VINCE QUINTO by STEPHANIE ANNE O. ALOLON; edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

JEWEL IRISH S. BELASCUAIN

SPEED. Angela Del Rosario, of the House of Rouen, poses in front of a flurry of text. photo taken from Angela del Rosario by STEPHANIE edited by JOSEPH BRYANT J. DE LOS SANTOS

ANNE O. ALOLON;

THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 5 ISSUE 5 MARCH to MAY 2021