Lanog Volume 4 Issue 4 (Edit) by Karlo Alexie Puerto

‘THE WHISTLEBLOWER’. An old woman struggling under the scorching heat of the sun, selling whistles to cope up with the shackles of structural poverty./ Gwena Dale M. Caubang

Death march

TreeVolution ‘unofficially’ breaks record; organizers apologize

BY KARLO ALEXIE PUERTO

he Mindanao-wide TreeVolution tree planting activity organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) successfully broke the world record set by India in the number of trees planted in an hour, even if the official declaration from Guinness World Records are yet to be made after a few weeks.

India currently holds the world record in which 340,200 volunteers planted 1,945,535 trees across 408 locations in 2011.

Bittersweet

According to Joselin Marcus Fragada, DENR Region XI Director, they succeeded in reaching the record to Environment and Natural Resources beat. “In general, the event turned out really well and within the one hour we have planted many seedlings,” he told media immediately after the planting hour from 8:30 to 9:30am of September 26. According to the A n n a b e l l e 10:00pm update of Baldoza, teacher September 27 by at Los Amigos the government-led National High STRUGGLE. The student-volunteers who participated in Treevolution trekked 11 Central Monitoring kilometers from the national highway to the planting site in Barangay Magsaysay, Mari- School in this Team, 183,858 log District, passing by numerous mountains and steep curves. / Carly Jane Chua city, served as a volunteer planters steward and was have already planted 3,373,762 trees, Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio glad that they were able to plant on 27 percent short of the expected joined the event in Barangay all the holes provided by the DENR 4,636,000 trees to be planted in the Magsaysay, Marilog District of this in their area cluster in Barangay island, which covers Regions IX, X, city, being the focal point of the Magsaysay Proper. XI, XII, ARMM and CARAGA. TreeVolution activities. Death March, 3

‘Shoot me, Duterte’ goes viral BY KIA CAMILLE C. ARANCON

On September 21 during his Sunday television program, Duterte said he will kill the person behind the “Duterte-for-president movement” but this threat become a challenge instead on a form of “Shoot me, Duterte”, which went viral. Everyone was overwhelmed of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s threat of shooting anyone who prods him to run for President in 2016. This is being taken as a challenge that most are willing to take. From the very start, Duterte is already showing dislike on the thought of running for 2016 Presidential Election. “Don’t be misled, I’m not running, some people suspect that I am behind the moves,” Duterte said during the Sunday television program Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa (From the masses, for the masses). SHOOT ME, 7

INDEX NEWS 2 OPINION 8 IN-DEPTH 10 FEATURES 12 PERSPECTIVES 16 LITERARY 17 SPORTS 18

PSSCC requests new building, CCTV cameras BY KARLO ALEXIE C. PUERTO

he Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) requested the Davao City government to allot at least P300 million for the construction of the new building that will house the additional CCTV cameras they planned to buy. “Puno na [It’s already full],” PSSCC head retired General Francisco Villaroman said in an interview with regards to the building they are currently occupying. Operating since July 2010, the PSSCC building in Sandawa currently houses monitors for 189 cameras, 172 of which are monitored by the Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) and 17 are monitored by the Traffic Operations Center (TOC). Villaroman also said that they still lack personnel to efficiently monitor the cameras round-the-clock. “One operator is monitoring about 40 cameras for 12 hours. This is very difficult because the ideal should be only eight cameras per operator,” Villaroman added. Currently, there are four operators in the IOC and one operator in the TOC. The technology partners of the PSSCC include IBM Corporation and Abratique & Associates, who was also the contractor of the city’s traffic signalization system program.

DAVAO’S BIG BROTHER. The Traffic Operations Center (TOC) is the monitoring center for the first 17 CCTV cameras installed for the city. / Karlo Alexie Puerto

Filipino families gather to celebrate welfare BY VANESSA KATE F. MADRAZO

n estimate of 1,840 families gathered to celebrate the 2014 National Family Day and Convergence Caravan hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), held in the University of Mindanao – Matina campus last September 28. DSWD invited the family beneficiaries from provinces all over Region XI to note the success of the agency’s ongoing welfare programs

Sotto to reactivate death penalty BY KARLO ALEXIE C. PUERTO

MANILA - Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III sought the reactivation of Republic Act 7659 or the Death Penalty Law through lethal injection in a pending bill he filed before the Senate. The bill, Senate Bill 2080, wants to repeal Republic Act 9346 that prohibits the imposition of Death Penalty in the country, which was signed and implemented in 2006. In the bill’s explanatory note, Sotto said that he wants to reactivate RA 7659 due to the numerous heinous crimes reported in Metro Manila. “The indiscriminate and horrendous brutality happening everywhere rightfully and justifiably compels the government to resort to the ultimate criminal penalty provided for by no less

such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P), Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC). Different regions from all over the country also celebrated this event simultaneously. Its purpose was to integrate families and become a ground for socialization so that experiences may be shared and to forward the Kaya Ko Ang Pagbabago campaign, uplifting the spirits of impoverished Filipino families. Furthermore, this is to recognize the families who are active in their communities.

The audience applauded when Undersecretary for General Administration and Support Services Mateo G. Montaño said in his speech, “Mayroon tayong 64 billion na budget sa Pantawid Pamilya (We have a 64 billion budget for Pantawid Pamilya).” “Ito ay sumasakop sa mahigit apat na milyong Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, (It [the program] encompasses more han four million 4Ps beneficiaries)” he added. Different families representing their respective provinces also performed various talent showcases in between speeches. On the other hand, Montaño said that the SPISC has over FILIPINO, 7

than our constitution- the death penalty. The imposition of life imprisonment proves to be a nondeterrent against criminality,” Sotto said. Sotto also said that the government must devise ways to “protect the society and future generation.” “I stand once more advocating the return of the death penalty for heinous crimes like murder, rape, and drug trafficking,” he stressed. While the bill is pending before the senate committee on constitutional amendments and revisions of the law, President Benigno Aquino III expressed opposition regarding the approval of the bill. “During the campaign, he (Aquino) mentioned SOTTO, 6

FAMILY TALENT. A T’boli family beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilya program showcases their cultural performance during the Convergence Caravan in celebration of the National Family Day. / Vanessa Kate F. Madrazo

DEATH MARCH, 1 “We expected each person to plant 20 seedlings, but since we were overwhelmed with the number of people who came all the way here, we settled to two seedlings per person,” Baldoza said. Nightmare While the agency was able to beat the record target in the Guinness, some of the participants were not satisfied with the preparations done by the joint partnership. Sushmita Shane Castro, fourth year college student, found the event planning disorganized. “I was disappointed with the outcome of the event because as participants, I expected to plant but instead we hiked as what they have said 11 kilometers,” Castro vented out. Her school, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), sent 500 students to join the activity in their planting site at Barangay Magsaysay, Marilog District. AdDU have arranged jeepneys as transportation from the transfer point in Davao-Bukidnon Highway to the planting site, however the Traffic Management Center (TMC) ruled out that the hired vehicles cannot go beyond the highway due to their ‘faulty’ brakes. Meanwhile Abegail Laroa, first year college student, enjoyed the 12-kilometer walk but she and her group was still not able to plant a single seedling even if they arrived at the planting site. “We had a little conflict because some participants did not arrive on time,” she noted. The University of Immaculate Conception (UIC) meanwhile

sent 1,700 participants to their assigned planting site adjacent to AdDU’s area, the largest school contingent yet. They were informed beforehand about the terrain and the distance to be walked, however school officials called off the climb after assessing the trail on the day itself.

ADDU dominates 30th MPDC Grand Finals BY CARLY JANE L. CHUA

After the main event, not everyone was able to return home in a timely manner. Some, of which many are students, were left stranded for a few hours before they were rescued either by their own all-terrain vehicles or with the government ones. Elsewhere Reactions from participants all over the island have filled the official Treevolution Facebook page, many of which are complaints about the disorganization of the event. Aj Hipolito of Baganga, Davao Oriental vented his disappointment to the local DENR unit in-charge. “We rode a truck for two hours up a hill. We all thought we have already reached the site, however we were told that we still have to walk another two hours to reach the main site,” Hipolito said. Yet other participants, such as Norberto Marquez Lopez of Tacurong City applauded the success of the event in their area. “Congratulations MinDA and DENR National Greening Program (NGP) for a job well done,” Lopez replied. Apology The organizers released a statement on their official Facebook page after four days, apologizing about the inconveniences brought about

GAME FACES ON. The Ateneo Debate Varsity contingent during the championship dinner of the 30th MPDC an hour after the heated semifinals round has just concluded. / Ateneo Debate Varsity

by their lapses. “In some planting sites, it turned out that reaching the area by several kilometers walk rather than by trucks was the safest mode given the circumstances. It was a decision made on that instance to principally avoid possible catastrophic pitfalls from slippery terrain,” the joint statement read. However, they are going to conduct area visits to process the participants, especially those from the institutions and large groups. “As organizers of the TreeVolution, a composite team of MinDA and DENR had been coordinating with the families and schools of those who went through physical exhaustion, while assisting those who needed further medical attention,” the statement further read. DENR and MinDA are to collate all results from the different sites in Mindanao and present it to the Guinness for validation.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Two teams from Ateneo de Davao University made it to the grand finals of the 30th Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Championship held at Xavier University (XU) – Ateneo de Cagayan from September 5 to 7. Debating on the motion ‘This House would treat victims of hazing as accomplices to the crime of hazing,’ ADDU A composed of Trisha Aliya Dulanas (AB Psychology 3) and Hazel Bergantinos (BS Accountancy 3) defended Closing Government. ADDU B composed of Nice Mondragon (BS Accountancy 5) and Vanessa Kate Madrazo (AB Mass Communication 3) defended Opening Opposition. They competed against a team from Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) who defended Opening Government and another team from Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan who defended Closing Opposition. After a clash of ideas and a battle of arguments eventually Ateneo de Zamboanga University emerged as the champion. Out of 90 debaters, top 10 best speakers were awarded where Dulanas ranked as the tournament’s 2nd best speaker, Bergantinos as 3rd best speaker, and both Mondragon and Gilson Po (BSED Math 3) as 8th best speaker.

‘I QUIT’. Some of the participants fainted during the ‘hike’ to Barangay Magsaysay, Marilog District and Central 911 operatives rescue them. / Karlo Alexie C. Puerto

ADDU adjudicators also excelled in the tournament. Joseph Daniel Jalotjot (BS Industrial Engineering 2014) is Tournament’s Best Adjudicator, Frederick Lasmarias (BS Industrial Engineering 2005), 3rd Best Adjudicator and Kimberly Gayle Fabular (AB Philosophy 2014) 6th Best Adjudicator. ADDU dominates, 7

Ateneo awards deans’ listers BY KARLO ALEXIE C. PUERTO

NYC supports STRAW Bill 2014 BY GWENA DALE M. CAUBANG AND JESSA MARISTELA P. PUTONG

The Students’ Rights and Welfare (StRAW) Bill 2014 Forum was held at Ateneo de Davao University at room J301 on September 26. The Office of the BUKLOD Ambassador (OBA), who spearheaded the said event, had the National Youth Commission (NYC) Regional Director Julius Guttierez to speak about the bill. At 4:15 p.m., the said forum started and it was followed by the introduction of the speaker, Mr. Julius Guttierez. RARITY. Fr. Joel Tabora congratulates the awardees for being part of the .6% in Ateneo fortunate and hardworking enough to be rewarded for their excellence. / Karyn Mae Asur

he Ateneo de Davao University gave recognition to 507 outstanding students for the first Gawad Gabi ng Parangal held at the Finster Auditorium last September 17. University Registrar Atty. Edgar B. Pascua II said that it was the University President who conceptualized the event. “There is no other way to recognize excellence than to recognize the most valuable and outstanding excellent students,” he explained. Akbayan National Chairman and Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel also gave words of encouragement to the outstanding students from the Schools of Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, Business and Governance, Education and Nursing.

the honor which will be read out this afternoon and in which you, your parents and teachers will take justifiable pride, but excellence and honor in the service of something larger than ourselves–changing for the better of this society,” Hontiveros-Baraquel added, who was also a colleague of Academic Vice-President Fr. Gabriel Jose Gonzales, S.J. Pascua also told [Lanog] that there are plans to amend the conduct of the Gawad.

The NYC being the focal government agency for the Filipino youth, strongly supports the advocacy for students’ representation in the governing board of public and private school, as immortalized in the Philippine Youth Development Plan 2012-2016. “NYC believes that policies and programs that will contribute to the protection of rights and welfare of students should be implemented. However, these students know their basic rights,” Guttierez said. Relative to students’ rights, he stated, “Ang mga student lead

ers, alam nila ‘yan but the rest of the students do not know kung ano ‘yang basic right nila [The student leaders know but the rest of the student body has no idea with what their basic right is.]” He also talked about student participation with regards to decision-making processes. Shane Castro, the General Assembly (GA) Chair, asked about the concrete actions they are going to implement if the bill will be passed. Guttierez responded, “[The] Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall issue a memorandum in all government agencies engaging all offices to uphold and implement the provisions of the revised manual.” The said bill, if pushed through, will really be helpful in behalf of the students and the teachers as well because it will serve as a guide in building a better relationship to both parties and improving student life inside and outside campus. Castro added, “There are a lot of problems that students experience in their academic life, in their services, and in the university that they are enrolled.”

“Actually, we have a proposal with the University Academics Council (UAC) to make it [Gawad] semestral, but we still need to have some evaluation,” Pascua said. If the UAC approves such proposal, Pascua said the Gawad for the second semester will be during the College Days week or on February of the second semester.

“It is not just academic excellence for

Agribusiness program opens next sem BY JESSA MARISTELA P. PUTONG

he Entrepreneurship Department under the School of Business and Governance (SBG) of Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) is to offer the Agribusiness program major next semester for first year students. Joeffrey Gomez, department of Chair of the Entrepreneurship Department of AdDU said that the Bachelor of Science in (BS) Entrepreneurship major in Agribusiness program can provide knowledge

and skills in entrepreneurship with specialization on Agribusiness and fundamentals of Agribusiness management. “He (Fr. Joel Tabora, University President) really wants to have [the] agribusiness [program] because for him, it will solve poverty here in Mindanao. He wants wealth creation and equitable distribution in Mindanao. [And he thinks one of the solutions would be involving in

EMPOWERMENT. Students participating in the forum for an awareness of their rights within campus and the respective protective measures supposed to be afforded to them / Gwena Dale M. Caubang

agribusiness,” he explained. Gomez also said that there are a lot of career opportunities for graduates like being an entrepreneur, ‘agripreneur’, ‘technopreneur’, agricultural technologist, farm super visor, agro-enterpriser coordinator, agricultural extension officer, agricultural account officer, farm owner, academician and researcher. “The Agribusiness course is more concerned on the post-harvest,

including marketing while the Agriculture program is more on the pre-harvest and harvest stages,” Gomez said, comparing the new program to the former Agriculture program that AdDU offered from 1977 to 1991. It is currently the first course under the BS Entrepreneurship offering by the SBG.

SAMAHAN Constitution: One step closer to being a plebescite BY VANESSA KATE F. MADRAZO “LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN.” After weeks and months of scrutinizing and amending, the ConCom, together with school organization representatives celebrate the turning over of the SAMAHAN Constitution after having passed the third reading. / Vanessa Kate F, Madrazo

“

f the slogan last year was ‘One Last Push’, I would like to propose that this year, let’s make it happen,” SAMAHAN Constitutional Commission Chairperson Benjie Martinez said in his privileged speech. The SAMAHAN Constitution has been finally turned over to the SAMAHAN Central Board (SCB) last September 24 in room F305 of the Finster Building in Ateneo de Davao University. The symbolic event spearheaded by the SAMAHAN Constitutional Commission (ConCom) was done in the presence of the SCB President, Regel Asuero, SAMAHAN

moderator, Mr. Lunar Tan Fayloga, the SAMAHAN division representatives, and class and club presidents. The turn-over was the final stage before making it a plebiscite after the three draft readings the preceding week. First Reading With Deputy Chairperson Alex Callao leading the quorum, and Commissioner Jason Tajores proposing the motions, verbal changes in the Constitution were carried last September 15. The word “adjudicator”, is changed

Ferrer: Parliamentary system for Bangsa republic BY LOUISE JANREE SACCO

overnment of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer supports the implementation of the parliamentary system in the long-awaited Bangsamoro Republic. “Parliamentary system will also allow for bother representation from the current 24 seats in the regional legislation assembly in ARMM there will be at least 66 seats that would allow for different sectors and different groups as well and of course district representation across the different areas could make up the court territory from the islands to the main part of central Mindanao,” Ferrer said in a keynote speech delivered to the National Convention of the Catholic Educators’ Association of the Philippines (CEAP) on September 24 at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, this city.

Earlier, Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Gutierrez said that there is no need to amend the Constitution to implement the parliamentary system of government included in the pending Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) draft, which President Benigno Aquino III personally handed to the legislature for deliberation and ratification on September 10.

to “justice, associate justice, and chief justice” where it is applicable and designated. All terms “elected” is changed to “appointed”. In Article VIII, Section 4, Paragraph 9, the word “be” is changed to “have been”. The word “via”, in all times it was used in the Constitution, by reason that it’s informal, is changed to

“Words can be misleading and if we’re not quite precise or accurate with the words used then different people might mean it differently,” Commissioner Alex Callao said when asked about the significance of precise language.

“It’s the Constitution; it’s the supreme law, and the doctrine of doctrines, so the words to be used should be proper and formal and applicable to all,” she added. SAMAHAN, 7

Ocean Week 2014 sprouts a run of advocacy BY GWENA DALE M. CAUBANG

The Ocean Week 2014, organized by Ecotenista, gave birth to the first Ocean Run, the central event of the Ocean Awareness Week on September 24. In their second year, the SAMAHAN Environmental Unit (also known as Ecotenista) spearheaded and realized the advocacy with the theme of “Saving our seas starts on saving our Davao Gulf. Be part of the celebration, be part of our

advocacy!” which is believed to have been vastly affected by the rapid urbanization of the city. The run started at 4:00pm and students who wanted to take part in the said event assembled at the Gazebo grounds. They were carrying posters with statements that said, “Preserve Davao Gulf’s marine life” and “No to marine captivity.” The particpants dashed around the campus OCEAN WEEK, 7

“The Constitution simply provides for the election of the executive and legislative branches, in general, so the parliamentary form of government (in the proposed Bangsamoro autonomous region) conforms to the Constitution,” Gutierrez said in an interview with The Philippine Star on September 14. He cited Article 10 of the Constitution that provides the election of executive members and administrators FERRER, 6

PRESERVING DAVAO’S GULF. Environmental advocates gather in front of the gazebo to commence the Ocean Run as part of the Ocean Week 2014. / Vanessa Kate F. Madrazo

Foto Modelo: Four-Flair All-Dare

BY CARLY JANE L. CHUA

alented young men and women of the Ateneo de Davao University took the spotlight during the Foto Modelo: Four-FlairAll-Dare last Saturday evening, September 20 at the Martinez Sports Complex, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) High School Campus. Organized by Paragon Productions this year’s Foto Modelo gave help to the Galon Elementary School and Samahan ng may Iba’t Ibang Kakayahan sa Dabaw (Sakadab) Gawad Kalinga Village. Nine divisions in the University battled for the competition, namely the Accountancy, Business and Management, Computer Studies, Engineering and Architecture, Humanities and Letters, Natural Science and Mathematics, Nursing and Social Sciences departments.

Lapu-lapu of the Business and Management division won as the Make-up Artist of the Year. After winning the titile, Male Model of the year, Chan expressed his gratitude. “It was surprising because all of the challenges were very competitive as what you see even in the runway, all of the models are trying their best and I thank God for this,” he said. Female Model of the Year, Bañas also expressed and shared her gratitude.

“I’m so happy. Of course I prayed to the Lord. First, it was very tiring because we have to go to school every Sunday and we were exposed under the sun. Good thing our hardwork paid off,” she said.

“This is the fourth Foto Modelo and we are happy that it turned out very good. Ateneo is truly composed of talents who are truly world class.” the former Office of Student Affairs director said.

Make-up Artist of the Year Lapu-lapu He thanked the fourth year Mass also felt glad that she had brought Communication students of AdDU for making the event possible and home the title. successful. “Actually (I am happy that I won [as the Make-up Artist of the year] even “Also, the models are truly very good, if the competition was really tought. the photographers are cooperative, At least with God’s will, we won,” he the make-up artists are significantly creative and of course the designers said. are luminously relevant designers, Paragon Productions’ mentor relevant because they truly come up Ricardo “Rikki” Enriquez said that with new creation.” Enriquez said. this year’s Foto Modelo is way different and certainly incomparable to the previous years.

Each division has five participants comprised of a male and female model, a photographer, a designer and a make-up artist. Cean Chan of the Business and Management division won as the Male Model of the Year while Karen Bañas of the Humanities and Letters was announced as the Female Model of the Year. Dennis Jabilles of the Humanities and Letters division was declared as the Photographer of the Year while Averell Abrasaldo won as the Designer of the Year and Dale

YOUNG AND VIBRANT. Practicum adviser Rikki Enriquez gives gratitude to everyone involved in the success of FMA including the parents of the participants who were very supportive. / Gerne T. Boja

Teatro performs Tig-ani

BY CARLY JANE L. CHUA

eatro Humanidades of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) showcased a two-day theatrical recital dubbed ‘Tig ani’ held on September 17 and 19 at F213, Finster Building. In collaboration with the Humanities and Letters (HumLet) Department, the group featured and interpreted the works of the HumLet faculty’s art pieces through songs, movements and imagery. The show was directed by Teatro Humanidades coordinator Norman “Noy” Narciso and the performances were done by new, old and alumni members of the group.

creativity in interpreting poems to songs and songs to dances,” Narciso said in an interview. Other than showcasing and increasing group’s skills in the Arts, Narciso also noted that the show is also organized to gather donations such as old books, toys, and used or new educational materials for the community extension program of Teatro Humanidades.

The group is planning of another recital next semester with the same theme but with different materials so that they can also showcase other works from faculty members. “Ani refers to harvest, ‘tig–tunog, (With reports from Kia Camille C. imahe, galaw’. This performance Arancon) of the Teatro was done by old and new members for them to develop

Ferrer

BULAGA. Teatro performers interpreting first encounters with a baby from the artwork called “Pares” that tells a story about the Filipino family culture./ Debby Binalla

of autonomous regions in the Philippines, in which the political system of the Bangsamoro Republic is classified. The BBL draft was opened to public scrutiny on September 10 by the Office of the Presidental Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on its website. Before that, both the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have kept the draft in private.

to avoid the weaknesses and the difficulties encounter in the arm and the process that it is also wit is also weighing that we trying to make in for the stakeholders and not only the MILF.” “In the past few we had some educators, sisters who worked in a remote private school of Maguindanao and maybe Lanao del Norte…” Mr. Nipal said to give assurance that do not worry about the Philippine Flag will fly in on the schools in the Bangsamoro and all the students will sing the national anthem.”

He adds that a crested balance should be put in place where the aspects of the law to ensure good governance as good autonomous governance with replaced historic related with disappointing to the autonomy over “It is a sentiment of things that we the last decade. have to overcome the fear and help us to take the risk.” “What are the good new things that we are putting in the place in order

CONTINUATION...

Shoot me

February this year, the Duterte for President Movement initiated by the barangay captains of Davao was formed and instantly garnered supporters. Even though Duterte has been vocal on his plan of not running, the clamor of the people shouted otherwise. There are already a lot of people who are brave enough to take the challenge. However, there are issues concerning that Duterte’s threat is just a way of gaining support from national people. But Arsenio Otadoy, a supporter of Duterte, said that it was only made up by the Mayor’s foes. “Hindi na kailangang ni Mayor ang mga walang saysay na paraan na ganyan (The mayor doesn’t need senseless methods like that),” Otadoy stated in an interview. “Marami naman talagang naniniwala kay Mayor kahit hindi Dabawenyo (Many people including non-Davaoeňos already support him).” Given the fact that Davao City ranks as one of the disciplined cities in Asia and having a low crime rate, is the first reason. Duterte is well known for his tough rule of the city. With these facts, many are hoping that Duterte could replicate to the whole country what he’s done in Davao. But in contrary, there are also numbers of people coming from different parts of the country who felt afraid after hearing rumors about Duterte’s iron hand. Jethro Paduga, from Manila, speaking on Facebook chat thinks that Duterte could be a tyrant after hearing stories on how he is solving the crime rates in Davao. As of now, both parties have different wish. One is that Duterte to run for presidency, and the other is wishing for the opposite.

Filipino

beneficiaries, while the SFP has over 89,191 beneficiaries, where 18,349 of it came from school-based feeding programs. The SLP also has 14,345 Pantawid beneficiaries, and 2,226 nonPantawid Beneficiaries. Arlene Morpus, Head of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of DSWD Region XI, said that this program offers training to both who are skilled and not. SLP particularly favors training families on basic

business management, including but not limited to recording, bookkeeping and product upgrading. “There are two possible tracks; one is microenterprise, the other is employment facilitation,” Morpus said. She went on to explain that those who may not pass microenterprise will be assisted on the process of employment based on skill level. Selected recipients of the welfare programs also shared their testimonials on-stage. “Karon, nagaskwela ko ug tarong kay para ang akoang mama, akoang papa, akong mga igsuon mahuman nakog pagskwela (Now, I am studying so that I help in letting my parents and siblings finish schooling)” said Arvee, a scholar recipient studying in the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP). DSWD also gave Huwarang Pamilya awards to the top five families that are most active in their communities. Ranking first is the Gisugan family of Davao del Norte. Succeding in order of rank are the Gogo family of Davao Oriental, Chan family of Compostella Valley, Milaňas family of Davao del Sur, and Bañados family. The family ceremonial commitment concluded the event, where families vowed in an oath to be united in uplifting their own families and helping others, to value the children’s education as they value their own health, and to use this to fulfill their dreams and gain a better life. After which, families embedded their handprints in the huge card with the oath using paint.

Sotto

that death penalty assumes that our judicial system is good. But we know for a fact that in our judicial system, in our judicial framework, sometimes those with weak legal representation are prejudiced,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said. Lacierda added that the President’s position has not changed after the campaign period. “He’s looking at the entire judicial framework, how we can improve judicial framework ensuring that the judgment that would be made will be right, fair, and just,” the presidential spokesperson remarked. The last legal method available for death penalty was lethal injection before it was abolished by RA 9346. (With reports from Philippine Daily Inquirer and Sun.Star Manila)

ADDU dominates

The 30th MPDC was in British Parliamentary format with four teams of two competing in each debate round, talking about relevant social issues including but not limited to the Ukraine crisis, environmental protection, citizen journalism, and organized religion. Forty-eight teams from universities all over Mindanao competed in the tournament including ADDU, ADZU, XU, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSUIIT), Mindanao State University – Marawi (MSU-M), and Western Mindanao State University (WMSU). Battled with wit, Dulanas shared her play during the tournament. “We fared well in the 30th MPDC. We didn’t get the Championship yet, but we’re gonna get there,” Dulanas said. Being the president of Ateneo Debate Varsity (ADV), she shared their club’s performance in the tournament. “For starters we have two ADDU teams in the finals and it’s been awhile since there have been two teams in the same institution in the finals,” she said. Dulanas added that all seven teams from ADDU proceeded to the finals series which is considered a huge achievement. Even their newbie team, ADDU F, is a quarterfinalist who competed with older debaters from other institutions. “Debate is important because it helps you realize that there are things beyond your normal everyday concerns,” Dulanas said about the relevance of debate. “We all have the power to make use of our words we all know how to talk. We all know how to write so it’s up to you how you use it, and that’s what debates for.” The next MPDC is slated on February 2015 during the second semester of this school year in Asian Parliamentary format with two teams of three competing in each round.

SAMAHAN

The commission also changed the terms of nomination of the members of the Judicial Bar Council (JBC) in Article VIII, Section 3, Paragraph 3. It now reads: “Any vacant position in the Students Supreme Court shall be filled in through an appointment by the President from a list of at least three nominees from the SAMAHAN Judicial and Bar Council on the affected Cluster.” Furthermore, the SAMAHAN Constitutional Commission shall become the transitional Students

Ocean Week

awareness and sensitivity from the Gazebos, to Thibault, Roxas, Dotterweich grounds, and back to origin. There were also other activities during the Ocean Awareness Week. It commenced with an educational exhibit and a free screening of films relative to the advocacy. Lem Manalo, the Internal Head Coach of Ecotenista, said, “We express how we fight for the preservation of the Davao Gulf through the power of education. The week is an opportunity for us to influence, inform and make them stop and realize how much we need to save our own gulf, the Philippine Seas and all of the oceans.” While the run had been successful, the organizers are yet to determine if they are to repeat the activity for next year.

editorial

Family day turned self-indulgence

ow would you feel if your parents suddenly asked you to bow to them and thank them for taking care of you and providing your needs? That seemed like the case during the National Family Day and Convergence Caravan of September 28 in the University of Mindanao – Matina campus hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). What was supposed to be a celebration of the basic foundation of society, an opportunity to assess their experiencesand difficulties in being socially mobile, became a thanksgiving ceremony to the government. With speeches aimed at making the audience repeat “Daghang salamat P-Noy (Thank you so much P-Noy)” and with slides repeating over and over the idea that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program has reached hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries, it became a tool to glorify the administration. “Kaya tayo naga-ayo kay naa sila’y

plan (The reason why we’re making progress is because they [the government] have a plan),” said the host of the event. The stage was decorated with placards of gratitude written by the families. One reads “Bisag kami pobre, gitahud og gitabangan sa mga DSWD. Salamat sa DSWD sa programa nga 4Ps (Even though we’re poor, DSWD helped us. Thank you to DSWD for the 4Ps)” and another reads “Salamat DSWD sa serbisyong totoo (Thank you DSWD for the honest service)”. The entire program circulated in speeches that talk about how great the government and the 4Ps are, making the talent showcases of families seem like intermission numbers. In all fairness, the 4Ps, although imperfect, has been recognized for its effectivity in bridging the gaps that hinder the poor from uplifting themselves and maximizing welfare services. It focuses on ensuring that these families invest in their health and education bymaking cash grants dependent upon going to medical check-ups

LANOG EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief / Karlo Alexie C. Puerto Associate Editor / Vanessa Kate F. Madrazo News Editor / Karlo Alexie C. Puerto Feature and Literary Editor / Gwena Dale M. Caubang Sports Editor/ Kia Camille C. Arancon Layout Artist / Vanessa Kate F. Madrazo Art Editor / Gerne T. Boja

and enrolling the children to schools. But the caravan exploited their neediness by controlling how they perceive its programs. What they call the National Family Day appeared to have been a political campaign making the government, more particularly the leaders, look and smell great. Because of the controversy regarding corruption caused by the Pork Barrel Scam, even trickling to the judiciary because of former Sandiganbayan justice Gregory Ong’s links to Pork Barrel Queen Janet Napoles, and now Vice President Jejomar Binay’s suspiscious ownerships, the government has a terrible image more than ever and it appears through the Convergence Caravan that they desperately want to somehow counterbalance all the bad rep. There’s a clear line between simply recognizing a success and overglorifying it. It’s not only unnecessary, but also excessive to go to the extent of playing a Simon Says game to give gratitude to the government, as if

SENIOR WRITERS/ Carly Jane L. Chua Louise Janree Sacco Jessa Mariestela P. Putong PHOTOGRAPHERS/ Gwena Dale M. Caubang Carly Jane L. Chua Kia Camille C. Arancon Gerne T. Boja Vanessa Kate F. Madrazo

EDITING CONSULTANT/ Maria Gemima Valderrama-Galang

the welfare program was some big favor given to the people. This is wrong because firstly, welfare is not a favor that the poor should feel indebted about or that the government should feel proud of doing. It is the government’s obligation to help those who cannot help themselves therefore it is expected of them to help the victims of structural poverty and birth lottery out of that cycle. Secondly, it is a disrespect to the dignity of the poor to be exploited and manipulated by virtue of their vulnerability. It is so convenient then, for P-Noy’s administration to gain popular support, and easier to divert the attention from the more important lapses in the system of governance. State’s responsibility does not end in making sure that efforts to improve welfare distribution is present. It is also obligated to make sure that the methods are effective and furthermore honest in its operationalization. It takes advantage of no one, especially the vulnerable.

SHARP EDGES KIA CAMILLE ARANCON

ince the Philippine Christmas season started, I noticed that most of my friends in Facebook and Twitter are posting what they would like to have as a Christmas present. As expected most are material things. I admit that when I was a child I was fond of listing all the things I want Santa to give me. Normally, I would have pencils, hat, digital wrist watch, chocolates and a colorful dress as staples in the yearly list. Also, part of my being childish is to flaunt to my friends the gifts I received. Time has passed and the things on the so-called ‘bucket list; leveled up.

Price tag

the dissent GERNE BOJA

Trapped

musings KARLO ALEXIE PUERTO

Masquerading the real problem

Perhaps because we grow older, the things we want to own become bigger, and even more expensive. From the time we entered school, we all just get involved in one big race and see who can grow up to have the biggest

ow many politicians have been accused and proved of corruption in this country? They are too many to even remember. And each time we find out that these politicians stuff their pockets with our money, our taxes, with opportunities that were rightfully ours we become furious. We march down the streets and shout for them to go down from their positions. So, who is to blame for this endless cycle of unfortunate administrations? Should we be blaming the greedy politicians or is it the people who put them in power? I think it’s not a question of who but what. What drove these politicians to think only of themselves and what made us vote for them?

he recent free internet access promos introduced by both Globe and Smart/Sun have somehow compensated their subscribers for slow and limited mobile internet access, but their promo even has caused another problem for subscribers – worse internet congestion. In a previous Senate hearing, Senator Bam Aquino probed telecommunication companies why their internet connections are slow and more expensive than their other ASEAN counterparts such as Singapore and Malaysia. As expected, they blamed these problems to the geography of the country – the country is spread into numerous islands which are separated by large bodies of waters and the instability of the weather. A question now comes into mind – why advertise internet services as ‘fast’ when in fact they cannot guarantee that the speed is maintained at least

house, the nicest car, and the most useful gadgets. We are becoming so obsessed to material things that we no longer regard what’s practical. We have become so materialistic that we think people’s worth is somehow measured by the cool things they own. We tend to think that a person having an iPod, DSLR camera, laptop, and the latest phone is superior in our society. Case in point: weeks ago, Apple launched their new flagship iPhone 6 that drove the public into rage over the latest in touch technology. Since the debut of this product, people all over the world did not stop talking about it. Well, it only shows that this new creation is a testament to how brand names precede the actual product.

It is education or the lack of it. Who is more educated, a knowledgeable thief or an ignorant beggar? None of them is educated because education does not just mean having a degree, a diploma nor is it passively accepting one’s hopeless standing in the society. True education is applying what you know is right to real life. This is a lesson that is not easily learned in an enclosed four walls. Inaction is a form of ignorance and ignorance is a virus that is rampantly eating our hope in humanity.

People do not stop yearning for new things. Never mind just having a phone that can still text and call. Never mind the long-earned money to be spend on something unnecessary. Never mind what to buy, just buy and buy. Never mind that most of us are becoming slaves to materialism. Success in life should be about who we are, what we contribute to society, and not about the stuff we have or the things we acquire. If we really think about it, eating three times a day is a privilege that some people can’t even have. There are people starving have nothing but we already consume more than what is needed. Do we really need to worship the altar of self-indulgence? Should we let the temptation of worldly living alienate us from the essence of humanity?

or the “bahala na” attitude that we have. But, even if the marginalized learn how to protect themselves, it would be of no use if the enemies they face are trained to not back down. A much greater solution is educate the younger generation on what true humanity is. To teach them that the decisions they make creates a pendulum effect in the society whether you are a leader or a follower. We have to teach them that we are for others. This lesson is not something they will learn from books but a lesson best taught by adults being a great example.

The way to eradicate corruption and oppression of the voiceless is to teach them to remove passiveness or the The answer – there is no ‘fierce’ competition in this unregulated industry. Government regulator National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has no balls in imposing rules of the internet service in the country since internet is still considered as a value-added service that they have no complete control, unlike landline and mobile calls. One of the issues of internet users in the country, especially those using internet for gaming, is the lack of internet peering among internet service providers in the country. Internet peering allows packets from a PLDT user to, say a Globe or Bayantel subscriber to directly access each other’s network without piggybacking on their network to connect with the global internet. With this, companies and individuals are encouraged to host their websites in the country and having a seamless local website cache (internet temporary memory), lessening our dependence on foreign links and making them available to

Filipinos even if we get virtually disconnected to the world due to natural calamities that may sever the submarine cables that connect us outside. Also, netizens blame these companies of false advertising. Consumer groups have already complained about the use of ‘unlimited internet’ by a certain network only to find out that in the fine print that they are stuck to a certain amount of data per day. Why mislead subscribers for ‘unlimited’ internet service when in fact you cannot live up to that commitment? Senator Bam in particular has been pushing for the declaration of internet connectivity as a basic service so NTC can exercise its regulatory powers on these greedy internet providers. As long as this proposal does not materialize, we are still to experience dial-up like speeds and expensive connectivity, pushing technological progress to the cloud computing concept backwards.

RECOGNITION AND EMPOWERMENT. Top: The Top 5 finalists of Miss Gay University 2014 having emerged as the victors and new leaders of the LGBT advocacy in their community. Bottom: Last year’s finalists about to transfer their titles and responsibilities to the new batch. Right: Mark Vincent Alpiz, Miss Philippines and this year’s Miss Gay University - Universe in their opening production number. / Vanessa Kate F. Madrazo

The queer struggle

The different battles of the LGBT BY VANESSA KATE F. MADRAZO

iss Gay University (MGU), more than a celebration of empowerment for the gay community, has also been an important avenue to bring awareness to their struggles as individuals and as a community. This is very apparent in both the photo discernment and question and answer portions of the competition. MGU brought to the surface issues concerning the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in relation to employment, education, religion, public policy, and economic structures. The Knightingale Society, the organizers of MGU, was created in an effort to establish a strong, united, and empowered LGBT community that forwards LGBT rights and offer a sense of belongingness and respect to the LGBT students and faculty in Ateneo de Davao University. “Miss Gay Univerity has been running annually as a political symbolism of coming out to address the clamor for gender equality,” the organization said in an audio-visual presentation.

This year’s MGU concluded with Mark Vincent Alpiz, Miss Philippines, a third year Mass Communication student, triumphantly crowned as Miss Gay University – Universe last September 22, 2014 in the CAP auditorium, who himself has been witness to the different problems challenging the LGBT community.

gender stereotypes that are continually reinforced from generation to generation.

This involves the community’s encounter with society, and the people who identify with them.

One important issue that was raised in MGU was through a photo depicting how in some states in America, it is legal to fire an employee for the sole reason that he is gay.

The Social Struggle The ultimate threat to the recognition and acceptance of LGBT rights is the social stigma attached to them. They are often labeled as deviant because they don’t conform to the “natural order of things” or the dominant social constructs defining masculinity and femininity. According to Hadji Balajadia, a sociology professor from Ateneo de Davao University and a supporter of the Knightingale Society, the reason why it’s difficult to break away from these constructs is because we are continually exposed to gender

“What’s worse is we even sanction [these identities],” Balajadia added. This is why they face discrimination in different aspects of their lives.

Gays, at least open ones, in some situations find it hard to either find or retain work because of their identity. This manifests in the rejection of their applications or their immediate dismissal upon discovery of their identity. That is why they are more inclined to go to spaces where they can be easily accepted—in comedy and beauty. “Most gays are victimized by stereotypes, for example, highly feminized stereotypes,” Balajadia said. “There’s a myopic understanding of diversity and sexuality of LGBT.”

Gays and transgenders are typecasted to working as comedians, stylists, or hairdressers. This stereotype unfairly limits the kind of goals that they may have and their options in choosing a career just because society has already predetermined what they ought to be or where they fit best. This is why it’s difficult for them to penetrate more serious spaces like the military, public office, the corporate world, and even the academe. But Balajadia doesn’t believe that it’s strategic to immediately pierce these spaces. “We need to choose our battles,” Balajadia explained, “These spaces are very patriarchal and heteronormalized. We need to first create a climate of acceptance to socially prepare these institutions.” Otherwise, we risk further alienation of the LGBT. Within the educational system, gays also find themselves constricted. Mark

Vincent

Alpiz’s

winning

question and answer pointed out how there’s an existing bias within the academe. “How can a gender-fair education be fully realized in an educational system that mostly favors or privileges the heterosexuals?” MGU judge Ian Lopez Laguda asked. “In institutions like schools and campuses, they can help us by providing us democratic space [within] the institution,” Alpiz proudly answered. Democratic spaces include events like MGU that helps recognize their identity when it is otherwise constricted within the campus. “We are discriminated, for one thing, based on our preference,” Alpiz explained. “The dress code is in conflict to our identity and perspective.” Alpiz further notes that, at best, the Ateneo administration is indifferent about LGBT-related events. He said that university president Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J. did not promote or support MGU but at the same time, he did not condemn it, at the very least. Internal Conflict The LGBT are not only struggling against society. They also face challenges within their own community. “We all believe in gender equality, but we have different opinions about it,” Alpiz said. Balajadia, on the other hand, does not believe that an LGBT community exists, rather, it is only imagined. “Between and among gays, we do not respond and think in the same way,” he said. “The only thing that we have in common is our experience of discrimination.” The strategies by which they want to forward their advocacy sometimes differ. For instance, while a lot of transgendered individuals regard MGU as an effective way for selfexpression, individuals like Balajadia believes otherwise. “Although MGU is a good platform to amplify and celebrate the gay identity, I long to see a pageant that will not commodify the human body of men who are gays,” he said. He laments that transgenders need to pay to be heard, which he believes is contrary to the idea of a democratic space. For him, MGU is a form of tokenism.

that will not commodify the human body of men who are gays,” he said. He laments that transgenders need to pay to be heard, which he believes is contrary to the idea of a democratic space. For him, MGU is a form of tokenism. “We all have s t r o n g personalities; that’s why sometimes there is tension,” Alpiz said.

gender, he kept it hidden because he felt that it was going to be hard to be accepted. But he eventually and gradually came out as teenager and his parents slowly accepted him.

“We need to adapt a rightsbased lens as a solution to gender equality,”

There are also times when there are rifts within the community that manifests in exclusion based on race, ethnicity, religion, and nationality. For instance, gays from ethnic minorities do not belong in majority LGBT groups and are more constricted. Their lack of support causes their lack of empowerment. Balajadia also notes that class differences intensify this divide. “The rich LGBT are more articulate and vocal; the poor however are more subservient.” It’s enough that an LGBT identity already makes it difficult to be socially accepted. It’s even more problematic when gender and class/race/ethnicity intertwines. Balajadia, however, said that the intragroup discrimination is not as serious as the discrimination they experience from the heterosexuals, the dominant group.

“I don’t want to be closeted,” Alpiz said. “I don’t want to pretend to be someone who I’m not.” One of the reasons why Alpiz joined MGU was because he wanted to express himself.

“Expressing is difficult,” Alpiz explained. MGU, he said, helped him become confident about who he is. He added that when prejudices attack the community, it’s important to let time heal the wounds. “It’s not about how fast you come out; it’s about how ready you are when you come out,” he said. Magbanua said that part of the goals of Knightingale society is to reach out to the closeted and help them transition to coming out when they opt to. The solution “We need to adapt a rights-based lens as a solution to gender equality,” Balajadia said.

We need to reverse the social conditioning that reinforced our notions of femininity and masculinity and this will happen when social institutions collaborate to create this social climate. Around the world, there is great disagreement about LGBT rights. Indonesia, for example, has just recently made it legal to punish gay sex through caning. In Brunei, it is legal to stone a homosexual to death. Conversely, the US has 19 states where gay marriage is legal while the Philippines ranks 10 among the most gay-friendly countries all over the world. It is also good news that the United Nations Human Rights Council has just passed a landmark resolution that condemns violence and discrimination against LGBT people. It is then safe to say that the LGBT movement is making progress. “We are at the frontier of gender development,” Balajadia said. “The challenge now is how to operationalize these laws.” Every day is a plebiscite for legitimacy, Balajadia explained. That’s why it is crucial that these problems need to be fully understood by the LGBT themselves so that they may elevate their advocacy and not stop in beauty pageants. The battle shouldn’t just stop in the celebration of this identity. The movements must also be transformative because the battle is not just personal; it’s also political.

There’s also an imbalance among the people classified in the LGBT. Janna Magbanua, an organizer of MGU and a transgender member of the Knightingale Society, pointed out that there is less support right now for lesbians and bisexuals. “They are less transparent and have a greater tendency to be closeted,” Magbanua explained. In effect, they are more excluded compared to their gay-counterpart. Out in the open Coming out isn’t easy. If anything, it is difficult especially in the awareness of a society that is dominated by heterosexual norms. When Alpiz was a kid, he said, even when his parents already knew his gender, he kept it hidden because he felt that it was going to be hard to

EXPRESSION. Having an LGBT identity is a constant struggle to expose one’s true colors. / Vanessa Kate F. Madrazo

Shmek’m: the visual storytellers Tales of passion and beginnings BY GERNE T. BOJA

he birth of Social Media was also the birth of greater opportunities. It isn’t just a venue to look for who and what but an instrument to share to the world what you can do. Most of us must have heard of Ryan Higa, Jubilee Project, and Wong Fu Productions. It’s amazing how these guys started from creating homemade videos into becoming well known YouTube stars. Looks like Davao also has its share of equally talented filmmakers who took YouTube as a tool in sharing the products of their imagination.

This marked the start of their journey as Youtubers. ”Shmek’m does not really mean anything,” Oliver Divinagracia, one of the pioneer members of the group said. “In our group it’s equivalent to the term ‘Skema’ or to something we have no idea of or to just mean anything.” “So we thought that if we were to name a channel which means anything or nothing, the word

They said that largest amount of money that they spent for a video was 350 pesos. “For me, the Filipino film industry is not an industry anymore but a business.” Bautista said. It would be hard to blame only the filmmakers for what they produce because the audience is also a factor that should be considered.

filmmakers is that the videos we make reflects who we are.” Bautista said. He said that if they were to put a tagline for their group it would be “be yourself.” The group shared that in the span of two years as YouTubers they were only able to earn $55 as YouTube partners but for now it doesn’t really matter how much it is because they say the experience itself is already worth it. They plan on turning their passion into a legitimate profession but as of now it is enough that they produce films that are appreciated and have an impact to people. “Personally, it is fun and fulfilling when someone recognizes me just as Ninja Valentine.” Chong said. But recognition is just a bonus of what they do because finishing a project is enough to make them proud.

Shmek’m, the one responsible for the viral videos such as The Illegal Wife’ (Parody), Ninja Valentine and The Dark Mate, is a rising group of YouTube filmmakers based here in Davao.

The group is So far the group composed of has already 54 Ateneo de Davao videos uploaded U n i v e r s i t y in Youtube and g r a d u a t e s even though all of who find great pleasure in making Screenshots of Shmekm films. Top row: Enchanted Encounters (January 2012), A Glass of Water (May 2012), Monday Headshot Chal- them have their lenge (April 2012). Middle row: Bit by Bit (March 2013), Shmekm opening animation, Attack on Takyan (February 2014). Bottom row: own jobs already, films. Leo George One Step Ahead (April 2014), The Illegal Wife (April 2014), The Dark Mate (August 2014) / SHMEKM they still make Bautista who was still a Mass Communication student Shmek’m was the perfect choice.” The “Masang Pinoy” grew up watching time for their passion which is back in 2012 initiated the He added. The name actually reflects shows, like noontime shows that do filmmaking. establishment of the group then. how random their videos are. not really involve critical thinking. But the group does not just post This is the reason why brilliant films The message of Shmek’m for those They felt challenged by the then videos just because. Their objective is like On The Job by Erik Matti are who aspire of becoming filmmakers is to stop from saying famous Jamich, couple they want to do it but to Youtubers who made actually do it. There is sappy and typical films no try in film making, about love. Bautista said there’s only do or don’t if they were able to gain and if you think the a lot of viewers with the first attempt is not quality of films they had, good enough then do then why shouldn’t they not be discouraged start their own channel? because beginnings aren’t The groups first ever video entitled to debunk the idea that a film requires underrated in our country, he added. always great. Filmmaking is a work in progress. Enchanted Encounter was uploaded a huge budget for it to be good. early January of 2012. The video “Movies right now are typical love started as a public announcement They said that there are movies stories, sometimes rip-offs of other Experiencing the world of film might about littering and turns into a produced with huge budgets but films. That is why we try to deviate be just for minutes or a few hours to comical duel between two pairs aren’t of good quality. Though budget from it to give the audience something those who watch it but the effects it of magicians which ends with the plays an essential role in creating different.” Kenneth Ian Chong, one of leaves after has no expiration date. statement “it’s uploaded online” films, it is not as important the pioneer members of the group said. referring to the photo of the two as the story of the defeated male magicians hugging. film. “What sets us apart from other

“What sets us apart from other filmmakers is that the videos we make reflects who we are.”

The killing thing between your teeth BY GWENA DALE M. CAUBANG

TO WHAT EXTENT ARE CHOICES VALID? In a society that values the right to choose one’s own lifestyle, laws like smoking bans are contentious because they appear to be against individual freedom, but opposition says that choices are only valid insofar as the consequences don’t spill over to other people. / Shievar Olegario

hen the city council of Davao amended The Anti-Smoking Ordinance of 2002 and became Ordinance No. 0367-12, Series of 2012, commonly known as The New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, later in its implementation, Davao City had been a model for the anti-smoking drive of different countries and it has been lauded for its enforcement of its ‘no smoking’ policies. Before the issuance of the said ordinance, the constituents of Davao City were highly exposed to cigarette smoke. When the ordinances related to smoking were reviewed, it gave birth to the initiation of issuing an ordinance that will really protect the people from the dangers of cigarette smoking and the perils of inhaling smoked cigarettes, that is, secondhand smoke which is more dangerous than smoking per se. Students who are socially aware of today’s issues have a lot to say about the efficacy of the said ordinance. Luke Butler, 23, said, “It’s actually quite effective and has greatly reduced the amount of second hand smoke in public areas throughout the city.”

But, according to NewsDesk, after the ordinance was implemented, the number of its violators also increased 50 percent a year after it was passed. Sensing that there is a promising outcome of the amendment and implementation of the ordinance, had the ordinance really changed the social landscape of the city? Some agreed that the ordinance was quite effective yet here are also others who hold a strong grip of opposition. Jessa Mae Suico, 18, said that the ordinance is in effect in the view that it transformed the mind-set of the people to not to smoke in public.

(But there are still lapses like they go on duty on this particular place and specific time yet there are also days when they ignore them. I hope the implementation is consistent.)”

Most importantly, as the government does its responsibility, the people, in return, should cooperate in the process of implementation and enforcement of the said ordinance.

Moreover, Mae-Ann Bornillo, 18, supposed that reminders on the penalty of the violation of the ordinance is “taking effectively yet more effort should be exerted in pushing it.”

The government, alone, cannot succeed in its aim to promote a healthy environment for its constituents. They need you to help them in pursuing their goals to provide its citizens a better place to live in.

“Where, then, does the sudden shift in lifestyle end up?”

She also added that its efficacy can be observed through the patrol groups who roam and impose a violation on those who ignore the ordinance .

Now, looking into its grassroots, the amendment of the ordinance was mainly because of the realization that it does not protect the people from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

What was being conveyed in the abovementioned idea is that to implement a particular change, one has to dig deep into its culture and there he shoots his bullet that is anticipated to make a crucial change – the transformation of one’s mind-set.

Over the years, the ordinances related to smoking were combined and strengthened which created the present Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance.

In opposition to what was said earlier, Aivy Rose Villarba, 20, said “Pero naa may mga lapses pareha anang manakop sila sa ani na particular place ug specific time, pero

But, Daniel Mañacap, 17, argued, “The signs telling a fine of certain range are just illusions and are just legal forms of vandalism.” “The Implementation of the Anti-Smoking Ordinance (ASO) is impractical,” said John Chin, 18. “Discouraging them to smoke does not stop establishments to sell the aforementioned cigarettes.” He further explains that even if it’s a way to start a healthier lifestyle, there is no alternative provided. “Where, then, does the sudden shift in lifestyle end up?” he challenged. “Albeit, the ASO may be a promising solution, but being the best? That we should reconsider.” Clashing viewpoints with regards to the efficacy of the smoking ban in Davao City have emerged and unveiled the belief that the ban has its lapses which makes it ineffective.

It’s all up to you because, as what Augustus Waters of John Green’s book, The Fault In Our Stars, said “You put the killing thing right between your teeth and it’s you who give the power to do its killing.”

“You put the killing thing right between your teeth and it’s you who give the power to do its killing.”

The choice that bridges one’s future BY CARLY JANE L. CHUA

Living in this world intends each human being to be someone when they grow up. We live in this planet that follows a sequence of education from preschool to grade school to high school to college. “Education is the key to success,” says the most cliché phrase we know. Now, if I were to ask you, when you were still a child, what did you want to be when you grow up?

I don’t know would always ask me the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” A five-letter word would just simply pop out my mouth: “nurse”. I always dreamed of becoming one, not because of their uniform or the idea that I could work at the hospital but because of my willingness to help people, to take care of the sick and give them my time.

I will gladly share my story to you.

Naming the reasons why I wanted to be one just simply shows a portion of me wanting to reach out to the ones in need of my assistance.

When I was a kid, my parents, relatives, friends and even people

We always dream of ourselves with the job we want to be when we

Courses from different schools lined up to my choices when I stepped in my 4th year life in high school.

grow older. It’s given and natural.

But none of them replaced my fondness for the course nursing.

But I want to ask you this question, did that dream of yours came to life? Did you make the right choice in choosing your dream? Did your plan as a child remain the same?

Days, weeks and months passed by, graduation just bloomed out of the blue.

Well, to tell you honestly, mine didn’t.

My classmates suggested that I take up a course that suited my whole personality and talents.

It just got complicated when I entered high school when I heard hearsays regarding the nursing graduates that a lot of them just ended up staying at home jobless.

My parents and relatives also told me to pick the course that defines me as a whole, a course that I will surely not regret upon enrolling to.

I reflected heard and alternative my likes,

College came and then all of a sudden the course, the last minute of choosing it, well, became the course I never imagined I would be in.

upon the things that I managed to think of an course that still suits hobbies and interests.

The course that I chose really fits my being and greatly installs my capabilities. We always have a choice in life and sometimes, the choice that we make define us but it could also make us. It’s never an easy task to choose upon hundreds of classifications about who you want to be in the future. But I guess it’s all part of the game, the game we are in, in this world. You just got to find your spark and find the light towards your road and that I guarantee you will surely place you into the habitat you wanted to be. RADYO TACUNAN COMMUNITY The Mass communication family with the junior broadcasters of Radyo Tacuan / Vanessa Kate F. Madrazo

Find your passion, do what you love to do and it will surely bridge your future.

Radyo Tacunan: broadcasting old-style

ho would expect that in the modern stride of times, a radio station relying solely on optical disc media is still operating? It was an unforgettable experience for the third year Mass Communication students of Ateneo de Davao University to meet and socialize with budding radio broadcasters on a twoday community radio immersion which Mass Communication professor Joseph Laroscain spearheaded at Barangay Tacunan, Tugbok District, last September 27-28 with Mass Communication department chair Dr. Judith Dalagan. Barangay Tacunan hosts one of the most sought-after adventure destinations in the city – the Deca Wakeboard Park owned by housing developer 8990 Housing Development Corporation. When the students came into the

BY LOUISE JANREE SACCO

place, it was so peaceful, clean and the people there are very accommodating. But, they were able to notice something unfamiliar: there exists a tower that hosts four loudspeakers aimed at all four major directions. As the students met with Tacunan barangay officials, Radyo Tacunan staff and junior broadcasters, both sides felt excited because the students are to see a real community station broadcasting without a frequency and the junior broadcasters will be taught how to create and edit their radio production materials using digital audio editing software. On the first day, the junior broadcasters together with their assigned ‘ates’ and ‘kuyas’ wrote a radio drama script for their intended audiences – which are the different sectors of Barangay Tacunan these junior broadcasters represent, some of them include senior citizen,

religious, council, youth and farmer sectors. “I enjoyed the experience and I felt glad because I was able to share what I learned to them,” Mass Communication student Kelly Ruth Serenio said. In the next session (and unfortunately the last), the students taught the junior broadcasters how to edit their recordings, place additional sound effects and musical scoring using Adobe Audition in a hands-on approach. While producing the final output of the recordings was a breeze, the ‘technology’ transfer from digital media to optical media was a difficult one, since some of the laptops used does not have their own optical disc burners (being that some of them are netbooks or ultrabooks). Kuya James, the president of junior

broadcasters of Radyo Tacunan, shared his experiences as a junior broadcaster. “They were looking for young broadcasters so I joined them. I liked my job now, but I did not know anything about Radyo Tacunan before,” he said. He also expresses his gratitude to the Mass Communication students. “I would like to thank the Ateneo Mass Communication department because we learned a lot from them. I still am hoping we can have it again,” Kuya James said in jest. Overall, it was an once-in-a-lifetime experience for both parties to meet and get the chance to share their knowledge and experiences. This activity is another journey to keep moving forward and serve the country for the future betterment of all media practitioners.

Do it all, just stand up

The bloody tagging of the non-insurgent BY GWENA DALE CAUBANG

BY KIA CAMILLE C. ARANCON Few are the athletes who have the character that can captivate hundreds and thousands of supporters. Luckily, Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights women’s volleyball team have one in the person of Ma. Sarah Lauren Cruz. Born in Davao, and living a comfortable life, looking at her standing 5’71/2 makes you not expect how willing she is to stoop down for other’s sake. Her messy and unkempt hair complements her pear-shaped face. At her worst, she will just go to a corner and observe how people observe people. At her best, she showers her little brothers, spends time with her little brother and plays passionately volleyball. She can take four positions in the game – setter, libero, middleblocker and open-spiker. She is a versatile player to say the least. She is also a high leaper so expect powerful hits coming from her. One cannot just believe the hardships and challenges given to young Cruz just to sustain both academes and dreams. Her journey on volleyball started when she was naïve on the thing she wants to enter. She was eight when she got confused as well as amused by her neighbors’ game. Like on philosophy, she never stopped on just knowing the game, instead, she explored, trained, and mastered it. But things were not like on fairytales; she was rejected on her first attempt to join her school’s volleyball team. “When someone really wants something, she won’t stop until she can achieve it. This has been my motto every time I failed,” Cruz said in an interview. Even though Sarah was a bit hurt when the coach told her “you’re too weak to be on the team”, this didn’t impede her to reach her goal. Fortunately, she got to AdDU’s volleyball team at the age of 10. In high school, Cruz developed and embraced her acquired skill that made her to competitions both outside and inside the city. While playing in Bacolod for Shakey’s V-League during her last year in high school, someone approached and asked her if she wants to DO IT ALL, 18

BULLYING Government agents restricting the political freedom and the rights of the student-journalists to expression / CollegeEditors Guild of the Philippines - Davao

hen progressive groups were red-tagged by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during a National Service Training Program (NSTP) event held at the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) last month, they expressed their response by formulating a “blood bucket challenge” which was realized last September 3. The groups and organizations that were red-tagged were the League of Filipino Students (LFS), Kabataan Partylist, and the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP). According to Atenews, the student publication of AdDU, “The redtagging incident happened last August 23, 2014 at the Ateneo de Davao’s Finster Auditorium wherein a certain Captain Nathaniel Morales of the 10th Infantry Division was recorded in an audio clip saying that the aforementioned organizations were legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples’ Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).” With this, they staged a street press conference which made the “blood bucket challenge” the highlight of the event. Other organizations were also present, namely, Karapatan, Bayan, KMU (Kilusang Mayo Uno), KMP (Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas), Kadamay, Panalipdan, Anakbayan, and Alapag.

With the efforts made by these groups to express their passion by promoting what they believe is right, does the act of the AFP labelling them as something part of an entity that is a threat to national security justify their intentions to recreate the status quo? According to Philippine Online Chronicles, red-tagging is “a violation of the constitutional rights to freely speak out, form organizations, and peacefully address the government regarding their grievances.” Red-tagging is often used by state security powers, namely the AFP and PNP, to “harass, assault, and even ‘eliminate’ those who are tagged.” Knowing that these agents of state are the ones who enforce red-tagging, isn’t this scenario so ironic that it concludes that the agents per se are the ones who primarily violate the law they’re obliged to implement and protect? “We have to define clearly what is red-tagging and activism and NPA. In the Mindanao context, it would mean much violence for NPA’s stereotype but these actions of students are but outlets of their willingness or passion to promote social justice,” John Chin, Head of SAMAHAN Research Team, said. It is clear that red-tagging defines the student press and activists and stereotypes them as bodies that will be constitute the destruction of peace in the society. But CEGP Davao

Region Secretary-General Andrea Isabelle Mejos stated, “Redtagging of students, most especially the student press and leaders, is vilification and a form of harassment. [Red-tagging of students] is absurd because students are unarmed. At least not with guns, but equipped with words and the heart to serve, despite vilification and harassment.” The abovementioned point made by Mejos explains why students should not be red-tagged and stereotyped because the only weapon that they possess is their words (which constitutes the freedom to speak and express, the right of every individual) and passion to push through with what they believe in. She also stated that redtagging suppresses the exercise of critical thinking skills and it distorts ones perception about what these students are defending. Many might perceive their acts as something that depicts horror and violence. But it’s good to look at the different side sometimes. Chin pointed, “As much as we want to see a change in this world, these are but small steps to obtain their goals. Maybe these NPAlike actions appear as violence or nonsense but these are great ways of marketing and encouraging everyone to go beyond the norm and revolutionize the status quo.”

Should the death penalty be reactivated? Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto has already filed Senate Bill 2080 that aims to reinstate Death Penalty in the Philippines, which was abolished in 2006. Some Ateneo students have mixed reactions regarding this plan. No matter what happens, no one has the right to take away ones life. Okay lang siguro if he was given the choice of life imprisonment or death penalty, but if the choice is not given to the accused. Wag nalang. - Mark Henry Barroso, 5th Year Accountancy Oo. Agree ako kasi sa panahon ngayon lumolobo na ang crimes (esp. Yung mga crimes against human rights) tapos for discipline purpose na rin ito para sa mga tao na gustong gumawa ng crimes na mas harmful pa sa ibang tao. Like sa mga massacre na cases, mas fair man gud siya na penalty kung tutuusin kahit na sabihin pa natin na baka makacommit ang mga pulis na against human rights para sa mga accused - Erle Sabrine Seares, 3rd Year AB English Naga agree ako dahil sa panahon ngayon pakalat-kalat na ang masasasamang tao. Mas lumala na ang mga crimes ngayon tapos kung ibalik yan matatakot na ang mga tao then isipin nila na di na nila gawin

yun mga ‘di dapat. - Kapella Dela Cruz, 3rd Year AB International Studies - Asian Agree ko kay pwede man gihapon ta mabuhi nga dili nato i-mind to nga law. Lesser crimes, lesser ang kagubot. Dili man pud siguro ingon nga pag naa nay death penalty, patyon dayon tungod kay nakasala lang. - Cloyd Ecle, 3rd Year BS Accounting Technology I agree na ibalik ang death penalty kasi meron talagang cases na ang tao pinalaya nga tapos brutal jud ang ginawa nila. May possibility na paulit-ulit nila itong gawin. - Samantha Kristian Balino, 3rd Year BS Information Technology Agree ako kay it would give the criminals the lesson that they could not do anything just because they want it and they could get away with it. Victoria Accountancy

Victor,

3rd

Year

10 weird facts

1. Everyone has a unique tongue print, just like fingerprints. 2. The longest time between two twins being born is 87 days. 3. Some fruit flies are genetically resistant to getting drunk — but only if they have an inactive version of a gene scientists have named “happyhour”. 4. The first American film to show a toilet being flushed on screen was Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. 5. In 2008 scientists discovered a new species of bacteria that lives in hairspray. 6. There’s an opera house on the U.S.– Canada border where the stage is in one country and half the audience is in another. 7. The Romans used to clean and whiten their teeth with urine. Apparently it works. Please don’t do it, though. 8. There are around 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body. If you took them all out and laid them end to end, they’d stretch around the world more than twice. But, seriously, don’t do that either. 9. The tiny parasite Toxoplasma gondii can only breed sexually when in the guts of a cat. To this end, when it infects rats, it changes their behavior to make them less scared of cats. 10. The top of the Eiffel Tower leans away from the sun, as the metal facing the sun heats up and expands. It can move as much as 7 inches.

Die and Break

Stupidity Carly Jane L. Chua

Gwena Dale M. Caubang A dying breath Of earth I sense Dry and stale Like dull human corpse

I always wanted you to be with me, The way couples do in tv. Holding each other hand, Being the one so called, “other half.”

Roofs fly, walls break People die, hearts break

The beast left The place The brutal heat That touches my skin The place was For the sun breathes The place was empty Of invisible fire The morning is still And the air is misty The wind is calm But becomes monstrous suddenly The beast has come Howling with anger Brewing its power To forcefully stir the earth Houses shatter As well as homes

Funny, Outgoing, Corny, And crazy. You were always you.

What is left Is but a piercing pain Of things you love Now gone, never coming back

Den lille havfrue by Gerne Boja

White Lies Gerne Boja

What I’ve felt And what I’ve known Those painful memories Are constantly breaking me

A Narcissist’s Love Letter Dear Mirare, Hi. I think we started off on the wrong foot. I never got the chance to be proper friends with you, because all I did for a decent introduction was to act like an idiot. You were actually a big part of my high school life, and that means a lot to me in my adult life, somehow. I was childish, I know. But could you blame a 16 year old nimrod for being so? I couldn’t help it, though; I was always aware of all my flaws – both existing and imagined. But I didn’t write this letter to talk about me. Narcissism might be one of my defining characteristics (as you were wont to point out), but my ego’s bruised for the moment. Instead, let me talk about us (because only talking about you wouldn’t leave room for talking about me. I had to compromise; my ego may be bruised, but it’s not comatose.) I wrote this letter because this felt

White lies, they don’t exist. A lie is a lie no matter which angle you view it from The concept itself is a human invention with a purpose made for escape. A leeway to find reason in telling lies. People find ways to feel good to console themselves for doing wrong for lying. It is an escape from explaining one’s action. A White Lie Itself is a lie.

like something that should be said – a manifest of deep-seated insecurity, comprised of words stuck in a vacuum. It’s late at night; I’m numb to my toes and thinking of you. High school happened two years ago, you know? You were my first serious high school crush. It was a little late when I started having crushes, since everything came reasonably late for me (Think of “everything” in this sentence as me in my adult life attending classes – comfortably tardy, but not too tardy.) You were everything that represented what a real girl was for me. You were smart without being a snob. You were funny without vying for approval. You were not a phony. And maybe the best part – the hands-down biggest sell – was that I didn’t know you. That was probably why you meant something more to me than just a simple crush. You were untouched by preconceptions. You were perfect. But then I got to know you better. Not that you lost your perfection just because I got to know you better, though. I was able to know a lot about you, and then I realized that you were massively flawed. And that was already, in itself, perfection.

You were, like me, plagued with insecurities. You were afraid people would look down on you; you thought you were short, and that your eyes were too big for your head, and so on, and so forth. I played along, but it was because I was a student of passive chivalry. As long as I agreed with you, I figured. Maybe I’d get lucky. I tended to objectify you inasmuch as to solidify your anxieties: you’d never reach the minimum height requirement for Miss Universe; your eyes need the optical equivalent of breast reduction surgery; if you wore sunglasses that matched your eyes, you’d be covering half your face, and so on, and so forth. I’ve made that ploy over and over.

It was a defensive maneuver. It was to protect myself. I didn’t want to open up and reveal myself as weak, feeble, even nimrodic. But I never, ever thought of you that way. I thought of myself that way. I was short, fat, and insecure. How could I deal with that without dealing with you dealing with your own insecurities? Probably that’s your biggest flaw, for me. You reminded me too much of me.

Your hair, Your smile, Your smell, It makes me believe that love is true. Love, I don’t know what to say, I don’t know how to feel, I just can’t explain. It’s just you that I think when this word appears. I loved, I did. Still, it might’ve been perfection, (didn’t Justin Timberlake sing a ballad about mirrors? I think that applies here, somehow) but it was futile to pursue such an unstable form of fate. The fact that your biggest flaw syncs with mine is pretty strong evidence that you are an amazing person, but we could have never been together. Insecurity is a weakness, and wouldn’t sharing a weakness defeat the purpose in building strength through unity? You were me, and that’s something I had to constantly apologize for. I think we started off on the wrong foot. I never got the chance to be proper friends with you, because all I did for a decent introduction was to act like an idiot. You were just my parallel, and the thing about parallels is they never intersect. Now, I know that’s cliché, but allow me to act like an idiot once more. Stop being me. Granted, it’s been a while since we saw each other. How’ve you been? - Robert Allan J. Teh

RMC blanks Ateneo in football gab

DO IT ALL, 15 be a member of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles. Astonished and overwhelmed, she abruptly grabbed the offer.

BY GWENA DALE M. CAUBANG

“Of course, it’s already there! Who would expect that what you dream of will be near you?,” Cruz said in an interview.

izal Memorial College (RMC) overshadowed Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) after winning game 2 of the annual Davao Football Association (DFA) Intercollegiate League RMC manhandled Ateneo, 8-0, to claim primacy in their game with 7 points on the table.

Just a year after, Cruz in ADMU Lady Eagles has always been remembered in her high school days at Ateneo de Davao as a talented, all-around volleyball player who acquires jersey No. 10. But things did not just turned well according to her plan and dream. Upon entering college, Cruz did not know that she had chosen an honor course, which in her case as a varsity of one of the biggest team in UAAP, complicates her in any aspect.

Enquillo scored first in the 9th minute which was tailed by Ravanes in the 20th. Noel Teves hit the goal in the second half in the 52nd minute. Rolo followed and struck at the 69th minute and then, Zamora goaled on the 88th minute, placing the crown on their name.

BATTLE OF SPEED. Ateneo and RMC battles for the ball in a challenge of speed coupled with the rough terrain. / Gwena Dale M. Caubang

Cruz was forced to leave the team and her dream school after a year. This gave her heartbreak but she knows that volleyball is her life and she cannot just quit on it just because she failed a few times.

“Wala nako gi-expect ang among pagdaog [I did not expect that we will win],” said Cedie Atangan, RMC football team.

“Volleyball taught me not just to be a strong and disciplined player, it also taught me to not to give up and cling to whatever you want to achieve,” Cruz said.

After full time, RMC won with a score of 8, putting the Ateneo team at the losing end.

HCDC Women’s Volleyball Team regains DACS title

Today, Cruz is currently the openspiker of Ateneo de Davao Blue Knights and a third year Mass Communication student. To Cruz, when she knows that she really wants one thing, she would not easily give up for it.

BY KIA CAMILLE ARANCON

he Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) Women’s Volleyball Team got back its title as the women’s champion of the Davao Association of Colleges and Schools (DACS) Collegiate Sportsfest 2014 volleyball competition after it stunned Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights, 3-1, at Philippine Women’s College (PWC) pavilion on September 27. For three years of being the defeated champion in DACS, it was last year when the HCDC lose its title after San Pedro College (SPC) Blue Stallions surprised them with 2520, 25-15, 19-25, 28-26.

“I was able to go in ADMU because of playing volleyball, so I have to focus myself in the sport,” Cruz stated.

HCDC Women’s volleyball team. They won the DACS title 2014 for volleyball women / Kia Camille Arancon

mostly composed of Ateneans yelled its loudest cheer as both exchanged a series of lead changes and forced a deadlock. However, Marie Claire Dawang of HCDC gave a powerful serve that fooled the opponent as they are expecting an out serve, giving HCDC 24-23 edge. A spike from HCDC’s number 8, Berte, ended a closed-score second set, 2523.

Eager and seem perched to take back its title, HCDC whipped its opponent. It was all right for HCDC as they are giving lots of spikes to ADDU that unfortunately the latter didn’t managed. First set was openly ruled by the HCDC as ADDU is still trying to study the style of the opponent, 25-9.

ADDU tried to retract the third set as Cruz gave good serves which the HCDC failed to take. Also, ADDU grabbed an early 7-1 lead that made them claimed the third set, 25-15. But in the end, HCDC closed out the match in the fourth by a score of 25-14. On this set, ADDU’s dela Cruz and Salcedo tried to make witty plays but weren’t enough to take back HCDC’s 12-7 rally.

Second set of the game the crowd,

“After namo napildi sa SPC, gusto

dyud namo ibalik ang korona. Dapat play your game lang jud, disregard the crowd and salig dyud sa kauban,” Mary Grace Berte, the blocker of HCDC, said in an interview.

Her character that goes along perfectly with her impressive volleyball skills will surely attract more volleyball supporters.

This year’s Davao Association of Catholic Schools sports fest had started from August 26 and will extend up to October 11 with the theme “Waging Peace, Forging Solidarity in Mindanao through Culture and Sports”.

“Volleyball taught me not just to be a strong and disciplined player, it also taught me to not to give up and cling to whatever you want to achieve.” - Sarah Cruz SARAH CRUZ. / GetBlued