Kurit Bulawan Volume 3

ALL SYSTEMS GO

Ateneans return to campus in gradual F2F transition

After a two-year hiatus and as the global pandemic finally subsided, having a small number of active COVID-19 cases at Naga City, Ateneo de Naga UniversitySenior High School (AdNU SHS) commenced the gradual face-to-face classes last August 22-26 of academic year 2022-2023.

August 22 marked the first day for the Senior High School community to enter the campus and have their

by Jess Mario San Joaquin

of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand partaking in the said transition.

According to Rappler, almost 90% of the 60,000 public and private schools in the country have already transitioned into face-to-face classes.

The declared gradual tranisitioning adhered to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Order 34, s. 2022; stating that all schools shall be back to face-to-face setup before November 2 transpired.

“Starting November 2, 2022, all public and private schools shall have transitioned to five days in-person classes. After the said date, no school shall be allowed to implement purely distance or blended learning except for those that are implementing Alternative Modes,” the DepEd order read.

Moreover, those who were not yet scheduled to report in-person at school were advised to meet synchronously in their online classes; the said change in the mode of learning at AdNU

SHS made the campus apprise the schedule which is as follows:

August 29 - September 2, Grade 11 and Grade 12 2D-Animation and Visual Effects (2D-AVFX) strand September 5-9; Grade 11 Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) and Grade 12 Accountancy and Business Management (ABM) students; September 12-16, Grade 11 General Academic and Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) students; September 19-23, Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students; and September 26-30, Grade 11 Accountancy and Business Management (ABM) students.

The said shift to a face-to-face mode of learning is designed to allow students to build more relationships and connections with their fellow students, teachers, and other staff at the university.

Additionally, this will allow students taking specialized subjects to maximize the use of laboratories and physical facilities the school offers.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: A student is seen doing his schoolwork at one of the learning hubs available to students at the Ateneo Bagumbayan Campus. The learning hubs were mobilized following the University’s return to in-person classes (Image by Lorelie Potencio)

Ateneans celebrate first Peñafrancia Fest since pandemic

by Leticia Bance & Lorelie Potencio

The global pandemic did not hinder the faith and devotion of the Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU) community since the two-year of having online eucharistic and solemn celebration — off-site masses, online recollection, and retreats.

After the said two years of hiatus, the university managed to participate in the much-awaited traslacion procession for this year’s Peñafrancia Festival on September 9.

In line with its tradition, the participants marched in lockstep, bearing symbolic banners that illustrated the AdNU community’s devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia. This has been the institution’s way of showing its commitment to this significant event of the Peñafrancia Festival most especially after it being put on hold for two consecutive years.

The said sacred celebration was attended and participated by the ADNU’s contingent composing the students from Ateneo de Naga University- Junior High School (AdNUJHS), Senior High School (SHS) of all strands, and the college department, along with the university’s teaching and non-teaching staff.

AdNU community marched from the church of Basilica Minore to the church of Metropolitan Cathedral, Naga City in showing their devotion and dedication to our Lady of Peñafrancia and the whole Christian community.

The said celebration shows solidarity among the Atenean students, admins, and staff.

Moreover, before the said event, students who participated in the traslacion procession conducted initial practices around the main campus. Formation, bearers, and important details

have been thoroughly emphasized during their rehearsals. The practices were held after classes through the guidance and supervision of the Campus Ministry Office headed by Ms. Alyza Betito.

Meanwhile, other students who were not attending their face-to-face classes yet at that time, have shown their devotion to Ina through their own personal prayers and traditions with their families.

‘NEVER AGAIN!’

T50th Anniversary of Martial Law declaration commemorated with exhibit by Serg Sales hePillars Publication, the official student publication of the Ateneo de Naga University, set up an art exhibition in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by dictator and former president Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.

The said art exhibition at Xavier Hall of AdNU was open for viewing to all students and

participants from September 20-24, 2022.

The exhibit showcased artworks such as paintings, collages, diagrams, and stickers that look back to the events, injustices, and human rights violations committed by the Philippine Constabulary from 1972 to 1986 made by artists from inside and outside the university.

“As watchdogs, and as we resist press repression, we

bear the responsibility to shed light on and protect the truths of the atrocities of Martial Law, especially now in the time of massive networked disinformation,” the publication posted in Facebook. The publication also stated in a Facebook post that protesting comes in many forms, and the art exhibit is one way to take action and raise awareness about Martial Law through various art forms.

ALL FOR INA: Senior High School Ateneans brave the heat as they march in the 2022 Traslacion Procession. (Image by Tyche Penetrante)

A GRIM REMINDER FOR PRESS FREEDOM: One of the featured artworks during The Pillars’ Martial Law Exhibit features a megaphone wrapped in barbed wire, symbolizing the repressed media during the Marcos regime. (Image by Serg Sales)

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

CEACAL rallies behind slain Atenean student

CONTENT WARNING: Death and Violence

In a show of force, the Catholic Educational Association of Caceres and Libmanan (CEACAL) held a prayer rally for justice and peace on November 10, 2022, at Cadlan, Pili, in condemnation of the brutal murder of AdNU SHS student Irish Mae Payonga, who was found dead at the said barangay, on October 31, 2022.

Several organizations and schools in attendance

read statements decrying Payonga’s violent death and called for the end of violence against women.

Ms. Polly Ortega, president of the Daughter of Mary Immaculate International Incorporated, called on the students present to do their part in stopping gender-based discrimination online.

“For the students here, call out your classmates who engage in this kind of behavior whether in school or online. Imbes na magngirit o mag “haha” react, report posts you see that degrade or exploit women,” said Ortega.

Ortega also highlighted that violence at home should not be tolerated.

“Violence is never okay. An problema sa harong dai nareresolberan sa pamumuda, sa pagkukurahaw, o sa pananapak,” she added.

Marinel Delatado, AdNU SHS student and one of Payonga’s classmates, delivered a speech lamenting her late classmate’s life dream of becoming a lawyer. “Atty. Irish Mae Payonga, wherever you are right now. I know that you are listening. So please, know this: You may no longer fulfill your dream, but trust that we will fulfill it for you. Or at the very least, I will,” said Delatado.

Archbishop of Caceres Most Rev.

ART MEETS SCIENCE

AVFX studes conclude poster-making tilt with flying colors by

Valeree Estrella

Ashley Neil Ariola and Karl Collin Aldin, students from the 2D Animation and Visual Effects Strand emerged as winners in the Earthistic 2022 Poster Making Contest sponsored by the University of the Philippines Geodetic Engineering Club last October 2022 with the theme “Galactica x Chromatica: Frontiers and Contributions of Geodetic Engineering in the 21st Century.”

Earthistic is an annual on-the-spot posterma-king contest open to young artists from grades 9-12 showcasing their artistry and their idea on the role of Geodetic Engineering in the community. The entries for the year 2022 were centered on the competition’s theme, “The Rise of Geodetic Engineering Into the Cosmos.”

Aldin’s entry, titled “Geodetic Engineering:

Path for Better Tomorrow,” won second place in the Traditional Category, while Ariola’s artwork, “Geodetic Engineering: An Inspiration to Society,” achieved first place in the digital art category.

According to Ariola, his artwork aims to show the audience how much of an impact geodetic engineering has on the world, and promote what the field has to offer.

“Since the topic was centered on the ‘rise of geodetic engineering’, something along those lines I decided to play around a bit with the words of the topic and actually make the buildings rise from the Earth in the drawing, hence showing the ‘rise of geodetic engineering’, as well as apparatus related to the field,” Ariola explained.

For Earthistic’s 2022 edition, the participants submitted time-lapse videos of themselves creating their entries in addition to their artworks created in line with the competition’s theme.

Furthermore, Ariola encouraged fellow young artists to keep joining poster making

by Lorelie Potencio

Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, ODD officiated the mass at the gathering.

During his homily, Archbishop Tria Tirona told the attendees that their presence symbolizes the unity of the entire faith community.

“Dai lang kamo nagrerepresentar kan saindong eskwelahan, saindong paaralan, kundi pinepresentar nindo an buong simbahan, an buong faith community, ano man an paniwala mo,” said the Archbishop.

CEACAL president Fr. Wilmer Tria reiterated the Association’s statement condemning Payonga’s untimely demise and called for stronger safeguards to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again.

According to the statement, “As one association in the province of Camarines Sur, we call upon the provincial government and all the cities and municipalities in Camarines Sur, especially the municipality of Pili, to ensure that the streets and public transports are safe for all people, including our students, faculty, and staff, [and] with urgency, pass policies and ordinances that will regulate public transports and implement measures that will guarantee the safety and security of every citizen.”

A procession to the site where the victim’s body was found soon followed, with attendees placing lit candles that spell out “Justice for Irish.”

One of the suspects in the killing of the Atenean has been in the custody of the Camarines Sur Police since November 1 and is facing charges of rape with homicide and robbery.

contests like Earthistic and try doing artworks out of new themes.

“For young artists who want to join earthistic next year po, it’s nice to try new themes and join poster making contests. It’s nice to get recognition aside from winning,” Ariola said.

IRISH MAE PAYONGA, 2004 - 2022: Payonga was found lifeless in a vacant lot three days after she went missing. (Image from Irish Payonga’s Facebook account)

IGNATIAN ARTISTS FOR CHANGE: Aldin (left) and Ariola’s (right) winning entries in the Earthistic competition are displayed side-by-side. (Image credits to Earthistic)

‘NO BACKING DOWN:’ Daiz sworn in as Philippine Collegian EIC

Daniel Sebastianne Daiz, one of the founders of Kurit Bulawan, officially took up his post as the new editor-inchief of the Philippine Collegian, the student publication of the University of the Philippines - Diliman (UPD), last September 30, 2022, during the turnover and affirmation ceremony held at UPD’s Student Union Building.

During his remarks, Daiz looked back on their publication’s predicaments during the transition to distance learning, adding how many of its members had to resign because of the difficulties of balancing school work and press work remotely, while others took leaves of absence due to “academics, work, or deteriorating mental health.”

Daiz also reflected on the return of the Marcoses to power, the Collegian’s historic role in opposing the first Marcos administration, and UP’s efforts in navigating its future post-pandemic.

According to Daiz, “This is where the Collegian’s 100th year begins. There is no backing down from the enormous task ahead that awaits the publication.”

He added that “the Collegian seeks to reestablish its regular presence to its

by Lorelie Potencio

readers, by allowing our issues to be read once more in college buildings, mobilizations, picket lines, urban poor and farming communities, among others,” while also maintaining the publication’s “militant and progressive orientation that this paper has mostly held for its 100 years of existence.”

Daiz likewise highlighted the Collegian’s efforts in finding diverse ways to allow the student body to access its content as UP ponders “diversifying the learning spaces.”

“This Collegian will build on the gains that past terms have had in releasing content, beyond online and print,” said Daiz.

Furthermore, Daiz vowed that the Collegian “will continue to be a space for the marginalized It will continue to be a paper that represents and fights for the interests of the student body. And, most importantly, it will continue to reject the traditional notion of objectivity because this Collegian will remain biased for the students and the society’s basic sectors.”

Daiz succeeded outgoing Polynne Dira as EIC of the publication.

OPS issues new guidelines on class dismissals

by Valeree Estrella & Serg Sales

From a memorandum of Office of the Prefect of Students (OPS), Senior High School students of different sections are now allowed to leave the campus before 5:00 according to their respective class dismissals.

According to Mr. Rae Romuald Tan, OPS office staff, the main objective of the said memorandum is to ensure the safety of students and so the students would not loiter around.

“Para kapag tapos na ang class nila, makakauwi na sila and makakagawa na sila ng requirements especially na ngayong malapit na ang finals,” he added.

In order to leave the campus, students must present their matriculation forms and their identification cards.

“Nag-release kami ng list ng sections sa tatlong guard houses kung sino-sino na ang puwedeng palabasin. Para rin maseguro na ang lalabas ay iyong mga nasa list ay kailangan i-present ang ID at matri.” Tan said.

A student from Grade-12, Catherine Ylagan, agrees with the memorandum of the OPS. However, she admitted that she’s hoping that the students will be given permission, from Monday to Thursday, to leave the campus earlier than 5 in the afternoon, especially those students who finished their last class early. This is said to prevent the transportation back home during dark hours.

Ylagan also added that it would be beneficial if students will be given permission to stay inside the campus during Fridays even after class dismissals. She said, “Doon din kasi ako nagkaka-time [para] gumawa ng ibang activity since may mga gawain din [ako] sa bahay.”

Plenum triumphs at 15th Raul Roco Cup

by Rica Borromeo

Plenum Debate Society, the Official Debate Organization of Ateneo de Naga University Senior High School, successfully bagged multiple awards during the recently concluded Raul Roco Cup XV, held last January 12-16 at the AdNU Bagumbayan Sur Campus and Avenue Square Naga.

Ann Margaret Orendain (SC2I) and Enrique Andrei U. Fuerte (SC2A) of AdNU SHS A were the 5th breaking team in the said tournament’s Open Cup Category.

The pair managed to qualify as Open Cup semi-finalists. Orendain was titled the Best High school Speaker and Overall 3rd Best Speaker. Meanwhile, Fuerte won overall 6th Best Speaker.

“...I realizetd that the true art of debating lies beyond the four corners of our debate rooms. It is with a purpose that we can truly express our craft more meaningfully. Our passion also lies with our hope to let others see the world through different lenses,” Orendain shared in an interview. In addition, ADNU SHS B with

The new memorandum was implemented last November 16, 2022.

Jhanina Sophia M. Bermas (HU1D) and Yuan Angelo P. Pacao (HU1A) was considered the 8th-breaking team in the same category, also reaching the semi-finals of the Open Cup. Bermas was given the award as the Overall 6th Best Speaker.

Moreover, ADNU SHS B was the Opening Government (OG) with ADNU SHS A as the Closing Government (CG). The teams were given the topic, “This House Prefers a Philippine opposition movement that officially and unanimously recognizes a long-term leader.”

Meanwhile, ADNU SHS C’s Cedric T. Cortez Jr. (HU2A) and Kit Anthony T. Pahuyo (SC2F) were the 1st reserved breaking team in the grandfinals of the Quince Martires Cup category and the 2nd reserved breaking team in the semifinals of the Open Cup category.

Other Plenum members who partook in the said tournament as Participating Judges are Mary Catherine B. Marco (HU1A), Fiona Antonia G. Almoneda (HU1D), and Alexandra Louise Serrano (AC2C).

COLLEGIAN 100: Kurit Bulawan founding editor Daniel Sebastianne Daiz delivers his speech during the Philippine Collegian’s Turnover and Affirmation Ceremony at UP Diliman’s Student Union Building. (Image courtesy of Kathleen Isaac | Philippine Collegian)

GOING HOME. Students exit the main gate of the Bagumbayan Campus as OPS issues memorandum on dismissal times. (Image by Tyche Penetrante)

SHS student leaders take center stage in oath-taking rites

by Leticia Bance

The Ateneo Student Council Commission on Elections (SC Comelec) held and spearheaded the Oath Taking Ceremony for the newly elected ASCO and Strand Officers last November 25, 2022, at 3:00 in the afternoon at the Belardo Hall Grounds.

The ceremony began with opening remarks by the OIC of the Assistant Principal for Student Formation, Ms. Salve Yamson. It was then followed by the oathtaking of the Ateneo Business Circle (ABC), STEM Organization, HUMSS and GAS Organization (HUGAS), and the Ateneo Student Council Organization (ASCO) newlyelected officers. The oathtaking

MAY TALAB ANG MGA KUWENTONG

PAMBATA: Seminar-Workshop For Writing Children’s Stories

Ateneo de Naga Senior High School’s Filipino Cluster and Writer’s Guild teamup in organizing a seminarworkshop for writing children’s stories at the AdNU Gymnasium on September 30, 2022.

Mr. Emmanuel T. Barrameda, a teacherwriter and Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Award laureate from Catanduanes graced the event as the keynote speaker. Barrameda interactively discussed the essential parts and elements of a narrative text, including the characters, settings, and conflict, as a headstart to complete a child’s story. Students were also given a chance to share their versions

by

of descriptions of the said elements.

As a part of the Mid-Term examination, the different outputs written by students from AC2A, AC2B, and AC2C underwent the intensive evaluation of Barrameda. The upcoming Xavier Day aimed to distribute the final copies of the written outputs to children of AdNUSHS’s community partners as a part of the outreach program of the said section.

Despite the continuous red-tagging of different Filipino literature, including children’s stories, the said event aims to develop the skills needed for reading and writing of students who take the subject of CORE114: Pagbasa at Pagsusuri ng Iba’t Ibang Teksto Tungo sa Pananaliksik.

was led by Ms. Redrose Aliliran, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction (APCI).

Thereafter, the APCI highlighted meaningful points on how a student leader should be. According to her, student leaders should be humble enough to train the next leaders, make sacrifices, and not forget to take care of themselves to function well.

Moreover, Ann Margaret Orendain, gave her first speech as the newly-elected ASCO President to close the said event. The ceremony ended at 4:30 in the afternoon, with SC Comelec members, Franiel Infante and Charmaine Ted as emcees.

Dr. Derain demystifies Noli me Tangere’s Characters

by Cedric Cortez Jr.

Dr. Allan N. Derain, a fictionist and professor at Ateneo de Manila University, delivered his lecture entitled “Maria Clara, Ibarra at Ako: Ang Mambabasa sa Wakas ng Nobela,” last November 28, 2022 at the Kamarin Art Gallery.

Part of the Francisco F. Reyes a Lecture Series on the Art of Fiction, Derain tackled metafiction in Noli Me Tangere’s epilogue, Rizal’s introduction of the concept of novels in Spanish Colonial Philippines, and a new perspective on Maria Clara and her relationship with feminine stereotypes in patriarchal literature, among other things.

“Hindi lang si Rizal ang author ng Noli,” asserts Derain, “sapagkat ang mga tauhan ng Noli ay maaari lamang makilala sa isang kolonyal at pyudal na lipunan tulad ng kay Rizal.”

PLEDGE OF LEADERSHIP. Newly-elected officers of the Ateneo Student Council Organization (ASCO) take their oaths in front of the Senior High School Community. (Image by Jaxinne Bausas)

Mary Lorelie Potencio

THE ART OF WRITING FOR CHILDREN: Mr. Emmanuel T. Barrameda shares his expertise in writing as ABM students asks questions about his discussion (Image by Lorelie Potencio)

NOLI ME TANGERE UNTOLD: Dr. Allan N. Derain shares to attendees the contemporary interpretations of Noli me Tangere at Kamarin Art Gallery. (Image by Louise Furio)

STEM students plant seeds of hope with ‘Laudato Si’

by Alleane Efondo & Jess San Joaquin

For over 2 years of events and programs conducted in an online setup, the Ateneo de Naga University-Senior High School (AdNU-SHS), contributed to Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for common home “Laudato Si,” through the implementation of Tree-Planting outreach activity of Grade 11 students under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand on November 26, 2022, at Barangay Balongay and Belen, Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

As part of the Performance Task (PT) of the Earth Science and Religion Cluster, project proposal writing and the actual tree planting became the major requirement and basis for PT assessment.

With the guidance of Local Government Unit (LGU) workers, each section was able to plant 14 Cacao seeds, and 12 Bangkok Santol seeds in each permitted location. A thousand Mangrove propagules were also

planted in Belen, Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

In an interview with a local resident, Ms. Lorna Asuro, said, “Mas maugma na igwang tree planting ta may puwedeng gibuhong tsokolate. Pag nagbunga, makikinabang man kami. Seseguraduhon mi man na aalagaan mi para makatabang samo.”

Meanwhile, Mrs. Cynthia San Juan Sinugba, one of the Balongay Health Workers also stated that the activity will help them to avoid the rapid flooding in the barangay.

Relative to this, one of the objectives of the activity was to allow the student to apply the knowledge in Earth Science by planting trees and ensuring that it will survive. This will also allow the community to use it in the future. Moreover, the spiritual rituals taught in the religion classes also help the students in appreciating the beauty of nature and connecting with the community.

16th Dugong Atenista returns to AdNU

by Allyza Joy Magadia

Students, teachers, staff, and alumni of Ateneo de Naga University participated in the 16th Dugong Atenista Bloodletting Drive at the Bagumbayan Campus’ Xavier Hall. The Office of the Student Affairs and Bicol Medical Center spearheaded this semestral activity with the assistance of the College of Nursing. The said institutions have been conducting Dugong Atenista since 2007.

According to Sir Sonny Virtus, Director of Student Affairs, “Dugong Atenista aims to provide safe and ready supply of blood to the community, marginalized people, and Bicolanos and facilitate volunteerism among members of the university community.”

Virtus encourages the community, especially the youth, to donate their precious blood for a good cause.

Personal Care: AdNU SHS reaches out to NCIVIA through ‘Project Kindness’

by Sergio Arnold Arante III

Ateneo de Naga University - Senior High School, along with the Peer Volunteers Organization, Guidance Advocates, and volunteers from the Grade 12 SC2A and SC2H, held an outreach program last December 17, 2022, at the Naga City Visually-Impaired Association’s (NCIVIA) Massage Center, Plaza Rizal, Naga City.

Through the outreach program entitled “Project Kindness” with the theme: The Gift that Keeps on Giving, healthcare packs were donated to the NCIVIA beneficiaries.

In an interview, Ms. Alynna Caramoan, the project head of the event, shared the organization’s main goals of the outreach.

The organization recognized the people’s struggle to feel the spirit of Christmas as 2022 is the transition year after being heavily struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The PVs and I believed that people might be finding it hard to feel the Spirit of Christmas this year, so this simple act of kindness would be a nice way to help them feel even a little spark of that.” Said Ms. Caramoan.

Furthermore, Ms. Caramoan has shared the reason why the Peer Volunteers chose NCIVIA

as their beneficiary.

The bloodletting drive ran from March 3 to March 4, 2023, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the same venue.

The organization acknowledged the sociocultural barriers and the stigmas placed on people with disabilities (PWD).

“Some people tend to be hesitant with interacting with people with disabilities, and we wanted to have students experience that just because they

circumstances, they can always keep pushing through it and make the most of what they have.” Ms. Caramoan concluded.

Through Project Kindness, the volunteers were able to lift up the spirits of the beneficiaries and bring the spirit of Christmas into the outreach program, providing the PWDs with their most needed support.

DUGONG ATENISTA: AdNU university president Fr. Roberto Rivera, SJ., is among the individuals who donated their blood during the 16th Dugong Atenista last March 3 to 4, 2023. (Image by Alyzza Joy Magadia)

MEN & WOMEN FOR OTHERS: One of the student volunteers assists a beneficiary of Project Kindness (Image by Alynna Caramoan)

ICE BREAKER Serg Roan Sales

Wanted? Democracy.

One of the many important roles of student councils is to represent the student body. After being chosen by their classmates and constituents, students holding offices have the highest responsibility to reveal the body’s issues and problems with the system and trends within the university. They must have integrity, skill, and stamina to help their fellows bear high school life and more importantly, stand against the conservative and restrictive stances of the school administration on certain policies. But currently, determining whether they represent the community is a complex brainstorm when almost all the members of the student councils here at AdNU SHS were elected unopposed. They were elected through an election that failed to offer more and better candidates that represent the student body, to the senior high school community to choose from. Current student council members were allowed to be candidates only after being filtered and teased by some teachers. To better tackle the issue, I ask, is anyone to blame for this lack of essence of democracy in the nascent way of practicing it? In a meritocratic manner, the opportunity for more representatives to participate in the last Silag Elections on November 12th, 2022 was wasted and those who had already served in the previous years were merely given another chance.

The current president of the Ateneo Student Council Organization, contrasted, saying that Ateneo continued to prove to shape student leaders during the Silag Elections, not necessarily evident in the number of candidates but in the quality of their platform. Their positions and leadership, she said, are a symbol of responsibility, honesty, and trust given by their classmates to achieve the hope of change they can offer. Furthermore, not only because of fame and privilege but rather, their triumph and service are won by their submission of solid platforms and programs that will show real results in line with their advocacy and principles to the senior high school community. “Regardless of the limited number of candidates, the quality of assessing each candidate’s motives and values was not compromised,” she added after crediting the Miting de Avance that was held a few days before her election. However, the MDA was received poorly and gained little traction from the student body.

Truly, the affairs preceeding Silag Elections were demanding and rigorous. After the several offices that their proposal had to go through, the dedication of the Student Councils Commission on Elections (SC COMELEC) to launch and oversee this democratic activity is impressive. But despite the meticulous preparation, community participation in ASCO and strand elections was still clumsy. Perhaps due to the restrictions students are accustomed to due to the two-year online classes, many only knew that there was an election to be held just a few days before or the day it was being held. Only a very few select students ran–after all, that included former members of the councils and their friends and acquaintances. In my interview with the Chairman of the SC COMELEC, he said that the power of the student body’s vote “diminishes” when students do not have an opposition option. All the Committee can do, he explained, is to let the voting students choose the single name on the ballot against the “abstain” option.

To compare, this problem that Ateneo Student Councils was involved in is the opposite situation faced by the Philippines during the 2022 national elections. The infamous Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was elected as the 17th President of the Philippines against nine candidates whose qualifications and characters are painted in a better light. Complementary to him, Sara Duterte won the second highest position in the government against her nine competitors too. In this reality, while disregarding the quality of the winning politician, the beautiful essence of democracy is centered on giving people the freedom to choose the society they want. However, these freedoms are meaningless if the elected leadership does not fulfill their duty to bring the people strong pillars of democracy such as quality education and a free press. These pillars can only protect the interest of the people if they are represented by those who truly understand the situation of the poor and needy.

In the next academic year, the ADNU SHS community will once again hold an election to elect students who will take the lead in championing their classmates’ interests and welfare. In the interest and democratization of student representation, I wish to encourage all those who have the potential to become great leaders– to occupy the spaces that are rightfully theirs. If school administrators loosen their restrictions, more students may be encouraged to run. The responsibility, service, and loyalty the new council will provide will be unparalleled in response to the fact that they have been selected from the ranks of their talented and full of potential classmates and competitors.

CAULDRON-STIRRING Jahzara Endriga

The Opposite of Uniform

Earlier on January 6, Ateneo de Naga University

President Fr. Roberto Rivera announced the approval of the Revised College Uniform Policy via a memorandum. Formally referred to as the “Policy Statement and Guidelines in Granting Permission to College Students to Dress According to One’s Identified Gender,” this will allow college students to dress as their presenting gender within the campus.

Before any student could wear the uniform according to their gender, they would have to sign up in a registration form so that the school administration may keep track of such preferences or changes.

For a university that prides itself of progressiveness, the premise of the revised policy seems a bit backward. It took more than four years for AdNU to arrive at the decision since the first case stirred talks in 2018.

As a response to the issue of allowing students to wear the uniform of their gender rather than their biological sex, the administration banded a panel of chairpersons from departments of Theology, Philosophy, and Institutional Formation Council. That explains why it took so long! The Bible must have extensive references about gender for their perusal.

It is noteworthy that the revisions in uniform policies were the fruit of persistent student organizations that amplified the voice of the Atenean student body, and advocates within the faculty. It’s a big step in the right direction, although currently misguided.

The delay was allegedly due to the pandemic and revisionary formalities. It’s quite similar to the same delay weighing down House Bill No. 4982 or An Act Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) in the congress. The SOGIE Bill has been delayed and drafted for

more than 23 years now, which was recently interjected by certain senators citing the religious sector’s concerns. Although Ateneo is comparatively a more progressive place than our congress, among its reasons for delaying the gender-based uniform policy is quite the same. Its identity as a Catholic Jesuit school, and patriarchal system of priests. Jesuits, however, have the reputation as the more progressive and liberal Catholics, so there isn’t any excuse to be living in the 1500s way of thinking.

The policy announcement drew the ire of Ateneans on social media, arguing that there is no need for a registration form. Indeed, it seems unfair for nonconforming students, particularly the LGBT youth, when cisgender students are not required to do the same so that they may wear their uniform. Sure, the form would only take a few minutes to fill, but why are we held up to different standards? Simply allow the students to wear their desired uniform. They’re the ones paying for it after all.

This struggle for true inclusivity is nonexclusive to the college department. Atenean senior high school students have also been campaigning for gender-based uniforms for quite a while now. There are peers who have been appealing to the administration since before the start of the academic year, and have not areceived a conclusive response since.

In light of the policy revisions in uniforms, the senior high school administration would hopefully conclude its stance sooner with an open mind. Being singled out in a gray area for your SOGIE is not an isolated issue for adults, but a shared experience of LGBT students of all ages. Perhaps if school authorities would see the students eye-to-eye as fellow individuals with their own non-conforming identities rather than assuming the norm of traditional binary sex, we would forward this hallowed academic institution into a truly safe space for all.

IN GRAPHICS: Breakdown of Silag 2022 Elections result. Only the position of Public Relations Officer was contested during the election. Both candidates garnered more abstentations than votes. However, despite these circumstances, the candidate with more votes was declared as the winner.

CUP OF TEA Leila Caudilla

Philippines as Painted in the Modern World

arious transport groups in the City of Manila went on a transport strike to protest the controversial jeepney phaseout which the government has been planning to do since 2017 when it was first announced. The government claimed that by implementing modernization in the transportation sector the Philippines will reach its goal of being eco-friendly because this enables us to follow the Euro 4 emission standard. At first glance, the intentions of this proposal seem positive, but after taking a closer look we can see that the drivers and the passengers would need to shoulder the added expenses once the project is implemented, which makes the whole process seem inadequate and wouldn’t address the real

problems in society, specifically in the transportation sector. When inspected, this program is actually anti-poor. Think about it, a modern jeep costs around 1.6 to 2.6 million pesos. The raise in the fare that the LTFRB and DOTr are planning to implement is only a small consolation for the drivers, and the actual burden of this will be put into the pockets of the passengers. On the other hand, the subsidy offered by the government is unsure if it will suffice whilst the drivers and operators are slowly being buried in debt due to them having to shoulder the expenses of a modern jeep. One of the major reasons why this program is being pushed is because of the allegedly positive impact this will have on the environment. The

jeepney modernization program will give way for us to comply with the Euro 4 emission standard, wherein it will limit the levels of carbon monoxide emissions. This carbon monoxide gas can react with other greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane which are often associated with climate change and global warming. But the detail that is often overlooked is the aftermath of it all. Where would the traditional jeepneys go after the phaseout? Will it be impounded? What would happen with the scrap metal? Would all of it be hidden somewhere remote for the sake of painting the Philippines as a somewhat modern and evolved country? But despite all these reasons, the majority doesn’t completely

THE REVEAL Jess San Joaquin

oppose the idea of modernization, what many are against is the seeming lack of a proper plan for the implementation of the program. The operator and drivers are pressured into applying for loans that have a high possibility of burying them in debt so that they can buy a modern jeep so that they could continue working for their families. Where’s the justice there? There are still a lot of things that need to be considered and compromises to make before the transportation sector marches head-on into modernization, such as the low wages of workers relying on public transport amidst the increasing inflation rate. Before this is implemented, the question stands: ARE YOU READY PILIPINAS?

Failed to be the Father of Country, Now the Son of Province?

Because of what you’ve done for Camarines Sur, I am now declaring you as the adopted son of Camarines Sur” – a piece of captivating news that intrigues not only the heart of Nagueños but the heart of all Bicolanos, especially in Camarines Sur. – Where his greatest opponent resides and where his closest rival got the highest vote during the recently concluded election. As we can recall, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., known as President Bongbong Marcos (PBBM) visited Camarines Sur last March 16, 2023 for the groundbreaking ceremony of Naga City’s Housing program. In line with this he has been granted and declared an “Adopted Son” by Camarines Sur Governor Luigi Villafuerte, one of the infamous politicians because of acquiring a political dynasty.

Recalling his history, PBBM was the son of the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who has a remarkable past. If we are going to recall on the 25th of February, 1986, masses of Filipinos took part in a peaceful revolution known as the “People Power Revolution”, demonstrating their commitment

to making positive changes in society. An extraordinary display of unity and democracy for four days shocked Asia as it had never seen before. It was an inspiring event that highlighted the power of collective action and the magnitude of what can be achieved when people come together to defend their beliefs. By the early evening, the reign of President Ferdinand Marcos had concluded as he and his family departed for exile in Hawaii. This marked the end of his oppressive rule. His leaving prompted a big move toward reviving democracy and liberty in the country, following long periods of despotic domination.

Now, as Marcos Jr. is the one to set in the said regime, being elected as the 17th President of the Philippines, made him and his family, once again lead the country. – Are we at stake or are we in good hands? Would this take another decade of dilemmas and plights? Will he lead the country for the better or worse?

– As he was running and aiming for the position of President, he deceives people with different tactics and strategies leading the people to believe his doubtful intention which is UNITY. According to

the TIME News Company, he always makes this same statement of having unity in all of his campaigns, yet he is discordant with his remark. His father’s ruling violates human rights, the ill-gotten wealth, Imelda Marcos, his mother, being convicted of graft, as well as their family’s unpaid taxes. Also, we cannot and should not forget how PBBM ran away with different forums and debates that happened in the 2022 election – this solely proves how he cannot respond right away when in times of need.

Going back to him, being the proclaimed “adopted son” of Camarines Sur, he said “The tribute of support that people are showing and enthusiasm, I hope they can see kung ano man ang pinangako namin nung kampanya, talagang sinusubukan naming itupad lahat ng aming sinasabi at pinagusapan.” Is evidently different from what the Philippines is facing at the moment. Whereas as soon as he was proclaimed as the President of the Republic of the Philippines, the investors rapidly pull out; the constant raising of different products and services is happening; and the downfall of the country’s economic rate. How could we be

able to accept and believe in such lies if all of this is happening in a blink of an eye? Him, PBBM, considered the adopted son of Camarines Sur, is unacceptable and against the will of Bicolanos. It is unworthy and undeserving, viewing his deficits and poor handling of the nation, no wonder we are still deemed as a third-world country.

Furthermore, to think that he was suddenly considered an adopted son, people could assume that it is some sort of conspiracy between Marcos and Villafuerte in gaining the trust of the people especially in Camarines Sur. Also, Marcos losing to former Vice President Leni Robredo in Camarines Sur, during the 2022 election for the presidency made him think that this could be a way to gain the hearts of ‘Camarinenses’. – Developing a tactic to break or distort the Bicolanos’ perception and put pressure on local communities to abide and rely on them. However, doing this would not deceive the people of Camarines Sur. Marcos being a failure in leading the country is the greatest misfortune of the Philippines, and Camarines Sur should oppose that.

THE UNTOLD TRUTH

Trishia Aliezza G. Sadueste

Reality’s Delusive Answer

If cyber-crimes can’t be fully guaranteed to stop with only less information we used to provide, worse could escalate with personal and crucial information most are yet to submit online for the newly implemented Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration.

The SIM Registration, also known as Republic Act 11934, could cause intrusion on users’ privacy and may not be as effective as most hoped it would be in discouraging scams and cyber crimes according to Information Technology experts and Information, Communications and Technology rights advocates.

Having been signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last October 10, 2022 which has been administered since December 27, 2022, the law is expected to lessen spam messages that may lead to hacking of personal accounts. Failure to register the SIM until June 27, 2023 will lead to SIM’s deactivation.

This law also states that a buyer must present a valid ID in order to purchase a SIM to ensure that the SIM will belong to that individual. Telcos are also required to submit a verified list of their users nationwide as the National Tele-

communications Commission will be in need of firms to hand in updated lists quarterly.

While all these sound too good to be true to curb misdemeanors, cybersecurity policy analyst Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos said that this law may do more harm than good.

Submitting further personal information online due to the process of SIM registration has the potential to put the welfare of citizens at risk by storing crucial information of a wide-variety of people which may be acquired by unauthorized individuals as cyber-attackers and 100% security cannot be guaranteed especially when the record-keeping requires pictures of government-issued Identification Cards. After all, criminals can still use stolen SIMs of different countries to commit identity theft, fraud and other forms of cyber crimes to avoid getting tracked.

Social means and financial stability of the subscriber should also be taken into account as they might be excluded from most rights and privileges due to having no valid IDs. Although the National ID is for all Filipino citizens, it’s no secret that it will take a while before an individual re-

HOLE IN THE WALL

Mary Lorelie Potencio

A Waste of Potential

At a time when the Philippine press and education system is fighting an uphill battle against a massive disinformation machinery that churns out lie after lie like clockwork, there is no better time to train a new generation of learners who will take up the torch of being vanguards of the truth and pillars of critical thinking.

The good news is, the Ateneo Senior High School is offering two unique Humanities-aligned programs: the Social Journalism (SJ), and Teacher Assistantship Program (TAP) strands, dedicated to training future media practitioners and aspiring educators respectively.

However, despite being on a pedestal as strands offered only at the Ateneo de Naga University, they have all but faded into obscurity to the point where a large fraction of the students enrolled in the AdNU Senior High School unit are not even aware of what these strands are in the first place.

Unlike strands such as Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM), Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), General Academic Strand (GAS), and even the 2D Animation, and Visual Effects (2D AVFX), SJ and TAP are on the verge of being wiped out as a consequence of declining enrollment rates.

For Academic Year 2022-2023, seven grade 12 students are enrolled in the SJ strand, while there are four students in the TAP. On the other hand, there are only four SJ students, and no

TAP students in Grade 11.

Despite being marketed as strands unique to the Ateneo, SJ and TAP are still not as well-known as the other strands offered at the institution.

Even when faced with decreasing numbers, these strands are still not being promoted in a way that their nuances are communicated effectively to audiences who are not aware of what these programs stand for, including prospective Atenean students.

To try to address the gap in terms of promotion, students are spearheading their own campaigns to promote the strands at the Ateneo, including SJ and TAP. Organizations such as Sirang: The Scholars’ Organization, along with the SHS Admission and Aid Office launched “SHEESH: Senior High Experiences Through Snippets and Highlights.” Previously, the “Worth It Ba?” Podcast was lunched series to promote the different strands in AdNU.

While these efforts are commendable and should be lauded, at the end of the day, the brains and the muscle behind these initiatives are just students who do not have the same resources that an institution like AdNU can provide. This is a disheartening truth that must be acknowledged: as students, we can only do so much without the right kind of support.

It’s not enough to have a flyby mention of these strands in promotional materials, because, as strands offered only at Ateneo, it only makes sense that SJ and TAP will not automatically gain the same traction as strands like STEM.

ceives his government issued identification card. Furthermore, the greatest risk of the mandatory registration of SIM cards is that it will be used as a form of surveillance against investigative journalists, witnesses, whistle-blowers, marginalized groups and the victims of oppression.

What’s alarming about a situation where intrusion to privacy is passively normalized, freedom of speech and expression of information is dissuaded.

Recently, SMART Telecommunications Services posted an advisory to be aware of messages that contain fake Uniform Resource Locators (URL) claiming to be the SIM registration sites. This shows that the law itself is already being taken advantage of by unauthorized individuals instead of tuning them back down.

What most expected to happen is the opposite of what is yet to come. Our reality is that we do not need vague protections that can be destroyed easily by imposing feign solutions. What our reality needs is to have verity against those inflicting threats rather than building fences. Strengthening and broadening the scope of chastise might as well be the best defense.

Ergo, there has to be a more concerted effort to introduce these strands to incoming senior high school students who would like to venture in the fields of education and media studies. The declining enrollment rates in the SJ and TAP strands and the lapses in promotion have deeper implications when placed against the backdrop of the current political climate of the country: in an era where the free flow of information has enabled lies to spread easily, shouldn’t academic institutions be at the forefront of the fight? When institutions like AdNU have the means and resources to create and implement programs dedicated specifically to training the future advocate of change for social transformation, watchdogs of society and cultivators of minds, shouldn’t such programs be fostered until they come to fruition?

The SJ and TAP strands hold immense promise, only that they deserve better than to be pushed aside in the shadows of more well-known strands. This only comes to show how little importance is placed in the professions that SJ and TAP represent.

This is not to say that SJ and TAP should be given special treatment in terms of promotion, only that if ADNU SHS is going to offer unique strands, it should be done in a way that will not only capture the curiosity of incoming grade 11 students, but sustain it long enough for them to want to enter the strands themselves.

Disclaimer: Ang karakter na Papa Poop ay Fiksiyonal. Bato-bato sa langit, tamaan ay walang kasing pangit!

Dear Papa poop,

Thank you po to the nth power sa allowance! You said that I should pay my tuition na rin sa Areneyow, so naibayad ko na po sa La Playa, Areneyow Ave.

Take care of your health po and don’t worry about me. Nakakachibog naman po ako nang maayos dahil f00dzzz here in Areneyow are so mura. Lalo na po ‘yong Minute Maid Juice which costs 35Php, dahil meron daw po ‘yong exclusive gold dusts! I drank it nalang po kasi apart from I’m uhaw, I’m hoping na madagdagan ang halaga ko kay crush.

And students here are very responsible in following the clay-go rule to the point na they can properly segregate their trash! Areneyow also imposed a “no-to-plastics” rule so I am impressed every time I see these Atenistas drag plastics fully clothed in blue uniform being thrown sa biodegradable trash can.

The comfort rooms here are very comforting din, kasi it’s my only venue for breakdowns and sa sobrang linis niya, napapaurong nalang ang aking tears.

And papa, every morning I have exclusive exercise na from first floor to fourth floor of Belardo, courtesy of the stationary escalator that winds around the building! So surebols na I get my daily dose of

UTHOUGHTS

by ASH

cardio and I’m nalulunod with my own pawis! But worry not talaga kasi super lamig here sa classrooms namin. I might need a jacket nga eh dahil sa coldness na dala ng aircons eh. Ako lang po ang nagkabit ng aircon sa room namin and guess what? Hindi po ako nahirapan ikabit yung aircon pa, naidikit ko naman po nang maayos ‘yong sticker sa room eh.

And do you know pa, we can face-time here in Areneyow kasi the internet here is as fast as turtles! Baka nga nag e-explain palang ako kung bakit ako line of 8 sa basic cal, tapos you’re telling me that I’m not studying well kasi when in fact that’s the highest grade. Yan ‘yong literal na papunta palang ako, pabalik ka na. Char, I love you papa poop.

Hanga rin po ako sa crushiecakes ko na athlete. Mapapa “give me a big boy” nalang ako! But ito na nga pa, my big boy told me na very supportive raw ang school when it comes to sports, isang araw before competition nga po nila nailalabas yung budget eh!

AND OMG OMG OMG PAPA, the competitiveness here is just sooooo above the exosphere of the earth kasi hirap na hirap ako mamili ng candidate sa ASCO. I feel very challenged kasi napakahirap talaga mamili kung iisa lang naman ang partido. How about you pa? Sino pipiliin mo? Sana piliin niya ako…

I have so much chika pa but as I’m writing this, ay parang nauubusan na ako ng oras because sobrang

Letter to the Editor

Our university is at a critical juncture at this time. Amid the backdrop of another Marcos presidency, the economic crisis, and the sociopolitical upheavals our country faces, the Ateneo de Naga University is set to select its next university president.

Needless to say, the Ateneo president steers the direction of the university for the next three years. Their vision is necessarily a vision for what Ateneo will be, even beyond their term in office. The next Ateneo president is critical precisely because of the crossroads the university finds itself in—the dawn of the pandemic, the exponential rise in the modernization of education, and, most importantly, a reinvigorated student movement keen on defending their most fundamental rights.

Outside the university’s walls, the next university president has to weather continuing attacks on the academe—the planned revival of the mandatory reserve officer’s training corps, threats to academic freedom, and harassment of critical voices.

This is where Ateneo, with its rich history of being a bastion of democracy and critical thinking, finds itself as it selects its next leader.

As the official student publication of the senior high school students, it is imperative that this paper be critically engaged with the selection, as well as encouraging its readers to partake in such an important process. To do otherwise is to shy from the publication’s mandate of amplifying the voice of the student body. To do otherwise is to deprive the students the platform to scrutinize their next leader.

A change in leadership of the Ateneo will undeniably allow us to look back and assess the term of Fr. Rivera. After leading Ateneo during a pandemic, the publication must certainly account for the gains and losses under his leadership. This is neither to unfairly criticize nor malign Fr. Rivera, but rather, an assessment of his term of office will allow the students to recalibrate their demands and campaigns for the next president.

unti ng workloads to the point that I can take a nap and do my leisure activities every one second after every five hours of school works. It’s so fun here talaga.

Yes, I know, alam ko so much na you think I deserve a vacation! And I think so too! Pero tsaka na, pag na-borrow ko na yung eroplano kay Baby M. Very batak po siya mag vacation eh. I think the guy could surpass a seasoned pilot’s flight hours, chariz!

But as they say, it’s fine daw because he will make the kanin twenty nalang daw. Maybe doing vacations a lot does that?! Who knows how the economy works?! I’d make sure to finish BS Economics so I could understand nalang and with a diploma pa! Para naman very credible ako for a job!

Anyway, I love you so much Papa poop! Thank you po ulit sa allowance and I’ll do my best for my grades to be on par with the overall standard and aspect efficiency of the school. So huwag ka na po magigitla kung 80 ang final grade ko.

Ingats always! Have a Magis life like my Magis experience here in Areneyow! Yow! Yow! Yow! Mwahhh!

Nagmamahal, ASH

P.S: pa-ubos na po allowance ko, gcash nalang po pls.

0902-10-002-02

How, then, the publication plans to engage and mobilize the student body to actively participate in the next presidential selection? As Fr. Roberto E.N. Rivera rightly said, this selection is historic as lay individuals—non-Jesuits—may be considered for the position. It might be too early to speculate on who the nominees are, but once those names are out, this publication must spearhead the information dissemination to let its readers know who the nominees are. As the official student publication, Kurit Bulawan must be the first to ask our presidentiables the hard question—questions that are of significance to the students I had the privilege of leading the Philippine Collegian as the University of the Philippines selected its 22nd university president and it was no easy task. And while I assume that political interests are tamed in the selection of the next Ateneo president, still, the challenge remains for Kurit Bulawan to be at the forefront of the entire process.

This moment in Ateneo’s more than eight-decade history requires the publication to step up and fulfill its mandate to its readers: the students. Because in the end, always remember

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Mary Lorelie A. Potencio

ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Serg Roan B. Sales, Airah A. Revadinera

MANAGING EDITORS: Leila N. Caudilla, Jess Mario San Joaquin

RESEARCH DIRECTOR: Mel Lawrence Abergos

FEATURE EDITOR: Sergio Arnold Arante III

NEWS EDITOR: Rica Ysabel Borromeo

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDITOR: Jahzara Shainne Endriga

“

The supreme journalism is of its public -Journalists’

GUNS& PENS

Rather than following in the footsteps of the great Filipino intellectuals, who inspired the people to spark revolutions through intellectual means, the Philippine government is resorting to totalitarian measures, replacing pens with guns and consequently, ink with blood through the proposed return of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in senior high school and tertiary institutions.

The road to the removal of the mandatory ROTC and its subsequent replacement with the

National Service Training Program (NSTP) was one paved with the blood of those who dared expose the institutionalized corruption within the ROTC units, as in the case of Mark Welson Chua, a cadet from the University of Santo Tomas’ ROTC unit, who paid the ulitimate price: his battered body would eventually turn up on March 15, 2001 in the Pasig River, mere days after he exposed the unit’s corruption in the University’s official student publication.

Chua’s death ultimately became the catalyst for the removal of the mandatory ROTC in the college curriculum, and would serve as a cautionary tale for what happens to those who speak up against a system that trains students to blindly follow orders.

The intentions behind the reinstatement of a program that only serves as a breeding ground for future abusers and corrupt officials is glaringly obvious: to produce a generation of unquestioning youth, hidden behind authoritarian notions of discipline and nation-building.

The Marcos-Duterte administration’s feverish push for the revival of the mandatory ROTC is reflective of their families’ history of violence and corruption: let it be remembered that 70,000 were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,300 people were killed under the Marcos regime, while upwards of 6,000 souls were lost to the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs. The proposed return of the mandatory ROTC comes at a time when Filipino learners are already lagging behind their counterparts from the rest of the world , while the travails of the Philippine education system are compounded by allegations of corruption within the Department of Education which are only being reinforced by the exorbitant amounts of confidential funds that Sara Duterte wields.

Should the planned revival of the mandatory ROTC in the senior high school and tertiary levels push through, it will be a betrayal of the genuine interests of the Filipino youth, who deserve a liberating education that promotes critical thinking, as opposed to blind obedience.

By actively attempting to militarize the youth-and by extension the nation-- this new regime is sidestepping the root causes of the problems that plague the country’s education system and society. The mandatory ROTC’s planned revival should be seen for what it truly is: a lastditch effort clip the wings of the future of the Filipino nation: the youth.

Reply to Letter to the Editor

We thank you for taking the time to write to our publication. All roads that are directed to the creation of this issue have been adorned with nothing but Magis and the pursuit of

name of transparency. However, since we, the current Editorial Board of Kurit Bulawan, will not exactly oversee the process, we have taken the responsibility to level the next writers of this publication to be greater than we are today.

As the official publication of this institution, Kurit Bulawan has only one goal: To Stand on the Pillars of Truth. We believe that although limitations are still at hand, the dregs of the pandemic are little by little, going beyond our midst as we strive every day to write truthful stories for the community to digest and ponder. For the past year, we have been working tirelessly in our efforts to reintroduce Kurit Bulawan to Ateneo. Because of this, this publication is once again to release a new issue this May.

The tiresome nights dedicated to our press works may truly be remarkable but begs the question, why? Of course,

for the community. For Social Justice. For God. However, sleepless nights are debts we would like some to at least be accountable for. Yes, news does not sleep but at what juncture does Magis separate from pure and extreme toil? We are grateful for the support and aid we receive from the higher offices, however, if they are truly for us, we believe greater measures should be extended from their side. Such as venue allocations for press works, an actual office, and freedom to operate internally.

We strongly believe that Kurit Bulawan is not just some club formed in the senior high school. It is The Publication of senior high school that pilots the student’s developing sense of democracy. As early as now, we call that the change of university stewardship should also usher in new tides in terms of actual press freedom on the campus. When the time comes and the selection of the university president

commences, Kurit Bulawan will stand frontline in watching over and scrutinizing the process. The university, as you have said, is in a critical position with the MarcosDuterte Administration threatening to militarize campuses and cut education investments. It is then our role to integrate the affairs happening outside the four pillars of Ateneo into the everyday lives of our fellow Ateneans. In their formation as men and women for others, the selection of the new university president shall be a symbol of protection and leadership that will guide Ateneo in continuing to be a bastion of progressive movements. Kurit Bulawan shall ensure that.

In the spirit of Ignatian Journalism, Editor Kurit Bulawan, SY 2022-2023

test of good the measure public service. -Journalists’

KALUMBATA: A Tale of Hope and Resistance

by Sergio Arnold Arante III & Lorelie Potencio

It’s our turn to speak, it’s our responsibility to give our voices to those who could not speak through our own way. In our case, we do it using animation,” says Mr. Ryan C. Cuatrona, director of award-winning short film “Kalumbata,” which took home the Special Mention Award during the Film Development Council of the Philippines’s (FDCP) 5th Sine Kabataan Short Film Lab and Competition (SineKab) held last September 16, 2022 at TriNoma Mall Cinema 6, Quezon City.

The short film tells the story of a community of indigenous peoples who share their ancestral lands with a convocation of Philippine eagles. It draws a parallel between the struggles of indigenous people against state-sponsored violence and the destruction of the natural habitat of Philippine eagles. In an interview, Mr. Cuatrona disclosed that initial conceptualization for the film started in 2019 as a creative endeavor between Mr. Cuatrona, former 2D Animation and Visual Effects (AVFX) chairperson Mr. Lawrence Paculan, and fellow AVFX faculty members Mr. Tristan Jay Ballares and Ms. Mavreen Anne E. Romero-Camacho.

The concept behind the film is a response to the question, “Where do birds go after a storm?”

“Iyong gusto naming kuwento ay about sa pagkawala ng tirahan. Parang ‘yon ‘yong concept na tayong mga tao usually sanay na tayo sa bagyo ‘di ba? If masira ‘yong bahay natin pero pano yong mga bagay o mga tao na ultimately they cannot find their homes again or they are displaced or their homes are being kinukuha sa kanila, ninanakaw sa kanila,” said Mr. Cuatrona.

The title “Kalumbata,” is a reference to the Talaandig tribe’s local term for “eagle. ” The Talaandigs are among the indigenous groups living in Bukidnon. According to Mr. Cuatrona, the film holds a connection with the tribe and how “their ancestral domain was [stolen] sa kanila and nilaban nila ‘yon sa korte and nanalo sila.”

The short film gives light on the oppression faced by indigenous tribes against state-perpetrated violence, and how resistance is a moral choice.

“Even though we are not indigenous people, even though we are not these birds, even though hindi tayo naka experience ng ganong klase ng pagnanakaw or pagtapak doon sa right to live, the same experience is still experienced by us in a different form,” continued Mr. Cuatrona.

The short film also pays tribute to slain activist and volunteer teacher Chad Booc, who was killed last February 2022 during a military encounter. Mr. Cuatrona says that the film is a homage to the late activist’s advocacy of protecting the rights of indigenous people.

Despite a successful showing during the competition, the road to get there was not without roadblocks.

The production of the film was temporarily halted during the height of the lockdowns and the University’s transition to online classes. However, it regained momentum when SineKab issued a call for entries for its 5th edition. They were looking for 5-minute films that answer how the youth would respond to different social issues from their perspective. Kalumbata would eventually land in the top 3 among more than 200 entries. The production team, composed of Grade 12

AVFX students, alumni, and students from the University’s animation department, faced difficulties in the production process, including issues with securing funding for the project.

In addition to receiving Php 100,000 from the FDCP to help them actualize the film, they received additional funds from the animation department. According to Mr. Cuatrona, the team still needs an additional Php 100,000 as compensation for the students and alumni involved in the project. Aside from financial support, Mr. Cuatrona also hopes that they will also receive encouragement from the Ateneo Community. He stated that “I feel the admin could really state statements or memos about it na let’s support this, parang ganon, para maramdaman naman no’ng artist, nung contestant, nung participant, na the student body rallies behind that artist, parang support na lang talaga.”

Moving forward, he hopes that the film will incite conversations across different spaces, including the classroom and social media, saying “through this short film we can create small talks, we can create conversations or conversations na mapag-usapan.”

Overall, the film speaks to the youth, who are seen as the symbol of hope and ambition, to be the change the country has been longing for. Animation brings vivid storytelling which captures the viewers attention and leaves them a mark for them to carry and pass on; Kalumbata soars high to look at us in a bird’s eye view and finally nestles down, telling us what it looks like and what we must do to achieve a world that upholds justice and serves the people.

TWO WORLDS, SAME FIGHT FOR FREEDOM: Kalumbata portrays the struggle of indigenous people as reflected in the destruction of the natural habitat of Philippine eagles, focusing not just inthe struggles of environmental defenders but also in the fight for therights of indigenous people. (Film still by Ryan Cuatrona)

Celebrating Bikolano Roots with BalikBayan

by Rica Borromeo, Valeree Estrella, Alleane Efondo

Grade 12 students of Ateneo de Naga University visited Minalabac, Camaligan, Magarao, Canaman, Pili, Baao, and Nabua last March 10-11, 2023 for the first part of their BalikBayan Culture and Heritage Project of Culture Mapping and Inventory.

BalikBayan Culture and Heritage Project is part of their major requirement for multiple subjects that consist of guided tours to the different municipalities in Bicol, cultural mapping, inventory tasks, and conducting interviews with the townspeople. Through this, the students were able to have a learning experience on their assigned municipality’s history, way of life, industries, and cultural heritage.

As part of the said project, the classification of cultures was distinguished by the students from different municipalities. The student classified the five cultures: Natural, Tangible Immovable, Tangible Movable, Intangible Heritage, also Local and Prime Industries.

Moreover, the goal of the project is to deepen the student’s understanding of Bicol’s culture through experiencing it and immersing themselves in the community.

According to Leann Basbas, a student from HU2C, these kinds of projects are important to better know and understand the students’ knowledge about their culture

and naturality.

“When students get to learn their culture, they develop a depth of understanding with their beliefs and how it is heavily influenced by their traditions. Culture is a big part of people’s lives and by learning about diverse cultures, such as ours, can help us appreciate our traditions even more,” said by Basbas.

She also said that because of BalikBayan she discovered that Camarines Sur has a broader culture.

“Different areas here in Camarines Sur have specific livelihoods that they specify in. Living in Canaman, my lolo was a parauma and the presence of rice fields and farms were abundant when I was growing up. In Magarao, I learned that they specialize more in masahe and paghilot and they have a tradition of seeking medical help from them as they believe that they are effective ways to recover from injuries. Not only that but they consider their traditions as spiritual work and their methods of doing so are more unique than others,” Basbas uttered.

To add, Grade 12 students have made their Balikbayan journey even more knowledgeable and entertaining through showcasing different creative presentations that happened last March 31, 2023, at Alingal Convention Hall. The presenters were students from the STEM, GAS, and AVFX

strands. Their partner sections from HUMSS and ABM were also encouraged to watch and be an audience during the presentation.

After the different sets of presentations, the event ended with great success. Mr. Ryan Cuatrona, BalikBayan Project Head, expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone, especially the students. In his closing remark, he said “Kayo ang nagbigay ng sigla at lakas sa ating mga adhikain para sa pagpapahalaga at pagpapakalat ng ating kultura.”

Moreover, in an interview, one of the judges also expressed his insights on the BalikBayan Culture and Heritage Project. He stated, “Magayon ang title na Balikbayan. Ibinabalik ang mga estudyante kan unibersidad sa kanda-kandang mga banwaan and saro ning paagi para mapauswag ang kultura ta.”

Aside from the Cultural Mapping and Inventory and Presentation, there will be an upcoming Cultural and Heritage Festival on May 1719, 2023 as part of the second segment of the BalikBayan Project, celebration of “Buwan ng Pamana 2023”, and this semester’s performance task. Furthermore, the program serves as an interdisciplinary initiative and requisite for the Grade 12 - Senior High School that was spearheaded by the subjects CORE116 and AVFX124.

BICOLANDIA UNSEEN: Grade 12 students showcase their creative presentations representing the different cities and municipalities visited during the BalikBayan Tour. (Layout by Cedric Cortez Jr.)

Karawkasaw: Making Waves with a Splash of Creativity

by Trishia Aliezza Sadueste & Justine Kelly Olivan

Let the show begin!” said Ms. Chelsea Avestruz, Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions (CPAR) teacher during her opening remarks, as the curtains finally went up last December 9, 2022, for the “Karawkasaw: Isang Pagtatampisaw sa Dagubdob ng Lente, Musika, at Sayaw” cultural show.

“Karawkasaw” is a Bikol word that refers to a movement in water. According to Ms. Avestruz, the word reflects how students could still showcase their talents and perform with grace despite waves. The event showcased a variety of performances across several fields, such as Folk Dancing, Dance Sport Solo and Marathon, Musical Performance, Modern Dancing, and Fashion Show, prepared by the Grade 12, composed of 21 sections.

HU2A was hailed as the Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions (CPAR) Overall Champion after bagging several awards, including First Place in the Dancesport Solo Category, Second Place in the Musical Category, and First Place in the Fashion Show Category.

Other sections also succeeded in garnering awards. GE2C’s performance of the folk dance “Imunan’’ won first place in the Creative Folk Dancing category, while AC2B

and SC2B fired up the dance floor, earning them the top prize in the Dance Sport Marathon and Modern Dance categories respectively.

AC2A’s 80s-themed performance, on the ot her hand, won First Place in the Musical category.

Participation in the cultural show, spearheaded by the Physical Education and CPAR clusters, is one of the final requirements for the grade 12 students.

Meanwhile, the sudden blackout that interrupted HU2D’s Ballroom Performance was one of the event’s highlights which made the audience rally even more. “The show must go on,” said Morado, one of HU2D’s Dancesport solo performers. It was further revealed that Atutubo choreographed the dance piece with the help of her partner. Moreover, Ms. Erika Roxas, Chairperson of the General Academic Strand, states that she felt rewarded and overwhelmed that finally, the students showed their talents, especially after two years of inactivity.

At the Final Pages of Noli

Inquisitive minds gathered at Kamarin Art Gallery, Naga City’s creative heart, on the evening of November 28th to listen to Dr. Allan N. Derain, a fictionist and professor at Ateneo de Manila University, deliver his lecture. Entitled “Maria Clara, Ibarra at Ako: Ang Mambabasa sa Wakas ng Nobela”, the talk is part of the Francisco F. Reyes Memorial Lecture Series on the Art of Fiction.

Against the backdrop of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo facsimiles, Derain began his talk with, “Interesado akong pag-aralan muli ang Noli Me Tangere ni Rizal bilang nobela.” He posited that students of Rizal’s works tend to forget that Noli is a novel, and its status as a novel is of great importance. Throughout the next hour, he’d reaffirm this importance.

“Hinahatak niya tayo pabalik doon sa posisyon natin bilang nagbabasa ng nobela, kasi madalas nating nakakalimutan iyon,” says Derain. “Oy, teka muna, nobela itong binabasa mo.”

Given that Noli Me Tangere was written and published in a Philippines that was not familiar with novels as a literary genre, its revolutionary

by Cedric Cortez Jr.

status becomes clearer. Derain pointed out that Noli has not one, but two endings—its 63rd chapter and its epilogue. Reading the epilogue, it becomes apparent that Noli is a work of metafiction, with Rizal explaining that a true epilogue would be “impossible” as many of the novel’s characters are still breathing—though many of them have washed ashore at Isla de Convalecencia, as severed limbs and heads.

The whereabouts of the remaining characters, however, are symbolic of Rizal’s views on colonial Filipino society. Through Kapitan Tiago’s fate, succumbing to opiates and becoming a nobody, and Doña Consolación to alcoholism, Rizal condemns resignation to isolation; and the unceasing reign of terror of Padre Salví as a reflection of friars’ abuse of power during those times.

Derain then took the attendees to María Clara’s locus at the epilogue: a convent where no man is allowed to enter. Here, Derain spotlights a new perspective on the character of María Clara—not as the icon she is known today, the embodiment of the ideal Filipino woman, but as a relic of a misogynistic past. In Gothic fashion, a wailing

In Noli, María Clara is a frail and tortured character—even the convent’s dictum could not save her from the lust of Padre Salví. Derain then asserts that María Clara is a damsel in distress who was failed by every man around him, from Linares to Jesus Christ. In the end, she was a woman written to submit to the men and the patriarchal structures that enveloped her.

Finally, Derain reminded the attendees that Noli Me Tangere is a literary work of its time, and must always be viewed under that lens. “Hindi lang si Rizal ang author ng Noli,” he then asserts, “sapagkat ang mga tauhan ng Noli ay maaari lamang makilala sa isang kolonyal at pyudal na lipunan tulad ng kay Rizal.” Although fictional, Noli serves as a window into the past of colonial Philippines and the people that inhabited it. Rizal’s seminal work was a mirror held up to his people, a wake-up call and a magnum opus that remains and would remain important as Filipinos traverse the century and the centuries that will follow.

María Clara in agony is seen by two civil guards atop the Santa Clara convent amidst an evening thunderstorm.

IN FULL SWING: The different Grade 12 classes of AdNU SHS prepared an eclectic mix of creative musical, dance, and fashion performances as part of their midterm requirements in their Physical Education and Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions (CPAR) classes. (Images by Mary Lorelei Potencio)

HALAGAHAN: Depicting Filipino Values and Advocacies Through Art

Every person views art through uniquely colored lenses. While some people appreciate art for its aesthetic value, others seek out its deeper meaning. In the month of December, Ateneans showed the essence of art through HALAGAHAN, an exhibit of visual artworks reflecting their creativity and passion. Centered on nurturing Filipino Values through arts and letters, this exhibition featured Heneral Tuna Fan Arts and Posters, the 3rd Advocacy Music Video Posters, Universal Apostolic Preferences Murals, and the KARAWSAW Posters. These enticing artworks are displayed at the Fr. Hilario Belardo, SJ. Ground floor, from December 12 to 16, 2022.

A great sense of regard and care for principles and values lie behind the letters that make up the word “HALAGAHAN.” Whereas words, actions, works, and everyday life, in general, are shaped by Filipino values that are held dearly. Throughout the first semester, students of Ateneo de Naga University Senior High School manifested and maintained their values and principles such as faith, resilience, care for the environment, honesty, love for country, and valuing culture and arts. As an effort to extend these values outside of the classroom, a collection of artworks was showcased to emphasize that “alaga” is present in “halaga.”

Mr. Ryan C. Cuatrona, a teacher from the Arts and Design - 2D Animation and Visual Effects (AD-2D AVFX) Department and the current moderator of Liga ng Kabataang Humuhubog ng Adbokasiya (LIKHA), stated that the concept of this exhibition started when selected Grade 11 students joined Heneral Tuna Fan Art Competition, a competition sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Heneral Tuna is a short animated series from the NCCA and produced by Rocketsheep Studio. The idea behind the show is to provide younger generations with an entertaining demonstration of traditional Filipino values, focusing on one Filipino value in each episode.

Mr. Cuatrona and Ms. Joy Agor, the organizers of this exhibition, initially planned to showcase the entries of AVFX students in the said competition last November to celebrate the Filipino Values Month, wherein five out of sixteen entries got shortlisted, two entries won second place, and one entry was granted an honorable mention. The Heneral Tuna Fan Arts further developed into cover pages of comics inspired by the values presented in the episodes of Heneral Tuna. As the concept expands its horizons, Creative Writing and Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions (CPAR) Teachers joined the 2D-AVFX strand in this exhibit. More so, the idea was broadened when they decided to include the posters of the Advocacy Music Videos produced by Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Students featuring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and publication materials made by Grade 12 classes who joined the Karawkasaw Cultural Show. The organizers took this opportunity to close the semester by featuring these culminating works by students depicting principles that they heartily value.

Furthermore, two mural paintings from AVFX-LIKHA’s outreach activity featuring one of the four Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus: Caring for our Common Home, were a significant part of this exhibition. These works of art called everyone’s attention to continuously care for the world we live in.

Mr. Cuatrona highlighted the importance of the process which led to the creation of these notable artworks. During the production, the collaboration and interactions of students were evident. Their creativity, passion, and ideas were showcased not just on the output but throughout the process behind it. On behalf of the students involved, he said that “the journey was challenging but fulfilling.”

When the pandemic enveloped the world in its deadly virus, a handful of opportunities where talent and art could have been shown off were shelved. After two years of hiatus, this time around, nothing can stop Ateneo from expressing its Ignatian values, in the shades of blue and gold, to the world.

HALAGAHAN conveys those values and they indeed go hand in hand through different artistic expressions.

by Sergio Arnold Arante III

A Beginner’s Guide to Abstractionism

by Jahzara Endriga

Abstract art has always been a polarizing subject. It may be alienating to most people, where the average Filipino may find it pretentious, and caters only to a limited audience. Even within the art community, its misleading reputation of a cathartic, random splashing of paint is usually met with divisive opinions. However, a trip to a humble art gallery in Naga City suggests that art in any form is not foreign to layman understanding.

On February 15, senior high school and college students of Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU) were invited for a free walkthrough via the Creative Endeavors Council at Kamarin Art Gallery, Naga City. Displayed on the gallery’s walls were the works of Augusto “Gus” Albor, one of the top abstractionists in the Philippines.

Albor, 75, was all the rage in the 70’s where he quickly rose to popularity for his unconventional approach in abstractionism that required attentiveness. He is primarily a painter, but also a sculptor focusing on contemporary arts. In the curatorial notes by Karl Heinz-Stockheim in 2010, it said that Albor is “quite simply the best that the Philippines has to offer.”

Since 1998, Albor’s paintings have been worth at least 40,000 to 700,000 pesos, even beyond.

In the small abode of Kamarin Art Gallery, the abstractionist opened his exhibit entitled, “Origins.” Despite being a sought after artist, Albor did it for free. This was revealed at the CEC-sponsored walkthrough by art critic and curator, Tito Valiente.

Valiente opened a mini programme with a forum with the AdNU students. In an exchange of questions he taught that abstractionism is the breakdown of life into its basic shapes. Much like Albor’s “Origin” painting, which shows a totally black canvas and a horizontal white line. At first glance, it may look like a pipe on a wall due to its texture, but among its interpretations is to mimic a seed under the ground, thus an origin.

This repeated theme of recognizing roots has a lot to do with Albor’s place of exhibition, Naga City.

“It is not well-known that Albor is actually

a Nagueño,” Valiente said.

The curator bared that Kamarin Art Gallery has not yet established its prestige in the art world, however, due to Albor hailing from Naga, he made the monumental decision to exhibit in his place of origin.

Gus Albor’s exhibit launched on February 4 until March 15.

Albor is a contemporary that has been described as creating art as an extension of himself. He also does not want to dictate viewers of a singular interpretation, nor be guided by notes of curators during exhibits, as they are but “afterthoughts.” Valiente disclosed that this is why the usually big curatorial notes are limited during an Albor exhbit.

“You don’t look at the paintings of Gus Albor,” Valiente said. “You listen.”

Valiente is also a former AdNU professor in Japanese and American film studies. An art columnist for BusinessMirror, he shared that the art world has a hierarchy of paintings. Watercolor cannot be priced higher than acrylic, and acrylic cannot be higher than oil. Pricing depends on museum and art curators’ analysis on the artist’s used medium such as glass, charcoal, etc. There is a strict regard for each and every art media, which is an argument that art is not pretentious enough to announce a single blot on paper as genius.

The problem of alienating the working class from the “respectable” art world is a systematic effort that it is only for select academics. But, abstractionism can exist on the daily. The average Filipino exhibits this by cutting the meat respectively for mechado, afritada, and menudo. Each meal has distinct meat slices or shape that distinguishes it from one another, albeit usually confusing. There are circles for the peas, triangles or squares for potatoes and carrots, and rectangle or oblate or rotund meat. What were once larger concepts–a big slab of pork, a pack of frozen peas, baskets of carrots and potatoes–are broken down into abstract concepts, however, comprehensible, and edible in this case.

If welcomed by the common man, they can find that anyone can wield abstract art.

GALLERY OF TALENT: Paintings and other artworks are paraded along the grounds of Belardo Hall during Halagahan 2022 . (Image by Sergio Arnold Arante III)

As the Sky Bleeds Red

by Serg Sales

Many people were surprised when Catholic Church buildings donned red lights onto their facades on November 23. This was in lieu of the Catholic Church’s observation of Red Wednesday. But what exactly is Red Wednesday? Is this just a ploy or protest of the Church? Let’s find out.

Red lighting enveloped the entrance of the Four Pillars and Christ the King Church on Wednesday afternoon, November 23, 2022, in commemoration of Ateneo de Naga University’s Red Wednesday 2022. In line with this, the Ateneo de Naga University Senior High School Campus Ministry Office had a small gathering in front of the Four Pillars of the Main Building where Mr. John Paul Almarez, a teacher from the Humanities and Social Sciences Strand, gave a discussion about Red Wednesday and its importance.

Fr. Stephen Abuan, SJ, Principal of ADNU SHS, led a para liturgy that was followed by some of the students and teachers offering prayers for the persecutions that Christians are receiving in all parts of the world. Finally, the Four Pillars and the entrance of Christ the King Church were illuminated with red lights to commemorate all those who died and sacrificed for the Church. Participants also lit candles in the gathering for the first in-person lighting after the limitation of face-to-face activities caused by the pandemic.

To give a little history, the Philippines is the largest Christian country in all of Asia. After being conquered and influenced by Spain for more than 300 years, there are more than 100 million Filipinos around the world who follow the teachings of Jesus Christ today. With this number, it is difficult for many Filipino Christians to believe that many of our brothers and sisters in faith still experience discrimination and even violence just because of their faith in Jesus. According to the 2021 World Watch List, there are 340 million Christians in the world who experience discrimination and a great threat of violence from extremists. Most of this number is from Africa and countries under strict governments such as China and North Korea.

In a span of 20 years, the percentage of Christians being persecuted and thrown into the basement of persecution due to their faith has increased. Because of this, the Papal Charity, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) launched in 2016, in the United Kingdom, a campaign against the persecution experienced by Christians in all parts of the world. The Philippines participated the following year when the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) approved the recognition and commemoration of saints, mar-

tyrs, and the current suffering of the Church. In observance, Churches illuminate the entrance of their buildings with red light. Red is the color of the Catholics’ burning love for God as well as the blood shed by Christians who defended the Church and their faith.

This year, Red Wednesday is commemorated again with the theme, “Blessed are the Persecuted.” This term is derived from the nine praises Jesus said in Matthew 5:3-12. According to this, the Glory of God is in return for all the suffering experienced by people who are loyal to their faith. In line with this theme, Monsignor Pedro Gerardo Santos, an official from ACN Philippines, encourages the faithful to pray and in any way help those who are persecuted because of their religion.

But Red Wednesday is not exclusive to Christian martyrs only. The Catholic Church invites its followers to also pray for those who lost their lives doing good to their neighbors, regardless of religion. Not only pray, the church also requests that their sacrifices and heroism be an inspiration to Catholics to become more aware and active citizens. According to Mr. Val Monit, the Campus Minister of Ateneo de Naga University Junior High School, the history of spreading Christianity is complicated, not only in the Philippines but throughout the world. Currently, the leaders of the Catholic Church continue to send acts of apologies to those who experienced persecution almost several centuries ago. Mr. Monit added Red Wednesday is a campaign that calls for further strengthening the freedom of people who believe in their desired religion.

Even during Jesus’ time on earth, he received persecution from the Jews and Romans. Even his cousin John the Baptist did not survive when he was captured and beheaded by Herod Antipas. In world history, many more followed in the footsteps of Jesus who courageously spread the word of God despite the danger it caused. Here in the Philippines, there is San Pedro Calungsod who died because of him spreading Christianity in the 17th century on the island of Guam. Likewise, San Lorenzo Rui/z died at the hands

of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan without renouncing his Catholicism. The GomBurZa remained in their Christian principle of being loyal to the Lord and the People against the invaders.

In the earlier history of the Philippines, the Catholic Church has been a beacon for all Filipinos who stand up against the oppression and tyranny of those in power and who live in anger and hatred. In the 70s and 80s, the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jaime Sin, used his voice to prosecute the ongoing corruption and violence under Martial Law and dictatorship. With the help of the Catholic Church, Filipinos have deposed their leaders who tried to cripple the pillars of democracy not just once, but twice. In 2017, churches in Marawi City became a refuge for civilians when they were attacked by the Maute Terrorist Group. Fr. Chito Suganob was one of the priests taken hostage by the said group of terrorists while preparing for the celebration of their patron saint. Although conservative, the Church did not dare to reveal their positions whenever darkness enveloped the town. At the height of the killings caused by the Drug War, Cardinal Antonio Tagle, archbishop of Manila, called on the government to stop the killings and reform the Drug War system. At the same time, the churches rang their bells every night to plead with the Catholic people not to allow the violence that was taking place.

If one were to look back at all of this, there have been many times when the church suffered persecution that was invisible to the Filipinos. However, it is the constant prayer of the faithful that gives importance to the teachings of the Church and celebrations such as Red Wednesday.

Red is the color of the sky - from the blood of Christian martyrs, from the blood of Jesus when He was crucified, and from the burning love of Christians who are trying to fight the future persecution of the Church and its believers. Persecution from the conquerors, from the culture of evil, and persecution from the temptation to turn away from our principles. All this remembered and recognized as the Sky Bleeds Red.

In Belardo Hall, Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU), senior high school students practice a strict no plastic utensils policy in compliance with the ongoing institutional waste reduction efforts.

As part of the AdNU-SHS Youth Christian Life Community’s “Pantry ni Cristo: Laudato Si’ Utensils Pantry”, an initiative inspired by Pope Francis’ book Laudato Si’, the Belardo canteen began to adapt wooden utensils and cardboard containers instead of styrofoam and plastics on February 7. Prior to this, each floor had established color-coded bins separated by biodegradability, which is regularly collected by the school janitors. However, a quick interview with the school’s utility workers may present a discrepancy between waste segregation goals, and reality.

Joan Resari, a janitress, said that she collects an average of 11 garbage sacks every day from the ground floor alone.

“Hindi naman na nasusunod (It isn’t really followed),” Resari replied when asked about the bin segregation.

She shared that she and the other janitors have to separate the trash into recyclables and non-recyclables even after collecting because students allegedly seldom follow garbage segregation.

This struggle to instill waste management discipline in the public is not limited to AdNUSHS. However, it is important to emphasize that the trash problem in the Philippines is a result of systematic failure. Just last year, the country was declared as the top fourth waste contributor in Southeast Asia. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) estimated that every year, the Philippines produces over 21 million tons of garbage. A huge part of the trash problem begins at a micro level implementation of solid waste management (SWM).

Sachet away

AdNU-SHS’ well-meant microstrategy in reducing plastic waste in the school is consistently practiced with the school administration’s regulation. Plastic utensils can leak hazardous chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates into our food when exposed to high temperature or acidic meals. These compounds are linked to various adverse health impacts including hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and even cancer. Wooden utensils, on the other hand, are free of dangerous chemicals and are safe to use. However, like plastic utensils, they are also single-use in this

Trash Talk

by Jahzara Endriga & Mel Lawrence Abergos

Based on their 2022 findings, the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWC) predicted that the total solid waste generated in the Philippines by 2023 would amount to 3.7 million tons a year. Backed by DENR, the NSWC attributes this ongoing and imminent environmental disaster to the lack of government investment in SWM. So fetch!

context. Although unlike plastics, wooden utensils are less harmful being sustainable disposable materials. Similarly, this material difference is applicable to beyond utensils.

The country operates on the sachet economy. Single-use sachets are common to household and kitchen essentials such as fabric conditioners, soap, and dishwashing liquid. The rationale behind the sachet economy is to make virtually anything affordable for the average consumer. This indicates that the average Filipino is poor. The World Bank stated in a 2021 market study that the plastics industry provides low cost consumer goods to middle income families. Therefore, the widespread use of single-use plastics, particularly sachets, can be a defining trait of a failing economy which is also disastrous to the environment.

The sudden spike in single-use plastics in the Philippines can be dated back to the 70’s. Filipinos developed a collective addiction to the sachet economy with the introduction of sacheted shampoo. Southeast Asian countries, and multinational corporations introduced this would-be staple living standard of an average Filipino who cannot afford bigger packaging.

Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) conducted a study in July 2020 entitled, “Sachet Economy: Big Problems in Small Packets,” where the yield was that 52% of residual waste were sachets. With a staggering number of 164 million daily sachet waste, the Philippines earned its nickname,

“sachet nation”. Annually, there are approximately 59.8 billion sachets used and discarded in the country.

“The flip side of the low costs and conveniences offered by singleuse plastics turns out to be an even greater inconvenience,” GAIA wrote. “Options are limited as to where to put plastics once people are done with them.”

The Plastics: You can’t sit with us

In 2021, the World Bank described the Philippines’ annual 2.7 million general waste production as “staggering.” The following year, an infographic by Louis Lugas based on the reports of 80% global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean went viral on social media. It showed that the Philippines was the highest ocean plastic waste polluter in the world, with an annual estimate of 356,371 million metric tons.

Quite frankly, the country is drowning in plastics. Yet, Filipinos are not the only ones responsible. Canada has a history of depositing its waste to the Philippines via cargo ships, marked by the 2013 beginning of the waste dispute between the countries. Yet again in 2019, a Philippine court labeled 2,400 tons of Canadian waste shipped to Subic, Zambales as illegal, after an escalated international row with the national government. This may imply that there are undetected countries dumping their garbage in the bays of the Philippines, along with informal settlers that frequent the country.

Plastic containers take up a short time to empty, but where they go after outlives consumers by 500 years before decomposing.

Proper SWM investment is a multifaceted approach that requires addressing the trash problem by the root. The World Bank affirmed in 2022 that there are eight main strategies in SWM that must be maintained as a primary responsibility of the national government. These are infrastructure, legal structures and institutions, financial sustainability, citizen engagement, social inclusion, climate change and the environment, health and safety, and knowledge creation. So far, the Philippines has numerous yet limited and broad pieces of legislation dedicated to protecting the environment and its ecosystem, i.e. the Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

For knowledge creation, integrating SWM practice in the main educational curriculum can be a good starter of developing proper waste management by habit. In schools, the topic of pollution and how to combat it are usually brushed off the surface and glossed over if not for extracurricular or educational campaigns. Thus, insufficient awareness on basic concepts of waste shifts the responsibility to the volunteer, non-government organizations to perform their beach cleanups and the like.

As for the larger scale actions, DENR and the World Bank identified the lack of proper sanitary landfills among the factors of improper SWM. There may be waste management laws, but are implemented in shortcuts without delivery. Implementing waste audits can track the amount and types of waste generated, and this can start in waste collection in schools and barangays. Local administrations can involve partnerships with waste haulers, composting facilities, and recycling centers to ensure that waste is handled in an environmentally responsible manner.

This can provide valuable information on areas where waste reduction efforts can be focused and help to identify opportunities for improvement. Waste audits can also help to monitor the effectiveness of waste reduction programs over time. It becomes necessary to explore alternative ways to manage waste when policies are measured effectively.

Nipahol: Filipino scientist offers cleaner fuel alternative

by Jahzara Endriga

To combat "dirty cooking" in the Phil- ippines, Dr. Fiorello Abenes of the California State Polytechnic University (CalPoly) developed a cooking fuel based on nipa tree (Nypa fruticans) that could replace liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Village-Scale Nipahol Technology, an ethanol prototype extracted from nipa sap, was relaunched via the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Ilocos Norte, on December 27, 2022. To combat “dirty cooking” in the Philippines, Dr. Fiorello Abenes of the California State Polytechnic University (CalPoly) developed a cooking fuel based on nipa tree (Nypa fruticans) that could replace liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Village-Scale Nipahol Technology, an ethanol prototype extracted from nipa sap, was relaunched via the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Ilocos Norte, on December 27, 2022.

Dirty cooking

“Dirty cooking is still a problem in many of the rural areas of the Philippines,” Abenes stated. “Ethanol as cooking fuel is cleaner.” Firewood, coal, and kerosene, commonly used in stoves or kalan, emit noxious fumes that harm the human respiratory tract, and also the environment.

Nipa ethanol or nipahol is the green alternative that doesn’t pose the same health and environmental risks. When ethanol is burned, it produc-

es oxygen, thus cleaner.

Abenes and his team of researchers at MMSU also created a nipahol stove composed of a burner and “functions through the pull of gravity”. (continued at p. 18)

Instead of using pressurized gas, the stove relies on gravity to feed nipahol into it.

He added: “...[We] hope we can scale up and make into a cooking stove suitable for indoor use and in commercial establishments.”

Turn to page 18.

IN GRAPHICS: Data from various environmental organizations detailing how much plastic waste is disposed of every year.

Continued from page 17.

To combat "dirty cooking" in the Philippines, Dr. Fiorello Abenes of the California State Polytechnic University (CalPoly) developed a cooking fuel based on nipa tree (Nypa fruticans) that could replace liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Village-Scale Nipahol Technology, an ethanol prototype extracted from nipa sap, was relaunched via the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Ilocos Norte, on December 27, 2022.

To combat “dirty cooking” in the Philippines, Dr. Fiorello Abenes of the California State Polytechnic University (CalPoly) developed a cooking fuel based on nipa tree (Nypa fruticans) that could replace liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Village-Scale Nipahol Technology, an ethanol prototype extracted from nipa sap, was relaunched via the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Ilocos Norte, on December 27, 2022.

Dirty cooking

“Dirty cooking is still a problem in

many of the rural areas of the Phil- ippines,” Abenes stated. “Ethanol as cooking fuel is cleaner.”

Firewood, coal, and kerosene, commonly used in stoves or kalan, emit noxious fumes that harm the human respiratory tract, and also the environment.

Nipa ethanol or nipahol is the green alternative that doesn’t pose the same health and environmental risks. When ethanol is burned, it produces oxygen, thus cleaner.

Abenes and his team of researchers at MMSU also created a nipahol stove composed of a burner and “functions through the pull of gravity”.

Instead of using pressurized gas, the stove relies on gravity to feed nipahol into it.

He added: “...[We] hope we can scale up and make into a cooking stove suitable for indoor use and in commercial establishments.”

The nipahol commercialization proposes a cheaper option amid the LPG price hike in the country reported last November 2022.

Migratory Barn Swallows Spotted Perched Atop Cable Wires in Naga City

by Jahzara Endriga

Aflock of white-bellied barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) was seen sitting on the power lines along Panganiban Drive, Naga City around 8 p.m. on August 17.

The University of the Philippines Los Baños Museum of Natural History (UPLB-MNH) logs these birds as migratory swallows that come from the winter season in other countries.

Barn swallows are long-distance migrants that are found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America. From late July to June, they visit Southeast Asia with a warmer climate in search of food and rest before flying to their breeding grounds.

These birds are insectivores and used to nest in caves, but are now witnessed nesting near human structures. Barn swallows' preferred biome includes temperate grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural lands such as the Philippines.

Barn swallows were also witnessed in Zamboanga City earlier in April, where the city veterinary office flagged them as "avian flu-free".

In 2015, the UPLB-MNH conducted a study following a large flock of barn swallows in Batangas City, where they exhibited urban roosting from November to March.

The flock roosted on power lines, trees, posts, and buildings during those months.

Barn swallows are among the most prevalent species of birds in the world.

Cheaper gasoline

In addition, Abenes and his team are eyeing the next step for nipahol: cheap gasoline.

“The better use for nipa sap is to adapt its ethanol as a suitable gas- oline additive and help drive gas prices down,” he said.

The Biofuels Act of 2006 allowed 10 percent ethanol use in gasoline in 2011, yet strictly 99.9 percent anhydrous or non-water solution.

Nipahol is hydrous, meaning it is liquid ethanol. Abenes argues that this makes it a more efficient vehicle gas.

In a 2017 experiment, MMSU-National Bioenergy Research and Inno- vation Center (NBERIC) President Shirley Agrupis led a team of scien- tists to test the 95 percent hydrous nipahol on a newly bought car, and a Japanese brand motorbike.

Agrupis and her team said: “Hy- drous ethanol is a satisfactory sub- stitute to anhydrous ethanol both as an oxygenate and as gasohol fuel.”

“The Philippines should consider transitioning to hydrous ethanol as oxygenate and fuel in the future.”

The Philippine government currently imports 300 million liters of eth- anol. Economists at MMSU claim that the same amount of ethanol can be sourced from local nipa forests at lesser costs and bigger savings.

The country has the third largest nipa forests at an estimated 38,000 hectares nationwide.

Domestic ethanol production is cur- rently focused on sugarcane. Nipa palm is reportedly more produc- tive, with ethanol yields from 6,480 to 20,000 liters per hectare.

Nipahol can complement the sugar- cane industry in domestic ethanol, offering not only cleaner fuel, but also economic growth.

Funding development, business opportunities

Nipahol was first introduced in 2020 as a disinfectant, due to the depletion of alcohol-based disinfec-

tants at the height of the pandemic in the country.

But, nipahol development began at MMSU-NBERIC way back in 2010, led by Abenes.

Nipahol is extracted via distilling facilities that cost 500,000 pesos; first established in 2014 at MMSU. Reflux distillation is a four hourlong process that yields 95 percent hydrous ethanol from nipa sap. MMSU-NBERIC accounts for 3,000 liters of nipahol produced so far.

“All we need is a gasoline station and money to do it,” Abenes said. “We need more funding to be able to turn nipahol into pressurized gas like LPG, and to commercialize it eventually.”

The scientist also asked investors and the government to give nipa technology a chance.

“We can create so many jobs, as 62 percent of our people live in coastal areas,” he affirmed. “It’s a big income earner, but first we have to find the market to do it.”

Renewable energy

Abenes centralized his research on the benefits of nipa for years, due to its endemic abundance and sustainability.

“You do not have to plant it, you do not have to cultivate it.”

At present, he is waiting for the Department of Energy’s approval in testing nipahol as a renewable fuel.

“We have long been finished with the research, and all we need is the chance to try it out.”

Nipahol can function as a disinfec- tant, cooking fuel, gasoline, and fuel blend, and its uses can be expanded further.

Abenes has been professor emer- itus at MMSU since 2008, serving DOST’s brain gain initiative, Balik-Scientist Program (BSP).

The scientist transferred his technology as part of BSP, which encourages overseas Filipino scientists to share their expertise, and promote agro-industrial and eco- nomic growth.

of RMN DWNX Naga)

FIGHTING DIRTY COOKING: Fiorello Abenes of the California State Polytechnic University (CalPoly) developed a cooking fuel based on nipa treethat could replace liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).(image courtesy of DOST)

WELCOME TO NAGA, MIGRATORY BIRDS: A flock of white-bellied barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) was seen sitting on the power lines along Panganiban Drive, Naga City around 8 p.m. on August 17. (image courtesy

All Too Well: Sports fund merely lip service

ast year, chess prodigy Bince Rafael Operiano bagged a gold trophy, and four medals during the 6th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship held at Bangkok, Thailand from November 4 to 12.

Before his win, the 9-year-old chess player from Oas, Albay was forced to spend three nights at airport benches with his father, Ben Operiano, while waiting for the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) delayed albeit sponsored flight. Young Bince had to head to Thailand first, where he struggled to compete without his father, and trainor Archie Haig, as their budget was only enough for him and his mother.

Bince’s mother had to look for sponsors through social media explaining their situation. When the post gained traction, Albay 3rd District Representative Fernando Cabredo stated via an online post that he bought plane tickets for Bince’s father, and trainor out of his own pockets.

Cabredo called for PSC to act faster in approving budget requests.

In true ironic fashion, several House members in the Congress clamored to file resolutions honoring young Bince for his triumph later in that same month.

PSC Chairman Noli Eala also denied claims amid the backlash that the chess prodigy lacked support from the commission. Eala alleged to the press that PSC extended their help throughout the chess player’s preparation, and debunked the news that Bince and his team slept at the airport.

Such statement was in conflict with the narrative of Operiano, who recounts having to stay behind with Haig, while his son braved the first day of the international chess tilt alone and in tears.

The story of Filipino athletes being footnoted by our administration until after their victory is not foreign. In fact, the call to better support our own athletes plays like a broken record, where athletes themselves have to resort to desperate measures.

Even the Malacañang admitted the government’s allotted funds for sports gravely lacked during Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz’ 2021 feat, where the weightlifter exposed that she had to turn to the private sector for financial assistance. Then Spokesperson Harry Roque almost unwittingly likened the sports fund to the country’s “minimum wage.”

When asked what the administration would do, Roque replied: “We

will look into it.”

From Diaz, Carlos Yulo, Michael Martinez, even “The Magician” Efren Reyes, and now Bince Operiano, the government fails yet another rising Filipino athlete. Time and again have our athletes been promised proper facilities, resources, and shouldered finances, only to be let down by the PSC.

There is clearly enough budget for vanity projects under the previous and current administration, so the sudden fund constipation when it comes to sports must be intentional. It is a popular field followed by many, lauded by politicians and their press conferences, yet the reality athletes experience present an ailing discrepancy.

Our government suffers from a case of disarranged priorities, or misprioritization in layman. Their response in facility and financial aid in sports is outdated, almost insulting to athletes, as seen in the decaying Butuan Polysports Complex.

We must include athletes themselves in sports governing bodies to represent the best interest and appropriate help needed in their respective careers. Even then, that doesn’t guarantee an improved fund allotment as per the quality of our officials. However, athlete representation in the government may amplify their voice.

We must not let the potential of our athletes go to waste. It is the PSC and government’s duty to safeguard their career development, especially for child and student athletes like Bince. After all, given our history, Filipino athletes are a roster of promising game changers.

THE COURT AND BEYOND Airah A. Revadinera

Flocking in every corner, incredulous - as they dash on the gym’s dirtied floor, with an insurmountable amount of sweat flowing through their mien. With only a few days remaining, a group of Atenean athletes are getting ready for their upcoming tournament.

After a seemingly three-year pause brought by the pandemic, athletes are now back on track to revive the sports community in the country. Following this, is AdNU’s participation in different sports events - such as Naga City Meet, Bicol Meet, BUCAL, and open tournaments to name a few.

With its revolutionary education, Ateneo mobilizes students’ flexibility and adaptive capacity in certain situations - following the institution’s transition from online learning to physical classes. Before the pandemic afflicted the entirety of the mass, the school had been holding its annual sportsfest as a way to give the students a breather from the exhausting academic demands and a way to cater the institution’s mantra of honing well-rounded Ignatian students. But, truth be told, Ateneo’s support for its student athletes seems to be lacking an effort to supply the necessary demands for every tournament the students participate into.

The Unfaltering System

Why are sports equipment available mainly for college? It is evident that sports properties and facilities including the gymnasium, covered court, table tennis, and tennis court are being managed and controlled by the university offices. Moreover, because of the K-12 implementation, the population of the AdNU SHS community brings in additional challenges for the university to cater spaces for concentrations and training. Although a potential idea for providing sports equipment exclusively for the Senior High School athletes has been made, it does not diminish the fact that the students’ dream of having efficient support from the school seems to be far from reality still.

Why does it take so long before the budget for athletes are released? Students find it hard to get the budget allocation for their upcoming events on time. Because of this, students have to shoulder their expenses for their competitions for the meantime. Although there is a reimbursement for every expense they had, it pains to see some of the students who could not afford certain expenses which causes them to pull out of the competition. In line with this, in my personal experience, there have been student athletes complaining about the lack of enough training and preparations because they do not have a particular coach that will train them, for a similar reason

- insufficient funding.

Why is there no Sports Coordinator in SHS? Organizations from different sports fields have been administered over the years. Moreover, moderators of different sports are always seen present on respective events, yet the position for a Sports Coordinator in the Senior High School appears to be emptied yet. Students find it hard to ask for assistance everytime a sports event occurs for they do not know who they are going to ask. Others say that they are being referred to different faculty members or office staff which, oftentimes, result in confusion and miscommunication. It is a timely thought to consider having a coordinator in sports that will greatly contribute in organizing sports events and handling budget allocations and other concerns regarding sports.

Atenean athletes continue to create a greater path for their dreams in the field of sports amid the confounding issues and challenges they face. With the school’s ever devoted mantra, “Values before Skills,” I am not losing hope that Ateneo, in the next coming years, will improve their support for the betterment of the students.

Will the concernment be heard? Or will the same old system remain?

Atenean athletes clinch City Meet awards

by Serg Sales

With much fanfare, the Ateneo de Naga University Senior High School community rejoiced as its various contingents triumphed at the Naga City meet held last February 18-19, 2023 at various sports venues in Naga City.

Swimmer Samantha Chloe Advincula secured first place seven times, respectively in the 50 and 100 M Freestyle; 50, 100, and 200 M Breastroke; 4 X 50 Medley and Freestyle Relay. Kevin Aquino, on the other hand, finished first in the 4 X 50 Medley Relay, second in the 4 X 50 Freestyle Relay and third in the 50 Butterfly stroke segment of the event. Marc Xavier Ray also won first place in the 4 X 50 Medley Relay; second place in the 50 M Butterfly and Backstroke, and 4 X 50 Freestyle Relay; third place in the 50 M Freestyle.

For Table Tennis, Venies Cabral in the doubles round and Christine Javier in the singles, both ended in third place.

Weight category. Moreover, Almira Pearl Zapata in the Poomsae Secondary Girls category B, Lorenzo Rafael Serranzana in the Kyorugi Secondary Boys Fin Weight category, Alkaid Guimbaolibot in the Fly Weight category, Daniel Ayala in the Bantam Weight category, and Taneisha Gail Buñag in the Secondary Girls Feather Weight category all tallied to the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, the AdNU SHS Volleyball Boys also bagged the silver medal while the Volleyball Girls team brought home the bronze after their semi and final games in the Naga City College Foundation Covered Courts last February 25, 2023.

Other delegates from ADNU SHS are the Basketball and Football teams whose dedication and passion bring an overflow of honor and pride to Ateneo.

Marley Kate Dimaano of the Taekwondo team bagged silver in the Open

CONSTRUING A NATIONAL ATHLETE

by Airah Revadinera

The recently concluded 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia made a noise after pocketing not only an amount of sterling medals but a flock of complaints and controversies after mobilizing different sets of rules and modifying the roster of events.

After spearheading the highly anticipated match among the Southeast Asian countries this year, Cambodia likewise kicked off different approaches being the first-time host country. A flag faux pas, exclusion of Muay Thai on the list of events, nuances of match-fixing, and hoarding naturalized athletes were among the squabbling proceedings during the conduct of SEA games yet a striking hit the questions concerning host country’s way of employing athletes from their native country to play

for Cambodia. Although guidelines were released prior to the date of the competition with no complains heard from other competing countries, a whispering echo of protest have been reflecting from the Filipino basketball fans. Some posited the new guidelines were unjust and unfavorable considering the “passport-only rule” Cambodia has implemented to the foreign athletes whereas naturalized athletes in the Philippines had to go through numerous deliberations to be qualified.

A painful defeat may have scarred the hearts of Filo fans, yet a thorough contemplation regarding athletes being naturalized must be considered. It is evident that incident not only happened in Cambodia for the Philippines has been likewise employing and naturalizing foreign athletes for years.

Protesting could be a way to express our dismay but destabilizing our courage and excitement for sports may not seem to be the real solution behind.

Ateneo’s athletes proved time and time again that their skills far surpass the hurdles that they encountered on their way to their well-earned medal haul. Turn

BARRICADING THE ARSENAL: Cambodia’s decision to field an almost all-naturalized team in the men’s 3x3 basketball for the 2023 SEA Games raised eyebrows among Filipino fans. (Image courtesy of Rappler)