La Estrella Verde July-October 2017

La Estrella Verde La Estrella Verde The Official Senior High School Student Publication of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas

U P H O L D E R

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Volume 2 Issue 1

July - October 2017

Begin with the end in mind. SHS Administration and student leaders start the countdown for graduation. Photo by Klensch Guevarra | Full story on page 15

DLSU-D SHS elects new SC officers Bawasanta, Saflor hailed as track presidents for 2 consecutive years Sean Patrick Dela Cruz With the aim of determining student leaders who will govern the student body for academic year 2017-2018, DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) elected a new set of Student Council (SC) officers, after various deliberations and discussions about this year’s election process.

Comprising of seven officers for each track such as STEM, ABM/ HUMSS/GAS and TVL/Sports/ Arts, the new set of SC officers were elected through joint decisions of selected class officers for each section.

Ryan James Bawasanta and Kristian Saflor continued to lead as track presidents for STEM and ABM/HUMSS/GAS, respectively, while Shawn Andrei Gonzales was elected as the new track president of TVL/Sports/Arts. According to

Saflor, one of his expectations for this year is to further strengthen the legacy that they have started during the last semesters. “Sana maging cooperative pa rin and responsible enough ‘yung mga fellow Lasallian senior high school students natin,” Saflor added.

Meanwhile, Gonzales aimed for improvement, stating that he expects better cooperation among his colleagues, due to their familiarity with one another. In relation to this, he also hopes that their plans for this academic year

become successful, and that more activities would happen for the SHS, specifically for the TVL/Sports/ Arts track.

SC OFFICERS, see page 2

New VCAR to focus on developing 5 areas Arjielene Javier The newly appointed Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research (VCAR) Dr. Marco Saez plans to develop a five-point agenda in the Senior High School (SHS) program of DLSU-D, as he believes that these will serve as indicators of the quality of education in the department.

LEV wins big in Elevate 6 Xander Lauren Cipriano

La Estrella Verde’s (LEV) student journalists sealed their proficiencies in the journalism field as five staff bagged major recognitions in the recently concluded Elevate 6 Journalism Workshop held on Oct. 7 in University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.

Editorial REASONABLE UNCERTAINTY

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ELEVATE, see page 2

LEV hailed as Broadsheet of the Year Charliemagne Asuncion DLSU-D Senior High School’s (SHS) publication, La Estrella Verde (LEV), was hailed as Campus Broadsheet of the Year in the recently concluded 11th National Media Conference (NMC) held on Sept. 13-15 at La Carmela de Boracay.

LEV bagged five more trophies in the English Broadsheet Category, including Best Broadsheet News Story, Best Broadsheet Opinion Page, Best Broadsheet Sports Page, Best Broadsheet Editorial Content, and Best Editorial Cartoon.

Meanwhile, LEV’s Literary Folio Morpheme also bagged four major recognitions in the said conference, such as Best Illustration, Best Short

Features FEELING THE BLUES

Story, Best Poem in a Literary Folio, and Third Place Outstanding Variety of Literary Works.

In a statement from LEV Adviser Jesser Eullo, she expressed her happiness and pride on various achievements that LEV has been receiving recently. She also said that LEV really deserved the recognitions since the staff are not just excellent writers, but they are also passionate

Art and Comics GREEN INK

Lasallian student journalists. “It can be seen in the first issue. I saw this passion during the press week for the first issue. Those were very hectic weeks, and we encountered problems along the way, but these didn’t stop the whole LEV staff to do their best to produce the best issue they can,” Eullo stated.

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VCAR, see page 14

16 Awards. La Estrella Verde brings home recognition from the 11th School Press Advisers Movement. Photo by Miguel Saligumba

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These five points include instruction, faculty profile, supervision, guidance and counseling, and communication. “For all we know, the indicators (of quality education) that I have mentioned are already present, and if they are not, I think it’s a good time this [school year] to discuss, understand, and eventually address them in preparation for [the] next [school year],” Saez stated in an email.

AWARDS, see page 14

Literary SENSES

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NEWS

La Estrella Verde

July - October 2017

Sayoto commends SHS achievers Andrea Oesmer Senior High School (SHS) Director Dr. Necitas Sayoto expressed her delight and fulfillment on various accomplishments that DLSU-D SHS students have been receiving in the recent months.

Despite being a newly established department in the institution, Sayoto said that SHS students have been doing very well, exceeding her expectations. “I’m really happy and very proud,” Sayoto added.

She also encouraged other students to join various SHS organizations in order for them to hone their individual capabilities and gain self-confidence that might help them in their future endeavors.

“Hindi mo lang naman mapapakinabangan (joining competitions and schoolrelated organizations) dahil estudyante ka, pero madadala mo siya hanggang sa lumaki ka,” Sayoto stated.

It could be remembered that DLSU-D SHS have won numerous awards in various local competitions,

including the Division Schools Press Conference, Cavite InterSecondary Schools Athletic Association, City of Dasmariñas Association of Private Schools— Athletic League, Cavite Schools and Colleges Athletic Association, and Dasmariñas City Meet 2017.

SHS students also received recognition in the national level as three student journalists from La Estrella Verde bagged 16 trophies and medals in the 11th National Media Conference held at La Carmela de Boracay. While, five LEV student journalists also won several awards in the recently concluded Elevate 6 Journalism Workshop organized by UP (University of the Philippines) Radio Circle.

Joyful Win. Mantaring, Manikan, and Capistrano brought pride in winning in their respective categories. Photo by Mark Fernan Ignacio

ELEVATE, from page 1

Nathan Kristoffer Manikan and Christian Geoffrey Capistrano secured the top spots in the Advanced Editorial Writing and Radio Broadcasting categories, respectively. Jelo Rithzie Mantaring also finished second place in the Advanced Feature Writing category, while Micah Juliana Montano and Cris Matthew Canada placed fourth and fifth in their individual competitions.

Asked on their preparations for the competition, Manikan said that they were not given sufficient time to have formal trainings due to their hectic schedules. “To be honest, I didn’t formally prepare for the event, as there were a lot of requirements

and matters that took most of the time and attention heading into Elevate 6. A few days before though, I reflected on my participation for the event, and internalized that I’ll be representing DLSU-D and LEV,” Manikan stated.

Meanwhile, LEV’s Adviser Jesser Eullo was very pleased and proud on another notable recognition that LEV has received.

“Isang patunay rin ito na magagaling talaga ang LEV at ang mga estudyante ng DLSU-D,” Eullo added.

Organized by UP Radio Circle, the Elevate 6 Journalism Workshop was attended by student journalists from 29 participating schools in various regions of Luzon.

SC OFFICERS, from page 1

When asked if the SC was able to establish a good performance and reputation last year, Bawasanta was optimistic to state that they have been successful in achieving their goals as student leaders. “Sa aking palagay, mahusay naman ang naipamalas ng mga student councils ng La Salle,” Bawasanta added.

Elected treasurer of ABM/ HUMSS/GAS steps down However, the elections have encountered minor problems as ABM/HUMSS/GAS elected Treasurer Shane Picson (HMS12) stepped down after winning the said post. He said that the position requires a very huge responsibility that he might not fulfill his duties and obligations effectively. “I decided to step down to avoid doing

a bad job and also [to] pave way [for] someone better and more equipped to do that job,” Picson added.

He also mentioned that he had a huge faith in the new batch of SC officers, ensuring the students that the SC would be able to improve their performance from last year.

Joshua Bartolata, initially elected as auditor, replaced Picson as treasurer. Meanwhile, Winona Eunice Alindogan took over Bartolata’s position, as ABM/ HUMSS/GAS SC officers cast their votes for the vacant position.

Under the assistance and administration of the SC advisers, Track Coordinators, and Office of the Prefect of Discipline, the SC elections were held on Sept. 28 at Julian Felipe Hall. Oathtaking ceremonies were held on Oct. 25.

Duck, Cover, and Hold. DLSU-D participates in the Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on Sept 27. Photo by Juvilee Galacgac

DLSU-D SHS engages in 2nd earthquake drill GSO to beef up contingency plans Gayle Josrel Esquida and Leiddy Hazel Peñamora Under the supervision of the General Services Office (GSO), DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) engaged in the 10-minute Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on Sept. 27 to further strengthen preparedness in disaster-related situations.

According to GSO Director Edwin Bunag, the earthquake drill aims to raise awareness on the evacuation procedure during an earthquake and to evaluate their contingency plans for further enhancements. “Preparedness is the key to saving lives during (emergencies),” Bunag added.

On the other hand, some students have drawn mixed reactions regarding the said drill.

Some students described the drill as unorganized and “wrong timing” since it occurred during examination hours. “Sobrang wrong timing kasi nung ginawang earthquake drill kasi natapat siya sa oras ng exam…nung nagring na ‘yung mga bells…‘yung ibang mga students…nakatago pa don…sa may ilalim ng table kasi nag-aaral pa sila, ta’s kung di pa lalapitan nung librarian…di pa talaga lalabas,” Catherine Mendoza (ABM 24) said.

However, other students said that the drill was very timely since there were various earthquake reports in the country recently. “Very timely ‘yung activity...In that way, ginawa ‘yung activity, para ma-inform din kung paano ang dapat gawin during earthquakes,” Nicole Ellaine Labarda (SBI24) stated.

Aug 11 earthquake Meanwhile, it could be remembered that GSO also received diverse feedback from the SHS community during the Aug. 11 earthquake when the alarm didn’t sound that will signify emergency evacuation. Bunag said that they are already taking precautionary measures with the aid of various organizations involved to ensure the safety of the students inside the perimeter of the University.

In an additional statement from Bunag, he also admitted that they still need to discuss areas of improvements based from their evaluation. “The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Team will work on it and hopefully through a series of drills, we can come up with a much better response from the community,” he added.

In accordance with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management CouncilCALABARZON and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council of the City of Dasmariñas’s memorandum, the drill was slated to happen on Sept.

21, but was moved to a later date due to Malacañang’s declaration of work and class suspensions in government schools and offices nationwide.

Track Coordinators weigh in on scarcity of teachers Xander Lauren Cipriano Track Coordinators address the DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) students’ complaint on the lack of teachers for the midterm period of the first semester of the current academic year, with the aim of providing reasonable grounds on said concern.

According to ABM/HUMSS/ GAS Track Coordinator Phyllis Rianne Cañete, one of the main reasons was that they wanted to provide a sufficient time for the employment process of the new Lasallian educators. “Faculty applicants have to undergo tests in order for them to qualify…at the same time, the employment process includes their medical examination, which for HUMSS, was the main issue,” Cañete added.

On the other hand, STEM Track Coordinator Jovele Baccay clarified that there were temporary teachers substituting for those subjects who don’t have teachers. This was confirmed by SHS Director Dr. Necitas Sayoto, “In-assure naman ako ng mga Track Coordinators na may nag-su-sub sa kanila,” Sayoto said.

Meanwhile, TVL/Sports/ Arts Track Coordinator Cecilia Cajandab said that TVL/Sports/ Arts Track teachers are already complete since the beginning of the semester.

Despite their joint efforts in dealing with the aforementioned concern, some SHS students expressed disappointments and mixed feedback about the said issue. Some students said that it is hard to cope with the things needed to be learned. “Ang hirap humabol sa mga lessons na matagal ‘yung process of learning,” Cherry Betila (HMS11) stated.

However, other classes handled the issue through taking necessary actions, such as informing the assigned coordinator regarding the concern. “Hinandle namin responsibly kasi (pumupunta) naman

kami sa faculty ‘pag walang teacher,” Renz Dimapilis (ABM26) said.

Meanwhile, Cañete admitted that they have already encountered complaints from various SHS students, as well as parents. She sent her apologies to everyone who was affected by the said issue. “Apologies to everyone who was inconvenienced, especially the students and the parents as well. Like I’ve said, hindi naman pinapabayaan ‘yung klase nila,” Cañete stated.

As of the first week of October, Baccay stated that STEM already has a complete roster of teachers.

Moreover, Cañete also said that there already was a sufficient number of teachers in ABM/ HUMSS/GAS two weeks before the midterm examinations.

NEWS La Estrella Verde Pagtatayo ng gusali ng SHS, ipinagpalibang simulan

July - October 2017

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Andrea Oesmer

Naantala ang pagtatayo ng gusali ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) na dapat ay nakatakdang simulan sa mga huling buwan ng 2017, sapagkat pinagtutuunan muna ng pansin ang konstruksiyon ng bagong gusali ng College of Engineering and Architecture (CEAT), paglilinaw ni Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (VCFAS) Deodoro Abiog II. students ng K-12 sa campus at maging building pagkatapos maitayo ang DLSU-D SHS ukol sa nakabinbing kolehiyo ay maaaring maging daan Ayon kay Abiog, masusi pang pahirapan naman makahanap ng gusali ng CEAT. gusali ng SHS. Ayon kay Keithlyne sa pag-usbong ng isyu sa pagitan ng pinag-aaralan at kinokonsidera classroom para sa mga SHS students,” Batay naman sa pahayag ni Gale Valdez (ENG25), hindi madali kolehiyo at mga estudyante ng SHS. ang ilang mga aspeto upang mas paglilinaw ni Umali.

SHS Director Dr. Necitas Sayoto, ang palipat-lipat ng gusali sapagkat “May mga times na hindi maiiwasang maging epektibo ang pagpa-plano Samantala, sinubukan ng kasalukuyan pang pinoproseso ang minsan ito’y nag-uugat ng pagkahuli makaramdam ng feeling na, at the end para sa pagpapagawa ng edipisyo La Estrella Verde na hingan ng pagtatayo ng nasabing gusali.

“Inaayos ng mga mag-aaral sa klase, at nagiging of the day, nakiki-share lang tayo sa ng SHS. “Those things are taken salaysay si Buildings and Facilities lang namin pero ang pinaka-latest ang dahilan din ito ng pagkakaroon ng kanila,” dagdag pa niya. into consideration, and we are trying Maintenance Director Arch. target talaga, by 2019 ay makalipat na siksikan sa daan.

Nagbigay rin ng komento ang to strategize how to address all these Dennis Pontanilla, ngunit hindi (ang buong SHS) sa building ng senior Sa kabilang banda, ipinahayag ilang guro ng DLSU-D SHS ukol sa things,” paliwanag ni Abiog. Dagdag pa siya naglalabas ng kanyang high,” paglilinaw ni Sayoto. naman ni Leila Mendoza (HMS11) konstruksiyon ng gusali ng SHS. Ayon pa niya, nakasentro muna sila sa pahayag sa ngayon. Matatandaang na walang problema sa kaniya ang kay STEM faculty Aron Umali, mas pagtatayo ng bagong gusali ng sinabi ni Pontanilla noong Abril na Reaksyon ng komunidad ng pakikibahagi ng espasyo ng mga mahalaga sa kanya na kasalakuyan CEAT na nakatakdang simulan sa nakatakdang simulan ang pagtatayo DLSU-D SHS kolehiyo sapagkat ito ay kanya nang tinatalakay ang pagtatayo ng unang buwan sa susunod na taon. ng gusali ng SHS sa mga huling Samantala, magkahalong positibo nang nakasanayan.

Gayunpaman, nasabing gusali.

“Sana lang hindi Samantala, magsisimula namang buwan ng 2017 upang magamit ito at negatibong reaksyon naman ang kanya ring ipinaliwanag na ang na umabot sa puntong dadagsa na magtatag ng mas konkretong plano ng unang batch ng DLSU-D SHS. ipinahayag ng ilang estudyante ng pakikibahagi ng SHS sa gusali ng ang unang batch ng first year college ukol sa konstruksiyon ng SHS

Tinig ng DLSU-D SHS, napapakinggan na sa Green FM Charliemagne Asuncion Opisyal nang narinig ng mga Lasalyano sa 95.9 Green FM ang LEV Radio at KuliTawanan with Senior High School (SHS), mga programang handog ng La Estrella Verde (LEV) noong Oktubre 3.

Pagtaas ng matrikula, umani ng samu’t-saring reaksyon Leiddy Hazel Peñamora Umani ng magkahalong positibo at negatibong reaksyon mula sa mga estudyante ng Senior High School (SHS) ng DLSU-D ang pagtaas ng matrikula para sa pang-akademikong taong 2017-2018.

Ayon sa ilang estudyante, ikinagulat nila ang biglaang dagdag singil ng matrikula ng Unibersidad, sapagkat hindi sila naabisuhan ukol rito. Dagdag pa nila, lubos na mahalaga na malaman muna ng mga magulang at estudyante ang isinagawang pagtaas bago nila ito isinakatuparan.

“I think bago mag-implement ng increase, especially kung regarding sa payment, mag-notify muna sila,” pahayag ni Samantxa Cedro (HCO21). Idiinin din niya na importanteng malaman ng mga mag-aaral kung saan napupunta ang karagdagang singil.

Samantala, inihayag naman ng ilang estudyante na walang masama sa pagdadagdag ng presyo sa matrikula kung gagamitin ito sa higit na pagpapasaayos at pagpapaganda ng mga pasilidad ng Unibersidad.

“Kung magkakaroon naman ng bagong facilities that would help us, students, sa pag-aaral, maybe a slight increase would be fine,” pagpapaliwanag ni Godwin Gonzaga (ENG24).

Gayunpaman, kanya ring idiniin na sana ay hindi muna sila nagtaas ng singil sa matrikula sapagkat kabubuo pa lamang ng SHS. “Kakadagdag pa lang ng Senior High School, so dagdag na rin ‘yon sa gastos,” dagdag pa niya.

Sa kabilang banda, nilinaw naman ni Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services Deodoro Abiog II ang pagtaas ng presyo ng matrikula sa mga mag-aaral ng SHS. Ayon sa isang panayam na isinagawa ng La Estrella Verde, kanyang iginiit na bagama’t may bahagyang pagtaas ng matrikula sa mga nasa Grade 11, hindi naman tumaas ang presyo ng matrikula para sa mga mag-aaral ng Grade 12, taliwas sa pag-aakala ng karamihan.

“When we talk about tuition fee, there was no tuition fee increase…for those former Grade 11 students who went to Grade 12…so, the tuition fee per unit did not increase,” paliwanag ni Abiog.

Ayon sa kanya, ang pagkakaroon ng mga karagdagang asignatura,

oras ng klase, at maging ang mga asignaturang kinakailangan ng laboratory fee ang pangunahing dahilan ng pagtaas ng matrikula sa mga nasa Grade 12.

“Everything is similar to that of college [in terms of] the methodology of computing the total assessment,” dagdag pa niya.

Nang tanungin tungkol sa dahilan ng pagtaas ng matrikula ng nasa Grade 11, ipinaliwanag ni Abiog na ito ay resulta ng inflation at additional costs, ngunit hindi na niya ito inisa-isa pa.

Bahagyang tumaas ang matrikula kada isang semestre ng ABM, HUMSS, at TVL ng Grade 11 mula sa dating P40,000 sa P45,730.

Samantala, mas malaki naman ang karagdagang singil sa STEM, kung saan pumalo ito sa P46,430. Tumaas rin sa P45,070 ang isang semestre ng mga estudyante ng Grade 12 mula sa ABM, HUMSS, GAS, at ADV, habang nadagdagan naman ng mahigit limang libo ang matrikula ng STEM at TVL na nasa P46,470 at P46,750 sa kasalukuyang semestre.

Bagong miyembro ng SHS Prefect Office, itinalaga na Gayle Josrel Esquida Upang higit pang paigtingin ang pagpapatupad ng wastong disiplina sa komunidad ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS), itinalaga si Roselie Villanueva bilang katuwang ni Prefect of Discipline Albert John Puchero para sa pang-akademikong taong 2017-2018.

Ayon kay Villanueva, mayroon siyang iba’t ibang misyon na gagampanan bilang Assistant to the Prefect of Discipline. Isa sa kanyang mga tungkulin ay ang pagtulong sa mga estudyante na kinakailangan ng gabay ukol sa mga bagay na kanilang nagawa na labag sa Student Code of Conduct. Samantala, siya rin ang naatasang gumawa ng Good Moral Certificates ng mga estudyante at magbigay ng admissions slips at temporary gate pass para sa mga magaaral na nagkakaroon ng problema sa kanilang identification cards. Isa rin sa kanyang trabaho ay ang magresolba ng iba’t ibang usapin ukol sa disiplina.

Samantala, ipinahayag ni Villanueva na bagama’t ang kanyang posisyon ay hindi permanente, isang oportunidad at biyaya ang magsilbing mentor sa kabataang populasyon ng Unibersidad. “This is a great chance for me to share my knowledge and skills, especially with students’ problems, wellness, illness, since I am nurse by profession, and by giving them also motherly advice,” pahayag ni Villanueva.

Gayunpaman, aminado si Villanueva na noong mga unang araw niya sa trabaho ay nabigla siya sa mga responsibilidad na inatas sa kanya. Ibinahagi niya na hindi rin ganoon ang itinagal bago niya

matutunan ang pakikitungo sa mga estudyante, guro, at maging sa mga magulang. “Likewise, I am glad that I was [able] to adapt and come up with strategies too for a more efficient work habit,” wika ni Villanueva.

Ayon naman kay Prefect of Discipline Albert John Puchero, ang pagkakatalagay kay Villanueva bilang Assistant to the Prefect of Discipline ay malaking tulong sa kanya sapagkat mayroon na siyang kaagapay sa pamamahala sa mga pang-araw-araw na gawain sa kanilang opisina. “She serves as my alter ego in the office…she’s a good addition…welcome development ‘yung presence niya,” dagdag pa ni Puchero.

Layunin ng mga programang ito ang makapaghatid ng mga balitang umiikot sa komunidad ng DLSU-D SHS, at makapagbigay ng ngiti’t kaalaman sa kanilang mga tagapakinig.

Ayon kay LEV Radio Manager Kiela Fonte, magiging makabuluhan ang kanilang mga mapapakinggan sapagkat sila ay patuloy na maghahatid ng mga napapanahong balita at impormasyon.

Samantala, ipinahayag naman ng LEV Radio News Anchor Lance Mejico na magsisilbing tulay ang mga programa upang higit pang makilala ang SHS sa iba’t ibang larangan. “Through LEV Radio and KuliTawanan with SHS, it will serve as a path na mas lalo pang makilala ang SHS not only as academically competent individuals, but also as multi-talented students,” ani Mejico.

Ipinahayag naman ng Green FM Chief Announcer Jericho Aguitan na ang pagiging bahagi ng LEV sa Green FM ay parte ng kanilang promosyon para mas paigtingin pa ang pagkakakilanlan ng Broadcast Journalism sa mga estudyante ng SHS. “(LEV)...will be the agents of promotion.

[They] bring not only the LEV Radio and the publication, rather you bring the Green FM to your high school, parang representatives namin (Green FM) [kayo] as well.

Ang difference na maibibigay ng SHS broadcasting team is to know you better...You’ll give us more insight of who you are [as] senior high students,” paliwanag ni Aguitan.

Sa ilalim ng superbisyon at pangangalaga ng mga mamamahayag ng Green FM, umeere ang LEV Radio at KuliTawanan with SHS tuwing Martes at Huwebes, ala-una imedya hanggang alas dos ng hapon.

Goal ko is to give pride, honor sa school—Mantaring Arjielene Javier

“Goal ko this RSPC (Regional Schools Press Conference) is to give pride and honor, siyempre sa school and sa division,” pagtitiyak ni Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring na gagawin niya ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya upang ipagpatuloy ang kanyang pagkapanalo hanggang National Schools Press Conference (NSPC), ang pinakamataas na antas ng kompetisyon sa larangan ng dyornalismo sa bansa.

Aniya, mahirap din ang responsibilidad bilang nag-iisang kinatawan ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) sa RSPC, ngunit gagamitin niya itong motibasyon upang higit na galingan sa pagsabak sa darating na kompetisyon.

Ayon sa kanya, puspusang pagsasanay sa pagsusulat ang kanyang gagawin upang umabot sa pinakamataas na antas ng kompetisyon.

“Pero manalo o matalo, I’ll make sure na ma-embody ko ang isang Lasallian student journalist,” dagdag pa niya.

Ito na ang pangalawang pagkakataon na siya ay nagwagi sa nasabing patimpalak. “Iba ‘yung feeling nung sumali ako ulit under LEV Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC),” ani Mantaring.

Kasalukuyan namang naghahanda si Mantaring para sa gaganapin na

RSPC simula Nobyembre 13-14 sa lalawigan ng Batangas.

Umani rin ng parangal ang ilang student journalists ng LEV sa DSPC kung saan nagwagi si Mantaring ng ikalawang pwesto sa Feature Writing English Category. Kabilang sa mga ito sina Jennifer Santos na nasungkit ang ikawalong pwesto sa Science and Health Writing English Category, at Miguel Saligumba na nag-uwi ng ika-tatlong gantimpala para sa Photojournalism ng Collaborative Desktop Publishing English Category.

Nakuha naman ng buong grupo ni Saligumba ang ikawalong pwesto para sa Collaborative Desktop Publishing English Category, na binubuo nina Micah Juliana Montano, Nathan Kristoffer Manikan, Warren David Saga, Wynona Magnaye, James Lapera, at Leerick Bautista.

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OPINION

La Estrella Verde

July - October 2017

EDITORIAL

A

Reasonable uncertainty

midst enjoying their midyear break before stepping back inside the University for their 12th grade of education, DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) students were shocked to find out that the tuition fee for A.Y. 2017-2018 has increased drastically, and albeit unknowingly. The University and the administration failed to inform the student body beforehand, raising questions that students and parents alike demanded to be answered.

Upon accessing their portal accounts in the latter part of June, the now Grade 12 students were stunned upon seeing a raise in their tuition fee, as they were not given any notice prior to their online enrollment period. The then P40,000 tuition fee suddenly had an increase of thousands more, with students from ABM/HUMSS/TVL having a tuition of P45,730, while STEM students took a bigger hit in the wallets of their parents, with their tuition fees rising up to P46,430.

When the DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) students discovered that there was a sudden increase in their tuition fees, they were in a state of shock, left with unanswered questions and different speculations. “Bakit kaya biglang nagtaas yong tuition fee namin?” “Sus, mayroon bang magandang pagbabago?”

“Ang laki naman ng itinaas, grabe!”

“Worth it kaya ‘to?” “Ayoko na bes, magtatrabaho na lang ako sa Jollibee!”

While the sudden increase in the tuition fee of SHS students was truly alarming, students saw several changes and improvements when they returned to the University.

Some of these are the metal detectors located at Gates 1 and 3, K9 dogs, and free WiFi access throughout the whole campus.

However, it cannot be denied that the administration has its faults with regard to this issue as they failed to give any announcement, at the least,

regarding the tuition fee of students.

One may argue that the students are merely overreacting and are being too hyper-critical over such a small matter. Well, they can retort by saying that it is their right to know what and where exactly their money goes to. After all, it is their—or rather, their parents’— hard-earned money; they did pay.

They simply want to ascertain some answers to make things less obscure.

The administration should do better, and be better, especially when it comes to concerns like this. A raise in students’ tuition is not a small matter that can go without being discussed and disseminated to those who will be affected. They should inform students beforehand, or at least give them an estimate on the increase that will occur. Meanwhile, students are only left with one thing to do in this situation: trust.

Students are left with no choice but to trust the University and the administration with their plans for the SHS students, and that the tuition fee increase is for a good cause and for their well-beings as well.

An administration should seek to serve the people it is governing first, over itself. When it comes to matters which would highly affect students, they must do their job and ensure that proper awareness and communication of information has been accomplished, before implementing their decisions. At the end of the day, the satisfaction of students with regard to the administration governing them mirrors the performance of the people in power, thus, as evident with students’ dismay at the lack of notice with regard to the increase in their tuition, the administration should improve. Before they make changes that will surely stun students, they must let them be aware of these first, to ensure better relations between both parties.

EDITORIAL BOARD A.Y. 2017-2018 EDITOR IN CHIEF ASSOCIATE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR COPY EDITOR NEWS-IN-CHARGE FEATURES EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR LITERARY EDITOR ART EDITOR LAYOUT EDITOR PHOTO EDITOR WEB EDITOR RADIO PROGRAM MANAGER

Micah Juliana Montano Nathan Kristoffer Manikan Jean Geibrielle Romero Warren David Saga Lance Angelo Mejico Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring Wynona Raechel Magnaye Elaissa Bautista Cris Matthew Canada Leerick Bautista Miguel Martin Saligumba Maeca Louisse Camus Kiela Aivory Fonte

News: Beatrice Katherine Aguilar, Lexi France Angeles, Charliemagne Asuncion,

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Robbie Ann Jesser Eullo

La Estrella Verde has its editorial office at Room 312 Hotel de Oriente (College of Tourism and Hospitality Management) De La Salle University - Dasmariñas, DBB-B City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4115 Telephone: +63-2-7795180, +63-46-4811900 to 1930 local 3402 Email: laestrellaverde.dlsud@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/DLSUDLaEstrellaVerde Contribution, comments, and suggestions should be addressed to the Editor in Chief and should bear the writer’s full name. Articles may be edited for clarity and space.

Obiter Dicta Micah Juliana Montano

Chasing pavements:

An open letter to the person who wants to give up

H

ey you, Yes you, you who’s reading this right now; you who’s having a difficult time getting by day after day; you who’s awake when the world is silent and asleep just because your thoughts are keeping you up; you who thinks that your life is worthless; you that wants to give up.

I am sure as heck, that I am not in the right position to teach you about life nor tell you that your pain is nonsense, because someone out there might be having a tougher time more than you. I am not an insensitive, heartless person to judge the way you’re hurting right now. Everyone experiences different kinds of pain.

Maybe you’re thinking that life and fate has destroyed you. I understand you, maybe a little too well, what it’s like to wake up one morning, realizing that you are so sick and tired of every single thing around you, to be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and find out what the world is planning to throw at you next.

The whole universe is waiting for you, for what you can do.”

You can’t find the courage to face another day. I know what it’s like to watch the person you love walk away, or pass away. I know what it’s like to see your very last hope die or how it is like to miss a big opportunity.

Been there, done that.

But let me tell you something, honey, don’t be too hard on yourself.

Breathe. Give yourself some time to process everything that’s making

you drastically overwhelmed right now. You are intelligent. You are wonderful. You are perfect just the way you are (sounds too cheesy though). The whole universe is waiting for you, for what you can do. Come on, you can do this, don’t let anything nor anyone stop you from pursuing what you want to accomplish.

I’ll be asking you to do something for yourself darling: let yourself live. You are still young; you’ve got endless possibilities ahead of you.

Fight the demons that keep on making you feel weak and helpless.

They do you no good. Choose to act when things are not okay. I can’t promise you it will be easy because it won’t be, it will never be. But please bear in mind that you are not alone.

You’ve only got one chance to live in this world. So, why not make it worth it?

And pain? Well, just like my good friend Augustus Waters once said, “Pain, it demands to be felt.” “You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world. But you do have some say in who hurts you.” The pain is inevitable. But you always have a choice. Always.

Method to the Madness Nathan Kristoffer Manikan

A

The Power of Potential

dmit it: being a senior high school student is a lot harder than you expected it to be.

As it should be, quite honestly.

You’ve heard your elders say, “College ka naman na kung tutuusin, eh.” These additional two years of education weren’t just brought into existence for nothing, but they were added to set a better bridge towards college, to instill upon students better values and knowledge, for them to be more well-equipped once they start tertiary education. However, there are some who fail to see this, and just go through senior high with a lack of enthusiasm and passion, not making the most out of it.

You’ve seen it, I’ve seen it, we all have. A popular joke nowadays is the whole “potential” thing that started when an SHS student berated

Your potential far outweighs the things holding you back and pulling you down,” those in college, saying that they are afraid of SHS students because they possess “more potential” than college students do. While the act of bragging and arguing about who has more potential is wrong—and idiotic if I may add—the fact that the concept of potential has now

become a joke is quite alarming.

Are SHS students failing to see the importance of one’s potential?

Before you say, “But I don’t have any potential in me at all!” or “Pahingi naman ng potential diyan oh,” I want you to know that you do have potential. We all do, we were born with it. Even if it isn’t evident to you that you possess such, you must be aware that its absence cannot be possible. We all exist for something, and we all have the power to attain the lives we envision for ourselves.

The thing is, it isn’t sufficient that we know we each possess potential within us. We need to utilize it to its best extent, and substantiate our lives’ meanings through actions.

Your potential means nothing if you don’t do anything with it. What is the use of these two additional years of education if you just slack POTENTIAL, see page 5

OPINION

July - October 2017

La Estrella Verde

Beyond Sound Waves

Between those Words

Lance Angelo Mejico

Jean Geibrielle Romero

Kyah Kyah, Pembarya

“

Ate, kuya, pasensya na po sa abala. Ako po ay isang Badjao, humihingi lang po ng tulong, konting barya lang po sana, pangkain lang po. Maraming salamat po.”

Commuters nowadays might be familiar, or even had an encounter, with this line from street children, who are begging and asking for alms on public jeepneys. These kids give envelopes or paper, with a note asking for some coins or money to jeepney commuters.

Some kids even sing or dance just to please the commuters. This is how determined they are; they would do anything just to have money for them to have food to eat.

There are people who are touched by these kids; some offer coins or bills from their pockets, and some give their food for the children to eat, while others don’t even bother listening to them.

But, are we really obliged to give alms to these kids just because we have some and they have less or none? Have you ever thought how hard it is to depend on someone on how you’re going to survive each day?

Why do people give alms? Share your blessings and you’ll be blessed more: that’s the common principle of some, in terms of helping and giving. They help because they know they have more, and give because they know how it feels to have nothing. Driven by compassion, they help and give whatever they can to

Giving food or money can help them survive for a day or two, but teaching them how to earn money through working will let them survive for years.”

these minor mendicants, who, at a young age, beg strangers for a living.

But, as stated in Presidential Decree No. 1563 or Mendicancy Law of 1978, Section 5, Criminal Liability: Any person who abets mendicancy by giving alms directly to mendicants shall be punished. This means that the government doesn’t tolerate mendicancy, since some kids are being used by syndicates to get money, thus holding liable not just the minor mendicants themselves, but their parents and/or guardians and those who give alms as well.

Yes, they are our less fortunate brothers and sisters, and we are the ones who are more financially blessed than them. We are the ones who have food on our tables and money to spend for food. But, this shouldn’t be an excuse for them to just depend on every stranger that would give them alms all their lives. We all have stomachs to fill and families to feed.

Each work hard to earn money for them to be able to satisfy their needs.

So, instead of giving them alms, money, or food to eat, why not teach them how to work to earn for a living? Giving food or money can help them survive for a day or two, but teaching them how to earn money through working will let them survive for years.

Devoir versus Delight Warren David Saga

Liminal Luster li•mi•nal adjective. /lim•i•nal/

transitional or indeterminate

A

pearl is precious, undeniably stunning, beautiful without question. One might be blinded so much by its splendor, that he fails to realize that it doesn’t appear exactly like that from its genesis. It undergoes many challenges and processes in order to arrive at its present glory; its resilience cannot be denied.

This school year, DLSU-D is celebrating its Pearl Anniversary—30 years of being a Lasallian institution.

Of course, the University has also had its fair share of dilemmas and undertakings, and built its legacy from the ground up, before achieving various titles and accomplishments.

And it had me thinking… …do the Lasallian students have the value of resilience in them as well?

I am a hundred and one percent sure that if I were to ask any student to describe their experience during their high school years, easy will not be among their answers.

Nonetheless, we, as students, have no choice but to perform our tasks and

We have survived before, we can survive again—we will survive again.” do our responsibilities, even if we encounter boulders on our journey.

Every day is a challenge. The fact of leaving the sweet embrace of one’s bed to wake up, getting ready for school, transportation from one’s humble abode to the campus (not to mention the traffic)—these things are already considered as challenges. A student’s life is no mere joke; we have to study our lessons, listen to our teachers’ discussion, do assignments and review for quizzes and tests, prepare for examinations, be able to withstand pressure from family and peers; the list is endless. And sometimes, life decides that these are not

enough and throw some more extra punishments and complications.

It’s tiring—absolutely tiring.

But, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, hope in every predicament. We learn to find ways.

And if there aren’t any, we create them. We learn to be strong. We learn that not everything happens the way we expect them to be. We do desperate measures in desperate times. We fight. Yes, we feel weak along the way. The thought of giving up sometimes appears to be the best option. But we continue fighting.

It seems like an endless wheel of torment and suffering, where solace is nowhere to be sought.

Before we know it, it’s over.

We survived. We are victorious.

It all felt surreal and almost as if our despair wasn’t going to arrive at a halt. But it did. And the cycle repeats the next academic year.

So, what am I blabbering about?

I’m saying that we’ll make it. We’ll get through it. Without realizing, we are resilient. We have survived before, we can survive again—we will survive again. These trials may be harsh and inevitable, but as we go through each one of them, we learn how to toughen our spirits and navigate through the lightning and thunder. We are pearls; we might not be nowhere near the “beautiful state” part yet, but we’ll get there.

POTENTIAL, from page 4

around, or remain aloof and indifferent towards the pursuit of excellence, of what sets your soul on fire?

Without action, your potential is as good as dead. You’ll be in college soon, dear reader. Wake. Up. It’s time to do better, and be better. Awaken that slumbering beast within you, and let your potential shine through. You can open so much doors, but only if you allow yourself to.

The opportunities are limitless, the possibilities are infinite, and you have all access to these. You are confined only by the walls you build, the chains you wrap around

5

yourself. But those walls and chains don’t need to exist.

Your potential far outweighs the things holding you back and pulling you down, but you need to maximize it by pursuing what you were born to do in this earth. Your potential spells the difference between where you are right now and where you want to be. So, go forth, be fearless, seek a life larger than you and devote yourself to attaining it, because only then will you realize, you have all the potential in this world to be brighter than the stars in the evening sky.

Creating Possibilities:

A battle between “acads” and “lakads”

E

very one of us has been struggling in juggling our academics and personal commitments. We often question ourselves whether we’re going to prioritize “acads” over “lakads,” or vice versa. There comes a point where we encounter “hell weeks,” where almost all of our teachers give projects with deadlines that are too close at hand. Despite our eagerness and motivation to finish all of those immediately, we often get puzzled once our friends invite us for a hang out. With this scenario, it leads us to sacrifice something that may have a bad result.

As a millennial, it is indeed difficult to equally manage acads and lakads. Being too much academically centered may lead us to be antisocial, while prioritizing lakads over acads may be a ground for us to commit numerous life failures that could affect our future progress.

As a lot of Filipinos say, “Lahat ng labis ay nakakasasama.” But is it really impossible to make acads and lakads happen without sacrificing one of them? Well, we could make it work.

Knowing our priorities is one of the principal keys in making it possible. We must learn to measure the significance of our desires and aspirations in life. We must first prioritize the things that would let us gain something that could strengthen our worth as a person. One of the best ways in setting our life priorities is completely knowing our hierarchy of needs. As Abraham Maslow said, “If you deliberately plan on being

less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life.” Life is not like a book where we could flip back the pages whenever we want. What we choose to do now will entail our future.

Time management is a vast and vital factor in making acads and lakads work. If we know how to use our time wisely, this impossibility may turn out to be possible. Going back to the aforementioned scenario, we can hang out with our friends during hectic weeks through accomplishing all of our tasks ahead of time. It could also work by means of setting the schedule beforehand or days after the “hell week.” Hence, it depends upon on you if you will choose “hirap bago sarap” or “sarap bago hirap.”

This “acads vs. lakads”

...choose both.

Choose to be different.

Create possibilities.” phenomenon may be a depiction of a common dilemma usually faced by students nowadays, yet it reflects something more. It mirrors an individual’s life options and it echoes a person’s capacity when tasked to POSSIBILITIES, see page 6

The Unscripted Elaissa Bautista

The Circus Called Philippines

M

astery, expert timing, and sense of humor are three of the main skills needed in manipulating objects to put up a delightful show for the audience. It is entertaining when we are in a circus, holding cheeseflavored popcorn and blue cotton candy in our hands, but when it is our beloved country that turns as a training ground for manipulators with playful yet powerful hands, then it is called misery business.

On September 21, 2017, the Filipinos experienced a harsher version of circus tricks, as President Duterte formally declared the said date as the official Day of Protest, which happened to coincide with the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Martial Law, implemented by the late Ferdinand Marcos. Malacañang said that the said date was not meant to be a holiday, but a healthy exercise of democracy.

In accordance to this, the palace suspended classes and work in public schools and governmentoperated institutions, whilst selected private universities all over the country also participated in the protest by joining rallies.

...but when it is our beloved country that turns as a training ground for manipulators with playful yet powerful hands, then it is called misery business.”

First act: It was unusual—and with great timing—how someone with authority would let his countrymen speak about the shortcomings of his own government on the day of a tyranny declaration. It was like a distraction put upon to mask all the real happenings beyond large placards and banners with black painted words of resentment mixed with patriotism.

CIRCUS, see page 6

6

OPINION

La Estrella Verde

What’s the Sitch?

Metered Verbosity

Wynona Raechel Magnaye

Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring

N

Mochang Pareho Lang

apalingon ako bigla sa TV nang marinig ko ang mga katagang, “Blogger po ako, hindi journalist.” Nagrambulan ang mga salita at ideya sa aking isipan, hanggang sa naubusan na ako ng mga salitang pwedeng sabihin.

Tama naman na magkaiba ang dalawang propesyon. Ang isang blogger ay mas nagpopokus sa emosyon at kanyang mga sariling saloobin. Ang isang mamamahayag naman ay mas nagpopokus sa katotohanan at kawalangkinikilingan. Ngunit ang isang bagay na nagkokonekta sa kanilang dalawa ay impormasyon, at ang pagbabahagi nito ay may kalakip na etika.

Isa rito ay hindi ka dapat maglalagay ng mga pahayag sa sarili mong blog dahil ramdam mo naman na tama ‘yon—pananagutan mo ang bawat salitang bibitawan mo sa cyber world. Kung kaya naman dapat ang iyong mga opinyon ay nakaangkla sa pawang katotohanan lamang.

Ang parehong propesyon ay kapwa manunulat din. Nananalaytay sa kanilang mga dugo ang mga salitang magpapaantig sa puso ng lipunan.

Kung kaya may responsibilidad din ang isang blogger na magkaroon ng kritikal na pag-iisip. Maaari kang mag-share at mag-post ng kung anong gusto mo, ngunit hindi makatuwiran na ilalathala mo ito na sayo lamang malinaw ang mensahe at iba ang naparating sa masa. Dahil kung hindi mo maipararating ang tunay na mensahe sa iyong mga mambabasa, kahina-hinala ang kredibilidad mo bilang isang manunulat, isang blogger.

At kapag ginagamit mo ang kapangyarihan ng isang blogger sa pagbabahagi ng mali at nakakalinlang na impormasyon, nilalabag mo mismo ang moral ng lipunan at hindi na basta pagsusulat lang.

Tandaan na ang bawat salitang sasabihin mo ay tatanggapin ng masa at panghahawakan ito upang kumilos tungo sa pagbabago, dahil ang isang blogger din ay dapat nagbabahagi ng tama na impormasyon na magtataguyod ng positibong epekto sa mga

mambabasa nito. Hindi isang dahilan na hindi ka isang mamamahayag para hindi mo gawin ng tama ang paghahayag ng iyong saloobin.

Dagdag sa mga ito, isa ka ring tao, hindi lang basta blogger o mamamahayag. Kahit na isa kang ordinaryong mamamayan na ginagamit lamang ang iyong freedom of expression, bitbit-bitbit

Kahit na isa kang ordinaryong mamamayan na ginagamit lamang ang iyong freedom of expression, bitbit-bitbit mo pa rin ang mga prinsipyo at moral na meron tayo bilang tao.” mo pa rin ang mga prinsipyo at moral na meron tayo bilang tao. At ang tao ay dinisenyo na makipagugnayan sa kapwa-tao para sa kaisahan at kaayusan, at hindi para sa alitan at pagkakampi-kampi.

Tandaan ang mga ito kung maiisipan mong maging isang blogger din, dahil bukas para sa lahat ang pag-ba-blog. Kaya naman, ‘wag ka masyadong maabala sa mga responsibilidad na kalakip sa pagsusulat. Pwede ring uminom ka muna ng isang Mocha Frappuccino, para maramdaman mo talaga ang pagiging isang blogger. Nasa sa’yo ‘yan.

POSSIBILITIES, from page 5

handle two different things. Some may choose acads over lakads; some may do the contrary. But, why will we choose something if we can make both acads and lakads work? Why will we choose to sacrifice one of them if it will just result to something worse?

Dealing with academics and personal commitments will be difficult if we don’t know how to effectively manage our time and life priorities.We must

start to cope with these hindrances because said phenomenon is just a way to introduce and prepare us into a deeper dimension of life.

Most of students these days are choosing between acads and lakads. But if you clearly envision your priorities and you are geared up for life’s “deeper dimension,” choose both. Choose to be different. Create possibilities.

July - October 2017

G

The Green Life

reen is not just the colors donned by La Salle, it also represents the status it upholds as an environmentally concerned university. As part of the top 10% of the world’s greenest universities, DLSU-D dedicates itself to maintain the health of its ecosystem and to create sustainable energy resources for the school. However, due to our familiarity with La Salle’s ways, we students tend to underappreciate the efforts La Salle puts into taking care of the environment.

As college season rolls around, Grade 12 students are now starting to explore different campuses as prospects for their future education.

Ironically, the fact that students are surveying other universities is benefiting La Salle. See, while venturing out and canvasing universities in various parts of the country, students get an idea of the difference between the campuses in the urban jungle and the university they are enrolled in today.

When compared to the larger universities in Manila, sure, La Salle may lag in the facilities department

Part of being a Lasallian is having concern for our environment. or the number of ikot jeeps, or even in the category of the schools with the most bidets. But when it comes to the environment, the humble La Salle surpasses its big brothers in the bustling streets of the city.

So how has the University been able to keep its title? Dedication. It is simply the dedication of the staff and the heads of the Lasallian community to keep their environment clean and uphold the virtue of caring for one another by taking care of the Earth.

It is from that dedication that offices like the Environmental Resource Management Center are borne.

La Salle has several programs and organizations that help perpetuate its clean and green environment.

But, a community is nothing without its members. As senior high school students of La Salle,

we have a hand in helping our alma mater sustain its eco-friendly status.

What can we do to help? Well for starters, we should all change our mindset. Part of being a Lasallian is having concern for our environment.

But if we perceive being eco-friendly as only part of the stereotype of a Lasallian, we start to see it as a job and inevitably lose interest.

Once we enjoy taking care of our environment, adjusting our daily habits will be a breeze. Recycling, avoiding the use of styrofoam, and using tote bags over plastic bags are all ways we can contribute to safeguarding the environment. It also helps to bring our own water containers instead of buying plastic water bottles. Simply segregating our trash has a big impact as well.

The bottom line is, La Salle has put in so much effort to safeguard the beauty of its environment. As Lasallians, we should respect the legacy of the school and should also contribute to sustaining the beloved environment of our alma mater. La Salle is not asking us to perform miracles and stop climate change. All it hopes is for us to answer the call to help it sustain the environment. After all, green is not just our color, it’s our lifestyle.

Chug Life Kiela Aivory Fonte

A

Cutting Capabilities

s you lay on your bed counting the number of train of thoughts you’ve lost that day, a sudden chug of thought crosses your mind: tomorrow’s the deadline of the project for that one class that you always skip, and you don’t have any tickets for the train to catch because you weren’t there when the instructions were given.

You’ve missed out everything that you could’ve learned and the class secretary has her list out already for those who weren’t present.

Skipping class is habit-forming.

Once you’ve skipped class, you could get used to it, until you end up doing it again. Every student comes to that point where they feel the urge to stay in bed or to skip class after lunch breaks. When I was in junior high, I saw some of my classmates sneaking out of our room. They have convinced themselves that it is not beneficial to go to class, and

they also got used to influencing their peers to join them. That way, they wouldn’t feel any guilt because they have their friends with them.

I still remember having a hard time finishing loads of work after skipping one class. I knew I had to catch up, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought. I didn’t know where to start and the notes that I have borrowed were complicated to understand.

The thing about skipping class is that it has the capability to hinder your

The more you skip class, the more extra work you need to do.”

progress and block your ability to create possibilities. Students wouldn’t improve in sharing innovative ideas during class presentations, and it would be hard for them to understand the lessons. The more you skip class, the more extra work you need to do. Showing up to class can help you make your homework easier, because you won’t be needing to track your classmate for his notes. You may also get extra credit if you complete your attendance.

Imagine your subjects as trains.

Listening and participating to class is your ticket, and the only way to get on that train is to get things done.

All you need to do is to be on time so that you wouldn’t have to decide if you’re just going to wait until the next class, or if you’re going to be brave enough to walk through that door and avoid the stares that you will encounter. Be mentally present in class; besides, your parents are paying for it anyways. Getting that train ticket could help us to become better and arrive at the next station.

CIRCUS, from page 5

Second act: Social media users showed their dismay regarding the rumors of some Filipinos who were forced to join counter-rallies in lieu of cash money, free ride, and food.

Some of them stated that they were not there to fight for their views, but were just there to sign the attendance sheet to ultimately receive money in their respective bank accounts.

Third act: Instead of firmly standing for what they believe in, the pro-Duterte supporters enjoyed the performance of Viva Hot

Babes’ “Shoot Mo, Shoot Mo” at Plaza Miranda. Some comedians filled the crowd with entertainment to keep everyone alive and kicking.

The Day of Protest was exactly just like how circuses work— through a series of unpredictable tricks brought by professional clowns and performers whose aim was not to offer service rather than gain money or fame from it.

But here’s an awakening: we are not living in a circus.

Not anymore and never again.

Like us on Facebook! facebook.com/ DLSUDLaEstrellaVerde For comments/suggestions please send us an email at laestrellaverde.dlsud@gmail.com

July - October 2017

OPINION

La Estrella Verde

7

Hazing Heads up Leerick Bautista Maeca Louisse Camus Miguel Martin Saligumba

8

FEATURES

La Estrella Verde

July - October 2017

Isaac Christian Rafio Issues regarding mental health and depression have always been swept under the carpet by the modern Filipino society, not knowing the potential dangers and issues the modern generation suffers from. It’s a stigma, it’s something people don’t want to talk about. And for most, it’s something a person suffering from depression finds hard to accept, let alone realize for themselves.

According to a survey done in 2005 by the World Health Organization, up to 42% of young students have felt symptoms of sadness or hopelessness for two days to at least two weeks consecutively.

This feeling has left them unable to properly work and perform usual activities. With numbers showing that up to 6.4% of males aged 15 to 19 have had suicidal thoughts, and 16.3% for women of the same age, the percentage of attempted suicide is the same, with 22.4% for both male and female genders.

While females are more likely to have suicidal thoughts, males have a higher tendency to actually attempt suicide. The study showed that the most common adverse childhood experiences, such as neglect and psychological abuse, might have caused one or two forms of childhood trauma. With the stigma against issues like depression and mental illness, it’s possible that personal stories are the only way for us to be educated about it.

Carrying the burden “It’s not a feeling, it’s just nothing,” Mark John Quilatan, a member of the DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) faculty, started to explain as being officially diagnosed with clinical depression. “It’s true what they say, you just wake up feeling nothing talaga, that’s depression.” Depression, as he clarified, is unlike any disease or emotion, and that it stays there for days or weeks, and can trigger at any moment without warning.

For Leanna, her depression also made her suffer from social anxiety.

“It made me stop socializing with any new classmates or any new person that I would meet, and I would have trouble opening up [to] people,” she said.

Bringing it to question Leanna moved back to the Philippines from America a few years ago and had trouble adapting to the foreign lifestyle and surroundings.

She felt alone in the vast new ocean she was trapped in. “My classmates were a bit racist and stereotypical; they would make fun of my accent, my skin color,” she stressed out.

Bullying and racist slurs made her distance herself from others more.

Rene, on the other hand, stated, “[Depression] was there

since I was little.” Having a history of family problems and bearing the responsibility of being the eldest child in the family was how depression crept into her.

“The problem about depression is [that] you never see it coming,” Quilatan added. He discovered that he had clinical depression after visiting a mental hospital for a check up on his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. With this in mind, he believes that it’s possible that the older generation cannot identify that they are depressed.

“Maybe [for them], it’s identified as sadness.”

Trying to hold on There are medicines that alleviate depression, but Quilatan said, “You can’t [be] reliant on pills.” He stopped taking the pills later on when he was diagnosed. He feared that he might become, in one way or another, addicted to the highly prescriptive and potent drug.

“It was a really big hurdle for me,” Rene said. “I used to have meds for it, but not anymore.” As she is struggling with socializing and making friends, medicines that relieve her depression were there to help her. But now, she finds happiness in indulging in hobbies such as making songs and

“

The problem about depression is [that] you never see it coming”

poems to keep her condition at bay.

That’s why for Leanna, it’s not only with meds that she finds a way to lessen her depression. “He was able to do things that everyone couldn’t do to help me cope,” she said, talking fondly about her boyfriend. “I have someone to rant to, to comfort me, and to calm me down. It’s one of the reasons why I got better and happier the past year.”

The aftermath “It doesn’t affect me as much now, but when I think about it now, when I remember my past self, that’s just when it goes back, like a little flashback,” Rene stated, being clear as the blue sky for most of the new semester.

“It greatly affects me,” Quilatan shared, lamenting his day-to-day struggles with depression. “It makes you an introvert talaga. Even if you’re not an introvert, you’re afraid of approaching people.” Also, depression made him afraid when he’s not finding meaning in his works, words, movements, and when he says that he’s nothing.

Seeking assistance “People have feelings, and anything they say can generally affect how they feel about themselves and society,” Leanna stated. She shared that all of us need to realize that some of the things you do or say can affect people.

If only society is more accepting of people diagnosed with mental illnesses, and if they continue to be treated equally, then that would be a very big help indeed for Quilatan and the others. “When I was at that moment, I just wanted people to be nice, to be acting just like before.

Because if I need someone, I’ll

Art by Leerick Bautista

approach you,” Quilatan shared.

And as people realize how interactions can affect others, other people with depression become more willing to open up about their condition and mental health as well.

“Talk to me, I’m not really some kind of mind reader, I’m okay to talk about it, just approach me slowly.”

Rene suggested.

Editor’s note: Names are changed to protect the privacy of the individuals.

The Senior High School Counseling Center is open to all members of the SHS community should one needs assistance.

July - October 2017

FEATURES

La Estrella Verde

9

Myles Pamintuan “Pro-Duterte ka ba?” ani JP habang pinipitik ang dulo ng kanyang puting sapatos dahil sa putik. Tumingin si Aaron sa ginagawa ng kanyang katabi, at saka sumagot, “Hindi, eh.” Umihip ang hangin at tumingin sa kanya si JP, tila gulat sa narinig.

“So, pro-Leni ka?”

Kasalukuyan silang nakaistambay sa bakanteng kubo ng Botanical Garden dahil sa tinatakasang practice sa isang proyekto sa P.E. Umikot ang mga mata ni Aaron sa akusasyon ng kanyang kaibigan. Bumuntong-hininga siya sa sinabi ni JP at nag-isip. Kahit tambak ang mga gawain dahil sa paparating na midterm exams, nagawa pa ring pag-usapan ng magkaibigan ang isyu patungkol sa gobyerno.

Sa panahon ngayon, talamak na ang kulayan sa kongreso. Uso na ang pagkakaroon ng taglines at poses. Uso na rin ang pagkakaroon ng kampihan dahil sa tila hindi pagkakaunawaan sa kanilang mga paniniwala. Ito ang ilan sa mga rason kung bakit parang nahahati na ang ating bansa.

Pula—iyan ang kinilalang kulay ng mamamayan sa ating presidente na si Rodrigo Duterte. Kilala siya bilang isang tigasing tagapamahala ng ating bansa dahil sa kanyang katapangan. Mula noong umupo bilang presidente ang dating mayor ng Davao ay nagkaroon nang tinatawag na Oplan Tokhang o ang pagpatay sa mga naakusahang gumagamit ng pinagbabawal na gamot. At pula na rin dahil sa pagdurugo ng ating bansa.

Dilaw—ito naman ang kulay na talaga namang tumatak sa pag-iisip ng isang tunay na Pilipino, ang kulay ng mga Liberal. Ito raw ang kulay na sumisimbolo sa mga taong “trapo” o

traditional politicians. Ito rin ang kulay ng ating bise presidente na si Leni Robredo na siyang kapartido ng mga Aquino.

Bagamat may pagkakaiba, hindi maikakaila na nagkakaroon na nga ng depinisyon ang mga kulay na ito. Para sa mga maka-Duterte, ang mga “Dilawan” ang dahilan kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi nagkakaroon ng pagbabago ang ating bansa. Para naman sa mga maka-Leni, kaya nagkakaroon ng maraming kaguluhan ay dahil sa War on Drugs ni Duterte.

Ngunit nandiyan ang puti—ang kulay ng kapayapaan. Ito ang kulay na naitatag sa Pilipinas noong Hunyo 12, 1898. Ito ang siyang tinaguyod ng ating mga bayani at ito rin ang kulay na dapat pa nating dalhin sa mga susunod pang henerasyon. Puti ang isa sa mga simbolo kung bakit tayo’y isang nasyon hanggang ngayon. Ito rin ang simbolo kung bakit dapat mas lalong pagbutihin ng mga Pilipino ang pagkakaroon ng malay sa mga isyu ng ating bansa.

Matapos mag-isip, sumagot na si Aaron.

“Hindi naman dahil hindi ako pro-Duterte ay pro-Leni na ako. Pareho silang may mali at pareho silang may tamang nagagawa sa Pilipinas, talagang kailangan lang natin tignan kung ano ‘yung dapat. Hindi naman kampihan ang pagiging isang Pinoy, hindi ba?” seryosong sambit ni Aaron. Tumango si JP, nalinis niya na ang kanyang nadumihang sapatos. Nagkayayaan ang dalawa na bumalik na sa mga kagrupo, kasama ang bagong realisasyon.

Isa sa pagiging isang tunay na Lasalyano ang pagkakaroon ng malay patungkol sa mga kaganapan sa ating bansa. Kasama sina JP Kabristante at Aaron Costes na parehong mag-aaral ng Grade 12 sa mga ito. Masasabing senior high lamang sila, ngunit may abilidad na rin sila na tukuyin ang mga problema ng bayan na siyang dapat lutasin ng may pagkaka-isa, mapa-pula man o mapa-dilaw.

“

Isa sa pagiging isang tunay na Lasalyano ang pagkakaroon ng malay patungkol sa mga kaganapan sa ating bansa.”

Social media: Bagong mukha ng aktibismo Leenarc Ashley Delos Reyes Pulang bandila iwinawagayway, pulang mga letrang nakasulat sa mga kartel, pintang pula sa mga mukha. Pula—kulay na ibinahid sa bansang sinilangan para sa hangaring pagbabago.

Itinalaga ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte ang ika-21 ng Setyembre bilang “National Day of Protest,” na nagbunga ng sari-saring reaksyon mula sa taong-bayan. At kung titingnan, natapat ito sa araw ng ika-45 na anibersayo ng pagpapatupad ng Martial Law ng yumaong diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos. Ito ang naging isa ring dahilan kung bakit mas naging kontrobersyal ang nasabing araw, lalong-lalo na sa mga kabataang Pinoy.

Ang kabataang Pinoy ang isa sa mga nangunguna sa paglalabas ng mga halo-halong hinaing at opinyon sa nasabing pagtatalaga.

Tila ba nagbabagang apoy ang kanilang mga damdamin at unti-unting lumiliyab ang kanilang mga saloobin ukol sa mga isyu o krisis sa ating bansa. At hindi maikakaila na kitang-kita ang kalaganapan ng youth activism sa bansa ngayon.

“Para sa akin, ‘yung aktibismo, malaking tulong ‘yon. Dahil doon, naipapakita natin ‘yung gusto (nating) mangyari, ‘yung sa tingin natin na mali sa sistema,” ayon kay Maruh Bonto

(HPS21), hinggil sa kahalagahan ng aktibismo.

Bilang kabataan at mamamayan ng bansa, nakikita nila at nararanasan kung paano gumagalaw ang ating lipunan at kung ano ang mga dapat pang baguhin. At sa paraan ng pakikibaka, nailalabas ang mga saloobin na makatutulong upang magkaroon ng pagbabago sa lipunan.

Ngunit kapansin-pansin ang pagkakaroon ng negatibong konotasyon sa salitang “aktibismo” at pagiging “aktibista,” na kadalasang nagmumula sa mga magulang o mga nakatatandang kapamilya. Pero bilang kasapi sa lipon ng mga kabataan, masasabing iba ang pananaw nila ukol sa aktibismo.

“Youth activism can help shape our future because it’s our way to make our opinions be heard. Our standpoint towards the current societal issues is significant because we are a huge part of our country, and we should be the (ones) who will make our future,” ika nga ni Ethel Maquirang (HPS21).

Ang kanilang pagmamartsa sa kalsada,

pagwawagayway ng pulang bandila, at sabaysabay na pagsigaw ng mga paratang sa mga pagkukulang ng gobyerno ay makabuluhan sa paghubog ng kanilang hinaharap. At sa paglipas ng panahon, hindi na lamang ito ang maituturing na kilos ng aktibismo, dahil gamit ang social media, maaari na ring mailabas ang mga hinaing ng bawat tao.

Bilang ang mga kabataan ay nalalagi sa social media, sila ay bukas sa mga iba’t ibang pananaw ng mga tao na inilalabas dito. May mga tanyag na tao na tinatawag na social media influencers dahil sa kanilang mga makabuluhang pahayag na madalas na nakaka-impluwensiya sa grupo ng mga kabataan.

“Para sa akin, ‘yung effect niya, eh, mas nagiging aware ako sa mga nangyayari sa bansa natin, and ako as [part of the] youth, nalalaman ko ‘yung mga bagay na pinaglalaban ng mga tao [ay]

hindi binibigyan nang pansin ng government natin,” ayon kay Andrea Umbao (HPS21).

Makikita na dahil na rin sa pagbabago ng paraan ng komunikasyon, ang aktibismo ay hindi na lamang kilos para sa pagbabago, ngunit para na rin mabigyang-alam at mabuksan ang mga mata ng mga kabataan sa estado ng ating lipunan.

Katapangan at pagkakaroon ng katatagan ng loob na ipakita at ipaalam ang kalayaan ng bawat Pilipino ay ilan lamang sa mga kahalagahan ng aktibismo. Sa paraan lamang ng paggamit ng social media sa pakikisangkot sa mga krisis ng bansa, ang pagkamakabansa ay naisusulong at pagbabago ay naihahatid. At ito ang pulang ibinabahid nila sa bansang sinilangan para sa hangaring pagbabago.

Art by Leerick Bautista and Wella Jean Mae Abobo

FEATURES

10 La Estrella Verde

July - October 2017

A portrait of God’s masterpiece Jennifer Santos

Among the countless people in this world we live in, there exists very special human beings as rare as the color indigo. Here at DLSU-D, the Senior High School (SHS) faculty is truly blessed with the presence of one of these remarkable individuals. Endowed with a somewhat charming name, Br. Richie Yap FSC, the new Grade 11 Christian Values professor, belongs to the subtly exceptional creations roaming around the DLSU-D campus.

Photo by Miguel Saligumba

Profound shades “I remember seeing the world full of wonder.” This was what he answered when asked how he viewed the world when he was once a child. Br. Richie reminisced of his younger years, remembering his constant curiosity about everything and enthusiasm in exploring and learning.

Just as the color indigo symbolizes a deep midnight mood along with spiritual realization, his belief that “one’s relationship with God is reflected in one’s relationship with others” conveys the intensity of his outlook in life and vast knowledge about God.

At the end of each day, he gazes up at the night sky, gaping at its glory, and overwhelmed by his discernment that God loves all, both the good and bad.

planning assorted events. Though his unceasing cravings are the taste of books and literature, he still seeks the zesty flavor of the outdoors as well.

Right pigments Indigo stimulates the creative activity and spatial skills located at the right hemisphere of the brain. This particular part of Br. Richie’s brain must have always been exceedingly utilized, due to his great interest and mastery of anything produced from his imagination.

He is passionate in composing stories, writing prayer services, and

Combined hues On his 24th birthday, as he was about to make the most important decision of his life, the then younger Richie and his father had the most crucial conversation ever. Originally, his father disagreed with the path that he desired to take, the road to being a De La Salle Brother. But as he offered to abandon that said route in order to please and obey his father, he was

A face of honesty Meryll Reyna

It is a face that is often unknown in today’s society because of corruption and crimes, but this can actually be the face of anyone that people are seeing in the bustling streets, the swarmed jeepneys, or even anyone passing by under the shade of the trees in the verdant school ground.

“I want to put a face to every honest deed because sometimes it’s a forgotten virtue,” Prefect of Discipline Albert John Puchero said.

Puchero has been in DLSU-D for 12 years, and during his earlier years, inside the four corners of his office as a director of the Student Welfare and Formation Office, he came up with an idea that eventually magnified his duty and the everyday good deeds of fellow Lasallians— the #LasalliansAreHonest posts.

With it, he brought other small and big ways to appreciate the honest students, staff, or faculty alike, who returned lost items to his office.

One by one, Facebook posts in the group DLSU-D Senior High Lasallian paint a smile on people’s faces as they witness the reunions of a valuable item and the person who had lost it. What they did not know

is that it wasn’t the end of it. During the recognition of the first batch of senior high school (SHS) students, he gave special certificates for the people who returned lost items and plans on continuing to do so in the future. For him, it doesn’t matter if a student is not academically excellent, as long as honesty prevails.

Banner raised high “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) It is written, even in the Bible, that a good work will evoke a reaction to everyone who will witness it. They may feel joy, or might as well feel inspired to do the same good deeds to others. As a community living with a zeal for service, the green and white banners

of DLSU-D remain unfeigned. And like the Signum Fidei star sported on the University logo, every Lasallian has an identity to be proud of.

For Ryan James Bawasanta, STEM Student Council president, the truthfulness and integrity of others is something to be grateful for. He added, “Nagpapasalamat ako sapagkat ang diwa ng pagiging matapat at pakikipagkapwa-tao ay laganap pa rin sa panahon natin ngayon. Isa ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit ko ipinagmamalaki na Lasalyano ako.”

What an everyday hero brings It’s a good day whenever a lost item is back to its owner’s hand, and for the Office of the Prefect of Discipline, every good deed brings a sense of fulfillment. The process of reclaiming lost and found items, however, is not a simple task. Like

shocked, confused, and thrilled all at the same time the moment his father surprised him by saying, “You are happy there. I will not take away your happiness.” Those two sentences were probably the best gifts he had ever received.

As indigo is also a perfect combination of the contrasting traits of higher mind or intuition and service to humanity, Br. Richie’s delightful identity is definitely sprinkled with both of these attributes. Although granted with such notable judgment and reasoning, he does not aim to make a difference in the lives of the

going through the eye of a needle, even claiming a simple 20-peso bill undergoes a series of questions, such as where and when it was lost and other specific details.

Puchero added, “Honesty is a lonely word, you can be a hero everyday by making someone happy by endorsing a valuable item.”

F o r Puchero, in this day and age when even a simple ballpoint pen gets lost when left alone, the returning of expensive things matters. “Sa gitna ng

people he encounters and of the students he teaches, rather, he wants to be the inspiration that would motivate them to make a difference to the world.

While most men living on earth are travelers fueled with undying determination, continuously trudging that rainbow in the pursuit of their own personal pot of gold at its other end, our beloved Brother with an indigo-painted heart and soul does not participate in this journey. Well, he no longer needs to do so, because he is already a stellar part of the majestic rainbow itself.

tukso, our student still chooses to be bright, to be morally upright, and to be honest. That’s a value that a Lasallian should always have.” May his wish for the students to be better everyday continue for the years to come.

sta

rick Bauti

Art by Lee

La Estrella Verde 11

July - October 2017

UNITY

by LEV Photojournalists

Unity plays a vital role for every team in order to break limitations‒ limitations that hinder an individual to strive, to excel, and to produce the best versions of themselves. It isn’t just about having a strong bond with the team, it also affects one’s perspective towards the goal. It makes them reach their goal. It is an edge that makes athletes the “beasts” in the court and dancers dance with finesse on stage. It drives individuals to excel and show to the world their capabilities with a common goal of bringing the team to the peak of their abilities. In unison, we play the circle of life.

July - October 2017

12 La Estrella Verde

SCANTRON By Ailene Puzon SHS Midterm Exams By Romeo Christian Avila

N A T By Martin Rafols

FAILED CHUNIN EXAMS By RK Ignacio

by Romeo Christopher Avila

WRONG FORMAT By Ayumi Wada

July - October 2017

NEWS FEATURES

La Estrella Verde

13

3 lamang sa bawat 10 mag-aaral ng SHS ang Grade 11

Pagbabago ng populasyon ng Grade 11 at 12, kapansin-pansin Andrea Oesmer at Lexi France Angeles

Mababatid ang pagbaba ng enrollees ng mga estudyante sa Grade 11, gayundin ang pagbabago ng populasyon mula sa Grade 12 ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) sa kasalukuyang semestre, pang-akademikong taong 2017-2018.

Matatandaang binubuo ng 1,362 estudyante ang populasyon ng mga mag-aaral ng Grade 11 noong nakaraang taon, kumpara sa populasyon ngayon na binubuo lamang ng 486 na mag-aaral. Ayon sa datos na ibinigay ng pamunuan ng DLSU-D SHS, 64.32% ang ibinaba ng bilang ng mga enrollees ng mga mag-aaral na nasa Grade 11 ngayong taon, kung maihahalintulad sa bilang ng mga enrollees noong pangakademikong taong 2016-2017.

Ayon sa pahayag ni STEM Coordinator Jovele Baccay, 12 seksyon lamang ang inilaan ng administrasyon para sa Grade 11 ngayong taon.

Dagdag pa niya, dalawang seksyon lamang mula sa ibang eskwelahan ang tinanggap ng Unibersidad, sapagkat 10 seksyon na ang nagmula sa DLSU-D Junior High School. “It is not that the enrollees got down. Actually, we have 800 enrollees in the wait list, but we only allotted two sections coming from other schools,” paglilinaw ni Baccay.

Sa pahayag naman ni SHS Director Dr. Necitas Sayoto, ang hindi pagkakaroon ng sapat na silidaralan ang pangunahing dahilan ng pagbaba ng bilang ng enrollees ng Grade 11 ngayong taon. “The main reason is, we don’t have available rooms,” pagsasaad ni Sayoto.

Samantala, maliit na porsyento rin ang nabawas sa populasyon ng mga Grade 12 na mag-aaral. Bumaba ito ng 4.29%, kung saan mayroon na lamang 1,306 na estudyante ang Grade 12 sa kasalukuyan.

Ayon kay Sayoto, aminado siyang mababatid ang malawakang pagbaba ng mga enrollees ngayong taon. Gayunpaman, inilathala ni Sayoto ang mga rason sa likod ng nasabing reduksyon.

Isa sa pangunahing aspekto ng pagbaba ng bilang ng enrollees sa Grade 12 ay ang hindi pagtanggap ng institusyon ng mga transferee, o mga bagong li pat mula sa ibang paaralan.

Binanggit niya rin ang pagkalito ng mga estudyante sa kanilang tinatahak na track, bilang dahilan ng kabawasan ng populasyon ng mga mag-aaral.

Kaugnay nito, inihalimbawa ni Sayoto ang ilang estudyante na nais kumuha ng medisina at health science sa Unibersidad, ngunit ang mga kursong ito ay mas angkop sa programa na ibinibigay ng STEM sa De La Salle Health Sciences Institute.

Sa kabila ng kagustuhan ng administrasyon na higit na mapabuti ang indibidwal na karakter ng mga mag-aaral, hindi pa rin maiwasan ng institusyon na tanggalin ang mga estudyanteng patuloy na

gumagawa ng kaguluhan sa loob ng Unibersidad. Ayon kay Sayoto, higit na mahalaga ang Code of Conduct sa bawat estudyante ng DLSU-D, upang mapanatili ang kalidad ng edukasyon na ibinibigay ng isang Lasallian institution. “A student shouldn’t only be good academically, but also in character,” pagdidiin ni Sayoto.

Dagdag pa niya, ang mga personal na rason at kagustuhan ng bawat estudyante ay isa ring malaking aspekto ng kanilang paglipat.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang kabuuan ng bilang ng estudyante sa SHS ay pumapalo sa 1,792, kung saan 29% lamang ang bilang ng mag-aaral mula sa Grade 11.

Vandalism, forbidden in DLSU-D SHS Office of the Prefect to strengthen student conduct enforcements Gayle Josrel Esquida

Being the home of developing and honing students’ characters, vandalism and such related destruction of the University’s equipment are always affiliated with consequential offenses in DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS), Prefect of Discipline Albert John Puchero stated.

Puchero clarified that any suspected student involved in any form of vandalism cases will then undergo due process, a process wherein he/she will be given a memorandum in which they have the chance to respond to an allegation.

He also said that the student will be required to write a statement signed by his/her parent or guardian. “Whether or not he or she agrees with the content of the memo then…that’s part of the due process that we are observing.

It’s the right of the student to be heard so that’s…due process,” Puchero stated.

Through the joint forces of Student Welfare and Formation Office (SWAFO) and Office of the Prefect of Discipline, various investigations and hearings will be done once the statement has been submitted.

Puchero also emphasized the possible sanctions of those vandalism suspects who will be proven guilty. He said that a student can be suspended for a number of days, adding that the student

wouldn’t be able to acquire a good moral certificate, an essential document needed in applying for the tertiary level.

Strengthening student conduct enforcements In order to prevent and stop the vandalism cases in the SHS community, the Office of the Prefect of Discipline has been working hard through taking preliminary actions, including the enforcement of the Student Code of Conduct.

“Enforcement pa rin…ng Code of Conduct because I cannot guard everyone every time so…proper enforcement, proper information dissemination,” Puchero added.

Meanwhile, Puchero already requested the University housekeepers to monitor and check the students if they are committing any forms of vandalism inside the perimeter of the University.

Puchero also left a message to those students who will be liable regarding the vandalism allegations.

“I hope if someone will be caught and they’re liable, [that he/she] will realize that it’s really…difficult to be suspended, because you will not be able to come to your classes, you will not be excused, you would (miss) whatever you’ll miss in a particular day [or] days. I hope that we’ll become deterrent, for the others not to follow [in] vandalizing our facilities,” Puchero added.

As of now, the issue of vandalism has been addressed by the Discipline Office of the Prefect of Sthrough a memo released by Puchero. He added that it was already forwarded to the housekeepers to keep an eye on the vandalism behavior of SHS students.

“Proper

enforcement,

proper

information

dissemination”

Art by Matthew Canada and Carl Jayson Logenio

NEWS

14 La Estrella Verde

VCAR, from page 1

FACULTY PROFILE

July - October 2017

INSTRUCTION In instruction, Saez said that he would like to incorporate new and advanced technologies in the teaching and learning process of SHS to better assess and assist the students in developing and sharpening their innate individual capabilities.

“I would like to see learning complemented by a strong industry link and culminated by an even stronger immersion program,” Saez added. He also cited that he would like to see the SHS students learning in a manner that is engaging, nurturing, and forward-looking.

In strengthening its faculty profile, Saez stated that he wanted a strong and solid faculty lineup, composed of “young and young at heart” individuals who aspire professional development and are active participants in the learning communities concerned with effective teaching strategies, accurate assessments, and efficient connections with students.

SUPERVISION Saez also mentioned that he aspires to see a supervision that gives attention to monitoring and assessing, since he regards these as principal points in arising to effective planning and execution. “There must be a plan, that plan must be executed, it's execution must be monitored and evaluated, and something must be done as a result of that evaluation…to zero in on instruction, you may treat the evaluation tool as a means to determine the key competencies that must be executed,” Saez said.

Furthermore, he also emphasized the significance of classroom visitations to check whether Lasallian educators exhibit qualities that are at par with what the instrument suggests. He also said that various trainin and mentoring programs must be established after a series of evaluations and observations.

GUIDANCE & COUNSELING

Saez commended the SHS guidance counselors, as they are very instrumental in establishing the Lasallian identity of the SHS students. Meanwhile, he also stated that the guidance and counseling program of SHS must be made creative and effective in nurturing the innate capabilities of the students, citing that the programs should be “preventive more than reactive.”

“I think close coordination and collective efforts among guidance counselors classroom teachers, and administrators must be observed to not only detect problems but effectively respond to them,” Saez expounded.

COMMUNICATION

Lastly, Saez defined communication as a priority in two ways. He mentioned that there should be proper means in ensuring the English-speaking capacities of the students to further strengthen their engagement with other people who are based from other countries. “Another way of looking at communication is how we make sure that messages reach the person concerned, without being confused about it, I think we need to rise above differences that do not have any connection with our goal to deliver quality education,” Saez added.

On the other hand, Saez expressed his excitement to know the SHS community better, and assured that he will observe various changes in development. “I will join the SHS academic council to learn more about the HS community and I will make myself more visible in SHS to see how classroom instruction is delivered in the process,” he added.

Infographic by Angel Dionisio

AWARDS, from page 1

Three LEV student journalists in Boracay Three LEV student journalists also bagged several awards in the said conference. Lance Mejico, Miguel Saligumba, and Maeca Camus were hailed as the first ever SHS champions in the 5th i-Documento, a one day documentary-making contest. They also sealed their competitiveness in their respective individual competitions, wherein Camus got the top spot in Backpack Journalism English Category, Saligumba finished third in the Editorial Writing Filipino Category and fifth in the Photojournalism English Category, while Mejico placed fifth in Lead Writing English Category.

According to Camus, she didn’t expect that they will secure the top spot in i-Documento.

“Napatunayan naming kaya naming makipagsabayan and compete with other universities (and) schools, and ma-represent ang La Salle with our abilities,” Camus added.

Eullo also said that she is very glad regarding the success of the three delegates who competed in Boracay. “I am very proud, of course…for the SPAM delegates and the whole LEV team. I’m also very humbled because the DLSU-D community is congratulating LEV’s achievements. LEV is starting to make a name,” Eullo added.

Organized by the School Press Advisers Movement Incorporated, the 11th National Media Conference was attended by various student journalists from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It was LEV’s first time to send delegates and represent DLSU-D SHS for the annual national convergence.

Karagdagang orgs, hindi pa mailulunsad Beatrice Katherine Aguilar Sa kabila ng mithiin ng pamunuan ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) na magtayo ng mga bagong organisasyon, hindi pa ito nakatakdang mailunsad sapagkat wala pang sariling gusali ang komunidad ng SHS, paglilinaw ni Guidance Counselor Joy Parohinog.

Aniya, isa ito sa mga pangunahing dahilan kung bakit hindi pa makapagdesisyon ang mga nakakataas sa pagbuo ng iba’t ibang organisasyon. “As much as we like it to be in place now, it would be difficult because [for] one, we still don’t have our own building…we have limited venues…[and] if we are going to come up with orgs… we can’t give them the proper resources,”

paliwanag ni Parohinog. Dagdag pa niya, isang mahabang proseso ang pagsasakatuparan ng mga ito.

Ayon kay Parohinog, bukas ang pamunuan ng SHS sa pagkakaroon ng mga ito kapag nagkaroon na ng sariling espasyo ang SHS. Inaasahasan rin ni Parohinog ang pagkakaroon ng mga karagdagang aktibidad at okasyon ngayong taon

upang higit pang pagtibayin ang mga talento at kakayahan ng mga estudyante ng SHS. Sa ngayon, mayroon pa lamang apat na organisasyon ang DLSU-D SHS; ito ay ang Student Council, La Estrella Verde, SHS Yearbook, at iba’t ibang sports athletic teams.

EVENTS

July - October 2017

La Estrella Verde 15

Grade 12 students get a glimpse of ‘college life’ through #GT418 Beatrice Katherine Aguilar

With the aim of giving opportunity to the Grade 12 students to visualize themselves in college, Grade Twelve for 2018 (#GT418) has finally materialized on July 31 at Ugnayang La Salle (ULS). #GT418 Project Head Joy Parohinog emphasized that the celebration aimed to give the students a peek on how it feels like to be in college and to feature what DLSU-D colleges offer that most Senior High School (SHS) students didn’t know before.

Inspired by Stephen Covey’s quote “Begin with the end in mind,” Parohinog also mentioned that one of the celebration’s purposes was to make the Grade 12 students realize that this is their last year before they step into the next level of education.

“My desire or inspiration, it came from the realization that this [is] [the Grade 12 students’] last [year], so if you did not do well during your first year, then this is the time to make up for it and to do better,” Parohinog added.

Highlights The celebration showcased diverse talents and skills of SHS’ finest dance and singing groups, including Dance ‘N Beats, OT’s, Royal Rebels, and the Powerful Duo. Meanwhile, DLSU-D’s worldclass talents from its college organizations intensified the excitement of Grade 12 students as Lasallian Pointes ‘N Flexes, Minstrels of St. La Salle, and Lasallian Pop Band gave their exceptional performances.

On the other hand, Grade 12 students also paid tribute to DLSU-D SHS faculty for their outstanding teaching performance and unwavering guidance last year.

One of the country’s most respected authors, Isa Garcia, also joined the celebration as she gave her inspiring insights about life to the graduating batch. “Life can be painful, but [is] also designed to be survivable,” Garcia said.

Dance n’ Beats opens the celebration and party during #GT418. Photo by Miguel Saligumba Lasallian Star One of the features of the event, the Lasallian Star, levelled up the interests of the Grade 12 students. Under the supervision of Parohinog and Student Council (SC) officers, the students were tasked to write down their fears, dreams, and aspirations in life in a small envelope. They were also instructed

to include their cellphone numbers in theenvelope which will be given to another student they do not know.

According to Parohinog, the main goal of the said activity was to give a different meaning or definition for the Lasallian star.

College students graced #GT418 Meanwhile, various college

students also graced the fun-filled celebration as they set up numerous booths, highlighting DLSU-D’s college organizations that cater opportunities to enhance students’ individual skills and capacities.

Parohinog stated that they invited some representatives from the tertiary level to create an interaction between the college and SHS students.

#GT418 was originally the YearEnd Shindig Party (YES) that was supposedly held on May 31, but was postponed due to inclement weather.

Parohinog clarified that #SGT418’s concept was distinct from the YES celebration. “We just had to do it all over again because it’s a different theme, venue, plans, so it kind of started from scratch again,” she stated.

Grade 11, nakilahok sa Pistang Pinoy Xander Lauren Cipriano Bilang parte ng pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS), nilibot ng buong komunidad ng Grade 11 ang bawat rehiyon ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng Pistang Pinoy, isang patimpalak na sumasalamin sa iba’t ibang kultura ng mga Pilipino.

Ipinakilala ng mga nasa Grade 11 ang mga kultura ng iba’t ibang rehiyon, sa pamamagitan ng malikhaing pagtatanghal tulad ng pagsasayaw, pag-awit, pagkakaroon ng tour guides, at iba pa.

Sa huli, hinirang na kampyon ang ABM13 para sa Rehiyon 10, habang pumangalawa ang ABM11 na nirepresenta ang Rehiyon 11, at nasungkit naman ng TVL11 ang ikatatlong pwesto na isinabuhay ang kultura ng Rehiyon 6.

Ayon kay Trisha Regis (ABM11), hindi sila makapaniwala sa nakamit nilang pwesto. “[Kami ay nagkaroon ng] halo-halong reaksyon. May mga nagulat, may mga hindi makapaniwala, pero ang pinaka nangibabaw dun ay yung kaligayahang nakita ko mula sa kanilang mga mukha. ‘Yung kaligayahang hindi mapapalitan ng kahit anong materyal na bagay, at ‘yung kaligayahang hindi mababayaran ng pera…priceless, ika nga,” dagdag pa ni Regis.

Sa pamumuno ng mga guro sa Filipino, ang Pistang Pinoy ay ginanap noong ika-31 ng Agosto sa College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) Building.

Isinadula ng Grade 11 ang mga kilalang bayani mula sa CALABARZON. Kuha ni Princess Mijares

Pinamalas ni Jada Millan, isa sa mga kalahok ng Spoken Word Poetry, ang kanyang piyesa.

Kuha ni Julian Patric Semilla

Spoken Word Poetry para sa Grade 12, dinaos Xander Lauren Cipriano Isinabuhay ng mga estudyante ng Grade 12 ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) ang diwa ng pagiging makabayan sa salita at wika sa pamamagitan ng Spoken Word Poetry, isang kompetisyon na ipinamalas ang likas na pagkamakata ng mga Lasalyano.

Sampung piling mag-aaral mula sa Grade 12 na may kani-kaniyang piyesa ang naglaban-laban upang makamit ang kampyonato. Batay sa temang “Wikang Filipino, Wikang Mapagbago,” ang mga mag-aaral ay naatasang sumulat ng sarili nilang piyesa na kanilang binigyan ng sariling bersyon sa loob ng limang minuto.

Sa huli, nagwagi si Hanna Mae Mangampo (CSC21) para sa

kanyang piyesang pinamagatang “Wikang Mapagbago—Walang Iba, Wikang Filipino.” Nakamit naman ni Jada Pinketh Millan (SBI22) ang ikalawang pwesto, at nasungkit ni Lara Jane Labutong (CSC21) ang ikatlong gantimpala.

Bilang parte ng taunang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika, ginanap ang nasabing timpalak hapon ng Agosto 31 sa Museo De La Salle.

LITERARY

16 La Estrella Verde

July - October 2017

Sa Aking Pagkabulag Sophia Victoria Alcordo

Barakong Kape Kim Nicole Toledo

N

B

aalimpungatan ako dahil sa amoy sunog na aking nalanghap.

Sa aking pagbangon ay hindi ko nagawang pigilan ang aking pag-ubo. “‘Nay! Bakit amoy sunog? Iyong sinaing ba natin iyon?”

“Anong sinaing?! Wala pa ngang inuuwing bigas iyong Tatay mo!”

Ha? Ngunit amoy sunog. Baka yung barong-barong namin o ng kapitbahay namin. Saglit akong lumabas upang silipin kung anumang maaaring maging sanhi ng masalimuot na sunog.

Amoy sunog, ngunit hindi lamang ang barong-barong namin, ang kapitbahay, at ang iba pang tahanan sa aming barangay. Nasusunog ang buong bansa, ang lupang sinilangan, ang perlas na dapat sana nating iniingatan.

Nalanghap ko sa hangin ang amoy ng pagbabago. Hindi ito tulad ng nasa aking isipan. Ang mga rosas na busilak ng pagbabago ay hindi sumalubong sa akin; bagkus, ang nakakasulasok na amoy ng dugo at nakalalasong pagpatay ang aking naamoy mula sa usok ng sunog

akit hindi ko agad nakita, na sa bawat patak ng aking luha, bawat pagmamakaawang iyong binasura, matagal ka na palang umayaw.

Mahal, wala man lang tayong huling sayaw.

na nilikha ng gobyerno upang baguhin ang ating bansa.

Nakakasulasok.

drunken state Sofia Clyde Vinuya

t

he first time i had vodka lacing on my lips, i forgot about the crows, those i accidentally kept, beneath my lungs. the first time i had vodka on my stomach, they began flocking out of my ribs. that’s when the air made its way home to my lungs, chest heaving, ready to fight and kiss, with a newfound glory and bliss.

Yakap Elaissa Bautista

N

araramdaman ko ang pagyakap ng araw sa aking nanlalamig na katawang pinaliligiran ng langaw.

Humihiyaw, “Sagipin mo ako mula sa sarili kong dugong anila'y isang patibong.”

Nararamdaman ko ang pagyakap ng mga bituin sa aking kaluluwang natutulog nang mahimbing.

Humihiling na sana'y huwag ibaon sa limot ang pangalan kong anila'y isang kasangkot.

Nararamdaman ko ang pagyakap ng watawat, sa aking inaagnas na katawang nalulunod sa pangarap.

Humihingi ng kaunti pang oras, upang masilayan ang pagbabalik ng malamig na asul sa ibabaw ng katingkaran ng pula.

Art by Wella Jean Mae Abobo

LITERARY

July - October 2017

La Estrella Verde 17

Secrets in Suburbia Katherine Anne del Rosario

E Symphony’s Backlash Elli Isaiah Amado

T

Pagsapit ng Gabi Sofia Clyde Vinuya

H

ija, agad kang umuwi nagkalat na ang mga halimaw sa tabi at hindi ito ‘yung klase na may pangil o walang binti.

Sila ay nagkakatawang tao raw, at nag-iibang anyo sa tuwing nakakakita ng binti, leeg, at braso.

Sabi ng isa, ang mga mata raw nila ay kulay pula at may nakapintang karahasan sa kanilang mga mukha.

Malakas ang loob tumawag ng mga pangalang hindi naman sakanila.

Kaya hija, kapag ang langit ay madilim na, at ikaw ay nasa kalsada pa, siguraduhing may bitbit na sandata at panatilihing bukas ang mga mata kung ayaw mong mabiktima ng mga aswang na gumagala, handang manakmal ng mga dalagang nag-iisa.

he footsteps I stamped onto the staircase of an imaginary garden subsided the tears of the yesterday I never wanted to applaud behind my ears, melodizing with tunes of deafening silence as if we were in a room orchestrated with carpets as walls while the summer holiday was proven from the hum of the birds, unusually sensed inside this enclosed terrace. Not until I heard voices of familiar people speaking in front and behind my drums; I never would’ve thought that the harmony seemed very deep.

“It must be the result of sugarcoated emotions,” I whispered to myself, resulting to an endless spree of its echoes, waiting for another utter to finish the unconvincing thought.

The melody of tomorrow will never come if I continue hanging around, and pretending to know psychokinesis so I could tune the world with the music I sang for the baby I saw at the mall.

But as the stroke of the violin’s being scratched with its strings carried on, I guess the sound of the sky was laughing at me, laughed so hard that it broke the clouds and irritated people with the uneasy hymn of the rain. The unison of this note seemed very awkward, but at the same time, feels very comfortable—like I’m in a joyride with someone going to a land we don’t know.

“It must be the sounds of my past.”

But as my spoken words submitted back to my membrane, I realized that I was hearing taps, as if something was being pushed through its limits, and the anthem was very aggravating.

“Kreisler?” I murmured, and it changed the mood of the uproars rolling like movie credits inside my ears.

The violin shared a ring from its behind, and looked to add more richness to the music it played. That’s when I heard the voices again…shouting, yelling, scolding, “Tap the keys, tap the keys!”

Then I finally figured it out: “It must be the symphony of freedom.”

very day, at around 6:30 in the morning, Ernie comes down to have breakfast with his parents.

There would be a sizzling from the pan, his mother humming a tune, usually “Crazy for You” by Madonna.

His father, always in a hurry, would be bustling about in his suit and tie, a cup of coffee in hand. He was always frazzled in the morning, but caffeine and a little pan de sal always helped calm him down.

“Coffee’s the secret to a great day,” he’d always say. Ernie believed every word. He was a real daddy’s boy, that kid.

After kissing them good morning, he’d prepare the table, then make his own cup of joe. Usually, they’d have tapsilog— an all-time favorite in the Soriano family.

The smells waft through the kitchen, out the window, down the street. In our neighborhood, everyone knows Ernie’s mother for her cooking and his father for his big fishing business. Tito Jaime has a knack for the corporate life, but is a very down-to-earth man. They’re a sweet bunch, the Sorianos. Every once in a while, they’d even invite me for breakfast.

Breakfast with them is the finest. Tita would make me the richest hot chocolate this side of Cavite. She adds a little cinnamon for the bit of kick she needs.

Ernie would always offer me coffee, but personally, I never liked it. It was always way too bitter for my taste, and always a little too hot or a little too cold. He, however, goes nuts for it.

“But the bitter’s the best part!”, he’d always tell me. Or something about how the warmth feels good down his throat.

What bugs me, however, is how no one in town—not even Ernie, for that matter—sees the little things.

Nobody notices the tremor in Tita’s arms when she cooks, or the circles under her eyes when she smiles. No one sees how she shudders when Tito Jaime gets too close or flinches when he raises his hands. The glimpses of blue and purple on her neck, around her ankles, on her arms. Only I do.

It is moments like these when it takes everything I have to keep myself from snatching that cup of coffee from Ernie’s hands.

I’m afraid the bitter will turn him into a monster as well.

Inhale Blesilda Mae Padolina

I

woke up to the smell of Nanay’s tapsilog specialty, with a hint of Tatay’s strong, black coffee. A smile crept up my face as the sun shone through the windows’ blinds.

Strange, I thought to myself. What could possible make me smile during a Monday morning, a question that was answered as I once again inhaled the smell of love and familiarity. Ah, this moment right now, it’s all that matters to me.

One, two, three, four.

I banged the bathroom door and shouted, “What’s taking you so long, Ador?”

Through the door gaps, the scent of strong lavender made me look and wonder, “Ador, are you using my shower gel?”

I waited impatiently for him to finish when I noticed his bedroom door open. As soon as I entered, another recognizable scent filled me.

My lost perfume, or so I thought, was there, along with my other lost lip balms and moisturizers. I smiled while shaking my head. I guess I’m not the only one in our family who likes the scent of lavender.

Five, six, seven, eight.

I carried the weight of a million dates, as the scent of sampaguita on my neck enveloped my whole body.

I whispered my prayers as I passed by the church, looking at the other hopeful children selling bundles of sampaguitas. Do they have their deadlines too? I asked myself.

Nine, ten, eleven, twelve.

I skipped and hopped when rain suddenly fell and made me stop. This is what I’ll miss, the smell of the Earth when water hits.

Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen.

I rode the jeepney and slightly giggled when Kuya’s strong perfume lingered over me, and how I pulled out my favorite handkerchief when we passed by the marketplace, where the smell of my childhood adventures stayed.

Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty.

I couldn’t quite smile with this scent. “Do you smell the gasoline?”, the ale asked. I glanced at her with the look of alarm, not wanting to confirm what she asked.

Twenty-one, twenty-two.

I nodded my head, as if on cue, as if I already knew what’s going to happen in a second or two.

Twenty-three, twenty-four.

I closed my eyes and held my breath. It is too warm in here, I thought to myself.

Twenty-five, twenty-six.

There was a sudden pause. I was glad I took this time to breathe.

Twenty-seven, twenty-eight.

An explosion was heard—it was silent, deafening, and hard to forget.

Twenty-nine, thirty.

Exhale.

SPORTS

18 La Estrella Verde

July - October 2017

Lisbo, umarangkada sa CDAPS‒AL Franceska Nicole Canquin

Nasungkit ni Samira Lisbo ang ika-apat na pwesto sa isang dikdikang tunggalian kontra 21 kalahok noong nakaraang Women’s Chess Tournament sa City of Dasmariñas Association of Private Schools‒Athletic League (CDAPS‒AL) noong ika-9 ng Setyembre.

Ito ang pinakaunang pagsali ng Chess Team ng DLSU-D sa CDAPS‒AL. “Nakita ko pong strength ko [ay] malakas po ‘yung defense ko, at the same time, umaatake rin po ako. Free-style lang po ‘yung moves ko at hindi book-based dahil nawawala po minsan ‘yung concentration sa moves dahil iba yong tinira ng kalaban,” wika ni Lisbo. “‘Yung weakness ko naman po is ‘yung oras; ‘yun ‘yung ikinatalo ko noong last round kahit na ako ‘yung winning at makaka-mate sa kalaban,” dagdag ng kaisa-isang senior high na manlalaro ng koponan.

Ayon naman kay Coach Roderick Nava, “First of all, first time natin isali ang ating Chess Team to CDAPS‒AL and our players are all beginners. Actually, I have no expectations for them but exposure and experience. In spite a few months of training, surprisingly, all of them played very well.”

“Merging with juniors, we’ve got two bronze medals to Kenzel Lawas in Boys Board 2 and Dianella Belonia (in) Girls Board 1…tied for second to fourth place [is] Christian Manuel in Boys Board 1; he lost only by tiebreak points. Overall, we have two bronzes and fourth placers. [It is] a good (starting) performance, and hopefully, we raise it up next year, God-willing,” dagdag ng beteranong coach.

Lisbo executes her turn during the CISAA chess competition. Photo by Mark Fernan Ignacio

LEFT: Lisbo and coach Roderick Nava. RIGHT: Manuel. Photos by Mark Fernan Ignacio

SPORTS EDITORIAL

Natalo…o nanalo?

Franceska Nicole Canquin

Kilala ang mga atleta bilang may mataas na tiwala sa sariling katawan, kakayahan, at bisa.

Lubos ang pagsasagawa ng mga pagsasanay upang maipahayag ang katangiang lakas na taglay—ginagabing oras ng pag-uwi upang makapag-ensayo at mailaban sa iba’t ibang kompetisyong panlalawigan, pang-rehiyonal, o maging pambansa. Ang kasiyahang nadarama ay kakaiba tuwing nagwawagi, tila ba’y malapit nang makamit ang rurok ng tagumpay.

Ngunit sa kabilang banda, hindi lahat ay pinapalad, hindi lahat ay nagwawagi. May nanalo, at may natatalo. Ngunit natatalo nga ba? Hindi ba’t mas nagiging dahilan ito upang mas galingan at magpursigi? Sa lahat ng aspeto ng buhay, ito ay magandang dahilan upang bumangon. Ang pagkabigo ay hindi kailanma’y dahilan upang bumitiw at sumuko. Kung ano ang tiwalang ibinigay noong una ay siya ring nararapat na manatili hanggang wakas.

Lady Paddlers overthrow all teams in CDAPS‒AL 2017 Angelica Alcaraz DLSU-D Lady Paddlers Regine Aguilar and Mykaila Paez swept the singles event, doubles elimination, and final round for women’s division, bagging two gold medals in the City of Dasmariñas Association of Private Schools‒Athletic League (CDAPS‒AL) 2017 on Sept. 9 at Great Mercy Academy.

“

Ang pagkabigo ay hindi kailanma’y dahilan upang bumitiw at sumuko.”

DLSU-D Lady Paddlers bring home the bacon Angelica Alcaraz

On Sept. 9, the DLSU-D Lady Paddlers brought home the bacon as they swept the team event elimination round and won four gold medals in the City of Dasmariñas Association of Private Schools‒Athletic League (CDAPS‒AL) 2017 held at Great Mercy Academy.

Gayunpaman, kahit sa pagkabigo, nananatiling panalo ang mga atleta. Ang bawat isa ay tunay na kampyon. Ipinamalas ang tapang, sigasig, at lakas para maipagtanggol ang korona. Sila ang nagmimistulang representasyon ng kani-kanilang sarili at sa dinadalang paaralan.

Grade 11 Gab Fernandez and Grade 10 Regine Aguilar were the representatives for the singles-team event women’s division; both had great skills, and ensuring victory in every match.

With powerful serves and tight defenses, Fernandez swept five games and proceeded to the finals against Cavite School of Life (CSOL) representative Galaroza.

As Fernandez faced Galaroza, she showed off her skills, powerful hits, and topspin serves.

Controlling the game, she gained an early lead in both sets, and ended it with a powerful smash, settling the game with the score of 11-2, 11-1.

On the other hand, Aguilar also won five games; proceeding to the finals, she faced CSOL player Casabuena.

It was an intense game which both players didn’t want to lose; they exchanged powerful shots, which was only received with equally great defenses.

In the end, Aguilar clinched the win for the Lady Paddlers after besting CSOL’s Casabuena with the score of 11-7, 11-8. Tagging along their victory are doubles representatives Paez and Cabanda, who also received a gold medal each.

Proving their supremacy, the veterans showed no restraint in each game, garnering their biggest lead of 11-1 in the zsemi-final round.

In the first round, the Aguilar-Paez tandem showed no fear against Dadole and Bucao from St. Nicholas De Myra School. With their powerful serves, quick hits, and teamwork, they beat their opponents with the score of 11-5, 11-3.

Proceeding to the next round, Lady Paddlers faced Fiat Lux Academe in an intense match where both teams exchanged powerful hits, but with several smashes from Paez and powerful serves from Aguilar, the duo passed to the next round with the score of 11-8, 11-5.

Entering the semi-final round, both are firing up when at least five continuous powerful hits by Paez, tight defense from Aguilar, and powerful top spins from the pair pushed them

to victory against Cavite School of Life, with a 2-0 win, 11-3, 11-1.

Seeing the title within arm’s reach, the duo showed no mercy against Kin Yang Academy (KYA) in the championship match, crushing the opponents with a minimum six-point lead.

Taking advantage of KYA’s state of panic, Paez dealt out continuous powerful attacks, which ended the game with a score of 11-4, 11-5.

July - October 2017

SPORTS

La Estrella Verde 19

DLSU-D Shuttlers bag gold, silver in CDAPS‒AL Pauline Meneses The DLSU-D High School Badminton team obtained two medals in the City of Dasmariñas Association of Private Schools‒ Athletic League (CDAPS‒AL) on Sept. 9 at Blessed Mary Academy.

Taking the league by sweep, Nicole Gernale won gold in the Singles B Girls competition over Fiat Lux Academe, while Luis Bangalan IV secured silver, bowing down to Vel Maris Academy in the Singles B Boys competition.

Playing for his last year, Bangalan is thankful for the chance to play in this year’s competitions.

“Representing La Salle is a big honor, kaya I’m Ilao. Photo by Mary Joyce Simon

Lady Spikers: Undefeated champions of CDAPS‒AL 2017 Wynona Raechel Magnaye The DLSU-D Lady Spikers unleashed their prowess in the 2017 City of Dasmariñas Association of Private Schools‒Athletic League (CDAPS‒AL), beating out 36 other schools to take home the glory for the green and white.

“Dominated” would be an understatement, as the Spikers commanded the court, winning in straight sets in every game; the closest the opponents came was 25-16 in the championship bout, while the biggest damage they dealt was 25-7 in the elimination round.

Coach Raymond Ramirez guided his team, from the long practices to the intense championship match, holding out even after coming down with a flu on the last day. It all paid off, though, as he claimed his first championship title in his second coaching year for the DLSU-D Lady Spikers.

In its bag of tricks, DLSU-D had formed a star-studded roster composed of five junior and seven senior high school students, all of whom are veterans of sports, having over five years of experience between all the players.

Among the lineup are CDAPS‒AL veterans, libero Klarizze Faye Villalobos, setter Karyl Chiquito, and center spiker Jubilee Anne Del Rosario, who were all recognized as part of the mythical six and Del Rosario as the Most Valuable Player.

Road to victory The elimination round was a display of La Salle’s power, making it known that they were not to be taken lightly.

The first game was a testament to La Salle’s resolve to win as they defeated Christ the King College in a 2-0 set match, 25-10, 25-16, on Sept. 7 at the Sta. Maria Covered Court.

Their streak continued after defeating the Infant Jesus Academy, 25-7, 25-8; Islamic

DLSU-D suffers loss to Fiat Lux, 2-3 Gian Eldrich Sandoval The DLSU-D Patriots failed to keep their streak of eight wins and zero loss after being edged out by Fiat Lux Academe (FLA) in the championship game of the City of Dasmariñas Association of Private Schools‒Athletic League (CDAPS‒AL) Men’s Volleyball on Sept. 15 at the Villa Catalina Covered Court.

Studies Call and Guidance School, 25-13, 259; and the Asian Trinity School, 25-9, 25-10, all in straight sets.

Almost there Even heavy rains brought by the incoming typhoon weren’t enough to stop the Lady Spikers’ momentum as they advanced to the quarter finals on day four of the league.

The Spikers gave justice to their green uniforms as they overpowered Saint Francis Academy (SFA), a La Salle supervised school, in straight sets, 25-14, 25-23, at the Villa Catalina Covered Court.

Continuous attacks and service errors from the La Salle side forced a dead lock late in the second set, 20-20, but a miscommunication between SFA players allowed the Spikers to break away and win the set with a two-point lead.

The onslaught continued as DLSU-D crushed the Colegio de Salitran (CDS) team in 2-0 sets, 25-18, 25-14.

La Salle ruled the match from the get-go, gaining an early four-point lead, 6-2, in the first set, and continued to end the match with almost triple their first lead, 25-14.

Even after being well-rested, FLA was no match for the Lady Spikers who showed no signs of mercy, pummeling the opponents with 17 service aces, 13 attacks, and 3 blocks.

Coach Ramirez contributed their win to three things: teamwork, communication, and self-confidence, which ruled the Lady Spikers performance throughout the league.

The final hurdle Redemption never tasted so sweet as the Lady Spikers savored its victory after defeating last year’s runner-up Fiat Lux Academe (FLA) in a 3-0 set sweep, 25-9, 25-15, 25-16 in the championship game held on Sept. 11 at the Villa Catalina Covered Court.

FLA was able to get a deuce, but the DLSU-D spikers made no room for errors, ending the first set, 26-24.

Picking up their pace, FLA built their momentum and stole the second set, 17-25.

Continuing through the game, the athletes in green showed no fear and executed strategic plays and a tight defense against the athletes in blue, taking back the third set with a 12-point lead, 25-13.

Not giving up, FLA performed smart plays and quick attacks that got the better of the Patriots, snatching the fourth set, 21-25.

The DLSU-D spikers gave their all in the crucial do-or-die set of the game as they gain an early six-point advantage, but the Patriots came to a series of errors that helped the FLA seal their victory, 11-15.

DLSU-D’s journey The athletes in green fought hard up to their last game and dominated from the start

of the league as they attain consecutive wins against schools such as Great Mercy Academy of Cavite, The First Uniting Christian School, Mahonri Academy & Science High School, and Queen Anne School of Dasmariñas.

Adding to their winning streak is a victory against Kin Yang Academy and a straight two wins-by-default, securing their ticket to the semi-finals.

Their triumph against the Colegio de Salitran paved way for their secured seat in the finals.

Sadly, their journey came to an end when they faced the relentless FLA. They didn’t come home empty handed, however, as team captain Yukio Estrella and John Rencio Delimos were awarded as part of the mythical six and the Patriots brought back the title of first runner-up.

The Patriots will continue to push through their trainings to get back in shape for their upcoming leagues.

so happy na I got to represent this school, and bring home a medal,” he stated.

Eleazar Aquino of Junior High School advanced to the quarterfinals, while Gail Ilao garnered a silver medal, falling short against Jesus Christ King of Kings and Lord of Lords Academy in the Singles A Girls competition.

Volume 2 Issue 1

July - October 2017

DLSU-D owns CDAPS‒AL 2017 Ingrid Claire Del Rosario

The DLSU-D teams came out swinging in the first league of the season, City of Dasmariñas Association of Private Schools‒Athletic League (CDAPS‒AL), held on Sept. 7-12, garnering a total of three championship titles, three first runner-up awards, seven golds, and one silver medal.

Animo! La Salle! by James Lapera

The Patriots went all out, joining events such as basketball, volleyball boys and girls, badminton, table tennis, football, swimming, and chess, sending out both senior and junior high school students to represent the University.

Even before the games started, La Salle already stepped out into the spotlight after winning fourth place in the Ms. CDAPS‒AL competition with their representative, Sarah

Perez of the Women’s Volleyball Team, and taking first runner-up for Best in Jersey.

The champion teams and selected players will move on to compete in the 2017 City Meet, representing the Private Schools of Dasmariñas and going up against fierce opponents for a spot in the Southern Tagalog CALABARZON Athletic Association Meet.

Thaddean Knights end Patriots’ streak Ingrid Claire Del Rosario

The DLSU-D Patriots were unable to complete their run after facing the champions, St. Jude College (SJC) Thaddean Knights, 107-64, at the basketball championship battle of the City of Dasmariñas Association of Private Schools-Athletic League (CDAPS‒AL) on Sept. 14 at Brgy. San Juan Covered Court.

Before the clash had started, co-captain Irald Balomaga said, “Kaya namin, pero i-t-try namin ‘yung best namin na dikitan sila at talunin.”

The boys of DLSU-D made an early basket, but the Thaddean Knights immediately answered and shut down La Salle with their 14-0 run in the first half of the quarter.

A heated argument between Patriots’ team captain Adrian Dimapawi, and St. Jude’s Barquin broke out after the latter confronted Dimapawi about causing fellow Knight Labiang to fall hard to the ground after a joust for the ball.

The confrontation led to Dimapawi being thrown out of the game with the Patriots still trying to recover, 18-30.

The gigantic heights of the ballers of St. Jude continued to tower La Salle, but the Patriots never gave up and sliced through the defense of their opponent.

After Dimapawi’s expulsion, things got more physical between the players, causing Vinz Semilla to foul out of the game.

With another man down, the Patriots tried to recover and made an 8-0 run in the last minute of the quarter, 28-53.

During the third quarter, St. Jude duo Laurencio and Loristo continued to pressure the Patriots, causing them to become unable in handling their opponent’s offense.

A second player of DLSU-D graduated in the last four minutes of the quarter, but Patriots’ Quimpo continued to strive and contributed to their team offense and defense, 41-79.

With 10 minutes on the clock, the Patriots continued to defend their court and attack the

baskets, but it wasn´t enough to blow away a humongous deficit against the Thaddean Knights, ending the game with 64-107.

As the run of DLSU-D e n d e d with them being the first placer of the league, the boys had nothing to be ashamed of as they started strong, dominating the elimination round with a record of 4-0, and even defeating last year’s contenders Fiat Lux Academe with a neck and neck game, 7062.

DLSU-D Patriot Ren Calaustro even received an award as part of the mythical 5 of the league.

In an interview with Coach Arnold Oliveros, he admitted that it was a mismatch game because of the height advantage and said that there was nothing to be ashamed of, and what’s important was they had gained more experience.

When asked on what he could say about the hard fouls during the game, he answered, “Kailangan namin maging ganun para maging matapang.

Diyan namin kukunin yung lakas namin eh.”

Dizon executes a shot during CDAPS match against Holy Child Jesus Montessori. Photo by Julian Patric Semilla

CISAA 2017 kicks off Jardiniano named Ms. CISAA Ambassadress Gian Eldrich Sandoval A total of 16 teams from across the province marched to the 28th Cavite Inter-Secondary Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) Games Opening Ceremony held at Ugnayang La Salle on Sept. 23.

The battle for Mr. and Ms. CISAA Ambassador and Ambassadress 2017 was conducted during the opening ceremony, wherein Gwyneth Jardiniano (CSC21) made her way to the top and gave pride to DLSU-D as she was hailed Ms. CISAA Ambassadress 2017.

Jardiniano said in an interview that they were only given a few days to prepare for the competition. Two of those preparations include

the stage walk and fencing stance with her partner, Robert Brent Villena (SBI21).

Jardiniano also added that it wasn’t hard for her to catch up during the practices, since she and Villena had already worked together during the Mr. and Ms. Intramurals 2017 last school year.

Villena, however, was unsuccessful in bringing home the title of Mr. CISAA Ambassador 2017, but he stated that it was still an

honor to represent DLSU-D Senior High School in the CISAA. Instead, Justin John Limcolioc from Elizabeth Seton School-South was named as Mr. CISAA Ambassador 2017. Other awards given during the opening ceremonies include Best in Uniform (Vel Maris Academy) and Best Crowd (Fiat Lux Academe).

Basketball and volleyball games followed at various venues after the ceremony.