December 2018 - March 2019
Volume 3 Issue 3
Hiphop Competition. Grade 11 dance group The Eliminated shows off their talents and grooved to their own beat in celebration of the Students’ Week 2018. Photo by Kristine Estenilo.
SC secretary resigns New SC EB officers named Via Marifaye Nazareth Former Student Council (SC) Secretary Paolo Jimeno stepped down from his position in the SC Executive Board (EB) at the beginning of the second semester. Jimeno was elected secretary, together with the other SC EB in August 2018.
There was no immediate explanation why he resigned. Jimeno declined to comment on the reason of his resignation from the SC EB.
Jimeno, however, released a brief statement stating that “personal reasons” were involved. The SC has yet to issue an official
statement regarding the issue and have not officially announced Jimeno’s resignation to the Senior Secretary resigns, see page 2
Abiog: Ayuntamiento may solve long lines during enrollment Current transaction area open during peak season Edcel Derick Padulla Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services (VCFAS) Deodoro Abiog II sees the transfer of the administration offices from its current building in Gregoria Montoya Hall (GMH) to the Ayuntamiento and adding more cashiers as a solution for the long queue during enrollment period.
LEV bags 2nd award from The Manila Times Bautista, del Rosario wins Best HS Literary Piece Charles Jeffrey Reyes La Estrella Verde’s (LEV) literary piece “Born of the Earth” was named the Best High School Literary Piece in the 2018 The Manila Times (TMT) Campus Press Awards held on Jan. 31 at Savoy Hotel, Pasay City.
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a political piece…is garnering this much attention. The Lumad deserve to be talked about,” she said. HUMSS/ABM Coordinator Robbie Ann Jesser Eullo mentioned that seeing Bautista and del Rosario receive recognitions for something they love and are good at may be the best reward an adviser can receive. “I’ve witnessed how passionate [del Rosario] and [Bautista] are with what they do and these awards, the Campus Press Awards and the Catholic Mass Media Awards, are
The foreboding time ahead
Manila Times, see page 2
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Editorial
share this ‘LEVgacy’ with the whole organization,” she said. Furthermore, Bautista said that she feels a greater sense of responsibility in speaking up for the people and will use the award as motivation to become a better communicator for the community and the nation. Del Rosario also expressed her feelings about the publication’s win. “Super surreal ng feeling, and I feel very (grateful) para kay Miss Jesser and the editors who believed in the piece and submitted it. Plus, it feels really gratifying (that) a piece like ‘Born of the Earth,’ which is quite
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The entry, which addressed the struggles of the Lumad community, was included in the second issue of Morpheme, LEV’s literary folio, and was penned by former LEV Literary Editor Elaissa Bautista and former Literary staff Katherine Anne del Rosario. According to Bautista, she considered the award a win not just for her and del Rosario, but for the whole publication. “Every one of LEV ‘fossils’ and members has been continuously supportive in my journey as a student-journalist. Thus, I want to
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Administration building,” he said. Meanwhile, the movement of buildings received both praises and criticism from the SHS. According to Marie Grace Alambro (ABM13), “Most parents might not be informed about this situation and get confused with the move and transactions.” Alyssa Bernice Tapat (HMS13) also expressed her ideas regarding the said move of the administration offices. “(Medyo) nalilito pa rin ako sa move na ito, pero siguro understandable na rin since mahahaba ‘yung mga pila sa mga counter [tuwing] peak season ng bayaran.” Angela Punzalan (HMS21) also voiced her optimism regarding the movement of he said offices to Ayuntamiento. “(Tama) siguro (dahil) wala namang (gumagamit) ng (Ayuntamiento) [sa] (ngayon) para (kapag) enrollment...mas madami ang counters na open for faster transactions and bigger space,” she added. On the other hand, Abiog says that the movement of the said offices from GMH to the Ayuntamiento are Ayuntamiento, see page 2
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LEVgends. Former Literary Editor Elaissa Bautista (center) and former Literary staff Katherine Anne Del Rosario (not in photo) received the award for Best Literary Piece at 2018 The Manila Times Campus Press Awards. Photo by Princess Mijares.
“If we only have it in one area everybody will go (there)...of course, it’s crowded. (But), if we have two areas, (the) [people] are divided into two areas,” he stated. According to Abiog, the administration plans to retain the current transaction area in GMH open, but only during the enrollment season. “Our plan (for) [Ayuntamiento] is a cashier [placed] there, but we would like to maintain the present transaction area (in GMH). [However], it will not be functional everyday,” he added. The VCFAS also explained that DLSU-D President Br. Gus Boquer FSC released a mandate that gives privilege to the Office of the Student Services (OSS) and some college organizations to use GMH as their new offices when the current administration offices has transferred to Ayuntamiento. Aside from these, Abiog also voiced his will to make the move of the OSS and the organizations to the vacated building. “Hopefully, as we move [to] (Ayuntamiento), the [OSS] will also start moving [into the]
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NEWS
La Estrella Verde
December 2018 - March 2019
Grade 12 prepares for exposure trip, work immersion Edcel Derick Padulla After changing this year’s program for Capstone/Work Immersion in accordance to the Department of Education (DepEd) curriculum, track coordinators and committee and program heads are currently finalizing the preparations for the work immersion of the Grade 12 TVL track and exposure trip for the ABM, HUMSS, and STEM strands.
Infograph by John Benedict Aguirre and Willem Dimas
Batangantang addresses CPAR awarding issue SC admits lack of contingency plan Rheine Noelle Requilman Due to the underwhelmed reactions regarding the announcement of the Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Region (CPAR) competition winners, HUMSS Faculty and CPAR Subject Moderator Andy Batangantang addressed issues on the execution of the Students’ Week awarding.
On Dec. 14, the awarding ceremony for CPAR competition winners at the University Grandstand did not commence after the SC announced the venue changes for the Acquaintance Party. Batangantang revealed that the reason for the cancellation of the ceremony was due to time constraints and the SC’s decision to move the venue at the last minute. He also stated that the lack of microphones were due to the sound system not being set up. Regarding the criticisms on the late set-up, SC Technical Committee Head Ian Metante responded, “Hindi pa po [natapos] magset-up ‘yung Throb [that time] dahil na-late po…sila ng dating,” he explained. Back-up plan Moreover, Metante admitted that
the lack of contingency plans was due to miscommunication within the SC regarding the event. “Nung time na ‘yon sina (SC President Rommel Tuppal and SC Adviser Patricia Lina) lang ‘yung nag-uusap tungkol doon, so wala kaming knowledge about…sa nangyayari,” he confessed. Tuppal clarified that he wanted to discuss the changes with Lina beforehand, then relay the final plan to the other SC members. “[There was a] lack of contingency plan because we (didn’t) have [a] plan B (for the weather condition), and ‘yung gagawin naming plan B kailangan pang i-sure mostly [with the head organizers] bago ko i-release sa SC,” he said. Meanwhile, the event received mixed reactions from the winners of the CPAR competitions. Philippe Pugay (STM24) expressed his dismay
with how the announcement was made. “I was happy to hear our group being called…but after the announcement it was hard not to think about (its formality) [and] the winners not being showcased.” Lorraine Fernandez (STM23) also shared her concerns on the awarding. “I was surprised and…dismayed because announcements were slightly inaudible, which made it hard to distinguish who won and in what category did they win,” she said. In addition, Batangantang voiced, “The organizers were stressed [and] preoccupied because of the changes that had to be made (regarding the) venue as well as the program [and] time. The situation was difficult for both the organizers and me but looking back, I understand what they had to go through.
of [our] responsible (members).” However, Tuppal affirmed that they will respect and support Jimeno and his decisions. Currently, former STEM Representative Miguel Teodoro holds the position of SC Treasurer. Meanwhile, Ian Metante (STM110) holds the position of STEM Representative. As of press time, SC Adviser Patricia Lina has yet to give her statements regarding the issue.
ng mga ginastos…Need ni (Student Activities Faculty in Charge Maurice Baylan) ‘yung mga napag-gastusan for the whole week,” he explained. Previously, Sarmiento held the position of ABM Track Representative. Tuppal explained that Sarmiento was chosen due to her background knowledge in auditing as an ABM student. Sarmiento said of her new position, “Naging masaya ako kasi in-elect nila ako...alam nila na bagay sa ‘kin ‘yung position kasi ABM student ako so, kaya ko ‘yung mga ipapagawa sa ‘kin and alam ko kung paano gawin.” When questioned why the SC had not appointed an auditor during the announcement of the EB last August, Tuppal explained that it was due to their still developing constitution at the time. Currently, Wendy Pascol (ABM15) holds the position of ABM Track Representative.
Secretary resigns, from page 1
High community. “Pagpasok ng second semester sinabihan na lang po ako ng president namin na secretary na daw po ako,” stated newly appointed SC Secretary and former Treasurer Leslie Baltazar. Upon hearing of Jimeno’s resignation, Dañella Rose Pornobi (STM18) expressed her shock at the lack of announcements. “I (expected) the Student Council to inform the (students) while (applying) a systematic approach on this matter.” Earl Mathew Dalawampo (TVL12) also agreed, stating that students should be aware when major changes happen within the SC. SC President Rommel Tuppal clarified SC’s silence, saying that due to the amount of recent changes, “We...need to be formal and time it [right].” He also added that the SC was very much affected by Jimeno’s resignation because of the vital role he played in the organization. “I think it’s very sad…that he chose (another) path, because he was one
Newly-appointed auditor Tuppal also revealed that a new member of the SC Executive Board has been recently appointed. Narumie Sarmiento (ABM16), recently joined as the auditor starting January. According to Tuppal, an auditor was needed in order to finalize the finances of the SC after expenses were made during the Students’ Week. “We needed it for the Students’ Week kasi dapat siya na bahala mag-audit [at] mag-check [ng] lahat
According to Assistant Director for Senior High School (SHS) Marlon Pareja, the curriculum released by DepEd allows the DLSU-D SHS to have an option to take an exposure trip or work immersion, unlike last year, when the school was required to have all tracks conduct work immersions. Pareja explained that they have decided to change the Capstone program from work immersion to exposure trip for the academic strands because the school chooses to focus on conducting researches. “Meron kasi tayong (Student Research Innovation and Development) Program for STEM, HUMSS [and] ABM… Research-oriented tayo because this is pre-university.” However, TVL sections are still required to participate in the work immersion as per the DepEd curriculum. Meanwhile, Exposure Program focal person for HUMSS/ABM strand Jem Salandanan stated that they are finalizing an agreement with Junior Achievement Philippines, a nongovernment organization offering programs for work immersion and Capstone in SHS. Joanna Sanchez, focal person for STEM’s exposure trip, shared that she already passed a proposal letter to the Accounting Office regarding the list of companies that students could visit. She also added that the list of courses is according to the students’ preliminary survey. TVL Immersion focal person Props Madrilejos explained that he is working on assigning the students’ ways to experience the actual industry setting. He also said that they are currently looking for immersion partners who are willing to accept TVL students. Madrilejos added that TVL students will be divided into two batches and will also join an exposure trip. “There
are two sections who will (experience) work immersion and each section will have different schedules…Students will [also] have an industry exposure trip in Quezon,” he explained. Students’ feedback Grade 12 students voiced their excitement regarding the work immersion and exposure trip that they will experience as part of the curriculum for Capstone. As stated by Jenina Aniel (TVL21), “I would gladly appreciate it if the whole experience would equip me, not just [with] any further knowledge (of) the…industry, but also to maximize my skills (and) credibility of working with different kinds of people from various type of fields. Wanting to further hone his skills and learn new things from different fields in his strand, Ronielle David (ABM22) states that this experience will enhance his skills. “I hope to learn the different strategies on how the company or business strive from financial crisis.” Expectations Meanwhile, HUMSS/ABM Track Coordinator Robbie Ann Jesser Eullo expects that the one-day trip will help the students get an idea on the career that they will pursue. “I [want them to] have an idea on the industry that they want to pursue,” she elaborated. Pareja also shared that the exposure trip will aid students on the Student Research Innovation and Development Program, helping students present their research as a pre-requisite for college. Additionally, Pareja also hopes that the program will get more linkages as it matures. “Hopefully, makakuha tayo ng linkages in which we can expose more students na hindi naman necessarily Grade 12 students, pwedeng Grade 11,” he stated.
Manila Times, from page 1
the greatest encouragement for them to pursue this passion for writing… Siguro that’s the best reward for us as teachers/advisers: to see [the students] shine,” Eullo stated. The said award was not the first recognition LEV has received from
TMT. Del Rosario and former LEV Photo staff Klensch Guevarra also won the Best High School Literary Piece English category and Best High School Photography English category, respectively, in the 2017 Campus Press Awards.
Ayuntamiento, from page 1
currently being processed and will start in April. He also explained that his plan is to finish everything by the end of March. Moreover, the VCFAS did not promise that the move will be effective
as soon as it was implemented because the school did not have a chance to have two cashiers having a distance between each other. Their plan will only be tested after the move of the said offices.
Acquaintance Night. MNTKLYA performed at Ugnayang La Salle for the first time during the Acquaintance Party, Dec. 14, 2018. Photo by James Zagada.
NEWS
December 2018 - March 2019
Entrep Bazaar, sa Robinson’s Imus na lamang idadaos Rheine Noelle Requilman Sa halip na dalawa ang pagdadausang lugar kagaya noong nagdaang semestre, sa Robinson’s Place Imus na lamang gaganapin ang ikalawang Entrepreneurship Bazaar mula Abril 29 hanggang Mayo 5.
Kumpara sa nakaraang bazaar na isinagawa sa mga parking lot sa Gate 1 ng DLSU-D at Robinson’s Place Imus, ilulunsad na lamang sa iisang venue ang bazaar ng STEM at ICT ngayong semestre. Ayon kay Entrepreneurship Subject Moderator at Bazaar Overall Head Norman Gomez, nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa venue upang mapadali ang proseso ng pagsasagawa ng bazaar. “Kapag dalawa ang venue, nahahati ang resources and twice the preparation. [Kung iisa lang], hindi na dodoble ‘yung mga [papipirmahan at] ‘yung steps for approval.” Dagdag niya, mas matututukan ng mga guro ang mga mag-aaral kung isa lamang ang paggaganapan ng bazaar. Ayon kay Gomez, dadalawa raw ang binabantayan nilang venue noon, at dahil na rin sa kakulangan ng staff, ang nakitang paraan upang mas mapagtuunan ng pansin ang
mga mag-aaral ay ang pagbawas ng venue. Inilahad din ni Gomez na magkakaroon ng memorandum of agreement ang DLSU-D Senior High School at Robinson’s Place Imus ukol sa pagkakaroon ng bazaar sa mga susunod na taon. “And that will cover three school years. So, ngayong school year and for the succeeding two school years, may Robinson’s Imus [nang] pagdadausan ng Entrep Bazaar,” aniya. Bagama’t nagkaroon na ng kasunduan sa naturang venue, nagbunga ito ng mga negatibong reaksyon mula sa mga mag-aaral na magbebenta sa darating na bazaar. Pahayag ni Louise Calairo (STM23), mahihirapan ang mga kalahok sa bazaar dahil kakaunti lamang ang pumupunta sa Robinson’s Place Imus. “Rob Imus, first of all, has fewer visitors compared to SM Dasma and District
Imus. The students also do not have assurance that their stall will be located in a customer-wise place,” giit niya. Kaugnay nito, ibinahagi rin ni Yvonne Cas (STM110) ang kanyang pagkadismaya sa nasabing desisyon. “Wala kaming masyadong kilalang tao na pwedeng ma-convince para bumili (ng) product namin. Kapag sa DLSU-D, mas maraming (ma-e-engganyong) pumunta sa bazaar kasi familiar na kami sa kanila.” Gayunpaman, inaasahan ni Gomez na maraming mapupulot na karanasan ang mga estudyante mula sa gaganaping bazaar. “Kapag nandoon ka sa Robinson’s Mall, mas ma-e-expose ka (roon) sa mismong market. Kumbaga mas fulfilling siya, mas challenging siya, in a way, [dahil] mas na-te-test [ng mga estudyante] ‘yung personal and professional development [nila],” saad niya.
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Grade 11 BOTB, dalawang beses naudlot Charles Jeffrey Reyes Kinansela ng dalawang beses ang Battle of the Bands (BOTB) na inilaan para sa mga Grade 11 noong kasagsagan ng Students’ Week 2018.
Ayon kay Student Council (SC) Vice President Joshua Paulino, naurong sa Disyembre 14 ang pagtugtog ng mga banda ng Grade 11 para sa Students’ Week noong Disyembre 10 dahil limitado lamang ang oras na nakareserba sa Senior High School para gamitin ang Ugnayang La Salle (ULS) sa nasabing selebrasyon. Bagamat inurong sa Disyembre 14 ang mga pagtatanghal ng Grade 11, kinansela itong muli dahil sa masamang lagay ng panahon. “Nakaapekto ang malakas na ulan sa pag set-up ng mga…kagamitan para sa event sa paraang natigil ang pagsasaayos ng mga bagay-bagay na kailangan at dahil dito hindi na nasunod ang flow ng program (kinailangan) agad (ito) baguhin,” ani SC President Rommel Tuppal. Inanusyo ang pagkaudlot ng kompetisyon noong tanghali ng Disyembre 14 kasabay ang pag-anunsyo ng paglipat ng venue ng Acquiantance Party sa loob ng ULS. Pahayag ni Carl Villa (TVL11),
nakadidismaya ang pagpapaliban ng Battle of the Bands. “Nasayang ‘yung [pagod at oras sa pag-eensayo] pero inintindi na lang namin ang situation kasi pare-parehas naman nating ‘di ginusto yung nangyari,” aniya. Dagdag pa ni Aero Tomlinson (STM110), “It (was) a huge bummer. Having to prepare and feel nervous for it two times was distressing. We’ve put a lot of time… and effort to prepare for it, so we [were] glad to hear that they didn’t cancel the whole program.” Ayon kay Tuppal, ipagpapatuloy ang naudlot na BOTB sa nalalapit na Lasallian Festival na gaganapin sa Marso. Ngunit, nilinaw ni Tuppal na wala pang konkretong plano para sa pagganap muli ng kumpetisyon dahil hindi pa ito naaaprubahan ni SC Adviser Patricia Lina. Sinubukan ng LEV na humingi ng pahayag mula kay Lina ukol sa nasabing isyu ngunit hindi pa ito sumasagot.
Animo Startups, LPDC, opisyal nang mga organisasyon Via Marifaye Nazareth Binigyan na ng akreditasyon ni Student Activities faculty-incharge Maurice Baylan ang Animo Startups at Lasallian Patriots Dance Company (LPDC) bilang mga ganap na organisasyon ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) noong Enero 18.
Nagtanghal si Wallace Beltran at dalawa pang mag-aaral sa Senior High sa Poesia 2019: Awit ng Himagsikan, Peb. 6. Kuha ni Kristine Estenilo.
CRT, nakatanggap ng halo-halong reaksyon mula sa Grade 12 Ella Lorraine Regudo Tumanggap ng samu’t-saring reaksyon mula sa mga estudyante ng Grade 12 ang isinagawang College Readiness Test (CRT) ng Student Wellness Center (SWC) matapos ilabas ang resulta noong Nobyembre 20.
Ayon kay Ruth Rañeses (STM23), naging maayos ang resulta para sa kanya dahil pareho ang resulta ng CRT sa halos lahat ng pinasukan niya.“‘Di naman disappointing ‘yung result and sa lahat ng university na pinasukan ko [‘yon] ‘yung naging result [na] napaka-close.” aniya. Ibinahagi naman ni Rommel Tuppal (ABM23) ang naging epekto ng CRT sa kanya kung saan naging positibo ito dahil nakatulong ito sa pagpili ng kanyang kukuning kurso. “Nakatulong (‘yung) CRT para makapag-decide ako kung ano (‘yung) kukunin kong kurso talaga for college kasi…‘di ko talaga alam kukunin ko… [SWC Counselor Joy Parohinog] helped me by suggesting (yung) sa tingin niya na (doon) ako bagay (based) on my attitude and intellect,” pahayag ni Tuppal. Bagamat nagdulot ng positibong epekto ang mga resulta ng CRT, may iilan pa ring nahirapan sa pagkuha ng pagsusulit tulad ni Bryan Tiamsim (ABM23). “I was very blessed to have an overall high result in the (CRT) However, taking the exam was such a mindboggling experience since there (were) really hard questions...that (were) out of my… knowledge…[but] (there were) some easy questions in Math,” ayon kay Tiamsim. Dagdag pa rito, ang naging pahayag
ni Chelsea Arzaga (STM22) na hindi niya ikinatuwa ang nakuhang resulta dahil, ayon sa kanya, hindi ito umabot sa kakailanganin niyang iskor para sa nais niyang kurso. Sabi ni Arzaga, “Na-disappoint ako sa result ng CRT ko kasi wala akong review tulad ng karamihan sa (Grade) 12 students bago ako nag-take ng test. Hindi umabot ‘yung score ko sa gusto kong (kunin) na kurso at mas pasado ako sa hindi ko gusto na course. Sobrang nagsisi akong hindi ko pinaghandaan ‘yung test.” Ipinaliwanag naman ni Parohinog na maayos ang naging resulta ng CRT, lalo na sa mga nag-seryoso rito dahil maaaring makaapekto ito sa nais kunin ng mga Grade 12 na kurso sa kolehiyo. “So far, okay naman [‘yung results] especially for those who took it properly, not so for those who (did not)...‘Yun ‘yung nagiging problema kasi they thought wala lang [‘yung CRT], pero ngayon nagkaka-problema sila because (‘yung score nila sa CRT) did not meet the required score for the specific course…they (wanted), so ‘pag ganoon magpapa-reconsider pa sila, unlike if they took it properly,” sabi ni Parohinog. Dagdag pa niya, makatutulong din ito sa mga nais mag-aral ng kolehiyo sa DLSU-D dahil hindi na
magsasagawa ng entrance exam ang Unibersidad para sa mga mag-aaral na galing rito. Pagbabasehan nito ang resulta ng CRT. Bukod sa CRT, nagsagawa din ang SWC ng interbyu matapos lumabas ang mga resulta upang maging basehan sa gagawing recommendation forms ng mga estudyante para sa kolehiyo. “Personally, when I do recommendations I don’t (just put) their names…we would like to highlight their [strengths and accomplishments], because siyempre, students are more than numbers ‘di ba? [So], we’d like to highlight their involvement in school, even outside of school, and their personal accomplishments as well,” saad ni Parohinog . Nakatulong din ang resulta ng CRT sa Unibersidad, bukod sa mga mag-aaral, upang masukat ang kabuuang kalagayan ng mga kasalukuyang Grade 12. “In a way it also affects the University because generally, when we have the results… the school would know if the student fared well overall…so basically, it’s an academic achievement test…in a way, maganda rin siyang makuha para rin makita ang overall performance noong batch,” aniya Parohinog.
Ang Animo Startups ay isang organisasyong nagbibigay-daan sa mga gustong magkaroon ng kaalaman tungkol sa mga gawaing pangkabuhayan. Ayon kay Animo Startups President Shairen Flores, makatutulong ang kanilang organisasyon sa mga nais maging entrepreneur. “We…help them build their knowledge (and) interest in (businessrelated matters)…they can attend events that will help them develop to become a successful entrepreneur, gain knowledge through seminars, and…be able to meet entrepreneurs or business-related people,” saad ni Flores Sa kabilang banda, magbibigay ang LPDC ng pagkakataon sa lahat ng mga mananayaw na ipakita ang kanilang talento sa komunidad ng SHS at maging sa labas ng Unibersidad. Matatandaang lumahok ang LPDC sa Sayaw Pinoy 2018 National Dance Competition na pinangunahan ng National Committee of Dance sa ilalim ng National Commission for Culture and the Arts noong
Oktubre 22, at sa Sayaw Hataw, isang kompetisyon na inorganisa ng Bedanz Dance Troupe Alabang ng San Beda College Alabang noong Disyembre 15. Ayon kay Cherry Mae Betila, presidente ng LPDC, kasalukuyang nag-eensayo ang grupo para sa mga parating na pagtatanghal sa loob at labas ng Unibersidad. Nagbigay din si Baylan ng kanyang mensahe para sa mga bagong organisasyon ng SHS. “I expect programs from them. Programs that will not only benefit (the organization), but… the SHS community or even the community outside the school.” Sa kasalukuyan, pitong organisasyong SHS na ang pormal nang kinikilala ng DLSU-D SHS. Kabilang dito ang tatlong Auxiliary Groups, tatlong Performing Arts Groups—kabilang na ang LPDC—at ang isang Co-curricular Group na Animo Startups.
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OPINION
La Estrella Verde
La Estrella Verde
December 2018 - March 2019
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The Official Senior High School Student Publication of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas
EDITORIAL BOARD A.Y. 2018-2019
Isang paglilinaw
EDITOR IN CHIEF Xander Lauren Cipriano ASSOCIATE EDITOR Blesilda Mae Padolina
Averting Oblivion
MANAGING EDITOR Ciela Andrea Roasa
Xander Lauren Cipriano
COPY EDITOR Geraldine Rambano
K
NEWS EDITOR Lexi France Angeles FEATURES EDITOR Kristine Mae Evangelista
EDITORIAL
Criminal @ 9:
SPORTS EDITOR Gian Eldrich Sandoval
The (IL)Legal Debut
LITERARY EDITOR Geraldine Rambano ART EDITOR Romeo Christopher Avila LAYOUT EDITOR Willem Dominic Dimas PHOTO AND VIDEO EDITOR Princess Korrinne Mijares WEB EDITOR Izabelle Mari Siarot RADIO PROGRAM MANAGERS Xander Lauren Cipriano Blesilda Mae Padolina NEWS
Via Marifaye Nazareth, Edcel Derick Padulla, Ella Lorraine Regudo, Rheine Noelle Requilman, Charles Jeffrey Reyes, Enrico Jose Taguinod
FEATURES
Aaron Silas Bernaldo, Wallace Roland Beltran, Clarisse Bianca Bucu, Paul Christian Pama, Sophia Khassandra Reyes, Psalm Mishael Taruc, Alyssa Uy, Zion Jil Villela
SPORTS
Winona Eunice Alindogan, Chelsea Janelle David, J.M. Joaquin Ilustre, Pauline Meneses
LITERARY
Paulene Abarca, Kraig Briones, Ciela Andrea Roasa, Psalm Mishael Taruc, Juliana Marie Villanueva
ART
VJ Aniel Barretto, Rachelle Ann Calaustro, Sim Daeun, Jennifer Diola, Gizella Gawaran, Courtney Ivannah Gracio, Danielle Mari Tanael, Ailene Joyce Puzon, James Martin Rafols, Jerrika Mikaela Tonio, Yu Wada
LAYOUT
John Benedict Aguirre, Cristelle Corpuz, Sim Daeun, Zacheus Emanuel Gonzales, Monica Albert Montaño, Sean Patrick Serrano
PHOTO AND VIDEO
Kristine Estenilo, Juvilee Galacgac, Aldrin Otagan, Louise Antonio Peñaflor, Kristine Mae Saroca, John Paulo Templo, James Zagada
WEB
The Filipino youth has always been seen and pertained to as ‘pagasa ng bayan,’ but this image has now been tainted by the controversial issue of changing the minimum age of criminal liability from 15 to 9 years old. The said lowering will severely tamper the dignity of the children. The bill, originally numbered House Bill No. 505, was first introduced by Second District of Tarlac Rep. Victor Yap to the House of Representatives in 2016. The bill aims to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, changing the age range of exemption from 15 to 9 years old. According to the House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the bill has been pending in the House of Representatives since July of the same year it was introduced. Due to this, readings have been made for the bill, and as of Jan. 22, the House Committee on Justice approved this amendment. When the bill was delivered to every news outlet and on social media, it garnered backlash and negative criticisms from various human rights groups, and the online community. This pressing issue has only two implications: to protect children or to threaten them. Oriental Mindoro Representative and Justice chairperson Salvador Leachon justified that the bill still aims to protect children, specifically from syndicates who take advantage of them. He clarified that children won’t be put in jail but will be sent to reformative institutions to be corrected with the purpose of bringing them back to the community. Children would not be labeled as criminals but as children in conflict with the law. Leachon pressed that the public should understand the entirety of the law. However, his statement contradicts what most of the Philippine laws says. Commonly, these laws address that children must be protected at all costs. The approval of this amendment will be a major contradiction to all the laws implemented. To reinforce that this decision will do nothing but harm, renowned psychiatrist and clinical psychologist Randy Dellosa stated that nine years old is not mature enough to resist pressure or threats from criminally-minded people or peers, despite knowing what is right and wrong. At that age of mental development, incarcerating children in conflict with the law will completely diminish any chances of rehabilitation. Perhaps, a better way to address the said issue is to further strengthen the reinforcement of laws protecting children. Another alternative is by providing financial support since poverty is a primary reason why a majority of children are forced into crime as a means to support their families. Lastly, child psychology or counseling must be a prerequisite to identify the child’s maturity and to determine if the reason they turned to a life of crime is could be easily dealt with. In the end, there will always be hope for the children of our tomorrow. Through extensive cooperation and the support of everyone in our country, the terms pag-asa ng ating bayan for our children will be at hand.
John Benedict Aguirre, Zion Jil Villela
ADVISER
Venetia Conag Bruza
COORDINATOR, HUMSS/ABM
Robbie Ann Jesser Eullo
La Estrella Verde has its editorial office at Room 311B, 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: /DLSUDLaEstrellaVerde Twitter: @LeviofLEV Contributions, 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.
Pakiramdam niya’y nagiging obligasyon na ito sa halip na maging inspirasyon.” Sa paraang ito, siguro mas magkakaroon tayo ng pagkakataong tingnan mabuti kung balak pa ba nating ituloy ang bagay na ito o hindi na. Kung sa tingin mo’y hindi na talaga kaya, panahon na siguro para pakawalan mo ito. Ngunit, kung ako ang tatanungin, ito’y isang gawaing kinahiligan mo. Palagay ko, hindi mo ito basta-basta isusuko dahil lang napagod ka. Maraming araw na ang ginugol mo para sa gawaing ito. Ngayon ka pa ba bibigay? Sabi nga nila, “Mapapagod pero hindi susuko.” At sana kayo rin. Dahil sa pagtatapos ng bawat araw, ang pagkatuto at paglalim ng pagmamahal sa ginagawa ang siyang pinakamahalaga.
Make or break
RADIO
Ayanna De Asis, Aisha Mae Dagatan, Shannen Marie Flores, Pauline Gelacio, Allaine Frances Grafil, Leila Diane Mendoza, Zoei Coleen Monteclaro, Edcel Derick Padulla, Micah Robledo, Julia Renim Si, Kenneth Tabaquirao, Joamme Tomelden
ung naranasan mo nang mapagod sa isang gawaing gustong-gusto mong ginagawa noon, pakitaas ang inyong mga kamay dahil para sa inyo ang artikulong ito. Habang ginagawa ko ang artikulong binabasa ninyo ngayon, naalala ko ‘yung araw na may kinuwento ang kapatid ng kaibigan ko, na kapwa nasa larangan ng pamamahayag. Pangarap talaga niyang maging parte ng isang pahayagan. Bata pa lamang, ang panggagaya sa boses ng mga nagbabalita sa TV ang siyang naging libangan niya kapag may natitira pa siyang oras pagkatapos gumawa ng mga takdang-aralin. Pero, simula nang maging trabaho niya ito, unti-unti na siyang tinamad at bumigay sa paggawa. Nawala yung dating nagliliyab na pagmamahal niya para sa kanyang libangan. Pakiramdam niya’y nagiging obligasyon na ito sa halip na maging inspirasyon. Nang marinig ko ang kwentong ito, ang dami kong naisip na mga pangalan: mga kaibigan, kamag-anak, at kahit ako, na nakaranas ng halos kaparehong sitwasyon. At sigurado naman akong hindi lamang natin ito naramdaman ng isang beses. Para sa iba, marahil isa lang. Pero para naman sa iba, mas madalas itong nangyayari. Hindi natin masisisi ang ating mga sarili at maging ang ibang tao sa tuwing makakaranas tayo ng ganitong pakiramdam. Siguro’y kulang tayo sa suporta kaya tayo nababagot sa ating mga hilig, o di kaya’y may pinagdadaanan tayo kaya walang pagganyak o motivation na nararamdaman. Madalas, sumisipa na lang sa atin itong pakiramdam na ito at kahit tayo hindi natin alam kung bakit. Minsan, naiinis tayo o nalulungkot sa ating mga sarili dahil mas bumabagal tayo sa paggawa sa halip na mas maging produktibo. At kapag dumating na ang pagkakataong mabagot tayo sa pakiramdam na ito, marahil makakatulugan na lang natin ito.
Pero ayos lang kung nakakaramdam tayo ng ganito. Dahil indikasyon ito na tao pa rin tayo at normal sa ating mapagod. Marahil, ang kailangan lang natin ay pahinga; pahinga mula sa mga bagay na nagiging rason para tayo’y mapagod sa mga gawaing ating kinawiwilihan noon. Mas maganda siguro kung bibigyan natin ang ating mga sarili ng kaunting oras para makapag-isip. Tanggalin muna natin ang lahat ng mga bagay na nakapagpapagulo sa atin nang sa gayo’y hindi kalat ang ating mga saloobin.
Memoria Visum
Blesilda Mae Padolina
B
ilang isang estudyante, minsan mo na rin bang narinig ang mga tanong na ito? “’Nak, honor student ka ba? Pang-ilan ka sa klase?” “Dapat mataas ang score mo sa mga exams at quizzes ah.” “Ang taas mo sa MAPEH pero dapat mataas din Math at Science mo.” Tingin ko’y oo. Hindi maitatangging itinuturing na susi tungo sa kaunlaran ang edukasyon, kung kaya’t makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang pangarap ng bawat Pilipino. Naipasa ang paniniwalang ito mula henerasyon sa henerasyon, at humuhubog ito sa kung ano ang inaasa sa mga mag-aaral ng kasalukuyang panahon. Subukin nating balikan at alalahanin ang ating elementary days;
ang pagdiskubre at paghubog ng ating angking talino, mga kakayahan, at talento. Kaakibat ng ating pagkatuto ang mga responsibilidad na iniaatas sa atin ng ating mga magulang, mga guro, at mga matang nagmamasid sa kung ano ang ating mararating sa larangang pang-akademiko. Sa nakaraang kurikulum, tinuruan tayong maging magaling sa pagsagot ng mga gawaing pansulat, pumuntos ng mataas sa mga pagsusulit, mas bigyang importansya ang noo’y tinatawag na major subjects kaysa sa mga minor, at subuking masungkit ang pinakamataas na karangalan sa klase. Itinuturing din sa kurikulum na nakalalamang ang mga estudyanteng may angking galing sa pagmememorya, pagsusulat, at pagsasalita. Ito ang mga kategoryang binibigyang-halaga upang malaman kung paano mamarkahan at mabigyan ng karampatang marka ang isang mag-aaral.
Ngayon, dalawa na lang ang pwede itanong o sabihin sa iyo: ‘Anong nangyari sa’yo?’ o ‘Gumagaling ka ah!’” Isang matinding wake-up call ang pagsasatupad ng bagong kurikulum na ibang-iba sa ating kinasanayang paraan ng pagmamarka. Lumaki tayo sa dating hulmahan ng isang “matalino at magaling” na magaaral, kung kaya’t marami sa atin ang nahirapang mag-adjust sa bagong paraan ng pagkuha ng marka. Hindi na naging sapat ang matataas
na marka sa mga pagsusulit dahil malaki na rin ang epekto ng isang proyektong hindi naipasa o nagawa ng mabuti. Hindi lahat ng noo’y nasa itaas at namamayagpag ay nanatili doon. Ngayon, dalawa na lang ang pwede itanong o sabihin sa iyo: “Anong nangyari sa’yo?” o “Gumagaling ka ah!” Sa biglaang pagbabago ng kurikulum, marami na tayong hinarap na problema. Ang iba sati’y nadalian at kinuha ang pagkakataong ito upang galingan sa napiling larangan; ang iba nama’y nagsisimula pa lamang maintindihan kung paano gumagana ang bagong sistema. Kaya, mga kapwa ko mag-aaral, aminin man natin o hindi, ang bagong kurikulum ay nakatulong paunlarin ang ating kakayahang umangkop sa iba’t ibang sitwasyon. Hindi ito isinatupad para sa ating ikasasama kundi para sa ating ikauunlad.
December 2018 - March 2019
OPINION
La Estrella Verde
Manila Bae
The social media infection Scribe’s Sanctum
Ciela Andrea Roasa
however, instead of listening to the teacher, our attention was focused on the big three: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
A
t the mention of the word “addiction,” smoking and drinking are the first words to pop in our minds. Granted, these habits, once uncontrolled, may lead to addiction. Yet there are other mediums addiction can manifest into, the silent addiction in form of bright screens and tapped hearts right in our faces: a social media addiction. As part of Generation Z, born between 1995 and 2015, growing up with the progress of smartphones and Android systems, social media also trended before turning mainstream. Nowadays, I wake up and the first thing I check is my Twitter account, always seeing the “good morning” and “late na naman ako” tweets posted a minute ago. Since phones became an extension of our daily lives, walking through school and witnessing students invested in their mobile apps early in the morning wasn’t alarming in the least. When classes start,
Instead of listening to the teacher, our attention was focused on the big three: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.” Philippines was dubbed as the social media capital of the world and at the same time, the country with the highest number of reported cases of depression in Southeast Asia. The two titles correlating to each other was not far off.
Social media is a source of entertainment, designed to be addictive to its users, according to computer science professor Cal Newport. This is a point proven further by the existence of compulsion loops in programming, game mechanics, and the behavior of addicts. A compulsion loop, defined by Adam Crowe and Richard Buchanan, is the “habitual behavior that (someone) will repeat to gain [a reward in the form of] feeling (pleasure) and/ or (relief) from pain. Not doing this behavior causes discomfort.” Once in a while, my friends and I engage into social media detoxing, where all apps are deleted to enjoy life at its simplest. Try reducing the duration spent on smartphones instead of quitting altogether, since withdrawal situations may arise. On your next hang-out with your friends, try to do a “no-phone challenge” where everyone turns their phones off and catch up with everybody undisturbed. It’s better than talking to faces glued to their saturated screens the entire time.
Out of the closet and restrooms crescit eundo
Geraldine Rambano
I
n the CTHM building’s first floor restroom, a woman walks in to fix herself in front of the mirror. Another woman walks up to her and tells her to leave. Nothing follows. She exits the restroom, ashamed. Confusing as it may sound, it has happened before on campus, and will probably continue to happen after: an incident of transmisogyny— contempt or ingrained prejudice against trans women. I’ve even been to classes where teachers promote and encourage this behavior and the students laugh. I can’t say it doesn’t hurt. In the Philippine Journal of Psychology, a study regarding genderism and anti-trans behavior stated that previous contact or acquaintance with trans people resulted to less anti-trans behavior. Since it was written in 2013, regardless of having a misogynist for a president, I’d expect to see improvement in our overall impression on trans and nonbinary people. Let’s check. 2014 has Jennifer Laude, a trans woman, murdered in Olongapo, Zambales by a US Marine named Joseph Pemberton. Despite ongoing protests, Pemberton was not arrested
on Philippine soil and was given six years of imprisonment. Non-activist interviews from lawyers to Laude’s parents consistently referred to her as a man. 2016 had Geraldine Roman noted as the first trans woman elected into Congress, signifying boundaries expanding from middle-aged business people to oppressed minorities. Everyone rejoiced, mostly the LGBTQ community.
For as much as the Philippines and big shot liberal institutions want to seem queer-friendly, it still stands to fact that they don’t act it.” People were proud of progress back in 2017, when Far East University lifted its ban on cross-dressing on campus, but in March 2018, Ateneo
de Manila University (ADMU) installed gender neutral bathrooms in their campus and received brutal backlash from netizens and even people studying or working in ADMU. In December 2018, international pageant Miss Universe had its first openly trans pageant entry, Ángela Maria Ponce. She and Miss Universe received hate comments from contestants, netizens, and even our own “gay-friendly” Filipinos. (Even anti-trans queer Filipinos hated on her.) “It’s disadvantageous for natural women,” comments said. “To have to compete with trans women too.” So, it seems it’s one step forward, two steps back, but only if we agree that there were never steps back to begin with. For as much as the Philippines and big shot liberal institutions want to seem queer-friendly, it still stands to fact that they don’t act it. To be clear: this isn’t a criticism of DLSU-D’s inclusivity for its transgender and nonbinary students, or lack thereof (though if the shoe fits, wear it). This isn’t someone selfrighteous telling the people what to do. This is a nonbinary person saying, “Know I’m here. I’m real.” A person walks into the restroom to fix themself in front of the mirror. Another person walks up to them and tells them to leave. Will you step up or keep telling us to leave?
5
Sprechen Oder Sterben Lexi France Angeles
M
anila Bay. The current social media sweetheart for the month of February. Photos of its clean-up project held on January 27 garnered tens of thousands of retweets, likes, and shares across various social media platforms. The positivity that surrounded the clean-up was immense. Social media was abuzz and supportive of the government’s efforts of clearing up the polluted waters. Over 5,000 volunteers took part in the movement wherein some even pledged to return every week (or whenever they can) to help. This was and is still proven too good to be true when, fast-forward to a few weeks later, we’re already seeing new pieces of trash along the coastline. Sightseers visiting the recently-cleaned Manila Bay, after the barricades were removed on Feb. 10, were greeted with newly washed up plastic bottles, sachets, and wrappers on the shore. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, the rehabilitation of the whole bay and its tributaries may take up to 20 years. In spite of this, how can we expect to complete this in only 20 years when only days after the cleanup project, we are already seeing trash on the shoreline?
Over 170 cities across seven provinces throw their waste onto Manila Bay. Even with the efforts of bigger government agencies like the DENR and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), little change can be done without the initiative of local government units (LGUs). LGUs should make a more conscious effort to curb pollution, not only in Manila Bay, but in the country as a whole. Enforcement of environmental and sanitary regulations must be strengthened, and laws must be placed regarding informal settlements.
Everything is temporary until we make greater efforts to make them permanent.” The cleanup of Manila Bay is an annual tradition, yet every year we face the same dilemma. This is because everything is temporary until we make greater efforts to make them permanent. The cleanup was merely a short-term solution to a long-running problem. It should be more than a trending topic; more than a Facebook post that can be shared or a tweet that can be liked. If Filipinos truly want to restore and preserve Manila Bay, a permanent change in action must be done.
Being awfully loud for a cynic Trouvaille Will Prevail
Kristine Mae Evangelista
W
hen you’re a Filipino, you know it’s never really more fun in the Philippines. Our government is turning the country to turmoil, dead bodies strewn all over the news, children being jailed, people victim-blaming, people disgusted by social minorities, people creating unattainable body and beauty standards, Duterte supporters, and some just don’t care about the madness the Philippines is turning into. Educated Filipinos of our generation have seen every corner of this wild societal disarray, teaching everyone what they should know and who to side with. We are learning how to fight for our future with schema, money, and privilege. We get to understand the incompetence the leaders of our nation have. We get to learn and provide short-term solutions for our country, even with small efforts like giving homeless kids the warmth of a helping hand, or educating people instead of degrading them for not knowing. There are many ways of helping, but sometimes, people are just too cooped up in their own cynicism. They yap as if there’s no tomorrow, especially when it comes tarnishing the reputation of their fellow Filipinos. As much as there are Filipinos fighting for their own country, without control and order, there are those who drill themselves for downfall. What we truly lack is solidarity. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippines
has around 22 million people still living below the national poverty line. Every issue in a country or community; the crimes and disobedience, it all comes down to the privileged and the underprivileged.
Sometimes, people are just too cooped up in their own cynicism.” The people who are underprivileged do not have the voice nor the power to tell people what they truly need to get out of their circumstances. The privileged have all the power, but if fought together, we might get to change our own country. We can save today, and maybe even our tomorrow, and when everybody gets to speak in front of the front stage, we can save the world. I am privileged right now, to write about this issue. We, Lasallians, are privileged, but we’re not using our privilege well enough. We need to take action, we need to seek for what is right for everyone. Focus on how we could help the people who are deprived of their human rights. Lowering crime liability won’t help better the country, killing drugaddicts won’t help better the country, making the rich even richer won’t help better the country; all these steps towards “the promised land” are not helping the country but murdering it with heedless decision-making. Use your entitlement to educate the young, to inspire them to do what is right, and to do what they are born to do: live.
6
OPINION
La Estrella Verde
Just a block away
Unmasked Monologue
Gian Eldrich Sandoval
Y
ou sit down in front of your computer, open a new document, and start writing, only to find yourself staring at the blank screen for hours. You write a few sentences, but following a few minutes, you erase everything. You get more miserable by the minute because you can’t squeeze out the right words to continue and you drown yourself in self-pity, how you’ll never be as good as any writer out there. This, my friends, is what we know as writer’s block. It’s what happens when you fail to come up with what to write and are unable to get your
From the Fossils
Lance Angelo Mejico
M
eme; it is a noun that signifies humorous images, videos, texts, and etc. that’s being shared multiple times in the cyberspace. Unsurprisingly, it is deeply welcomed by Filipinos as we live in a culture of extending entertainment to others. Several Filipinos would instantly click the laugh reaction and share once they see images or videos that make their jaws drop in laughter. Some memes are really humorous and witty, but along with this humor is an act of demeaning and overstepping one’s right and dignity. This is more popularly known as cyberbullying. Recently, there were two Filipino memes that went viral and caught the attention of Filipino social media users. First is the meme about Joaquin Montes, a junior high school student of Ateneo De Manila University who made headlines two months ago, as
December 2018 - March 2019
creative juices flowing. It happens to every writer, a situation we dread to be in. This was how I was before I wrote this article. It’s how I’ve always been before I write any article, and it sucks. Believe me, I’ve gone circles and circles around the living room trying to find the right words to fit in a particular sentence. At some point, it’s as if all inspiration was sucked out of my body and I was left with not knowing how to begin my articles. But I kept writing. And now, I’m halfway through. Eventually, I overcame writer’s block.
Being a writer doesn’t happen overnight.” In the end, what matters is how you deal with it. There is no easy formula to conquer it, but you can begin by being brave. Fear is sometimes what hinders us from writing because we fear that everyone will critique our
work. We should learn to accept criticism openly and not be sour about it. It can actually help us be a better writer. Walk around. Walk around your neighborhood or even just around your house to unwind if you need to. Maybe taking a break for a while can help you cook up the ideas you need before you write. Relaxing your mind is one way to release your creativeness and imagination into your writing. And lastly, keep writing. Write about anything under the sun. You can start playing with words or write any random thing that pops in your
head and just let your fingers do their work. Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself already at the end of what you’re writing. I’m not saying this applies to everyone, but you could always find something that works best for you. If you ever experience writer’s block, don’t be discouraged. Trust me, it’s all part of the process. Being a writer doesn’t happen overnight. If you feel like you’re lost in the city of endless gibberish wandering, who knows, maybe you’re just a (writer’s) block away from creating the greatest writeup of your life.
Unscrupulous extension of entertainment he was caught bullying his fellow classmate inside the parameters of the school. After the viral incident, thousands of memes have emerged about Montes, imitating his words ‘bugbog o dignidad,’ which were used in different contexts. Another one is the recent thread of memes about James Aquino-Yap Jr. better known as “Bimby,” the son of Kris Aquino, that tackled Bimby’s sexuality and his family’s wealth. It gained millions of shares from several Filipinos in multiple social media outlets. These two examples were living testaments that memes are slowly turning into cyberbullying. These have to be eradicated, as immediate as now. First, this is an excessive abuse to freedom of expression. It is true that any one of us has the liberty and equal opportunity in uttering
Truth Serum
Princess Korrinne Mijares Willem Dominic Dimas Izabelle Mari Siarot
Abuse of freedom, mental health, culture; these are what we are putting at risk by making and sharing derogating memes.” our personal thoughts, as amended in the Philippine constitution. But along with this gigantic freedom is an enormous amount of responsibility. It is a must to fully know our boundaries
in producing and sharing content on social media. It is everyone’s responsibility to be sensitive enough to the emotions of the bullied. Filipinos should try walking a mile in the shoes of cyberbullying victims, feel the pain and anxiety felt whenever they are being used for entertainment purposes. Second, this act of degrading one’s dignity affects an individual’s mental and emotional state. Cyberbullying strongly diminishes one’s confidence and upbringing. It removes the smile, the glow, and self-belief that they deserve to have. Unfortunately, risk of depressive tendencies becomes evident and may become severe if this derogatory act continues to pursue. That is why everyone of us have to be careful and smart in clicking the react and share buttons in online media. One wrong click might put someone’s life into misery.
Lastly, these memes are big threats to our culture. There is nothing wrong with the culture of extending entertainment to other people but it becomes incorrect if someone’s rights and dignity are being overstepped. Personally, I don’t want to live in a culture that’s full of insensitive and slumbered minds and thinking. We should only be known for making people happy, not for making fun of people. Abuse of freedom, mental health, culture; these are what we are putting at risk by making and sharing derogating memes. There’s nothing humorous in making fun of others. Stop pretending to be ‘woke’ just because it is an ongoing trend. Instead, start being woke because it is a moral obligation that everyone should possess. Always use the cyberspace responsibly, as freedom always comes with responsibility.
Acosta Outbreak
NEWS FEATURES
December 2018 - March 2019
Robotics & Mechatronics
Search-In Program
La Estrella Verde
7
John Robert Powers (JRP) SEMINARS Art by Cristelle Corpuz
Creative courses, nakahanda nang ipatupad sa kasalukuyang semestre Enrico Jose Taguinod Ganap nang magpapatupad ang DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) ng ilang creative courses para sa ikalawang semestre ng kasalukuyang akademikong taon, ayon kay Creative Program Committee Chair Ivan James Fermanejo.
Aniya, tatlong creative courses ang tiyak nang iaalok sa mga magaaral ng DLSU-D SHS sa loob ng kasalukuyang semestre. Ibinahagi ni Fermanejo na ang mga creative courses na nakahanda nang ipapatupad ngayong Pebrero at Marso ay ang Search-In Program, Robotics and Mechatronics, at ang John Robert Powers (JRP) Personal Branding Seminar Series. Si Fermanejo ang magiging punong tagapagturo para sa Robotics and Mechatronics. Pangugunahan naman ni Br. Richie Yap FSC ang Search-In Program habang ang mga magtuturo para sa JRP Personal Branding Seminar Series ay manggagaling sa kompanya mismo ng JRP. Ayon kay Fermanejo, layunin ng mga creative courses na mapaunlad ng mga estudyante ang kanilang kakayahan sa ilang bagay.
“It aims to contribute…[a] more sustainable and impact-led creative hubs that can…better support our learners, better equip them in [the] creative industry…and (prepare them) to [be] part of (a) creative and productive society.” Aniya, maaaring nakadepende sa kung anong strand ang creative courses na iaalok sa mga mag-aaral. “It might be… personality development under HUMSS. In STEM (sections), it can be a research-based, technology-based or science-based research,” paliwanag ni Fermanejo. Bagong oportunidad Nang tanungin ang opinyon ng ilang mag-aaral ukol dito, nakita ng karamihan na pagkakataon ito upang makatulong sa mga career na tatahakin nila sa hinaharap. Isinaad ni Eli Theo Ellumbaring (HMS11) na baka magdulot ito ng mga oportunidad para sa kanya. “It
may also be another choice for a path in the future.” Ayon naman kay Caleb Viemes (STM13), maaaring makatulong ito upang maungusan niya ang mga kakompitensyang makakasalamuha niya pagka-graduate. “I am planning to get a major (in) the...field, so (taking this extra courses)...helps me.” Subalit, sa palagay ni Carl Villa (TVL11) ay, baka makaapekto ito sa pagpipili ng kurso niya. “My interest will be divided into certain courses that I like.” Nilinaw ni Fermanejo na maaaring mag-enroll ang mga mag-aaral galing sa iba’t ibang strands sa creative courses. Dagdag pa niya, “Bawat [strand] nag-iisip kami ng short courses that we could offer not only for the senior high school students but also for the general public, meaning, kahit [nag-aaral sa] ibang school pwedeng mag-enroll.” Samantala, ipinaliwanag ni
Layunin ng mga creative courses na mapaunlad ng mga estudyante ang kanilang kakayahan sa mga ilang bagay.”
Fermanejo na hindi sapilitan o required ang mga mag-aaral ng DLSU-D SHS na kumuha nito.“It’s the prerogative of the students what he or she would take.” Bukod pa sa mga nabanggit na creative courses, may iba pang mga nakalinyang kurso tulad ng Adobe Photoshop, Digital Photography, at Video Editing. Kung sakali mang mag-enroll sa isa sa mga creative courses ang mga mag-aaral ng DLSU-D SHS, gagamitin ang araw ng blended class o ang Schoolbook day upang pag-ukulan lamang ng ilang oras ng pag-aaral ng pipiliing short courses. Ibinahagi ni Fermanejo na sa pagdating ng unang semestre ng susunod na pang-akademikong taon, gagawin nang elective subject ang mga creative courses.
Philippine scops owl ‘Juan’ roams around DLSU-D Ella Lorraine Regudo After rescuing an endemic species of owl in Luzon inside DLSU-D, Juan, a Philippine Scops Owl, is now freely wandering inside the campus after it was released around 6:00 pm on Jan. 23.
STEM Research Faculty and Biodiversity Specialist for Birds Nian Beceril said that Juan fell off a tree near Museo De La Salle, in which Presidential Management Office Director Jose Riche Bongcaron found him. “I was about to park [beside] (Museo De La Salle) when I saw him that day. I was maneuvering to (park) my car when something brownish fell. It wasn’t really flying, [rather], it was slowly going down. So I went out of my car,” Bongcaron said. According to Beceril, a proper handling technique was given to Juan to examine if there were any injuries and to know the age of the owlet. “At first I checked his morphology and did a quick identification. I did a morphometric measurement…to determine how young (he is) and checked (his) wings for possible fracture or if (he could) still fly,” he said. Beceril stated that the owl was released in the evening due to the bird’s nocturnal state. He also added that the finding of this owl is significant for the University, as it indicates a healthy environment. “Finding Juan the owlet is very significant, especially (if) we are to establish DLSU-D as a bird sanctuary.
Owls are very susceptible to drastic change in the environment. They are considered as indicators of a healthy environment,” Beceril said. Although this was not the first time an owl was discovered roaming around the University, it was still considered a historic moment for DLSU-D, according to Beceril.
The finding of this owl is significant for the University, as it indicates a healthy environment.” “In the first place, my encounter (with) owls inside DLSU-D started way back [in] 2016. May dalawang owlet kaming na-rescue. Still historic kasi na-mainstream na siya sa public at dumarami ang nagiging aware [with] how rich our university [is] in terms of biodiversity,” he stated. He also stated that Juan is not the only rare species found within the campus, citing other endemic species
and migratory birds wandering inside the university. “Based on our data on birds, we have recorded approximately thirtyfour species inside DLSU-D. Among those birds are migratory, endemic, and threatened species. We were able to document…water birds such as the White Breasted Waterhen and Striated Heron. A vulnerable (species)…listed (by) the (International Union for Conservation of Nature) was also sited inside the campus and…was identified as (a) Java Sparrow, which is considered a resident species…in DLSU-D,” Beceril said. Aside from the different bird species, the University also has a number of lizards and rodents, and this showcases the rich biodiversity of the University. “Based on the given data, I can say that DLSU-D houses a number of bird species…(that) makes it diverse. (Other) taxa (were) not yet recorded, but I have observed a lot of species of lizards and some rodents in the outskirts of DLSU-D,” Beceril said. Beceril stated that conservation of species, not just Juan, will be observed and highly implemented by the university. “Juan the owlet is considered a ‘keystone (species)’ already inside DLSU-D,” he said.
Juan, the Philippine scops owl. Photo by Andrei Lee, taken from Beceril’s Facebook post.
8
FEATURES
La Estrella Verde
December 2018 - March 2019
Alyssa Uy
Art by Gizella Gawaran The world was rumored to end in 2012, and while the rest of the world was panicking about it, the Philippine government was busy conceptualizing a new academic curriculum. This is now commonly known as “K to 12.”
According to the Official Gazette, the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 aims to provide enough time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for the future. Two years were added to the former curriculum, allotted for senior high school, wherein students choose their preferred track that could be related to the college course that they might take in the future, making university optional. Cooking up a storm The government started arranging the shift to a new learning scheme in 2011 and have received backlash from Filipinos due to the fact that they know very little about it, apart from the two additional years. “They could’ve studied and planned the changes thoroughly,” Kane Rancapero (HMS12) stated after conveying her disappointment upon discovering the limited time spent on the conceptualization of the curriculum. “Most [students], and even parents (were) overwhelmed with the sudden (addition) of two years in high school. If the government provided more reassurance of the benefits of the K to 12 curriculum, then it would’ve been better,” she added. Another senior high school student, Waze*, gave her thoughts on the rushed implementation of the new curriculum. “They should have thought it through rather than speeding [the curriculum] up [to] gain an “effective and efficient” result that would probably help on the (long) run”, she stated. “Added years does not mean added quality. For me, our experience is an experiment and it’s a poorly executed
one,” DLSU-D SHS alumnus Leerick Bautista conveyed is dismay. “Every grading period is different and students can only handle so much making it confusing for students to concentrate.” Disintegration The sudden implementation of K to 12 weighed upon problems from the former curriculum such as classroom shortages, insufficient facilities, and lack of teachers. SHS faculty member Christian Catinguil discerned, “There is still a need for more teachers, facilities, and resources throughout the country. My observation is limited because I am working as a teacher in a middlehigher class institution and...there can be more problems which can be observed in lower class sectors.” This worsened unemployment cases which goes against their plan, wherein all senior high graduates are considered “work-ready”. A survey conducted by Philippine Business for Education has revealed that only one out of five companies are willing to hire high school graduates, implying that most companies in the Philippines still prefer hiring degree holders. Eli Elumbaring (HMS11) conveyed his agreement to this. “Pwedeng magtrabaho na ang mga SHS graduates pero I don’t think na effective ‘yun especially sa corporate world… Kailangan talaga na degree holder ka or else hindi ka tatanggapin ng mga companies,” he stated. Rancapero also agrees to this because according to her observation, most jobs offered still require applicants to have at least two years of college education. And in relation to this, the students’ preparedness to work is
also another factor to be considered. “It actually depends on the students if they can already handle themselves and work on their own,” she added. Similarly, Catinguil conveyed his thoughts on the current system’s effect on the Philippines’ unemployment and underemployment situation. “I don’t think it would be easy for them to be employed. Capitalists and institutions would rather hire a... college graduate than a [senior high] graduate. Of course, cases may vary with different tracks/fields.”
Having the certainty of which path to take can be quite a challenge to people.” Redemption On the other hand, there are a couple of reasons why some find K to 12 an enhancement in comparison to the former curriculum. Mikaela Yap, another SHS faculty member, expressed her optimism regarding the implementation of
K to 12. “Of course, [it’s not] as perfect as we hoped for, but since the Department of Education is aiming for a pragmatic and skill-based approach, there are major improvements such as the planning of a curriculum specialized for certain fields of skills and knowledge,”she said. Furthermore, Assistant Director for SHS Marlon Pareja said, “Based [on] the feedback from college teachers, SHS alumni are more mature and driven.” This shows a positive outcome of the execution of the K to 12 program. This statement was seconded by Languages and Literature Department of the College of Liberal Arts faculty Angelica Honor-Ballena. “Nakakasabay na tayo sa ibang bansa na ang basic education ay 12 years at mas competitive ang K to 12 graduates.” This shows a positive outcome of the execution of the K to 12 program. “I really believe that SHS graduates are job ready dahil ang two years nila sa SHS...nagsilbing training para madevelop ang skills nila,” she added. The K to 12 curriculum was designed to address diverse student needs and may be adapted to fit specific student groups. The additional two years of senior high school will also prepare students for the future with more ease in the specialization of their own choice. Bautista added, “[K to 12] prepared us for college in terms of age/maturity. We handled college in a different light because we were [aware] that it would be harder.” He also added that SHS tackled the basics of the subjects that he is taking. Some are of the opinion that the K to 12 curriculum has prepared students for college in comparison to the previous educational system.
Elumbaring said, “[Nakatulong] ang K to 12 na ma-narrow down namin kung ano ba talaga ‘yung course or anong field talaga ang gusto namin.” Having an idea of what they will be encountering in the future will give them more satisfaction and less self-doubt. “We have [more] time to carefully think about what curriculum [or] course might be suitable for us and with this, it can also lessen the chances of shifting during college,” Rancapero said. Subsequent support Having the certainty of which path to take can be quite a challenge to people, especially SHS students who still aren’t sure what to do in their future. Hopefully, the implementation of the K to 12 curriculum will be of assistance regarding to which course they will take and which career do they prefer. “Most people would say, ‘follow your passion’, and they might even hear their parents say, ‘go after what makes [the] most money.’ But I say,... know where you’re good at and look for problems to solve using what you have. The money will come, and if you’re [as] good at it as you should be, it will be your passion,” Yap suggested. Catinguil also advised, “In time, you’ll find what you’re good at. Society will force you to do things and pressure you to do it fast. Do not succumb to the constraint and maladies of the modern world, it will make you unhappy.” *Editor’s Note: A name is hidden under a pseudonym to protect the individual’s identity and rights.
FEATURES
December 2018 - March 2019
La Estrella Verde
9
Ang palakpak ng mga tenga John Benedict Silla
Gusto nating lahat makarinig ng papuri—marahil dahil sa paraan ng ating pananamit, sa ating mga talento, sa paglalahad ng ating mga ideya sa ibang tao o sa mga bagay na ginagawa natin. Saya at ngiti ang naibibigay nito, lalo na kung manggagaling pa ito sa mga taong hindi natin inaasahan. Mga salitang maaaring panandaliang pumawi sa ating lungkot, pagod, o mga mabibigat na damdamin na agad pinapalitan ng saya at galak sa ating puso.
Art by Rachelle Ann Calaustro
Ayon sa pag-aaral na isinagawa nila Aamidor at Sigler noong 2005, ang paggamit ng mga papuri bilang isang anyo ng positive reinforcement ay isang paraan para kilalanin at hikayatin ang mga pag-uugaling nais ng isang tao na makita sa iba. Paraan din ito para malaman ng isang tao kung ano ang tama sa mali at mabuti sa masama. Kaya kung ikaw ang tatanungin, may magandang naidudulot ba ang iyong mga salita para sa kalagayan ng iba? Ganda mo, char! Karamihan sa atin, parte na ng pananalita ang pagiging sarcastic o ang paglalagay ng ibang kahulugan sa tunay nating layunin. “Kaya ‘yung iba rin, [pakiramdam] nila hindi sincere ‘yung compliment kasi [ginagawa nating] biro lang,” paliwanag ni Joy Parohinog, isang guidance
counselor mula sa Student Wellness Center-Senior High School. Sa pabiro nating paraan iminumungkahi ang mga papuri kaya madalas ay mahirap tukuyin kung totoo nga ba o “ine-echos” lang tayo, lalo na kung sa ating mga kaibigan o iba pang malalapit na tao nanggagaling ito. May mga pagkakataon din na pinangungunahan tayo ng hiya kaya hindi natin nagagawang magsambit ng papuri. “[Nahihiya] rin ako [magbigay ng] papuri sa iba lalo na kapag ‘di ko naman [ka-close],” ani Kyla Garcia (HMS11). Ngunit alalahanin din natin kung gaano kalakas ang mga salitang ito para pagbutihin pa lalo ang ating mga ginagawa sa araw-araw. Huy, ang ganda mo! Maraming dahilan para bigyan ka
Sa mga simpleng salitang binabanggit natin, maaaring makatulong ito para sa ating kapamilya at kaibigan.”
ng papuri ng isang tao: ganda, talino, bait, o malasakit sa kapwa. Hindi sa pagmamayabang o pagpapalaki ng ulo, ngunit aminin nating naka-e-engganyo gumawa at kumilos tuwing nakakarinig tayo nito. “(Nakapagbibigay) ito ng inspirasyon sa atin na mas lalo pang galingan,” sambit ni Ram Villamor (STM11). “It’s always nice to hear compliments. It gives you a natural high if people will compliment you,” ani Parohinog. “It means that you look good, [you are] doing good or you are good.” Dahil kung ito ay nanggaling sa ibang tao, maaari itong magpatunay na may ginagawa kang tama at maganda. Maaari rin itong magpakita ng malasakit sa ating kapwa, lalo na sa mga taong iniingatan natin, tulad ng pagbabahagi ni Garcia, “Mas nakakapag-boost ng confidence ng [tao]
kasi mafi-feel [nila] na may [mga] taong nakaka-appreciate sa [kanila].” *** Mahirap man itong banggitin, alalahanin natin ang mga magagandang dulot nito sa iba—maaaring makapagbigay pa ito sa atin ng isang maayos at masayang relasyon sa ating kapwa. “You compliment people because you’ve seen something that is good. And if it’s good, celebrate it,” paalala ni Parohinog na masayang
makarinig ng mga papuri at dapat nating ipagmalaki ito. At sa bawat maririnig na papuri, huwag nating kalimutang magpasalamat at ipasa sa iba ang magagandang salita ng walang halong malisya at bukal sa ating mga puso.
Hapdi ng kinubling pighati Psalm Mishael Taruc
Sa mga araw na tila may madilim na ulap na nakasunod sayo, madalas marinig ang katagang “okay ka lang?” Ngunit sa gitna ng paulit-ulit na tanong, marami pa rin ang natatahimik at hirap aminin ang sagot na nasa isip.
Art by Cristelle Corpuz
Madalas, kumikiliti sa labi ang kasinungalingang “oo” kasabay ng isang ngisi. At walang ideya ang karamihan sa hirap na nakakubli sa likod ng isa sa mga maraming maskara. Sa likod ng ngiti Nakatatak na sa kultura ng mga Pilipino ang pagiging masiyahin sa gitna ng mga pagsubok. Hindi maikakailang nagreresulta ito sa hiyang magbahagi ng problema. “[Iniisip nila na] nakakahiyang ibulgar [kaya] hindi talaga gan’on kadali,” wika ni Joy Parohinog, guidance counselor ng Student Wellness Center-Senior High School (SHS). Nang tanungin kung anu-ano pa ang ibang dahilan kung bakit mas pinipili ng nakararaming magsarili ng damdamin, dinagdag niyang ang mga paniniwalang “kaya ko ‘to” at pagpapalagay na walang makaiintindi ang ilan rito.
Ayon kay Leon Seltzer, isang sikolohista sa Psychology Today, “We might feel awkward and embarrassed, concerned that our uninhibited ‘emoting’ might lead others to take us less seriously.” Sa gitna ng mga relasyon at pagkakaibigang binubuo ng tawanan at biruan, hindi madaling magpakita ng bakas ng lungkot o paghihirap. Sa mga taong malalapit sa atin pinakamadaling magpakita ng totoong tayo, ngunit sa kabila nito, hindi pa rin maiiwasang mag-alalang maaaring maperwisyo lamang sila. Sinang-ayunan ito ni Ricci Nivado (ABM11) nang kanyang ibahagi ang sentimyentong, “Baka makadagdag ka lang sa mga pino-problema nila, o baka makasira ka pa ng mood ng iba.” Mga tagong sugat Habang tumatagal, nagiging dahilan ng mga masasamang epekto ang pagtatago ng negatibong saloobin. “Nagkakaroon na ng nervous breakdown, ng anxiety attacks, to a point
na nagkakaroon na ng depression,” sagot ni Parohinog tungkol sa epekto ng pagsasarili ng damdamin. Nagiging ugat ito ng negatibong pag-iisip at sa mga malulubhang kaso, mental health problems. Pinatotohanan ito ni Rafael Villamor (STM11). “Mas nalulungkot ako o kaya naman ay sinisisi ko ang sarili ko sa pagiging takot [na] magtiwala sa mga tao,” saad niya. Sa opinyon naman ni Nivado, hindi lang ikaw ang maaapektuhan nito. “Hindi mauunawaan [ng ibang tao] ‘yung kinikilos mo dahil wala silang alam sa pinagdadaanan mo,” aniya. Kalaunan, ito’y maaaring magdulot ng pinsala sa isang relasyon. Kumusta ka? Marami mang pumipigil sa pagbabahagi ng damdamin, dapat tandaang mayroon itong malaking maitutulong sa pagpapabuti ng pakiramdam. “Expressing your pain is actually a good way to make it stop,”
There are instances na kaya naman talaga, pero may pagkakataong kailangan mo rin ng iba.”
ayon kay Barton Goldsmith ng Psychology Today. “There are instances na kaya naman talaga, pero may pagkakataong kailangan mo rin ng iba,” ani Parohinog. Marami ang pumipiling magtago ng emosyon sa pag-aakalang ito’y magpapakita ng pagiging malakas. Ngunit kuro-kuro lamang ito. Ang kalakasan ng tao ay higit pa sa binibigkas ng mga labi. “Lahat ng tao ay pwedeng magbahagi ng saloobin sa iba, at kahit kailan hindi ito ang magiging basehan ng pagiging mahina o pagiging malakas ng isang tao,” wika ni Nivado. Sa huli, ang pagsasabi ng “hindi ako okay,” ay isang desisyong parte ng isang malubak at matarik na proseso tungo sa lubusang pagkakilala sa sarili. Ito’y isang paglalakbay na sasagad sa limitasyon ng isang tao, ngunit dapat tandaang may mga taong laging nariyan at nakaagapay. Handa silang makinig sa panahong kakailanganin mo ng mga brasong sasalo sa’yo.
by James Martin Rafols & Yu Wada
TIME MANAGEMENT by VJ Aniel Barretto
MULTO by Jerrika Mikaela Tonio
ACTIVATE MAGIC CARD by Yu Wada
q Art from the Heart q Comfy Research by Courtney Ivannah Gracio Levi and Selena might not have noticed what had changed in their study room. Find the 10 differences to help them on finish their thesis paper!
MOTHER by Ailene Joyce Puzon
COLLIDE by Jennifer Diola
Answers: 1) Lines of purple book on top of bookshelf, 2) Bow tie on cat on bookshelf, 3) Cat on top of head, 4) Earphones 5) Color of the purple cat, 6) Missing line on the paper, 7) Pencil, 8) Star on Levi’s notebook, 9) Color of paper underneath cat pillow, 10) Line on book on the ground
Photojournalists: Princess Mijares, Louise PeĂąaflor, John Paolo Templo, James Zagada Layout artist: Zacheus Emanuel Gonzales
Scorching hot or freezing cold? The flu virus makes its rounds as everyone is having a hard time to going to school and work due to the weather changes. This coming summer, a drastic increase in temperature will be expected due to the sudden cold snap. These fluctuations between hot and cold weather could potentially affect our natural resources, food prices, and others as the year progresses. How long are we going to experience this type of weather? And aren’t you all bothered or scared? Despite everything, we should all be prepared for every weather change and be more aware of our surroundings.
12 La Estrella Verde
LITERARY
December 2018 - March 2019
Nanlaban John Benedict Silla Art by Sim Daeun
“
May binaril doon sa may eskinita.” “Bata yata ‘yung biktima. Mukhang napuruhan.” Binalot ng kaba at takot ang mga mamamayan ng Barangay 160, Caloocan nang halughugin ng PCP-7 Drug Enforcement Unit ang kapaligiran. Tinawag itong “one-time, bigtime” anti-drug illegal operation upang puksain ang umano’y mga pugad at tulak sa nasabing lugar. Sunod-sunod na dumating ang mga motor at sasakyang may mga lalaking armado ng mga dekalibreng baril na wari’y mga napapanood lamang sa mga pelikula. Isang apartment ang kanilang pupuntiryahin. Ginalugad nila ang bawat sulok ng lugar para humanap ng ebidensya. Hindi magkamayaw ang mga taong saksi sa pangyayari; sinugod ng pulis ang mga saradong pinto. Kaliwa’t kanang bagsak ng mga babasaging tila sadyang binasag, at hiyaw ng mga taong nagsusumamong huwag silang barilin ang naririnig na mas lalo pang nagpaigting ng takot sa mga tao. Napatalon si Alen nang marinig ang isang malakas na hiyaw mula sa loob ng apartment. Kabado man at pinagpapawisan, pinagaan niya ang mga yabag niya at dali-daling umalis sa lugar. Dalawang stand-by na pulis, sina PO1 Ernesto Suarez at PO1 Richard Galangko, ang nagsuspetsa at agad na hinabol ito. Braso’t baywang ni Alen ang hawak nila Suarez at Galangko. Nagpupumiglas man, hinila nila sa isang madilim at maruming eskinita si Alen. “Tama na po,” pagmamakaawa ni Alen, na
Mga Kahilingan sa Umaga A New Year’s Bang Aaron Bernaldo
Sana umaga na lang palagi, ‘Pagkat nagsisimulat mga matang nakapikit At natutupad mga pangarap na kay tamis Tuong-tuon sila sa paghahanda Ng mga panulat, pananamit, pang-agahan At mga pangarap na nais makamtan
Mga yabag na nagsisibilisan Kasama ang mga pangarap na nangingibabaw Kahit kumunat man sa hamog Gayunpaman, sana umaga na lang palagi, ‘Pagkat nasisilayan pa ang kanilang sigasig, Kahit tuwing umaga lamang Dahil sa daloy ng araw pakanluran, Mga pangarap nila’y nagsiliparan Kasama ang kanilang mga isipan
Paulene Abarca
Bang! Boom! Boom! Myriad of colors paraded in the air, flashy hornpipes wailing through cement walls, Cheerful voices booming in every home, the glorious night, ignorant of dilemmas. Boom! Boom! Thundering noises pumped the air, Concealing the creeping melancholy. Loud speakers charged the air with glee, deafening the ears of vigilance. Bang! Boom! Rowdy children ran in the streets, witnessing the show of lights above. Euphoria in their hoping hearts, Of unforeseen dangers of fate. Bang! A mysterious shot fired, Uncanny smell of blood lingering, Shouts of glee turned cries, As morning mourned on January 1st.
sinundan pa ng suntok sa sikmura mula kay Suarez. “May exam pa po ako bukas.” Namimilipit man sa sakit, patuloy nilang pinagsususuntok at sinisipa si Alen sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng katawan hanggang sa mapaluhod na ito sa maputik na semento. Isang lalaki pa ang dumating na noo’y nakasibilyan at pilit na iniaabot kay Alen ang isang baril. “Putok sabay takbo, kung gusto mong mabuhay.” Hindi pa rin magkamayaw ang mga tao sa tapat ng apartment. Isa-isang pinosasan at inilabas ang mga suspek na naaktuhang humihithit ng pinagbabawal na droga. Nakayuko sila palabas, marahil sa kahihiyan, habang nakagapos ang kanilang mga kamay. Mga pamilyar na mukhang umano’y tulak pala ng droga. “Saan nila dadalhin si Papa?” tanong ng isang bata sa kanyang nanay habang tumutulo ang kanyang luha. “Hinuli nila si Pap—” naputol ang mga salita ng nanay sa kanyang anak ng biglang magkagulo ang mga tao at nagtakbuhan papalayo sa lugar. Magkakasunod na putok ng mga baril ang gumulantang sa buong barangay. Tumatakbong nagtungo sa barangay ang isang tanod matapos marinig ang mga putok ng baril. “May binaril doon sa may eskinita,” patuloy na hinahabol ang kanyang hininga. “Bata yata ‘yung biktima. Mukhang napuruhan.” Dali-daling sumunod ang iba pang tanod upang rumesponde sa nasabing insidente ng pamamaril.
Night Drive Expectations Geraldine Rambano The rain paints constellations on the window as we sift through the stop-go lurch of traffic tonight. Right now, we are on our way home. On the well-worn rut of our route, you veer right, leaving the glares of blushing backlights, highway tableau. Small thrills have me leaning forward. You talk of yesteryears, of how you had learned the veins on the palm of this city’s hands. Your stories had me crawling through labyrinths. Until I realized, we were still on the same way going home.
LITERARY
December 2018 - March 2019
La Estrella Verde
13
Ang Tatlong Utos ng Pilipinas kay Kalayaan Ciela Andrea Roasa “Tumayo ka.”
“Takbo!”
S
inigaw mo sa akin ang katagang iyan habang kinuha ka ng ibang lahi, Pilipinas. Ayaw man kitang iwan pero pilit mo akong pinaaalis sapagkat ang pagtakas ko lamang ang iyong natitirang pag-asa. Binigyan kita ng isa pang tingin bago tuluyang umalis; isang huling tingin sa labi at likod mong may hiwa’t pula mula sa mga naglatigo sa’yo. Nang habulin ako ng mga nanghuli sa’yo, binilisan ko ang takbo ko. Anong mangyayari kung parehas tayong mahuhuli? Mabigat man sa pusong iwanan ka, kailangan, kaya’t tumakbo ako kahit ang daming nambabato sa likod ko, nagtangkang magbaon ng kutsilyo. Para sa ’yo ‘to, Pilipinas, hintayin mo lang ako.
“Umupo ka na.” Isang mangingisda mula sa asul na Pasig ang nagpatuloy sa ‘kin, matapos ang walang katapusang pagtakas sa mga manghuhuli. Mabait siya at pinapasok ako sa kanyang munting tirahan kung saan tumutuloy ang kanyang pamilya. Simple man sa labas ang bahay, magarbo ito pagkapasok. Pinaupo nila ako sa hapag-kainan kung saan maaaring singkwentang katao ang kumain dito. Pinapuwesto ako sa pinakadulo at binigyan ng tubig at pagkain. Nakinig sila sa kwento ko‘t nangakong susuporta sa pagbalik ko sa’yo, Pilipinas. Habang nagsisihalakhak at nagsisikain sila, hindi ko matanggal ang tinik sa aking lalamunan mula sa tilapyang handa.
Sa wakas, sa tulong ng sambayanan, nakatayo ako’t nakita ka. Sikat ang dilaw na araw sa iyong ngiti, tumakbo ako papalapit sa’yo ng walang pigil, hawak ang bolo na magtatanggal sa mga tali mo. Nakapagtataka ang iyong mukha, Pilipinas, habang lumiliit ang ating distansya, dahil lumilinaw sa akin ang iyong mga sigaw na huwag kang lapitan. Napatigil ako sa pagtakbo. Napaluhod ng ‘di oras mula sa bigat at hapdi sa aking likuran. Paglingon ko, nakangiti ang kapwa natin sa dugong lumalabas mula sa mga sugat ko. May lasong palaso ang nakatusok dito at hawak ng mangingisda ang pana nito. Hinanap ko ang iyong mukha sa aking paghilata sa damuhan at nakita kang umiiyak. Bago ako haplusin ng mapait na Kamatayan, aking tinanong: “Pilipinas, ilang Kalayaan pa ba ang patatakbuhin mo para mamatay lamang?”
Befouled Psalm Mishael Taruc
Art by Danielle Mari Tanael
T
he hideous smell of incense lingering on her skin went unnoticed as bleeding candles glared at her. Leda could only blame herself for not getting used to the eerie feeling her home always had. “It’s a gift from the Spirit,” her mom, Cecilia, nudged a velvet box towards her. Leda opened it and saw a delicate swan figurine. “A symbol of favor—something only a few ladies have. You’re blessed.” She smiled at both of their reflections from behind her daughter. “Why does it have to be me?” The words felt inappropriate on her lips. Her mother gave her a stern look, likely fighting against the urge to scold her on the big day. “Honey, blessings must be accepted with gratitude.” Cecilia smoothened Leda’s dark locks before grabbing a pair scissors on the table. When Leda visibly flinched, she responded with a sigh. “Other girls would kill to be an heiress, yet here you are, whining. It’s
part of the preparation, so deal with it.” An heiress—the title made her throat run dry, cursing its false glory as it stole everyone’s humanity. Leda looked away. “I just don’t like cutting my hair short.” “Remember,” Cecilia spoke as she snipped at Leda’s hair, “pleasing the Spirit is the only thing that matters,” the sharp blades snipping behind her neck, “from now on.” Leda tried to swallow her fear but trembling fingers betrayed her. “Help me,” she uttered, staring at the locks pooled before their feet. She grasped her mother’s hands, her eyes watering. “Help me escape. I don’t want to be used by Him. The Spirit only wants my flesh and you—” Cecilia clawed at her mouth, letting the scissors drop to the floor. “He might hear you!” she hissed. “Sinful words will bring misfortune to the family!” Cecilia’s grip was tight enough to leave light
marks. Leda flinched at the pain on her cheeks. With watery eyes, she tried to remember if this was the mother she knew. “You know the consequences if you refuse, right?” Leda froze in realization and the hand caging her lips softened its grip, before dropping completely. “Right?” Cecilia prodded. “The second daughter of the favored family,” Leda breathed, reciting, in a trance. “Shall accept the blessing instead.” “And you’ll miss the opportunity to receive such honor from the Spirit,” Cecilia urged. Leda stared, in shock. “If I don’t do this, will you really give Cath away?” Her sister’s laughter rang in her ears. She could never stomach the idea of her being in the same situation. She could barely stomach it now. Cecilia smiled, revealing crow’s feet and happy wrinkles, eerie in the context of their
conversation. “She’s young but I know the Spirit will like her just as much as He likes you.” Leda clenched her fists. “But I know there’s no need for that, because you will do what has to be done,” Cecilia reached for a bottle of luxurious perfume and applied it all over Leda’s skin. The latter remained rigid as the night passed and as a nightmare stepped closer. Silence had filled the void until Cecilia leaned towards her to kiss her temples. “He’s almost here.” “I love you, honey,” were Cecilia’s last words before she disappeared behind looming doors, leaving Leda to stain her reflection with bitter tears. The first strings of sunlight soon replaced the candles that had no more wax to bleed. On the floor laid a shattered swan while the Spirit’s touch remained firm on the bare skin of His new heiress.
SPORTS
14 La Estrella Verde
December 2018 - March 2019
DLSU-D hooks 2nd spot to ISVL quarterfinals Pauline Meneses Placing second in the overall rankings for their bracket, the DLSU-D Patriots bagged a spot in the Intersecondary Volleyball League (ISVL) quarterfinals with a win-loss standing of 3-1 after battling the Imus Institute of Science and Techonology Sabers on Feb. 17 at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA – Molino Campus.
Coming from their three-nothing run, the Patriots bowed down to the Sabers once again, going head-to-head against them in the ISVL, scoring 1525, 17-25, 25-19, and 16-25. With the Patriots’ encounter in several offensive and defensive errors, the Sabers took advantage of the green team’s mistakes in the first set, adding hammering attacks and defensive prowess into the mixture through excellent receptions and digs. “Nahirapan po kami…(sa) simula pa lang…medyo wala pa po sa kondisyon… pero kahit paano naman po (nakabawi) and (lumaban),” libero John Paulo Templo, expressed. Determined to bounce back from their performance in the first canto,
the Patriots rallied their kill blocks and took advantage of the opponents’ attack errors, as well. Yet, after a setting violation, the Sabers snatched their four-point lead with four straight points to tie them at 13-all, repeating the same domination that they had shown in the first set, ending the second at 25-17. As if breathing through a thin sheet of air, the Patriots took focus in performing the third set with setter Gino Tamondong’s play selections to JP Javier, Carl Galindo and Jath Apolito, together with their thundering kill blocks with team captain Yukio Estrella. Though they caught up with the green squad’s offensive and defensive
runs by two to three points, the Sabers performed minimal plays in the third set, concluding at the score 25-19. Boosted with morale from the win in the third set, the Patriots remained hopeful to rally the fourth set into a decider, yet the Sabers recovered from their third-set dilemma to dominate over the green spikers once again, establishing a ten-point advantage in the latter part of the set. Sealing the first spot for the overall rankings, the blue squad finished the Patriots at 25-16 in the fourth set. “Noong second set po, nawawalan [na po kami] ng self-confidence at nagigiba na rin ‘yung mindset (namin). Kahit nakakalamang kami, (nagkaerror) pa (rin) kami and (nawala) ‘yung
momentum (namin as a) team,” Templo stated, sharing the team’s struggles in the match. Initially, the Patriots faced Southernside Montessori School on Dec. 8 and Maranatha Christian Academy on Jan. 26, sweeping them for their first two runs. Following this, the team went into a cardiac five-setter “Cinderella run” against Green Valley Academy, from trailing in the first two sets, and winning the last three to claim the match. As of press time, the DLSU-D Patriots are scheduled to compete for the ISVL quarterfinals starting on Feb. 23.
SPORTS FEATURES
Filipino pride in Intramurals: Three years burning Winona Eunice Alindogan Ready? Set. FILIPINO!
Art by Sim Daeun
Say it loud and proud, kababayan! We have plenty of games that have been adapted, modified, and made a unique staple in our array. This makes the upcoming DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) Intramurals all the more fun as we continue to salute our heritage in the form of Philippine games. Aside from the team sports like basketball and volleyball, Intramurals 2019 features a select few cultural games such as patintero, culliot, and juego de anillo. Patintero is most probably a childhood favorite, creatively passing through guards and strategically blocking and tagging opponents is what it’s all about. However, when we hear the words “culliot” and “juego de anillo”, the words that we most often utter are “Ano ‘yun?” and “May gano’n pala?” So, what is culliot and juego de anillo all about?
War of strength As foreign as it sounds, culliot is a Filipino game we’ve all been playing since elementary and is more commonly known as tug-of-war or hilahang lubid. It operates on the same principle as tug-of-war—a test of strength using a rope, two teams, and unwavering wills. The only thing different with culliot is that the last player for each team has the rope tied around their waist. Game of rings Unpopular yet posh, DLSU-D SHS has been bringing it back since their first Intramurals in 2017. Juego de anillo is literally translated as “game of rings” where people would ride horses and gather rings hanging from trees or elsewhere using a dagger.
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Though not only must we show our pride during these times, but we must also show it everyday in, everything we do.”
Noticeably of Spanish influence, this game is probably the least familiar to all of us. But, once upon a time, our predecessors decided it was a fun game and adapted it, turning horses into bikes and daggers into sticks. Teams of five to seven players test their accuracy and balance under an imposed time limit and the team with the most rings win. It is no doubt that the DLSU-D SHS is making a great effort to keep the Filipino pride burning through, with the addition of Philippine games in our annual Intramurals. This way, we are preserving our culture, keeping it unforgotten. Though not only must we show our pride during these times, but we must also show it everyday in, everything we do.
SPORTS
December 2018 - March 2019
La Estrella Verde
15
Laban o Bawi? Surviving the Orthodox Gian Eldrich Sandoval
M
ula elementarya hanggang hayskul, tuwing sasapit ang mga buwan ng Enero, Pebrero, at Marso, tila nagbabago ang simoy ng hangin; nakikita ang excitement sa mukha ng mga estudyante. Ito’y dahil sa pinakainaabangang taunang Intramurals, kung saan naglalabasan ang mga tahimik sa klase na may angking husay pala sa paglalaro ng basketball, volleyball, badminton, at marami pang iba. Dito nagsasama-sama ang lahat para magtagisan ang mga magagaling laban sa mga magagaling. Habang sinusulat ko ang artikulong ito, damang-dama na rin sa buong
DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) ang paghahanda para sa Intrams na gaganapin sa Marso 18-21. Isinasagawa na ang mga tryouts; pagpipinalisa sa mga listahan ng mga kalahok; pagsasanay sa mga paligsahan tulad ng cheer dance at hiphop; at iba pa. Naaalala ko sa dati kong paaralan, panahon rin ng tryouts para sa Intrams naming noon, at iniisip ko kung may gusto ba akong salihang isport dahil nakalista na ang halos lahat ng mga kaklase ko sa mga gusto nila. Sinimulan ang opisyal na pagbubukas ng Intrams nang wala akong sinalihan. Ngunit, sa gitna ng linggong iyon, hinila ako ng aming team manager para maglaro sa table tennis dahil kulang kami sa manlalaro. Hindi ko inaasahang maiuuwi ko ang ikalawang parangal. Mula noon, nagpatuloy ako sa
paglalaro ng table tennis tuwing Intrams hanggang sa masali ako sa varsity. Hindi ko ito sinasabi para magmayabang. Bagkus, sinasabi ko ito dahil baka pagkakataon mo na ito–pagkakataong matuklasan ang iyong mga kahinaan at kalakasan. Pagkakataong makabuo ng isang libangan na siguradong madadala mo sa iyong pagtanda. Binibigyan tayo ng tyansa tuwing Intrams na matuklasan kung saan tayo magaling at kung saan hindi. Dito natin mas pinagyayaman ang mga kasanayan na mayroon tayo. Mas napauunlad natin ang ating pisikal at mental na kapasidad sa tuwing mag-eensayo tayo at lalaban sa isport na ating sinalihan. Maliban dito, mas napagpapatibay pa natin ang ating pakikitungo sa isa’t isa at mas
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Lakasan mo ang iyong loob dahil walang masama sa pagsubok sa isport na gusto mong salihan.”
natututunan natin ang kahalagahan vng sportsmanship. Sa darating na Intramurals, huwag mo sanang sayangin ang pagkakataong makatuklas ng isport na kahihiligan mo, o kaya ang tyansa na makilahok o makisalamuha sa iyong mga kasama. Subukan mong tanggalin ang takot at pangamba na hindi ka magaling. Lakasan mo ang iyong loob dahil walang masama sa pagsubok sa isport na gusto mong salihan. ‘Nasa huli ang pagsisisi’, ‘ika nga. Kung hindi ka man palarin na makapasok, lagi namang may susunod na taon. Isang beses sa isang taon lang nagaganap ang Intrams. Uupo ka na naman ba sa isang tabi at manonood na lang o pipiliin mong lumahok at gawing makabuluhan ang iyong Intramurals experience?
Midel on ISVL: Patuloy kaming lalaban nang may puso Winona Eunice Alindogan With the Intersecondary Volleyball League (ISVL) eliminations drawing to a close, the DLSU-D Lady Patriots sadly did not make it through.
Swept by the Seven Seas Academy Seasians in their last game on Feb. 17 at the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta - Molino in three straight sets, 25-15, 25-17, 25-15, the Lady Patriots exited the ISVL league not with failure, but with lessons. Throughout the game, the Patriots struggled to defend their court as the Seasians delivered powerpacked spikes and heart-stopping lineball services. “Ang naging kulang (ay)… communication sa loob ng court,” states Coach Raymond “Bunso” Ramirez. “Nahirapan din sa floor defense kaya wala masyadong magandang play na nagawa. Isa pa, kulang sa chemistry ang team,” adds Arvie Midel, co-captain ball of the team. Despite the overwhelming loss, both Ramirez and the team viewed the league as great exposure and learning experience. “Malaki ang naging silbi ng liga na ito… dahil magandang exposure sa team…
Nakikita namin ang mga kulang…na pwede naming pag-ensayuhan pa sa susunod,” explains Ramirez. “Susunod na hakbang ang mag-ensayo pa nang mabuti. Maipapayo ko…[na] maging matatag sa loob ng court, magkaroon ng chemistry…at teamwork, at hard training pa,” he expounds. Midel affirms this, “Bounce back!… Conditioning and strengthening ang gagawin sa training…Individual training din kailangan kasi kulang pa sa discipline at hardwork ang lahat.” The ISVL might be over for the Lady Patriots but it definitely isn’t their last league. “No promises as of now pero expect niyo na…ibibigay namin ‘yung lahat ng makakaya naming…Hindi man namin na-defend ‘yung title namin sa ISVL pero patuloy kaming lalaban nang may puso. Nabigo man namin si Coach…malaki pa rin ang tiwala niya sa amin kaya… dapat magtiwala kami sa sarili namin. Lesson learned…we are not afraid to accept failures kasi doon kami natututo,” Midel expresses.
DLSU-D Lady Patriots in a pre-game huddle. Photo by Louise Peñaflor.
Lady Patriots on their ready position. Photo by Louise Peñaflor.
Sports La Estrella Verde
December 2018 - March 2019
Volume 3 Issue 3
Intramurals 2019 point system. Infograph by Sean Patrick Serrano.
DLSU-D SHS prepares for Intrams 2019 Pauline Meneses
Following the announcement by Sports Moderator Alex Balbio that the Intramurals 2019 will be held on March 18-21, the official six teams of DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) have already began preparations starting January for the most-awaited sportsfest.
Grade 11 students formed four teams—the Black Bandits, the Yellow Clashing Titans, the Emerald Assassins, and Red Spartans—while Grade 12 students formed two teams—the Blue Fighting Marines and White Wolves. Tryouts for the individual and team sports and the cheer dance and hiphop competitions have commenced on Feb. 4-8 and 12, adding the screening for the anticipated Mr. and
Ms. Intramurals at the same time. Compared to the duration of the Intramurals last school year which started on November 2017, Balbio stated that initial schedule was plotted on Feb. 11-15 but was moved to its latest date to give way for logistical necessities and for conducting general meetings with the team managers. Blue Fighting Marines Team Manager Jose Apollo Mabini shared that their team had no difficulty in
terms of filing required documents for the events. “For the team’s preparation, to be honest, (the Grade 12 students) are more competitive than they (were) last year. But the problem I (encountered) as…team manager [is that] some of the students are passive,” he stated. Blue Fighting Marines Assistant Student Team Manager Yroll Ronatay (STM21) expressed their team’s mindset for the Intramurals as they
have continuously been training for their participating events. “We make sure that we have players for every sport and prepare them to be competitive on their chosen sport. I’m sure my team will bring their full effort to win,” Ronatay ended. Mabini reiterated the cooperation of each student in the events to win as overall champions. “The students must be pro-active. That will be the key in order for
us to progress in the Intrams,” he ended. On the other hand, the Bench Cheer has been added to the list of events for this year’s Intramurals. Ground rules and guidelines for the whole sports festival and the scoring distribution system as well as the rules and mechanics for the different events have already been released by Balbio in the DLSU-D Senior High Lasallian Facebook groups.
Basketball girls team to launch for next A.Y. Pauline Meneses
For the first time in the High School varsity programs, the DLSU-D Senior High School opened the tryouts for the pioneer basketball girls’ team on Feb. 1 at the MTH Covered Court.
Borja (left) and Villa (right) cornered an opponent from Rosario Institute. Photo by Princess Mijares.
Patriots suffer defeat in NBTC semis Chelsea Janelle David After being undefeated on this year’s league, the DLSU-D Patriots fell against Rosario Institute (RI) and marked the end of the league for the Patriots in the SM National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) semifinals on Feb. 5 at Cavite School of St. Mark.
“(Nadidismaya) at disappointed [kami,] kasi undefeated kami throughout [this league], pero positive lang kami…Most of the teams ay sagad na,…born in 1999 sila. Ang advantage (namin) dito…(Patriots ang) mga younger (players), so think positive and gain experience lang para sa next season,…makapag-perform nang maayos,” Coach Arnold Oliveros told his insights regarding the league. For three consecutive years, the Patriots have battled with the same team. They reigned in the last three years for semi-finals against RI, but lost as the opponents formed a comeback last year and remained their win on this year’s league semi-finals. “Nagkaroon ng miscommunication and maturity talaga sa game. Ayun talaga ang kulang sa amin. Mas competitive [dapat] ang gagawin na [laro] sa league para [‘yung] level ng competition nila [ay] tumataas,” Oliveros said Small forward Amrit Singh initiated the first quarter as he played lay-ups,
4-0. The Patriots endured the game as they won the quarter with 7-5. Being defenseless on the second quarter, the Patriots couldn’t play well as RI’s Cuello blasted 5 points and the other opponents with a threepoint shot and lay-ups, 7-14. After the timeout of DLSU-D, power forward Yuan Anacay led with a three-point shot. RI laid out fouls, making the Patriots obtain a score of 14-22 and finish the quarter with a lay-up from shooting guard Darrel Nadres, 16-22. Trying to improve their score, the Patriots strengthened their teamwork as Anacay assisted Singh on the start of the third quarter, 18-22. They both elevated the score on the first five minutes with free throws, lay-up, and jump shot, 23-24. RI didn’t back down as they retrieved their offenses with two three-points from Cuello, letting the Patriots be progressive on shooting with a lay-up and jump shot of team co-captain Adrian Dimapawi and
Anacay, 31-30. Driven by the score, Cuello ended the game with a threepoint shot making his team lead the game, 31-34. Things heated up during the last quarter of the game as the Patriots led up some offenses, but Cuello didn’t stop, flaunting three three-pointers and teaming up with his squad, hitting the score of 35-42. The athletes in green built up their offenses moving the score up to 3942. They strengthened their defenses where Anacay and Nadres blocked the opponents, attempting to take a score. With multiple fouls on the last three minutes of the quarter, the Patriots and RI went neck-on-neck on the court as point guard Kent Borja granted a three-point where Anacay and the team proved hard work in their offenses, 43-50. Later, RI played defense, letting the Patriots attempt to shoot. However, the Patriots still failed and exited the league with a 46-53 loss.
According to Coach Robby Angeles, 17 girls showed interest in joining the first team on the said date of tryouts, adding another batch of five girls in another tryout followed up on Feb. 7. Angeles initiated the formation of the girls’ team for basketball, after assisting in coaching for the girls’ team in De La Salle-Health Sciences Institute. “I just thought that La Salle shouldn’t be left behind...I noticed that we (didn’t) have a girls’ team... for the High School, for that matter. So, I said, ‘why not make one?’” Angeles stated. Pointing to the lack of manpower and budget to formulate the team in the previous years, Angeles took the initiative to train the team as coach in the meantime while the program remains in the process of finding a coach. Given the assessment that the girls established in the tryouts, Angeles posed a back-to-basic and
conditioning program for the girls. “May ilan na medyo advanced na ‘yung skillset. So siyempre, ‘di naman pwede ‘yung may nauuna, tapos may nahuhuli. Sabay-sabay lang,” he expressed. As of Feb. 12, physical therapy instructors and interns visited the team’s primary training, with Angeles noting the importance of strengthening and conditioning in the training of the team’s pioneer players. “Once the team is fully accustomed to the strength and conditioning exercises and…basic basketball drills, [then it] will be…time to increase the intensity and difficulty of the drills to better prepare them for [their first tournament,] the 2019 Dasmariñas City Meet,” he ended. The High School basketball girls’ team shall undergooff-season training and is scheduled to participate in tournaments in A.Y. 2019-2020. Official team line-up will also be announced next school year.