UPHOLDER OF TRUTH. HERALD OF CHANGE. December 2020 - February 2021
Volume 5 Issue 2
The Uncertainty of Safety. When the key becomes unnecessary and security becomes informality. Art by Franz Maverick Vicedo
ANIMO Strategy attains satisfaction during first semester Students, parents seek adjustments to sync classes, assessments Mikaela Angela Reyes
Results of the End-of-Semester survey revealed that DLSU-D High School (HS) students expressed overall satisfaction with the ANIMO Strategy learning approach for A.Y. 2020-2021, including the conduct of synchronous classes standing out with a 3.71 out of 4 satisfactory rating.
While the survey was only answered by 51.21 percent of the HS population, DLSU-D HS Principal Mario Torres stated that positive feedback mostly came from Grade 10 and Grade 12 students due to their familiarity with Schoolbook. “The responses received (were) generally positive…(but) in the case of our Grade 11 students, we have some who commented that they are still having (small difficulties)…mostly since
Schoolbook is still something new to them,” Torres explained. Moreover, students evaluated that the assistance of their homeroom advisers contributed to the satisfaction of the ANIMO Strategy implementation, earning a 3.57 out of 4 satisfactory rating. “(HS students were) very satisfied with...their homeroom advisers…in End-of-Semester Survey, see page 2
DLSU-D introduces SB Offline Mode Zoe Airabelle Aguinaldo Schoolbook (SB), under the NEO LMS mobile application, adapted the offline mode feature for the convenience of students and teachers through portable accessibility on accessing previously viewed modules without network connection.
Despair and Disparity. When impediments come, nothing is worse than discontinuing the decisions you already established. Art by Nikki Alexis Antonio
Learning Management System (LMS) Focal Person for Management Carl Albert Lozada stated that SB’s approach is to build offline mode seamlessly, so students and teachers need not to download offline copies of their class resources. “This offline support tool will enable users to have full access to various platform functionalities even (if) your mobile device (does not have)…Internet connection,” he explained.
4 Editorial 7 Literary Behind the lens: Borderless organizations An Abstract Work of Art
In addition, LMS Focal Person for Training and Monitoring Ersyllen Biñas affirmed that the feature will be convenient for those who are experiencing technical difficulties in SB. “[M]ay times na sobrang mabagal ‘yung pagload…(ng SB dahil) sa dami ng users (at sa) Internet connection natin…kasi (it) relies mainly on Internet [connection],” she reasoned. SB Offline Mode, see page 2
8 Green Ink
2
NEWS
La Estrella Verde
HUMSS/ABM/HE students collab with int’l students, contend at TTbiz 2020 Giannina Ruidera On Feb. 1, DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) students took pride and finished as semifinalists for the Junior Achievement Travel & Tourism Business Program (TTbiz) 2020, an international competition led by Junior Achievement Japan, Korea, Philippines, and Singapore.
A total of three teams with DLSU-D SHS students, who teamed up with students from Japan, Korea, and Singapore, were invited to compete. Out of the three teams, one team advanced to the semi-finals. According to Jezzyrae Maglente (HMS21), one of the members of the semi-finalist team, they were tasked to create a Japan travel plan within three months. “The eliminations took about three months from August to October. We planned for our objectives and goals each week, then (reviewed) our outputs at the end of the week,” Maglente explained. Meanwhile, team leader Jenmaica Barrera (TVL21) stated the concept behind their travel plan and how the team came up with the idea. “Our team’s main concept revolved around time traveling…a spontaneous suggestion by one of our teammates from Singapore. Since the theme of the competition was to create a unique travel plan, we found the idea [time travel] fitting,” Barrera said. She also mentioned the struggle they had during the contest, emphasizing the team’s positive attitude that helped overcome them.
“The (hardest) part of the competition was definitely scheduling online meetings. That aside, everyone’s evident hard work…(and) positive outlook during the project made each of our own experiences great within the competition,” Barrera added. Moreover, HUMSS/ABM/HE Academic Coordinator Robbie Ann Jesser Eullo acknowledged the team’s achievement while still adapting to the current online setup. “This is our first time (joining) the competition and getting into the semi-finals is already a big achievement. It’s not a small feat, given that everyone is still adjusting to the new mode of learning,” Eullo stated. In addition, she mentioned the importance of the experience gained by the participants aside from the recognition they received during the competition. “They can already learn a lot in the experience of working with students (abroad) itself. (That) is what makes joining competitions memorable for the students to join, (it is) not just the awards and recognition but the experience itself is memorable enough,” Eullo added.
SB Offline Mode, see page 1
Lozada also guaranteed that offline e-learning will be useful for students and teachers who are suffering from intermittent Internet connection through caching, given that the smartphone has enough storage space. “[I]f you have less than one gigabyte of free [storage] for caching, (it stops) caching additional content until you free the cache or clear up additional space. By using the offline (mode), just the most important pages will be saved on your phone,” he cited. However, Biñas mentioned that the current version of the offline mode might not be the most effective alternative at present considering that SB is originally intended for online learning. “[K]ung mababa ang memory ng device mo, baka hindi rin kayanin...lalo na sa atin sa high school, marami tayong video content (kaya) baka maubos ‘yung memory ng gadget,” she said. While Lozada acknowledged that the offline version of SB is still a work in progress, he assured that it is already functional and ready to use. “[W]e have to (take) certain measures (in this pandemic), so thankfully (SB) has this
offline mode already…(it) can help students access (SB) anytime,” Lozada added. Students’ feedback Students who struggled due to technical issues expressed their insights on the offline mode feature, as Joshua Samartino (STM23) voiced his experience on SB’s compatibility since there was a conflict between his Internet provider and SB’s website. “I am forced to use other methods of connecting such as using mobile data or through the assistance of my friends…(SB’s) offline feature (would help me) access the learning materials if I experience (struggles in) accessing my account again,” he shared. Luigi Ordoñez (ABM14) supported the previous statements when he pointed out how SB’s performance was impacted by his weak Internet connection. “[E]rrors, such as the page not loading, were present. An offline feature of SB would be a great help not only for me, but for those who are coping with the same issue,” he remarked.
December 2020 - February 2021 End-of-Semester Survey, see page 1
accommodating their questions (and) queries, providing updated announcements, and meeting them whenever necessary,” Torres added. Furthermore, Torres mentioned that the HS administration is still enhancing the ANIMO Strategy, aiming for “very satisfied” feedback by the end of the second semester. “[O]ur feedback system has been working very well…in addressing the concerns of our students channeled through their respective homeroom advisers,” he continued. Students’ feedback Meanwhile, students addressed their suggestions and concerns regarding the ANIMO Strategy during the first semester, as Roxanne Esogue (ABM14) emphasized that improving lessons in synchronous sessions should be prioritized despite garnering a very satisfied remark from the survey. “[S]ome teachers would make the students rely on their (asynchronous) lessons more and (would choose) not to discuss during synchronous classes,” Esogue explained. This was supported by Johnpen Rapista (STM12), affirming that students depend on their teachers’ discussion for an understandable approach during synchronous classes. “[F]ocus on giving…more time (for) having synchronous classes since most students rely on the explanation and examples discussed by the (teachers),” Rapista urged. However, Sasha Eguchi (HMS24) emphasized the constant pile of assessments in to-do lists that are discouraging to students, even if upcoming lessons are still locked. “(Nakadadagdag) ng pressure…kapag may natapos ka na assessments mapupunta na agad sa list mo ‘yung assessments for (the) next lesson so parang wala kang nagawa that day,” Eguchi stated. Parents’ feedback According to Rhea Acosta, the duration of synchronous classes should depend on the subjects’ complexity. “[I]f it’s a hard subject, I’m sure it is not enough for the students to take in everything (within a) short span of time,” Acosta stressed. Meanwhile, Rianna Fernandez stated her concerns about the passing grade of the gateway assessments being too high. “(It) can cause stress to some students, at…need mo pa ma-reach ang target na passing grade to unlock (other lessons),” Fernandez shared.
December 2020 - February 2021
NEWS FEATURES
La Estrella Verde
3
Pangangalap ng NPA sa mga unibersidad, kinondena; DLSU-D SHS students nakiisa Ayeesha Kimberly Cellona Nakiisa ang mga mag-aaral ng DLSU-D Senior High School (SHS) sa pagkondena sa akusasyon ng National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) kung saan sentro ng pag-re-recruit ng New People’s Army (NPA) ang 18 na unibersidad sa bansa. Graphic by Anina Jiliana Manuel
Noong Enero 23, isinaad ni NTFELCAC spokesperson and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. na kabilang ang DLSU Manila sa listahan ng mga unibersidad na sinasabing nangangalap ng mga komunista. Binigyang-diin ni Student Council (SC) President Asher Alegre na mas ginagawang prayoridad ang pagsugpo sa mga magkasalungat na pananaw imbis sa paghahanap ng mismong miyembro ng NPA. “[I]t makes me think, do (NTF-ELCAC and AFP) even know who their enemy is…they are [looking] for communist rebels who believe in the armed struggle in DLSU Manila—in my view it is utterly absurd,” aniya. Ipinaliwanag naman ni SC Humanities and Social Sciences Representative Karl Andrew Vargas ang kapahamakang dulot ng red-tagging, lalo na sa mga mag-aaral na ibinabahagi lamang ang saloobin batay sa mga pangyayari sa bansa. “[S]ana makita ng ating gobyerno ang masamang epekto ng pag-re-red-tag lalo na sa mga estudyante…na (nagsasalita) tungkol sa mga nangyayari…dahil may mga posibilidad na (makatutulong) ito para mabago ang (sistema ng) ating bansa,” paliwanag niya. Kaugnay nito, pinuna ni Junie Ann Mae Molina (STM19) ang mga posibleng mangyari sa mga mag-aaral na na-red-tag, tulad ng pagdakip at pagkasawi na kaniyang binatay mula sa mga sariwang kaganapan sa iilang alumni ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (UP). “[A]fter nila ilabas ‘yung list of (suspected) names ng mga alumni [sa UP]…their lives
(were) put in danger (and) I also read na some of them (were) captured (and worse), some died,” iginiit nito.
“
[K]ung alam naman ng mga Lasalyano (na) wala silang ginagawang mali at sila ay pinoprotektahan ng batas, (walang) dapat na (ikatakot).”
Gayumpaman, dugtong ni Alegre na hindi magiging kaakibat ng mga komunista ang kahit sinong Lasalyano sapagkat naniniwala siya sa moralidad na pinanghahawakan ng mga ito.
“I find it hard to believe that DLSU Manila would be a breeding ground for communist rebellion due to the values we hold as Lasallians,” dagdag niya. Ibinahagi rin ni Alexandra Jhane Cruz (ABM23) na walang sapat na pruweba ang gobyerno upang mapatunayan ang nasabing recruitment sa mga unibersidad. “[A]ng layunin ng (DLSU) and other universities is to promote learning and to engage students in acts that will contribute to strengthen and promote our nation…these government-issued task forces (don’t) have enough proof to support their claims,” aniya. Bukod pa rito, ipinahayag ni Irish Mae Abarquez (HMS14) ang ginagawang pananamantala ng gobyerno sa kanilang posisyon at ang hindi pagbibigay-pansin sa boses ng taumbayan. “Parang pinapakita ng (ating pamahalaan) na sila ang laging tama at anumang gawin ng taumbayan na (tutol sa paningin nila)…ay may (haharaping konsikwensya),” aniya. Dinagdag rin ni Abarquez ang pagkawala ng kalayaang magbahagi ng opinyon sa mga mamamayan ukol sa mga isyu ng bansa. “[K]ung alam naman ng mga Lasalyano (na) wala silang ginagawang mali at sila ay pinoprotektahan ng batas, (walang) dapat na (ikatakot),” ayon kay Abarquez. Iginiit naman ni Yolieanne Jenna Gandia (HMS14) na hindi dapat mawalan ng pag-asa ang mga tao, sapagkat ito ay malalampasan hangga’t mayroong mga boses na tumatayo para sa mga mamamayan. “[T]ayong mga Lasalyano ay (hindi lamang maituturing na) boses ng kabataan, kung hindi boses (din) ng mga tinanggalan ng karapatan at boses sa lipunan,” saad niya.
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OPINION
La Estrella Verde
December 2020 - February 2021
La Estrella Verde The Official High School Student Publication of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas
EDITORIAL BOARD A.Y. 2020-2021 EDITOR IN CHIEF John Ethan Casela ASSOCIATE EDITOR Vince Daniel Papa MANAGING EDITOR Stephanie Nicole Rabacal COPY EDITOR Mary Abigail Manalo NEWS EDITORS John Ethan Casela, Vince Daniel Papa SPORTS EDITOR Krizia Isabelle Dela Serna FEATURES EDITOR Stephanie Nicole Rabacal LITERARY EDITOR Josephine Punzalan ART EDITOR Kristen Faith Maala PHOTO AND VIDEO EDITOR Ollie Alexandra Lanzar WEB EDITOR Jezzyrae Maglente RADIO PROGRAM MANAGER Ramil Benedict De Jesus NEWS Zoe Airabelle Aguinaldo, Mary Pauline Castor, Ayeesha Kimberly Cellona, Franchez Cassandra Escander, Kristtina Kumabe, Princess Pravika Rai, Mikaela Angela Reyes, Giannina Ruidera SPORTS Guen Marie Sapinit FEATURES Gabrielle Marie Antenor-Cruz, Jedd Rudolf Caldo, Francine Angela Dela Fuente, Erin Ruth Flores, Andrea Kristine Lazaro, Elaine Samantha Olona, Sophia Angela Silva, Ma. Ladeevie Tamonan, Zhaine Louise Toledo LITERARY Marcea Alcala, Shane Lira Laliag, Paulyn Dianne Laude, Anina Jiliana Manuel, Berenice Ann Medina, Mariah Jichelle Nokom, Ara Janine Palecpec, Phoebe Denise Santos, Sophia Angela Silva, Frances Nicole Umbao ART Nikki Alexis Antonio, Chynna Ysabelle Brugada, Jericho Rasheed Celestino, Evalene Vianca De Jesus, Maria Sophia Emelda Initorio, Leica Gwyneth Mendoza, Denise Preclaro, Rania Marie Pucan, Franz Maverick Vicedo PHOTO AND VIDEO Elisha Jezreel Ang, Shielo Mariel Camaganacan, Janet Maria Nessa De Alba, Dylan Lipardo, Angela Belle Lumilan, Jazmine Levana Sico, Tricia Faye Velasco WEB Raliyah Aivah Blancaflor, Joanna Elaine Desiderio, Anina Jiliana Manuel, Jeremy Ray Milca, Jan Anthony Murillo LAYOUT Christina Renea Canlas, Angienette Laurza, Jan Anthony Murillo RADIO Ria Bagoyo, Johann Michael Caayao, Denise Gabrielle Calingasan, Marymar Caya, Kristina Rose Eramiz, Karl Denise Gagatiga, Naumie Imura, Martha Stephanie Patricio, Kate Danielle Ronquillo, Jhannie Lynne Saulog La Estrella Verde has its editorial office at Room JHS241, High School Complex, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, DBB-B, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4115 Telephone: +63-2-7795180, +32-46-4811900 to 1930 local 3302 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.
EDITORIAL
Behind the lens: Borderless organizations
Settling into the new normal setup seemed to be the only option for everyone, even for the DLSU-D High School (HS) student organizations. All organizations were undoubtedly forced into an experimental stage to continue operating, but as time progressed, priorities have clearly been misplaced. While the new setup opens rooms for growth, the curiosity on locked doors exposes us to misleading choices. Although organizations function with different objectives in mind, they share the common goal in serving the community—achieved by fulfilling their purpose to the student body. In the previous semester, La Estrella Verde (LEV) witnessed fellow student organizations surpass boundaries that were definitely set to ensure order within the DLSU-D HS community. Specifically, we have seen Viridescent, the yearbook publication, helplessly imitate the functions of a student publication. Viridescent’s establishment of its own Features section surprised not only LEV but also some members of the HS community. The intention behind the addition aligns with their publication’s duties, as the introduction of the said section stated that it holds “the responsibility of showcasing the year’s most highlighted moments”. Be that as it may, their releases say otherwise for the community is yet to see a feature article published under their name that satisfies their objective. The institution of the Features section could also pave way to more sections that are highly unnecessary to the nature of their publication. It is certainly pleasing to see that fellow organizations are branching out and exploring new possibilities, but limits need to be set in stone and some actions are simply ill-founded. Forsaking their initial responsibilities to engage in new projects is improper, especially when done simply to gain more exposure and not in the service of the greater good. Ultimately, it goes against their mission as stated in the Senior High School Student Handbook. Furthermore, it is a tactless act that leaves the community lacking in certain incentives that they are entitled to as DLSU-D HS students. Viridescent’s seeming lack of concern for their primary duties has led to several alumni reaching out to LEV regarding updates for their long-awaited yearbook, though the responsibility falls upon their hands. Although these decisions may be highly beneficial for your publication, it will surely affect the community that you serve one way or another. Years of account are long overdue and no physical copies of the yearbooks were laid onto the alumni’s hands. Rather than reading feature articles and statements, we call for sincere plans for all the alumni’s yearbooks. As we are also getting closer to the Graduation Day, should Batch 2021 still expect something from you? After all, it’s for you to act upon. LEV does not prohibit exploring and releasing more than what they are expected to do nor practice crab mentality, especially during these hard times. Instead, we implore Viridescent to take a closer look at what it means to be a yearbook publication.
OPINION
December 2020 - February 2021
La Estrella Verde
5
Ang nagbestida pa rin ba ang may sala? To Always Be Continued Stephanie Nicole Rabacal
S
a pagrolyo ng panahon, nakalakihan ko na ang maging isang konserbatibo— sa pananamit, sa kilos, at sa marami pang aspeto. Kalakip nito, hindi ko pa rin mabitawan ang takot at pangamba mula sa mga matang nanlilisik at labing sumisitsit sa isang kalyeng may lupon ng mga nagiinuman. Ngayon, mga biktima pa rin ba ang ituturing na may sala, o oras na upang ituro ang mga utak na baluktot at nakakalat sa kalsada? Samu’t saring mga argumento ang nagdulot ng ingay kung ano nga ba ang dahilan sa pag-iral ng panggagahasa. Marami ang nagsasabing dahil ito sa damit na maiikli’t masisikip. Para naman sa ilan, umuusbong ito dahil sa epektong hatid ng alkohol, o kaya naman ang ipinapakitang “nakasasabik” na kilos ng isang tao. Dahil sa ganitong kaisipan, nahubog ang kulturang sa tingin ko’y dapat nang mabigyang tuldok sa simula pa lamang.
Dahil sa victim-blaming, mas nabigyang kalayaan ang mga walang respeto na patuloy gawin ang kanilang pambabastos na maaaring magdulot ng kasiraan ng isang buhay. Nabaon naman sa lilim ang mga biktimang nakokondena kung bakit nangyari sa kanila ang aktong walang katarungan.
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Tapos na ang oras ng pagpapaubaya ng mga totoong biktima.” Kailangan na mabura sa lipunan ang kulturang victim-blaming. Hindi dapat ito patuloy na sumakop ng ilan pang henerasyon na nag-iwan ng mga bakas ng paglabag sa dignidad at pagkatao ng isang tao. Kailanman ay hindi ito katanggap-tanggap at hindi dapat
pinapalampas ng kahit anong panahon. Wala sa kasuotan, kalasingan, o kung ano pa mang katwirang mayroon ang isa laban sa isa upang samantalahin ang ganitong pagkakataon. May panggagahasa at pananamantala dahil lamang may nanggagahasa at nananamantala. Tapos na ang oras ng pagpapaubaya ng mga totoong biktima. Ang pagsusuot ng maikling bestida, ang paglalagay ng kolorete sa mukha, at ang pag-inom ng alkohol ay para sa sariling kagalakan ng tao. Lahat ng kilos ng isang dilag o kung sinuman ay hindi upang akitin ang mga utak ng makikitid, kundi para ipahayag at palugurin ang kanyang sarili. Hindi masasalamin at masusukat ng kahit ano sa mga ito ang respetong nararapat panghawakan ng bawat indibidwal. Walang matutumbasang permiso ang damit o alak upang pagsamantalahan at bastusin ng kung sino-sino. Kaya’t simulan na nating tumayo at ituro ang kung sino talagang nararapat na magbayad sa umuusbong na kasamaan. Isulong ang pagbuwag sa konsepto ng victim-blaming at imulat ang mga matang nasa paligid na patuloy pa ring nakatago sa likod ng mga piring.
Video gaming to rest or to distress? infectum non potest Ramil Benedict De Jesus
Y
earning for temporary solace from the academic workload is common for students, but the pandemic has limited the choices of a student’s mode of escape. Many have swerved to online video games to drown out their tasks at hand since physical gatherings are still discouraged. With this situation, one question remains—up to what point can E-sports serve as a student’s escape until it becomes an academic distraction? To be honest, playing video games after doing several assessments is relaxing and rewarding. My strategy to avoid burnouts would be playing for about an hour with my friends before sleeping. Without a doubt, it is a temporary way to divert our focus from studies going to another realm. However, I believe that too much can be bad for our academic standing. Losing our focus and forgetting our current goals could be detrimental to our education. Yes, grades
are just numerical measurements but missing out on lessons we are supposed to learn is a different story. We are students after all. Taking too many breaks from our assessments will not make them disappear, it will only pile up as we ignore them. Unaccomplished group tasks can also deprive our teammates as they could be burdened by our lack of contributions. The longer we sleep on our tasks, the heavier the workload becomes in the long run, creating a domino effect into a poor sleep schedule. Playing video games or doing assessments late at night seems to be normalized especially during the quarantine. Insufficient sleep every night exhausts us throughout the day, demotivating us from being productive. To be less eager results in less assessments done than received, causing the lack of a good sleep schedule—a trap into a negative loop. Short sessions of playing video games should help us destress rather than make us distressed. If we missed a lot of schoolworks, we shouldn’t hesitate to take a hiatus and temporarily uninstall the video game we love. It is our responsibility as students to see if we may have missed any assessments for
the week and to make sure that backlogged lessons are kept at none or minimal.
“
Playing a short game to unwind is different from playing to deliberately ignore the responsibilities of being a student. ” Playing a short game to unwind is different from playing to deliberately ignore the responsibilities of being a student. Students have their own ways of taking a break from it, but it is also our duty to ensure that playing video games will not hinder our learning and the reason why we’re at it. We must set our own limits to avoid distress and severe consequences down the line.
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OPINION
La Estrella Verde
December 2020 - February 2021
What we forget as allies From the Fossils Wallace Roland Beltran
W
e stand by the people we love and we know should deserve better in a world that looks down on them for being born differently from whatever the norm is. Even with the growing scope of people who identify as allies of these marginalized groups, identifying as one doesn’t mean that you’re actively being an effective ally. Think of this topic in relation to performative activism. Instead of showing support to make yourself look progressive, this time you’re actually an ally who just fails to recognize that we sometimes unintentionally harm others with the recklessness of our support. Through some conversations with other people within marginalized groups, I’ve learned that you could find a lot of examples online. One of the biggest things that harms people in a marginalized community is
through having conditions for our respect. For example, this takes place when people’s support for body positivity is accompanied by hypocrisy. Once someone who is heavier or skinnier does something bad, suddenly we pick on their body type or weight. This not only shows how shallow our support is, but how conditional and picky we are with it. Respect for difference shouldn’t be a checklist of good and bad.
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As allies of many types of people, it’s important that we’re aware of the way we show our support.”
Another reckless thing is the ignorance of the popular slang and lingo we use. Gay lingo has been one of the most popular ones to come out. As a queer man myself, I understand the meaning of a lot of the terms we use to joke around or even argue
Inside Scoop Ollie Alexandra Lanzar Jezzyrae Maglente
with. But the moment these terms are used by someone outside of the community without fully understanding it, a different meaning is given—especially when used in an offensive manner. The more a word is thrown around without context, the more the popularized meaning will become twisted. The words that hold a significance to a community should be used carefully and fully understood. Commonly though, I find that a lot of people don’t even realize the implications of what they talk about or do. Anti-toxic masculinity has been a popular idea online, and for good reasons. With that, it’s odd that the concept of a “gay-dar” is still a thing. If we actually believe that toxic masculinity should be gone, we shouldn’t equate femininity or affection as something “gay” which only makes masculinity toxic and gay stereotypes present. As allies of many types of people, it’s important that we’re aware of the way we show our support. In this ever-growing world of social issues, there is no place for being ignorant and reckless. We all want to be respectful and kind people, and it doesn’t take much to actually be one.
Overwhelmed
December 2020 - February 2021
LITERARY
La Estrella Verde
7
An Abstract Work of Art Phoebe Denise Santos
Art by Denise Preclaro
A
little girl in a flowy pink dress, with short hair that seemingly had a mind of its own, and a face splattered with blotches of color bounced off the reflection of a brassrimmed mirror. It was me in the year 1982. The background revealed tiny pots of finger paint that had spilled onto the wooden floor and an angry lady quietly observing from behind—my mom. “You’re always making a mess, little angel,” she frowned, lifting me up and wiping my cheeks with a paper towel. I giggled at her annoyance as she shook her head and smiled in reply. Moments after cleaning up, the front door creaked open and I watched as someone entered. He had his work bag in one hand and his white coat in the other. Upon laying his things on the coffee table, he kissed both mom and I on the forehead. “My two beautiful girls,” Daddy said warmly as he softly touched the tip of my nose. “I couldn’t ask for more.” I was 6 years old. My father wore his stethoscope like a medal. He wanted the same honor around my neck but I know it would strangle me instead. In a blink of an eye, the surroundings flashed bright white. I was now holding a paintbrush, painting streaks of orange and yellow on a half-finished canvas. “You failed? Again?” Mother barged into my room. Today was the release of the results for the Physician Licensure Examination and wby the look of disappointment on her face, I knew that I failed for the second time. My body instantly filled with shame.
“What will I tell your father?” she asked, tears rolling down her cheeks. A year has passed since he started aggressive chemotherapy. His doctors told us that if we were lucky enough, he could at least see me pass the boards. As a child, I used to smile thinking about my future, one where I was successful and made my parents proud. But in the life I envisioned, I am surrounded by art. Touring all the galleries and museums I could dream of. They called my version of success a joke. “It’s just not for me, Mom. I’m sorry,” my voice broke as my vision blurred out. I felt crushed and lost, not knowing what to become. However, I was not consoled by empathetic words or a warm hug. Rather, she said nothing and my doors slammed shut. It was the last time she ever entered my room. I was 21 years old. My father saved many lives but he could not save his own. Soon, the paint I used on my canvas would be my own blood. My skin would be my paper, the scars I drew on it was my only refuge from reality. I kept my eyes closed to avoid the nightmare I was reliving. But then, the piercing cold that hit my flesh awakened me. My eyes flew open to reveal a tiny roof over my head and a yellow sign near me that read “BUS STATION” in big bold letters. The surrounding became foggy as the rainfall drummed against the structure that sheltered me. But the painting I was trying to sell was already soaked and I slumped as I wondered who would want to buy my flawed artwork.
The colors had started to run down the canvas and the face painted on it was barely recognizable. But while staring at it, I realized it was still beautiful in all its abstractness. It was still art, and art meant whatever the artist intended it to mean. I was 26 years old. On the night my painting got drenched in rain, I realized that success was abstract. The numbness I felt for five years began to dissipate. Then everything turned bright white and I wondered what part of my life I was going to see next. My thoughts were quickly interrupted as I appeared in my last memory. I was seated on the driver’s seat of my twoyear-old SUV, on my way home from the party that followed my art exhibit. “It was a success,” I mumbled, feeling the effect of the liquor I had. For the first time in years, I felt a surge of satisfaction over the decisions I made, and the very person I wanted to call that very moment was my mother. “Hello?” The voice on the other line spoke groggily, jolting this longing I had kept hidden. Before I could answer, two blazing lights came speeding towards me. I squinted to make out what it was but by the time I realized it was another vehicle, it was too late. I was 31 years old. The last thing I saw was a waterfall of glass cascading down my body before everything turned to darkness. Today, I accompanied my mom to these grassy plains. “I will always be proud of you, my little angel,” she whispered to my tombstone.
Cu+Te Ka by Rania Marie Pucan
VACATION.JPG by Chynna Ysabelle Brugada
Philautia
KITCHEN CALAMITY by Jericho Rasheed Celestino
Levi just got back home, but it appears that his kitchen is in shambles after being in a hurry to buy groceries! Help him find 12 differences so that he can tidy up the place without having to double-check if he’s missed anything.
BLOOM by Evalene Vianca De Jesus
ONLINE CLASS REST by Maria Sophia Emelda Initorio
Answers: Tomato, Birds, Tree hollow, Cleaning tools, Fridge basket, Wood carving, Broom, Wallpaper stain, Tape on bag, Cupboard plate, Liquid soap color, Pin, Bar soap
SELF-LOVE by Leica Gwyneth Mendoza