Blue Heights
The The official official publication publication of of St. St. Scholastica’s Scholastica’s Academy Academy Marikina Marikina Junior Junior High High School School Department Department || March March 2019 2019
S olu syon
SULIRANIN
ng ikaw, ako at a o pilipin sambayanang
bulok na
sistema
g i b ahag i n n g a m g . s n , o l y u s o g n b upa ayan
ay umahon
,
SERBISYO
Maxene Lati Editor-in-chief Dianne Magallon Associate Editor Roanne Pepito Managing Editor Khallyl Catalan Eunice Volante News Editors Hannah Bombeo Literary Editor Elise Manuel Feature Editor Ashley de Belen Sports Editor Julia Agustin Ashley Lagos Danielle Viscaya Illustrators Tricia Navarro Arianne Venturina Maxene Lati Zita Rana Layout Artists Alyssa Roxas Alexa Martinez Althea Bonagua Zehtt Lenon Aeryeel Arandela Micah Lampano Photographers Clarice Mariano • Micah Quinto • Rian Cruz • Francesca Chua • Justine Sarmiento • Meg Baylon • Kisha Rivera • Bea Culiuan • Danielle Torrevillas • Genesis Ragunton • Krislaine Syhap Correspondents Ms. Janina Iglesias Ms. Edna Frialde Moderators Want to be a part of SSAM’s official junior high school publication? For inquiries, you may contact us below: official.blueheights@gmail.com @SSAMBlueHeights
SULAT MULA SA PUNONG PATNUGOT
Wala ng libre sa mundo. Maski ang hustisya at edukasyon na dapat makamtan ng libre at hindi dapat napapantayan ng kahit anong halaga, ay nababayaran na ng iilang piraso ng papel at pilak. Hindi na nakakagulat ang ganitong sitwasyon, ‘di ba? Nasasanay na tayo sa sistemang pumapabor lamang sa iilan, ngunit ang tanong na laging bumabagabag sa aking isipan: paano nga ba ipaaalam sa mga karaniwang mamamayang Pilipino ang sumasalaming isyu sa bansa kung mismong ang pangkain nila sa isang araw ay isang problema? Bilang isang mag-aaral o miyembro ng isang organisasyon, marahil ay mahirap itong makamtan sapagkat limitado lamang ang aksyon na maaaring gawin. Ngunit sa mga maliliit na paraan, maaaring malinang ang kaalaman ng iba’t ibang klase ng tao kung gagamitin ang mga paraan nang maayos. Kaya’t ang mismong pagbabasa ng isyu na ito ay isang indikasyon na ikaw, mambabasa, ay may karapatang hindi natamasa ng isang ordinaryong batang Pilipino at ‘yun ay magbasa, mag-aral, at makapagsulat. Ilan sa mga nakapaloob sa pinagtagpi-tagping mga papel na ito ay ang mga napapanahong isyu ukol sa mga ordinaryong manggagawa, sistemang kinakadena ang mga nasa laylayan sa pag-unlad at pang-aabuso sa kalayaan ng pamamahayag at pananalita. Halimbawa na rito ang modernisasyon ng jeep (pahina 28), rebisyunimo ng kasaysayan (pahina 19), kahirapan sa Pilipinas (pahina 52), atbp. Kaalinsabay nito ang mga pangyayari sa eskwelahan kagaya na lamang ng pakikipanayam kay Sr. Josefina Nepomuceno, OSB (pahina 3) sa panibagong tema ngayong taon, ang pagsabak ni Sr. Alexis Lamarroza, OSB (pahina 7) sa pagiging punong-guro sa elementarya at mataas na paaralan, Buwan ng Wika (pahina 17), atbp. Layunin ng Blue Heights na magpahayag ng wastong balita sa loob at labas ng eskwelahan. Binali ng isyung ito ang pagtuon sa positibo dahil ang kasiyahan ay dapat may katumbas na reyalidad. Pilosopiya ng paaralan na hulmahin ang isang Katolikong Pilipinong mag-aaral na may kamalayan sa labas ng apat na sulok ng silid-aralan. Ang Ora et Labora (dasal at aksyon) na kasaihan na sinasapuso ng institusyon na ito ay hindi makakamit kung walang kaakibat na aksyon. Dalawa sa mga sagisag o hallmarks ni San Benito ang komunidad at serbisyo; nawa’y gamitin natin nang maayos ang mga pribilehiyong pinagkaloob sa ‘tin ng Panginoon. Sa mga simpleng aksyon, kaya nating maipamalas ang paglilingkod sa bayan lalong lalo na sa mga minoridad at marhinalisado. Sana’y makatulong ang magasin na ito sa pagkapukaw ng iyong atensyon sa mga isyung dapat bigyang pansin at paglinang ng kaalaman sa bansa. Malayang pagbasa! Lubos na gumagalang,
Maxene Lati
3 What does it take to be a servant leader? 6 Blue Heights and Blue Blazon compete at DSPC 7 Sister Alexis talks on discipline, integrity PTA representatives as the servant leaders 9 St.NewJames Academy receives Benedictine hospitality 10 Becoming one in St. Benedict‘s feast day 11 Rising up together the colors of the rainbow 12 Buwan ng Nutrisyon, inilunsad 13 St. Birgitta Building stands tall at its blessing Mrs. Soriano prepares for 14 greater responsibilities 17 Buwan ng Wika, ipinagdiwang 18 Mapagpaunlad at mapagpalaya 19 Fake news and its ties to historical revisionism encourages students to 20 SDC ignite servant leadership 21 If you can’t reuse it, refuse it 22 Mining for opportunities 23 Ambush interviews on TRAIN Law does the TRAIN Law change? 24 What Is the Church against the LGBT community? Rosary Campaign 25 1livesMillionoutPraying in SSAM 26 Mrs. De Dios talks about future strands Misconceptions: The borderline 27 between sexism and misogyny
co
contents
EDITORIAL BOARD
pAUNANG SALITA
28 Grade nine explores media arts 29 Rebyus sa pelikula 33 Unmasking an oppa: A film analysis 35 Ang pagbabalik ng Ang Buhay ni Galileo 37 Exploring the Falcon Crest Simplifying concepts with Physilimpics 38 OPM Playlist 39 The paradox of progress and IP struggles 41 Tsunami inflation hits Philippine harbors 43 Positivity for You and Me 44 Tao sa Numero 45 Late night talks 46 Tangkilikin ang sariling atin 47 Teacher’s Day 48 The History Equation: Debunking Philippine history 49 New Teachers 51 New Life Mentors and New Librarian 54 Mahirap ba talaga ang Pilipinas? 55 Literary 57 Humans of St. Scho 61 “Jeepney Modernization”, pahirap lamang sa sambayanang Pilipino
3 Blue Heights
Blue Heights 4 BH: Aside from Benedictine values, do you have ideals and practices that will make the SSAM community, especially young Scholasticans, a community full of servant-leaders? SJ: The Benedictine values are great and influencial ways of living out servant leadership. These values cover nearly every aspect of life and practicing them will certainly develop servant leadership.
STEWARDSHIP
HUMILITY
CHRIST-CENTEREDNESS
The Scholastican reveres all creation in its beauty and proper use, recognizing it as a gift from God. She is wise and moderate in the use of material things for the good of all.
HOSPITALITY
The Scholastican prays. She participates in the Benedictine liturgy, lectio and personal prayer, ever mindful of God’s presence and open to the movement of the Spirit.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE
TO BE A SERVANT LEADER?
G
reat power comes with great responsibility. This saying rings truer today with the mass yearning for more competent leaders as the world faces the biggest issues of everyday: poverty, killings, corruption, war, and destruction of environment. To be more specific, religious leaders are expected to be role models of Christians by the way they carry themselves because it can define the depth and strength of their faith to the Lord. It is their responsibility to uphold their faith in all that they do. Pope Francis cited that the desire for power and money more than serving God first are obstacles of true peace. SSAM Directress, Sister Josefina Nepomuceno, OSB, also calls us to integrate the central vision for this school year, which is servant leadership, in classrooms and in religious activities. It challenges the teachers and students in any leadership position to see their responsibility towards those under them— students and even friends—to develop what they can do for others. It aims to bring out how gifts and talents can be used for others and the kind of leadership we see in Jesus who brought out the best in others. As we internalize the theme, we should also concretize our actions.But as an individual, one may ask: what does it take to be a servant leader? There are many qualities to look up to, such as selflessness and the desire to serve God and people, but according to Sister Jonep,
SILENCE AND GOOD SPEECH
By Maxene Lati
“Scholaticans can grow in service by developing in themselves the spirit of doing for others and drawing out the good in others. Regarding the quest for excellence, by striving they are challenged to meet their school’s standards of excellence in their school work and activities. The emphasis is greater on the service aspect—more specifically on servant leadership, which aims to bring out the good that is in others, drawing out gifts and talents so that the person will develop and use them for the good of the community. Through the awareness that leadership is for service, those who are leaders aim for the development of their members and through drawing out the gifts and talents of others, they themselves develop their own.” Blue Heights: You stated in your interview last year that you want the Scholasticans to be more spiritual and treat all religious events as a personal experience. Do you think this goal was achieved? How do you think servant leadership is applied here? Sister Josefina: One year is a short time to see if Scholasticans have become more spiritual. To be honest, I have not had much opportunity to observe the practice of servant leadership in SSAM. Since the emphasis is greater for this school year, I do hope that teachers will be more aware of the approach in dealing with the students. Of course, student leaders themselves must practice this kind of leadership. I think it is the Scholasticans them-
The Scholastican is aware of herself in relation to God, others, and creation. She acknowledges her faults and limitations without losing hope. She accepts gifts and talents without becoming arrogant.
selves who can see this better since they are the ones who go through the religious activities in the school. This is an ongoing growth which the students experience by being more attentive and concentrated in prayer during our religious activities.
DISCIPLINE
The Scholastican extends gracious & respectable welcome to friends and strangers. She is hospitable. She gives particular attention to those who are weak, poor and marginalized because Christ is found especially in them.
OBEDIENCE
The Scholastican meditates and reflects on the matters that are with utmost importance. She speaks gently and modestly, briefly, calmly, and reasonably.
SERVICE The Scholastican listens to God, to onself, and to others. She listens to understand and anticipate the needs of others. She acts to serve those needs, which may be different from her own.
No learning takes place without discipline. The Scholastican sacrifices short-time benefits for long-term goals. She grows discipline imposed from the outside toward personal discipline. She starts to develop skills and dispositions to know, love and live the truth.
STABILITY
COMMUNITY
Directress Sister Josefina Nepomuceno, OSB poses for a picture.
The Scholastican stands up in ready service for the welfare of others and defends the needs of the poor and down-trodden. She is one who uses her God-given talents to bring out justice, peace and reconciliation.
Mutual respect and mutual reliance, appreciation and the fundamental relation of love provide the glue for cohesiveness in the Scholastican community.
The Scholastican commits herself to God, to community, to prayer and work (Ora et Labora), to reading (lectio) study, relationships and lasting friendships with others. She remains loyal, even in difficult times, up to the end.
5 Blue Heights BH: In line with our theme, what is your stand regarding political controversies of public servants such as President Duterte’s remark about God? In what ways can these politicians set a good example for our community and show servant leadership? SJ: Everyone is entitled to his/her idea and opinion about God. But those in positions of influence and leadership are expected to have some sensitivity for how their pronouncements or opinions affect others who have more a traditional view. Whether they are sincere in announcing their opinions or they are stating them to display that they are different, or simply to
Blue Heights Heights 6 6 Blue shock people, who can say? Politicians are generally known to state things to please the public, so they can bring out the better side of people, challenge people to support what is good for the community and for the country. BH: What is your stand about OPLAN Rid the Streets of Drunkards and Youths (RODY) launched by the PNP last June 2018? SJ: Getting rid of the streets of drunkards and youth who are just standing around will help in making the streets more peaceful. But simply putting them in jail creates other problems. There are also
factors to be considered, such as why some young people stand around the streets. Could it be that they have no place in their homes to sit around and chat? Servant leadership really boils down to the desire to lead and address the people’s concerns. Ora et Labora, a famous saying in countless religious communities as well as Benedictine schools as it is associated with the Rule of St. Benedict, means prayer and work. With concretizing actions, one practices servant leadership already which even in small ways, can help shape someone’s identity, skills and help those who need it. As the future generation, it becomes vital as we carry the nation in our own hands. ∆
TUNGKOL SA PABALAT ni dianne magallon
A total of 19 writers and 1 illustrator from Blue Heights and Blue Blazon represented the school in the 20th Divisions Press Conference.
Blue Heights and Blue Blazon compete at DSPC By Khallyl Catalan
P
M
ay mga timbangang hindi gumagamit ng numero. Minsan, ang batayan upang tukuyin ang bigat ng isang kagamitan ay isa pang kagamitan. Halimbawa: sa iskala, magsimbigat ang isang sako ng bigas at isang bareta ng bakal. Kung sisiyasatin, minsan ay hindi mo talaga masasabing eksakto ang pagkakasukat kung ganitong timbangan ang gamit. Kung tutuusin, maaari itong dayain. Pero kahit kailan ay hindi nito nadaya ang pananaw ko. Aking inilagay sa kaliwang bahagi ng iskala ang mga suliraning kinahaharap ng Pilipinas. Sa kanang bahagi naman ay naglapat ako ng mga solusyon na angkop sa problemang ito. Sinubukan kong ilapat ang suliranin sa iba’t ibang timbangan. May
timbangan akong gutom, timbangang walang magulang dahil sa extra-judicial killings, estudyanteng timbangan, timbangang nagtatrabaho sa palayan, timbangan na pagala-gala sa lansangan, timbangang nagtatrabaho sa opisina; napakarami kong timbangan. Ibat-iba man ang itsura ng iskala ang gamit ko, iisa lamang ang bumubuhat sa kanila; Ang mga Pilipino. Ang Pilipino, pagod na pagod nang magbuhat ng suliranin. Sinusubukan nilang pagaanin ito sa paglagay ng katumbas na solusyon sa kabilang bahagi ng iskala. Nakalulunos man, mas mabigat pa rin ang kaliwang bahagi: suliranin. Tinulungan ko ang mga ginamit kong iskala. Paunti-unti kong binabawasan ang pasanin sa kaliwa sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral ko nang
mabuti. Paunti-unti kong pilit na tinatanggal ang suliranin na buhatbuhat nila sa pamamagitan ng aking maliliit na gawain. Sa pakikibahagi sa sigaw ng masa, sa pagbibigay boses sa hindi makapagsalita, sa paglahok sa bayanihan, at sa pagiging kasalo ng Inang Bayan sa kaniyang pighati, tayo’y magiging dahilan ng upang matamo ng bawat isa ang ginhawa. Unti-unti nating pagaanin ang dala-dalang suliranin ng kapwa nating mga Pilipino. Makibahagi sa solusyon at hindi sa problema. Sabay-sabay tayong bumangon at makiisa hanggang sa umabot sa puntong hindi na natin kailangan pa ng timbangan. Yung tipong hindi na kailangan ng timbangan dahil malinaw na tayo’y nakaraos na mula sa paghihirap. ∆
ursuant to the provisions of Campus Journalism Act of 1991, Blue Heights competed and took home awards after participating in the 20th Division Schools Press Conference and Contests (DSPC) held last September 4 at Parang Elementary School. DSPC 2018, in line with the theme of “Fostering 21st Century Skills and Character-Based Education through Campus Journalism”, intends to enhance journalistic competence through healthy and friendly competition and demonstrate understanding on the importance of journalism by different journalistic endeavors and approaches. Among the participating schools were National Christian Life College, Marikina Science High School, Parang High School, San Roque National High School, Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College, et. al. Trained by their moderators, English teacher Ms. Janina Iglesias and Filipino teacher Ms. Edna Frialde, three winners of the concluded contest are recipients of the English category, namely: Khallyl Catalan (third place) in News
Writing, Roanne Pepito (sixth place) in Editorial Writing, and Danielle Torrevillas (sixth place) in Column Writing. In the Filipino category, writers Ashley de Belen (third place) and Meg Baylon (ninth place) bagged awards in Pagsulat ng Kolum. Together with Blue Blazon, the official publication of senior high school, several competitors also reaped awards such as Jan Cuyco (second place) in News Writing, Trisha Sarmiento (fifth place) in Editorial Writing, Naia Soriano (third place) in Feature Writing, Kirsten Ifurung (seventh place) in Science and Technology Writing, Aleesha Fortin (second place) in Copyreading and Headlining, and Lei Macaranas (sixth place) in Pagsulat ng Editoryal. Other Blue Heights participants were the following: Maxene Lati and Bea Culiuan in Pagsulat ng Balita, Julia Agustin in Editorial Cartooning, Krislaine Syhap in Editorial Writing, Elise Manuel in Science and Technology Writing, Hannah Bombeo in Feature Writing, Dianne Magallon in Pagsulat ng Editoryal, and Kisha Rivera in Pagsulat ng Lathalain.
Managing Editor and Editorial Writing representative Roanne Pepito continued on to compete in the Regional Schools Press Conference alongside qualifying members of the Blue Blazon on September 26 at Marikina High School. She placed eighth in her category while Blue Blazon representative Jan Cuyco earned third place in News Writing. Cuyco competed in the National Schools Press Conference last January this year in Pangasinan. ∆
“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” anonymous
7 Blue Heights
Blue Heights 8 and the Maintenance Officer. These assignments have responsibilities and risks. I am just thankful that the high school students are old enough to follow the school rules and regulations. It takes some load off my back. My patience is tested when some students don’t abide by the rules. It means that they don’t understand. However, I have high regards for Scholasticans because they are strong and smart with good values. BH: What do you wish to achieve throughout your tenure as the principal? SA: I want St. Scho to be the best school not only in Marikina but in Metro Manila. I go around schools for benchmarking. Our school cannot compete in terms of salary for employees, but I can vouch that the tuition fee our students pay for provides quality education, Benedictine formation, and social awareness – a balance of Ora et Labora. Our school is equipped with facilities that aid instruction. I have plans of converting the formation house into laboratories. I would like to see improvements in the buildings and other facilities so that our students will fully benefit during the course of their stay here. Right now, we persevere to finish the works inside the theater, build the connecting bridge from the grade school building to St. Scholastica’s Building, improve laboratories, and repair and maintain existing facilities. The Benedictines think about the safety, comfort, and needs of the students as they strive for academic excellence for social responsibility, so we try to provide the right improvement. I also would like to look into our lack of branding and see what it could do for our school. We are a work in progress. BH: What can the SSAM community expect from you as our new high school principal? SA: There are things to be done and I would like that there is discipline and order in everything we do for things to go smoothly. As much as possible, I would prefer that rules and regulations are lived out, not mere words written in the manual. Scholasticans can be at their best if they want to, if they
will have discipline in themselves. I will be truly happy if they behave even if there are no authorities around. BH: In line with the celebration of the Year of the Clergy and Religious, how essential do you think is the role of the religious leaders in the formation of well-rounded Christians? SA: The religious are missionaries of God who exemplify how to be real Christians. Nowadays, the Church is under attack and we have to be steadfast for the Church. We pray the Rosary and continue our socio-pastoral apostolate. Joining rallies is a good way to express one’s self as a democratic country, however, the collective prayers of the faithful could better effect change. BH: This school year’s focus is renewed servant leadership. How will this focus play an integral part in our goal to live out this school year’s theme which is “SSAM: Called to be One in Excellence and in Service”? SA: The school’s Social Involvement Program is a concrete tool to live out this school year’s theme and focus. We have organized outreach programs for each department which are tied up with the programs and activities of Tuason Community Center Foundation, Inc. under the directorship of Sister Theodora Bilocura, OSB. We have also coordinated with the local government under the leadership of Mayor Marcy Teodoro. BH: In line with our theme, what is your stand regarding politicians such as President Duterte’s remark about God? In what way can these politicians set a good example for our community? SA: Let us pray for him for we do not know what is on his mind. He is not our enemy. The evil forces are very active in using him so he needs your prayer. BH: What message would you like to impart to the Scholasticans? SA: Try to think of your mission in life. I know that Scholasticans have this in their hearts. The seed is there. All that’s needed is for them to bloom and spread goodness to the world. ∆
“I want St. Scho to be the best school not only in Marikina, but in Metro Manila.”
SISTER ALEXIS TALKS ON DISCIPLINE, INTEGRITY BY MAXENE LATI, DIANNE MAGALLON, AND ROANNE PEPITO
O
n August 8, members of the Blue Heights managed to have a sit-down talk with newly appointed High School Department Principal, Sister Alexis Lamarroza, OSB. She came to St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina (SSAM) on September 11, and has served in the following capacities: Grade School Principal, Maintenance Officer, Safety and Security Officer, including marketer and cook in the convent. Blue Heights: Being the newest addition to the Junior High School Department, many are keen on familiarizing themselves with you and your work. Can you enlighten us with a brief background of your work and vocation as a Benedictine Sister prior to your appointment as the new principal? Sister Alexis: After graduating from college in 1984, I worked with a private school. After a year, I left hoping to find myself in the public school system. While waiting, I learned from a cousin that SSAM needed a teacher and I applied. My journey with SSAM officially began on July 1, 1985. When I received my first salary, I went to the chapel and prayed, “Lord, dito nalang ako hanggang mamatay.” Until now, I am here, not only as a teacher but as a Benedictine sister as well. I remember my father told me to be careful of what I pray for because God might actually grant it. No one expected me to enter into religious life because I was sporty. I was a softball player in grade 6, the captain and fetcher of the team. In
high school, I was the center of our basketball team. In college, I played volleyball, but I did not join the varsity. I listened to my father’s advice to concentrate on my studies when I told him I want to help our family and be a productive member of the society. I prioritized my studies and finished in four years. Throughout my life, I listened to my parents. I obeyed because I know it is the right thing to do. I also helped augment my family’s income while I worked. We lived simply, but we never lacked anything. “Take it or leave it,” are my parents’ offer. BH: You are also the principal in the grade school department. How has your prior leadership prepared you for a similar role in this department? SA: I worked with the grade school department for 10 years. The experience helped me as I do my work in the high school department. It is quite easier being with the high school students because they are more mature unlike the young and fragile grade schoolers. My post graduate course in La Salle, Bacolod has also helped me as I perform my duties as principal. BH: Being the high school and grade school principal, is managing the two departments of SSAM a challenge to you? SA: Yes, of course. Aside from being the principal of the two departments, I am also the Safety and Security Officer
Blue Heights respondents (left to right) Ashley de Belen, Maxene Lati, Dianne Magallon, and Roanne Pepito grabbed a photo opportunity with Grade School and High School Principal Sister Alexis Lamarroza, OSB after a two-hour interview.
9 Blue Heights
Blue Heights 10
New PTA representatives as servant leaders
BECOMING ONE IN ST. BENEDICT’S FEAST DAY
By Dianne Magallon
T
he annual Parent Teacher Association General Assembly commenced last August 5, Sunday, for the introduction of new PTA Board Officers, a report of the previous academic year’s expenses, meeting the advisers, and voting for parent section representatives and Social Involvement Program volunteers at the Sister Imburg Covered Court (SICC). The new PTA board for AY 2018-2019 are as follows: Mrs. Jocelyn Bilar (president), Mrs. Yvette Isungga (vice president), Mrs. Justine Carasco (secretary), Mrs. Irene Razal (assistant secretary), Mrs. Riza Alvarez (treasurer), Mrs. Jane Trinos (PRO) and Mrs. Zeny Trinidad (auditor). The board members of the PTA are Ms. Anna Delle Villarin, Mrs. Tammy Solomon, Mrs. Miles Mariano, Mrs. Lolita Rizal, Mr. Arnold Zafra and Mrs. Susan Rodriguez.
Sister Josefina Nepomuceno, OSB, mentioned the newly furnished Sr. Birgitta Building, formerly known as the formation house which intends to provide laboratories for the senior high school department and the new equipments of the play area of the pre-school and grade school students as well. According to her, all of these changes are through the initiative of Sister Alexis Lamarroza, OSB and Sister Celeste Licas, OSB. “The focus this year is service, specifically service of leaders or servant leadership. Servant leadership puts serving as number one priority. Values are important because values shape the way the leader behaves and acts. Servant leadership brings out the best in others. We model the leadership of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we challenge teachers and students to support one another in practicing to be servant leaders to students and their
own peers.” Sister Josefina also said in her opening remarks. Expenses containing the profit and loss were discussed by outgoing auditor, Mr. Ernesto Bilar, and outgoing president, Mr. Jeffrey Ordoñez. On behalf of the PTA, Bilar also gave a P1M check to the Benedictine Sisters afterwards for the institution’s betterment. Ordoñez also presented a video of what transpired last school year such as the Noche Buena raffles, last year’s school fair operations, recognition of Master of Arts graduates, joining SIPs, and other knowledge enrichment and fundraising activities. Mrs. Angie Telan, an outgoing board member, hosted the book raffle draw in which each of the three winners got a refund of their daughter’s books. Newly elected PTA officers were inducted into office last September 1. ∆
by justine sarmiento
F
east days hold a special meaning for Catholics as we get to commemorate the holy deeds of saints and religious events throughout the course of time. Feast days in many Catholic school communities who patronize St. Benedict, for example, are celebrated without any luxuries because his teachings value simplicity of lifestyle. Last July 11, St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina started the annual feast of St. Benedict with a special morning praise, remembering his path towards holiness and how he became a man of God. With Benedictine hallmarks
St. James Academy receives Benedictine hospitality By Khallyl Catalan
C
Lay administrators and subject area coordinators from the grade school and high school department were then introduced to gain recognition from the visitors. St. James Academy also watched an audio-visual presentation (AVP), witnessing SSAM’s history and its vision-mission. A campus tour also transpired for the visitors and simultaneously conducted classroom observation until noon. Residing in Malabon, St. James Academy Malabon is a Dominican school established in 1926 that offers co-education program. ∆ DISCIPLINE. Scholasticans listening intently to their teacher as a visitor is observing the class.
ora
spearing the wellcoming program St. James Academy teachers dur . SIH the at OSB omuceno, headed by Sister Josefina Nep
oordinators and faculty members of St. James Academy Malabon received a warm Benedictine welcome during the Interschool Visitation of the school last September 25 at St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina. The formal welcome of SSAM, the hosting school, took place at the Sister Irmengardis Hall (SIH) once the faculty members arrived. During the welcoming program, Directress, Sister Josefina Nepomuceno, OSB gave her opening remarks mentioning the similarities between the two schools including being PAASCU-accredited and K-12 based insitutions.
included in the set of activities, students and teachers spent their morning playing a series of games that strengthened both their bond and faith. The first activity is a St. Benedict’s quiz bee in which each competing group was tested on their knowledge of the patron saint. Requiring coordination and cooperation in the next game, nail relay, two students must hold the ends of string to balance the nail until they drop it in the container. Lastly, each cluster were tasked to build the highest stable tower using newspapers, testing their creativity and unity. The JHS concluded the celebra
tion with a holy mass led by Fr. Matthew Rios at the Sister Irmburg Covered Court (SICC). Anchoring the theme, “Prefer Nothing to the Love of Christ”, his homily was focused on the marginalized and loving those who are different from us. Through St. Benedict and his teachings, devotees and believers gained more realization towards focusing their eyes on God and His Word and more appreciation to Christianity. CLE coordinator Mrs. Teresa Pangilinan along with Mr. Michael Sta. Ana, Mr. Reynald Lismoras, Mrs. Carolyn Soriano, and Mr. Adrian de Guzman organized the solemn feast. ∆
11 11 Blue Blue Heights Heights
Blue Blue Heights Heights 11 12
By Beatrice Culiuan and Justine Sarmiento
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oughly 25,000 attendees participated in the annual Pride March last June 30 held at Marikina Sports Complex as they fight for equality and other social issues. Organized by Metro Manila Pride, the theme “Rise Up Together” meant no backing down from the discrimination of the society and rising up to assert freedom, equality, and fair policies to the communities. Along with their supporters, the LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community were able to hold the rainbow flags high up in the air, full of pride. Nikki Castillo, the Pride coordinator, said that last year’s Pride March, “Here Together”, was a positive call of solidarity for everyone to gather and unite. She explained that since last year’s theme has been fulfilled and this year, she said that “there needs to be movement”. “Rise Up Together, our thrust with this is we want the communities to start pushing for policies that actually talk about our rights. Aside from that, one of our thrusts also is to be more intersectional in our activism and to teach each other how to become better activists and advocates in the community, and to be better allies to each other,” Castillo said. With booths ran by youth as early as 12 noon, groups sold items such as stickers, LGBT+ literature, art, handmade accessories and other memorabilia. Before the march started, a series of performances were held in the early afternoon. The Bearytones took the center stage and sang their version of “Akin ka Nalang” and “Forget You” to hype the crowd. The audience also sang along to Ja Quintana’s cover of “Come Together,” while Dee Dee Marie Holiday gave an amusing and empowering lip sync of “This Is Me”. H o n . M a r c e l i n o T e o d o r o , Marikina Mayor, and a representative from the Lagablab Network delivered their speeches which stirred and fired up the crowd for the march. “Walang puwang dito ang diskriminasyon. Sa selebrasyong ito, namamayani ang pag-ibig, pagmamahal sa sarili, kaya nagpapakatotoo,” said the Mayor. Songs ranging from Ariana Grande, BlackPink, and Whitney Houston were played while the crowd danced and moved along with their own quirkiness and charm. Bursts of colors were seen and different Pride flags were raised on stage as a signal for the start of the actual Pride March. Despite the short cloudburst and the presence of Pride protesters with banners citing Bible verses while bawling their disapproval against them, the community never gave in to them. Hence, they shouted “Mahal namin kayo!” while they held their heads up high. Metro Manila Pride also discussed the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression Equality Bill, more often known as SOGIE Bill, and encouraged intersectional activism, which were the two main focuses of the event. Along with those topics, HIV advocacy groups and student organizations also gave speeches. The evening also had exhilarating performances from Phi Palmos who sang “Seasons of Love”, and Tawag Ng Tanghalan finalist John Saga who performed “Lay Me Down”. Thrilling performance were also carried out by other performers including Sebastian Castro, Juan Miguel Severo, and punk and hiphop bands like The Male Gaze, Flying Ipis etc. The Metro Manila Pride March started in 1994 in Quezon City and dubbed as “Stonewall Manila”, referencing the first Pride march happened because of Stonewall Riot back in 1969. The attendees in the 2018 Pride March has increased tremendously compared to last year’s 7, 718, making it the biggest Pride in all of Southeast Asia. ∆
Pride March Illustration by Julia Agustin
BUWAN NG
NUTRISYON INILUNSAD Ni Hannah Bombeo
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gayong Hulyo, naglatag ng iba’t ibang aktibidad at proyekto ang departamento ng MAPEH sa Buwan ng Nutrisyon na may temang, “Ugaliing Magtanim, Sapat na Nutrisyon Aanihin”. “This celebration waved a back-to-basic concept of having direct access to home-grown produce to boost a diversified source of safe food, with no risk of toxins such as chemicals. Because of this, the Benedictine value of stewardship and discipline with positive impact on health, economy, as well as the environment,” ani Gng. Milagros Ebuen, isang guro sa Health. Noong Hulyo 30 ay nagkaroon ng isang sampaksaan na tumalakay sa kahalagahan at benepisyo mga food gardens na maaaring maging saan sa mabuting kalusugan. Pinamunuan ito ngpanauhing
tagapagsalita na si Dra. Jessica de Leon. Sa asignaturang Sining, bawat mag-aaral ay kinakailangang gumawa ng paskil na kinapapalooban ng tema para sa buwan na ito. Ang mga guro sa Sining na si G. Emil Tabirao at Bb. Clarissa Rodriguez ang pumili ng isang paskil sa bawat pangkat upang isabak sa poster making contest. Ang mga nagwagi sa sa kategoryang tradisyonal sa bawat baitang ay sina Nicole Arabela Martinez ng 7 - St. Agnes, Angeline Marasigan ng 8 - St. Monica, Katrina Ramos ng 9 - St. Getrude, at Madeleine Caballero ng 10 - St. Angela. Ginanap rin ang isang patimpalak sa paggawa ng paskil sa Genyo Lab noong Agosto 6 na may parehas na paksa ngunit sa gamit naman ng kompyuter sa pagguhit o digital art.
Ang mga nanalo sa kategoryang digital ay sina Marjeorry Sophia Blancaflor, ng 7 - St. Agnes, Ktyn Naomi Castro ng 8 - St. Lucy, Giorg Ledesma ng 9 - St. Gertrude, at Nicole Saraza ng 10 - St. Veronica. Ang tema ay isang panghihikayat ng National Nutrition Council (NNC) of the Philippines upang maenganyo ang madla na makilahok sa nasabing adbokasiya. Inilunsad din ang dancercise sa saliw ng awiting ‘Katchi’ na pinangangasiwaan ng Dance Club sa ilalim ng kanilang tagapamagitan na si Gng. Ingrid Delfino.Sinasayaw ito ng mga mag-aaral tuwing Martes at Huwebes. ∆
13 Blue Heights
Blue Heights 14
SISTER BIRGITTA BUILDING STANDS TALL AT ITS BLESSING By Maxene Lati
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ed by Fr. Ed Verdadero, the newly renovated Sister Birgitta Building was blessed last July 27. It was attended by the Benedictine Sisters, Board of Trustees, SCO officers, staff, and faculty of the GS and HS departments. The building was named after Mother Birgitta Korff of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, the first Prioress General of the Congregation. Planned only this year, the building facilities comprises of senior high school laboratories, library and audio-visual room, recollection halls, prayer rooms, confession rooms, and
faculty lounge. According to Sr. Imaya Calingayan, OSB, the audio-visual room used to be a chapel and the other rooms were novitiate classrooms of junior sisters for lecture. The new senior high school library used to be a nun’s library back then. Sr. Alexis Lamarroza, OSB plans to improve the facilities of the building every year. It was a formation house before, used mainly for recollection and living quarters. The ongoing project is spearheaded by the directress, Sr. Josefina Nepomuceno, OSB; the former
treasurer, Sr. Celeste Licas, OSB; the grade school and high school principal, Sr. Alexis Lamarroza, OSB; and former principal, Mrs. Amelia de Vera. It was in 1975 that the Congregation decided to transfer the Priory House here in Marikina, where the Prioress General stayed before. It was transferred in Manila sometime after, now in Tagaytay. The renovation of the Sr. Birgitta Building came very timely as there were only a few postulants (or junior sisters) who entered the convent this year. It was said that the postulants before were over 200. ∆
Mrs. Soriano encourages teachers to be passionate
Photos by Blue Heights and School Registrar
With changing every
The Sister Birgitta Building was renovated at the first quarter of 2018 to cater the needs of senior high school students such as laboratories, art rooms, etc.
the curriculum now and then, it has been a challenge for all educators to look for innovative strategies that facilitate optimum learning. And for Mrs. Soriano, it has been her goal to teach the best way possible. However, last May 15, her responsibilities weighed heavier as she was appointed as the new junior high school academic coordinator. Mrs. Isabelita Soriano has been known by the students as a junior high school teacher for the past 30 years, and Science area coordinator for two terms. She was an undergraduate of BS Mathematics at St. Mary’s University and underwent summer trainings by DOST for non-physics majors who are teaching physics. For post graduate studies, she took MA Curriculum Studies at the University of the Philippines. Blue Heights: What were your thoughts after being appointed as the JHS academic coordinator? Mrs. Soriano: I gladly accepted the challenge when Sister Josefina appointed me to be the JHS Academic Coordinator. However, I definitely have qualms about it. Will I be able to fulfill all the responsibilities attached to the position? BH: Regarding your responsibilities, were you confident that you would handle them properly or did you have doubts about it? MS: With the guidance of the administration and support of the faculty, I am confident that I will be
BY FRANCHESCA CHUA AND EUNICE VOLANTE able to do the responsibilities given to me. BH: What are your plans for this school year? MS: Maintaining the standard, focusing on the quality of teaching and learning and for students’ achievement. Support the faculty to achieve high standards. Strengthening the community through effective relationships with all the members of the school community. BH: How can you incorporate the theme and focus this schoolyear in your work? MS: I am given this position to serve and to lead our students towards excellence and service. BH: What is your message to your fellow teachers in the junior high school? MS: I “dare” the teachers to become the passionate teachers that God designed them to be. Apply SALT in your work. See the students as God sees; Accept as God accepts; Love as God loves; and Touch their lives as God has touched ours. This is to ensure that the students in our care grow in confidence, be closer to Him, and develop the skills and values necessary in facing the 21st century living. BH: What message would you like to impart on the Scholasticans? MS: Education is a rocket that will propel you towards success. Aim higher than the target, work hard on every task given to you, shape your character. Let these efficacy forces lift you off towards your dream. ∆
bnw theme, p. 18
17 17 Blue Blue Heights Heights
Blue Heights 18
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Buwan ng Wika at Kasaysayan, Ipinagdiwang ni krislaine syhap
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pinagdiwang ng mga magaaral ng Junior Hayskul ang selebrasyon ng Buwan ng Wika na puno ng sana at sigla noong Agosto 31 na may temang, “Filipino: Wika ng Saliksik” at “Kasaysayan: Tuklasin, Mahalin, Palaganapin”. Ang mga guro sa departamento ng Filipino at Araling Panlipunan ay naglatag ng iba’t ibang mga gawain sa isang buong buwan ng Agosto na tunay na ikinatuwa ng mga mag-aaral katulad na lamang ng mga bugtong at history trivia, Tagisan ng Talino, at kulminasyon ng Buwan ng Wika at Kasaysayan. Hinati sa dalawang bahagi ang nasabing pagdiriwang, ang Buwan ng Kasaysayan at Buwan ng Wika. Nagkaroon ng Tagisan ng Talino na nagpatalas ng isipan ng mga mag-aaral, sampaksaan na nakapagbigay aral sa lahat, ilang mga presentasyon ng mga guro na lubos na kinagiliwan ng mga magaaral, at ang pinanabikang taunang dula ng Sining at Tanghalang Pilipino. Unang isinagawa ang Tagisan ng Talino na pinamunuan ng Quiz Master na si G. Mar Evan Morales. Naparangalan nng Ikatlong Gantimpala ang pangkat H na binubuo nina Alyssa Mariano ng 7 - St. Rose, Sophia Yu ng 8 - St. Monica, Roanne Matias ng 9 - St. Milburga, at Bea Daquigan ng 10 - St. Teresa samantala ang Ikalawang Gantimpala naman ay iginawad sa pangkat G na sina Angela Prado ng 7 - St. Therese, Bianca Francisco ng 8 - St. Rita, Althea Bonagua ng 9 - St Ottilia, at Gabrieli Danga ng 10 - St. Veronica, at ang pangkat E ay ang itinanghal na kampeon sa nasabing patimpalak na binubuo nina Jyne Michael ng 7 - St. Maria Goretti, Ju-
liana Zapanta ng 8-St. Martha, Samantha Orque ng 9 - St. Gertrude, at Angel Reyes ng 10 - St. Irene. Napakahuhusay ng mga grupong nakipagpaligsahan kung kaya’t nangailangan ng maraming tie breakers sa Tagisan kaalinsabay sa paghula ng madla. Agad namang bumalik ang lahat sa SICC matapos ang ilang minuto upang pakinggan ang talumpati ni Hon. Philip Niño Bongcahig, ang tagapangulo ng Sangguniang Kabataan na binigyang diin ang mga problema sa Pilipinas tulad na lamang ng kahirapan at korapsyon. Kaniya ring tinalakay ang mga babae na nakapagambag sa ating kasaysayan tulad ni Melchora Aquino o mas kilala bilang Tandang Sora. Pagkatapos ng pananghalian, nagbigay ng pambungad na salita ang punong-guro ng junior hayskul na si Sr. Alexis Lamarroza, OSB bago nagtanghal ang STP ng kanilang malikhaing dulang pinamagatang “Hindi Bulag ang Tunay na Nagmamahal”. Nakasentro ang istorya sa mga naapektuhan sa gulo na nangyari sa lungsod ng Marawi noong isang taon na tumagal ng limang buwan. Epektibo nitong natalakay ang mga mental na karamdaman na nagpakita ng lubos na pagkamalikhain ng mga mag-aaral at nagbigay impormasyon ukol sa pinagdadaanan ng mga taong nadamay sa kilos terorismo ng Maute group. Pagkatapos nito, nagtanghal ang mga mananayaw mula sa Dance Club ng mga katutubong sayaw na ikinaaliw ng mga magaaral. Ipinakita nila ang mayaman na kultura ng ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng kabigha-bighaning indak at mga makukulay na telang malong at iba pang kagamitan. Sinundan naman ng Balagtasan ang kanilang pagtatanghal ng mga miyem-
bro ng STP. Tinimbang ng mga manonood kung sino ba ang mas pipiliin mo, ang pangit na mabuti ang kalooban o ang maganda na hindi mabuti ang budhi? Pagkatapos ng mainit na sagutan, nagtanghal naman ang mga guro na sina Bb. Janette Beltran, Bb. Edna Frialde, at Gng. Andrea Panlilio ng mga sikat na kantang Tagalog. Sunod namang nagpakitang gilas ang mga bagong guro na sina Bb. Veronica Cano, Bb. Anne Dela Cruz, Bb. Dianne Godoy, G. Reynand Lismoras, G. Michael Sta. Ana, at G. Joemel Tumangday na umindak din ng mga katutubong sayaw na tunay na ikinasaya ng mga manonood. Ang pinakahuli namang pagtatanghal ay nagmula sa High School Faculty Band na binubuo nina G. Armando Odevilas, G. Daniel Guerrero, G. Amor Mallari, Gng. Ingrid Delfino, Bb. Beverly Abergos, at Gng. Teresa Pangilinan na nagtanghal din ng mga sikat na awiting Tagalog tulad ng “Magasin”, “Overdrive” at “Ang Huling El Bimbo” na sinabayan ng lahat, guro man o magaaral. Nang natapos na ang programa, nagbigay ng koordineytor sa Filipino na si Gng. Sheryl Cinco ng pangwakas na pananalita sa pamamagitan ng isang tula na lubos na ikinatuwa ng marami. Pormal na tinapos ang araw sa dasal na nagpapasalamat sa araw na puno ng kasiyahan. Tunay ngang nasiyahan ang mga manonood sa mga aktibidad na pinaghandaan ng maraming mag-aaral at guro. Nagsiuwi ang lahat sa kanilang tahanan nang puno ng pagmamahal sa ating makulay na wika at kasaysayan. ∆
indi na natin maipagkakaila na ang paggamit ng puro at matalinhagang Tagalog ay bibihira na nating marinig. Karaniwan na lang natin ito naririnig sa mga propesor, guro, o eksperto sa lingwistika. Karamihan din sa mga asignatura ng mga paaralan at unibersidad ay Ingles na ang ginagamit dahil ito raw ang ‘universal language’ na maiintindihan ng mga dayuhan. Sa paghahanap naman ng trabaho, ang ‘universal language’ na ang ginagamit sa interbyu pati na rin sa araw-araw na pagpasok sa opisina. Madalas na ring ginagamit ng mga kabataan at maging ng mga matatanda ang Taglish, o ang lenggwaheng pinaghalong Tagalog at English. Hindi na nakapagtataka ang pagtangkilik ng mga Pilipino sa lenggwaheng Ingles sapagkat ipinagduduldulan sa ating mga sistema na ang paggamit ng Ingles ay pagiging ‘intelektwal’, ‘sosyal’ at ‘matalino’. Ito ang dinidikta ang ng kultura ng imperyal na Maynila o ang kolonyal na pag-iisip, na dulot ng pagsakop sa ‘tin ng Estados Unidos noon. Sa pagtingin natin sa paligid, makikita natin ang napakaraming implikasyon nito, tulad na lamang ng mga magulang na tinuturuan ang kanilang mga anak na ‘wag gamitin ang Tagalog, o ‘di kaya nama’y Ingles ang unang tinuturong lenggwahe o mother tongue. Marami ring nagsasabi na ‘jeje’ at pangmahirap ito. Sa buwan ng Agosto, upang mapagtibay ang pagmamahal natin sa ating sariling bayan at wika, inanunsiyo ng Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino ang angkop na temang “Filipino: Wika ng Saliksik” na kinikilala ang Filipino bilang isang daluyan para sa paglikha at pagpapalaganap ng pambansang karunungan at pag-unlad. Sa pamamagitan nito, maipalalaganap ang ating sariling wika sa iba’t ibang larangan, lalo na sa agham at aritmetik. Pinapaksa ng temang ito ang pagiging epektibo ng ating pambansang wika sa larangan ng pananaliksik.
Ang pangunahing layunin nito ay ang pakikibahagi sa pagpapaunlad ng ating kasanayan sa pananaliksik na nakatuwang ang wikang Filipino. Sinasabing hindi magkakaroon ng makatuwiran na kahulugan ang isang wika kung hindi ito naiuugnay sa akademikong pananaliksik. Ito ay mahalagang pag-aralan dahil sa panahon ngayon; kaunti na lamang ang gumagamit ng wikang Tagalog sa pang-arawaraw na gawain. Binibigyang halaga nito ang ating sariling wika gayundin ang ating mga tradisyon at kultura na tila nakalilimutan na ng nakararami sa atin. Napakahalaga na maisapuso ang pagpapahalaga sa wikang Filipino, ang wikang nakasanayan, wikang pambansa. Ang pagmamahal sa sariling wika ay balewala lamang kung ang sariling bayan ay hindi ito kilala. Kailangan nating malaman, hindi lamang kung ano ang nangyari sa kasaysayan pati na rin ang dahilan kung bakit ito nangyari. Ipinagkakaloob din ng kasaysayan ang pagkakakilanlan ng isang tao, at ito ay walang alinlangan na isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit hinihikayat ang lahat na pag-aralan ang kasaysayan. Ang kasaysayan ay dapat pahalagahan at pangalagaan dahil ito ay higit pa sa pagsisikap na tumipon ng impormasyon tungkol sa nakaraan. Ito ay isang kapana-panabik na pakikipagsapalaran upang maunawaan ang pinagdaanan ng ating lipunan. Ang kasaysayan ay ang kwento ng pagbabago na nagpapakita kung sino nga ba tayo bilang Pilipino sa paglipas ng panahon. Naipakikita rin nito na naisasabuhay ng mga Pilipino ang mga magagandang katangian na lalong nagpapatingkad sa kanilang pagka-Pilipino. Hindi nasusukat ang pagiging makabayan sa paggamit lamang ng sariling wika. Ngunit sana’y panatiliin nating gamitin ito sa maayos at mabuti, katulad na lamang ng pagpapaunlad sa kaalaman at sarili. Ika nga ni Gat Jose Rizal, “Habang ang mga tao ay pinangangalagaan ang sariling wika, ang sariling wika ay pinangangalagaan ang kalayaan.”∆
mapagpaunlad at mapagpalaya
ni elise elise manuel manuel and and meg meg baylon baylon ni
Illustrated by Jamie Imperio
19 Blue Heights
Blue Heights 20
FAKE NEWS and its ties
to HISTORICAL REVISIONISM
D
uring a Senate hearing, former Usec. Mocha Uson uttered these words, “Ako po ay biktima ng fake news.” that earned her mixed reactions from netizens. Although the supporters of this administation refer to this statement as a joke or even credited this as a true statement, people like myself don’t see it as such. The term “fake news” which was popularized by Uson due to her very controversial blog posts, is now a very common term, but I believe it is so much more than just an internet jest. From the word “fake” we immediately know that the outcome is cynical. News such as these are not only seen in our country but also in other countries such as US because of their president Donald Trump. This fake news controversy with Trump soon built tension, which stirred up debates and fights across the country. I, for one, can’t tolerate fake news to the point that even the idea of it disgusts me. News is something people rely on and what people consider as the truth, and spreading fraudulent information is seemingly unfair on the reader’s behalf and the writer’s as well. It creates further miscommunication which is harmful especially to those people whose image had been maliciously painted. The term “fake news” has been around for quite a while now. It’s been around for quite a while that spreading of false or altered information had contributed to the culture of historical revisionism. Historical revisionism is a term used whenever a certain historical event or fact was altered or changed. Although back then it was used for both benevolent and
Illustrated by Ashley Lagos
BY BY ELISE ELISE MANUEL MANUEL malevolent reasons, the cons outweigh the pros because people tend to abuse it in order to start crisis and conspiracies. This is exactly what most politicians do now. They use fake news as a petty way of settling arguments with their rivals or to make themselves look good in front of the people. Although most of us know right away if the news is fraudulent or not, but most people like devoted supporters of certain political parties and politicians, still believe and stand up for the rumors they’ve gathered even though it’s far from the truth. Best example to this is Robredo being pregnant and aborting the child, NASA hailing Duterte as the ‘Best President in the Solar System’ or specifically, the tactic Duterte used during the election season. President Duterte admitted that he had to hire bots in Internet to maximize his budget in campaigning. The wide-spread news about his accomplishments (white-lies, actually) and his passive-agressive stance of running made people hungry of him leading this country. They built a
battalion of Facebook pages and accounts that would defend him in issues that were thrown against him. The same pages did the same thing with then vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos with his family. They launched a historical revisionism campaign by bragging about Ferdinand Marcos’ achievements during his administration and discredited the victims of Martial Law as well as put all the blame to their enemies. Going back to Duterte’s tactic, Davao being hailed as one of the safest cities in the world by numbeo.com really did something good to his plan of running as well. People often feel unsafe in the streets because crime rates are higher especially at night. The best question to ask is, who ranked them? Is numbeo.com, the website behind the statistics, a credible website? Sean de Dios, a Facebook user, did a quick search about this and revealed that the list is user-contributed. The mayor-now-president used bots. Connecting the dots, the information of Davao being one of the safest cities was also used by the same bots, pro-Duterte Facebook pages, supporters, and Mocha Uson. Other than that, Facebook also recently hired Vera Files and Rappler to fact-check the informations in its platform. A huge amount of pro-Duterte supporters and pages, including three of the biggest Duterte publicists such as Mocha Uson, Sass Sassot and Thinking Pinoy, threatened to move to the Russian facebook nemesis called vk.com, but we haven’t heard from them since. It’s such a shame to see a terrible term presented in a new and sadly worse form. The things that old historians and politicians did in order to cause chaos and diversion to the public, is slowly coming back and seeing it happening in our country just shows how ignorant most Filipinos can be. ∆
c o n e r u a C D S ite ser vages stude nts t o n
i gn
n t lead er ship
B y Micah Quinto a n d Dan iel le To r revillas
B ecause of the quality of education and values integration the Scholasticans go through, they are expected to always do good in life. In relation to this, the Student Development Center (SDC) is staying true to its commitment of addressing the personal, academic, and social needs of the students by launching the Career Guidance Week last July 29-August 2 in order to prepare the students in choosing their respective careers. Anchoring the theme “SCHOLASTICANS! Ignite the Spirit of Servant Leadership as You Journey towards Your Future Career”, SDC planned strings of fun and educational activities for each year level which aims to provide opportunities for students to increase the level of awareness, appreciation to their interest, abilities and inclination. Spearheaded by Ms. Ma. Violetta Ochave, RGC along with life mentors Ms. Jan Marilla, Ms. Arlyn Torres, Ms. Eilynvina Garcia, RGC, and others, SDC organized classroom-based activities for grade levels 7-9 such as ABC’s of Talents and Skills, My Career Commercial, and My Career Idol, respectively. Mrs. Concepcion de Dios, the academic coordinator in senior high school, led a talk entitled, “#YRTSHS: Your Road To Senior High School” to grade 10 students last September 24 in order to briefly explain the strands and guide the students in choosing. The event ended with the kindergarten students parading across the high school building, dressed with different career costumes. They received cheers, candies, and other school supplies. ∆
21 Blue Heights
IF YOU YOU CAN’T CAN’T REUSE REUSE IF P
lastic pollution has become one of the world’s biggest problems as large-scale wastes from big countries and big corporations damage our planet and the living things in it. In fact, even the Philippines, a third world country, is the world’s third largest source of plastic leakage into oceans. In response, the government has doubled their efforts to encourage Filipinos to do waste segregation in order to lessen plastic pollution. For the month of September, the Science Area launched a series of activities involving environmental awareness as the students celebrate the Ecology month such as Eco-symposium, Physilimpics, Eco-exhibit and several competitions. With the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution: If You Can’t Reuse It, Refuse It”, Ms. Lounelle Godinez from Haribon Foundation led the symposium in which she discussed plastic consumption and its repercussions and what people can do to help. The winners of the photo contest include Anne Jeanette de Dios of 10-St. Veronica for 3rd place, Alyssa Nazareno of 10-St. Frances for 2nd place, and Trisha Balarquit of 8-St. Anne for 1st place.
IT, REFUSE REFUSE IT IT IT, By Kisha Rivera
The poster making contest winners are Charmain Bayan of 8-St. Rita for 3rd place, Dominique Marasigan from 8-St. Monica for 2nd place, and Alyssa Villanueva of 10-St. Frances for 1st place. In the poem to song contest, Ricci Escober from 10-St. Catherine got 3rd place, “Agsikapan” group consisting of: Janelle Marco, Mikka Masakayan, Kristin Mesa, Natasha Nase from 9-St. Walburga, Axel Llorente from 9-St. Milburga, and Pearl Manuel and Atasha Reposo from 9-St. Ottilia for 2nd place, and Samantha Ramos from 8-St. Monica for 1st place. Third place for the essay writing contest is Francesca Chua of 8-St. Lucy, 2nd place is Erin Sotin of 7-St.Rose, and 1st place is Valerie Marasigan of 10-St. Cecilia. For the quiz bee, team A and team C were tied for the second place. Team A is made up of Cristelle Dalanon of 7-St. Therese, Marianne Gonzales of 8-St. Monica, Francheska Alberto from 9-St. Hilda, and Rein Manito from 10-St.
Irene, while Team C consists of Andrea Lugue of 7-St. Maria Goretti, Hannah Marasigan of 8-St. Anne, Dianne Gozon from 9-St. Gertrude, and Audrey Medina of 10-St. Angela. Champions of the said contest was Team D with Stephany Boras 7-St. Clare, Krystyn Castro of 8-St. Lucy, Michelle Talabis from 9-St. Walburga, and Ericka Lizardo of 10-St. Frances. The Eco-exhibit near the High School Library had its run from September 24-28. Different projects by junior high school students were showcased such as interactive set-ups, posters, pamphlets, infographics and pictures showing different sceneries from the Philippines. The YES-O Organization also conducted a cleaning drive at the Marikina River along with the Science department in order to incorporate the theme and facilitate activities that will enrich the student’s care for environment and social issues. ∆
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Blue Heights 22
M I O P NING PO R FOR TUNIT
T
he Philippines is no stranger to annual typhoons and inclement weather because of our location near the Pacific Oce an and the Pacific Ring of Fire. While there’s no surprise that the country’s preparation for these calamities has evolved, we have not yet seen consistent measures addressing the welfare of the people. When typhoon Ompong slammed the country, one of the heavily affected areas is Itogon, Benguet where the victims were mostly a small-scale mining community with their families who vacated in a bunkhouse after resisting to settle someplace safer. The landslide took numerous lives in the area because of the unsuccessful implementation of forced evacuation by officials, as well as their reliance on past experiences during similar weather conditions. It’s inarguable that the victims’ decision to be complacent to refuse evacuation had greatly affected their unfortunate fate. But the fact that the locals have been mining for generations says something about the limitations of better job options. The focus shouldn’t really be on pointing fingers on who’s the one at fault here. The deeper problem here is the lack of other job alternatives. What seems to be a concern only within the town of Itogon, resembles the mere prevalent issues our country face today. For instance, people tend to resort to acts of crime and violence as a result of poverty, which hinders
IES
By K hallyl C atalan them from accessing better opportunities something that the more privileged can’t resonate with. This only proves how difficult it is to survive in this country, despite its progress. There are still many left disadvantaged, who continue to get left behind. Going back on mining, if the country wishes to sustain the said industry, the sectors supporting it ought to strengthen safety measures among miners. Though, I suppose providing other opportunities for livelihood is what’s best. The problem is cut from the root, to prevent putting the workers’ lives at risk. And besides, their lack of other options also contributes to nature, arising more environmental concerns. The town of Itogon may be established as a tourist spot, or an agricultural land, if possible. It is time to introduce a new livelihood to the locals, so they can also catch up with changing times and depleting resources. Calamities don’t happen all year, but when it does, its effect on us is no joke. We may not be able to save natural resources amid these times; humans can’t control it! The most important resources a country has are the people, that’s why we better make sure that they are given right and decent opportunities that aren’t life threatening to them nor to their surroundings. ∆
23 23 Blue Blue Heights Heights
Blue Heights 24
Ambush interviews on train law
“I am against TRAIN Law because it’s anti-poor. TRAIN Law should be directed to the middle/high class. The poor aren’t really paying taxes so the tax reform law isn’t necessary.” - Audrey Medina, grade 10
BY BEA CULIUAN AND KRISLAINE SYHAP
I
n one way or the other, all of us has been greatly affected by the combined effects of inflation and the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) Law. The prices of most, if not all, basic commodities have bumped up since the passing of the law, causing needless frustrations and budget shifts for Filipinos. Statistics show that the inflation rate in our country has risen by 3.18% in comparison to the previous year.
But what really is inflation and TRAIN Law? Inflation, in definition, is a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money. This would, of course, cause the rise of prices of most commodities. The TRAIN Law, on the other hand, aims to redesign our tax system to be more efficient for all while shuffling tax allocations to alleviate the load of some and put further importance to other taxes. All of this would be used to fund Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” and other government projects.
To investigate, Blue Heights conducted ambush interviews to get the stance of various high school students within the campus about inflation and TRAIN Law. With this, several others even suggested subsidies the government could offer to alleviate the difficulties with coping with the rising of prices for the underprivileged. Nevertheless, here are the answers from the selected students we asked:
WHAT ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS OR SUBSIDIES DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT COULD OFFER? “Before our country started to increase prices, they should have first thought of the relocation programs they have in store for the poor. Why did they prioritize the increase in prices when some of our countrymen in low lying areas couldn’t even afford to buy rice for their families? They should remember that if they want change, it must be a step by step process; not a big one.” - Katrina Maglantay, grade 10
“I suggest that they conduct projects such as fund raising activities and the money they accumulated will be equally distributed to the underprivileged. In addition to this, the government should quit their corrupt actions.” - Katrina Ramos, grade 9
“Sa tingin ko, bago nila inimplimenta ang TRAIN Law sa Pilipinas, dapat ay isinaayos muna ng gobyerno ang problema sa trabaho ng mamamayan, katulad ng kontraktwalisasyon na matagal nang iniintindi ng ilan nating kababayan upang maging mas epektibo ang batas na kanilang ipatutupad.” - Lauren Trinos, grade 10
“I wouldn’t say that I am against TRAIN Law because it has plenty of long term effects that would help make our country evolve. Though today, we may see this as a difficult thing to handle, the benefits that the future generations will reap is a bright spot to look forward to.” - Andi Faller, grade 9
“Unang una sa lahat, ayusin muna ang sistema ng gobyerno. Siguraduhin na ang lahat ng pondo ay napupunta sa mga proyekto na ipinangako nilang isasagawa upang mapaunlad ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Maaari rin silang makalipon ng mga pondo sa pamamagitan ng pagsasagawa ng mga proyekto at fundraising activities.” - Mikayla Liwanag, Mia Merino, Zia Peregrino, grade 11 students
“Bago man mag-angat ng tax at presyo ang gobyerno, dapat inisip muna nila ‘yung ibang mamamayan na walang trabaho.” - Rui Rabelas, grade 7
“Everyday products get more expensive each year and people buy fewer products in their budgets. It’s sad.” - Erica Alicante, grade 7
? e g n a h c w a l N I A R T e h t s e o d t a h W A n
By Meg Baylo
t the last quarter of 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act into law as the administration promised that it will benefit the poor with regards to raising funds for social services and infrastructure projects. However, in the duration of its one year implementation, consumer prices have spiraled upwards and many have been greatly affected by it, especially the poor and unemployed. Aside from consumers and average earners, it can be said that students are also affected by this law even if the majority are not yet paying taxes. The reduction in income tax that leads to higher take home
pays are not yet delighted by them. Why so? Because many of them are not engaged with work yet. The price of petroleum products not only affect the taxes, transportation fares but also the costs of food. At the last seven to eight months, the SSAM community has already been going through the effects of the TRAIN law. The prices of a meal is raised by as much as P10 which also resulted to the increase of the prices in other food stalls. This has a huge impact on the students especially those who still need to pay for public transportation fares and have financial problems. However, the poor is the most affected here. The inflation rate keeps getting higher and they can’t keep up with their salaries especially the minimum wage
earners. Nevertheless, everyone, not only the students, must observe and understand policies that have implications on the economy, especially on the matters affecting the development of the country. We should always be critical. ∆
Illustrated by Dianne Magallon
Is the Church against the LGBT community? AA
WHAT IS YOUR STAND ON INFLATION AND ON TRAIN LAW?
“In my opinion, TRAIN Law won’t help the country. The government should’ve thought about the situation of the people who are jobless and underemployed. “ - Penelope Pilarta, grade 8
continuously heated debate about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community (LGBT+ community) has been in the forefront of contemporary conversation especially with the recent Pride March last June 30. The issue has been a hot topic especially with the Catholic Church, but what really is the Mother Church trying to convey to us? As a Catholic, we are acknowledged to follow and share the good news of eternal salvation Jesus has taught us. Many members of the LGBT community consider the church as discriminatory as said by Bishop O’ Connell, but he clearly stated that the church need not to hate them because they are still part of God’s creation and a living fact that there are LGBT representatives also within the church. However, he didn’t dismiss that Christ’s teaching is a responsibility as well, with regards about the teachings on marriage. There are Catholic societies accepting and wel-
BY DANIELLE TORREVILLAS
coming the same- sex marriage; still, the church cannot find the concrete answer as to how they could propose Jesus’ teachings on a nice and harmless manner, without such controversies coming out from all imaginable directions. There may be people who are against the issue at hand, but Bishop O’ Connell responded to those who keep saying that we should refuse the community’s questions about the said issue. He said, “We have to stop avoiding it. Every bishop has to answer these questions adequately.” He clearly stated that every person involved in the community should be able to listen, and everyone should be heard. We shouldn’t avoid these types of discussions because it will remain unresolved. Though there is a verse that men are made for women, we must take a leap and know the true meaning of the messages Jesus is conveying to us. This controversial issue was not overlooked by the Pope. In fact, his statement has changed the church’s overview about the topic.
He said, “If someone is gay and searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Clearly he stated that, judgement is in fact, not in our hands; only in God’s. His statement shook not only the Church but almost all of the world, because, it has been a belief that the LGBTQ doesn’t deserve salvation, as others say. September 30, 2013, the Pope explained that God doesn’t condemn the LGBTQ. Furthermore, it’s the human mystery we’re after; and unravelling it will be difficult. Discrimination against the community might be the contemporary issue at the present but the church says to always look back and try to understand, because a verse in the Bible says, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you – who are you to judge your neighbor,” found in James 4:12. God also wants us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves and Him. We are created in His image; our responsibility is to reflect His image in to our everyday lives. ∆
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1 MILLION PRAYING ROSARY CAMPAIGN LIVES OUT IN SSAM
Mrs. De Dios talks .
about future strands By Danielle Torrevillas
Students flock together to participate in the 1 Million Praying the Rosary Campaign.
By Genesis Ragunton
O
ctober is the month of the Holy Rosary, a sacred occasion for offering devotion and paying respect to Mary, mother of Jesus. In response to this, SSAM launched various activities with the theme “Maria, Ina ng Kalikasan”, paying homage to the year’s focus of servant leadership through unitive prayers and projects. In the place of the daily Morning Offering ritual, there was the praying of the Holy Rosary conducted by each section. The JHS department also celebrated their Living Rosary on the 12th of the month, with a multitude of students gathered to represent each prayer upon each bead. Donations from each grade level were also brought to the foot of Mary after the conclusion of each Sorrowful Mystery. These contributions aim to benefit prisoners from Muntinlupa and also serve as commemoration to the Tuason Center’s 50th anniversary. The Sodality of Our Mary (SODA) Organization departed on a pilgrimage to Tagaytay. Our Lady of Lourdes, Franciscan Church, Our Lady of Manaoag, and the Pink Sisters were among the itinerary. SODA members also participated in the 24th Interschool Marian Rally held at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati (DBTI Makati). The club had likewise prepared a weekly Bible Trivia quiz over the PA. Chosen students participated in the Quiz Bee about the Holy Rosary held at the Genyo Lab,
as well as a prayer composition forum and a poster making contest, whose winners were decided through a survey available to all students via Genyo Online. The winners for the Quiz Bee on the Holy Rosary are: Jove Calalo from 9 - St. Ottilia & Claire Maegan Gonzales from 9 - St. Hilda as second runners-up, Maria Sophia Buena from 8 - St. Elizabeth as the first runner up, and Jana Hagos from 7 - St. Therese bagging the champion title. The Prayer Composition on the Season of Creation winners are the following: Claire Simoune Dechavez from 9 - St. Hilda & Kelly Vergara from 8 - St. Elizabeth as the second runners-up, Dianne Magallon from 9 - St. Walburga as the first runner up and Angeline Marasigan from 8 - St. Monica as the champion. The winners of the Poster-Making Contest with the theme, “Maria, Ina ng Kalikasan” are Nicole Martinez, Marjoerry Blancaflor, & Ariana Calubaquib of 7 - St. Agnes. The 1 Million Praying the Rosary Campaign was also launched worldwide, alongside the 1 Million Peso project with the purpose of providing support and aid to children victimized by war and famine in Syria and Africa. With this, Scholasticans joined other children from over 80 countries in praying for peace, unity, and mutual harmony among nations. ∆
C
hoosing what to take in senior high school might be hard, especially when one does not know what career path one wants to take. To solve this dilemma, grade 10 students were given a talk entitled, “#YRTSHS: Your Road to Senior High School” last September 24 as an initial sneak peek on what’s in store for their incoming senior high school (SHS) years. Mrs. Concepcion de Dios, the academic coordinator of the senior high school department, explained the keen details regarding what to expect in their next two years of high school. She explained that the curriculum is more inclined towards independent action and thinking, with a faculty comprising of qualified and well-regarded teachers. She assured that academic excellence can be achieved by the students despite the fact that the SHS con-
cept is new and fresh in the country. The SHS department offers 2 tracks: the Academic track, and the Arts & Design Track. The Academic Track focuses on four major strands: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), ABM (Accounting, Business, Management), HUMSS (Humanities, Social Studies), and GAS (General Academic Strand). On the other hand, the Arts & Design track focuses on Creative Industries 1 (Visual Arts), and on Creative Industries 2 (Performing Arts) She listed that there are 31 subjects in total, with core subjects and applied subjects distinguished per strand. Mrs. de Dios also mentioned the chance for students to take up electives provided that it fits their schedule and can be balanced in their workload. According to Mrs. de Dios, students should expect hardships upon entering STEM due to how it
is inclined towards mathematics and the various sciences. ABM, on the other hand, goes beyond the concrete financial maths and questions reality and the risks necessary to make things work. Social interaction and countless readings are required in HUMSS because students have to be aware and open-minded about the current environment. Mrs. de Dios cleared up presumptions that GAS is for those who are undecided, guaranteeing one-on-one discussions to fully customize the classes one intends to take upon entering Senior High. Mrs. de Dios concluded that in the end, it is up to the students to decide and benefit from these decisions. Therefore, students must consider what they want in their careers as early as now in order to have no complications in their own career decision makings. ∆
27 Blue Heights
Blue Heights 28
ni eunice volante
Misconceptions: The borderline between sexism and misogyny BY HANNAH BOMBEO
U
pon hearing the word ‘sexism’, there are words associated with it such as toxic masculinity, patriarchy and misogyny. Technically, we could hear statements such as ‘magpakalalaki ka’, ‘boys don’t cry’, ‘panglalaki ‘yang suot mo’, all around the bend in our modern society today. These kinds of jargon are not completely foreign to our ears as it is perpetuated in our Filipino conservatist culture. “Sexism is the prejudice or discrimination based on sex.” This definition derived from the Merriam-Webster dictionary is the bonafide truth behind the word ‘sexism’. Sexism is based on a person’s sexuality. Both males and females are included which means that no one is exempted from its path, but more often than not, women are more affected because of the patriarchal system. Back then, women were not even allowed to study, boxing them to gender stereotypes such as cooking, cleaning, ang serving their husbands. Misogyny is a term used for people who hate, objectify, or discriminate women. This is a term that could cause a fight between the opposite sexes because people frequently deny internalized misogyny. One of these is simply the way of men thinking that they should always or most likely be a step forward compared to wom-
en. Or perceiving women as objects. I do not agree that boys don’t cry. Whoever formed the threshold of this infamous statement probably hadn’t heard of lacrimal glands (tear glands) because the last thing I’ve heard is
Illustrated by Dianne Magallon that boys are human as well. Why aren’t boys allowed to cry? Is it a turn-off to manifest human emotions? For the society, men are deemed to be strong but seriously, if you hadn’t shed a single tear your whole life, the very first thought that piques my senses tells me that you’re a robot. In lockstep to this, misogyny, is usually misunderstood as sexism. Both are similar in a sense, but misogyny focuses on wom-
en while sexism on both sexes. In particular, it is important to value every human being regardless of their sex. Nobody has the right to reject their own neighbors, the same people God created with love and equality. We all know the golden rule, “do unto others what you want others to do unto you.” If we want to build camaraderie amongst the people surrounding us, we must first look unto our very own reflection before shooting the blame to others. Try pointing out to someone once in a while, if you happen to observe your fingers, two of them are directed to the person whom you’re pointing at. And the other three happens to be directed to yourself—a mere symbolism that we must learn how to navigate what’s wrong in ourselves rather than pointing out to someone else’s faults. Irrevocably speaking, change is the only thing constant in this world we’re living in. If we want a magnanimous life, nonetheless, we must also be magnanimous to another person’s perspective — regardless of the sexuality of the person. We must also fight the system that boxes us of gender roles and gender stereotypes, which often harms the rights of a person. In the 21st century, discrimination should not be anymore practiced. ∆
a panahon ngayon, paano ba nakararating ang karamihan ng mga ordinaryong mamamayang Pilipino sa kanilang nais puntahan? Hindi ba’t sa pamamagitan ng jeepney na kanilang sinasakyan? Hindi na biro na ang mga nararanasang hirap ng mga tsuper at komyuters ngayon dahil ang Jeep ay ang pinakakilalang transportasyon sa Pilipinas. Sa pagkakaroon ng malawak na espasyo sa loob at mababang presyo kumpara sa ibang mga pampublikong sasakya, ito ay tunay na biyaya sa iba. Ngunit, maaring ito ay hindi na magtagal pa sa pagtulak ng administrasyon na nais maglunsad ng programa na tinatawag na jeepney modernization. Ito ay nakatuon sa pagpalit sa mga jeepney ng mga mas bagong modelo na makabubuti sa ating kalikasan at makatutulong daw sa pagresolba ng mga aksidenteng nangyayari sa lansangan. Sa Pilipinas, 180,000 hanggang 270,000 na Jeepney ang nakakalat sa mga kalsada. Ang mga ito ay nakasasakay ng mga 15 hanggang 20 na katao, ngunit hindi lahat ay nasa loob. Sa paggamit nito araw-araw at sa maliit na kitang sinasahod ng isang jeepney driver, mahirap itong baguhin. Maraming mga mamamayan ang maaabala sa paghahanap ng transportasyon, at matagal-tagal din ang prosesong ito dahil sa dami ng mga jeepney sa bansa. Marami ring umalma sa alokasyon nito sa programa sapagkat bawat isang yunit ay nagkakahalaga ng P1.2 milyon sa pinakamura nitong presyo. Maaaring hindi kakayanin ng mga ordinaryong nagmamaneho at
maaaring magbunsod ito sa pagkakautang. Sa tuwing bumibili ang mga tsuper ng nilalaan nila para sa kanilang pamilya, pati sa P7,000 na utang sa gobyerno na kinakailangan nilang bayaran ang bawat pangangailangan ng kanilang mga pamilya kung ganito ang sitwasyon? Sa pagpapatupad ng nasabing problema, makakaya ba ng mga tsuper na bumili ng mga bagong jeep? Ngunit kahit sa kalagayang ito, sinisisi parin ng mga gobyerno ang mga jeepney drivers sa malubhang trapiko at polusyon sa hangin. Marami pang ibang mga salik sa ating bansa na nakadudulot ng polusyon. Hindi tama na ibuhos lahat ng gobyerno ang sisi sa mga tsuper na nais lamang mapakain ang kanilang pamilya. Dapat ay ayusin muna ng gobyerno ang mga pumpublikong transportasyon bago pag-initan ang mga jeepney drivers na araw-araw ay nagtatrabaho ng mabuti para lang magkaroon ng kita. Kung maganda ang serbisyo ng LRT at MRT kaalinsabay ng mababang presyo ng Grab, maraming mamamayan, sa kanilang mismong kagustuhan, ang lilipat ng transportasyon upang mas maging komportable sa kanilang byahe. Sila rin ay kabilang sa mga mamamayang nagtatrabaho upang makatulong hindi lamang sa kanilang mga pamilya, kung hindi para rin sa ating bansa. Napakarangal ng kabilang trabaho dahil hindi lamang ang bansa kanilang pinagsisilbihan, kung hindi pati rin ang mga mamamayan nito. Dahil sa jeepney modernization, maaaring bumagsak ang ilang mga negosyo. Sa jeep, may mga negosyanteng binabiyahe ang kanilang mga produkto upang maipadala sa kanilang pamilihan o sa mismong costumers. Ang mga kadalasang eksena sa jeep ay mayroong mga taong
“ pahirap lamang sa sambayanang Pilipino
may dala-dala ng maraming kahon na naglalaman ng kanilang mga binebenta. Kung pansamantalang mawawala ang mga jeep para mapalitan ng bago, mahihirapan ang mga negosyante na humanap ng paraan para sa tranportasyon ng kanilang mga produkto. Ito ay bahagi ng kanilang hanapbuhay kung saan nanggaling ang kanilang mga kinikita. Ang kanilang sitwasyon ay hindi dadali sa paraan na ito. Sa kasalukuyan, pinili ng LTFRB na ipagpaliban ang modernisasyon hanggang Marso ng 2019 upang mas mapabuti ang mga alintuntunin at mas maging tama ang alokasyon ng badyet nito. Ngunit makatarungan nga ba talaga ito, gayung mas maraming isyu ang dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ng nasabing ahensya katulad ng mahal na pasahe ng Grab, LRT, at MRT ngunit hindi ganun kaganda ang kanilang mga serbisyo sa masa. Marami ring aksidente dahil sa mga drayber na walang lisensya ngunit nakaba-byahe, pati na rin ang mga lumang tren. Maraming mga jeepney drivers ang tutol sa programang ito dahil sa lumalamang na negatibong epekto, na nagdudulot ng patuloy na pagprotesta ng mga tao. Kung sinasabi ng pangulo na ito ay para sa ating kinabukasan, ang tanong ay “Mayroon nga bang kinabukasan kung ibabalewala ang kasalukuyan?” ∆
“
s
, Illustrated by Ashley Lagos
29 Blue Heights
Grade nine explores media arts By Althea Bonagua, Khallyl Catalan, and Zehtt Lenon
a quick yet historically-astonishing tour in the Manuel Quezon Memorial Shrine Museum. It contains the memorabilia and remains of the late Second President of the Philippines: Manuel L. Quezon. The museum may look small from the outside; however, it houses several yet eye-catching exhibits. These consist of pictures, paintings, intricate items, and interactive pieces. An unplanned tour at the Quezon Memorial Shrine also transpired as the trip goes smoothly and without delays, therefore gaining time to both enjoy and learn from that area.
Blue Heights 30
gious ministry. This resulted into conflicts between Galileo between his students, family, society, and religious ministry. In the end, Galileo kept on studying and proving his studies despite imprisonment. The play delivers us the message that it’s a privilege to learn these facts today that were fought by the great scientists before.
L
ast October 5, the grade 9 students hit the roads of Metro Manila as they journeyed to ABS-CBN Studios, GMA Studios, and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) for the much awaited educational trip held every other year. Touring through the media studios exposed the students to what goes on behind the scenes in the media industry. The tour at PETA, meanwhile, showcased the play entitled “Ang Buhay ni Galileo” which is based on the life story of the renowned philosopher and astronomer Galileo Galilei. Due to the limited capacity for the PETA theater and studio tours, the grade 9 level was split into two batches. St. Hilda, St. Hildegard, and St. Milburga were the first batch to watch the play at PETA before moving on to ABS-CBN, whereas St. Gertrude, St. Lioba, St. Ottilia, and St. Walburga headed off to GMA and watched the play afterwards. ABS-CBN Studio tour The three classes of St. Hilda, St. Hildegard, and St. Milburga had individual studio tours around ABS-CBN headquarters. Tour guides dropped trivia about the studio sets of shows such as “Magandang Buhay”, It’s Showtime’s “Tawag ng Tanghalan Online”, news programs “TV Patrol” and “Bandila”, and news channel “ANC”, with students having the chance to explore and take pictures.
Throughout the tour, some grade 9 students had a chance to meet Kapamilya celebrities including “It’s Showtime” Hashtag members McCoy De Leon and Zeus Collins, Nash Aguas, and Miss Q&A Grand Champion Juliana Pariscova Segovia. One of the last stops in the tour was the studio that houses the props and
Aside from the trip’s general objectives, this experience aims to enhance the students’ own performing skills since these activities may be applicable to their upcoming performance tasks, one of which is the musical play. costumes used for various shows throughout the years. Because of their interest and curiosity with these displayed memorabilia, the students were able to play around and get their hands on some of these props. Some of the iconic numbered suitcases used in “Kapamilya Deal or No Deal”, a former game show franchise. The students were given time to purchase Kapamilya merchandise at the network’s souvenir shop.
now “The German Moreno Studio” to pay tribute to the late actor. It houses the comedy sketch gag show “Bubblegang”, and the the afternoon game-variety show “Wowowin”. Bonus itinerary Because the parking was nearby the tourist spot Quezon Memorial Circle, the sections from the GMA tour went on
GMA Studio tour A meet and greet with Rhea Santos, an alumna of St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina, started the media tours of St. Gertrude, St. Lioba, St, Ottilia, and St. Walburga. The four sections were split into two groups where they went to the studio where “24 Oras”,”Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho”, and “Tadhana” were being broadcasted, as well as the Studio 2 located at the new GMA Network Studio Annex. Studio 2, formerly known as Studio B, is one of GMA’s oldest studios, where the legendary Michael Jackson performed when he visited the Philippines. OOOOOther studios are Studio 4 where the students met radio personalities, Studio 7, the largest studio where the noontime comedy-variety show “Sunday Pinasaya”, “The Clash”, and several other shows are aired by the network. The last studio was formerly known as Studio 6, but is
“Ang Buhay ni Galileo” Though in separate shows, the grade 9 had an opportunity to watch a play named “Ang Buhay ni Galileo” by Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). Founded by Cecile Guidote-Alvarez on April 7, 1967, PETA celebrated its 50th anniversary by reproducing the play focused on science and the sacrifices needed to make for the world’s future. Everyone knows the fact that the Earth revolves around the Sun; however, the challenges experienced by the person who fought for this study is not known for everyone. Galileo Galilei (played by Joel Lamangan), an Italian astrologist, mathematician, physicist, philosopher and professor, is known for his support about the sun-centered solar system and improvement of the telescope. His beliefs were supported by many, but not the reli-
ebrities..
Students posing with cel
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MO OV VIIEE M
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tunay na pagkatao ng mga bayani nasa Goyo Ni Roanne Pepito
Ang “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” ay tinaguriang karugtong na pelikula ng “Heneral Luna”, na pinalabas noong 2015. Pinagbibidahan ito si Paulo Avelino bilang Heneral Gregorio “Goyong” del Pilar, kilala bilang bantog na bayaning Bulakenyo. Kasama niya sina Carlo Aquino bilang Koronel Vicente Enriquez, at Rafa Siguion-Reyna bilang Koronel Julian del Pilar. Nakatuon ang pelikula sa huling limang buwan ni Goyo bago siya mapaslang sa Pasong Tirad. Dito, tinutupad niya ang utos ni Presidente Emilio Aguinaldo na arestuhin ang mga matataas na opisyal na kasama ni Luna kabilang ang magkapatid na Manuel Bernal at Jose Bernal. Hinati-hati rin niya ang kanyang hukbo at nilagay sa iba’t ibang kampo. Dahil dito, nagkaroon ng tensyon sa pagitan ng mga sundalo ni Luna at ang iba pang sundalo. Hindi madali ang pagiging batang heneral para kay Goyo dahil sa kalakip nitong malaking responsibilidad sa sarili, sa bayan at sa kapwa. Hindi niya maiiwasan na minsa’y maligaw at manligaw ng mga babae o makidalo sa mga kapistahan dahil siya’y bata pa lamang. Nakaranas din siya ng bangungot at masasamang pagbabalik tanaw dahil sa mga nangyari ng digmaan bago mapatay si Luna. Ipinakikita sa pelikula na maging ang mga bayani ay ordinaryong tao na may kalakasan at kahinaan na maaaring tularan o paunlarin para sa kabubuti ng sarili.
Liway nagpapakita ng katapangan Ni Maxene Lati
Gawa mismo ng isang bilanggo noong batas militar, ang Liway ay nakabaling sa batang si Dakip (Kenken Nuyad) na nakulong sa Camp Delgado noong panahon ng diktaturyang Marcos kasama ang kanyang mga magulang na si Liway (Glaiza de Castro) at Ric (Dominic Roco) na mga kapwa rebelde. Ipinapakita rin nito ang kwento ng isang inang nais iparanas sa anak na mabuhay sa labas ng bilangguan sa pamamagitan ng kwentong bayan at mga pinagsama-samang mitolohiya. Isinasalaysay rin nito ang hirap na dinanas ng mga rebelde at aktibista upang ipaglaban ang mga karapatang tinatamasa ng mga Pilipino ngayon. Epektibo ang pagbabalik tanaw ng direktor na si Kip Oebanda (Dakip sa kuwento) sa mga alaala ng isang batang hindi pa nakalalabas ng kampo kaalinsabay ng paggising sa damdaming makabayan ng mga manonood. Ang pelikulang ito ay mahalaga sapagkat ito ay nagpapaalala sa mga mamamayang nakalimot na sa masalimuot na nakaraan pati na rin sa mga biktima ng Martial Law na nalipasan na ng oras at kasaysayan. Ito ay napapanahon para sa mga kabataan lalo na’t maraming kumakalat na rebisyon ng kasaysayan sa Internet.
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THE HOWS OF US, NAGBIBIGAY KASAGUTAN Ni Francesca Chua
Ang pelikulang The Hows of Us ay sumesentro sa daloy ng relasyon ng dating matagal na magkarelasyon na si Primo (Daniel Padilla) at George (Kathryn Bernardo) na sinubok ng maraming problema sa kanilang pagsasama. Dahil sa matinding pangarap ni Primo na buhayin ang Original Philippine Music (OPM) sa kanyang pagbabanda, nagdulot ito ng hadlang para sa mga pangarap ni George sa kanyang pagdodoktor. Sa kanilang paghiwalay, lubos na nakilala nina George at Primo ang kanilang mga sarili at naging mas mabubuting mga tao. Dalawang taong ang nakalipas, nagkatagpong muli ang dalawa at unti-unting bumalik ang kanilang pag-iibigan. Sa kabila ng lahat ng kanilang mga napagdaanang kapaitan, nanaig ang pagmamahalan. Sa makabagong panahon, ang mga magkakasintahan sa henerasyon ngayon ay madaliang sumusuko sa isang relasyon pagkatapos makibaka sa isang suliranin. Tunay na nakaaantig ng damdamin ang palitan ng linya ng dalawang bida. Ang pelikulang ito ay nagpapaalala sa mga tao kung bakit kailangang ipaglaban ang pagmamahalan, sa kabila ng mga pagkakamali ng bawat isa. Sa mundong puro katanungan ay “paano”, ang pelikulang The Hows of Us ang nakakapagbigay ng mga kasagutan.
Hintayan ng Langit nakapagpapaantig ng damdamin Ni Maxene Lati
Batay sa dula-dulaan ni Juan Miguel Severo, ang Hintayan ng Langit ay sumesentro kay Manolo (Eddie Garcia), ang bagong kaluluwa sa Kalagitnaan na naghihintay ng hudyat upang makapunta sa Langit. Habang naghihintay, magku-krus ulit ang kanilang landas ng kanyang dating kasintahang si Lisang (Gina Pareno) na magiging kahati niya sa kwarto dahil marami pang kaluluwa ang nakatengga sa Kalagitnaan. Tunay na nakapaninindig damdamin ang mga palitan ng katwiranat dayalogo ng dalawang bida na si Lisang at Manolo na nakapupulot ng aral sa pagmamahal, pagkakataon, at paghihintay. Napakahusay na aktres ni Gina Pareno sa pagganap sa papel ng isang kumplikadong karakter. Ang produksyong disenyo ay mahusay at ipinakikita ang mga maliliit na detalye at karagdagang impormasyon upang maihain sa mga manonood ang konteksto ng bawat eksena. Sa pamumuno ni Dan Villegas, nakapaghandog ang industriya ng isa nanamang istoryang pampamilya na nagtataas sa kalidad ng pelikulang Pilipino.
Estado ng Pilipinas sumasalamin sa Buybust Ni Maxene Lati
Pinangasiwaan ng isa sa pinakabatikan na direktor na si Erik Matti sa industriya, umiikot ang pelikulang Buybust kay Nina Mañigan (Anne Curtis), isang PDEA agent na nakaligtas sa patayang naganap sa dati niyang mga kasamahan ukol sa pagsalakay nito sa mga nagbebenta ng droga. Determinadong mahuli ang mga maduduming pulis at mga kartel ng droga, sumama si Mañigan sa isang misyon kung saan naipit ang kanyang mga bagong kasamahan sa paghuli ng isang drug lord at mga galit na mamamayan sa isa sa pinakamahirap at pinakadelikadong lugar sa Maynila. Nananatiling pinakamagaling si Matti sa pagpapakita ng mensahe sa kanyang pelikula sa kahit anong napapanahong isyu. Ipinakita ng pelikulang ito ang bulok na sistema sa Pilipinas lalong lalo na ang war-on-drugs na walang kinikilingan ngunit malinaw ang komentarya. Itinataas din ng Buybust ang pamantayan sa industriya ng pelikula kabilang na rito ang maganda at makukulay na sinematograpiya ni Neil Bion, epektibong sound design ni Erwin Romulo at Malck Lopez pati na ang magkahalong realidad at piksyong iskrip ni Matti.
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A P P O N A G IN UNMASKIN S I IS S S Y Y L L A N A A N M A AA FFIL M IL BY MAR EVAN MORALES
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ong Joong-Ki, Lee Jongsuk, Gong Yoo, Park Shin-hye, Jun Ji-hyun. What do these names have in common? Yes! These are some of the most gorgeous and beautiful Korean actors and actresses with a romanticized image manufactured by an entertainment industry serving one of the world’s unrelenting markets for beauty products. Which is, only for this year, estimated to be worth more than US$13 billion. These are the faces that gives us sleepless nights following every episode of their respective K-Dramas. In an article published by South China Morning Post entitled, “K-Beauty: The Ugly Face of South Korea’s obsession with Women Looking Forever Flawless” by Michael Hurt, a visual sociologist and professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul argues that South Koreans believe that their body is their number one asset in this world. “For men, the social expectation is: don’t be fat, have a nice haircut, dress OK,” he says. “If all you had to do to succeed as a woman is dress OK, not be too fat, look all right, you’d have a lot fewer problems. And in a culture where female beauty is so regimented, of course you’re going to have all these products.” Moreover, in her book entitled, “The Beauty Myth”, Naomi Wolf explains that: “Beauty is a currency system like the gold standard. Like any economy, it is determined by politics… In assigning value to women in
a vertical hierarchy according to a culturally imposed physical standard, it is an expression of power relations in which women must unnaturally compete for resources that men have appropriated for themselves.” However, it seems like we are disillusioned by some realities in the world of K-beauty. There is a face of South Korea that the world is probably unaware of. In an article published online by Elise Hu entitled, “A Forgotten Generation: Half of South Korea’s Elderly Live in Poverty”, a debilitating problem in one of the economic tigers of Asia has been fearlessly discussed: the increasing percentage of seniors living in poverty. Hu (2015) reveals that “South Korea has the worst senior poverty rate among developed nations, and the options for seniors are slim”. Amidst the relentless emergence of technological advancements, revolutionary skin care products and unparalleled economic acceleration of the country, the welfare of the older generation has lagged seriously. In a film, “The Way Home”, written and directed by Lee Jeong-hyang, the heartwarming story of a seven-year-old city boy sent to live in a remote village in Korea’s Choongbuk province with his deaf and mute grandmother so that the mother can seize employment opportunities in the city. Exploring the collision of two opposing worlds―that of the young boy raised in a modern and convenient society and that of the
old woman who spent her lifetime in an impoverished community, the film clearly shows how that the economic system dictates the set of beliefs of the people living in a particular society. The complex relationship between the oppressed and the oppressor as experienced by South Koreans living in farflung communities reveals the implications of the rise of the powerful capitalists to the socioeconomic conditions of the proletarians. According to Karl Marx (as cited in Dobie, 2009a, p. 89), “If a society is shaped by its “forces of production”, the way in which society provides food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities creates among groups of people social relations that become the culture’s foundations.” Although the country is one of the Tiger Economies of Asia, a hidden society exists where unequal distribution of products prevails. The grandmother resides in a tiny house tucked in the deep part of the mountain. She does not own cutting-edge home appliances, expensive clothes, or a pantry overflowing with grocery items. Her house appears dull, lifeless, and gloomy. Her lifestyle solely depends on what nature has to offer. She has no commodity to sell, only her time-tested survival skills and unwavering faith. Her postural deformation and weather-beaten face reveal the unimaginable pain she has endured through the years of back-breaking labor. Her severe disabilities prove that she has been working all her life.
Sangwoo’s grand mother lives in a fragmented world controlled by bourgeoisie. No one from the city would wish to stay even temporarily in her wooden hut, a place that symbolizes deprivation and inequality. It is understandable why Sangwoo, the boy from the city, gets annoyed, disgusted, and frustrated upon entering his grandmother’s house. The film presents a strong depiction of the wide gap between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The young boy is a product of a society molded by capitalism. Unfortunately, capitalism leads to commodification of everything. Commodification refers “an attitude of valuing things not for their utility but for their power to impress others or for their exchange value” (Dobie, 2009b, p. 90). The film has authentically shown Sangwoo’s glorification of his electronic toys and his obsession of Coca-Cola and Spam. When his grandma tries to ask him what he wants to eat, he immediately mentions “pizza, hamburger, and Kentucky Fried Chicken” as if these are readily available in the countryside. Schor and Adatto (2003) argue that in a Capitalist world, “childhood is constructed, sold, and used for the purposes of profit. Viewing the growing role of commodification in our culture through the lens of children’s lives highlights just what sorts of things are vulnerable, at stake, and liable to distortion, damage, or destruction. The children themselves are the main example of this, but their situation also highlights other aspects of life that are affected, areas that are cherished if not sacred, such as friendships, privacy, agency, dignity, community, justice, and personal identity.” On the other hand, the grandmother is a representation of the oppressed. Marxists argue that capitalism aims to manipulate consumers psychological-
ly and emotionally. Desperately driven by profits, capitalists exploit the strong dependence of the consumers on the continuous production and relentless upgrading of various goods. These insecure consumers compete for the possession of the “BEST” product in the globalized market. In a country with aggressive economy, it is surprising to know that senior citizens still suffer from poverty
and deprivation. The grandmother who is supposed to indulge in her pensions and health care is still breaking her back just to make ends meet. She belongs to the deprived, powerless group in the society. While the city is flourishing from industrial and economic prosperity, she is trapped in extreme poverty. While the privileged few are immersing themselves in lavish and luxurious parties in fashion districts, the destitute old woman has no one to take care of her. The young boy and the grandmother symbolize “class conflict”. Marxism reiterates that
the production of goods creates conflict between social classes. Since capitalism leads to fragmentation of the society, one group will emerge as a privileged class. One class can afford the better products while the other will suffer from scarcity and deprivation. Sangwoo ridicules his grandmother because the latter is ignorant of the items that the former craves for. Sangwoo’s mindset and orientation is controlled by the comfort brought by the products of capitalists. As expected, his temporary stay in the countryside becomes painfully frustrating. On the part of the grandmother, life has become so simple. The environment she has learned to deal with has nothing fancy to offer. Nature has become her trusted ally. The society she lives in has been deprived with the convenience and luxury of the urbanized cities. “The Way Home” proves that the prevailing economic system in a particular country dictates the ideology of its people. The film illustrates the price of Capitalism. In our society, bridging the gap between the poor and the rich has become impossible. Class conflict is a serious threat to all individuals. Marxists have proven that almost every society in the world is composed of both “the grandmother” and “Sanwoo”, a society where inequality has long been existing. An exemplary literary work should serve as a mirror of society’s consciousness. Every story should empower its readers to confront the reality of their situation. A text shall expose the pressing issues that cripple the people living in every country so that they will be equipped to surmount these problems. After all, failure to bridge the gap between the oppressed and the oppressor has resulted to a myriad of political, cultural, socio-economic, and religious problems in the global stage. ∆
ni dianne magallon
“ a l b i k a b n g g a p ang g an
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buhay ni galileo
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ara sa kanilang ika-50 anibersaryo, muling ibinalik ng Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) ang “Ang Buhay ni Galileo” na isa sa mga kilalang pagtatanghal mula pa noong 1981. Ang dula na isinalin ni Celso Alan Glinoga ayon sa panulat ni Bertolt Brecht ay nagkaroon ng dalawang linggong pagtatanghal simula noong Setyembre 28 kaalinsabay ng ilan pang napapanahong dula katulad ng “A Game of Trolls”, “Tagu-taguan Nasaan ang Buwan” at iba pa. Ang kontemporaryong bersyon ng dula ay idenerehe ng multi-awarded direktor at aktor na si Rodolfo Vera. Hango sa buhay ng siyentipikong si Galileo Galilei ang pagtatanghal kung saan ang banghay ay nakasentro sa paglinang niya ng teleskopyo at pagkakatuklas ng katotohanang ang mundo ay umiinog palibot sa araw. Ang direktor na si Joel Lamangan ay gumanap bilang si Galileo, ang pangunahing tauhan, sa sinasabing palabas. Nakatanggap siya ng Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Play citation sa 10th PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay 2018. Alinsunod ang dula sa teorya ng Estetiko ng Kasalatan o Aesthetics of Poverty na isinulat ni Brenda V. Fajardo noong 1981 kung saan inihahalintulad ang sining sa kahirapan na nararanasan ng tao. Ang kahulugan ng kariktan ng isang bagay ay nakabatay sa estado ng buhay ng isang tao. Ang pagdanas ng kahirapan ay nagbibigay ng bagong kahulugan sa reyalidad. Makikita sa dula ang pagpapahalaga ni Galileo sa katotohanan. Nakapaskil din sa mismong Rajah Sulayman Theater ang mga katagang “Kung matatakot ang mga siyentipiko sa mga sakim na hari, malulumpo ang siyensa at ang magiging kahulugan lamang ng mga bagong makina ay bagong pagpapahirap” na nagpapahayag ng tema ng mismong dula. Bilang isang manonood, ang entabladong ginamit ay naaangkop dahil hindi na kailangang tumingala pa para makita ang mga tauhan sa harapan. Ang musikang ginamit bago at pagkatapos maglahad ng tagapagsalaysay ay akma sa teman ng dula. Ang liriko ng mga awitin ay nagbigay ng oras upang magkaroon ng pagkakataong makapaghinuha ang mga manonood kung ano nga ba ang susunod na mangyayari ay nakadadag sa salik ng
interes ng manonood. Mapapansing ang mga tauhan ay bihasa na sa pagtatanghal. Nahikayat nila nang maigi ang madla―hindi maialis ng tao ang kanilang mga paningin mula sa entablado. Hindi lang din basta-basta ang pagganap sa kanilang mga karakter sapagkat bawat isa ay mayroong natatanging katangian. Halimbawa na lamang ang karakter ni Andrea ay mailalarawan bilang isang taong handang matuto. Nakikinig at tunay niyang sinusuri ang bawat konseptong ibinabahagi sa kanya ni Galileo. Mula pagkabata hanggang pagtanda ay naroon siya sa tabi ni Galileo bilang isang mag-aaral at kaibigan. Si Andrea ay binigyang-buhay ng dalawang aktor, si Noel Comia Jr. (batang Andrea) at Ian Segarra (Andrea). Bukod pa rito, napakahusay ng pagkakasulat ng mga linya ng bida na si Galileo. Maaaring marami na ang pamilyar sa kaniyang mga parangal at tagumpay ngunit ipinapakita ng PETA na ang tao sa likod ng mga tagumpay na ito ay higit pa sa kaniyang mga titulo. Kung susuriin ang pagtatanghal, ipinapakita na si Galileo ay handang magbahagi ng mga pinag-aralan sa mga taong gusto talagang matuto. Isa siyang guro. Bukod pa rito, matalas ang tabas ng kaniyang dila. Isa ito sa mga salik na nakapagbibigay-tawa sa madla kung kaya’t kahit seryoso ang tema ng dula ay nagagawa pa rin nitong mag-iwan ng ngiti sa mga manonood. Hindi biro ang pinagdaanan ng pangunahing tauhan. Iba’t ibang panunuya at pamimintas ang natamo niya mula sa iba subalit hindi ito naging hadlang upang maging isang matagumpay na siyentipiko. Kung maihahalintulad ko man ang napanood, ito ay isang roller coaster. Napakaraming pangyayari ang nakapagpaantig ng damdamin. Maraming nakaluluhang eksena. Hindi maikakaila ang hinalong komedya sa dula. Ang wikang ginamit sa dula ay pormal―maaaring hindi lahat ng manonood ay makaunawa sa bawat dayalogo ngunit hindi ito naging balakid upang maipahayag ng dula ang ibig nitong ipaalam sa madla. Ang mga mata ng lahat ay nakatuon sa entablado at wala ni isang magawang ibaling ang tingin. Hindi ko namalayan na tapos na pala ang dula sa taglay nitong kagandahan. ∆
Exploring th
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Falcon Cr est
Last September 28, the grade 8 students together with their respective teachers, embarked on their educational trip to Falcon Crest Resort in Bulacan, as well as to the Philippine Educational Theater Assciation (PETA) Theater Center in Quezon City. Leaving the school campus in buses at around 4:30 am, the students made their way over to Falcon Crest, where they participated in various team building activities, such as obstacle courses, puzzles, wall climbing, rappeling, and many more. These activities aimed to strengthen the students’ bond within their class and both their physical and mental stamina.
By Ashley
The students were given lunch right after. They eventually made the drive to Quezon City, where they watched a play entitled, “Ang Buhay ni Galileo”, at the PETA Theater. The award-winning play presents the life of the 16th century scientist, Galileo Galilei, and the struggles and the opposition he faced in the effort to uncover the truth. After the end of the play, the director, Rody Vera, and a few of the cast members were brought on stage for a Question-and-Answer type of discussion. They said that they do
Lagos & E
unice Vola
Simplifying concepts with Physilimpics By Eunice Volante and Franchesca Chua
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he term “no man is an island” has been repeated over and over for decades as it means that teambuilding and helping each other is important and vital in human nature. For example, having difficulty in Physics can be solved by finding the right person to study with and finding methods to understand the concepts. Last September 6, the grade 8 students conducted their
Physilimpics at the SICC as a component of their quarterly performance task in physics. Physilimpics, an activity recently instituted in 2016, was an interaction activity conceptualized in an Olympic-like setting. The said competition was an event organized by the Science Area to provide a venue for students to apply their learnings of Isaac Newton’s laws of motion into games. They also intended to take the best output in each of the
nte
this every time in order to get feedback from the audience and to help them further understand the meaning and lessons of the play. Included in the discussion were questions about the conflicts between the concept science and religion that the main character faced. Additionally, the audience and the cast shared their views on the rampant problem of fake news in the story of Galileo Galilei, that up to today is still corrupting present society. ∆
grade 8 sections from their respective tasks. Each class was divided into seven groups to ensure universal participation of the students in the event, excluding the facilitators or the pupils who made the chosen output of each section. The seven groups of each section played for the total number of seven games for the whole batch. St. Martha won the first place in the said contest. ∆
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opm play list 1. 214 – Rivermaya 2. Anino – Up Dharma Down 3. Balisong – The Juans 4. Bawat Daan – Ebe Dancel 5. Bibingka – Ben&Ben 6. Burnout – Sugarfree 7. Cuida – Sugarfree 8. Demonyo – Juan Karlos 9. ‘Di Naging (Tayo) – Sleep Alley 10. Hey, Barbara – IV of Spades 11. Home – Reese Lansangan 12. Human Eyes – Clara Benin 13. I Wouldn‘t Mind – Ourselves the Elves
Reese L
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26. Magasin – Eraserheads 27. Maybe the Night – Ben&Ben 28. Okay, Okay, I‘m Wrong, I‘m Sorry – Ourselves the Elves 29. Overdrive – Eraserheads 30. OZONE (Itulak ang Pinto) – UNIQUE 31. Porter – I Belong To The Zoo 32. Prom – Sugarfree 33. Tila – Clara Benin 34. Tuliro – Spongecola 35. Ride Home – Ben&Ben 36. Sa ‘yo – Munimuni 37. Sa Hindi Pag-Alala – Munimuni 38. Sentimental – IV Of Spades
39. Settled – The Ransom Collective 40. Suntok sa Buwan – Session Road 41. SINO – UNIQUE 42. Smile – Clara Benin 43. Susi – Ben&Ben 44. Tahanan – Munimuni 45. Tayo Lang Ang May Alam – Peryodiko 46. Umaaraw, Umuulan – Rivermaya 47. Wala Nang Hihilingin – Sugarfree 48. Where Have You Been, My Disco? – IV Of Spades 49. With A Smile – Eraserheads 50. Yakap Sa Dilim – Orange & Lemons
WANT IT ON SPOTIFY? CHECK @SSAMBLUEHEIGHTS’ PINNED TWEET!
Ben&Ben
14. Ikaw at Ako – John Danao 15. Indak – Up Dharma Down 16. Istorya – The Juans 17. Iwanan Mo Na Siya ― Parokya Ni Edgar 18. Galit – Bullet Dumas 19. Gitara – Parokya ni Edgar 20. Kunwari – Spongecola 21. Languyin – Autotelic 22. Lumalapit – The Juans 23. Kahit Ayaw Mo Na – This Band 24. Magic – Reese & Vica 25. Make Up My Mind – Rizza Cabrera
Spongecola Spongecola
IV Of Spades
Orange and Lemons
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l u m ad lumad DOX OF PROGRESS
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THE PARADOX O LESS GLE GG OPLE STRUUG
PEOPLE STR OUUSSPE IGEENNO INDDIG ANDDIN AN by by roanne roanne pepito pepito
POLITICS OF OF THE THE DAM DAM POLITICS
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n a recently concluded public forum entitled: “Let Our Rivers Flow: Public Forum and Launch of Network Opposed to Kaliwa, Kanan, and Laiban Dam”, the discussion of indigenous people was once more put into light. Members of the Dumagat and Remontado tribes as well as advocates put forth their experiences and arguments regarding the New Centennial Water Source (NCWS) program, one of the few projects of the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” campaign. For context, the NCWS would be used as a secondary source of water for Metro Manila as demands for water continuously increase. In exchange for this comfort, however, the project would trample on the ancestral lands of thousands of indigenous families and farmers, permanently dislocating them. Many of them are being evicted from their own homes or harassed by paramilitary forces or officials from the government. This is one of the many challenges indigenous people face on a daily basis as they try to stand their ground in a rapidly progressing society.
DECADESOLD OLDSTRUGGLE STRUGGLE DECADES While it may seem as if it’s a recent issue, village leaders and elderly would beg to disagree. The battle against the government has waged for over forty years, stretching across multiple administrations and through multiple generations. As soon as talk arose of a potential dam being constructed in their community, they’ve been banned from planting hard crops. Slowly and slowly, communities were restricted from doing basic work that would let them live properly, forcing them to move out to deeper parts of the mountains. The only reason why the project
has not yet been fully accomplished yet is due to the constant resistance of both the Dumagats and the Remontado tribesmen. Alongside environmental and indigenous rights activists, they have managed to push back government opposition in order to avoid the loss of their homes and communities.
MILITARIZATIONAND ANDRED REDTAGGING TAGGING MILITARIZATION With resistance, however, comes consequences. There are multiple accounts of indigenous people having witnessed intimidation tactics and harassment from the military. There are instances when they report sightings of soldiers who trek their mountains and eye them warily, accusing them of being communist leftists who are hiding New People’s Army (NPA) leaders or Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) men. At least 300 Dumagat families had to evacuate due to these circumstances. Education is difficult to attain in the mountains when those who volunteer to teach are harassed by the military for allegedly teaching communist ideologies to the children. The elders and chieftains, meanwhile, are manipulated into signing documents they cannot read due to their illiteracy, cheated out of their homes by those who want to claim it. Activists and tribesmen alike are more than willing to speak up against this injustices, but pay a hefty price for their efforts. Their vocal and activist nature put them in the risk of sudden disappearances, illegal detention or death. Whether our paramilitary groups are deployed with the conscious belief that their enemy is the indigenous people remains a mystery that we cannot easily answer. Whether they are misinformed and believe that these groups associate themselves with leftist parties such as the NPA and the CPP cannot also be readily explained.
DEEPLYROOTED ROOTED DEEPLY The culture of indigenous groups is deeply rooted in the lands they live in. How they are born, how they live, and how they die all matter in the world they partake in. Generations worth of teachings and ideologies are tied neatly to the land they build their homes in, settled in the soil and meant to remain there. Despite the clear poverty they live in, they remain content with their lives, simple folks of simple pleasures who only wish to live in peace. The communities commonly live near the water, where they can do their everyday tasks with ease. Displacement would mean keeping them far from that water, making life difficult. It is integral to point out that our indigenous people are those who carry the cultures and practices of times long past us, knowledgeable of the things we have forgotten due to heavy colonization and foreign influence. They still carry the scraps of Filipino identity we have struggled to keep close to ourselves and bear priceless information on what we used to know.
POLITICAL ACTION
Yes, the government has tried to make moves to protect the ancestral lands that they live in. The minority bloc in the Congress has made attempts in trying to slow down and ultimately halt the project in its entirety, said Congressman Carlos Zarate of the Bayan Muna party-list. Zarate, a known human rights lawyer, stated in the forum that progress has been slow due to the Congress’ focus on larger matters such as TRAIN, cha-cha, the national ID scheme, and more. While they have tried to file a resolution that may try and protect the affected indigenous people from the construction, this has not yet been given attention by the Lower House. Indeed, they are trying, but perhaps it’s simply not enough.
The NCWS is a network of three dams, namely the Kaliwa Dam, the Kanan Dam, and the Laiban Dam. It would span for 27.7 kilometers, affecting at least 28,000 hectares along the Sierra Madre region. It would start from the Kaliwa Low Dam before extending to the rest of the dams, ultimately ending in a treatment plant for the water to be processed. The thing with the NCWS project that also makes it controversial, besides it being part of the Build, Build, Build program, is that it would have to be constructed and managed by private companies. Constructing such an ambitious dam project that would span more than 27 kilometers entails a budget of 7 to 9 trillion Pesos. This would not be an easy feat to tackle for the government, especially with the other demands that the country has to face. Due to this, they are given no other choice but to get debts from other countries or outside organizations. Besides the taxes taken from the TRAIN, 85% of the Kaliwa Low dam’s budget would be coming from the Official Development Assitance (ODA) of China. This debt was signed for and approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his state visit on November 19-21, 2018. The country also acquired debts from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The thing with loaning from these two organizations is that they have conditions that would require deregulation and liberalization, which would slacken conditions and regulations made by the government. This would put foreign companies at an advantage for competition to see who is most suited to execute the project.
THE THE WATER WATER PROBLEM PROBLEM While we may try to deny it as much as possible, we’re running out of water. The growing population in Metro
Manila means the increase in demands in water and electricity, a feat not easily achieved by the few who provide it. According to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System (MWSS), the combined water we receive from Umiray, Angat, and Putulan dams are simply not enough to quench the thirst of Metro Manila residents as the years go by. Should the dam project not push through, the region would be facing serious water shortages in the near future. Water from the Laiban and Kaliwa Dam would be able to secure the region’s water supply after it is constructed, as well as ensure the comfort of millions of residents around the region.
WATER FROM ABOVE According to Dean Antonio F. Mateo of Adamson University, however, it’s better to pay attention to the sky rather than the ground in terms of water supply. Due to the troublesome weather that the Philippines constantly experiences, it is better to collect rainwater in small-scale manners rather than destroy lands to create large dams to suppress floods and collect groundwater. Rainwater silos are a better alternative, reducing the consumer’s size to that of the community. Mateo also pointed out the faultiness of large dams during his talk in the forum. Large dams would affect the natural flow of rivers, suddenly draining some while flooding others. They are also prone to dam failure that may injure and kill those who live near it. It may erode the coastlines of nearby regions and affect those surrounding it.
THE OTHER BATTLES The Dumagats are not the only ones who are fighting for their place in modern society. The Aeta people are also struggling to stand in their lands as construction is undergoing for New Clark City. The ALCADEV School fights to educate indigenous youth from the Manobo, Higaonon, Banwaon, Talaandig, and Mamanwa tribes in the Caraga region. Progress should not mean the trampling of others when it’s meant to be the progress of all. It is supposed to uplift all sectors of the community to a brighter future where they may live harmoniously with one another. It is up to us to ensure that everyone’s voices are heard as we continuously step into the light, making our way towards development we can all feel together. ∆
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43 Blue Heights
TSUNAMI INFLATION HITS PHILIPPINE HARBORS BY DIANNE MAGALLON
T
he sudden rise of water was approaching, it was the price of goods in the Philippines, in the value of Peso. Rising like tsunamis, inflation rate hits the Philippine harbors and have made over 2 million of the Philippine population go poorer. Last May 4, the exchange of Peso to Dollar hit a minimum of P51.6. This October 1, the exchange rate gradually rose up to P54.9. At more than P53 to $1, the exchange rate has breached the upper limit of the government’s forecast of P50-53 to a dollar for 2018—and this, this is inflation. Inflation, in definition, is the long-term rise in the prices of the goods and services caused by the depreciation of currency. The annual inflation rate had further risen to 6.4% which the Duterte administration did not expect; they miscalculated it. Short run inflation causes a lot of positive effects such as stimulating the country to spend and invest; thus, government will be able to use the money to return it back to the citizens in the form of infrastructures and services. Debtors will be able to pay their debts with money that is less valuable. However, long run inflation is not good for the country. One effect of inflation on consumers is confusion whether a product is reasonably priced or not. Since the economy actually demands more goods and services, the shortage of supply allows producers to raise prices to put an equilibrium between supply and demand. This phenomenon is what we call “Demand-pull inflation”. Philippines Statistics Authority’s data showed that the prices of widely used goods increased by 6.4%, higher than July’s 5.7% and August 2017’s 2.6%. Quoting Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr., he told reporters via Viber last September 5, 2018, “An unfortunate confluence of cost-push factors continues to drive consumer price inflation in Au-
4.6%
gust beyond the acceptable target range. Much of it has to do with food supply shocks, rice in particular.” An aftermath would be the interaction of our local market with the world as Philippines will also be uncompetitive with the exports. The inflation in Philippines is rising faster compared to our national competitors that leads to lower demand of Philippine goods. If the effects are already in a large scale, what more of those who are locally affected by the inflation? According to Rep. Michael Romero of party-list group 1-Pacman, and an economist, inflation “takes away P300 from a family whose members have a combined income of P5,000 a month.” People who are strongly affected by the inflation would have to cope with its effects. They may either choose from earning more, lessen their purchases, or borrow money. On the other hand, people who are directly affected by the inflation experience hunger, loss of jobs, lesser savings, and unsatisfied basic needs. Thinking introspectively, the continuous rise of inflation does not bring good fortune to those whose incomes are not even fixed. It’s hard to save money nowadays and it has now become even harder with our current economic standing. It might be hard for those who receive fixated salary, but those whose budget is not even determined have a harder time calculating their money. If you remember your lolas and lolos telling you stories of how many items they can buy in the grocery while having only P100 inside their wallets, don’t you feel that it’s too good to be true? Well, soon, once you grow older, you can tell your grandchildren of how much you have to spend for a single meal that is enough to fill your stomach. Sure, some rain will bring good harvest, but too much may lead to loss of crops. The case is similar with the rising waves of tsunami inflation. The government should tame the roaring seas before it creates a bigger wave. ∆
5.2%
6.4%
positivity for
you and me by roanne pepito
O
ctober is known as Mental Health month, a time for when we raise awareness on how to take care of what we cannot see: our mental well-being. It is an integral part of our health that must always be maintained, especially for us students as we traverse through our academics. Maintaining good mental health means students can be positive and resilient despite the many obstacles that may come their way. They can healthily bond and have relationships with themselves, their friends, their class, and their family. Self-care is one of the best ways to maintain one’s mental health. A person has to be attentive to his or her needs and wants without compromising that of others. They must be able to grant themselves whatever these would be to promote their own wellbeing. Self-care makes a person more in tune to themselves, more understanding, and more at peace with who they are.
And now, for some methods of self-care:
Method 1: Basic needs
It is always important to pay attention to the most basic needs of a person: sleep, food, water, and breathing. Every now and then, you have to ask yourself: when was the last time you’ve eaten/hydrated/slept? How much food/water/sleep have you had lately? If you’re not having enough of something, then it is best to get to it and sit down with something healthy and delicious, probably with a glass of water, while considering what can be put aside to get some more beauty sleep. Of course, excessive is never healthy. Do everything in moderation.
Method 2: Self-affirmation Look at yourself in the mirror. Now, try saying some of these lines to yourself over and over: “I am unique and special, there is no one like me.” “I am a smart and capable person.” “I am beautiful.” “I’m a great friend to my friends.” “I accept and embrace my imperfections.” “I can make mistakes and that’s okay.”
“I’m going to succeed.” “This is going to be my day.”
Repeat that for as long as you want.
Method 3: Positive perspectives
As we continue on with our daily lives, we may need to remind ourselves that there is more to the hardships and the negativity that seemingly plague it. It can be difficult to see beyond what is right before us, especially when there seems to be nothing worth being positive over. To be positive is resilience and resistance itself to this sort of negativity, acknowledging its reality but also hoping for something far brighter than what it can be. Keeping an optimistic view of the world challenges our spirit of happiness in even dire times, striving towards the light at the end of the tunnel.
Method 4: Relaxation
As they say, do what you love. If your definition of relaxation means turning to hobbies singing, dancing, gaming, reading, binge-watching, then do so with much gusto. If you prefer to catch up and socialize with your family and friends, then take time from your hectic schedule to speak to them. Relaxing and socializing are always good ways to recharge after a long day from school. Disclaimer: Do not proceed to do your hobbies if you still have things such as homework to accomplish. That would be called procrastinating.
Method 5: Prayer
Tapping into our spirituality is also another recommendable way to take care of ourselves, seeing as we are granted peace to ourselves in the presence of the Father. Taking time out of our schedules to sit down and say a little prayer hurts no one and gives us a moment of peace as we pray for whatever it is that troubles us. In the end, how often and how we take care of ourselves is something we can control. By maintaining our mental health, we are able to improve ourselves and remain in tune to what we need most.
5 45 Blue Blue Heights Heights 45
Blue Heights 46
tao sa num3ro
M
araming kagamitan ang mga numero na nakapagpapaginhawa sa buhay ng mga tao simula pa noong mga unang panahon, upang mas maging eksakto ang mga sukat at dami ng bagay kaysa sa mga paglalarawan na “marami” at “kaunti”. Sa kabilang banda, ang problema sa mga numero, ay ang kakayahan nitong burahin at palitan ang mga trahedya at pangyayari sa pagiging simpleng statistiko na lamang. Wala na ang mga tangis, hirap, at panaghoy ng mga taong bumuo nito.
Survey noong 2013 ay nagtatalaga na isa sa bawat sampung 15 19 anyos ay ina na, o nasa 8%. Muli, isipin na kayo ay sampu sa barkada, may posibilidad na isa sa inyo ay mabubuntis sa murang edad. Sa 2013 na report ng DOLE, lagpas 5000 sa mga kababaihang Pilipino ay nagtratrabaho bilang “laborers and unskilled workers”. Nakakukuha lamang sila ng P159 na sweldo bawat araw dahil dito.
MARTIAL LAW (1972)
UNDERNUTRITION
Ayon sa Amnesty International, halos humigit kumulang 34,000 katao ang naging biktima ng karahasan noong panahong Martial Law. Kung sakali ang isang pangkat sa JHS ay may 40 na mag-aaral, 850 na pangkat ang na-tortyur sa loob ng 1972 hanggang 1981. Ang isang departamento ay may 28 na pangkat. Kailangan mo ng 30 na departamento upang masukat ang bilang tao na tinortyur. Sabi rin ng Amnesty International na 3,240 na tao ang namatay. Ang Sister Imburg Covered Court na isang lugar sa St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina ay may seating capacity ng 1,500 na tao na pinagdadausan ng mga iba’t ibang pagdiriwang. Kung ganoon, pwedeng magkasya sa dalawang SICC ang mga taong namatay at pwede pang tumayo ang iba sa mga gilid! Nasa 70,000 ang kinulong noong panahong iyon. Kung gagamitin pa rin ang isang pangkat bilang pamantayan, nasa 1,750 na pangkat ang kinulong sa panahong Martial Law.
Ayon sa ulat ng United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Department of Health (DOH), at National Nutrition Council (NNC), nawala ng 220 bilyon na piso ang Pilipinas dahil sa child undernutrition. Sinasabi rin ng ulat na 29,000 na bata ang namamatay bago silang maging 5 na taong gulang dahil sa malnutrisyon. Kung tatansyahin, ang isang silid-aralan ay may kapasidad ng 40 na mag-aaral. 725 na silid-aralan ang pwedeng mabuo galing sa mga batang namamatay dahil lang hindi sila nakakakain nang maayos. Iniulat ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) noong 2015 na 31% na batang 5-10 anyos ay may kakulangan sa timbang (underweight), habang may parehong porsyento rin sa mga batang ito ay kulang sa tangkad (stunted). Kung tatansyahin,
WAR ON DRUGS
Ayon sa isang pagsusuri ng mga estudyante mula University of Tokyo noong 2017, ang kinokonsumong tubig ng Pilipinas ay tinatantiyang nasa 197.3 bilyong m³. Humigit sa 90% na kinokonsumong tubig dito ay tubig-ulan. Kung ang swimming pool ng SSAM ay 750 m³, nasa 263 milyong swimming pool ng SSAM ang dami ng tubig na ginagamit ng mga Pilipino.
Ayon sa PNP, nasa 22,983 na deaths under inquiry (DUI) pagkatapos ideklara ni Duterte ang laban sa droga. Ipagpalagay natin na ang Mall of Asia Arena ay may full house capacity ng 20,000. Pwedeng mag-kasya ang mga DUI dito, na mayroon pang sobra na naka-tayo sa gilid. Mga P20.77B na kahalagahan ng droga ang kinumpiska ng PNP sa loob ng 2016 at 2018. Kung sakali titignan ang tuition ng isang Grade 11 na mag-aaral ng SSAM, nasa mga 80,000 ang kanyang bayad. Kung ganoon, nasa 259,625 na mag-aaral ang pwedeng malibre ng matrikula gamit ng halagang iyon.
2
Late night talks
nina roanne pepito, maxene lati, at khallyl catalan
HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS
Sa huling ulat ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon (DepEd), nasa 3.6 na milyon na bata ang nag-drop out sa kanilang pagaaral. Ipagpalagay na ang isang silid-aralan ay nakakapag-kasya ng 40 na mag-aaral. Mga 90,000 na silid-aralan ang kailangan upang ipagkasya ang lahat ng mga out of school youth. Pinapakita ng pinakabagong Philippine Statistics Authority survey na isa sa sampung bata na nasa 6-24 taong gulang ay hindi nakakapag-aral. 53% sa mga ito ay nanggagaling sa mga mahihirap na pamilya. Ipalagay na sampu kayong magkakabarkada, maaari na isa sa inyo ay hindi na makapagtutuloy ng pag-aaral bunga ng mga suliraning pinansyal. KABABAIHAN
Ang huling ulat ng Center for Women Resources (CWR) ay nagpapatunay na isang babae o bata ang nabibiktima ng panggagahasa sa bawat isang oras at dalawang minuto. Kung tutuusin, habang ang isa nating klase ay nagtatagal ng isang oras, isang bata o babae na pala ang nabibiktima ng kahalayan sa mga oras na ito. Ang pag-aaral ng National Demographic and Health
8
1
WATER CONSUMPTION
LOGGING
Nawawalan ng 47,000 na hektarya ng kagubtatan ang ating bansa bawat taon, ayon sa datos ng Forest Management Bureau (FMB) ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Kung 5.8 hektarya ang lote ng SSAM, nasa humigit-kumulang 8,100 na SSAM ang laki ng nawawala sa ating kagubatan kada taon. TRAPIKO
₱3.5 B ang nagagastos ng mga Pilipino kada araw dahil lamang sa trapiko, ayon sa datos noong 2017 ng Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Kung ang karaniwang (average) binabayaran upang makapag-enroll sa JHS ay ₱78,000, mga nasa humigit-kumulang 44,900 na mag-aaral ang maaring makapag-enroll sa SSAM. BASURA
Ayon sa Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), bawat residente sa Metro Manila ay nagtatapon ng 1 kg ng basura kada araw. Kung 1000 ang estudyante ng JHS, nakakatapon kung humigit-kumulang ng 1000 kg. Kung ang karaniwang timbang ng isang Pilipina ay 54 kg, ang basura na naitatapon ng bawat mag-aaral ng JHS ay sumusukat sa timbang ng 18-19 na babae. ∆
By Ashley De Belen
M
y dad has always made it a habit to call me at night and ask me about my day while I ask him about his. It’s like a routine that we established for ourselves ever since he became an OFW based in Taiwan. Sure, there were times we forgot or simply didn’t call each other. Maybe it’s because he was out for dinner or I was busy doing school works, but it rarely ever happened. I am a senior in junior high school now. The “ate” as the lower batch would call me and the socalled “role model” to the undergrads. Three years have passed ever since I became a student in this school and truthfully speaking, nothing has changed. I’m still the same old me from three years ago. I’m still having fun with my friends while also balancing my studies and social life, but one thing that did change was that the latenight talks with my dad were now less frequent. I felt sad, incomplete almost. I knew that something was missing. Did I do something wrong? Was he out for dinner? Was he sick and needed rest? My mind was filled with questions but it turns out, the only reason he wasn’t calling me was that he knew that I still wasn’t finished with my school works. “Ayaw lang kitang istorbohin, Ash. There’s plenty of time on weekends to talk.” With so much on my
plate, deciding what to do first now seems impossible. I often find myself dazed, just staring at my to-do list. Sleepless nights became a regular occurrence and
Illustrated by Julia Agustin although I knew I needed to prioritize the things I needed to do, I can’t seem to do so. Everything seemed to be a priority. A priority that I know I have to do. That is when I realized, 24 hours just wasn’t enough for everything that I wanted to do in a day. School has taken a toll on me to the point that I can’t even make time for my own family and even, myself. I was guilty, to
say the least. I knew that I can just manage my time wisely but at this point of the school year, ‘managing my time’ was a challenge. A challenge that I somehow keep failing in. Family bonding and sleep are now sacrifices I have to make as a student and I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks about it. We, unfortunately, live in a world where some people believe that grades define who we are, when in reality, it doesn’t and it never will. This is a sign that the education system we have right now is exhausting. I knew that being a student was hard but I never expected it to come to a point like this. It’s stressful, fun, memorable, tiring and so much more. Truly, no words can describe how it feels to be a student. As I stare at my to-do list and the clock strikes 10 pm, my phone rings signaling that my dad is calling me. I go back and forth between answering it or not but I did anyway. His little words of encouragement are something I desperately need to keep me going. Something that was never given much importance at first was now something that I couldn’t go a day without. The journey will be long. Accompanied with twists, turns, obstacles, and hurdles. It’s just up to us on how we make it to the finish line. ∆
47 Blue Heights
TANGKILIKIN ANG SARILING ATIN NI ROANNE PEPITO
Teacher’s Day
Blue Heights 48
N
oong nakaraang taon, lumabas ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema na umani ng batikos galing sa mga kritiko at mga guro. Ito ay nagsasaad na hindi na kinakailangang maging asignatura ang Filipino at Panitikan sa mga kolehiyo at unibersidad. Depensa naman ng mga sumusuporta sa pagtatanggal ng nasabing asignatura, ang programang K-12 na nagdagdag ng panibagong dalawang taon sa hayskul para sa mga mag-aaral ay may kakayahang ituro ang Filipino nang maayos. Ang wika ang may hawak sa diwa, kultura, at kasaysayan ng isang bansa. Kilala ang Pilipinas sa iba’t ibang bansa dahil sa iba’t ibang salik katulad na lamang ng ating mga pagkain at maraming Pilipino sa ibang bansa ngunit ang wikang Filipino ay nagsisilbin nating pagkakakilanlan na dapat hasain at linangin. Sabi nga ni Jose Rizal, “Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa sa hayop at malansang isda.” Sa aking opinyon, may pinapahiwatig ang hindi natin paghasa at mas masuring pag-aral sa ating sariling wika. Ito ay ng kolonyal na mentalidad sapagkat ang pag-aaral ng Pilipino at Panitikan sa loob ng mga sulok ng mga kolehiyong insitusyon ay mas komprehensibo kaysa sa mga tinuturo sa mas mababang paaralan. Mas maraming natutununan ang mag-aaral sa kolehiyo maliban sa pagkakaiba ng “ng” at “nang” at ilan pang mga karaniwang pagkakamali ng kabataan sa gramatikang Filipino. Mas mabusisi ang pag-aaral sa pilosopiya at kultura ng kasaysayan at iba pang paksang tinatalakay. Hindi naman nakahahamak ang pag-aaral ng ibang wika ng karatig na bansa dahil kung tutuusin, nakatutulong ang pagiging matatas sa ibang wika katulad ng Hangul, Mandarin, Spanish, at iba pa dahil sa pag-usbong ng globalisasyon. Tila isang kalokohan at insulto
nga lang kung ituring na hindi natutukan ang paglinang ng sarili nating wika sa sistema ng ating edukasyon. Dahil dito, unti-unti tayong nalalayo sa ating kultura at wika at tuluyang nawawala ang pagkakakilanlan. Isang ironya na pinahihintulutuan pa ang pagpapanukala na ituro ang lenggwahe ng Korean sajunior hayskul. Sa pag-aaral ng hayskul at kolehiyo, iilan lamang na mga asignaturang gumagamit ng Filipino bilang wika pagtuturo. Daig pa ang paggamit ng wikang Ingles kaysa sa Filipino kapag nasa loob ng silid-aralan. Kapag tinanggal na ang Filipino at Panitikan sa ating mga kolehiyo, hindi ba’t lalong maglalaho ang pagmamahal ng kabataan sa kanilang wika? Oo, ang wikang Ingles at ang wikang Filipino ay mga wika ng ating bansa na kailangan nating matutunan ngunit ang kolonyal na mentalidad ng maraming Pilipino, kabilang na ang mga may kapangyarihan ang naglalayo sa mga mamamayan, lalo na sa mga kabataan, sa pagmamahal ng sariling atin. May mga bagay na mas naiintindihan at nadarama kung sinasambit ito sa wikang Filipino. May sarili itong diwa na wika ng ating tahanan, lungsod, at bansa. Ang Ingles naman, sa kabilang banda, ay nagdadala ng sarili nitong kagandahan at kagitingan. May sarili itong kapangyarihan at paglalaro sa mga salita na masarap pakinggan ngunit hindi kasing galing ng wikang Filipino. Ito pa rin ay wikang dayuhan, na sapilitang itinuro ng mga mananakop at hindi nagdadala ng parehong kalabit sa ating sariling lenggwahe. Sa huli, dapat natin tangkilin ang sariling wika. Ito ang ating pagkakakilanlan bilang isang Pilipino na dapat nating ipagmalaki at ipamahagi sa mundo. Kailangan nating hasain ang ating kasanayan sa paggait ng sariling wika sa pamamagitan ng pagyakap at pagtangkilik dito. ∆
last october 5, blue heights asked
teachers: What motivates you to tea ch
“When I was still studying, I was very motivated to learn because my mentors were inspiring which. made me want to teach as well Now, I am happy to say that I am tI able to teach my students whaire insp also and re befo ned lear them to do the same.”
— Mrs. Ingrid Delfino
your students?
“Whenever I see students struggling in their academics, specifically in Math. This servest as my motivation because I wan to help them improve.” — Ms. Joannabelle Zita
“My students. (smiles)” — Mrs. Gloria Diuco
“So yung pagtuturo sa studentsn, syempre gusto ko sila mabigya ng knowledge about my specialization and motivation ko rin yung family ko.” — Ms. Ritania Francisco
“This is my bread and butter. It’st not my ambition to teach. I wanre to become an agriculturist befo but I ended up loving to teach.” — Sir Joselito Pascual
“The eagerness and the passion to share the uniqueness, the beauty and the richness of mathematics. I want to instill in them that doing the best in everything that they do, ‘God will be glorified!’”
— Mrs. lina Sierra
“Of course, I was motivated byI my teacher before that’s why want my students to teach and see their own potential.” — Ms. Charity Faminialagao
49 Blue Heights
Blue Heights 50
The History Equation:
Y R TO IS H E IN P IP IL H P G IN K N U DEB By Khallyl Catalan and Genesis Ragunton
L
ong foregone centuries, oral and occasionally misinterpreted information, and erroneous depictions are only few of the many reasons as to why certain events in history have strayed from the original truth. With the nature of unofficial news and how it can so easily spread to ever-attentive ears, facts often end up separating from fiction, and sayings are warped to the point where they resemble little of what they once were. With the right study, however, common yet inaccurate knowledge can quickly be corrected, returning to its proper roots instead of being lured farther away by word of mouth. Here are some myths from our own country’s history, and the truth behind each of them. MYTH: Blood is withdrawn from the wrists during blood compacts. FACT: In the year 1565, the Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi entered into a blood compact (“sandugo”) to secure a peace treaty with Datu Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol. Contrary to popular belief, the ritual was not done by drawing blood from their arms, but instead, just below the breast, signifying the length that both participants would go through in order to defend each other’s lives. This likewise proved the mutual exchange of trust between both parties, considering the vulnerability of having a blade pierce the body so near to the heart. The misconception that blood was drawn on the arms could be attributed to the same practice done by the members of the Katipunan in later years, as a means of signing their oath of membership. MYTH: Lapu-Lapu fought Magellan and brought about the explorer’s death with his own hands. FACT: Though there is much glory to be had for Lapu-Lapu and his men for fending off the invaders from Spain, Ferdinand Magellan was begrudgingly killed by another warrior. With the Spaniards armed with guns and protected by their armor, the battle had initially gone well. However, the tide was quick to change as Magellan and his few dozen companions were assaulted endlessly by more than a thousand natives, whilst fighting in
the densely-forested inlands of Mactan, Cebu. The Mactanis easily placed the foreign men at a disadvantage by targeting their legs and arms, exposed by the limbs’ lack of armor. In the end, the heavily injured Magellan faced off alone against the natives after staying behind to allow his men to escape, despite having taken a poisoned arrow to the leg as well as several slashes and stab wounds in his extremities and face. The explorer managed to injure and kill a few of the opposing combatants, taking his last breath on the beach after inevitably being overwhelmed. MYTH: Dr. Jose Rizal was the author of the poem “Sa Aking mga Kabata”. FACT: “Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika mahigit pa sa hayop at malansang isda.” This famous quote is believed to have appeared in the poem, “Sa Aking mga Kabata”, written by Dr. Jose Rizal. However, in an interview on GMA News, Xiao Chua, Professor and TV host of ‘It’s Xiao Time’, stated that, “Walang ebidensiya na isinulat ni Rizal ito. Walang anything na nag-po-point out na mayroon siyang tula na isinulat noong 8 years old siya.” According to scholars, Rizal used the word “kalayaan” twice in the poem. Yet, he once wrote to his brother Paciano in 1882, with a query regarding the meaning of the word. “Basically, sinasabi niya na hindi ko alam ang salitang kalayaan na ginagamit ni Marcelo H. Del Pilar kasi wala ito sa Florante at Laura. Kaya tinatanong niya si Paciano kung ano itong kalayaan na ito.” Xiao said. Another guest, Dr. Jose Victor Torres, Professor from De La Salle University, likewise added, “Nang suriin ng mga literary researchers, kasama ang National Artist for Literature na si Virgilio Almario at Ambeth Ocampo, may mga detalye ng tula na hindi tugma sa panahon. Bagamat sinasabi natin na boy genius siya, hindi pa rin kapani-paniwala na siya ang gumawa.” MYTH: Jose Rizal’s execution was concluded with turning his back after being shot. FACT: Prior to Rizal being shot from behind, he did fall forward on his back facing the sun, an action debated
whether it is intentional or not. The Capitan Militar de la Sanidad, or medical officer, then approached Rizal’s body and checked his pulse. Though it was unstated if the hero was able to survive the firing squad’s blow, the medical officer ushered one of the soldiers to give Rizal a tiro de gracia, a shot from a near range. MYTH: Prisoners of World War II drowned to death in Fort Santiago. FACT: According to Dr. Victor Torres, an archaeological research conducted in the 1980s concluded that water levels underneath Fort Santiago did not reach its dungeons. He added that the myths may have surfaced from records documenting a chamber flood below the area’s land known as “El Tambo”, or “devil’s drum” in English. In fact, there were indeed fatalities in the prison, though they were due to suffocation instead. MYTH: Cedulas were torn in half during the Cry of Balintawak. FACT: Whenever this historical event is uttered or mentioned, what often comes to mind is the tearing of cedulas (community tax certificates) by members of the Katipunan, led by Andres Bonifacio. In truth, there is more to The Cry of Balintawak than simply Bonifacio and his followers crying for a revolution and tearing apart the contracts. Top-ranking members of the organization, along with their own leader and founder, would repeatedly meet and discuss in hiding during a time when the Spanish authorities had discovered their existence. Not all leaders of the Katipunan were in favor of the uprising: three of them being Teodora Plata, Briccio Pantas and Pio Valenzuela. It was only after Bonifacio managed to implead the majority that the revolution finally progressed—the tearing of the cedulas was no more than an afterthought, which could be the reason behind the varying accounts of the Cry MYTH: Emilio Aguinaldo waved the Philippine flag after gaining independence from Spain outside his balcony. FACT: This misconception during Independence Day remains to be widely known and accepted among.
Filipinos. Contrary to one of the most popularized beliefs, it was lawyer and Jose Rizal’s distant relative Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista who proclaimed the Declaration of Independence and raised the flag before spectators, proud of what was yet to be only short-term freedom. The waving of the flag took place outside a window in Aguinaldo’s residence at Kawit, Cavite. The balcony was only constructed decades later, in about 1919 to 1921. MYTH: The first shot that ignited the Philippine-American War happened on a bridge. FACT: Assumed to take place on the San Juan Bridge in 1899, the first shot fired during the Fil-Am war was actually at Sociego Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila. Private William W. Grayson, a soldier from America, was responsible for shooting the Filipino Corporal Anastacio Felix, the first casualty of the war. “In a moment, something rose up slowly in front of us. It was a Filipino. I yelled ‘Halt!’ and made it pretty loud, for I was accustomed to challenging the officer of the guard in approved military style. I challenged him with another loud ‘Halt!’ Then, he shouted ‘halto!’ to me. Well, I thought the best thing to do was to shoot him. He dropped. If I didn’t kill him, I guess he died of fright,” Grayson said in a newspaper article. The National Historical Institute (NHI) did acknowledge the bridge to be the spot where the conflict broke out, until on February 4, 2004 where the event’s marker was relocated to the corners of streets Sociego and Silencio. MYTH: Apolinario Mabini was paralyzed because of syphilis. FACT: Lacking in brawn, yet making up for such loss with his brain, Apolinario Mabini used his brilliance to encourage every Filipino to fight for independence, earning him the names “The Brain of the Revolution” and “The Sublime Paralytic” despite the syphilis believed to paralyze and place him upon a wheelchair. According to Dr. Victor Torres of the same interview from the previous myth, “Matagal nang kuwento [‘yan] hanggang 1920s na si Mabini raw ay naparalisa dahil sa syphilis o sa isang Sexually Transmitted Disease.” Upon Mabini’s death, an autopsy was conducted to further examine his bone condition. It was through this that they found out the real rea-
Illustrated by Rafaela Salazar
son behind his paralysis. “Hinukay ang labi niya para ma-settle na once and for all ‘yung usapin. Lumalabas na polio militis at walang germs ng venereal disease ‘yung labi ni Mabini,” stated Augusto Deviana, Chairperson of UST History Department and the third guest to the GMA News history discussion. MYTH: Ferdinand Marcos was the first to declare Martial Law. FACT: Former President Ferdinand Marcos is thought to be the first and only person who proclaimed martial law in 1972. In actuality, credit for the first declaration belongs to his Minister of Public Information Francisco “Kit” Tatad, who delivered the proclamation on air at 3 PM of September 23, 1972. Marcos himself would appear on television much later at 7:15 PM of the same evening, strong-faced and pointedly informing the people of his intentions behind the decision. MYTH: 1 peso was equivalent to 1 dollar during Martial Law. FACT: The closest the PHP currency got to a USD was 3.9 pesos in 1965, when Marcos was new to the presidency. A budget of 50 million pesos was spent to ensure his re-election in 1969, increasing the inflation rate that will result to loaning money from the World Bank in the early ‘70s. MYTH: Many infrastructures were built during Marcos regime, hence the PH was prosperous. FACT: Some of Marcos’ monumental infrastructures may have highlighted the arts and healthcare, but it is worth bearing in mind that these ambitions were debt-driven from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, causing a booming inflation. These projects were also partly fulfilled by war rehabilitation funds. MYTH: Poverty rate was low during Marcos administration. F A C T : When foreign tourists came to visit, First Lady Imelda Marcos proposed building whitewashed concrete to serve as covering for the slums. Insufficient health services and the spike of malnutrition in rural areas became prevalent. A Negros local Joel Abong became the symbol of the
country’s poverty in 1985, after his own photo of his emaciated figure gained attention. Abong was one of the every fifth children in Negros to be alarmingly malnourished, after 190,000 sugar workers lost their job. MYTH: Filipinos were more disciplined at the time of Marcos. FACT: Marcos forced civilians to comply with his laws out of fear of being punished. Members of the New People’s Army (NPA) —which escalated after Martial Law declaration— and a group of student leaders were some of the 70,000 arrests, 34,000 tortured and 3,240 murder cases. Every Filipino who exposed their contrary political beliefs were also victimized. Instead of these civilians whose intention is to make a stand, it was the military who lost their discipline, abusing their free use of power. Meanwhile, the former President had not acted upon this. ∆ References: Diario de Filipinas. (2011, December 30). Exclusive Interview - An Eyewitness Account of Rizal’s Execution. Retrieved from http://diariodefilipinas.tumblr. com/post/15006141688/exclusive-interview-an-eyewitness-account-of Dumindin, A. (n.d). FIL-AM WAR BREAKS OUT - Philippine-American War, 1899-1902. Retrieved from https://philippineamericanwar.webs. com/filamwarbreaksout.htm Filipiknow. (2018, June 1). 11 Things from Philippine history everyone pictures incorrectly. Retrieved from https://filipiknow.net/ things-from-philippine-history-everyone-pictures-incorrectly/amp/ GMA News Online. (2015, November 12). Top 10 hoaxes in Philippine history. Retrieved from h t t p s : / / w w w. gmanetwork. com/news/ newstv/ angpinaka/544140/ top-10-hoaxes-in-philippine-history/ story/
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NEW TEACHERS
20 | Bachelor of Technical Teacher Education | Marikina Polytechnic College (2018) | Science
I chose to teach at SSAM because our school is one of the best Catholic schools here in Marikina. It is known for its good learning environment and student’s academic excellence. I can incorporate the theme and focus for this year in the topics of Earth Science through values integration. I am expecting the students to do their best and to glorify the name of the Lord.
25 | Bachelor of Science in Biology | St. Paul University QC (2013) | Science I chose to teach at SSAM because it is a Catholic institution. Being in a Catholic institution makes me feel safe because you pray, worship, and work as one. I can incorporate this year’s theme and focus into teaching by placing God in the center of everything because God called me to be part of this institution and following Him will result to excellence. I expect students to have the dedication to learning, to be well-organized, respectful, dynamic, humble, Christ-centered, and global learners. Students can expect me to be friendly, trustworthy, nice and I can help them to learn the subject matter.
20 | Bachelor of Technical Teacher Education | Marikina Polytechnic College (2018) | Genyo
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Teaching at SSAM is a huge privilege and opportunity especially for those people who need a good relationship with God. But the main purpose that I chose this school is to implement the important significance of computer in our daily lives. We need to prepare the students for their future because along with reading and writing, the ability to utilize the computer is going to define what an educated person is. I can incorporate this year’s theme and focus by implementing effective and efficient program. We can preserve servant leadership. By using technology, we can help the student reach the theme and focus in this year. My expectations to the students is that they’re willing to participate in the collaborative development and participate in the school decision making and potential development. The student can expect that I will create new environment for learning especially for the diversity of learners.
21 | Bachelor in Physical Education | Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (2018) | PE & Health I chose to teach in SSAM because before, I actually dreamt to study here. SSAM is known for being a school with high standards and disciplined students. I can incorporate the theme and focus by relating it to my lesson. I will also try to connect it to the activities I will give to them. My expectations from the students is that they will be well disciplined, fast learners, talented and very active to any kind of activity. The students will learn many things from me.
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22 | Bachelor of Technical Teacher Education Major in Physics for Technology | Marikina Polytechnic College (2017) | Science I find teaching not just as a career but also a way of serving God because when we teach, we must also incorporate values, and that’s why I chose to teach at SSAM. We teachers, were really called to serve and to be role models of our students. I really look at my students as future leaders of their generations and so as their teacher, I always look into it that the values of being a responsible leader and citizen in the future can be applied and reflected through the activities and routines inside my class. I expect them to be respectful, responsible and disciplined. In return, they can expect me to do the same thing to them and to be fair at all times. They can also expect me to be approachable and helpful enough in guiding them towards their goals.
21 | Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy | St. Camillus College Seminary (2018) | CLE Honestly, I have various reasons why I chose SSAM over any other. On the practical plane, the setting is convenient to me since it is close to my residence. More so, I have colleagues here that are also my companions when I was still in the seminary. But on the deeper level, I chose this school because I was deeply fascinated by its spirituality and environment. As it appears to me, it has very huge resemblance to our seminary. For this reason, I am home in SSAM. The means to incorporate this year’s theme are I think irreducible. However, as for me, I can concretize it by totally dedicating myself to my vocation as a teacher. One way or another, I have to perform my duty no matter what. I expect them to be engaged and interested in the course of CLE because with no strings attached, I am firmly convinced that the subject is not just mere repetition of what is nonsensical and trivial. It is above all our moral compass towards our self-actualization.
27 | Fine Arts | University of the Philippines-Diliman (2013), Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris (2013) | Art After taking up Fine Arts, I have had a wonderful experience finding myself and showing my works in different parts of the world. At some point, I felt that my craft has kept me away from my roots, the very thing that also propelled me. Thinking that I’d ground myself back, I knew I had meaningful exchange and circle back to where I owe my education, the institution that supported my passion that started with painting angels with my mother for her bulletin board even before I started formal schooling. I can incorporate this year’s theme because I see that my teaching experience here and St. Scholastica’s College Manila, previously, as an extension of my personal art practice. I envision art-making beyond the walls of the studio, engaging with real people and making art with them towards greater good. I expect, hopefully, a classroom filled with creative collaborators and out of the box thinkers.
22 | Secondary Education Major in Religious Education | University of Santo Tomas (2018) | CLE It was the divine will that pointed SSAM as the school where I will teach. I never intended or dreamt of teaching here; it was pure accident how I ended up becoming a teacher. I have to make my students realize that the ‘Calling to be One in Excellence and Service’ will never be possible without the help of the Holy Spirit. As a CLE teacher and soon-to-be theologian, I should teach my students the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They have a lifetime to properly answer the two questions that I gave to them. “Who is Jesus?” and the other one, “Where does He come from?”. I would be very proud if they answer these questions correctly. They can also expect a CLE subject with so many insights and topics that were never discussed before.
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NEW LIFE MENTORS Blue Heights 54
21 | Bachelor of Science in Education in MAPEH | The National Teachers’ College | Art At first, I really wanted to stay at home for just 1 year. I want to feel the vacation but I realized that I’m starving for the experience of being a teacher. So, I passed my resumes to all schools out there and suddenly, SSAM texted me about demo teaching. Since this is the first school that contacted, I grabbed it with all my heart. As a teacher, the students can use the knowledge that they get from me to apply their leadership skills and help other people around them. As an art teacher, they can use their artworks to show the nationalistic person they are and how to influence others. From the question about the expectations to my students since this is an all-girls institution, I expect that their outputs would be more creative. Aside from that, since I am a MAPEH teacher, I really expect that they are more competent when it comes to performances. Students can expect me to teach because whatever activity they will do, I’ve already done before.
28 | Bachelor of Science in Psychology | Polytechnic University of the Philippines (2011)
I chose to work here at SSAM because I find the school’s core values aligned with my personal values. I am also inspired by the Benedictine Sisters, the school environment, the students, and by the other members of the school community that reflect simplicity of lifestyle. I am truly blessed to serve in this institution. I can incorporate this year’s theme and focus by setting examples to our students such as helping other who are in need, encouraging students to be good students and to continue developing the servant leader in me. As a guidance counselor, my expectation for the students is that they would be able to feel that guidance services are for everybody. The students should realize that counselors are here to support their holistic development. The students can expect from me the compassion and understanding that they all deserve. At the same time, the students can expect that I will encourage them to maintain the self-discipline inside and outside the school community for them to grow as Benedictine leaders.
22 | Bachelor of Technical Teacher Education Major in Physics | Marikina Polytechnic College 2017) | Science To be honest, I have no intention to pursue my teaching career. I was just referred to apply here and fortunately, I was hired. But staying here so far makes me continue what I am meant to be. This school made me realize to keep looking back to the reason why I started. I must say, teaching could be the hardest job but being able to touch the students’ lives is something to be treasured and I’m grateful I started it in SSAM. I would incorporate this year’s theme and focus in my teaching by the means of bringing out the best from my students which also included me as an agent of learning and letting them to apply these learning to the extent of their capabilities in serving and helping other people, protecting Mother Earth as a member of the community. There is only one thing I expect from my students, respect. Because respect begets respect. It will take one to show respect to be respected too, knowing that this is a Catholic school.
21 | Bachelor of Mathematics Education | Philippine Normal University (2018) | Mathematics I chose to teach here at SSAM to share my knowledge and passion in Mathematics to my students and to become academically excellent and socially responsible. I yearn to encourage my fellow women to become the best person they can be. I can incorporate this year’s theme and focus in my teaching through teaching my lessons based on my students’ prior knowledge, approaching them especially when they need help on understanding the lesson and continuously learning as my students are learning. I expect that they should be attentive every time I have a class discussion with them, be open when they need to say something and be honest if they don’t truly understand the lesson. Most of all, I expect that they will instill growth mindset towards studying math. The students can expect that I will provide challenging tasks which will help them to go beyond their current limits.
26 | Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2012) | St. Joseph’s College QC I chose to teach here in SSAM because it has a good working environment, good teaching strategies and the school is known to listen to the students’ needs. I can incorporate this year’s theme because being a servant leader means that you have to be compassionate with your students. Compassionate in a way that you have to listen to the students’ concern and help them cope up with their problems. In addition to being compassionate, I am committed to help the students by giving them a positive atmosphere inside the classroom. I expect the students to be humble and to trust me because I am always ready to listen and help them.
NEW librarian 23 | Bachelor of Library and Information Science | Centro Escolar University-Manila (2016) Aside from SSAM being my alma mater and being near to my residence, I chose to work here because I want to give back all the good teachings that they invested in me, and hopefully I’ll be able to influence our Scholasticans in a positive and godly way. As child and servant of God, I can incorporate this year’s theme by serving students and other people without asking something in return and encouraging them to reach for their goals in life. I expect my students to live by the teachings of St. Benedict and apply it to their daily work. They can expect from me that I will give my best in my work and help them in any way I can.
b a p a r maaga ang tal s a ilipin 55 Blue Heights
hi
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araniwang isinasa-walang bahala ng gobyerno ang paghingi ng pondo ng mga lokal na opisyal ng barangay o kahit mismo ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan. Kahit na may malaking itong posibilidad makatulong sa maraming nasa laylayan ng lipunan, hindi nila ito napahihintulutan dahil sa rason na “walang pera” at “hindi mayaman” ang Pilipinas. Kaya siguro hindi libre ang pagpapagamot ng mga tao, maski ang healthcare ay dapat isang karapatan. Dahil dito, hindi na bago sa mga Pilipino na makakita na kahit sa pasilyo ng mga pampublikong ospital, may nakaratay na pasyenteng hindi nabibigyan ng karampatang lunas dahil walang kagamitan ang isang ospital na nasa ilalim ng pamamalakad ng gobyerno. Sa kabilang banda, kaya siguro hindi malinang ng maraming pampublikong paaralan ang kalidad ng kanilang pagtuturo dahil sa kawalan ng mga guro na magtitiis sa maliit na sahod, kawalan ng pasilidad, silid-aralan, at kagamitan para sa mga mag-aaral. Subalit sa mga napapanahong isyu na lumalabas at mga batas na naipapatupad ngayon, bakit parang marami namang badyet ang Pilipinas?
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Tila para bang sadyang pinagkakaitan lang ang taumbayan ng mga karapatan ng mga taong inuuna ang kanilang pansariling interes? Tila para bang hindi nagkakaroon ng tamang pamamahagi ng pondo sa mga sektor ng pamahalaan at hindi lang maayos ang paggastos nito? Kamakailan lamang nagsilabasan ang mga iskandalong kinasasangkutan ng Department of Tourism o DOT, na nagtulak sa kalihim na si Wanda Teo at ang kanyang asawa na magbitiw sa pwesto. Ito ay sa kadahilanang nasiwalat ang paglalaan ng ₱60M sa mga patalastas ng DOT sa programa ni Ben Tulfo, ang kapatid ni Teo, sa network na PTV. Nangako ang magkakapatid na Tulfo na bayaran ang pondong nilaan ngunit magpahanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nila ito ibinabalik na nanggaling mismo sa isang pahayag ng bagong kalihim na si Bernadette Puyat. Isa pa rito ang pinamumunuan ni Cesar Montano na ₱300M Buhay Carinderia Project na naglalayong ipakita sa buong mundo ang Filipino cuisine at delicacies na kaduda-duda sa laki ng pondo at sa marketing nitong parang pinabayaan lamang. Mahigit ₱80M na ang nagastos para sa paunang bayad ngunit bumaba na rin sa pwesto si Montano at sinisi ang dating kalihim sa mga nangyari. Dahil dito, pinatigil ni Sec. Puyat lahat ng programa sapagkat, sa kanyang mga salita, “daan daang milyon” ang ginagastos at naglilibot sa mundo ang mga opisyal gamit ang pera ng bayan. Dapat ba tayong magsaya, kung nagamit na ang mga pera
at nagbitiw lamang ang opisyal ng gobyerno at walang pananagutan? Isa pa ang barangay health stations na proyekto ng dating kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan na si Secretary Janette Garin. Layunin nitong magkaroon ng 5.7k units upang may pagamutan ang mga tao bawat barangay na may pondong ₱8.1B. Ngunit sa pagpaplano pa lamang ay kahina-hinala na ito sapagkat bakit ilalagay sa isang paaralan ang barangay health station? Hindi ba mahahawa ang mga mag-aaral sa samu’t saring sakit? Sa kasamaang palad ay inapruba ito ng mga dating opisyal ng DOH ngunit walong units lang ang nakumpleto at wala rin garantiya na mataas ang kalidad nito. Nabulok lamang ang ilang pinatayong istasyon o kaya’t natapos. Kasalukuyang nagtuturuan na ngayon ang mga opisyal at ang contractor na J. Bros Construction Corporation sa anomalyang nangyari. Bumili rin ng iba’t ibang drones at cameras ang Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency o PDEA, na humigit kumulang ₱189M upang mas maayos ang dokumentasyon ng mga drug operations, ngunit hindi gumagana ang mga drug operations, ngunit hindi gumagana ang mga CCTVs sa mga pampublikong lugar tuwing mangyayari ang mga extra judicial killings. Hindi ba’t kataka-taka ito? Usap-usapan din ang campus drug testing na magkakahalaga ng ₱4B na sa aking opinyon ay hindi naman talaga makakatulong sa pagsugpo ng droga. Bukod pa rito, kasalukuyan nang nasa estado ng deliberasyon ang Senado sa pag-apruba ng ₱3.757 trilyon na pambansang pondo para sa 2019. Kahindik-hindik isipin na ilang bilyong piso ang inilipat ng mga senador sa ibang sektor at ahensiya dahil raw sa mga anomalyang nais ikubli ng mga
NI MAXENE LATI
kongresista. Kung ito ay naisiwalat ng ilang mga opisyal, paano pa ang mga katotohanang itinatago lamang sa ilalim ng lamesa? Ang mga korapsyong hindi pa naibubunyag sa taumbayan? Ang mga katotohanang pilit pa ring inililihim ng mga gahaman? Gayung malaking halaga ng pondo sa para sa taong ito ay inutang sa mga lokal at internasyonal na mga institusyon at bangko―pati na rin sa Tsina ay kawawa ang Pilipinas lalo na ang mga susunod na henerasyon. Lagi na lamang ang mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at mga maliliit na manggagawa ang tinatapakan ng mga elitista at oligarkiyang pamilyang nagpapaikot sa Pilipinas. At ngayon, tuluyan nang nagkaroon ng kasunduan ang Pilipinas at Tsina na magtulungan upang makapagpatayo ng mga imprastraktura sa Pilipinas na parang maraming hinuhugutang layunin. Makakapag-labor export na ang Tsina sa dami ng kanilang lakas paggawa at mapaiigting ang relasyon ng Pilipinas at Tsinang may kapalit na joint exploration sa West Philippine Sea na maaaring maging isa sa mga
pinakamalalaking fuel reserve sa mundo. Totoo ba talagang mahirap ang Pilipinas? Siguro nga. Napakahirap ng Pilipinas sa mga matatapat na pulitikong naninilbihan. Sa mga taong may lakas ng loob upang baguhin ang nakagisnang bulok na sistema. Sa prinsipyo at dangal. Sa hustisyang napagkaitan. Sa dami ng mga problema sa bansa, sa ilang dekadang pangungulimbat sa kaban ng bayan ng mga dinastiya’t mga opisyal at sa dami ng mga karapatan nating nagiging pribilehiyo na lamang, bakit hindi natin simulang panagutin ang mga nagdaang pinuno sa kanilang mga kasalanan at palyadong salita at gawa bilang isang pampublikong maninilbihan? Ako na ang sasagot d’yan. Dahil sa sistema—ang sistema na dapat patas at walang kinikilingan ay hindi nakakaabot sa mga nasa taas ng piramido. Habang sila’y malaya gamit ang pera ng mga nasa baba, nakukulong lamang ang mga nasa pinakamahihirap na sektor at madalas ay hindi pa maayos ang hurisdiksyon at hatol sa kanila. Maswerte na sila pag-umabot pa sila sa paglilitis, ngunit ang mga gyera sa mahihirap katulad “OPLAN
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Tokhang” at “OPLAN RODY” ay madalas tinatanggalan ng karapatang mabuhay at karapatan humarap sa paglilitis. Ang parehong sistemang nagpilit ng dalawang taon pa sa hayskul na may kaakibat na pangakong pagkatapos no’n ay pwede ng magtrabaho. Ngunit bakit karamihan ng mga kumpanya’t opisina ay hindi tumatanggap ng hindi nakatatapos ng dalawang taon sa kolehiyo? Sa ekonomiyang ito, maski ang mga nakapagtapos ay hindi rin makahanap ng trabahong may disenteng sahod dahil sa kawalan ng oportunidad. Ang sistema na hindi pinapaunlad ang kalidad at hindi ginagawang libre ang edukasyon, nang sa ganoon ay sila pa rin ang iboboto ng mga mahihirap na walang kakayahang tanggihan ang lilimang daan. Ang sistemang ginagawang iliterato ang karamihan ng kanilang mga nasasakupan at kinundisyon ang mga nasa mababa at gitnang klase na magalit at makalimot sapagkat wala naman tayong magagawa. Ang sistemang ito ay hindi para sa mga maliliit—ngunit para sa mga kapitalista, imperyalista, pasista at mga politikal na dinastiya. ∆
Para sa akin, oo, mahirap ang Pilipinas. Mahirap ang bansa sa halos lahat ng aspeto ng buhay, pang-ekonomiko, panlipunan, at pampolitikal. Walang araw na walang balitang tungkol sa krimen, sa mga tiwaling opisyal, at pati narin sa mga taong kailangan ng suporta ng gobyerno. Walang manlilimos kung di mahirap ang Pilipinas, walang informal settlers kung di mahirap ang Pilipinas, walang mga katiwaliang mangyayari kung di mahirap ang Pilipinas. Sa likod ng mga matataas na mga gusali, matagumpay na mga negosyante, at mayayamang tao, makikita ang kahirapang nararanasan ng mga Pilipino. –Bianca Capag, grade 10
o y r a t n e m ko
Iginuhit ni Dianne Magallon
Kung ako ang tatanungin, hindi mahirap ang Pilipinas sapagkat ang tunay na mahirap ay ang kaniyang mamamayan. Ang arkipelago na ating ginagalawan ay puno ng iba’t ibang yaman. Napakayaman ng ating bansa kung ikukumpara sa mga bantog na nasyon gaya na lamang ng Tsina. Kaya nga lamang, ang yaman ng Pilipinas ay hindi dama ng masa dahil nagkukumpol lamang ang yaman ng sambayanang Pilipino sa iilang mga pamilya. Ang mga mayaman ay mas yumayaman gayun din ang mga mahihirap na mas humihirap. Tunay na masagana sa likas na yaman ang ating Inang Bayan sa sari-sari nitong mga dulugan at kung tayo’y magkakaisa tungo sa pag-unlad, walang dudang tayo’y magtatagumpay. Hindi mahirap ang Pilipinas; mahirap ang mga Pilipino. –Alaine Mero, grade 9
Kung tutuusin, mayaman naman talaga ang Pilipinas. Maraming mga yamang likas at mga magagandang kultura sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa, ngunit nasa tao na lamang talaga ang dahilan kung bakit nagiging mahirap ang Pilipinas. Kadalasan ay inaabuso ng mga opisyal ang kapangyarihang meron sila kaya nagiging mahirap ang bansa natin. –Danella Cortes, grade 8
Para sa ‘kin, hindi mahirap ang Pilipinas dahil marami namang magagandang isla sa ating bansa na maaaring maging tourist spots at maaaring dayuhin ng mga tao. Marami ring pinagkukunang yaman ang Pilipinas at isa sa ating katangian ang pagiging malikhain. Halimbawa na lamang ang Marikina na kilalang kilala sa mga produktong sapatos. Ngunit laganap talaga ang korapsyon sa bansa kung kaya’t nagiging mukhang “mahirap” ito. –JV, grade 7
57 Blue Heights
58 Blue Heights
tula ng mga kulasang
manunulat mula sa Blue Height
s
tula - isang uri ng pani tikan na nagbibigay diin sa ritmo, mga tunog, paglalarawan at mga paraan ng pagbibig ay ng mga kahulugan ng mga salita
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ii. Sa kanyang dugo’y may umaalab na Hindi mapap apoy awi ng kahit na sino Hindi nawaw ala sa kanya g pagkatao Ang tinataw ag na ginintu ang prinsipyo Binasbasan sa apoy ang Kulasa At pinasibak sa digmaang walang kata Na sa bawat pusan patak ng paw is Na lumilikha siya ng karu nungan
may ii. g Diyos na n a y si is g Hinu igan at paninind kadakilaan g dangal wan Binigyan n kinagagala g n a iy n a k g sa mundon y may awit mga labi a g n ag kapwa a y n a k Sa ka, pakikip a ib ik k a p , a ng pagkais gyayari ng ngayon pan apon sa o k ti Kri ukas at kah b g n l o g g n Tagapagta Iginuhit ni Halle Marcelino at Jamie Imperio
iii. Sa kanyan g pagsasan ay ‘Di nalilim utan niya a ng kanyan Upang ma g ora gpa Inaruga’t in salamat sa kanyang Diyos na alagaan pa ra maging instrumento Na sa kany ang pamum hay Ng mga art ista at litera ’y nagiging paralum an to sa kanil Huwaran n ang mga o gk bra Sa kanya su ababaihan, lider ng kinabukasa misibol an n g pagbaba go’t kalaya an ―Roanne
kulasa
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Here I am again playing with my own contingency If I tell you my inner mind would you see me as a divergency I feel feeble and I couldn’t tell you Because you’d blacken all the things that I do If I’d tell you my secrets would you consider them in a state of sympathy Or will you use my own words against me I live in a world that no one else could see Even by just saying it seems like I’m giving someone a kin of key That could open doors to everything I write And I thought that if I told you reality might seem right I don’t use pen and paper just because of nothing And it screams every word I’m feeling It takes two to tango In my own soliloquy I want solitude while everyone would just pass and go Does it ring a bell? Probably you’d heard it from someone in ropes who had scars to show and tell You’d only realize that it’s a little too late If a soul wanders far from your own very gate Here I am again playing with my own uncertainty This is why I’ll keep my mouth shut for probably an eternity Sequestered and I couldn’t tell you Because you had blacken my papers and the things that I do I told you my inner state of mind I wouldn’t make such a mistake again Because in the world of Lady Justice There’s no such thing as forget and rewind ―Hannah Bombeo
Pepito Malamig na ang simoy ng hangin. bituin. Kitang-kita na ang kinang ng bawat ngin. pani ng inyo sa gabi Tila mapayapang ? amin sa para Ngunit Mga darili’y muling kukulangin, dahil sisimulan na namang bilangin, angin. mga buhay na walang awa kung pasl
uhan. mi ang iyong ta stuhan. Inang bayan, ka n sa iyong kagu yo aa na ng na i m Gamitin mo ka pangmaharlika. reyna sa larong ng sa ye pi g an Ikaw sakuna. namin mula sa ka n ha ta ek ot Popr
Ipaglalaban namin ang iyong wika at panitikan, mga bagay na siyang naging kal asag at sandalan Sa tuwing ang iyong mga baybay in ay wingkag nanghihimasok ang mga manlu lupig sa aming liwanag.
panya, mangam ’y o asta. y a k kung um Nang it g n la g gn tila hulo , kaway doon ito d y a w a K mpyeon, on, , ngiti ro agurian nang ka o it n Ngiti r ti g kayo’y ikinahon pero nan kay dali niyong g o noon. para ban ang isinuot niny kar ang mas
ing ganda ang iyong angk in m na ap an Ipalalag at kinutya lang niyurakan ang ideyang na minsan na ni an ang masam ob lo . ka g in am g mong mukha Labag sa mang ang marila la na ta ni gu g magigin
Kung kailangan magpakas undalo, kami’y handa. Gamit ang sandata’t utak, lulusob sa kanilang kuta Lumuha, masaktan at ma sugatan man, Hindi pagagapi at handan g lumaban. Para sa’yo, In ang Bayan, susuungin an g daluyong n g karagatan, haharapin an g pinakamala laking kapah dahil ang bu amakan, ong sambayan an ay handa kang ipaglab an. ―Dianne Ma gallon
ang pagka
ng isang kpakilanlan ilipino
Iginuhit ni Dianne Magallon
Mga maninilbihang nag kakasala? Ayun at nagpakalunod sa pera. Kanilang mga nabiktima ? Ayun at nagdurusa, tinatanggap ang mga par usa na ang mga kinatawan sa politika ang dapat na nakadaram a.
Iginuhit ni Dianne Magallon
d n i w e r & forget Sa Pilipina s, walang p ata Lahat ay id inadaan sa s. dahas. Salapi ng m ga nasa ita as, sa sweldo ng kapos ik ina Ganiyan p inapatakbo kaltas. ang batas. Bawal dito ang nagma matigas, dahil sa ora s na ika’y magpumig Asahan mo las, na bukas madadatna n ang iyon g katawan rehas. g ibinalot sa
tin rin ‘yang sambi Sana kaya niyo n. yi pata bago niyo sila ad ring magpataw yo ni ya ka na Sa kinaladkad bago niyo sila bo ang nagpapatak ng no er Sa impy ga m g an i nd ku Ay walang iba tao nakaaangat na ―Noreen
g i n i r a p a p g a n p a h g i n g a n i s i b i g n i b i b g a n a s
Iginuhit ni Dianne Magallon
humans of st. scho
WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX AFTER A LONG DAY?
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“I go home and sleep then when I wake up I listen to music while I talk to my friends by chatting them.” - Alia Butalag, 9-St.Lioba
“After school, I rest for a bit before taking a bath then I use my phone. I then eat then I do my school works. “ - Hanah Balao, 9-St. Hilda
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“I just take my mind off of it. Usually I either listen to music, practice instruments or read a book.” - Ma. Erin Paz Celestial, 7-St. Agnes
HEA T L A S, DELA A OX RAN R SA EEL A S Y L Y , A AER Z E & N RTI PANO A A MH LAM X E AL MICA , N ELE NON, B DE TT LE Y H E SHLUA, ZE A BY NAG BO “I like to play volleyball. it helps me to relieve stress about school and other things.” - Isabella Abelardo, 10 St. Teresa
“If I have time usually I either go to the mall to unwind and do some window shopping then I walk home and take advantage of it as an exercise .” - Vivian Simon, MD, School physician
“We usually listen to music and then sleep and often times, we talk to people who makes us feel relaxed like our friends.” - Pia Esguerra, 10-St. Irene and Chrystel Marquez, 10-St. Frances
“Uuwi sa bahay tapos gagawin ko yung mga gawaing bahay at kung may time makikipagkita sa mga barkada.” - Joselito Alquino, OIC
“The most general answer is to sleep. But sometimes, I watch shows on Netflix while eating, or chat with my friends about my day. Oftentimes I also play some games.” - Arianna Shay Zafra, 7-St. Rose
“Usually after a long day, I either sleep or scroll through my phone and sometimes I talk to my friends to relax myself. “ - Shanel Raven Centeno, 8-St. Elizabeth
“After a long day, I usually treat myself to Dakasi. I also relax by talking with my friends and napping!” - Juliana Zapanta, 8-St. Martha
“I like spending time with my family and madalas pagmagkakasama kami, kumakanta kami.” - Kuya Jose, AVC
“Oras para sa pamilya ko. Nakakatanggal ng pagod makita lang yung mga mahal mo sa buhay. - Ate Ferla
“Mahilig ako magbasa ng pocket book. (smiles)” - Ate Helen
“I like to sleep in the comfort of my bed and have a long night’s rest.” - Ivy Relosa, 10-St. Teresa
sa pagdating ng panahon, kapag tinanong ka ng mga anak at apo mo, masasabi mo bang lumaban ka?