Nudo Veritas 2021-2022 | Volume 27 No. 2 by nudoveritasgrshsx

nudoveritas the power to write is the power to achieve Vol. 27 No. 2 • The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X • February 2022-June 2022

insidepages

The Dynasty Continues

Dictator's son Bongbong Marcos, Presidential daughter Sara Duterte reign in May 9 nat'l elections. NEWS | PAGE 2-3

On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink

Despite centuries-long struggles for women’s equality and status in society, biased opinions toward the woman and her position continue to be a troubling circumstance. FEATURES | PAGE 10-11

Nature's Plea For Humanity

Only three years are left to prevent the worst consequence of the climate crisis, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned. SCIENCE | PAGE 15

RegSci athletes recount their sports journey in quarantine

Several regionalistas shared their experiences on how they adapted to the new normal conditions and their ways of maintaining fitness throughout the quarantine period. SPORTS | PAGE 18 OPINION | PAGE 6

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

nudoveritas • Vol. 27 No. 2 • February 2022-June 2022

he 2022 presidential elections in the Philippines has been the most divisive and controversial referendum for the country's highest administrative office. A high-stakes, high-risk race, the campaign stands between defeating one seeking a return to power and electing one seeking a significant shift in government authority.

THE DYNASTY CONTINUES Dictator's son Bongbong Marcos, Presidential daughter Sara Duterte reign in May 9 nat'l elections by SHAYNE LAURENTE

“

The Filipino people can only hope that this leader will keep his word. REPLAY. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his speech during his last campaign rally in Paranaque, May 7, 2022. Photo by EZRA ACAYAN

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

With a total of 31,104,175 votes, the former of the two—Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—has won. The count covers 58.74% of the 82.6% total population of voters in the Philippines. He now stands as the official president of the republic; together with his vice-president in tandem, Sara Duterte-Carpio with 31,561,948 votes covering 61.29% of the total population of voters. In the senatorial race, Robin Padilla led the count followed by Loren Legarda, Raffy Tulfo, Win Gatchalian, Francis Escudero, Mark Villar, Alan Peter Cayetano, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, and Jinggoy Estrada. On May 18, nine days after Election Day, all 12 senators were formally sworn in. Four incumbent senators were reelected, while five former senators and three new senators were elected. In the local elections result, Cagayan de Oro City who has 80 barangays and has 372,293 total number of voters, elected Rolando "Klarex" Uy with 157,575 total number of votes covering 54.24% of the total population of voters. With Jocelyn "Bebot" Rodriguez as the elected vice-mayor with 174,851 total number of votes covering 63.84% of the total population of voters. A new set of counselors from two districts were also elected having Atty. Lordan Suan leading the first district and Yvy Emano on the second district results.

But the election season did not pass without its share of concerns and controversy. On June 28, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) released its independent monitoring and assessment on the elections. Their main finding, as they published, was that the elections were “not free, honest, or fair by international standards.” “The observers reported that the May elections showed a higher level of failure of the electronic voting system than ever before, along with a higher level of blatant vote-buying, a disturbing level of red-tagging of candidates and parties, as well as a number of incidents of deadly violence,” stated Lee Rhiannon, Commissioner of the Philippine Election 2022 International Observer Mission (IOM). Despite it, the majority's official election results are final and irreversible, evident with Marcos’ inauguration held last June 30. Now the Filipino people can only hope that this leader will keep his word, be an example of transparency in government, and serve their fellow Filipinos through “unity”. “I am here not to talk about the past, I am here to tell you about our future. A future of sufficiency, even plenty of readily available ways and means to get done what needs doing—by you, by me. We do not look back, but ahead,” he said.

ELECTION 2022

67.5M

TOP PROVINCES

Cebu

3,288,778

Total registered voters for the 2022 elections

Top Provinces with the highest number of registered voters

Cavite

65.7M

1.8M

Domestic voters

Overseas voters

Vote Count Results

2,302,353

Pangasinan

PRESIDENT

2,096,936

VICE-PRESIDENT

MARCOS,

DUTERTE,

31,104,175 votes

31,561,948 votes

BONGBONG

SARA

ROBREDO,

PANGILINAN,

14,822,051 votes

9,232,883 votes

LENI

KIKO

PACQUIAO,

SOTTO,

3,629,805 votes

8,183,184 votes

MANNY

VICENTE

Count LOCAL ELECTIONS Vote Results In the 2022 elections, the city of Cagayan de Oro has

372,293 registered voters.

MAYOR

Cagayan de Oro City has a population of 728,402 as of the 2020 Census, and a land area of 412.80 square kilometers.

VICE-MAYOR RODRIGUEZ,

UY,

KLAREX

157,575 votes

LA VIÑA, POMPEE

128,071 votes

JOCELYN

174,851 votes

DAHINO, #2

INDAY

99,017 votes

source: COMELEC graphics by CKALIL CAMAMA & MARK LAURENZ DELA CRUZ

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

n March 1, Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) placed Cagayan de Oro City under Alert Level 1 together with Camiguin. Other provinces in Region 10 such as Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte were placed under alert level 2.

schoolnews

Under the amended guidelines set by the IATF for Alert Level 1, there are no limitations on indoor and outdoor capacities. Everyone, regardless of age or comorbidities, may undertake intrazonal and interzonal travel. All institutions, people, or activities are also permitted to operate, work, or engage in activities at full on-site or venue seating capacity, as long as they meet the minimum public health standards. Two public schools in the city were chosen and approved by the local government unit to participate in the piloting of face-to-face classes, Gusa Regional Science High School – X being one in the high school category. The pilot f2f classes ran for two weeks from April 18-20 for batch 1 and April 25-27 for batch 2. Sections Davy and Lorenz of grade

RS launches pilot F2F classes

by JAN CODY MARAGUINOT

ACADEMIC PERSEVERANCE. Grade 11 students answer worksheets during the simulation for Pilot Face-to-Face classes last April 27, 2022, two years after the onset of the pandemic. Photo by ELFINDA U. LAGUMBAY

bythenumbers

BACK TO

SCHOOL

11 were the participating classes wherein students reside within the city. The students attend classes for Statistics, Chemistry, and Basic Calculus for three hours at 50% capacity to ensure physical distancing. Minimum health standards were also observed at all times such as wearing of face mask and checking of temperature. When asked about how she felt during the pilot f2f classes, Eina Flores, a grade 11 student of GRSHS-X said that, “Nahadlok ko gamay because naanad ko sa comfortness sa distance learning pero after the pilot f2f classes, na relieve ko somehow kay nakatuon ko more than what my usual module taught me. Also, naexplain ug tarong sa teachers ang lessons kaysa sa distance learning nga magsalig rako sa module ug youtube [I was slightly scared since I got used to

56.89%

of over 47,000 public schools nationwide resumed their face-to-face (F2F) classes, six months after the government allowed its implementation.

5.47% of about 16,000 private schools are conducting inperson classes.

DepEd OKs F2F Year-end Rites

n collaboration with the LGU, schools, and CLCs, and in strict compliance with IATF standards, the Department of Education announced that limited face-to-face graduation will be authorized for schools in Alert Level 1 and 2 areas.

Finally, the two-year interlude for a face-to-face graduation is now over. Schools and universities across the country, particularly those under Alert Level 1 and 2 areas, are expected to conduct in-person graduation ceremonies to which can only be regarded as a momentous occasion for Senior High School Learners. “With the continued downward trend of COVID-19 cases and the easing of restrictions,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said, “We are allowing the conduct of limited face-to-face and virtual graduation, depending on the alert level status in each region.”

The Department of Education (DepEd) issued Memorandum No. 043, series of 2022 on May 10, 2022, allowing Kinder, Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12 students to participate in end-of-school year (EOSY) rites from June 27 to July 2, 2022. “Amid continued progress in COVID-19 testing and immunization, public health and safety are still considered the uppermost priority in appraising the viability of executing SY 2021-2022 EOSY rites. As a result, the scenarios forecasted by the Department of Health (DOH) and the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-

the convenience of distance learning but after the pilot f2f classes, I somehow felt relieved since I learned more than what I would’ve learned from my modules alone. Also, the teachers have discussed the lessons better than distance learning where I depend on modules and youtube].” Due to the prolonged lockdown, students got used to the new learning setup, Eina herself admits that she doesn’t want f2f classes to be back but she remains considerate adding, “Pero for the state of all students, willing ko i give-up akong comfortness para sa ilaha kay daghan pud students na lisod ang kahimtang during the distance learning [But for the state of all students, I am willing to give up my comfort for them since many have been struggling during the distance learning setup].”

FINISH LINE. Grade 12 students in full attendance remain on their seats during the 5th Commencement Exercises of Gusa Regional Science High School-X held on June 29, 2022 at the Grand Caprice Convention Center. Photo taken by GRACIE TAGANILE

source: DEPED graphics by CKALIL CAMAMA

by SHANNA SILLOTE

EID), supplemented by other trustworthy sources and DepEd risk assessment, would be taken into account,” DepEd stated in its Memorandum. Moving right along, Cagayan de Oro remains under Alert Level 1 from June 1 to June 15 with just 2 active cases and 0 new cases as of June 1, 2022 - 10:00 PM. Accordingly, establishments will continue to operate at 100% capacity, although minimum public health standards (MPHS), vaccination rolls, and other COVID-19 response measures are still expected to be followed. Given this directive, graduating students from CDO public and private schools are commenced for a more positive outlook on the face-toface EOSY. Meanwhile, schools in Alert levels 3,4, and 5 are encouraged to hold their graduation rites online.

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

Scientists risk arrest for climate response by KYLE ALLYSON DANLAG

growing percentage A scientists all around globe are protesting to

RS hosts 2022 Division Coastal Cleanup

of the the streets, demanding greater action to fight global warming. Some have risked arrest by chaining themselves to banks and institutions (e.g. Chase Bank) in Los Angeles, California that they claim are not taking the climate crisis seriously enough.

A statement by Peter Kalmus said, “We chose JP Morgan Chase because out of all the investment banks in the world, JP Morgan Chase funds the most new fossil fuel projects.” The protests were part of the "Scientist Rebellion," a loosely knit international community of scientists campaigning for stronger climate action through nonviolent protests and acts of civil disobedience. “We’ve been trying to warn you guys for so many decades that we’re heading towards a f****** catastrophe, and we’ve been being ignored,” said Kalmus, who studies biological systems and climate change at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. After many hours of protesting, an estimated 100 police officers equipped in riot gear removed the four chained activists and arrested them. According to Business Insider and other news outlets, J.P. Morgan has refused to issue a statement.

communitynews

by KYLA TIFFANY JAVIER

nder the #EarthFirst U initiative, Gusa Regional Science High School-X

A CRY OF WARNING INEVITABILITY. In London, scientists glued their hands to the U.K. Department for Business, Energy, & Industrial Strategy as part of the worldwide protest series for climate change. Retrieved file photo from Scientist for XR/Twitter

A call for help from local environmentalists

Prior to the national elections, an environmentalist on Vice President Leni Robredo's campaign sortie in Pasay City called for good governance and emphasized the importance of fellow environmentalists. This

DepEd conducts first-ever Philippine Youth Convergence

environmentalist also said that they are fearful and call for systemic change. This plea for assistance emphasized that there is little to no priority i n the country for protecting the environment and environmentalists, comparable to what is happening globally.

by KYLA TIFFANY JAVIER

he Department of Education launched the first Philippine Youth Convergence 2022 on June T 15-17, hosted by the Division of Puerto Princesa City in the province of Palawan. Over two thousand student leaders, Project-Development Officers, School Heads, and Central Office personnel attended the event.

“We developed the Philippine Youth Convergence to provide an avenue to our youth for dialogue and revitalize their participation in achieving quality and inclusive education by spearheading conversations about pressing and relevant issues,” Department of Education (DepEd) Chief Leonor Magtolis Briones said. The event was also detailed in hopes to ‘reassess, realign, and refocus youth-related initiatives’ and be responsive to the needs of the youth. Its agenda will reflect the youth’s sentiments and feedback to achieve quality and inclusive education, instilling the Deped’s core values. Day 1 started off with a Grand Opening Ceremony where each RFSSG President of all regions were presented alongside regional banners. Youth Champion Mirus Ponon capped off Day 1 with a talk on the importance of knowing the Why’s and the core of leadership. “We’re here to change the cycle and to break the stigma in creating the sustainable society that we want to have, and that starts with you”, Ponon exclaimed. A Cultural Night celebration happened later on that evening showcasing the rich and beautiful culture of the City of Puerto Princesa. For the second day of the convergence, the student leaders were grouped into regions housed in different hotels for a breakout session. Participants of the Region X were grouped with Region IX and the NCR. Five talks were scheduled for the whole

breakout session touching topics on Sibika at Demokrasya, Principles of Peace, Teen Health, Digital Citizenship and Youth Economic Empowerment. The speakers from the different sessions come from different sectors representing various causes which was cohesive with the goals of the PYC – to embrace diversity. The Mayor’s Night was held in the Puerto Princesa Coliseum later that evening. The PYC had also aimed to present a Youth Education Agenda, which was spearheaded by National Youth Convener from Region X, Jamberer Jacutin Idulsa. He bested out sixteen other regional conveners in the national PYC elections and personally presented the Youth Education Agenda to Briones. “We will be utilizing this position together. One step at a time, we will be bridging the critical gap of global inequality. I believe that our individual strength can get us through anything but together, we can do so much. Together, the youth will rise, and the youth will raise the standard. #YOUthBelong is the narrative.” Idulsa said. GRSHS-X Supreme Student President and DFSSG Secretary Kyla Tiffany Javier was also one of the three representatives of Cagayan de Oro City to the PYC 2022. She expressed her gratitude for having experienced such a historical event just in time before she ends her term and graduates high school.

(GRSHS-X) Supreme Student Government hosted the 2022 Division Coastal Cleanup alongside partner schools East Gusa National High School and Gusa Elementary School and the Brgy. Gusa Council on June 11, 2022.

This event was a studentled activity initiated by the Division Federated Supreme Student Government (DFSSG) of Cagayan de Oro City as part of their projects and activities for the school year. The activity aimed to address the challenges and problems faced by our environment, and the organization sought to focus on cleaning the coastal road stretching from Gusa to Lapasan. While this has been a consistent practice of the DFSSG, it cannot be denied that this year holds the most number of attendees in a long while. PSDS Milagros P. Recamadas expressed her joy in her special message seeing such a huge crowd from school heads to community stakeholders take part in the activity; being the first faceto-face outdoor activity ever since the pandemic hit, a lot of the students were eager to participate. In attendance were SSGs from all over the city, members of the Boy Scout of the Philippines CDO Council, School Heads, members of the Gusa Bantay Dagat Association, Division Personnel, students, parents and other neighboring associations.

PARTAKE. Students and stakeholders from different institutions cluster for the Division-wide Coastal Cleanup in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City. Photo by GRSHS-X SSG

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

nudoveritas • Vol. 27 No. 2 • February 2022-June 2022

editorial

nudoveritas editorialboard 2021-2022 Editor-in-Chief MELIZA ROCAT Associate Editor NICOLE BONSILAO Managing Editor KYLA TIFFANY JAVIER Circulating Manager IVY JEAN SILAGAN Social Media Manager CHLOE VILLACERAN News Editor KYLA TIFFANY JAVIER* Opinion Editor MELIZA ROCAT Feature Editor NICOLE BONSILAO Science Editor DESIREE KLER POJAS Sports Editor IVY JEAN SILAGAN Graphic Design and Layout Editor JIREH MAE CASIÑO CHLOE VILLACERAN Photography Editor GRACIE TAGANILE Staff Writers LHIAN JOIE BRANZUELA KYLE ALLYSON DANLAG SHAYNE LAURENTE SHANNA SILLOTE JAN CODY MARAGUINOT MARTHA MACALTAO ALEXA ASTIBE AMARA VALLE JILLIANA YSABEL MICLAT VINZ VERBO ALILING Illustrators/Page Designers MARK LAURENZ DELA CRUZ JIREH MAE CASIÑO CHLOE VILLACERAN CKALIL CAMAMA LAWRENCE NOVO MARCO ANTONIO LABAJAN EINA GAYLE FLORES KRISTINE KAROLE FLORES ALTHEA LEI DELOS REYES NINA LEZADA LYKA BARRIENTOS School Paper Adviser JASMINE JOY TIEMPO JEANY MAE MACALAM School Journalism Coordinator JASMINE JOY TIEMPO Consultant JAMES PUNSALAN CHARLYN BAYLON *Interim

DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed by the Nudo Veritas Editorial Board do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of those in the administration of Gusa Regional Science High School-X. Any content provided by our writers are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

t the crux of today’s sociopolitical climate, there is no room for the youth to be demoralized—the betterment of the motherland which our forefathers fought for lies in them to take a stand.

It goes without saying that there is an increase in youth participation in the current landscape. The Commission on Elections reported that 56% of the voter demographic in 2022 are composed of young people, playing a big role in the recently concluded elections; prior to that, initiatives such as the community pantries which spread in different parts of the country were also borne of their involvement; and with today’s technology, their engagement is much more perceived on social media. Despite that, their efforts remain downplayed. Incidents such as last year’s peaceful demonstrations against the government’s dismal disaster response had former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque calling students from Ateneo de Manila University ‘loko-loko’ and ex-President Duterte threatening to withhold university funding. “[Tapos] nag-aaral kayo ang gusto ninyong binibira ang gobyerno. Masyado namang nakasuwerte kayo. Huwag talaga kayong matakot — manakot rather kasi I will oblige you,” Duterte stated. This year, students also faced a similar warning after the academic walkouts held in opposition of the Marcoses returning to the Malacanang, as well as challenging the validity of the 2022 national elections. While some institutions were in support, others—like Benguet State University—outright censured their students from participating in these initiatives and advised students to “focus on complying with

requirements” instead. Such disparaging actions instill a sense of belittlement towards students and the youth in general; further propagating the belief that their opinions, especially on politics, matter little. This is made evident by how they are asked “Makabotar na diay ka?” or even told “Bata pa ka, dili ka makasabot,” apart from being threatened and called names when vocally criticizing the shortcomings of the state.

“

Injustice does not discriminate— and there is no age in fighting against it. Perhaps a reminder of the Department of Education’s vision is needed; We dream of Filipinos who passionately love their country, and whose competencies and values enable them to[…]contribute meaningfully to building the nation. This contribution means not only getting high grades, but also to critically engage and participate in calling out problems in the community and providing solutions. “I highly disagree with the notion that the youth still does not

art by JIREH MAE CASIÑO

know anything and their opinions are half-baked ideas or too idealistic for this country,” said Jingjing*, a faculty of Gusa Regional Science High School-X (GRSHS-X). The school has been known to keep a lid on its students from voicing their political opinions, despite breeding student leaders, campus journalists, and the like. “We've generated socially active and sensitive youth over the last few years and they have real concerns and real problems they wish to be resolved.” H, a student leader proactive in community programs, also revealed that they knew others like them who were censured for their beliefs. “I personally believe that we are taught to be critical and that determining what is right and wrong is a basic human act. We should be students who value moral uprightness, which includes amplifying the truth and keeping it disclosed and bare.” Injustice does not discriminate—and likewise, there is no age in fighting against it, not when the youth will inevitably grow to bear the results of the present government’s lapses. With the dictator’s son as the head of state, there is no better time to take a stand than now. The youth remain a dynamic force that have proven themselves throughout history as catalysts for social and political change, not only in the Philippines but worldwide. With truthful information in one hand and hope in the other, the youth are at the forefront for the future at stake.

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

prioritylist

Deeper Cronyections

by KYLA TIFFANY JAVIER

or years, greed and connection have been the supporting pillars of Philippine politics. However, as the campaign period progressed up until the 9th of May, the voice of the common people dare to rise up against these so-called pillars; for a worker’s mighty clean hands raised in the air may very well amplify every Filipino’s voice.

Aside from skills and expertise, a politician’s endorsement has always been considered a significant requirement for a government position. However, this recent National Election taught us a valuable lesson of people power. The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Philippine Bar Association (PBA) and Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) are some of the prominent labor groups in the country who endorsed the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem. One cannot say their support is mere patronage, for it is far more symbolic and historic than one might expect. Perhaps it is the fear of authoritarianism, or the protection

of democracy; but this could mean something different for the other parties, especially since this year’s elections did not go too smoothly. To be frank, the c itizens’ expectations for the future is set to ascend, particularly in the labor sector. Over the course of the pandemic, the sector suffered a great blow, with the country having 3.7M unemployed and the inflation rate going up to 4.9%. This pushes the need for a leader with their immense support. With Robredo’s loss, the causes

“

they fought for could all turn nonsensical as another elitist figure takes the seat. A politician’s support is significantly different from the masses’, for it is always their voices that should be rightfully followed. With more now actively participating in politics, there should be a lot in store for the next administration. From the volunteer-driven campaigns to the new sight of endorsement from the public, there is evident change in the minds of Filipino voters. The

The last say is still ours.

expectations of some may change with their loss, but at the end of the day, being a Filipino should matter the most. In democracy, the force of the masses are not a sight to overlook, for the last say is still ours. Connections may pave the way to the top, but the majority would drive you to victory; therefore, our voices would be a waste if we dedicate it to the wrong people. However, though several may not have earned their expectations, our action does not stop after the elections. We are still as powerful to change a nation as we are to elect a leader for it–after all, unity was the plan all along.

whatonearth

Taken For Granted

by LHIAN JOIE BRANZUELA

rowing up, the most alluring of fairytales were those depicting utopia. Of humanity and nature coexisting for centuries, a never-ending mutualism; where the big bad wolf meets its demise at the end of every story. But this is a far spectacle from the reality now: with the possibility of a sick, twisted ending to the story of Inang Kalikasan becoming realer by the day—and the wolves being humanity themselves— time is running out

Last April, scientists worldwide took to the streets in peaceful protest for the impending climate crisis. This is after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s report revealing that “rapid and deep” cuts to greenhouse gas emissions must be done come 2025, and to keep global warming until or below 1.5 degrees Celsius, in order to

avoid the climatic catastrophe that may occur otherwise. “Current actions and plans are grossly inadequate, and even these obligations are not being met,” stated Scientist Rebellion, which comprises over 1000 scientists from 25 countries that joined the demonstration. The protest garnered attention all over the world through social media. As the #LetTheEarthBreathe movement took over, netizens were quick to call for climate justice. Whilst everybody posted their support however, most failed to realize just how much major companies played a role in this detriment. The 47

corporations or ‘Carbon Majors’, contribute the most to global climate change in making the utmost use of fossil fuels and coal. Shell, for example, disclosed 1,377 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 despite mentioning their use of lower-carbon energy products. In the Philippines, the climate crisis did not go without notice either. It can be recalled at the November 2020 ASEAN Summit that former president Rodrigo Duterte sought climate justice through calling out developed and industrialized nations to cut down on their emissions, as Philippine calamities are a “stark reminder” to fight climate change quickly. Moreover, the Philippine Commission on Human Rights announced in 2019 that the aforementioned 47 fossil fuel companies can now be held accountable for their damage and human rights violations. Yet, these are still pronouncements; even the recently concluded elections—and the campaign season before that— did not quite delve into climate change, but

art by JIREH MAE CASIÑO

more on economy, agriculture, and employment. The environmental crisis is evidently not the top priority. These companies, as well as government responsiveness, are missing pieces to the puzzling dilemma of climate change; but this does not mean the roles ordinary people play are little to none. Of course, individual efforts to save whatever we have left should not be discouraged. However, it will all boil down to nothing if it isn’t solved from the root—otherwise, the movement will merely be performative. Change can start with one, but should end with many—and with a set date until irreversibility sets in, simply being informed and promoting awareness is not enough. There must be a sense of urgency, not only between individuals but also the state; and such urgency must be channelled into action, demonstration, and seek accountability from major players involved. What happens then, will be a deciding factor in the future of civilizations and this planet.

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

voxpopuli

The Philippines—reported as having the world’s longest pandemic-related school closure by UNICEF—now has the Department of Education urging schools nationwide to implement 100% face-to-face classes for the next academic year 2022-2023.

rspeaks:

Two months after Gusa Regional Science High School-X (GRSHS-X) conducted their pilot face-to-face simulation, students express their thoughts on the long overdue in-person classes and the potential challenges that come with it.

Turning Pages

1.) What are your thoughts as one of the first students to experience limited F2F in school?

“

I noticed that the school is very stringent about following health protocols, which leads me to believe RS is ready to return to its old practices next year. I’m glad I can learn from my teachers in person rather than on-screen.

“

As a student who has been stuck at home for two school years, I was definitely excited but it was mixed in with a feeling of anxiety as well. The people that I am going to be with are not the same ones that I have always been surrounded with so I had to think about how to approach and talk to them, that was maybe one of the hardest parts.

Desiree Israel | Grade 11 - Lorenz

Hanzelynon Ybañez | Grade 11 - Davy

2.) Will the shift from 2 years of distance learning to the possible full F2F next year be an easy one? Why or why not?

“

One of the hardest things that I had to do during the onset of the pandemic was adjust to the distance mode of learning that was implemented. Now that 2 years have passed and the department is readying for the possibility of Face to Face learning in the coming school year, the students will have to once again cope with the changes. Personally, I think that this might be a difficult adjustment.

“

I don’t think it’ll be too easy. I’ll have to change my sleep schedule, and that’s a lot harder than some people make it out to be. But still, I’d definitely agree if they bring back in-person classes next year. Learning will be easier because you’ll actually be taught in person.

Michael Allosada | Grade 10

Lance Dabad | Grade 9

braggingwrongs

A Dark Past Ahead

by CHLOE VILLACERAN

art by JIREH MAE CASIÑO

history question wrongly answered is met by a minute’s worth of laughter—at the expense of a sinking reality that our country’s education is in decline. Between the system and social media, Rizal's words echo; and what hope, then, would we bring to our motherland if we disregard her past and put it in vain? The viral video clip from the reality TV show ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ sparked media outrage as it showed the teen housemates failing to answer elementary-level trivia questions. For example, instead of ‘GomBurZa’ being the collective name of the three priests who were martyred under Spanish colonization, one of the housemates blurted out ‘MaJoHa’ as their final answer. This gave birth to a notorious hashtag now used to call out the system’s impotencies. It did not take long for all this to reach the ears of DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, who expressed her dismay at a press briefing last April 19. She later said that these educational anomalies were inherited from previous administrations. In her defense,

Education Undersecretary Anne Sevilla also stated that trivia questions should not be the basis of someone’s intelligence as the country’s approach to learning is now focused on critical thinking instead of retaining information from textbooks. However, numbers do not lie. It can be recalled in 2020 that the Philippines ranked last in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA); and just recently, the World Bank released a report last year wherein 80 percent of Filipino students fall short of the required competency levels. Although it is true that some students are also accountable, we should not disregard the fact that even before the pandemic, the country’s education system had already been worse for wear. Yet all this is nothing but a snippet to one

of our bigger problems: the blatant display and collaborative support of misinformation on social media. With nothing major being done, it continues to thrive, hindering the truth. With this, it should be a collective effort. Improving the curriculum, implementing media information literacy, and restoring Philippine history as a subject in high school since being removed back in 2014 is a brilliant start. Proper education is a nation’s road to prosperity, so they say. But it is not only our education that is in crisis, but the country’s history as well. Perhaps it is foolish to think the PBB housemates represent everyone else, but they stand as evidence of our own downfall rather than hope. For a nation’s past creates its future, one cannot make it brighter if they put one in the dark.

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

triedandtrue

Deeds and Did Nots

by GRACIE TAGANILE

or all his constant headlining—whether it be for lambasting foes or political commentary, among others—former President Rodrigo Duterte met the months ending his term without much event. That is, save for tarpaulins and posts cropping up that bear the so-called Duterte Legacy; and scrutiny of said legacy is due.

Economic development through infrastructure has been one of his key agendas since candidacy, promoted under the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program. With this, the administration raised infrastructure spending to 5.3% of

economic output in 2021, an increase from 3% during the start of his presidency according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). While a merit of itself, it must be realized that this infrastructure legacy—out of 119 BBB projects, only 18 were finished at the end of his term. In Mindanao, all five of the major infrastructure projects: Panguil Bay Bridge; Mindanao Railway; Davao City Coastal Road bypass; Davao Expressway; and the General Santos City Airport Industrial Complex; were not completed. Yet a bigger look shows that outside of infrastructure, the country is in dire straits economically. IBON

art by JIREH MAE CASIÑO

Foundation, an independent think tank released a report comparing the numbers between the start and end of Duterte’s presidency—the number of unemployed Filipinos went from 2.4-M in 2016 to 3.7-M in 2021. Poor Filipinos increased from 23.7-M to 26.1-M, inflation from 1.3% to 4.9%, and debt service from P790-billion to P1.2-trillion. When it came to the military, the state also allocated more of its resources to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “Let it be a policy that you care for people who die for you. So, I made a promise that I will double your salary.” Duterte said in a public briefing last February. True to his word, they received doubled salaries, and 54 projects were completed by the AFP during his term. This included procuring weapons and aircraft for the country’s front. However, it is also under

simonsays

House of Cards

by MELIZA ROCAT

n the days leading up to the 2022 elections, one certain Facebook post read: “Maayo nalang naay Tiktok ug Youtube, ang mga libro sa eskwelahan kay bias.”

It was appalling, but was it really surprising? Social media— where most of today’s sociopolitical discourse takes place—allows anyone to upload their own content. Once it gains enough traction, the algorithm will boost it for more to see; evidently, veracity is the least of its concern. In February, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) published a survey reporting that seven out of 10 Filipinos believe the problem of fake news on social media is serious, and that 51% find it difficult to spot it. Similarly, Tsek.ph, a fact-checking initiative by the academe and the media, published a report last April 30 that identified Tiktok as having played a crucial role in pushing false election-related information, and

“

Facebook as a source or repeater of inaccurate claims. Indeed, there is a disinformation machinery sown into our online spaces. According to Tsek.ph, 92% of their fact checks about president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were misleading information that favored him; however, 96% of disinformation targeted at vice president Robredo were negative. “The ease with which false or misleading claims can range the social media platforms has helped increase the audience’s chances of encountering disinformation, especially so when many of the claims were repeated or variations of the same,” they stated. While misinformation has

Discourse must always be grounded in real data.

been a perennial problem, Marcos has wielded it to become what would be this country’s unraveling. Academic research and literature that has since proven the blood spilled during his father’s reign, the disappearance of many, the thievery of treasury, and the economy in shambles—have been shunned in favor of TikTok videos and Facebook posts that whitewash a dark period in Philippine history. By sowing lies, they have reaped the return of a dynasty that only wishes to clear its own name; and one can only speculate the next victim. It threatens not only our country’s facts and future, but also the past which is at risk of being rewritten. To that end, discourse must always be grounded in real data, lest the Philippines’ democratic spaces be for naught. Our decisions, which will build not only ourselves but this country, must be based on the truth.

Duterte that several extrajudicial killings by uniformed personnel were carried out. Under his gruesome regime, the war on drugs killed thousands of Filipinos, with state agencies recording 6,248, while human rights groups revealed it to be nearly 30,000. Among them—farmers, activists, students, and the poor. Democratic spaces shrunk—following the signing of the Anti-Terror Law, the closure of ABS-CBN, and the countless red-tagging done by Duterte’s cronies, both by the AFP and the NTF-ELCAC. Indeed, credit must be given where credit is due—but it should not be at the cost of turning a blind eye to countless human rights violations, disinformation, and corruption. While his waning days seemed to be quiet, his gruesome legacy was anything but; and the price to be paid is yet to be seen.

Warning! Seriousness of the spread of fake news on the Internet ex. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube

67% 5% 3% 24% 32% very serious 35% somewhat serious

somewhat not serious

not serious at all

undecided

source: Social Weather Stations graphics by MARK LAURENZ DELA CRUZ cancel

nudoveritas • Vol. 27 No. 2 • February 2022-June 2022

DEAD MINDS FOR DEADLINES TWO YEARS LATER

by NICOLE BONSILAO

ane slumps; breathes a sigh of defeat when the assignment J tab disappeared at the stroke of midnight. Having spent the morning tending to her siblings and the afternoon looking after

their carinderia, she now tends to her academic duties. Two years later, Jane beams as she marches onstage with a silver medal on her chest, carrying her diploma with her head up high. After all that she has gone through, this final hurrah signifies a new journey to embark on. “It was bittersweet,” she expressed her sentiments in an interview. For Jane, her countless struggles with academics and familial responsibilities weren’t easy to balance. Especially in a no face-to-face setup, having no stable internet connection and inadequate resources hung heavier on an already heavily burdened student. If we recall, the Department of Education noted that 3 million fewer students enrolled in 2020 because of the dilemma of a virtual academic setup. There were countless times that she doubted herself and often pondered the idea of dropping out and resuming until the situation alleviates, but expressed she could not put years of hard work dissipate. “Maybe my senior high school life wasn’t a smooth sailing journey mainly because it was hard to juggle SCAN TO READ PART 1 all my responsibilities other than academics. However, I was able to overcome it all,” she said. Jane conveys how grateful she is for the many opportunities that opened for her. With most institutions pushing for hybrid and face-toface classes in the coming academic year, Jane is hopeful for her journey, “I don’t know what becomes of my next journey, but I know I’ll never give up whatever comes my way.” With battling dead minds for deadlines and juggling responsibilities, and despite the anxiety of what lies ahead, on the podium stands the triumphant Jane who pushed through it all.

FINDING PEACE AS A FORMER 4PS

espite centuries-long struggles for women’s equality and status in society, biased opinions toward the woman and her position continue to be a troubling circumstance. This is well-reflected in the National Elections 2022 in how Leni Robredo and Sara Duterte become subject to criticism and gender-biased opinions that belittle and target their leadership—all just for being a woman. In politics, the color says it all. While green has been a neutral color paired with its stark-red counterpart, pink has faced its dilemmas all for being too “feminine” by the country’s macho-political standards. Pink may have always been regarded as a woman’s color representing calmness and compassion— but it doesn’t mean it cannot lead. This calm and compassionate leadership is seen in the current Supreme

by MARTHA MACALTAO

n the city of Cagayan de Oro, Balulang houses hope for those in poverty in the form of Ishines a parlor. Where both hard work and beauty bloom—the owner—a former 4Ps member, with perseverance after bringing her family to a life out of poverty. Evelyn Caballero, mother of three and wife to a diligent taxi driver, is a force to be reckoned with. Despite witnessing the destruction of her parlor during Typhoon Sendong in December 2011, her heart continued to burn with perseverance. As a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary, Evelyn took and graduated in the Beauty Care Course of Philippine Institute of Skills and Development (PISAD), and passed the NC II accreditation by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). With a heart full of pride, she proudly marched up on stage with her husband and daughters, happy for her success at the PISAD graduation ceremony. As an entrepreneur and a mother, the pressure of having to make ends meet for the sake of her children’s education is heavy. Despite having a TESDA accreditation and being eligible to work abroad, she is determined to stay in the country to guide her daughters in their formative years—thus deciding to rebuild Shammah Beauty Parlor and start over. Evelyn keeps a steady stream of customers thanks to her high-quality and affordable services; and her dream of providing a better life for her family, particularly for her three children's schooling became a reality. Her aspirations don’t stop there. "The training has aided me and other compatriots who had previously been denied such possibilities to better our lives. Pantawid Pamilya recipients, too, are

by NICOLE BONSILAO

now receiving the advantages of government initiatives," she said, expressing her gratitude for the program. She extended a hand to the DSWD-Field Office X Haven for Women—a center for victim-survivors of abuse—and educated them in manicure, pedicure, foot massage, make-up, and spa, wanting to see other people succeed. The success of the 4Ps in keeping Filipino children healthy and in school was highlighted in the Impact Evaluation Report, released every three years by the agency and partner organizations of World Bank, Australian Aid, and Asian Development Bank. 4Ps, as noted in its findings, encourages households to invest in education, does not foster dependency or increased spending on vice products, and allows parents to aim for a brighter future for their children. Evelyn Caballero is one force to be reckoned with, and many others will follow her footsteps very soon. "I can only achieve all of my ambitions for myself, my spouse, and my children through the help of schooling," she shared. To live out of poverty via education and have a dream of an opulent life that would never end is an aspiration many should follow. Should this mindset come about, we could only hope for success to be caught in the grasps of many and heroes like Evelyn to grow in numbers.

Student Government (SSG) and actively upheld by its president, Ms. Kyla Tiffany Javier. “When I ran for presidency, back when I was just still campaigning with my party, I have always made sure that it was a collaborative effort between me and my members,” she expressed. Her approach to leading a student government has always been open and impartial, something

nudoveritas • Vol. 27 No. 2 • February 2022-June 2022

Claire Sumaliling, Far From Home by MARTHA MACALTAO ong distance relationships never last,” or so they say, but the L kinship between Claire and her children is one that puts even this famous saying to shame.

she has learned after four straight years in the SSG. She states, “looking at leadership this way kind of helped me to better understand the people I work with therefore creating harmony within the team despite our differences.” The same can be said for the Grade 12 Representative, Ms. Gracie Carmel Reyn Taganile. Without the face-toface setup, virtual leadership was challenging, but this didn’t stop her compassionate service to the people. “Compassion is one of the core values that I developed with being a leader and this has helped me in leading by serving and uplifting others," she said.

While feminism and progressive movements challenge the traditional Maria Clara stereotype, the country still has much work to be done to let go of its ironfist and macho-patriarchal culture in politics. In this era, where even the femininity of the “pink” triggers sexists and invalidates a woman’s authority, leaders like Kyla and Gracie prove that compassionate leadership can overcome gender stereotypes imposed by the macho rule. Let us celebrate women, femininity, and the women leaders of the country—quoting the famous line of Regina George, “On Wednesdays, We Wear Pink.”

Claire Sumaliling is none other than a mother whose love burns the brightest for her two bundles of joy. Traveling from country to country, she works hard to grant herself and her children a fulfilling life. From being a wedding planner in Kuwait, a wedding designer in the United Arab Emirates, an encoder sec in a big building press in Dubai, an accountant in a dental clinic at Singapore, and now also Youtuber offering a variety of content for her viewers, she continues to get the job done. But behind the confident and passionate character is a battle with depression, which she struggles to fight as a single mother miles away from the very people that motivate her to keep going: her children. In spite of this tumultuous barricade, she was able to persevere for herself and her loved ones—ultimately overcoming the hurdles that held her back. With her children now turning 15 and 17 years old, Claire Sumaliling’s determination continues to glow even brighter. “It's not easy as a single mother of 2 kids, especially since I'm not around them to see firsthand how they’ve grown up already. Through prayers, I wish for God to continue to bless my family,” she said. Even distance raises a white flag of surrender to a mother’s love and tenderness. Claire was able to overcome her struggles because of her determination and hard work through the years, despite having to juggle her personal needs and the responsibilities of a single parent, wherever it may take her. Like her, behind the strong facade every mother may show, is a woman whose utmost priority is to bless her children with a life they deserve.

Home along the Foreign Lands

by MARTHA MACALTAO

raveling to different countries isn’t always all tourist spots and best combo menus. For every person, there may always be despair lurking around the bend and corners of the path; yet when there is dark, a light will eventually pass through. As the cherry blossoms bloom in Nagoya, so does one Virgie Ishihara, the light of every Filipino living in Japan. Things didn’t start out easy for Virgie when she first stepped foot in the land of the rising sun. Not only was she an informal female migrant worker, she also didn’t understand a speck of Niponggo. In her fight to survive in Japan, she observed and experienced the challenges, trying to make things work along the way. Like the 1.77 million Overseas Filipino Workers who went abroad to pursue better opportunities and pay, Virgie struggled to adapt to her new environment and adjust to a new country to provide for her family. Having been exposed to the hardships firsthand, she felt sympathy for her fellow Filipinos who were also going through a tough time in a country vastly different from their home. In the years that have gone, she was able to provide a stable life in for herself and desired to give back in return. She helped many Filipino women and men working and living in crisis conditions by connecting with each other in similar situations. Visa concerns, work challenges, racial prejudice, health issues, and poor educational accomplishment are some of the issues that Filipinos face in foreign

art by JIREH MAE CASIÑO

countries like Japan. Yet despite these challenges, Virgie remained humble and robust in her kindness to aid those who needed her help. Now holding the title of “ate”, “nanay”, and “lola”, among Filipino families in Japan, she uncovered almost impossible solutions in Japanese ward prefecture offices through the years. When asked how she responds to calls for assistance, Vergie said, “Kailangan kong sagutin at malaman ang problema na ito.” Nowadays, Virgie is a “one call away” emergency hotline for her fellow Filipinos in Japan. First it was in Nagoya, and now it is available in various other Japanese prefectures. As the Director and Founder of the Filipino Migrants Center (FMC) in Nagoya, Virgie Ishihara showed what a home feels like to Filipinos struggling in Japan. Despite her disadvantage, Ishihara proved that when the Greatness of Spirit is applied, no stumbling obstacle can prevent one from changing the world for the better. “No man is an island,” as the saying goes. If we provide a helping hand to our fellow kababayans, we can keep the promise of a better life alive for all Filipinos.

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

art by JIREH MAE CASIÑO

RED FLAGGED: Trolls, Bots, and Where to Find Them by NICOLE BONSILAO

espite being in the “golden era” of technology—where a simple click on a search engine verifies a simple truth—many have used its platforms to perpetuate false information, revisionism, and disinformation. For a quick paycheck, trolls hide behind fake personas to ravage online sites and purposefully sow untruths and historical inaccuracies to feed the gullible masses.

So when the campaign period of the National Philippine Elections 2022 commenced, online trolls and automated bots multiplied tenfold on social media platforms—manipulating public opinion and greatly influencing political outcomes. Who are these “trolls” that shaped the national political scene, and where do we find them?

is subjected heavily to digital “influencers” with over 50,000 followers on TikTok, Twitter, and wide-audience platforms. These social media influencers are cyber troops employed to spread disinformation in favor of a political figure and against the opposition, as they provide traction for their employers using popular vernacular that suit the public’s best interest.

The troll industry and Political benefit

Disinformation and Education

No other technology has been weaponized on such a massive global scale as social media. In a study, trolls or cyber troops are the pawns of the government, military, or a specific political party in defining public interest on social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, etc.). Be it factual or not, as long as the work is done and a few people fall prey to an overly organized script by a political authority meant to spread disinformation, an online troll would merely log out after finishing the day’s quota. In the Philippines, troll farms are linked with unprecedented political victories in the 2016 elections—spreading propaganda in favor of a strongman in the emperor’s new clothes. These cyber troops would publish pro-government posts on all platforms available despite warrants of credibility and then target and harass the opposition. Automated bots are also essential factors in a politician’s rise to power as these bits of code surge timelines with spam and false information presented as reliable news. As specified in a study, political marketing

Trolls don’t have to be paid and employed to be trolls. Often, they exist in the forms of our neighbors and relatives, classmates, and educators who deliberately spread disinformation and target those who try to fact-check their social media posts and call out the blatant propaganda. With this, the recently concluded National Elections have been quite a disappointment for first-time voter Hernel Juanico, a Grade 12 student of the institution. “Seeing schoolmates peddling fake news gives me a feeling of disappointment. To think that they acquired some scientific skills, it’s quite infuriating that they never put these skills into action, particularly in this institution,” he expressed in an interview. For Hernel, his disappointment with the disinformation drive during elections wasn’t limited to peers and classmates. Educators, who are supposed to be the frontrunners in providing truthful information, may be part of a bigger problem. “Educators give me a different level of disappointment. To think that they are the

pillars of knowledge are the greatest factors of the education crisis we are facing,” he stated.

Historical Revisionism

Trolls, bots—where do you find them? Often, they lurk on social media ready to pounce at dissenters; often, they are our closest friends who make ignorant remarks and purposely spread disinformation. These people are products of a long-waged war between the truth and intentionally sowed lies to confuse the masses. While historical revisionism is a welcomed practice to understand what happened in history, it has been used to distort the past to meet a certain political goal—recently seen in the national elections. For Hernel, this ploy would not play out well in the future, “Historical revisionism in this country is the turning point of our country being infected with this continuous system of disinformation. If this continues, society will remain blind, we would be losing critical thinkers and leaders, and the opportunists would remain in power in the coming years.” We live in a golden era of technology, where simple truths are verified by a simple internet search. However, privilege also plays a central factor in the cycle of lies as many don’t have the resources to fact-check, and many are victims of online trolls. So, in the fight against disinformation and revisionism, let us do our part and learn to spot the red flags.

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

by NICOLE BONSILAO & ALEXA ASTIBE

E WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED’—when the Spanish colonial government sentenced Catholic priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora to death for their supposed involvement in the 1872 Cavite Mutiny, any mention of their names or the year “1872” were considered taboo. So when national hero Jose Rizal honored the martyrs in his novel El Filibusterismo, a declaration of war was put in place against the colonial system—which eventually anticipated the Philippines’ Independence.

However, when reality show hosts quizzed their contestants with the collective melding of the Catholic Priests GOMez, BURgos, and ZAmora, they answered not GomBurZa—but MaJoHa! Pinoy Big Brother took the quiz segment intended just for laughs, but many were disturbed by the awkward fact that the youth lacked basic knowledge and interest of history. As the novelty game was nothing more than entertainment for some, it reflected the inadequacy of the Philippine education system—especially in historical subjects—to deliver quality education to the youth. When asked about this matter, Education Secretary Leonor Briones emphasized that the trouble with students who lack knowledge in basic education was a problem inherited by the current admin from previous administrations. “Hindi namin estudyante ‘yang mga bata na ‘yan sa basic education…. Pero tama naman na kami ay hinahanapan ng solusyon sa mga problema which were passed on to us,” Briones stated in a Press Briefing. The current education setup amplified the role of the internet as the most vital learning guide for remote-learning students and social media as the essential platform for communication. However, netizens and students accuse this method as an accessory for disinformation, propaganda, and the ensuing deterioration of quality education. When asked about how the internet and social media influenced their perception of the truth, Gracie, a Grade 12-Representative of Gusa Regional Science High School-X, realized how hard it is to distinguish whether an information presented is true or it is not what it seems. “Dapat responsible sad ta media consumers sa mga info na ato gina [consume], … sa gakahitabo karon, ang truth

graphics by LAWRENCE NOVO & MARK LAURENZ DELA CRUZ

kay dapat ma dig deeper pajud,”

she stated in an interview. Information, and how it is disseminated, has always been a longstanding aspect of war. YouTube, TikTok, Facebook—the daily dose of knowledge for the gullible Filipino. Many tune in to popular posts and conspiracy theories, especially on historical events, in the guise of factual information for the truth instead of fact-

checked historical books—the very reflection of the rampant disinformation and how it contributes to the education crisis. The MaJoHa issue and the discussions surrounding the education crisis submit itself as an eye-opener to the deterioration of quality education and the subtleties of disinformation on the internet. No one really knows how this sorts out, but one truth prevails: lies, fake news, and disinformation can kill.

nudoveritas • Vol. 27 No. 2 • February 2022-June 2022

More than Just a Theory:

Science of the “End Times” by DESIREE POJAS

and it is happening. Humans live in a world that stimulates hypocrisy and, as a result, drives the paradoxical desire for self-destruction. Why do people make decisions that endanger the planet and everyone on it? Humans have always had a proclivity for making bad decisions, whether due to perversity, foolishness, or ignorance. In terms of relevancy, it has had major repercussions on our environment. Let us consider the variety of human costs and responses to global environmental change from a scientific standpoint. Understanding the many human consequences and responses to global change is crucial.

Our self-destructive behaviors involve things more than the small sphere of us an individual. It might also be our human ‘needs’ for better social, economic, and political status; industrial greed and the burning of fossil fuels; human-driven changes in land use and land cover such as deforestation, urbanization, and a variety of other factors. Changes in the environment have impacted what people value. According to the National Research Council, as a result, people have relocated or adjusted their lifestyles as polar ice advanced and receded, suffered crop failures, or adapted their crops as temperature and rainfall patterns changed, and made a variety of other changes in individual and collective behavior. People, on the other hand, have not comprehended the severity of the issue and have merely reacted to global events as if they were small. Even before the present #LetTheEarthBreathe campaign and the concerns raised by worldwide scientists, there have been no government measures that actively respond by substantially considering the implications of global climate change. “The evidence is incontestable. Our destruction of biodiversity and ecosystem services has reached levels that threaten our well-being at least as much as humaninduced climate change,” said Robert Watson, who presented a major UN report on the state of nature around the world. Considering human activity is the primary driver of current global climate change, the interventions are likewise within us. Improving projections about the status of the natural environment and taking actions is a big leap. We can’t bypass these issues, and resolving them would go much beyond our domain. We should seek and demand from our government, big industries and alleviate the consequences linked to our very own destruction.

graphics by MARK LAURENZ DELA CRUZ

here is a Christian end-times theology, however, T if we look at it from an environmental science perspective, it is more than just a theory. It is real

graphics by CHLOE VILLACERAN

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

FIGHT OR FLIGHT: Nature’s Plea For Humanity by AMARA VALLE

ime can be our enemy, and the future is at stake. With COVID-19 having affected the world, death and infection rates continue to increase; economic activity falls behind, governments succumb to desperate measures, individuals and corporations struggle to adjust to new normalcy— the impact of human-caused climate change remains alarming. Only three years are left to prevent the worst consequence of the climate crisis, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned. More than 1,000 scientists from 25 nations protested, stating that immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are vital before 2025 to mitigate catastrophic effects. NASA scientist Peter Kalmus urged people to listen to climate change scientists’ urgent warnings on April 6 in Los Angeles. “We’ve been trying to warn you guys for so many decades,” Kalmus adds, his voice breaking. “The scientists of the world have been ignored. And it’s gotta stop. We’re going to lose everything.” In September 2019, a series of international strikes and protests took place to demand climate change crisis’ reforms; however, the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the world’s focus away. Drastically, the outbreak has hindered the ongoing progress of companies switching to more eco-friendly industrial practices. Businesses are expanding their usage of single-use products for safety and have become less eager to invest in sustainable methods due to COVID-19 uncertain effects (WHO, 2020). The failure to hold governments and corporations accountable for their poor contributions or inaction in combating the climate disaster stays a challenge. As stated by the Scientist Rebellion organization, their protests “highlight the urgency and injustice of the climate and ecological crisis.” Cagayan de Oro City is already experiencing adverse

effects of global warming; a case study conducted by UNHabitat shows evident changes in rainfall patterns and increased temperature in the city. The city government and the Climate Change Commission (CCC) implemented the Twin Phoenix Project in 2012 and reinforced urban development by conducting its greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory in 2016. Sensing the growing public concern and the social media mass hysteria, global environmental agencies took measures. “Let’s rally more to be part of the climate movement, and let’s continue fighting for the world that you and I imagined and make it a reality for us all,” Nazrin Camille D. Castro, The Climate Reality Project Philippines (TCRP) Branch Manager, stated during a webinar advocating climate action last April 22. As climate change worsens, scientists risk their lives and freedom to warn and inform us before it is too late. Increased international and national advocacy must propagate. Establishing environmental-friendly economic resilience remains a priority; equally, ensuring worthy investments is necessary. Operating with climate and disaster expertise is essential to consider COVID-19 recovery packages as part of their business, provide ideas for climate co-benefits, and hold governments and large corporations accountable for industrial development compatibility with climate commitments.

Yield of Technology What this country needs

by AMARA VALLE

espite continuing to be the dominating sector in the Philippine economy, agriculture–and farmers, for that matter–remain D struggling against a plethora of issues, be it water supply, pests, typhoons and drought, among others. All of that, coupled with strenuous manual labor and traditional farming methods still in use today. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) reported that more than half of the Philippines’ 113 million people live in rural areas, and 36% of them are poor, relying on agriculture as their primary and, in several cases, the sole source of income. Furthermore, the World Bank published a report titled “Transforming Philippine Agriculture During COVID-19 and Beyond” in June 2020, thus emphasizing the need to modernize the Philippines’ agricultural sectors. Practices in farming are constantly influenced by technological advancements now and throughout history. Humankind has developed new methods of increasing farming efficiency and yield productivity. Nevertheless, struggles still persist. In an interview, Menisio Omongos, a 67-year-old farmworker in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, expressed his dissatisfaction and hopelessness in the industry which he has worked for in more than 40 years, “Lisod gyud kaayo, labi na ang mag-labor,

tigulang na kayko ug dugay rako gahulat sa gobyerno, kanang, mga technology para sa uma pero wala jud,” he said, detailing the struggles of being in the agriculture sector. “Sukad sa COVID, naapektuhan jud ug ayo akong income sa harvest. Ubos ang presyo sa mais kay tungod sa ekonomiya nato, grabe jud na kalisod.” Apart from the devastating impact of COVID-19 to the sector, typhoons in 2020 also destroyed “agricultural equipment and other livelihood resources, significantly affecting those who are dependent on farming” for an income, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). That, along with the need– and lack thereof–for technology to be employed in these fields, therefore aiming to empower their farmers and fishers to be more digitally enabled, the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) understands and acknowledges the need for accessible technological advancements. “I would like to focus the intervention of the Philippines on what we think are the

policy commitments that need to be embedded within the agri-food systems to ensure greener and climate-resilient initiatives, given key challenges such as the pandemic, agricultural pests and diseases, and climate change,” said former agriculture secretary William Dar. Per the Department of Agriculture DA, Progress is developing in the sector, albeit slowly. Agriculture is critical to both the Philippine economy and the livelihood of every family. Struggling in a fast-changing generation, the modernization of the agricultural sector with the assistance of institutions and organizations provides hope for the country and marginalized individuals. Other organizations have focused on the same initiative as the Philippine government and the World Bank to digitalize the agricultural sectors. Rebuilding Philippine agriculture toward dynamic and innovative technological advancements is imperative to achieving faster economic and environmental recovery, poverty reduction, and growth.

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

InnovatoRS:

Sustainable Ideas Into Work by DESIREE POJAS

ducation is cataclysmic for inclusive growth and innovation. By putting visionary E work into action, students from Gusa Regional Science High School – X (GRSHS-X) have created several innovation projects which observe inventive awareness and

skill highlighted in the institution’s desired output. The need for innovation that supports enhanced operations, efficient resource flows, decreased waste, and the cost are highlighted in the senior high school graduating batch’s capstone projects.

With the current state of the planet, sustainability significantly than ever before—and much to our fortune, stainability can be sourced from our small actions. As social and commercial demands push clean energy consumption, decarbonization, and larger sustainability measures, science, technology, innovation, and people play a huge role in supporting communities in addressing environmental concerns. Consumers and businesses are under increasing pressure to participate with sustainability technologies, which are frequently presented by entrepreneurs. In the light of this issue, students from GRSHS-X have devised a

NFT:

self-sustaining keyboard that essentially lowers electricity consumption, ultimately reducing electricity consumption at a larger scale through their study, KuGMoK (Kuryente–Generating Mouse and Keyboard): Application of the Piezoelectric Effect on the Computer Mouse and Keyboard. “We are in the state of climate emergency. We know that most of the biggest consumers of electricity use non-renewable energy, which is why we want to propose the idea of piezoelectricity to the modern world,” said Jared Melendez, one of the proponents of the study. In an age where computers are widely-used for both commercial and recreational purposes, this

product carves a path in utilizing technology while at the same time maintaining eco-friendliness in the industry and society. The researchers anticipate that this innovation will be a step forward in the creation of a more environmentally friendly and sustainable gadget, as their product demonstrated substantial performance efficiency. As Sarah Long describes, sustainability innovation is the process of emerging and developing new initiatives that provide economic value while also having good environmental and social effects. KuGMOK is just one of the many product-based innovation studies created by students. Throughout the years, the capstone has been

The New Feat of Art Today

one of the institution’s arduous, yet highly expected projects during the academic year, showcasing young scientists’ brilliant minds through studies that will one day innovate our way of living and put forth new principles into reality. Nature does not set its own price, but sustainability innovation recognizes the need of conserving ecosystems, natural resources, and biodiversity throughout the world. The researchers and innovators from GRSHS-X thus attempt to improve the way we utilize power in a way that supports both a healthy planet and possible economic growth through their forwardthinking approach to creating a safe and sustainable future for everyone.

by JILLIANA MICLAT

igital assets are the latest trend this time and NFTs are definitely one of the things you shouldn’t miss out. This new type of digital D asset has taken the world by storm and has been receiving a lot of attention these past and recent months. NFT supporters regards this as new step to art collecting in the world history, with a certain benefit to both the artist and collector. Non-fungible refers to the fact that these digital assets are unique and cannot be replaced or replicated in any way. The Ethereum blockchain is where NFTs are kept. These are the digital assets of the blockchain, with each NFT having its own distinct signature. Blockchain technology is used to record token ownership. As long as you own the NFTs, you can earn passive income. NFTs are not only digital art. They could also be in the form of images, drawings, video clips, music or text. Even tweets and a signature can be bought or sold as NFTs. NFTs have grown in popularity in the global blockchain community. As a result of the sudden explosion of digital art projects minted primarily through the Ethereum protocol are traded on popular NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea. It is even infiltrating elite art auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s. Because of the rise of play-to-earn games like Axie Infinity, where players use unique digital characters called Axies as NFTs to earn native tokens that can be traded into a cryptocurrency with a corresponding and often appreciating fiat value, NFT adoption is more mainstream in the Philippines. AJ Dimarucot, 46, is one of the few Filipinos who collect and sell digital art on the internet using non-fungible tokens (NFTs). “Whether you’re a small or big artist, you immediately

have a way to monetize your efforts and work using NFTs,” he said via Zoom. According to a December online survey conducted by Australian information service provider Finder, roughly one-third of Filipino internet users claim to have these tokens. This new technology has the power to make a starving artist into a millionaire overnight! But because of this it might further hasten climate change. The annual energy consumption used to maintain NFTs was 107.79 TWh, which is the same amount of electricity consumed by the entire country of the Netherlands, and 53.79 Mt CO2, or the same carbon footprint as Singapore. NFTs themselves have no environmental impact, but how they are produced can have significant environmental consequences. Because the crypto art craze is relatively new, none of the data available has been reviewed by outside experts. There’s probably a lot of greenhouse gas emissions tied to NFTs because they’re mostly bought and sold in marketplaces that use the cryptocurrency Ethereum. Ethereum, like most major cryptocurrencies, is based on a system known as “proof of work,” which consumes a tremendous amount of energy. Making a transaction on Ethereum incurs a fee, which is ironically known as “gas.” Finally, artists are the most vocal advocates

for change. There is already an artist-led effort to raise funds to reward people who can figure out new ways to make crypto art more sustainable. Anyone who wants to support those artists by purchasing their work can do so by migrating to less polluting platforms, or by purchasing a physical copy of their work.

IÑO CAS E A EH M y JIR art b

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

Mind and Matter:

by DESIREE POJAS

ne of the many riddles of the universe is the understanding of vibration, and how it resonates with our very existence. As scholars and studies probe the conclusion to this riddle for decades, a sliver of it has been made clear with the fact that the physical universe is vibration circumscribed within every space around us—and this is all transpiring to a very fundamental degree.

We feel it when we encounter the endless movement of the innumerable oscillations within us and the limitless heaps of waves surging within. Although vibrations have been known to be used medically such as to target cancerous cells and improve the longevity of telomeres among people, the connection between the mind and vibration is a road not commonly tread by scientists.

A Brief History

The Pythagoreans developed vibration theory around the fifth century BC. According to the Law of Vibration, everything in the cosmos is always moving. These motions are referred to as vibrations, and the frequency at which they occur is referred to as frequency. The sole difference between two objects is the pace at which they vibrate. This theory branched many other theories from several sectors. When diverse vibrations come into close contact they typically begin to vibrate at the same frequency within a short period and sometimes synchronize in strange ways. In his 2003 book “Sync: How Order Emerges from Chaos in the Universe, Nature, and Daily Life,” mathematician Steven Strogatz uses examples from physics, biology, chemistry, and neurology to show sync - his name for resonance. These examples include how certain species of fireflies congregate in big groups and begin blinking in sync in mysterious ways, and how lasers are created when photons of the same strength and frequency synchronize.

Beyond Sound and Sense

Could the way objects vibrate have something to do with consciousness? Jonathan Schooler and Tam Hunt, both of the University of California, Santa Barbara, have proposed a resonance hypothesis of consciousness. It

implies that resonance – another name for coordinated vibrations – is at the heart of human awareness, animal consciousness, and physical reality in general. Certain frequencies can resist sickness, while certain frequencies can eradicate disease, according to science, medicine, and philosophy. Everything in nature has varied vibrational frequencies. Quantum physics portrays the cosmos as nothing more than a collection of vibrating energy threads. Different regions of our body have their unique sound signature, according to scientific studies. Everything in the cosmos, including our thoughts, is made out of energy. Factors such as the nature of the thought make it vibrate at different frequencies. Our ideas are cosmic waves with such strength that they can travel through space and time, and the vibration of our bodies is controlled by our ideas and feelings. By controlling and regulating our ideas, we have the ability to control the frequency of our consciousness—therefore, the vibration of your body is determined by your emotional condition. To a considerable part, these vibrations determine how you live your life because they create resonance with everything that vibrates at the same frequency.

Root of Physical Encounter

The universe is divided into an infinite number of subjects and objects for each of us. Through vibrations, we feel the rest of the world outside of our personal experience. These empirical observations are tantamount to the hypothesis pertaining to the connection between consciousness and matter. This universal law scientifically expounds quantum physics and neuroscience in a more profound manner. In quantum physics, vibration suggests that everything is energy. Every moving matter are vibrational entities that move at specific

frequencies. The study of quantum physics has developed over time and has helped to illuminate the truth’s major ramifications. In the brain, on this physical plane, thoughts are formed as electrochemical chains of atoms and molecules. The three interdependent components of the conventional space-time continuum model are space, time, and energy. Each of the three depends on the other two and cannot exist independently. With regards to the inquiry regarding conscious thought and how it connects to vibration, researchers have discovered that vibrations appear to be crucial to human consciousness and, in fact, to the existence of all things. Physical mechanisms that connect mind and matter and provide a degree of perception underlie conscious representation. Each atom throughout the cosmos must experience some sort of tug or push from the many forces operating around it in order for it to be considered to exist. Every physical item, including you, is likely vibrating and oscillating, according to Hunt and Schooler. Our relationship to the world around us is more intricate and our consciousness is more advanced scaling with how synced our vibrations are. As Albert Einstein said, “Everything in life is vibration.” Indeed, vibration is exactly how we experience life itself. You are a sphere of living energy. Your body is made up of energyproducing particles that are constantly moving. As a result, you, like everything else in the cosmos, are vibrating and producing energy. This mystery is still an iceberg, and we only have surface information. What lies below it, however, is a vast knowledge that cannot be simply perceived by the eye—and the universe of vibration presents a new range for humankind to discover.

nudoveritas • Vol. 27 No. 2 • February 2022-June 2022

STATUS UPDATE VIGOR. Student athletes from Gusa Regional Science High School-X gather their resolve through the waning pandemic; one punch, smash, and check at a time. IN FRAME | VINCE PHILIPPE SERIÑA

The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X

RegSci athletes recount their sports journey in quarantine by IVY JEAN SILAGAN

he onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to the majority of sports events around the world. Student-athletes, in particular, were amongst the people who were heavily affected as they are not able to actively participate in their usual sporting activities in school or outside their homes.

RS athletes are no exception to this case. Several regionalistas shared their experiences on how they adapted to the new normal conditions and their ways of maintaining fitness throughout the quarantine period. Vince Seriña of Grade 12 took up a lot of sports in his life such as soccer, swimming, and skateboarding. He was a member of RS basketboys and competed in several District and Division Meet competitions. When asked about how the pandemic changed his physical and social life, he responded: “I wasn’t allowed to go out and socialize with friends because of the quarantine. It also really limited my physical activities as well as my social life since we weren’t really able to hang out and socialize like we used to.” However, he was able to maintain his physical condition by doing lots of indoor sports and workouts. Seriña was also appointed as the head of this

year’s GRSHS-X Sports Club and together with the Supreme Student Government, they spearheaded the recently concluded Virtuamurals 2022. “My experience during the Virtuamurals was very hectic yet super fun. Meeting lots of new people and working together with them was probably the most memorable part of my job. I felt a lot of stress throughout the event but it was all worth it in the end,” he said. Recently, he also began his boxing journey and even won a gold medal in “The Dogfight 612” boxing match on June 12, 2022, via 2nd round TKO. On the other hand, 9th grader Neil Sulapas, a table tennis athlete, claimed that he maintains his fitness and physical condition by doing scheduled training. “Mainly, my scheduled training only covers table tennis. If I have a free week, I train for 6 days. From Monday to Friday, I’ll do a 30-minute run and some playing and footwork routines by sets. On Saturdays, I do a 5km run in the morning then

if possible, practice game with my teammates for application of what we have learned throughout the week.” he said. However, with responsibilities comes challenges especially in this pandemic. “My physical activities have been limited since I need accompaniment. Regarding my social life, I rarely have the time to train with my teammates since arranged practice games have been canceled due to the fact that we’re in a pandemic,” he added. Lastly, RS Chess club captain Kahlil Yagao who also takes table tennis, said that he sometimes jogs in their local plaza to maintain his physical condition. “Life in quarantine is very different, you only become physically active when you have the motivation to do so. However, I still keep my social life intact because of social media but it is not the same as before,” he said.

RS studes join forces in 2022 Virtuamurals and Club Culmination Activities of Gusa Regional Science High School-X show off their wits and ingenuity in the recently concluded “PANAG-HIUSA: 2022 Students Virtuamurals and Club Culmination Activities” on May 10-12, 2022. The 3-day event, consisting of 11 game categories, marks the second Virtual-Intramurals event by the institution, as preceded by last year’s online clash with the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Senior High School. For this year, the GRSHS-X realm is composed of The Viridescent Pythons (Grade 7), Yellow Roaring Tigers (Grade 8), Red Raging Dragons (Grade 9), Blue Jays (Grade 10), White Blood Seals (Grade 11), and Big Black Cocks (Grade 12). Fruji Sabello of Grade 9 Red Raging Dragons and Avryll Basan of Grade 11 White Blood Seals triumphed in the categories of Traditional Poster and Digital Poster, respectively. Lance Dabad, who hails from the Grade 9 Yellow Roaring Tigers, nabbed the 1st place and the People’s Choice Award for Mobile Photography while Sean Calamba of Grade 7 Viridescent Pythons won the Editor’s Choice Award. Samantha Sim of Grade 11 White Blood Seals won first place in the Quizziz category while Kristine Flores of Grade 12 Big Black Cocks also took the gold in the Spelling Bee. Meanwhile, Zed Gesulga of Grade 11 White Blood Seals ruled in the Chess Category. Claire Careras and Ysabella Cagalawan of Grade 9 Red Raging Dragons were declared first place for the Talent Show, while Dawn Mejares of Grade 8 Yellow Roaring Tigers stood out the most in the Creative Cosplay category and was hailed

as the first placer. Lastly, in the E-games category were Call of Duty, Valorant, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Team “Champion na Daan” of Grade 12 Big Black Cocks outdueled the rest in ML:BB with Kert “Kerwi” Cardinales coming up as the MVP. On the other hand, Team “The Wedding of Maria and June” delivered another victory for Grade 11 White Blood Seals alongside reigning MVP Jan Mark “LMAOFACE” Torres as they dominated in the Valorant category. For Call of Duty, the Grade 10 Blue Jays or Team “Normies” reigned the finals match with Hanz “Heist Hanz” Calio securing the MVP title. Overall, the Grade 11 White Blood Seals emerged as the champion, while the 2nd and 3rd place was clinched by Red Raging Dragons (Grade 9) and Blue Jays (Grade 10), respectively. “While it was a tough fight between year levels on who takes the overall champion, I hope that the students understood the real essence of this activity and that is to foster stronger connections with each other despite the restrictions because of the distance learning,” said Kyla Javier, the President of GRSHS-X’s Supreme Student Government. “I hope that somehow, we made them feel how it feels like to be back on campus. How RS, our home, feels like. And may they find strength in it and look forward to finally going back to normal soon,” she added.

VIRTUAMURALS 2022 BATCH BANNERS graphics by MARCO LABAJAN

Nudo Veritas 2021-2022 | Volume 27 No. 2

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