Engineering SPECTRUM Volume XXV No. 2 by Engineering SPECTRUM

Volume XXV No. 2 | Febraury 2019

The Official Student Publication of PUP College of Engineering

/PUPspectrum

NEW HOME? This is the current situation of the Charlie del Rosario building first floor. Should the relocation of student organizations' offices of the College start, they will have to share the space with the other accredited student organizations of Mabini campus. John Albert Recio

After ISO certification for Mabini Campus

CE seeks CHED, 2 accreditations n John Matthew Mangalus and Patrick Ian Balsalubre

COLLEGE of Engineering (CE) prepares for accreditations from national bodies: Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (Aaccup), and certifications from international organizations: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which can benefit the College financially and academically. Current status After the six departments of the college have successfully complied with the requirements prescribed by CHED with their respective programs, CE is now waiting for its Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) to be given by CHED anytime this year, as stated by Pedrito

Tenerife Jr., current accreditation head of the college. Moreover, six months prior to its preparation, PUP Mabini campus received ISO 9001:2015 certificate last December 2018 for its quality management system, in which the college is also eyeing for this year. This includes accreditation

for processes such as enrolment, medical services, and request of documents. Phase 1, Level 4 Aside from COPC and ISO Certification, the college is also targeting for the Phase One of the CE seeks CHED/p.2

VP MUHI EXPLAINS CHED BILLING, FIELD TRIP FEES Billing for the previous semester was already submitted to Comission on Higher Education (CHED); field trip fees of up to PhP5,500 is based on the department's decision - Vice President for Academic Affairs Manuel Muhi.

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3-PEAT FOR ME QUIZZERS After attaining the championship for the Intercollegiate Mechawizard held last January 23, ME quizzers succesfully defended the title for three consecutive years since 2016.

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CE seeks acad.../p.2

BUILDING REPAIRS MAY TAKE YEARS - CEA ADMIN NDC campus administrator Kenneth Bryan Tana proposed solutions for the nonfunctional elevator and the water interruption in comfort rooms caused by the old piping system of the building.

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LITEROTICA

Explore your inner desires

A DOZEN MATTER 12 matters that matter

ISSUES | PAGE 5

LITERARY | PAGE 8

Student orgs offices need to vacate- PUP admin n John Albert Recio

ADAPTING to the growing population of students in the University, all student organizations of the College of Engineering (CE) except the student council was advised to gradually vacate their offices until June this year. Admin’s decision Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Manuel Muhi, CE officer-in-charge Remedios Ado, and CE faculty held a dialogue with officers of accredited student organizations in the College last January 29 to talk about the administration’s plan to convert existing student organizations’ offices into additional classrooms and stock rooms. "‘Yung mga ina-accept namin [na students] ay akmang-akma sa mga available room na dapat i-utilize. Ang problema, some rooms like yours [student orgs] na supposedly functional as classrooms ay hindi nagagamit," Muhi answered when asked if vacating of offices is necessary despite knowing the capacity of available rooms. Students orgs offices/p.2

Illustrated by John Dred Dejapa

THIS IS WHAT NORMAL LOOKS LIKE An article about acceptance and moving forward

THE OTHER SIDE Stories behind the stereotypes

FEATURES | PAGE 6

OPINION | PAGE 11

News

Spectrum

Rogelio C. Legaspi Jr., Editor

February 2019

NPU bill awaits next Congress n Jeshua Ephraim Malimata

SENATE Bill 2037 and House Bill 9023, declaring PUP as the national polytechnic university (NPU), failed to proceed in the 18th congress due to the May 2019 elections. Progress Since its referral to Senate’s Education committee last October 2018, the Senate Bill 2037 has undergone deliberations and is expected to be on its way to second reading from the Senate. However, no further developments were posted in the official Senate website as of this writing. On the other hand, House of Representatives approved the House bill 9023 on its second reading, in a press release by the House of Representatives dated February 13. Reps. Winston Castelo (Second district, Quezon City) and Paolo Everardo Javier (Lone district, Antique) serves as principal authors of the said bill. Midterm elections Campaign period for May 2019 elections, which officially started last February 12, prevented the bill to proceed in the current congress. Moreover, conflict of having a new set of legislators will affect the progress of the NPU bill, PUP Pres. Emanuel de Guzman shared in an interview with Spectrum last January 17. After the official proclamation of winners, NPU bill will restart its legislation process through the new set of house representatives and senators. Promise of NPU Once the NPU status is achieved, “the University will enjoy institutional and fiscal autonomy, determine its teaching, research and

Student orgs need to vacate offices Admin FROM PAGE 1 All board and non-board courses will be limited only to 35 and 40 students per classroom, respectively, VPAA further explained. Plan of action On the other hand, members of College of Engineering Consultative Board (CECB) which include leaders from 19 organizations and student publication Spectrum, along with student council president Phoebe Joanne Go (ECE V), are doing necessary steps to address the said issue: conducting a study if there are inadequate classrooms in the College, and learning their rights for the offices. “Bakit kailangan paalisin tayo, eh ‘di naman talaga tayo [mga] tambay lang. May mga outputs tayo," PUP Hygears team manager Joseph Agustin Flor (IE V) explained. Should the vacating of the offices begin, student organizations will be relocated on the first floor of Charlie del Rosario building of Mabini campus where they will have to share stalls with other student organizations in the University.

extension thrusts, plans, policies, programs, and standards in line with national goals and priorities”, the bill stated. PUP shall also directly recommend its annual budget to the President of the Philippines and Congress. Progressive groups such as Anakbayan PUP-College of Political Science and Public Administration (Cpspa) chapter have been arguing that the NPU bill was allegedly drafted without the students’ consultation. “Ito’y nagbibigay [ng] garantiya sa pagpapatupad ng iba’t ibang bayarin na maaaring sa kalaunan ay ipapasan sa mga estudyante,” the group said in an online post. Other groups also express concern in Section 10 Paragraph W of the Senate bill stating, “privatize, where most advantageous to the institution, management and nonacademic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property maintenance and similar such other objectives.” “Wala naman sigurado diyan [sa mga provision] hangga’t ‘di nakapirma si [President] Duterte,” Pres. de Guzman assured.

ISO CERTIFIED. PUP Pres. Emanuel de Guzman, with University's vice presidents, accepts the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 certification for Mabini Campus, December 19, 2018. PUP Communication Center

CE seeks CHED, 2 accreditations FROM PAGE 1 Level IV Aaccup accreditation, in which, as Tenerife mentioned, the 10 areas for the said accreditation must be achieved with a high grade. Areas which must meet with substantial number of good practices include: vision, mission, goals, and objectives (VMGO), faculty, curriculum, support to students, research, extension and community involvement, library, physical plant and facilities, laboratories, and administration. Similar to previous

accreditations, Tenerife emphasized the familiarization of the VMGO as Aaccup accreditors will ask questions to students about it during the inspection. Alumni will also be playing a part in the accreditation as tracer studies will be conducted to see how PUP graduates are performing in their industries. Importance and benefits Once CE attained the Level IV Aaccup accreditation, graduates from the college who are looking for jobs will be prioritized by companies here and abroad, and will be on par

Dakila to represent Hygears in Malaysia n Ysabelle Mendoza ENSURING a slot in Shell Ecomarathon Asia (SEM) 2019 after passing Phase Two of the registration, PUP Hygears prepares for the upcoming competition in Malaysia on April 29 to May 3 with the new urban concept Dakila. Going urban Hygears passed the vehicle specifications of Phase One, with two prototypes: Adan (threewheeled automobile prototype) and Dakila (four-wheeled vehicle urban concept), both under batteryelectric category. As stated in SEM 2019 official rules, urban concept vehicles should

be close in appearance to modern passenger cars. According to Hygears managerial head Joseph Flor (IE V), “Main entry namin si Dakila, pero ‘di namin sure kung makakakuha ba kami ng enough funds galing sa sponsors.” Dakila, as Flor shared, will first encounter different efficiency tests, and problems on fund-raising before attempting to record a valid run in Malaysia. Budget Fortunately for Hygears, Buskowitz Finance Inc., a company that offers solar loans and leases for

renewable energy, shouldered 60 percent of the vehicle’s expenses, along with last year’s sponsor CIM Technologies. Unlike SEM 2018, the team has enough funding from the sponsors to finish the vehicle. Budgetary outlay for plane fare of the participants and logistics for cargo shipping of the vehicle were submitted to the Office of the Internal Audit for financial assistance in the Malaysian trip. Competition Phase Three-A (Logistics) of the competition, which includes submission of papers such as Dakila to represent/p.3

IN PROGRESS. Chassis assembly and testing for the urban concept vehicle Dakila, the official entry of PUP Hygears in 2019 Shell Eco-Maraton Asia, is expected to be finished before March 29. John Albert Recio

with institutions such as Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines with the same status. “It’s a team effort para pumasa tayo sa ina-applyan natin [na accreditation]. Kasi ‘pag ganito [ang] rank ng school mo, it follows na magagaling ‘yung [mga] estudyante,” CE officer-in-charge Remedios Ado shared. CE as university’s pioneer Other academic programs in Mabini campus, such as BS Filipinohiya, failed to pass the Level IV Phase I accreditation on their first attempt. However, Tenerife said that the CE is aiming to be the first college in the University to pass the said accreditation on its first try. “Parang nung Level III [ng Aaccup], tayo rin ‘yung unang college na pumasa at pinakamaraming department na pinasa,” added Tenerife. Level IV Phase I accreditation, which will be conducted tentatively on June, includes necessary documents while Phase II comprises of presentations and print works. Center of Excellence The college also has plans on attaining the Center of Development (COD) for its degree programs and eventually the Center of Excellence (COE) status given by CHED, right after attaining the Level IV Aaccup accreditation. COD refers to a program under a college within a higher education institution which shows the potential to become a COE in the future. According to the PUP website, as of 2013, the university has only two programs (Journalism and Filipinolohiya) awarded with CODs, compared to the 26 COEs of University of the Philippines Diliman, the highest in the country. Aside from CHED and Aaccup recognitions, Tenerife also mentioned the plans of the college to be certified under the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET is the educational standard against which professional engineers in the United States were held for licensure. Currently, there are only three universities in the country that earned their engineering programs an ABET certification: Mapua University, Technological University of the Philippines (Manila and Quezon City campuses), and Batangas State University.

News

Spectrum February 2019

Budget dep’t: No fund for SUCs infrastructures, less stipends

n Victor Calinao, Jr.

As the national government shifts to a new cash-based budgeting system for 2019, allocations for the construction of proposed infrastructures and scholarship programs of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) suffer budget cut from the appropriated PhP3.76 trillion national budget this year. Billing According to Department of Budget and Management (DBM), annual cash-based appropriations limit the contractual obligations and disbursing payments within a fiscal year (FY), contrary to obligation-

based budget used in 2018 where contracts awarded before the end of FY can be delivered even in the next year. Under the new system, an extended payment period of three months after the FY will be provided

to give time for government agencies to settle their payments unlike in the obligation-based that would extend up to 12 months. In a press release of DBM, the shift would “force the agencies” to speed up completion of projects as well as strengthen the accountability of government and become more clearly linked to their appropriated budget. But with the new budget system, several government agencies may experience several budget cuts under the 2019 budget such as cuts in infrastructure and equipment in

Department of Education, health facilities and deployment of doctors and nurses to rural areas in Health department, and scholarship and buildings in Commission on Higher Education. No new buildings As per the General Appropriations Act of 2019, DBM did not allot any fund for the capital outlay (CO) or new infrastructure/s for the University. This corresponds to the PhP7.8 billion budget cut in CO or school buildings in state universities and colleges (SUCs). “We did not allow any new construction under the 2019 budget. These schools cannot expand and allow free entry of students. Remember we want not just free education, but quality education,” said Benjamin Diokno, secretary of DBM. “Walang CO maski sa ibang

SUCs. Pinapatapos muna lahat ng pending programs and projects ng PUP para malinis ang simula sa 2020,” Florenita Imperial, director of PUP Budget Service office, further explained in an interview with Spectrum last February 4. Less stipends With the new adjustments, financial support of around 350,000 college students would be cut off from aid under the Student Financial Assistance Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). According to the DBM, the budget for CHED was “rationalized” to make way for the implementation of the free tuition law which was given an additional PhP11B allocation. This is aside from the proposed PhP27 B budget in the 2019 Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) budget, compared from PhP16 B allocated last year.

TERRITORIAL UPDATES IE introduces six sigma certs n Jann Beatrice Padilla

FREE CHARGING. Through the help of ECE chairperson Geoffrey Salvador, Prof. Orland Tubola, and GEARTeach, a sub-organization of PUP Electronics Engineering Society, ECE solar-powered charging station offers free recharging of mobile phones by bringing Universal Serial Bus (USB) cord. With 10 USB ports and six lockers for safety, the station can be found in front of CEA Rm. 304C. John Albert Recio

VP Muhi explains CHED billing, field trip fees n Czarina May Austria

DUE to the implementation of Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education last semester, the University has to submit a billing to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its budget, which includes payments like field trip fees. Billing “We identify all the items that we’re going to bill sa CHED: ‘yung lahat ng mga sinisingil sa inyo before the implementation of free education act,” explained Vice President for Academic Affairs Manuel Muhi regarding the inclusion of fees in the said billing. Billing for the first semester of academic year 2018-2019 was already passed to CHED which contained tuition and miscellaneous fees charged in the students. Billing for second semester is expected to be submitted this March after settling payables from request of tutorials and petitions. Field trip fees Concerns regarding the expensive fees for field trips were raised by various student organizations as they believed this is a tactic of the admin to collect more

budget from CHED. However, Muhi clarified that it is the chairperson’s decision to determine the fees needed for field trips that will be charged to CHED. Among these fees are transportation, accommodation, and food of students throughout the activity. For College of Engineering, field trip fees range from PhP3,500 to PhP5,500 which will be shouldered first by the graduating students who will join their department’s tour. Reimbursements will be processed once CHED has approved the billing for second semester of this academic year. Other matters in RA 10931 Muhi explained that civic service of students in return for free education will not be rendered after graduation but within the studying time and is separate from internship. However, there is still no advice

from CHED to implement it as part of the law. If executed, it will be the decision of the university on how many hours should students spend for the said service.

Dakila to represent Hygears in Malaysia FROM PAGE 2 passports and flight schedules for the confirmation of participation, will be conducted until March 29. Competition proper, to be held in Malaysia on April 29 to May 3, includes nine stages of technical inspection and five attempts of valid run that are required to be passed by Dakila. The prototype is expected to run at 100km/kWh, according to Hygears technical head Marvin Lagazo (ME V). Selected nine students with adviser Engr. Jocielyn Golpeo will participate in the five-day competition in Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

TO improve students’ management skills, Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers (PIIE) PUP student chapter conducted a Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification last February 4-7 and 18-21. Consists of seminar-training sessions and an examination after each, “Ito yung magiging armas mo [o belt mo] pagkagraduate lalo na if you’ll be

working sa production at manufacturing,” explained PIIE Vice president for external affairs Keigo Rasdas (IE V). Six Sigma is a set of techniques and tools for improvement and was first introduced in Motorola company in 1980. To date, these techniques are being used as a problem solving methodology in the field of production.

EE quizzers dominate nat’l convention n Micheal James Hermano PUP-MANILA Electrical Engineering (EE) quizzers’ pool championed in the 16th Philippine Electrical Code Quiz Show and placed second runner up in the fifth Clash of the Intellects in Engineering Sciences and Allied Subjects (Cienscia), as part of the 43rd Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) annual national convention last October 16, 2018. “Nakaka-fulfill [kasi] ‘di namin inaasahan,” said team captain Bryan Reodica (EE V)

after winning the championship title. With Reodica, IC Geberlene Malco (EE V) and Bryan Estaris and Ann Razon (EE IV) also placed second runner up in the fifth Cienscia. On the same day, Lady Sharmaine Concio, Mark Josuah Lucas, Adrian Joshua Rena, Charl Justine Reyno, and Erwin Magno (EE V) with their research “Unmanned Estuary Cleaner” secured the first place in the EE Research Contest. The team also won the Best Poster Awardee with Engr. Faustino Rural as the adviser.

ME quizzers earn 3-peat n Geraldrine Espinosa MECHANICAL Engineering (ME) quizzers successfully defended the championship title for the third time in the Intercollegiate MechaWizard held at Technological University of the Philippines-Manila last January 23. The team of Jose Jesus Perez, Edric Andrew Fontelara, Kent Adoniram Paguinto (ME

V), Roginald Celestino, Franz Pingol, (ME IV), and Ferdinand Ferrer (ME I) achieved the championship title in the quiz show participated by 110 quizzers of 22 teams from participating schools. Second group of ME quizzers from the department placed tenth in the quiz show.

News

Spectrum

February 2019

Research building finally opens after 2 years n Geraldrine Espinosa

AFTER years of planning and construction since 2015, the Engineering Science and Research Center (ESRC) building, designated for University’s researchers, formally opened last January 7 with a ceremony attended by PUP officials. Progress through years Planning stage began in 2015, and after design revisions, construction of the building started in 2017 and was completed last year. Conflict on electrical connections and nearby construction project of the Philippine National Railways caused the delays for the completion of the said project. Moreover, after its completion, ESRC was then turned over to Facility and Management Office (FAMO) which will manage the operation of the building temporarily until a building administrator is assigned, and will be finally used as research center for the University’s faculty. For faculty use “Talagang para sa faculty lang [ang building]; ‘yung mga estudyante ay puwedeng mag-assist,” explained Christian Punzalan, Architect II of the Physical Planning and Development

Office (PPDO), regarding the use of ESRC. However, Biology students were seen using the facility for their research study, with permission from their college dean. According to Punzalan, ESRC is designated for faculty of College of Science (CS), who are already utilizing the facility for research and experiments, and College of Engineering (CE), who has yet to move its equipment in the building. “[Ang] kulang na lang [ay] ‘yung mga equipment niyo [CE] kasi parang pina-deliver pa lang doon [sa ESRC] at hindi pa nai-install,” Punzalan added. Also, as Vice President for Academic Affairs Manuel Muhi said in an interview with Spectrum last August 2018, ESRC could also be a source of income for the university by letting companies use the facility for laboratory testing.

RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENT. With their dean's approval, Biology student uses the sterilizing equipment as part of experiment in their research study inside the research building, February 4. John Albert Recio

De Guzman still allows immersion programs

n Renz Carra Mendoza

DESPITE the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) claim that immersion programs of student organizations are being used to recruit New People’s Army (NPA) members, PUP Pres. Emanuel de Guzman will still allow out-of-school activities provided that immersions are part of the students’ curriculum. Officials’ perspective “’Di ko sila ine-encourage na mamundok pero kung bahagi nga ng kanilang kurikulum ‘yung pumunta sa ilang mga komunidad, eh ‘di gawin nila ‘yun,” President Emanuel de Guzman said in an interview with Spectrum last January 17. President de Guzman was alarmed about the issue since it will only cause anxiety among the students and their families, but also guaranteed that there are clearances and contacts from the local communities for immersion programs. Vice President for Academic Affairs Manuel Muhi, however,

stressed that there is nothing to worry about. “Kahit naman meron o wala, matagal na rin namang may issue [about NPA recruitments]. PUP is the bastion of activism. Hanggang ngayon, ‘yun pa rin naman ang pagkakakilanlan natin,” Muhi said. Students’ sentiments Progressive student organizations condemn the continuous claim of PNP on the alleged recruitment of NPAs in the University. According to Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan deputy secretary general Mark Dave Astrolavio (Psych IV), “Malinaw na pandadawit lang talaga sa PUP [ang

allegation] at pag-atake sa rights ng estudyante na mag-express [ng opinyon].” Even PUP Kabataan Partylist chairperson Kim Lagman (EE V) said that students need to undergo i m m e r s i on pro g r am t o f u l ly understand the protest of farmers and laborers. “Madalas, nakikita natin na nagpo-protesta sila [mga manggagawa] pero hindi naman natin agad maiintindihan kung ano talaga ‘yung pinaglalaban nila,” Lagman said. Recent accusations Last October 2018, PNP has accused universities such as PUP,

University of the Philippines, and De La Salle University-Manila of joining the Communist Party of the Philippines - NPA movement to ouster the current administration. Other universities especially in Metro Manila were also being indicted last January.

Building repairs may take years – CEA admin n Honey Grace Alfonso

AMIDST discomforts caused by the nonfunctional elevator and interrupted water supply in comfort rooms of the Engineering and Architecture building, NDC Campus Building Administrator Kenneth Bryan Tana clarified things in the said issues and discussed possible solutions in an interview with Spectrum last January 17. Obsolete elevator parts Last January 2018, the elevator in CEA building malfunctioned where five Mechanical Engineering (ME) students got trapped on their way to the fourth floor. The elevator was considered out of service since then. When asked if the elevator will be repaired, Tana explained that CEA elevator parts are already obsolete in the market since the model is almost 30 years old in his estimate, which makes the repair difficult. “Mayroong request na baguhin lahat ng elevator [sa PUP Manila]. Kasi nga obsolete na kasi talaga yan. Ang problema lang ay yung pondo talaga,” added Tana.

DEFEND PRESS FREEDOM. The day after Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was arrested for cyber libel case, student organizations and publications held a protest to call out the freedom of press and uphold democratic rights, at the John Albert Recio College of Communication carpark, February 14.

The accusations, however, was deemed incorrect by different institutions, such as PUP. “Kung babalikan, ang Red October ay may goal para maximahin ang Armed Forces of the Philippines para bigyan sila ng justification upang makapasok sa mga universities,” stated Lagman.

Re-piping system Water loss in comfort rooms has been a problem in CEA building after its renovation last year. According to Tana, this has been reported immediately to Physical

Planning Development Office (PPDO) and Maynilad, a water service provider, to address the matter. “Ngayon mayroon kaming contact sa Maynilad na magchecheck ng waterline rito,” assured Tana. Also, there are suggestions from the admin to remove the old piping inside the walls of the building and replace it with new ones. Procurement process Tana clarified that the budget for the purchase of new elevators and re-piping system will undergo procurement processes, based on Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. Thus, years should be waited to begin these projects, like the almost five years plan of renovation in CEA which is only undertaken last 2017. “Hindi ganoon kabilis kasi nga nasa gobyerno [tayo],” stated Tana.

Issues

Spectrum February 2019

A DOZEN

MATTER To all the aspiring senatorial candidates, this letter is for you: IT is already 11:00 PM. I just came home after a twohour journey from Pureza to Batasan Hills. I am thirty minutes late than my usual travel time. Thanks to the ongoing road repair (again) and worsening traffic condition1, sitting inside a jeepney makes me realize how grueling it is to commute here in the Metro. Studying in a state university means that my tuition and miscellaneous fees are free2. Since Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law3 was implemented, prices of school supplies and transportation fees increased4. I guess it is not a free education at all. As I watch newscast on the bus on my way home, I see how the government keep saying that everything is under control despite how national issues continue to affect us every day. Maria Ressa was arrested for a cyber libel case5, and posted a bail the day after. Propagation of unverified news6 continue to blur the line between lies and truths. Stories of provincial and city leaders being killed7, and the continuous rising death toll count of extra-judicial killings8, continue me to question what kind of leaders did we elect? Browsing through Facebook, I saw a video of an Atenean high school student bullying his classmate9. It was horrible and reminded me of how I was treated when I was in grade school. Though their names is not accurate as to what I used to remember, I can still recognize the faces of my classmates who bullied me and made my elementary life miserable. President Rodrigo Duterte said that Catholicism may cease to exist in about a quarter of a century10, in speech delivered at Davao City. He also slammed the media for potraying slain priests as saints. The Chief Executive admitted that he molested his family’s maid11 when he was a teenager.

The two bullies are somehow products of the how they were raised by their parents. I wonder what and where it went wrong? But it’s not too late to change. It does not matter how old or young the person is. What is important is the eagerness to change and for society to give them a chance. But even that small slight of chance to change is in peril because of a proposed house bill to lower the criminal liability form 15 years old to nine12. I believe that leaders are not born nor made – they are a product of both. How they were raised into becoming a leader, and how their experiences taught them what leadership is about, matters on how they will lead the people to betterment (or failure). As a first-time voter, what I (and my fellow voters) can do is to be part of the ‘made’ process. We have the power to choose what kind of leaders – senators – the Philippines deserves in the next three years. We can either be part of making or breaking the culture of misogynists, corrupt officials, and bullies. May to whom we will cast our votes reflect the best in us. Having a perfect government is not possible, but doing nothing about its imperfection is not fitting at all. To all the senators-to-be, we will be watching, putting rage in the face of incompetence, unfairness, and lies. Sincerely yours,

Jeshua Ephraim F. Malimata PUP Manila - ME (IV)

THIS coming May 13, Filipinos will choose the next 12 senators from 62 hopefuls. SPECTRUM asked CEans about qualities they think the next 12 senators should never have. Here are some the notable answers:

Rosemarie Desquitado

Jhan Villafranca (CpE I) “...who doesn’t give value and importance to his countrymen.”

Ivan Velarde (ECE IV) “Inexperienced and does not have the knowledge to do their job.”

Leeanna Wane Moya (CE IV) “…are just influencers or politicians who have been accused of crime.”

Angela Ver Medina (IE V) “…is a Marcos apologist and pro [supports] extra-judicial killings.”

Signature of BEI Chairman

12 MATTERS THAT MATTER 1. TRAFFIC Almost PhP3.5 billion/day are being wasted due to the worsening traffic conditions in Metro Manila in a study last 2017.

2. FREE EDUCATION Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act entails free tuition and other fees in local and state colleges and universities. But, as iterated on Section 3 of the law, collegebased publications like SPECTRUM will not be funded.

3. TRAIN LAW Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law prescribes reduction of income tax but imposes higher tax on fuel, tobacco, and sugary beverages. Additional tax is expected to fund infrastructure projects of the government.

4. FARE HIKE Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) resolution dated December 3, 2018 grants rollback of minimum fare to PhP9. But, last January, transport groups called LTFRB an additional PhP1 fare hike following spike in fuel prices.

5. PRESS FREEDOM Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was arrested last February 13 for cyber libel in connection with a story published in May 2012. Known as critical of Duterte administration, Ressa and Rappler is currently facing other nine cases filed.

6. MISINFORMATION

tete-a-tete

FAIR WARNING

BALLOT ID: 1018615 CLUSTERED PRECINCT: 1122A 10F4B B2D2A 30A2B

Efren Karl Atienza (ME V) “Mga paporma at incompetent.”

Edgardo Ignacio (EE IV) “...do not have the intelligence and skills in politics and leadership.”

Kahlil Phillip Murillo (RE I) “Honesty, integrity, accountability, and commitment–a senator who lacks those qualities doesn’t deserve my vote.” Bea Azucena (ECE IV) “…someone whose ideal is not prolife especially concerning Filipinos who are below the poverty line.”

With reports from: Jeshua Ephraim Malimata, Rosemarie Desquitado, George Anthony Nuarin, and Benson Miakoun References: Japan International Cooperating Agency, Rappler, Al Jazeera, ABS-CBN News, The Guardian, Philippine Star

June 2018 Social Weather Stations survey showed that 67% of Filipino internet users see ‘fake’ news as a serious problem. Recently, fact checking proved that senatorial bet Imee Marcos’ degrees from two universities are fake.

7. POLITICAL BLOODBATH Since the President took post up to November 2018, at least 12 mayors and seven vice mayors were slain. The latest was former Parang, Maguindanao Mayor Talib Abo who died from a shoot-out incident with anti-drug enforcers.

8. EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS From July 2016 to December 2018, a total of 5,050 deaths in the anti-drug campaign by Duterte administration was recorded, according to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

9. BULLYING Videos of bullying circulates on social media sites. Among is the 44-second video of an Ateneo student bully. Also, Far Eastern University condemned the wrongful ‘tagging’ of a student-athlete in a sexually-explicit video.

10. DUTERTE VS CHURCH “Itong Katoliko na ito will disappear. In almost 25 years wala na ‘yan,” said Duterte during his speech last February 25. The Catholic Church has been condemning the extrajudicial killings, since it violates the sanctity of life.

11. MISOGYNY Duterte confirmed he molested their maid when he was a teenager in Kidapawan City, December 30, 2018. On the same year, Duterte said that he ordered military officials to shoot female communists in the genitals.

12. CRIMINAL LIABILITY The house approved House Bill 8858 lowering criminal liability from 15 years old to 12 with a vote of 146-34-0 on the final reading, January 28, 2019. Two other pending Senate bills of same matter are in progress as of this writing.

Feat

Spectrum 6

THE

FRAT GUY

Ysabelle M

BEHIND the zipped surface lies unspoken chapters of life, where peo human nature that people are curious, even though it is not always ou perspectives. Reading and knowing both sides will not guarantee you Society’s blind optimism and false hopes will always be around the co nightmare, only yourself can justify the truth that lies behind your m [Editor’s Note: Some words are enhanced f With reports from: John Matthew Mangalus, J

Underworld

“Siguro rerespetuhin ko ‘yung sinasabi nilang joke lang [ang fraternity]. Pero iba ‘yung tingin ko sa fraternity: brotherhood, turingan talaga na parang kapatid sa isa’t isa.”

Choosing the path

“Member din ng ibang fraternity ‘yung parents ko, pero inactive na. Kasali ‘yung kuya ko, na may malaking impluwensiya sa akin, sa fraternity na ‘to. Lalaki kaming lahat na magkakapatid tapos simula prep hanggang fourth year high school, nasa all-boys school ako.”

“Pero iba ‘yung tingin ko sa fraternity: brotherhood, turingan talaga na parang kapatid sa isa’t isa.”

The initiation

“Isa sa mga nate-testing ay kung may lakas ba ng loob. Kung handa bang gawin ang lahat para makasali. Ang dami kasi [na gustong sumali kaya] sinasala talaga para kapag nakasali ka na, may inaakap ka [na reason] para maging active.

Underneath

“May mga projects kami: bloodletting activities, feeding programs sa mga street children, at marami pang iba. Para ipakilala rin ‘yung mga sarili namin na hindi lang puro tambay, bonding, o gulo lang. “Gumaling akong makipag-communicate [sa ibang tao], natutong humarap sa maraming tao, at mag-excel [sa pag-aaral]. Pinakamahalagang natutunan ko ay itrato mo ‘yung kapwa mo sa kung papaano mong gusto ka itrato ng iba.”

THE SUGAR BABY The choice “I was 20 years old when it happened. Naging probee ako sa scholarship ko so I’m only getting half of my allowance. No one’s giving me allowance since wala akong parents and nakakapagod na maging BPO agent. Sobrang stressful kaya naisip ko, I like doing it [sex] so why not make money out of it? Feeling ko naman kasi sex work is something like an ordinary work since parang you’re just naming a price for what you do.”

Preference

“I never got the chance to live with a father. Nagke-crave ako for that father figure which I think, naa-acquire ko through that kind of relationship. I think that’s the reason as to why I’m more inclined into older men. Also, mas

mature kasing mag-isip ang older guys kaysa sa mga ka-age ko na mas clingy, adventurous, at impulsive na hindi nila naiisip ‘yung safety concerns when it comes to doing it. “May isang website where I’m included in– fetlife, a Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, and Masochism (BDSM) community. Pretty much like Facebook, nilagay ko sa profile ko na I do it for generous compensation. Tapos maraming nang nag-chat na foreigners na nagpo-propose ng ganitong set-up. “It is actually built on trust kasi for you to be worthy of care your sugar daddy gives, kailangan mo rin iparamdam sa kanya na he needs to take care of someone.”

The set up

“‘Yung isa kong sugar daddy na French at

“I don own [wh

minsan lang bumisita s lang ng pera kapag nan national naman, residi kami nagkikita. Every pera sa akin. “Currently, I’m in type na sagot ang dor expenses ko. “Everything that I sinu-sustain naman nil

tures

February 2019

Nehemia C. Ibarrientos, Editor

Mendoza

ople fold and limit their horizons to escape judgment. It is ut of concern. Stories are interpreted based on the readers’ u the whole story nor does not give you the right to judge. orner. Even if you wish it never existed, even if it feels like a mask. Each person has a story to tell, don’t ruin it for them. for grammatical purposes only.] Jefferson Sarmiento, Duslene Cruz

a romantic relationship rm allowance at weekly

I asked for, binibigay or la.”

BAGITO

Revelation

“Na-depress ako at ‘di ko alam ang gagawin ko. Para sa’kin disgrasya ‘yung nangyari. Nasayang din ‘yung pag-aaral ko, kung ‘di nangyari ‘yon, ‘di ako ma-stop mag-aral.”

Beginning

“Naghiwalay kami pagdating ng December, parang naging desperada na siya para ‘di na ako umalis ulit. Patapos na ‘yung semester

[magulang ko] ako pinabayaan. Ginabayan nila ako. “Pero two months after nung pagsilang ng bata, naghiwalay kami dahil sa parents niya. Siyempre dumating din ako sa point na gustong kong ayusin [ang relationship namin], na gusto ko pang mag-stay kaso wala na talaga. Parehas naming gusto na tapusin na lang.”

“Hindi nila [magulang ko] ako pinabayaan. Ginabayan nila ako. ” nung sinabi ko kila mama na naka-buntis ako. Instead na mag-summer class ako noon, ‘di na ako nag-aral, pinagtrabaho na ako.”

Reactions

“Nung una, pinagalitan ako dahil mabigat ‘yung responsibility [na maging tatay]. Pero ‘yung mga magulang, ‘di rin makakatiis kapag naghihirap na ‘yung anak nila. Hindi nila

n’t want others to stir my n life because I’m the one ho’s] driving the car, not them.”

sa Pilipinas, magbibigay ndito siya. May Chinese ing in Davao, pero hindi week nagbibigay siya ng

THE

This is me

“…in order for you to be worried about something, you have to acknowledge that it exists. But in my case hindi ko kasi inaacknowledge ‘yung existence nung judgement. I just really don’t care about what others think because this is my body. This is my life. This is who I am. I don’t want other people to stir my own life because I’m the one driving the car, not them.”

Custody

“Nasa ex ko, pero ngayon may anak na siyang bago from another man. Before mabinyagan ‘yung bata, may pinirmahan kaming affidavit na wala akong ibibigay kahit magkano. Kaya ‘di na ako nagtrabaho, nagaral na ulit ako. Kapag wala naman akong ginagawa, bumibisita ako.”

What’s next

“After kong grumaduate, ako na ‘yung magpapaaral [sa bata] since may anak na nga siya sa iba. Napag-usapan namin ‘yon last year lang. “To my baby: ‘yung nangyari sa’min ng mama mo, parehas namin ginusto ‘yon. Sasabihin ko sa kanya na maghintay. Hintayin niya ako hanggang sa magkatrabaho na ako.”

Literary

Spectrum

Ysabelle N. Mendoza, Editor

February 2019

Holy Communion John Carlos Manansala

I came to you because I did something wrong, I hoped it would end well, like my favorite song. It was dark, peaceful, and everyone is on sleep, Yet here I am, ready to make a secret to keep. I knelt down in front of you for forgiveness, I opened my mouth and started to confess. My shoulders began to collapse as I cried, I couldn't speak nor breathe, I really tried. I just kept my nodding though I am out of air, Your moan grew louder as you caressed my hair. Finally, as you reached the pinnacle, you came, And told me, this thing shall never pass to any name.

Sleepwalker

You always said that it is like a holy communion,

Ynamalaya Escoton

Where I am the sinner without enough dominion, Where you are the priest that embodies the father,

SHE never does anything; but Gravity ain’t ever got a chance on how she pulls me unto her. How she takes me away into the farthest of places and calls out my angels to dance It was with exuberant sighs and my fingers placed in between her thighs where I would worship her in like i’m in a prayer It was the valley in between her chest where I would softly taste vanilla and coconuts dripping from my lapping tongue and marking teeth, always insatiable for a taste my beauty beholds I was always dragging, lower and lower, where I could reach the folds that hides her deepest secrets - and I would swim and swim, and gladly drown to the deepness that is her warmth She would always call out my name and I would give back her secrets from my lips to hers - always craving for more, always finding ways to push a little bit more and she would grab my hands to grope the valleys I have whispered in, sighing in multiple languages I have yet to understand She’d sing me a song after I recite her a poem - hollowing her perfect lips while having leverage on my hips I would always enter her slowly and mumble in gripping truths, how I love her in the way she never does anything but could still take me into the farthest of places and the mere sound of her name silences my demons and that is how we come undone.

And I am your follower, your boy, the altar server.

Carnal Valor Ian Carlo Peñaranda

Eternal Foreplay

Remember when we had the time To scour different worlds? That every crease and every fold

Rogelio Legaspi Jr.

Had stories never told? First, we treaded mountaintops

It starts with short breaths, as our lips trace our

That were low but hard to climb

mouths from the inside -- to neck, to chest,

Strange how the peaks were sturdy

to gut, to crotch. As we mark our bodies of

But the hills shook all the time

passion and fury, walls and floors will be all lava, steamy and hot.

Then, we arrived at plains of grass With bright and fertile soil

Break down your walls now.

I liked the way you tried to plow And took the time to toil

As fast as the lightning that shocked And what was most exciting

our hips, we rid ourselves of shirts and

Was the forest, black-and-white

underpants. Hands where it's warm, mouth

As we ventured down the wetting ground

where it's wet, eyes where it's dark. Our skins

The quakes had made me laugh

are one now.

Then finally, the deepest fault

Be one with me tonight.

Our eyes have ever seen While entering the mystic cave Our cries had echoed out

Scratches on the back and bites on the front - all the pain I'm willing to suffer. Oh darling, will you be so kind? Gag me,

Gladly, I will not regret The sweat and tears we waste For as long as we have worlds to tread We'll be brave, we'll never rest.'

Photos from Google Images

cut me, humiliate me: I can take all that. Do whatever you want to me. Just let me be inside

Spectrum

Ysabelle N. Mendoza, Editor

February 2019

Circle 9

Patrick Ian Balsalubre, Ian Carlo Peñaranda, and Nehemia Ibarrientos YOU are lost and looking for a place to fit in. You pass by an alley and wear the mask. As you keep going, adrenaline flows through your veins. You see, everyone was wearing all their masks; this is a ball, masquerade ball—a night of glitz and glamour with an exhibition of colorful masks. These masks are what people wear to flaunt their true colors in anonymity and this virtual world where they gather is called alter. Alter or alter ego, as defined by the Urban Dictionary, are pseudonyms of a user’s primary account. It is a gateway for people to express a part of themselves they cannot show in the real world because of shame, fear of being unaccepted by the society, and other possible rejections. Nowadays, where Twitter and other social media sites are on their peak of popularity, people have been creating accounts with hidden identities and faceless bodies which are the so-called alter accounts–a landscape which provides contents with a dab of censorship and unfiltered nature.

ako,” he added. In the alter world, people can have fun all they want but they cannot reveal any personal details as it may harm their public image. With just one click away, they can go wild and express their selves.

Discovery Alter world is a venue full of d*cks and t*ts. Whatever the sexual preference one has, sexual gratification is undeniably one of the end goals. “Saka ko lang na-discover na may ganun [alter] pala nung nagda-dive na ‘ko,” said CEan who was an alter account user for almost a year. Many have created alter accounts primarily not for the purpose of sexual pleasure. It is when they explore that made them discover things like alters. “Ang galing na may ganun pala. Tapos nag-explore pa

‘yung mukha talaga nila,” another CEan alter account user shared. This has always been the scenario whenever they visit the alter world. At first, they would sweet-talk the other user until they get what they want—explicit photos and videos. A little chitchat and there goes some nudity. Something one cannot be proud of in the real world when exhibited are wild sexual behaviours but not in the world of alter. Because here, all explicit photos and videos posted online are dedicated to the act of voyeurism and exhibitionism—practices

which obtain erotic pleasure and entertain the idea of hookup culture that increases the risk of exposure to sexually-transmitted diseases. “Meron akong nakikitang mga alter accounts na si alter girl tapos si alter boy, nagkikita sila tapos gumagawa sila ng video,” he added. Exposure In a hookup culture, sexual encounters “Sales talk muna tapos patatagalin namin are promoted. But the Joint United Nations ‘yung convo hanggang mag-send na pero ‘di kita Program on Human Immunodeficiency Virus

rves e s d l r o w "Alter people

to as an avenue ld o f n u t o n n a who c to s r o l o c e u r their t others." (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Unaids) Philippines Director Louie Ocampo, believes that they are not to blame for the spread of HIV. Masks Aside from the growing population of alters, there are still a lot of gimmicks inside the alter world that others would not know about. Since alters revolve around online platforms, different exploits can occur and be used by users, which makes diving in the alter world a challenge—these can range from

telling simple lies through loopholes to poser accounts, where users disguise themselves through another person’s photos without their permission. “Namulat lang ‘yung kaisipan namin nung may nakita kaming alter account sa phone niya [owner], tapos may china-chat gamit ‘yun,” a CEan alter account user explained. “Ginamit ko ‘yung account kasi trip-trip lang naman, pero maraming gumagamit nun, mga 4-5 people,” he clarified. Alter world serves as an avenue to people who cannot unfold their true colors to others. It provides them the feeling of self-worth and fame. Some take it as pastime; some consider it as an attraction. But, no matter how fun it is to browse and experience all that bliss, the other side could be really terrifying. Invention is the mother of necessity, and the birth of dimensions such as the alter world rooted from some of the needs of a few people that cannot be ignored. It is undeniable that the alter world can be considered weird due to its unconventionality and thus, sparks discomfort to the people looking from the outside. Yet we will never know the benefits of this world to its citizens, nor will we ever truly understand its meaning & purpose; unless we, the outsiders also dare to dive in and join.

We asked some CEan alter account users and these are the excerpts of their responses.

Photos from Google Images

Opinion

Spectrum

February 2019

EDITORIAL

College days ALMOST two years after Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Manuel Muhi limited the number of college foundation anniversary celebration to three days and prohibited department founding anniversaries, he reminded again the student leaders and faculty of Memorandum No. 11 Sseries of 2017. What prompted Muhi to remind the concerned people? Was it after receiving reports of students bringing alcohol beverages inside the CEA premises during a late night event organized by a student academic organization? College of Engineering Student Council president Phoebe Joanne Go (ECE V) confirmed the incident, “and so things happened.” A member of that student organization revealed that drinking alcoholic beverages has been a ‘tradition’ during night events, an offense punishable by suspension or even expulsion. VPAA also reminded how department and college founding anniversaries should be celebrated. Why conduct beauty pageants and singing contests when engineering students should instead organize skills trainings and outreach programs in neighboring communities, he asked. The application of learnings to the society is equally crucial and important as learning inside the classroom. But does it not count to the beauty pageants and sports festivals where self-confidence and teamwork are keys to winning? Allowing the students to participate in knowledge production is part of the reconceptualization of academic freedom, as included in the eight-point agenda of the University. If organizing extra-curricular activities is what students think of contributing in ‘knowledge production’, then what makes it different from skills training and outreach programs? Students and faculty can learn from what has happened in #Agsikapan2019: disputes in almost every event and trash talks in intense ball games; night events commence hours later than the supposed timetable; student leaders' competitiveness led to internal conflicts among each other. Is this how we celebrate the oneness of our College? These intensities were clearly absent in seminars organized during the three-day long celebration. Trashes were also seen (consistently) in venues after events. Social media sites were filled with mixed hate and positive thoughts, related to the celebration. Perhaps what organizers of founding anniversaries should realize is that celebrations are not only limited to a week or three days. Organizing skills trainings, outreach programs, and extra-curricular activities can be done during their tenure, not just in a few days. What other students, the bystanders, can contribute in these events is active participation and fair gameplay. Considering how events turned out may prove if limiting the days of supposed college week is justifiable or not. More importantly, it begs to ask: is College’s founding anniversary still worth celebrating?

The Official Student Publication of PUP College of Engineering Established May 1993

Volume XXV No. 2 February 2019 Editor in Chief Associate Editors

Christian james L. Concepcion Jeshua Ephraim F. Malimata John Carlos N. Manansala

Managing Editor

Victor B. Calinao, Jr.

Creative Director

Honey Grace A. Alfonso

Moderator Editorial Consultant

Engr. Kaycee B. Victorio Engr. Orland D. Tubola

Staff John Dred Dejapa, John Albert Recio, Marc Andallo, Rosemarie Desquitado, Ian Peñaranda, Geraldrine Espinosa, Andrea Martinez, Ian Balsalubre, Aldous Evangelista, Jairus Cabino, Aaron Gellado, Jefferson Sarmiento, Duslene Cruz, Matthew Mangalus, Yna Escoton, Czarina Austria, Renz Mendoza, Micheal Hermano, Shania Panciles, Jacqueline Soriano, Beatrice Padilla, Gio Nuarin, Benson Miakoun, Marry Andrada, Roda Jireh Gallos, Von Ryan Maicle Contributions, reactions and opinions are accepted in the publication. It should bear contributor’s name, address, course, year and section, and signature. Name may be witheld upon request. Forward your contributions to Engineering SPECTRUM Editorial Office Rm 423, Engineering and Architecture Building, Anonas cor. Pureza Sts., NDC Compound, Sta. Mesa, Manila Member:

Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamamahayag (AKM-PUP(

DED NA SI LOLA Snapshots Christian James Concepcion 11:20AM ng February 4. Huminga si Lola Bella sa huling pagkakataon, sabay bitaw. Ngayong araw, February 10, sa gitna ng maalinsagang panahon at sunog sa kalapit na barangay, sasamahan namin sa biyahe si Lola papuntang Tañong Cemetery. Sa huling pagkakataon ay ihahatid namin si Lola, hindi na nga lang sa Bulacan. Pero parang ayokong sumama sa biyahe. Hindi pa ako handang ihatid si Lola. Pero kailangan na. Bukod sa mag-aamoy pormalin na ang bangkay ni Lola, mahal na rin ang mga gastusin sa halos isang linggong burol. Ilang kahon na rin ng SM Bonus apple flavored juice at bottled water ang naubos ng mga nakikiramay (at mga nagsusugal kapag may breaktime). Tambak na rin sa mga basurahan ang mga sitsirya at mga pakete ng iba’t ibang brand ng three-in-one

coffee mix. Hindi sa nagbibilang ako ng gastos pero parang ganoon na nga ang lumalabas. Bakas sa mga mata ni Papa at mga kapatid niya ang hirap sa paghahanap ng pera maitawid lang ang bawat gabing dumadaan. Pino-problema rin nila ang perang kinakailangan para sa pagpapalibing kay Lola. May bayarin din pala sa ospital na umaabot sa PhP200, 000 nang i-confine si Lola ng dalawang linggo bago ideklarang ‘dead’ ng doktor. Ganito ba talaga kahirap mamatayan? Mabuti na lang at may mga magagandang-loob na nagbibigay ng abuloy sa pagbisita nila sa lamay. Isama ko na rin sa mga pasasalamatan ang mga tong na nakukuha sa tong-its, poker, at bingo na nalikom sa limang gabi ng lamay. At si mayor na pumunta nung hapon ng unang lamay, I am watching. Sana

talaga pumunta ka para makiramay at walang halong pamumulitika. Dumadagdag din sa mga problema ang hindi matapostapos na awayan ng mga kamag-anak namin. Patagong nagkakairingan ang nagaganap at mga tinginan na nangungusap. Panibagong araw, paulit-ulit na pakikisama. Ganito na sila noon pa man; paano ngayong wala na si Lola? Ded na si Lola. Paulit-ulit kong sinasabi sa sarili ko na wala na siya. Wala na kaming bibisitahin tuwing may holiday at Pasko. Wala na ring poproblemahin na bayarin sa ospital, at maintenance medicines. Wala nang magbibingo, bibisitang mayor, at sana wala na rin awaypamilyang maganap. Kung may natutunan man ako sa nangyari, kailangan nating maging handa sa kamatayan. Walang nakakaalam

kung hanggang kailan na lang tayo sa mundo kaya’t hanggang may oras pa, magipon na tayo. Mula sa suplay ng SM bonus apple flavored juice at bottled water, hanggang sa pagkuha ng death at funeral insurance para sa sarili at pamilya, hindi natin namamalayan na binabawasan na pala natin ang mga sana’y poproblemahin pa ng mga maiiwan nating pamilya. Nagbabadyang bumuhos ang ulan pero parang kinausap yata ni Lola ang Diyos na huwag munang umulan bago siya ilibing. At mukhang pinagbigyan naman siya. Hindi ulan kundi luha ang bumuhos sa mga huling sandali bago tuluyang ilibing si Lola sa puntod kasama si Lolo. 3:32PM ng February 10. Nasilayan ko si Lola Bella sa huling pagkakataon, sabay bitaw.

NOT THE EASIEST JOB Half Truism nehemia ibarrientos IN a typical Filipino household setting, mothers used to stay at home instead of working. And, while fathers support the family financially, mothers manage the house and look after the kids. However, taking care of a family without the presence of a father is very difficult. For years, my father worked in Manila as a bus conductor. But then, his earnings were never enough, so he had to look for more additional jobs just to make ends meet. While looking for a way to earn a living, my

mother stayed in the house with us. It was then that I noticed that it was very common to see mothers staying at home in our neighborhood, including my mom. Being a stay-at-homemom gives many joys and challenges. They sacrifice their career and be with the family for the sake of their children’s future. That’s why, for me, my mother’s job as a stay-at-home-mom is a blessing. A blessing, because as we grow up, she was there by our side. She

witnessed every achievement we attained at home and at school. She saw our first smiles and giggles when we made our not-so-perfect first sand castles at the beach, our first step when we’re just learning to walk, and so many firsts that my father missed. Our family had encountered so many struggles, but mother never gave up on my father. She encouraged him and was very supportive to him. Yes, we don’t have that much money, but we are happy. There was even a time

when we were just eating rice with only sugar to taste. I was crying back then. There, I found mother keeping her smiles behind tearful eyes. I know she wanted to give us the best but the situation isn’t helping us. After that, my parents decided to sell some goods such as salt, vinegar, oil, and some vegetables that my mother picked from our backyard like sweet potato tops and kangkong leaves. It all started as a retail. In spite of these people who owe Not the easiest job/p.11

Opinion

Spectrum February 2019

FOOD IN THE TRASH Veriloquent Thoughts Victor Calinao, Jr. HOW much food do you throw away? There has always been a supply of food in our country, but is it enough or more than what Filipinos can actually utilize? The province of Benguet was tagged as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” as it has mountainous area that produces a huge amount of vegetables. However, earlier this year, Benguet farmers were left with no choice but to throw away tons of fruits and vegetables in the dump amid low prices in the market because of oversupply. Hmm, it looks like the salad dropped from its bowl. What’s next? In Laguna, farmers lost as much as PhP4 million worth of tomatoes in the last quarter of 2018. Farmers were forced

to throw away their unsold produce and gave up in an economy that does not care whether prices of vegetables would decrease to 300 percent. For the record, La Trinidad Trading Post on their third week of January had the price of Chinese cabbages dropped to PhP1 from PhP7 per kilo, potatoes at PhP15 from PhP50, and carrots at PhP1 from PhP35. Just imagine the time and effort wasted for those vegetables to grow only to end up in a lowly trash land – sayang. Surprisingly, the problem does not only end in crops, also in eggs. On the second quarter of 2018, an oversupply of eggs worried poultry farmers in Batangas and most provinces in Visayas. Batangas, as the leading provider of eggs (25 percent) to Metro Manila, asked for an

immediate help over a drop in prices of eggs to PhP1 from PhP3 per piece. So what should we do? Was this an act of God punishing farmers to debt until death? Or is there really a problem in oversupply? I don’t know. I am not an expert on this. But that doesn’t mean that I should not care. With factors such as delayed harvests, bad weather, food cartels, low research investments, and poor program execution of agriculture in the Philippines, it needs more than a brain to solve the problem. What I’m sure is to value every food in my plate and never to contribute throwing foods in the garbage. Remember, when your food is thrown in the garbage, it doesn’t just disappear. It constitutes the law of conser-

vation of mass. There is no such things as “away” – you can’t just throw something and disappear; it goes somewhere else. There’s always been a thing in our life that doesn’t go into their right places (and more than the oversupply is to blame). Let’s just all hope that there would be no more food in the trash. *** Food waste in the Philippines is a major issue. I hope it’s not being ignored. I wish the Department of Agriculture and the other concerned officials are taking food waste seriously and would do something about it. “How much food do you throw away?” can be the question for now, but sometime in near future, they would say, “would you like some food in the trash?”

THIS IS WHAT NORMAL LOOKS LIKE

Stealing Heaven

Ysabelle Mendoza LIVING a life in this entitled, self-serving, and social media-centered society, people tend to fold and limit their horizons to escape judgment. Realizing how privileged yet ungrateful people get, it only shows how we really don’t get what we deserve. Recently, a local celebrity made an airport scandal that led to people’s speculations about his personal life. The witness, an airport staff, revealed the said celebrity has a boyfriend. Netizens, having different opinions, expressed their dismay and unending arguments. One called out the actor and asked him to get out of the closet. Others, especially girls, flooded the comment section with the word ‘sayang’. Did they even ask a woman to declare herself as a woman because she was seen with a man? Did they even interrogate a male celebrity to show his true self because he was dating a woman? Normalizing the Lgbtqia++ members as ordinary citizens is what the

society needs most of the time but lacks to do so. If it’s typical, no declaration should be made for them to become an inspiration, right? Combating judgement and bashers are never easy. Some may show concern, but they only want scope and gossip. Some will even drag you out of your comfort zone just to prove a point. If winning an argument means killing another person’s soul and dismembering all of their principles in life, is it still worth it? It is your right to express what you want to say, but that right doesn’t cover the right to hurt other people. Every right ends at some point, it is where another person’s right starts. That right doesn’t cover demanding words and things. No right includes degrading another human being. Maybe the equality we need doesn’t have to be equal in every formula to live life. Maybe the separation itself doesn’t include not being seen as part of the majority. If this is what normal looks like, then what are we still arguing

about? Having to fight for what you are doesn’t really give much about the ‘acceptance’ these social media people are talking about. Nobody owns anybody. Nobody belongs to anybody, except for themselves. The irony of having #LoveWins to express the love they want to give and accept, yet often dodged and thrown out because of still old-fashioned citizens. If love can’t make people kind, what will? *** Dust escapes as I fold the previous newspapers of the Engineering Spectrum, the publication that I love. For years, there was no single day that I entered school without dropping by Room 423. The mural and doodles on its walls, that familiar scent where one can only smell in a particular place, or even just hanging out with the people inside. Writing was my main focus, even if we had quizzes the next day with engineering subjects. It was, until one day, I

realized that I can no longer write. The feeling of drowning rushed all over me. Why can’t I write? I’m a writer. Is this some kind of a joke? When I became an editor, I felt the weight of the position. I am not just writing an article, I am creating a page. I thought I was ready to become the editor in chief. But maybe I’m just industrious at times, or maybe I’m just the dictator that most of them are implying. Maybe I’m not really good at what I’m doing. Maybe I’m just plain. Months before writing this, I knew I was really distracted and pressured. Crying every night just to relieve some emotions, putting stacks of work on my shoulders just to feel needed. It consumed me. It almost cost me my ability to write again. No title or position can ever replace the excitement when you see your name on the byline. I almost forgot why I am here, it is to write, not to compete. I’m ready to let go.

seeing their kids happy make them do everything effortlessly. And even if I don’t know how they can deal with their daily lives given that they’re always alone and the last ones who sleep at night, I really admire them for building the foundations of a home and of a child. I really am grateful to have a mother who can bear all those difficulties—not every

mother could do it. Now, no matter how distasteful life is, failures and misfortunes are nothing compared to the pillar of a mother’s true and unconditional love. Moreover, in this world where various jobs are categorized and looked up to by people, there’s one which is very tiring yet remarkable in many ways—stay-at-home mom.

Not the easiest job/ p.10 and never remember to pay, mother was doing good and the store was expanding. Then, father tried to do buy and sell. With the use of trike or sidecar, he started selling rice and other groceries. My parent’s little sari-sari store grew bigger. I never thought my parents could handle all of that but they did. I was wondering how but I was very

thankful to God that mother, who never went to college has the capability to do it. Our life is never the same again, we’re not that young and so are our parents, but the sacrifice they have shown us really made a difference. From then on, I saw stayat-home-moms as strong women. Because, even if they had a hard time raising their children all by themselves,

PAN DE INHINYERYA

The Okay State “We all want everything to be okay. We will happily settle for okay because most of the time, okay is enough.” David Levithan, Every Day Feeling just a little bit of emotions gives some people the glimpse of being alive. Adventures may occur not just in jumping off a cliff, it can also happen in floating freely and looking up the sky. No one can blame you for settling with an okay. Even if things go wrong or just another boring afternoon, being okay is more than enough.

Newton’s Third Law ISAAC Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that in every action there is an equal and opposite reaction—an action-reaction pair. It is fascinating how this theory relates to philosophy and the laws of life. Being a freshman, it is different from how I live my life before because now, I have so much to learn and experience. When I was in junior high school, I decided that I would not put myself in too much pressure. I was wrong. I applied in a university that is very far from home. As a probinsyana, enrolling in a university in Manila is a leap of faith. The first few weeks of my first semester were filled with meeting and knowing my classmates and professors. Everything went well for a time until I noticed what my classmates were capable of doing for studies and how our seem-so-nice professor became like a monster. A three-hour lecture in every subject felt like forever and it drained everything out of me. I underestimated my subjects and overestimated my potential. There is a need for me to practice how to learn on my own. Because in college, there is no more spoon-feeding of answers. I also have to study in advance to be one step ahead of my classmates and prevent myself from lagging behind. Honestly, I could not believe that I procrastinated; I have tried not to sleep for a night to prepare for a long quiz where I obviously performed poorly with a score that was not so bad but not good enough either. I am to blame for NEW BREED what happened. My parents always supported me financially and emotionally. The action-reaction is all on me. I did the action so I must be ready and responsible for the possible reaction. I must have no Marry Joy Andrada room for procrastination facebook.com/joyaandrada and have more room for improvements. Next time, I will do my best action, and hope for the best reaction. My action-reaction things also apply to every people I meet. During the first semester, I met a girl. She was very nice, smart, and amiable in many ways. Her action shows that she’s a ‘Yes (wo)man’. A simple ‘thank you’ from people that she constantly lends help is all that she wanted back. She doesn’t want to engage in any quarrels as it may destroy her relationship with college peers. But they abused her kindness. She was bullied and had a name labeled on her. Then she has reached her limit. She vented out her frustration towards my classmates and I have never felt more proud for her and her actions. I realized that even the nicest people have limits. When I asked about the confrontation, she said, “Screw them. I’m not a forever people-pleaser. I can stand up for myself too.” Sometimes, telling people what we really feel is a big relief and huge gasp of fresh air. Our actions and the way we handle ourselves have corresponding consequences. Should we make a mistake, learn from it. And if we do good, celebrate. Think (of the Law of Interaction) before you click (or act). Marry Joy Andrada (EE I) loves to write short stories and dreams of becoming a writer.

Tiway.doc

Sci-Tech

John Carlos Manansala

EVERYBODY wants to live a healthy life – a toxic-free, happy, and long life. No one wants to be sick. With health, it allows everyone to keep going and achieve their very best. However, due to busy schedules to juggle on hands, living a healthy life can be difficult and complicated, thus people forget to check not only themselves but also the food they eat. Food and Healthy Diet Food is very essential in every organism. It is the source of energy as well as the nutrients to develop, be active, and healthy. It boosts our body to perform well - the healthier the better. However, according to Assistant Professor Joan Z. Corañes, University Nutritionist and Dietician, consumers always tend to eat

their usual food not mainly because of its nutritional contents but because it is available, affordable, and accessible. And with this, it affects anyone’s balance diet. Department of Health (DOH) defines healthy diet as the foundation of good health. Eating a variety of nutritious food helps enhance healthy diet that can sustain a wide scope of nutrients needed by the body and reduce the risk of any ailments. It is very relevant to pick variety of food to make every meals special without getting fed up. Reading the label Nutrition facts labels show the nutritional content of a product. It contains the serving size, number of servings in the package, calories per serving and the amount of various nutrients contained in the product whether it has low or high calories, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar. Nutrition facts give the consumer the full range of nutrition contents for them to

follow a healthy diet and to have choices of the most nutritious food that can affect long term health. However, Corañes said that most of the consumers don’t mind reading food labels because they don’t know its importance and have trouble understanding the meaning of each label, hence, making the healthy diet and nutrition, complicated. College Food Pyramid However, although the basic healthy diet is taught in school programs such as the DOH’s Pinggang Pinoy, different scenarios still happen. Students, especially those on the tertiary level tend to build their own food

Fact Check

What does nutrirional facts say about your food?

SERVING SIZE

Observe the serving size and the number of servings per package. To compare a specific food to another, serving size is standardised. It gives the same quantity like cups or pieces along with specific unit of measurements such as metric amount, or number of grams. If products state the serving size as one cup, and the consumer eats two, he/she gets twice the fats, calories, and other nutrients shown on the label.

CHECK OUT THE TOTAL CALORIES

Calories show how much energy a consumer receives from eating a particular food serving Each serving contains calories coming from fat. According to FDA, eating excessive calories per meal can make a person obese and overweight.

Percent Daily Value helps to assess how specific food must fit in a daily meal. It gives the entire overview for a whole day and not only for a meal. Corañes said that it is advisable to consume food having less than five percent DV of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium and 20 percent or more DV of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

or LESS Saturated Fat Trans Fat Cholesterol Sodium

20%

or MORE

Vitamins Minerals Fibers

LIMIT THESE NUTRIENTS

Chronic diseases, like heart disease, cancers, or high blood pressure heightens because of too much intake of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, or sodium.

Saturated Fat + Trans Fat + Cholesterol + Sodium

High Blood Pressure

A QUICK GUIDE TO PERCENT DAILY VALUE

pyramid, and one the popular food for college students today is instant noodles “Mahilig ako kumain ng pancit canton kasi masarap tsaka mura lang tapos sa tapat lang ng CEA,” said John Kenneth Francisco (ECE V). Supporting this claim, the World Instant Noodles Association stated that the Philippines is the ninth largest market in the world for instant noodles and Filipino consumers take 2.7 billion packets or cups of instant noodles every year. And if somebody would be wearing an eyeglass of someone literate enough to read the nutrient contents, the pyramid will be flipped. Check the label.

Chronic Diseases

Heart Disease

Some Cancers

SAMPLE LABEL FOR

GET ENOUGH OF THESE

Enough dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron in one’s diet improves health and lowers the risk of chronic diseases. For example, eating dietary fibers improves healthy bowel movement. By checking nutrition facts, anyone cannot only limit the nutrients that are irrelevant but can also add more nutrients needed for them to consume.

3 5

Get enough of

dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron

With reports from: Czarina May Austria, Jairus Kim Cabino, and Geraldrine Espinosa Sources: https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/nutrition-facts-and-food-labels/the-basics-of-the-nutrition-facts-label https://www.fda.gov/food/labelingnutrition/ucm274593.htm Photos from Google Images

PANCIT CANTON