REDSHIFT The Official Newsletter of Ang/The Velocity Volume 1 | Issue 1 | May 2020
What’s Inside NEWS | page 2
2 out of 5 expected enrollees fail to respond survey Find out why Quezon Science High School thumbs down online learning option.
ABOUT THE COVER |
PRES(S) FREEDOM
OPINION | page 4
Pang(g)ulo Gobyerno nga ba ang tunay na nangunguna sa pagsugpo sa CoViD-19? O sila pa ang magdadala ng mas mabigat na pasakit?
Art by: Keith Einsley Caja Duterte’s longing to hush the media evidently shows that his critics and free press are enemies of this regime. Silencing the media silences the truth and deprives people of valid sources of news in a time where every information is crucial as we are facing the COVID-19 pandemic.
FEATURE | page 6
War in Peace:
A mother’s struggle in solitude In the midst of the pandemic, a medical technologist pulled to the front lines struggles to remember the line between being a professional and a mother.
Que-SAYA-NO
8 in 10 Quesayanos, displeased with PH government's CoViD-19 response by: Vonn Andrei Villamiel
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total of 172 out of 214 Quesayanorespondents, are dissatisfied with the Philippine government's actions amid the CoViD-19 pandemic, according to an online survey conducted by Ang/The Velocity (ATV). Out of the 172 displeased students, 63 are dissatisfied while 109 are very dissatisfied with the government's measures against the said disease. Only 42 Quesayanos, majority of which are incoming grade 8 students, say they are satisfied with the administration's CoViD-19 response.
Infographics by: Annuarie Mae Ayaton
According to the survey, 8 in 10 Quesayanos feel that the government has no sense of urgency while only 2 in 10 think that the administration's coronavirus efforts are research-based and calculated. Only 1 in 10 Quesayanos feels safe given the current CoViD-19 situation in the country and only 3 in 10 feel that the law is equally enforced among citizens amid the pandemic. Eight out of 10 respondents say that the government must prioritize mass testing and contact tracing. Some respondents also said that the government needs to step up its coronavirus effort and adopt better measures against the disease. "[The government must] prioritize mass testing, enforce the law equally and ensure the welfare of all Filipinos amid this pandemic. The Philippine government can use some sense of urgency," an incoming Grade 12 student-respondent said.
Redshift | The Official Newsletter of Ang/The Velocity | Volume 1 | Issue 1
news
April 2020
Source: Quezon Public Information Office
Is QSHS ready for online learning option?
2 out of 5 expected enrollees fail to respond survey by: Nino Louise P. De Torres
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ut of the 373 incoming grade 8-12 students for the school year 2020-2021, 156 were unable to comply on an online survey testing the online learning capabilities of Quezon Science High School (QSHS) students. Although 58.2% of the school’s population can access the internet through Wi-Fi, cellular data or both, 40.1% of them resided under households incapable of supporting all the students within the family with individual devices for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) option of online class sessions. This meant that most of the Quesayanos will most probably end up sharing gadgets with other members if the upcoming academic year starts on online platforms. “Bukod sa lack of devices, problema rin yung pagaayos ng accounts sa gadget if maghihiraman,” Kim Cullarin, an incoming grade 11, said. “Ang current job pa ng nanay ko ay online tutoring so bawal talaga siya mawalan ng computer,” he added, showing another possible scenario of device scramble within the household. Moreover, 58.5% of the respondents believed that teachers cannot provide an effective learning environment online. “Hindi naman sa hindi capable ang teachers per se, I meant it more on the sense na magiging "lab rats" ang mga students dito sa new type of education system. Hindi naman kasi tinuro sa college kung paano magturo via online classes,” a grade 12 student pointed out. On the other hand, 65.4% favored classes opening at August 24, but the students’ choice of learning system varied. The combination of both face-to-face learning and distance learning topped the poll for the Quesayanos’ learning preferences while taking into account the current state of the country amid the pandemic with 43.8% of the total responses. Nevertheless, 35.9% preferred pure face-to-face learning, with some considering the disadvantages of the other options. “They should keep in mind that home-based learning is not a great environment for all of students. Many experience domestic violence and face financial crisis—which in fact is the mere reason why online platforms (as an option) is not applicable,” Christian Danganan, an incoming grade 11, said. For some, their answers reflected personal situations they are experiencing now that could potentially affect them this coming school year. “Pabor ako sa face-to-face learning ay dahil sa situation namin. We don't have enough resources for online classes and there is a poor reception of internet dito sa 'min,” an incoming grade 11 student from Candelaria, Quezon expressed.
Walang-humpay
Quezon LGUs, tuloy ang pag-aabot ng tulong sa mga naapektuhan ng COVID ni: Marl Gabriel Decuzar
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uloy-tuloy ang pagbibigay ng tulong ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Quezon kasama ang mga Local Government Units o LGU bilang pagresponde sa epekto ng COVID-19. Pinapamahagian ang mga mamamayan ng Quezon ng tulong pinansyal, relief goods pati na rin tulong-pangkalusugan ngayong panahon ng pandemya. Nabigyan ng mahigit 22,000 food relief packs ang bayan ng Sariaya na may kasamang health coupon samantalang ang ayuda naman na ipapamigay na bahagi ng Social Amelioration Program o SAP ay 15 pa lang ang nakakakumpleto sa 39 na munisipalidad. Nagkaroon din ng tinatawag na Rice Farmer’s Payout na magsisilbing tulong-pinansyal sa mga magsasaka na nakararanas ng hirap ngayong pandemya sa ikalawang distrito ng lalawigan. Namahagi rin ng ayuda at face masks sa bayan ng Buenavista para sa mga miyembro ng Luntiang Katipunero at Provincial Union of Leaders against Illegalities sa pangunguna ng provincial government.
Bukod doon, nananatili namang may pinakamababang confirmed cases ang Quezon Province sa Region 4-A Calabarzon. Kulang-kulang 100 na ang kumpirmadong kaso at higit 15 rito ay kabilang sa mga active cases, mahigit 70 na ang gumaling na at walo naman ang namatay ayon sa Quezon Public Information Office o QPIO, Mayo 31. Mahigit 1,800 na rin ang naiuulat na kabilang sa mga suspected cases, higit 45 na rito ang namatay samantalang 15 naman ang nasa probable ayon din sa tala ng QPIO ng ika-31 ng Mayo. Kasalukuyang nasa ilalim ng General Community Quarantine o GCQ ang probinsya na kung saan kinakategorya ito bilang isang “low-risk area” na pinapayagan ang ilang industriya na tumakbo. Bumabagal na rin ang paglaganap ng virus sa Quezon dahil sa maunting bilang ng active cases at pagdagdag ng mga ito. Sa ngayon, mahigit 14,000 na ang naitalang kaso sa buong bansa, 3,000 na rin ang nakarekober at higit 800 na ang namatay sa nasabing sakit base sa tala ng Department of Health ngayong Mayo 31 at maaari pang tumaas ang bilang nito.
Quezon
*As of June 03, 2020 Infographics by: Annuarie Mae Ayaton
Admin to reschedule admission test for incoming 7th grade students by: Mark Henry S. Alcantara
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he Quezon Science High School admin said that they will move to a latter date the interrupted admission test of the upcoming grade 7 students from municipalities which the management has not yet reached due to CoVid-19 pandemic. In an online faculty meeting, Carla Marie Carandang, school principal, said that they are planning the best way to conduct the examination with lesser physical contact among students. However, the system to be implemented
in the examination is not yet sure due to the restrictions of the community quarantine. The school head also said that they are still waiting for the notice of the district supervisor regarding the changes that may happen about the matter. Aside from this, she said that the interview portion of the applicants will be done via available platform, more suitably through online. The enrollment for the incoming grade 7 students is to be announced after the management has processed the results and officially released the passers.
Belongings left in school grounds are in good condition, retrievable - Admin by: Mark Henry S. Alcantara
Faculty proposes blended learning approach for upcoming school year by: Freed Alberg L. Madridano Photo by: Jose Israel Deza Source: Rappler
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uezon Science High School admin confirmed that all students' belongings left in the school campus are in "good hands" and can be retrieved whenever it is possible after the community quarantine is lifted.
Source: Department of Education
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arla Carandang, school directress, announced that there will be no face-toface classes in the upcoming school year and a blended mode of learning through online and modular means will be implemented. In a faculty meeting on May 29, the school administration said that with the blended learning approach, students will not be required to physically go to school thus avoiding further spread of the disease. According to what was discussed, the means of administering quarterly exams, activities, and assessments will be determined by the subject teachers.
Source: CNN Philippines The printing and distribution of learning modules to be used are still in the process of arrangement. This decision of the faculty is inline with Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones’ official statement released on May 11, that schools under the supervision of the Regional and Division offices are allowed to decide on the specific learning delivery modalities appropriate under their own circumstances. As of May 25, QSHS online enrollment for the opening of School Year (SY) 2020-2021 has started, as part of the resolution made for the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) of DepEd.
In a faculty meeting, school principal Carla Marie Carandang said that belongings such as electronic gadgets and stuffs in the dormitory and school building are gathered in one good place. "Nasa third floor yung mga unan, bag, and other stuffs na naiwan sa dormitory at main building. While the gadgets, nasa office ko lahat." Carandang said. After the immediate enforcement of community quarantine in March, students weren't able to go back to school and weren't able to get back all their belongings. Worries regarding their belongings had risen when rumors spread that they might not be able to get their things back as the admin announced that they will be conducting general cleaning in the school grounds for request of the provincial government to be used as probable covid-19 patients facility. "Sa totoo lang, may trust issues na ako sa management ng ating school. Ang masasabi ko lang ay sana nga. Hindi man sa hindi ako naniniwala pero ang gusto ko lang ay pagbalik ko ay nasa good condition talaga ang naiwan ko" Mizael Sebastian said, a student who left rice cooker, siomai steamer, juice jug, hard drives and other personal belongings. In a faculty meeting, the school administration said that the date for the retrieval of personal belongings will be posted once it is sorted out. Redshift | The Official Newsletter of Ang/The Velocity
03
Redshift | The Official Newsletter of Ang/The Velocity | Volume 1 | Issue 1
opinion Mad Man’s Tea Party by: Hannah Joy E. Pansacola
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ore than 100K violators of the implemented lockdown guidelines have been arrested amidst the struggle to fight COVID-19 pandemic. These rules are made to decelerate the spread of the highly contagious disease that contributed to the already 806 deaths as of April 15. Law offenders are immediately placed behind bars as the police start detaining without warning. But it seems that some violators continue to roam around, having reserved seats at the mad man’s tea party, together with a march hare—welldressed in coats and ties, dormouse who rats out false information, and a cat who disappears when badly needed. Their heads must be sticking above the clouds, and above the law. Whilst the arrests continue, netizens have published several opinions regarding the Latin phrase, ‘dura lex, sed lex’, which means ‘it is harsh, but it is the law’. But the phrase is only administered to those with unsung names. Having connections with the administration will grant you an exception to the rule. Recently, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major General Debold Sinas and 18 other cops have been facing several charges for celebrating a surprise birthday party. The occasion has breached guidelines concerning social distancing and mass gatherings. Laws are created to protect the citizen’s safety and to ensure their rights against abuses by other people and by the government itself. They should be fair and equal. Sinas and his acquaintances should already be in jail, just like how they arrest commoners. Dura lex, sed lex is not the only Latin phrase everyone should be aware of. ‘Salus populi suprema lex esto’, meaning ‘let the welfare of the people be the supreme law’, must be practiced especially in times of crisis.
Their heads must be sticking above the clouds, and above the law. The cease and desist order against ABS-CBN has done more harm than good for it caused more than 11K people jobless. This will increase the number of families that needs financial aid, which is already insufficient. Moreover, the network has reached millions of homes that rely on the station as their source of information. The welfare of the people must always be considered, and issues can be resolved after the pandemic. The Duterte administration must focus on resolving the health crisis rather than thinking of ways to save its friends and exploit its enemies. Continuing to do what is being done is just harsh and unlawful.
Pang(g)ulo
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ananatiling paligoy-ligoy ang gobyerno sa pagtugon sa daluyong dala ng coro 2019 (CoViD-19). Sa loob nang mahigit na tatlong buwang pakikipaglaban dito pasubali na mga pagpapasya at kawalan ng kongkreto at masinsinang breakdow ibinabalik ng pangulo sa publiko. Kapansin-pansin na sa lahat ng Talk to the People address, patuloy na nagpapahayag ang pangulo ng mga reklamo niya sa mga kritiko, mga banta tulad ng “shoot them dead order”, at personal na pagwawari-wari sa halip na talakayin at ianunsyo ang mga tugon para sa pandemya. Pinatutunayan nito na ang Pilipinas ay nasa ilalim ng isang administrasyong naliligaw ang atensyon at nagsasagawa ng mabagal na aksyon sa mga oras na lubos na kailangan. Nakapanlulumong makita na sa delikado at magulong estado ng bansa sa kasalukuyan, tila isinasantabi ng pangulo ang responsibilidad na kaakibat ng karagdagan kapangyarihan na ipinagkaloob sa kaniya. Nagiging mapanuya ang isinasaad ng batas na “Heal as One”, anupa’t halos tatlong buwan nang sumasailalim sa quarantine ang bansa ngunit hindi pa rin nagagawa nang maayos ang mabilis na paghahatid ng sapat na mga serbisyong pangmedikal. Inamin ni Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque na naging mabagal ang gobyerno sa pagsasagawa ng mga laboratory testings. Hindi nito nakamit ang tunguhing makapagsagawa ng 8,000 daily testing noong April 30. Sa katunayan, kabilang pa rin ang Pilipinas sa mga bansang matatagalan pa bago mapatag ang kurba sapagkat wala pa sa isang porsyento ang sumasailalim sa laboratory testings. Bukod pa rito, kinakitaan ng mga pagkakaiba-iba sa mga bilang ng kaso ng CoViD-19 sa pagitan ng Department of Health at mga yunit ng lokal na pamahalaan. Mahigit 516 na kaso ang
REDSHIFT
The Official Newsletter of Ang/The Velocity Editorial Board
Vonn Andrei Villamiel Editor-in-chief
Ancelmo Miguel Catalla Associate Editor
News Editor: Mark Henry Alcantara Freed Alberg Madridano Marl Gabriel Decuzar Niño Louise De Torres Vonn Andrei Villamiel Annuarie Mae Ayaton Infographics
napaltan ang lungsod, 75 ang naiba a ang kasarian, at mayroong isang pasy noong Abril 24 ngunit hindi na patay k itong nakakabahala sapagkat mayroo implikasyon sa kredibilidad ng mga siy CoViD-19, gayundin sa pamamahala n nangangailangan ng kagyat na aksyon Kung tunay ngang nakabase ang de sa agham, nararapat lamang na mayr testings ang estratehiyang community magkaroon ng sapat na kaalaman ang bahagi ng populasyon ang asymptom programang isinasagawa ang gobyern ito. Ayon pa kay Roque, inaasa ng gob sektor ang pagpapalakas ng testing ca Patuloy lamang magdurusa ang ma walang direksyon ang mga direktiba a iba ang responsibilidad. Sa halip na m paglala at paggulo ng kasalukuyang si ng pangulo at ng kaniyang administra nito. Kailangang matutunan ng pamah kongkretong hakbang na sinusuporta datos, anupa’t ang pag-alam sa tunay gamit ang end-to-end T3 managemen monitor, and treat, ang solusyon upan pandemya.
Opinion Editor: Karhylle Khaye Abuel Hannah Joy Pansacola Christian Danganan Kristine Joyce Ramirez Ancelmo Miguel Catalla Cherry Clarice Jose Cartoon
Fe
E M C A K
Ke
La
April 2020
PasangAwa
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EDITORYAL
ona virus disease o, ang walang wn ng mga plano ang
ang edad, 45 ang nagbago yente na naiulat na namatay kinabukasan. Lubos on itong makabuluhang yentipikong pag-aaral sa ng anumang sitwasyon na n. esisyon ng gobyerno roong kaakibat na mass y quarantine upang g publiko sa kung anong matic. Gayunpaman, walang no upang maisakatuparan byerno sa mga pribadong apacity ng bansa. asa kung magpapatuloy na at ipapasa na lamang sa maging dahilan nang lalong itwasyon, oras na para iayos asyon ang mga prayoridad halaan na gumawa ng mga ahan ng tama at maaasahang y na kalagayan ng bansa nt system o ang test, ng mapagtagumpayan ang
eature
Editor: Kyian Crista Salvatierra Murella Elleza Tamayo Christine Jade Sanchez Azelia Caitlin Labasug Kim Anilov Cullarin
eith Einsley Caja
ayout and Graphic Design
estudyanteng slow learners kaya’t mas mainam ang face-toface learning kung saan naaantabayanan sila nang maayos. Bukod sa panlabas na suliranin ng online class, isa sa panloob na kinakaharap ng karamihang mag-aaral ang domestikong pang-aabuso. Hindi sila makakapagpokus sa pag-aaral kung hindi kaaya-aya ang kanilang kapaligiran. by: Christian R. Danganan Pasang awa ang isa sa terminolohiyang ginagamit ng mga estudyante kapag naghihikahos silang makapasa sa isang akakulong at nakagapos sa ilalim ng black screen ang asignatura o pagsusulit. Ganito ko mailalarawan ang markang mga kaalamang hindi maihatid ng online classes sa makukuha ng maraming mag-aaral kung ipinasa na lamang libu-libong estudyante sa bansa. Matapos bumalot ang krisis sila sa awa. Huwag na nating sakalin ang mga estudyante sa dulot ng CoViD-19, iniwan nitong problemado ang maraming modernong sistema na hindi naman kinakikitaan ng kalidad. paaralang hindi pa natatapos sa taong panuruan. Ito ang Bagkus, hintayin na lamang humupa ang pandemya at saka nagtulak upang ilunsad ng pamahalaan ang online learning na magpatuloy ng face-to-face learning materials bilang alternatibong solusyon. Subalit, ang mga dahil madali na ang humabol kaysa inaakalang gamot na ito ang naglason sa kinabukasan ng makitang bumagsak ang mga hindi maraming guro at mag-aaral na nasa ilalim ng lipunang hindi nakakatugon sa gawain. makakonekta sa modernong sistema. Maaari tayong matuto sa kahit Sa halip na paliitin ang agwat sa pag-itan ng mayayaman at anong paraan ngunit, dapat bigyang mahihirap sa panahon ng pandemya, lalo pa itong pinalawak pansin ang kalagayan ng estudyante at ng ahensya ng edukasyon. Isang mahirap na pagsubok ito kaguruan. para sa maraming guro na nasanay sa tradisyunal at hindi pa maalam ng teknikal na pagtuturo. Habang pahirapan naman Kung magpapatuloy pa rin ang ilang mag-aaral na makapasok sa online class at swerte na kung makapasa at makagawa ng mga gawain. ang online na pagkaklase, Hindi naman mapalad ang buhay ng lahat ng estudyante. pag-angat sa estado Marami ang walang sapat na kagamitan at access sa internet ng pamumuhay na ang upang makadalo sa eskwela. Bukod rito, kahit naman may pinagbabasehan dito ng grado, koneksyon, mabagal pa rin. Base sa Speedtest Global Index, ika-107 ang Pilipinas sa buong mundo pagdating sa bilis ng hindi na ang tunay na talino at mobile internet (15.1 Mbps) at fixed broadband (19.55 Mbps). sikap ng bawat mag-aaral. Ilang patunay na hindi angkop sa bansa ang magtalaga ng online class kung parang pagong ang pag-usad nito. Sa kabilang banda, nakakapasok man sa klase ang ilang Huwag na natin gawing pasang awa ang kinabukasan ng mag-aaral, hindi naman nila matutunan nang ayos ang karamihan nang dahil lang sa pribilehiyong ipinagkait sa mga mga leksyon dahil masyado itong kumplikado. May mga naiwan sa laylayan.
Death Wish by: Ancelmo Miguel M. Catalla
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s the country continues to struggle in the battle against the coronavirus disease, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that they have chosen August 24, 2020 as the date for the opening of the next school year. As a student scared for his own health, I believe that this decision is rash and ill-timed. If DepEd pushes the opening of classes before a vaccine is discovered, or before mass testing begins, they might as well start digging the graves of Filipino students. Although Sec. Briones assured us that this date was made after consultations with experts, I firmly believe that their decision is merely a knee jerk reaction. It’s too premature to make big moves especially because the Philippine government has not yet even begun mass testing. Setting a date for the opening of classes this early, would just put the lives of Filipino students at risk. This decision was also based on Republic Act No. 7977 which allows classes to start not later than the last day of August. However, let’s put in mind that we are currently suffering from a pandemic, and millions of lives are at stake. In line with this, I believe that we have to urge the congress and the senate to propose a bill that would repeal RA 7977. The legislation should create a bill that would push the date of the opening of classes until public health and safety is ensured.
Undoubtedly, the opening of classes is inevitable, and the it is true that learning should not stop. However, DepEd should take into account that the growth of CoViD-19 cases is exponential. Having students piled up in classrooms would just enhance the possibility to create another wave of CoViD-19 cases. And surely putting only 15-20 students per classroom is a dumb idea, it would just hinder learning for other students especially because the country lacks facilities and classrooms. Moreover, we all know that pulling the “online classes” card would never work at a country where there is a large digital divide, and a huge gap between privileges. I believe that the opening of classes should continue only if all students have been vaccinated.
If DepEd really wants to give quality education, then they must first deal with our country’s education system. They should create more accessible platforms for all students. Basically, they should be more considerate, because forcing the opening of classes during a pandemic would be a statement of DepEd’s incompetence and their inconsideration for the public’s health and safety. It would be their death wish for the future generations of Filipinos. Redshift | The Official Newsletter of Ang/The Velocity
05
War in Peace:
feature
A mother’s struggle in solitude
No Stethoscopes, No Lab Gowns:
by: Kyian Crista Salvatierra
The person behind the face mask
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by: Kim Anilov Cullarin
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ith the threat of Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) still running rampant in the streets, the country, now more than ever, relies on the Filipinos in the frontline, risking their lives to combat this crisis. This being said, the nation does not only need the help of healthworkers, it also depends on other workers of the community, security guards and utility workers to name a few, for survival. Despite the danger that their professions put them in, these heroes brush off their worries to fulfill their duties with the understanding that the world is in need of their service. One of these noble champions is Catherine Mortos. The Government Grind Catherine is a low-risk frontliner, a government employee whose job focuses on the distribution of the provincial gorvernment’s financial aid to the Quezonians who badly need it in these trying times. Her job includes daily zoom meetings with her superiors in the provincial office and occasional venture in the field in order to personally give the ayuda to the citizens. Dismissing daring dangers Whenever in the perilous outdoors, Catherine witnesses the day to day battle that the nation faces in this pandemic. “Sobrang tibay nung mga taong kinakaya yung araw-araw na panganib ng field work. Sobrang heroic kasi kahit delikado, laban lang.”, she stated.
Source: Philippine Star Catherine makes it a point to always remind herself that what she’s doing is for the good of fellow countrymen. She does this to shrug off the fear that this crisis brings. “If it’s for the greater good naman, why would I bail on my duty diba? Yung laban ko, laban ng bayan e.”. the frontliner articulated. A family of Intellectuals Aside from her calling as a frontliner, she also bears the commitment of a single mother. However, though sometimes left alone in their house, her child couldn’t be prouder of her mom. “My daughter Sophia is a smart girl. She has always been my number one support system. Gets niya yung panganib nitong trabaho ko, that’s why she does her best to support me in every way she can.”, Catherine expressed As a worker in the front lines, Catherine also gets to observe the government’s strategies to alleviate COVID-19’s threats. She hopes that the administration’s actions would honor the lives of those who have passed during this pandemic, both frontliners and patients alike. “Sana lang hindi maging all for nothing yung sacrifices ng mga kababayan natin, diba? We all have lost too much, sana lang marealize ng mga nasa taas yon.”, the government employee voiced out. This is what it means to be a person who puts their life on the line for a cause greater than themselves and they deserve every bit of recognition that people give them. As medical practitioners struggle to find a cure, people like Catherine do their best to make the quarantined life more bearable. Not all heroes wear capes, but sometimes, they don’t wear lab gowns as well.
Source: Philippine Star
ahaliza Marin, 39, is fighting the urge of hugging her two sons as she stepped foot in her home. Soon, she’ll rush to her secluded room as part of the routine. It has been months since the war against the invisible invaders started— months filled with fear and worry of fulfilling her role as a medical technologist, a wife, and a mother. “I can’t even give a kiss or even hug my kids,” Marin said. When asked about the biggest challenge she faced during the still occurring pandemic, being a mother was her immediate answer. She added, “The sad part is being a frontliner mom. [I can’t] even go near them (her kids)”. Med-techs fight alongside many in braving the COVID-19 virus. Although they work mostly in laboratories, Marin and her colleagues are still at risk as they literally face the said virus
Source: ABS-CBN News directly. Frontline healthworkers worldwide prop themselves to treat a once “unknown pneumonia” with no known cure yet. All hands are on deck. “As medical technologists, we are directly involved in the care and diagnosis of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients. We do the laboratory examinations of these patients”, Chief Medical Technologist Lilibeth Balancio of Quezon Medical Center clarified. Every work day, Marin strictly adheres to the necessary
precautions. She, along thousand other medica personnel, squeeze into personal protective equ (PPE) or a make-do of o is masked during work h on the way home. The fi into her house is disinfe the succeeding is a race bathroom. After all that coupled with ‘I-love-you she can give to her kids away. “The oath of a medic technology professiona
Kuwadradong silid:
Ang hamon ng pagiging COVID-19 posi
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ala na ang dating ingay ng siiyudad, pati na rin ang kumpol ng mga tao sa lansangan. Bilang na lang rin ang mga establisyimentong nananatiling bukas upang patuloy na makapagbigay ng serbisyo. Isa lamang si Joy* sa milyon-milyong Pilipino na nabago ang pamumuhay nang dahil sa kasalukuyang pandemyang kinakaharap ng mundo. Sa mga pagkakataong ito mas kinakailangan ang tulong ng mga taong nagtatrabaho para sa serbisyong medical at kabilang na nga dito si Joy. Isa siya sa libo-libong Pilipino na nagsasakripisyo ng kanilang kaligtasan upang masigurado lang na napapangalagaan ang kanilang kapwa. Habang ang karamihan ay nananatiling ligtas sa kanilang mga tahanan, nakikipagsapalaran si Joy sa paglaban kontra COVID-19. Malayo sa nakasanayan ang kaniyang dinanas. Mula sa siyam na oras ng pagpasok sa opisina ay naging 24/7 ang kaniyang trabaho upang maayos na maihatid ang mga pangangailangan ng mga tao sa ospital. Hindi man
siya direktang humaharap sa mga pasyente, siya naman ang naniniguradong natatanggap ng mga pasilidad ang mga gamit na kinakailangan. Pero ang pagllilingkod niyang ito ay agad na natigil nang siya na ang mismomg nahawaan ng sakit. Kabilang si Joy sa lagpas 2000 na kaso ng mga nagpositibong medical frontliner. Ayon sa kaniya, sa kabila ng kaniyang gulat ay pawang inaasahan na rin niya ito sapagkat ang kaniyang trabaho ay nangangailangan na makipasalamuha sa iba’t ibang tao na maaaring may virus ngunit hindi nagpapakita ng sintomas. Dahil sa kaniyang sakit, kinakailangan niyang tumigil
sa trabaho at manatili sa kwarto sa ospital nang m liban na lamang sa mga na nangangalaga sa tula may sakit. Ilang lingo na namamalagi malayo sa p na makahawa sa iba. Sa kaniyang self-isola ay hindi lamang ang viru kaniyang nilalabanan ku pati na rin ang lungkot a Sa tulong ng teknolohiya naiiwasan niyang mabag sapagkat binibigyang aliw siya ng kaniyag cellphon Ginagamit din niya ito up makipag-usap sa mga m niya sa buhay. Dito rin si nakakatanggap ng mga mula sa kaniyang mga p at kaibigan na nagpapala kaniyang loob upang pa lumaban. Ayon kay Joy, “It’s the being thankful on what I than what I cannot do.” S nang pagkakaroon ng ka sakit hindi nito napipigila hangad ni Joy na makatu kapwa kaya naman gina
Redshift | The Official Newsletter of Ang/The Velocity | Volume 1 | Issue 1
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g with al o their uipment one. Fear hours and first step ection, e to the t, a smile us’ is all s meters
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itive
a isang mag-isa frontliner ad niyang siya dito panganib
ation us ang undi at inip. a ay got w naman ne. pang mahal siya pagbati pamilya aakas sa atuloy na
matter of I can do Sa kabila aniyang an ang ulong sa agawa
April 2020
Beyond happy birthdays and hide-and-seek
Bucklers of the Inventive and Ingenious by: Christine Jade Sanchez
L
et’s face it: we cannot win an unseen battle with just “happy birthday” hand washes, hiding in the comfort of our homes, and seeking medical advice when we need it. We would need a much bigger shield, which have sparked the creativity and ingenuity of people worldwide.
the spirit of serving my fellow Filipinos [drives me to continue]”, says Marin. Dread is the unwanted companion of every frontliner in and out of their houses and the thread they hang on to is hope. In spite of the war waging between the people and a powerful virus, Marin still has faith that she will once again have her loved ones in her embrace. For now, she lets the fatigue settle and her body sink in the calm of her covers.
by: Murella Elleza Tamayo pa rin niya ang trabaho na kaya niyang gawin habang nasa quarantine. Sa bawat araw na lumilipas ay umaasa na lamang ni Joy na sana lumabas nang negatibo ang kaniyang test result upang matapos na ang kaniyang period of isolation. Hinihiling na rin niyang makauwi na sa kaniyang pamilya upang mabawi ang oras na lumipas nang sila ay magkahiwalay. Tulad ng maraming Pilipino, nagbabakasali si Joy na sana’y maibalik na ang lahat sa normal. Gayunpaman, alam din niya na hindi na magiging katulad ng mga bagay ang nakaraan at magkakaroon ng bagong normal sa hinaharap na siyang babagayan ng lahat ng mamamayan. Tulad ng iba pang sakuna, ang pandemyang ito ay lilipas din. Sa tatag at malasakit ng sangkatauhan, ito ay samasamang malalagpasan ng lahat. *Hindi niya tunay na pangalan.
For the white coats After the surge of patients due to the pandemic, hospitals need better tools and equipment, not only to provide quality service to the sick, but also to protect their medical personnel. Ventilators help in delivering oxygen to the lungs and therefore, are essential to COVID-19 patients whose lungs are being attacked by the virus. To counter the shortage of these, Dr. Rhys Thomas, along with UK-based engineering company CR Clark & Co., created a simple and robust basic ventilator. Although these are not replacements for ICU ventilators, it would still help patients breathe and clear up viral particles in the room. Biochemists from Virustatic in UK also developed germ-trapping face masks for medical frontliners. These masks protect the nose, mouth, and ears, which are critical virus infection points. They have an antiviral protein coating, which inactivates the virus once it touches the fabric. They
Living the
'New Normal' by: Azelia Caitlin T. Labasug
T
ime check! Approximately two months have passed since we were all cooped up in our homes. Most of us should be well adjusted by now, equipped with new rituals and routines to go about everyday under the continued extension of quarantine.
are also reusable, providing the same protection for up to three hand washes. For the people of the town Before seeking cure from hospitals, prevention should be one of our priorities. Because of this, some innovations are aiming to decrease the virus spread in the community setting. Even local innovators have their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A group of engineers from Nueva Ecija came up with a disinfection chamber that will be useful in public places, especially in isolation facilities. The production would be low-cost, since the materials needed only amount to 2,500 pesos. Another vital procedure in controlling the infection spread is contact tracing. The local government of Cebu uses WeTrace, a community tracing app that features patient mapping, case reporting and location tracking. For the homebound You can also personally monitor your health status in the comfort of your own home using several apps made by Filipino app developers. One of these apps is ENDCoV, which identifies the health condition of the user and provides consequent recommendations. It also creates a directory of the persons and places the user
But that does not change the state of our current situation. Bad news and good news come hand in hand; the government plans to ease quarantine for the following months but our curve is yet to flatten. The only choice we have is to prepare for what is yet to come – a new normal. #1 Know What to Expect Social distancing, mandatory face masks, and other such safeguards won’t disappear any time soon. These implementations are all under the “New Normal for the Workplace and Public Spaces Act of 2020” that was filed and proposed on April 27. Know that the measures imposed for our safety will heavily alter how people work, study, and behave in public spaces. Clear specifications are yet to be announced, so we must stay vigilant and peruse current events every now and then to actively inform ourselves. #2 Filter Fake News Being informed is nice but being misinformed is not so nice. Take every piece of information you hear or see with a grain of salt. Meaning, double check the facts you receive and then double check them some more. We are all vulnerable to fake news. It is an online pandemic in itself. Are you as skilled as a strainer? Then use what you know to educate the vulnerable than you are. Do not be a victim of some
was exposed to, and notifies all persons with whom a COVID-19 positive patient made contact with. Another app you can use is COVID-19 SCAN: Screening, Assessment, Networking. With this, users will encode the symptoms they experience and their history of travel. The app will then determine the proper action they should take based on this information. In the middle of this global health crisis, necessity truly is the mother of invention. Now that a vaccine is still way down the road, we will need this shield weaved by the creative and ingenious to protect us. More than happy birthdays and hideand-seek, creations of these innovative minds will help us survive this invisible enemy we face, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: BBC
Source: Atalayar
vague Facebook copypasta or dodgy website. #3 Balance Online and Offline The limitations imposed upon us by the pandemic left us, to be honest, with twice the average hours we spend on our phones. Living the new normal will also emphasize the importance of our online literacy and presence, since stay-at-home work and education have high probabilities of being implemented after quarantine. Knowing when to take a break and interact with the real world will improve both your physical and mental health. Stand up and do other stuff. Your overall health is the major priority, so please learn to take care of yourself. #4 Hygiene! Hygiene! If you still haven’t taken a shower, this is the sign that you should. Again, health is the major priority here. Not being able to get out isn’t an excuse to set aside physical hygiene. Wash your hands before and after you eat, exercise, and keep your health in check. Hospitals are where you are most likely to contract COVID-19, nobody wants to get sick right now. On a brighter note, once a vaccine surfaces everything will slowly go back to the normal normal and we’ll be able to worry about other things again.
Source: Manila Bulletin Redshift | The Official Newsletter of Ang/The Velocity
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Redshift | The Official Newsletter of Ang/The Velocity | Volume 1 | Issue 1
chaining
opinion
the
watchdog by: Kristine Joyce Ramirez
President Duterte’s current administration has an irrefutable reputation of constantly attacking the press that had been long critical of his actions ever since he stepped into office. In the ongoing war against the media even in these crucial times, it seemed as if dealing with them couldn’t wait any longer. Just last Tuesday, May 5, a cease-and-desist order for one of the country’s oldest and most influential TV networks, ABS-CBN Corporation, was issued by the National Telecommunications Commission or NTC. The order ultimately led to the network’s immediate shutdown.
W
ith the network’s application for a franchise renewal still pending in Congress, one wouldn’t expect the media company to swiftly continue and return to business. Alongside the franchise controversy, a statement made by the President last year (“Your franchise will end next year. If you are expecting that it will be renewed, I’m sorry. You’re out. I will see to it that you’re out.”) has put the corporations’ unfortunate fate on solid ground. Though the principle of dura lex, sed lex (“It is harsh, but it is the law”) still needs to be instilled, clearly, with the commotion and panic caused by the pandemic, it is still deemed untimely. The expiration of the network’s franchise could have been taken care of years ago. As of now, there are still 12 House bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise, with two resolutions aiming to extend the existing mandate until 2022. There had been numerous instances wherein proposed discussions about the franchise were dismissed by the House of Representatives, and the first meeting about the aforementioned issue was held five days after the shutdown. Even some lawmakers and experts were expressing their concern over the House leadership’s lack of sense of urgency and failure. It has been noted that the company filed the franchise renewal bills as early as 2016, which is considerably a long time before it expires, but the way the administration handles the current pandemic shows a lot about their misplaced concerns and priorities.
Filipinos lost one of the country’s top sources of information while battling COVID-19, when dissemination of important and timely data is of utmost priority. As per Senator Risa Hontiveros, “The delivery of timely and correct information is essential to our COVID-19 response. This shutdown order goes against public welfare,”. Some citizens who has no access to other channels through cables and internet connections were deprived of their right to information in the middle of a crisis. Furthermore, 11,000 ABS-CBN employees lost their jobs, getting caught up in the chaos along with the millions unemployed as the pandemic hit businesses and job opportunities badly. Now that the economy is in bad shape, and the difficulty of finding decent jobs is evident, now is not the right time for thousands to lose their livelihood and source of income. Another issue was keeping the corporation’s booming business at bay: Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto case against the network. It had been a key instrument to the company’s shutdown, but ABS-CBN had already answered the accusations made by the SolGen in a 58-page comment submitted to the Supreme Court. Every concern was answered, from accusations of Kapamilya Box Office (KBO) being illegal to ABSCBN corporation’s alleged foreign investors, on February 24, 2020. Some would reiterate that President Duterte’s 2016 political advertisements were not aired by the network whilst airing negative ads that
April 2020
allegedly maligned him, arguing that these actions were latched with political agenda and bias. That issue, however, was already cleared out, with ABS-CBN Corp.’s President and Chief Executive Officer Carlo L. Katigbak explaining that there are limited spots for airing local ads, which is fixed on a first come, first serve policy. Money was initially refunded and all was “forgiven”. Moreover, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has also stated that there was nothing wrong with the airing of the controversial ads funded by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, so the network was immediately vindicated from the matter. For some, it wasn’t news that the media giant was stopped by a man who seemingly hated any criticism that may come his way. Last December 21, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) listed the Philippines as the deadliest peacetime country for journalists in Southeast Asia, with a high number of media killings. The masses have known ABS-CBN as one of the networks that kept a close eye on the war on drugs campaign headed by the President. Along with Rappler, a Filipino online news site, the widely criticized extrajudicial killings has gained attention internationally, and that’s when the administration knew that something must be done. The ABS-CBN shutdown is seen as nothing more but a blatant attack on press freedom anchored with grudge and personal hatred. Months before the network’s franchise expired, the NTC was said to be heeding the DOJ’s advice to let the network continue its operations. It was also a common practice for the commission to allow media organizations to operate even months after their certain permits expire, but evidently, that did not happen at all. With the ongoing crisis, one wouldn’t lose anything in setting their own concerns aside rather than putting others’ lives at stake. The House of Representatives should be fair if ever reconsideration for the corporation’s franchise come into play. ABS-CBN should not be blamed wholly for the lack of congressional action that ultimately led to their stoppage. The law is the law, but we should never submit to what is unjust. This attack against the nation’s democracy and free speech rightfully granted to every citizen should not be condemned. Disregarding the need for quality information and sacrificing jobs are not the ways to the right path going either towards solving the disaster that is the COVID-19 response, or fixing up the mess caused by the state’s own governance. On a time where everyone depended on the information plastered on their television screens, black mirrors and complete silence should never dominate. The government has no right to suppress freedom. In this never-ending war against the watchdogs, we speak up. We act－ always in the service of the Filipinos, not only for the ones above.
Art by: Cherry Clarice Jose