The Shoeland First Print Issue SY 2021-2022

WHAT’S INSIDE

NEWS MariSci SSG Officers, ready to lead S.Y. 2021-2022

p.2

sciENCE Beach na Peke: Unearthing the skin deep beauty p.13 of Manila Bay

THEOFFICIAL OFFICIALSTUDENT STUDENTPUBLICATION PUBLICATION OF OF MARIKINA MARIKINA SCIENCE THE SCIENCE HIGH HIGHSCHOOL SCHOOL Volume Volume VI:VI, Issue Issue No.1 No.1 | September-December | September-January 2022 2021 6 | 6Sections Sections| 28 | 28pages pages

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth

IT SHALL RETURN. Michael Ray Mayo, Grade 10 student from Marikina High School, struggles with recurring “No Internet Connection”, just the same as every student is being hindered from participating in Online Distance Learning this pandemic. | Photo by Michael Ray Mayo

opinion Dismantling the Messiah Complex

p.14

feature Lumad schools as the crucible of the liberating struggle

p.20

College admissions remain virtual; lack of tests spark woes

School helm: MariSci edges towards partial face-to-face classes

By Sean Ingalla

W

By Blessyl Porras

ith the continuing onslaught of the

pandemic, the process

for college applications

has been reoriented from primarily depending on

entrance exams to relying on previous years’ performance through different metrics.

Upon the announcement of

the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) on September 1 that they will no longer be administering their admission tests for the Academic Year 2022-2023, the other three Universities identified as part of the Big Four—Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), De La Salle University (DLSU), and University of the Philippines (UP)—followed suit in the proceeding months.

Citing the threat of the pandemic in a statement dated August 18, ADMU declared that in lieu of their usual Ateneo College Entrance Test, they will

T

he Marikina Science High

The teaching and non-teaching

On December 6, two schools in

School administration

staff have already been fully vaccinated

Marikina were included in the selection

has sparked preparations

and preparing to take booster shots. As

of Metro Manila schools to partake

for the possible return to the

of November 23, approximately 70% of

in the first stage and have started the

face-to-face (F2F) learning

the student population has already been

implementation of partial F2F classes,

system in accordance with

fully vaccinated, according to the survey

which include the SHS-TVL Strand of

Department of Education (DepEd)

conducted by the school officials.

Tañong High School and Kindergarten

Memorandums No. 71 & 72 S. 2021.

According to MariSci Officer-

In-Charge Principal Maria Nicolas, separate meetings with the Schools Division of Marikina officials and key persons of the institution — including master teachers, subject coordinators, and property custodians — have been held regarding how the partial face-toface classes will be implemented.

“We created committees per task to accomplish different tasks, kasi andaming trabaho roon e,” Nicolas explained. “Bawat committee [ay] may kaniya-kaniyang focus, though ‘yong trabaho nila ay related to one another.”

be basing their admission on

to Grade 3 of St. Mary Elementary Three Stages

School.

The DepEd Memo No. 71 states

According to the guidelines further

that there shall be three stages in the

explained by the principal, the second

implementation of returning to F2F

stage shall take place somewhere in

classes: Pilot Implementation of F2F

February, where six more schools in the

classes (stage 1), Expansion (stage 2),

city will carry out partial F2F classes.

and Transition to the New Normal (stage 3).

“Kung magkakaroon tayo sa school natin ng partial face-to-face, doon na

As cited in the Department of

tayo sa third stage: transition to the new

Education-Department of Health

normal. Iyon ‘yong hinihintay nating

Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01

order na baka lahat ng schools ay mag-

s. 2021, “Specifically, for the pilot

i-implement na ng partial F2F provided

implementation, only learners from the

na pumasa sa standard,” Nicolas stated.

Key Stage K-to-3 and selected secondary

The standard that schools will

learners from Senior High School (SHS)

follow is the DepEd Memo No. 71

in minimal-risk areas shall participate.”

checklist, in which guidelines on

health and safety protocols are included.

Regarding the possibility of the Junior High School (JHS) being included in the partial F2F, Nicolas stated that this is only possible if the institution is fully-prepared and a marching order is given out, as DM No. 71 does not include JHS in the implementation checklist, in which guidelines on health and safety protocols are included.

She then explained the different situation for SHS: “kung Senior High School, may go-signal na ‘yan at pumasa sa preparation, pwede tayo mag-accommodate ng Senior High School. Pero ina-eye lang namin dito ay ‘yong sa research niyo [students], kung mag-e-experiment kayo using the facilities or the equipment na nasa school na wala kayo.”

Partial F2F | P24

several parameters including the applicants’ academic and non-academic performance, personal admission essays, recommendation letters, extracurriculars, and disciplinary records.

College admission | P5

OF NOOKS AND CRANNIES

Marikina Science on its second year of online, modular distance learning

By Chryzel Alano

T

wo years of groping in the dark; obstacles emerged,

ENGAGE WITH US ONLINE!

The Shoeland X Ang Sapatusan

@The_Shoeland

solutions were made. Yet

everyone still keeps on asking: When will this end?

With this, MariSci continues to provide students with options to choose the learning modality better suited for them under distance learning. These are the online and modular learning modalities.

The online distance learning

In accordance with the DepEd

modality allows learners to engage

Order No. 029, s. 2021 regarding the

in synchronous sessions with their

school calendar and activities for S.Y.

teachers through various applications

2021-2022, Marikina Science High School

and features accessed via the internet.

(MariSci) still adopts the Department of

While in modular distance learning

Education’s Basic Education Learning

modality, students are given hard

Continuity Plan from the previous

copies of ‘self-learning modules’ to be

school year.

accomplished on their own time.

PARENTS of some grade 8 students are being assisted by Ms. Jean Jaralve while filling up a form provided by the school to countercheck the modules in all subjects during the first quarter of School Year 2021-2022. | Photo by Caleb Pacleta

Distance Learning | P24

2 News

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

New council slate starts 2021-2022 post Prexy: SSG to be student body’s voice

By Marielle Orbong

students’ ballots.

Out of 1,127 students in MariSci, 1,002 students voted in the recently held SSG Election, yielding a voters’ turnout of 88.91%. 92.5% of students in Grade 7 participated, while 79% only voted in Grade 8, becoming the batch with the lowest total of voters. 85.5% took part in Grade 9, 91.8% in Grade 10, and 92.8% in Grade 11. Grade 12 had a total of 93.9%, having the highest number of voters.

The elected SSG officers for this school year are the following students: Eunice Althea De Guia won the position for President (535 votes), Marl Craig Felizardo for Vice President (891 votes), Ayezza Andronica Faith Prado for Secretary (640 votes), Mayrie Francheer Brillante for Treasurer (604 votes), Sabrina Faith Ballon for Auditor (419 votes), Aryann Margarette Dacquel for Public Information Officer (563 votes), and Laetitia Alexi Garcia for the position of Protocol Officer (628 votes).

Meanwhile, for the Grade Level Representatives, Teffany Delmendo was chosen for Grade 7 (103 votes), Shanaya Christabelle Sales for Grade 8 (64 votes), Isabella Louise Dela Cruz for Grade 9 (110 votes), Juan Miguel

Campus envoy ranks fourth in ASEAN Quiz Bee

By Marielle Orbong

G

abriel Tracy Corbari Uddi, a Grade 9 student of Marikina Science High School (MariSci), snatched fourth place in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Virtual Quiz Bee Competition, December 13.

It was the division level of an Araling Panlipunan contest where the students answered the given quiz through Quizalize.

The quiz was composed of 40 questions with different categories such as true or false, multiplechoice, and identification. They were given 45 minutes to answer and complete the test.

Uddi was the sole representative of MariSci, and upon hearing the final result, he said that he was “very happy” because this was the first time he had participated in an online contest.

“My competitors were ahead of me, but I still managed to be a placer, and I am very thankful for that,” he added.

Virginia Jaralve, Uddi’s coach and the teacher who accompanied him throughout the competition, congratulated him on getting the fourth spot out of the 16 public schools in Marikina that participated in the contest.

Javier for Grade 10 (83 votes), and Tanya Louise Dagdag for Grade 11 (137 votes).

For Grade 12, there were no students who ran for the position.

Process of Election Despite the meager time frame of 15 days, the COMELEC Board was able to execute a manual and digital election, construct step-by-step voting processes, and have a virtual SSG election convocation with the assistance of The Shoeland x Ang Sapatusan.

According to Caleb Pacleta, ComElec Chair, “During the election day, the only problem that we faced is that we weren’t able to delete the name of a certain candidate in the ballot during the first 15 minutes of the voting day.”

“The SSG COMELEC takes full responsibility of not being able to delete the name of Abren Aicel Evaleigh Vicente on the official ballot despite Vicente’s withdrawal (as an Auditor) in the election a few days back. Because of this mishap, she was still able to receive 18 votes. The COMELEC was able to delete her name during the first period of the election (9:00-9:40 AM),” as posted on MariSci Updates.

Vacant Slots Marl Felizardo, the newly elected SSG Vice President and a member of the Grade 12 batch, personally thinks that one of the possible reasons for the absence of a Grade 12 representative is due to the process of candidacy which only allows the presidents of each section to run for a position in SSG. For him, that ‘limits’ the chance of the people who really want to serve the student body.

“I know someone na gusto talaga tumakbo for Grade 12 rep, but hindi siya nanalo as a president of our section so hindi siya nakatakbo,” Felizardo added.

Due to the circumstances, the batch assembly of Grade 12—consisting of the President, Vice President, and Secretary of each section—appointed a student, Brian Martin, who will lead their batch for the school year.

“Luckily, nag-appoint na lang ng Grade 12 representative since mabigat din ‘yung duty ng level rep and since ako lang ‘yung grade 12 sa SSG, it would be a big responsibility pa rin,” Felizardo said.

Felizardo also stated that “since all of us witnessed the selection of candidates this school year, I am hoping na hindi na siya maulit since selective and unfair siya.”

Limited Candidacy According to Eunice De Guia, the newly elected SSG President, “From my point of view, I could see why the COMELEC only chose the homeroom presidents to run for this year’s SSG to

PLEDGE OF COMMITMENT. The newly elected officers of the Marikina Science High School - Supreme Student Government (SSG) strike a pose after delivering their oath of office on October 24, 2021.

ComElec Chair Caleb Pacleta administered the oath taking with Ms. Maria Nicolas, OIC-Principal and Ms. Jean Jaralve, SSG Adviser as the witnesses. | Caption By Caleb Pacleta make it a faster and easier process.”

“Nonetheless, they still should’ve considered students who aren’t in the said position in their homeroom who wanted to run for positions to still uphold the democracy, though we’re in a different environment,” De Guia added.

“While I do agree that this year’s SSG election was exclusive, on one hand, I think there is also a rationale behind this. The SSG ComElec informed the advisers to announce in their class that whoever has the desire to run for the upcoming SSG election, he or she must step up already at the class level and target the presidency,” Pacleta said.

“Kung ako rin naman ang masusunod, I would open the candidacy for all the aspiring student leaders in MariSci. However, as the ComElec chair, I was mandated to abide by the interim guidelines on the SSG Elections,” he added.

Pacleta stated that he was assigned to be the chair by the end of September and that he was instructed that he needed to hold the election on or before October 17 since there will be a divisionwide SSG election after the indicated date.

“As the chair, I was also given a choice to appoint officers, but I never included that as an option. All because it would be a huge disservice to the student body and to the very essence of democratic involvement through voting.

That’s why I decided to set the election day on October 15,” he added.

The Vow The new SSG President, Eunice De Guia, said, “I honestly did not expect to win the election, knowing that both Kuya Emman and I have similar

leadership experiences. It’s really surprising, and I’m very grateful that the student body has trusted me, along with the other winning candidates, to let us lead and serve this school year.”

She is also determined to ensure that this school year will be great as they are “ready” to be the “students’ voice.”

“I already have programs and projects in mind to make this school year as interactive, fruitful, and refreshing as possible, and I hope to see them participating and enjoying themselves despite our current situation,” De Guia added.

Following her victory as the president in the school’s SSG election, she has been elected as the Division Federation of SSG Officers Vice President.

Meanwhile, since the school’s SSG is made up of candidates from two different parties, they have different platforms and plans to conduct. To address this matter, De Guia said that “The key to having a strong bond with my officers is through constant communication and morale boost.”

“We’ve since conducted meetings to talk about what our General Plan of Action will be as the school year passes.

We’ve settled on certain events that were similar between the two parties, and talked about the platforms we can continue and/or improve on that were different from the two parties,” she added.

De Guia also stated that there is no problem with conducting both their platforms and said that “as long as it’s for the betterment of the students’ welfare, we strive to work our hardest to create projects for this year.”

Of Expectations According to Kate Charice

Maghirang, a Grade 7 student of MariSci, as she starts her first year here, her expectations about the school’s SSG are “unexpectedly high,” particularly since students are “experiencing hardships” in this mode of learning.

“I expect that the school’s SSG will emphasize with us since they are also students that are experiencing this hardship; hopefully, the school’s SSG will meet the aspirations and address the grievances and hardships of the students,” she said.

“the...hopefully, school’s

SSG will meet the aspirations and address the grievances and hardships of the students,

“

A

fter a voting procedure held last October 15, 2021 for online learners and October 21 for modular learners, the official results for this school year’s Marikina Science High School (MariSci) Supreme Student Government (SSG) Election were released by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) through the MariSci Updates Facebook page.

The voting took place in the morning via a Google Meet link given to each section which served as the precint. The COMELEC and poll watchers were appointed to monitor voting to guarantee the accuracy of the

Moreover, Mikaella Javier of 12-Prudence envisions that this school year’s SSG officers will lead a variety of activities relating to the social and mental well-being of the student body to “guarantee” everyone’s health is in good condition.

“I’m also hoping they’ll be responsible of representing their fellow students to the administration and ensuring that information is relayed efficiently,” she added.

Love for reading aired in English month

By Chryzel Alano

L

ed by the Marikina Science High School’s English Department, English Club, and The Shoeland X Ang Sapatusan, a culminating

activity held on the 29th of November concludes the school’s English Month celebration.

The event circled on the theme PAGASA SA PAGBASA. Giellian Froyalde enhances her reading skills at home with the help of her mother, Grace Froyalde, in the advent of online learning. | Giellian Froyalde

“Bawat Bata Bumabasa sa Kabila ng Hamon ng Pandemiya” in accordance with the Department of Education (DepEd) Memorandum, DM-CI-2021-00466, regarding the 2021 Pambansang Buwan ng Araw at Pagbasa.

Showcasing the poems written by JB Quirong, vice president of the English Club, spoken poetry was performed

by Allysa France, the club’s public information officer. France established that the purpose of the poems was to incentivize its listeners to read using the method of poetry.

France added that the pieces were derived from how reading can affect lives at different points of view and that organizing their part of the event was an experience, ultimately, emanating something worth sharing to the world.

For the main event of the culminating activity, Mariz Geraldine Jose, a Language and Literature teacher

at St. Edward School Faith Campus, conducted a talk revolving around two main queries on why reading should be done and how one may develop love for it.

Jose said that reading improves one’s memory, concentration, and imagination; and summarized her discussion by reiterating, “We shouldn’t only take care of our body, we should also take care of our mind.”

As a reflection upon attending the said activity, Anikka Casy Beatriz Maderal, Grade 8, said she learned that being exposed to books helps in enriching day-to-day conversations as well as one’s self-expression.

Maderal also encouraged her classmates to make reading a habit or a pastime activity, saying, “So that we will still be able to continue learning and at the same time, be relaxed or have fun while reading.”

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

News 3

Brigada echoes ‘bayanihan sa paaralan’ to unravel power of community

By Francheska Reyes

T

o ensure learning continuity amid the pandemic, Marikina Science High School (MariSci) engaged in the annual nationwide Brigada Eskwela imbibing the theme “Bayanihan para sa Paaralan” last August 23 to September 30, 2021.

In accordance with the Department of Education (DepEd) Memorandum No. 48 S. 2021 the two-month-long event was filled with activities for students, parents, and teachers to welcome a new year of distance learning.

To officially open the event, the school hosted its Brigada Eskwela Virtual Kick-off on August 23 via Facebook Live, which discussed the importance of serving the community now more than ever.

"Bakas sa marikit nating ugali na maging bayani tayo sa sarili nating bayan at sa ngayon, mahalagang gawin natin ito para sa ating kinabukasan,” Maria Nicolas, the Officer-in-Charge Principal said in the opening remarks.

Online Struggles Due to health and safety protocols, all programs and activities were held online. With this, Jossa Francisco, Chairman of the Advocacy Committee, mentioned that the school maintained its plan of execution the same as if the event was held face-toface.

She said that their top three goals for this year were to build genuine relationships among school administrators, teachers, students, and other stakeholders; create relevant, responsive, and appropriate activities for everyone; and encourage everyone to participate in the betterment of the school.

However, given the heightened restrictions, the MariSci community still encountered roadblocks as the event transitioned to a distanced event.

“One of the challenges that we encountered was managing our time Partial F2F from page 1 Following Health Protocols The created committees that will oversee the partial F2F are tasked to create an action plan based on the mentioned checklist in DM No. 71 called the School Safety Assessment Tool (SSAT) in order to ensure safety while implementing F2F classes.

The SSAT includes actions on managing school operations, focusing on teaching and learning, well-being and protection, and homeschool coordination that need to be accomplished before permitting the school to perform partial F2F. “Ang laking porsyento ng preparation about sa mga contingency plans about sa health and safety protocols,” the oic-principal stressed.

Nicolas also stated that the health guidelines are being followed even in the current learning situation where visitors and students go to the campus to claim learning materials and submit

for the Brigada Eskwela. The workload of teachers has been dynamic but heavy, and school meetings and preparations for the opening of classes have been more frequent and crucial than before. Meanwhile, parents, especially those who are working, also have hectic schedules,” said Francisco.

Moreover, according to her, they overcame these challenges by designating tasks to Brigada members and reaching out to stakeholders through various means such as call, text, chat, video conference, and email.

By doing this, Francisco remarked that they were able to accomplish their ultimate goal, which is to create and implement activities aligned with DepEd orders and strengthen partnerships with the school and stakeholders, all the while upholding their advocacies.

Extending Help Meanwhile, the school was flooded with support from the community with both cash and in-kind donations. Opening online channels for cash donations made it easier for students and parents to donate at the comfort of their homes despite the current situation. “[The process of this year’s donations was] easier because of the availability of online transactions like GCash,” Airine Ornedo-Niduaza, a MariSci parent and one of the donors, stated.

MariSci also established its Partnership Awards to recognize its sponsors based on cash, inkind, or voluntary donations. The reward system was divided into four awards: bronze for donations less than PhP999; silver, for PhP1,000 to PhP2,999; gold, for PhP3,000 to PhP4,999; and platinum for donations amounting to PhP5,000 and above.

“It is a good idea because it makes people more engaged in the event, given the recognition,” said Shanaya Sales, a Grade 8 student,

their modular outputs.

To comply with the health guidelines, only 12 students are allowed to study in available rooms where the same number of tables and chairs, alcohol dispensers, available facemasks, disinfection solutions, and foot baths have been placed.

According to the content of the checklist, the MariSci staff have only accomplished 15% since they are still in the planning stage but have already set their next step to put up safety signage all over the facility.

"Pero kapag may action plan na 'yan [planning committees], mas mabilis na ang magiging progress,” Nicolas assured.

Selection of Participants To decide who will be the 12 learners per room to be partaking, the school officials are still preparing to release a survey to the students to find out which of them pose the willingness

POLICE VOLUNTEERS from Marikina City Police District Sub-Station 3 and Criminology students from Arellano University sort out the modules to be used by the students of Marikina City public schools. The additional manpower was requested by the school as part of the Learning Continuity Plan and Brigada Eskwela 2021 implementation. | Photo by Joshua Caleb Pacleta

when asked about her feedback on the reward system.

According to Marcos Bosi, Resource Mobilization Chairman, the donations will go to the students’ and faculty needs not included in the school budget. “Dagdag supplies ito para sa mga learners and teachers sa pinaplanong partial face-to-face,” he stated.

He also mentioned that their committee did not encounter any roadblock as they have established a system of having a bookkeeper who’s managing the monetary donations. In contrast, the supplies were kept in the

to participate.

According to Nicolas, “Kapag may data na kami, pag-aaralan namin, at siyempre magba-backtrack ng academic performance ng bawat learner na nagsignify ng intention in participating in the partial F2F.” She also specified that this is the hardest part of the preparation and will take quite some time to decide on who will be the selected participants.

According to Ryzelie and Dave Javier, parents of Grade 12 student Zidane Javier, they are willing to allow their son to participate in the partial F2F classes because it will alleviate his struggles in pursuing education virtually.

“Moreover, I'm much more comfortable having my friends and classmates around making me feel that I have my support systems with me,” Javier noted.

Community Involvement Once the willing learners have been selected, a series of orientations will be conducted with their parents and the school’s stakeholders, followed by instructing the teaching and nonteaching personnel.

According to the OIC-Principal, her next schedule of appointments would be with the School Governing Council and the General Parent-Teachers Association since they will play a vital role in information dissemination.

Nicolas also calls on the learner’s EYEING FOR HOPE. Maria Nicolas, together with Analyn Santos and other MariSci teachers, visits Tañong High School on December 06, 2021, as Mary Grace Frondoso assists the benchmarking of the said faculty in preparation for possible re-opening of face to face classes. | Caption by Joline Rumbaoa, Photo by Caleb Pacleta

supplies office.

Overall, the school accumulated PhP162,728 of cash and in-kind donations, including seven gallons of alcohol, more than 200 pieces of face masks, and a unit of Haier Refrigerator.

Achieving ‘Bayanihan’ As the Brigada Eskwela officially ended on September 28, the school ensured that everyone in the community would be involved and benefited from the programs to collect cash, in-kind, and voluntary donations.

Although there were problems encountered, Celia Vicente, a parent, said that the target seemed sufficiently good in times like these. Even a firsttime participant of Brigada Eskwela in MariSci, Kylex Reyes, lauded that the school achieved the act of unity.

“The school was able to achieve Bayanihan because it made everyone participate in the activities. Everyone shared their blessing in the donation drive, as well as in terms of learning opportunities; everyone had their part to make the Brigada a success,” Reyes said.

Interact Club fosters camaraderie via online program

By Marc Olata

I

n celebration of the World Interact Week, Marikina Science High School’s Interact Club hosted via Zoom an event dubbed "Fright Night,” a Halloween-themed costume party on November 5.

Attended by 29 students, the event featured various activities like quizzes on Halloween facts, ‘Bring Me’ games, and premiered two short horror films. The winners of the games were awarded cash prizes ranging from 50 pesos to 150 pesos.

“I declare the event a success because our plans were carried out successfully, and everyone was ecstatic and engaged throughout

assistance: “There will be times na baka ma-request din ‘yong presence ninyo [students] to support and help the implementation and preparation.”

The Supreme Student Government President Eunice De Guia expressed her support in the school's transition from distance learning to partial F2F classes but in a safer and more adjustable environment for the following school year.

“There would be another period of adjustment for most students, and it would be near impossible to not use any type of technology when transitioning back. It would impact us by how we

the activities,” Isabela Balading, the club’s secretary, stated.

She also added that the event’s purpose was inspired by Rotary International’s goal: to bring the youth together and inspire them to take action and make a difference.

Further, Balading remarked that ‘Fright Night’ showed its members that being part of the club can be enriching and fulfilling in the pursuit of service and social department.

Meanwhile, the participants voted among themselves for the recipient of Best Costume and a prize of 100 pesos, which was granted to John Aguinaldo of 7-Confidence, who cosplayed Uzumaki Naruto from the anime Naruto. can't fully rely on the internet, but it also helps us focus more on school,” De Guia explained.

Nicolas believes that if an order is put out in the following months that will allow the JHS to conduct partial F2F, MariSci can implement it before the school year ends. However, if it is announced near the end of the school year, it would be unfulfilling.

“Rest assured naman na talaga namang paplanuhin nang mabuti ng school [partial F2F classes],” she affirmed. “It is not only for us to be safe, but most importantly kayo—mga learners na magpa-participate.”

4 News

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

EdTech unit beefs up eLearning platform optimization

By Maria Rodriguez

The Breakthrough To continue education amid the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) has used distance learning modalities along with applying for blended learning programs. This has shifted face-to-face classes to online education through online learning platforms, one of which is the eLearning platform of SDO-Marikina.

For Marikina Science High School (MariSci) Senior High School teacher Jossa Francisco, the adoption of a uniform eLearning platform is “timely and well-intentioned.”

“With such a platform in place, learners and parents can access learning materials, be informed of relevant announcements and updates, initiate interactions through the discussion board, and evaluate learning through quizzes,” she said.

In an interview with The Shoeland x Ang Sapatusan, Education Program Supervisor Joseph Santos expressed that the implementation of the eLearning program is considered to be a breakthrough in the school division’s learning modality.

According to him, even before the pandemic hit the country, technology through the use of the online platform was introduced to certain public secondary schools in Marikina City.

“This has paved the way for the Jesus Dela Peña National High School (JDPNHS) to be recognized as the Center for eLearning. In 2019, the eLearning program seemed to be the answer for the children who wished to pursue their education through online distance learning,” he said.

Santos explained that the implementation stage involved training of eTeachers, the orientation of the users, and hiring technical support to run the operations. With the eLearning platform being customized for the

school division, the server has to be funded by the Division Office and the city or local government units.

“The key factors for making the platform effective are the following: time, resources, and manpower. The development of the platform was not easy though. It took several phases, tons of patience, and loads of passion to build the system itself,” he elaborated.

“Resources play a significant part in the making of the platform. Through collaborative efforts and trust, the needed budget was fulfilled. Manpower was sourced from the volunteer teachers and service contract technical experts to man the operation of the platform,” he added.

Santos also shared that the platform achieved its aim to be receptive as it provided learners with the materials that can be accessed online through the school-prescribed platform.

“It has benefited not only our eLearners but also the eTeachers during the pandemic as shown in how asynchronous lessons have been conducted.”

According to MariSci Officer-inCharge (OIC) Principal Maria Nicolas, the eLearning Platform made a big improvement as compared to the past eight years it has been used. As pilot implementers of the program, the improvement was tremendous since the requests of the users were continuously upgraded by the developers.

“Since ito ay localized, ‘yong immediate concern natin sa paggamit ay mabilis ang aksyon, nagagawa nila agad kasi developers are within our reach.

So with the presence of this platform, I think it’s really effective,” she stated.

Bugging Issues MariSci Grade 11 student Tanya Dagdag noted that the platform helps in accessing the online courses since most teachers upload their learning materials in the said platform, but its technical issues hinder them from completing their courses smoothly.

"The eNote section of the platform is complicated to navigate through, and based on personal experience; the platform lags quite often. Many students experience the platform crashing, having a slow response time and, to be more specific, leaving the whole site blank,” she said.

As the one who supervises the program, Santos also shared some of the technical issues the ETU encounters.

“The server speed is one of the major concerns as the platform has to accommodate more than 15,000 users, not to mention the more than 600 eTeachers. The platform does not have the capacity to provide video

conferencing tools unlike Google Meet and Zoom,” he said.

However, for Santos, technical issues such as bugs and speed performance are not the main reasons why some students could not complete their entire course or program.

“Any secondary student knows that if they can’t access online, the Division Office or the school where the child is enrolled can ask for modules or printed instructional materials. Reasons may be financial issues, emotional stress, mental illness, or physical disability, which the society must workaround,” he asserted.

In this regard, Nicolas stresses the importance of self-care amidst the pandemic as it improves educational outcomes and overall online school productivity.

“Di ba minsan, kailangan natin i-set nang maayos ‘yong sarili natin sa pagsisimula ng pag-aaral, to finish everything at matugunan ang bawat isa,” she explained.

For Francisco, in order to be effective as a tool to help achieve quality learning outcomes, the eLearning platform must be complemented with creative teaching strategies to motivate learners.

“A parallel preparation must be made by learners. They must build good study habits and, together with their guardians, ensure that their learning environment is conducive to online learning,” she added.

“

The development of the platform was not easy though. It took several phases, tons of patience, and loads of passion to build the system itself.

In ensuring the quality of online courses on the platform, Santos points out that there is no guarantee that the technical working team or the executive committee can say that 100% of the eLearners can get quality education through the use of the platform.

“Let us just say that a platform is a bridge to link the gap between the teachers and the students. The eLearning platform contains modules, interactive lessons, supplementary materials, and assessments that every learner is expected to receive. That’s the eLearning package, so to speak,” he added.

Room for Improvement According to Nicolas, the course

and learning materials available on the site become increasingly sufficient as the number of students using it grows. As such, a push to optimize the eLearning platform has been prompted to promote online FOR THE SAKE OF learning as KNOWLEDGE. Arvin Lark an efficient Santiago, a Grade 7 MAPEH way through teacher, worries that he does not get the full which attention of his students students can during synchronous continue classes. The 32-year-old learning. approaches this problem “At first, with enthusiasm and uses audio-visual materials in the program discussing his lectures. is beneficial Caption by Noel Rufon, to the Photo by Arvin Lark Santiago students since it is an allin-one platform where students can platform,” she said. access their modules and submit their To roll out the eLearning platform outputs. However, I could say that there to ensure user participation, Santos is still room for improvement,” Dagdag noted that an orientation among suggested. teachers is conducted before the classes She also suggested updating the open, along with survey forms to solicit platform to accommodate the student’s feedback and comments from the users. needs from its response time and “Regular meetings with the interface. The bug issues encountered technical working committee are can also be resolved to make the conducted every year to further improve platform much more engaging. or enhance the eLearning Platform According to Francisco, the based on the suggestions of the users,” platform became the means to Santos stated. accommodate the demands of learners To address the concerns regarding and teachers amidst the pandemic. the platform's eLearning delivery and However, like any other learning management system to be engaging and platform or tool there is, it must be facilitate learning, Santos ensures that considered as a dynamic work in sustainability measures are carefully progress. studied before its implementation, with “If sustained and further improved, more support and funding to expand the it can still be used even after the eLearning program endeavors. pandemic is over,” she reiterated.

With the new normal, DepEd She also shared her concerns designed the Basic Education-Learning when using the platform, such as Continuity Plan (LCP) to ensure the technical glitches that she hopes will safety of students, teachers, and staff be addressed sooner, the same with while giving quality distance learning the random disappearance of some through the use of online platforms. messages in the inbox, and the inability “For this reason, the LCP of the portal to directly play videos on outlines capacitating the skills of the platform. the eTeachers in using the eLearning “As I said earlier, the portal is wellplatform, upgrading the infrastructure, intentioned and is a work in progress. implementing a six-year strategic plan, I believe that we can further improve and increasing the annual budget this for the benefit of teachers and to sustain its implementation of the students. Fortunately, one step that has eLearning platform,” Santos remarked. been undertaken is to conduct a survey to identify other issues regarding the

Serving others through ‘scouting spirit’

MariSci alum earns berth in Phil’s best scouts

By Blessyl Porras

R

ALTRUISTIC EXCHANGE. Youthnited Bayanihan Community Pantry, spearheaded by Michael Ralph De Villa, Regional Scout Representative for NCR, reached for more than a hundred families at Nangka, Marikina City, with his feverish desire to be of aid after witnessing Maginhawa St. Community Pantry, on May 4 to June 12, 2021. | Caption by Joline Rumbao, Photo by Ralph De Villa

alph Michael De Villa becomes a part of the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines (TOBS) for 2021, representing Marikina Science High School (MariSci) and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Metro Manila East Council, as announced on October 25.

This year’s TOBS was chosen to give recognition to the scouts who have best epitomized their "scouting spirit" and demonstrated outstanding leadership skills in the community.

According to De Villa, he went through a nomination process, interviews, and screenings, both regional and national levels, where his compilation of achievements and service projects were graded.

“I decided to join the Search because I knew I was outstanding, and I was confident enough to know that I fit the Outstanding criteria. A lot of people were rooting for me, and when

I realized that in joining the Search, I could inspire other scouts in the council to follow suit,” he stated in an interview with The Shoeland X Ang Sapatusan.

De Villa was the first representative from MariSci and BSP Metro Manila East Council to be hailed as one of the TOBS ever since the search was established in 1989. “The title is just a validation of efforts,” he affirmed.

De Villa further stated that he will continue what he has been doing for the last five years by building his character through serving others. “I will continue to inspire and motivate fellow Scouts.

And I will always be guided by the Scout Oath and Law.” As a part of the top boy scouts, De Villa has spearheaded and participated in several community-based activities since 2018, like the “YouthNited Bayanihan: Community Pantry” that benefited more tha 700 families in Barangay Jesus Dela Peña and Nangka in Marikina, and relief operations for

victims of Typhoon Ulysses.

“Having a scout showing these attributes would certainly inspire someone to be an Outstanding Scout as well. The fire has been set ablaze, and it would never be put out,” Eagle Scout Emmanuel Espiritu expressed regarding the impact of De Villa’s win.

As one of the country’s TOBS, De Villa received a PhP35,000 cash prize, PhP30,000 scholarship for two years, medal, plaque, and membership to the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines Associations.

“A scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances,” De Villa shared. He added that a scout’s role is to continue to serve the community no matter what disaster strikes, including the pandemic, and be able to share these values with the next generation.

“

Having a scout showing these attributes would certainly inspire someone to be an Outstanding Scout as well. The fire has been set ablaze, and it would never be put out.

“

iming to be receptive and beneficial to learners amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Educational Technology Unit of Schools Division Office (SDO) of Marikina City pledges to improve its eLearning Platform to accommodate the needs of students and teachers, making it engaging to facilitate learning.

The eLearning program is one of the Alternative Delivery Modes offered by the SDO-Marikina City to provide an option for learners in availing of educational services. Its full implementation hoped to have a strong impact on learning outcomes and improve the school's key performance indicators.

“

A

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

News 5

Key to normalcy

Glee Club boosts message of vaccine efficacy through song

By Kinichi Bajao

P

layed at Marikina City vaccination sites to endorse inoculation of minors aged 12-17 in the city, the Marikina Science High School Glee Club composed a song entitled “ResBakuna sa Eskuwela” released on November 11, 2021.

“Kapag narinig ‘yung song, the song would [be] retain[ed] in their minds na the vaccination works,” said the club’s former adviser, Darren Bancod.

Aside from pediatric vaccination, the song also depicted the hesitancy of parents of minors to have their children vaccinated.

“Kasi ‘di ba maraming myths and we want to debunk the myths about vaccination and to promote scientificbased information about the efficacy of the vaccine,” Bancod explained.

Bancod chose the lyric “Sa Marikina, Ligtas Ka” along with the line “Huwag nang mag-alinlangan pa” as

College admissions from P1

Citing the persistent threat of the pandemic in a statement dated August 18, ADMU declared that in lieu of their usual Ateneo College Entrance Test, they would be basing their admission on several parameters: the applicants’ academic and non-academic performance, personal admission essays, recommendation letters, extracurriculars, and disciplinary records.

DLSU also announced the suspension of their college entrance exams on the 9th of October, bringing up the same concern with regard to the current health crisis.

UP, the premier national university which catered to more than a hundred thousand applicants from their previous admission process will once again conduct University of the Philippines College Admission which waives the usual entrance test in the institution due to the “immense logistical challenge of administering UPCAT in the UP campuses and 95 testing centers throughout the archipelago while the trajectory of the pandemic remains uncertain.”

Students’ Preferences In a data collated by The Shoeland X Ang Sapatusan, of 103 Grade 12 students of Marikina Science High School (MariSci), 76.7% opted for Science, Technology, Engineering, and

the most important sections of the song to emphasize that every citizen is safe from the virus since they are supported by the city’s secured governance.

“I have learned how essential vaccination is to us, especially to the youth. Since we are amidst the pandemic, everyone must be well informed about the impacts of this COVID-19 Vaccination towards themselves and our society,” Isabella Dela Cruz, one of the singers, shared.

Vaccine Rollouts For Youth On November 3, 2021, the Department of Health (DOH) began the nationwide rollout of pediatric vaccination to minors aged 12-17.

On October 26, 18,666 minors with comorbidities received their first dose of vaccine in the NCR as part of the initial phase of pediatric vaccination. In contrast, Marikina jabbed 362 minors in its pilot launch on October 22.

“We are targeting to be able to

Mathematics (STEM) aligned program in college.

Accountancy, Business and Management came second with 11.65%, Humanities and Social Sciences with 6.80%, Technical Vocation with 1.94%, and others garnering 2.91%.

Among the courses chosen as the students’ first preference, Psychology had the highest number of students choosing it with 12.62%. Following it are Medical Technology and Computer Science with 8.70%, and Architecture with 5.83%.

In the same survey, 98.1% of the graduating students reportedly applied to UP, 71.7% in UST, 66% in ADMU, and 50.9% in Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Some of the other institutions that the respondents applied to or expressed interest in being admitted are the following: DLSU (45.3%), Far Eastern University (47.2%), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (26.4%), National University (15.1%), and University of the East (13.2%).

Uncertain Chances Maria Nicolas, the Officer-in-Charge Principal of MariSci, noted that this change to the virtual set-up of passing requirements through the colleges’ online portals made it easier for the school to transact with the institutions and students for the processing of necessary documents.

HAWAK KAMAY. As the Brigada Eskwela begins, SGC and Volunteer Parents embody the theme “Bayanihan Para Sa Paaralan” by volunteering to sort modules on the MSHS campus on September 28, 2021. | Photo Courtesy of MSHS FB Page

vaccinate about 70% to 80% of the school population for that. If we have herd immunity, we can open limited face-to-face classes,” Mayor Marcelino Teodoro expressed.

According to National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., this step was essential as the gradual resumption of physical classes is being eyed.

In a survey by the Social Weather Stations released on November 5, it was revealed that although 64% of adults expressed willingness to get vaccinated, 19% were still uncertain, and 18% were unwilling.

As of January 20, 2022, more than 56.84 million people in the Philippines were fully vaccinated, having booster shots given to 5.9 million of them.

“KAGAT LANG ‘YAN NG LANGGAM”. Nate Lowrence Cruz, 7th grader MariScian, takes his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on November 16, 2021 at Marikina Sports Center, after the national government allowed the nationwide pediatric vaccination among children ages 12-17 years old on November 3, 2021. | Photo by Nate Lawrence Cruz

According to Marl Felizardo, a Grade 12 student of MariSci, although he recognizes the convenience of the change process, it is a disadvantage to those with no equal access to the internet and who did not have the chance to acquire good academic performance from their previous years.

“Even though mas mahirap yung traditional admissions, I really think it is the better option pa rin since lahat may pagkakataong sumubok sa mga universities,” Felizardo added.

Rejean Andres, another Grade 12 student applying to colleges, echoed the same sentiments and said, “Although some may see it as an opportunity to pass universities without the need to partake on exams or interviews, I wouldn’t prefer this kind of admission as it may not provide a clear understanding on the student’s profile.”

“With the pandemic and poor government response stalling our safe reopening of schools, we are stripped of the process to be evaluated on equal footing—that is, taking admission exams. I know that the safest bet for colleges to push through applications is to check our high school grades and recommendations, but I still find it unfair that we are solely assessed based on our previous academic performances,” an anonymous respondent shared.

Another respondent contended, “Having admission exams give[s] you the feeling that you are qualified to be in that school as it requires more effort than simply submitting paperwork.

However, considering the situation, it is more ideal to not have admission exams.”

Grappling with Opportunities According to the applicants from MariSci, their worries are not solely with regard to passing the admission but also being qualified for scholarships being offered by these institutions.

Based on the data released by the Commission on Higher Education on the Distribution of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by Institution Type, almost 72% of the HEIs are privatized,

which leaves the applicants to dwell on limited slots in free State Universities and Colleges (SUC) as accorded

by Republic Act 10931 or to avail scholarships in private institutions.

“I will be depending on scholarships to be able to attend private universities since we’re not that financially stable,” Felizardo remarked.

In the same survey by the publication, 77.4% of the respondents reported that one of the factors that they consider in choosing their colleges is the tuition fee or the cost of education, while 69.8% also chose scholarship options as one of the factors they take into account.

Repeated Cycle Applicants of Grade 12 of the current batch face the same admission process pioneered during the previous batch of seniors of the School Year 20202021.

Darlene Cruz, an alumna of MariSci and a current student of UP, said that the renewed process made the set-up of applications even more inaccessible to aspiring college students.

“Nitong nakaraang taon, higit na nabawasan ang katiyakan na makapag-enroll ang mga kabataan sa pinapangarap na paaralan. Mga grado lamang mula sa hayskul ang pangunahing requirement kaya pinagkaitan ang nakararami ng pagkakataon na bumawi sana sa exams. Hindi rin umaabot sa ilang mga remote areas ang anunsyo sa admission process dahil sa online platforms ito pinadadaan,” Cruz mentioned.

Cruz added that the focus on academic grades halted the opportunity for students to compensate for their lacking performance, which could be attributed to many factors.

Sopiya Exconde, another alumna of MariSci from the previous batch, narrated how grueling the entire process has been due to the uncertainty brought by the suspension of examinations.

“The lack of examinations was not advantageous for a majority of high school students because we did not have a chance to prove our utmost knowledge

and abilities to these prominent universities. These institutions solely based our rankings on our grades which minimized the likelihood of getting in,” Exconde asserted.

She also mentioned how this process heavily affected the opportunity of many students in need to be granted the financial aid that would’ve allowed them to study in quality universities of their choice.

Students’ Calls Current and former MariScian applicants alike urge improvements within the given process, calling for more inclusivity.

“I just wish that universities wouldn’t admit their students based on grades [alone] but instead on the students whom they think will really have a huge development when they get in,” Felizardo said.

He also mentioned that colleges could emulate the framework employed

by ADMU since they were not based solely on grades but also on other qualifications such as the essay written by applicants.

“Apart from the grades, essays, and recommendation letters, these universities can conduct examinations that would still consider the current situation of online and offline students,” Exconde suggested.

Cruz underscored the general design of the application processes, remarking that these punctuate the exclusivity of education, which is supposedly an inalienable right.

She said that for SUCs to have the capacity to cater to more students, enough subsidies and government funding must be funneled to the educational sector.

“Pagaanin nawa at paunlarin ang admission process, lalo na sa state universities at local colleges. Kung maaari lamang ay wala na sanang mahihigpit na requirements upang makapag-aral nang libre sa mahusay na unibersidad, sapagkat ang akses sa kalidad na edukasyon ay isang karapatan,” she ended.

6 News

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

DepEd sec meets metro stakeholders

Unity key to fix education sector, says Briones

By Marc Olata ENGAGING IN CONVERSATION. DepEd Sec. Bronies at Tanghalan Rizal auditorium checking up on NCR’s education condition amidst the pandemic. | Photo courtesy of Department of Education official Facebook page

E

choing the power of unity in fixing ills in the education landscape, Education Secretary Leonor Briones’ checked on the conditions of the National Capital Region’s (NCR) education sector amidst the pandemic in an “Engagement Cum Conversation” held December 21 at the newlyminted Tanghalang Rizal auditorium, Rizal High School, Pasig City.

The event was participated by select NCR public school students, teachers, principals, and other stakeholders.

Throughout the engagement, Briones emphasized that the DepEd alone could not support the progress of the country’s education system. They will always need cooperation from other

leaders to foster the unity necessary to fix the damages on the education system caused by the pandemic.

“Education is not an exclusive territory of the Department of Education.

It is a shared responsibility of our country, the most important of which are those who have direct influence over their constituents - locally or nationally dahil kung wala sila, our efforts will not be realized, and the effects won’t be as impressive even,” Briones expounded.

The department secretary pointed out that they will play an even bigger role in the next six months or so as face-to-face classes will gradually start to resume. She expressed the need for the cooperation of the local government units in order to smoothly transition back without risking the health of the people involved.

As the schools throughout the country continue to recover from the pandemic’s effects, Briones promised to continue her public engagements until she’s finished with visiting all 17 regions before her term ends, just like what she did when she started as DepEd’s secretary.

Likewise, she added that the reason why she chose to hold the event in Pasig City was that the city could be named as a “model” for others due to its impressive response to the transition to distance learning and its overall support for education.

“Pasig City is the only city that was able to hand out gadgets and pocket WiFis to students in need, thus fulfilling its ‘one gadget per student’ agenda. The city was also able to fund 252 teachers who are enrolled under Philippine

Normal University’s advanced teaching program with the goal of producing more high-quality teachers,” Pasig City’s Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Evalou Conception Agustin, stated in support of Briones’ claim.

Meanwhile, the event was attended by: Pasig City’s Mayor Victor Ma. Regis Sotto; DepEd Under Secretaries Annalyn Sevilla, Diosdado San Antonio, Tonisito Umali; and DepEd Assistant Secretaries G.H. Ambat, Alma Torio, and Malcolm Garma.

Several schools from NCR also sent their representatives, including Marikina Science High School’s Officerin-Charge Principal Maria Nicolas, Lawrence Dimailig from the institution’s faculty, and Sophia Canilao, a Grade 12 student.

Pandemic-hit School Years: How Far Have We Gone?

It has been almost three years of thriving in the middle of a global health crisis while making both ends meet in our individual and collective academic journey. Let us take a quick dive on the twists and turns, curls and curved-balls, and ambiguities that had shaped us to be a better school community. Let us take a major throwback and reflect where we have been and how far we still have to go.

Math dept hones studes calculator usage to cope with learning trends

By Sean Ingalla

T

he Mathematics Department of Marikina Science High School (MariSci) conducted a webinar in partnership with Casio Philippines dubbed as “Math-DEMIC on Seige: Delivering Excellence, Meaningfully Integrating Casio” through Zoom and Google Meet on October 25 for learners and teachers of MariSci and Victoria Heights School - Manila (VHSM).

Anchored in aiding students to be proficient in using the Casio Classwiz calculator, the department stated that the event aimed to urge the participants to understand concepts in different Mathematics

subjects through this instrument in accordance with the current trends of learning.

Junior high school students of MariSci and VHSM attended the webinar through Zoom at 2:00 PM, while the senior high school students of MariSci joined the Google Meet at 4:00 PM right after the prior program via Zoom.

Teachers from Tinajeros National High School (TNHS) facilitated the training proper for the first session, while Casio technical teachers spearheaded the second one.

As a means of making the session interactive, the instructors conducted activities in different parts of their lecture, which are as follows: emotiCONTEST, domino, case closed, whack-a-mole, bingo, QR codes, and crossword puzzles.

Activities conducted among junior high school students corresponded with competencies of conversion, factorization, complex fractions, logarithm, area, roots,measures of central tendency, trigonometric ratio, limits, solving equations and inequalities, and introduction to business mathematics.

Charia Marzan, a Grade 12 student of MariSci who participated in the training program, said that the event was very helpful for her, in her pursuit to become an accountant.

“The program was very helpful to me and a lot of other students because not many of us are aware on how to use Casio calculator’s many functions. The speakers were very lively and engaging, leaving no room for dead air,” she remarked.

Paskuhan 2021 hopeful and bright

By Angel Cabungcal

C

ontinuing the annual tradition, the Marikina Science High School (MariSci) community launched this year’s Paskuhan sa MariSci with the theme “Puno ng Pag-asa, Pananampalataya, Kagalakan at Kapayapaan sa Bagong Kadawyan.”

Conducted through Facebook live in the official page of the school last December 14, 2021, the program was hosted by Arvin Lark Santiago and Ma. Victoria Ambas.

10 winners of Bluetooth headphones, six winners of phone holders, 18 winners of ring lights, 10 winners of headphone holders, 12 winners of laptop cooling pads, 10 winners of laptop tables, two winners of desk organizers, and six winners of desks were picked randomly from the students of Grades 7 to 12 during the live feed.

The project was pursued with the assistance of the organizers, and sponsors from MariSci Faculty

and Employees Association, General Parents-Teacher Association, Supreme Student Government, alumni, and students who dedicated their time and resources to the event.

During her speech, Maria Nicolas, Officer-in-Charge Principal, thanked everyone who participated in the program.

According to Santiago, Faculty President of MariSci, this year’s Paskuhan sa MariSci has shown the resiliency of Marikeños despite the challenges faced amid the pandemic.

“Marami sa atin ‘yong humaharap sa mga pagsubok ngayong pandemiya. Sa kabila nito, hindi tayo nagpatinag at ipinakita natin iyong resiliency. Tayong mga Marikeño ay resilient tayo. Palagi tayong may pagasa sa ating mga puso,” he said in his closing remarks.

Santiago also announced that Paskuhan sa MariSci would be extended to several foundations in hopes of sharing the donations gathered from the event.

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

arikina Science High School (MariSci) distributed gadgets and flash drives among select modular learners to help them study under distance learning for the school year 2021-2022.

According to Analyn Santos, the school's Head Teacher and the one responsible for the gadget distribution, the program’s aim was to lessen the printing of modules for both the convenience and safety of learners and teachers amid the rise of the COVID-19 cases, easing on the shift from Printed to Digital–Modular Distance Learning.

In accordance with the instructions issued by the Schools Division Office (SDO) - Marikina City, the MariSci administration determined the basis of distribution depending on the conditions of the students under distance learning.

Flash drives were provided to learners who own gadgets but do not have a Wi-Fi connection, while tablets were made available to those who have access to the internet but did not have the devices.

The flash drives distributed to the learners had an On The Go (OTG) adapter, which allows them to connect the USB to their phones or tablets. The device lent to several modular learners was a Dual 4G eight-inch tablet with two-gigabyte RAM and 32-gigabyte readonly memory.

Both of these were equipped with a quarter’s worth of self-learning modules.

With this, the learners’ parents and guardians are only required to go to the campus to download the modules for the next quarter.

Some parents also acquire their child’s Weekly Home Learning Plan (WHLP) and pass the hard copy of their child’s outputs, but this seldom happens as the majority of modular learners submit their outputs in the eLearning Platform. Additionally, their WHLPs are uploaded through Facebook announcements and the eLearning Platform.

A beneficiary, who opted not to be named, who was given a USB-OTG and described how it helped reduce the

“ Not only that it gave

HANDS ON. Charles Andallo, a grade 7 MariSci student, tries out the tablet provided to him by the school. Prior to receiving the said gadget, Andallo makes up with his school requirements by going to a nearby computer shop or by borrowing a laptop from his mother’s friend. Caption by Caleb Pacleta, Photo by Charles Andallo

learners the opportunity to experience the beauty of technology in the teaching and learning process, but its advantage was also maximized since it was cost-efficient while it provides a quality education.

“

M

Issued USBs, tablets aid modular studes' learning continuity

By Chryzel Alano work their parent had to go through compared to their parent's weekly visit to the school to get both their modules and WHLP. When asked if they had concerns, the beneficiary said, “I have no trouble, except that it seems that it doesn't work when I plug it into my phone.”

Moreover, the respondent suggested that the WHLP be uploaded in the flash drive distributed to them.

Marie Jereme Montoya, a Grade 8 blended learner, was also one of the beneficiaries of the program who received a USB-OTG. Montoya said that this helped her in learning especially because they have a poor Wi-Fi connection, adding that receiving an offline-ready copy made it easier for her to access her modules.

The majority of the modular learners were given USB-OTG, while

three learners were lent tablets. One of these three is Charles Philip Andallo, a Grade 7 blended learner.

Andallo did not have a device to keep up with online classes before.

In order to accomplish his school requirements, he often goes to the computer shop or borrows a laptop from his mother’s friend.

By the second quarter of the school year, Andallo received a tablet

Extracurriculars during pandemic

Clubs, orgs call for students’ action via online recruitment

By Sean Ingalla

A

ligned with the goal of encouraging Grade 7 students to engage in extracurricular activities, the Supreme Student Government (SSG) of Marikina Science High School (MariSci) spearheaded the Clubs and Organizations Orientation 2021-2022, December 3 through Facebook Live.

With the theme of online shopping titled “C&O MARiKET,” the event was launched after the week-long introduction of clubs and organizations through their own social media platforms, which lasted from November 29 to December 2.

“The council aimed to encourage students to join clubs and organizations that fit their interests and where they can enhance their talents,” Eunice De Guia, SSG President said.

Students were reminded to abide by the “one club, one org” policy except if their other formation falls under the category of service, with the following being qualified as such: MariSci Dance Company (MDC), MariSci Glee Club, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, The Shoeland x Ang Sapatusan, and SALIKANA-Bayan.

Bridging Towards Freshies Starting with the clubs, followed by all the organizations, the process of introduction for each began by playing

News 7

their prepared promotional video, then chosen representatives were given 30-45 seconds to explain further.

Michael Karl Enriquez, the president of MDC, lauded the program because, for him, it has been a sufficient platform to introduce their performing club.

“The flow of the culminating activity that was done enabled our club to connect with the Grade 7 students by showcasing our promotional video where our main objectives, as well as our core, have been portrayed,” Enriquez said.

Lance Jacob Eyana, the president of MariSci Youth for Environment in Schools Organization, affirmed the same sentiment, claiming that this program allowed them to connect with freshmen despite physical barriers.

Due to the new environment that MariSci Grade 7 students were situated in, the council underscored that this event aims to bridge the clubs and organizations towards freshmen so that they will be able to determine what suits them best.

With the primary objective of compelling freshmen to be involved, Erika Mae Lazarte, a Grade 7 student, stated, “the activities in each club were shown properly which is the reason why I chose the club I’m joining easily.”

Lazarte also said that engaging in extracurricular activities will improve mental health and help socialize with

other people.

Dwindling Involvement On the other hand, there are still students who opted not to join in any formation for the school year 2021-2022.

Rommel Santos, a Grade 12 student of MariSci, said that he preferred this inactivity because it gives him more time to allot for his academic tasks, and he “had no real concern or responsibilities when the club or the organization hosted large events.”

A Grade 7 student, Stacey Collene Enriquez, cited concerns regarding communication, which is why she isn’t officially part of any club and organization.

“I joined one [club and organization], but I don't really know if I'm still in it or not, because it didn't update me if it was supposed to, but I guess I didn't get to join a club and a[n] organization because I'm not getting any meetings or queries from them,” Stacey said.

“I would say that my main reason would be that none of them really caught my attention. I think that the organizations this year were great.

However, I didn’t really think it would make a huge difference if I joined one or not,” Jaime Gatapia of 7-Confidence lamented.

Gatapia mentioned that she still tried to sign up in an organization’s form, but like Stacey, she did not receive

any confirmation of membership.

However, Gatapia declared that her decision might still change in the future, saying that “there will probably be more opportunities for me to find organizations that fit me in the future.”

“If this was like face-to-face, I'll definitely be more active and be more energetic and join what club I wanted to really join,” Stacey shared.

Curbed From Operating From the initial roster of clubs and organizations, the MariSci Interact Club was not permitted to push through with their introduction and was removed from the official list.

During the promotion process of the week-long introduction, the Interact Club was notified that they could no longer be officiated due to the absence of any adviser.

According to Mikaela Balmoris, the club’s vice president, they have reached out to all prospective teachers ever since the start of the school year, yet no one has confirmed.

“We also asked [the] council and administration to address the problem.

Right now, the club’s status is inactive,” Balmoris added.

Despite this, De Guia assured that they intend to partake in a dialogue with their adviser regarding this matter to resolve the concern brought up by the club.

that he uses to access the Self Learning Materials and applications such as Facebook, Messenger, Google Meet, and Google Classroom.

“It was very handy and useful, although there were some applications that cannot be downloaded, which are very essential in doing reports, like MS [Microsoft] Word,” Andallo stated.

He also emphasized that he was thankful nonetheless because the device made it easier for him to study.

According to Santos, upon a series of orientations with parents and learners, many modular learners shifted from Printed to Digital–Modular Distance Learning while others chose Online Distance Learning (ODL).

From a teacher’s perspective, Santos said that she recommends Online Distance Learning because it allows more engagement and interaction between learners and teachers.

However, because not all students could afford gadgets and a stable Wi-Fi connection, Santos said that this program strengthened the implementation of distance learning.

“Not only that it gave learners the opportunity to experience the beauty of technology in the teaching and learning process, but its advantage was also maximized since it was cost-efficient while it provides a quality education,” Santos explained.

As a beneficiary of the program, Montoya supported and described it as “beneficial, complete, and accessible for students.”

8 News

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth

NEEDLES AGAINST THE SPREAD. Wanting to be part of building herd immunity, Ashley Trinidad, Grade 9 student from Valeriano E. Fugoso, have her second dose of vaccine on November 17, 2021 at Marikina Convention Center | Photo by Joline Rumbao

Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

Agressive, prompt response shield ‘shoe capital’ from COVID-19

By Atasha Colobong

D

r. Angelito A. Llabres, the Local Head of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), believes that even with Marikina City’s “low” funds, it was still able to launch a “good, fast, and efficient” pandemic response.

Although Marikina faced challenges in pursuing the molecular laboratory the first time, the city still surpassed its January population protection rate of 70% to more than 120% vaccinated Marikeños.

By virtue of the city’s “discipline” from the start of the COVID-19 surge, building a molecular laboratory was deemed necessary to test prospective COVID-19 patients as soon as possible and identify those who need to be isolated.

Followed by praise from the Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III to Marikina for being “one of the best” in suppressing COVID-19 cases, the city’s laboratory has become a blueprint nationwide to speed up the process of building molecular laboratories.

According to Llabres, Marikina has accommodated roughly 10,000 people a day since the past week. “Sa ngayon, we are concentrating doon sa booster dose at saka pediatric dose—‘yung sa 12-17 years old,” he added.

mga nao-ospital [doon], majority are unvaccinated. ‘Yung doon sa severe [cases], marami ang unvaccinated at marami ang mga young people at senior with comorbidities,” he followed.

Romulo Borjal, 62, a card case vendor, debates otherwise. He was afraid of getting vaccinated upon hearing “reports” on people who died because of the vaccine. However, he still got inoculated to comply with the requirements in entering establishments necessary for accomplishing his daily routine.

“Dapat nga hindi ako magpapavaccine e. Kaso talagang wala tayong magawa, gano’n ang proseso nila.

Sinisita nila. Kapag papasok ka sa mall, sinisita ka. Kaya nagpa-vaccine na ako,” he voiced. “Kumbaga, hawak ka nila sa leeg, tutusukin ka na lang.”

On the contrary, Claire Triviño, a Grade 12 student of Marikina Science High School, said she would recommend vaccination because of its evident positive outturn in decreasing COVID-19 cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO), an agency responsible for worldwide public health, affirmed that all approved COVID-19 vaccines “provide a high degree of protection against getting seriously ill and dying from the disease.”

In the veins Llabres accentuated the vitality of vaccination in allaying the continuous mutation of the virus. He said that the number of deaths in this year’s surge is less than the first COVID-19 surge because of the effectiveness of vaccination.

According to the Marikina PIO’s Official Facebook page, in a 10-day span, starting January 13 to January 23, the city transitioned from 2,048 to 663 active COVID-19 cases.

“Ang datos na [ang] nagsasabi sa atin ngayon na doon sa lahat ng

Fast-paced Progress Llabres also commended Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro for not only being dedicated but also being a proactive leader. According to him, ever since the pandemic, Teodoro was able to detect the needs of his people by ensuring that every COVID-19 patient would receive proper help and health care.

“Sa palagay ko na ang aming COVID response is very good. Hindi siguro excellent dahil mayroon pa kaming na-mi-miss pa. Pero, kung ire-rate ko siya, maganda ang COVID

response natin dahil mabilis—mabilis ang action,” Llabres expressed.

Llabres pointed out that the vaccination site is proof that the process is established to inoculate thousands of people.

“Sa ngayon, ang target namin na binigay sa amin ng Department of Health para ma-achieve natin ‘yung target for January is 7,400+ lang na mabakunahan. Pero nag-a-average kami ngayon, for the past week, ng roughly 10,000 a day,” he appended.

Furthermore, former Kagawad Agnes Vitug Macoy, volunteer usherette in the Marikina Sports Center vaccination site, said that it would only take less than 30 minutes to complete the whole vaccination process.

“Mabilis talaga. Kahit dito [vaccination site], hindi nagtatagal ang nagpapa-vaccine, nakauuwi kaagad. Kasi marami nag-a-usherette, nag-aasikaso, attentive ‘yung mga tao rito sa mga nagpapa-vaccine,” Macoy explained.

Just as reflected in the statement, Borjal and Triviño echoed the same observation of the fast-paced initiative of Marikina City in vaccinating.

Bright Outlook Through the headship of the City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (CESU), the contact tracing team—hired by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, and the city—assesses the possible COVID-19 patients via phone call and recommends a Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test if needed.

The RT-PCR test results are forwarded to the case managers and Barangay Health Emergency Response Team to furnish a copy of their results to all positive patients.

Marikina also offers isolation facilities to those who cannot afford to isolate themselves in closed spaces.

There are isolation facilities in Bagong Sibol in Nangka and Marikina Hotel and Convention Center for those who wish to quarantine in isolation facilities.

Llabres also emphasized that if one is exposed to a COVID-positive patient, they should observe symptoms up to five days before getting an RT-PCR test since that is the right time to take a test, not the same day of exposure.

In Assistance Meanwhile, Marikina ensures that every COVID-positive patient receives the necessary service from the city government.

“Dahil sisiguraduhin ng case managers na ikaw, na bilang tagaMarikina na positive [on COVID-19], ay mabigyan ng serbisyo ng Marikina,” Llabres informed.

Marikina also offers teleconsultation with doctors to know the patient’s needs on whether they must be confined, in need of medicine, or other forms of assistance the city can provide them.

Llabres also cited some of the materials that the city can provide: oxygen tanks, pulse oximeters, medicine, and vitamins. Aside from these, Marikina also sends ayuda kits and food packs so that the COVIDpositive families won’t have to leave their houses.

Once the isolation period is completed, and the patients have recovered, CESU issues a certificate of recovery.

Following Protocols The WHO suggests that to end the pandemic, the following steps must be undertaken: First, countries must reach the global target of vaccinating 70% of people in all countries by the middle of 2022; second, strengthen each country’s governance, financing, and systems

and tools the world needs to prevent, prepare for, detect and respond rapidly to epidemics and pandemics; and lastly, all countries must invest in more vital primary health care as the foundation of universal health coverage.

In addition, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines said in their #SaferTogether campaign that vaccines add protection on top of safety protocols: wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands, and ensuring ventilation when staying indoors.

“Kahit nabakunahan ka na, you can still prevent transmitting the virus to your family and others by properly practicing these safety protocols,” UNICEF Philippines expounded on their website.

Meanwhile, according to Llabres, he’s not the expert in knowing the answer to end the pandemic. But as a doctor, he thinks that resolving this pandemic is still a “blur” for the following days.

He compared the COVID-19 pandemic to World War 1 Spanish flu’s death number, which is more than today’s pandemic.

“Kailangang magtulong-tulong ang lahat para masugpo o maiwasan o bumagal ang pag-transmit ng virus,” he explained.

Macoy also echoed that to prevent spreading the virus, one must follow proper safety protocols.

“Sinasabi nga nila, hugas kamay, facemask, distancing, ‘yun naman ‘yung magandang ano [prevention]. ‘Yung ‘di ka lumalabas—kung ‘di kailangan, bakit ka lalabas? Lumayo ka sa maraming tao, malinis ka sa katawan, may vitamins,” she expounded.

Llabres concluded that following the government and the COVID-19 professionals is another way of contributing to the end of the pandemic aside from vaccination.

Marikina pantries shift to community kitchens to address food problem amid health crisis DA-SERVE. Christian Neil Palaming, 23, Community Kitchen volunteer, poured out the tiniest bit he can to be an instrument of blessing amidst the pandemic at Nangka, Marikina City, on August 15, 2021. | Caption by Joline Rumbaoa, Photo by Ronnel Ojas

I

By Kinichi Bajao

nspired by the tagline, “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan at kumuha ayon sa pangangailangan,” the Marikina Community Pantry Hub started on December 26 as an initiative to address the city’s food insecurity caused by the pandemic.

Three days after the Maginhawa Community Pantry opened, the first pantry in the Philippines, a group of Marikeños initiated the Marikina Community Pantry Hub as the collective network for all the pantries in Marikina City.

“Habang tumatagal, na-re-realize kasi namin na hindi lang normal na gutom ‘yung nararamdaman ng mga kababayan natin, talagang kailangan na mayroon tayong food security,” Rachelyn Montero, the hub coordinator said in an interview with The Shoeland x Ang Sapatusan.

She added that before, there were around 60 pantries working. “[Kaso] Mahirap kasi i-sustain ‘yung community pantry–costly masyado.

So what we did, nag-transition kami sa

[community] kitchen.”

Having 100-200 individuals catered per batch of cooking, there are 50 community kitchens around Marikina as of this writing.

Montero expressed that even when they continued looking for donations, they ensured that the community was empowered by ensuring that the people are not solely reliant on the pantries they initiated.

“Kasi ang ginagawa ng mga pantry organizers, pinu-purchase namin, gamit ‘yung mga monetary donations, ‘yung mga products ng local vendors, local farmers, [and] ‘yung mga local bakery, kung ano ‘yung available sa area,” Montero explained.

“Yung mga dating pumipila sa pantry, sila ‘yung una naming nilapitan kasi alam naming kailangan nila. Pero ang sinabi nila sa amin, ‘Okay na kami.’

Actually tutulong na rin kami sa pantry kasi malaki ‘yung naging ambag ng pantry during the lockdown noong wala kaming trabaho,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Marikina Community Pantry Hub assures that they will acknowledge everyone who

donates with no special treatments.

“First week pa lang, nag-set na kami ng guidelines na hindi kami mag-po-promote ng kahit sino,” Montero stressed, explaining why they thank donors generally.

“Lahat tayo [ay] equal sa pagtulong,” she added.

According to Montero, from services to in-kind to cash donations, all are accepted as long as it will be beneficial to the community.

Despite the lockdown being lifted, Montero thinks that the purpose of the community pantry still remains, and its goal was still achieved.

“Empowered ‘yung community. Alam nila kung ano ‘yung mga dapat nakukuha nila [and] ang maganda rito, hindi na sila nag-se-settle sa less na deserve nila,” she affirmed.

Marikina Community Pantry/Kitchen Organizer, Maybel Lagumbay, 27, relates to the helpless which urges her to extend her arms to the community on July 17, 2021, at Parang, Marikina City. | Photo Courtesy of Marikina Community Pantry

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School

RESTORING THE SHOE INDUSTRY. A buyer tries out a shoe to support locally made shoes and leather products at the Christmas Shoe Bazaar, December 18. After nearly two years of lockdown, Marikina shoemakers and leathersmiths were able to reopen their doors to the public. | Caption By Noel Rufon, Photo by Caleb Pacleta

September 2021-January 2022

News 9

Marikina shoe bazaar opens to back pandemic-affected local shoemakers

By Blessyl Porras

T

he Marikina Christmas Shoe Bazaar started to welcome buyers from December 6 to January 15, 2022, in the city’s Freedom Park with the goal of strengthening the local shoe industry that was devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In coordination with the Philippine Footwear Federation Inc., locallycrafted footwear and leather goods were sold in the bazaar with prices ranging from P100 to P2,500.

Jacky Gonzales, a sales lady and former Overseas Filipino Worker, patiently waits for a customer who will buy her leathermade bags and other products.

Photo by Caleb Pacleta

The launch of the bazaar was led

by Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, his wife Maan Teodoro, Vice Mayor Dr. Marion Andres, and the 9th City Council, where they emphasized that this program was made in response to times of health crisis to promote locally-made products.

“Naniniwala ako na ang sapatos, lalo na rito sa Marikina, hindi mawawala. Hindi tayo pwedeng igupo ng anumang pandemiya o anumang pagsubok. Alam niyo kung bakit? Mahal natin ito e,” Teodoro stated.

Platforms for Opportunity A total of 40 stalls of the city’s local shoe brands were made available to feature their crafts in a bazaar for the first time since the pandemic struck.

Former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Jacky Gonzales, who lost her job, waited for the opening of the bazaar to get a sideline as a saleslady of the brand Vinie.eco.

“Noong nasa abroad ako, sobrang dami[ng] naapektuhan talaga, dahil

wala namang OFW na gusto[ng] makauwi, ‘di makauwi kasi bawal, dahil may COVID,” she explained.

According to Jacky, she earns an average of P400 a day by selling three to four bags which does not meet the minimum wage in Metro Manila.

“Hindi enough [‘yung sahod], pansamantala naman ito, pero ‘pag nagapply ako sa iba, i-ga-grab ko ‘yon,” the saleslady stated.

Marching Through Damages As stated by Teodoro in the opening of the bazaar, 6,000 local shoemakers were displaced due to the pandemic and incapable of shifting towards the online market.

"Natigil ang pagpapagawa ng marami, halos 80% ay natigil. 'Yung 20% kaya hindi siya natigil kasi ang kaniyang platform na ginagamit sa marketing at pagtitinda ay 'yung digital o virtual," the mayor said in an interview with One News on August 2020.

Marikina-based elderly cobblers Rolando “Oly” Santos and Benedicto Llabres of Tatay Oly Shoes were part of the local businesses struggling to keep up with the e-commerce scene.

In an interview with Rappler, Santos’ son and social media handler, Jonjon, stressed, “‘Di ko kasi alam ‘yung pasikot-sikot e. Sinubukan ko, pero kulang ako sa knowledge, sa experience.

Wala rin akong mapagtanungan.”

Marikina testing labs aim to foil COVID-19 surge DOH Sec lauds facility as one of PH best

By Maria Rodriguez

A

imed at increasing testing capacity and promoting public health in Marikina City, the Department of Health accredited the city’s molecular and diagnostic laboratory to mitigate localized transmission of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

As of February 1, 2022, Marikina logged 279 active cases and 697 deaths out of the 33,427 confirmed cases it had recorded so far, with the rest of the patients recovering from the disease.

For Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, the testing facilities became crucial in quelling the surge of COVID-19 cases in the city, becoming the foundation to enforce mass testing and

contact tracing while still implementing strict quarantine systems to mitigate possible transmissions.

In March 2021, the country’s primary testing facility, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, was swamped by the surging COVID-19 cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to the Philippines, Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, stressed the importance of strengthening lab testing capacities in the country.

In response, Teodoro proposed a testing facility located on the sixth floor of the City Health Office to be accredited to test its own residents for the virus, adhering to its existing biosafety and

biosecurity standards.

“Good laboratory practices that produce accurate results are key to assure that laboratory testing benefits the public health response… Focused testing in health care facilities ensures that infection prevention and control measures can be correctly implemented such that vulnerable patients who do not have COVID are protected from nosocomial COVID-19 infection,” the WHO stated.

In a State of the City Address held on January 26, Teodoro presented the local government’s achievements during the year 2021, which involve vaccinating individuals beyond the herd immunity target of the city.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque

Jonjon moved their business to online platforms like Facebook, Shopee, and Lazada, but they only garner an average of two orders of P600 shoes a week.

On the other hand, local shoemaker and retailer Randy Palao stated in an interview with 24 Oras that he had to sell belongings like his motorcycle and farm animals in the province to keep his business alive amid the pandemic lockdowns.

“Minsan ‘yung upa namin dito, inuutang pa rin namin,” Palao noted. “‘Mula no’ng nag-lockdown na, ‘yun na, talagang doon na kami nakaranas ng kung ano ‘yung hirap talagang mararamdaman mo.”

Other shoe brands like POSH Pocket Shoes have remained open during the pandemic but were devastated by the ravaging of Typhoon Ulysses in 2020, where intense floods ruined most of their shoemaking equipment and products.

As the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, the industry accounts for a large percentage of the city’s economy and has lost P1 billion ever since the COVID-19 crisis, Teodoro revealed.

A Step Further Since the bazaar opened, Tatay Oly Shoes has returned to its traditional means of selling shoes that have allowed them to acquire a wider range of buyers.

The local government officials III praised the testing facility as “one of the best'' in the country, with the lab becoming crucial in quelling the disease and establishing their contact tracing measures, along with its ordinances in relation to the imposed community quarantine.

Regardless of being vaccinated,

decided to bring back the shoe bazaar in 2021 as a result of the continuously decreasing number of COVID-19 cases both in Marikina and in the National Capital Region.

Health and safety protocols like social distancing and wearing of face masks were also maintained when visiting the bazaar to prevent the further spread of the disease.

Teodoro also signed the Marikina City Ordinance 110 s. 2021 or the Ordinance Granting Business Tax Exemption and Relief to Local Footwear and Other Leather Goods Manufacturers of Marikina on December 28 during the bazaar.

The ordinance states that all shoemakers in the city will be provided tax relief by getting discounts from permits and business tax fees for five years starting 2022.

“The livelihood of shoemakers is more important than collecting taxes,” the mayor proclaimed.

Teodoro believes that through the shoe bazaar and by encouraging the public to patronize local-made crafts, the 6,000 shoemakers will be able to recoup their losses.

“Hanggang may isang tagaMarikina [na] nagmamahal sa sapatos, hindi mawawala itong sapatos ng Marikina. Dahil ito ang ikinabu[bu]hay at ito ang nagsilbing pag-asa ng marami sa atin,” he said.

Teodoro appealed to the public to remain vigilant and follow health and safety protocols to prevent another surge of COVID-19 cases.

The local government will continue to aggressively conduct contact tracing to stem the transmission of the virus.

Marikina Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory. | Photo Courtesy: CNN Philippines

10 science

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

Unmasking the veil of stigma Combatting the HIV epidemic

By Maria Rodriguez

C

ommemorating the World AIDS/HIV Day on December 1, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine National Aids Council highlight the importance of the role of every Filipino in preventing HIV, supporting People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV), and ending AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.

With the theme “End Inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III renewed the country’s commitment to the 2021 Political Declaration and the Global AIDS Strategy, highlighting The Universal Health Care Act and the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act as the laws, which greatly influenced the HIV response campaign.

Duque stressed that the country’s efforts in battling HIV and AIDS not only address health but also improve the welfare of PLHIV, having been denied access to employment, education, and livelihood due to their status.

Addressing the stigma and discrimination among PLHIV, Dr. Rovinin Garcia Pagtakhan founded LoveYourself Inc. (LY), an organization that has rolled up the sleeves to become one of the country’s leading organizations in HIV awareness, testing, and treatment.

Status Quo According to hiv.gov, “HIV is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.” If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

In the data of HIV/AIDS & Art Registry of the Philippines (HARP), the first case of HIV infection in the Philippines was reported back in 1984. Since then, there have been 88,108 confirmed HIV cases reported and 94% (82,839) of those diagnosed were male and 6% (5,258) were female.

At the time of diagnosis, more than half were 25-34 years old (51% - 44,733) while 29% (25,331) were youth at 15-24 years old, with 13%

(11,778) of the reported cases having clinical manifestations of advanced infection at the time of testing.

LY Director of Operations Danvic Rosadiño discussed in a podcast session how HIV response is not completely established at the time and how their organization came to be in light of the rising HIV cases.

“It was a recognized fact that the response of HIV and other MSMs, hindi pa siya ganoon ka-established before. The services were based on fear that when you get HIV you die,” he said.

Data from HARP shows that 1,496 confirmed HIV-positive individuals were reported as of June 2021 which was two times higher compared to the same period last year of 490 cases.

With that, Rosadiño stressed the importance of talking about sex and how having knowledge affects a person’s decision as a whole.

“It’s very important, especially here in our country. We are known to have a conservative culture... Since we view sex as taboo, we don’t discuss it openly in our families, in schools, and we don’t have a comprehensive sex education,” he said.

A report by the World Health Organization (WHO), states that “HIV infection is rooted in poverty, ignorance, and a lack of autonomy of women.”

With the number of diagnosed HIV cases among the youth increasing significantly, Rosadiño talked about how sex education at an early age could significantly alleviate the risks of transmitting the disease.

“If we compare ourselves to other countries, where they discuss about sex at an early age, they have the lowest rates of sexually-transmitted infections and lowest rates of teenage pregnancy.

Everything is attached to sex and it is openly discussed,” Rosadiño said.

Given the conservative culture embedded in the Philippines, Ian Carandang, a supporter of an HIV Testing Campaign spearheaded by LY and various organizations, voices out how topics such as HIV need to be normalized.

“These types of campaigns where it raises awareness and makes it part of normal conversation is so important.

Especially the phrase ‘This is Me,’ it’s something that all people can relate to,” he said.

Glimmer of Hope As of the moment, there is no effective cure yet for HIV since the virus has evolved in numerous ways to evade the human immune system; Shedding Light therefore once you have HIV, you have HIV can be transmitted through it for life. However, by developing ways penetrative (anal or vaginal) sex, blood to block HIV replication, the spread of transfusion, the sharing of contaminated HIV itself can be stopped. This is where needles in healthcare settings, and drug antiretrovirals (ARVs) come into place. injection between mother and infant during The ARVs are a group of drugs that pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. work in various ways to fight HIV. Some Based on HARP’s report, sexual contact block HIVs to immune cells while others remained as the predominant mode of stop the HIV from replicating itself. transmission, among which are males who Moreover, ARVs also work preventatively have sex with males (MSM) with 81% or 71,152 in individuals who do not have the people, followed by male-female sex (15%, disease. This approach is called Pre13,286), and sharing of infected needles (3%, Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

2,354).

The PrEP works by accumulating In June 2021, there were 57 newly in a person’s body and fending off HIV reported adolescents and of these, 18% (10) from establishing itself. This only means were 15-17 years old, and 82% (47) were 18-19 that an HIV-negative person who may years old.

be at risk of getting infected by the virus can take certain ARVs to shield themselves before they get exposed.

So far, PrEP has been available in the Philippines since 2016 through a linkage between LY, WHO, DOH, and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

On the other hand, putting a halt to HIV also demands crafting and implementing national policies.

With this, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018 (Republic Act 11166). The WHO welcomed the law as it elevated the attention to HIV/AIDS and addressed some of the critical constrictions in the HIV programme in the Philippines.

Republic Act 11166 paved the way for easier access to learning about one’s HIV status which is critical to intensify the response among the youth who represent 62% of the country’s new HIV infections.

Meanwhile, at the city level, the Marikina City Health Office also adapted HIV Awareness Campaigns to further echo the fight for HIV and AIDS prevention and control as well as facilitate support responses to the needs of PLHIVs and their families through the provision of appropriate care, support, and treatment services.

Hence, achieving the goal of allocating more budget, breaking stigmas, implementing policies, and improving healthcare, in general, is in everyone’s best interest from the individuals to the community at large. In a video released by TED-Ed, “Roadmaps have already been developed that could allow us to alleviate the HIV epidemic in the near future. With consistent and increased investments, we could get transmission rates low enough to eradicate HIV once and for all.”

IN NUMBERS

88,108

HIV cases since 1984 in the Philippines

1,496

confirmed HIV-positive as of June 2021

450%

increase in HIV-related deaths

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

The trivial battle against vaccines

science 11 TYPES OF VACCINES

MESSENGER RNA carry the blueprint of the S protein on the virus’ surface, which is responsible for producing more virus cells in infected bodies. Armed with this blueprint, the mRNA vaccine enters our bodies and relays instructions to the cells to build copies of the S protein.

By Blessyl Porras

W

alls that serve as this world’s safeguard came crumbling down as the unprecedented threat knocked on the doors locked yet plagued. In the archipelago of 7,640 islands, lights in homes have remained shut for nearly two years in sight. Slithering through the assailable dominion of its prey, as cutthroat as it is, the bloodshed of 4.5 million lives is witnessed, where 53,000 came from our own.

The eyes of the people gaze upon the life unbeknownst would come to be—the SARS-CoV-2, domineering the public into a global health emergency to be known as the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

SARS-CoV-2 has established itself as an alarming threat to public safety not by its terrorizing presence and ability to strike the opponent down rightly but through the opposite: stealth. Millions of people have fallen into victims through the sly and cunning technique coronaviruses utilize where air contaminated by droplets, and small airborne particles become its medium to spread the disease on a rapid global scale. Even before local government officials, along with their health advisors, woke up to their senses and enforce lockdowns for the people’s safety, the enemy’s already at our doorsteps.

Amid the chaos that ensued on finding an answer on how to combat the invisible threat, rendering the capabilities of conventional medical solutions weak, yet developing its properties to adapt to the situation on the battlefield arose as the solution: vaccines, the key to achieving herd immunity, are our last line of defense.

Epidemiologists of the World Health Organization have stated that 60%-70% of a population

must be immune to a disease for the whole community to become immune. This follows the concept of herd immunity in which there are two ways of achieving this: 1) Natural infection to produce protective antibodies; and 2) The aforementioned vaccines. Providing community safety by purposely infecting people is too much of a risk, especially in a country where funding its healthcare system is not a priority.

Vaccines are our only hope, humanity’s aegis — yet this alone is not enough. The weapons are already at our grasps, yet we are stumbling on the execution of preventive measures and mindset for facing the situation.

Sharing the same safety Since the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine delivery on February 28 of last year from China’s Sinovac Biotech, the Department of Health has reported that a total of 115,303,412 doses has been administered to Filipinos.

In this supply, the country possesses an ample variety of brands at the government’s disposal.

Not every brand has the same components, of course. Some focus on utilizing the body’s RNA or protein subunits, which will cause each brand to have varying pros and cons. This range and the difference it comes with fuels hesitancy from the public to get jabbed due to vaccine brand bias.

A survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported that 39% of adult Filipinos prefer to get shot by Sinovac Biotech’s vaccine while Pfizer-BioNTech follows with 32%.

Though with a different company name printed on its label, developed COVID-19 vaccines function with the same goal: to produce protective antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2.

First, the vaccines allowed for minors ages 12-17, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, are categorized as a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine.

These coronavirus vaccines are tasked to carry the blueprint of the S protein on the virus’ surface, which is responsible for producing more virus cells in infected bodies. Armed

with this blueprint, the mRNA vaccine enters our bodies and relays instructions to the cells to build copies of the S protein. As more copies are produced, more antibodies will also be created in response to this.

Next, the mentioned technique of giving out orders to cells to produce the S protein is similar to another type of vaccine; however, these utilize viral vectors. The viral vector vaccines carry genetic material from coronavirus that carries orders to produce S protein placed in a modified version of a different virus. Antibodies and defensive white blood cells arise as a response and are there to stay if a COVID-19 infection does occur in the body. Janssen/Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca adopted this type for their vaccines.

Lastly, protein subunit vaccines usually bear a protein, polysaccharide, or both to fight future infections. In this case, they will carry COVID S protein grown in large amounts in insect cells and then converted to nanoparticles.

These nanoparticles will then stimulate a response from the body cells when it enters the system, producing antibodies to guard the immune system from viruses.

These subunits can be seen in the Novavax vaccines.

Debunking destructive doubts Myriad veridical training and trials ensued as the immune system’s protectors guarantee a scatheless job. Through preclinical trials, they prove their efficacy with the aid of laboratory animals.

Passed the clinical trials where they are examined in the vessels of its true benefactors, as the participants increase, as the trials continue with safety and monitoring of dosing.

Upon examination and review, they are to be approved by regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration before large-scale manufacturing and distribution get underway.

Amidst the beacon of hope, ambiguous waves will still come crashing down the coast with distortion of facts. The peril of

misinformation hinders the progress of restabilization, a poison that infects the minds and must be dispelled.

As noted in another survey by SWS in December 2021, 8% of the respondents testified that they are uncertain of getting a shot, wherein 7% say “surely not” while the remaining 1% say “probably not.”

This number is significantly lower than the tallied 18% from September.

Even though this drop of skepticism is relieving, one must be aware of the menace of deception surrounding the subject, whether in real life or virtually.

Some of the concerns that catch the spotlight for being the most alarming are that COVID-19 vaccines alter the DNA and/or cause infertility.

None of these are factual since as long as vaccines do enter the cells, it does not meddle with the nucleus where genetic information is found. Also, the S protein was falsely reported as the same S protein for syncytin-1 that is responsible for the growth of the placenta during pregnancy. John Hopkins University clarified that they are different.

The hastened development and inefficiency of these vaccines since the pandemic spurred doubts of their quality. However, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have already been in development for years. No vaccine developer has skipped testing steps to ensure safety but performed steps to gather data faster.

To be approved, vaccines must have an efficacy rate of 50%. Its efficacy does not depend on the chance the vaccine will work but on how fewer people will contract the disease. Every vaccine is effective and will aid the immune system.

On the road back to a sheltering and safe society, citizens that have witnessed havoc in healthcare must lend a hand and an open mind to reconstruct the world we once had.

Let the aegis of science be utilized to its fullest capabilities.

VIRAL VECTOR carry genetic material from coronavirus that carries orders to produce S protein placed in a modified version of a different virus. Antibodies and defensive white blood cells arise as a response and are there to stay if a COVID-19 infection does occur in the body.

PROTEIN SUBUNIT usually bear a protein, polysaccharide, or both to fight future infections. In this case, they will carry COVID S protein grown in large amounts in insect cells and then converted to nanoparticles.

PHOTO ATTRIBUTION | OASISMANUEL OF SHUTTERSTOCK DADO RUVIC OF REUTERS

REGISTER FOR VACCINATION 1. Scan the QR code above to be directed to the vaccination site; 2. Identify your category based on the qualifications listed there; 3. Register based on the corresponding category through the link provided; and 4. Fill up all the information being asked in the registration form.

12 science

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

The road to environmental ruin Is PAREX more of a problem than a solution?

By Marielle Orbong

F

or many years, one of the most pressing issues in the Philippines has been traffic. The number of vehicles stranded on congested roads continues to rise over time. Although this matter has lessened because of the quarantine, according to a report by TomTom International B.V., Metro Manila remains the fourth-most congested city globally. One cannot deny that transportation in this generation takes longer than it used to.

Consequently, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) proposed the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) Project to alleviate road congestion and provide more room for vehicles in Metro Manila. The project will be a 19.365 kilometer-long highway that will run along the banks of the Pasig River and connect Manila to Rizal Province.

However, rather than leaving a positive impression on the public as it aims to ease traffic congestion and maximize the performance of the country’s road transportation system, this project has received a lot of criticism for its adverse environmental repercussions.

expressway will run over it.

The Pasig River, known for being the “Ilog ng mga Filipino,” once became very polluted, where thousands of tons of plastics were found floating.

However, because of the intensive clean-ups and rehabilitative projects carried out, it slowly became better and healthier. However, with the prospect of the construction of PAREX, it might cause further damage and bring pollution to the river again as vehicles run on it.

To defend his project from citizens’ concerns, SMC President Ramon Ang stated in his interview that the Pasig River has long been considered ‘biologically dead.’

Bea Dolores, a member of the artists heritage advocacy group Renacimiento Manila, on the other hand, refuted this and said, “Hindi biologically dead [ang Pasig River]. Nag-improve na po ang Pasig River over the years. Why not through Pasig River, ang gawin na lang natin ay mas buhayin pa siya?”

She also explained that aside from pollution, the proposed expressway’s large structures may also impact the Pasig River’s chemical balance and water quality.

Concerns for Pasig River Since PAREX is a big project that will be completed in the country’s capital, it has rapidly become the focus of attention. Some believe that it will benefit the country, while others argue that it would have the opposite impact because they are concerned for the Pasig River, considering that the

Long Death Sentence Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (AGHAM), a national organization of scientists, researchers, engineers, and science educators and

Possible Impacts Aside from the river, PAREX is also feared to affect other cities that it will pass through.

Citizens voiced their concerns and stated that the possibility of increased motor vehicle use would lead to induced congestion, posing the threat of detrimental health outcomes from augmented air

warming pushes the critical deal of more deadly heatwaves, increased water scarcity, entire island nations disappearing, more climate refugees trying to find shelter, and more floods, droughts, fire, hurricanes, and diseases.

Since the industrial revolution, humans have been burning an unprecedented amount of fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which traps heat from the sun, causing the global temperature to rise.

The current climate crisis may not seem surprising when it is said to pose danger to people because It has been happening for years already.

But how does climate change, particularly global warming, increase the chance of pandemics existing over the years?

“That’s what makes this situation so difficult – it’s not just climate that we’re facing because, like the rest of the world, we are in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tan lamented.

Tan also described how the pandemic refrains climate activists from raising awareness when everything is online. This goes both ways in the continuous warming of the world, particularly in the Philippines, where its citizens are heavily affected by its repercussions on a daily basis.

Last year alone, a widespread forest fire was experienced in the Amazon, which is also referred to as the “lungs of the planet.” The forest that supplies 20% of oxygen to the planet’s atmosphere shrunk twice the size of Tokyo, Japan amounting to 519 square miles.

Uprooting the system means looking at the

roots of the climate crisis. Tan believes that this is the only way to solve the climate crisis because of the systemic problem that impacts people.

“It’s about empowering people and helping them face their fears, especially in the Philippines, where activism can be dangerous and is not appreciated by our government,” Tan added.

Climate refugees searching for habitats to linger, animals worldwide are rooted in the same crisis.

Increasing the possibility of epidemics happening and more habitat loss to living organisms is highly unlikely if there is no prevention in climate change. Competition in the middle of humans and animals in closer proximity for resources can potentially spread disease.

Given these contexts, the displacement of animals also causes changes in their lifestyles.

Conversely, when people force themselves into a place that animals expect to be theirs, they will feel disrupted by a confusing and incomprehensible environment, causing them to blunder back to the human environment they avoided beforehand.

This might cause the subsequent zoonotic disease resulting in an outbreak.

The climate crisis pushes certain infections to go to new places. Wildlife has been forced to congregate in ways because they lost their traditional habitat due to increased temperature.

In the Philippines, deforestation (forest denudation and fragmentation) is a leading cause in habitat destruction that negatively impacts biodiversity on an exponential scale. But global warming—largely due to the burning of fossil fuels raising the air and sea atmosphere—compels many

T

he irony between the undying conversation between two controversial issues —climate change and the pandemic—and how it can kill people is just a common denominator.

There is an interesting parallel in how people respond to these issues. First, there has always been an indication from scientists that there is an upcoming problem. Then, the default reply of people would often point out that experts are overreacting and the data are too complicated to understand. Slowly, the problem will start to pervade others and those broadcast on television.

The next thing you know, it’s already in your backyard, burning and knocking on your doorstep.

“Looking into both the COVID and climate crisis more closely, it is the marginalized sectors of society that are most impacted, and that is something we must always consider in our fight for climate and social justice,” Mitzi Jonelle Tan, a climate justice activist organizing with Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines, said.

In the past outbreaks, scientists have proven that zoonotic diseases cause most of them. Some of the most popular zoonoses — diseases transmitted to humans from animals — are treated only by prevention and not with cure like the Ebola virus, Lyme disease, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and rabies.

Same with the climate crisis, Tan said that even if we are familiar with climate change and its impact, many people are not aware of the science governing the climate crisis — that it is actually man-made.

“Climate crisis is natural. The Earth really will warm eventually, but the current rate that it is warming isn’t,” Tan explained.

The pre-industrial level’s 1o°C or 1.8°F global

advocates, were among those who opposed the project. It warned that since the expressway will run along the banks of the Pasig River, it will cause a partial blockage of natural sunlight, causing impacts on the remaining food chain and species in the river.

“From the tiniest plankton to the remaining fish species and riparian vegetation, all organisms will be affected by the drastic alteration of the river’s illumination,” it said in its statement.

According to its remark on the organization’s website, PAREX is a “19.37-kilometer-long death sentence” that will shatter prospects for a better Pasig River ecosystem. With metropolitan Manila in desperate need of public green spaces because they improve the health of city residents, the Pasig River, which runs through the heart of the Metro Manila, is an excellent location for investing in green spaces for the urban population.

“However, the length of the river will be full of supporting structures, ramps, tollgates, and connecting roads once PAREX commences its construction,” AGHAM stated.

and noise pollution in communities adjacent to and beneath the expressway.

In addition, the consequence of PAREX’s structure could also impair not only the environment of the Pasig River but also that of Manila Bay, since it will span across the Pasig and Marikina rivers, potentially obstructing water flow from Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay. Since Marikina is one of the cities through which the proposed expressway will pass, its ecosystem might also be damaged. Like the Pasig River, Marikina is a great spot for investing in green spaces, particularly since it has the Marikina River Park, encapsulating trees that provide fresh air for the locals. But if PAREX is made, the change in the landscape could increase pollution coming from the vehicles’ smoke.

Traffic would be difficult to address, particularly because more vehicles are being produced as time passes by. When PAREX is completed, it will provide more vehicle space.

However, after a while, the space provided will be congested again. When that happens, it will harm Metro Manila’s urban ecosystem by increasing pollutants from vehicles on the expressway while it obstructs potential hubs for environmental protection, leading to greater heat.

There may be better ways to manage traffic congestion, and PAREX may not be the best solution since it may be the road that will lead to environmental ruin. Rather than addressing the problem, PAREX might become the problem itself.

species to immigrate.

Global warming causes bacteria to reproduce and pass onto their heat-resistant genetics.

Theoretically, if our external body temperature continues to rise, our body’s ability to kill off bacteria with the natural heat of fever will become less effective.

The more contact species that are usually separate have, the greater the likelihood of diseases spreading. According to Frontiers Media, 70% of the world’s infectious diseases originated in wildlife— therefore, increased contact between humans and wildlife is more detrimental.

Resolving these issues seems more complicated than staying at home during the pandemic. Avoidance is a legitimate technical action in the risk management continuum, which will be cost-effective for us in the long run. The purpose of this is to mitigate the risk of having outbreaks since we wouldn’t have to deal with having a crisis due to proactiveness and prevention.

Both solution, source, and impact management involve a critical choice of mitigation action.

We are far from hope anymore, and the climate crisis is happening in real-time. Beyond hope, there must be immediate praxis.

Climate change appears to be an Armageddon in slow motion today, and its dangers can feel impersonal, with its causes diffusing. But the more we put this aside, the bigger the battle will eventually sneak up in people’s backyards.

Widespread Disaster:

How global warming increases risk for pandemic

By Atasha Colobong | Art by Ferdinand Pingol

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

science 13

By Maria Rodriguez

T

he Manila Bay is a site of industrial activities, human settlement, and a source of fisheries. However, overexploitation of fishery resources, massive pollution, and conversion of wetlands and coastal areas led to the deterioration of the beach.

Consequently, its marine ecosystem is continually threatened as mirrored by human activities. Because of this, people have been swayed in the illusion that it was for sustainable use when in reality, it was recreational. It contributed to the decline in environmental quality, giving pressure to the bay.

As part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program launched by Secretary Roy Cimatu back in January 2019, the Dolomite Beach Project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) came into motion.

But as soon as the project started, the government came under fire from green groups and experts alike after pouring dolomite sand on the shores of Manila Baywalk, which is typically used in construction.

Whitewashing Years of unsustainable aquaculture and fishing practices, along with industrial and waste pollution, have taken a toll on the bay’s ecosystem and quality.

According to an official statement by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) on the recent rehabilitation efforts in Manila Bay, using crushed dolomite did little to address any of the rehabilitation processes.

To nourish a beach requires grains with similar chemical compositions and grain size to that of the sand found in the place. In doing this, the possible impacts on the local ecosystem could be lessened for the organisms and natural composition of the place.

Going back to the beach, dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate) that was crushed to resemble sand was used for the project. The institute explained that adding dolomites cannot serve to anchor the loss of beach sand nor be a replacement for eroded sediments.

“Dolomite sand grains will erode given the hydrodynamic conditions in coastal Metro Manila during storms. Even with the breakwater off the baywalk area, elevated seas and larger waves during storms can penetrate and pound the Baywalk area. Hence, continuously replacing the sand will be expensive and will not contribute to improving water quality in the bay,” they stated.

As such, the resources and environment where the sediment will be collected to nourish the beach can be damaged in the process. They implied the method “as not being a long-term solution” because nourishment requires constant maintenance due to loss of the added grains over time.

anchovies, and other fish.

Pamalakaya also pointed out that DENR’s project is an “artificial rehabilitation focusing on aesthetic appearance rather than addressing the environmental degradation problems.”

“Why is DENR leading a project that can increase and further harm the bay?” Hicap asked.

Beautification or Rehabilitation?

While the project received praise and support for restoring its beauty, it also garnered criticisms from activists, environmentalists, heritage conversational groups, netizens, and politicians alike.

“At most, it is a beautification effort that is costly and temporary. The task of cleaning and restoring Manila Bay may be daunting, but it needs to be done for future generations of Filipinos to benefit its many uses,” UPMSI stated.

According to DENR, the budget and funds of P389 million came from the 2019 General Appropriation Act in allocation for the reclamation of Manila Bay. However, the funds were used to focus on the beautification of the bay instead of rehabilitation.

Beautification is the process of improving the appearance and aesthetics of a location, whereas rehabilitation is the act of restoring a damaged place to its former glory, improving the health of the location’s environment.

The environmental group, Oceana Philippines, informed that as sand doesn’t naturally occur, the government could ruin the natural ecosystem of the bay as well as the source of the synthetic sand.

“One of the objectives of Manila Bay rehabilitation is to decrease the number of heavy metals in its waters,” said Fernando Hicap of the fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) in a statement.

According to the group, dolomite contains high amounts of heavy metals such as aluminum, lead, and mercury which could lead to the pollution and acidity of Manila Bay. As the new “sand” gets eroded with time, sea creatures that rely on clean water may be affected by the new material in terms of their health and survivability. The eroded sediments will disrupt marine habitats by potentially burying them, lowering the oxygen in the seawater, and blocking their access to sunlight.

Marine scientist Diovanie de Jesus said the dolomite could cause hazards to creatures in and around the water. Sediments in the water could make it turbid or opaque. Aside from this, polluted water can be “stressful” for sardines, mackerel,

Priorities Straight With the beautification project spearheaded by DENR implemented back in January 2019 in a bid to restore the bay to its former glory, the government has denied that dolomite sand poses any risk to human and environmental health.

Concerns and questions continue to arise over the health and environmental impacts of using crushed dolomite to make the artificial beach of Manila Bay. This also includes the timing of implementing the project amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address, the dolomite beach project was cited as a priority project and was given an additional budget of P265-million for its second phase.

Scientist group AGHAM-Advocates of Science and Technology for the People, in a recently published paper, laments that those funds should instead be used for more pressing concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as food subsidy and medical equipment.

Despite the criticisms the project has received, the DENR continued to be resolute in its decision to continue the program as planned.

According to the scientist group, the government’s denial of the warnings of marine science and biology experts that dolomite sand poses any risk to human and environmental health is ignorance of scientific knowledge.

“The government is insincere when it portrays the dolomite project as part of Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts while it continues to ignore experts saying that the project actually harms the Manila Bay,” AGHAM stressed.

The scientist group also implied that environmentally critical projects should be supported by accurate and factual scientific research required by the country’s environmental laws.

On the path towards sustainable development, human ingenuity is required to form a framework that generates economic growth, achieves social justice, and exercises stewardship, all the while strengthening governance. Let the illusions shared by society become the mirror to nature’s reality.

Art by Ferdinand Pingol

14 oped

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

Conscientization

Dismantling the Messiah Complex

EDITORIAL

SEAN INGALLA

“

Hope is realized when it succeeds to mobilize action, and the strongest tide that could materialize this is the people’s collectivity— embracing communion among the youth, workers, farmers, national minority, and all oppressed people of society.

Shades of Gray

From Darkness to Light: An Exodus for the Unhappily Married GRAY MANASAN

“

Oh, oh, oh. Caught in a bad romance,” sings Lady Gaga in her hit song, with which a lot of defective and broken unions relate to.

Adultery, deception, violence, and abuse are some of the common symptoms of a married Filipino couple’s incompatibility. Meanwhile, the Philippines only offers annulment, legal separation, and nullification of marriage and is currently one of the only two countries in the world where legal divorce doesn’t exist. In the Philippines,

it is pretty much only through death that they can part. Lack of divorce laws results in hefty annulment fees, a torturously long process of annulment, no division of assets, and no child support for women whose marriages break down.

This results in the House of Representatives Committee on Population and Family Relations passing the absolute divorce bill on plenary, which allows people to have full autonomy over their romantic relationships.

Perils of distorte P

The stronger resurgence of Marcos apologists is a testament to the burgeoning crisis of miseducation in the Philippines.

The atrocities of the regime and

the degradation of the country in all aspects during his rule are no longer up for debate because these are all facts affirmed by numerous studies and prominent historians, enshrined by the Freedom Memorial Institution in the condensed Ten Essential Truths with regard to the Marcos era—some of which include the facts that there were gross human rights violations by police and military forces during the Marcos Martial Law period, the foundations of democracy and the rule of law were dismantled to create a dictatorship, this was the dark age of the Philippine economy when it had the worst-post war recession due to mismanagement, and the press was censored to conceal the truth.

Despite this, aversion to the truth is carefully cultivated through decadeslong indoctrination and valorization. As Joseph Goebbels, the propagandist of Hitler, said, “Repeat a lie often enough, and it becomes the truth.” Such is the case with the current fascist apologia going around today Ever since 1964, Ferdinand Marcos has already hired biographers to write falsified versions of his life filled to the

brim with exaggerated achievements, according to Roderick Javar, a history professor at UP Los Baños. More than this, they also had the monopoly on mass media during Martial Law, allowing full control of the bulk of information to be passed down among generations. Furthermore, they also seized control of the National Media Production Center, a government agency that has been instrumental in producing a fraudulent image of his draconian rule.

Ultimately, the Marcosian scheme of subjugating the people through deception is deeply-entrenched within the entire system that never truly left even after his ouster. This pervades all structures, legitimizing each other— from society’s political, cultural, and educational aspects.

VERA Files, through an initial analysis of 119 false claims on the Marcoses, revealed that 15% of the lies originated from books that glorify Marcos. The rest were distributed solely through social media, from “persons quoted by the media, general claims, and recent events.”

Waning trust in traditional

According to the bill’s major author, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, it’s largely about the liberation of women trapped in the vice of marital violence and abuse. He says that the “yes” of the committee is a “momentous occasion for countless wives, who are battered and deserted, to regain their humanity, self-respect, and freedom from irredeemably failed marriages and utterly dysfunctional unions.”

A divorce law, however, is “inherently unconstitutional and contrary to the deeply-held Filipino value of preserving and fighting for marriage,” for Citizen’s Battle Against Corruption party-list representative, Eddie Villanueva. He raged that it is “against the will of God’’ and would be “inviting wrath to this nation. Simply, the risks and dangers far outweigh the perceived benefits of this measure.”

As stated by a 2017 poll conducted

by Social Weather Stations, the majority of Filipinos agree on legalizing divorce

in our country. 30% of Filipinos “strongly agreed” while 23% “somewhat agreed”, for a total of 53%. It also showed that 32% of Filipinos did not agree with the proposal.

Perhaps, like the people who say “yes” to divorce, I am more afraid of staying silent in suffering in an unsustainable marriage or a family composed with them than I am of God’s wrath. Mothers, fathers, men, women, and children entrapped in a cycle of brutality and mistreatment deserve peace and justice.

According to the 2015 National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children, kids between the ages of 13 and 24 are subjected to a high level of physical, psychological, sexual, and peer violence. In addition, one in every four Filipino women aged 15 to 49 experienced the same kind of abuse from their husbands on the report of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2017 National Demographic and Health

Survey. Also, Emiliano Manahan, an anti-domestic abuse advocate says in his book “Empowering the Abused Men” that the incidence of male abuse is on the rise, affecting 12 to 15 out of every 100 couples in the country.

Coming from a broken family, I believe that this bill may relieve children like me from trauma and toxicity that pervade their homes, provided that both parents find the generosity to put their divergence aside and still be accountable for their children.

ulse Asia’s recent polls revealed that Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, topped the surveys on Presidential preferences. At the same time, VERA Files’ findings disclose that most of the politically-motivated disinformation being proliferated benefits Bongbong.

As a result, even the bloody past of the country—particularly the regime of Ferdinand Marcos’ Martial Law—is being sanitized with deceptive information.

Distortion of facts leads to an equally distorted sense of consciousness—a death sentence to the country’s supposed democratic civil existence.

“

Forbidding divorce as a legal choice is like eating newly cooked rice without being able to spit it out when it burns your tongue. Hopefully, most of us will never have to waste rice, but when you need it, you’ll be grateful it is there.

“

will be hurt because spewing reason in itself is enough to get rid of the ills in society. Thus, anyone who refuses to learn must be deemed an uneducated accomplice of despotism.

However, my encounter with more sectors of society disproved this, divulging the many nuances that define how one’s line of thinking emerges. The simple question that was asked of me left me thinking for days: who would willingly advocate for the conditions of their own demise? Surely, our naturalistic instincts to self-preservation will urge us otherwise.

Karl Marx’s dialectical materialism will answer this by pointing out that the consciousness of men is determined by their social being, molded by material conditions. Friedrich Engels would corroborate this in tracing the origins of the State, affirming that there are apparatuses deliberately built to coerce submission among the oppressed.

None of our conditions exist in a vacuum. Our struggles as students coincide with the turmoil shaped by the larger political context we are a part of as citizens of this country. Thus, we can only hope to be truly free when the rest are also emancipated from the same chains that bind us, albeit with different manifestations.

Theoretical formulations for justice will be translated to a material force only if it succeeds in gripping the masses, breaking the ideas that lulled them to accept their own oppression.

Otherwise, to merely insist on liberating them and depending on us to lift them is nothing but another form of subjugation, allowing them to become more susceptible to manipulation due to depriving them of the tools necessary to sustain their development based on their consciousness.

As we forge greater unities, we are called to shed off our ideas of relying on a Chosen One and recognize the forces that define our being. Once we do, it will be easier to understand that our advocacies are beyond us as individuals—which means it must also transcend our impatient complex to seek instant gratification. As Emmanuel Lacaba’s poem goes: awakened, the masses are Messiah.

“

I

don’t think that the youth are the hope of this nation.

No, let me clarify that: I don’t think the youth—alone and isolated from the greater section of our society—can be the sole driving force in mobilizing for genuine societal change.

After a convention I attended way back in August of 2019, we were invited to talk with some of the picketing workers of Sumifru Corporation Philippines, a banana plantation based in Mindanao. The residents there traveled all the way to Manila as a means of further carrying their struggle for justice onward after being disregarded for too long.

Upon having a background of the plight they face, my first thought was that I would like to save them— reasoning naturally entailed by the savior complex of supposed “learned” individuals, affirming my desire to become a lawyer to defend the marginalized.

However, this individualist notion disappeared the more that I conversed with them. In the entire duration of their struggle, the primary force that sustained their movement, despite many efforts by the management to hinder their demands, was the striking workers’ collective stronghold.

They narrated how they went on a strike on the 1st of October 2018, where almost 900 workers took part due to the exploitative conditions they were subjected to in more than 11 plants. They filed their complaint in 2010 but were given a chance to present it in court only in 2018. More than 300 workers went to Manila with their families to carry the call onward.

More than anything else, what struck me is their insistence that they are all leaders of their own kind, taking their own share in forwarding their campaign towards its victory. No one was held at a pedestal, where success relies on a singular figure. Instead, there is a recognition that the collective character of their suffering can only be resolved through their communal participation.

True enough, this is what my fellow youth leader told me: that we, as young people, can only realize our full potential in launching successful campaigns if we learn to integrate with the masses.

Citing Malcolm X, we were reminded that we are not outnumbered, but we are out-organized. The people are deliberately disenfranchised by sowing divisions among their ranks, blinding them of who the real enemies are.

I had the tendency to arrogantly call people out when they hold beliefs that are opposed to progressive sentiments, which I’m pretty sure everyone around me can attest to. This was attributed to the notion I used to cling to before—that truth must be propagated regardless of whose feelings

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

OpEd 15

Dear Prudence

Plan A: Pandemic Fire Shots FRANCHESKA REYES

D

media compels the masses to resort to the easily-accessible machinery of information in social media sites heavily flooded by unverified and detrimental claims. According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2021, social media as a source of news hiked up to 72%, with Tiktok becoming a news destination for Filipinos and Facebook and Youtube with the highest percentage among all others. Given this, Human Rights Violations Victims Memorial Commission chair Chuck Crisanto affirmed that the internet has now become an important avenue to fight for the truth.

With these in place, the Filipino people’s collective morality is being pushed towards its most convoluted state. Although a huge amount of literature and documented cases—like national historian Michael Chua’s study entitled “Tortyur”—divulges the extent of the horrors faced by the Filipino people who were victimized by the State, the people are deluded into apathy in order to protect the semblance of correctness that was instilled to them by the ruling powers.

When the pedagogy of education

merely makes students bank knowledge and see the “pros” and “cons” of a murderous regime, the country sets itself in reproducing an entire generation of people whose view of life is measly and disposable in exchange for some manufactured gains that only benefit those who have long been extracting power through oppression.

From this, it blows out of proportion the moment that they are desensitized into accepting the same abusive conditions that will be reimposed to them as a justification for their destitution.

A study published in Asia Pacific Journal on Human Rights and the Law concluded that “the regulation of historical revisionism and denialism finds its place within the Philippine constitutional framework.” It is universally recognized that there are unassailable truths, and their denialism constitutes a clear and present danger.

In this light, the ongoing attempts to bury the reality of Marcosian atrocities are not very far from those who strived to do the same with the Holocaust. In the face of growing turmoil, neutrality is nothing but a veil that bolsters injustice while enjoying the illusion of

comfortable silence.

When the State fails to have these facts reflected through systemic measures, it merely proves itself to be a tool of the powerful to maintain its rule. It must subject itself to the mandate of waging a struggle against forces that will undermine its objective to uphold absolute justice.

The battleground for the truth will define the trajectory of preserving what remains in our democratic civil society. When no facts cohesively bind citizens, only moral corruption and collective destruction are assured of prevailing.

Refusal to learn from the past is tantamount to permission for its repetition in worse scales. When history fails to be internalized, it is eventually bound to coerce people to remember by making them relive it. In any political participation, especially now that national elections are approaching, everyone is called upon to grasp firmly on the necessity of propagating the truth as a means of national survival.

T

task force created by the United Nations (UN) supports the global response to the threat of climate change and acts as the supreme decision-making body of the world. The aforementioned claims are supposedly what the conference stands for. There is, however, the zilch practice of this.

In the last meetings, there remain to be barricades—figuratively and literally—barring the marginalized sector from being permitted entry. The only thing that changes in the annual conference is the number next to “COP” and people hoping that the answers will address the shared problem of climate change in a postcoded world.

We must consider that the climate crisis pervades globally, which impacts different social groups on different scales. Most Affected People and Areas (MAPA) is publicized around October 2020, which claims to have unheard demands but is not voiceless. Although many people feel like they are unheard,

the most efficient way of voicing out is still collective activism—just like in MAPA. For example, in the Philippines, the disorganization of how our electrical poles and wires are laid out and tangled with each other makes power outages common. Our lack of outlining a proper drainage system has led to extreme floods. Then, when we look at the most affected people, it’s also those already burdened by existing socio-economic problems making it difficult for them to adapt—women, children, people of color, and marginalized groups.

How come history never stops?

The Philippines has had the highest number of extreme weather events for the past 20 years. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in 2019 and 2021, we have until 2030 to prevent the worst effect of a catastrophic climate breakdown.

Nine years away. Considering that

here is only one thing that the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) never disappoints with: failing the youth. They have failed to include those voices that need to be heard. Numerous calls upon the inclusion of indigenous and the most affected people concerning this issue are impeded in the gates of privilege.

COP is technically a starting point of progression in combating climate change. This annual multi-national

“

Let us not divorce climate issues from class issues—system change, not climate change.

“

“

After all, a militarized approach isn’t a fitting solution, but a targeted approach — backed with science and data — is

“

ed consciousness

rowning in bloodbath and debt, I’m beginning to lose hope in seeing the light at the end of this pandemic.

Unfortunately, this despairing ordeal doesn’t only apply to me but applies to the majority in our country. With the Philippine government’s COVID-19 response, the bottom line of every woe is our inevitable death—expedited by the weaponization of a lifethreatening virus.

When lockdown took place, public transportation was suspended, food and necessities were rationed, and checkpoints were heightened with the number of armed officers. It felt like we were constrained, prisoners of our own home. Although these were necessary measures, they became the perfect opportunity to control the population without significant consequential obstructions. The tendencies of the Duterte regime to utilize this pandemic for their gain have already been out of the question.

In fact, it has already taken place in different contexts we may have or have not seen.

This question left me pondering: how do they do it?

Duterte’s COVID-19 pandemic response is based on a militarized approach. Using a “martial law-like” framework in combating a pandemic seems like the best plan if the intention is to prolong solutions to the crisis and reduce the population. As I analyze, they seem to have mitigated a threestep plan.

Step one is to gain as much power as he can.

His response lies under two statutes: Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act of 2018 and Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (DRRM Act). However, these were deemed insufficient, so he was granted “necessary special powers” enacted by the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020, which gave him “fiscal leeway” to use public funds.

Truly, the greater power one possesses means, the greater one’s tendency to abuse power. When he made his “shoot them dead” order to officers dealing with “uncooperative” violators, I found it very ironic that the same shoot-to-kill formula, which killed more than eight thousand people, was reimplemented when vitality is the utmost concern.

Although this was dismissed

by the Philippine National Police as hyperbole, it still caused abuse that so-called violators experienced: illegal detainment and, worse, getting killed.

And my worry now lies in the dilemma of how we’ll die—either by getting COVID or with their hands.

Now, they carry on with step two: eliminate all possible opposition.

On July 18, 2020, a nightmare that still terrifies me to this day was made to reality. The Anti-Terrorism Law was implemented, which granted the power to designate suspects, those in opposition to the government, as terrorists and subject them to arrest and surveillance.

As profoundly stated by Amnesty International, a human rights group, “The law remains deeply flawed and open to abuse by government authorities.” The surge of human rights violation cases even forced the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) to create a special task force. How ironic is it that the ones we should be relying on for protection are upfront abusing the law?

The third step is to hide the truth.

Media plays a big role in democracy. The effect of not having the media takes a toll on the dissemination of the truth, and Duterte’s administration is well aware of this.

In May 2020, he fired a huge attack when ABS-CBN, one of the largest news networks in the country, was forced to cease operations. Doing this, they were able to control what went out to the public, so their plunderous acts became less visible.

According to Danilo Arao, University of the Philippines journalism professor, since ABS-CBN’s closure, the reach of the former giant, especially in far-flung areas, had been unmatched up to this date. The lack of reliable information, especially in a time where public health is of great concern, has brought nothing but misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.

Unfortunately, many of those that the remaining industry can’t reach continue to fall prey to manipulation—a huge advantage to the administration.

The next question we should ask: if not this, then what?

I’m not surprised that a president with an authoritarian mindset will repeat his fraudulent acts, especially when given the perfect opportunity.

However, the gravity of injustice and abuse of power that’s been going around us must be recognized. After all, a militarized approach isn’t a fitting solution, but a targeted approach– backed with science and data–is.

If and only if they start to take accountability for their blatant ignorance and make up for the weaponization of the pandemic, then we can surpass this global crisis. But now, let’s be thankful that we are able to see these and expect the worst—their upcoming plan B.

Mellifluous Scream

Ravages of the Idle COP ATASHA COLOBONG the Philippines belong in the so-called MAPA, we are more vulnerable than ever. The irony of MAPA being the least responsible for the climate crisis but suffering the worst effects is genuinely perturbing.

Despite 1.5oC of warming in the final papers, the Philippines is still at ground zero for climate change.

Deadly typhoons have constantly been devastating the lives of Filipinos.

Imagine being worried every year that

your newly renovated house will be eaten alive by the typhoon, or even the newly paid rent will have no lights because of the power interruption caused by a strong wind. How will you be able to settle with that life?

Thus far, the UN has had the fiscal and political resources for decades to implement solutions that could end Earth heating at a fast pace, but

Ravages | P17

16 oped

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

Ineffable Truth

Pushing through a wrong move JOLINE RUMBAOA

H

ome is not the best place to conduct classes. Aside from the academic workload, you also need to do household chores at the same time. Furthermore, as much as you want to focus on listening in your classes or completing tasks, you are prone to be distracted by your surroundings. Your attention is being diverted by the noise of the neighborhood and the gadgets around you, which are sources of gaming, shopping, and social media.

We can’t deny the fact that being in school is way better than staring at your gadget 24/7. In this case, the government must focus their attention first on addressing the pandemic so that safe resumption of classes will happen—a call that has been amplified by the youth through #LigtasNaBalikEskwela.

Face-to-face classes were restricted starting from March 2020. As this school year marks the second year of online distance learning, the Department of Education provides various “flexible and effective” options depending on the students’ available resources. This aids not only in protecting the students, faculty, and school administrators but also helps in slowing the rate of infection in the country. However, this so-called “flexible and effective” learning has negative impacts on most students, especially those who struggle with problems outside of their studies.

One experience worth noting is Maria Jacobe Benig, mother of a 19-year-old suicidal student, Ricky Benig. When interviewed by Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan, she said they had been struggling financially since the inception of online learning. This is only one among the many unheard family

The Raconteur

Competence Over Resilience ALTHEA NATIVIDAD

“

Matutong mamaluktot habang maikli ang kumot” is a wellknown aphorism that has been embedded in every Filipino’s vocabulary. The Philippines was therefore known for its people’s ‘fighting spirit’ for decades—being able to endure varying levels of terror.

Filipinos have always been reputed to be fiercely tolerant as a nation.

Natural catastrophes have become so ubiquitous that we have grown to expect them. It’s something we brush off, move on from, and joke about. The term ‘resilient’ comes from the Latin word ‘’resi-lire” which means “recovery.”

Contextually, it might relate to technical, architectural, or ecological resilience, which is described as a system’s capacity to withstand external shocks.

However, the term is most commonly associated with climate change or economic crises.

Resilience is no stranger to Filipinos. It is frequently repeated notably now as the country is battling several upheavals. Typhoon Odette

is already the 15th tropical cyclone for 2021 in the Philippines, where an average of 20 tropical cyclones enter annually. For every typhoon that comes to hit, there’s always the neverending violent howling winds, massive damage, thousands of casualties, hurled fishing boats, wrecked buildings, and of course, the trauma that has befallen every victim. Considering the medical crisis being relevant, COVID-19 impacted rural lives tremendously.

Loss of income and job prospects were major issues in the Philippines’ impoverished areas. Disaster-prone localities had more trouble coping with COVID-19 prohibitions and their overall catastrophic burden.

It is indisputable that typhoons are natural hardships brought on by nature, and the presence of diseases is not the fault of anybody. We can’t stop the atmosphere from generating cyclones and precipitation, and we can’t dictate our organs to be instantly immune to the virus. The hitch is that, is it indispensable for it to be this difficult?

How can other nations reach out to

Reality Bites

One time for present, Twice from the past?

IRA MANTES

O

n January 25, 2022, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) released the final face of the ballots containing the list of candidates for the local and national levels of the 2022 Philippine elections.

The campaign season hasn’t officially started yet, but social media is already flooded with pieces of malicious information meant to malign the candidates.

The candidates that the public is eyeing on are Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., among many others.

Social media is a fundamental force in Philippine society. It’s a convenient and accessible way to access content.

Accessibility on social media will be an important platform in influencing public opinion. Today, 85% of Filipinos with internet access are watching YouTube.

The average Filipino internet user spends nearly four hours daily on social media.

According to The Diplomat’s analysis of Social Media Misinformation and the 2022 Philippine elections, since 2016 was regarded as the primary “Philippines social media election,” the highly competitive 2022 election might be a more dramatic second act. After the shocking success of President Rodrigo Duterte’s social media campaign, false

struggles that emerged in this new setup. According to the Philippine Star, Ricky mentioned transportation money is less expensive than the expenses entailed by this new setup.

As a matter of fact, there are reports of suicides due to the stress and pressure brought by online classes, while other cases are still in the process of investigation, according to Philippine Inquirer.

Parallel to this, students at Saint Louis University (SLU) Baguio clamored for academic ease and consideration for academic requirements on online classes through a candle lighting ceremony last October 30 in line with the loss of lives that occurred due to the said problem.

Different student councils throughout the region came and stood together to protest the school’s management for overburdening students with academics amid a lifethreatening crisis. The SLU student body emphasized that this setup had been detrimental to their lives. It seems to be ironic that while those at the top do not want delays in education, in the process of this dogmatic compliance, a lot of students are already being left behind.

This problem can also be reflected in the number of enrollees. One study from the University of the Philippines Los Baños stated that there is a lack of resources and preparedness for the new setup. In fact, a decrease of three million

student enrollees in 2020 from 27.7 million in private and public schools was seen in 2021.

As this situation gets tighter, we can’t dodge a bullet anymore.

This highlights the need to go back to traditional classes as everyone calls for quality education, especially for children in their formative years who are the most vulnerable ones in this situation. They need the most guidance from the teachers in building a foundation as they start to enter school.

Yet, 168 million children’s schools, based on the United Nations Children’s Fund, had closed last 2020, exacerbating the learning crisis.

All of these show us that each has different privileges and accessibilities.

Online distance learning is the new modern classroom where we connect and see each other virtually, but only those privileged enough who have access to the internet and gadgets will be able to attend synchronous classes and consistently access networks for learning. On the other hand, the burden is doubled on students who have no choice but to study the lessons independently.

It is agonizing to think about how to reopen classes in schools again. As reported by the Philippine Star last September 2021, the Philippines and Venezuela are the last two countries that have yet to open schools. Countries like China, Indonesia, and Vietnam started

opening schools first in low-risk areas while others held their classes in the open area to ensure proper regulation of air. However, here in the Philippines, only after almost two years with the health crisis not yet resolved are they planning for the implementation of faceto-face classes already.

While distance learning may be beneficial in the current setup, we should not be satisfied. To get back to physical classes, we must have a collective effort to resolve the worldwide pandemic. Furthermore, the government should plan about this thoroughly to ensure everyone’s safety before making a move.

Undeniably, this is a call for an urgent and concrete response to COVID-19, which the government should have set the utmost priority from the start. Above all, our lives matter the most.

The Shoeland

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School

EDITORIAL BOARD SY 2021-2022

typhoon victims whenever they need help and funding? How can they recover and begin a new chapter as simple as addressing the country’s economic and financial needs while ensuring its stability? How come Thailand, Taiwan, and New Zealand are already victorious in their struggle against the medical nemesis and appear to be returning to normalcy? Could it be true that typhoons and the pandemic are the most serious issues? Or are they merely not being handled properly?

Filipinos are indeed tough.

Nevertheless, their resilience is overstated and appears to be exploited to cover up a lack of crisis management and government readiness when dealing with previous disasters such as Typhoon Ulysses and Typhoon Odette.

It is nothing new for the Philippine government to abuse its people’s strong will and spirit to avoid exposing systemic failure. Numerous Instagram shots, in particular, have erroneously depicted delighted Filipinos halfsubmerged in filthy floodwaters while their residences sink behind them.

These discourses applaud their fortitude while failing to criticize those who put them in these unfortunate situations.

Furthermore, the government has failed to accept full responsibility for its environmental negligence. They have abandoned present pleas for rescue as typhoons have almost wrecked islands, towns, cities, and provinces. They have exploited the word to the point that it now has a detrimental rather than a favorable perception. Having followed the onslaught of natural

calamities, along with the current coronavirus pandemic, the government has driven to the ideology of resilience, claiming that Filipinos—particularly the poor—can and must be able to withstand anything. In the absence of institutional development planning in climate adaption infrastructures, this romanticizes resilience and burdens people. In a never-ending cycle, the narrative confusingly transitions from calamity preparedness to the ability to handle suffering and sorrow.

It is beyond time for the government to develop practical strategies to facilitate disaster prevention and pandemic and economic governance. Disasters and diseases are truthfully inescapable, but the leadership and competence of preparations and intervention can entail the difference in people’s lives. We must depend not just on individual resilience but also on the capability of the people in higher positions to demonstrate responsibility for their commitment and obligations.

To relate to the child-taught blanket stereotype, you do not have to settle for a short blanket. You don’t really have to make such sacrifices to fit into the little warmth that the blanket may offer.

The provider should have simply given what matches what you need in the first place. Don’t compromise your standards of comfort just to be glorified for your tenacity. Heading back to the realities of the general public: resilience is a wonderful trait but it should never be leveraged to cover up incompetence and negligence.

information has taken deep root in Philippine society. This was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which made the proliferation of false information threatening to the government’s public health initiative. Trolls are unique in today’s Filipino cyberspace in such a way that businesses, celebrities, and politicians weaponize them to slander their enemies and cultivate a horde of fanatics.

At my age today, 15, I’m still not qualified to vote. Yet the current electoral landscape bothers me as I see how badly information manipulation persists, which significantly affects the mindset of those who are already eligible to vote.

Distorted posts circulate across social media platforms to unfairly smear candidates with dishonest takes. Robredo was once tagged on a manipulated photo of the Black Nazarene procession at Jones Bridge before the pandemic, which was edited and highlighted into her campaign– color pink. There was also a photo of thousands of Marcos supporters in red shirts on a caravan, which was later posted on Facebook with #LabanLeni2022. The pink shirts were edited into the color red.

Since our technology has evolved over the past years, we can start using fact-checking tools. For example, Google has advanced search, advanced image search, and advanced video search, which are very easy to use. There are also other online platforms such as Bing, Yandex, TinEye, RevEye, InVID, and Geolocation. Fact-checking before spreading news or information is important because one wrong piece of information can have a huge impact on our community.

Those people who are eligible to vote must not opt for someone just because of their looks, family’s namesake, career, or even their past.

It is the voters’ moral and social responsibility not to get easily swayed by manipulated information that is rampantly infiltrating the social mediawhich deliberately aims to sow further divisions in the Philippines’ social and political landscape.

Therefore, the 2022 election will be a difficult battle for every Filipino. Given the reality that the results rely on the majority, a decent amount of misinformation mixed with rage and alteration is enough to reshape a candidate’s reputation, possibly swinging the standpoint to an undesirable outcome.

Sean Marcus Ingalla Editor-in-Chief Francheska Reyes Associate Editor Gran Yddet Manasan Managing Editor Atasha Bianca Colobong Copy Editor Joline Paula Rumbaoa Chief Photojournalist Althea Mae Natividad Layout and Graphics Editor Ira Mantes Online Content Editor Correspondents Blessyl Porras Chryzel Alano Marc Olata Maria Odrareg Rodriguez Marielle Orbong Angel Jane Cabungcal Kinichi Nayomi Bajao Copy Readers Renee Arwen Marfiga Achillez Bautista Layout and Graphic Artist Chevin Paul Gealone Broadcasters Ryan Emmanuel Molina Jasmine Denise Del Pilar Clariza Jane Resquid Cartoonists Jennica Anne Mogan Ferdinand Pingol Carmela Tiong Photo/Video Journalists Alexa Antoinette Sambale Noel Rufon II Beatrix Faith Salvador Social Media Manager Kristine Nicole Banzon Joshua Caleb Pacleta Lawrence Dimailig Technical Advisers Maria A. Nicolas OIC-School Principal

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SY 2021-2022

CASH INFLOW Remaining Cash SY 2020-2021

P3, 500.00

Total Cash Inflow

P3, 500.00

CASH OUTFLOW Paglinang Webinar P2, 000.00 (Speaker’s Honorarium) Layouting Training P1, 500.00 Total Cash Outflow

P3, 500.00

CASH INFLOW CASH OUTFLOW Balance (as of 02/25/2022)

P3, 500.00 P3, 500.00 P0.00

Prepared By (SGD.) Gran Yddet Manasan Managing Editor Noted: (SGD.) Joshua Caleb Pacleta Technical Adviser (English)

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

Filipinos and racism: We’re not so innocent as one might think

By Mirko Atienza from 7-Patience

W

e’ve been on the receiving end of racism but little did we know that we’re on the delivering end too.

Filipinos and racism are certainly not strangers to each other. Our people have been victims of it many times, and it gets the right amount of attention. Yet, something about racism and Filipinos is constantly overlooked: we’re ignorantly inflicting it as well.

This is obviously a topic needing serious discussion, yet it doesn’t get covered enough. This topic also, unfortunately, serves as a reminder that discrimination can become prevalent anywhere—even in the good ol’ “Pinas.”

In the Roots?

Did the colonial ideologies, policies, and prejudices that our colonizers carried influence our own racial sentiments? Absolutely. Due to the influence of these colonial beliefs, Filipinos developed racial sentiments that are weakly organized, unevenly policed, and highly adaptable. They run broad yet shallow, capable of altering directions, but mostly depending on social circumstances.

The racial feelings of Filipinos can constantly shift due to several factors.

A notable example of racial sentiments being spawned from past colonizers is the long history of anti-Chinese prejudice. Our history of anti-Chinese sentiment may have originated from colonial policies by Spain and America by further alienating and explicitly portraying Chinese people as foreigners.

Colonial policies by Spain focused on cultural assimilation through the conversion of these people into

COMICS

By Jennica Mogan

By Ferdinand Pingol

By Carmela Tiong

Christianity. They encouraged the Chinese to convert to Christianity, and they also promoted the intermarriage of Chinese men and Christian native women. This resulted to the emergence of generations of Chinese mestizos, which were also the first generations of Philippine nationalists.

Colonial ideologies and ideals like the laudation of Europeans’ and Americans’ fair skin caused another notable Filipino racial sentiment: our very prevalent and normalized colorism, which is focused on the notion of favoring having fair skin. Our colorism has given rise to a big market of skinwhitening products, a beauty ideal, and a mentality that doesn’t appreciate our uniqueness.

These two Filipino racist behaviors are a testament to the fact that our racism is more or less traced to our colonizers. This means that our loosely assembled racial beliefs can be defined as foreign sentiments that we merely conformed to.

Just not taken seriously?

We’ve heard about the movements that sparked in nations like the U.S. to combat racism, such as abolitionism, the civil rights movements, and the Black Lives Matter cause.

Some describe our racism as being in jest and ignorance. However, this shouldn’t imply that it is a harmless matter of humor, criticism, or innocuous ignorance on our part.

Our racism has been too normalized and incorporated into our society that it’s basically right in our faces, yet we just can’t seem to call it out nor fix it. Comments and derogatory

slangs like “intsik,” “bombay,” “kano,” and “negra” are among some of the words that reveal our internalized racism. Things just get more dismal when you add the other atrocious things we do in mockery of other races—for example, having a heightened sense of bias or threat when encountering a specific race, the disdain of some Filipinos against their own race for not following Western ideals, and many more.

The insensitive racist nature in the Philippines is rampant even in popular media. One of the noticeable manifestations of this is the normalized use of blackface in several shows like Nita Negrita, Bubble Gang, MMK, and Banana Sundae. Blackface has long been tied to African oppression as it was used in theater shows to portray a caricature of Afro-Americans.

Just ignorance?

It’s possible that our racism is due to a lack of context or education about race and how to handle these differences appropriately. Our country’s lack of knowledge on racial diversity may have blinded us to these discriminatory tendencies we exhibit, rendering us incapable of drawing a line on what’s offensive to other races due to this lack of consciousness. From this, we can say that our kind of racism exists on the border of ignorance and innocence.

Racism in the Philippines is at best naive and at worst insulting. Though we may not have a history of structural racism, our prejudicial behavior is nonetheless troubling. The best thing we could do to remedy this is to call it out and resolve it. It’s a truth that’s hard to swallow, but raising awareness is our best chance at fixing it, which seems more plausible in this generation of “woke” age by Millennials and Gen Z. No matter the reason for it or how “harmless” others might think of it, our racism has no excuse. Resolving this is the only moral thing. As it is offensive, unacceptable, and should have no place here.

Mirko, Mir ko, 13, loves watching shows and movies, reading, gaming, and learning new skills.

Ravages | P15 they have chosen not to. Instead, they continued to fail nations and resorted to the politics of empty promises.

COP21 was when I attended the week-long Children’s Climate Conference 2015 (CCC 2015) in Södertälje, Sweden, wherein different speeches were delivered by over 24 children worldwide, desperately calling for help.

Respectively, the Paris Agreement, also known as the 15C target mentioned earlier, was born—a legally binding international treaty on climate change—arguably the most significant in the history of COP’s.

That was six years ago, and we still face the same problem today.

For sure, more generations did this before ours, but how many more years of conferences do we have to bear to resolve and commit to the COPs’ promises? We cannot solve a crisis with the same methods that got us into it in the first place.

Arguably, there haven’t been

OpEd 17

enough young people to pressure decision-makers. Even the leading youth climate activist, Greta Thunberg, wasn’t invited to COP26. The youth are our most significant chance in changing the world, yet, they are deprived of access to these talks. Just as reflected in COP26, the activists are displaced from their right to be included inside the convention. The policymakers should listen to those affected, not tell people what to do from their detached ivory towers.

The COP has consistently shown a publicity stunt of a never-ending greenwashing to the world over the years. The juxtaposition of policymakers instead of marginalized groups and professionals being included in extensive climate talks reveals that these are just for show—not to achieve the desperate need for rescue in the world.

That is why we must include the voices of those who naturally experience and professionally know these kinds of climate crises. The urgency of this matter is starting to outpace the speed of global action. Let us not divorce climate issues from class issues—system change, not climate change.

18 Features

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

on the anatomy of the mental health problem

By Sean Ingalla

U

pon the onset of the pandemic, the concern with regard to mental health has been laid open in its barest form — a crisis defined by the cognate phenomena of interlocking organs of social, political, and biochemical factors.

Celebrating the World Mental Health Day on October 10, the Department of Education (DepEd) mentioned their recognition of the growing mental health needs of its stakeholders as they continue to craft programs that will address these.

Adopting the theme “Mental Health Care for All: Let’s Make it a Reality,” the department urged its field officers to promulgate programs in line with the objectives affirmed

by Presidential Proclamation No. 452, s.1994, entitled Declaring the Second Week of October of Every Year as National Mental Health Week.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the point of the celebration of World Mental Health Day is to mobilize efforts in raising awareness regarding mental health and provide avenues to support efforts in addressing these issues.

Surface of the skin Based on the press release of the United Nations Children’s Fund dated October 5, the prolonged lockdown has worsened children’s mental health, saying “the disruption to routines, education, recreation, as well as concern for family income and health, is leaving many young people feeling afraid, angry, and concerned for their future.”

Kchianna Lauren Coronel, a senior high school student of Marikina Science High School (MariSci), remarked that the pandemic had caused fluctuations of the feeling of burnout, rendering her incapable to move sometimes.

“My ability to adapt to spontaneous situations was also significantly affected. Before, I could handle multiple changes thrown at me, whether it be academics or extracurricular activities; but now, even the slightest change in schedule or schoolwork content is enough to set me off,” Coronel said.

“I’ve been focusing more on my intrapersonal relationship. With the Covid-19 pandemic, it has put me in between a rock and a hard place,” Machelle Alday, a student of Grade 12, stated.

Corresponding to the study published by Agham Youth National, their findings disclosed that from their student-respondents, 89.4% either agreed (4) or strongly agreed (5) that the pandemic negatively impacts their mental health.

For Darlene Cruz, an alumna of MariSci and currently a freshman student of the University of the Philippines, social isolation, financial uncertainty, and political turmoil amidst the pandemic exacerbated her mental disposition.

In December of 2021, Cruz was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

According to the data disclosed

by National Mental Health Program (NMHP), at least 1,145,871 individuals in the Philippines have a depressive disorder, 520,614 with bipolar disorder, and 213,422 with schizophrenia.

Pervading tissues In an interview with Jossa Margaret Francisco, a senior high school teacher of MariSci, she pointed out that the global pandemic has “impacted the mental health not only of students but also of teachers.”

“This did not simply mean appearing via Zoom or Google Meet: it meant having to go through all lesson plans and instructional materials and transform them to suit not just online learners but also modular learners,” Francisco said.

She also explained that rapid adjustment to conditions has been “mentally and physically” draining for teachers, especially those with no stable access to devices and the internet.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers, through the survey that they conducted among 6,731 public school teachers, identified that more than 70% of teacher-respondents deem the distance learning workload as “negatively impacting on their physical and mental health.” Among this number, about 10% admitted to “already falling ill due to the problems with distance learning and their burdensome duties.”

Within the operating nerves “The learning modality was dehumanizing. I go to bed exhausted, and I wake up even more exhausted,” Cruz lamented, pointing out the absurdity of having to worry about deadlines amid a grave societal crisis.

A fact sheet released by the WHO in 2018 stated that “multiple social, psychological, and biological factors determine the level of mental health of a person at any point in time.”

Cruz said that since she was nine years old, she was already aware of their family’s financial burden, leading her to suppress her emotions to avoid being a burden and the desire to be excessively productive beyond capacity.

According to the meta-analysis conducted by Thomas Curran and Andrew P. Hill, the market-oriented principle of competition induced perfectionism among college students as “young people now face more competitive environments, more unrealistic expectations, and more anxious and controlling parents than generations before.”

Seeking Remedy In a joint news release by the Department of Health and WHO in 2020, they revealed that the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) disclosed a significant increase in monthly hotline calls about depression, with numbers increasing from 80 calls before the lockdown to nearly 400.

In further detail, NCMH showed that the number of calls from children seeking help induced by 347% from 3,178 in 2019 to 11,016 in 2020.

Due to the worsening troubles that Cruz faced as punctuated amid the pandemic, she reached out to a professional in December 2021.

“Nakatulong ang therapist sa pagpapaliwanag ng sirkumstansiya ko at pagpapakilala ng maaaring pagtugon sa mga pangyayari,” Cruz explained.

In addition, Cruz expounded how counsel and therapy can address behavioral patterns and issues.

Dilemma of access Cruz decried that mental health services in the country remain inaccessible due to socioeconomic inequality, which is the reason why she only had the courage to ask her parents to take her to therapy when she was already 19 years old despite feeling the symptoms as early as when she was 14 years old.

In a study by John Lally, John Tully, and Rene Samaniego published in 2019, they said that “national information on mental health services in the Philippines indicates that there are substantial gaps and inconsistencies in the delivery of mental healthcare.”

Drawing from the same research, they noted that despite the passage of the Mental Health Act, many challenges persist about the promulgation of accessible and affordable mental health care.

“Counsel and therapy can address behavioral patterns and issues. However, the country experiences a scarcity of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists,” Cruz said.

The Institute for Nationalist Studies scrutinized the current medical capacity of the Philippines that plays a part in the existing crisis on mental health, revealing that 67% of psychiatric beds were to be found in the NCMH. Likewise, the WHO recommends having 10 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, but the Philippines’ number of psychiatrists reveals a ratio where 100,000 people will have to share 0.55 of a psychiatrist due to having only 603 registered psychiatrists in the Philippine Psychiatric Association.

Through the antibodies Through Office of the Undersecretary for Administration Memo 00-1021-0038 released on the 7th of October, DepEd’s School Mental Health Program Coordinators were urged to conduct their programs that will aid in boosting mental health care for the community, and health breaks were also encouraged.

As part of the efforts of MariSci during Brigada Eskwela, programs concerning mental health were conducted through the series of webinars dubbed as “Ramdam Kita.”

The first installment, titled “RAMDAM KITA: Online Forum on Psychological Well-Being for Parents & Guardians,” commenced on September 18 through Google Meet and Facebook Live with speaker Cris Gonzales, the Curriculum Consultant of Center for Health Solutions & Innovations Philippines.

Following this, the second one was open to the entire community, entitled “RAMDAM KITA: An Interactive Webinar on Good Mental Health & Psychological Well-Being” in partnership with Miriam College Department of Psychology on September 25 through Zoom.

Initiatives by student formations were also forwarded as spearheaded by the MariSci Lusog Isip (LINK) Club, attending programs organized by the Philippine Mental Health Association then relaying the information gathered to the membership afterward.

According to the president of MariSci Lusog Isip Ng Kabataan (LINK) Club, Alyssa Nicole Elemia, stereotyping and stigmatizing mental health must be stopped to create a long-term solution to these problems ingrained within the society.

“The school’s partnership with mental health experts is vital to help our students, parents, and teachers understand themselves and the situation better,” Francisco forwarded.

Uprooting struggles Cruz asserted that “favorable situations materialize when people receive concrete services, emotional support, and affirmation.”

With this, she called on the government to allocate funds in social services and grant workers a liveable wage.

Cruz also suggested that DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education must implement academic easing as an institutional policy to ensure that their constituents can continue education amid these times.

WHO stressed that the promotion of mental health must involve actions that enhance one’s psychological well-being, which includes “creating an environment that supports mental health.”

“Mental health promotion should be mainstreamed into governmental and nongovernmental policies and programs. In addition to the health sector, it is essential to involve the education, labor, justice, transport, environment, housing, and welfare sectors,” WHO elaborated.

“People take the first step by asserting their humanness in their social circles, then addressing their grievances, and finally formulating measures to sort out the root causes of stress,” Cruz ended.

Art by Chevin Gealone

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

Features 19

Carving Layers of the Future:

Narratives of teachers’ perseverance amid the pandemic

Illustration by: Althea Natividad

By Francheska Reyes

E

very great sculptor can create a masterpiece out of what they have, all the more when limits are pushed aside.

This is seen through the lives of Jossa Margaret Francisco, 30, student, mother, and senior high school teacher in Marikina Science High School (MariSci); Rinalyn Salamat, 27, grade 10 teacher of Analytic Geometry in MariSci; and Melanie Parcio, 37, adviser of Special Education (SPED) Transition Class and SPED Coordinator of Barangka Elementary School (BES).

Although they have different narratives in their teaching journeys, their will and perseverance to mold each student according to their potential is collectively seen in their teaching endeavors: Jossa juggling her work and studies on top of having a newborn, Rinalyn as a new teacher in an online setup, and Melanie as a Learning with Disabilities (LWDs) teacher.

Forming Amatures Jossa, a new mom, has always been passionate about inspiring her students by setting an example. “[Sometimes] you don’t need others in order to be inspired or strong, because you can inspire from within,” she stated. “Instead of looking for source, inspiration, and strength, why not ikaw na lang?

‘Yong hinahanap mong hope, [at] hinahanap mong strength sa ibang tao, ikaw ‘yong magsilbing ilaw sa maraming tao.”

Jossa continues to strive to provide her students with the quality education they have the right to. Her dedication to this was shown when the schools shifted to online distance learning and her former style of teaching, which was to conduct classes outside to reach the fullest engagement, wasn’t possible anymore.

“I actually compiled 200+ online teaching tools and

continuously testing, [and] implementing these tools sa mga klase, kasi I want it to be relevant, appropriate, and responsive to our learners’ need[s],” she said.

However, doing what she does didn’t come as easy as a lot of sacrifices were made for her to continue teaching, yet she always strives to make the best of it. One of the manifestations of these is finishing her classwork at the University of the Philippines until midnight and preparing for her classes in MariSci early in the morning. In this situation, her passion and commitment to teaching fuel her to push through even further.

Moreover, she expressed her advocacy in including sex education in the curriculum with the pursuit of imparting the students with such awareness and in breaking the cycle.

With more unaware students becoming victims of sexual abuse, which according to Cameleon Association, about 7,000 children are sexually abused in the Philippines, and 70% of them are 10 to 18 years old, Jossa advises her fellow survivors who have been subjected to the same situation of sexual abuse that they shouldn’t be afraid of speaking up. “Number one na natutuhan ko [ay] ‘wag matakot.”

Sure enough, Jossa carries on with teaching as she uses principles from the vision and mission of UP Diliman, Department of Education (DepEd) mission and vision, and values as a Christian. Above all challenges, she relies on her faith as she seeks hope. “There is God who will serve as your ultimate source of strength,” she said.

Polishing Rough Edges As we instantaneously transitioned from face-to-face learning to distance learning, Rinalyn, just like the two teachers, experienced her fair share of

struggles. She describes her experience of this pandemic by comparing it to a rainbow.

“May mga araw na matingkad na matingkad, may mga araw na dull pero habang tumatagal nakikilala mo sila,” she explained.

As a mathematics teacher for six years, she tries her best to engrave knowledge despite experiencing a major digital divide.

“I did not imagine, in my life, that I will teach online,” Rinalyn said.

Since she is a new teacher in MariSci, Rinalyn shared her first impression with the students and said that they were afraid of making mistakes. However, she assures them that this is part of the learning process. “I always make sure sa classes na it’s okay to make mistakes. Why are you afraid of making mistakes? I want my class to be open, kasi with that idea, pwede mag-spring ‘yong another solution.”

Moreover, she also experienced communication issues during the times when she thought that the world revolves around her.

Now, Rinalyn extends her love for teaching by promoting open communication among her classes.

She also explained why teachers must not close the opportunity to learn from their students regardless of age and status.

Aside from this, Rinalyn advocates for proper research funding in the Philippines. “As much as possible, since in line ako sa Mathematics, I speak in numbers, naniniwala ako sa results ng researches.” She mentioned that recommendations must be based on these empirical findings.

A study by the Department of Science and Technology, the Philippine Statistics Authority, and the University of the Philippines Los Baños showed the funding for research and development (R&D) doubled from 2015 to 2018.

Moreover, the gross expenditure for R&D also doubled from PHP 21.9 billion in 2015 to PHP 58.9 billion

in 2018.

Furthermore, R&D is assured of getting 18% more funding in 2022, given the importance of research in this time of crisis. With this, she contends that research must be analyzed, funded, and implemented to provide everyone, especially in the educational sector, with the best solutions on different issues encountered.

Nonetheless, Rinalyn utters that even upon our transition to virtual learning, no gadget can replace a teacher. “Kahit anong i5 o i7 na chipset iyan.

Hindi mapapalitan ng anumang application ang teacher. Still, we are just using them as a tool, and it will never replace us. Kahit anong social media in the future hindi ma-rereplace ang relationship ng teacher at estudyante,” she said.

Flattening Uneven Surfaces On the other hand, Melanie drives with perseverance and passion as she carves the ups and downs of her teaching career and the opportunities that come with it.

“Huwag sayangin bagkus yakapin na lang,” she said, referring to the rather special path she took in teaching. She exemplifies that her mission for her students is to give them the proper education they need as they reach their dreams, and with this, she continues to teach with love and compassion to the 57 LWDs in BES. Melanie stated that she found love in teaching LWDs when a blind student was mainstreamed in her class. Without proper education on LWDs, particularly on the visually impaired, she thought that could teach this student the same lessons as her regular students by going a little beyond the mile.

“Unti-unti, nagugustuhan ko na kung paano hina-handle ‘yong bata. Siyempre, additional effort pa rin ‘yon kasi blind ‘yon. Wala akong idea kasi ‘di ako ‘blind teacher’ pero ando’n na naman tayo na kapag gusto mo, may paraan,” she lamented.

However, she also encountered problems in her teaching journey.

Melanie narrated the time when she managed to understand her student

Their passion and devotion for teaching are what bind them together as they delicately sculpt each student into becoming a better version of themselves— combining every value and knowledge into unique pieces of art.

who knocked on her tummy when she was eight months pregnant.

Instead of getting angry, she tried to understand her student, knowing that they didn’t understand and meant their actions.

“No’ng time na ‘yon, ‘di ako nakaramdam ng inis o galit sa bata kasi nga LWD ‘yong bata, ‘di ba? ‘Di niya alam kung anong ginagawa niya bagkus iintindihin natin.

Kung mawala pa ang passion ko sa pagtuturo ng SPED, iilan na lang ang teacher na magkakaro’n ng love na magturo sa mga batang ‘to.”

Moreover, with the current transition program designed by the DepEd under DepEd order 21 s. 2020, Melanie finds herself in a difficult position given that there are limited learning materials for LWDs and that online distance learning puts a gap between her and the students.

She also cited the lack of materials and resources of most of her students, leading to late responses between them. “Kasama na roon ‘yong kakulangan siyempre sa materials, sa gadgets ng mga estudyante namin. Sa 22 kong estudyante, bilang lang ang may laptop o cellphone dahil karamihan sa kanila may kapatid. Pangalawa ‘yong internet connection ilan sa kanila may WiFi, ‘yong iba nag-loload lang.”

Through the uneven surfaces that she encounters, Melanie holds on to her passion and continuously reminds herself not to give up.

Her devotion to teaching LWDs is something that she will always take pride in.

“Saan man ako pumunta, saan man akong lugar, iba’t ibang propesyon man makasalamuha ko, makasama ko, proud ako na isa akong SPED teacher,” she said.

Molding these narratives together, no matter how different their experiences and conditions are, none can question their perseverance in teaching. Their passion and devotion for teaching are what bind them together as they delicately sculpt each student into becoming a better version of themselves—combining every value and knowledge into unique pieces of art.

WATCH!

SCAN this QR Code and watch the online video for this article titled “Paratukdo: Capturing Narratives of Teachers’ Perseverance amid the Pandemic”

20 Features

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

Lumad Schools as the Crucible of the Liberating Struggle

By Sean Ingalla

R

ooted in the central principle that the land gives life as much as it is life itself, the Lumads remain unwavering in their struggle. Holding this belief firmly, the orientation of their education is primarily aligned in cultivating consciousness by intertwining theory and practice with the goal of marching onward with their aim for self-determination.

As October is marked as The Indigenous People's (IP) month to commemorate the passage of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act in October 1997, the narratives of the likes of Chricelyn Empong—a Lumad youth— serve as a stark reminder that there is much to be done for the complete realization of this law. For Chricelyn and many other children of her group, going to the cities for bakwit schools away from their heavily militarized hometowns in the countryside is their only hope to continue pursuing a brighter future.

Chricelyn believes that finishing their education is vital in embarking on a chapter to fight for greater victories.

With this, their schools are treated as paramount foundations in the actualization of these objectives.

Progressive Outlook on Education The term “Lumad” refers to the collective of national minorities in Mindanao made up of 18 groups from the following: B’laan, Manday, Manobo, Subanon, and T’boli. Lumad schools sprung in the 1980s as informal institutions with the primary goal of teaching literacy and basic numeracy among their communities. It was during 1990 that pre-school and elementary schools were established, which then paved the way for the development of Lumad schools in five regions in Mindanao from 2003 to 2007.

Although the curriculum still draws from the Department of Education’s (DepEd) K-12 as well as the Indigenous Peoples Education guidelines, there is also a particular emphasis on Literacy, Mathematics, Science,

Social Sciences, Technological and merging them in an impactful praxis.

Livelihood Education (TLE), sustainable agriculture, and indigenous culture Schools as Microcosm of Society and arts. The Alternative Learning However, for the likes of Chricelyn, Center for Agricultural and Livelihood finishing their education is tantamount Development, Inc. (ALCADEV) also won only to halfway of the fight that they the Most Outstanding Literacy Program continue to undertake. Because of the in Caraga and the 5th Most Outstanding adversities that their communities face Literacy Program in the country due to bombing, harassment, and land as accorded by the DepEd Literacy grabbing, among many others, their Coordinating Council in 2014. fullest growth is hampered. Sometimes, These schools operate by reflecting not only are they deprived of spaces for the genuine interests of the national advancement, but their very existence is minority, encapsulating one of the uprooted.

Lumads’ old sayings, which go as such: At such a young age, Chricelyn from birth until death; our greatest has been a witness to the grim reality wealth is our owned land. Anchored in of subjugation that IPs are forced to live this principle, their education upholds through. Even until they reside in the city the mandate of sustaining this belief, centers, they still carry the full weight which necessitates enlivening a resolute of the trauma inflicted to them by state standpoint that treats forces, smothering studying as part of the them like specters process of communal For the Lumad, those who pass that know no bounds. d e v e l o p m e n t away are not merely buried, but When they joined rather than mere they are planted—returned to the lantern parade enrichment for the University the land, where they can once in personal gains. of the Philippines more give life, embodying the - Diliman (UPD), In fact, according to Teacher hope that more will bear fruit in where they continued Ando, his experience persisting for the progress of their bakwit schools, in teaching they were filled with the community.

Lumad students dread and anxiety is significantly the moment that different. He remarked that unlike at fireworks started to shoot out of the skies. his previous schools, where students According to her, it was reminiscent of the compete to overtake their peers, the sounds of the feared gunshots they often Lumad youth actively ensure that no hear in their militarized communities. one gets left behind and they are all Aside from the belligerent progressing at the same pace. attacks they face due to attempts by In an interview with the Philippine corporations to rob their ancestral lands, Collegian, Chricelyn mentioned that the closure of their schools also serves one of the focuses of their education is as a precursor to deprive them of the on agriculture and health. Due to the knowledge needed to defend their rights. effectiveness of their education system 178 from the 215 Lumad schools were in situating the curriculum on their forcefully shut down. In 2019 alone, in concrete community conditions, she an announcement by the DepEd Region claimed that she grew to love all of their 11 through their spokesperson Jenielito subjects equally.

Atillo, 55 Lumad schools in Mindanao Embracing this emancipating were driven to closure due to unproven pedagogy, education realizes its accusations that these institutions transformative objective: naming the were breeding grounds for recruitment world based on the solidarity of those despite opposite claims by the students partaking in the process while also themselves like Chricelyn. Because of

this, more than 10,000 Lumad youth were bereft of their right to education.

Cultivating A Freeing Tomorrow Upon finishing Grade 12 at a Bakwit School in UPD this July 2021, Chricelyn said in their graduation, “We will return to Mindanao, but it does not mean that we are surrendering. We will come home to defend our land.”

In looking forward to a future that allows for a peaceful proliferation of their lives, Chricelyn finds the necessity of struggling against apparatuses that block them from doing so.

For the Lumad, those who pass away are not merely buried, but they are planted—returned to the land, where they can once more give life, embodying the hope that more will bear fruit in persisting for the progress of the community. This is the line of thought that continues to empower Chricelyn.

Despite the numerous threats, Chricelyn’s feet remain intact on the ground, comforted by the truth that it is not only her feet that traversed the wide spaces as much as the land itself have been graced by her ancestors who valiantly walked over these woe-ridden places. Guided by this, she commits herself to be unceasing in learning more about their culture and to share it among the generations that will follow.

Through this education that they bravely defend, Chricelyn is assured that more dedicated Lumad youth will inherit the tireless pursuit for the emergence of consciousness towards the full triumph of their right to self-determination — all leading to the goal of preserving and enriching their culture, knowledge, and collective identity.

With the continuing outpour of blood across the expanse of the lands that have borne witness to life and its decay, everything that was lost with it — the dreams, aspirations, and everything that defines sustenance — will feed into the seeds of resistance, ever germinating unfettered; incrementally, but certain in its triumph.

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

Features 21

PARA Para po!PO!

Unending oilprice price hike halts jeepney drivers’ livelihood Unending oil hike halts jeepney drivers’ livelihood

LINGAP HINDI PAHIRAP. Jeepney drivers from MAPAPJODA banded together on December 31, 2021, to demand the government cut oil prices and Junk Jeepney Phaseout, which has been putting the drivers in a bind. Photo from Arangkada, Marikina

By Chryzel Alano (MAPAPJODA), this swell only slumps their insufficient profit, which could have been used to sustain the needs of their families.

Under the surface Reminiscing the pre-pandemic state of the transport sector, Tirso Balang Sr., 75, said that the usual number of trips before was about six to seven a day. But given the circumstances under the current health crisis, he remarked that this is now near impossible.

“Ang mga jeep dito nakikipagsapalaran na lang,” he said. Pointing at his fellow jeepney drivers loading their vehicles with passengers, he added that their earnings take a hit every time they travel without a fully loaded jeepney.

Luisito Enriquez, 58, decried that he typically takes home only PHP 300.00 to PHP 350.00 from the PHP 1,000.00 he earns daily for five trips. This is because he has PHP 400.00 deducted as his boundary while the rest is spent on fuel.

“Basta malimit na natitira, PHP 300.00 lang. Kaya kapag hindi ka nakabiyahe, kinabukasan wala na, gutom na ‘yon,” Enriquez added.

Being in the same shoes, Pepito Manuel, 52, expressed the inadequacy of his income in keeping up with their family expenses. Manuel has four kids who are all students needing gadgets and a Wi-Fi connection for their education under distance learning.

To cope, their family often only eats eggs just to pay their dues.

The same situation can be seen with Jefferson Olan, 35, who said, “Sa gastusin [sa araw-araw], sapat lang. Pero kung isasama iyong mga [ibang bayarin], kulang pa rin. Sa pagkain lang talaga, sakto lang siya.”

Olan further explained that the price hike in both gasoline and diesel results in inflation in the cost of goods, reducing their purchasing power even further.

This is concerning the fact that the products on the market need to be transported from their origin using vehicles that consume increasingly expensive fuel.

From January until November 2021, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded a 4.0% to 4.9% inflation rate in the country – reporting its lowest only this

December 2021 at 3.6%. This year’s overall projectile is still higher than the administration’s inflation target, not surpassing 4.0%.

This data is reflected in the price of products on the market.

As the Department of Agriculture reported, the prevailing price of a whole chicken is around PHP 160.00/kilogram, and by August 2021, the highest price for cabbage equaled PHP 250.00/kilogram.

With these prices, the remaining money in the drivers’ pockets after purchasing their food would be stretched out thin to cover their other living expenses such as rent, electricity, and water.

“

...tayo [mga mamamayan] ang nagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya ng bansa pero tayo ang pinapahirapan at tinatanggalan ng kabuhayan.”

“

T

he weekly news of having about a 75-cent increase in the price of petroleum products such as diesel may seem reasonable to those who don’t manage a vehicle. After all, you can’t even buy a single piece of candy with just 75 centavos nowadays.

But these accumulating small drips to an already full glass are a chronic pain to the jeepney drivers whose livelihoods are threatened amidst the pandemic.

According to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oil Monitor, starting last April until July 2021, the price of oil escalated for 14 consecutive weeks with a range of PHP 0.20 to PHP 0.70 weekly. The same trend also happened from August to October 2021 for nine weeks, with a PHP 0.35 to PHP 2.10 increase each week.

This surge in oil prices was attributed by DOE to the fluctuations in world oil prices.

Reasons included the large companies’ “outlook” on fuel demands depending on the people’s travels as dictated by the lockdowns, as well as the reliance of Asian companies on the activity of the Western market.

As stated in the Republic Act No. 8479, popularly known as the Oil Deregulation Law, this policy significantly eases the government’s control over the price implemented by the oil companies on their products. The policy was said to “ensure a truly competitive market” and allow more companies to emerge in the industry. In effect, the large oil companies now have the freedom to increase prices based on what their profit-oriented mindset sees fit.

At the end of 2020, the common price of diesel was at PHP 35.70/liter in the National Capital Region as monitored by the DOE. However, after a series of oil price hikes in 2021, the average price of the said fuel now amounts to PHP 46.30/liter by the end of 2021.

This price tenfold is what’s being subtracted from the jeepney drivers’ daily wage, with a range of three to five trips a day requiring around 10 liters of diesel.

For the drivers from Marikina-Pasig-Pateros Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association

‘Parang pini-phaseout niyo na rin kami’ Describing their financial struggle exacerbated by the oil price hike, Enriquez said that his PHP 400.00 worth of diesel, which was once enough fuel for two trips, is now good for at most one and a half trips. On days when drivers couldn’t seat many passengers, ultimately because of the pandemic, their earnings only go back to their fuel expense—leaving them with almost nothing to bring home.

To further visualize their condition, Balang gave a real-life example supposing that he, as a jeepney driver, owns one jeepney and has a whole family to feed. The parts of his jeepney will inevitably deteriorate over time as he uses his vehicle for his livelihood.

When the government imposes a PHP 2.00 increase in diesel price, they have no choice but to comply.

This emphasizes the negligence in the price rollback worth only a couple of centavos. Given the impact of the oil price hike on their

daily income, Balang argued, “Kung hindi ko naman mame-maintain ang jeep ko, anong gagawin ko— ipagbibili ko? Parang pini-phaseout ninyo na rin kami.”

Balang’s statement was in allusion to the threat of jeepney phaseout under the Department of Transportation’s Department Order No. 2017-011 or the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program issued in June 2017 that was further strengthened during the pandemic.

Under this program, the jeepney sector is forced to purchase an Electric Jeepney (E-jeep) model, which costs around PHP 1.3 million to PHP 2.4 million instead of driving in their traditional jeepneys.

But as manifested earlier, those who rely on their hardearned vehicles can only dream of buying a new one without burying themselves in a huge amount of debt, leaving them in the black and white of being hungry from debt for their Ejeep or being hungry from their livelihood due to this scheme of phasing out.

Albeit experiencing all these contradictions, these ‘kings of the road’ continue driving to reign their thrones as the breadwinners of their own household.

“Kaya [mag]tiyaga ka lang.

Kung maaari iikot ka ulit. Kahit pagod ka na, e sige pa, dahil kailangan mo ng pera e,” Manuel said.

Furthermore, Manuel stated that since many of his fellow jeepney drivers, including him, are already “overage,” it is not exactly optimal for them to venture out to a different job with supposedly higher pay.

With no choice but to tighten their belts to get through every day, Manuel and Olan share the same resolve—that is to take as many trips as they can in 24 hours until they tire themselves just to ensure the presence of food on their table.

Enriquez also spoke about the times when instead of refueling his jeepney before his early trip, he would reserve his daily income so as not to lessen what is already very little. “Kapag biyahe ko na ulit, ‘saka na ako magkakarga para madagdagan iyong nauuwi sa bahay, kasi kulang na kulang talaga iyong kita namin [sa] maghapon,” he added.

According to IBON

Foundation’s estimate, as of July 2021, the daily living wage for an average Filipino family of five to live decently in NCR is PHP 1,065.00.

Yet, with the jeepney drivers’ usual daily income at PHP 300.00 to PHP 500.00, meeting the family’s basic needs is a privilege they simply could not afford.

If these issues can magically turn into diesel, then they wouldn’t have any problem filling up their jeepney’s tanks.

Drivers’ two cents The jeepney sector calls for a significant decrease in the price of diesel and other petroleum products–not just a few centavos.

“Dapat sana ay bumaba ang mga [presyo] para medyo maka[-ahon] kami at gumanda rin ang kita [namin],” Manuel forwarded.

In light of their state, Olan hopes that this pandemic comes to an end to bring their income to how it was before.

Balang also urged the government to provide help aligned to the people’s living situation. He stressed that should the government propose a procedure to alleviate the masses’ concerns, “huwag naman sana sagasaan lahat ng mahihirap.”

The deputy secretary general of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), Bong Baylon, said that drivers and operators are driven to poverty with their lack of sufficient income amidst crisis along with the menacing jeepney phaseout. “Ang gobyerno ay dapat lumilikha ng trabaho, hindi nagpe-phaseout!” he assered.

In view of Baylon’s statement, 10K Ayuda Na Network’s coordinator, Elmer Cordero, reiterated that the PHP 10,000.00 financial aid, an amount minuscule to the government’s budget, would greatly help them especially with the costly price of oil.

Mody Floranda, PISTON’s president and PUMALAG’s spokesperson, said that it is only just to call for junking the Oil Deregulation Law as well as the government’s other anti-people policies. Floranda voiced out, “tayo [mga mamamayan] ang nagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya ng bansa pero tayo ang pinapahirapan at tinatanggalan ng kabuhayan.”

22 Features

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

Going Live

‘Fake news’ rampage and political brouhahas in the socmed arena

By Francheska Reyes

D

issecting today’s cyberspace, specifically during the 2022 Philippine presidential campaigns, the ‘fake’ news additive instinctively comes to mind as if it's something that completes the big picture of social media. Coming in many evolved forms including historical revisionism, negative campaigning, and the likes, the digital space is in dire need of a deep clean.

In order to combat disinformation in the upcoming May 2022 national and local elections, more than 100 groups launched the #FactsFirstPH on Wednesday, January 26. Assembled by groups of media, civil society, business, research, legal sectors, and the church, the project aims to provide protection over people’s democratic exercise and safe spaces for truth-tellers as they partner with Google News Initiative and Meedan.

“Our hope is that through this united front, none of us will feel powerless against disinformation networks and their agents. Our aim is to guarantee safe spaces so that truth-tellers like you will continue to ask tough questions. Our goal is to insulate the democratic exercise from the taint of disinformation,” John Molo, lawyer and trustee of the Philippine Bar Association, said in a Rappler interview.

Cutting through History In an interview by National Endowment for Democracy with Maria Ressa, she stated that during the 2016 elections, it was revealed to the media industry how social media changed and can be weaponized for a candidate’s personal gain.

“The ecosystem has changed dramatically: at the base of it is the weaponization of the social media campaign machinery that was used during the 2016 elections. Several of the key creators of propaganda from the campaign machine are now paid by the government,” Ressa said.

Similarly, a study conducted by Jonathan Ong, Disinformation Officer and Communication Professor at Harvard University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, showed that in

President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign in 2016, purveyors of fake news were seen in the form of high-level online celebrities.

This was affirmed even by Nic Gabunada, Duterte’s social media manager, as he mentioned the employment of an army of internet trolls to “amplify” his message to the Philippines’ online community.

Such a strategy was able to work as Duterte dominated the digital space, gaining 39.01% of votes, which was almost double of his opponents’ Mar Roxas and Grace Poe with 23.45% and 21.39%, respectively.

Switching the blade Upon the success of the Philippines’ first “social media election,” Japhet Quitzon dubbed the 2022 elections as a “more dramatic second act.” However, changes in this 2016 scheme were made to keep up with the rapidly evolving algorithms on social media platforms.

“The use of trolls has been passé.

Direct attacking has been losing its luster and charm. Interrogative is now in,” Alan German, a campaign strategist said.

He further explained that troll farms have not been effective ever since Facebook flags accounts and moderate content. “Due to the algorithms, nahubaran na sila [trolls]. Trolls have become more expensive.”

However, he stated that troll farms are still present these days but have become more rampant on machinerybuilding instead of attacking.

According to Ong, hanging algorithms as established by Facebook might have been a great start, but this isn’t enough to hamper trolls. “Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube have been complicit in moderating content,” he mentioned.

Based on their observation, he also added the use of private chat groups in messaging apps such as Viber and Whatsapp, small pages, and groups to spread the propaganda.

Having closed groups lets them evade platform moderators and fact-checkers, making them more difficult to track and regulate.

Diving into the flesh Given that Duterte paved the way in 2016, the wave of candidates who followed after him has already emerged, devising better tactics to ensure wins this upcoming election.

One example given by Quitzon was Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. “[He] has put his own spin on Duterte-style demagoguery, decrying ‘decent’ and ‘moralistic’ establishment Liberal Party politicians,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bongbong Marcos has been consistently acting behind the scenes in spreading misinformation of the past and continues to campaign

for the tyrannical rule of his father, dubbing it as the “golden age” of the country.

Aside from this, recognized media and news sources have also been garnering attacks from various loyalists now that campaign season is at its peak.

In fact, the recent presidential interview brought by Jessica Soho received hundreds of negative remarks stating that the journalist is “biased” as a justification for Marcos’ refusal to attend the interview.

The reality in today’s campaign lies in the falsification of arguments either targeting their opponent or altering their narratives. Moreover, blaming the media for “biased” reporting when they’re only doing their jobs has become an ironic trend.

Incising deeper With fake news armies reproducing at a fast rate, it became possible for disinformation to undermine democracy. “The problem with fake news is that it is out there, particularly in social media, along with the truth,” said Associate Professor of the College of Mass Communication in the University of the Philippines, Danilo Arao.

Moreover, Professor Rachel Khan, Associate Dean of the College of Mass Communication in UP, stated that there’s a silencing act of legitimate concerns and problems of ordinary citizens, minority groups, and various sectors by their political rivals to manipulate the masses to favor the politician being advertised.

“They drown out the legitimate voices in favor of paid voices that want to skew public opinion,” she said, giving emphasis to the impact of disinformation in democracy.

Social media plays a huge role in this year’s campaigns which is why fake news targeting aspirants can either sway the country towards democracy or away from it. Marl Felizardo, Vice President of the Supreme Student Government of Marikina Science High School (MariSci), supports this and believes that fake news greatly impacts this year’s elections.

“It [fake news] manipulates the voters to believe in something that is wrong and somehow plays a big role in their decision on [which] candidate they should vote [for],” Felizardo said.

Brian Martin, a Grade 12 student from MariSci, says that the accessibility of media and the widespread usage has opened a melting pot of different news, including fake information, that most people in society now believe more in.

“As a person who uses social media, I see a lot of people who believe in information which only comes from unreliable sources such as Facebook and Tiktok. I believe that many trust[s] these sources because of the likes and views they receive and not because they are true and dependable,” the senior high school student says, agreeing with Felizardo.

Furthermore, Noel Nanas, an alumna of MariSci, says that most people believe in fake news for its easilyunderstood format. “Nakikita ko ito dahil mas madaling intindihin ang fake news at kung paano ito nakatarget sa mga tao. Mas nakakaakit ito kaysa sa katotohanan at para bang naka-frame na ang fake news ang tama at sinisiraan ang katotohanan,” Nanas explained.

Such an open digital space where the distinction of factual evidence from a swarm of propaganda lies makes it harder for those hungry for information to be fed with facts and reliable figures.

Given this, Ong exemplifies that the problem with the current system lies in the lack of transparency and accountability. "Digital campaigns

Art by Ferdinand Pingol

are not well-monitored

by COMELEC in terms of spending. There's a displacement of responsibility when blaming technology when this thriving industry is really responsible for really hateful and polarizing narratives and also targeted harassment," he said.

From personal experience, Nanas agrees with Ong as he narrates receiving hate and, worse, death threats ever since 2019 by simply commenting on another candidate.

Stitching the Wound Now more than ever, being a bearer of the truth has become an even harder responsibility as false statements continue to circulate within the news realm. Various individual groups continue to create programs to fact-check claims. However, the force’s impact isn’t enough to solve the wideranging problem.

Khan, on the other hand, suggests that everyone can help fight disinformation by awareness and verification of information. “For me, it’s an obligation, especially these days.

Don’t add to the proliferation ng fake news,” she said.

Both Felizardo and Martin agree with this, the latter saying: to stop the spread of fake news and disinformation, one must start with themselves.

“Before telling any information to other people or even posting anything online, we should make sure that what we are telling is true and have undergone fact-checking,” he added.

Aside from self-policing online harm, fact-checking sources and news, and self-educating, Ong suggests that the country should push for ethics and transparency when it comes to online campaigns.

“Follow the money and open up a conversation on ethics and transparency on strategists to have a clear understanding of transactions, the messages conceded online, and

accountability,” he explained.

He also mentioned assigning responsibility to politicians at the top and influencers involved in their crusade. On the same line, Felizardo suggests that there should be a department for combating fake news. “...the government should make an organization that focuses on fake news.

This somehow helps what's circling around the internet, and they will be able to scan and verify all the news and release a statement whether it is true or not.”

Meanwhile, Nanas thinks that adding a subject in the curriculum concerning these would be a great idea.

“Naniniwala ako na dapat sa murang edad ay nahuhubog na ang critical thinking ng isang tao. Magagamit niya ito upang magkaroon ng sariling desisyon o discernment upang maihiwalay ang kamalian sa tama,” he explained.

Surely enough, the Philippine society without the presence of fake news becomes a utopia as fake news is deeply rooted in the veins of its digital space. Its total eradication, however, can still be made possible with the collective force of individuals and groups battling its spread.

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

in-depth news 23

‘Student safety over image’ – PH solon Hontiveros urges schools to abide Safe Spaces Act

By Angel Cabungcal and Sean Ingalla

“

Survivors of sexual harassment and abuse must be given full support. They should not be judged or dismissed.

LGBTQ+ among others; and (5) immediate apology and acknowledgment from schools.

Meant to establish measures for accountability, Cebujano said that an integral part of the Safe Spaces Act is the strengthening of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI).

“Ang resources na prinoprovide ng DepEd ay dalawa: iyong una, papunta sa pag-pepenalize sa violators. And at the same time, pagpo-protect or pagbibigay ng assistance doon sa biktima. Laging dalawa ang methodology when it comes to DepEd. DepEd will provide the proper mechanisms the proper resources through the CODI para talagang ma-sanction ang mga nagkakamali o ang mga violators sa school setting,” Cebujano explained.

Stringent Implementation In terms of such crimes that took place within the school vicinity or involved people under an academic institution, Section 22 of the said Republic Act included that the school heads must provide appropriate measures to prevent gender-based sexual harassment in academic institutions as well as investigations regardless if there are any formal complaints filed regarding the matter.

“The best mechanism is the mechanism that will be imposed by the school head. Iyong matapang, iyong talagang may ngipin,” Cebujano asserted.

He also noted that the implementation of

the S a f e Spaces Act woman through the CODI isn’t and not a mere discretion, but a less than half of the mandate as stipulated members must be women. by the law. “This time, “Nag-uumpisa sa mandato ng school heads passion and commitment na talagang i-implement talaga. Kailangang maniwala ito through the guidance ka sa law before you really are of the legal office [ng able to enforce this by heart.

DepEd Marikina.]”

Kasi naniniwala ako na kahit During the sandamakmak ang procedure investigation, the Safe at method, kung walang Spaces Act provides the bearing sa mag-i-implement right of the complainants iyong law or process ng Safe and their privacy to be Spaces Act, altogether, hindi siya protected from retaliation. magiging successful,” Cebujano The confidentiality of added. the information of the With this, he underscored people involved must the need for the school head be guaranteed and due to be actively involved, and to process must be observed treat the school as DepEd itself. at all times during the “In my analogy of things, dapat investigation. maramdaman ng school head na Students and minors siya mismo ay DepEd na hindi na who committed acts kailangang i-monitor para ma-sure of sexual harassment na na-i-implement.” shall be held liable by “The school administrators the sanctions written in & teachers must also be the first the student handbook protectors in schools. You are not according to section 25. allowed to sweep this under the rug Cebujano encouraged anymore. Investigate until resolution. school heads to push Hold accountable those who are for the creation of a responsible for endangering our kids, ” unified manual for the Hontiveros added. implementation of the The lack of investigation and proper Safe Spaces Act while procedures regarding the reported cross-referring with other cases after it has been known by the concerned agencies such administrator to “protect the image of the as the Department of Social school” violates Article IV, Section 22 of Works and Development the Safe Spaces Act. to uphold the rights of all involved parties including minors.

Commitment and passion “The Bawal Bastos Law requires schools The Safe Spaces Act to provide a safe and defined gender-based confidential mechanism for sexual harassment as the reporting and redress unsolicited acts that of grievances of sexual and gender-based harassment include wolf-whistling, cases,” Hontiveros said. catcalling, groping, According to unsolicited advances, and Cebujano, CODI must be homophobic, transphobic, inclusive in terms of its representation, comprising and sexist comments. of members from the faculty, non-teaching personnel, administrators, and students. He also remarked that in accordance with the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, every CODI must be headed by a

“

“

In a n interview via CNN, Senator Risa Hontiveros, the principal author of the Safe Spaces Act urged school administrators to prioritize students’ welfare before the image of the institution in response to the numerous country-wide complaints from students and faculty regarding school-related sexual harassment cases that proliferated across social media sites last June 2020.

Citing the narratives being propagated with regard to concerns on sexual harassment across different institutions and to urge probe in these cases, House Resolution (HR) No. 1155 was filed in Congress by Gabriela Women’s Party, Bayan Muna Partylist, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, and Kabataan Partylist.

According to HR No. 1155, there has been a recorded “influx of harassment cases and abuse” that can be attributed to the continuing culture of harassment and sexual violence in the Philippines.

Game-changer According to Caesar Augustus Cebujano, an Attorney III who is part of the Department of Education (DepEd) - Schools Division Office of Marikina’s Legal Unit,

through an interview with The Shoeland X Ang protected Sapatusan, the Safe or being Spaces Act is a “gamesecured wherever you are. changer.”

Your gender, your sexual “More than the orientation, your morality is game-changer, brinidge being honored or protected, niya iyong gap and ensured na hindi sila at the same time nanababastos wherever you cure niya iyong issues are,” Cebujano said. doon sa [Anti-]Sexual Top priority Harassment Law,” Mass organizations, Cebujuano explained, alliances, and movements noting that the previous like Aksyon ng Kabataan Republic Act 7877 or the Organization, Sikhay Anti-Sexual Harassment Marikina City, Mag-aaral Act of 1995 only Laban sa Karahasan Sekswal penalizes perpetrators Coalition (MALAKAS), who have “authority, Time’s Up Ateneo, Protect influence or moral Our Students! PH, and ascendancy over another Theresians Against Sexual in a work or training or Harassment and Abuse education environment” called for action through whereas Safe Spaces Act mass movements, email expands the recognition protests, and display of violations that could pictures blasts to hold be committed by a the school administrators subordinate towards accountable for their someone who holds possible violations. authority and those in “Schools should do “equal footing.” better in protecting our He also mentioned children & youth from that the Safe Spaces Act is sexual harassment. Often, essentially a gender-based cases and perpetrators measure that clarifies of sexual harassment are the definition of sexual covered up and silenced harassment to encompass to protect the image further violations that of the school. This is were previously not wrong. Students’ safety included in the Republic and welfare should Act 7877. “Pwede nang be our top priority,” liable ang teacher sa Senator Hontiveros said, teacher, or ang principal sa emphasizing the need teacher.” to address sexual and The Safe Spaces Act gender-based harassment defined gender-based cases. sexual harassment as MALAKAS outlined unsolicited acts that their five demands include wolf-whistling, to institutionalize catcalling, groping, accountability in unsolicited advances, and institutions: (1) end to the homophobic, transphobic, culture of impunity that and sexist comments. penalizes survivors; (2) Meanwhile, cyberstalking, systematization of student unauthorized sharing of codes with involvement information, and incessant from students and alumni; messages are considered (3) expounded definition gender-based online sexual of sexual harassment harassment. with penalties imposed “The word “space” to those who will encompasses a broader obstruct justice; (4) kind of interpretation or strict implementation definition. It’s about the of the Safe Spaces Act feeling or comfort of being for survivors, women,

“

24 news

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth

Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

START ‘EM RIGHT. Select administrators and teachers of Marikina Science High School conducted a benchmarking activity at Tañong High School on December 6, in preparation for the partial face-to-face classes that is targeted to happen by year 2022 | Photo By Caleb Pacleta | READ STORY ON FRONTPAGE

Distance Learning from P1

Virtual Learning Online learners are given a schedule for their synchronous and asynchronous classes. During synchronous classes, teachers are expected to have a discussion for the students to understand their lessons further, while students should participate in the class and raise their clarifications should they have any.

Junior high school students (Grades 7 -10) have two to three hours of synchronous classes a day, having one hour for each subject. For asynchronous sessions, they are allotted one to four hours for each subject weekly with more time intended for Science and Mathematics.

Senior high school students (Grades 11 and 12) have four to five hours of synchronous classes daily. They are given two hours of synchronous and another two hours for asynchronous time for each subject, except for Career Guidance and HOPE (Health Opportunities through Physical Education) which are both given an hour for its synchronous session and no specific asynchronous period.

Additionally, the SHS students have one day allotted for an hour of Homeroom Guidance and nine hours of Teacher-Student Conference, which students can use to comply with their pending requirements.

Since everything is done virtually, the mode of submission for their outputs is done through the eLearning platform, Google Drive, and Google Classroom.

For Samantha Franchesca Santos, Grade 10, being an online learner was somehow helpful to her education as the lessons were elaborated by their teachers more compared to solely having self-learning modules (SLM) to rely on.

Jian Paolo Salcedo, Grade 12, said that even though online learning is satisfactory for him, there are still difficulties in learning the lessons itself as well as in complying with school requirements.

Salcedo’s sentiment was echoed in the situation of Chiara Jania Gonzales, Grade 11, saying, “It can be quite overwhelming sometimes, especially when the tasks pile up (IPTs, minitasks)

or whenever I encounter technical problems.” Gonzales, however, reiterated that other than these, she is comfortable doing tasks at her own pace.

But being in a familiar yet different environment for studying, that is, their homes, came with its own repercussions.

“Medyo mahirap din talaga makinig sa mga klase dahil sa environment ng pag-aaral ko–medyo maingay at minsan naman ay sadyang ‘di makapag-focus,” Salcedo added.

Mrs. Liezl Flores, a businesswoman, and parent of Grade 8 online learner, Wilyza Loraine Flores, said that one of the problems her child encounters is the unexpected interruption in their internet connection, causing her child to be late in her class or in passing her outputs.

The same concern was stated by Emerenciana Espiritu, an accountant and mother of John Emmanuel Espiritu, Grade 12, and John Carlo Espiritu, Grade 8, who are both online learners. “So far, wala naman po [na problema] except for intermittent internet connection,” Mrs. Espiritu said.

In a survey conducted by the school administration to MariSci students last June 2021, a total of 588 respondents specified the factors hindering their learning under “distance education.”

403 of them said that their fluctuating Wi-Fi connection affected their learning, especially in terms of keeping up with synchronous classes.

Meanwhile, 390 students answered that the easy access to social media was their main source of distraction; 189 were balancing academics with house chores; 90 were finding it difficult to study by themselves; 67 did not have a conducive space in their house for studying; 46 did not have sufficient materials and gadgets; 40 had health concerns; 22 did not have enough budget for load or data connection; 2 students had to relocate from their homes because of community quarantine.

Both Flores and Espiritu help their child cope with the difficulties faced under distance learning by having constant communication with the learners for them to raise their concerns.

Old School On the other hand, Felicity

Gertrude Mendoza, a Grade 8 modular learner, said that her chosen learning modality has helped her a lot given that they do not have a stable internet connection. “Mas sanay ako sa paggawa ng mga activities na may hinahawakan na hard copy na parang libro lamang,” Mendoza added.

Modular learners’ parents or guardians obtain the students’ SLM and WHLP and pass the hard copy of the students’ output by going to the school, the schedule of which is sent via Facebook message. Since the COVID-19 virus is still on the rise, they are required to follow the minimum health protocols in doing so.

The SLMs are also available in the USB given to the beneficiaries of MariSci’s distribution of gadgets and flash drives to modular students and can also be accessed through the eLearning platform.

For the school year 2021-2022, modular learners submit their outputs mainly through online submission for the convenience and safety of parents and teachers.

Concurrently, Maria Mikaela Balmoris, Grade 12, said that she often has difficulties in keeping up with her classmates who are under the online modality because there are activities in some subjects that are not “modularfriendly.”

Another problem Balmoris stated was the lack of guidance saying, “Kasi may pasok ang aking nanay kaya magisa lang talaga ako mag-aral.”

Considering the pros and cons of the learning modality, Mendoza coped with the disadvantages of modular learning by shifting to blended learning, where she attends online synchronous sessions while still having access to the hard copies of their modules.

Similarly, Balmoris stated that she finds connecting with her teachers and online learning classmates helps her keep up with her lessons and activities.

Plight of Pedagogues “I often think if my students are genuinely learning through online teaching,” said Hazel Castro, the General Chemistry and General Physics teacher for Senior High School.

This was grounded on the absence of face-to-face interactions within the class, Castro cited how teachers cannot

Campus girl scouts bare initiatives to foster holistic wellness

By Kinichi Bajao

A

s a means of providing support to the community, the Marikina Science High School (MariSci) Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) bared their vision board for this school year in an interview with The Shoeland on December 5.

During the Brigada Eskwela 2021, the MariSci GSP launched the E-Connect Program, which their Overall Chief (OC), Gwyneth Baldevieso, contends that this aims to improve MariScians’ mental, emotional, and social well-being through interactive learning activities.

Baldevieso said, “Given the situation we have, our focus is to continuously provide dynamic and

interactive programs to reach out to the students of MariSci–especially to our members. We’ll be more active virtually and physically. We will continue to implement the MariSci E-Connect program to bridge the distance and differences of every MariScian.”

The OC stated that they would continue the E-Connect Program because of their “desire” to constantly interact with others.

“We’re planning to conduct a Christmas celebration and we’re planning na hindi lang siya para sa mga Girl Scouts. Io-open namin siya [for all] and gagamitin namin ‘yong MariSci E-Connect Program namin para maka-interact din kami with other MariScians,” she added.

Aside from the said program, Baldevieso stated that they would be organizing the Eight-Point Challenge

of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, publicizing at least one challenge per month.

This challenge will assist them in “unleashing, developing, and equipping” the skills of MariSci Girl Scouts to impact their family, school, and community.

“Yung mga activities na we will do doon [Eight-Point Challenge], hindi lang siya para sa aming mga Girl Scouts, pero para din magkaroon kami ng difference sa community namin, especially sa MariSci community,” Baldevieso remarked.

The main goal of the girl scouts’ programs is the development of the holistic wellness of all MariScians and equip them to deal with life’s challenges, especially during this time of the pandemic.

ensure what their students are actually doing during their discussions with only a few responses received in the chatbox.

Castro implements efforts to maximize student participation. She uses applications such as ClassPoint, Jamboard, and Kami in her classes to overcome the contradiction brought by distance learning.

Handling several classes with at least 40 students each, teachers are bombarded with workloads to keep track and aid in their learners’ progress.

“I would just hope I didn’t get as much work as I do now,” said Arvin Lark Santiago, the Grade 7 MAPEH teacher.

“I feel like I’m on overload. My brain feels like a browser with multiple tabs open,” Santiago added, reflecting on how having so much to think about all the time affected the quality of his work.

Santiago then emphasized the importance of working together with parents. Santiago said that at the start of going into distance learning, there was an increased effort in strengthening teacher-parent relationships essential to taking care of the well-being of the learners’ well-being.

In light of this, Espiritu said that the quarterly online Parent-Teacher Conferences is a good platform for parents like her to be aware of the state of their children in school.

Moving forward On the question on which they would choose between face-to-face and distance learning, both teachers and students said that they prefer face-toface learning.

For learners, it was on the basis of the learning quality one could experience with face-to-face learning, given that it provides the background needed to be motivated to study. Mrs. Flores supported this saying, “Based on my experience, iba pa rin talaga ang dulot ng face-to-face learning dahil hindi nalilimitahan ang kanilang mga gawain at pag-aaral.”

But due to the pandemic, there were some who chose distance learning for safety and convenience reasons. “Sa ngayon, distance learning pa rin muna para sa kaligtasan ng mga bata,” Mrs. Espiritu said.

For teachers, seeing their students was what urged them to want to resume the face-to-face classes. Castro justified this by saying that when one is already a seasoned teacher, the students’ understanding can be easily determined by their facial expressions and body language.

On another note, Nicolas said, “Okay naman na tayo sa distance learning. Kayang-kaya ninyo kasi kayo, as MariSci students, you are developed to become independent learners kaya ‘di kailangan ng marami sa inyo ang face-to-face [learning],” following her statement on the very limited number of students who will be allowed to participate in the partial face-to-face classes.

Salcedo said, however, that there are times when he relies on search engines such as Google in an attempt to understand some of the topics. “Mas gugustuhin kong sumailalim sa face-toface dahil sadyang nahihirapan talaga ako sa distance learning,” he stated.

Balmoris also highlighted that being in an environment built for learning is the prominent reason why, if given the choice, she would opt for face-to-face learning emphasizing, “[sa face-to-face learning] sabay-sabay ang pag-aaral at walang nahuhuli.”

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School September 2021-January 2022

sports 25

Game face mode:

Venturing through the Esports scene

By Marc Olata

T

hat ‘Victory’ screen which reveals itself for those who emerge as winners from an online match played in a video game is something that could possibly be met with varying emotions depending on the player’s circumstance. It’s a fleeting joy for those who play casually or a sense of achievement for those who climb ranked ladders.

For Lourdes Rose Anne “Rosie” Bosch and others like her who play competitively in the Esports scene, it’s the culmination of the dedication and hours of practice they put in to perform at their peak during their big games.

Since the start of the pandemic, panelists at the Consumer Technology Association’s annual technology and media trade show observed that the Esports industry “gained momentum.”

According to Matthew Ball, COVID-19 will have “permanently increased Esports’ overall economic and cultural trajectory. As a category, it has been popularized and legitimized in an unpredictable and profound way.”

One of those who were involved upon the beginning of the pandemic is Lourdes, a Grade 12 Senior High School student at Marikina Science High School and the team captain of AiM Invicta, an all-female Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) Esports team. She has been on the Esports scene of CODM for almost two years now and has achieved relative success, all the while having to balance her time between studies, practice, scrimmages, and tournaments.

Unexpected Beginnings Lourdes expressed that playing CODM competitively is not something she planned at all because the game was nothing more than a fun pastime for her and her friends.

“I downloaded it so that I could play with my classmates. I always liked games from that genre, so I got hooked almost immediately, and that’s where I started to play it regularly. Of course, I’m conscious of my rank in-game, so I would say that I put quite a lot more effort into that game than most people,” Lourdes said upon reminiscing her introduction to the game.

It paid off, as she was able to reach “Legendary”–the highest rank in-game in just almost three months after she started playing CODM. “I was very happy at first when I achieved that, but it really didn’t last long. I was only able to play the game with that much drive because of the ranked ladder, but I don’t really have any plans on becoming a top local or international player or any of that sort.”

She started to find other ways to enjoy the game, and one such way was to participate in tournaments. That’s what sparked her Esports journey as she began to join minor leagues set up for fun which she discovered from different

social media platforms. She gradually made her way up to the big leagues of Valkyrie and Liga Adarna, both allfemale tournaments.

Facing Challenges Lourdes is not a newbie when it comes to shooting down challenges brought by being a part of the CODM Esports scene.

“That game is my stress reliever and my source of stress—it’s only being amplified by the fact that I’m still a student right now,” she stated when asked to describe her relationship with the game.

She emphasized how difficult it was for her to balance her time between Esports and academics. There are times when it is unavoidable to make a choice between the two. She holds both in high regard as it’s not a choice for her to drop any of them, and when asked about which of the two was her top priority, her answer was: they interchange.

“My schedule definitely became a lot more breathable when online classes became the norm. Unlike traditional sports, our sport can thrive even in a virtual setting. I wouldn’t say that I like things to stay this way because playing together with your team in the same room is still a different vibe and is definitely more enjoyable.”

Things were also rough with her family because her parents were not supportive of her gaming endeavors at first. That’s because she had to spend a lot of time in the game, so her parents did not see that in a very positive light and are worried about their child’s academic performance.

“I was able to convince them, though, after showing them results from both the gaming and academic side.

They even began to worry about my schedule as they were aware that it’s tightly packed and kept reminding me to not overwork myself.”

Future Steps When talking about her future in the Esports scene, not just in CODM, but for any other possible game, Lourdes likes to keep it vague.

“As I said, doing gaming seriously isn’t really something I planned for.

Unfortunately, I think my Esports stint is just a fleeting thing, but who knows?”

She considered focusing on college for the following years. She expressed that playing competitively cannot really be done for a very long time unless someone has plans to become a professional and make it a full-time career.

“I really just want to enjoy this game while it’s still out there and going strong. I’ll think about other trivial stuff later. But in any case, Esports is really special to me, and I can definitely see myself being involved in it in the future, but not just in the same way as I am involved in it now, maybe making things happen outside the limelight, perhaps?”

Behind the feats

Cultivating the mindset of a warrior

By Maria Rodriguez

T

his was it, the closing minutes of a fierce competition: heart-slamming with a loud thump, sweat showering the body, eyes gazing like a hawk waiting for their prey’s next move.

Though heavily exhausted, one man continues to endure as he weaves through the field, taking a shot with a few minutes on the clock— Goal!

That was the height of Danielle Christian Peralta’s football career.

Unfortunately, the consequences of COVID-19 weighed upon him as he continued to impose several movements to battle the pandemic in an attempt to resume daily and sports activities.

That is how Danielle Peralta, 24, an athlete, a warrior, and a coach, became fully embodied in the present moment, his body bent forward and eyes straight ahead. Regardless of the pandemic surging throughout the country, Danielle proved that patience, fired up by passion and a steadfast heart, equips him with the capability of pushing against all odds that may come his way.

The Catalyst Peralta, currently working as a purchasing assistant at a transport equipment corporation, noted that he has been playing football ever since his high school days. According to him, sport is a source of joy, well-being, a connection of body, soul, and passion.

He narrated how playing the sport became the starting point in all aspects of his life. When he was in elementary, his height was an issue in playing basketball, so he tried football as a start-up game. Having lung issues and a weak constitution, he opted to train in strenuous physical sports to help his condition and build his self-confidence.

“I became an athlete by choice and by calling. I chose to be a football player because of my love of sports, and I think it was a calling because everything falls into perfect places and time when it comes to football. I didn’t have any difficulties in terms of training and equipment.” With that, Peralta fought through and strived harder for his career.

One of the major highlights in his career was representing the National Capital Region (NCR) during the Palarong Pambansa, along with individual honorary awards in his position. Through his experience, he

established a football club under the name “Y.E.N.O.H.” back in 2019.

capable,” he said.

Fierce Battles The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a considerable crisis for football, having matches suspended or canceled and training sessions postponed.

The virus made the football world dull because athletes were forced to train at 50% capacity.

“It is saddening that we can’t have training without friends and the whole squad. The moments that we are going to cherish after retirement will be fewer,” he lamented.

With athletic events throughout the country halted, teams and athletes alike have to adopt social withdrawal measures, affecting their state of well-being and routine. Nonetheless, Peralta puffed up his chest and reminded himself of his objective.

“My reason why I created this club is to help my former students and other street children to find their purpose in life—to get involved in sports, do what makes them happy and to be productive in life, instead of doing or involving in different crimes and making their lives miserable,” he said.

Now more than ever, someone has to keep the ball rolling. According to Peralta, football is not just about playing and kicking the ball but also bonding to strengthen the team’s communications, skills, relationships, and chemistry.

“I learned in this time of pandemic to always give your best and cherish every moment in training or in life because who knows? Maybe next day or next month, I am not an athlete anymore, or I cannot be able to play because I’m no longer

Charging Ahead Peralta also shared how his faith and trust in God helped him become the person he is today.

“As a coach, I always told my players to put God first in every situation and decision they will make — always give their best in training and in life. So that when the time comes, they will never have any regret that will haunt them throughout their life,” he stated.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining a training routine for physical health. Regular exercise helps boost and maintain immunity against viral infection.

In this regard, Danielle would not concede defeat in the face of this pandemic and continues to drive his stewards toward the end of the goal.

“For the next generation and aspiring players, [the] pandemic is just a minor problem. Moreover, the biggest problem we are facing right now is our own selves.

We need to overcome and address our own insecurities, mental health, and problems to build our self-confidence, and everything will follow.”

Boosting the morale of young athletes in this pandemic is an essential factor in cultivating the mindset of fighting through internal battles at all times, embracing hardships as marvelous learning experiences.

“Young, the years never show!

Enchant, for enchant you will. Noteworthy, just like your achievement. Orderly, a lifelong passion. Hopeful, as you see the bright side of things.” That is “Y.E.N.O.H.,” and this is the warrior’s stance of charging into the present.

Danielle Peralta, a 24-yearold athlete, and coach overcame being behind the eight ball to finally score a goal in his football career through his perseverance, faith, consistency, and hardwork. | Caption by Bea Salvador, Photo courtesy of Danielle Peralta

26 sports

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

IN PREPARATION for the Division Palaro 2019, MariSci Table Tennis Team estimatedly trains for about four to seven hours each day on weeks before the event. They were aiming for the 2020 Palarong Pambansa which was supposed to take place Marikina City until the pandemic happened.

Waning state of school sports:

Toll of pandemic on student-athletes

By Sean Ingalla

A

t the onset of the pandemic, the athletes of Marikina Science High School (MariSci) who used to fill the bustling grounds of the institution as their training avenues were forced to settle in a slump as mobility was massively restricted, halting the physical operations of students in schools.

The Philippine Sports Commission, in their announcement dated April 19, 2020, declared the cancellation of sporting events in compliance with government directives. The following programs were discontinued: Palarong Pambansa in Marikina, the Philippine National Games, and the ASEAN Para Games.

“Social and physical distancing measures, lockdowns of businesses, schools and overall social life, which have become commonplace to curtail the spread of the disease, have also disrupted many regular aspects of life, including sport and physical activity,” United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs stated.

Due to these conditions, sports teams in MariSci had to deal with an entire school year’s worth of suspension of athletic activities, “diminishing everyone’s overall performance for the game,” as Hanzo Castillo, a member of the MariSci table tennis team, expressed.

Altered dynamics Before the closure of schools, the MariSci volleyball team—consistent in joining District and Division Schools Athletic Team—took on the very intensive process of training.

“The drills that each player would focus on depend[ing] on their specialty and position, and drills that would promote the group’s teamwork are also often done to improve the synergy within the team,” Marina Romero, a member of the MariSci volleyball team, recalled.

As a result of the pandemic, Lance Eyana, another member of the MariSci volleyball team, noted the “impossibility” of training as a team, as affirmed by his teammate Phoebe Heart Comboy who lamented their inability to play together.

The same sentiment was reflected

by Castillo, remarking that it was hard on them because “not training for a week can diminish your performance, let alone one or more years.”

Such was the case for the institution’s basketball team, who used to compete in the District Meet, as Jason Angeles, a member of the said team, stated how most of their interactions now are limited within the online set-up.

“The pandemic changed our routines and our weekly training. We were not able to join competitions and other various activities,” decried Adrian Casayuran, a member of the school’s football team.

Training grounds All of the teams disclosed that the majority of their training sessions were conducted outside the school premises during the times when they were not in the MariSci grounds, either collaborating with teams from the other schools or renting courts due to the lack of spaces and facilities in the school.

Romero said that the volleyball team would rent courts, and during the off-season, they would “invite other teams and play with them to gain more experience and see which areas need more improvement.”

Castillo cited some of the following

places they go to in order to train: Marikina Sports Complex, Provident Table Tennis Club, Santolan Table Tennis Club, and Semicon.

“We normally workout three to five times per week in Marikina Sports [Complex] and occasionally in the UP Sunken Garden,” Casayuran revealed.

In an announcement by Mayor Marcelino Teodoro in February 2021, the Marikina Sports Complex was used as the place for the Marikina City Mega Vaccination Facility with 10 vaccination stations capable of accommodating 10,000 people on a daily basis.

With the closure of schools, limited access to facilities, and restrictions on gatherings, the athletes have found themselves in an extremely challenging position to continue their athletic endeavors.

“As an individual, I found it difficult to maintain my personal health and practice drills at home due to the lack of space and equipment to conduct them,” Romero said.

On the other hand, Angeles said that they had ceased training since the quarantine, sharing that some of the members’ interests shifted—including him, who was inclined to engage in biking as his means of staying active.

Resumption to Normal In the same report by the UN DESA, they said that in the medium term, there may be a need to “take measures to support participation in sporting organizations, particularly for youth sports.”

Comboy found it necessary to allow the selected opening of training facilities and resumption of training so that their well-being can be maintained.

“I think that it is important to improve the skills of every athlete in each school,” Eyana asserted, and added that other mechanisms must be explored to “preserve the talents and the skills of athletes, and become their

building blocks to reach their dreams in playing professionally or even for the country.”

In the seventh section of the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2021 by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health, it was stated that schools shall be prohibited “to conduct physical or face-to-face large gatherings and activities that will require close contact or where physical distancing may not be possible” which includes sports festivals.

As part of DepEd’s attempt to continue their sports development in remote learning, they conducted their Virtual Sports Skills Demonstration Contest in 2021 which featured studentathlete’s skills through some of the following demonstrations: synchronized kicking for taekwondo, dribbling drills for basketball, routine for rhythmic or aerobic gymnastics, and dance performance for dancesport.

Locating alternatives “Workout sessions via Zoom meetings were used to train and keep in touch during the pandemic, and when the number of cases was not alarming or low, we would usually meet up and play and bond with each other to keep the team spirit positive,” Casayuran shared.

As for the volleyball team, Eyana said that whenever the situation is deemed safe, they meet up to play casually while following protocols, although not as formal training.

Romero affirmed this, expounding that they still make sure to check up on each other and remain in contact throughout the pandemic.

MARISCIAN ATHLETES for table tennis and volleyball proudly represents the school in Palaro events during the pre-pandemic times.

DRIVING FORCE. George Gio Brondial, 25, is a competitive cyclist and duathlon athlete from Daraga, Albay. He has never imagined that his passion for competitive cycling would fire up in the middle of pandemic | Caption By Caleb Pacleta, Photo by Gio Brondial

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School

September 2021-January 2022

sports 27

Braving every ahon and lusong: A Bicolano cyclist’s trailblazing journey amid pandemic

By Marielle Orbong

L

ording over obstacles is undoubtedly one of the greatest feats someone could ever experience. However, behind any accomplishments lies a bumpy trail filled with highs and lows. Before someone can finish the race on a high note, facing one’s weaknesses will be part of the process, and strengthening oneself is a vital key for that development.

Just like how athletes hone their minds and bodies to achieve progress and overcome challenges, partaking in sports competitions entails a strong commitment since many training sessions can be exhausting at times.

Although the training process may differ depending on the sports category, one thing is certain: they all share a similar goal to do their utmost best and unleash the fruits of their labor in the competition.

This is the same circumstance for George Gio Brondial, 24, a determined Bicolano cyclist who keeps pushing on with every pedal stroke packed with dedication. Whenever he cycles, his gaze is locked on the roadway, gearing up for what lies ahead, his mind ready to confront any roadblocks.

Starting a New Adventure Brondial is a decorated cyclist.

He ranked sixth at the 1st Mayor Jun Aguas Off-Road Duathlon, 13th placer in Brgy. San Esteban Duathlon Challenge (Road Bike Category) held in Nabua, Camarines Sur, and 16th place in the first F7T Cycling Team King of the Mountain Tune Up Race in Casiguran, Sorsogon.

Aside from being a competitive cyclist, Brondial also works as a Photo Correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and a drummer for a local band. Despite being engaged in numerous activities, he managed to do them all efficiently. As the pandemic emerged, a fresh beginning awaited him.

He never thought that his passion for cycling would ignite in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite having a family background of cyclists, he said that it took years before his interest in cycling blossomed.

Brondial said that cyclists who just began cycling amid the pandemic, like himself, are usually referred to as “pandemic cyclists.”

“The pandemic opened doors that led to the path of cycling and created an opportunity for us to explore that sport even further,” he said.

Opening a new chapter in life is not easy at first. Before he became a cyclist, he exerted a lot of effort. He needed to consider all potential impediments and be prepared to make adjustments in his daily life.

He revealed that one of the obstacles he encountered was his schedule. This became a factor that he took into account before focusing on cycling since Brondial needed to organize his time, particularly when he has a hectic schedule but he still wants to cycle and go on long rides.

“If cycling is merely going to be a pastime for you, you may only do it on weekends or when you have spare time.

However, if you are really determined to improve your strength and endurance, you must invest your time in training and solely focus on your goal,” Brondial said.

Moreover, Brondial also met some accidents in the said sports which caused him serious injuries.

“Pinakamalala yung fractured clavicle ko dahil sa semplang habang nageensayo sa cross country race.”

“Dapat focus lagi sa kalsada and clear ang isip ‘pag nagbabike.

Respetuhin ang batas-trapiko ganun din ang mga kapwa siklista at ibang motorista sa kalsada,” he advised.

Kindling the Gleaming Vigor Brondial described how his father and other cyclist companions pushed him to pedal as he was captivated

by their strength and determination.

Having a supportive family played a vital role in his development as a cyclist.

Although some of his friends are concerned about him and advised him not to devote too much time cycling, he insists that he will continue to pedal as long as he is healthy. Despite having been involved in a number of accidents, he never allows these events to discourage him. He kept on training until he became strong enough to compete in cycling contests.

“The first time I entered a cycling competition provided me with both delight and fulfillment since it allowed me to test my own abilities and limitations. As a cyclist, races and competitions are good ways to see the result of my training and hard work,” he narrated.

Developing a Strong Conqueror Before facing another journey, he always makes sure that his body is well-prepared. He said that some of the preparations include proper nutrition and hydration. Having enough sleep is also important, especially when he will have a long ride because lack of sleep easily makes one tired.

“Whenever I feel that cycling is tough and exhausting, I consistently motivate myself to continue to push forward,” he said, keeping in mind that if he does not pedal, he will not arrive at the place he wanted to go.

Brondial added that facing his limitations gives him motivation as well. As a cyclist, the road he follows is not always direct and simple. There may be barriers from time to time, but for him, acknowledging flaws helped identify what needs to be improved, and as his abilities continue to be developed, he is able to conquer them with courage. From all the experiences he encountered, he realized that the greatest opponent who will encourage you to progress will always be yourself.

Philippines ends 97-year drought for Olympic gold Seals Tokyo 2020 as top-performing ASEAN team

By Angel Cabungcal

T

he universe has already listened to a stubborn heart.

After 97 years of trying and failing to reach the top plum, the Philippine National Team has finally clinched the elusive gold medal along with two silvers and one bronze at the Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, last July 2021.

The quadrennial event sparked a glimmer of hope for the Philippine National Team as Hidilyn Diaz, the national team’s silver medalist from the last Rio Olympics, made history as the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal.

Having a neck-to-neck battle against the world champion Liao Qiuyun of China, Diaz prevailed, lifting a total of 224 kg in the women’s 55 kg category in weightlifting. The Philippine Boxing Team joined her as three athletes also ended with a podium finish.

Nesthy Petecio, an amateur boxer from Davao del Sur, broke stereotypes for being the first Filipina to win an Olympic medal in boxing in the inaugural women's featherweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics—settling for silver against the Japanese Serene Irie.

Petecio, along with Carlo Paalam, who ranked 12th on the men’s flyweight division of the Amateur International Boxing Association Rankings as of April

2021, bagged the silver medal from the event.

Eumir Marcial, 2015 SEA Games gold medalist, sealed his semi-finals ticket by knocking out Armenian Arman Drachinyan. Marcial eventually secured the bronze in the middleweight division—a first since 1992.

The Philippine team brought home a total of four medals, making it the most wins the country has acquired from an Olympic event thus far.

Along with the title and recognition, the athletes also received monetary grants and sponsorships from both the government and several private institutions.

Meanwhile, the Philippines, by the virtue of gaining more silver medals, edged out Indonesia with more medals at five. Thailand landed at third with one gold and one bronze.

With the National Team’s outstanding performance, the Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez is hoping that the country will be able to sustain its performance for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Philippines’ haul of medals in Japan is the country’s best performance in Olympic history, surpassing the three bronze medals that it has snatched in the 1932 Los Angeles Games.

September 2021-January 2022

OPINION

Pedagogical Enslavement of Online Learning

By Sean Ingalla | Art by Jennica Mogan

W

e’ve been conditioned to think that the pandemic has been an equalizer, lulling us with the notion that we are in the same boat. I beg to differ.

If anything, the onslaught of this crisis punctuated the massive disparity that pervades social spheres.

It magnified the glaring reality that although we are in the same ocean, we are threading through it in different levels — some with fewer resources at their disposal, while there are also those whose materials can barely keep up with the raging tides.

As economic woes exacerbate, social upheavals persist to burgeon, and unrest surrounds the nation, we have to navigate the new setup of education that has heightened the alienating conditions of suffering.

While I concede that learning must never stop, one also has to pose the questions: what kind of learning will be established, and how will this ground itself in current conditions to also enact its resolution? What types of support will be provided to ensure that it will mold criticality rather than push for further isolation?

Looking in front of my screen while my internet halts, my device lags, and the people in my background express their anxiety about many of my relatives acquiring the virus, a realization dawned upon me: we are drowning, and some already did.

Inaccessibility has been a huge hindrance in the youth’s realization of their right to education, especially amid distance learning. We are no foreigners to the infuriating problem of Wi-Fi connection in the Philippines, in addition to the lack of available gadgets for everyone. Albeit the option for online and modular learning were present, even the latter has been a bane in ensuring that the students could actually learn. A survey conducted by Movement for Safe, Equitable, Quality, and Relevant Education revealed that 53% of the students who responded are unsure if they can learn the competencies set by the Department of Education (DepEd) for their grade level under distance learning.

DepEd also finds itself greatly struggling in terms of promulgating policies that are derived from the plights of those being left behind. As more crises ravage the land—with typhoons striking, ravenous stomachs rumbling, and one’s health hanging precariously—the measures that will supposedly “ease” the conditions of the stakeholders remain to be discarded as mere suggestions, evading the need to mandate consultative efforts for pro-student policymaking.

Advancing a subjugating pedagogy, both the students and teachers alike had to meander aimlessly as the waves violently crashed against us. This, however, is not new. Distance learning merely aggravated problems that have long been ingrained in the educational system. Thus, tracing it is a requisite in illustrating its complete picture.

First, it must be established: just as we cannot understand our existence as students without scrutinizing how societal structures influence our situations, the same could be emphasized in the entire educational system that does not exist in a vacuum. Louise Althusser would refer to this as an Ideological State Apparatus, an institution that propagates ideologies that reproduce exploitative conditions in society.

Since the inception of public education in the Philippines brought by the American occupation, their goal has been — as articulated by Renato Constantino — to inculcate the most effective means of subjugating Filipinos by capturing their minds molding them as subservient little Americans. He added, “They [Americans] had to employ all means to pacify a people whose hopes for independence were being frustrated by the presence of another conqueror.” Monroe Survey Report affirmed this, criticizing that our policies ever since have been reflective of fulfilling American domination in the country. Further, Austin and Josephine Craig remarked, “Since 1922, the policy and practice of the American-controlled Bureau of Education have been— in the primary courses where the Filipino children are in the greatest number and most susceptible to influence—to postpone and minimize reference to Philippine ideals, heroes and history.”

With the Philippines incessantly dwindling to economic crises, widespread poverty remains a problem due to our historical class oppression. Even after independence, critics such as the late Filipino statesman Claro M. Recto pins the blame on what he refers to as our mendicant foreign policies. Ensuring our continuous dependence, Vladimir Lenin’s model of imperialism tied with Kwame Nkruma’s notion of neocolonialism asserted itself as the country’s dominant form.

Therefore, the reproduction of detached subservient ideologies oriented to the ruling class ensures the reproduction of these exploitative conditions.

Such is the case until today!

While we have to go through the many hurdles that the continuing pandemic imposes upon us, the current model of education is oriented to sever our concrete conditions further. Do we complain too much? Perhaps!

But these grievances are rooted in material injustice that cultivates us as machines to continue churning outputs while the world crumbles.

How is this historicization necessitated in understanding our current disposition and frustrations?

Policies in education that existed and still shape current decisions are aligned to treat institutions as businesses — which is what Levidow referred to as marketization — that merely produce as many cheap laborers it can for the pursuit of

“providing the manpower required by foreign investors and their local partners,” as Letizia R. Constantino wrote.

What is needed is a radical reassessment of the entire educational system, of attuning it to the community’s needs at a certain point in time. It is of paramount vitality to treat students and teachers not as reproducers of the status quo but as active agents of change who will engage in, as Paulo Freire described, “an authentic encounter between people mediated by the world to name the world.”

I say, let us learn. But not how we can submerge our consciousness in enslavement, but in its genuine emergence instead! Not merely how we can proceed to sail through the same tides with our tarnished boats, but we must be allowed to band together in liberating dialogic action to question why these different materials existed, to begin with, and what we can do to improve them at a time when we are already feeling its repercussions.

While we are hunched in our seats, burdened by this setup that advances the detachment of methods from our existing cultural capital, I had to drawback for a while as the sounds from my earphones merely buzz in my zoned-out condition. Our material world, the language and platform by which we converge, and our struggles in this society - how are all these encapsulated in the current mode of learning as part of a larger apparatus?

We can be resilient or struggle to create conditions that no longer predicate being strong to justify suffering. There is a necessity to dissect why “business as usual” is always pushed during these times of crisis. After all, what do you call someone who uses the same formula for problems despite proving that it does nothing to vanquish it? I’ll leave you to answer it.

At the end of the day, I’m still stuck in front of my screen, my internet fluctuating as my device lags. But I’m not alone because on the other side of this are also students and teachers dealing with their share of suffering at different intensities, with all tributaries stemming from one source. The challenge is left to us now: what do we do with this knowledge regarding the roots of our discontent and the fact that we are not alone? Do we let this persist, or do we translate education in its level of praxis and assert change through our collective undertaking?

Imprinting Trails Towards the Freeing Truth

Vol. XXII, Iss. 1

“

We can be resilient or struggle to create conditions that no longer predicate being strong to justify suffering. There is a necessity to dissect why “business as usual” is always pushed during these times of crisis.

“

The Official Student Publication of Marikina Science High School