The Ripples Magazine Vol. XV: MCRSCPC

M C R S C P C

ABOUT THE COVER Recall the first time.

That moment an acquaintance is tranformed from just an imagined image to a living spectacle, the eyes dilate, unable to comprehend the vastness contained within a body.

Like witnessing the break of dawn, your eyes can’t avoid the gleams which burst with the most intesity. It captures your vision that the rest blurs into oblivion. These focus points turn into bookmarks of the life you are about to unfold.

And in a poetic light, these fragments blossom into lush verses. From just mere parts of a warm body, they turn into poetry: her hair turns into the night sky, the lips become glistening rubies, her complexion is the sparkling sea.

She is the glimpse which makes up the whole of that living, breathing composition.

M OD EL Zabiel Nemenzo ART DIRECTION Nikki Joy Biasong PHOTOGRAPHY Daniel Ella Guillema CONCEPT AND ART Adrian Daniel Alvarado & Kaeza Braca

EDITOR’S NOTE In spite of being the most powerful pair of lenses, our eyes can only focus on a fraction of the entire field of vision, and can only catch an excerpt of a quick sequence. Additionally, the human mind only depicts particular angles, both consequential and expendable, from our own handpicked atmospheres. Leaving us with our personal prime perspective, indulging us with nothing but the things we chose to espy— leaving the entirety behind.

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With such restrictions to our perception, how much of the world are we missing?

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Paul Clemente

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From someone with visual impairment, I suggest you observe life not only with your lenses, for there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.

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This magazine issue aims not to belittle certain subjects, but instead, will serve as the magnifier for the unnoticeable-yet-essential members which make up the sum of our engineered environments. Microscopic is not only an invitation to observe the infinitesimal, but will also serve as a challenge to focus on the least and unnoticed, howbeit, indispensable fragments of our reality.

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CALL OUT

06 / THERIPPLES

FROM BLACKBOARD TO BALLOT BOXES “It slowly disperses into the blackness as it transforms into a shaded circle on a ballot paper.”

WORDS Leyanne Dean Ortega ARTWORK Lou Maniego A school is a place that is all about widening knowledge and absorbing life’s truth established from a young age that all starts in a little world we call ‘classroom’. Each student in it portrays different societies in accord with their beliefs and traditions. Officers are established in each classroom to tie these students together. But before attaining these ‘classroom officers’, an election has to take place. The teacher enters the room to start the recording and election of the new set of classroom officers, a pair of students start to discuss the said election way back of the classroom. “I want them to win this because they’re fun! I’m sure they’ll lead the class’ enjoyment”, a student exclaimed as he runs his fingers through his hair, the student we know as Alex. “I don’t think just because they’re fun we have to nominate them. We need to vote like the whole country depends on it”, Alex’s seatmate objected as he adjusts his glasses, looking intellectual and whom we know as Ben. “This is just a classroom election, it’s a plaything”, Alex groans as Ben has interrupted, “A classroom indeed, but it’s our stepping stone of choosing right leaders outside the classroom”. The deba- conversation only last as the teacher spoke, “The nomination for classroom officers is now open”, and so the students responsible in keeping the class in tranquillity - or should we say, to shut their non-stop raging machine gun mouths in a teacher’s absence – has begun. A student raised a hand then, ready to state their piece of whoever is worthy of the following positions:

of a mischievous carry out for the school year; to place a classmate into this standpoint. “I nominate them because: ‘They’re popular’, ‘They’re very talkative and competent’, ‘They’re last year’s Class Mayor’, ‘They’re the teacher’s favorite’, or just because ‘They’re a child of a teacher’,” as the basis of who will be the Mayor.

“The floor is now open for nomination for MAYOR”

-These types of politicians were those who don’t publicize their accomplishments. As soon as they won, the immediately rip off the mess of the election and

Although just for fun, that’s the start

-These set of ideas eases a politician knowing they’ll win since not only their names are plastered on street walls but also to the people’s minds by advertising themselves as the ‘King of a particular talent’, that every time people hear the song, budots for example, they’ll remember the politician themselves. Also having a family or someone with the same last name as the running politician in the government can be the alluring red button for a person to decide who to vote.

“The floor is now open for nomination for VICE MAYOR” Nobody wanted to become someone else’s second choice; unless you’re emotionally a masochist. Especially in today’s generation, being a priority is kind of a big deal, like a competition.

Unluckily for a Vice Mayor, not only they’re nominated just because they’re the elected mayor’s friend – or worst, the rival; but because they lost on the Mayor’s election. So they are and are titled as ‘The classroom’s second choice’. Since they’re only needed and are functioning in the Mayor’s absence; the national substitute.

start planning or working on their next project. People overlook them and think they’re a bunch of lazy bums. Seriously, the news doesn’t have to be their diary to report their daily tasks. Even without credit, they’re proficient and capable of their job.

“The floor is now open for nomination for SECRETARY” “Wow! What a lovely handwriting, you’re fit for the secretary position”, “Have you ever been sick? Because you never skipped classes”, or “You always do your job neatly”, are the usual phrases heard from students when they’re planning ahead of who will be the class’ secretary. Technically, secretaries were programmed to become the classroom’s recorder. They manage the class smoothly by recording the attendance, writing notes for those who were absent and giving it to them. Honestly speaking...

I mean writing, secretaries might be known as someone in a position lower than the Mayor yet they perform more works compare to the Mayors.

- Their positions are often lower than what they do; they do MORE. These are politicians who led goodness into the country, they’re who we consider as heroes without capes. May it be in serving in terms of medical missions or cleaning crimes, when they’re offstage of being heroes, they’re often seen as humble citizens roaming around the city despite being in upper classes. Like a rich orphan who goes vigilant when the moon rises. But who knows behind the mask might be a person who uses influence for their plans that is as dark as the night.

NOVEMBER2019 / 07

Running away from their political responsibilities is what these politicians are good at. It may be that they’re politicians who never graduated Law. Only because of their social exposure and power, winning the election is just a piece of cake for these people. Also, they’re simply much more of an entertainer for being good at campaigning. They’re like... wait, I’m running out of words in explaining all of these, I need a glass of water, but oh no, I ran out of water and this is problematic, we need to establish a ‘Department of Water’.

“We will now move to a vote. All those in favor, please raise your hands.”

“The floor is now open for nomination for TREASURER” Did you hear that? “Ka-ching” whoa that’s a lot of money they have there and they’re applicable as the class’ treasurer.

They are people whom the class runs to when in need of cash. Props for an intersection competition? Check. Christmas decorations? Check. Gift for the teacher on teacher’s day? Check. Funds for a farewell outing? Check. Daily allowance – go ask your parents.

We all know that politicians have rolls of bills that they use in campaigning.

Do you think they would take the risk of spending buckets of hard cash for a position with nothing in return? It is business, baby. In entering the government, you’ll earn money twice, thrice or quadruple of money you spent. Don’t even think about it, I’m not advertising.

“The floor is now open for nomination for PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (P.I.O)” “Ding!” notification pop up, oh look it’s a reminder that the project’s deadline is tomorrow. Oopsie, P.I.O.’s weren’t a calm and peaceful people in the first place and more oopsies, they were not peace officers to shut you up. They’re usually

voted since these keyboard warriors are always online. Those being active is just how talkative they are in real life. Sometimes, their mouths go rat-a-tat-tat and badly need to have their lips sealed.

Social media is so easy to penetrate that this becomes the bombarding zone during elections. It is used to gain fame, especially Facebook since Filipinos are known as top users of it. Also, one way to shoot up high is making memes of these politicians. It may be hilarious of course, but after they won there’d be no crying in laughter but in regret and wonder where all those promises go and why they’re not working on it.

“The floor is now open for nomination for BUSINESS MANAGERS, SERGEANT AT ARMS, MUSE, and ESCORT” These are a bunch of just for fun officers. Business managers for the richest kid – or the second richest kid after the elected treasure- and the most silent kid for sergeant at arms. For an escort, it’s the most err guy in class paired with the most beautiful girl for the muse. When it comes to doing what they’re supposed to do as officers, they’re nowhere to be found.

The chalk screeches across as it leaves white lines and sliding down to write the winners’ names on the blackboard, it slowly disperses into the blackness as it transforms into a shaded circle on a ballot paper. The paper is then drop in a ballot box that will later be counted to determine the next leaders of the country. As we grow older, we tend to face situations that we usually learn from school. The election last May 2019 has not met our expectations. People who voted mostly are not committed enough for the refinement we desire. Not to mention that some Filipinos lack the required knowledge needed in terms of politics and laws. We can not deny the fact that there are still numerous illiterate and unconscious Filipinos. That’s because when an election took place in the classroom, they consider it as a game or a prank than thinking of its consequences, that they carried this thought until adulthood.

Schools should influence students and let them politically be involved more to become socially aware of what will happen the moment they step outside the classroom – not literally. Their knowledge and social awareness can change the future of our country in terms of politics, starting from an election on the blackboard into a ballot box. The world is not a playground, innocent lives are on the hands of the leaders we choose.

Nobody wants another blood splattered on the roads because of a crime they didn’t do or have their money robbed by immoral politicians. Always remember the phrase “Vote wisely” from where you are now, end this negative and callous act in our culture because our country’s future starts in you.

08 / THERIPPLES bababad sa maalinsangang klima ay dapat sapat na? Kalabisan ba ang maghangad ng hihigit pa sa hawak hawak nang biyaya? Teka muna, bago ang sagot diyan. Maghanda ng kinakailangan upang makamit ang minimithi. Saging, asukal, mantika’t kawali.

SINSILYO

WORDS Angelica B. Caceres

ARTWORK Shem Maravilla

“Bakit ang patuloy na pagsang-ayon sa barya barya kapalit ng buong araw na pagbababad sa maalinsangang klima ay dapat sapat na?”

Ang buhay sa Pilipinas ay isang malaking kawali na may kumukulong mantika. Ito ay isa sa hindi maiwasang katotohan sa kadahilanang sadyang mainit talaga. Tayong mga mamamayang Pilipino ay mala-saging na binabalot sa matatamis na pangako ng pagbabago. Halika, upo tayo. Pag-usapan natin ang meryendang aking ihahain sa araw na ito.

Isa sa madaling pagkakitaan ang paglalako. Kikiam, lumpia, balut, sorbetes at taho. Karamihan pa nga ay walang binabayarang buwis. Sole proprietorship kung tawagin. Literal na kahulugan ay isahang pagmamay-ari.

Kawalan ng trabaho ay umiigsi.

Ang sinsilyong kinikita ay direktang naisasabulsa ng walang kahati. Ngunit kasahulan ay mabagal na pag-unlad, limitasyon sa puhunan at limitado sa pangnegosyong kaalaman kung kaya’t pagkalugi ay possible at hindi maiiwasan.

Iilang henerasyon na ang nakalipas.

Iilan na rin ang kakaning nailako.

Ngunit sa dinami-rami ng mga ibinalot, naiprito at binudburan ay iisa lamang ito sa patuloy na binabalik-balikan.

Ating himay-himayin, kung bakit ang patuloy na pagsang-ayon sa barya barya kapalit ng buong araw na pag-

Dapat laging handa, ngayon tayo’y magsimula. Una, balatan ang saging. Kita ang galing sipag at tyagang ating inaangkin. Na kahit sa anumang sakuna, sinakop man ng banyaga, kalooblooban nati’y Pilipinong tunay at kahanga-hanga. Huwag kalimutan ligpitin, mga balat ng saging. Mañana habit iyan ang ipinaliwanag na kinagawian natin. Liban sa kagandahang asal ay tamad daw kasi tayo. Hilig sa ‘di gaanong mahirap na trabaho pero gusto na malaki ang sweldo. Pangatlo, isalang ang mga saging sa mantikang kumukulo.

Kayod kalabaw araw-araw, hindi rin naman pala tiyak kung sa tunay na kaginhawaan lahat ng ito patungo.

Ibuhos ang asukal na pula. Bahala na, ipagpaliban na lang muna.

Huwag na mag-ipon, hindi naman uso iyan ngayon. Sunod ay ituhog ang saging sa manipis na kawayan.

Kung pagbabagong tunay ang habol dapat ay walang ayawan. Nawa’y tumatatak din ang bawat pangaral kahit na nakakarindi, tila walang katapusan.

Kay tagal din ang ating pagkabilanggo sa matatamis na pagbabalatkayo. Simulan na upang ituwid ang sistemang tabingi. Hindi sagot ang umasa sa positibong pananaw na lang palagi. Sa pamamahalang demokratiko, ang karapatan ay nasa tao. Pagkilos ang kinakailangan. May kapangyarihan tayo!

Bago maisakatupuran ang lahat ng iyan ay palamigin muna natin ang pakikipagbangayan. Ihipan ang saging hanggang sa pwede na nating pagsaluhan. Makitid man ang daan, bawat pasya ay dapat kritikal na pinag-iisipan. Huwag padalos-dalos, makakaabot ka rin diyan.

Kuha mo na ba ang aking pahiwatig? Ang suliranin, sa ating sarili nakalakip. Hawak natin ang apoy sa mitsa ng pagbabagong ating hangad.

Simulan at ipagpatuloy, paniguradong magbubunga rin ito agad. Sa ngayon ay handa na ang banana que. Sabayan mo na ng panulak upang mabusog ka pang lalo. Huwag kalimutan ang iyong sukli, balik ka sa susunod suki. Paalam na muna.

Hanggang sa susunod nating tuhog pang-meryenda.

NOVEMBER2019 / 09

O I L AND H O L Y W A T E R WORDS Rachel Lamayo ARTWORK Zyndie Love Montuya

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!”

Psalm 133:1-2 Faith is one of the many things that play an integral part in our daily lives, one that fuels our spiritual growth as human beings. With that, we are endowed with the freedom of taking part in various religions and beliefs brought forth to us from generations ago. From Roman Catholicism to Islam, the list goes on; in fact, there are roughly

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over 5,000 religions all over the world.

However, as a Christian nation, Roman Catholicism is the most predominant religion in the country, with various influential religious activities that even non-Catholics are aware of, even more with the spreading growth of Catholic institutions. But what about the other non-Catholics such as the Protestants and Muslims? More often than not, very little is known of them- except for our shallow knowledge, including the trivial stereotypes that we associate them with.

Like many other Catholic schools, one of LCC’s goal is to bring about holistic transformation in every student by administering religious activities- from celebrations of several patron saints to conducting regular departmental and institutional masses. Despite being a

Catholic institution, it can’t be denied that the population of students of different religions within the school are increasing every year. Moreover, it’s quite rare for any student to express the view that religion is a normal topic of conversation, as religion isn’t something you talk about normally in the hallways. In a Catholic community, how do these students blend in among the crowd and stay completely invisible from our sight? What do we really know about they believe in? It was very rare for any student to express the view that religion was a normal topic of conversation. As one student said, “Religion isn’t something you talk about normally in the hallways.” It was very rare for any student to express the view that religion was a normal topic of conversation. As one student said, “Religion isn’t something you talk about normally in the hallways.”

Faith is one of the many things that play an integral part in our daily lives, one that fuels our spiritual growth as human beings.

Practice makes Perfect

While there are other people of religions with fixed doctrines and practices, there are also those who believe otherwise and that’s where Jhoner, a non-practicing Christian comes in. “Technically, I’m a Christian. But I do not conform to the traditional ways of the Church —in other words, a non-practicing Christian.”

“Since we Filipinos were generally indoctrinated by Spain with Catholicism, I think the essence of actually going to church is trampled upon by our traditions and family values. It’s like we’re only part of that certain religion because it had already been handed down to our parents or grandparents.

Because of that, our spiritual growth eventually becomes influenced instead of being instilled to us internally, consciously.” Which demands to answer

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the question: Do these practices fueled by our ever-burning passion really please God?

heaven,’ in that way, they’re trying to convert the idea of love to fear, so it’s not done out of willingness anymore.”

“I’m not affected by the school’s religious activities at all. No matter what religion anyone has, if I respect them, they should also respect me. I respect what’s yours; you respect what’s mine.

It’s simple as that.”

The presence of hypocrites in the church shouldn’t come out as a surprise. Anyone should at least know one or two -hopefully not including yourself- in their life. “The reason why I’m not into going to church anymore is the fear that I might become a hypocrite myself —repeating the cycle of honoring God at church and continuously indulging in wickedness. I don’t like playing with my faith, it’s like you’re fooling around with God. If that would be the case then it’s better to not commit at all, right? The problem with a lot of Christians is, if you go too far into it, sometimes you would forget about reality—what it’s like to be a human.

You’re a Christian indeed, but you’re not humane. You have lost the sense of being a real human person; if that’s the case would you still call yourself a Christian?”

As you grow up your beliefs change, you understand things that you didn’t before. And that’s how I came to realize everything. It occurred to me to ask myself: Was I really going to Church for Christ or only for the hype, because it’s fun with friends?”. I believed that you had to be a part of these norms, and my innocence as a child was the gateway to that influence.“Sometimes knowing God comes from mysterious ways, and sometimes, you don’t come to know him inside the Church, but outside, too. I think that most people only go to church because they’re afraid that if they don’t, they’ll never get to ‘enter

10 / THERIPPLES Born to be Born-Again The Born-Agains are one of the many populations that comprise the student community.

“Being a Born-Again Christian is not a religion itself,” says Jacquiline a devout BornAgain, “It’s a way of life, to be bonded with Christ.” Usually, they are more inclined to discipleship, a process of leading others by example to follow Jesus Christ through obedience to God’s word and the leading of His Holy Spirit; and curricular activities, especially of the youth ministry.

In conforming to the religious activities mandated by the school, most of the time, it is compulsory for the students to attend these activities. She expresses her sentiment: “You don’t go to Church just for your attendance to be checked, you go to Church because of the essence, because you want to please God and not the people there.

And you certainly don’t use a student’s

Back to the Ancient Paths The Baptists are the traditional Christians and one of the well-known denominations. “There’s a big similarity between Baptists and Born-Again’s, they have the same context, but the traditions and activities are different.”

Rowel, a full-fledged Baptist and son of a pastor, support this with an explanation of the concepts and contrast between the two, “Both come from the same faith: Protestantism, a Christian movement wherein the Christians broke away from Roman Catholicism.

Born-agains are more liberated with their methods of worship. Baptists, on the other hand, are more of the oldschool or traditional type. But both basically have the same belief system; the only difference really is the activities and traditions.”

“Generally, all of us that aren’t Roman Catholics are called Protestants,

It’s More Fun with Mormons The Mormons are one of the many religious groups that belong to the Protestants. Naomi, a Mormon, and a graduate of LCC shared her experiences. “My religion is

grades as an “ultimatum” for them to attend masses.” This is in regard to the teaching of RVE classes in which students are required to attend masses as attendance is monitored and part of the student’s grades.

To summarize, the Catholic Church invites all who sincerely wish to share and participate in the objectives of Catholic education to enter the Catholic school community. The promise is of a Christian-based education within a faith community where knowledge of the Catholic faith is taught, lived, and shared with non-Catholics. They are welcome to speak with others about their faith and beliefs in an atmosphere of both freedoms of conscience and religion.

In dealing with stereotypes, she says, “People would usually think that you’re religious, that you memorize the whole Bible by heart, or that you don’t sin at all. It’s really funny. I don’t want people to perceive me like that. Stereotypes would typically come from a person who grew up with that kind of religion or lifestyle. And honestly, they’re hard to avoid. But most importantly, don’t but my denomination is Baptist. Being a son of a pastor personally is not easy since I often feel pressure from the people who all have their eyes on me, who set their expectations on me.” “ People would think that I’m a scholar since we Baptists always open and study the Bible, especially when we have our religious education classes.

My classmates would say that I’m very pastor-like, especially with the way I present myself.”

“Both the Baptist and Catholic doctrines are quite similar, but there are some points that both don’t agree with. I do have questions regarding the Catholic faith but not to the point of ending up in arguments or criticizing it. I believe that religion, in some cases, is something that we automatically acquire from our parents, so, shouldn’t take it negatively when someone shares to us the gospel from their own belief, especially when they’re not trying to force it on you.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day’s Saints, or in short, LDS. Our people are called Mormons.”

“While other religions have bishops, saints, we, on the other hand, have prophets. The prophet Mormon is the one who compiled records into the Book of Mormon and the first prophet who took the golden plate with the writings of God’s life. And we get baptized only

make someone belittle you or look at yourself negatively because of what they say against you.”

In terms of political views, particularly abortion, she says, “If it’s not easy, and if it doesn’t feel right, then it’s wrong. Why not implement something more morally right instead of giving people an option to get rid of something? Why not provide a better option to prevent it from happening?

We people would instantly choose the easier way out rather than the longterm process, which can actually help the people within the program be more knowledgeable about it.”

“It would be much better to settle for a partner who shares the same faith as yours, because you have a common ground, something that both of you can hold onto, despite having conflicts. It’s better to have that spiritual connection with your partner, even if things go wrong, they’d still be able to understand you.”

“I don’t try to convert students to our religion; I just do my part by sharing the gospel.

It’s like giving a gift; it’s up to them if they open it or not, or do whatever they like with it. I would rather build bridges than create walls, so if I want someone to see from my perspective, I want to do it as a friend; not in a way that I would ruin everything they’ve grown up to believe in just so I could force my belief on their mindset.”

“It’s difficult to commit to someone who doesn’t share the same belief as yours because you don’t have the same foundation to hold on to. There is already existing conflict between each other, especially with the practices alone, so you’re not one with each other.” when we turn thirteen years old. One of the good things about our religion is that it’s actually open to everyone, so even strangers are welcome to join us.”

“Our Bible is called the Book of Mormon; it includes books and chapters that are not included in other Bibles.

I am not against people with different religion from mine. I have my beliefs and you have yours. Studying RVE

NOVEMBER2019 / 11 was for me a way of knowing about the Catholic faith without being influenced by it. It’s all just for the purpose of self-awareness, really.”

She’d had her share of being stereotyped, but none during her stay in LCC. “Some people would say that our religion is only for the rich, because of the grand way we dress when we go to church. People often wonder why we don’t have any symbol of the cross at

Memoirs of a Muslim It has already been revealed to us that Islam preceded the Spanish colonial tradition of Christianity. Yet, the latter became triumphantly the most prevailing since, unlike Islam, it was institutionalized through education, which is the result of the widespread dominance of Catholic schools in the country. Because of the constant war between Spanish forces and Moro fighters, Muslims were unable to do this until in the 1920s when Islamic schools began forming in Mindanao.

Yes, we do have Muslims here in LCC, and one of the few who shared her sentiments as a Muslim in a Catholic school was Fatimah.

“When I first knew that I was going to enroll in a Catholic school, I felt scared—scared that they’ll make fun of me because I’m a Muslim.” This statement reflects how Muslims and other Non-Catholics often feel vulnerable to

In Science We Trust There exists an atheist population in school as well, and one of them is Honeybunch, a senior high school student. “I am an atheist. We don’t have a religion, but we have the belief that God doesn’t exist. I don’t believe in God because it is difficult to explain the existence of God; that’s why they made the Bible so that it would be easier for us to believe in everything that happened in this world. We also believe in humanism, that only humans can save their selves and no one or nothing else. But we also respect other people’s beliefs. When you say humanism, there are beliefs, but it’s more on the act.

I was once a Catholic, too, so I can’t blame people from having the beliefs that they grew up to believe in because of the social construct or what the family imposed on their children. I can’t say that it’s nice not to have any religion, or it’s better to have a religion because people are blinded by their faith, and most of them only believe in what their ministers or pastors say.”

“Secular atheists are usually the

our Church, it’s because for us Jesus lives; for them, Jesus died. Our service area is very plain and simple, it’s all white, no icons, just an altar. It’s also very spacious with several small rooms intended for various activities that are held there. We gather there and have fun; the people I tried inviting over were actually confused with this, seeing that usual church services should be solemn and holy. We’re quite the opposite of that.” be in an entirely different and large religious environment; in Fatimah’s case, the discomfort she feels is due to her hijab standing out. “I would often get these weird “why-is-a-Muslim-in-here?” looks from people. But my parents told me to program myself already in such situations like when they stand, I should too, something like that.

“I have nothing against Catholics; I just find it amazing how our religions can be so different.” She recalled a time when she felt nervous gliding through the school campus and thought how people were probably wondering why a Muslim was in a Catholic school.

Being stereotyped by your religion isn’t something you can easily escape from. We all heard it before —be it of gender, race, or religion- stereotypes encompass everyone, for as long as our minds are shrouded by our mediocrity, it would never cease. “People would usually perceive me as someone who doesn’t sin at all; for instance, they ones who entirely oppose any religion or beliefs to the point of criticizing or degrading them. You can’t blame them for having such beliefs either because it’s their right. As long as we respect each other’s beliefs, there won’t be any problem.”

“If you outrightly tell people that you’re an atheist, the most common connotation they have for you is “demonyo” or “spawn of evil,” something like that, and as I said, you can’t blame them for having such beliefs.

There are debates that happen, but only frequently. I’ve faced some criticisms in the past, they always base them from the Bible, like when they say that those people who don’t believe in God are part of the devil’s forces.

It’s hard to be blinded by your faith because when you have one, you use it as a basis for your viewpoint in life. It’s easy for me to accept people like that since I’ve been there, that’s the most basic and common factor in accepting and embracing such perspectives when you’ve already experienced it yourself, so I’m not intimidated by their criticisms.”

“We’re quite strict with having relationships, you have to be eighteen to start having one and your partner must be strictly a Mormons as well. I’m open to any religion though, I don’t mind a partner from a different religion.

Although the elders disagree with this, they can’t do anything about it once it happens.”

would get shocked when I swear all of a sudden.”

Muslims express one way of their devotion to Allah through prayers, and they don’t just pray twice or thrice, but five times- every day. Since school means Fatimah has to miss these prayers, it also means the addition of sins. “It’s difficult to observe these prayers regularly since there aren’t any areas in the school where I can meditate privately; obviously, I can’t do that in the chapel or cathedral (laughs).

So, I try to make up for these missed prayers at home.”

“Our preacher is called “Imam,” he’s the one who leads our worship and prayers.” Muslims get their scriptures from the Quran or Koran, their central sacred religious text which was believed to be revealed by the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad in Arabia

“The opportunity for the generation of youth today to know the truth is already in our hands. I think religion is one of the things that blind us from that since it heavily influences your viewpoints, no matter if it’s the truth or not. It’s easier to accept political views for me as an atheist since there are no contradicting facts. You’re the only one who truly assesses the perspective of people to avoid prejudice and biases.”

“Since I’m an activist, you don’t talk about your beliefs; you talk about the problem and how to solve it. Since the problems occur to all, everyone should act and set aside your personal beliefs, because if you act according to them, which in some cases don’t agree with others’, you’re only causing more problems, and that would be insensitive.”

All of us believe in different things, and even with different faith or beliefs, we shouldn’t let such things create division between us, but rather create unity in learning to respect and accept each other for who we are.

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IN DEFENSE OF THE OFFENDED WORDS CG Saludares & Divine Anas ||

ARTWORK Rahima Pineda

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While sipping your coffee, you got fed up on scrolling through memes and decided to tap the little blue bird application instead.

Lowering the black caffeinated drink, you moved in closer to clear your headspace and soak generous amounts of online “tea” preferring it now over your coffee.

Social media has become a platform for fame, exposure and, drama. Grandiose explosions of ripped off news and stories are so prevalent that neither truth nor hoax can be separated without constant vigilance. The sparkly title of the throne is ripe for the taking, and like in every battle you have to survive long enough to know if it’s either the hero or the villain that prevails. The shocking truth, however, is that there are no defining lines to separate the two.

Performing Arts of Shaming The culture of calling out began as an online weapon from the black feminists who circulated it in Tumblr from 2011 and then migrated to other social media platforms particularly on Twitter. This was a response to the numerous rape and death threats black femmes receive that are mostly rooted in systemic racism. Eventually, this paved the way for the #MeToo movement that empowers women’s voices in calling out the perpetrators of the harassment that they experienced.

In most ways, this also made it possible for the continued acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community that was discriminated against before.

Because of this culture, people are now more engaged in speaking up when it comes to political issues, creating a semblance of democracy to foster in the online world. It is now a haven of personal dogmas, stands, but

more often than not also infested with nonsensical points made by ignorant people wanting to join in the fray. As they say the only way to survive the wild is to learn how to hunt, and with this kind of online environment, it is important that people have to learn when and how to pick their battles. However, a stark majority still craves the

Call-out culture does intend to make people squirm and to open their crusted eyes to the uncomfortable ugly truth. But without properly wielding it, it undermines the original intent and villainizes those who benefit from it. The feminist agenda becomes invalidated by the “Not all men” narrative and the advocates are

When social media constantly becomes an echo chamber, some people will redirect the blame to the source just to make the ringing stop. short-term power that comes with calling out every misstep of strangers and friends alike.

The appeal of this culture stems from the fact that it strikes at the heart of the issue in bite-sized shareable content that can elicit instant attention and responses from the public. This means that it can be easily replicated, diluted, and evidently, can be easily exploited. When social media constantly becomes an echo chamber, some people will redirect the blame to the source just to make the ringing stop.

Cancel culture in a way gets canceled because of the people mishandling it.

In an article published by Medium, Riley H. it reiterates that “What’s toxic is the people who stole. The people using it now. The people who don’t bother to connect it to its context and history, its creation. The people who never bothered to understand why it existed in the first place.”

diluted as mere man-haters. The journey towards the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community is constantly refuted by the clamors of both their community and our heteronormative society. Every socio-political issue isn’t black and white and these examples if not contextually understood are left with little room for progressive change.

But call-out culture isn’t inherently toxic.

The problem is that “woke” and ignorant people alike tend to perceive call-out culture as an extreme social media sport. When call outs become performative they focus instead on attacking the individual and not the systemic oppression behind their ideals. It becomes counterproductive when the “performer” focuses on making the other feel bad rather than address the projected outcome.

It isn’t just exclusive to those who want to call out the ignorant, it also pervades in the socially

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aware cliques. It’s as if they want to outperform the social media appearance of their fellows in search of the Best Advocate Award—which is hypocritical in the first place. In fact, this delegitimizes their advocacies and repels the people who want to share their sentiments.

In defense of the offended, call-out culture does spark relevant conversation and should be continuously propagated. But the question is, does your being offended for a collective sum done out of respect or out of a misplaced sense of justice?

There is no one right way to address oppression but when one uses the very same

methods it perpetuates, there is nothing to be gained with it. Forcing accountability towards others through shaming and public persecution isn’t always effective. You simply can’t fight fire with fire. When an individual fosters this kind of thinking, calling out becomes a matter of one’s ego rather than one’s accountability.

It is important to remember that all types of people have different paces in their learning process. Having to unlearn problematic views isn’t a walk in the park and neither is digesting new ideals. Yes, calling outcomes from a good place but it’s always good to remember that it isn’t a performance.

5 SIGNS YOUR CALL-OUT IS ABOUT EGO AND NOT ACCOUNTABILITY No matter how politically conscious and woke the culture we currently endure, we have come to realize that activist is by no means perfect and so are we. Living in angst against all toxicity, we have been thriving to build a more just world. An environment wherein we have learned to stand against oppression and unhealthy criticisms. But sometimes we forget to pause and rethink our verdicts, and we seem to end up replicating the same harmful social cycles, taking for instance conversations among activists about approaches like calling people out and calling them in.

Calling out is healthily in terms of standing out for people who are harmed. But if it carries unto shaming and punishing the people responsible for the detriment, wouldn’t it be hypocritical of us to repeat the same tactics we remove ourselves from?

There are other ways to address harm in our movements – without all the pressure, or fear, or looking out for every opportunity to tear each other down to protect ourselves.

You’re Not Focused on the Outcome Oftentimes we find oursleves finding a way to make someone realize that they have offended us, make them understand why we got upset. We might have been struggling to find the right words, to take the thing out your chest, with the coupling notion that the other person would reflect,0 and eventually would it turn out to a changed behavior. When communicating in your personal relationships, it can be helpful to take a moment and figure out what would help you feel heard. Partly because you deserve to be heard and so does the other, alongside the respect to the other person in regards to your ails and them being obtainable.

The same principle applies to holding other activists accountable. Simply hearing that they’ve upset you could very well be

part of what you need – it’s important for them to be aware of the harm they’ve caused.Not doing anything to cure the pain inside, sitting in full vulnerability and not acquiring any hope of change is exhausting.

One way to heal this emotional drain is to consider what change you’re hoping for.

You’re Not Choosing Your Battles Based on What’s Best for the Community Involved There’s a common fear that passing up opportunities to hold each other accountable would mean coddling people who are causing harm and silencing marginalized people who are harmed.

So we’re on alert to intervene at every problematic moment – every ignorant Facebook comment, every oblivious relative, every unwoke friend of yours.

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This adds up to a lot of time spent advocating for marginalized people – a worthy cause, for sure. But it can also mean more emotional exhaustion for you. It’s more than okay to pick your battles – it’s necessary for your own self-preservation.

Are you afraid of looking like a bad activist if you don’t gear up for every battle?

That’s an understandable fear, and it shows why a climate of trying to outdo each other as activists isn’t helpful. Instead, give yourself a little breathing room.

You’re Using the Same Strategy for Every Situation Feeling the pressure to fight every battle, we tend to check out emotionally. And then every situation feels the same. But acts of oppression are not all the same, and each unique situation has a different set of strategies that would be most effective.

While addressing oppression within our communities, the intention may be similar across the board – we’re trying to put a stop to harm.

Instead talk about oppression, with the emphasis of impact over intention – because no matter how well-meaning someone is, they can still cause harm.Regardless of our intentions, sometimes the only impact of calling someone out is that we get to feel like we punished them for what they did wrong.

It’s not always about proving yourself to be the best activist – it’s about the ultimate impact of your strategy.

You’re Engaging in Respectability Politics to Police Other People’s Behavior Activists oftentimes fall into a terrible pattern of standing against shame and judgment by shaming and judging each other. We all know how it feels to be judged.

That’s why we’re aiming for the kind of liberation that allows us all to be ourselves without being mistreated. When that judgment comes in the name of fighting oppression, it feels like self-protection. I want to feel safe from judgment, so I might police other people’s tone or hold them to standards of respectability politics before I accept them as “real” activists. This happens a lot with social justice jargon. So it’s a good

goal to try to keep up with it all. But it’s also realistic to accept that not everyone can.

Addressing harmful behavior is important, but so is understanding that everyone is on a different step of their journey, so we all make mistakes. And we all have different strengths – so if someone’s lacking in one area, like knowing vocabulary words, we don’t have to treat them like they’re disposable to the movement. We can help them grow in that area and hope that others would help us in the areas we need to grow, too.

You’re Trying to Force Someone to Be Accountable Accountability is super important in any movement. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to learn or grow or take responsibility for our part in perpetuating systems of oppression.

But unfortunately, asking someone to be accountable doesn’t come with a guarantee that they will be. If you’re so set on holding someone accountable that you feel like it’s your responsibility to make them atone for what they’ve done, you’re forgetting that it’s actually their responsibility to step up and be accountable.

The pressure of being responsible for someone else’s actions can take a lot out of you – and you shouldn’t have to feel that burden.

Understand that you can only do so much – the rest is up to the person who’s caused harm to recognize what they’ve done wrong and be willing to make a change. There’s a difference between inviting them to make a change and trying to force their hand.

If I push them into an apology they don’t really mean, over an issue they don’t actually understand, they’ll probably continue to demonize incarcerated people and trust that a racist, the classist criminal justice system is just locking up “bad guys.”

But when it comes to activists and other community members, it is important to have a similar vision. We won’t always agree, but in working together for that vision, I hope we can hold each other accountable without villainizing each other.

Chelcee. (2019, May 21). 6 Signs Your Call-Out Is About Ego and Not Accountability.

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WANING

CANDLES

WORDS John Paul Clemente ARTWORK Ian Joshua Pango

Rapture the medical with employment or unemployment.” ticks like an atom field as a “fad” The World Health Organization (WHO) bomb the moment you or a “pseudoscidefined it as a syndrome conceptualized encounter an endeavor which felt entific jargon”, as resulting from chronic workplace like that other half your individual soul but was eventually adapted and stress that has not been successfully has been longing to embrace. The rage was considered after it gained merit managed. to keep up with the extending bucket and became an important determining list warms up the body beyond boiling factor for the work force’s psychological According to ICD-11, there are three point. But as you beat yourself up to well-being. aspects that could determine when beat the high score, you unintentionalone’s already being extinguished: ly scald your fuses and expose your vulIn the 1980s, burnout was a wildfire feelings of energy depletion, increased nerabilities. The ferocious demand to which reached several continents. The mental distance from one’s job, and keep on grinding keeps reduced professional efficacy. you away from your Burnout is more than just being And in today’s setting where vessel’s request to slow firing on all cylintired. It’s when you’ve had the former everyone’s down and repair, but you ders, its hard to maintain a for a long time you emit, even just a burning wick. proceeded and neglected what you truly need.

But although there is a call spark, no more.

The corroding levers and to perform with utmost effecpulleys are on the verge of malfunction; order in which the interest in burnout tiveness, it is never wrong to slow down yet you kept on, hoping for a spark, but seems to have spread corresponds to or pause to regain oneself. instead, what you got is a twitch— that the socioeconomic development long awaited enzyme to the system’s of the countries involved (Schaufeli, Preventive measures to avoid stress, breakdown. The entire conglomeration 2017). Burnout became a worldwide that can lead to burnout, are actually turns into a Rube Goldberg machine phenomenon that articles regarding just within our reach. Some of the sugas each component brings you closer to this mental issue were frequently regested steps are: sleeping adequately, shutdown. The cranks and collisions leased, ranging from cases and studies healthy consumption, knowing how to and combustion were your countdown up to suggested ideas and intervenrefuse, and tagging along with optimisto an thunderous end. And as the last tions. tic people. Dr. Sherrie Bourg Carter bracket gave in, you brace yourself for (2011) even advised to think outside the the explosion, but the only response With the socio-cultural conditions box in finding relaxations that would your cold desolation gave was a puff, present on those times, the public work with your needs. and nothing else. accepted the concept; thus, this resulted to the overuse of the term. It was Burnout is more than just being tired.

In the mid-1970s an American-Gerdetermined that thousands of books, It is when you’ve had the latter for a man psychologist rekindled a casual journals and dissertations about this long time you emit, even just a spark, term, which was commonly used in the problem were published during the last no more. Engines overheat, software drug scene, that would eventually be quarter of the 20th century. crashes, even the whole human race used in the clinical sense to address the can burn itself down, so there is no chronic dissatisfaction which the huBurnout remained as an accepted excuse to deny yourself a pause. man service sector caught fire with— concept to categorize the struggling burnout. portion of the service sector. Until it Giving yourself ample time to rest is reemerged in 2019. not a sign of laziness nor defeat, but is Herbert Freaudenberger (1974), more of a step back to regain momendefined it as “the extinction of motivaThe 11th revision of the International tum before firing up again. tion or incentive, especially where one’s Classification of Diseases or ICD-11— devotion to a cause or relationship fails a manual used for identifying health Be considerate to yourself. Learn to to produce the desired results.” The trends and conditions— included take a break before your body declares term, at first, was only considered by burnout under “Problems associated a fire out.

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UNSUNG: THE WHISTLE, THE MOP, AND THE PLIERS WORDS Peachy Suala

ARTWORKS Adrian Daniel Alvarado & Kaeza Maree Braca

“Open your bags, please.”

“Tap your ID’s.”

“That’s not allowed in here.”

You’re a real LCCian if you can recognize these statements if you’ve ever been welcomed by such words as you enter the gates of the La Consolacion College Bacolod buildings.

If it’s a nice thing you hear from them then you’re good to go. If they welcome you with some restrictions well then, you are doomed, it only means you broke a rule.

“Green is for Biodegradable.

Black is for non.

Red is for reusable.

There’s one who cleans when sees the sun.”

The sound of armchairs pushed in every direction, and of the dangling set of keys, they hold in their hands. A mop and a pail of water pushed and pulled as they wipe the dirt off tiled floors and hallways filled with the footsteps of students who come and go. And at noon,

some of them carry trash bins as they move around the cafeteria to gather the food students leave after an eating and craving session.

“If there’s something strange.

In your aircons today.

Who you gonna call?

Those with the pliers!”

An aircon is broken, a common occurrence and a rather big problem for the students of a century-old school.

And every time this happens, these people are to the rescue.

Can you recognize these people? Do you even look at their faces when you pass by each other? Do you even know their names? Do you greet them back if they greet you first? And do you even know how hard they work to provide you a life filled with simplicity and comfort? Probably not, maybe others do, but for everyone’s information let us introduce to you; the Whistle, the Mop, and the Pliers of our school.

As we all know, La Consolacion College

Bacolod has served 100 years as providers of quality education and love for diversity since its foundation on March 12, 1919. Its founders, Sor Rita and Sor Consuelo, helped each other in creating this school for women, for the poor, and later on, for everyone willing to learn.

Along with creating a school for students, La Consolacion CollegeBacolod also provides employment to those who need it. May they be the faculty members, the teachers, student interns, those that work under the finance and registrar’s office and many more. Among those are the employees that worked in the background, with blood and sweat as their capital, dirty hands and ripped shirts, and a whole lot more responsibility than any other person who walks the grounds of this institution.

Comparable to microbes, these people may not be as noticeable as the teachers, or the students. They may be ignored by the others as

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Gary Agtoto Security Guard

Manong Gary Agtoto has been working as a company guard of LCCB for almost 3 decades. From being part of an agency before and working as a temporary guard for LCCB, he was absorbed by the school’s thenprincipal, Sr. Cilia Barona after two of the company guards retired. In his thirty years in LCCB, he has witnessed different events in the school, has experienced some spooky tell tales, has seen the schools brightest and darkest moments, and has been a part of the everyday development of the school.

His work is not the sort that tons would choose if given a chance to dream more. Standing all day long, greeting people, watching out for unwelcomed guests and building potential fights with students are not the best daily routines to do but Manong Gary clearly said, he loves his job, he enjoys it. He appreciates the benefits the school gives him, not just as a company guard but as a member of the institution.

He was able to live well through his job’s stability and provide for his family. And above all, he loves how he was able to create bonds with the people he welcomes every day. He loves the thought on how they were able to remember his names, which rarely happens, or how students he was friends with would treat him as if

they are of the same age and talk as if their from the streets, and thought about how others, who had then left the school, would still look for him and brag to their children and their successes and still interact with him after years have passed.

However, Manong Gary himself, as a guard could not escape from the ill-treatments of other students, and how they belittle him and his job.

He, from time to time, would always encounter students who act like they own the school, would talk back to him and other guards, even when they are wrong, and would say “My mom doesn’t even scold me... Bla bla bla...” or even challenge him to fight. And though it was hard to master, he was able to deal with it. He believes that violence could never solve anything, he could always fight back, he could always raise his voice, but how would that help? And so he would always reconsider, he would always be the one to stay humble, calm and adjust to the situation.

Now, Manong Noel Llamera, our school’s janitor for almost 4 decades is someone to remember as well. His father also worked under LCCB before as a janitor and he goes with him every

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time to work with him when he was still very young. The sisters grew fond of him, as they saw how hard-working he is, they gave him a job too and since then he became a regular. He was not able to continue his studies after being offered a job, like many, he was a victim of poverty, not given a chance to think about what could have been, he matured earlier and simply thought about how to get by life. Thus, he was content with the stability his job offered. His job of roaming the school’s building carrying a set of cleaning equipment, sweeping back and forth, up again and down again to the floor, picking up trash and cleaning after things they did not cause. One can only take so much but because this job was what he chose he has to deal with it.

He loves his work and the benefits that come with it, and the friends and bonds he made through it. Manong Noel strongly stands and believes that the work he’s got may not be something to brag about and does not earn much but it is something to be proud of as it is an honorable job to do.

Manong Rommel Negare, LCCB’s aircon technician, is the one in charge of the air condition and refrigeration, which is always the problem of not only the students but other teachers

employees that worked in the background, with blood and sweat as their capital, dirty hands and ripped shirts

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often as possible. And if life were a fictional story they’d be the ones on the sidelines. The ones to notice the trouble and are up to the rescue, but never the main casts. In this article we will highlight the life, the ups and downs of our precious manong guards, manong and manang janitors and janitresses, and our manong maintenance.

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as well. He has worked for a company before and was endorsed by a friend to apply for LCCB after hearing news of the school’s need for a refrigeration expert. And so he started working for the institution in 2010. He works under the Maintenance team together with some experts on plumbing, carpentry, electricity and more. The course he graduated from also involved his current work which is one reason for him loving his job. But then, one factor for him to love being an aircon technician, despite the work’s flaws are his workmates. He emphasized their cooperation not minding the fact that they are experts in different fields and that if someone needs a hand, they’d always come for help. This value helped him and his workmates in creating a bond to exist among them, enjoy work and break time at that narrow corridor, behind the cooking area, basking in the heat and humid air and still laugh and joke about while taking a respite after working for hours. Like Manong Gary, Manong Rommel also has a lot to say about his job, one of those is the response of the students on the neverending issue about the malfunction of air conditioners in rooms. Manong Rommel and his team wish to be heard, he wishes for the understanding from the people he is working for, to whom he provides his services. He expects to, like his team, cooperate and consider that if an aircon is constantly used, won’t it get tired? Won’t it heat up and burst and destroy itself? He wishes to let people know that aircons are like humans too.

Rommel D. Negare Air-con Technician & General Services

in smiles, in cleaning up after people’s mess, in providing help and services to those who only a few know how to appreciate and at the end receive an equal or opposite response. These jobs are less valued and not treated well, these jobs make up the organized system our school has. These people we often neglect are the people we should be looking up to. The honorable jobs that they do put our institution in order. They discipline us unconsciously and spoil us after we resist to do what they wish us to do. But we never understand their true feelings as we indulge in what they offer.

“Don’t act so proud. Don’t be absurd.

Your life and theirs do not differ. they work to live, the work to earn. they work for you, from them you should learn.”

People, let us take time off and try. Try and talk to them. Try and know their lives.

Try and be brave enough to sit, talk and have a cup of coffee with our Whistle, Mop and Pliers.

This job requires a lot of hard work and plenty of pride to swallow as well as a great wide pail of patience and contained temper. In welcoming people

Noel Llamera Janitor

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WHAT’S EATING PLUTO ARTWORK Angela Musang Have you ever felt small to anything and everything surrounding you? From your peers who seem to be better in everything they do? From the people around your age who have done more than you could have ever achieved? Or even from your family members who’ve accomplished something you’ve never even dreamed of? Most of us shrug that feeling by calling it jealousy, but what if it’s something far more complicated? What if it’s something that’s been affecting you mentally and psychologically… Will you still ignore it?.

The Inferiority complex is the psychological sense of inferiority due to real or imagined social, intellectual, and psychological defects. It is often subconscious and causes individuals to overcompensate resulting in extremely

“If you understand and accept yourself for who you are it would be easier for your part to be accepted by others.” asocial behavior and social withdrawal. The concept of Inferiority was first developed by Alfred Adler, An Austrian Psychotherapist and founder of the school of individual Psychology.

There are 2 known types of inferiority complexes. The first is the Primary Inferiority complex, it is experienced by children. Due to their young age, they are easily affected whenever they encounter a first-hand experience of helplessness and weakness developed by significant trauma caused by their parents, siblings, or simply the older people around their environment of growth. The Secondary Inferiority

WORDS Louise Anne V. Juncia complex is mostly for adults who find themselves unable to achieve their goals and success; it is often caused by a failing job interview or a fear of being abandoned by a loved one.

The inferiority complex is commonly seen in almost everywhere. In the school, workplace, public places and even your households. Students can sometimes feel inferior to those who are observed as intellectually and physically better than one sees themselves, and along with being popular in the eyes of their fellow schoolmates. Inferiority complexes can also be seen in terms of racial, economical status, persons with disabilities and genders because of the social discrimination others have placed towards them.

The home may be considered as our safe haven; but it’s also where a person, especially those who have siblings, candevelop Inferiority Complex. Being compared to someone in your family is a painful experience, especially for someone who also tries to impress their parents but can’t for they have their eyes set on a favored child. This affects children on a significant level and causes some to develop rash behavior to gain attention for themselves. Other children develop performance anxiety believing that any activity they do will be criticized by their parents resulting in the feeling of inadequacy and the belief that they cannot perform the task.

There are several symptoms that a person with an inferiority complex exhibits. Isolation or social withdrawal is one of the most exhibited symptoms.

People with an inferiority complex are uncomfortable being with others, especially in a crowded area, they would often believe they wouldn’t fit in and this would often cause them trouble in mak-

ing new friends and feel like they aren’t good enough to keep the ones they have now. Another symptom is fault-finding, to compensate for the lack of achievements they will often find mistakes in others to feel better and make others feel bad. They often tend to blame their mistakes on others as people with inferiority complex also exhibit sensitivity to what people would think, act and say about them. They have difficulty in taking compliments and criticism, are also noticeably overly emotional to any shift of behavior exhibited towards them, and become anxious to any prolonged response. Lastly one of the most common symptoms they exhibit is performance anxiety, the fear of failure and harsh criticism made them believe they cannot do any given task and gives them severe anxiety if forced to do so.

There are no real medical treatments for inferiority, but there are a few things that can help in boosting self-esteem and these are.

Trying to know the real you. If you understand and accept yourself for who you are it would be easier for your part to be accepted by others.

Surrounding yourself with positivity, may it be your closest friends, family or people who care for you surround yourself with people who uplift you.

Recognize your strengths, everyone has their strengths so finding and valuing them will make you realize that you are not as useless as you see yourself.

And most importantly seek help with people you can trust with, small words of advice can help in realizing what you are lacking and what you can do to improve yourself.

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MNMLSM WORDS CG Saludares

It’s a sunny afternoon you were walking downtown, feeling the heat that eases into your core. The tension rising rhythmic with the temperature, till then you slowed yourself down. Breathing in and out looking around you figured out, the city was busy indeed.

The hoisting pollution and the traffic crawling in the city’s skin. You looked for birds there were none, but a solid thing caught your eye. A building. A piece of a concrete cube poked with just tiny glass panels atop.

So cold so stiff you thought to yourself, you call that pluck of rock, architecture? Since when did art become so senseless?

This is the greatest joke someone has ever pulled off.

The world has been fed up with the most clatter notion that art in general, is meant to be in colors, in vivid, detailed, and overly dramatic sight.

“That cylindrical piece of sculpted tin can have touched my soul, looking through it makes me reflect the whole universe. Never constant for eternity and the everlasting consumption of the waves and tides” or “this painting of a flower in a pot means nothing

less than the artists’ savvy heartbreaks and tears” The fact that art is indeed around us and in different forms, let me ask for just 57 seconds of your time, asking for simply just one of your eyes.

Read through as I introduce to you what is Minimalism. That, that sculpture is nothing more than a tin can and that potted flower is nowhere close to romanticism. The vast art style which conveys only the reality and nothing cheesy.

It was in the 1960s since the foundation of this style, it was initially called the ABC Art, Object Art, Primary Structure, Cool Art but the term Minimalism prevailed.

The style that counterattacks the abstract expressionism which blew the 1950s aloft.

Then, minimalism. One that removes expression completely, and empties the work of idiosyncratic gesture.

Started by a couple of artists like the painters, Frank Stella and Ellsworth Kelly. But mostly, sculptors like Donald Judd, Carl Andre, Dan Flavin, Anne Truitt, and numerous others. Taking the step outside

the box. Now taking the cube and making it the exact art.

These forms avoided allusion, metaphor and overt symbolism taking the reality at hand.

It doesn’t beg you to oooh and ahhh, an art that no longer pinches out any heartbeats. No you and art connection, just simply art in it’s fullest form.

Plastic poetry just as Carl Andre calls his works.

A highly criticized aesthetic for years, but as the contemporary generates so does minimalism. Minimalism no longer limits itself to paintings and sculptures it is now portrayed in architecture, photography, graphic designs, interior designs, fashion, films and all the named art forms in our generation. But the act of minimalism that wholesomely blew the minds of everybody is the minimalistic lifestyle. Only recently since the woke world has realized how we messed the world up, bringing the people to act upon it. Limiting their consumption, getting rid of the clatter and the excess, setting goals and preserving only what’s important. People in practice says that through this, they are more confident,

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In a world evolving rapidly, filled with people that focus nothing but on material competition, taking a step back, breathing and taking your time is highly progressive. Everyone is selfishly at rushed, sometimes all it takes is to give yourself some space and along with your necessities, pull yourself back to reality.

Consume space with logic, direct yourself to a point in specificity, mortify no secret point and take no illusion.

Having less is not directly equated to inferiority, being extravagant doesn’t mean being above the crowd.

Gliding through your dreams doesn’t mean breaking the glass that divides you and your reality. You don’t have to paint your life like Leonardo da Vinci. Stroke your brushes at your own pace, with your

own colors, even if its just one.

“Less is only more where more is no good” - Ar. Frank Lloyd Wright

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It doesn’t beg you to oooh and ahhh, an art that no longer pinches out any heartbeats. No you and art connection, just simply art in it’s fullest form.

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much freer. A lifestyle that doesn’t only lessen the tension of competition but also living life unafraid of failure. Taking the objective away from insubstantial possessions but is more likely generated to peace and personal prime satisfaction alone.

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NOVEMBER2019 / 25

COVER STORY The term “thin-slice”, was first used in 1992 by psychologists Nalini Ambady and Robert Rosenthal in their meta-analysis for the accuracy of first impressions. It refers to bits of our initial encouter— usually in less than five minutes— which can be used as forecasts to our eventual discernment to new acquaintances.

The result of their research led them to the conclusion which states that the probabilistic expectancies we form about others from very limited information are more accurate than we would expect.

The inception of tales we are yet to embark indeed start with slices. We dissect these people from head to soul, in an attempt to secure a permanent bond. Eventually, these fragments mass into foundations of that person’s version we constructed.

While it may be brief, through the right eyes, these slices have significant potential to permeate through the breaches both vast and porous.

Opt for pieces that could complete, there is an abundance of these out there. Afterall, life is full of little pleasures.

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NOVEMBER2019 / 27

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MODELS Zabiel Nemenzo & Gabriel Deopita MAKE-UP Brandon Braza ART DIRECTION Nikki Joy Biasong PHOTOGRAPHY Daniel Ella Guillema POEMS Glend Marie Pajes WORDS Paul Clemente

NOVEMBER2019 / 29

30 / THERIPPLES

THE BIGGER

QUESTION QUESTION WORDS Chia Tolentinno ARTWORK Rochelle Hidalgo

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NOVEMBER2019 / 31

Being getting hung up on how you are down there, despite its perceived importance, diminishes a sexual experience.

It’s a casual Friday night, you decided to head down a bar or a club, met someone nice and head back to their place – does it really matter how big you are? Or are they just content you seem normal, are wearing clean underwear and don’t slag off their newly bought mattress?

Most of us have heard the phrase “Daks or juts?”Turns out, humans and their never-ending obsession with penis size and its gravity to the male body image is not only seemingly universal - but the phallic fascination is also nothing new.

From Ancient Greeks to Romans to Philippine Deities Looking at one of the most famous Renaissance sculptures, it’s very likely that we have asked ourselves the question, “why does David have such a small d*ck?”

Tracing the roots of this ancient ordeal– history leads us back to the Greeks. Experts have revealed that members of the saucy civilization favored a small willy over a large one. In Greek comedy, satyrs, fools, and foes also routinely sported large genitals- “the sign of stupidity, more of a beast than a man,”according to historian Paul Chrystal.So, since large phalluses symbolized gluttonous appetites, a conclusion can be drawn that the small, flaccid penis represented rationality, intellect, and authority.

To the Greek ideals of male beauty, it was a badge of the highest culture and an archetype of civilization.

Other ancient culturesare also thought to have preferred a tiny tacker, including the Egyptians and even later, the Romans.In fact, the crude outline of the male genitalia, though associated with juvenile humor these days, has long held deep symbolic meaning. Cities and towns of the Ancient Roman Empire were dotted with penises just about everywhere.

The connotationof itevolved into“more of a general symbol of good luck,” said Mike Collins, the inspector of ancient monuments for Hadrian’s Wall.Also, children and adults wore amulets shaped like flying penises, called fascinum. To them, the sexual energy of these phalluses depictions was thought to protect people as showing power and dominance by invoking the power of the Roman god,Fascinus.

In Philippine folklore, we have phallic deities as well, although due Spanish influence and Christianism, the subject has become taboo. Most records of which might have also been erased from archives by seemingly conservative chroniclers. Today, only breadcrumbs of information remain and, leftlittle to never unacknowledged inside pages of dusty history books.

Yet,theDaragangMagayon Festival in Albayis something to be commended. Despite possible social and religious persecutions, the event still includes the portrayal of one unusual diety called the Tambaluslos and stood by the portrayal of the effigy as part of their heritage parade. It described thetambaluslos as “an awkward, lanky, wrinkled black creature, that has long, thin, wobbly legs, hooves, and big joints and punished

by Gugurang (Bikolano supreme deity) by enlarging its phallus to gargantuan proportions for its promiscuity.”

Another Tagalog diety was Lakanbakod, according to the 1595 Boxer Codex, he had “gilded genitals as long as a rice stalk.” He was the “lord of fences,” a protector of crops powerful enough to keep animals out of farmlands. Hence, he was invoked and offered eels when fencing a plot of land.

Consequently, the cultural symbolism of the penis has all since shifted.

Many different perceptions have existed and co-existed throughout history yet our modern preference for massive members stems from erotic Renaissance, as well as online pornography.

Today,our equation of manhood with a big penis stands in marked contrast to how the ancients viewed genital size.The trend now is that a big one typically associates with traditionally masculine characteristics — like power, dominance, and strength — as well as being a tool of superior sexual pleasure.

Facts and Misconceptions Despite contrasting opinions, something we can all agree on is that penises are crazy: they grow, they shrink, they move on their own... seriously, ding-dongs are like a never-ending magic show.And speaking of show,

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some penises tend to do that more than others. According to a study by International Journal of Impotence Research (IJIR), a “grower” is a man whose phallus expands significantly in length from the flaccid to the erect state; a “shower” is a man whose phallus does not demonstrate such expansion. But the answer to the cause and how common each category is still lacking in data.

On another note, research has found the average erect penis size varies from around 13cm to 18cm (5in to 7in). Yet, it’s not difficult to understand that a man might want his junjun to be of superior character due to the evolvedcontemporary preference.

Most men’s view about their penis is formed during childhood. Growing up, they may see the penis of an older brother, friend or their father and mentally compare this to their own.

But, shifting the question of phallic size, does it matter as much to women?

According to a report by Professor Kevan Wylie, a consultant in sexual medicine at the University of Sheffield, there is a large gap between men and women’s satisfactory rate.

The study revealed that 45% of men would like a larger penis while only 15% of women were unsatisfied with their partner’s penis size.“It may come as a surprise to some young men, but most women have very little interest in the size of their penis and that’s been shown in numerous studies over time,” says Wylie.He also says that research shows that when it comes to sex, women are much more interested in whether you are romantic, tender and sensitive to their needs and desires than your penis size.

In the end, being getting hung up on how hung you are down there, despite its perceived importance, diminishes a sexual experience. Genitals and their features shouldn’t determine how a person behaves, feels, and chooses to present themselves (in and outside of the bedroom).Besides, there’s an 85%chance that the woman in your life is perfectly happy with your penis as it is.Believe it or not, the problem is only as big or as small as you make it.

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COPIEDRIGHT WORDS Rafael Mabaquiao

ARTWORK Jose Miguel V. Supeña

NOVEMBER2019 / 33

“They say good artists copy, great artists steal. Art is a very trifling thing. Anyone can be an artist, but not everyone can make art.”

©

You’re three three hours hours You’re away from from passing passing away a 1000 1000 word word essay essay a on the the theme theme of ofthis this on year’s buwan buwan ng ng year’s Wika, currently, currently,you you Wika, at three three words, words, are at and and those those three threewords wordsare areyour yourname. name.

The The base base human humaninstinct instinctfor forsurvivsurvival al kicks the adrenalinebegins beginscourskicks in in asas the adrenaline coursing through veins.

You stand ing through your your veins.

You stand tritriumphant reaching thethousand-word thousand-word umphant reaching the quota quota within withinabout aboutan anhour hourand andaahalf, half, the the essay essay you youproduce produceisn’t isn’thalf halfbad badby itself at all.

YouYou havehave some timetime to spare by itself at all. some to so you so figure might well as help spare you you figure you as might well others with their aswell. help others with conundrum their conundrum When it’s time to return the papers, aswell. When it’s time to return theyou paget a low the out of pers, youscore get a followed low scorewith followed with place “see me after class” remark. Turns the out of place “see me after class” out a classmate of yours had “borrowed” remark. Turns out a classmate of yours your essay, copied a few key paragraphs, had “borrowed” your essay, copied a few and passed it before you, leading to your key paragraphs, and passed it before teacher believing that it was you who you, leading to your teacher believing plagiarized. that it was you who plagiarized.

“Stealing things is a glorious occupa“Stealing thingsinisthe a glorious occution, particularly art world” - Malpation, particularly in the art world” colm McLaren - Malcolm McLaren The feeling of having something taken Theyou feeling of having something takfrom has always been painful, but en from hurts you has always beenaspainful, nothing quite as much having but nothing hurts your idea stolen.

Toquite have as themuch fruit as of having yourgain ideatraction stolen. while To have the your labors it is being fruit by of hands your labors gainhad traction while held that you not given it to.

That feeling disappear soon, is being held bymay hands that you had however, usefeeling of one may miniscule, not givenwith it to.the That disapyet symbol with - © the use of one pearpowerful, soon, however, miniscule, yet powerful, symbol - © This is the copyright symbol, or simply abbreviated “Copr.”, the international This is theas copyright symbol, or simply abbreviated as “Copr.”, the interna-

tional of Copyright.

Conceived symbolsymbol of Copyright.

Conceived alongalongside the invention the printing side the invention of the of printing press; press; Copyright is the exclusive rightto Copyright is the exclusive right given given to aofcreator worktoinreproduce order to a creator a workof inaorder reproduce work. covers all crethe work. Itthe covers allItcreative mediums ative mediums from written, artistic, or from written, artistic, or musical works. musical works.

Each country is equipped with its unique but Each arsenal country of is copyright equipped laws, with its there may also be copyunique arsenal of international copyright laws, rightthere agreements made between nations. but may also be international Copyright agreements is not alone in its crusade copyright made between against plagiarism, asnot it isalone also joined nations.

Copyright is in its by its familyagainst of intellectual property crusade plagiarism, as itrights. is Suchjoined include; patent,ofdesigned to also byThe its family intellectual protect anrights. invention from unlicensed property Such include; The patreproduction( ); The trademark, a ent, designed ͡°to͜ʖ ͡°protect an invention symbol or word representing a company from unlicensed reproduction( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); The or product; and lastly, or theword trade secret trademark, a symbol representa confidential manufacturing process, ing a company or product; and lastly, or recipe that is privately owned by a the trade secret a confidential manufacbusiness similar to a very secure burger turing process, or recipe that is privateformula. ly owned by a business similar to a very secure burger However, It isformula. not a perfect system in any way and leaves much to be desired However,here It isinnot perfect system in especially theaPhilippines. any way and leaves much to be desired Whereas intellectual property rights had especially here in the Philippines. been around since the high middle ages, Whereas intellectual property rights RA no. 8293, the Intellectual Property had around since the Codebeen of the Philippines onlyhigh tookmiddle full ages, no. 8293, the Intellectual effect RA in 1998.

The delayed start of our Property Code of the Philippines property rights system means thatonly we do took full effect in 1998.

Thefrom delayed not have the other benefits sysstart of our property rights system tems that started earlier, such as in the means weofdo not have the other United that States America, where works created on or after January 1978, are benefits from systems that 1, started automatically protected for theStates lifetime earlier, such as in the United of of the creator andworks an additional 70 or years America, where created on afafter death. 1, 1978, are automatically ter January protected for the lifetime of the creator Yetan theadditional greatest problem and 70 yearswith afterintellecdeath.

Yetproperty the greatest problem with tual rights is not the incomplete intellectual is their not the nature of theproperty laws, butrights rather incomplete nature of the laws, but complete vulnerability to being exploitrather their complete vulnerability ed for unrighteous lawsuits.

Take theto being exploited for unrighteous 2019 Katy Perry/Flame lawsuit, lawwhere suits.

Take had the 2019 Katy Perry/Flame Katy Perry lost $2.8 million against lawsuit, Katy Perry lost Christianwhere rapper Flame, thehad main cause beingmillion a single synthesizer riff that is $2.8 against Christian rapper nearly identical each asong.

Flame, the mainbetween cause being single synthesizer riff that is nearly identical Copyright is song. a double-edged sword, its between each ability to protect the works of a creator isCopyright without equal, but the fickle sword, nature,its is a double-edged complexities, and the wide coverage these ability to protect works of a of creator laws make equal, it prone to the being abused. is without but fickle na- So how can one taper the of copyture, complexities, andother wideedge coverage right?

Through originality and creativity. of these laws make it prone to being Ask yourself, Arecan theone works that I create abused.

So how taper the other my own individuality?

This is not to say edge of copyright?

Through originality you can’t have a reference as there are and creativity. Ask yourself, Are the plenty of free references online such as works that I create my own individuunspash, and pexel. When it comes to it, ality? This is not to say you can’t have the nation’s copyright laws are still in a reference as there are plenty of free its adolescence, and it is up to the artists references suchtheir as unspash, themselvesonline to protect creations. and pexel. When it comes to it, the nation’s copyright lawscopy, are still in its They say good artists great adolescence, and it is up to the artists artists steal. Art is a very trifling thing. themselves their Anyone can to be protect an artist, butcreations. not everyone can make art. That’s the true magic say good artists ofThey copyright, uniting thecopy, artistgreat and the artists Artitiseveryone a very trifling thing. art, for steal. without would be an Anyone canwhen be aneveryone artist, but notartist, everyartist, and is an no one can is. make art. That’s the true magic of copyright, uniting the artist and the art, for without it everyone would be an artist, and when everyone is an artist, no one is.

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NOVEMBER2019 / 35 His slender fingers traced lazy swirls beneath my silken sheets leaving a steady pulsing trail of white fire in its wake. I hear myself utter drunken whispers, pleading for something, anything, to satiate this animal hunger inside me that seems to override my senses. Then a soft kiss lands, a subtle touch creeps its way to my core, my mouth opens in anticipated awe, and as I permit myself to fall in his gaze I arch my back gratefully and engulf the rising pulse of his heavy, musky-SNAP. Your tattered pocketbook is suddenly swept away from your shaking hands by your good ol’ dad. His nostrils flare in an attempt to control his temper and you cower in fear and promise for the longest time that you won’t be reading another steamy romance novel ever again. Of course, that isn’t the least bit true.

Popping the Pocketbook Phenomena Pocketbooks are a vastly staple form of entertainment for young girls and mature women alike. Although it is true that not all females of the species fall into the trappings of the romance genre, the majority of the consumers are still in this demographic. Because of this readership, it led to the growth of the pocketbook industry; most prominent among these is the Mills and Boons company internationally and the Precious Hearts Romance that publishes locally.

These flimsy paperbacks are often mass-marketed and packaged in

scandalous covers with ladies clad in scanty dresses while they’re being carried off by excessively oiled halfnaked men. The romance genre’s aesthetics became so homogenous later on that it perpetuated the idea that to read one in public implies that the reader is indecent or has lewd thoughts—which is by the way not fit for a young lady’s image. This created the idea that pocketbooks are a “guilty pleasure” for women.

While it is not entirely an unfounded opinion that pocketbooks by nature have some “steamy” content, it is quite unfortunate how the majority views it as a shallow genre intended for the unintelligent. This perception is in fact not only shared by men but by fellow women alike.

This Cherry Isn’t For You The romance genre is often criticized because of its bite-sized nature and is stereotypically said to contribute to the shallowness of young women for it feeds their fantasies. Unlike other genres e.g. literary fiction, science fiction, and hard fantasy, romance is perceived to have no depth to it. What the majority of the reader population perceive is that a form of fiction has to adhere to literary conventions and only skirt on themes that cater to “serious” issues. This often excludes women in the narrative and causes for the birth of harmful caricatures of women in fiction because they are expected to fit in the male gaze.

POP THAT CHERRY

They think that women are in fact voluptuous and “sexual beings” yet also think that they don’t have the right to actively pursue a romantic

WORDS Divine Anas ARTWORK Gerla Grace Perez

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passion or any kind of active stance in love and sexuality because it doesn’t fit the convention of femininity. People think that authors such as Jane Austen herself, created this far-fetched fictional world for women when in fact the genre divulges on women fighting against domestic oppression, sexism in the workplace, as well as giving agency to these women to forge their own paths while discovering love and passion and preserving their femininity in all its glory.

The people who often criticize the genre are more often than not are those who don’t read from I so there is definitely an obvious bias in judging their literary merits. Yes, pocketbooks and the romance genre in general, have its faults but this applies to other genres as well. One cannot simply judge the merits of a book because of the difference in the writing style and format prevalent in other genres that are said to contribute to one’s intellect.

Spoiler alert: this is not always right.

Literary fictions are also regressive and conform to the backward views of the previous generations, science fiction and space opera are pretty sexist as well. The question is: why is something like love, romance, and passion be equated to shallowness when it is but innate to our human nature? In the end, it is not about lifting up or bringing down the types of entertainment we consume, rather it is by being mindful and aware of the implications and ideals that they support for it also reflects as to what we chose to patronize and empower.

giving agency to these women to forget their own paths while discovering love and passion and preserving their femininity in all its glory

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CITY OF STRINGS PHOTOS DANIEL ELLA GUILLEMA PHOTO MANIP CELINE SIO WORDS PAUL CLEMENTE

thought starts to wrap your head: how did the city got caught in this spider web?

As the warm colors reflect on wet asphalt, you can’t help yourself from being mesmerized by the fiery afternoon sky, paired by what’s left of the nimbus clouds that just passed. Although the half of you deemed it unnecessary, the other just can’t hold in the impulse to grab your phone camera and take a snap of the marvel above you. As the preview unfolds, satisfaction loads you up— as if this photo could change your life forever. The colors were there, the clouds cooperated, the silhouette of the structures below complemented. It was all perfect.

Living in a country, where banderitas are staple decorations in every fiesta, must’ve made us grown used to having strips of whatever hanging above our cities. These are not that big of a problem, well at first, but when these strings are already sprawling like some high tech threat from a sci-fi world, then it’s high time we should see these as an issue.

But was it?

It was only after you’ve admired your work when you noticed the strips of strings hanging everywhere, and they put youoff. What was supposed to be an addition to your if-ever-I-will-be-aphotographer folio turned into a typical photo anyone can capture. Then the

Aside from being an eyesore, electric wires hanging from post to post could also be sources of avoidable accidents.

Structure fires from open wires can leave residents homeless and businesses out of order. Tendencies of wires falling from no where could pluck someone’s life out. And for the most unfortunate, getting electrecuted during flood.

The threats these wires pose is as many as there are over our heads, and they keep spawning.

In a city of strings, black lines drawn by electric wires don’t seem to blend

well with the city’s tableu. It’s as if Jackson Pollock smeared his abstract expressionism over Piet Mondrian’s de stijl. But in case that collaboration might happen, it would still be more forgivable than the unwarranted collaboration hanging on our streets.

But our city of strings is already putting up with a lot of complications, and with its hands full, it might be reasonable to just let this pass considering this concern is a lesser priority. What it needs is more than just a makeover.

Our problems regarding picture-perfect sceneries we just cant seem to take is somewhere at the peak of the hierarchy of needs. The dream to live in a literally-wireless place might have to stay above our pillows for now. But this does not mean we should abandon the idea of improving our cities, ‘cause the more we are comfortable in it, the more it would feel like home.

NOVEMBER2019 / 37

*These photos taken from Bacolod City’s downtown area were digitally manipulated to omit the dangling wires, leaving nothing but a city without strings.

*Original photos

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NOVEMBER2019 / 39

E K A T P YOUR ILLS

A Netflix Original Documentary

WORDS Glend Marie Pajes How can a single pill give you superpowers in just a swallow?

Take Your Pills, an American documentary film by Alison Klayman, talking about how a prescribed medication, supposedly for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy only, has been used up by people who would want to improve their social standard and inactivity, to attain a goal. Well, because of the desperation for achievement and success, brought by the hyper-competitive society where competition never ends for people who desires to do better, consuming the pills causes these emotional and cognitive effects such as euphoria and wakefulness to activate, plus a laser-like focus and an intact concentration for as long as the pills can kick in, giving you the superpowers you need to finish a job or a rescue mission.

Now, who would have thought that prescription pills could turn you into a demigod?

A pill called Adderall, is one of the most prescribed medicine that can help the people with ADHD, or [if you’re lucky], just a person coping up with depression. Adderall, sometimes called “Addy” by the students, is an additive prescription stimulant that contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, both are stimulants of the central nervous system which affect the chemicals in the brain and nerves that take hyperactivity and impulsive control to the next level.

Netflix has supported this film to give people the awareness of this social condition about how people in the past used drugs to check-out, and now people use it to check-in. Furthering into the details of this film, students, artists, all-star athletes, etc., all have the same reasons for taking Adderall, they highlighted it as PRESSURE. Pressure from the standards of the society, from parents toward their children, from the insecurities they get inside and outside of the school, and the only solution was taking this pill that makes them invulnerable and awake.

Unfortunately, students from different colleges and courses abuse these prescription pills to gain strength and focus, swallowing both in ways that only a superhuman ever could. They tend to set up standards for themselves, calculate every grade in advance, assume that these grades will lead to an average not lower than 85. All because of the intimidation they get from other students that have achieved greater than they’ve had.

The parents, though, had a different story to tell. When they learned that their child had a disorder, such as ADHD, they tried different ways to let their kids keep up with the society. However, they did abuse this pill by asking doctors to prescribe it to their kids to keep them calm ALL THE TIME, knowing this could destroy the child’s way of thinking and learning. Side effects for consuming this pill included stomach pain, weight loss, insomnia, dry mouth, etc. Never did they realize that all of these concentrations and ability to control the surroundings were nevertheless just a system of distraction from what’s really happening.

During vintage days, we would try and control the society. Manipulate it to have what we need and get what we want. Now, the society is holding the joystick tethered in the backs of our neck, controlling the motions of our environment and nature, our morals and standards. And the moment we take our pills given by the pressure that holds back our dreams acting itself as an illusion to trick us into consuming one pill a day for the rest of our lives, our society might just be the new rehab.

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T C E J O R P ORANGE WORDS WORDS Gracella GracellaNangan Nangan

Moose, Martin, Miggy, and Mari. BeMoose, Martin, Miggy, and Behind these band names wereMari. passionate hind these band names were passionate musicians: Diana Mapa, Martin Garces, musicians: Mapa, Garces, Miguel SanDiana Miguel, andMartin Tin Pillado Miguel San Miguel, andmarked Tin Pillado respectively.

The band its orirespectively.

The band marked origin gin from Diana’s response to aits calling from Diana’s response to a calling of of forming a company of musicians to forming a company of musicians to bring bring her original songs to life. Martin her songs life. Martin whooriginal held the bassto guitar, Miggywho as the held the bass guitar, the drumdrummer, Mari (Tin)Miggy as theasrhythm mer, Mari and (Tin)Moose as the(Diana), rhythm guitarist, guitarist, the lead and Moose (Diana), the lead young guitarist, guitarist, were all aspiring virtuwere all aspiring young virtuosos who osos who make up the band. make up the band.

Took off as a sparse project and now Took off as a sparse project and now flying in vivid citrusy hues, Project flying in vivid citrusy hues, Project Orange astounds the crowd. A product Orange astounds the crowd. A product of collective musical enthusiasts, it was of collective musical enthusiasts, it was discovered and eventually was exposed discovered and eventually was exposed to the the face face of ofthe theCity Cityand andthe theisland. island. to Enthrallingthe thelisteners listenersthrough throughtheir their Enthralling chilly-indie vibe. chilly-indie vibe.

Written in init’s it’ssaddest saddestspectacle, spectacle, Written their dream-pop genre is resonated their dream-pop genre is resonated in it’s it’s happiest happiesttune, tune,mutually mutuallygiving giving in an effect effect of ofsomething somethingyou youcan canhear hearinin an your dreams. dreams.They Theyare areone oneofofthe thefirst first your bands in in Bacolod Bacolodpushing pushingthrough throughthis this bands specialization.While Whilethe theband bandstill stillhas has specialization. room for for versatility versatilityand andflexibility, flexibility,ititis room is important them to stick to the important for for them to stick to the roots roots of own theirspecialized own specialized of their genre. genre.

As Miggy As Miggy said,is“Change a part of said, “Change a part of is growth”, this is why diverse ofdiverse different ages find growth”, thispeople is why people of different ages find their common ground in the band’s music in the presence of promoting a good and chill life.

One of their prime and biggest crowd

PHOTOSDaniel DanielElla Ella Guillema Guillema PHOTOS

was a front act along with The Rantheir common ground the band’s music som Collective, a mallinshow in Bacolod in thethat presence of promoting good and City marked the successa of their chill life.career. They also have been a musical part of the opening acts in rave parties One of their prime and Bacolod. biggest crowd initiated

by Head Rush was a front act along with The Ransom Collective, a mall show in Bacolod City Their blossoming single, Ctrl+Esc that marked the success of their musical transcended unexpectedly into Spoticareer.

They alsoMix have been aapart fy’s Pinoy Indie paving way of tothe opening acts in rave initiated by their popularity, andparties that was just the Head Rush Bacolod. beginning. Highly recognized now, their music can be accessed through Spotify, Their blossoming single, Ctrl+Esc iTunes and Apple Music. One can also transcended unexpectedly into Spotify’s find them in social media accounts such Pinoy Indie Mix paving a way to their as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram popularity, and that was just the beginwith their constant updates in regards ning. Highly recognized now, their music to their shows. can be accessed through Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music. One can also find them Orange is undeniably young inProject social media accounts such as aFaceand prospering band boomingwith quickbook, Twitter, and Instagram their ly into one of the in best local bands constant updates regards to theirin Bacolod. Verdicts are likely inevitable shows. especially for those performing in a crowd however performers, Project Orangeinisthese undeniably a young criticisms were band lesserbooming becausequickof the and prospering goofy instill members ly intoattitude one of the best its local bands inwhich is also reflected thelikely way inevitable they play on Bacolod.

Verdictsinare esstage. “Were just performing having fun in while perpecially for those a crowd forming on stage”performers, as what they usually however in these criticisms say. Except for someofseldom comparwere lesser because the goofy attitude isons which occur normally in every instill its members which is also reflected local Nevertheless, they“Were perceive in theband. way they play on stage. just this as fun goodwhile pressure. having performing on stage” as what they usually say. Except for some They are very thankful to those local music fanatics who carry out enduring support to their team and to those other local bands who never failed to support one another.

From a band who started out small, seldom comparisons which occur normala band that fought the waves and ly in every local Nevertheless, float through theband. currents, and now they perceive thisthe as good enthralling wholepressure. city, if not the island with their passion through beats, They somewhere are very thankful to those local “Start and chase it. Practice music fanatics who carry out enduring makes progress.” is their advice for peosupport their andbut to never those other ple who to have theteam talent the local bands who neverisfailed support guts, after all talent a giftto not only oneyourself another.but for everyone. for From a band who started outpaves small, In a nutshell, a small start the a band that fought the waves and float way to greater things. From Project Orthrough the currents, and now enthrallange’s humble beginnings to their testiing the whole city, if not the island with mony of big accomplishments taught us their passion through beats, “Start untiringly pursuing our passion until somewhere and chase it. Practice makes a time will come when our dreams will progress.” is their advice for people who go global and you will turn back to see have the talent but never the guts, after how local you’ve been. So it’s okay to all talent is a gift not only for yourself start small, as long as you start. but for everyone.

Brewing something, Project Orange assures us all they’re to something In a nutshell, a smallup start paves the good. way to greater things. From Project

Orange’s humble beginnings to their testimony of big accomplishments taught us untiringly pursuing our passion until a time will come when our dreams will go global and you will turn back to see how local you’ve been. So it’s okay to start small, as long as you start.

Brewing something, Project Orange assures us all they’re up to something good.

NOVEMBER2019 / 41

HINTAYAN NG LANGIT WORDS John Pierre Jarmonilla

Is heaven a place? Originally a one-act play that is transcribed into a screenplay written by Juan Miguel Severo and directed by Dan Villegas, Hintayan ng Langit follows the story of Manolo (Eddie Garcia) meeting his past lover Lisang (Gina ParreĂąo) at Kalagitnaan, a place for souls who await their trip to Heaven. Set into a hotel and train station kind of vibe, the film tries to depict what happens after death.

It is a story of choices and consequences, and of missed opportunities and wrong timings. The film does not only tell the story of how they wait to go to Heaven but also how the two characters wait for each other in their lifetime, which carried on even after death. As things begin to unfold, it becomes clear to Manolo that despite having their separate lives, he still has love for Lisang, and it was also the same for her.

Hintayan ng Langit also tackles about acceptance through side characters like Aling Baby, who had a breakdown after learning that her debts were passed to her children after her untimely death. It is also the same for Manolo who still thought about his daughter even after his last breath. It is effective in sparking the question to the audience: what happens to the people we leave behind after death? The film makes the audience wonder if it matters how much tears their loved ones shed after their passing, or if they lived their life at most before dying.

The choices of the characters also make a big difference throughout the film. In one scene, Lisang receives a call from her husband, Nestor, who was already in Heaven, where she tells him that she chose him in her lifetime. It was difficult for Lisang’s character for deep in her heart she knew it was Manolo whom she loved and Nestor was only an option she has to take. It speaks so much of the other side of her character as she was rude at first glance, then as this scene progresses, it is a different Lisang we see: emotional and soft, but still strong. It shows an inner struggle for her part, where she is faced with one choice that would affect her life altogether. Lisang embodied how we decide for ourselves and how it impacts us as humans.

Overall, the film leaves the audience a question: have you lived your life well? It is a question of whether every decision one has made in life is either worth it or not, and there is no in-between. It gives a realization that death is really death and that there is no turning back when the time has come. The film also changes the dark aura often associated with death and instead changes it into a lighter perspective yet full of thought to the point that it will make one ponder and reflect.

As for Heaven, it does not always refer to a place; it could be someone you love. For Lisang, it was Manolo who she was waiting, and he was her Heaven.

UKAY

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WORDS Lindsy Marie Vilanueva PHOTOS Ukaysteals

UKAY

Do you ever just go shopping for clothes and “confusingly” wonder where all your money has “magically” disappeared to? By this time, it starts to sink in that you have finally gone broke. What’s worse is that whatever that one thing you bought from that brand store was, it is not worth going bankrupt for.

Not worth destroying the Earth either.

Yes. The more you buy from brand stores, the more you fuel their machines to create more. You are basically making yourself a building block of pollution and carbon emissions. Every garment purchased second-hand means one less new one produced and that’s the kind of micromovement you should really start investing in.

Oftentimes, thrift stores, especially in the Philippines, are incredibly intimidating. They feel like oceans wider and deeper than the Pacific. Every shop is an organized mess and every pile feels like an archaeological site.

Trust us. UKAY – UKAY is not for the faint of heart, nasal cavity and sweat glands. UKAY – UKAY is a workout and it takes a lot of your time to find the right one.

Yes, it is a hustle but finding the most unique pieces and buying them for 10 pesos is the most rewarding feeling any ukay junkie can relate to. It even feels guiltfree how you’re not contributing to global warming and you still get to look your besteverytime.

So, if you’re still having doubts about your health, time and money,don’t worry! We gotchu fam! We’ve compiled a few tips to help you with your ukay shopping spree.

1. Find your own style and know what you want.

2. “ayo/tawad” with small cash. HAGGLE, GIRL. 3. Bring your own bag as an eco-friendly option. away from the New Arrivals rack! 200pe4. Stay sos-worth ukay piece is already expensive (unless Set a budget. Bring smaller bills. It’s easier to make

if it’s a super rare/classic find then it’s worth the cash)

5. Check all the racks!!!

6. BE PATIENT. a face mask because most if not all UKAY 7. Bring stores, are dusty and a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated!

8. do is that I put the clothes I bought inside a big tub

Disinfect the clothes you bought. (What I usually and put hot water, let it sit there until the water gets to normal temperature. Once it’s done, drain the water and change it with clean water and put some detergent, let the clothes stay for 30 mins and wash it. You have the choice to put fab con or not and voila! it’s good as new! ♥️)

See! It’s not that hard. You just have to give it a try and maybe you’ll fall in love with the entire idea of saving your wallet and saving humanity.

NOVEMBER2019 / 43

LA GUERTA WORDS Ginelle Melocoton

“A museum is a place where nothing was lost, just rediscovered” -Nanette L. Avery Through art and history, Museums and Galleries upheave our pride and richness of culture. And as we delve deeper, let me introduce the museum with the biggest glass collection of America--Laguerta: Home of the Vintage Glasses Museum, the first ever vintage glass museum in Asia and in the Philippines, an eccentric and unique shine to Bacolod’s pride.

Tomas “Tomiko” Claridad Casiano, the present owner of thethe museum and a former floral designer for the rich and famous in Beverly Hills, California, accumulated about 95 percent of his collection from the United States.

Through the years, Casiano’s journey towards his success as a collector commenced in the United States; prior to his success, from a butler of movie director Benjamin Smith, to a well-known floral designer in Beverly Hills.

Casiano’s passion as a floral designer prompted his eagerness to look for vases that would highly compliment his flowers, which evidently shows how his love for glasses developed and started collecting glass pieces for his amusement.

PHOTOS CG Saludares

Laguerta, Home of the Vintage Glasses Museum at Sumag, Bacolod City is a rare piece of gem, erected in December 12, 2012 as a museum for Casiano to share his passion with the public. December 5, 2005, dates back to the original setting of Laguerta, a backyard that once illuminates the faces of children with a smile from cheek to cheek, a place that piques one’s interest, a backyard for everyone.

Amidst the concrete jungle, Laguerta, teeming with greens and shrubs flaunts its unending love for the environment through recycling. Decorations where made out of trash and disposable materials that seemingly procreates functionality out of trash.

The Great Depression, the downfall of America; Who would’ve thought that something so drastic provoked Americans to live through grinding poverty that almost flipped their economy to a total downturn. The mass production of cheap glasses of America was a hit that unexpectedly caused intricacy and functionality to a much more cheaper value during the depression years.

A vast array of over 3,000 rare glass pieces manifests the museum. A room, illuminated by various colors bounded by glass pieces- yellow, pink, green, ruby and fire, amber, cobalt blue, aquamarine and delphite iridescence outshines

each other from a distance.

“Some museums or galleries may restrict you from touching their items, but here? I say, touch it! Touch the glass and feel the weight of the museum,” said Casiano.

“I want my audience to know and appreciate the beauty of glass,” He added.

Carnival glasses, Queen Victoria glassware, devil’s egg tray and fairy lamps are one of the few treasures that embody Laguerta, some are coated Jadite, and milk. The distinction of its intricacy covers the whole piece itself. Also, some of his collections are profoundly pressed glass pieces and crystals with sterling silver overlays.

Despite of living in the Philippines, his collection is not just admired by the Filipinos but also worldwide. Foreigners truly admire his collection and desires to purchase it as some point.

The burning restless urge to seek for beauty in art and history tolerates the mind to unseemingly appreciate its imperfections. Art comes in different forms. A museum is not just a place, it’s a place of learning and ideas, for every piece is more than just its beauty, its history is engraved all throughout its existence to unfold its story.

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“OBSERVATION

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- STANLEY KUBRICK

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OOO MELONA GUITCHE | PUBLICATION ADVISER 001 PAUL CLEMENTE | EIC 002 ANGELICA CACERES | ASSOC. EDITOR, NEWS EDITOR 003 MARIA VERONICA OGAPONG | MANAGING EDITOR, HEAD PHOTOJOURNALIST 004 GINELLE MELOCOTON | ASST. MANAGING EDITOR, ONLINE EDITOR 005 GLEND MARIE PAJES | LITERARY EDITOR 006 ANNE KIARA DAWA | ASST. NEWS EDITOR 007 CG THERESE SALUDARES | FEATURE EDITOR 008 RAFAEL DOMINIC MABAQUIAO | ASST. FEATURE EDITOR 009 CURTNEY REBULLANTE | LAYOUT EDITOR 010 CYNTHNIE MARI ENCABO | ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR 011 KAEZA MAREE BRACA | HEAD ILLUSTRATOR 034 012 ADRIAN ALVARADO | ASST. HEAD ILLUSTRATOR 013 NIKKI JOY BIASONG | CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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