The Animo Volume VII, Issue I SY 2023-2024

Future Foe: Assist or Resist?

THE ANIMO

Critical journalism amid misinformation, empowered with Baylayn 2024

The Official Student Publication of De La Salle University Integrated School - Senior High School Manila Campus

the MSCCTF to empathize with the diversity of struggles [that] our co-students go through,” Subido said. On the same day, MSCCTF Chairperson and DLSUPUSO President Maria Lourdes Fajardo approved the increase. Meanwhile, 49 percent of the students were considering stopping their undergraduate studies due o financial constraints, which led the organizations to organize campaigns, room-to-room discussions, on-ground interviews, unity walks, and formal talks and proposals with the university’s administration, as discovered in a survey conducted by the USG with 5,312 respondents. Cosmic Possibilities

Young journalists from various schools took part in workshops and talks on sensational journalism and ethics as part of the annual journalism convention Para sa Bayan at Lasalyano (BayLayn) organized by Ang Pahayagang Plaridel, the official Filipino student publication of De La Salle University. BayLayn 2024 underscored the imperative of combatting news manipulation embedded in sensational stories and yellow journalism, with the theme “Sensasyonalismo sa Pamamahayag: Etika at Limitasyon ng Paghahatid ng Balita.”

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When the state turns a blind eye to the piling deficiencies of the nation’s education system, the youth falls

De La Salle University Organizations, the University Student Government (USG), and the Parents of University Students Organization (PUSO) lamented against the approval of the 5% Tuition Fee Increase (TFI) for AY 20242025 in a series of demonstrations and press conferences, January 10 to February 7.

College President of the DLSU School of Economics Government, Annika Subido, appealed to the Multi-Sectoral Consultative Committee on Tuition Fee (MSCCTF) to remain steadfast in its commitment to student inclusivity during their town hall meeting.

“In amplifying our call for a zero percent tuition fee increase, we implore each member of

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It’s not fare!: Jeepney Drivers clamor PUV deadline extension

By Ivymae Macatiag

Public transport organizations joined forces in the streets of Quezon City on April 15 and 16 for a two-day transport strike, starting from UP Diliman to Mendiola, against the looming deadline of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization program.

The organizations frontlining the strike were Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) and Manibela, two of the nation’s leading groups fighting for public transport issues.

Shifting Tides

By Zara Alexandra Genuino

By Aaliyah Mallari

By Jazmin Santos

By Ivymae Macatiag Art by Azel Bautista Sari-Sari Stories

By Maurin Mateo

By Avah Marzan

DLSU Lady Tracksters Sprint to Victory

#TUITIONFrEEze: Lasallians cry zero tuition fee increase

By Ivymae Macatiag

In a survey conducted by the USG with 5,312 respondents, 49 percent of the students were considering stopping their undergraduate studies due to financial constraints which led the organizations to organize campaigns, room-to-room discussions, on-ground interviews, unity walk, and formal talks and proposals with the university’s administration.

Furthermore, the issue regarding tuition hikes was affecting the whole nation as State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) were also forced to hike their miscellaneous fees due to budget cuts in the current and past academic years which triggered Lasallians to give various opinions about the said matter.

Kai Reyes, a Lasallian activist and scholar, exclaimed disbelief and said in an interview with The Animo that “the gap in education seems to widen” due to the approved increase.

Moreover, Sam Panganiban, a member of the USG and a student from DLSU College of Science, uttered that “it is unfortunate that the admin still pushed for a five percent tuition fee increase” despite the number of students presented to the administration who might suffer financially.

“Hindi siya pro-student; and mas lalong hindi siya for quality education, and aligning with our Lasallian mission and vision,” she told The Animo in a separate interview. “As a student and batch legislator, I understand the legalities behind the tuition fee increase, but the reasons presented for it [are] just not justified on my end,” Panganiban added.

Meanwhile, the Multi-Sectoral Consultative Committee on Tuition and Fees, consisting of DLSU’s USG, PUSO, Faculty Association (FA), Employees Association (EA), and the Admin, brought hope amongst Lasallians after the decision made by the university.

From Page 1

By Jazmin Santos

The event featured big talks led by seasoned media practitioners, including Philippine Star Content Producer Carlos Miguel Libosada and Manila Standard Managing Editor Joyce Pañares, highlighting the importance of truthful and ethical journalism among those who forsake accuracy for creativity.

Jerwin Tierra, the school paper adviser of Talipan National High School’s student publication, Ang Talipeño, and the workshop speaker for BayLayn’s Pagsulat ng Balita, stressed the importance of upholding the truth amidst the proliferation of disinformation by sensationalized news.

“Prioritize the need of the public pagdating sa information, and don’t resort to sensationalism for the sake of mabenta lang sa madla ang story mo,” he advised young campus journalists.

“Sa dami ng nangyayaring suppression ngayon sa mga taga-media, from red tagging to silencing the voice of journalists, alam natinna nakakatakot pero as a journalist, hindi dapat [magpatumba] kundi dapat mas lakasan pa natin ‘yung boses natin,” Tierra further added.

The specter of media manipulation and harassment looms large under the

administration of Marcos Jr. as critical journalists and media houses continue to face legal attacks, threats, and harassment.

“Malaki ang naging pagbabago sa kasalukuyang administrasyon dahil ang mga sikat at matatag na mga news channels sa kasalukuyan ay nagsipagsara at ang iba ay nawalan ng boses [kaya] mahirap magsalita sa panahon ngayon,” Mark Daroy, the publication adviser of Notre Dame of Greater Manila, stated.

According to Krizelda Marie Estrera, the Editor-InChief of Notre Dame of Greater Manila’s Bughaw at Bulawan, critical media literacy remains more relevant considering the challenges faced in today’s media landscape.

“In light of the difficulties presented by the press and media under the Marcos Jr. administration, credible reporting plays a crucial role in maintaining democratic values, safeguarding human rights, and promoting responsibility,” she remarked.

“The students are left with no choice but to take the price the university set for quality education,

“We will still strive to not let any student be left behind. Scholarship grants will be continuous, and financial aid

By Sophia King

The event concluded with an awarding ceremony that granted Ang Niyog from Quezon National High School the top spot for Best Student Publication, and awards for individual competitions and publication entries were given to other student publications.

For the fourth consecutive year since its maiden voyage in 2018, journalists from The Animo (TA) and Pana Verde (PV) secured various awards during the highly anticipated 2024 Division and Regional Schools Press Conferences (DSPC and RSPC), which took place from March 8 to May 10, 2024.

TA, the premier English publication of De La Salle UniversityManila Integrated School (DLSU-M IS), garnered three awards each in the individual and group categories. Meanwhile, PV, the Filipino counterpart of TA, bagged eight individual category placements and two group categories. As the top three placers in the individual categories and the firstplace winner in the group categories are eligible to advance to the RSPC, 18 of the 46 Lasallian journalists will continue representing DLSU-M IS. Joshua Calibo of TA, who won first place in the Photojournalism category in the DSPC, shared that he approached the competition with the mindset that it was simply another coverage for TA. He noted that his experiences in both contexts were not different from each other.

“During the training, I treated it the way I’d treat my usual coverages [as] the competition is not much different from how we do coverages in The Animo; there’s just a bit more pressure,” he said.

Meanwhile, Andrea Tapis, the Managing Editor of Pana Verde, placed second in Feature Writing, also representing the division for the RSPC.

“Knowing that there were around 40 students competing for three spots for [RSPC], and considering the difficult topic given, I was both grateful and proud about my work being marked as one of the best in my category,” Tapis said regarding her realizations on her performance at this year’s DSPC.

While no individual or group delegates proceeded to the National level, the school was able to dispatch both online school papers, TA and PV, to Carcar City, Cebu, with a total of seven-page entries to the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC).

Flight to Carcar

TA holds placements for four sections, namely the Features Page for 8th place, News Page for 6th

place, Layout and Page Design for 6th Place, and a trophy for the Sports Page as they clinched the 1st Place. PV, on the other hand, will bring their paper to Cebu with three awards, with Pahinang Editoryal in 8th Place, Pahinang Agham at Teknolohiya in 6th Place, and Pahinang Isports securing the top place on the podium.

Martina Sioson, the current Editorin-Chief of TA, regards the triumph of the paper as belonging not only to the organization but also to the Lasallian community. She acknowledges that the success was made possible through the collaboration of the staffers.

“[As] the Editor-in-Chief, I have personally witnessed TA go through a multitude of tribulations before we get to where we are now,” she said. “Of course, this reality would not come to fruition without my board of editors, Sir Alfred and Miss Jepper, and my fellow main editors, Sayde and KT. This victory is not ours alone but of the entire Lasallian community who believe in our passion and purpose,” Sioson added.

NSPC, an annual contest for student journalists, will be held from July 8 to 12, 2024.

NO TO TFI. Lasallian students hosted a rally walk led by the University Student Government (USG) president Raphael Hari-Ong against the recent tuition fee increase by the university. Photo by Codyvann Arcega

JOURNALISTS’ JUNCTION. Campus journalists gather at De La Salle University on April 6, 2024 for this year’s BayLayn, a journalism workshop hosted by Ang Pahayagang Plaridel.

Photo by The Lasallian / Adrian Teves

BOUND FOR NATIONALS. The Animo clinches first on the sports page category in the Regional Schools Press Conference at the Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City on May 10, 2024. Georgina Rabaca (middle) is the current Sports Editor of the student publication and was one of the Sports Writers involved in making the winning page. Photo by Joshua Calibo

It’s not fare!: Jeepney Drivers clamor PUV deadline extension

By Ivymae Macatiag

In response to the government’s refusal to extend the deadline, Manibela President Mar Valbuena said the everyday jeepney driver could not afford the consolidation, which he likened to a mini-bus.

“Those who are calling for the modernization of the traditional jeepneys, you who are complaining, you are not taking a public ride,” declared Valbuena in a press conference.

PISTON also added that upgrading their units would sink their cooperatives into debt and that big corporations would seize the new vehicles due to the inability to repay the loans. Unconsolidated jeepneys would also soon be labelled as “colorum.”

During the protests, Dong Matandag, a jeepney driver of 25 years and president of

the Manibela Paranaque chapter, had been interviewed by The Animo. According to Matandag, it is not only jeepney drivers who will be affected by the jeepney phaseout but also the students who will suffer as a result.

“Sila ang unang apektado doon sa ipinapa-phase out nila (government) sa tradisyunal jeepney namin,” Matandag stated in an interview.

“Ang pamasahe, sapat lang po doon ng mga estudyante, at malaking bagay po yon. Mawawala po yun sa kanila nang dahil sa modernization na yan dahil tataasan nila ito,” he added.

Matandag explained that most commuters they encounter are students. Through their conversations, students favor improving the jeep but not completely phasing them out.

When asked about the primary

motivation behind the strikes, Matandag noted that the jeepney was their sole livelihood and only means of sustaining their families, highlighting the impact of jeepney drivers on the Philippine economy.

“D’yan po kami kumukita, mga anak namin nakapagtapos diyan din po sa jeep,” Matandag said. “At malaki po ang epekto ng pagkawala ng mga tradisyunal (na) jeep, maapektuhan hindi lang estudyante na, kundi lahat ng mananakay,” he further added.

Matandag highlighted that jeepney drivers are public servants who do their best to help commuters in tough times, which is why many students are in support of the strikes.

The jeepney drivers camped overnight on the Welcome Rotonda roundabout until the end of the two-day strike.

Archers on Top: La Salle secures Global Recognition in World University Rankings

By Jessiemar Bondoc

De La Salle University (DLSU) captured another notable feat, maintaining its prime position in the latest World University Rankings for 2024 by Times Higher Education, released in September 2023.

Its position as a prominent academic institution nationally and globally remained intact since its maiden appearance in 2019 after positioning itself in the 1501+ range, consistent with its previous rank in the past year.

The university, renowned for its academic excellence, innovative curriculum, and global engagement, also proudly holds the distinction of being the first university in Southeast Asia to be honored with the Quality Mark from the ASEAN University Network (AUN).

In addition, DLSU held onto its secondplace position among 229 universities in the Philippines, according to EduRank’s 2024 rankings. However, its global ranking dropped to 1,752nd out of 14,131 institutions worldwide.

Other universities maintained their positions from EduRank’s 2023 rankings. The University of the Philippines retains its No. 1 position, Ateneo de Manila remains 3rd, while the University of Santo Tomas stays in its 4th position. In specific fields, DLSU claimed the top spot in the Philippines for computer science, psychology, business, and mathematics. Additionally, it secured a position among the top 1,000 worldwide for agricultural engineering, international relations and diplomacy, and operations research.

Lasallians dissent against removal of SHS Program

By Thorr Garcia

Lasallians engaged in substantive debates over the status of the SHS Program within the school system of De La Salle UniversityManila Integrated School (DLSU-M IS) following its removal from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) on February 2, 2024.

Among those involved in the conversation were students and faculty members, all of whom weighed in on the program’s relevance and the institution’s potential without them.

One of these Lasallians was Karol Que, a Grade 12 student from the HUMSS strand. On the idea of removing the program from the school curriculum, Que opted to consider the impact rather than take sides in the discussion.

“If only they [government] had thought about this during the establishment of the program, then this won’t happen [removal],” Que said. “The sad part is the experience; for students to experience life in a university setting like DLSU, they would have to enter via college instead of SHS, wherein tuition fees are lower and time is more flexible for extracurricular activities,” she added.

On the other hand, Xavier Dwight “X” Gentalian, a DLSU Professor and faculty member in the SHS department, expressed concern about the sudden removal of the SHS Program from LUCs and SUCs.

“From a personal perspective, if the SHS program is effective in molding our students and succeeds in preparing them for the next step of their education, I don’t think it would make sense to remove it,” Gentalian stated in an interview with The Animo. “In the context of our institution more so, the quality of our methods and programs are great indicators for their relevance and the benefits of its longevity,” he added.

Gentalian emphasized that the SHS Program is still very much relevant, as many students are still enrolling in the program nationwide, and its impact in other schools was “quite strong.”

Meanwhile, another professor in the SHS department, Lance Espejo, said that the SHS Program was irrelevant but noted that a sudden removal is not the solution.

“Hindi ako per se pabor sa biglaang pagtanggal ng SHS program kasi lubhang makakaapekto roon sa kabuhayan ng mga guro,” Espejo noted in an interview. “Gayunpaman, nararapat din talaga aralin kung ano bang kalibre ng mga mag-aaral ang iniluluwal ng programang SHS,” he added.

Espejo underscored that such a program was unnecessary, as college graduates were more likely to be accepted for job opportunities compared to those who only finished senior high school.

CHED stated that DepEd has already announced that government assistance will no longer be available to private school students and teachers who transferred to SUCs and LUCs for the SHS program.

In addition to the mentioned fields, DLSU has secured its position among the world’s top institutions in eight key subjects, as revealed by the 2024 QS Rankings.

DLSU’s status as a top university on a national level has significant implications. It sets a benchmark for excellence within the Philippine higher education landscape. Additionally, it attracts international students, fosters partnerships, contributes to workforce development and innovation, and addresses local challenges through research and academic collaborations.

The university’s high annual rankings sparked immediate reactions from members of the Lasallian community, particularly academic scholars within DLSU’s Senior High School Department.

According to Bea Pilar, the university’s “fast-paced learning environment” cultivates adaptability and multifaceted capabilities in students. Another DLSU scholar, Mx. Luis Luciano, stressed the significant role students play in enhancing the university’s reputation. “The importance of students’ contributions through research, publications, academic excellence, and competition victories in shaping DLSU’s standing.”

The university’s ranking is influenced by various factors, including the quality of the teaching environment, research output, citations, international outlook, and industry income, all of which DLSU has consistently excelled in over the years. These rankings also consider research performance, nonacademic recognition, and the impact of the institution’s alumni.

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair J. Prospero de Vera III later dispelled the removal of the program, saying it was ‘fake news’ and noted that no student would be displaced.

HIT THE GAS. Transport groups MANIBELA and PISTON speak truth to power as they protest against the consolidation deadline for the PUV Modernization program at Welcome Rotonda, Quezon City, on April 16, 2024.

Photo by Caitlin Rico

Art by Dmitri Omahoy

Do you think the administration adheres to the demands and complaints of the Lasallian student body?

DLSU SHS DCAT exemption garners mixed insights from SHS students

By Sophia King

T

he exemption of Grade 12 students of De La Salle University - Manila Integrated School (DLSU-M IS) from taking the DLSU College Admission Test (DCAT) sparked renewed discussion on the system in place, as students across the country flocked to the Manila Campus to take the test last January 14, 21, and 28, 2024.

of Lasallians

disagree that DLSU needs a Tuition Fee Increase for the improvement of the school and its facilities

Should the 1987 Constitution be amended?

Sacred Spectacle: Lasallian educator on 2024 Traslacion

By Hailey Karingal

The annual Traslacion marked its return to in-person festivities on January 9, 2024, tracing its traditional route from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church, following a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

The official time recorded by the Quiapo Church Command Post for this year’s procession was 14 hours and 59.10 minutes, making it the shortest in recent years.

Highlighting the fervor of the celebration, Dr. Teresa M. Camarines, Academic Coordinator for Christian Living and Values Education under the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of De La Salle University Integrated School-Manila, shared her perspective on the event, pointing out the evolving nature of the celebration along with the devotees’ expressions of gratitude.

In an exclusive interview, Dr. Camarines revealed her personal experiences with the Nazareno, emphasizing that while she may not be a devotee herself, she has witnessed the unwavering devotion of family members.

“I can really see my aunties who are devotees of the Nazareno who would really religiously go there, even though it’s not the feast day of the Nazareno,” she shared.

When asked about the significance of the celebration, Dr. Camarines revealed her initial impression of the devotees, stating that she originally thought that people were there to seek for help or refuge.

Despite her previous conception, she said that she learned the celebration is actually a form of thanksgiving from the devotees for all of the blessings that they have received.

“So for me, it becomes an eye-opener because I was thinking na they are praying because they wanted to ask for something, but its the other way around,” she said. “They are there because they want to thank the Nazareno for all the blessings that they received, and for me, that’s something different in terms of the perspective,” she added.

Dr. Camarines also delved into the changes the celebration has faced throughout the years, particularly this year’s notably shorter procession.

Speculating on the reasons behind the shortened event, she considered factors related to health and safety, noting that the parish or the Church may be cautious due to the pandemic.

However, reflecting on the essence of the celebration, she remarked that the length of the route or celebration is not what matters most.

“What is important is the heart of the people, of the devotees, their aspirations to commemorate Christ and to offer their thanksgiving,” she claimed. “That sacrifice from them is a thanksgiving to the Nazareno,” she continued.

This year’s grand procession carrying the revered image of the Black Nazarene saw more than 6.5 million people in attendance.

Despite the massive turnout, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo described this year’s celebration as “generally peaceful.”

Are you aware of the current red-tagging issues among journalists in the Philippines?

The exemption, which was announced via the Office of the Provost last September 28, 2023, noted that DLSU-M IS students are not required to take the exam as long as they maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) not lower than 2.0, which numerically ranges from 83.00 to 86.99.

The announcement made a Grade 12 STEM student who is aiming for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science wish he could take the DCAT as it would test his capabilities in handling his chosen course.

“[In] general, I think we should’ve been given the DCAT as well or maybe an equivalent. The DCAT shows the university if an applicant is fit for their chosen course [but now they would base it on our SHS grades],” he explained.

According to the student, he could pursue a course unrelated to his SHS strand, meaning that most subjects he took would not be the same as his college subjects.

“For example, what if I am an ABM student who wants to pursue a STEM-related course?” he questioned. “They’re not good proof that shows if I [can handle the workload in that course]. Hence, I think DLSU SHS students still need to take the DCAT,” he continued.

Eira Ching, a Grade 12 STEM student from Ateneo de Manila Senior High School who took the Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET), added that college entrance exams allowed one to review lessons from junior high school, which are vital to better understand college lessons. Thus, she thinks DLSU SHS students’ exemption from the DCAT might not be advantageous for them in the future.

“[E]xempting DLSU SHS students from the DCAT would not be advantageous in the long run as [it] can demotivate their students from engaging in a thorough review,” Ching explained.

Meanwhile, Akizha Tan, a former ABM student in DLSU-M IS, believed that being exempted was a privilege but noted that it should not undermine the hard work DLSU SHS students exerted for their slots.

“It is undeniably a privilege to have been exempted from taking the DCAT due to attending Senior High School in the same university. However, this privilege doesn’t undermine the hard work and commitment invested over the two years,” Tan responded.

The Office of Admission and Scholarships announced that college aspirants may expect the results of their application by May 2024.

Promises Made, Promises Kept: DLSU-SHS Student Council showcase goal-driven service

With the aim of empowering the Lasallian community, the DLSU-M IS Student Council (SC) launched numerous projects and initiatives for the A.Y. 2023 - 2024, with events including PUV Donations, Project Fight, ABM Month, and Project Update.

To help a king

In support of Filipino PUV operators facing the looming consolidation of the government’s PUV modernization program, the SC partnered with Kaya Natin Youth - MaSci to advance their donation drive for the affected drivers and operators.

“The donation drive was a meaningful endeavor that allowed the student body to exemplify the core values of service and communion,” Cyril Reyes, SC Auditor, said. “During situations where the youth is called to be vocal about relevant social issues, such as the jeepney phaseout, Lasallians take the initiative to show volunteerism and involvement,” she added.

Calling Lasallians to join the cause, the SC collected donations from Lasallians from January 10 to January 26, gathering 128 bags of food, hygiene materials, and clothes to give to the drivers and their families.

Space for silent battles

On the other hand, Project Fight was the SC’s mental health advocacy campaign that sought to build a supportive space within the community. Launched last February 11, the SC provided materials highlighting mental health resources Lasallians can utilize.

“The overall idea of the project remained significant because everyone, in one way or another, could be experiencing their silent battles,” Ethan Alvarez, the Grade 11 SPT Representative, explained. “They deserved to feel the safe space that they needed through the activities specifically tailored to foster mental well-being during the love month,” he added.

Potential to innovate

By Martina Sioson

Meanwhile, to mark the 2024 ABM month celebration, Horizon was organized by the SC in collaboration with ABM Central Organization and the ABM department. The program highlighted the Lasallian community’s entrepreneurial expertise and innovations.

From March 13 to April 16, Lasallians channeled their talents in Horizon’s three flagship events: The ABM Product Launch, Sales Talk Competition, and Tangkeylik Leadership Program.

“ABM Month 2024 opened many opportunities that allowed students from the strand to shine,” Cyrus Salvador, the Grade 12 ABM Representative said. “These experiences were surely of great benefit to aspiring business students, as they gained learnings that would allow them to have a unique outlook moving forward,” he added.

Benchmark of transparency

One of the more recent initiatives organized by the SC, Project Update aimed to be a comprehensive midterm feedback of all the projects conducted this academic year. As the maiden comprehensive evaluation and transparency platform, the initiative gave Lasallians direct involvement in what the government has to offer.

However, the SC President, Cole Sanchez, believed that student engagement was undeniably low for this project. “Unfortunately, the project that was supposed to identify the cause of the lack of engagement in school activities was a victim of its own pursuit,” Sanchez said. “This could have been executed successfully if the SC promoted it during inperson classes, but that is not to say that the project should not be implemented in the future,” he added.

Sanchez also noted that these projects reveal “crucial points of adjustment” that the SC will ingrain in its approach for future initiatives.

“From planning to execution, there will be adjustments as every member of the organization remains committed to service and excellence,” the SC President noted.

The DLSU-M IS SC held its Oath Taking and Courtesy Call at Yuchengco Hall on January 10, pledging to serve the student body for the A.Y. 2023-2024.

Art by Azel Bautista

SYSTEM OF OBLIVION

Whenthe state turns a blind eye to the piling deficiencies of the nation’s education system, the youth falls prey to the grandest theft of all.

For yet another consecutive year, the Philippines stands out like a sore thumb on the heels of the rankings in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment results. Earlier this year, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), mandated to monitor the education sector, revealed in its 2024 report that the nation suffers from a sickness–and the Filipino children are at the fragile edge of the precipice.

The Philippines ranked 77th out of the 81 participating countries globally in their conducted student assessment for 15-year-old students, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). DepEd stated that the low ranking indicates a five- to six-year delay in learning competencies for Filipino learners. Also discovered in the evaluation is the noticeable 120-point gap between the Philippines and the average scores, with scores of 355 in math, 347 in reading, and 373 in science. In stark contrast, the top-ranking country, Singapore, scored 575, 543, and 561, respectively.

True to form, despite countless measures implemented in a feeble attempt to improve the quality of education, such as the K-12 program, it has proven nothing but consistency in providing disheartening results each year. It begs the question–how can the government stomach to let the youth succumb to their downfall time and time again? Even after all this, the government does what it does best–practice tonedeaf optimism to conceal the ugly system that it consistently fails to mitigate.

In the eyes of Gina Gonong, the DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching, the PISA results of the country remain “positive” and even dubbed the system as “stable and resilient.” Bliss is plain ignorance! Stability and resilience are not the words to describe the system under Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte’s leadership. Frankly, Duterte set herself up for a cascading domino of enabled inequalities, restricted opportunities, and stagnated national development, leaving the youth staring down the end of the barrel.

The two years that Duterte assumed office as the DepEd Secretary have been excruciating days of stagnancy in plain mediocrity. She resorted to bold yet inane pronouncements

instead of establishing plans that are most suitable to the needs of the sector, such as her immediate order to implement an order relieving instructors of their administrative tasks, which was later argued unviable because of the recruitment process, unclear source of funding, and the 50,000 schools that remain understaffed. Also, a part of Duterte’s MATATAG agenda, an initiative to revise the country’s basic curriculum, is instilling “peace competencies,” a subtle yet glaring strategy of mobilizing education to endorse counterinsurgency. On top of her campaign to return mandatory ROTC, the administration has also blatantly red-tagged progressive groups such as the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ATC).

Eerily enough, the paint of classrooms left unkempt, and the rise of out-of-school youth throughout decades was a warning of worse things to unfold – and now, alas, an education crisis that blew into epic proportions. Inaction cannot thrive in a sector that holds the quintessential reason for a functioning and evolving citizenry.

As the consequent threats of inaccessibility and substandard learning cloud the horizon, the need to boost public investment in education and implement policies such as community-based learning and increased scholarship opportunities is evident now more than ever. And as for the government, they need to reinforce a better system for these children – a pro-people, principled, and progressive system.

Such solutions will only come to fruition by isolating the Education Department from the play of politics and putting a well-versed educator as the head. Under competent leadership, the young can break free from the chains of dismal rankings and are lifted from the margins of ‘below average.’

What was once denied as a crisis is now creeping up on the four walls of a Philippine classroom–and the world is there to witness it crumble down on the young every year. It deprives many children of their futures, aspirations, and even their exit ticket out of the poverty line. To deny them a quality education and allow learning to be at the mercy of marred mismanagement is to allow the death of a better tomorrow.

Because a nation is doomed to die under a government that plays dead.

GARCIA, Thorr Deus Messiah M. ROXAS, Juan Pablo WONG, Penelope GENUINO, Zara Alexandra R. RABACA, Georgina Ashley E. CABADING, Anna Rosielle P. BAUTISTA, Hazel Jewelle G. ARCEGA, Codyvann Rodge L. NICOLAS, Dominique Samantha G. SALONGA, Dominique Chiel R.

Ivymae

STAFFERS

BERNAL, Samuel Timothy B., BONDOC, Jessiemar Chris M., BRANZUELA, Ashley Rian A., CABALONA, Martin Oliver G., CABUANG, Theora Katrine T., CALIBO, Joshua P., CARLOS, Samantha Heart, CHUATOCO, Jasmine Athena P., CRUZ, John Ronianne S, DE GUZMAN, Elijah Joaquin R., DELA CRUZ, Pauleen Grace V., DELOS REYES, Mary Maxeen, DOMINGO, Aerlind Victoria B., DOMINGO, Raymond Julian F., ENRIQUEZ, Kathryn Grace S., FESTIN, Amelie Claire P., GUILLERMO, Prince Kobie B., IREMEDIO, Deih-nna Rassel, JAVELOSA, Hailey Denise I., KARINGAL, Hailey Mikeila V., KING, Sophia Mikaela A., LAMSEN, Boris Isaiah S., LAO, Julianne Margaret M., LASAM, Francyn Neecole, LEE, Jadyn Elisha T., LO, Eufia Jasmine, MALLARI, Aaliyah Franchesca R., MARZAN, Avah Jimaria N., MATEO, Jeoffrey Karlo, R., OMAHOY, Dmitri Omahoy A., PAMATIAN, Alessandra Ezequiel V.,

Art by Anika Tala

Glaring Neglect

Maxeen Delos Reyes

Barely an Ease

The prevailing restraints on accessible prices only reflect one thing: the decline is not enough.

While a promising inflation rate of 3.9% was reported last December, the main contributor to inflation persists: rice prices remain painfully high. An attempt to lower this came with the opening of more imports. However, the motivator to implement such action is already an urgent concern that was swept under the rug: to secure enough rice supply for the people. Despite the projected decrease in the inflation rate in 2024, doubts linger as overlooked risks arise. At the same time, farmers still suffer from a lack of materials due to shortages by the Department of Agriculture (DA), leading to soaring prices of fertilizers and fuel. Indeed, the decrease has yet to bring relief for the people, as the primary food source of the masses remains inaccessible to most.

It is heavily frustrating to note that a culprit in this rise was the decision of the Chief Executive himself. Economists’ concerns over the rice caps last September manifested quickly as the policy inevitably backfired, surging prices to 15-17% from the 8.7% at the start of the year. This was due to low compliance motivated by inevitable losses for sellers, a preempted consequence of meddling with basic economic systems. Despite this, a dangerous curve of optimism lies behind the sly dismissal of this counterproductive measure, even breaching claims of the act being successful. In the end, there is a clear indication of an absolute removal of complacency when the people who should be providing solutions are fueling the fire.

Not only are these policies problematic, but future concerns also cast doubt on the stability of the decline. Naturally, the agricultural sector anticipated weather changes, such as drought, which hiked rice prices due to low supply. While other factors, including global trade, impact the overall prices of goods in the country, the DA should secure and distribute adequate funding to

the agricultural sector to increase the supply of raw goods, consequently boosting rice production. Farmers are already on the brink of opting out of planting; they don’t need any more reason to do so.

The industry has been loud for months with rice price hikes; it is only time for everyone to join the call. This can be done by understanding each individual’s role in disseminating economic literacy is imperative to comprehend inflation’s consequences. Although the economic policies are not in our hands, simple initiatives of educating oneself and others through various platforms, whether through video creation or writing, are vital for change. Consistent consumption and production of these media accumulate into financial literacy, aiding individuals to understand how lowering or rising prices affect basic economic principles like supply and demand, thus guiding critical discussions regarding monetary policies. Furthermore, it is through financial literacy that Filipinos can know the necessary monetary decisions to save and cope with the fluctuating prices of poor inflation management.

The public disapproval of the government’s inflation management is nothing short of legitimacy. Inflation response is not merely about initiative, nor should it be a patch-up; it should be a call for urgency and a people-oriented action.

When the people on the ground are chained from securing basic essentials, it is up to the government to ease the ties; it is up to us to amplify the cries of those hanging by a flimsy thread.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dearest Editors,

First, I would like to extend my warm congratulations and gratitude to the entire organization of The Animo for upholding its vital purpose: to constantly pursue truth and excellence. As a Grade 11 Lasallian, I, along with my peers, would always take the time to read and engage in your publication’s articles and announcements. Speaking not just for myself but for the entire DLSU Senior High School student body, we appreciate The Animo for representing diverse narratives and showing stories and content that truly matter. That said, I would like to ask about some of your published articles that go beyond the Lasallian body. With your nationwide coverage, such as jeepney strikes and catastrophic fires, how can you ensure that you are on the right side of the coin? Given that The Animo has a wide reach that extends beyond the walls of DLSU, I am really curious about the overall process of reaching the right stance for issues that involve millions of Filipinos. Sometimes, the fear of getting ‘cancelled’ gets the best of me, and when I want to speak up and advocate for what I believe in, I just choose to remain silent.

Your response will be highly appreciated,

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Alice,

Your appreciation of our school paper truly empowers our very purpose—to share stories and narratives that the Lasallian body and beyond needs and deserves to know. As such, it is an important aspect in our roles as scribes to go through a long process of research and datagathering before inking our point for the Filipino masses to digest. As an Opinions writer for almost a decade, I’ve essentially learned that basing your stance on personal belief alone is dangerous once you persuade other people to believe in it, too. The very core of journalism lies on one thing—truth, and the truth alone, and by reaching this enlightenment, everyone, not just journalists, must know how to determine factual information about an issue and learn how to be critical in forming an opinion about it.

Remember, there is always a right side, and The Animo always strives to stay there. Your voice is important, and I hope that I may be able to hear it shouting words that challenge issues that many people are even afraid to know or care about.

WThe Punchline

Martina Sioson

As the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported, eventhough the overall inflation rate in the Philippines reached its lowest mark for the year 2023 in December 2023, it is to be noted that just the previous month, rice inflation hiked up to 19.6% which NEDA reassured to consistently monitor up to May 2024 due to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s warning of the El Niño phenomenon in the country.

Martina Sioson, Editor-in-Chief

Masked Under Mockery

hile these so-called comedians hide behind the facet of humor, women are forced to fight for themselves on a maledominated battlefield.

The world of comedy is not exactly a walk in the park – punchlines might not land on a specific audience, and even seasoned comedians have found themselves in several sticky situations. Such was the case on what would have been a proud, historic moment for Filipino and Asian collectives. Jo Koy was the first Filipino-American and Asian host of the 81st edition of the ever-prestigious Golden Globe Awards. But little did he know, this hosting gig would be nothing short of a collapse in his career. With having to accept the role at the last minute, the outcomes have created a whirlwind of controversy, particularly during his monologue.

The misogynistic undertones in his jabs about the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, for starters, have sparked valid frustrations within, and eventually, beyond the audience of the event. And it’s as if his ultimate goal was to attack women that night as he made an internalized sexist remark about Taylor Swift, quipping that the key difference between the NFL and the Golden Globe Awards is that Swift has fewer camera shots on the awards night.

Jo Koy’s offensive and reductive performance inevitably became a mirrored reality of the current state of Philippine entertainment – a snowballing community of “comedians” who make punchlines out of mocking marginalized groups, more commonly known as disparaging humor.

More often than not, Filipino comedians, personalities, and even politicians would make these offensive jokes and innuendos that set us back to years when women were limited to inferiority and not given the same level of respect and recognition as men. With

presidents trying to humor the audience by spewing awful remarks about women and Filipino-American comedians undermining the essence of films about being a woman in its truest form, can we truly be free from the grappling chambers of bigotry?

The lines that comedy may cross can be blurry in many instances. Still, all comedians must know how to thread the line between crafting a perfect joke and bluntly attacking the progress that millions of women have unconditionally fought for. With a new generation comes new perspectives and a new awareness of comedy. We must not be afraid to call out these clowns when taken offense and fight for progress amidst traditional comedic norms looming on the horizon. On the other hand, Filipino entertainers must be open to healthy discourse and communication with their audience as it manifests cumulative progress for the state of entertainment in the nation.

It is high time to contest the status quo of Philippine comedy.

Gone are the days when we have no choice but to laugh at malicious remarks because everyone else finds it humorous.

Because even though we are still far from eradicating the notion that this is a man’s world, it must not equate to tolerance. The true challenge lies in the collective effort to dismantle societal norms, stereotypes, and behaviors that treat women as mere subjects for humor.

NEVER ENOUGH. A housekeeping staff looks to buy fruits from a street vendor in Fidel A. Reyes St., Manila, February 28, 2024. Despite a decrease in the inflation rate for the past couple of months, the prices of goods remain too high for the everyday Filipino.

Photo by Joshua Calibo

- Alice (alias)

Different Worlds

Cruel Summer

Sizzled without a sliver relief of a single dead-drop drizzle—.

It’s a simple fact, one faced with unforeseen obstacles cannot produce the best results.This mirrors students struggling with the stifling weather conditions find their ability to concentrate and retain information compromised. This isn’t just a student issue; Educators struggle to create a productive learning environment under these harsh conditions, impacting the entire education system. With the return of in-person learning, students are now encountering a new hurdle: the scorching summer heat.

Traditionally, the school calendar in the Philippines placed summer vacation during the hottest months of April and May (previously mandated by Executive Order No. 292). This offered a well-deserved break for students and teachers, allowing them to avoid the intense heat while managing workloads. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a shift in the school calendar from June to March to August to June. Unlike the non-face-to-face learning modality before, summer conditions are less likely to affect students in their homes. Subsequent to this, the Department of Education (DepEd) is trying to reduce the number of school days to gradually revert to the old school calendar by Academic Year 2026-2027.

The Philippines is grappling with canicular temperatures, with the heat index reaching a staggering 47°C (116.6°F) – far exceeding the average human body temperature of 37°C (98.6°F). From January 1 to April 18, 2024, 34 cases of heat-related illnesses were reported, tragically resulting in 6 deaths. (DOH, 2024). It is henceforth not conducive to a learning environment keen on promoting health and positive well-being of such students who, in the first place, are never obliged by the need to tinker with the hindrance of an agitating environment.

The latent pandemic adjustments created the current school calendar, but scorching heat presents a new hurdle. Class suspensions due to heat should not jeopardize the integrity of the curriculum. Adjustments are necessary to maintain a complete learning experience and ensure student well-being and productivity. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure learning environments become spaces for focused learning, not searing cauldrons that burdens both education and the well-being of everyone involved. The time for complacency is over. In an outright consensus, we can address both pandemic effects and climate change.

IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT. A female tricycle driver idly awaits passengers along Pablo Ocampo Street, Manila, on January 23, 2024. Few and far between, the slow increase of women taking up work in traditionally male-dominated sectors, such as Philippine public transportation, reveals the economic necessity for women to enter the workforce — to support themselves and their families independently, regardless of gender roles and cultural norms. Filipino women are driven to take matters into their own hands, steering their lives towards a future of their own making.

Battling Incompetence

Eufia Lo

Against the backdrop of celebrating the Filipino workforce’s resilience, hard work, and dedication to providing for their families, a question poses amidst the battle with inflation: How can a country so blatantly mistreat its working populace that they wake every day without exercising the power to lift the sector’s deprived right to livable wages?

In 2023, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) raised the minimum salary from 530 to 570 pesos to 570 to 610 pesos. The meager 40 peso increase, however, only highlights the administration’s carelessness to its laborers’ clamor after the RTWPB rejected the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines’ (TUCP) request for a pay rise of 470 pesos in March 2023. Sufficing for more than one to two single journey LRT tickets, a short ride in e-jeepneys, or a kilogram of rice, the TUCP’s proposed daily wage of more than 1,000 pesos is patently the better contender compared to the 500 peso pay. Hence, by opting to direct the 130 peso difference in other endeavors, the minimum wage hike efforts made by the government

Tare but an antecedent to more families living forcibly closer to the poverty line. As per the words of TUCP, the minimum wage is not only “too little” but “too late” after the current administration ignored the cries of a much-needed salary increase to combat the citizens’ weakened purchasing power.

Furthermore, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) confirms that the new year may not raise hopes for the wage hike’s increase. In lieu, authorities believe that the fate of the Filipino people must be left at the discretion of time, waiting for the wage hike order to “sink in” before appraising the likelihood of easing the lives of blue-collar workers. Facing food poverty, tuition fee increases, transportation fare hikes, and higher prices of essential goods, the new normalized costs of living a stable life have already set an imbalance between Filipinos’ income and expenses. Families, at present, must place their human rights on weighing scales, determining, for instance, if education or food is the day’s priority.

Despite the optimism that a pay hike may bring, no family can live comfortably with only an additional 40 pesos in their pocket.

Taxing Pink

Martheena Genobili

he inevitability of a natural human biological entity shall not fall into the shadows of being oppressed and discriminated against by such taxation ambiguity.

The imposition of taxes on menstrual hygiene products is a form of discrimination in itself - one that cannot ever be justified. Menstruation, a biological process, should not be subject to discrimination through taxation ambiguity. These products are not luxury items but invaluable necessities for women. Yet this discriminatory practice persists worldwide, imposing undue financial burdens on a biological process and perpetuating the stigma surrounding menstruation.

Recent legislative endeavors have sought to push back against this travesty.

AKO ILOCANO AKO Partylist Rep. Richelle Singson prominently filed a legislative proposal to remove taxes on all menstrual products. Singson also commented on the phase processes of the menstruation cycle, citing aid on flexible work hours and options for work environments such as a “work from home” setting. Her efforts shed light on how fighting against the tax on menstrual products goes far beyond financial factors: it addresses wider problems of gender equality and reproductive health. Rep. Singson and others who advocate for the abolition of taxes on period products are fighting for women’s rights and dignity, not only to relieve financial burdens.

Minimum wage earners can never evade the hassles of daily traffic, travel at their own will, not worry about grocery expenses, or access better educational opportunities for their children abroad; this is a fact only a recognition of those privileged can realize. As such, Lasallians, in training to become a part of the workforce soon, must learn to question the budgets established by the government by pouring support into laborer-centered organizations and their efforts. Lasallians, a community of students from various socioeconomic standings who understand, if not experience, the challenges blue-collar workers face, should empathize with the Philippine collective. As the classes among Filipinos become more divisive than ever, it is time to pull the brakes on the blue-collar hate train — where though the government recognizes the diligence of the country’s workers in words, actions must manifest where credit is due. Thus, one thing is for sure: the nation must refuse to live in a world where the demands to dismantle the government’s acts of negligence on workers’ rights are quieted.

Treason through Taxation

The imposition of taxes on menstrual hygiene products is an unacceptable form of discrimination. Governments prolong the shame associated with menstruation by pricing them as non-essential commodities, thereby marginalizing women who menstruate. These taxes impose an unjust financial burden on individuals, limiting their capacity to manage their health and fully participate in society.

Tragically, the world is slow to heed the inevitable call for health rights and better menstrual care for women. Keyna, out of all countries, was the first to kickstart the removal of their Value Added Tax on sanitary pads and tampons all the way back in 2004. Strangely enough, two decades on, the Philippines has yet to follow - and is not even near the state of implementation. In an evermore progressive society, this standstill on such a vital issue is all the more disdaining.

The Philippines is not a country with a booming economy, nor is it a welcomed facet of utmost healthcare services without the chokehold of a plethora of payments. Despite strides in healthcare and socioeconomic development, the country has yet to abolish the taxation of menstrual hygiene products. It’s time for the Philippines to join the global movement toward menstrual health equity and eliminate this discriminatory tax. A synthesis, even with their struggle with poverty rates, proves no order than the foreground importance of the

safety and health of half of their population. The cyclical hardship of menstruation among women in and around the country does not justify vying on monetary hindrances. Menstrual products are not items to be saved money upon, it is not an eyeing service to balance with the already combatant hardship of availing basic commodities, it is simply a foundational right for women’s dignity and inclusivity.

Amidst the broader struggle forsocioeconomic equality, the issue of menstrual product taxation stands as a stark reminder of the ongoingfaceddiscrimination by women.

Eliminating the “tampon tax” is not merely a legislative nicety but a legal mandate: a fundamental step towards upholding womanhood. It is time to end this financial discrimination against women and ensure equal access to essential menstrual hygiene products for all.

Photo by Caitlin Rico

Kobie Guillermo

PHOTO STORY

Art by Azel Bautista

OPrompt Society

Future Foe: Assist or Resist?

n what scale shall technology be a hideaway for learners that breeds an outpouring paramount of information?

The Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer, or what we commonly know as ChatGPT, gleamed over the landscape of academic learning through all sorts of uses as students thirst for knowledge. Albeit the positive outlook, most students take the opportunity of utilizing such Artificial Intelligence (AI) prompts to search for quick answers on learning assessments, quizzes, graded written works, and the like. This, in its form, is considered a violation due to cheating.

These circumstances stir the stereotype behind the AI prompt, which, due to its massive potential to violate academic integrity, has been prohibited by academic institutions and personnel. Even though this has been the logical step, the insights on incorporating ChatGPT as an academic learning tool through modules or lessons are overseen.

When blatant bans on the use of AI are the only way of avoiding plagiarism and cheating on exams and schoolwork, students become deprived of technological incorporation in academic learning, leading them to deviate from practice and expertise in AI learning.

Many students have disagreed with the push to further restrict AI, particularly ChatGPT, from academic use entirely, citing that it is still a helpful learning tool.

“Though I think the usage of ChatGPT has gone too far, I believe further restrictions aren’t the right solution,” said Stassjja Llaneza, an ID 122 STEM student. “ChatGPT is a great aid for students who are in need of guidance in studying,” she added.

“It doesn’t make sense to restrict AI from the academic space further,” said Jennifer “Jepper” Santos, a DLSU Senior High School Professor. “A workaround could probably be limiting the avenue and scope of ChatGPT, especially the classroom,” she noted.

Henceforth, rather than being restrictive on the avoidance of the use of AI, as more updates are made to the software, it further intensifies its reliability. After all, it is just in the ways of the violation of the academic integrity of students that ChatGPT bears its bad stereotypical reputation.

As the dismay of the educational sector deems artificial intelligence as a frowned upon topic rather than informing students on the responsible and transparent use of AI, it becomes a breeding ground for the temptation of students due to the unguided incorporation of the use of chat prompts.

An utmost consideration of having chat prompts in curriculum frameworks as an educational tool shall be the diversion of the positive discernment from the negating factors.

Pragmatically, the development of Artificial intelligence and chat prompts paves the way for an inclusive learning and inquisitive society, being able to fathom the truth in an evermore globalized and digitized society.

For Lasallians, it is a mere heed for awareness that such technological tools for an enriched learning experience. When taken to a virtuous extent, it is the inevitability that a future of scholars shall be versed in the realm of making good use of AI prompts such as ChatGPT which the consensus of students sees.

After all, no one wants to be deprived of knowledge in handy.

Why would an outright prohibition towards an academic learning tool for the future not be integrated for molding a generation of AI-equipped learners?

COMMENTARY

Questioning Ascendancy

Elise Maegan Paragua

Marcos on Time?: Influence or Infamy?

In this society where influence is essential, certain things demand more than a courtesy nod of approval. The recent inclusion of President Marcos on Time magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People of 2024’ list has sparked questions about the true nature and implications of his presidency’s influence.

At first glance, Marcos’ name on a prestigious list would seem to validate his impact; however, further analysis reveals a narrative of fleeting influence. It raises questions regarding the basis of this recognition and its lasting effects. Despite promises of change and unity, Marcos Jr. has failed to deliver tangible transformations, leaving many Filipinos skeptical of his leadership. Absent these substantial improvements, the issue arises: does Marcos’ “influence” indeed merit recognition?

The Presidential Communication Office (PCO) claims of “robust economic growth and recovery” sharply contradict today’s reality. Marcos’ policies, including the Maharlika Fund, the Jeepney Phaseout, and fluctuating travel budget, proved inefficient for the Filipino people. The Maharlika Fund violated economic principles and posed risks to the economy, while the Jeepney phaseout appeared to favor the wealthy over the poor, leaving drivers without support, exacerbating hardships for the Filipino people.

For a country dwindling in poverty, the absence of policies to alleviate burden and uplift the urban poor is stark. Vice President Duterte’s confidential funds exemplify a lack of funding transparency, further eroding public trust. Those who need good governance the most are neglected in pursuit of grandiose but ultimately hollow achievements. It raises the suspicion that this is another mask of glory attempting to hide the anomalies of his heading of state.

This surge of seeking influence raises suspicions of underlying motives as history looms over the Marcos presidency. The collective forgetfulness of the past allows Marcos Jr.’s influence and power to grow, creating a blurry line between intentions: is the president’s recognition genuinely driven by a desire to uplift the nation or a calculated attempt to rehabilitate the bloodied Marcos name?

Time’s recognition of Marcos demands a closer examination of his presidency’s impact. Being named among the “100 Most Influential People of the Year” reflects more than individual achievement—it reflects a nation’s standing and direction. If someone deemed influential fails to exert positive change, how does that reflect the country? Holding leaders accountable is crucial, ensuring that influence is wielded truthfully and responsibly for the nation’s betterment. Anything less betrays the Filipino people.

AInside Job

way from home, away from all statutes, a runabout of liberality, a freeflow exploration beyond the bewilderment through all ways of life. The youth, sorting through all the uncertainties of life, grasp through the “flick of a try” in every matter. At the age of maturity, especially with the activities that have only prohibited them for all years of their lives, they are enticed about the life of the other side—a breakthrough of freedom.

But to what extent?

Around the vicinity of De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU-M), most of the east of the campus, more commonly known as “Agno Street,” comprises public spaces within the separate buildings of the university. In these establishments, behold a market of liquor, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes where students can access and buy these products. Even though it is against the law, these spaces are extremely close to the campus. In fact, Brother Andrew Gonzales Hall, a DLSU-M building, is just about 10 meters away from the Green Court Parking. This is nothing but a mere reflection of inaction from the institution–choosing to let these vendors have a space within the area where its students are vulnerable to vices.

As school hours end, some restaurant venues become party spaces, raising concerns about these anomalous ventures. This provides drastic implications of temptation to the youth for them to blatantly have effortless ingress to go forth in these locations. Hence, it puts a negative image of DLSU-Manila and its provisions on health guidelines for the students.

In terms of government cigarette regulations, a glaring decision was made in 2022 wherein the Republic Act 11900, known as the “Vape Law,” lowered the age restriction of the youth from 21 to

Vice City

18 years old to access these products legally.

On January 16, 2024, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) strict prohibition on minors’ access to these products. Hence, a conjoined effort to deplete its accessibility shall be of utmost importance for protecting every facet within its deleterious effects on everything and everyone.

All these factors detrimentally affect a large share of the reputation of DLSU through its stakeholders, parents of the students, national and international recognition, and most importantly, the incoming and aspiring students who envision nothing less than quality education. When these spur through the youth who have their eyes set on studying in this university, it is simply not an image that invites such scholars of the academic world.

The campus of DLSU-Manila is not a hideaway from the parents and loved ones of students who have entrusted the school to nurture them with such compassionate virtue. All it entails is an act of discourteous ignorance of the institution they are in, their environment, and the public’s perception of these anomalous activities under the name of DLSU-Manila, who, in the first place, have no affiliations in these activities.

Let it not be a stereotypical attachment in the school’s name that was glorified and kept sacred for over a decade. Lasallian achievers are not selfless imprudent; instead, they are the vanguards of virtue for their fellow brothers and sisters and the eternity of future Lasallians who will swear by the vision and mission of the school.

Avah Marzan

PHOTO OPINION

BOSES ANG PUHUNAN. Jesus Cañedo, 36, a barker calls for jeepney passengers along Padre Burgos, Manila on March 8, 2024. Cañedo is further challenged to live off of his earnings to feed his seven children as prices continue to increase.

Photo by Joshua Calibo

Art by Jeoffrey Mateo

Pablo Roxas

Photo by Codyvann Arcega

Sari-Sari Stories of Truth

Apicture is worth a thousand words and the same goes for local craft.

Poignant remnants of Philippine culture find their way on the concrete benches of St. Joseph Walk—a moment of awareness and ingenuity. With each passing display of handwrought items, a touching story is renounced but not quite uncovered. Navigating through the succeeding stalls for Lingkod Payaman 7: Sari-Sari Stories, an atmosphere of enticement lingers in the air from the last remaining weeks of January. Now, there remains a wish—to know and understand the very hands of those who made them.

One table tucked in the center sparkles with local emblems, occupied by vendors from Akap sa Bata ng mga Guro Kalinga Philippines Inc., an organization that advocates for a child-friendly society where justice, peace, and love for creation reign. Arrays of tribal jewelry and kubing were proudly presented by one of the vendors, Raymond Oxcena, who stands as the Executive Director of the organization. He explains that these handmade items are crafted from the organization’s initiatives of educating children on the creation of local crafts. The guiding motivation of parent and teacher volunteers aids them to produce art that may not always achieve perfection but is undeniably beaded with authenticity and passion. Inspired by the customs of Muslim communities and the Lumads of Mindanao, these tribal bracelets were imbued with the national pride of the younger generation.

Yet, despite pure intentions, the reality for local products is how their significance is overshadowed by market profits. Perceiving the wooden crate of cultural wealth as merely a source of income, exploitation within the Philippine market undoubtedly becomes an underlying issue. Similar passages are echoed from those in Antique—with products sold for market profit, the culture’s significance comes down merely as the money it delivers. With a heavy heart, Oxcena spoke with concern for tribal communities being

AFEATURES 09

As the camera rolls, it bears witness to narratives extending beyond visible frames, capturing raw realities where authenticity prevails. Behind the scenes, the true essence of filmmaking resonates.

“Cut!” In the 1990s, the Philippine film industry fell silent amid heavy government censorship, rising production costs, and Hollywood dominance. Limited representation of diverse perspectives resulted from the lack of autonomy to capture minority stories. Yet, the Filipinos’ desire to revive Philippine cinema echoed loudly. In the 21st century, a resurgence unfolds with independent and digital films in the New Wave era of cinema.

By Maurin Mateo

taken advantage of, “Most of the time, yung mga produkto ng mga katutubo or local economy ay nakabatay nalang lagi sa ekonomiya o sa pagtataas ng ekonomiya.”

A dismal reality for the substantial voices of the country is merely hushed by those working against it—created with love but sold with greed.

An awareness is integrated into the sale of local craft and just how important it is to preserve the individual identity and civil rights of its tribal nation—leading to a new hope. Hope for a generation that views these precious items beyond an economic standpoint, rooted in a market that values cultural significance over the limbo of profit.

The stories brought a fresh perspective into the school, listening to the overlooked beginnings behind these prized possessions despite their lack of recognition or misuse. Venturing with this mission in mind earlier than most, the children affiliated with the organization lead as pioneer storytellers of unsung tribal and urban poor narratives using these cultural relics. A promise is evoked in the depth of perspective harbored by the children, reared in the core values of being makabayan and makamasa. It paves the way for a collection of jewelry intricately intertwined with Filipino culture, celebrated and fought for. With the same spirited values and critical awareness, an urge to follow into the root of its steps settles.

In an inexplicable bond, generations have indirectly sowed a seed of appreciation for our nation and cultivated a grasp on the commercial challenges that manipulate it. In hushed tones, a mix of pride and duty encore, all from a stall beckoning of lush narratives in a fleeting time. These strings of blue, red, and gold serve as treasured cues that “you are a Filipino, first and foremost.” A member of a nation bound and responsible for the intricate beauty of local Philippine crafts— connected to the hands that craft it.

“Action!” In the digital revolution, Filipino films have found a new industry foothold. Embracing affordable technology and freedom from restrictive conventions, independent filmmakers delved into social realism, portraying the daily challenges of marginalized people. They challenged stereotypes of Filipino identity, depicting the Philippines as a rich tapestry of diverse stories. A notable film is “Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino,” released in 2004, with a runtime of approximately 10 hours and 43 minutes, tracing a farming clan’s rise and fall, symbolizing the nation’s history under Ferdinand Marcos’ rule. The film heralds the dawn of a new era in Philippine cinema— not merely a rebirth but a representation of Filipino stories that resonate locally and globally.

The cinematic milestone paved the way for emerging talents, like independent filmmaker Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan, to be introduced to the possibilities of filmmaking in the New Wave. Witnessing Filipino films thrive nationally and internationally inspired him to use filmmaking as a gateway. “Films from remote areas inspired me to do the same in my hometown, the Cordilleras and Visayas,” Eblahan shares. “It motivates me to shed light on overlooked individuals.”

In his filmmaking, Eblahan’s multitasking brings fatigue, yet it makes his journey as an independent director all the more fulfilling. In the past, filmmaking required costly equipment, but as Eblahan shot award-winning films with ordinary pocket cameras, this era proves that talent and passion trump any cost. As a filmmaker,

By Jamillah Zoleta

he staunchly champions liberty in expressing his identity and vision. More so nowadays, filmmaking isn’t just a privilege; it’s a right—an empowering medium for individuals to assert their voices and shape the collective narrative. No doubt that film is a cornerstone of democratic expression and freedom.

Coming from Ifugao and Visayan roots, Eblahan empowers indigenous communities through film, showing that their stories are worthy of being told. He weaves colonial influences into contemporary lives, illuminating intergenerational issues. Inspired by Ifugao folklore, his film “Hum” explores indigenous youths’ ‘divided’ identities, depicting their responsibility in stewarding a land left behind by colonizers. As ancestral thunderstorm sounds echo on screen, the movie captures qualities of rural upbringing and addresses the challenges faced by indigenous voices with untold stories.

In a once elitist cinematic realm, the New Wave era reshapes accessibility, awakening Eblahan to the validity of his perspectives. He became a beacon of inspiration for minorities, earning international acclaim at Cannes for “Hum” and Sundance for “The Headhunter’s Daughter.” Both films intricately explore indigenous life, tackling displacement, cultural erasure, and the struggle to preserve traditional practices in the modern world.

By recognizing the wealth of stories young Filipino filmmakers hold, their films shape future generations—not merely as historical phases but as transformative forces in New Wave cinema. Demystifying the Filipino identity on-screen and showcasing the archipelago’s people ensures the continued vibrancy of cinema. As the camera captures its final frames, the New Wave’s pulse propels us into the future, with diverse voices cutting through the noise and resonating profoundly, ensuring that the richness of Filipino narratives remains alive.

ll the energy needed to sustain one through the day can be found in a small cup of coffee. Its consumption is an everyday routine and a quick and easy comfort to many. Yet, the narrative of how these coffee grounds are sown among the pastures south of the country is left unheard. There is more to be discovered through the profound intricacies of coffee, beginning even before its brew.

In one of the pristine laboratories of La Salle’s Social Development Research Center (SDRC), one will find standard tools but with lines of espresso machines and coffee grounds on countertops filling the room. With the presence of unusual but familiar tools, Lasallians find themselves eager for their next lesson— coffee science. Uniformed in navy blue aprons, students are in for a deep dive into their own curiosities of what lies in the cup of coffee they rely on each day. But beyond the drink’s scientific components, the course reveals a deeper truth.

Dr. Emmanuel Garcia, better known as Dr. Mel to his students, is an assistant professor and the pioneer of the coffee science course. An idea that had sparked his curiosity seven years ago was then transformed into an academic program dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of coffee. However, it was not just mere curiosity or love for the drink that drove him towards this pursuit, but the objective to help elevate the agricultural processes behind coffee

farming. Through a scientific lens, students of the course dissect the processes behind producing brewed coffee, focusing on its biochemistry and quality, which will soon lead them to realize the consequences it holds.

In each session, Dr. Mel highlights the agricultural concern that lies at the crux of coffee making, that is, meeting the demand of local consumption with the local production of the Philippines. “The disparity between our consumption and production is [like] David and Goliath,” he stated. From the harsh battle of producing quality beans, he explained that coffee farmers suffer from the lack of knowledge and technology to meet the market’s demands. When questioning the factors for this stuntedness in production, it traces its way back to outdated agricultural practices. “In order to progress, kailangan mo ng reform,” he explained. New policies need to be conducted, requiring a foundation that can only be provided by knowledgeable researchers stemming from young scholars, which these classes can only hope to rouse and brew.

Coffee farmers who strive to satisfy overwhelming demands are in need of assistance that can only be provided by seasoned professionals. With production itself being an expensive and labor-intensive process, the environment that they are harvesting from is in disrepair—producing lackluster coffee in the market that cannot compete with coffee grounds from Ethiopia or Brazil. Inventive approaches to education offer a fresh take on estranged branches of science that bolster sectors within the country in dire need of it. Through the course, Lasallians are further exposed to plights beyond the confines of their school laboratories, ambling into class to be roused by the struggles of farmers who bear the brunt of competitive markets. A need for proper coffee education echoes nationwide, kickstarting Dr Mel’s coffee science course.

Despite being a daily staple, coffee has been trapped inside a mug of comfort, withholding its consumers from this sober reality. In addressing this scarcity of knowledge, students who stand within the laboratories of brewing curiosity are given a chance to imagine a future that recalibrates the coffee industry to a fresh start—and, most of all, better lives for those who lie at its agricultural stake.

Art by Anika Tala

Photos by Caitlin Rico

By Maurin Mateo

FEATURES 10

By Katrina Adalid

“Mag-aral ka lang nang mabuti at makakaahon ka sa buhay”—an advice every young child was made to believe, promising a life of abundance, and all they had to do was sacrifice a little. However, it later on reveals itself as a lie that does not consider the ugly truths of the system the nation has grown too comfortable with, a system that makes its people choose the lesser evil on their fate.

In the midst of the holiday last December, the Commission on Higher Education disrupted festivities with a memorandum noting the cessation of the senior high school program in State and Local Universities and Colleges nationwide, sparking immediate concern among students and their parents as more than 17,500 of them were predicted to be displaced. Being left with only two options, enrolling in a public school or in a private school, their future is down to a choice between two great sacrifices— assuming they are fortunate enough to have a choice at all.

While other students find themselves torn between which schools boast the best interior design and where one can make the most connections for future pursuits, in households where money runs tight, the factors in consideration for one’s education don’t go far beyond “kakayanin ba?” With the continuous rise in tuition fees, a private school sits on top of a pedestal, out of touch and out of reach. A choice this grand comes at the cost of either the parents’ or the student’s well-being, where one must spread themselves thin to simply make quality education attainable. For students, it means maintaining a part-time job while navigating the heavy demands of academic life, living a balancing act that might only ease when they finally receive their diploma.

To those without the privilege of choice, fate drags them into an inescapable depth. As 200 SUCs and LUCs shut their doors to the SHS program, public schools brace for an overwhelming influx of students, far exceeding their capacity and pushing them to the brink of a collapse. Soon, students will be forced to scramble for the same meager provisions, where every single scrap of necessity must be fiercely contested as if it wasn’t their basic right to begin with. It will be an environment teeming with too many people and too few resources—an oppressive landscape of perpetual scarcity. It’s a life so suffocating where excellence is stifled, and potential is weighed down by the relentless crush of the crowd. And neither the teachers who stand in front of their class can make a difference.

The gravity of such a decision bears down like an insurmountable weight. Each option presents its own gauntlet of trials, leaving these students ensnared in a ceaseless battle for a glimmer of hope amidst this great divide of fate the system has set them up with due to their lack of consideration. Where options are limited, and the concern of quality is considered last, “‘di bali nang mahirap, basta makatapos,” these students may either fall into the weakest end of the country’s already poor education system or bleed themselves dry to make ends meet for their families and their future. These students’ dreams become casualties of a system that demands sacrifice at the altar of survival, their futures hanging in the balance of a society that fails to truly recognize their worth.

By Maurin Mateo

When there is nothing to see or to hear, they will mumble. For it is the very constitution the nation abides by that is barricaded in metal bars by the state.

The exact laws, legislations, and bodies that serve to uphold the tenets of democracy act as the legalized mode of silencing the people. Despite the luncheons, the press conferences, and public statements that hold and hail the country’s activists as heroes and bastions of freedom, these calls ring empty in the landscape they face, unmoving to change. Marginalized sectors are more unguarded than ever, for it is easy to press charges on vulnerable and unsupported bodies. The epithets of subersibo and filibustero are donned upon them, limiting the few who may arise on top of the issue. When no sense of accountability is taken by those in power, the unending fight for those who choose to speak against

en the state enforces such vehement violence, the safeguards of writers and the press have been extinguished among themselves. Major news outlets and ubiquitous institutions still come to be shaken and usurped by the mandates of the government, and the question of who we are fighting for fails to be answered. Large and long-standing outlets fail to protect their journalists from such accusations. Acts of protest and publicized critics are condemned, as protesters alongside the transport strike were hosed

down during a recent peaceful protest on Labor Day by thousands of police officers. It robs the very little resource that those who opt to speak have—the truth.

Even greater than the external threats that government bodies impose on people is the internal conflict within themselves. When one’s own life is at risk, the blame shifts toward no one when the choice to hide presents itself. Fear breeds silence, and silence only breeds the expected outcome of defeat.

This self-imposed silence in the words of Filipinos represented only multiplies and spreads. Meanwhile, the fears of protesters against a body much greater than theirs proceed to silence them and to toe the line of the administration carefully.

Now, the need for legal protection, accountability within the accusing bodies, and greater scrutiny of the law into the accusations themselves and not the accused is what journalists have been clamoring for. Current horizons seem bleak, and conditions have only intensified since the previous administrations. The fight for free speech remains only a fight, unresolved and left unscathed.

The lack of legal framework and formalized definitions for red-tagging only make it all the harder to accuse and spot. It only serves to make accusations easier to serve and much harder to refute, a handcuff at the ready. Hailing our activists as modern heroes, and all the laurels we place upon their heads ring empty when the voices that those minds exclaim remain onwards from now…silent.

Art by Azel Bautista

Art by Dmitri Omahoy

FEATURES 11

By Maurin Mateo

There comes a betrayal when the very tape that muffles us is placed by our own community—a tragedy of blinded hostility.

The shouts of the crowd will tell you that you are wrong, and that is all you will ever be. It is another page to be taken from humiliation, as an argument upon another argument dismisses any scraps of the dignity you have left. Already fragile issues are treated with even more flimsy, barely having a message out before it is dictated by another person. Instead of being pushed as a gentle reminder for growth, it transforms into an aggressive and brutal beast that culminates in fear. Whether you are right or wrong does not matter, although winning the argument does.

Disguised under the facade of accountability, cancel culture has become the media’s favored way to purge controversial ideas and narratives that do not fit within its societal confines. An apology is not enough, nor will an explanation do. Once the controversy has been set in stone, it will never be dismissed from the qualms of social media. Online rumors will continue to circulate as society takes the bait of drama. Keeping silent becomes the rational choice for victims, much like a parasitical conundrum—believing that it will move on to another host in a matter of time.

In boycotting and shunning people, society has instead pushed itself from learning from its mistakes to being silenced from saying anything else. It has only become another manner of hate in a discussion thread of hundreds of comments, despite having positive intentions. In what was supposed to be an

open discourse, there is a constant state of fear of becoming labeled in red ink as the next victim, dragging along their friends and family into the issue. This repetitive cycle fosters a community that does not hope to correct but to cast out. Going beyond the scope of digital screens, it influences the viewpoint on politics, religion, and the social environment that the youth is exposed to. What was said on mere platforms has irreversible real-life consequences— ranging from public humiliation to being labeled as a social pariah offline.

It urges the idea that when public perception becomes the priority, honesty is rarely part of it. Conforming to what is generally accepted as right and rushing to fight those who believe otherwise refuses the nation an opportunity to initiate intellectual conversation. The current social media landscape is branded as a two-sided coin—easily encouraging discussion but just as quick to refuse others out of it. A baseless online rumor is considered a fact, while mistakes are left with no room to be held accountable. But there is a chance to remain civil without further infusing gasoline into an already-triggered topic, with possibilities ahead for growth, awareness, and chance.

The contemporary society that we have been raised in has contributed to a culture where it is too easy to be censored and left unheard. There are graver issues that are cast aside to make way for compelling and overplayed drama on posts. Here, those who fight for injustice against those in power are left in silence when the same applies to their own.

Advancing technology has been an avenue of power, but there is a price for the very lure it presents when it becomes endless.

The vibrant and dynamic online platforms that once thrived on authentic engagement and creativity are now cluttered with soulless, repetitive content, eroding the unique voices and connections that once defined online communities. The delicate line between human and bot grows ever more elusive as digital content cunningly deceives audiences into believing in its authenticity. The unsettling possibility looms that the users behind the screens may not exist at all, or even more concerning, that the true meaning of an authentic conversation is slipping away entirely.

The development of deep fakes, specialized algorithms, and automatically generated content is a danger to the media consumed. This con starts from the negligible pretense of the digital world and into the crux of today’s most relevant issues. With a simple scroll on social media, one is taunted by AI art that fools you into believing in its creation. Graphic and sexual material is everywhere in discussion threads—from the creation of thousands of bots online. Disturbing artificial images or videos are labeled as trending and showcased on an unsuspecting user’s personalized page. When a person’s own fantasies can be played out through mere instructions in the wrong hands, it will only spread and foster deceit.

Within the corners of classrooms, those at the peak of youth have used artificial intelligence to their advantage in the field of education. With platforms such as ChatGPT and QuillBot available to access at one’s fingertips, knowledgeable content becomes wary and unoriginal. When educational material becomes overrun by AI-generated content, it is soon realized that artificial intelligence remains artificial and, in turn, imperfect. With inconsistencies in blurring the lines of fact and limiting organic material, the harm made to the knowledge gathered by students becomes irreversible.

From casting ballots and selecting candidates through political campaigns, the buzzing trend of discussions on candidates flourishes in the pages of X and Facebook. Raging debates spur the posting of manipulated media of inaccurate representations of political figures, saying or doing what never really happened through generated deep fakes. A candidate’s credibility, position, and opinions may be altered for the sake of propaganda from other parties. Scandals arise despite being proven fake, and the fabricated content has already been believed by the less informed of the population. One’s online environment is stripped of its protection as it becomes another place to be cautious of.

In the quicksand progression of artificial intelligence, it has crept into the corners of what was once deemed a mode of human communication. The dark abyss looms over, cold and wary of the future ahead, as a sign of life is nowhere in sight. Vigilance is now urged to be equipped through each browse, wherein caution is used to an advantage. As the internet remains at the center of our hands, the changes that are sought in its usage are utilized but never swept far from control. Despite being mere users, only humans can revive the online wasteland.

By Maurin Mateo

Art by Jeoffrey Mateo

Ransom Call FEATURES

By Penelope Wong

Walking upon the streets of Binondo, my eyes linger on its tourist sights as merchants densely line the streets. Ongpin first comes to mind—that watering ground upon which crowds gather for a taste of fad foods. On each corner is a business founded on nebulous family ties. Working behind the counter is a girl, some shopkeeper’s daughter, diligently put to work and good use. They must be immigrants. Wealthy, if those long queues are anything to go by. Leaving, I keep a tab of that straight-cut, ebony hair.

The sun beating down on my brow is inhospitable, yet my eyes continue to see other sights, that is, of probable persons and bodies. As I enter further, the streets grow narrower. They are no longer punctuated by lamps awash in red, and fewer ornaments hang above them. It is replaced suddenly by crudeness; dense poles bend beneath the weight of wires, sidewalks jut unevenly, split like a broken maw.

Dressed in common garb, I recognize that jut of dark hair, a mestizo de Sangley. That is who they are, merchants first and foremost, descendants of the ruling class tracing back to colonized times. She is a good choice, an innate merchant; these are good people to do business with.

Calling my accomplices, through an unsubtle shift of the hand, a resounding holler. No one else bats an eye. Our sun-baked bodies engulf this poor waif and bring her to isolation. We kept her within a warehouse of steel, housing perhaps their own merchandise, the very products generating their wealth. Yet, these mestizos did not grow to be wealthy all at once, nor were they caricatures of that duplicitous capitalist. The fact that their ancestors toiled and labored in the dockyard, smith, and mason, just as Indios once did, is a fact that eludes me.

Dialing in the numbers and making the ransom call takes no time at all. The father’s panicked voice takes even shorter to resound in the hold. Demands are made for her return as his wailing distends into blustering babble—half-Tagalog, half-incomprehensible. Those Tagalog expletives, I understand clearly as the earnest desire to keep her safe. The cries in his native tongue, however, I leave as blanks. We are engaging in business here, with no room to spare for things otherwise.

Shortly, I name my price. The family is only all too willing to pay the hefty sum, as the sale and exchange are set to be made.

I have no fear of repercussions, not when I have the state’s indifference on my side. Am I the biggest criminal on these streets? Surely not when the state had just imposed integration fees on these people, made to pay off their own continued existence in hundred thousand bills before the threat of police pressure and surveillance. Holding an entire sect of people hostage by the mere virtue of their ancestry—theirs are the only bodies permitted to wield violence unrepentantly.

Those dealings had left me changed, its fruits now a part of me, as its unsavory business propelled me to the seat of comfort and wealth. This was more than two decades ago, back when it was rife. The wants and tides of the market have changed much since then, and abduction is now a less-than-profitable venture.

That father and I had once felt out what sum the other is worth. I felt owed for my wronged and subjected status, faulting them for the virtue of being wealthy, of being alien and hailing from the Sangleys. Much like I believed once, years ago, when the news report rang out in static technicolor. I asked my neighbors, these wily brethren of mine if they were bothered by the abductions. They replied flatly.

No. For I am not Chinese, nor am I rich.

By Penelope Wong

In the land of that primordial oneness, there misshapen the land of Uz. Once there lived a woman wedded to the nobleman Job. In such a misshapen world, he was the pinnacle of virtue— that machine of a preacher, strange as those values may be. They revered the parochial role he took upon himself, wielding the burden of power comfortably; its machinations and nimble intricacies wielded with grandiose self-assuredness. Influence had made him forceful, visions of God fueled his grandiosity while tenuous followers had begun to a name above all names.

Through these, he had gained all the world’s bounties. Leagues of plains, its airspace, and doting, devoted flocks were all gifts at his disposal. With oxen for the culling and servants toiling to place the feast upon his plate, for long was he the appointed man of the South East. The wife had made herself worthy by being as noble and upright as she was. Through his power, she was afforded an impassioned forthrightness, an aggression rarely afforded to others had it not been for their fortuitous God-hewn bond.

She had roused early to prepare yet again for a feast. Setting the plates before the oratory as she is set diligently upon her task. Diminished by servility, a pale hand is roughened by nimble work. Waking their daughters and sons, she is met by fearful news from Job, rendered mute by humiliated anger. Their livestock had been trimmed to none, and their children, both near and far, expired by angered human forces and natural causes— Job’s aggression has left them all but vulnerable to the wiles of men while God had ordained it indifferently.

Wailing at the weight of her own grief, she clips her hair. Yet, ever loyal to the idols that never loved her back, she sings them her praises and croons at the dais with nothing less than love.

Despite it all, the feast still commences. A hunched old woman is set upon her task, misshapen and slouched by servility. Job, on the other hand, is visited by friends from foreign

lands with strange names. They bask happily in Job’s proffering of goods, supping on his meals, and viewing his lithe dancers. Working girls, charming as little doves. Excited eyes probe, and hands linger where they shouldn’t. Job’s wife, once again, is scorned by aggression. She shouldn’t have been wearing that if his advances weren’t wanted.

Old friends, though they may be only her husband’s, after all, chide him for wedding her. Someone near him must have performed evil for him to be punished in such a way. An innate impotence, a brand of misfortune which she must’ve passed down in her blood. Perhaps it is her own lack of virtue that God had sensed and soon curbed.

Job’s penultimate rejection is a brand. The shame boils hotly, leaving sores in its wake. She is punished for being a reluctant vessel of her husband’s will. Structures, friends, and securities vanished— for it is into dust they all should return. It was never hers to keep, after all, and now she was reduced to the position of all the women she had once scorned.

Cast out the Eden of Job’s bounty, malformed and misshapen as it is, she seeks other gods to revere, one that will testify and act witness to her sacrifice and victimhood. Deities that anoint criminals, and protect the interests of scoundrels are little more than hollow-ringing idols.

She may be far-fallen from her gilded dais—face tanned with heat, fingers calloused with work, and legs strained with exertion. She has walked the desert of godlessness for many nights, supped on the bread of doubt, listened to the temptations that beckon her back home to grovel for mercy— but she emerges with new-found faith in a God far greater than that of her vile husband. Endless and powerful, there is a faith that links all women in their shared suffrage, that will someday reward them ten-fold, thousand-fold in the bearing of such pains.

By Maurin

It is the legacy we carry that weighs the most baggage.

This message is a homage to the promise made to our parents—to follow the path they have paved or to wind up as a retelling image of the future they wished for themselves. Our duty as vessels has been to pass it along the family line, an intricate but predestined fate. Which career will it be then—A doctor, an engineer, or a scientist? Most families of this country have expected this dialed call to be returned and to rise as STEM scholars, as the lineage is brutal albeit relentless—our very own education system expects as much.

There is a crossroad ahead in two divulging pavements, the fraught battle between passion and necessity. The image is a culmination of the fears of tiger parents, who had decided your future long before you were born. A facade of indifference is received when passion runs towards humanities and arts. Scholarships pile up as they are rejected for the mere reason of being an unimportant course, unlike those who learn the “most difficult and most important” of subjects. On the family table is the mother who suggests an alternative course, the older siblings who smile in disappointment, and the aunties who take a jab at your intellect to warn you of your future of financial instability. These expectations have long stood on a pedestal, and the fall only destroys the freedom to choose a path, opting for the favored.

When balancing on the tightrope of gaining approval, tension is bred. Fulfilling fantasies while living as your parent’s second life feels much like bearing a life that is no longer your own. This commitment has been engraved in Kumon classes and summer camps, as the satisfaction only broods when shown off to relatives after receiving an award and being

granted a full scholarship. Be perfect like those before you, family members and institutions unconsciously say. The murky hands of responsibility and expectation tape over protest. You are trapped, slowly accepting the lashes they had hurled at you. But it will not forever be contained. As the fresh beacon of graduation looms closer, an ultimatum rests on your shoulders alone—what will it be?

There is no winning team in the game of career and strands; they are each other’s counterparts who need one another to survive. Without the doctors, engineers, and scientists who improve and sustain the breadth of life, there will be no advancing innovations and creations. Without philosophers, visualists, and artists, the imagination needed to believe in what is possible would not exist in the same narrative. These halves become a part of our nature as beings touched with passion. Pursuing the latter is no flimsy ambition; it is a respectable option. Refusing to see its importance is similar to reciting an anecdote only loaded with half-truths.

But, truly, support is all a child and a student wants. From the years of being raised to be careful and independent, it was only a matter of time before they must be free to explore their own lot. A legacy may still live on without the constructed blueprints. Selecting the Arts for passion does not prevent it from existing. As strewed fragments of the family line that came before us, it is a weight that has fostered the most ardent of decisions. There must be no need to be a family of STEMnists, only a family. In testifying as new testaments of hope, we awaken and hold gratitude for the preceding generations that have shaped, changed, and redirected our paths—even if it strays far from what is foreseen.

Art by Azel Bautista

Mateo

By Penelope Wong

Amicroscope was shared among thirty, and those were the eyes through which I saw this kaleidoscope world—stretching that little tool to its very limits, demanding the most out of its quaint body. At the end of the day, how much clarity did this myopic teacher of the senses offer in the face of its limitations? Furnished with humble tools and used to scarce means, now that I’m in a place better endowed—why did we ever clamor for the shortest of times with it? Well… at the end of the day, life’s operative facts are simple: if you want to stay, then you have to pay.

We clamored towards the loftiest of summits; the epithets of pioneer and cream of the crop were load-bearing weights hoisted upon our backs as we trekked that climb. With point-one values meaning the difference between placing first or failing, we developed a scientist’s instinct for counting off oh-so-significant figures. First sections and strict rankings, innocuous as they are, incentivized us, students, to fend for ourselves. I saw soft-hearted friends grow self-serving, pushing others down to gain a scant few inches up.

Nevertheless, I never grew to hate that exactitude. My past, present, and future are still haunted by the sciences. Possessed with an affinity for it and weaned upon its values by a childhood spent in state-funded schools. Life’s needlepoint directs me still towards the true north of wielding the blade and scalpel to save lives beyond my own.

As one of La Salle’s numerous scholars, I proudly hoist the burden of maintaining the nebulous 85. Days consist of planning, exertion, and the utmost diligence to duty, while nights are punctuated by steeping mugs of coffee—meeting the sun just as it starts to rise. Faint sips give a rush of alertness borne of chemicals and endorphins, making me all the more aware of my surroundings. Suddenly reflective, the disparity between my familiar creature comforts and this bustling city couldn’t be more distinct. Back

home, my mother had been a chiding presence; now, it is a comfort dearly missed. Grit turns out to be strength mined from within.

Just as that microscope’s lens once gave me the power to view futures for myself with greater clarity than imagination could ever offer. Like it, my body, once given bouts of immense exertion, is keen to break and grow faulty on us, too. Anything more than three strikes leads to the cessation of aid—the tenuous position that all scholars are thrust into. Despite errors being permitted, marginal as they are, there is a need to deliver triumphs yet again.

I had once believed I possessed the exactness of machinery, unwavering and diligent as that lens through which I learned and with which I saw a vast world. But my body, yielding as it is, is not nearly as forgiving. Unlike tools, I am vastly more than the mere sum of my actions, more than the coin spent on my growth.

Of course, there is a premium here that is being paid for. In toil, if not in coin—seeking wells of opportunity always comes at steep costs. Though old friends once showed me that fending for ourselves entailed pushing others down. Nowadays, I am afforded reprieve. My present realities are kinder than the competition rife in my younger years. These newer times and climes are kinder; my peers are more than willing to lend supportive hands.

Shedding that age-old exactitude, I’ve been granted clarity. That myopic teacher has once again taught me, that is, to bask in greener pastures, awash in the lightness of a kinder future.

By Katrina Adalid

At the heart of Filipino culture, familiar

tints of Valentine’s traditions find their way to the city’s streets even long before its arrival—street vendors lingered with heartshaped balloons, pink rose pastillas were tucked in one corner of every convenience store, and paper hearts hung on ceilings and long hallways. That, of course, did not exempt Lasallian premises. However, the holiday celebrations within the community had a different shade and aura, with “Project Fight: Serenity in Adversity” brought about by De La Salle University Senior High School’s Student Council and Student Committee.

Love has never blossomed more from within than it ever has—where self-love has finally been recognized as a commitment to oneself and not a substitute for the absence of romance. Steering away from themes of burning red passion, this year’s Project Fight advocated for achieving healthy mindsets and inner peace amidst the pressures of one’s daily pursuits. Recognizing the fastpaced nature of a regular student’s life, the council and the student committee prepared month-long festivities that offered little moments of respite within the most trying and defining times in their academics.

these invisible strings can take them. Indeed, it was a celebration well spent on campus.

As the season reached its final moments, Project Fight’s culminating event, Heartstrings, filled the Verdure with warmth and tenderness. As an open mic event, Heartstrings opened the stage for students eagerly waiting for their opportunity to express themselves, whether through carefully planned performances or spontaneous heat-of-the-moment bursts of artistry. It was a night glowing with talent, where participants escaped their serious personas as students and shined under the spotlight. In stark contrast to the audience’s initial demeanor, a palpable shift was evident in their overall auras; once there were tense shoulders, they swayed gently to the rhythm of the night’s music, melting away their worries and replacing them with a sense of serenity.

When the 14th arrived, hues of pink and purple brightened the campus grounds from its usual stern atmosphere as different opportunities to escape the mundane blossomed for all students. As one of the activities during the day, Cookie Confessions became an avenue for students to express their love for not just others but also for themselves as their own little treat. Aside from sugar-sweet tidbits, roaming around campus were members of the

Project Fight could not have come at a better time, living by its theme, ‘Serenity in Adversity.’ It became a moment of solace for the students, not through the pinnacle of romance but through the peace brought about by self-love. It offered them a much-needed respite amid the fastpaced whirlwind of terms. With the simple and light-hearted atmosphere it fostered, these little moments of the different shades of love were painted throughout February in warm hues. A sanctuary of escape unfolds from the demands and pressures of daily

but

Photos by Codyvann Arcega

Cosmic Possibilities: Pinay raises PH flag on ‘Martian’ mission

By Zara Alexandra Genuino

Ushering her own niche into the space exploration horizon, space nutrition specialist and analog astronaut Kristine Jane Atienza walked astronomical strides as she ventured on a six-day Mars simulation on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano in Hawai‘i last November.

The assignment brought her to the Hawai‘i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS), an earthbound environment imitation of the Moon and Mars situated 8,200 feet above sea level. Its dome habitat houses research facilities and crew members for simulation efforts, otherwise known as analog astronauts, all essential in assessing space mission plans and equipment. Well-known in its industry, it boasts four successful long-duration Mars emulation missions for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

During the six-day expedition, the astronauts, including Atienza, performed extravehicular activities (EVAs), or tasks executed outside of their designated habitat in space suit attire. They also maintained regular exercise routines and responded to surveys from their mission control. One of their crucial jobs involved exploring lava tubes or channels, which are considered to be potential Martian habitats.

As part of a five-member crew, Atienza participated alongside colleagues from the United States (US) and Belgium, serving as a nutrition specialist and medical officer.

“Ako yung nagche-check ng inventory ng food namin kung kasya pa ba for our whole mission, kasi limited lang ang resources. Most of the time, I oversee the preparation of the food...and the caloric content,” she shared. “As [a] medical officer, every morning I just [checked] their vital signs…kung nagkawound ba sila during lava tube missions…and I give medicine,” she added.

While overseeing the food preparations during the mission, Atienza encountered a challenge with their inventory, notably a shortage of meat but an abundance of frozen vegetables, fruits, grains, and canned goods. This circumstance significantly narrowed their menu options and limited their nutritional choices. At one point, Atienza mentioned that they had only rice available, which prompted her to demonstrate creativity by preparing it in various ways throughout the day.

Underscoring the difference in this set-up from typical conditions, she said, “I think we lost weight because we’re not eating fast food and we’re the ones cooking. And then we’re required to exercise [by] hiking, going to EVAs outside, going to lava tubes. We’re also required to exercise for one hour every day.”

Her mission-significant expertise in space nutrition emerged from an intersection of her interests. Though she studied nutrition at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), her tried and true childhood aspiration was to become an astronomer. Now, she successfully merged both fields together.

As a founder, she established the Astronaut Nutrition in Isolated Confined Extreme Environments group, which aims to “quantify the impact of diet and nutrition before, during, and after the mission on astronaut physiology and psychology.” The organization investigates the food inventories taken on analog missions and ensures they meet the rigorous physical demands of the trips.

Continue on Page 15

By Gabrielle Micha Co

W

hile the Philippines has always been renowned for its tropical temperatures, this year, the ongoing El Niño has only fanned the flames further, which has sparked a domino effect of droughts and heat spells that have set struggles ablaze this summer.

Occurring every two to seven years, the El Niño phenomenon is a period during which surface waters warm, causing an increase in temperature and humidity levels. The current El Niño entered the country in July of 2023 and is predicted to prevail until May.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Atmospheric Services Administration (PAGASA), temperatures have climbed incrementally in several areas, reaching temps significantly exceeding the typical maximum temperatures of 30-34°C, with Tuguegarao City in Cagayan reaching a startling 39.4°C, and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro reached up to 38.3°C.

Even more so, as of April 18, 18 areas in the Philippines, including Aborlan and Puerto Princesa in Palawan, and Dagupan in Pangasinan, have been classified under “dangerous” heat index (HI) levels ranging from 42-51°C. PAGASA further predicts that certain regions may reach a heat index of 52°C. The heat index reflects the perceived temperature experienced by the human body, considering the combined impact of air temperature and relative humidity.

Dangerous HI levels are accompanied by heightened risks of heat-related medical conditions, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Agricultural Damage

The heat devastated the national agricultural scene. Resulting dry spells and droughts have thwarted crop production and caused a staggering 3.9 billion pesos worth of agricultural losses and damages, with rice accounting for more than half of these, followed by high-value crops such as potatoes, cabbages and coconuts, then corn.

Egg production has also decreased due to inadequate crop feed for chickens, and chicken mortality from heat strokes.

Consequently, egg prices rose, and rice prices remained stagnant despite usually lowering during harvest season.

Several villages, particularly in Luzon, have declared a state of calamity due to crop losses and arduous farmer livelihood from immense heat and insufficient rain. The declaration will allow local government units (LGU) to allocate calamity funds to aid in recovering the losses of local farmers.

Water and Power Shortages

The El Niño induced drops in rainfall, provoking approachinglow water levels for dams in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and other Luzon provinces, along with water shortages in certain cities and barangays.

While the water supply in Metro Manila, sourced mainly from the Angat Dam in Bulacan, remains adequate, the declining rainfall threatens a forecasted drop in dam water levels in July.

With less water in dams to power hydroelectric generators, as well as dramatically increased use of electrical cooling devices such as electric fans and air conditioners, electrical and power supplies have also been drastically impacted. Primarily due to the shutdown of 31 power plants in the areas, Luzon and Visayas have been put on red alert, signifying insufficient power supply for the rising demand.

Hampered Education

As a result of the scorching heat, numerous public schools across the country have temporarily halted in-person classes and transitioned to alternative delivery modes (ADM), such as online classes and modules, to address health concerns associated with the heat. A survey conducted by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)-National Capital Region (NCR) Union revealed that 77% of public school teachers in NCR deemed classroom heat to be intolerable, while 87% of these respondents have also observed detrimental effects of the heat on student focus.

With the El Nino worsening the Philippines’ already hot and humid disposition, 1.7 million Filipinos have already been struck nationwide. Although no evacuations or displacements have been reported thus far, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already allocated 58 million pesos for food and financial assistance.

Too Close to the Sun: PH Scorched Amidst El Niño 2024 DOST

By Julian Raymond Domingo

Set to transform the artificial intelligence (AI) game for Filipinos, the Department of Science and Technology - Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) is spearheading the iTANONG project, a chatbot initiative aspiring to bridge local language barriers and streamline access to databases. Launched in 2022, the project is currently under development. Similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the AI system uses a Large Language Model (LLM) trained on vast amounts of data to

process and respond to Filipino, English, and Taglish userinputted natural-language prompts. The specialized function of iTANONG, however, is that through a simple conversation with the chatbot via the web or app, users’ commands can easily extract data or data-relevant information from a variety of connected government, business, and institutional databases.

‘TIL THE WELL RUNS DRY. An unspecified image shows a farmer standing amid a on a drought-ravaged rice field located in San Ildefonso, Bulacan Province.

Photo from Inquirer / Richard A. Reyes

Zero Doses of Caution

The last thirty years, plagued by avoidable yet dangerously incessant disease outbreaks, have been a grand revelation of national weakness: the population is chronically and fatally undervaccinated.

Symptomatic of the glaring inefficiencies of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), the Department of Health’s (DOH) mass vaccination initiative, Filipinos have yet again recently suffered from a series of surges in vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). In 2023, measles and rubella cases soared by 335% and remain prevalent, and malaria cases climbed by 90%. This 2024, a pertussis outbreak killed 54 children all under the age of five in its first three months and persists as a health threat. Clearly acknowledging the failures of a program that has fallen short of its ideal 95% routine vax coverage since the 1990s, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) labeled the recent outbreaks as a collective “wake-up call” for more robust vaccination programs.

Global experts recall the one million Filipino zero-dose children recorded in 2022, and that in 2021, the country was a top 5 contributor to the 18 million zero-dose children internationally. They emphasize that these children who have never received routine vaccinations are dangerously unshielded from a number of deadly illnesses due to a national vaccination program that boasts pitfalls across the board.

The program cannot bear the full weight of its promises. Shortages and stock-outs of jabs, such as the 2023 pentavalent vaccine shortage amid the pertussis outbreak, are far too frequent

immunization in certain communities especially when disease vulnerability increases when vaccines are not received or are untimely, as well as slow distribution and adaptation in the face of outbreaks.

The issue has also been misdiagnosed. DOH efforts center around ease of access to jabs—whether by free vaccination, stocking health centers, or facilitating vaccination at the doorstep. However, while these are all contingent on public engagement with these programs, the perception of the necessity of vaccines declined by 25% post-pandemic. Not to mention, vaccine confidence, though it has improved since the Dengvaxia controversy, has waned due to disinformation and personal experiences during the pandemic. This means that even when vaccination programs are held in health centers, there are families that do not participate, and that even when barangay health officials take jabs from door to door, some are still turned away. Meanwhile, there have been few state efforts to ease public distrust and increase social engagement.

And the coup-de-grace: these issues have only been proven with time. Before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous recurrences in disease surges have only reinforced the necessity to address declining vaccine stocks, storage, and confidence. The lives that have been compromised and taken have been urgency enough. Yet, there is painfully clear non-proactivity. It remains unlearned that vaccine stocks should be monitored in foresight, that former lapses in public bidding caused persistent

“Halt Manila Bay Reclamation!” — Manila Environmentalists, Fishermen

By

The decision of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) to resume its Manila Bay reclamation and dredging projects caused alarm with environmental and fisherfolk groups, who’ve raised fear of environmental and socioeconomic concerns that might result from the reclamation.

All reclamation activities in Manila Bay were suspended in August 2023 to conduct a still-ongoing environmental compliance review by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

However, the PRA declared its intention to push forward with three projects within the year once the suspension is lifted: the 90-hectare Bacoor Inner Island Project,

15-hectare Navotas Fish Port Complex, and 650-hectare Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation and Development Project — which all aim to boost national food security by increasing the output of marine goods.

Jonila Castro of the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) explained the disputes, “The gradual reversal of the suspension of reclamation projects in Manila Bay will mean nothing but the continued destruction of our environment and the livelihoods of thousands of fisherfolk.”

The groups have also voiced distress that the PRA’s decision to resume is preceding the green light from the DENR. Castro stated, “These recent developments show the utter lack of sincerity from the Marcos Jr. administration to investigate and address the

impacts linked to reclamation in Manila Bay.”

She added, “The lack of transparency around these decisions is cause for grave concern, and we continue to demand that all of these projects remain suspended until at least the impact assessment is completed.”

Biodiversity Loss

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) countered that the projects would not bolster fishery output. Referring to a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report, they pointed out the significant decrease in several marine species’ populations in Cavite between 2019 and 2022, when reclamation projects took place in the area. There were declines in the quantities

of

global contributor of children unprotected from measles

From Page 14

Cosmic Possibilities: Pinay raises PH flag on ‘Martian’ mission

By Zara Alexandra Genuino

Moreover, from her early dreams of becoming an astronomer, Atienza’s interests shifted into a keen desire to become a crew member, convincing her to apply for the HI-SEAS analog team recruitment in 2023. She even noted that her expectations were set low due to HISEAS’ renown.

However, from her unique background in space nutrition, her success was one giant leap beyond the infinite possibilities for Filipinos. “There’s something for you in space. Now, it’s not just engineers and scientists who can venture into space. It’s getting wider. We have lots of opportunities,” she reflected.

during this period.

Land reclamation utilizes materials, such as sand or soil dredged or extracted from the water, to create new land extending from existing shorelines. In the process, vital habitats like mangrove forests, mudflats, and shallow waters that sustain fish nurseries, migratory birds, and diverse aquatic life are damaged or destroyed.

The reopened plans are in addition to the 265-hectare Pasay Harbor City and 360-hectare SM Prime holdings reclamation projects that were allowed to resume in November 2023 absent any statement from the DENR.

Alimasag (Blue crab), Alamang (Acetes), Samaral (Siganid), Sapsap (Slipmouth), and Dilis (Anchovies)

Jasmine Chuatoco

Art by Azel Bautista

Lasallian faculty “crab-tivate” industry with IT-assisted crab farming

For seamlessly merging information technology (IT) with mangrove crab farming through the project CrabTECH, the De La Salle University (DLSU) team CrabTech Innovations now basks in the spotlight of global recognition and prestige with their second-place win at the 2023 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Indo-Pacific Women in Tech Summit pitch competition.

The summit, held in Taipei City last November 14-16, fostered female-driven entrepreneurship via the pitch contest, networking opportunities, and relevant workshops.

Beyond national borders, the CrabTECH team has also participated in an international training program held in Bali, Indonesia, where they came home with a win at the event’s culminating competition. Their head researcher, Dr. Chona Camille V. Abeledo, was also hailed as one of the Most Notable Alumni of the Manila Cohort at the 2023 AWE Philippine Summit for her outstanding contributions.

Their project CrabTECH, composed of two major technologies: Crabifier and Alinmango, offers tech-based ingenious solutions to aid Filipino crab farmers and fisherfolk amid mangrove crab farming challenges, including difficulties in species identification and issues in resource allocation and efficient feed, space, and

water management. As a result of these circumstances, practices like overcrowding crab ponds and relying on traditional and unreliable methods of species identification continue to prevail, but these practices not only hinder profitability but also significantly impact the farms’ overall productivity and economic sustainability.

Thus, the genesis of CrabTECH began.

Dr. Abeledo joined forces with Dr. Ma. Carmen Ablan-Lagman, Courtney Anne Ngo, Steven Marcus Ramos, Bienna Joaquin, Gerald Irigan, Karen Camille Perez, and, formerly, Francheska Laguna to create Crabifier. This innovative Android app utilizes image analysis techniques to accurately pinpoint the species of mangrove crabs based on their shells through a comprehensive database, thus providing farmers with an accessible method for species identification.

With a simple touch of a button, fisherfolk can now classify their catch in real time using Crabifier. At its heart lies a neural network that analyzes reference photos to determine the species of a given crab. This harnesses the subtle differences in the crowns of each species and incorporates genetic marker technology to distinguish between them accurately.

Moreover, Crabifier has undergone

By Jadyn Lee

field testing in farming regions in the Philippines, including the municipality of Buguey in Cagayan, Zambales, and Binangonan, marking a substantial milestone in promoting sustainable crab farming practices.

The innovations do not stop there. CrabTech Innovations is also actively developing Alinmango, a live temperature map for mangrove sites throughout the Philippines. This intelligent program is an algorithm that analyzes environmental changes in mangrove crab habitats in relation to established data about crab fattening. Given that crablets’ favored growth and development significantly rely on environmental factors, Alinmango helps farmers answer the question “Aling alimango and papalakihin ko?” for optimal outcomes.

Nevertheless, the CrabTECH team has a vision that extends past technological solutions. Through their SYNERGY Workshop series, they plan to offer workshops for mangrove crab farmers on Python programming and DNA barcoding.

Beyond all their accomplishments, the team also hopes to enlarge their reach across the country and “be able to commercialize their technologies to help improve the efficiency of mangrove crab farms in the Philippines and increase sustainability.”

DLSU students secure P1-M grant to curb campus food waste

By Glorielle Teressa Tendido

T

hree students from De La Salle University (DLSU) clutched first at the Code Green for Campuses competition final leg last March 16, garnering a P1 million grant for their compact anaerobic digester system design that will turn food waste into biogas.

Over 50 teams from 29 different schools contended in the competition sponsored by First Gen to find creative solutions for reducing campus emissions. Out of these teams, only five advanced to the championship round.

The winning team, hailing from DLSU, consisted of engineering student Fernando Magallanes Jr., organizational communication student Alexia Roman, and economics student Ralph Saavedra.

They are set to each receive P100,000 as prizes. Taking DLSU’s annual 28,000 kilograms (kg) of kitchen waste and 480,000 kg of greenhouse gas emissions to the drawing board, they designed an anaerobic digester system for the task. Saavedra stated that they took inspiration from existing digestion tanks used in farms. In these, organic matter, such as food waste, is broken down by bacteria to produce biogas, a renewable fuel. The DLSU team developed a modified version of the technology that was adjusted for indoor facilities

The team plans to utilize the grant received to install digesters capable of managing all the food waste generated

in the cafeterias in the Manila and Laguna campuses. They also intend to create a version of the design for use in restaurants and other hospitality facilities.

According to research published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 8% to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide are attributed to food loss and waste.

Jerome Cainglet, the president of First Gen, hoped that the pursuit of resolutions to the climate crises would persist beyond the competition.

Runner-up teams came from Ateneo de Manila University, FEU Institute of Technology, Silliman University, and Technological Institute of the Philippines.

Page 14

Itanong mo na ‘yan!: DOST develops Filipinocatered chatbot

By Julian Raymond Domingo

Applications

Aiming for widespread adoption beyond the DOST, iTANONG is intended to be strategically integrated into government platforms to ensure that government services become more accessible and user-friendly. Citizens will be able to navigate complex processes and inquire about services through informal-language queries like “Kailan pwedeng kunin ang aking NBI Clearance?” (“When can I get my NBI clearance?”) or “Ilang months na ang aking contribution sa PhilHealth?” (“For how many months have I been contributing to PhilHealth?”).

Outside of government applications, the DOSTASTI also pursues its usage in private business organizations such as banks and e-commerce companies, as well as academic institutions for enrollment and learning services.

Language Barriers

The project is also poised to address the present language limitations of LLMs. Tailor-made for Filipinos, the stand-out feature of iTANONG is its multilingual capability that allows users to effectively interact with it in Filipino, English, or Taglish—a blend of Tagalog and English. In its quest for database accessibility, it accommodates the communication challenges Filipinos face when expressing themselves in English and technical language.

Identifying a glaring gap in LLM development, Elmer Peramo, the project leader for iTANONG, was challenged by the low availability of Filipino datasets needed for the machine learning process or training of the AI, as Filipino is a “low-resource” language in the realm of computer Natural Language Processing (NLP). To resolve the shortfall, DOST-ASTI employs strategies such as synthetic data generation and data scraping—or the importing of web data from Filipino sources—to enhance the training dataset. The team works around the established OpenAI Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) model and fuses it with their own in-house models.

Aunhel John Adoptante, a researcher at DOSTASTI, has also noted that LLMs occasionally miss the subtle nuances of our language and are complicated by prevalent code-switching, colloquial trends, dialect-specific terms, and informal vernaculars such as Jejemon that Filipinos effortlessly use together in their everyday conversations.

Moses Visperas, another researcher at DOSTASTI, explained that these variations are addressed via data normalization and filtering, where differing spellings like “mag computer,” “mag-computer,” and “mag-kompyuter” are normalized into a singular term. This includes introducing intentionally altered expressions into clean databases so that “sorryyy” and “suriii” are both registered as “sorry,” and “lodi” and “omsim” are understood as “idol” and “mismo” respectively.

With iTANONG’s ease of multilingual communication and improved access to data, according to Adoptante, iTANONG connects new technology with the masses. He said, “For the nontechnical person, [maaappreciate] nila ‘yung mga advancements and technical innovations in a way na magagamit nila in their day-to-day activities, such as getting the information that they need with the data that’s available.”

INNOVATIVE FARMING. CrabTECH Innovations led by Ms. Chona Abeledo and the DLSU Biology faculty are recognized at the 2023 AWE Summit for their transformative

innovation about mangrove crab farming.

Photo from CrabTech Innovations

Photo by Terrence Reyes

TThe Official Student Publication of De La Salle University Integrated School - Senior High School Manila Campus

A Rapid Coronation: DLSU Lady Tracksters’ Sprint to the Finish Line

he DLSU Lady Tracksters asserted their dominance in the women’s track and field division as they attained their first-ever Athletics Championship title last November 26 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Redeeming themselves from last season’s silver finish, their collective effort and outstanding performance in various events culminated in securing a championshipclinching array of awards with an overall tally of 301 points, taking home the first-ever Women’s Athletics crown in the history of the green and white.

With the upset in Season 85, the Tracksters found no respite during the offseason as they actively participated in the weekly relays organized by PATAFA in Pasig.

Eugenio excelled in these events, securing two bronze medals in the 3000-meter steeplechase and 800-meter run and a silver in the 1500-meter run.

Additionally, Bejoy and Lumapas made history by resetting the National Record for the 4x400 meter women’s relay during the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, surpassing a 30-year-old record previously held by track and field legends Lydia de Vega and Elma Muros.

These experiences exposed them to a higher caliber of competition, significantly enhancing their collegiate-level performance.

The pinnacle of the championship unfolded during the 4x400-meter relay, as Bernalyn Bejoy took the lead with precise baton passes to Erica Ruto and Jessel Lumapas, ultimately crossing the finish line with a gold medal.

Bejoy claimed the honor of Most Valuable Player (MVP) in recognition of her substantial contributions, notably in securing gold medals in the Women’s 400-meter and 800-meter Hurdles and a bronze in the Women’s 200-meter.

The 22-year-old track athlete from Bacolod shared that her primary goals were to achieve the MVP title and secure the team championship. She expressed happiness in successfully attaining both objectives, attributing it to the

By Georgina Rabaca

importance of trust in oneself and the entire team.

The journey to glory was not a solo act, as each jersey contributed to the collective prowess displayed by the Lady Tracksters.

In her final UAAP appearance, Senior Lady Trackster Daniel Daynata broke the Women’s Discus Throw record with a stellar second throw. Surpassing her record on the fifth try with 44.81 points, she termed her back-toback achievement a “good exit,” contributing significantly to the team’s championship win.

With the final round of the 100-meter women’s hurdles, Abcd Agamanos made sure to clinch the gold medal.

The trio of Trexie dela Torre, Abcd Agamanos, and Mica Cabaddu faced no challenges in the long jump event, ultimately resulting in a silver medal for Dela Torre with a jump of 5.96 meters.

Silver medals continued to pour in as Jessel Lumapas secured the runners-up spot in the Women’s 400-meter, Ann Katherin Kitoy in the Javelin Throw, Daynata in the Shot Put event, and Agamanos in the Triple Jump.

Bronze accolades were also abundant, with Lumapas claiming the third position in the Women’s 100-meter, Ana Marie Eugenio in the Women’s 1500-meter, Daynata in the Javelin Throw, and Mica Cabaddu in the Women’s Heptathlon.

Meanwhile, team captain Franz Bintad concludes her playing journey under the Green and White with a fulfilled promise from the past years.

“Sabi ko sa inyo (magch-champion kami)!”

The track and field team navigated a challenging journey, transforming from a disgruntled team that faltered mid-tourney last season to a unified and connected team this season.

This championship not only signified the conclusion of a protracted two-decadelong drought for DLSU in track and field but

DLSU Green Batters Strike Out Three-peat Hopes

By Elijah De Guzman

Defending champions, De La Salle University Green Batters, struggled to match their previous winning ways in their UAAP Season 86 finals matchup against the revamped National University Bulldogs squad, 4-2, on April 21 at the UP Diliman Baseball Field, ending their two-season reign at the top of the collegiate baseball pyramid.

Leading up to the penultimate match, the defending champions, spearheaded by returnees Shinji Kajihara and Aragorn De Vera, entered season 86 with their heads held high with a back-to-back title under their belt. However, despite their championship performance from the previous season, the Taftbased team still considered themselves underdogs.

“Malaking difficulty na nawala yung mga seniors namin. Nakita rin namin na nag-improve din ang lahat ng teams,” Team Captain Vince Flores expressed.

Undeterred by a slow start, the team exhibited sheer excellence and experience, ending the elimination round as the number one seed with a 7-3 win-loss record, highlighting crucial plays such as

a catch in the late moments of a statement 6-5 win against archrivals Ateneo Blue Eagles that secured their spot at the top of the leaderboard, a first since season 81.

In the semi-final stage, the reigning champions faced their first challenge against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Sox, with the latter team keeping the lead by only one point by the fourth inning.

Nevertheless, the Green Batters proved they were no strangers to overcoming adversities by capitalizing on a crucial error by Jesus Cabigao and scoring back-to-back singles, courtesy of Kajihara and De Vera, which eventually brought positive momentum to help them claim their finals ticket by a narrow score of 6-4.

Clinching their third straight appearance in the UAAP finals, the green and white ballplayers set their heads to finish the season with a grand slam title, one that would cement the team’s utter dominance in the sport.

Art by Jeoffrey Mateo

FINAL’S SWING. Patrick Rivera bats the ball in hopes to win the gold-clinching finals game against the NU Bulldogs last March 17, 2024, at the UP Diliman Field.

Photo from The LaSallian / Alfraz Jammang

Revving Up: Bianca Bustamante’s

Trail in the Fast Lane

By Cadee Solidum and Georgina Rabaca

H

aving achieved a remarkable feat in her debut year, Bianca Bustamante, the first-ever Filipino female driver to join the McLaren Driver Development program, has been navigating the twists and turns of the racing circuit in this year’s ongoing season.

In the first four months since the conclusion of the 2023 F1 Academy season, she has been diligently preparing for the next chapter. This preparation included a move to London, bringing her closer to McLaren’s headquarters in Woking and ART Grand Prix’s base in Paris.

Entering the new year, Bianca remained steadfast in her pursuit of excellence, confirming her participation in the 2024 Formula Winter Series with the Spanish-based GRS Team. The series presented a new set of challenges for the young driver, testing her mettle against a competitive field of emerging talents.

Continue on Page 19

Filipino Para Chess Team’s Checkmate to Adversity

By Elijah De Guzman

D

espite attacking with dominance at the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, last October 22-28, 2023, with thirteen medals, the Filipino para chess team’s celebrations were cut short following the news of the sport’s exclusion at the subsequent games.

Powered by sheer determination, the national para chess team entered their respective competitions with undaunted spirits, yielding a commendable secondplace finish, trailing behind Indonesia.

Darry Bernardo achieved triple gold in the men’s individual rapid VI-B2/ B3 and team competition. Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, Cheyzer Mendoza secured a gold in the women’s individual rapid PI and a silver in the team competition.

Following the outstanding performance of Filipino para-athletes, Mike Barredo, the President of the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC), expressed satisfaction and attributed the team’s success to their dedication. “This is the result of hard work and proper preparation,” he stated.

In the wake of the sport’s exclusion, the PPC, together with the para chess team, remain undeterred, aiming for continued success in other arenas, such as the ASEAN Para Games.

As the games drew to a close, the representatives left more than just

Shifting Tides: Lady Spikers end championship feat

With a 13-1 finish in the Season 85 elimination round and a sweep in the finals showdown against the NU Lady Bulldogs, the tides shift as the UST Golden Tigresses put an end to the title defense of the Lady Spikers in the final four round of UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.

With half of the starting line-up consisting of sophomores, Assistant Coach Noel Orcullo demanded that the absence of their seniors should not translate to their movement on the floor, and every player had to trust the system and their capabilities to lead each one of them to bring out the best of their performance.

The Lady Spikers dominated early in the season with straight-set matches against the AdU Lady Falcons and the FEU Lady Tamaraws. The activation of both wing and middle spikers in the initial phase of the tournament fooled and crushed the defensive walls of the opponents and cleared the skies as the Archers aimed to shoot their arrows for a back-to-back title two matches into the season.

However, the Lady Spikers’ winning streak hit a snag against the UST Golden Tigresses.

As the weight of being team captain pressed down on Julia Coronel’s playmaking, second setter Julyana Tolentino had to step up to reignite Green-and-White’s offensive power. Despite forcing a five-setter showdown, the substitution of Tolentino for Coronel in the fifth set handed the Tigresses an opportunity to claim the momentum and

give the Lady Spikers their first loss of the season.

The season for the Lady Spikers took a turn for the worse thereafter.

Season 85 Rookie-MVP Angel Canino had been the driving force behind the team’s offense, consistently topping the score sheets and guiding the Lady Spikers to a solid 6-1 record in the first round. However, her sudden benching disrupted the team’s rhythm, leading the Taft-based squad into a gritty battle in the second round, culminating in a hard-fought five-set showdown against the underdog UE Lady Warriors.

Despite emerging victorious, Assistant Coach Noel voiced apprehension, describing it as a hard-fought but less-than-satisfactory win. The match served as a stern test of the team’s resilience and depth in the absence of their primary scorer.

In the team’s fourth consecutive game without Canino, the Lady Spikers faced yet another setback when opposite spiker Jyne Soreño injured her left arm in an accidental collision with libero Lyka De Leon during the first set against the Adamson Lady Falcons.

After winning a four-set match against the AdU Lady Falcons, played without lead scorer Canino and right-wing hitter Soreño, Orcullo stressed “Hindi pupwedeng maghahanap tayo ng wala”. During the match, the Taft team had no time to dwell on absences, as a loss could soon equate to a drop in their final standing.

As they entered the final four rounds, the Lady Spikers grappled with the challenge of asserting dominance over formidable

From Page 17

By Aaliyah Mallari

opponents like the UST Golden Tigresses and the NU Lady Bulldogs.

In spite of having the skills and power to extend matches, they lacked trust in themselves to use those skills to dominate each opponent they faced. This dilemma culminated in their final match of Season 86, as the Golden Tigresses did not hinder piercing through the defenses and denying the entry of arrows in the tiger’s den. “Siyempre nakakalungkot din [‘yung] nangyari but hindi kami dito titigil. It serves as a motivation for all of us,” Canino stated.

The DLSU Lady Spikers’ journey in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament may not have ended as they had hoped, but the team’s collective effort to step up throughout the season underscored their potential to rebuild a strong foundation.

As seniors Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel, Maicah Larroza, and Jhay-ar Levina close their chapters with the Green-and-White, new pages have opened for new recruits like Olivia Alcante, who is expected to debut in the next season.

With the upcoming Shakey’s Super League, the Lady Spikers must harness this season’s lessons and trust not just the system but themselves to utilize what was already imprinted on the Lady Spikers. The pre-season league is an opportunity for the Lady Spikers to rebuild the confidence they once had and the ability to utilize their capabilities to regain dominance in the UAAP Season 87 tournament.

By Elijah De Guzman

Getting in their way, the NU Bulldogs, with their first finals appearance in nearly 10 years, dominated the pitch with their exemplary defense, handing the defending champions their first loss in the best-of-three matchup with a dominant score of 8-4.

With only three days to refurbish their offensive and defensive strategies, the topseeded squad heavily relied on their final experience to gain redemption.

Amidst the scorching heat, the Green Batters fought neck-and-neck in a fourhour bloodbath against the Bulldogs. In the first inning, the blue-and-gold batters immediately jumped the gun with two runs by 2nd Baseman John Olazo and Kenneth Maulit. By the third inning of the match, exchanges between the two teams were scarce, with

no added score put up. However, De Vera scored a run battered in through a single by Patrick Rivera, closing the gap by a single run.

Similar to the previous inning, the fourth saw the disadvantaged green and white score an RBI to give them a fighting chance at taking the lead.

However, despite their best efforts to inch their way into a Game 3 matchup, a crucial fielding error by the defending champions and a line drive by Herald Tenorio propelled the Bulldogs to win the match and their first championship in over a decade.

With their championship streak coming to an end, the Green Batters plan to focus on revamping and polishing their strategies, prioritizing the development of junior team members following the exit of seasoned batters Kajihara and JM Segui.

the DLSU Lady Spikers’ hopes and dreams of claiming the UAAP Season 86

Women’s Volleyball Championship title ended in heartbreak after a heart-pounding five-set loss against the UST Golden Tigresses.

Photo from The Lasallian / Adrian Teves

Revving Up: Bianca Bustamante’s Trail in the Fast Lane

By Cadee Solidum and Georgina Rabaca

During the testing session preceding the event, Bianca’s team faced a significant setback with a 5kph engine power loss, severely limiting the car’s performance throughout the weekend. Despite this, the Filipino-American racer capped a productive stint in Jeddah, settling in P4 in the driver’s championship standings with 18 markers, surviving a crash-filled race last March 9th.

When asked about her season goal, the Formula One star stated that she felt she had already achieved it: to become a better driver than she was last year. With a new mindset this season, she is focused on resilience rather than solely on winning.

This newfound resilience was put to the test during Round 2 of the F1 Academy series at the Miami International Autodrome circuit, where McLaren development driver clinched P2, marking her first podium of the season.

With impressive performances in both qualifying and the races, including a remarkable comeback between Race 1 and Race 2, Bustamante now stands fifth in the F1 Academy driver standings, boasting a total of 39 points.

In Race 1, despite starting from P4, the 19-year-old driver encountered a setback with a stall off the line that dropped her to P16, trailing nearly 10 seconds behind the last-placed car. Undeterred, she executed a tactical recovery, navigating through the field with strategic overtakes to ultimately secure P7. However, a five-second penalty for a chicane infringement relegated her final position to P9.

Despite this, her ability to set the fastest lap and move from the back to a points-scoring position highlighted her adeptness on the challenging Miami circuit.

Following the setback in Race 1, the McLaren star capitalized on her front-row start from P2 in Race 2. She maintained a strong and consistent pace throughout the race, fending off persistent pressure from Doriane Pin in P3.

Crossing the finish line in P2, she secured her first podium of the season, proudly representing her nation on the global stage while remaining true to her pre-Miami Circuit statement, “This year I’m here to win, I’m here to fight for the championship, and I’ve got every single variable with me to be able to go in there and perform as best as I can,” she stated.

One and Done: The New Norm in College Sports

Long gone are the times when most, if not all, athletes would chant for another season during their college games. Now, collegiate superstars are readily uprooting their careers to pursue fresh fields in the pro ranks, often spending just one or two years competing for their universities before venturing into professional leagues.

Last year, a group of young athletes from the De La Salle University Lady Spikers took their talents to multiple clubs in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). Fifi Sharma and Justine Jazareno decided to forsake the completion of their collegiate playing years in favor of entering professional volleyball with the Akari Chargers, while “super seniors” Jolina Dela Cruz and Mars Alba with at least a year left of college eligibility signed with F2 Logistics.

serve as a period of preparation, honing their skills through competitive edge in collegiate leagues such as the UAAP. This training ground provides enough experience and exposure to equip them with the necessary tools to succeed in the pro ranks. However, early departures may not always guarantee success, and some may find themselves struggling to make a mark professionally, despite their college achievements.

The stark reality is that they openly enter a battleground where only the strongest survive.

It’s a decision akin to stepping into the lion’s den, where every match is a test of skill and resolve.

With all these talents making the leap to the pro leagues, some may contend that this is not unexpected. The truth remains that the allure of substantial financial rewards often outweighs the decision of continuing to compete in collegiate games, rendering the transition an irresistible prospect for many players. It promises stability and recognition, offering a lifeline to those who dare to chase their dreams beyond the familiar confines of their alma mater. Given the chance, the majority of these student-athletes naturally seek to capitalize on their primes to secure compensation for their families, making it hard to decline such opportunities. It’s a risk many are willing to take—to transform from collegiate hopefuls into professional stars.

But this exodus comes at a cost—a cost that threatens to erode the very foundation of collegiate sports. For many student-athletes, their college days

It’s a crucible where dreams may be forged or shattered, where the pursuit of success demands nothing less than absolute dedication.

The transition from collegiate to pro is anything but smooth, fraught with challenges that test the mettle of even the most determined athletes; all of which threaten to derail their dreams of making it big professionally.

Let there be no mistake, for this path is where only the resolute prevail and the fainthearted falter. And yet, for those brave enough to take the plunge, there is also the promise of greatness. For ultimately, success is not measured solely in the trophies and accolades, but in the values upheld and the legacies left behind.

DOUBLE KILL: AP Bren Hailed Two-Time World Champions

By Elijah De Guzman

Filipino bet AP Bren stood its ground as they captured the M5 World Championship title, securing the status as two-time champions, in a 4-3 thriller over Indonesia’s Onic Esports superteam at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last December 18. Qualifying for the international event with a local MPL championship, the Bs aimed to seize the crown for the second time after a victorious run during the M2 World Championship in 2021, where they captured the first M-series win with a nail-biting 4-3 comeback victory over the Burmese Ghouls.

off against Filipino star jungler Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol and esteemed coach Paul “Yeb” Miranda, AP Bren’s strategies faltered off the Sonics’ prevalent Terizla pick, as they were swiftly defeated 3-0, relegating the Filipino hopefuls to the lower bracket.

In the wake of Onic Esports’ dominant victory over AP Bren in the upper bracket finals, many speculated that the era of Philippine dominance had reached its end. However, AP Bren’s subsequent performance swiftly dispelled such doubts.

Setting up a rematch against Onic Indonesia, AP Bren refused to give an inch as they went on an early 3-1 rampage. Not willing to be outclassed, the Sky Kings of Indonesia tied up the series with riveting victories in games five and six to force sudden death, shifting from single-target heroes to more clash-centered roamers such as Grock and Minotaur.

Although both teams were battered throughout the seven-game series, each team stuck to its strengths. Onic chose a team-fight-oriented composition, while Bren chose a crowd-control-heavy lineup.

Another significant factor in the series moment.

Smelling blood within the water, the swarm picked off another member of the opposition before heading to the middle lane, where Onic desperately tried to make their final stand but to no avail as AP Bren landed its final haymaker, focusing on the Nexus and ending Indonesia’s golden road to claim the world championship on

Ever-present EXP laner FlapTzy, deemed Finals MVP, rallied Bren Esports from a 5-7 kill deficit with aggressive backline dives using his Khaleed pick. His efforts were instrumental in helping the team contain CW’s Claude, Sanz’s Yve, and Kiboy’s Kadita, ultimately leading to victory in the decisive winner-take-all

Ever-present EXP laner FlapTzy bagged the M5 Final MVP plum, reminiscent of his MPL Season 12 Campaign. Meanwhile AP Bren etched a unique chapter in esports history, standing alone as the champions of two M-series tournaments.

More than just the $900,000 lion’s share in winnings, Bren has solidified the Philippines as MLBB juggernauts, upholding the country’s reign in the

FILIPINA ON THE PODIUM. Bianca Bustamante, a McLaren Development driver, raises her trophy as she wins an F1 Academy race held in Valencia, Spain, last March 2, 2024. Bustamante set her mark as the first-ever Filipina racer ever to win an F1 Academy race.

Photo from Bianca Bustamante on Instagram

FIFI JOINS AKARI. In her final UAAP playing year, former DLSU Lady Spiker Fifi Sharma decides to join Akari Chargers in the Premiere Volleyball League.

Photo from Tiebreaker Times

VICTORY! On December 18, the AP.Bren takes the Mobile Legends M5 World Champions title against Onic Esports at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Photo from Tiebreaker Times / Noel Tonido

Topex-cellence: Redefining Coach Robinson’s Legacy

By Timothy Ragunjan

Coaching is and always has been an unforgiving profession. Beyond drawing up plays and substitutions, coaches are tasked with navigating the subtle complexities of the game and shouldering the weight of responsibility for the team’s performance — on and off the court.

Enter rookie UAAP Head Coach Michael “Topex” Robinson. Recruited after a disappointing UAAP Season 85 campaign, the renowned tactician has revitalized Lasallian culture and is unwavering in his commitment to bringing a championship to the green-and-white.

“It’s an honor and a privilege,” Coach Topex emphasized his appreciation for the opportunity to coach collegiate basketball after a three-year coaching stint with the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.

After an illustrious career in the PBA, Robinson has shifted gears into coaching, once taking the San Sebastian Golden Stags and the Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates under his wing, leading both teams to earnest elimination round records. But with him came a string of heartbreak as these teams failed to seal the deal, leaving his reputation in tatters.

As such, the once gritty guard cast his bet on the DLSU Green Archers, doubling down on his commitment. Hungry for redemption, Robinson integrated his schemes once more. After successful stints in preseason tournaments such as the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup 2023 and 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup, the 47-year-old head coach had the Green Archers gunning on all fronts.

Coming into the season, expectations were high for the Taft troupe, but after a sluggish start, DLSU ran the floor like never before as they delivered a sweep in the second round. Critical contributions from league MVP Kevin Quiambao and Mythical 5 member Evan Nelle were felt, but the emergence of the second unit was also a sight to behold, a true testament to Robinson’s player-oriented system.

GREEN-BLOODED GLORY: DLSU Green Archers Break UAAP Title Drought

‘Championship or bust.’

This was the Archers’ battle cry as they geared up for the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament. With Ateneo eyeing a dynasty and UP crowing a loaded lineup, La Salle entered the court with one singular goal — reclaiming the championship title they had long been without.

On the night of December 6, deafening cheers surrounded the Smart Araneta Coliseum as the DLSU Green Archers crushed the UP Fighting Maroons for the last time this season. The newly crowned UAAP kings embraced the weight of expectations, driven to prove their strength as a team fully deserving to be called as champions.

With a reloaded squad and a new face in Head Coach Topex Robinson, Season 86 seemed to be a bright chance for DLSU’s redemption in taming the glory that had eluded them from the Finals action since 2017.

The series opener against the Fighting Maroons served as a wakeup call for the Green Archers. Despite their nine-game winning streak leading up to the finals, La Salle found themselves handed a 30-point embarrassment in Game One as UP capitalized on turnovers and defensive lapses to secure a commanding 97-67 victory. It was a harsh reality check for the Archers after being dealt a heavy blow by one of DLSU’s worst losses to date.

“There’s no time for us to cry over spilled milk,” Coach Robinson said following his team’s blowout loss.

Yet, true to their green-blooded spirit, the Archers refused to succumb to despair. With their championship hopes teetering on the brink, the Archers aimed for a turnaround to bounce back in Game Two. Defensive tenacity stifled UP’s offensive rhythm, while strategic adjustments fueled the Archers’ scoring game. Francis Escandor and Joshua David unleashed a barrage of three-pointers, clearing

the path for the Archers as they surged back with flair following their rough defeat in Game One, ultimately knotting the best-of-three series at 1-1. With grit and determination, the Green Archers aim to complete their comeback from a 0-1 series deficit, spoiling the Maroons’ bid with an 8260 fightback. It was a duel for the hoop as both teams left everything on the court in pursuit of championship glory. From the opening tip-off to the final buzzer, the game was a see-saw affair, with momentum swinging back and forth as the clock ticked down.

Led by Kevin Quiambao, DLSU surged ahead and dominated the paint with thunderous slams and ironclad defense. Evan Nelle orchestrated the offense with his deft passes carving through UP’s defense like a hot knife through butter. Michael Phillips patrolled the boards with rebounds, swatting away shots with authority. But UP, refusing to go down without a fight, countered with their own arsenal of weapons. Malick Diouf, a towering force in the paint, battled tooth and nail against DLSU’s defense, his drives and rebounds keeping the Fighting Maroons in the game. Francis Lopez and JD Cagulangan provided a steady stream of offense, their timely buckets keeping UP within striking distance. In the game’s last minutes, it was the Green Archers who delivered the final blow, capturing their UAAP championship with a 73-69 victory.

Making his league debut, Michael “Topex” Robinson masterfully orchestrated the Archers’ victory with his infamous ‘Topex Trap’ defense.

This success marked Robinson’s first championship as a collegiate coach, a remarkable feat for his inaugural season.

“This is my first championship as a college head coach after so many tries, and you just don’t want to give up,” Robinson said. This proved they’re no ‘bust’ of a team, solidifying their title as champions of UAAP

By Marian Aleia P. Gonzales

Season 86.

At the helm of La Salle’s resurgence from a shaky 4-3 start stood Kevin Quiambao, who was crowned the league’s first local MVP since 2015. With his standout performances, including setting the league’s record with 14 single-game assists, the 22-year-old showed a level of dominance rarely witnessed in collegiate basketball. Amidst the buzz surrounding his stellar second season with the Green and White, Quiambao could finally relish the glory of the one and only trophy he so desperately sought — the UAAP Men’s S86 Basketball Championship.

”I just did my job. I just take care of what is in front of me,” Quiambao asserted, proving he is this season’s best player with no doubt.

Alongside Quiambao, the Green Archers boasted a talented roster of players who each played their best in the team’s success. Mythical fivemember Evan Nelle’s court vision and playmaking ability brought about the teams’ precise offensive maneuvers, complemented by Michael Phillips’ dominance in the paint and Mark Nonoy’s shooting from the perimeter. Their defensive play, led by Francis Escandor’s sharpshooting and Joaqui Manuel’s defensive prowess, rounded out the team’s lineup, further fueling their championship run.

Though their journeys to don the Green and White vary, seniors Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy, Francis Escandor, Ben Phillips, and Joaqui Manuel all end their UAAP stories with the ultimate glory: finally claiming gold in their farewell collegiate campaigns.

With the crown finally back in Taft, the Lasallian community eagerly anticipates the dawn of a new era for DLSU basketball as the Green Archers stand poised to defend the crown for another season, with Quiambao returning to once again lead the charge and write another chapter in the storied legacy of Taft’s finest.

Diversifying the Lasallian offense, he also made crucial adjustments to riveting success. With that said, the saying that “offense wins games, but defense wins championships” could not have been truer, as the Lasallian defense was far from perfect, allowing for 76.1 points per game, a facet in which adjustments needed to be made.

With no room for error, Robinson had all the cards for a deep playoff run, solidifying the Green Archers as championship contenders. This fact was evidenced by their lopsided victory over the third-seeded NU Bulldogs, 97-73, flexing their newly revamped man-to-man defense while building their transition offense from the ground up.

After edging out the NU Bulldogs, DLSU soon found themselves within the clasp of the UP Fighting Maroons in the finals, being dealt a harrowing game one loss, 97-67. “At this point, we cannot look for other more excuses, [there’s nothing else to do] than to really bounce back this coming Sunday,” were Coach Topex’s resounding words, unwilling to yield on the biggest stage.

In the following game, the green-and-white swiftly retooled their approach and dispatched UP, 82-60, forcing sudden death. Sudden death it was, as a gritted-out Game 3 saw many crucial possessions, and with both teams going blow-for-blow, it was the Green Archers that triumphed, 7369, to capture their first title in seven years, giving Robinson his first taste of collegiate basketball glory.

“This is my first championship as a college head coach after so many tries. You just don’t want to give up. You know, when you doubt yourself, and you don’t have the courage to move forward,” were Robinson’s words, joining the elite list of Lasallian coaches who captured the crown in their very first year. By revitalizing the time-honored grit-and-grind Lasallian identity, the rookie head coach has injected a fresh perspective into the Philippines’ stale. His emphasis on teamwork and camaraderie offers a refreshing departure from the country’s conventional isolation-centric playbook. Notably, Robinson’s willingness to delegate to his assistant coaches during crucial moments demonstrates a collaborative spirit sorely needed in Philippine coaching circles.

However, Coach Topex’s voyage in the realm of coaching is merely unfolding. His latest venture sees him joining the ranks of Strong Group Athletics as an assistant coach, adding his expertise to an already impressive coaching ensemble that includes luminaries like Brian Goorjian and Charles Tiu.

More than just crowns and rings, Coach Topex

COACH’S COMEBACK. With his remarkable coaching turnaround,

Michael “Topex” Robinson triumphantly marks his debut as head coach of the DLSU Green Archers as the team seals the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball championship title. Photo from The LaSallian / Brean Lucero