The Bosun Magazine: Halloween 2022 Edition

01P o l i t i c s & O ip n i o n

What was so golden about martial law?

Article by Ilena Morales September 26, 2022

Last Wednesday, thousands of Filipinos mobilized nationwide to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Martial Law, chanting the iconic, “Never again! Never forget!"

The philosopher Santayana said, “He who does not know history is doomed to repeat it.” The people ousted a dictator in 1986, but with the son of that same dictator sitting in Malacañang, it seems we failed to “never forget.”

Without even considering the testimonies of survivors, the claim that Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law was the Philippines’ “Golden Age” holds no water based on empirical facts alone. But according to the testimony of former Cambridge Analytica employee Brittany Kaiser, the Marcoses paid the firm to rebrand the family image through misinformation tactics and data

mining using publicly available consumer information. As a result, they’ve succeeded in grabbing the highest seat of power by reducing the people’s struggle against systemic abuse into mere family feud (Marcos versus Yellow then, Marcos versus Pink now) and distorting one of the darkest periods in Philippine history into a mirage of prosperity.

Fool’s Gold: Economics under Martial Law

One of the most effective misinformation strategies of the Marcos camp was their marketing of the Martial Law era as the gold standard of economic progress and development, one of the most popular misconceptions being that the country enjoyed a $1.00-P2.00 rate and a healthy Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 1965-1985.

However, the $1,00-is-to-P2.00 rate only existed from 1945 to 1960 from the Osmeña to Macapagal administrations. From 1965 to 1986, the Marcos administration’s $1.00-P3.91 rate depreciated by 423.6% to $1.00-P20.46. In addition, GDP growth rarely went beyond +5.64%, and the 1983 all-time-low of -7.32% was accompanied by $28.26 billion external

debt. In the last ten years of the Marcos regime, Filipino workers suffered 50-70% wage cuts while the prices of basic commodities skyrocketed. Crony-led plunder of the trade associations in Negros Occidental caused a severe sugar crisis, resulting in bankruptcy, mass termination of plantation jobs, and the deaths of thousands of children by starvation and malnutrition. But while the rest of the nation floundered in poverty, starvation, and unemployment, the first family enjoyed lifestyles of opulence, foxtrotting across the globe with the rich and affluent and funding their Ivy League educations with misappropriated national funds.

Gintong Bala: Human Rights under the Marcos Regime

On September 21, 1972, Ferdinand Marcos suspended the writ of habeas corpus, abolished congress, and declared martial law after staged bombings of Plaza Miranda. What followed is viewed by the lucky few as a golden era of discipline, but for the 70,000 illegal and warrantless arrests, 34,000 torture cases, 3,240 murders, and 783 disappearances of activists, farmers, clergy, and professionals even minors and innocent bystanders at the hands of the Armed Forces and Philippine Constabulary, martial law was a despotic reign of terror.

A Call to the Youth

On February 25, 1986, a dictator and his family were removed from power by thousands of Filipinos who’d had enough of the abuse. But over the fifty years that followed, the Marcos family used their plundered wealth and political alliances with the Duterte and Arroyo clans to inch their way back into Philippine politics and warp national consciousness to suit their agenda. On June 30, 2022, the children of two dictators one dead, one still living were inaugurated into Malacañang, making the chant, “Never again, never forget,” hollow and painfully ironic.

But how can we “never forget” what we have never been taught in the first place? As younger Filipinos move through the levels of education, the truths of our history become lost in a sea of misinformation and censorship.

We, the youth, will inherit the world, and with it, the mantle (and burden) of our parents. We are destined to fill their shoes and cry out in their place, “Never again! Never forget!”

As we move to the front line in the struggle for truth and democracy, it falls upon us to actively seek out and discern the hard truths from the honeyed lies.

Mga kabataan, aralin niyo ang kasaysayan at lipunan. Mangahas na magtanong.

Never forget. Never again.

In memory of the bloodbath: Justice for EJK victims

Article by Pauline Vivar November 2, 2022

The onset of Duterte's regime was undoubtedly a grim era for human rights in the country with the bloody pavements and households echoing the desperate howls of the bereaved families of those shot dead on the suspicion of drug involvement

“You drug pushers, holdup men, and do-nothings, you better get out because I'll kill you.” These were the words of Former President Rodrigo Duterte, who enacted a “war on drugs’’ when he took office in June 2016 It was carried out through extrajudicial killings by police and militia groups targeting drug dealers and users, which violated the right to life and to a fair trial, and led to the deaths of thousands of Filipinos, primarily the urban poor.

EJK is a major crime against humanity. According to government statistics, the police killed at least 6,000 people between 2016 and 2022 while conducting anti-drug operations Human rights organizations, however, contend that this figure did not include victims of

“vigilante-style murders”, bringing the estimated death toll to between 12,000 and 30,000.

The “war on drugs” gave the police a “license to kill,” perpetuating the culture of violence in the country. On July 1st, 2016, hours after Duterte took the oath, Oliver Dela Cruz was fatally shot in Bulacan province during a drug raid, marking the inception of the bloodbath. A group of armed men broke into his friend's home while he was playing cards, and they interrogated and executed him. Police blamed "vigilante violence" and denied any wrongdoing, opening the doors for the currently towering pile of “nanlaban” cases

Government efforts to ensure justice for the victims are lacking and ineffective. Some cases have been investigated, but hardly any have resulted in conviction or restitution for victims Looking back, one of the most high-profile deaths in the campaign was that of Kian Delos Santos, for which three police officers were found guilty—the first such convictions since the drug war began However, Kian is just one of those who suffered a wrongful death; what about the thousand others? Years have passed but no true justice has been served for EJK victims Duterte has yet to pay for the atrocities he condoned during his term

According to the OHCHR, “institutional and structural shortcomings in law enforcement and the judiciary remain, despite efforts to address some cases.” Furthermore, the Marcos administration opposed attempts to reinstate the International Criminal Court's investigation into EJK but did not make additional efforts to speed up the investigation, leaving victims with very limited access to justice.

Hope for human rights still remains elusive in the country. What can we do about this? Amidst the cries to “never forget and never again” the horrors of martial law a historical human rights catastrophe the vicious cycle of government injustice still perpetuates, and thus the same mantra applies in this context.

Nevertheless, it is equally important to keep in mind that any democratic administration is a reflection of the people. How will we ever be able to free ourselves from the shackles we constantly put on ourselves? It should be acknowledged that we play a significant role in this problem, and thus in its resolution. We have the ability to turn the tables, and we can only actualize this ability if we use the past administrations' atrocities as a motivation to choose better leaders those with clean records and genuine intentions.

We can protect and promote human rights by continuing to demand government accountability As the government's prime duty is to serve and protect people, state-perpetrated crimes should never occur again nor be permitted to go unpunished. In line with this, we should keep an eye out for the current administration, given its incapacity and lack of interest to take action for EJK victims

Duterte's regime may have ended, but the maladies it caused the country still thrive. Hence, the image of bloody pavements and households, as well as the desperate howls of the victims' bereaved families shall live on in our memories The moment we forget, we completely accept that the nation's promising future for human rights will remain a mere fantasy.

In memory of the bloodbath, and in hopes for a peaceful tomorrow, we shall seek justice for EJK victims.

Are the Government’s Efforts to Incentivize EVs Enough?

Article by Eduardo Alvaro Barretto November 13, 2022

As the year 2022 nears its end, we can look back at the years since the dawn of the 21st century and come to the conclusion that the sky’s the limit for the technology we are now producing. At the forefront of this vision are electric vehicles (EVs) the future of transportation. Looking at the history of the automobile, from the world’s introduction to hybrids in the Toyota Prius in its 1997 launch to Tesla’s rise during the early 2010s, it does look like it is about time for the electric car battery to render gasoline obsolete. After all, by the end of 2020, the value of Tesla's stock (TSLA) shot up to over four times its value in January of that year.

With that being said, it looks like a good trend to follow here in the Philippines. In fact, the government is heavily incentivizing electric vehicles after recently imposing the Electric

Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA). Among the perks presented by EVIDA are exemption from coding, special license plates, registration perks, special parking spaces, and most importantly, excise tax exemptions. Additionally, EVIDA-IRR covers the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), which highlights the government’s goals of developing a local industry, as some cities in partnership with the DTI have funded a $3.8-billion electric vehicle drive. When viewed from an economic perspective, investing in electric vehicles at this point may be greatly beneficial. After all, gasoline prices have gone up since the RussiaUkraine war began.

However, despite these advantages that may help open up a market for electric vehicles, we may see certain difficulties, or at least a slow market upturn. Recently, in a research report by Goldman Sachs, they noted that EV batteries now account for 30% of total EV costs. According to them, this is a result of what they call a greenflation an increase in the prices of the materials for manufacturing the batteries of electric vehicles. This follows

the recent spike in electric car sales during 2021, which was at 127% year-on-year (yoy) The rising prices of manufacturing materials may result in lower profitability, which may be less attractive for some business owners who are considering spending on electric vehicles Citing Goldman Sachs again, the top-five manufacturers of electric car batteries in the world account for over 80% of the overall sales, giving extreme negotiating power, with the Chinese company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) being on top Furthermore, China almost has a monopoly when it comes to the refining of many materials that are integral in manufacturing electric vehicle batteries such as lithium,

In the Philippines, investing may be quite risky in the short-term (present-2025), even with the incentives put up by the government Despite the exemptions from certain excise taxes, such as the one on imported charging stations, the new tax laws still do not eliminate much of the cost when it comes to investing in electric vehicles. Importing batteries would be expensive, even more so when you cut the import taxes, due to the negotiating power of the battery manufacturers On a negative note, this kind of situation increases entry barriers into the industry Whether a business owner wants to import or manufacture batteries, he would find himself paying a high price simply sourcing materials, leaving him with minuscule margins. With that being said, business owners might seek to continue buying and using gasoline or diesel-run vehicles

In conclusion, although the Philippine government has made efforts to help develop the industry with the DTI leading a $3.8-billion drive with LGUs and the new tax incentives introduced by EVIDA with the hopes of fostering market growth, it may not be so simple or fast. With the recent rise in the popularity of electric vehicles, the world’s electric car battery manufacturers have raised their prices, making it difficult for people to invest in the product, as it would not be profitable in the meantime. However, despite short-term investing looking bleak here in the Philippines, the overall global trend is that there is still slow but steady growth in terms of adopting electric vehicles. Should the global production technology improve and become more cost-efficient, it’s likely the Philippines will follow, as the investment may prove lucrative by then.

When Ignorance and Connivance Collide: Scrutinizing the SIM Card Registration Act

Article by Luiecor Buagan November 4, 2022

Resurfacing from going down the drain after getting vetoed by former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card registration bill was once again raised by the Senate on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. Aiming to minimize the chances of exploitation of the privilege of anonymity provided by prepaid SIMs, it has just been passed into law following current President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s signing of it. Fueled by the negligence of both the proponents and supporters of the act, it is now steering to nonchalantly knock off the Filipino people’s right to privacy, security, and freedom of expression.

Tailgating the End Users’ Identity

Among the frivolous provisions of the measure is mandating direct sellers to collect personal information from the purchasers as a prerequisite to the sale and activation of the purchased SIM cards. Stated in Section 6 under the coverage of registration, all direct sellers shall require the end users to supply their full name and complete address together with a true or photocopy of any

of the accepted government-issued identification documents. This certain clause portends that the act is headed to tailgate the end users even if it takes a collision to do so.

Indisputably, this is a brazen violation of their right to privacy and even compromises their safety. For a bill that was proposed in the hopes of protecting the people from prepaid mobile phone users with malicious and criminal intent, it is too invasive. Not to mention, the measure itself is apt to expose the customer’s private information to a mere retailer and worse, someone with evil intentions. Under such circumstances, scammers may now have more means to buy these data in store to be used for their modus. After all, these direct sellers are not hired by the government to assure that the end users’ information is in safe hands.

If any, the enactment will only certainly heighten the risk of misusing the collected data given that there are no clear limitations and provisions on the storage and handling of it.

Malevolence Lurking on the Blind Spots

In ill fate, it seems as though the act is yet another step of the government to suppress the Filipinos’ freedom of expression (especially online) following the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. Found on the precept is a one-liner concerning social media registration which was infixed late. It states that “all social media account providers are required to provide their real name and phone numbers upon account creation”.

The worst conclusion that can be drawn from this is that both are being used as weapons to unsparingly muffle the voices of the Filipinos who have been crying out the need for good governance since time immemorial. The decree is said to unmask the criminals who enjoy the blanket of anonymity granted by the availability of SIM cards. But, how can we sit in complacency that the normal individuals are not being categorized with those whom they claim as their prey? Especially now that online platforms have become our avenue for voicing out concerns to reach out to the incumbent officials, such malevolence hiding in the guise of pure intents needs to be addressed.

As elucidated, the law is foreseen to interfere with our rights to freedom of expression Article III, Section 4 of the Constitution that reads “no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press…” will be certainly run over by the act Since it prohibits anonymity for both telecom and social media users, we are now all the more restricted to exercise our rights to criticize whenever there are suspicious occurrences in the government Considering that it serves as the haven that we can seek refuge in to get rid of the path that leads to the dangers of red-tagging—which is alarmingly prevalent nowadays, having listed as one of the most significant human rights issues in the human rights report cutting our safe access to it is like dismissing the only protection we can trust now.

Philippine human rights defender reported that the police hold our Facebook posts against us What more now that our identity shall be an open book to particular entities, namely the direct sellers and the authorities? If a mere post containing our disappointment towards the lousy justice system in the country could send us behind bars, with the bill in question evincing the passage to a greater possibility of it, there is really no doubt that we are gradually being robbed of our entitlement to freely express our opinions. This could petrify people more given that cases of red-tagging continuously ramp up, the recent killing of Lumad teacher Chad Booc as an example.

The Proponents’ Deceiving Escape Route

While the SIM card registration law purportedly aims to curb crimes, specifically fraud and scams, there is no guarantee at all that it is bound to succeed in doing so. Truth be told, findings from global non-profit Privacy International revealed that although the same policy has been upheld by over 150 countries all over the world, it was found to be ineffective and inefficient Even Mexico, which enacted it back in 2009, ended up repealing it after three years for it served them nothing The higher-ups are wasting their time pursuing a worthless policy that is already exposing itself to be futile while they cannot even lay their hands on matters that direly entails consideration

Moreover, the enactment has more tendency to bring harm to the public instead of benefiting them Cybersecurity policy analyst Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos said that having a central database to store all the information collected by public telecommunication entities (PTEs) from the consumers will become an attractive target for cyber attackers. There were also vague provisions, according to her, on how it will prevent fraudulent purchase or instances of stolen SIM cards to commit crimes such as identity theft, online fraud, and data breaches. This alone is a clear indication that the goal of the said law to put an end to cybercrimes (as they claim it to be) is nothing more than an escape route to save them from getting questioned about its value

Even before we get struck by the imminent menace brought about by the SIM card registration act, it is best if we call for the concerned entities to make amendments Better yet, revoke the decree that is of no worth in the first place

For when ignorance and connivance collide, the flow of the whole area where solicitude for humanity runs will be jammed

And, like a helpless victim wedged in between, we will be left with no choice but to let out a silent scream

Shopee Versus the Truth

Article by Yannis de Jesus October 22, 2022

Shopee has been in the midst of a public relations nightmare. Its supposedly groundbreaking announcement of Toni Gonzaga as its brand ambassador only sparked anger amongst many people. The hashtags #ByeShopee and #BoycottShopee trended on Twitter as 200,000+ netizens displayed their public disappointment towards the online shopping platform. For some, there was only one choice: Shopee should be deleted from their own carts and they may as well be right.

The divide comes, however, when asked ‘why?’ Why should Shopee, and by extension, Toni Gonzaga, be boycotted? That, by choosing to withhold their support–monetary or otherwise–to the company, they are using their rights as a consumer to transform into a form of protest. There are many answers. All may have credence, but it should not be because Gonzaga is a Marcos loyalist. Rather, the decision to boycott should be based on her role in enabling historical distortion and disinformation. Knowing all this, Shopee still chose to hire her, right on the heels of their mass layoffs.

It is not who she is or what she believes in that many find reprehensible. This is a free country, and she is allowed to espouse what she values. Instead, it is how she has empowered and even normalized a romanticization of martial law by whitewashing the killings, tortures, and human rights abuses under the Marcos Sr. regime that has angered many. An anger that has metastasized to any brand affiliated with her, in this case, Shopee.

This is no surprise. After all, she is the company’s chosen brand ambassador. She is the face of Shopee, the persona that advertises Shopee Philippines to the globe. Above all, she is what sells the brand to the consumer. Who she is, however, cannot simply be erased the moment she wears that orange blazer and advertises whatever pair of numbers the sale is now. Toni Gonzaga will and has come with whatever baggage and controversies she previously had, whatever her role is now.

This is precisely the reason why politics cannot merely be separated from this issue, because with Toni Gonzaga for all her ‘mass appeal’ that led Shopee to hire her to begin with comes the political views that she not only espouses but propagates. Her YouTube account, with millions of subscribers, frequently sees her give a platform for revisionists who brand the truth as mere lies or ‘fake news.’

Where, with every lie that she allows to be spread through her platform, another victim of Ferdinand Marcos’ regime is merely swept aside. As such, the role she played in cultivating an environment where 3,000+ were killed, 34,000 were tortured, 70,000 arbitrarily arrested, and hundreds of billions of pesos stolen from the people can easily be brushed off as “gawa lang ng mga oposisyon,” (stories made by the opposition) cannot as easily be swept aside.

All of this comes as thousands are left without a job after Shopee chose to lay off many of its workers. While the mass layoffs are rumored to have taken place throughout its offices across the globe, the fact remains that the announcement of a multi-million peso endorser coming just days after mass retrenchment leaves a bad taste in the mouths of onlookers; or worse, show that the priorities of the company lay not in its workers who are the foundations of the company but on the facade it shows the world.

In a nation struck with an economic crisis that has seen inflation’s rise while the purchasing power of many ordinary Filipinos rapidly declines, it becomes morally unjustifiable to simply strip people of their only means to provide for themselves and their families intended or not. It is the duty of the company, as many of its workers' sole source of livelihood, to ensure their well-being. That in their decision to take each individual under their corporate roof, they are equally responsible for the welfare of each and every one of their workers.

When all is said and done, the decision to boycott is a decision of only a single individual: you. It is a choice based on what you value most, and whether to support a company to goes against your values. Boycotts are meant to signal to both the company and the broader society that something is not worth keeping. If that boycott is participated in by a more significant section of the population, it is a sign that something is inherently wrong.

Now the choice lies within the very values that are immovable in each person. The choice whether it is acceptable that, amidst a mass layoff of its workers, a company chooses as its face to the world someone who was and is a key in the continuous effort to revise the truth of the past.

It is from this decision that we can come to understand not only whether to boycott Shopee, b

Mandatory ROTC: A key to nationalism?

Article by Stephanie Flores October 23, 2022

"The aim is to motivate, train, organize, and mobilize the students for national defense preparedness, including disaster preparedness and capacity building for risk-related situations," said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., stating the purpose of ROTC in his first State of the Nation Address last July. Reinstating the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, better known as the ROTC, in public and private senior high schools was among the priority legislative agendas he had proposed with his ally, Vice President Sara Duterte. Keeping the ROTC’s violent past in mind, is this what we really need today?

ROTC should not just be about military training ROTC should not be just about following orders with the fear of getting punished and demeaned by cadet officers, nor it should be about marching in the heat of the sun, carrying mock rifles, or well-polished boots. Requiring students to do

push-ups or squats is nothing but meaningless abuse because it instills an inappropriate form of discipline, where all suffer the consequence of one cadet’s mistake. This kind of learning and discipline fostered in ROTC is one that stems from compliance due to fear. No one learns from being shouted at or insulted by their superiors. When this happens, students will simply adhere to orders not because they know it is ethical and moral, but because that is what they are told to do so. Truly, ROTC downplays the influential culture of discipline and only inculcates fear in the minds of the young.

Power-tripping

violence

can easily lead to physical

How can we be ascertained the revival of the mandatory ROTC will not be of the same nature as the one that previous generations had to endure? Two decades ago, ROTC was abolished because there were many reports that it was being used for corruption and violence against students’ rights. Alliance of Concerned Teachers Representative France Castro said that mandatory ROTC would only expose children to corruption at an early age. This is the worst that could possibly happen.

The ROTC program has been criticized numerous times for its continuing violence against student cadets. In March 2001, the body of the 19-year-old Mark Chua, an engineering sophomore and cadet in UST, was found floating in the Pasig River soon after exposing the anomalies of the university’s corrupt ROTC practices. ROTC was scrapped a year after the incident. Chua’s death ignited a major turn of events. However, even after NSTP was signed into law replacing the ROTC program, the brutality surrounding ROTC has yet to end. Back in 2014, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) dismissed two cadet officers for allegations of hazing and corporal punishment.

It does not instill nationalism among the youth It is worth noting that while the ROTC provides adequate military training and national defense preparedness, nothing good emanates from abuse disguised as discipline. There is no room for learning in an environment that uses authority to justify violence. Making ROTC mandatory again is not tantamount to instilling nationalism in the Filipino youth. In contrast, ROTC has led to countless cases of corruption and violations of students’ rights. The notion that ROTC is the answer to instilling nationalism among the youth only narrows down the meaningful purpose of “love of one’s country” as being able to defend the nation by surviving the heat of the sun or learning to take up arms.

Mandatory again? How about not yet?

“What we need is a better path for the socio-civic involvement of the youth, a path that is congruent to the challenges of the changing times.” That path, simply does not turn to ROTC. Key to this is to begin utilizing such programs to appreciate and understand the foundations for why citizens actually have to take up arms. It is crucial that the youth knows what they are doing, and most importantly, manifest this personal awareness that what they are doing is morally right. How can a program that has yet to clear its name and rid itself of abusive practices be posited as a solution?

If ROTC continues to serve as a vehicle to instill discipline and encourage patriotism among Filipinos without due appreciation and understanding of what it really means to be a trained citizen of this country, it is only right for the majority to vehemently oppose its reinstatement. When ROTC finally becomes a program that is grounded on moral values with an aim to cultivate an individual’s inner sense of discipline and patriotism, only then could it be reconsidered. For the time being, what the current legislation must aim to do is to refine the program. Above anything, the choice of disciplined and righteous cadet officers must be taken into consideration to ensure that they are well-equipped and trained to be in control.

Until it becomes a form of practical education that will truly equip the young to become citizens for the country and not only for themselves, lawmakers should not reinstate ROTC.

Cardinal Zen’s trial and Catholicism in China

Article by Caterina Molo October 22, 2022

90-year-old Cardinal Joseph Zen, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, and staunch critic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), was put on trial in Hong Kong. He and five others were accused of failing to register a pro-democracy support fund, the “612 Humanitarian Fund,” which aimed to provide support financially, legally, medically, and psychologically, to those injured during the 2019 Hong Kong protests. The fund ceased operations over a year ago. All convicts including Cardinal Zen have pleaded not guilty.

The Hong Kong police testified against Cardinal Zen, and the judge ruled the case could move forward. His next court appearance is on October 26. If convicted, he'll be faced with a fine. However, Cardinal Zen is also under investigation for alleged “collusion with foreign forces” under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. If charged and convicted under it, he could receive a life sentence.

Understanding Catholicism in China

The Catholic Church in China is split into two communities: the Underground Church which refuses the directive of the CCP, and the staterun Patriotic Church which is registered under the Chinese government. There exists some rivalry between the two. Underground Catholics condemn Patriotic Catholics for appearing treacherous and cowardly, while Patriotic Catholics assert that they are working with Beijing to boost Catholic evangelism throughout China, as well as to provide safety for the Underground Church using the influence they have within the government. According to a Chinese official, some Underground Catholics are seen to be sabotaging the Patriotic Church and spoiling relations between the Vatican and Beijing. He surmises that there could be foreign influences with connections to Western democracy activist groups, as it’s “the outsiders, not the Chinese, who shout the loudest about religious intolerance in the country.” He added that China prefers stability, and that Chinese Catholics need to understand that the government respects their faith, but they should not use religion to spark uprisings and rebellions.

On the other hand, some Underground Catholics state they are proud to be Chinese, and do not call for a regime change. They just want to be able to worship in peace. They continue to stay loyal to the Underground Church because they believe it is the one true Catholic Church.

China and the Vatican

In 2018, the Vatican and China signed a secret deal that has never been made public. It is believed to allow the CCP some control over the appointment of bishops in China. The CCP is thought to have the power to appoint bishops, while the Vatican has the ability to veto them. According to Cardinal Zen, because the agreement is secret, the government uses it to demand Chinese Catholics to do whatever they want under the pretext that “the pope said so.” The people doubt whether the government is being truthful or not, but since they don’t receive word from the Vatican, they are left in confusion. Cardinal Zen asserts that before the agreement, there existed a compromise between the CCP and the Underground Church. The government would tolerate them and turn a blind eye to them because the Underground Catholics were hardworking, behaved, and didn’t create much trouble.

Cardinal Zen has been one of the most outspoken critics of the deal since it was first signed in 2018, calling it “an incredible betrayal.” The Vatican has been mostly silent on Cardinal Zen’s recent situation. Pope Francis was asked in a recent inflight press conference whether he considers Cardinal Zen’s trial a violation of religious freedom. He responded that it takes a century to understand China, but because we do not live for a century, we have chosen the path of dialogue. He added, “Cardinal Zen is going to trial these days, I think. And he says what he feels, and you can see that there are some limitations there.” With the agreement scheduled to be renewed

this October, Cardinal

Vatican in the name

may

diplomacy

Given that the 612 Humanitarian Fund has been defunct for over a year, the timing of Cardinal Zen’s arrest and delayed trial could very well be a scheme to influence the upcoming renewal of the Vatican-China agreement.

What we can learn from Cardinal Zen and the Chinese Catholics

The first time Cardinal Zen was arrested last May, he said “Martyrdom is normal in our Church. We may not have to do that, but we may have to bear some pain and steel ourselves for our loyalty to our faith.” In our everyday lives, we may not be faced with martyrdom for what we believe in, but we may experience some pressure, or even minor persecutions from time to time. Even so, no matter what inhibits our freedom our ability to choose good over evil we must protect it. We need to strive to have the strength to always choose what is right, stand up for what is good, bear in some pain, and steel ourselves.

Zen

be sacrificed by the

of

with China.

“Far-right” or just right for Italy?

Article by John Joachim Guevarra November 17, 2022

On September 25, 2022, the Italian general election was held to elect a new government for the country Despite its low voter turn-out, at just 64% compared to 73% in 2018 according to ANSA, a plurality of the electorate clearly decided who they wanted to be in charge. The winner was Giorgia Meloni, who recently took power as Italy’s first female prime minister. She won the election with 26% of the vote while, Brothers of Italy, garnered the most votes in the election.

This was not the mainstream media’s talking point, however Multiple articles emphasize the same aspect of the new female prime minister: a link between her and the “far-right”, saying that her government will be the most right-wing since Mussolini Hence, the readers would think that the fascists have taken power in Italy once again. Yet, these

articles fail to provide a detailed explanation for the reasons why she might be one of them After all, she did not lead a revolution or anything of the sort, unlike Mussolini She, like any member of a representative government, was elected by the people and gained their support to achieve victory.

So, with that in mind, is “far-right” or “fascist” really a fair assessment of Meloni, her values, and what she may do for Italy?

Fueling controversy against the new prime minister seems to be the goal Some of the aforementioned articles have suggested that she ought to be a feminist due to being Italy’s first female prime minister. Rather than sticking to this mold, Meloni is a conservative, one who seeks to preserve the traditional values of her country, especially regarding the ideas of family. Because of this stark contrast to what is expected of her, the media paints her and her coalition as “far-right” or “fascist”.

It is disingenuous for them to write about Meloni’s victory in this manner for it blurs the line between the two ideologies, and hides her

actual beliefs and policies, yet their actions give an important takeaway from this election.

Conservatism vs. Fascism

Prior to assessing her core beliefs, a distinction between the two must be made. This is to determine the more accurate basis for her ideas. The definitions of each ideology written here are based on Andrew Heywood’s Introduction to Political Ideologies.

Conservatism is an ideology that seeks to preserve existing values and institutions, in order to preserve society. One of its core beliefs is its recognition of natural law, or trusting God’s will by not tampering with His creation. Another core belief is in people’s tendency to stick to familiarity, another reason for preserving tradition. This gives people a society in which they have their obligations. Such obligations are recognized by an individual and done out of one’s free will. One feels the need to do these things because they recognize the value others have in a society.

Contrast this to fascism, which is commonly associated with Mussolini and Hitler after World War 1 until the end of World War 2. It is much more collectivist in nature since it espouses the idea of a person surrendering his individuality for the sake of the nation. Arguably, this may even be compared to socialism, in the sense that it both upholds the idea of an individual giving himself for the collective; albeit socialism is concerned with equality, while fascism concerns itself with a superior race or group of people. Fascism gained popularity when people became willing to increase an authority’s power in desperate times, whereas conservatism is much more acceptable since it is represented by parties such as the Conservatives in the UK and the Republican Party in the US.

Distinguishing the two is important since if conservatives were to simply be labeled as fascists, then the tragedies committed by the actual fascists are minimized. The word itself simply becomes meaningless as it is used to describe people who have a much more common, more mainstream ideology.

Meloni’s actual beliefs

Her positions on certain matters had been discussed in different articles. Oftentimes, she has voiced her support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Also, she has advocated for stricter immigration policy, such as a naval blockade across Libya, because she notes that an influx of migrants might degrade the quality of life for her citizens and those who do migrate will be forced to live on the “margins of our society”. Even in political campaigns, she emphasized her advocacy on promoting the traditional family. However, what truly summarizes her core beliefs is her speech in 2019 at the World Congress of Families.

Since her victory last September, this speech has been shared across social media since it gives a concise idea about the newly elected premier. For instance, she had made it clear that she is pro-life– condeming abortion, especially at the nine-month mark. Her stances on the family were also clear. For her, the declining birth rate in not just Italy, but Europe is an important issue, claiming that “If we do not address this, everything else is pointless''. Hence, she advocates for the state offering financial support to natural families from marriage, and even opening nurseries so that working mothers may have a safe place for their child to stay. The final part of her speech appears to be the most viral since it encapsulated her rationale for these ideas. She has these positions because she wants to protect the uniqueness and inherent value of each human being. Each person has a unique identity due to his family, country, and religion. Without this identity or roots, they simply become “perfect consumer slaves” where one’s value is solely dependent on “financial speculators” instead of their nature as human beings.

Knowing these beliefs and definitions, it would be more accurate to describe Giorgia Meloni as a conservative, not a fascist. As stated before, she maintains her pro-family and pro-life stances due to her beliefs in the value of each human being. Conservatism, as an ideology, recognizes both natural law, and the value of each individual in a society as inherently good. Each person, as Meloni notes, is unique and “irreplaceable”. If she were a fascist, her speech might have been purely of each individual giving up one’s freedom for the sake of the country. Instead, here is a speech that discusses the recognition and protection of the value of each human being, and that life ought to be preserved, not taken away.

What to learn from this election

The media had portrayed this newly elected leader as a fascist, despite her actual beliefs reflecting conservatism. It would be wise to learn from this election to not blindly follow the stories put forth into the mainstream. One must do his own research regarding the claims made about a particular personality, and to dig deeper into the words used to make such statements. Believing whatever is presented as news only promotes the spread of lies and misinformation instead of truth, which is what the media should pursue in the first place.

02 C a m p u s

L t’ K D D St d t

Article by Joshua Edillon October 12, 2022

Are you looking to ease the burden of college tuition? Then these student loan programs may be for you. Last September 14, SABIO hosted Let’s Keep Dem Dragons, a session introducing two partner companies, LeapED and Bukas PH, and the loan programs they have to offer Held at the PLDT Hall, the session gave curious students a few opportunities for installment plans, each with its own benefits. Though arranged by the scholars’ org, worry not as both programs are open for application to non-scholars as well Having been in the works since quarantine, this project aims to help students finish their education in spite of financial struggle.

LeapED

Presenting first was EdTech company LeapED, with both an upskilling platform and the new offer of a tuition financing platform for more ambitious applicants Open to UA&P students since last year, the Career Success platform has provided a yearlong curriculum of teaching students to harness skills that become handy and desirable in a work environment Once per month, they meet with mentors who work around one’s personal needs, as well as the network of other LeapED students all around Southeast Asia. The platform extends until after graduation, where students are lined up for potential internships and career paths. With this program, LeapED is targeting the escalating number of financial student dropouts, and the post-graduate struggle in finding employment

If a student is looking for more immediate help in tuition coverage, LeapED can sign them up for an Income Share Agreement. They can cover up to 80 percent of the tuition fees or up to PHP 50,000 in total per applicant. However, a caveat of this plan is its being open only to applicants in their second-to-last year. Previous grades and household income are not major factors, though the student has to, at minimum, pass all their subjects. The screening process itself will be looking for an active, engaged applicant with an aptitude for certain soft skills that future employers would value. After graduation, recipients will only be paying the loan off upon securing a job, with the installment plan and interest being scaled on their monthly income.

Bukas PH

The next partner, Bukas, gives students a less taxing experience with college fees through a more accessible installment plan. In case a student is having trouble meeting their financial needs, especially around the time of enrollment, they may sign up for Bukas to partially or fully cover their tuition and extend the payment across 12 months. The only added charges will be a three percent one-time fee and 1.5 percent interest. Plans can be paid off early, or a second plan may be opened for the following year, with no extra fees. Payments will also be handled by the company themselves, with all information being tracked in their Bukas app. Students, however, will need at least a 21-year-old guardian and be at least 18 themselves to register, though the company is working to meet lower years’ needs.

Student Government Constitution

Article by Zan Angeles

October 13, 2022

On the 28th of September, the Constitutional Convention (ConCon) arranged by the University Student Government took place. This event, headed by USG President Kaleb Tagle and Internal Vice President Mikaela Marasigan, was held to present the proposed amendments regarding two articles, Article V: voting quotas, and Article VII: number of votes cast to pass a referendum. Despite it being new to some, this is not the first attempt of the USG to make changes in the Student Government Constitution, as the USG has been trying to appeal these amendments for the past two school years. Hence, to reinforce and formally propose said amendments, the USG urged the student body, especially political parties ANIMA and KASANGGA, the Commissions on Elections (COMELEC), and the Center for Student Affairs (CSA) to take part, in order for everyone to be represented in this event.

Validity of Electoral Votes

The first proposed amendment was the Constitution's Article V, Section 5, which states: An election of an ICS Representative shall be deemed valid only if at least 50% + 1 of the ICS student population casts its votes.

From the current 70% requirement, the USG aims to lower the votes to 50% + 1 for an ICS Representative to be elected.

Likewise, in Article V, Section 8, the proposed amendment is: If a position is contested by only one candidate, 50% + 1 of the votes must be obtained, otherwise, special elections will be held.

This is in contrast to its current requirement of the 60% vote requirement, which has caused some difficulties in the past elections. Alongside this, voting of USG officers will now follow 50% + 1 of the student population’s votes, rather than the current 60%. According to Kaleb Tagle, the USG President, “Due to the pandemic, it is only now that we get to see each of the schools in the university being represented.” With these amendments, the USG hopes to bring a much more efficient process of voting for the student

body, parties involved, and the candidates themselves.

Casting of Referendum

Article VII, Section 5 proposed amendment indicates that: An amendment may be passed with a two-thirds majority of votes cast in a referendum in which 50% + 1 of the student population casts its votes.

Currently, to pass a referendum, it must garner 75% of the student population's votes before it could be taken to effect. With these unrealistic requirements, the USG has been finding it difficult to file for constitutional amendments. Hence, the reason for proposing said changes is of utmost importance, not just for the current USG officers but the student body as a whole.

Hope for Changes and Glimpse of Progress

Soon after the proposal of the amendments, the delegates, consisting of the current SY 2022-2023 officers, Mikaela Marasigan, Aaron Ustaris, Rom Teña, Nazzi Punzalan, Gabrie Cordero, and Caliber Gonzaga, alongside and presided by Kaleb Tagle, the current USG President, unanimously voted for the proposed amendments to be passed. It is undeniable that the stagnancy brought about by the pandemic in uniting the student body to seek change and better systems. Nevertheless, it is evident that the current USG officers are hands-on with creating safe spaces for the university’s Dragons, especially with the shift back to onsite classes. With these proposed amendments, the USG aims to make the processes of future elections, amendments, and referendums more fair, efficient, and honest. Ultimately, the Constitutional Convention is a step further in helping the student body prosper and grow more holistically.

Article by Joy Mayor November 6, 2022

Just US, G?: USG holds first address, Talumpati: Here & Now

On the 14th of October, the USG held this year’s first address, Talumpati: Here & Now, at the University Student Commons, wherein they discussed their accomplishments and their upcoming goals and plans for the school year. Each USG officer talked about the projects they have implemented and projects they plan to execute in the near future.

The address was opened by Kaleb Tagle, the USG President, who delivered updates about his role as Communitas Liaison Officer, the office training workshops executed at the beginning of the academic year, Constitutional Convention, and Talumpati. Meanwhile, the projects he plans to execute are Dragon Site, in collaboration with ICT, CTL, and CSA, along with The Project Phoenix Fundraising Concert with the Office of the CFO and Reverb Music Productions, which includes the Revival of the Phoenix variety show.

Afterward, Mika Marasigan, the Internal Vice President, talked about the completion of the AAC database, the OIVP’s collaboration with PMT for the World Teachers’ Day celebration, and their collaboration with Anima, KASANGGA, and COMELEC for the Constitutional Convention, which took place last September 28. She also discussed three new policies: 1) the extension of DR office hours, 2) a revised yearbook committee policy, and 3) a committee office policy that aims to provide more conducive working environments.

Up next was Aaron Ustaris, the External Vice President, who delivered updates about the finalization of the Shuttle Service, the housing

initiative Dragon s Lodges, and SMeNtoring. The projects that he plans to implement are the UA&P bulletin board, a collaboration with other universities, and a policy that states that students do not have to pay the PSB parking fee more than once.

Gabrie Cordero, the Student Interest Groups Officer, delivered updates on the UNITAS Leader’s Assembly. Cordero spoke about how SIG leaders were able to attend workshops to aid their skills, which were displayed during the UNITAS fair. She also mentioned that they have publicized the UA&P org database and that her office will reach out to every SIG president twice a month. Cordero also talked about their bridging gaps initiatives and said that they will continue to assist with project proposals. Projects implemented by the Office of the SIGO are Unitas Fair and Unitas Awards.

Other Highlights!

CAS General Assembly and opened more communication channels within CAS. He also talked about the suspension percentage of the Office of the Secretary. They are also working with CTL and OSC on a company database and have also been assisting with Dragons Cup.

Nazzi Punzalan, the Chief Finance Officer, discussed a transparency measure regarding the budget and an information session about UA&P courses. He is also in charge of managing the funds for the Project Phoenix Scholars, thus, he will also be working with The Project Phoenix Fundraising Concert with the Office of the President and Reverb Music Productions.

Finally, Caliber Gonzaga, the Sports and Varsities Officer, talked about the first face-to-face Pep Rally after two years. He also mentioned that he was able to oversee General Assemblies for the office’s constituents: the Unitas Athletes Assembly, General Assembly of the Varsities, and the SenS General Assembly.

To close the address, the officers replied to the questions and concerns of the students that they left in the dropboxes around campus and left a pleasant message for everyone.

“Your USG feels very fortunate to serve you during these …. times. Ultimately, we aim to listen, to serve, and to be here for you as we welcome you back to where you belong, here in UA&P. Welcome home, dragons!”.

Article by Arianne Gutierrez November 12, 2022

PolEco Week 2022: The POLIS and Virtus Collaboration

One of POLIS’ most anticipated events of the year, PolEco Week 2022: Excel SLG, was held last October 19-22 and 24, 2022 at the University of Asia & the Pacific. Through this event, School of Social Sciences, Law, and Governance students were able to partake in various workshops that honed their debate, policy assessment, and diplomacy skills.

PolEco week is an annual event hosted by POLIS that often takes place in the month of September or October. It essentially provides an avenue for Political Economy students to familiarize themselves and know more about their course. For this year’s implementation, POLIS decided to partner up with Virtus, UA&P’s official competition league, in order to provide workshops that aim to unlock the full potential of the SLG student body.

Program flow

A specific workshop was dedicated to each afternoon of the 4-day program. The first three days followed a schedule of a 15-minute lecture, 15minute open forum, and a 30-minute activity. On October 19, Kyla Uy and Thirdie Cariaso from Virtus’ debate team, Forum, conducted a workshop on debate, and participants were asked to argue for a specific stance towards the end of the program.

Meanwhile, Billy Gene Balsamo, a guest speaker from Minerva, was invited to conduct the following day’s workshop revolving around policy writing. He gave a rundown of what goes through his mind when writing policies, as well as tips on how to write an effective policy paper. The participants were then divided into 5 groups with each group

Moving forward, the third day’s workshop regarding diplomacy was carried out by Model United Nations’ Kyla Uy, Lucy Callilung, and Dana Barbecho, and participants were once again encouraged to apply what they have learned through a short activity.

Finally, Miggy Callilung, the president of Virtus, was invited on the last day of the program to oversee the culminating activity. It was a display of what has been worked on for the past 3 days, and there were various activities from Forum, Minerva, and MUN that participants could choose from. This allowed students who were not able to attend all days to try the other workshops that they had missed.

g

POLIS for AY 2022-2023 and the project head for this event, POLIS decided to partner up with Virtus for this year’s PolEco Week as they imagined “something that is more participative, and something that is more engaging for Political Economy students.” In other words, they wanted this year’s concept to revolve around action, so they conceptualized workshops. Maranon explained that POLIS had limited capacity to conduct the content of the workshops themselves. Therefore, they contacted Virtus, as they are the ones who are more knowledgeable about the skills necessary for debate, policy writing, and diplomacy. Consequently, the conceptualization, marketing, and logistics behind the program came from POLIS, while the content and direction of the workshops themselves were from Virtus.

The preparation process began as early as September 2022, though there were a few challenges regarding communication between the members of POLIS and Virtus due to personal workload.

Feedback from participants

Syamie Gambe, a 16YP Political Economy student, said, “I genuinely had fun and learned a lot through the different workshops that were offered throughout the week.” She expresses that although she was not able to attend the policy assessment workshop, she was able to witness and participate firsthand what it’s like to be in actual debate and diplomacy competitions. Moreover, she appreciated the hosts and speakers, as they were very accommodating throughout the event.

Another feedback from a participant, Janna Villaraza, who is a 26YP Political Economy student, stated that the event allowed her to bond with her fellow peers in a very tight-knit manner. Villaraza adds,“It was a great experience to simply learn about what my course offers and the skills I am bound to learn.”

All in all, POLIS’ annual project, PolEco Week 2022: Excel SLG, was successfully concluded and left valuable knowledge and skills that will be helpful in the academic career of UA&P’s Political Economy students.

Article by Mattia Tiaoqu November 6, 2022

Scripted: A Screenwriti

Last October 19, 2022, Co unscripted talk entitled Screenwriting”. Scripted w on the art of screenwritin Entertainment Manageme the rest of the UA&P comm in enrolling in the screen addition to the MEM cours

The discussion was led by Michael Angat and Sophi and Mel Mendoza-Del screenwriters, joined th imparted their knowledg scriptwriting to the audien

Ms. Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario graduated from Maryknoll College with a degree in AB Communication Arts. She has been a freelance film writer since 1991 for Viva Films and Star Cinema. Some of her famous works include the latest Netflix show 2 Good 2 Be True starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, Be Careful With My Heart, Miracle in Cell No. 7, and Kokey.

The second guest was Ms. Denise O’Hara, who is currently the head writer for TV in ABS CBN, as well as a producer and director for films. Some of her works include 2 Good 2 Be True, Be Careful with My Heart (her all-time favorite), and Purgatoryo.

Through this open discussion, students gained the ability to comprehend the dynamics of storytelling and acquire the skills necessary for conceiving stories, creating, and rewriting numerous scripts for various media and digital platforms.

The screenwriters were very candid about their experience in the film and television industry. They shared how they gain creative inspiration to write a script that people can relate to, building on the credibility of characters, and more.

When asked about where they get inspiration from and how these inspirations impact their audience, Ms. Del Rosario said, “I want to remove the misconception that we are inspired writers. I always tell my new writers that for you to be a good writer, you have to be interested in people. It’s that simple. You have to genuinely love life and people. Every person has a story to tell. [In order to be a good writer you have] to be sensitive to people, to listen, to observe.”

Ms. O’hara said, “You have to be a ‘Marites’ because you learn from what is around you and

come up with new ideas that are relatable to the public.” She also added,“You won't grow if you are not curious. You get inspired [to write screenplays] by people. [The] source of writing is life itself.” Ms. Del Rosario also brought up difficulties that arise from pre-production to postproduction, offered advice on how to overcome writer's block, and outlined the need for collaboration between producers, writers, and directors.

Challenges encountered during the event

When asked about any challenges encountered during the planning process of this event, Pearl Corpus, the Chief Marketing Officer of Communitas, said that “Due to the short amount of time we had to plan the event, it was challenging to arrange meetings and complete tasks, but we overcame these challenges by remaining dedicated to serving the SCM Community. Additionally, I'd like to express my gratitude to the Communitas board memberswith whom I've been working closely to meet the event's objectives.”

Corpus also expressed that she wished she had a bit more time to prepare for the event in order to make it look more formal. “We could have reserved it in Li Seng Giap or Dizon Auditorium since we invited speakers from big companies, looked for better furniture (sofa and coffee table), and reserved lights to make it look like a talk show.”

“Without Doc Isla, who has been working very closely with me on this, the event would not be nearly as successful as it has been. I'm really hoping that the Scripted event had a significant influence and sparked some genuine interest in the world of screenwriting,” Corpus added.

Despite the short amount of time spent on preparations, the event was well-attended and welcomed by the SCM and UA&P community. As many students were able to interact with the speakers, they gained insights not just about screenwriting itself, but also on the film and television industry, as well as important life skills. The speakers gave o the industry by sharing their personal experiences and insights.

03 P r o m e n a d e

Disclaimer: The places and businesses listed in this article do not reflect the opinions of all UA&P students, nor is The Bosun affiliated with them.

After the first few weeks of onsite classes, some of us are probably a bit overwhelmed because we set foot in a new school and a new city. A big part of the deemed university life is exploring the best spots to eat or hang out within the radius of the campus. How about studying? Perhaps you might need a change of scenery in pursuit of finishing that paper. In the search for these places, The Bosun posted a poll on its Instagram account asking UA&P students where their go-to study spots are. Whether you’re a student who just entered the university this year, or a student who finally experienced onsite classes, give this

5 Study Spots in Ortigas Recommended by UA&P Students

list a look and jot down the places you want to visit next in our school’s hometown, Ortigas

Pearl Plaza

Isn’t it convenient to have options for study spaces just across from campus? The Pearl Plaza houses many different establishments like Subway, Dunkin Donuts, and Starbucks, that can supply you with food for the stomach and the brain. Yearning for a caffeine boost or a snack to accompany your readings? Just cross the street, and these choices will be at your fingertips.

Location: 8101 PEARL PLAZA, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Balanghai Study Center

If you’re up for a quaint and quiet place for work, just two streets away is the Balanghai Study Center! You’ll have access to a library with plenty of study space. A chapel is also right beside the library if you want to spend your time after school to reconnect spiritually. Another cool perk is that you can do your work here for free!

Note: The Balanghai Study Center is open to female students only

Location: 21 General Malvar Street, San Antonio Village 1600 Pasig, Philippines

Amber University Drive Center

Did you know that the Amber University Drive Center and the campus are conveniently connected? If you have spare time before another class and think the

library or USC is quite crowded for your liking, study spaces in this center are readily available.

Note: The Amber University Drive Center is open to male students only

Location: 4 Escriva Drive, Pasig, Philippines

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Emerald Avenue

This branch of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is spacious and embodies an excellent atmosphere for studying! It’s a two-story cafe that also serves various drinks and pastries, which can accompany you as you review for your upcoming tests. Although it’s quite a walk from campus, the warm embrace of this CBTL branch will make your journey worthwhile.

Location: Street Volleyball Club, Emerald Ave, Ortigas Center, Pasig, 1120 Metro Manila

Price range: 120-205 for drinks, 155-295 for food

Tom N Toms

Tom N Toms is a cafe from Korea that serves a unique and delicious menu. A highlight of theirs is the honey butter bread, sliced into nine pieces –a perfect amount for snack bites while working! –The servings are sure to make you full, giving more fuel for your mind to study. This cafe also closes at 10 PM, so if you’re a night owl looking for a place to study outside, this is the one for you! (But please remember to stay safe outside during these hours!)

Location: Ortigas Technopoint, Doña Julia Vargas Ave, Pasig, Metro Manila

Price range: 100-200 pesos for drinks, 115-400 for pastries

Visiting these places surely is rewarding because not only do you get to complete your tasks here, but you get to become acquainted with your new hometown of Ortigas Remember to still keep in mind practicing COVID-19 safety precautions while staying at these cafes If you want to do more research about these places with regard to location, price ranges, and more, you may visit websites like Zomato and find helpful information there

Do you have more favorite study spots here in Ortigas to recommend? Let us know what you think by emailing us at thebosun@uap asia

Article by Nadine Medina

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

Is Digital Art “Real” Art?

Article by Luzy Dayrit

"Digital art is too easy to be real art" is one sentence that triggers every digital artist. But why do some people dismiss digital art to the point where they claim that it is not "genuine" art? Merriam-Webster defines art as a "skill acquired by experience, study, or observation." So does that mean digital art does not fit the definition of art? Let's dive into that a little deeper so we may fully understand digital art and why it is or isn't art.

The human element. Believe it or not, humans are the only species capable of independent artistic creation. Although certain animals can create art, it has always been under human guidance. Art is an integral part of being human because it allows us to develop tools and alter our surroundings. Hence, humans use their creative skills to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and imagination through works of art. Like any other art form, digital art needs an artist to create artworks. The computer or software does not make art on its own; it requires a person.

Art has the component of creativity. When we make art, we utilize our imagination or creativity to express what we see. Creativity connects us to ourselves. Therefore, when we produce art, it reflects what we may deem beautiful and our understanding of the world. Creativity emerges from the interconnections of ideas, experiences, and imagination. Because we don't always view the world the same way, every work of art an artist produces is unique. Digital art also needs the artist's creativity or imagination to make outputs that will express the artist's mind

effectively. Believe it or not, digital art involves more than just applying random effects to a picture it also requires painting lines and strokes.

Exerting effort to master the arts.

Just like any other branch of art, digital art requires the artist's dedication to fully grasp the skill and manipulate it to their own accord. Artists need to study and understand the different tools, software, and abilities involved in digital art to create outputs that truly mirror their creativity. Thankfully, we live in an era where we can do a simple search online to learn about various topics and skills. There are various workshops and YouTube tutorials on how to use digital art and its techniques.

It is a craft that takes time and resources. You still have to dedicate time and patience to truly grasp the digital art form; you can't rush it nor photoshop your way out of the learning phase. You will still have to buy specific supplies to create digital artworks and do ample research on how to create compelling art with this medium. All artists, whether they prefer digital or traditional art, have to be willing to learn and invest in their craft so they can effectively let their creativity flow in their art form. Yes, you don't need to keep buying traditional supplies like paint and paper, but you may still need to invest in a drawing tablet, laptop, or software to create digital artworks to your liking.

So as we can see, digital art is "real" art and deserves the same respect as other art forms. Many artists in the art community have accepted digital art as one of the mediums rising in the digital era. Even art connoisseurs pay millions for them because they recognize the artist's skill and creativity. We must accept that people are starting to let their creativity seep into the digital world, primarily because of the rise of technological advancements. That makes us humans such creative and innovative beings because we have found a way to use technology to create artworks using the digital space.

The pen is my sword of choice. With this pen, the awareness I’ve acquired from observation, experience, knowledgeable individuals, and facts and evidence bleed into paper. But does it do anything? Does it urge them to move, to act?

Does it help change the country for the better?

My answer should be yes, after years of sharpening concepts into articles. It should comprise nearly irrefutable arguments for every rebuttal, every level of analysis, and every question of “why so?”. After all, it relates to my “why?”, to one of my purposes as a writer. It shouldn’t be so difficult, at least in the ideal world.

In reality, I can only give one answer. An unsure answer, even: maybe it

On ‘dissent is not enough’

Article by Althea Sim SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

doesn’t. In reality, my writing will be freshly published, my ideas bold and robust until they fade away with time. One article one measly contribution to an almost larger-than-life dialogue does very little to upheave deeply rooted systematic ills. And I am not without fault, I know that there are some systematic ills that I live in and perpetuate unconsciously. With this, it’s so easy to arrive at conclusions That dissenting opinion is hypocritical and futile. In the same vein, it’s so easy to say that activism with its discussion and protests is also hypocritical and futile

However, I urge you Let us delve deeper, right into the heart of the matter. Breathing in systematic ills is precisely the reason why people even think of dissenting and protesting. They wish to point it out, critique it, change it They believe it’s wrong, and it’s only a matter of time before it worsens. In the first place, dissent and activism cannot be quantified by immediate and tangible results. It’s not a reasonable measure of its validity and authenticity, because every act of dissent and protest did not have immediate effects at the point in time they were conceived If it were, it would entail that toppling an oppressive dictatorship is an inauthentic movement So is the protest for gender equality, that women deserve equal rights as men So is the movement against slavery and racial segregation, pushing the truth that it is inhumane and morally wrong

These concepts which we now consider obvious and inherent took years before they were

institutionalized, thanks to courageous people willing to question the status quo

Because out of all the fruits society and civilization, the fruit of dissent and activism are among the slowest to grow Yet with dissenting voices and activists our patient, steadfast, and brave nurturers the future is sure to enjoy its harvest.

Now we are left to address the elephant in the room: does this mean, in the grand scheme of things, that our dissent and protest won’t ever be enough?

That is a mystery in and of itself We may never know God and the future are our only arbiters. But once upon an existential crisis, a dearest friend made me realize: that instead of ruminating on whether or not dissent is enough, the better question to ask is, “is it all worth it?” Is it worth it to keep on pushing, to keep on dissenting, to keep on protesting? When it seems like nothing’s changing? When it seems like the very structures we oppose are larger than life?

It is. It is, remembering our history and the extensive struggle for independence and democracy. The passionate individuals I’ve encountered, both young and old The faith of each and every common Filipino for the nation to prosper beyond the pinks and reds and greens

It is, remembering the future and the possibility that the seeds of epiphany I have planted with others have grown. Yes, I may not ever see if my dissent suffices, but it’s because of these that I believe, I know it’s worth it.

Now it’s my turn to ask a question only you alone can answer

Is your dissent worth it?

Because sometimes, just knowing that is enough to keep going.

Reverb starts the school year off with love in Sikat 2022

Article by Yren Cabrera

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

“This year, Reverb wanted to emphasize the creativity and originality that the members have and show it to the UA&P community. It encourages our members to express themselves through the music that we make,” said Pio Cruz, the current president of Reverb, in a behind-thescenes interview for “SIKAT 2022.”

Every year, Dragons consistently greet the new members of Reverb through their introduction concert, “Glimpse.” However, on the night of August 19, Reverb Music Productions’ creativity is emphasized in an online concert called “SIKAT,” wherein the members showcased their original written songs. SIKAT was a magnificent way to welcome everyone back to campus with a

serenade on their Friday night at home after experiencing their first week back in school.

The online concert showcased five original compositions: “Gamble,” “Strawberry Milk,” “Bench Song,” “Every Road,” and “Chase.” Originally, the members were free to express their feelings, given the nonspecific theme. Then, coincidentally, they ended up conveying love stories. “It wasn’t intentional, but it was a beautiful coincidence,” said Mr. Cruz. It was telling a story that was consistently endearing from the first song to the last. It surely felt like Valentine’s in the middle of the year.

Reverb truly does catch people’s attention with their music, so will this be a step for them to gamble for a complete face-to-face setup? According to Mr. Cruz, “We don’t think we’re going back to face-to-face forever– we’re not getting rid of the recording anytime soon.” Mr. Cruz excitedly explained their plans for Reverb, “During the pandemic, we already excelled in recording music, and we think it’ll make our music permanent,” he added. People can expect more

recordings from Reverb, even in the face-to-face setting. Who knows? Maybe we’ll hear their originals on listening platforms soon.

Meanwhile, the organization went through rocky roads to adjust back to onsite rehearsals and recording sessions. Since it was their first time seeing each other after two years, they had to undergo a bonding session. According to Mr. Cruz, getting to know each other was easy while rehearsing together took a lot of time and effort. Fortunately, they recorded the online concert during the first week of classes when there wasn’t much academic workload. Hence, the members are focused on giving their best shot for SIKAT 2022.

Despite the hard work needed to bring SIKAT 2022 to life, the concert became an instrument that brought the members together in harmony. It enabled everyone to render their inner creativity. Reverb isn’t just all about singing or performing in the first place. Often, people are intimidated to join because they think, “I’m not great at either of those,” but it’s just part of it.

Music production requires more than that. After all, the magic of Reverb is in the creation process. They still need a marketing, production, and logistics committee, making everyone interconnected. It’s such an exciting experience for the singers and every member who partakes in elevating the beauty of Reverb.

Are you interested in listening to more of UA&P students' original songs? Start by following Reverb’s social media platforms and be ready to catch their future projects:

Reverb’s Social Media Accounts:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ReverbMusicProd

IG: https://www.instagram.com/reverbmusicprod

How not to get suffocated by familiarity

Article by Laurra Jullienne Pama NOVEMBER 02, 2022

A close friend recently confessed s interesting to me. She said she was to familiarity. She wanted a change if she could handle it. I sympat Moving to the bustling and sleepof the country was an assault on senses. I don’t blame her for clin people as a way to cope with suc Familiarity is like a safety net pre falling overboard. However, the d relying on the net too much overestimate the water’s depth. Eve friend admitted that she still hung out with the same people she went to high school with. There’s nothing wrong with that. We trust those whom we are familiar with. In familiarity, we are comfortable and safe. Though, over time, this could become a problem. In our comfort, we choose the path we recognize and eventually avoid relinquishing predictability and peace of mind for something uncertain. Sooner or later, we reach the point where we become suffocated by the familiarity we cling to.

But there is a way out.

Venture out of your comfort zone (gradually). It might sound like something every naturally extroverted person would say. But, it is true. Getting out of your comfort zone is always the first step toward growth. Felder (2021), in his article “Familiarity as a practical sense of place," highlights that familiarity or having a practical sense of place

in any environment results in “comfort zones” situations you feel safe expressing yourself in because you already know what outcomes or reactions to expect. In these comfort zones, you develop a sense of trust. The issue with this, according to Felder (2021), is that this trust is fragile. Changes from what one is normally accustomed to can make a person extremely vulnerable to intense feelings of discomfort and anxiety, such as when your only friend in a class is absent or when you transfer to a new city by yourself. Feeling anxious, concerned, or uncomfortable is only natural in both situations. Situations like these will challenge you to venture out of your comfort zone.

Take this opportunity to make slight changes to your routine. Randomly ask the person next to you how they feel about the class, or try walking around the block of your condo or apartment.

Don’t let yourself be driven away by fear and anxiety. It doesn’t mean that you should put them off entirely, but instead of dwelling on them, think of all the things that could go right. You might discover that the person next to you shares the same struggles with the class, or that there’s a Tropical Hut branch 500 meters away from your condo. Reward yourself for these small achievements Remember that you don’t have to make drastic changes to get out of your comfort zone Each small step is a sign of progress toward growth.

Set clear and effective boundaries. After taking that first step out of your comfort zone, perhaps you’ve also begun to realize that there’s something wrong with your social dynamics. You may stretch yourself too thin to accommodate those closest to you or tend to close yourself off. Experience tells us that there

will always be high-maintenance and overbearing people within our circle of familiarity. An article by Eddins (2016) elaborates that when you start to notice yourself becoming too involved in other people’s lives, people-pleasing, overloading on work, staying in unhealthy relationships, or avoiding solitude, you might have loose boundaries. On the contrary, your boundaries might be too rigid if you feel you’re avoiding intimacy or having difficulty empathizing with other people

The first step towards fixing your boundaries is connecting with your inner self; know your limits, feelings, and beliefs. Once you’ve recognized your true self, start adjusting your boundaries If you’re always accommodating everyone before yourself, try saying “no ” Let people deal with their own lives for a change. You can listen or lend help sometimes, but don’t live your life for them

They might have something to say at first Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and no one can avoid getting criticism The best way to deal with this is to adapt to a certain degree of maturity. Instead of taking their words to heart, accept the truths in their statements and leave the rest behind

The key to setting clear and effective boundaries a balance between catering to other people’s needs and yours is to be flexible You don’t have to completely cut other people off. To maintain healthy boundaries, set some time out for them and time for yourself.

Get used to independence. Getting out of your comfort zone and setting clear boundaries for yourself are not just ways to defamiliarize yourself from your comfort zone, but can also help you get used to independence. Being on your own for the first time in a strange big city seems great at first, but then you’ll have

to start facing your responsibilities. The first being the responsibility to take care of yourself. If you’re living by yourself or staying in a dorm, sustenance is just one among many worries. But despite the fatigue and the constant feeling of confusion, figuring things out on your own is an immensely gratifying experience. Losing the training wheels that come with being surrounded by familiar people and places is one of the surreal experiences of adulthood. It feels scary and discouraging at first, like walking into class; everyone except you already knows what to do. From my experience, the real world is kind of like that too. You walk into a bank to pay your bills for the first time, and everyone around you seems like they already know what to do.

You either ask for help from the security guard or observe how the people around you go about their transactions. Other people will be there to guide you, but you’ll still have to figure out most things on your own. Don’t fear. Trial and error your way through each new experience. Once you get used to independence, you’ll find that life moves faster when you do not depend on other people to navigate for you.

Familiarity has its good and bad sides. When you feel like you’re running on auto-pilot most of the time and your day-to-day interactions seem like a replay of the pilot episode of a 90s sitcom always know there is a way out. Start by gradually venturing out of your comfort zone. You don’t have to make big drastic changes that conflict with your personality. Take baby steps. Next, set clear and effective boundaries. Once you’ve established a balance between meeting your needs and catering to others, you’ll find that you have more clarity of mind. Lastly, get used to independence. Adulthood means doing most things by yourself, so you might as well get used to it now. Making a change can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we all have to go through with it. The solution is to avoid overthinking. Be aware of all the things that could go wrong, but instead of dwelling on them, focus on all the positive things you could gain: experience, friendship, independence, and wisdom.

Filipino-Japanese Singer ena mori is Dance Pop’s New “Weird Girl”

Article by Carina Gutierrez NOVEMBER 03, 2022

With her quirky ensembles and lively songwriting, ena mori has made her grand entrance as a promising young pop act. The 23-year-old Filipino-Japanese artist began releasing singles in 2018, coming out with her first album early in 2020 and creating singles throughout the pandemic. She has just released her second album and has already established her brand of pop.

ena mori’s music carries a fresh sound by merging the vibrant and synthy sound of millennial and even retro dance-pop while using very Gen-Z vocals and production “WHITE ROOM,” a b-side from her latest album, begins with the singer’s bare vocals and builds up with the addition of background voices until the bridge where the sound is filled as the beat comes into full play. This freeness in composition, particularly for pop, is something many look for today, in an age where young pop artists all seem to be following the same formula for Tiktok virality, a phenomenon discussed by several

music journalists and critics, one being songwriter and creative consultant Andrea Stolpe who tackled this in an article for NBC, prompted by negative comments on Tiktok towards this trend in music, which users call the “mad at disney” genre.

ena mori strays from this genre and goes for something perhaps less trendy Her 2022 single “KING OF THE NIGHT!” is undeniably reminiscent of the carefree dance genre of the late 2010s, when the likes of Iconapop and Tove Lo ruled the dance floor ena mori proudly markets herself as a pop artist dedicated to her mission to make “quality pop music,” as she tells Esquire in an interview. Pop, in its classic sense, has sunk as an— ironically less popular form of music, at least in the Twitter world— except for K-pop—with young people deferring to genres like emo punk, indie music, and rap. Listening to a singer like ena mori, who so unabashedly breathes and lives the pop genre, is a break from the usual. But the artist does not let this genre limit her mori is also able to explore a good range of human experiences and emotions in her seemingly light and carefree compositions “VIVID'' is a joy to listen to, but in it, mori actually sings about insecurity-fueled-obsession-turned-

jealousy, describing the vividness of the feeling. “SOS,” the song that inspired the theme of her second album, is about destructive restlessness. “What do we live for? There’s nothing to die for. You and I singing, save us, SOS!” mori wrote this song during the pandemic and expressed wanting to write a song that people can visualize when they listen to her music. Truly, the 23-yearold can live up to her personal goal of writing pop that “pushes boundaries.”

The magic of her art is that it is also a visual journey. Take a quick look at her Spotify profile; vibrant hues and bright lights will greet you. Her use of color for each album and single is very evident. Her first full-length album, “DONT BLAME THE WILD ONE!” has orange both as the dominant cover color and the theme for her album musically, with its neon-light exuberance. This visual element is something very intentional for mori. Her song titles are stylized with all-caps titles and exclamation points, reinforcing the boldness of her character as an artist.

The singer is not afraid to experiment with this style, fashion, and overall performance. In her previous singles, she even had a squid on her head, and the 2021 single, “OH BLEEDING HEARTS!” pictures the artist in a glittery blue eyepatch. mori cites Bjork as one of her musical inspirations, but it is not only her vocal style that mori brings to mind; the Icelandic singer’s whimsical style is reborn and reinvented in the artist. Her colorful makeup, large hairdos, and album concepts all scream Bjork while allowing mori’s unique artistry to shine.

Her recent gig on the Wish 107.5 bus has her performing the lively song while sitting down in large purple goggles, with only enough space for hand movement. It is an odd look, but she wears it with the same confidence seen in her live performances on Crow’s Nest Sessions and Studio

28. She still has a long way to grow as a musical performer, but her natural affinity with music is easy to see. mori’s love for music goes back to when she first started playing classical piano at age 6, believing she would grow up to be a pianist and only change her mind in college. She briefly joined the band Dayaw as a keyboardist and even experienced being a session pianist for the likes of James Reid and Zild Benitez, but eventually decided she wanted a solo career. Thus, she can translate her songwriting from a classical perspective into the spirited pop she produces today.

mori has begun to gain acclaim as an artist, being recently nominated for the Best New Asian Act award at the BandLabNME Awards 2022 and even previously nominated for the Asian Songwriter Award and the 11th Golden Indie Awards in 2022. However, she is still relatively unknown, with many only first seeing her on the Wish Bus– though she is beginning to gain traction.

ena mori’s gigs currently rotate around the Philippines and Japan, with her next show on October 29 in Whitespace Manila. She has just released “DONT BLAME THE WILD ONE!” and is looking to release vinyls of her album. However, mori is careful not to burn out as she reaches new heights. In an interview for MetroScene, she tells young artists to go after peace, not success. As she mentions in the same interview, instead of changing the world, she wants most of all for her music to be a “chance for people to see something beautiful within themselves.” And so, to answer the infamous question of “What’s next?” listeners can be assured that mori will continue to stay true to her vision of making quality pop music possible no matter where she goes as an artist.

The age of social media made it possible to exchange millions of information with the snap of a finger. This means people can bring up the past at a moment’s notice. However, the constant, unfiltered expression of opinion on the platforms provided by social media brings a larger conflict into the picture, namely the dawn of cancel culture. Cancel culture initially boomed in 2015 on Twitter, where people would use it as a reaction to an action they would disapprove of, either as a joke or seriously. However, it has then evolved into massive-scale movements of people on social media withdrawing their support to public figures. It even has implications on a smaller scale, such as disagreements within friend groups and cliques in school. There are positive things we could learn from cancel culture, but there are mistakes that happen within

Lessons we could learn from cancel culture

Article by Kenzie Mañalac

NOVEMBER 04, 2022

it as well; here are some things we can learn about cancel culture and how we can use them to help us deal with disagreements.

Holding People Accountable the Right Way

When we make mistakes, we must hold each other accountable in a way that does not harm anyone else. It’s important that in any conflict, we should look at the circumstances surrounding the situation to try our best to understand all sides We may have a bad day and say something hurtful that we didn’t mean to a friend Maybe we got into a fight with someone we loved and accidentally lashed out at them, but what’s important is that we always hold a level of understanding and empathy towards one another to make sure that these situations don’t escalate We must also learn to express our grievances to one another properly If we can voice out our problems to our friends while still understanding their situations, we can solve our conflicts with each other much better. Lastly, we should all know that every mistake has consequences, but we also have to provide each other with the opportunity to learn from them. We should never leave each other hanging, especially in situations when we need each other most.

Disagreements with Others

No two people are exactly alike in this world Knowing that we all have our differences, we’re also bound to have disagreements However, we should know that we cannot be hateful towards each other just because we don’t agree with each other While it is normal for us to get heated or irritated when arguing, it should

only be up to the level of having a lack of understanding between each other, and never for the sake of personally attacking each other and spreading hatred. With this in mind, when we do disagree with each other, we should also enter the conversation with the mindset that we’d like to learn from each other and see things from a different perspective rather than automatically coming in with the notion that we’re always right.

It moves us to learn how to engage in a healthy conversation; it always has to start with being able to listen to each other. Consequently, when both parties have already entered with preconceived notions or strong opinions on certain matters, the bridge of being able to communicate completely falls apart.

Cancel culture has brought on many positive changes to society in the age of social media.

It has also encouraged many to speak out on the many issues in our world. However, it doesn’t come without its flaws either. Due to the massive scale of cancel culture's existence in social media and how it manifests within different groups of people, it has resulted in people using it to spread hatred under the guise of social justice. Cancel culture’s abrasive and aggressive nature has led to its negative connotation in many people’s eyes. Still, it provides us with an opportunity to learn from its flaws and do better. Knowing this, we can all learn from its shortcomings and strengths and use these lessons as a better tool to create a more extensive discussion to hold each other accountable the right way. This must be applied to everyone, from our favorite influencers and public figures down to our friends and family.

04 S p o r t s

After two years of being locked in their homes, SQUADRA is finally back to competing on the stage The team nabbed the 2nd place award for the NU Jam Division in the World’s Supremacy Battlegrounds at San Jose del Monte Sports Complex—last September 3, 2022. Luckily, the Bosun caught the brains behind SQUADRA; Ana Mikaela De Castro (captain) and Joseph Michael Garcia (co-captain) shared a few words disclosing their experience in the competition, the preparations, and the difficulties they endured

Upon first entering the competition, De Castro revealed one specific goal she had in mind, they wanted to “show UA&P that SQUADRA is still here.” Despite their transition from an online setting to an onsite one, they powered through these adjustments because it’s a very big thing that they didn’t want the name of their team to disappear within the university. Additionally, De Castro added that they were striving to win the competition because of their new members, “It’s an opportunity for them to learn something new in dance—good pressure and the pressure to grow fast with the team Dapat malaman nila it’s for the betterment of their dance.” As per the cocaptains' sentiments, it was Garcia’s goal to get back into shape. SQUADRA joined competitions, even during the pandemic they were crowned

SQUADRA: Back on stage

Article by YOELA LEONOR NOVEMBER 14, 2022

champions in the Senior division of the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) However, Garcia shared that being in the online setting lessened their intensity, giving them more room to become “relaxed ” As such, they viewed the competition as a tremendous opportunity for them, taking into account the grand benefits as a bonus if they won, which includes the trophy and prize

Despite the team garnering the 1st runner-up award, it wasn’t an easy journey to get there. In fact, De Castro even described the competition as “clutch”, considering they had only 2-3 weeks to prepare She added, “Nung una kasi dapat kasama yung alumni but nag sara yung open division na dapat kasama siya kaya namin sinabak yung trainees. We had auditions for SQUADRA; sinabay na namin siya, it was like their audition to become a part of the competition team ” Considering the time crunch, all the members, including the trainees, had to train every day from 6-10 pm during the first three weeks of school. The leaders of the team revealed that it was a challenge for them because they were simultaneously going through an adjustment period De Castro said, “lahat kami hirap na hirap, hingal na hingal kami lagi after training ” It became one of their primary goals to

return to their younger selves since most were out of shape. The captains explained that competition season requires these dancers to remain focused to pick up the choreography quickly. As they worded it, “Kailangan focus lagi, di pwede sabaw. Samin, pag medyo nawawala na focus mo, tinatawag na namin sabaw, lutang kasi mahirap mag focus pag ganon.” The two affirmed how motivated they were to step up, most especially after seeing the training videos that made them realize their difference from the previous years.

Not only were they going through an adjustment period as athletes, but as students as well. As a 4thyear student, De Castro admitted that it was demanding to balance dance with academics. Hence, the captains did their best to motivate their members to know their priorities; reminding them about their responsibility to their team and school. De Castro affirmed sometimes we have to make sacrifices, but it was all worth it in the end characterizing the overall experience as “difficult but fun.”

Their struggles didn’t end there challenges occurred even during the competition day itself. The suspension of classes may have been a joy to most students, but it posed a big problem for the team. Garcia narrated, “May time na nag suspend, tumama siya sa training namin. Dagdag pressure kasi di namin alam gagawin, marami kami kulang tapos day before the compet nag suspend sila.” The captains revealed they only fixed a few parts of their piece during the competition day the fact that they had to practice in a parking lot under the rainy weather sparked more stress among themselves. Luckily, they powered through and performed the piece well despite being in such unfortunate circumstances.

Besides the team, De Castro and Garcia made sure to mention some of the talented people who helped them finish their choreography and aided them in preparation for the competition.

They wanted to thank Coach Mec and Coach Ja, and the Office of Sports Development, for showing their overwhelming support. Garcia shared it was unexpected, “Akala namin magsusupport sila Coach from social media lang pero pumunta sila sa venue mismo tapos every training lagi sila nanood.” The same goes for their Alumni members who took the time out of their days to visit the team despite other commitments they may have and the late training they had to undergo. The captains emphasized their appreciation for the feedback and how they could further improve. “Parang never sila nag-graduate” was how Garcia depicted their participation in preparing them for competition.

Lastly, the captains gave huge credit to Coach Macky and Coach Bogie who really worked hard to aid the team in their whole competition piece. De Castro even affirmed that they wouldn’t function properly without their great minds, as “they really pushed us to become better dancers” and their coaches encouraged them to join the competition to be able to feel what they felt for dancing before. The captain expressed how she was able to rediscover her love for dance after going through this experience.

The dancers felt a rush of emotions when they found out that they won, even if they weren’t able to feel it on stage. After waiting three hours

for an announcement, they were told there is a possibility winners may be revealed online. They chose to go home and only found out about their win during the bus ride home through a video call with one of their members who stayed to listen. Despite these conditions, De Castro shared how happy and accomplished she felt considering the short amount of time given to them to prepare The question of, “What if we were given more time?” aroused in her mind, heightening her expectations for the future of their team. She stated, “Super ecstatic ako. Kasama din yung mga alumni, sila coach Sana naproud din sila. We really wanted to give members the feeling na aakyat ng stage, sadly di namin nagawa yun pero okay lang. Masaya naman kami naka experience padin kami ng competition.”

The co-captain also had joint thoughts sharing that he was super satisfied with no regrets He didn’t feel disappointed they got second place because they worked hard for it and deserved the price. Garcia expressed his relief that the team finally got the award, “Nasaamin pa yung lakas knowing na three weeks lang yung preparation. Hopefully, sa future competitions, pag sumali na ulit kami, mas malakas na kami mentally and physically para makuha na namin yung first ” De Castro added, “Whatever place we were in. At that moment, ang sarap ng feeling ng run namin.” The accolades really didn’t matter as much knowing they were able to produce a

beautiful and lighter performance, rooted from communicating and vibing off each other’s energy The final remarks of the captain are “at the end, it’s not pagod, it’s satisfaction.”

With SQUADRA coming off at a great start, when asked about the future plans of the captains, De Castro said that she is focusing on going back to basics, “Foundation is one of the most important things that you can learn in dance. That’s what we’re focusing on right now ” She is strengthening the team for future competitions; they are hoping to join another one by the end of the year. Garcia also shared that he is focusing on the relationships between seniors and new members to be able to share knowledge and lessons from previous experiences, so they can work together in improving themselves, “We’re also open to public performances and gigs Magpeperform din kami very soon.”

De Castro also gave an intriguing tease about a big project that they’re working on She said, “We have something in store for the whole UA&P team that can bring us all together Surprise Abangan niyo lang.”

The UA&P community is definitely rooting for this team and is excited to see what is in store for them. For more updates on them, visit their FB page: https://www facebook com/uapsquadra

IG: @uap squadra

Tiktok: @uapsquadra