The DEMOCRAT Volume LXVII Issue No. II

OCTOBER 2019 TO DECEMBER 2019

VOLUME LXVII, ISSUE NO. II

FEATURES

DEMOCRAT THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT-MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES

EDITORIAL BOARD, STAFF, & APPRENTICES 2019-2020

3 4 5 6 7 14

Impit na Tinig Social Media, Ano ang Kaya mong Gawin?

Watch your Language!

Hit Me Babe, One More Time!

Filipino Pride Ba? Hugis ng Kalayaan sa Bansang Malaya

LAMPOON

Yes Daddy, Harder! 10 Oh, Look! A Troll 12 Verdict, Not Closure 13

8 Tingog kan Unibersidad Obal

Board of Editors

Johnell B. Cabusas Rex A. Garing John Paul Borito Jessebel R. Nieva Norene B. Cantor

Apprentices

Jayvie Buenaagua Patrick Joseph Panambo Guila Alarcio Charey Mae Alvarado Joelyn Arlante Raymond Balote Rose Clavano Brandon Jon De Los Santos Cyen Esclanda Ma. Zytus Espiritu Neil Andrew Formalejo Lester Isip Jhezylle Faye Loria Kenn Daniel Montecillo Rachelle Paja

Contributors

Dianne Agnas Trisha Bañas Floriane Recto Christian Reganit Angela Relato Chellvin Mae Robles Japeth Sta. Ana Daryl Sta. Cruz John Ford Tesorero Maria Juvy Lea Violeta

OPINIONS & EDITORIAL

NEWS

16 UNC implements ‘GEMS’ to address safety concerns of parents ST favors electoral process to fill in USG presidency vacancy Admin issues handbook to new enrollees only; higher level studes appeal for copies 17 UNC launches first-gen Partners Engage UNC signs with Globe Go Wi-Fi to strengthen campus internet connectivity

DEVCOMM

Naga Smells to Naga Smiles 20

LITERARY Censorship 21 Maskenfreiheit 22

18 UNC partners with Acquire BPO to foster employability Hundreds partake in the first-ever university meditation program HIV screening isinagawa sa ikatlong pagkakataon 19 UNC promotes EIE; awards model students BarOps caters aide to UNC barristers Gunita ng tagumpay; School of Law nagdaos ng Law Night

SPORTS

Kaligtasan Kaysa Medalya 24 Greyhound exhibits exemplar run in BUCAL Season 3 26 Kai Sotto most talked about to be the 27 first Filipino NBA Player, joins TSF Mga Bicolanong Atleta namayagpag sa 30th SEA Games 2019

Technical Adviser Shirley A. Genio

Member

College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Bicol Associaton of Campus Journalists (BASCAJ) Luzonwide Association of College Editors (LACE)

Office

Right Wing, UNC Sports Palace, University of Nueva Caceres, Naga City Philippines 4400

ON THE COVER

KALAYAAN. Sabi nila, maging mapagmasid ka, ipaglaban ang tama, huwag matakot sumalungat.

Sabi pa nila, gamitin mo ang kalayaan mo sa tama, sa ikabubuti ng marami.

Ngunit bakit noong ako’y magsalita, walang nakinig?

Noong ako’y nagalit sa mali, halos putulin ang aking dila?

Noong sinusubukan kong ibalik ang hininga ng bayan, sabay-sabay kayong lumisan?

Sadyang ipinatutumba nga ang marami nang nalalaman.

Panahon na yata upang gisingin ang bilanggo sa sariling kalayaan.

WORDS BY NORENE CANTOR & JAYVIE BUENAAGUA CONCEPT & GRAPHICS BY LESTER ISIP COVER LAYOUT BY LESTER ISIP & REX GARING

INDEX

N

agsimulang tumugtog ang plaka. Marami ang umalma. Nagulantang ang panginoong aba.

Nabahala ang mga kasapi niya. Mag-ingat ka.

Nagpatuloy pa ngang umawit ang ilan. Nagsitakipan naman ng tainga ang mga palalo. Pinilit pa ngang lagyan ng busal nang sa gayo’y tinig ay tuluyang mapahinto.

Problema na pala ang maging tapat sa bansa mo. Ang isiwalat ang mga isyung kasama ang taong-bayan, ‘di ka nila hahayaan. Anong ayaw iparinig? Ano bang ayaw ipamulat?

Sumayaw at sumabay pa sa ritmo ang ilang kabataan-- gumawa ng mga aksyong nagpapahalaga sa lipunan. Nagbigay ng ekspresyon at hinaing sa kaitaasan.

Nagsulat at nagpahayag nang buong puso’t walang kinikilingan. Delikado na pala ito sa bansang sinilangan.

At nangyari na nga— nakakabit sa iyo ang isang pulang ispiritu. Susundan ka kahit ‘di ka artista. Daig mo pa nga yata sapagkat kasama ka sa mga nakalista. Isa ka raw terorista. Nagsalita ka kasi ng mga ayaw nilang marinig. May isinulat kang dapat mong lapatan ng puting tinta—burahin mo ‘pagkat nagmimistula itong puwing sa kanilang mga mata, masakit at may atakeng dapat kusotin at tanggalin.

Minsan nga’y mapapa-isip ka, protektado ka ba sa sarili mong bansa o ramdam mong hubad ka na sapagkat pinagmamasdan ka nila. Para lamang mapatahimik ka at tahasang bibigyan ng walang basehang akusasyon. At

maaari sigurong naapakan mo ang kanilang kapalaloan kung kaya’t sa likod mo ay isang kulay dugong patalim ang nakatutok.

Matinding bangungot ang maaring dulot ng pulang isipiritung ito. Kaya ‘di ito kanais-nais sa isang bansang demokrasya nga ba? Maaari nitong inspeksiyunin ang talaan mo sa bangko. Pansamantalang pagkabinbin, limitadong paglalakbay, at iba pa. Nahaharap ka rin sa isang katotohanang ‘di ka ligtas sa paligid mo. Magmasid ka.

Nagsulat lang naman ng artikulo.

Nagpahayag nang totoo. Ito ang kanyang trabaho.

Sakop din

NI PATRICK JOSEPH PANAMBO DEBUHO NG PAHINA NI LESTER ISIP GUHIT NI CYEN ESCLANDA

ng karapatan ng mga dyorno. Lalong-lalo na ng kalayaan sa pananalita. At higit sa lahat, ang pagiging propesyunal sa trabaho. Pero bakit naging kaaway ninyo?

Nakatatawang isiping ang pagiging kritiko ay masama na pala. Kapag salungat ka sa hangarin nila, isa kang terorista. Tiyak, ang pulang ispiritu ay nasa likuran mo na. At doon magmumura ang dakilang sinasamba, kasabay ang pagtuligsa ng madlang tagasuporta niya.

Nagbibigay lang naman daw ng mga kuro-kuro at nakikihalubilo sa isyu ang mga kasaping sundalo at kapulisan.

Lingid pala sa ating kaalaman na ang pagbibigay ng kuro-kuro ay ang pagbibigay akusasyon na naglalagay ng buhay sa peligro.

Kasama ka na sa listahan; dadalawin ka sa panaginip ni pulang isipiritu.

Kahit na nahaharap sa ganitong pangyayari ang Pilipinas.

Nagiging kaaway mo kapwa mo Pilipino.

Mabuti ang hangarin pero hindi iisa ang pananaw.

Nawa’y patuloy pa ring magsiawit ang mga anghel.

Magsiwalat ng mga bagay na dapat malaman ng taong-bayan.

Maging boses ng mamamayan.

Mata na nagbibigay liwanag sa mapang-bulag na sistema.

Patuloy mang tuligsahin at subuking patahimikin, may mga taong lumalaban dahil sila’y gising sa kamalayan ‘pagkat sa manlulupig ‘di sila pasisiil maging ito man ay kababayan.

Patuloy na pagniningasin ang apoy; ‘di maglalaho ang impit na tinig.

4 | DEMOCRAT FEATURES

Social Media Ano ang kaya Mong Gawin Hindi ko kailangang ipangalandakan sa maraming tao kung anong meron ako sapat na ang iilaan na alam kong mapagkakatiwalaan ko.

M

abilis pa sa alas kwatro ang ginawa kong paglakad, paano ba naman ay mahuhuli na ako sa klase at paniguradong iinit na naman ang dugo saakin ni Ma’am, isa na lang at mabibingohan na talaga ako. Hawak ang cellphone ng mahigpit binuksan ko ang messenger at nagtanong sa group chat ng klase “Pipol, nandyan na ba si Ma’am?” na agad naman naseen ng isa kong kaklase sabay reply “Ghorl! Swerte mo may may meeting ang mga teachers ngayon.” Agad naman akong nakahinga nang maluwag, mabuti na lang talaga at madali lang maaccess ang social media hindi ko na kailangan pang magpaload ng pangtext, data lang sapat na.

Papasok pa lang ako ng klasrum ay dinig ko na ang ingay ng mga kaklase kong lalaki na abala sa paglalaro ng Mobile Legends, may mga sumisigaw na animo’y ang layo ng kausap katabi lang naman, may mga hindi mapigilang magmura nang malutong tuwing maririnig ang salitang defeat. Nakakabilib din na ng dahil sa ML ay may mga nakikilala at nakakausap silang ibang tao na nasa iba’t ibang parte ng Pilipinas. Sa kabilang banda naman, ang mga kaklase kong babae ay abala sa kani-kanilang social media accounts, may mga nagfe-Facebook para magshare ng sangkatutak na memes, Twitter para sa gustong magdrama, instagram para sa updated na pictures ni idol saka ni crush, Tumblr na pwedeng ipost ang lahat ng kaganapan sa buhay at Messenger para makausap ang mga malalayong kapamilya na nasa ibang bansa.

Hindi na bago para saakin ang nadatnan na senaryo, kahit sa loob ng aming bahay lahat kami ay palaging hawak ang cellphone at nakatutok sa kanya-kanyang Facebook account. Wala naman akong masisi. Talaga namang nakakaadik ang gumamit ng social media idagdag pa na kahit saan, kahit anong oras ay magagamit ito, kahit nga mga bata’t matatanda ay hindi nagpapahuli dahil malaya tayo, may kalayaan tayong gamitin ito, walang pumipigil, walang limitasyon. Aminado akong maraming magandang naidudulot ang social media lalo na sa katulad kong estudyante. Mas mabilis at mas maraming impormasyon akong nakakalap, nalalaman ko rin ang mga nangyayari sa aking paligid, nagagamit ko para sa kasiyahan, nakakausap ko ang mga kaibigan ko kahit na nasa malalayong lugar, nasasabi ko rin ang gusto kong sabihin at higit sa lahat maaari akong magkaroon ng sariling income lalo’t nauuso ngayon ang online selling.

Maraming nauuso’t naiimbentong bago dahil sa social media katulad na lamang ng sana all, lodi, petmalu, hakdog, share mo lang (sml), share ko lang (skl), na nagagamit ko na rin sa personal na pakikiusap. Nauso rin ang mga damit na sunflower,stripes at rainbow ang disenyo pati ang milk tea; minsan natatawa na lang ako sa mga kaklase kong may pang-milk tea ngunit walang ¼ na papel.

Sa kabila ng magandang epekto nito, hindi pa rin mawawala ang mga negatibo. Katulad ng hindi na mautusan sa loob ng bahay, nalilipasan na ng gutom, minsa’y nakakalimutan na ang paggawa ng takdang aralin, magpopost ng kung ano ano na tungkol sa sarili at pag na-bash ay sasama ang loob, nalilimitahan na rin ang pakikipagusap sa personal dahil mas gusto sa chat na lang, nawawalan na rin ng komunikasyon sa loob ng bahay, naglipana rin ang mga fake news na kinakagat naman ng mga tao lalo na ng estudyanteng tulad ko na kapag ang post ay tungkol sa walang pasok.

Pansin ko rin na marami ng mga bata ang nakakagamit ng social media tuwing pupunta ako ng computer shop; may mga hilera ng mga elementary na estudyante ang abalang abala na sa pag-browse ng facebook. Palibhasa’y napakadali lamang madaya ang paggawa ng account kahit may edad na hinihingi at dahil kulang pa ang kanilang ITULOY SA 26

F

reedom of speech. It gets thrown around every now and then, but what is it really?

You’d probably say that it’s your right to say whatever you like about things, whenever you like. Bzzzz!

Newsflash: You’re wrong.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference” and “everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice”. The version of Article 19 in the ICCPR later amends this by stating that the exercise of these rights carries “special duties and responsibilities” and may “therefore be subject to certain restrictions” when necessary “[f]or respect of the rights or reputation of others” or “[f]or the protection of national security or of public order (order public), or of public health or morals”.

Meaning, while the state must ensure that you have the right to free speech it must also ensure that it is within the bounds of the law, and that is where criminal speech comes in.

Criminal speech refers to any speech that contradicts with the concept of freedom of speech as guaranteed under the l a w .

Having this prior restraint only means that freedom of speech is not absolute and is coupled with responsibilities that everyone must abide with.

Though, the rare times that freedom of speech are restricted, are usually for the greater good.

So, who restricts them? The

government usually carries this out as part of their obligation to protect the greater good or the interest, rights, and reputation of the public.

But for these restrictions to be legitimate it first has to be put into law and must be clear, specific and must also have a provision that can safeguard the interest of the public to stop any abuse that authorities may or may not potentially commit. Any restrictions on

f re e d o m of speech that are inconsistent with the safeguards can potentially lead to abuse by the government.

Imagine that you posted a tweet on twitter asking for엠창 higher wages, but then due to a loophole in a law that restricts free speech, the government can now lock you up for

exercising your right to free speech.

But these restrictions don’t mean that you can’t speak up when injustice becomes the norm. When the government is already abusing the governed, this serves as your wake up call to resist tyranny and fight for the basic rights that every human being is born with, especially because it is the obligation of the government to protect and uplift the lives of its citizens regardless of their class, work, religion, age, ethnicity, and gender.

Just remember that when you blurt out nonsense just to insult someone, you aren’t being censored, your right is just being restricted because it is already inconsistent with other people’s rights. Be responsible and use you right to protect and uplift other people’s rights, because not everyone can speak up for themselves and be heard at the same time. And just so you know, you can change the world one speech at a time.

6 | DEMOCRAT FEATURES

Y

ou’re on a dance floor, hittin’ that meaty and juicy booty of yours, in sync with the bomb beat the DJ concocts with his magical equipment. Damn, girl, you dominate this atomic evening, especially you’ve beaten them with your perfectly curved eyebrows and extremely palatable make-up that compliment your sexy spaghetti attire. The night is yours. Almost. Until, your bladder has their fill with all your boozing and moving around like crazy. Who wouldn’t feel the urge to piss with that fatal combination? Then this man shouted at you in the urinal

others, without any significant reason such as being exempted from something like a rule or it can be, asking for a privilege and unfair advantages. For example, the issue of SOGIE bill; remember when Albayalde said that the bill isn’t needed because there’s a law already that protects the rights of Filipino’s and besides, it’s unfair because its only for a CERTAIN group of people. The fallacy here is that, there is still no specific law that defends everyone from gender-based discrimination. Second, there are lots of incidents already that involve genderbased discrimination and it’s obvious that there is an urgency to solve this because a freedom is already being stepped.

“Watcha problem girl? Wait…

You’re a dude! A faggot! Don’t be Special treatment is when a such a peeping tom you perverted member of LGBTQ+ community asks freak. Go and find your own place.” for a prioritization in say, a line. How about the issue of contraceptives? It’s Then kicked you out of the clearly an issue of freedom of choice comfort room. You’ve complained which we should enjoy because to the manager, but then told you it’s our right to do so, not a special to just stop bitchin’ about it, forget treatment of having an abominable the incident and move on ‘cuz instrument just because of special “they don’t give special treatment circumstances like being poor and to anyone” even if you use your thus the family size should be reduced gender as trump card to do so. or simply not wanting a baby.

As the man who kicked you said, it’s his right to do so ‘cuz he’s a We can say that freedom needs paying customer, and as a paying defending when fairness if already is customer the establishment should violated especially if this violation is maintain comfort, security and unreasonable or for a stupid reason a sound environment, hence if such as freedom being hindered by something is making the customer conservatism, being stooped by people in uncomfortable, it should be power just so the demise of other would resolved. favour his/her or just because an idea of freedom is contradicting to principles Now, stop crying, girl, ‘cuz the of others. This issue of confusion about manager didn’t mean it. You have freedom being defended if needed and every right to use that comfort demanding special treatment is present room, ‘cuz why not? The manager in many issues in our country. Let’s take a is just one of the MANY people who look at the issue of women’s rights. True don’t understand the difference that throughout history, women have between freedom and having been fighting for their rights and freedom, special treatment. Well freedom is deprived by patriarchy such as freedom ours. It’s innate. It should be given to have access to education and to vote. unconditional. In fact, freedom is There is a need to defend because of the the right we possess and we should violations that happened to their innate enjoy. Whenever our freedom is right. It’s clear that it’s not a request of stepped by someone, we have every special treatment unlike the recent right to defend it. Sometimes, when issue which goes viral in the social we did, some people be bitchin’ media where a woman posted a about we shouldn’t be demanding picture of her situation in the MRT special treatment because duh, with a guy who she demands fairness exist. They’re confused. that his seat be given to Special treatment is when you ask her because she insisted to be treated differently from

BY NEIL ANDREW FORMALEJO GRAPHICS & LAYOUT BY LESTER ISIP

that that’s how a “gentleman” should be and that’s how women should be treated. It’s unneeded because her rights wasn’t violated and both of them are paying customers (Would’ve been more reasonable if it’s an issue of giving seats to elderly, pregnant woman or a PWD because as a good citizen, we need to prioritize vulnerable members of society.) This is alarming because as a country in progress, change is needed especially when lots of ideas are popping and lots of things need reforming.

Now don’t you worry girl, there is still hope as soon as being educated about this matter becomes a social phenomena. Sure, you may get hit by this idiosyncrasy one more time, it happens, but not for long.

Filipino Pride Ba?

BY JHEZYLLE FAYE B. LORIA GRAPHICS & LAYOUT BY LESTER ISIP

which made us easier to complain than to see the reality that is slapping us. Just try to open your closed eyes literally and figuratively and for once see what you everyone is doing.

We delay. We miscalculate things.

We overestimate time and ourselves.

Procrastination

ARE YOU A FILIPINO?

I

f you are, you must be aware of this cultural sickness deeply seethed in our blood and bones. Should I be proud of it? Guess not. It is a flaw that dimmed lightness every time it tries to reveal itself.

Yes, it is indeed a hindrance to the progress we’ve always craved for. Then if you are one of us, you do really have an idea what I am pointing out. We don’t just have tons of landmarks and famous one to brag for. We also have this toxic time freedom trait.

“The defendant is found guilty in committing multiple counts of killing time in almost whole of his life.”

The verdict has been served. Juan Dela Cruz is convicted. We are him. He is us. A reality that keeps on coming back to us. When we fail, he fails. All will eventually mess up.

Life could be sometimes playful.

What something you always thought to be trivial do really have a big role in what you are aiming for all along. What I am trying to say is that ‘time is gold.’

Time could be your greatest confidante or a foe you would not even try to imagine to run i n t o .

Once you lose the chance to put it into your own advantage, you lose once that could

spoil the fruitful harvest you were trying to prepare for a whole year, or even for years. Filipinos have always liked to kill as its literal Filipino translation says ‘patay-oras.’

showing they are important. Rizal showed that it was not just another tardiness due to traffic or dysfunctional clock but a status symbol to impose.

An embarrassing example to this is when President Quirino showed up 2 hours late after the scheduled time for the grand ceremony to award him an honorary doctorate in Fordham University back in 1950s.

As everyone is aware of, we have had or our ancestors’ real experiences of mishaps in their lives due to centuries of bondage from three countries. Always asking for freedom that we even took liberty to be free in TIME! The irony of this situation is that we even put it as a hallmark of our Filipinism.

How an entire country could be expected to change and eliminate its toxicity if even its leader is also doing it like everybody does?

Filipino time Mañana habit, prolonged festivities and procrastination name it! It all boils down into one toxic trait that is pulling us off the railroad of success. A trait strongly attached in our culture.

It was written in history that it was first coined in 1900s during the American period but actually was gradually molded during the Spanish era. This kind of trait was even mentioned in Rizal’s novel El Filibusterismo where the scene was in a theater where the characters are watching a play and a couple enters the theater very late. It’s as if they are

“Mamaya na lang.” pa,”

“30 minutes pa lang naman maaga

“ Maeextend na naman niyan ang deadline.”

In this era we’ve been so pampered with things that bring us convenience knocking right through our doors. Almost everyone can access it

A common and contagious disease. Sounds familiar?

Students, employees or anyone you might run into can be or could have been victims of this. A parasite that sucks up all of your productivity mode and sets you to INSANE SLACK OFF MODE! Its aftereffects show after seconds of being sleepy. Its symptoms are partial disturbance from a cellular phone promising to just take a look at it for a second turning into minutes and minutes until the host entirely forgets his task, taking a short nap and eating for a quick snack or lunch. These are just some of the common noticeable symptoms one could encounter. It is incurable unless the host would be willing to. In extreme cases, some lose their job; late submission of graded tasks for students leading to failed subjects or in worst case scenarios are dropouts!

It screams in your brain.

KILL TIME! KILL TIME! KILL TIME! It’s just you who can undo this and make it right.

Don’t wait. Don’t delay.

Change now!

H

enlooo sa earthlings na nagbabasa hanggang digdi, dai ka na magpundo ta napunan mo na oh.

2020 is your year mahmen! Bagong taon bagong buhay bagong jowa bagong crush, and all those garasgas nang bago (oh wow the irony), pero sabi ngani kang fren(s) ta dyan sa likod kang page kang lablab tang yoensi, mayo man mabago ta NUMBER ONE PA RIN SA 2020. Oh taray, super flexed ang greyhounds, sana all flexable huh.

Anyways ako ulit ang makakaibanan nindo ngunyan sa chikahang magkapira sana gayod ang makakagets habang naghahalat sa pagbabalik kang tunay na may kapot kang mahiwagang panurat na ini-- mala baga, may pamilya na gayod duman ta dai na nagbabalik. At dahil bagong taon, pag-ulayan ta ngunyan ang mga bago, fresh (bako ning chix tol), aaand most of all chikable chika-that-shookyoensyans of all time. Lezzgo!

Aram ko man na gabos na enrolled ngunyan na sem shookt kang nagbutwang barita-- este bayaran muna palan bago masagap si barita.

This is the newest catch mga bruuh.

We’re like, timely and catching up so quick, dai mi na magets kung nagdadalagan lang ang mama greyhounds o nagpaparkour na-nagshoshortcut na sa urumbasan ganern para maintained ang

ang

numero uno, fight fight fight.

Shooketh ang student body beh, ta inot sa gabos waley hinagad na opinyon kang mabayad-- kang magamit! Panduwa, nagmukha lang syang planong habo lang ma-drawing-gigibuhon at all cost; syempre sato ganern, the fact na our mamshers did not give us the information we deserve (isus), ay tapos kita kayan, mapipiritan na lang itao ang 165.00 na dai man inabot kang pamaskuhan hmmp. Si apo kayan, feeling ko ngani mga chong magayon man sa feeling magtap-tap ning ID bago makalaog, feeling ko masakay akong LRT, charaat.

Kaso lang ngani, iyo na ning alanganin timing tas si mga kuyas and ates ta dyan na magraduate nachismis ko required man daa. I can’t even. Hayst.

Iz diz moneh gaming ulet?

Pero hmmm lusot man ang pasistema, very strategic, gg well played-- sabay sa enrolment fee, hassle-free. Pero naisip kaya ninda ‘tong mga mahali man lang? ‘Tong mga mambabaya man lang? Ay char. Lahat daw nadadala sa usapan pero mayo man kitang nadangog beybe. Sana all systematic.

Awit lang sa tuition and other fees ta na madagdag pa due to power fees ta modernization na

pate m a ni yoensi.

Pero syempre salamat man ta may nababago man with all those obvious changes sa matri mi oy. Willing to pay basta dai shocking saka para sa ikararahay kang masa -- para sa goal digger, bako sa gold digger. Boom!

University goals!

Dai pa nagtatapos dyan ang ID incident ta tas ralaugan na. Friday ang persday mga gurl. Shout out duman sa nagkralase kang persday of second sem na fresh from bagyo. Dai na man yan bago sato, may mga nagrulusong pa gayod sa baha, may nagrerecover pa ning harong pero they made it to school, mahboys. Pero mas natuod na man kita duman sa mga dai nagkaklase ning first day, maski mayo man bagyo, basta first day ning second sem. Mas strong pa sinda sa relationship nindo oh.

Kinaraya man kang yoensi si Tisoy, kaso lang ngani, ining sarong bagong iniyo, iyo pa man ang weak. Newbie pa lang man daa kaya bui tukdui man magpalevel up, charing. Daog pa kaning Cardo Talisay, na vinideohan ni koya (nayswan po) ining bagong ini. Saper advanced ang facilities nya compared sa mga nainot paps. Salute to the ones na nagtrabaho kaiyan. Pero anyare Tisoy lang palan ang katapat. Dai ta araaaam kung inakala to pero delikado mga paps. May kating na si bagong bebe ta, attractive to the eyes.

Dai man sa pagbibinabae, but let’s give meaning to this, cheret leng.

Kakataquote pa magpass by duman, lalo ta maduros duros pa mehn. Feels ko malupad na su yero tas

nasa baba ako tas dai ko nahiling tas *insert final destination thoughts*. Aaaaaashdhdjsidgdvfv kaya naglaog na sana ako sa klase, kaso garo iyo man sana. Puro man duros. Piattos teh? Garo magayunon magconcert duman ta mayong kataotao.

Hinalat ko na sana si 1 hr and 30 mins grace period ata mayo pa giraray.

Sayang si pagmata kong amay beh.

Sayang si karigos ko ata lipot lipot na, chizz. Ekis na tulos ang pers subject mehn. Maray na lang medjj effort man mga kaklase ko sa sunod na klase. May kachikahan man na new klasmeyts pero natapos na naman si period mayo si pinakabet kong mameet.

Hays. Ata siya lang rason kung tano ako nagpasok sa iskul.

Hays aram ko mehn, bako man ning fresh. Disappointed but not surprised ang peg ko duman. May mga nakachikahan man pati akong hali pang Cam North. Peno be yen Friday pa persdey. Kung aram mi lang na dai man maabot ang i eeyebol mi dai na kuta kami nag effort, chozz.

Ay inda! Halos napuruunan pa lang ang sem pero mapagalon na iabsorb ang mga bagay-bagay. Dai dahil sa gusto tang iabsorb, kaso kaipuhan ta makimati, ano po? Dai na pwede tong ta mili sinabi, gigibuhon ta naman. Patagbangon ta ka baga sa nagraralaad na baga, matagbang ka man? Kaya ngani kita tinawan ni papa God ning kaisipan para gamiton, tapos maiiling ta ka sa tiktok kung ano ano ang ginigibong kabulastugan? Tama yan?

Hahahaha choz garo na ako padi na nagsesermon, baka lugod dai ko magkajowa lol. Pero kidding aside, makanuod magkaigwa ning pake ta ngarig may karapatan ka man magreklamo. Tutal puro man baga pagbash ang gusto mo edi, bash accordingly ma fren. Babush.

LAMPOON DEMOCRAT | 9

S& IC PH A GR

GE PA

U YO LA

E YL TB

ST

ER

ISIP

10 | DEMOCRAT OPINION

“Chicharon ka ba? Kasi ang ingay mo ‘pag kinakain ka.” Very kinky! Most importantly, Filipinos loves to be dirty. Here’s a riddle you’d definitely love for sure. What goes in wet and hard, then goes out hot and slippery? That’s right! You guess it correctly.

Damn, you are brilliant. It’s politicians! Very dirty, right? Goes in wet with counts of corruption, pressed with evidences to prove their filth but then would be slippery enough to be out of the picture as soon as they’re milked with the issue as if nothing happened.

Very creative!

Let’s start with Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, one of the former presidents of the Philippines. She has been in lots of controversy, like electoral sabotage which led to her arrest. I know that you’re updated with the latest steamy scandals, but do you remember the “Hello, Garcie” scandal? It’s the hottest one. After that, she’s been in a lot of troubles. After being arrested for electoral fraud, she was freer for paying bail but was re-arrested because of yet another charge of misusing PCSCO’s million peso intelligence fund. She is destined to face 40 years in prison. She has been in hospital arrest because of the “life-threatening” health situation she had. What do you know, after this heavy charges, she was acquitted. The prosecution

Let them dirty politicians penetrate the line up of our governing body or even the society by letting them run free.

has insufficient evidence and thus ordered her immediate release. She even thanked President Duterte for “providing the atmosphere” to her acquittal of the charges. Of course, friends help each other because Duterte owes Gloria much in his campaigns to its time for payback.

Let’s move on to Mr. Pogi, Bong Revilla. He’s been recently caught up in one of the biggest corruption scandals in the Philippines recently, which involves elaborate scams of using discretionary funds for projects which are non-existent with the help of bogus NGOs linked to Napoles. Well, Revilla’s former staff, Richard Cambe and Janet Lim Napoles, were found guilty of plunder which would sentence them with 20-yo years of imprisonment. However, the Sandigbayan, an anti-graft court, acquitted Bong Revilla of plunder but odd enough to order him to return P124.5 million to the government.

Confusing, right? The explanation for this confusion by the President of Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is that the prosecution failed to “prove” his guilt beyond reasonable doubt, but the court seemed convinced that there was a lot of evidences against Revilla that he must be held accountable to the People of the Philippines with respect to the return money lost by virtue of PDAF scam. This doesn’t clear that gaps thou though because Sandigbayan Associate Justice Maria Theresa Gomez-Estoesta, one who dissented from the majority, finds it strange that the court did not exempt him from civil liability when it refused to conclude that the P87.26 million in bank deposits made by his immediate family were “the very same money from Napoles.” After all this commotion, he made comeback in the senate to which he has garnered lots of supporters that helped his campaign a lot. He won the election beating other candidates with clean record and good platforms. What a surprise!

And now, Imelda Marcos. She’s facing a charge of raiding the countries treasury and invested the amassed money in the US. She’s not guilty, the court announces with a 10-2 voted to acquit her. These charges include stealing $200 million from the country’s treasury and invest most of it on jewels, art, and real estates. The trial was held in America though, that in fact, Mr. Khashoggi, the one who supposedly helped the Marcoses concealed four skyscrapers in Manhattan by backdating bank documents said “I have more faith in America and the jury system.” The CONTINUE ON 26

Yes Daddy,

Harder!

HUMONGOUS HOMUNCULUS NEIL ANDREW FORMALEJO @neilluminati1 neilandrew2.formalejo@gmail.com

Filipinos are fond of satire and irony, especially when applied in humor. Very creative! For instance, in flirting, romantic pickup lines are a thing such as “What’s in between the planet Mars and Venus?” The response would be, “You, ‘cuz you are my world.” Very romantic!

Filipinos also loves to be naughty.

OPINION DEMOCRAT | 11

Oh Look!

A Troll

THREE-PHASE REX GARING @rxgaring rxgaring@gmail.com

The Internet is everywhere and so are the trolls. Trolling on social media is described as causing dissonance throughout the world of the internet, by creating disputes or upsetting people by posting offensive or offtopic messages in an internet community.

In any case, these days, it additionally implies pestering individuals when gatherings are in a quarrel. The tone is taunting such that damages cowardly. If you are an active user of social media, chances are that in one way or another, you have experienced trolling.

I’ve been seeing lots of bullying growing up as a teenager during the increase of social media usage because they are misfits. On each remark string, there are users who state something like “this video sucks,” “you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about,” or the classic “get their brains checked!” alluding to the numbers of individuals who have detested posts.

Essentially, a social media troll is somebody who intentionally says something contentious so as to provoke different users. In case you’re an active social media user, odds are that you’ve encountered trolling somehow. Growing up as a young person during the ascent of social media, I’ve seen heaps of trolling. This happens plentifully on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Facebook gets especially serious when there are national or global occasions going on. Going on a traditionalist or liberal Facebook page resembles entering an exacting fight of words.

Frequently, trolling is finished by counterfeit online networking accounts. They have dauntlessness to assault and even revile individuals online in light of the fact that their genuine personalities are not appended to it. While they may introduce themselves as thundering lions via web-based networking media, they might be as submissive as sheep when discovered.

Contentions are interminable in supply, and remarks from the two sides attempting to provoke the other regularly show up in strings. Notwithstanding, it ought to be noticed that because there is a consideration doesn’t imply that trolling has occurred. Somebody who contends a point isn’t trolling.

Somebody who offers a rough and baseless remark about that person’s mom is trolling. Somebody who brings something off theme into the discussion so as to make that individual distraught is trolling.

While they may introduce themselves as thundering lions via web-based networking media, they might be as submissive as sheep when discovered.

I’m not going to refer to explicit models on the grounds that there are beyond any reasonable amount to consider.

Trolling isn’t difficult to spot, regardless of whether you don’t know what to search for.

Internet-based life is a remarkable method to draw in with your general surroundings and an extraordinary path for brands and organizations to connect with social media users. While it tends to be an actually optimistic thing, you’ll most likely run into trolls on the web.

Justice isn’t outwardly hindered. Reality will, after a short time, win. Individuals who don’t shroud understand that they are in courtesy of truth and justice. Trolls can be a terrible thing or they can be something to be grateful for! They are definite that paying little mind to how the other camp controls matter, reality will turn out. They essentially supplicate that it is soon. You need to realize how to manage trolls. Remaining on the offense is significant, alongside realizing how to react to a troll’s remarks and scrutiny.

ANS UNC 12 | DEMOCRAT OPINION

H UofM A N S

COLLATED BY FLORIANE MAE RECTO

Meet our fellow UNCeans who are bounded by other’s expectations. Know their stories, and their grievances to those who weigh their standards to their shoulders.

“Just appreciate the things I did, even if it satisfies them or not. Because we aren’t all good at first time, we need time to adjust and cope and make our resolve to a certain problems.

There is no need to spit hard nonsense word just to tell that we aren’t good. That will not help, rather it will ruin our thoughts—might turn to disgression. Appreciate what we did is enough, no more no less.”

JV Second Year BSIT, CCS

“Let me breathe. Stop expecting too much from me, stop stressing me out, I want to decide on my own, I want to move freely, I want to do whatever I want not just always following whatever you want me to do. I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations.”

Anonymous Second Year BS Accountancy, CBA

“Okay lang mag-expect nang mataas just make sure na kaya mong maabot, wait lang sila mamimeet ko man expectation nila. Hahaha.”

Ted the architect Second Year BS Architecture, CEA

“First and foremost, there is no shortcut for living up to the expectations.

Kumbaga bako s’ya madali mahabol or maattain so I need you to understand that there are some instances that things you might want me to be are not easy to attain and achieve.

It’ll take time to meet those expectations. Therefore, understanding, appreciation and acceptance are much needed from the person who gives expectation because the pressure you give to the person is causing him struggle in his/her living, imagining on how his/her able to meet your expectation over and over a time.”

Carlo Magno Aborde 4th Year BS Architecture, CEA “For me po, there are good and bad sides of having expectation. The good side, it serves as a motivation to do more and excel in terms of academic or work and it reminds you to focus on a specific goal to be a successful one. On the other side, having high expectations can lead to frustration.

If you can’t achieve, it may hurt you physically, mentally and emotionally. Therefore, expectation is either good or bad, but remember to know its limitation. Be a real person that doesn’t rely on the expectation of other people. Mas okay na maging kakaiba kaysa naman ang ugali mo ay maiba.”

“Ang mensahe ko sa kanila eh is to be realistic and not to expect everything na magagawa kasi out of all those expectations mahirap na rin gumalaw and nakakasakal minsan. Still, if it is benefiting, I try take the expectations even na magfail. I still learn kasi failing is also a learning process.”

Azz First Year BIST, CCS

“...I live in my own expectations.

Hahaha. Well, I guess, ‘wag na [magmessage] kasi wala din naman akong pake sa kanila, you know what I mean. I’m doing my shits because I want too not to impress someone, sorry sa words. Hahaha. My advice is, try to live with your own expectations, ‘wag tayong umasa sa iba, like kapag naggawa n’ya ‘to, sh*t gan’to gan’yan.

Pa’no pala kung di niya naggawa? So, wala na? Hahaha. Like this, ‘wag n’yo gawing basehan ang iba para gawin ang isang bagay. Gawin mo ang isang bagay dahil sa gusto mo hindi dahil ‘yun ‘yung sinasabi ng mga tao.”

Kent Austin First Year BSIT, CCS

Kaye Second Year AB Psychology, AS

PAGE LAYOUT BY REX GARING

EDITORIAL DEMOCRAT | 13

Verdict, not closure The world will never forget the deadliest attack against journalists that it has ever seen. And while the verdict favors “the rule of law”, the road to justice is yet to reach its end.

A

fter a decade of delay, Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes finally deemed over 190 suspects charged for the Ampatuan massacre where 58 lives, including 32 journalists, were taken out of cold blood. As much as we want to close the case, the verdict only boils down to a portal of learning where the trail of a real battle for justice begins.

The length of the ruling speaks volumes to the slow process of persecution in the country. To what includes countless unnecessary motions, changing of lawyers, and letting monetary involvement take out fairness, the measure that has to be done after the verdict is what comes important. As to whether these high-profile Ampatuan criminals will suffer the same punishment as any other inmate, or will impunity pave its way to luxurious living in a hotel-like prison cell of special treatment.

Not only should these masterminds bear the weight of a grave trespass to human rights and press freedom but all those who allowed its execution. Only more than 100 have been convicted, and dozens of those charged are yet to face the jurisdiction of the law. With these forces out on the loose, of which are composed of policemen and some military men, threats posed to the families of the victims and witnesses cannot be taken out of the equation. Say the recent

For so long as the system brings innocents to guilt, and those guilty into the podium of innocence—or even more in the podium to rule cities, provinces and even our country—justice will never have its closure.

ambush on Akmad Ampatuan who stood witness against his very own relatives, an afternoon of December 24.

The urgent priority now then is to put these criminals behind bars and to assure that these affected families who have suffered colossal losses live anew without the fear of another ambush—an intensive manhunt for starters.

Or should we also forget that there were lives under the witness protection program who suffered merciless deaths? Alyas Jessie, Menjie Nangulamas Ubpon, and Dennis Sakal were only some of those whose lives were lost.

No more lives should be taken concerning this case, no one should have suffered horrifying deaths from the very first place.

While we have focused so much on the perpetrators of the murder, let us also not forget that the lengthy process damaged lives that could have been freed if only the verdict was processed soon enough. Six innocent names who have been dragged into the

case were cleared of charges.

These people bore the judgment of accusation for 10 long years.

Their families have suffered the same grievances and in one way or another have affected their lives unnoticeably.

If only the judicial process paved the way to a faster ruling, it could have been a huge thorn stuck out from the grieving family sooner. But there is no use looking back and the only way we can go is forward. To let this aged case brand our judiciary system is one way to admit our poor system.

Let this case that will be haunting our history forever be the wakeup call for the judicial process in our country. For so long as the system brings innocents to guilt, and those guilty into the podium of innocence—or even more in the podium to rule cities, provinces and even our country—justice will never have its closure.

Ito’y kwento ni Totoy -malaya, mapagkumbaba, idealista, mapusok, mahirap.

Nais niyang baliktarin ang tatsulok, subalit walang alam sa hinaharap.

Naniniwalang kalayaan ang tahi sa malalim na sugat ng bansa--Ngunit anong realidad ang naghihintay sa kanya?

M

aingay ang musikang gawa ng buklod na kawayan. Narating ng awit nito ang sulok ng eskinita -- madilim, tinirikan ng nag-iisang tahanang gawa sa tagpi-tagping yero; nakabibingi ang ungol ng katahimikan habang unti-unting iniluluha ng ama ni Totoy ang mga huling patak ng kanyang dugo.

Bumagal ang takbo ng oras ni Totoy habang ginuguho ng kanyang sariling puso ang kanyang mundo. Sinusunod niya ang nais iparating ng musika ng buklod na kawayan.

Patuloy na pinakikinggan ng kaluluwa niya ang musika. Ipinanalangin niyang sa liwanag siya dadalhin ng alingawngaw ng ugong nito. Subalit ‘di niya alam ang realidad na tinatahak ng kanyang kalayaan.

ANG BULAG NA MASA

pulis! Salamat sa ating tagapagligtas na pinili!”

Dinaanan niya’ng mga binabagtas ng alipin ng salapi -- maliwanag, mapayapa.

Binubunggo ang malilinis at mararangyang balat ng kanyang madungis na katawan.

Itinumba ng kanyang naghihingalong damdamin ang kanyang sariling katawan, napaluha siya sa sobrang pagpigil sa kanyang pagsabog.

Mali siya. Patuloy pa rin palang ikinaladkad pababa ang mga taong tulad niya. Kahit ang mga nakaaangat sa buhay ma’y walang magandang nagagawa sa mga tulad nila. ‘Di siya makapaniwalang ang karamihan sa bansa ay nagpapabulag sa matitingkad na pangako.

Nagpapadala na lamang sa kung anong tahakin ng iba. Kinakagat ang paing ikinabiktima na ng marami.

Naniwala siyang ang mga taong nasa kanyang paligid ay aabutan siya ng panyo, patatahanin, at itatayo mula sa pagkakatumba. Sila ang mayayaman, mga edukado, mga may puso para sa mahihirap, kontra sila sa mga nagpapatay sa kanyang ama. “Ito na ang liwanag,” sabi niya sa kanyang damdamin. Ipinatuloy ng luha niya ang pagbagsak nito habang napapalitan ng kasiyahan ang kanyang damdamin.

Napaka-inosenteng bata; pagkatapos ng masalimuot na pag-atake sa kanyang minamahal, nagagawa niya pang ngitian nang tunay ang alanganing katotohanan.

Ngunit narinig niya ang matinis na tili ng isang babaeng pumukaw sa atensyon ng mga kalalakihan sa paligid. Agad na naramdaman niya ang mga paang pumupwersa sa kanyang tagiliran, tiyan, at maya-maya’y tinapakan ang ulo habang ibinibigkis ang kanyang mga kamay sa bawat isa.

Lingid sa kanyang kaalaman, kilalang persona ang kanyang ama na pakalat-kalat ang larawan sa lugar.

“Anak ‘yan ng drug pusher! Bakit andito ‘yan?!”

“Baka hinahabol na ng

COVER STORY DEMOCRAT | 15

M g a malalaya, ngunit kaladkaring bulag sa kalagayan ng hustisya.

Matatapos din itong gulo.

ANG BINGING BAHAGDAN Hindi patitibag si Totoy sa kanyang mga nadadaanan. Malayo sa anyo ng tubig ang mga iyon kumpara sa apoy sa kanyang dibdib.

Marahan niyang nilabanan ang eksena at nilayuan. ‘Di pasisiil ang sindi ng pag-asa sa kanyang daigdig.

Ipinatuloy niya ang pagtakbo nang matulin at nilamon siya ng dilim sa kanang dako. Paunti-unting dinadaig ng malakas na kakaibang musika ang kanyang pinapakinggang kanta. Iba ang wika, iba rin ang melodiya. Naaaninag niya ang mga aninong sinasabayan ang bawat bagsak ng tugtog. Mukhang masasaya, malalaya. Mukhang walang bigat na binubuhat sa kanilang mga balikat. Hindi pagod, tila ba hindi kayang

bumagsak ng kanilang katawan habang hinahagod sila ng musikang ikinawiwili ng kanilang tenga.

Napag-isip-isip ni Totoy kung alam ba nila ang tunay na nangyayari. Kung naririnig pa ba nila ang hagulgol ng lupang sinilangan.

Kung naiisip pa ba nilang makinig sa hinaing ng taong-bayan. At kung naiintindihan pa ba nilang sila ay may karapatan at responsibilidad sa kung nasasaan man sila ngayon.

‘Di mawari ni Totoy -- tama ngang lumalaban ang mga katulad niya para sa bayan, dahil may kailangang protektahan.

Kailangan protektahan ang mga katulad nitong kasiyahan. Kailangang protektahan ang ganitong kalayaan. At kailangang panatilihin ang ganitong uri ng kapayapaan. Ngunit anong pagbabago na kaya ang nangyari sa bansa kung pinili nilang marinig ang pagsigaw n g bayang ikinukulong sa sariling mga pader?

Nabasa niya noon sa dyaryo, ¼ ng mga Pilipinong malaya’t legal sa pagpili ay hindi umusad, o kaya’y piniling magtayngag-kawali nang lumipas na botohan. Anong pagbabago kaya ang naibigay nito sa kasalukuyang sugat na kanyang ikinaaaray? Anong bukas kaya ang naghihintay kung ang lahat ay nagpapasasa sa karapatang ito?

Matatapos din itong gulo.

ANG PUMUPUTOL NG SARILING HININGA Pinilit ni Totoy na manumbalik sa pakikinig s a kawayang buklod.

Pinahihiwatig nitong may naghihingalo’t

kailangang iligtas ang kanyang hininga. Nang iyukod niya ang kanyang ulo ay nakita niya ang tingkad ng dugong tila may pinaroroonan.

Sinundan niya ang kulay at amoy, at baka iyon na nga ang hinahanap.

“Walang pag-asa ang bayang ito,” walang bakas ng lungkot at pagaalala habang sinasambit ito ng ‘di niya kilalang binata.

Nabigla siya nang makita niyang bumubuhos ang kanyang dugo mula sa kanyang

braso.

Ang dali lang para sa kanyang isakripisyo ito -sariling dugo’t pawis para sa bagong daigdig kung saan ‘di na niya kailangan pa nito.

Tulad niya ang mga Pilipinong walang matanaw na pag-asa. Ang dilim ng bansang kinagisnan sa mga mata nila.

Naisip ni Totoy, tunay nga namang may ‘di nakakatuwang kasalukuyan dito. Ngunit akala niya, sapat nang rason ito para manatili ang mga Pilipino sa Pilipinas. Sapat nang dahilan ang sakit nito para maraming doktor ang magpagaling. Sapat na ang kawalan ng hustisya para ipaglaban ng mga abogado.

Ngunit sa harapan niya ngayon ay may naghihingalong Pilipino, na tila pinag-isipan na ang desisyong lumisan -- dahil baka nasasakal na rin; dahil baka nahihirapan na ring mag-isip ng solusyon; dahil baka walang nakikitang liwanag. Kung sabagay ay malaya niyang nagawa iyon. Siguro sa huli ay karangalan iyon sa kanyang sarili.

Huli na si Totoy dahil humandusay na rin ang binata. “Ito ang praktikal na solusyon,” ang kanyang mga huling salita.

Windang ang loob ni Totoy subalit sinubukang manatiling positibo. Walang

maling akala ang papatay sa kanyang diwa.

Matatapos din itong gulo.

ANG KANYANG SARILI Lingid sa kaalaman ni Totoy, nasa huling linya na ng musika ang kanyang pinapakinggan. Pahina nang pahina ang kanyang takbo at ngayo’y marurupok na ang mga tuhod. Pinagpapawisan nang malamig, nanginginig sa kaba’t gutom. Mapusok siya -kailangan niyang patayin kung sino man ang pumatay sa kanyang ama.

At ayun na nga, nakita niya ang bughaw na unipormeng nahagilap niya kani-kanina lamang sa kanilang bakuran. Wala nang pakiusapan, wala nang ano-ano, ‘wag na lamang haluan ng konsiyensiya ang kanyang puso, pigilan na ang oras at ‘wag lang siya.

Malaya naman si Totoy. Nagagawa nga ng pulis ang pumatay nang walang tanong-tanong. Dahil lang ba nanlaban ang suspetsado? Akala mo’y self-defense lang ang pamamaril sa nanlalaban dahil sa sa iba’t ibang dahilan.

Malaya naman ang pulis, bakit ‘di ang sibilyan?

Malaya ang politiko, bakit ‘di ang taong-bayan?

Malaya ka sa Pilipinas.

Yun ang akala mo, Totoy.

Ikinasa niya ang baril at habang nanlalaban sa nginig ay hinila ng hintuturo ang gatilyo. ‘Di na babalik sa simula ang kanta.

Walang magdidikta sa kanyang tumalon, dumapa, at umilag sa bombang nakatutok ngayon sa kanyang ulo.

‘Di man niya mabaliktad ang tatsulok, sinubukan niyang akyatin ang tuktok. Sa kabila man ng karangalan niya para sa kanyang sarili, nakamit niya kaya ang hustisyang hinihingi? ‘Di matatapos ang gulo kung ang kalayaan ay para lamang sa mayaman, at lalo na kung ito ay pakakawalan, o kaya nama’y aabusuhin ng sariling mga kamay.

“Matatapos din itong gulo,” ang kanyang huling bitaw.

Pabatid: Ang akdang ito ay batay sa awiting “Tatsulok” na orihinal na piyesa ng Buklod.

Nais bigyang-pugay ng manunulat ang musikang makabayan sa pamamagitan ng akdang ito. Kathang-isip lamang ang kwento at anomang pagkakahawig sa tunay na pangyayari ay isang hindi sinasadyang pagkakataon.

16 | DEMOCRAT NEWS

UNC implements ‘GEMS’ to address safety concerns of parents Admin issues handbook to new enrollees only; higher level studes appeal for copies

BY JESSEBEL NIEVA

TAP IT. Through the request of Parents and Teachers Council (PTC) from Junior High School Department, the University of Nueva Caceres implements Gate Entry Monitoring System(GEMS) using Radio-frequency Identification (RFID). All students and university personnel are required to tap their ID in GEMS upon entering the school premises. PHOTO BY JOHNELL CABUSAS AND WORDS BY JAYVIE BUENAAGUA

BY JESSEBEL NIEVA

To assist in addressing the security and safety concerns of parents, the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) implements Gate Entry Monitoring System (GEMS) using Radiofrequency Identification (RFID), effective from February 10.

From the office of the Vice-President for Administration, Brian F. Nacianceno confirmed that the administration granted the implementation of RFID as requested by the Parents and Teachers Council (PTC) from Junior High School.

GEMS is a software solution that is designed to monitor in and out records of everyone on the campus through a notification tool. Parents will automatically receive an SMS alert from the system to inform their children’s entrance and exit time via first and second gate. For those entering the campus in vehicles, guard on duty will be using a mobile phone with GEMS app.

Meanwhile, different feedback is given regarding its first instalment. “Lakas makapangsosiyal ng bagong I.D, kaso I don’t think na pati rin sa college knowing na labas-loob naman kami. and di’ naman sure kung sa parents talaga nila yung number na nakalagay doon” MJ Tunay, a 4th year student of College of Business and Accountancy, raised her concern.

A parent of two senior high school students, Almira Martinez, said that the RFID is good as long as security guards will do strict implementation for the students to attain its efficiency. In addition, students who will enter the campus are required to bring their ID. “NO ID NO ENTRY” policy will be followed strictly as stressed by Patrick James Salamat of the ICT Department.

ST favors electoral process to fill in USG presidency vacancy

BY NORENE CANTOR

Following the attempts of petitioner Ruby Jane Bandola prompting the Student Election Commission (SEC) to conduct of a special election, the Student Tribunal (ST) ultimately orders SEC to prepare for the conduct of the same.

It was December 16, 2019 when ST promulgated a resolution and ruling on Bandola’s petition to conduct a special election, further publicized online last January 4. This rule orders SEC to plan out for the upcoming special elections and finally fill the first-in-UNC-history presidency vacancy after no one ran during the 2019 USG Elections.

Bandola submitted the petition on early first semester which was dismissed

by SEC through a resolution because it was “unconstitutional”. The same resolution, as stated in ST’s release, included an order for the petitioner to apologize for her statements on social media. The parties have undergone arguments after SEC dismissed the petition which led Bandola to submit a motion for reconsideration to both SEC and ST which covered evidence supporting her petition.

A noticeable delay was observed in the process of granting Bandola’s petition.

This was due to the difficulty in making the implementing rules, given that the USG constitution and by laws lack arrangements addressing the issue, as stated by Chief Justice Cheralyn Joy Barbacena in a

previous interview. Barbacena also explained that SEC has no power to grant such petition as they are only expected to rule elections ordered by ST. In the release, ST reasoned out that “the presidency is preferred to be elected by the vote of students”. Further, ST states that it is necessary to have a special election, following the provision of Article VI, Section 7 of the constitution, “If a president shall not have been chosen, the Vice-President shall act as president until the President shall have been chosen and qualified.” The “process of choosing” was interpreted by ST as election for the position.

Meanwhile, petitioner Bandola confirms her withdrawal from her previous plan to run as USG president. In a previous interview, she stated that a lot of things have changed in her priorities after the delay, and further expressed that she thinks conducting special elections would be futile.

USG Vice President Renault Domingo, on the other hand, visualizes USG to be “more productive in a way that the job would be distributed much more accurately and evenly to committees that are suitable for the job” once the seat is occupied by an elected president. He admits that he could not accomplish some of his plans due to lack of manpower.

It was stated as well that in case no one runs for the position, the current VP will succeed the presidency, while the VP will be nominated from among the members of the Student Congress.

Domingo assures that the remaining months will be worthwhile than the previous ones in case he becomes the president.

With a working VP along with him, he says that they will be in a “good working process” towards a much more productive USG.

College students in higher levels appeal to have their own copy of the latest student handbook as it has been released to freshmen and transferees only in September 2019.

“Dapat may copy rin kami kasi kailangan talaga namin, lalo na ang ibang patakaran ay hindi namin alam,” second-year college student Lloyd Verdejo commented regarding the dissemination of handbook.

According to Dr. Armin A. Fullante, Assistant Vice-President for Student Affairs and Services, handbooks were distributed for free to first years and transferees because students in upper level are expected to be knowledgeable about it since the contents are being discussed in Social Arts classes and during orientation seminars in their respective departments.

There are few revisions in its matters, such as retention policies of different colleges, criteria in selecting the class valedictorian, UNC core values, and graduate attributes. She added that such revisions caused the launch to be postponed for years as such amendments needed time for thorough discussions.

“If the amendments were urgent or necessary, then let it be implemented so long as they will give explanation for the said changes and they must ensure that all students will be informed which can be done through the proper distribution of handbooks to every students,” Celerino Arthur Malle, second-year student uttered.

Meanwhile, Director of Student Affairs Kim Francia C. Bigay stated that there were minor changes to the provisions in using the library, to student’s admission, and the Scholarship and Grants Office (SDO) - “Everybody Shares” were proposed and was included to the scholarships offered effective this school year.

Bigay gave emphasis to strict implementation of existing uniform policy, whereas student’s I.D would CONTINUE ON 18

NEWS DEMOCRAT | 17

UNC launches first-gen Partners Engage

BY JOELYN ARLANTE

APPLAUSE. Officer In-charge of School Governance Mr. Pedro J. Penolio actively answers the questions regarding Private school to DepEd partnership. It was attended by 24 public school principals together with UNC, happened last November 29 at the UNC Social Hall.

PHOTO BY UNC INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA CENTER WORDS BY JAYVIE BUENAAGUA

Aiming to strengthen the connections between public and private institutions across the Bicol Region, the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) pioneered the first-ever Partners Engage last November 29 at the UNC Social Hall.

The program attended by around 24 public school principals aims to establish productive and effective institutions with the groundwork assistance of highly trained professionals.

It is activated to create an understanding of the fulfillments of partner schools, specifically in basic education and rationing enthusiasm and leadership to prepare students on a diverse and immense grounds of society.

“Partners Engage is about bringing the principles together. It’s more on a social thanksgiving from UNC to [the partner schools] for bringing their

students here. Actually, this program is just the beginning in terms of partnership of UNC and the Bicol schools,” Florilyn F. Baduria-Arevalo, UNC Strategy and Program specialist, explained.

She added that the program is more on building relationships with these schools to allow their students for possible enrollment in the university.

University President Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, together with Pedro J. Penolio, OIC School Governance, and Operations Division, DepEd Camarines Sur deliberately responded to several questions concerning the Partnership of Private school and DepEd during the “Talk Show” program.

UNC signs with Globe Go Wi-Fi to strengthen campus internet connectivity

BY JUVY VIOLETA

Embracing digitalization through strengthened campus internet connectivity, the university teamed up with Globe Go Wi-Fi as they sign the Memorandum of Agreement last October 9 at the UNC Social Hall.

INTER-CONNECTION. Engr. Leon B. Palmiano IV, Vice President for Administration, headed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing with Globe Telecom and launches the Globe GoWifi last October 9, 2019. Go Wi-Fi hotspots will be available on Student Lobbies, Canteen, Student Pavillion and other area where students usually stays. PHOTO FROM INQUIRER.NET AND WORDS BY JAYVIE BUENAAGUA

Sandee N. Flores, UNC Network and Communication Services head, stated that the service will be gearing UNC with free public Wi-Fi hotspots accessible sooner this school year.

According to Flores, “Sa deployment, wala pa siya, but once they sign the MOA, they will be given 120 days, so that’s probably around February.” Flores also shared the possible areas where Go Wi-Fi hotspots will be available.

“Ang mga lugar na ‘yan [ay] ‘yong mga matatao lang: canteen, pavillion, and mga specific lobbies. Basta ang mechanics, once na madeploy na nila yung equipment, there will be a booth

where they will invite and announce to the students on how to use the Globe Go-Wifi.”

With regard to the concern of students on fee increase because of the additional service, Flores reassured that there will be no such thing. “Actually, it is a mandate from the government that telco companies should provide free internet access to the public,” Flores clarified.

“Highlights of the MOA signing was to formally document everything, kasi nagkaroon na ng pre-signing. The purpose was to let the public know that UNC and Globe had this particular

signing,” Flores added.

The new development is an added option for students who are unable to connect to UNC access points immediately. However, due to prior frustrations with wi-fi services, some students still remain skeptical to the notion that this new internet provider will make any drastic improvements.

“Sometime, unreliable. Minsan, dae nakaka-connect. Kung nuarin kaipuhan na maray, saka pa nagpapalya tapos may specific spot lang kung sain ka pwedeng mag-connect. Hassle, siz,” Chellvin Robles shared who has been experiencing connectivity issues.

HIV screening...

MULA SA 18

impormasyon.

Umani naman ng mga positibong tugon mula sa mga estudyante ang nasabing seminar at screening.

“Natutunan ko na it’s okay to have a test about HIV kasi hindi naman sya harmful. Dahil sa seminar ng HIV awareness natutunan ko kung paano maiiwasan ang HIV sa mga simpleng bagay lamang,” Andrenet Orlanda, 1st year BEED. “Yes, indeed I have learned a lot about the HIV awareness, I have gathered a lot of information and one of those is we have full responsibility to control ourselves from engaging to unprotected sex.” Marivic Beluang, 1st year BEED. Sa ngayon ay mas pinagbubuti pa umano ng Nursing Faculty at Association of Community Extension Volunteers, katuwang ang administrasyon ng unibersidad, ang adbokasiya na mas palaganapin pa ang kaalaman ng mga estudyante tungkol sa HIV upang maiwasan ito.

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18 | DEMOCRAT NEWS

UNC partners with Acquire BPO to foster employability

BY NEIL ANDREW FORMALEJO

University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) continues binding connections as it concorded a partnership with Acquire BPO to build connections of employability.

The agreement was concluded last November 25 at the conference room through a ceremonial MOA signing attended by top officials Alexis “Choi” Fante, Software Development Practice manager, Rodel Murillo, Finance and Accounting Practice manager, and Chris Yong, General manager-Operations.

The Acquire Asia Pacific, Inc. BPO is an Australian global business process outsourcing firm which specializes in customer acquisition, back-office support, technical support, lead generation, customer service, and software development.

While UNC has an employment training program (general employment training program), this new program, as explained by College of Computer Studies Dean Agnes Reyes, is a personalized training of the students which would help in the content development for studies that is arched to the needs of the students in the career they want to pursue.

Hundreds partake in the first-ever university meditation program

BY JOELYN ARLANTE

As part of the growing campaign to combat the rampant escalation of mental health issues, the university conducted the first ever Sheng Zhen Workshop, an asian program on meditation, last October 11-12 at the Sports Palace and Social Hall.

This Institutional Wellness Program was participated by over 456 students and employees, surpassing its expected number of participants with EA covering the largest number out of 382 total students and 72 in teaching and

PARTNERSHIP. Acquire BPO General Manager for Operations Chris Yong hands President Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, Ph.D. a symbol of engagement for their institutions. The deal done gives UNC a wider range of employment opportunities, from first to number one for quality education. PHOTO BY UNC INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA CENTER AND WORDS BY NORENE CANTOR

HIV screening, isinagawa sa ikatlong pagkakataon

BY CHELLVIN ROBLES

Kaugnay ng dumaraming kaso ng mga kabataang may Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) sa bansa, nagsagawa ang Unibersidad ng Nueva Caceres (UNC) ng ikatlong libreng HIV Awareness Seminar at Screening noong nakaraang ika-2 ng Oktubre 2019 sa DHS Building Room 404.

Pinangunahan ni Ma. Grace E. Guevara, RMT ng Naga City Social Hygiene Clinic ang ginanap na seminar na naglalayong ipalaganap ang kaalaman tungkol sa HIV sa mga

non-teaching staff.

The program on meditation aims to combat stress particularly of those in the graduating batch who are encountering academic pressures due to practicum, correlation, synthesis, pre-board, etc. “[This program is designed to] strengthen not only the body and mind but also the heart and spirit component to overcome the ever yday battle,” Angelica R. Cadag, RGC said during a personal inter view.

estudyante mula Junior High School hanggang kolehiyo.

Ang ginanao na seminar at screening ay ikatlo sa naunang dalawang screening na isinagawa noong nakaraang Hulyo 11 at Setyembre apat matapos tumaas ang bilang ng mga pasyente ngayong taon.

Nito lamang Hunyo 2019, kinumpirma ng Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau na umabot na sa 68,401 ang kaso ng HIV sa buong bansa, karamihan dito ay mga lalaki at mga kabataang 15 taong gulang pababa.

“Pabata nang pabata ‘yong nagkakaroon kasi ng HIV. So we would like to spread awareness especially doon sa youth, doon sa mas bata,” sabi ni Mark Benedict Velarde, RN, MA, isa sa mga nag-organisa, nang tanungin tungkol sa kahalagahan ng seminar.

Ayon din kay Velarde, hindi sapilitan ang HIV screening gayunman ay hinihikayat nila ang mga estudyante

Sheng Zhen Workshop is a project of the University President, Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, who has a strong connection with the International Sheng Zhen Society.

President Lauraya stated several plans for the continuity of the program including the selection of personnel who will undergo an intense training to be a professional Sheng Zhen instructor.

Furthermore, Cadag stressed Pres. Lauraya’s plan to incorporate Sheng Zhen in PE subjects.

na magpatingin nang kusang loob.

“Kapag nagpa-test po sila, hindi naman hihingin ‘yong complete information nila. Mayroon pong strict privacy, may batas na magpoprotekta sa kanila. What we are doing with the screening is in a non-judgemental way.

Kaya hindi sila dapat matakot when it comes to screening,” paninigurado ni Velarde sa mga tanong ukol sa pagbibigay ng mga personal na ITULOY SA 17

Admin issues...

FROM 16

be confiscated whenever they enter the campus wearing civilian during uniform days (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) regardless of their purposes in entering the school premises unless an exemption pass is presented.

If a violation occurs, students are obliged to write a pledge of commitment that will serve as a record which would cause them difficulties in getting documents from UNC. “All policies are not written on stones. It is always open for revisions due to the changes happen through time which includes the attitude, opinions, and suggestions, complains of the students. All of this are being considered by the administration as long as it is valid, legitimate, and correct naman,” Bigay responded when asked if the student handbook is open for revisions in case students raise their suggestions regarding it.

NEWS DEMOCRAT | 19

UNC promotes EIE, awards model students

BY TRISHA BAÑAS

Executing several programs to foster proficiency in English communication, the University promotes the English Immersive Environment (EIE) Project through recognition of exemplary students.

Recently conducted activities such as the year level Two-Minute EIE Champ Challenge, a speech contest discussing about climate change, and the monthly awarding of EIE Champs from elementary up to tertiary, continuously aim to recognize the efforts, and

hard work of the students and employees who perform consistent usage of the English language inside and outside the classroom.

“The program is good. It encourages the student to practice the language not just inside the rooms but also outside. Although speaking English doesn’t really measure someone’s success and intelligence, we have to admit that practicing it can eventually lead to success,” Kiarrah Zhane Misolas, EIE Champ awardee from the College of Arts and Sciences, said.

“EIE is really a good help for every Unceans, conversing and mastering the English Language will be our strength towards entering the real corporate world,” Jayvee Soriano, CBA student and EIE Champ

awardee, shared.

“Their tagline ‘We recognize the attempt, not the mistakes’ encouraged me to at least commit a part of myself for the program and it also made me realize some of its advantages and benefits which would really be helpful once I ventured out into the real world,” Krizza Belle Vidal, SA Category awardee, stated.

In an interview, Jeff Alba, EIE prime, stated that the EIE Project desires everyone in the university to use English more, be comfortable in using the language amidst committing mistakes and especially for the students to be future ready.

Furthermore, he said, “The data was telling us that most graduates of UNC were

not getting job. We came to the employers and we asked them, the feedback was most of them did not pass the interviews.”

“We are not saying EIE is here to make UNC exclusively English because we also want to cherish our own native language but the fact here is, we need to speak the language more because the main objective is for us to be better in communicating and second is to be employed, “ Alba added.

Mia Tijam and Alba both spearhead the activities and programs of EIE Project in partnership with the Ayala Education.

Moreover, future programs will be conducted through the help and initiative of the different college departments which have already embraced the EIE Project.

BarOps caters aide to UNC barristers

BY MA. ZYTUZ ESPIRITU

School of Law catered aide to its bar candidates through the Bar Operations Commission (BarOps), headed by Veronica Serrano, in the month of November 2019.

EIE CHAMPS. Students from different college departments received recognition in connection with English Immersive Environment (EIE) program of University of Nueva Caceres Administration headed by ESL champion Mia Tijam. PHOTO BY UNC INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA CENTER AND WORDS BY JAYVIE BUENAAGUA

Gunita ng tagumpay

School of Law nagdaos ng Law Night NI KENN DANIEL MONTECILLO

Upang gunitain ang tagumpay ng School of Law, nagsama-sama ang UNC Law students at Law School faculty at staff kabilang ang UNC Law alumni para sa taunang Law Night sa The Avenue Plaza Hotel nitong Disyembre 18.

“Tonight we recognized that we survive this far, because the fire inside us burns brighter than the fire around us. Tonight was a celebration to become someone greater, our hope to achieve something bigger and our dream to change the world for something better. Tonight was hiraya.”

mga salitang binitiwan ni Khristian Damielle Jamer, 3rd Year, Juris Doctor at ang governor ng UNC Law School Board sa pagsisimula ng gabi.

Suot ang kani-kanilang barong at modernong Filipiana, dumalo ang nasa humigit kumulang 300 UNC Law students, faculty and staffs at mga alumni para sa isang gabi ng kasiyahan at pagsasalo-salo.

Ayon kay Khristian Damielle Jamer, 3rd Year, Juris Doctor at governor ng UNC Law School Board, ang tema na Hiraya na hango sa isang klasikong palabas na Hiraya Manawari, na ang kahulugan din sa tagalog ay pangarap, ito ay panahon ng pagbubuklod-buklod ng pamilyang kanilang nabuo at selebrasyon para sa natatangi nilang pangarap, ang maging abogado.

Isa sa inabangang bahagi ng gabi ay ang Miss Law 2019, kung saan

nagtagisan ang apat na kandidata sa patimpalak ng pagandahan. Sa huli, nasungkit ni Michee Garchitorena, 2nd year, Juris Doctor ang korona bilang 2019 Miss Law titleholder.

Bilang bahagi ng patimpalak, naglungsad sila ng Piso Voting para sa bawat kandidata kung saan nakalikom sila ng humigit kumulang Php 20,000 na didiretso sa outreach program na papasinayaan ng mga kandidata.

Ilang parangal din ang iginawad nila para sa mga alumni na bukod tanggi sa gabing iyon.

Hanggad din nila na sa mga susunod na taon, ay ,maidaos nila ang isa sa pinalaking aktibidad ng UNC Law na Grand Law-ni, kung saan nais nilang parangalan bilang most outstanding alumi si Vice President Leni Robredo, bilang alumni na may pinakamataas na nakuhang posisyon sa gobyerno.

BarOps is an annual month-long activity in the law department as a support to UNC barristers who will take the bar examinations.

“Kami yung nagke-cater ng needs nila, for example, breakfast, kami ‘yong nag-aayos, lunch ihahatid namin sa kanila. Tapos kung may special needs, may requests sila, we need to take note of them,” Serrano stressed out.

She added that the commission was made to relieve the bar candidates of added stress other than their intensive preparation for the exams.

Serrano shared that while it was difficult travelling to Manila every weekend of November, the volunteers were still driven to do their work.

“Umaalis kami dito sa Bicol every Friday night around 9:00 PM, tapos dadating kami mga 5:00 or 6:00 PM nang Saturday, tapos konting pahinga lang tapos deretso na, work na kami,” Serrano shared.

She added that aside from helping the candidates, “mas nakakatulong sila (takers) sa’min” as they were able to learn a lot from them.

“Ganito pala systems sa school (other universities) nila. Ganito pala ang ganyan tapos may mga tips. Nagbibigay din sila sa’min nang mga idea na mas mai-improve ‘yodxng Bar Operations ng UNC kaya maganda,” Serrano added.

Before the end of the semester, School of Law conducts the election of a new set of Bar Operation Commission officers who serve as the core team for BarOps. Serrano also mentioned that they have affiliation forms exclusive for law students who wish to be a volunteer.

20 | DEMOCRAT DEVCOMM

S M A E G LLS A N

ga Smile a N s to

BY JHEZYLLE FAYE B. LORIA GRAPHICS & LAYOUT BY LESTER ISIP

Are you dreaming to watch the sunset at Maldives or from a high place like Machu Picchu?

Or something classier like just strolling around ‘the big apple’ while holding shopping bags from Louis Vuitton, Prada and Dior like a diva?

You may have had an experience or dream to be in a famous tourist spot but have you ever been in a dumpsite?

I doubt that you have it in your list of places to visit. So, what do you normally see in here? Garbage obviously; leftovers, containers, old and broken household things and more. Almost all of it are non-biodegradable which make its decomposition phase impossible in a short span of time unless they incinerate it or make it more useful like recycling and upcycling it. Either people who resides there or adjacent barangays to this place may have had experienced breathing problems caused by the foul smell coming from those dumped garbage.

Where it all started 40 years ago, Balatas Dumpsite was opened by the government. Since then, it created serious health problems to the people who lives nearby the dumping area.

It has been the host of 1,200 tons of stockpiled trash pestering the locals through emitting foul smells, resulting to being banned since 2003 pursuant to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9003).

Its journey During the term of former Mayor John Bongat with former vice mayor Nelson Legacion they

teamed up with City Engineer Leon B. Palmiano IV and Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO) head Engr. Joel P. Martin for the eventual closure of Balatas Dumpsite as they announced it during a press conference held at the mayor’s office last April 27, 2017.

Engr. Palmaino explained that the dumpsite would first be flattened by graders and the slopes patched up to avoid erosion of the landfill. After patching it would be covered by layers of soil for vegetation purposes.

What’s in? What’s out?

The current mayor and former vice mayor of Naga City, Mayor Nelson Legacion opens the new Sanitary Landfill situated in San Isidro on August 14, 2019. As the mayor opened the new landfill he then formally closed the Balatas dumpsite. It is said to be a 5,000 square meter facility that will be the center of waste management and processing of residual wastes. He imposed that the “No Segregation, No Collection Policy,” will be strictly implemented by the city. MRFs or Materials Recovery Facilities will be put up on every barangay and commercial establishments.

What’s next?

It is mentioned that approximately three years after the completion of the new sanitary landfill located at barangay San Isidro, the city plans to put up a waste-to-energy facility that is expected to generate additional energy from wastes and garbage collected.

censorship M atagal-tagal na rin ang nakalipas nang simulan ko ang kwento tungkol kay Marcelo, ngunit hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin matapos-tapos ang kwento. Wala akong matinong detalye na makuha sa kanya. Wala rin akong matandaan kung ano’ng nangyari at kung paano ako natakot na ipagpatuloy ito....

Alas Singko ng Umaga Pataas pa lang ang Araw: Nagsimula sa isang magandang umaga na natanggap ko mula kay Marcelo.

Isa siyang magaling na manunulat at mamamahayag sa isang kilalang pahayagan sa Maynila.

Isa rin siyang kritiko ng gobyerno at isang kilalang aktibista na lumalaban para karapatang pantao.

Mahilig siyang magsulat ng mga balita at mga opinyon patungkol sa gobyerno sa kung gaano ka dumi at ka gulo ang politika sa aming lugar sa kung saan talamak ang patayan. Samantalang ako’y isang nangangarap na maging katulad ng aking idolo na si Marcelo. Simula noong sumikat siya dahil sa pagiging matapang at magaling na mamamahayag, nagsimula na rin ang aking pagsusulat tungkol sa kwento niya. At doon din nagsimula ang aking pangarap na maging katulad ni Marcelo.

Alas Nwebe ng Umaga: Tinawag si Marcelo ng kanyang amo sa opisina, maya-maya pa’t lumabas siyang may ngiti sa labi at masaya. Binigyan siya ng napakahalagang artikulong isusulat para sa susunod na isyu bukas patungkol sa kaganapan ng droga sa aming lugar at pati na rin sa nangyari noong nakaraang eleksyon.

Tinanong ko siya kung paano siya gagawa ng anggulo dahil ako mismo ay takot sa kanyang isusulat na balita.

Ani niya: Isusulat ko lahat ng impormasyon na aking makukuha at lahat ng katotohanang makararating sa akin, upang mamulat ang bawat isang Pilipino magbabasa ng aking artikulo. Sa kung anong totoong nangyayari sa ating lipunan, sa ating lugar, sa bansang ating lupang sinilangan.

Alas Dose ng Tanghali: Panahon upang kumain ng pananghalian ngunit hindi ako

LITERARY DEMOCRAT | 21

nakakain, dahil sinama ako ni Marcelo sa kanyang lakad sa Tondo, may pupunutahan kaming isang “raid”, mayroong na kapag sabi na mayroong isang kilalang wanted sa lugar kung saan ay isa raw itong drug dealer. Ngunit pag dating namin sa lugar na nasabi wala ng taong naabotan ngunit may mga nakuhang matataas na klase ng baril at mga ipinagbabawal na droga.

Nagtanong tanong siya sa mga pulis kung anong nangyari sa kanilang operasyon.

Ani ng isang pulis; Mukhang may koneksyon sila sa taas, at mayroon silang protektor na pulis. Kaya sila ay nakapaghanda at nakatakas.

Alas Tres ng Hapon: Hindi mapakali si Marcelo, pabalik balik siyang naglalakad sa opisina na para bang may bumabagabag sa kanyang isipan. Natatandaan kong may na sabi siya sa akin noon na may nakita siyang isang may katungkulan sa gobyerno at isang pulis na nakikipag-usap sa isang stranghero sa kanto, ang pulis na nakita niya ay nandoon rin nung isagawa ang raid sa Tondo. Hindi pa rin siya mapalagay kaya lumabas kami upang magyosi.

Ngunit bago pa man masindihan ni Marcelo ang sigarilyong hawak ay biglang may dumating na dalawang lalake na naka-angkas sa isang motorsiklo at pinagbabaril siya.

Tumakbo ako dahil sa takot ko na baka pati ako’y madamay.

Alas sais ng Gabi: Nasa ospital ako kasama ang aking pamilya at mga kaibigan ni Marcelo.

Dalawang bala sa ulo at isa sa dibdib ang tinamo niya. Dineklarang “dead on arrival” ng doktor. Hindi makilala kung sinong may gawa o sino ang may sala.

Alas Dyes na ng Gabi at nakasilip ang Buwan: Magsisindi ako ng kandila Sa harap ng aming maliit na altar sa sala Sa harap ng piktyur ni kuya Mahigit isang taon na rin nang mawala si kuya Hindi ko parin tapos ang artikulo Dahil wala na ang bida ‘Di ko rin alam kung anong karugtong nito Wala na rin akong matandaan kung Saan, Paano, at Bakit ko sinulat ito.

Dahil hanggang ngayon takot parin ako Kahit ang gusto ko lang at gusto ni kuya; Magsulat Magsalita Magmulat Manindigan sa tama Maging isang Ganap na malayang mamamahayag.

‘Tis a time worn vessel sat by the patio Subdued crackles escape a relic radio Hymns in frequency fuse silent solitude Distant reverie of elaborate masks in multitude Streaks of silver strands, frame her masked guise No one dared peer unto profound abysmal eyes Pedestrians saunter with purposeful strides; she sighs No one ever bothers to stop and say their hellos and goodbyes “All the world’s a stage” as William Shakespeare wrote And all throughout she played her part Young lass with big dreams set forth, embark!

Impalpable mask splattered with colours of spring Into the blues of youth, she sings Adorned with rose tinted shades that blissful summer Oh bashful one, pondering the prospect of a lover Witness a veil worn, vows sworn, hear the wedding bells ring Dandelion visage reflects her own, young ones rally at her feet Laughter erupts, thankful for a life so sweet Not long, sons and daughters grown Capable of playing a role of their own

Naught chopins’ nocturne can ease an old soul He fashioned a domino mask befitting of a hero Now the beldam peelsoff her technicoloured façade World weary, wrinkled countenance laid bare Theatrical flare of comedy and tragedy, do not despair For she lived life fruitfully, truthfully- an extraordinaire What does it mean to be human?

To be a father or a mother? A sister or a brother?

A friend, a foe?

A fulfilled entrepreneur or a drone?

Life is not always black and white, it is a trial of attribution We, a thousand quivering leaves Attached to societal branches We, humans genetical thieves

The gloom cast asunder wretched hearts Her husband had passed, naught mozart,

B BY

JU

BY B N IG ES O ED ND PAG RA

ICS PH GRA

M N

V Y Y DE LE VIO LO ST LE S S ER TA AN ISIP TO S

ask

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Yearning chameleons, odd synthetic azaleas A special skin, an elaborate color scheme We wear specific masks to boost our self esteem No matter what predicament, we cope, we strive Our ego manning the rudder, a quite elusive drive All the picture perfect smiles on profile pictures A power struggle portraying a perfect life Frustrations real, the

chameleon persona dominates the field Be dignified, shed the foul skin, pave a road to authenticity. We like to be called special, one with superior qualities

t i e h i e fr

Yet this too is a trap cast by our ego’s anxieties Superiority is an illusion devised by the psych Humans share likeness yet no two are alike There are times when you must step up to be a leader When all your life you were just one of the believers Wearing a mask isn’t so bad, if it makes you braver If it liberates you from your ideal self, do not waver Let your inexperience turn into reverence We all admire someone; a role model to look up to Emulate their stance, their actions, borrow confidence Taylor it, now call it your own and start anew If the predicament demands brutal honesty If you see that something is not right Wear the mask of anonymity Detach the agreeable self and everything will be alright Wearing a mask when the situation demands Does not make of a fraud or a fool It takes courage to admit one’s weakness We fake it till we make it work Masks are merely training wheels no more no less Notice how some arguments are paradoxical, non the less There will come a time, a reason, a season to shed Lift all your worries, smooth sailing is ahead.

R TA ES

E

ON

EZ

LA

E

AH

IM

MU

SA

OK

LE

TY

ES

F LI

MU

LA

SA

PH

ILIP

PIN

NI CHAREY MAE ALVARADO

DEBUHO NG PAHINA NI REX GARING

HE

medalya

IMA

Kaligtasan kaYSA

SPORTS DEMOCRAT | 25

K

ahit sa anumang larangan, ang bawat manlalaro ay nagpupursige upang manalo.

Wala na ngang mas sasaya pa sa isang atletang halos abot - kamay na ang inaasam na titulo. Ngunit, may mga hindi inaasahang pagkakataong may atletang malalagay ang buhay sa alanganin at may isa ring atletang handang isaalang-alang ang makuha ang kampeonato para sa kalaban.

Kasabay ng maiinit na mga laro ay ang pagdating ng Bagyong Tisoy sa Pilipinas kaya`t isa ang Surfing sa pinakamahirap laro sa SEA Games ngayon taon dahil sa masungit na panahon.

Tatlong beses man naantala natuloy ito subalit dumating ang hindi inaasahang pangyayari na gumulantang sa karera ni Roger.

Si Roger Casugay, isang magaling na surfer mula sa La Union, kalahok ng 30th Southeast Asian Games. Walang alinlangan niyang tinitulungan ang kanyang kakompetensiya galing Indonesia na si Arip Nurhdayat na nilamon ng malaking alon at tuluyang nahulog mula sa board nito.

Milyong mga tao ang pumuri sa kabayanihang kanyang pinamalas sa gitna ng kompetisyon na hindi inisip na maaaring siyang matalo o ang mismo niyang kaligtasan. Ang kanyang kabayanihan ay nakaabot sa presidente ng Indonesia na nagbigay din ng papuri at pasasalamat. Binigyan din siya ng karangalan bilang Athlete of the Month para sa buwan ng Disyembre ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS).

Ang nagawa ni Roger ay hindi nalalayo sa ibang mga naging kilala sa larangan ng surfing.

Tulad nila Duke Kahanamoku, Laird Hamilton, Kelly Slater at Miki Dora na gumuhit sa kasaysayan sa kanya-kanyang panahon.

Tubong Hawaii si Duke Kahanamoku, tinaguriang Father of Modern Surfing. Nalagpasan niya ang world record na 4.6 segundo para 100 yards (91 meters) freestyle sa Honolulu Harbor.

Pinakilala niya rin ang surfing sa Australia at New Zealand. Minahal siya ng tao di lang dahil sa kanyang galing kung hindi dahil nasa puso niya ay tumulong.

Kinilala bilang world’s best big wave surfers naman si Laird Hamilton dahil sa pagsakay

Walang alinlangan niyang tinutulungan ang kanyang kakompetensiya galing Indonesia na si Arip Nurhdayat na nilamon ng malaking alon at tuluyang nahulog mula sa board nito. niya sa “Millennium Wave” at Teahupo’o in the year 2000 na sinsabing pinakamalaking alon sa panahong iyon. Kilala rin siya bilang isang model, producer, TV host, fitness and nutrition expert, stuntman, at author. Naniniwala siya na ang surfing ay isang malikhaing paggawa na hindi lamang nagpapadala sa gantimpala.

Kelly Slater, ‘The Greatest Surfer of All Time dahil sa murang edad na labing-isa ay naging mahusay na siyang surfer at nag-uwi ng mga di matatawarang mga parangal. Nagpagawa rin siya ng pool para sa mga manlalaro ng surfing na kilala sa bantog na “Slater Wave Pool”. Nakakalikha ito ng 50 uri ng alon at inabot ito ng dekada para magawa.

Si Miki Dora naman ay tinaguriang ‘Da Cat’ dahil sa kakaiba niyang pagtayo sa board at ‘ultranimble’ footwork. Isang misteryoso at mahusay na surfer na kinilala bilang first superstar of the surfing world.

Gaya nila, si Roger ay gumuhit ng panibagong kasaysayang sa larong surfing. Ito ay ang piliin ang kaligtasan ng kanyang kalaban kaysa sa medalya.

Ang kanyang kabayanihang nagawa ay hindi matatawaran ng anumang parangal na kanyang natatanggap kung hindi ang habambuhay na pasasalamat sa pagsagip sa buhay ng kalaban.

26 | DEMOCRAT SPORTS

Social Media...

UNIFIED STRENGTH. Greyhounds unfold red and gray sports spirit in BUCAL Season 3.

PHOTO BY JOHNELL CABUSAS AND WORDS BY JESSEBEL NIEVA

Greyhound exhibits exemplar run in BUCAL Season 3 NI JOELYN ARLANTE

Despite the deficiencies against NCF Tigers, UNC Greyhound poured out striking play on the recently wrapped-up game of Bicol Universities and Colleges Athletic League (BUCAL) Season 3 Seniors Division, Semifinals last September 29.

The first minute quarter flew swiftly with both teams nudging each other to score. Tigers’ determination flashed through their whips and movements, but Greyhounds got their steadfast ability acquiring their first 3-points shot. The heat intensified the floor with first quarter technical violation and apiece scores. Tigers bragged out their 3-point scores in the last 40 seconds, but was invalidated as Greyhounds claimed the first quarter win, 21-20.

As the rivals generously showed off in the first minute of second quarter, back-toback steals and power were drawn. The intensity heightened through the solid and continuous steals which led them to a constant 1-point deficit score.

Nonetheless, Greyhound tried to maneuver the game, trying to stretch the gap in spite of the stalwart play of Tigers. In the last minute, the score rose up to 25-apiece which triggered NCF to commit offensive fouls and warning for technical. By what happened, UNC victorED in a close match battle, 36-35.

The third quarter marked

as the limit of NCF Tigers who showered points and baskets, extending the lead to 8 points.

UNC then strengthened their offense and held a firm grasp on their standing. But the opposing team bounced back and blew 6-point advantage snatching the victor, 58-52.

After the sturdy performance of Greyhound, NCF tied them down by maintaining an immense gap that tinted Greyhounds’ striking offense.

Although, several attempts to lower the gap, UNC cut back the lead to 1 point. But since they were being worn-out by exhaustion, Greyhounds lost their play which gives NCF Tigers the opportunity to hit back a 3-point shot declaring them as the BUCAL Season 3 Basketball Senior’s Division champion, 7569.

Coach Alven Lumberio admitted that the lack of competitiveness of the team since most of the players are new, but he emphasized that the outcome was a product of a good fight.

“I was actually happy with how the team performed during the game. The players, our Greyhounds, performed at their best. It’s not about the winning, it’s how they perform, it’s how they show their interest to win.

It was a good game for us.”

Lumberio stated “For me, I don’t [want to] assure the school but hopefully next BUCAL Season, we [will come to] strengthen our school spirit. Hopefully, more UNCeans would come to watch our game and support the team,” he added.

Yes Daddy...

FROM 10

jurors of the court are confused as however as to why the case was brought to an American court, when they did not see her as a thief. Many of them said, non-verbatim, “These crimes may have been committed by Mr. Marcos, but they did not believe that the evidence struck against her.”

So, okay, that answers everything of Imelda’s lavish spending where she was deemed as “world-class shopper,” not to mention her thousand shoe collection and many mouth-watering possessions.

Yes, daddy, harder! Let them dirty politicians penetrate the line up of our governing body or even the society by letting them run free.

This is a good one; what position allows you to finger while riding real hard with a slightly arched back. Clue; can be messy sometimes cuz that’s the way how things are done. You know this one!

For the second time, it’s the position called, politician. We know that with enough lustful temptation on their desk, just sitting there with arched back, and with the power they have to move the strings with their finger, their job can be messy (though with enough “support”, it can be real clean”. The humour there is, since it’s understandable that it got to be like that sometime, why not yank them free from their suppose straps; and since they’re experienced anyway of committing that mess such as thieving, why not allow them to do their expertise of raping the Filipino people, because anyway that’s what happening. With all these histories of corruption in our country and all the mistakes, it should serve as a lesson not as a manual to which is now becoming one.

MULA

4

kaalaman sa paggamit nito mas madali silang mauto at malagay sa masamang sitwasyon.

Karamihan sa kanila ay nabibiktima ng sexual abuse at child exploitation dahil na rin sa mabilis maaccess ang social media maaaring makapunta sila sa sites na naglalaman ng mga imahe ng taong nakahubad, palabas na malalaswa o pornograpiya. May mga pangyayari rin na maagang nae-expose ang mga bata sa mga malalaswang bagay ay dahil sa mga impluwensya ng mga matatanda, maaaring nakikita sila o di kaya’y ibinubugaw nila ang mga bata para makakuha ng pera sa mga foreigner. Hindi lang mga bata, may mga kaso rin ng mga teenagers na ng dahil sa curiosity at impluwensya ng mga kaibigan ay natutukso at nawiwili ng manood ng bawal at dahil mga teenagers na may mga nabubuhay ng hormones sa katawan na maaaring makaapekto sa kanila at magdala ng responsibilidad na pang habang buhay.

Dahil din sa kalayaang tinatamasa natin sa paggamit ng social media minsan ay nasosobrahan na, katulad na lamang ng pagpapahayag ng sarili. Hindi kailangan na lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay mo ay kailangan i-post o i-share sa maraming tao.

Hindi lahat ay kilala ka at hindi lahat ay may malasakit sa nararamdaman mo. May mga makikisimpatya ngunit karamihan ay may mga masasamang intensyon na ang layunin ay siraan ka gamit mismo ang mga salitang binitawan mo nang walang pag-aalinlangan.

Nitong mga nakaraang taon naging maiinit na isyu ang tungkol sa suicide. Marami akong nababasa sa aking news feed na depressed, may anxiety at kung ano ano pang nakababahala. Karamihan sa kanila ay mga kabataan katulad ko. Marahil ay wala silang mapagsabihan ng kanilang nararamdaman na kalungkutan at problema kaya’t sa social media na lamang nila inilalabas lahat.

Ayon sa isang pag-aaral noong 2012 nina David D. Luxton,PhD, Jennifer D. June,BA, at Jonathan M. Fairall, BS, isa sa mga dahilan ng pagpapakamatay ng isang tao ay ang social media dahil karamihan ay nakararanas ng cyberbullying at cyber harassment. Sa isa pang pag-aaral nina Jean M. Twenge, Thomas E. Joiner, Megan L. Rogers at Gabrielle N. Martin noong 2017, nabanggit na ang mga kabataang maraming inilalaan na oras sa social media ay maaaring may mental health issue.

Bukod sa Mental Health Law or Republic Act 11036, mayroon rin na facebook page na “Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines”. Isa itong closed Facebook group kung saan pwedeng ilabas lahat ng mga tao ang kanilang mga nararamdaman, layuning mabawasan ang kaso ng mental health issues. Masasandalan naman ang aming Guidance and Services Office sa aming unibersidad, dahilan upang huwag dumepende ng makukunan ng lahat ng payo sa social media.

Napakahirap magtiwala, naranasan ko yan ngunit mas mahirap kung naibigay mo sa mga maling tao. Kaya sinisigurado ko, kinikilala ko muna bago magtiwala dahil mahirap na sa panahon ngayon. Hindi ko rin hinahayaang lamunin ako ng aking emosyon at sistema ng social media. Piling-pili lamang ang aking mga ibinabahaging impormasyon.

Ako na mismo ang naglilimita sa aking sarili dahil ayokong mapahamak.

SPORTS DEMOCRAT | 27

RISING STAR. Gilas Pilipinas’ young star, Kai Sotto joins The Skill Factory (TSF} and might be the first Filipino to dawn NBA jersey.

PHOTO FROM INQUIRER.NET AND WORDS BY JESSEBEL NIEVA

Kai Sotto most talked about to be the first Filipino NBA Player, joins TSF NI JESSEBEL NIEVA

The 7-foot-2 prodigy Kai Sotto publicizes his inclusion in The Skill Factory (TSF) through his YouTube video last November 8.

As defined in the website, TSF is a Jr. NBA-affiliated program that focuses on players’ development wherein professional training and coaching services are being offered which have been availed by NBA stars James Harden and John Wall.

With Sotto looking forward to be

the next in line, joining TSF is the next step in his goal to become the first Filipino NBA player.

“Ever since I was young I dreamed of making it to the NBA and being one of the greatest players. It would be very big for my family and the country too,” Sotto uttered in the 247 Sports interview.

After moving to TSF, Sotto made an immediate impression after posting a double-double on his debut.

The 18 points and 12 rebounds came in a close 6-point lead defeat to IMG Academy, 67-61, his first game of high school basketball in USA. He was able to standby that strong start, leaving Putnam Science Academy 20 points and five rebounds, and 14 points and seven rebounds contrary to

St. Thomas More.

In due consideration of Sotto’s performances for TSF, according to a talent coach and former NBA player, coach Chuck Person, Kai’s IQ is exceptional and he sees him being a star going forward in the NBA. Before setting to compete in numerous US basketball club tournaments like the Georgia Elite 8 and NBA Academy Games and international tournaments such as the GLOBALJAM Gran Canaria in Spain, Sotto’s records in his recent years was undeniably outstanding.

Playing for Ateneo Blue Eaglets basketball team, the 17-year-old then led them to a UAAP junior’s championship in 2018. With an average of 17 points over game finals, he was hailed as MVP in the said event.

Afterwards, he was headed to FIBA U16 Asian championships in April 2018 in Foshan, China where Sotto completed 54 points, 42 rebounds, and 9 blocks in two games against Japan and China.

Philippines’ triumph over Japan sent them to the June U17 World Cup in Argentina in which Sotto steered the team to their highest finish.

Bicolanong Atleta namayagpag sa 30th SEA Games 2019 NI KENN DANIEL MONTECILLO

Naging matagumpay ang Pilipinas sa 30th South East Asian Games matapos humakot ng 387 medalya kung saan ilan sa mga ito ay ambag ng mga Bicolanong atleta na ginanap noong Nobyembre 30 hanggang ika-11 ng Disyembre 2019 dito mismo sa Pilipinas.

149 mula sa 387 medalyang nalikom ng Pilipinas ay ginto na dahilan para maukupa ng Pilipinas ang unang puwesto at matalo ang 10 iba pang bansa. Nanguna ang Pilipinas sa medal tally na sinundan ng Vietnam at Thailand. Ilan sa mga medalyang nakolekta ng Pilipinas ay naibahagi ng mga atletang Bicolano na naglaro sa iba’t-ibang isports.

Isa sa mga nagbigay karangalan sa ating bansa ay ang tubong Mercedes, Camarines Norte na si Melcah Jen Caballero. Naiuwi ng Bicolana athlete ang 2 gintong medalya matapos magpamalas ng gilas at galing sa larong Rowing sa kategoryang Double women

scull at lightweight single women scull.

Ayon sa isang panayam ng The Manila Times kay Melcah Jen, nabanggit nya na isang paghahanda ang naging laban nila sa 30TH SEA Games para sa qualifying rounds papunta sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics, kung saan malaki ang posibilidad na muli nanamang maiwagayway ang bandila ng Piipilnas at makilala ang mga ang atletang Pilipino at manlalarong Bicolano sa international stage. Kasama ni Melcah na tumuntong sa podium para tanggapin ang gintong medalya sa double women scull ang kapwa Bicolana na mula naman sa Iriga City, Camarines Sur na si Joanie Delgaco.

Mula naman sa Libaman, Camarines Sur matagumpay na nasungkit ni Mark Harry Diones ang pilak na medalya para sa Pilipinas.

Nagawang iuwi ng 26 taong gulang na Bicolanong atleta ang panalo sa laro na Men’s Triple Jump. Labis ang kasiyahan ni G. Maximo Diones, ama ni Mark Harry sa tagumpay na nakamit ng anak. Sabi niya, simula pagkabata marami ng achievements ang natanggap ni Mark Harry mula sa iba’t-ibang kompetisyon.

Tiniyak naman nila ang suporta kay

SAGWAN NG TAGUMPAY. Matagumpay na ipananalo ni Melcah Jen Caballero ang gintong medalya sa nakaraang Southeast Asian Games(SEA Games) noong nakaraang ika-walo ng Disyembre dalawang libó’t labing-siyam. IMAHE MULA SA INQUIRER.NET AT SALITA NI JAYVIE BUENAAGUA

Mark Harry anuman ang plano nito sa buhay, banggit niya sa isang panayam sa Bombo Radyo.

“Bicol, this is for you”,yan ang mga katagang binitawan ng Legazpeno na si Nino Modejar matapos nyang makamit ang bronze medal sa sport na Combat sambo,. Nagsimula si Nino Modejar bilang isang basketball varisty player sa isang unibersidad sa Naga City at sibukan ang sport na Jiu Jitsu hanggang sa mapunta sa Sambo na isang uri ng Russian Martial Arts.

“To all my fellow Bicolano atheletes, never ever give up. Keep working hard because you have the talent, believe in yourself even when things get hard, trust me it will be worth it”, ibinahagi ni Nino

sa isang panayam niya sa Bicol Stand.

Dagdag pa niya,”Hopefully I see more home-grown Bicolano athletes (like me) in the next SEA Games or Asian Games. Please support our athletes in whatever way possible. #WeWinAsOne.” Ilan lamang sina Melcah, Mark Harry at Nino sa madami pang manlalarong Bicolano na patuloy na nagwawagayway ng pangalan ng Pilipinas sa larangan ng palakasan. Hangad ng tatlo, na gaya nila madami pang manlalarong Pilipino at Bicolano ang patuloy na mahalin ang isports at maging determinado sa larangan nilang napili. Umaasa din sila na mas mamumukadkad pa ang sports lalo na dito sa Bicol region kung saan sila sumibol.