The DEMOCRAT Volume LXVIII Issue No. III by The DEMOCRAT

FOR A FREER STUDENT PRESS

March 2021 • May 2021 Vol. LXVIII Issue III

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LXVIII

index

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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT-MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES

Editorial Board & Staff A.Y. 2020-2021

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor-in-Chief John Paul Borito Associate Editor Norene Cantor Managing Editor Rex Garing News Editor Kenn Daniel Montecillo Features & Patrick Joseph Literary Editor Panambo Filipino Editor Charey Mae Alvarado Arts Director Lester Isip Web Director & Brandon Jon Circulation Manager De Los Santos

FEATURES 3 4 5 6 7

Ang Magpasiil sa Manlulupig Bayang Magiliw di Pasisiil Just do it: Using Eisenhower’s Insight to Survive Distance Academy • Behind the Curve • Has Pandemic Fatigue Taken its Troll? Babae ako, Hindi Babae Lang

LAMPOON 8

NEWS

Tingog Kan Unibersidad Obal

17 • EACC ripples kindness; initiates community pantry benefiting UNC staffs • Chance and power to choose who is best suited to lead the country - UNCeans to voter registration

DEVCOMM 10

The Final Wave

EDITORIAL 11

APPRENTICES

Empty Rooms of Improvement

Jonna Mae Bagasbas / Raymond Balote Trisha Bañas / Rose Clavano / Darwin Escaro Cyen Esclanda / Neil Andrew Formalejo Jhezylle Faye Loria / Berlineth Nymia Montes Rachelle Paja / Dinalyn Reñon Christian Reganit / Irish Sierda

CONTRIBUTORS * BROADCASTING

• UNC FilmSoc’s “Akda” conquers SILAB DOS Uno 2021 • Montes inihalal na CY Mayor; ilan pang UNCeano pasok sa CYO 2021

Jean Aquino Lean Adria Capistrano * Jonas Corporal * Aila Joy Esperida Lemmuel Pancha * Earl Dwight Serrado * Kyra Fermel Victoria * Maria Juvy Lea Violeta

19 • “We might be young and still have a lot to learn but our voice still matters,” - Bienvenuto sa IMUN Online Conference LITERARY • Petisyon para sa Gender-Inclusive Dress Code ng mga magsisipagtapos, 12 Spreading the Virus: Need for an Antidote? aprubado 20

OPINION 14 15 16

Panawagan sa tutang may suot na tsapa Pissed of Peace Points of You

• SJF, The Democrat nanguna sa paglulunsad ng Project AKI

SPORTS

21 • UNC Taekwondo team conquers online competition, bags number of medals • Salazar, triumphs in Cong Harold Alianza Pakawat 5 Regional OL Chess Tourney Kauna-unahang UNC Greyhound Online Chess Tournament, Abot-kayang Nailunsad

LGBTQ+ Involvement in Sports

LXVIII

ON THE COVER WORDS BY KENN DANIEL MONTECILLO CONCEPT & GRAPHICS BY BRANDON DELOS SANTOS DIGITALIZED COVER & LAYOUT BY LESTER ISIP

TECHNICAL ADVISER Shirley A. Genio Mark Philip Paderan

MEMBERS

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

OFFICE

Right-Wing, Sports Palace University of Nueva Caceres J. Hernandez Ave., Naga City, Philippines, 4400

thedemocrat@unc.edu.ph

Now Showing: Political Circus The repetitive loop that reflects yesterday’s agony and abyss forms a chain of mockery that inhibits the truth from the public’s eye. The killing of the truth results in the death of people, and the death of people results in the oppressor’s victory. Clowns’ constant staging of deceiving tricks turns people into marionettes - lifeless, and devoid of liberty. The same hands that are cuffed to the chain of mockery hold the rope that will bring the curtain down. Choose to resist, insist, and persist!

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03 | DEMOCRAT FEATURE

Ang Magpasiil sa Manlulupig NI Neil Andrew Formalejo Sa murang kaisipan, minulat na tayo sa madilim na kasaysayan ng bansa. Ito ay noong ang Pilipinas ay alipin pa ng mga dayuhang mananakop tulad ng bansang Espanya, Estados Unidos at Hapon. Ayon sa Lupang Hinirang, ang Pilipinas ay duyan ng magiting at di pasisiil sa manlulupig. Kung susuriin, ito ay pagbibigay-pugay sa magigiting na Pilipino na lumaban sa mga mananakop na nagkulong sa bansa sa sarili nilang lupa. Mahigit isang siglo na ang nakaraan ngunit ang bakas ng madilim nating kasaysayan ay ramdam pa rin; mula sa kolonyal na kaisipan ng ibang Pilipino, pagkabura ng ilang kultura dahil sa impluwensya ng bansang mananakop, at ang untiunting pagbangon ng Pilipinas mula rito. Ngunit sa kasalukuyang panahon ay parang nauulit muli ang madilim na kasaysayan ng pananakop. Ang soberanya ng Pilipinas ay harap-harapang binabastos at inaatake ng isa na namang dayuhan. Ang bansang Tsina ay untiunting inaangkin ang West Philippine Sea na parte ng Exclusive Economic Zone ng Pilipinas, sa pamamagitan ng pagtayo ng kampo-militar, paggawa ng artipisyal na isla, at pagmimina ng mga natural na yaman dito. Inaatake rin ng mga Chinese Military Vessel ang mga maliliit na mangingisdang Pilipino sa sarili nating teritoryo. Hindi sikreto ang plano ng bansang Tsina sa pagkolonisa sa iba’t ibang parte ng Timog Asya. Biktima nito ang maraming bansa tulad ng Taiwan at India. Ang kaibahan lamang nila sa Pilipinas, ilan sa mga bansang ito ay ipinaglalaban ang kanilang soberanya at karapatan. Matatandaang mayroon ng resolusyon na ibinigay ang United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) noong taong 2016 ukol sa isyung ito; ang West Philippine Sea ay pag-aari ng Pilipinas. Limang taon na ang nakararaan nang manalo ang Pilipinas sa arbitration case nito laban sa bansang Tsina, ngunit hanggang ngayon, patuloy pa rin ang kanilang ilegal na operasyon sa West Philippine Sea. Isang malaking katanungan ay kung kahit mayroon nang legal na basehan na sa atin ang pinag-aagawang teritoryo, saan ba sila kumukuha ng lakas ng loob para patuloy na alipustahin ang soberanya ng Pilipinas? Ang simpleng sagot ay dahil hinahayaan ito ng kasalukuyang administrasyon. Noong kampanya ng ngayong Pangulong

Rodrigo Duterte, malakas ang paninindigan nitong ipaglalaban niya ang karapatan ng Pilipinas laban sa paunti-unting pananakop ng bansang Tsina. Sa paglipas ng kanyang pamamahala, mapapansing paunti-unting lumalambot ang puso niya sa bansang Tsina. Sa katunayan ay mga ilang beses siyang nakipagpulong sa pangulo ng Tsina na si Xi Jing Ping upang makipagkasundo. Kung titingnan, ayon mismo sa mga eksperto, pwede na itong maging basehan ng pagtataksil dahil ito’y labag sa soberanya ng bansa. Gaya na lang noong taong 2019 kung saan sinabi niyang “Pwede ba silang makapangisda? Syempre, ito’y nasa kasunduan namin.” Sa kontekstong kung ang mangingisdang galing sa Tsina ay pwedeng mangisda sa Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. Maaalala ring ginagawang biro lamang ng administrasyong ito ang usapin. Sa isang pagpupulong noong taong 2018, kung saan marami sa kalahok ay negosyanteng ChineseFilipino, pagkatapos paulanan ng papuri si Xi Jing Ping dahil sinigurado raw nito na hindi magtatayo ng kung ano sa pinag-aagawang Scarborough Shoal, siya ay nagbiro na pwede ring gawing “Probinsya ng Tsina” ang Pilipinas. Dagdag pa ng ating Pangulo, payag siyang magbahagi ng langis ng Pilipinas sa Tsina kung saan 2/3 sa atin at 1/3 sa kanila dahil mayaman na naman daw ang kanilang bansa. Sa mga nakaraang pahayag ng pangulo ukol sa usaping panteritoryo, sinabi niyang siya ay inutil at siya’y walang magawa. Lahat ng kapabayaang ito ng administrasyon na mistulang sila pa ang nag-uudyok sa paglapastangan sa soberanya ng Pilipinas ay nagpapalakas ng loob sa Tsina na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang mithiing paunti-unting kamkamin ang atin. Noong Marso 20,2021, ibinoses ng National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS) ang kanilang pagkabahala dahil sa may mga namataang mahigit sa 220 Chinese Vessel na pinaniniwalaang Chinese maritime militia na umaaligid sa Julian Felipe R e e f, malapit sa kanluran n g Bartaza, Palawan. Una itong namataan noong Marso 7, 2021 at sa unang akala ay ito’y Chinese fishing vessel. Ngunit wala

GUHIT NI BRANDON JON DELOS SANTOS DEBUHO NG PAHINA NI ROSE CLAVANO

naman itong palatandaang may pangingisdang ginagawa. Dito na naging malinaw na hindi lamang ito pangkaraniwan. Ang pahayag ng pangulo dito ay kapag ipinaglaban daw ng Pilipinas ang karapatan nito sa sariling teritoryo, magbubunga ito ng digmaan. Ang pahayag na ito ay pinabulaanan ng marami dahil ang ibang bansa nga ay nagagawang ipaglaban ang karapatan nila sa kanilang teritoryo nang walang digmaang nangyayari. Akalain mong mismong miyembro pa ng mamamayang Pilipino ang bumubugaw sa ating lupain. Kaylayo nito sa kinagisnan nating kwento ng mga bayaning ipinagtanggol ang ating soberanya mula sa mga dayuhang mananakop. Sa kasalukuyan, mahirap maging Pilipino kung mismong ang mga namumuno ay isinusuka ang sarili niyang bayan.

Bayang Magiliw 'di Pas isiil FEATURE DEMOCRAT | 04

NI Patrick Joseph Panambo

Baril laban sa baril. Tungkulin kontra mga salita. Pwesto, ang daang naging hadlang. Kaibigang harap-harapang tumatalikod.

Terorismo—ang paggamit ng sinasadyang walang pakundangang karahasan bilang isang paraan upang lumikha ng malaking takot sa masa; o takot na makamit ang layunin ng pananalapi, pampolitika, relihiyon o ideolohikal. Samakatuwid, ang mga tao o grupong gumagamit ng pamamaraang ito ay matatawag na terorista. Ngunit sino nga ba ang tunay na manlulupig? Sa kasalukuyang panahong malaya ang takbo ng mga balita, hindi lingid sa kamalayan ang mga pangyayaring pinagmumulan ng diskursiyo at alitan. Nakapagtatakang isang layunin lang ang hangarin pero tensyon lang ang palaging namamayani. Kaninong tinig ang pakikinggan? Komunistang Organisasyon Tanyag ang salitang NPA sa ginagalawang bansa. Isang organisasyong kalaban lang mismo ang gobyerno, kapitalista, sistemang sa tingin nila ay hindi tama o mga gawing hindi nagpapataas sa mga mahihirap. Ayon sa kanila, kailan ba kumampi ang mga nasa itaas sa magsasaka at mahihirap? AFP at PNP na tanging ginawa ay ang magsagawa ng demolisyon, pagbuwag sa mga welga, na ang sigaw lamang din ay kaayusan. Sa kabilang banda, ayon sa Philippine Army, ang tunay na anyo ng Communist Party of the Philippines/ New People’s Army (CPP/NPA) ay ang manira, manggulo, at maghasik ng karahasan. Patunay nga rito ang kanilang panununog ng mga naglalakihang kagamitan tulad ng backhoe at marami pa, planong magpabagsak ng kinabukasan at iba pa. Totoong tungkulin ng mga pulis at iba pa ang kaayusan at seguridad ng bawat tao, ngunit maraming kaso rin ang makikita sa kanilang paggamit ng dahas at kapangyarihan laban sa sibilyan na madalas ding humahantong sa kamatayan. Ngunit ‘di rin naman bago sa makakaliwang grupo ang pagpaslang. Pero ayon kay Johnny Antillon, tunggali noong 1954 sa pangangatwiran, mas natatakot ang mga pangkaraniwang tao sa mga militar, pulis at iba pa kaysa sa komunista. At makikita rin ito ngayon dahil sa sunod-sunod na agresibong pag-atake, pag-akusa, at pagkitil ng mga pulis—ang taong ating dapat ay taga-protekta ngayon ay iniiwasan pa.

Aktibista Ang inaakalang kalaban ng sambayanan. Mga nagkakaisang utak ng kamalayan; reklamador daw ng bayan. Sila nga ang madalas na binabantayan ng gobyerno at ng kapulisan, umabot pa nga ito sa pag-aakusa nang walang ebidensya o ang red-tagging. Mga taong uhaw sa tamang sistema at umay sa bulok na liderato. Sila ang boses ng bayan. Sigaw ng katotohanan. Nang dahil nga sa pagiging kritiko ng gobyerno at pagsisiwalat ng kamalian nito, marami na ang hinuli ng mga pulis kahit pa wala silang nilalabag na batas. Kung kaya’t pagtatanim umano ng ebidensya ang kanilang ginagawa at pag-aangkop na sila’y kasapi ng terorismo. Nakatatakot isiping ang mga taong nagnanais ng maayos na pamamalakad at pantay na karapatang pantao ang siyang nagiging masama sa mata ng gobyerno at ng ilang Pilipino. Posisyon Nangakong ipagtatanggol laban sa Tsino. Pagbabago ang pinakanais na konsepto. Pero ano nga bang nangyari sa kasalukuyang termino? Isang taon na lamang ay tapos na ang kanyang pamumuno, isang taon na rin ang nakalipas pero ‘di pa rin nakababangon ang bansa mula sa pandemya at pagbagsak ng ekonomiya. Hindi mailabas ang likidasyon ng kanilang trilyones na utang. Hindi kayang protektahan ang sariling pagmamay-ari ng bansa laban sa mga Tsinong pasok sa depinisyon ng terorismo. Bilang pinakamataas na posisyon; pinagkatiwalaan ng karamihan sa Pilipino, naging mistulang kaaway sa sariling bansang pinalalakad. Ito dapat ang pangunahing pamamaraan upang malutas ang mga problema, ngunit para lang pala siya’y makapagmura. Tensyon sa Karagatan Ang kaibigang hindi ka sinaksak patalikod, kundi harapharapan.

Hindi sa pamamaraang tahimik, bagkus isinawalat pa sa mundo. Lugar kung saan unang naitala ang bayrus— Tsina. Araw-araw na laman ng balita ang isyu sa bulgarang pag-angkin ng mga Tsino sa sariling karagatan ng Pilipinas. Bagamat napatunayang pagmamay-ari ito ng bansa, pinabubulaanan naman ito ng Tsina at tuwirang sinabing ‘di nila ito susundin. Kung kaya’t mas naiipit na naman ang mga mangingisda kontra sa isang malaking bansa. Terorismo—ang paggamit ng sinasadyang walang pakundangang karahasan bilang isang paraan upang lumikha ng malaking takot sa masa. Sakto sa ideya’t ginagawa ng Tsina. Pero wala ang mga pulis upang patigilin ang nangyayari; ikasa ang baril at itutok hindi sa mamamayan. Wala rin ang mga komunista marahil hindi ito ang kapitalista. Hindi rin kayang murahin ang mga mananakop pero pinaulanan niya ang mga Pilipino. At ang mga aktibista ay patuloy na nag-iiingay sa kung ano ang dapat na gawin ng pamahalaan, mapakalsada man o social media. Malinaw na mayroong isang malaking impostor o manlulupig. Pero kapwa Pilipino na lang ata ang kayang sikilin. Marahil mayroon ding terorista sa loob ng Pilipinas, ngunit nakataya ang pag-aari ng Pilipinas sa lantarang tulisang ito. Minsan nang nakalaya ang bansa at nakamit ang kalayaan, ‘wag na hahayaang mawala ito. At higit sa lahat sa traydor na Pilipino. Ang Pilipinas ay pag-aari ng mga Pilipino, hindi ng kahit sino at hindi ng gobyerno.

GUHIT NI DINALYN RENON DEBUHO NG PAHINA NI ROSE CLAVANO

05 | DEMOCRAT FEATURE

Just Do It:

Using Eisenhower’s Insight to Survive Distance Academy by Norene Cantor

n the same ocean, on the same boat; you find yourself just going in circles despite the thought you have traveled miles. Don’t worry, it may not be because you don’t know where to go and how to get there. Maybe it’s just that the ocean is exponentially expanding, and you surely don’t deserve to get lost. Nobody does. Within a year, the hurt in the Philippine educational system has been felt worse than the pre-pandemic days. The wound has been there—the poor curriculum design, the lack of resources, and the least prioritized inclusivity. Even before, the system doesn’t give enough investment for studentcentered learning; it is more focused on reinforcing memory than understanding (Gohu, 2020). And now that we’re here, and still here, we can just see distance learning as something very inconvenient and something to work around; just something to survive for the sake of getting out of it. Not to mention, this setup demands learner independence more than ever. Big sad, right? But let me tell you that you are not alone. In fact, the more this setup provides reasons for us to hate it, the more we become creative in polishing our efficiency and creativity, which can then be useful to our careers. Besides, tertiary education is a whole new level of enhancing ourselves, but it must never mean that our wellness is a valid trade for our degree. It’s pretty understandable how our attention jumps from activity to activity. Because aside from our minds’ duty to keep us occupied, we have been hit by a singular force of priorities. We share the same sentiments of doing house and school works at the same time, and we often complain about the here-andthere urgencies. That’s why both efficiency and effectivity are vital in dealing with what we signed up for. Allow me to share Eisenhower’sMatrixshowingtwoconsiderationsindeciding an order of carrying out tasks and knowing true priorities. Eisenhower’s Matrix is from the insight of Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. The matrix was written in Stephen Covey’s book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, wherein he categorized tasks as urgent and important. Urgency has something to do with time, whereas importance with results. Not everything urgent is important, and usually, not everything important is urgent. You might want to set aside that phone rang by your friend who will tell you a story that can wait so you can finish first your quiz that’s due in an hour. When something is urgent, it demands you do it now, because later will be different; and if the task is at the same time important, missing it will mark a significant loss. I’m betting many of you are tired of hearing time management and proper setting of priorities are the paths towards fulfilling your goals; but it is absurd to not believe it because that is actually the tool with excellent accuracy. So check yourself if you are currently at the right priority, and get moving if you are not. This matrix is composed of quadrants involving the two considerations. Let us discuss each quadrant and reevaluate our daily decision-making processes.

1. Important and Urgent: DO Looking back to our definitions of urgency and importance, tasks that possess both of these natures need to be done as soon as possible. Mindtools (n.d.) characterized this as either we didn’t see coming or we left off until the last minute. In our context, these are the tasks that are driven by deadlines—learning activities, quizzes, and examinations. Not to mention, we are at home, so we are regularly occupied by this kind of tasks. Cooking and serving meals, cleaning, taking care of younger siblings, and the likes may be in line with our academic priorities as well, and that’s rough. But we have no choice but just do them so we can proceed with the other tasks needing to be done within the day. 2. Important but Not Urgent: SCHEDULE The quadrant name speaks for itself—things that are crucial to finishing your degree but are not that demanding of time at the moment can be set for another time. When you are responsible enough to not make important things become urgent, you definitely are on the right track. It is a challenge to juggle; but with a schedule at hand, you would know where you are headed. Scheduling would not take much of your time; it is at least better than agonizing over which to do first. 3. Not Important but Urgent: RESCHEDULE or DELEGATE More often that not, these are the things that come from other people—say, a phone call, a non-academic task, and the likes. If we are to count only these tasks, we’re not literally saying they are completely unimportant, rather they can be done for you by other people, or be considered for rescheduling. This does not exactly mean that you should be fixed with your quadrant of priorities; it’s just that you should be aware of what is important and what you can do as of the moment. If you are a head of an organization, consider your alternatives such as letting your constituents take over; if not, that means the task shifts to the first quadrant. 4. Not Important and Not Urgent: ELIMINATE From the terms themselves, these are the things that do not particularly contribute anything to your achievement of daily goals. These are unplanned and unconstructive entertainment, which often becomes destructive. Playing on your phone or sharing memes during times you are supposed to work are just few examples. All in all, the basis for this is your commitment to the schedule you made. Don’t count occasional breaks in this quadrant—they are necessary; what’s not are those unplanned that stem from distractions and desires alone. One of the common foes when dealing with these is procrastination. Let us admit that it is quite relieving to know that we are not the only ones, but let us also face it—no matter how much we validate the act, the fact that it made us unproductive will not fade. Let me mention what our professor said, procrastination is more of a mindset or symptom. Mind yourself— what is making you do it? Because most probably, you are not lacking discipline; there must be something you are overlooking that needs a solution. After all, the best survival comes with a stable mindset. We may not enjoy everything about it, even if there would be people who say we must. I can testify how half-baked learning makes me very unproductive; that’s why I join the call for a safer back-toschool operation. We, students, must still remember that we are citizens who can call out incompetence which are not favoring the masses, including youth education. But as of this moment of survival, it’s best to know you are not alone; pretty cliché and annoying, but all you need is to just do it. There’s no shame in failing; and if you even feel like quitting, try to assess it. Quitting is an option contrary to what some optimists say; there’s no shame in that as well. This pandemic is already pressing, no need to let others press you too.

V R U

BEH

FEATURE DEMOCRAT | 06 exposed to the virus, health workers, and other essential workers in the region are at the forefront of the emergency response doing their job to stop the spread of the virus. line to combat coronavirus disease. They continue to provide life-saving support, assistance, It’s quite insulting how other people invalidate the and information to people who are in need. sacrifice of those working in the front line, where they This pandemic has changed the way people live and should be given more priority and appreciation for doing cope with the situation. One of these is Raymar Bron, RN, their job. clinical instructor of the UNC College of Nursing who was Meanwhile, the Department of Health in the Bicol once assigned to a Covid ward at Bicol Medical Center region has received 48,000 single-dose vials of Sinovac (BMC). and 22,000 doses of AstraZeneca which will be distributed It was September 2020 when he was able to four 4 hospitals in the region which are intended for the to experience 15 days straight duty, 7 days of medical workers. quarantine, and a day off until the end of the Duterte’s administration month. At that time, he served as an operating has failed to flatten the curve. room nurse and an on-call status for Covid “This pandemic As the days passed, the number patients. has shown how the of positive cases in COVID-19 According to him, there have been a lot is still increasing. In the Bicol of changes on how they do things inside the hospital— wearing of PPE and strict following of government handles region, there are 9,136 cases and six confirmed deaths. safety protocols is something that is new to him this crisis—no Frontliners and other but is needed to survive. Also, thinking about the essential workers have been possibility that he might get the virus, and spread concrete plans working since day one and there it to his loved ones, which triggers his anxiety. At some point, he noticed that some people before, none today.” is now a lack of manpower, hospital equipment, and PPE. seemed hesitant to approach him but, he did not The fact that they have to consider it as a form of discrimination. He just keeps undergo quarantine just to make sure that they do not risk in mind that probably these people lack knowledge the lives of the patients and their loved ones just shows about the virus and the current situation. how dedicated they are in doing their job. They have been During his quarantine, he just maximizes his time fighting in the forefront to minimize the spread of the virus. in learning new life skills and having a conversation This pandemic has shown how the government with his friends which has become his coping handles this crisis. No concrete plans up until today. Now, mechanism. He makes sure that he has enough time to our duty as citizens is to ask for accountability in today’s rest and exercise. Also, he never forgets to have time to administration and as much as possible, always follow the have moments of prayer to ask for protection and strength By IRISH SIERDA safety protocols as this may lessen the struggles of frontline in this fight against an invisible enemy. workers. Moreover, he also emphasized that there should lans are getting canceled, classes are held online, never be room to tolerate such inhumane discrimination business owners are closing their stores, and people and bullying just because they are part of those who are in are losing their job. It has been over one year since a direct fight against CoVID-19. the community quarantine started, yet nothing In connection with the discrimination that the health changed in the way the government responds. But, how workers and front liners have been experiencing, Ako about those front-liners who continue to work? Isn't it ironic Bicol Partylist said in a news article that what the frontline how the people in power stay in position while thousands unreasonable to be hasty. workers need is understanding and compassion and not of people are dying while working at this time of pandemic? “There are legal processes that we have being ridiculous, especially that they put their lives on the CoronaVirus Disease (Covid-19) pandemic has exposed to respect and, therefore, we can’t just go off the flaw of the system. Despite knowing the risk of getting our merry way and violate these processes because there can be consequences,” says Former health secretary Manuel Dayrit. GRAPHICS BY CHRISTIAN REGANIT Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative to the Philippines, is concerned as implications of using the unproven drug could potentially lead “I think waiting to a false sense of safety—making them Surreal Anniversary marks 11th is more logical than susceptible to infection and hampering the of March 2021 to a faded backdrop risking our lives even further,” Dikshya country’s recovery. HAPP while experts look into adding Manandhar states upon the idea of With all that said and done, it seems that Ivermectin as a possible arsenal Ivermectin used as treatment and the most advisable way to approach the against combatting COVID-19—Risks issue at hand is to wait. and rationalities deliberated. prevention against COVID-19. However, Ivermectin does have Dikshya Manandhar paints a timeline promising results, according to scene of life during a pandemic in her metaanalysis hosted by WHO. Six homeland— as they had a fleeting taste he virus gripped normalcy into a randomized trials of moderate or of business-as-usual when schools and halt prompting the World Health severe infection accompanied by offices started opening again. Organization (WHO) to announce Ivermectin resulted in 75% decreased She furthers her observations, “now we a global health crisis last year, veiling mortality and lessened are back in square one, schools and the masses in a mist of confusion hospitalization. offices are closed, inflation, scarcity amidst the pandemic. Thus there is room as of necessary goods, economic “I have mixed feelings about it. At much as there is a need downfall and death rates have first, I was anxious as it was very new to for further expansions increased at even higher rates than me and many things weren’t known,” on clinical trials for in the past.” says Catherine from Nepal of South reliable data to ensure She stresses that she does yearn East Asia. the safety of recipients. for normalcy, but not in a hurry, Fast forward to the present, there Here in the especially when introduced with is a growing longing for normalcy, Philippines, there are no unauthorized and unconventional and some are taking chances with registered Ivermectin for treatments. Ivermectin—a drug mainly used to human use, as Dr. Allen Landrito made “If people rush for it they can make treat or prevent parasites in animals. his Ivermectin pills and sold the bottles reckless choices,” Catherine expresses her FDA has received red flags of across the archipelago. reservations about Ivermectin, adding individuals self-medicating with the “I had brought Ivermectin from an merits of patience as a way to handle said drug, according to Ryanne Co of importer and compounded it myself turmoil. PH Asia Tatler. and gave it to my patients,” he disclosed While vaccination rollouts for COVID-19 Furthermore, infectious disease during the House of Representatives are in place and more clinical trials for expert Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana health panel hearing. Ivermectin are ongoing, complacency is relayed in ABS-CBN News that illicit In Quezon City, Philippines, Mike not an option—Catherine remarks, intake of veterinary drugs may lead to Defensor is an alleged proponent of “we should be willing to wait while brain damage and even death. Ivermectin, reported in the Manila Times. following all the safety measures.” PAGE DESIGN BY DARWIN ESCARO But for some, they strongly believe it is GRAPHICS BY CYEN ESCLANDA

C E H T NI D

Babae Ako

07 | DEMOCRAT FEATURE

Hindi Babae Lang INIPON NI Jean Aquino

Ang pangalang Gabriela Silang ay nagrerepresenta ng kababaihan hindi bilang isang haligi ng tahanan kundi isa sa mga lider ng lipunan. Sumisimbolo sa katapangan na maaaring ipamalas ng mga kababaihan bilang isang lider ng isang independiyenteng kilusan sa Ilocos laban sa mga Kastila.

Melchora Aquino o mas kilala bilang “Tandang Sora”. Isa sa mga pinaka kilala at tanyag na babae sa ating kasaysayan. Kasapi ng mga rebolusyonaryo sa pagtataguyod ng kanilang mga hangarin upang makalaya ang Pilipinas sa kamay ng mga dayuhan. Tinaguriang “Ina ng Rebolusyon” bilang pagkilala sa kanyang natatanging kontribusyon sa Katipunan.

Sa pagsiklab naman ng pananakop ng mga Hapon ay ang pagusbong ng pangalang “Kumander Liwayway”. At ito ay pagmamay ari ng isang babae. Siya ay si Remedios Gomez-Paraiso. Pinamunuan at napagtagumpayan ni Kumander Liwayway ang ilang labanan laban sa mga Hapon.

Ang karapatan ng mga kababaihan na bumoto ay ating nakamit dahil sa mga gawa ni Encarnacion Alzona. Mula sa kanya ay ang mga artikulo na nagdidiin sa konserbatibong mga batas sa Pilipinas na nagiging dahilan ng limitadong pakikilahok ng mga babae sa pulitika at ang pag alis ng karapatang makaboto. Taong 1937 nang payagan ang mga babaeng bumoto sa pamamagitan ng pambansang plebisito na nilahukan ng 90% ng mga kababaihan na sumasang-ayon na sila ay makaboto upang makalahok sa mga politikal na aktibidad at mga isyu sa lipunan.

GUHIT AT DEBUHO NG PAHINA NI ROSE CLAVANO

Babae ako, hindi babae lang. Pamilyar hindi ba? Bakit hindi? Patuloy ang pagsulong ng mga kababaihan kasabay ng pag-usbong ng mga kakayahang untiunting nakilala sa buong mundo at nagsisilbing ehemplo at inspirasyon sa karamihan. Ang henerasyon na ito ay unti-unti ng binabaklas ang kaisipang ang babae ay isang palamuti lamang o ‘di kaya ay upang magluwal ng sanggol sa lipunan. Ang mga babae ay bukas na sa mga pantay na responsibilidad sa mga kalalakihan, minsan ay higit pa. Buksan ang iyong mga mata at tahakin natin ang mga istorya sa likod ng mga katagang “Babae ako, hindi babae lang”. Sa pag-usbong ng Ikalawang Pandaigdig na Digmaan ay siyang pagkilala kay Magdalena Leones. Mula sa pagiging isang madre ay naging opisyal sa United States Army Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon kung saan siya ay nagsilbing ahente na tagapagdala ng mga importanteng datos at mga suplay sa medisina. Bukod pa rito, siya rin ay naging espiya upang alamin ang mga barko ng kalaban, mga kapitan at ang mga lulan ng mga barkong ito. Ayon sa Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, isa si Leones sa patunay na ang mga kababaihan ay may kakayahang depensahan ang Pilipinas laban sa pananakop at pang-aapi.

Patuloy ang pagtamasa ng mga kababaihan ng pantay na karapatan sa mga kalalakihan dahil sa patuloy ring pagtaguyod ng ilang personalidad upang maisakatuparan ito. Bagamat hindi tanyag katulad ng ibang babaeng Katipunera, kinilala si Agueda Kahabagan o mas kilala bilang “Heneral Agueda” bilang kauna unahan at nag iisang babaeng heneral ng rebolusyon. Inilalarawan si Agueda bilang isang matapang na babae bitbit ang kanyang tabak at baril sa pakikipaglaban sa mga Espanyol at Amerikano.

Kabayanihan na kung maituturing ang magsilang ng sanggol at maging isang ilaw ng tahanan. Ngunit higit pa rito ay ang mga hindi mabilang na kakayahang maipapamalas nila. Sapagkat sa likod ng mga maamong mukha at mahinhing karakter ay ang mas matapang na mga desisyon at kakayahan.

Ang kababaihan ay gumagawa ng kasaysayan.

all over internet ang araminan, trending palan dae kita updated nakaamin man kuta charr.

ust like the day that I met you... the day I thought forever...said that you love me...but that'll last for never…oopps! Dae pagkantahon with matching dance steps ta mayo ka man katitigan beh. Naol may katiktok noh? Pero okii lang yan kaysa ugwa man kuta tas lolokohin man lang, Jamil yan? Hihi. Nalagay na naman sa alanganin ang mga boys hyss masabi na naman kamo "I hate all men" tas araatyan, "peruuu peg ikerww syerrrr" yan rupok. Tano pati yaon ka sa page na ni? Yieeehh krass mo ko no? Umamin na tas kaag mo man sa gforms haha nagci-circulate kaya

Anyways, dae pa pala ako nagbabati grabe na ngala-ngala, ako nga pala ang pinakamaganda with and without filter ang kinamumutan asin kinamumurawayan ang nag-iisang dyosa! Nagbabalik na naman ako as if may choice, oh dae ka na mangalas ta kada issue yaon ako prend. Asin aram ko mayo ka naman iba gusto kaya nagbabasa ka pa til now kasi makikichika ka man lang garu igde, dae ta na yan pahaloyon cravings mo sa isyu from inside campus. Puonan ta na ni tanganing matapos na garo kamo ni virtual jowa mo pan-one week lang finished na agad, hakhakhak! keribels lang yan mumsh ta uso man yan di ka nag-iisa. Pero wait, nene or nonoy siguraduhon mo muna tapos ka na sa mga LAs na madue na ta mamarathon ka na naman sa oras. Tas rason kayan kan iba, mas maurag kaya 'pag nagpoprocastinate ta mas naggagana ang alimantak and magic happens before 12 AM. Bahala ka dyan read this at your own risk char. Basta nagsabi ako inuton mo requirements mo ta matatapos na pati ang Academic year na ites. Akalain mo yun, one year na pala tayo under pure online and distance classes. Yung akala tang 1 week lang kita katong mayo sa school inaabot na ning lagpas sarong taon. Bayae na beh ta as if my choice pa kita, acceptance and adaptation is the key.

Pero but,, si mga health-related programs like nursing may option man kuta magkaugwang limited face-to-face kaso ngunit datapwat out of 18 colleges applied, only 2 schools in bicol passed and our beloved yuwensi is not belong ay is not on the list. Sadt, may mga nafalse-hope na mga bebe huna kuta makaka-experience na kan laboratory sa pink building ta kun iispon mas okay talaga na actual ka natututo bako lang sa module asin online meetings. Lalong-lalo na sa medical courses baka 'pag nawerk werk na ang an mga bebe sala si na-injectionan ay wiz ta yan bet syempre, kaya hoping na sa sunod na may painspection for limited F2F pasok na sa banga ang unibersiti ta or dae man kaya kita nag-igot makalaog? Mahal na admin pakisagot po. Hihi. Anyways, ang mga naggagandahang tang mga mare nararampa na naman sa pa-event kan USG ang Miss UNC Pride 2021 bet ta ning maray ta dae mapipigilan, "veerus ka lang maganda kami" oh pak! Dawa ngane virtual ang gabos na event ngonyan, ang arog kaning pa-pageant naging posible man giraray asin naging makabuluhan ta ang mga advocacies ka mga beshies malaen-laen kaya bonggabels pero syempre makasad man diit ta dikit lang man si nagbali, para dae sayang sa monar asin pagal kan nga organizers kahit na nakapirang extend kan registration tolo lang nagrampa intindido man ta iba pa rin ang actual arog before yet still nagtao kaogmahan and entertainment sa eschudents. And the purpose had made to

GRAPHICS & PAGE DESIGN BY LESTER ISIP

LAMPOON DEMOCRAT | 09

open ka sa responsibilidad kaya stresson lugod ang momshie mo na nagkakapot kani ta pawara-wara na ang mga members kan every orgs tas lalo na si mga mismong organization. Hyss sana man lugod sa susunod na academic year magbalik na ang dating sigla kan sissy and brader tang student leaders. Maray na lang ugwa pa giraray mangilan-ngilan na dae bumibitiw sa obligasyon, service asin padagos lang sa mga activities for the student kahit na grabe ngane ang hassle kan oroonline na ni padayon kamo mga bhie.

stand against discrimination and demand for equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ Community members. Pak! Naka-english sarala sa oras na naman ako. Speaking of LGBTQ+ Community, recently lang naaprubahan ang Gender-inclusive dress code petition na pigsubmit ni mister president batch 2021. Ayyy weew! Bongang-bonggang congrachumalations mga mars sa halawig na taon na nakikiulay ang satuyang nga frenelen na trans na hayaan sinda magsuot ng gusto nila sa photoshoot asin graduation ceremony. Dae man kaya kaaya-aya na mukha and puso kang babae tas masulot ka barong same sa mukha kan lalaki na talaga tas masulot ka kan filipiniana diba mumsh. Chararat! Maray na lang nalinawan na ang satuyang leaders sa univ so our sisters and brothers can now be who they are and express themselves fully especially to the records of the school. Clap clap. Dumako naman kita sa mga student leaders ta, naabot kaya kan sakuyang dakolang talinga na every event na lang na pigko-conduct virtually, dikit dikit na lang ang nagbabali. Hmmm… Oo, as much as the school wants to continue all of the student activities #PADAGOS dae ta talaga masisisi ang mga UNCean na mas pilion ang pagiging estudyante asin maging active sa kani-kanilang organization sa mga panahon ngunyan. Pero, syempre mars and beh naglaog ka sa org na yan dapat

Oh! ngonyan, malaog na kita sa season kan election kan pinakadakula na student body sa university ang USG. Siriisay na naman daw ang kakatok satuyang mga puso para makakuang boto (opps, pakaraya pagbasa tabi). Syempre, dae ta lingawan si dating sabi kato Bangon USG Ariba UNC, hanggang saan tayo nag-ariba sa pagbangon ng USG? Yieee, siguro mas okay okay ngunyan compare before na dae talaga nyato mamatian. At least now dawa grabe ang angat kan panahon asin mga problema nahihiling ta mga gibo-gibo kan mga namamayo. Kaya, sa mga masurunod po goodluck na lang chaarr! Higitan niyo pa asin palawakon pa ang mga programa na makakahelp nin maray sa kapwa estudyante. And sa mga yoensyanos, exercise your rights to vote to make the world a better place for you and for me. Cherez! Speaking ulit, si mga Unceans leaders ta ay besh nagpamalas galing sa City Youth Officials Program kan Ciudad nin Naga, ay wowweesszxzss congratsumariumar! Di, seryoso congratulations saindo gabos na nakalaog sa prestihisyosong programang iyan nakaka-proud nemern poh. Magpadagos kamo asin ipahiling ang husay ng pagiging isang apo ni lolo brown (musta na daw ni duman baka kulay abo na dae nalilinigan).

Ini saro na lang chika bago ako magpaaram ta mayo na maihatod saindo. Grabe daw si efek kan community pantry na iyan adi? Nakaabot man kaya sa UNC. Asin ang yellow na department ang naging organizer ka ni. Iba ang yaman char. Makaogma na maray ta libre si panggulay ko last time charrr ulet. Pero mga beshewaps napapahiling igde ang daramayan ng bawat isa oras ng pangangailan pewuuu sa other places ay mars kumunista daa si mga organizers kani hyssss. Ano na yan?! Aram ko nastress ka man sa isyung ini, anyways nagpundo naman salamat na lang. Pano ba yan? kapwa ko chizkerls need ko na magbabush, dae mamundo ta mabalik man ulit ako 'pag nakabingwit na naman ako makabuluhang tsismis na maihahatod saindo ta labs ko kamo ever. Mag-iringat dae magparaluwas ta naglalala ang cases baga, makipagdate na lang sa bahay or tamang VC muna tios-tios lang ta ang vaccine mala tapos na garu ang pandemic dae pa nakaabot sato. Hysss when kaya po? Makibilisan pwede inoton ang dapat inot kun pwede lang. Oh siya! totoo na talaga hanggang sa muling pagkikita natin sa mata.

The Final Wave The COVID-19 Pandemic has wreaked havoc worldwide and has claimed many lives. It has affected economic activities in many countries as they implement protocols to combat the spread of the virus. This unprecedented dilemma would later burden the health care system, as resources deplete to an extent where their function is near collapse. The virus is seemingly unstoppable in its pursuit, as different countries are now experiencing its second and third waves, even countries that seemed to recover for a moment only to be hit by a deadly comeback.

The Outbreak The series of unfortunate events all began when officials recorded the first case of COVID-19 at the epicenter of the virus in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The virus quickly spread like wildfire around the globe. Tracing back the events during the first outbreak would lead us to the key point on what catalyst accelerated the pace of viral spread. In December 2019, as the news of the worsening condition of the strange new disease, the World Health Organization was alarmed. A team from WHO wanted to ask for the raw data about the identified cases of COVID-19 from Wuhan. Data, especially those collected at the epicenter, is crucial in studying phenomena, such as this pandemic, to make sound decisions and conclusions. This procedure is the key to understanding how the virus behaves, and hence, towards deriving a solution. However, the Chinese government was reluctant to give this data. They are firm on their stance to withhold information as they saw it as a “political move.” They even withhold the extent of severity of the pandemic, giving other nations little to no time to prepare. We can learn valuable lessons from this early point of the outbreak. The common denominator here is “information” or lack thereof. The amount of correct information disseminated determined the spike rate of the virus. The Conspiracies Here we are in 2021, marking our almost one and a half year stay in the pandemic. Vaccines are developed, and clinical trials are already done. As mentioned, “information” plays a major role in how the pandemic behaves. Now that vaccines are already out there, threads of misinformation and conspiracy also thrive. It has plagued different social media platforms, such as Facebook and

DEVCOMM OPINION OPINION DEMOCRAT DEMOCRAT | 10 | 10

By Neil Andrew Formalejo

Twitter. Some believe that the vaccines are rushed by scientists and hence it is dangerous. Beliefs, such as vaccines containing the virus, so “you shouldn’t have one” are also out there. Even ridiculous conspiracies such as the vaccines have a “micro-chip” that enables one body of interest to track you and gain full control of you; or if not, the vaccines created can change your DNA. Recent news of people dying or getting sick from the vaccine has sent alarm and shock to the people, convincing them more that vaccines are dangerous— and therefore, discouraged. In these times of uncertainty, it’s no surprise that people are somewhat cautious that when things deemed dangerous lack comprehensive information about it is present, they would avoid it.

factors have contributed to the death of these individuals. For example, in South Korea, most of the 15 individuals that died after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine had pre-existing medical conditions. Some of them have an allergic reaction that may have gone undetected following the vaccination. The same goes for Germany, where 113 people died before receiving the vaccine. Twenty of them died from COVID-19 infection, 43 died because of pre-existing medical conditions that have coincided with the vaccination. Individuals from the causality statistics mostly come from the elderly or people with severe pre-existing medical conditions. These events means that vaccinations cannot be causally associated with the deaths that have occurred.

What are Vaccines and How Safe are they? One fear mentioned above is partly true. The vaccine contains the virus. Nothing is to be feared for this is how vaccines can be made. Scientists would get fragments of the disease-causing organism and then study this fragment to know how to incorporate it safely in the vaccine. Then it is ready to use. When your body encounters a new disease (in our case, the COVID-19 virus), your immune system does not know how to detect it because they don’t have the information about this organism. With this, they won’t know how to respond to the threat. The job of the vaccine is to feed our immune system information about this disease-causing organism. It is done by giving your body an amount of this organism, safe enough that it doesn’t make you very ill. This would allow your immune system to meet the disease while giving information on the diseasecausing organism. Hence, the immune system can detect it the next time our body encounters the virus. Because your immune system now can detect the virus, thanks to the vaccine, they would now know how to respond to it. Again, information is very important, even on the wonders of how vaccines work. With this, it is now clear that it can’t change your DNA since it does not contain substances l i k e radioactive materials that can break down or mutate our DNA. Getting a fever after administering the vaccine is normal and is one of the many side effects of your body reacting to it. The side effects vary from person to person, such as rashes, headaches, or dizziness. The fear that triggers most people is from the deaths of individuals after receiving the vaccine. Experts clarify that the vaccine is not itself fatal. Different

The Final Wave Now that the vaccine is already out there, arguably the most viable solution to the pandemic, another wave of deadly stuff arises. Evidently enough, misinformation kills. With the rise of fake news and conspiracies about vaccines, many people are scared to do their part in solving the pandemic by participating in vaccination programs. Experts have pretty much debunked all these false claims with science. As a citizen, you have the power to affect our current status quo regarding the views about the vaccines, may it be spreading misinformation or fake news by sharing unverified claims or helping to combat this new wave of deadly stuff floating around. Be a responsible one and use your power to influence wisely.

GRAPHICS & LAYOUT BY ROSE CLAVANO

11 | DEMOCRAT EDITORIAL

Sustaining a country entails supporting its people, and supporting the people entails meeting their necessities. A government that draws a line between which is more important, health or education, is betraying the people. As our healthcare system crumbles, we cannot afford to see the education sector follow suit and get devastated every day.

n March of last year, the academic year reached its tail to end in observance of stringent measures as COVID-19 cases in the country started to escalate. Blended learning was then introduced, for the following academic year to adapt to the changing landscape. The imposed community quarantine has breached the one-year mark already and seems to reflect the same scenario as last year—a growing number of cases and shut down again of educational institutions. According to the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in March 2021, 89% of Filipino families found blended learning difficult—claiming that it will leave many students behind. This data merely tells the tale of thousands of students who experience learning challenges such as restricted internet access and a lack of financial capital to buy online course-related gadgets. Those who preferred printed modules, on the other hand, often discovered errors in the materials. This is a direct illustration of the inequities faced by disadvantaged and disabled members of society who cannot fully use alternative learning methods. The method widens the socioeconomic divide by allowing only a select group of students to experience learning while leaving others behind. Looking for a return to traditional face-to-face classes, on the other hand, will put both learners and educators at risk. Even if it means ignoring these current academic problems, public safety should not be jeopardized. As we continue to strive through this difficult period, health will always take precedence over everything else. But that implies neglecting other sectors that concern people, too. The idea in this narrative will not lie in the matter of the necessity of face-to-face classes. Because at any vantage point—may it be students, teachers, or parents—traditional education will always be the most efficient way of learning. Instead, this will describe three methods that can curb the number of cases while maintaining educational quality. The first is to hold limited face-to-face classes covering health-related courses, as well as skill-based subjects. This measure can be done for identified low-risk areas while adhering to the provided guidelines of the government. This shall ensure a shared responsibility of the CHED/DepED, the Local Government Units (LGU), school administration, the parents or guardians, and the entire community. The government should drop their abusive hands and begin to cultivate eyes for the future. After turning a blind eye to enacting an immediate travel ban against China, which has resulted in over a million reported

EDITORIAL

cases now, they should know how to pick themselves up. Consider taking a few steps forward and delivering skill-based lessons in a physical environment for lowrisk areas around the country to ensure that students receive the best education possible. Some industries, such as tourism and entertainment, have already reclaimed their mobility and perform limited operations. There is no reason education should not follow suit. Quality education produces quality professionals. In this case, it is not only medical-related employment that holds sway but also other practitioners that can help restore the country after the economic downfall. Extending school closures will only hinder nation rebuilding and recovery. Concerning guidelines, the second point is to ensure the consistency of information related to the public. The Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) is the top policy-making body for pandemic measures in the Philippines. And so their directive should be firm to be implemented and not just to be taken back a few days later because of concerns raised by certain sectors. Who could forget how the DepEd insisted on schools opening in August last year amid protests of teachers? Only to discover in August that there were technical glitches during the virtual launch of the program, indicating that classes were resuming too soon. As a result, ten days before the originally scheduled class, Duterte was forced to postpone the opening until October. These abrupt changes were a clear symptom of poor decision-making, which no

one wants to go through, particularly when confronted with a dire situation such as this pandemic. This reflects the government’s incompetence, which leads to the third point. Duterte’s refusal to lift a finger to assist in the immediate relief of the health crisis, alongside other severely affected sectors such as education, is a clear breach of duty. It is a type of abandonment to link the future of students to the availability of vaccines—something that could take years if not for the global effort exerted by various powerful countries. Spare the youth from the frustrations of not learning anything as the government does little to help. The heightened educational crisis caused by the pandemic must not be ignored. In some ways, this allows the government to postpone or forgo creating safe schools and mitigating the crisis in the Philippine education system while spending a lot of time pursuing their interests at the expense of the country’s suffering. Continuing education in adaptive manners lacks inclusivity due to severe material scarcity; an academic freeze saves students from the consequences of this scarcity at the expense of economic decline among educational institutions. Furthermore, the demand for traditional education only shifts back to the alternatives due to the pandemic scare. This is not to point fingers but to call out authorities—to do their job of breaking the health crisis responsible for this loop the educational sector is going through. The government cannot go back in time; instead, it should use the remaining time to reorganize its priorities by excluding personal matters irrelevant to the public interest. It has been a year; people are still jobless, hungry, and sick. As health remains the primary concern, let us be reminded how education can provide employment and economic rebirth. For once, Duterte should stop roaring like a toothless lion and be brave in taking a stand. It should not be health or education, but health and education.

It should not be health or education, but health and education.

EMPTY ROOMS OF IMPROVEMENT

LITERARY DEMOCRAT | 12

BY Jhezylle Faye B. Loria

Rumor has it that a virus has been recently planted in our city, where those who have meager incomes and have to survive each day take most of the blow. It happens to be a lethal one and highly contagious. It spreads quickly, then directly hits the brain and damages the temporal lobe causing immobilization in any attempt of resistance. Immediate symptoms are feeble-mindedness and aggressiveness. People who are most vulnerable to this are those that are indifferent or have no compassion at all. The perpetrator of the said virus happened to be residing in our city, reasoning that she just wanted help. But the kind of help she was pointing out is still unclear. Residents, who happened to be in the area during the act, immediately filmed the incident and uploaded it on social media sites. Since the day the virus was exposed in public, its number escalated sporadically nationwide that even the government cannot contain the virus cases in its bare minimum. Currently, an antidote has completed its testing phase and distributed to those infected. Yet another dilemma arises during the delivery and taking the shot of those infected; some were hesitant, or worse, they actively refuse to take it. It was a juggle between the safety of those uninfected and mitigating the problem that the government is struggling with what kind of action they need to outline. Gladly, everything stated above is invalidated at once when you go back to the first word of the first paragraph. It was just a rumor. What you should read about is really the truth. Then, what is the virus? Who is the perpetrator? If you have at least watched the news from time to time or somehow updated to what is going on, you may be able to notice that there are fragments of information that lead to something—Patricia Non or “the community pantry.” The Virus is the community pantry. It can also identify as a food bank. It is not a new idea, as many have been established elsewhere as an immediate local response to hunger. But in the context of the pandemic and millions of food-insecure Filipinos, the idea has proven nothing short of revolutionary. The first food bank was in Phoenix, Arizona, in the 1960s, started by John van Hengel, a retired businessman. Yes, its establishment was inspired by someone in need—a mother, who rummaged grocery garbage bins. She suggested that instead of throwing and wasting food, there should be a place where it can store food, and people can pick it up later, just like the system in banks that keep the money for future use. Patricia Non of Quezon City, the Perpetrator, first came up with the idea of building a community pantry that intended to help those wrestling with the pandemic. It was named Maginhawa Community Pantry that aimed to help those who lost their jobs who have no means for their basic sustenance. The coronavirus pandemic has left everyone trying to survive each day. There were too many restrictions that affected their livelihoods and reached the point of having difficulty putting food in their mouths. The Power of Socmed The Maginhawa Community pantry was just a single community pantry, not until the power of socmed worked. Through shared posts, mentioning friends and likes, the food bank was able to inspire other people on their own to help their community as

well—the kind of imitation we need. Imagine how massive an influence and aid socmed is in every purpose-driven program or activity when someone posts and creates such a huge success. Between then and now, there is a wide gap in terms of disseminating information. Everyone already has their mobile phones anywhere they go, making a reach to every person in every corner of any place a whole lot easier. It created a buzz in socmed sites and has made an unexpected turn, making it all the talk across social media when neighboring barangays and different cities began to replicate the idea and has been multiplying in numbers ever since. The small gesture that has created a ripple is now making a wave. Amid the evident good response regarding the community pantry promoting unity, some were still abusing it. Still, some take it the opposite way, so some in their community pantry created witty ideas to just laugh off the recent viral video about the eggs. Marvin Garcia, the organizer of ‘Stock Box community pantry,’ thought of a brilliant idea of reminding the people to get what they need without being too preachy about it. “It was just made out of fun and not to offend anyone,” he added. Two of his best witty statements are “Kumuha lang ng pang-umagahan, hindi ng pang leche flan” with the eggs and as for the sugar “Isang pack lang ang asukal, mahal ang insulin.” He posted on Facebook last April 23, captioned “May food ka na, comic relief ka pa.” “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha ayon sa pangangailangan” It is not charity but mutual help, since everyone is free to take supplies there and give whatever they can. It was born out of tiredness of complaining, tired of “inaction,” as Patricia Non stated. Let’s be honest here. Community pantries cannot solve the real problem. Temporarily, it serves as a pain-relieving balm for the pain that we are enduring. It can fill our stomachs, but it doesn’t eradicate the virus, which is obvious. It can only give (magbigay) what we need at the moment, but we can’t get (makuha) what we need and desperately must have. The freedom of not worrying about getting infected and of being anywhere anytime is what we lost for more than a year already. At the end of the day, it is still susceptible to abuse and fatigue. Not to mention, longevity is not guaranteed without continuous help from the community. But then, the community pantry is not just a mere food bank. It was more than giving. Its purpose was to produce a give-andtake system. It happened when the help was flailing day by day. It was about the “bayanihan spirit” that we Filipinos are most proud of; a naturally acquired Filipino character, as the folks would say. And what’s more intriguing is when those who everyone would think needed help are those who helped first. Some fisherfolks and farmers in some places share what they have although they are not that well off. These kinds of inspiring stories trash the claim that poverty is a hindrance to help. If you have anything that you think can ease someone’s burden, it is not an embarrassing action at all. The fact still remains, though, that such initiatives can mean the difference between life and death for some. It is a bridge between the gap created by unemployment and hunger that the government is trying poorly to address. The virus is not the virus that is slowly killing everyone. Yes, it is contagious enough to make you feel more human. The antidote, sadly but really, might stop you from helping. Not by choice. Have you made your choice already? Or are you still undecided and still contemplating what you should do? It is your decision.

TO S

GR PA AP GE HIC DE S B SI Y B GN R BY AN LE DO ST N ER DELO IS IP S S

Panawagan sa tutang may suot na tsapa Nakasasawa na ang paulit-ulit na balita tungkol sa red tagging. Kasama na rito ang walang pakundangang pag-aresto sa mga aktibistang pilit inuugnay sa NPA at mga komunista. Nariyan din ang paggamit ng pwersa sa mga mapayapang kilos protesta, at ang mga istorya ng hindi makatarungang paghahalughog sa mga tahanan nilang nagmamahal lamang sa bayan. Binababoy ang kanilang karapatang pantao. Sila ay tinatakot gamit ang mga karumal-dumal na pagbabanta. Iligal na inaaresto sa mga oras nang mahimbing nilang pagtulog. At ang pinakanakagagalit at nakalulungkot, sila ay walang-awang pinapatay. Tunay nga na kaakibat ng kulay pula sa salitang red tagging ay ang pagdanak ng dugo nilang yaong tanging hanggad ay ang pag-unlad lamang ng bayan. Sariwa pa sa listahan ng mga progresibong personalidad na minarkahan ng pula si Sasah Sta. Rosa, Tagapagsalita ng Jovenes

Ngunit ang sagot sa mga boses na humingi ng tulong at pagbabago ay hindi rin pinapalitan— ito pa rin ang tunog ng kalabit ng gatilyo at alingawngaw ng bala.

Anakbayan ng Naga sa Bicol. Pwersahang pinasok ang kanilang tahanan bandang alas tres ng umaga noong Mayo 2. Alas kwatro naman ng umaga, kaparehong araw sa rehiyon pa rin ng Bicol, magkatulad na tagpo ang natunghayan sa bahay ng BAYAN-Bicol Secretary General Daniel Balucio sa Albay. Maya-maya pa sa araw rin na iyon ay bumungad ang kaparehong akto sa tirahan naman ng tagapagsalita ng Youth Act Now Against Tyranny Bicol na si Justine Mesias. Ayon sa pulisya ay magkakahiwalay na natagpuan sa tahanan ng mga nasabing indibidwal ang mga baril, pasabog, at banderang pula. Ito naman ay mariing kinondena ng progresibong grupo tulad ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), Naga City Youth Officials (CYO), at ilan pang mga paaralan sa nasabing rehiyon. Lalo pa at ayon sa Anakbayan, tanim na ebidensya lamang ang mga nakumpiskang kagamitan na maaaring mag-ugnay sa kanila sa mga grupo ng komunista. Bagama’t kasalukuyang isinasagawa ang mga imbestigasyon, at pinagsasamasama ang puwersa ng mga abogado upang matugunan ang pangangailangang legal ng mga naaresto, hindi maikakaila ang pattern sa operasyon ng pulisya. Sapagkat ang ganitong tagpo ay malawakang nangyayari sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Tila nakadirekta ang buong puwersa ng pulisya upang umatake sa mga progresibong kasapi ng lipunan. Kaya naman dahil sa pagtatarget na ito, ay paulit-ulit din ang mga panawagan na masugpo ang walang habas na pag-atake sa mga aktibista. Ilang ulit na ring binanggit ang kalayaan sa pananalita, ngunit nanatiling bingi silang nakaupo sa kapangyarihan. Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang ulit na naming inilahad sa aming peryodiko ang kababuyan na dulot ng red tagging. Gayundin ay kung ilang kilos protesta na ang isinagawa upang matigil ang hindi makataong motibo ng administrasyon laban sa mga aktibista. Ngunit ang sagot sa mga boses na humingi ng tulong at pagbabago ay hindi rin pinapalitan—ito pa rin ang tunog ng kalabit ng gatilyo at alingawngaw ng bala. Hindi rin bingi ang pulisya na tuta ng administrasyong takot sa progresibong pag-iisip, sapagkat tila yata naging musika na sa kanilang mga tainga ang patuloy na pagtugis sa mga aktibistang boses at pagkakaisa lamang ang sandata. Mahalaga rin isipin kung bakit sila ay takot sa pinagsama-samang tinig ng masa. At ang malinaw na sagot ay dahil ang boses ng ito ay may sapat na kapangyarihan upang patumbahin ang kanilang oligarkiya—kung sana nga lang ay mas marami pa ang mulat sa tunay na estado ng bansa. Takot sila na

UNSAFE HAVEN JOHN PAUL BORITO @jpaulborito jpaulborito@gmail.com

Sila ang may hawak ng armas at baril, ngunit bakit tila mas takot sila? sa paghiyaw ng inaapi ay mababaliktad ang tatsulok na pumapabor lamang sa kanila. Gayundin, kung sila ay mananatiling takot at ikukubli ito sa loob ng kamay na bakal, sila ay hindi angkop na maglingkod sa bayan—at higit lalong hindi naaayong ipatupad ang patas na batas. Kung sila ay takot na protektahan ang inaaping masa, walang hustisya ang pagsuot nila ng tsapa. Sila ay mananatiling mga tutang bahag ang buntot, lumpo’t hindi makatayo sa sariling mga paa—nagbabakasakaling sa pagsuot ng tsapa ay mapatitiklop din ang masa. Nakalulungkot na binabalot ng takot ang malayang bansa ng Pilipinas. Nakagagalit na takot ang administrasyon at ang pulisya sa progresibong aktibista. Nakayayamot na kung ang tsapa ay para sa pulisya, ang mayamang pag-iisip ay siya namang sa komunista. Kaya naman, muli’t muling sasabihhin na ang aktibismo ay hindi komunismo. Sapagkat, sa huli, isang salita lamang ang magbubuod sa masalimuot na kuwento ng red tagging—MALI. At ang mali ay hindi pinahihintulutan bagkus ay tinatama. Sana ay maalis ang takot ng pulisya sa mga makabayang grupo at personalidad. Nang sa gayon ay maalis din ang takot ng mga mamamayan sa hanay nilang inaasahang magbibigay ng proteksyon at seguridad. Huwag na sanang maabot ang dulo ng kanta, “ang mamatay ng dahil sa’yo.”

15 | DEMOCRAT OPINION

The Philippines’ longstanding problem with armed communists began in the year 1986 and strengthened during the Marcos Dictatorship era. Several anti-armed communist insurgency measures have been implemented but the insurgency remained to be the problem of the state up until Duterte’s administration. Duterte himself has always been vocal with its aggressive stand in ending armed communists in the country which is undeniably evident with railroaded AntiTerror Law and the institutionalization of the National Task Force to End Local Armed Communist Conflict.

55 CANCRI E BERLINETH NYMIA MONTES @sta_nymxiiia berlineth.121300@gmail.com

National Task Force to End Local Armed Communist Conflict or also known as NTFELCAC is the frontline of the administration to forward its thrust in ending the armedcommunist conflict in the country. However, recent controversies like red-tagging, grave attacks on progressive groups, critics, lack of concrete plans, and questionable budget allocation-- its institutionalization was questioned that intensified the valid call for its abolishment. Long before the institutionalization of the task force, the lives of activists, critics, progressive groups, and mass leaders have long been in danger under Duterte’s administration. Contrary to its main intent, the task force became an avenue that solely endangered the life of student activists, mass leaders, student-leaders, progressive groups, and critics even more by intensified redtagging, surveillance, and illegal arrest. More to that, the task force dilutes the essence of education and academic freedom as it red-tagged different schools in the Philippines. The task force does not even spare civilians like Ana Patricia Non, initiator of community pantry in the Philippines. Recently, the task force head Antonio Parlade Jr. relentlessly red-tagged community pantry organizers in the country. The ungrateful

Pissed of

PEACE Parlade likened Non with Satan after accusing Non is deceiving the Filipino people with her humanitarian work. The chilling effect of this reckless act is felt by several community pantry initiators all over the country after Parlade professed that the task force does profiling and surveillance of community pantry organizers. task force diverts the attention of the Filipinos by tirelessly accusing progressive groups such as Anakbayan, College Editors Guild of the Philippines, and League of Filipino students to name a few as armed groups

PAGE DESIGN by Christian C. Reganit

Duterte’s thrust in keeping peace and order is contrary to his nature—a strongman president who likes to address pressing issues in the country with guns and bullets.

of NPA to cover its lack of concrete plans to realize its ‘mission’. As Filipinos dared to raise their fists and defy this bloody rule, NTF-ELCAC is the answer of Duterte’s fascist regime to the demand of Filipino people for accountability, defend our sovereignty, better COVID-19 response, upholding human rights, and financial aid. In times like this wherein the marginalized struggles to keep up with the new normal. The 19B peso fund of NTF-ELCAC is better utilized for COVID-19 response, financial aid, education, and economic aid that are the key problems of the country right now. However, Duterte and his cronies allocated the budget to a task force that lacks concrete plans, headed by fake news peddlers and parades fake NPA surrenderees. Even with the denial of the administration. the task force is Duterte’s platform in order to completely silence his critics and dismiss valid dissents of his people. NTF-ELCAC discredits how activism molds our society by putting every civilian life in danger with its baseless accusations and relentless red-tagging. It is not only a threat to progressive organizations, mass leaders, students, and activists but also a blow to freedom of speech in the country. Duterte’s thrust in keeping peace and order is contrary to his nature—a strongman president who likes to address pressing issues in the country with guns and bullets. The task force preserves the peace of mind of the administration at the expense of Filipino’s peace and freedom of speech.

LANDM ARK

POINTS OF

OPINION DEMOCRAT | 16

Y U

SATISFACTION

ON UNC AND

USG ADMINIS

TRATION AB

OUT DISTAN

LLY & A C I EM EMICALLY D A C A ACAD O N N-

CE LEARNING

o you think the UNC Administration and USG were able to serve the students enough (i.e., academically andnon- academically) in this online setup?

50 Respondents 8%

52%

10%

YES NO MAYBE

30%

60%

There is no act, and response to the issue about where does our laboratory fees (that is higher than the miscellaneous fee) go. -John Paul M. Carballo, College of Engineering and Architecture As a student of the university I think that the student government officers have been doing their job properly, they have been representing the student body in terms stating and empathizing with every students’ sentiments. - Myza J. Dela Torre, College of Engineering and Architecture I can see the efforts of the administration and the USG for the students. They make ways to address the students' concerns, such as proposing and accepting the academic ease for everyone's sake. Several activities were also conducted for students to enjoy despite the situation. -Kasydren A. Punzalan, College of Arts and Sciences

With all the online and proposed activities, they we're able to provide the needs of the students. - Chris Gregory Navarroza, College of Business and Accountancy

Collated by Lemmuel Pancha

16%

50 Responses

18%

Infographics by Christian C. Reganit

College of Engrg. and Architecture College of Business and Accountancy College of Education College of Arts and Sciences College of Criminal Justice Education College of Nursing College of Computer Studies College of Graduate Studies College of Law

SERVICES

Have executed well in the cluster process but tuition fee are expensive that laboratories, library, and internet fee have not been used by the students due to pandemic situation. - Martin A. Rilloraza, College of Engineering and Architecture

The clustering of subjects was a good idea, but the school calendar sometimes doesn't fit in the whole cluster of some subjects. It's not enough to cover all the topics to be discussed. Tuition fee should be reduced, especially the miscellaneous fee. -Ericka Almonte Rodavia, College of Engineering and Architecture

Most of the professors doesn’t follow the time allotted for the class sessions, they give activities whenever they want. As for the USG, the activities were only intended for those who have access to internet. - John Mari C. Agapito, College of Engineering and Architecture

50 Responses

Ratings 1 as the lowest and 10 as the highest

11 10

6 4

2 1

1 4

ow satisfied are you with your overall online/distanced university experienced?

17 | DEMOCRAT NEWS

NI Berlineth Nymia Montes

EACC ripples kindness; initiates community pantry for UNC staff BRINGING HOME THE BEACON. EACC brings to campus the recent give-and-take trend in community pantries amidst economic coping with the pandemic. UNC staff are seen busy picking their needs from the fruits of the initiative. Words by Norene Cantor / Photos by UNC EA College Council’s Official Facebook Page

In an interview with EACC Chairperson Edilson Jhon Martinez De Los Santos, the emergence of youth-led community pantries in Naga City and the evident needs of employees inspired them to conduct a community pantry in the university.

More than 70 Greyhound employees received canned goods, noodles, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as snacks from the council. When asked about the most touching experience they had while conducting the community pantry, De Los Santos shared

that a maintenance staff thanked them despite the fact that he did not get anything from the pantry. “Nawa’y maging halimbawa si kuya, na hindi kinakailangan direkta tayong nabibiyayaan o naapektuhan ng isang bagay upang ‘maappreciate’ at magpasalamat,” De Los Santos

Some UNCeans claim voter registration a step to better leadership

Inspired by the Maginhawa Community Pantry of Anna Patricia Non, the Engineering and Architecture College Council (EACC) of the University of Nueva Caceres embodied the bayanihan spirit, launching their community pantry from April 21 to May 8 this year.

shared. Meanwhile, University Student Government Interim President Marie Angella B. Averilla commended the effort of EACC, adding that the pantry was of big help, especially to contractual employees of UNC and to those who received their wages late. The said initiative is made possible through the initial allocated budget charged by their council, donors, and the assistance of the administrators of UNC.

BY LEAN CAPISTRANO

With voter registration for the 2022 election set to close in a few months, UNCeans asserted voter registration holds power for choosing the “best” candidates for leadership positions in the country.

BEYOND DOCUMENTS. A new normal setup for voter registrants still lured a pack of unregistered Filipino voters. Beyond the papers submitted, one is signing up for the future a voter desires. COMELEC reported more than 60 million registered voters as of April 19, 2021. Words by Norene Cantor / Photo from Rappler

According to Shaira Mora, a BS Marketing student, “our country is in need of a leader that can make everyone become one once again and help the country prosper, it is important to be a registered voter and exercise one’s right to vote.” She emphasized that as a registered voter, one can select a representative who is deserving of the positions by evaluating each candidate before casting their vote.

Cjay Magdadaro, BS Architecture, agreed that as registered voters, we can “pick the best man/woman for the job.” “Yes, it is important to practice our rights to vote and to choose the rightful candidate to really handle the job correctly and unbiased. It is important because some of our countrymen are being used because of their gullibility and manipulating them by flashing some cash that they did not know

they deserve more because we civilians pay taxes,” Magdadaro furthered. Alliah Pacala from the College of Arts and Sciences also pointed out that registered voters create an “opportunity for change”. Pacala also mentioned that they received the “right and freedom to choose a leader who can truly help the community.” Christine France Villare, a Political Science student, also

noted that voter registration aids in the accuracy and flow of the voting process. “I think the contribution of being a registered voter is smooth flow of voting, as the accuracy of the voter register is a key element in ensuring that all qualified constituents can enjoy the right to vote. Voter registration is intended to ensure that everyone entitled to vote can do so, to prevent ineligible persons from voting, and to guard against multiple voting by the same individual,” she said. According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), only 61,843,750 out of 75,147,900 individuals eligible to vote have registered, leaving 13,304,150 more unregistered. The registration deadline is set for the end of September this year, with the election day set for May 9th in 2022.

18 | DEMOCRAT NEWS By JONAS CORPORAL

Portraying a strong and empowered woman, “Akda” of UNC University Film Society (UFS) bagged the Best Short Film award in the SILAB DOS Uno 2021 Regional Short Film Competition. Authors John David Goyena, Aquinnah Tongbaban, and Shanley Ogayon shared the short film “Akda” tells the story of Jane, a woman who has faced life challenges since she was a child but remained strong amidst adversity. UFS bested five other competing entries to secure their winning moment on March 20, 2021, at Teatro de Sta. Luisa at University de Sta. Isabel Aside from the challenging 8-minute run time, the director, Zeus Tenerife, highlighted the limitations imposed by the pandemic in the film production. According to Tenerife, it was not the usual movie with a diverse cast

and roles because they adhered to community health standards by casting only one actor. Tenerife added that since the setup was online learning, it required them to sacrifice their study time, whereas before, students involved in the premise work with excuse letters. “We can’t enforce them since some of us have backlogs in our subjects,” said Tenerife. Meanwhile, Director of Student Affairs Kim Bigay embraced the idea of establishing a tertiary level film society organization as they are always supportive of all accredited organizations, whether academic or non-academic. “Student Affairs welcomes the establishment of all kinds of organizations that will develop the skills of the students and allow them to extend their learning experiences outside of the classroom,” Bigay expressed. She then reminded those interested in accrediting an organization at the university to take the standard procedure. “The only limitation is the process of accreditation where student leaders submit their proposed organization to the test of compliance and adherence to the policies of the university,” she added.

Montes inihalal na CY Mayor; ilan pang UNCeano pasok sa CYO 2021 KILOS KABATAANG-UNCEANO. Nailagay sa pamumuno si Berlineth Nymia Montes (kaliwa), isang mag-aaral sa CBA department, bilang bagong bagong halal na CY Mayor. Matatandaang binanggit niya sa isang panayam sa An Naga Ngonian News ang pagsara sa tinatawag na digital divide sa pagitan ng kabataan ng lungsod. Nakahanay rin sa kanan ang kanyang mga opisyales na kinabibilangan din ng ilan pang UNCeano’t UNCeana. Words by Norene Cantor / Photo from Naga City Government Facebook Page

NI Earl Dwight Serrado

Matapos ang masusing pagpili, nahalal si Berlineth Nymia Montes bilang bagong City Youth Mayor, kasama ang lima pang UNCeano na pasok sa Top 48 na uupo bilang mga opisyal ng Naga City Youth Officials (CYO) 2021.

Sa isang panayam kay Montes ng An Naga News Ngonian, ibinahagi niya na nakatuon ang kanilang organisasyon sa pagpapatupad ng mga programang magbibigay-diin sa mga sektor ng edukasyon, kalusugan, trabaho, sining at kultura, at kapaligiran. Liban kay Montes, kasama niya rin ang ilang UNCeano na uupo sa pwesto bilang mga City Youth Councilors na sina Marinel Mae Chica mula sa Business and Accountancy department, Marie Angella Averilla ng College of Arts and Sciences, Kaye Servidad mula sa College of Nursing at Nica

Excellence in Filmmaking

‘Akda’ of UNC-UFS conquers SILAB DOS Uno 2021

A WINNING CALL FOR EQUALITY. The winning entry of UNC Film Society titled AKDA shows Jane, a woman who survived

abandonment and violence, which changed her perspective of men throughout life. Towards the end of her “diary”, she was shown to be “free” right after a man rippled the difference which ultimately purified her views of them in her last breath. Words by Neil Andrew Formalejo / Photo from The PANTOGRAPH x MALAYA

Deannise Berlon ng Engineering and Architecture department. Samantala, iniluklok naman si Ivy Roxas mula sa CBA bilang CY Lingkod Barangay Officer. Bilang isang UNCeana, mahalaga para kay Servidad ang mapabilang sa CYO 2021 dahil sa pagkakaroon ng pagkakataong palakasin ang boses ng kanyang mga kapwa kabataan. “We only have limited time to attend sessions and committee hearings, thus I am really doing all that I can to pass my [yet-to-be] proposed ordinances and voice out […] those who are unheard in the earliest time possible, […] connecting with my department to help educate people about matters like COVID-19 and its vaccination,” pagbabahagi ni Servidad. Naniniwala naman si Chica na isang magandang oportunidad ang mapabilang sa nasabing programa sapagkat ito ay nagbibigay sa kanila ng karanasang maging bahagi ng mga iba’t ibang gawain ukol sa lokal na pamamahala. Isang pribilehiyo para naman kay Averilla ang mapabilang sa nasabing organisasyon, lalonglalo na at palaging may pwesto ang mga UNCeano sa CYO. Sa kasalukuyan, naisulat ni Averilla ang Resolution Condemning Red-tagging Activities and Incidents against Youth Organization, Youth Media

Practitioners and Youth Activists in Naga City. Layon ng resolusyon na protektahan ang mga kabataang aktibista laban sa tahasang pagpapangalan o pagtawag sa kanila bilang mga ‘terorista’, nakatakda itong iakyat sa plenaryo ng regular na Sangguniang Panlungsod para sa pagpapasinaya nito. Samantala, bilang bahagi ng komiteng pangkalusugan, isinulong naman nina Servidad at Jose Rañola, bilang co-authors, sa kanilang plenaryo ang Ordinance No. 2021-028 na naglalayong magtatag ng mga serbisyong mangangalaga ng mental health sa lungsod. Ipinasa rin sa kanilang konseho, maging sa regular na SP, ang Ordinance No. 2021-027 na nagtatakda ng mga polisiya ukol sa libreng Rapid Antigen Testing para sa mga indigent na mga pamilya sa lungsod at kaukulang bayad para sa mga hindi kabilang sa nasabing kategorya. Nagsimula ang mga aktibidad ng CYO 2021 buwan ng Mayo kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng Naga City Youth Month at inaasahang patuloy pang magsisilbi sa lahat ng mga kabataan sa buong lungsod, saklaw ng isang taon nilang panunungkulan.

#JUNKTERRORLAW

ACTIVISM IS NOT T

19 | DEMOCRAT NEWS

4 na UNCeana kumatawan sa int’l conference ECHOING UNCEAN VOICES GLOBALLY. Belle Ashley Macalintal and Krislen Gaile Bismonte, both from the College of Arts and

Sciences, Tiffany Biemvenuto and Joelyn Arlante both from the College of Business and Accountancy participate in IMUN—campaigning meaningful discourse about different social and political issues worldwide.. Words by Neil Andrew Formalejo / Photo from Belle Ashley Macalintal

NI Kyra Victoria AT Jean Aquino

Bitbit ang kamalayang matuto sa pandaigdigang antas, nilahukan ng apat na UNCeana ang International Model United Nations (IMUN) Online Conference 49.0 noong Marso 20-21, 2021. “I was able to realize the role of youth in the society; we might be young and still have a lot to learn but our voice still matters and it is powerful that it can echo around the world,” pahayag ni Tiffany Bienvenuto. Kasamang lumahok ni Bienvenuto si Joelyn Arlante na kapwa mula sa College of Business and Accountancy, at sina Krislen Bismonte at Belle Ashley Macalintal ng College of Arts of Sciences. Kabilang sila sa mahigit 2000 na mga delegado na lumahok sa IMUN Conference na layong himukin ang kabataan na makilahok sa mga na mga internasyonal na isyu sa lipunan at magbigay ng mga posibleng solusyon sa mga pandaigdig na problema. Nagbahagi rin ng karanasan si Arlante, delegado ng Pilipinas at kinatawan ng Republika ng Iraq sa ilalim ng komite ng UNICEF (United

TERRORISM

Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) mula sa conference, aniya mas pinaigting ng conference ang kanyang kamalayan tungkol sa mga pandaigdigang isyu. “Nakatulong ito sa akin na madagdagan ang aking kamalayan hinggil sa mga pandaigdigang isyu na partikular na ngayon na ang paglaganap ng COVID-19 ay patuloy na mananatili, hanggang sa isang lawak na lumpo nito ang sistema ng edukasyon partikular sa mga ikatlong antas ng bansa,” pagpapalawig pa ni Arlante. Para naman kay Macalintal, isang freshman Psychology student, na delegado rin ng Nicaragua sa United Nations of Human Rights Council,

“There’s a first time in everything.” Ang IMUN ay isang akademikong simulation na nagsasama ng mga patakaran, pamamaraan at daloy ng trabaho sa pagitan ng mga internasyonal na delegasyon, Executive Board at International Press habang kasapi ang mga kwalipikado, at may mga mataas na katungkulan bilang parliamentary debater mula sa lahat ng mga background sa akademya, undergraduate o kahit postgraduate. Samantala. wala pang inilalabas na anunsyo kung kailan isasagawa ang susunod na IMUN online conference na inaasahang tatalakay sa mga pinakamakabuluhang paksa o isyung kinakaharap ng mundo.

Petisyon para sa GenderInclusive Dress Code ng mga magsisipagtapos, aprubado NI Charey Mae Alvarado

PROUD MOMENT DURING PRIDE. Khian Jamer, a law student of UNC, petitionS for gender inclusive dress code in UNC graduation photoshoot. This is in connection with the celebration of pride month where the struggles of the LGBTQ community are highlighted in the fight for gender equality. Words by Neil Andrew Formalejo Photo by Berlineth Nymia Montes

Maari nang magbihis ayon sa kanilang gender identity ang mga magsisipagtapos ngayong taon para sa kanilang yearbook photoshoot at graduation ceremony matapos aprubahan ng unibersidad ang petisyong isinumite ni Khristian Damielle Jamer para sa Gender-Inclusive Dress Code.

Ayon kay Jamer, Pangulo ng UNC Graduating Class 2021, isang hakbang ang petisyong ito sa mahaba at marami pang laban para matuldukan ang diskriminasyon sa LGBTQ+ community. "There's still a long way to go to finally end gender discrimination, marami pang laban, but this is a good start," saad ni Jamer. Naglabas ang UNC administration ng mga guidelines na inihanda ni Jamer na siya rin mismo ang naglahad sa academic council meeting kung saan siya naimbitahan kasama ang ilang dekano at department heads. Ayon sa guidelines, maaaring magsuot ng Filipiniana ang isang estudyanteng nagpapakilala bilang babae at ang mga nagpapakilala bilang lalaki ay pinahihintulutan din na gumamit ng Filipinianang panlalaki. Ito ay para sa formal shot at gayon din sa creative shot alinsunod sa temang napagpasyahan ng bawat departamento. Nakalagay din sa guidelines ang mga limitasyon sa dresscode, kung saan hindi pinapayagan ang damit na malalaswa, nagpapahiwatig ng pang-aabuso, terorismo at pagkapanatiko. Kabilang din sa ipinagbabawal ay mga damit na nagsasaad ng pangungutya sa ibang lahi, etnisidad, edad, kultura, sukat ng katawan, sexual orientation, gender identity at ekspresyon, pananampalataya, opinyong pampolitikal, nasyonal, sosyal o geographical origin, kapansanan, pag-aari, kapanganakan o lahat ng anyo na nakasaad sa pamantayan ng karapatang-pantao. Pati na rin ang paggamit ng mga kasuotan na nagpapakita ng kawalaang respeto sa kultura ng iba o ang cultural appropriation. Ibinahagi rin ni Jamer ang saloobin niya kung bakit mas nabigyang pansin ngayon ang isyu tungkol sa dress code sa unibersidad. "The approval to the petition is the fruit of a series of efforts already exerted by the LGBTQ+ Community and different student leaders throughout the years, and of course the willingness of the UNC administration under the leadership of Dr. Lauraya to continuously listen to its students," pagbabahagi niya. Nais niya ring iparating ang kanyang kasiyahan sa mga miyembro ng LGBTQ+ Community na sa wakas ay napahalagahan na ng institusyon ang kanilang hinaing. "I'm happy that the y could finally be who they are in the permanent records of the PATULOY SA 20

SJF, The DEMOCRAT nanguna sa paglulunsad ng Project AKI

PATULOY ANG SERBISYO. Pinangunahan ng Society of Junior Fellows ang pagsasanay

sa mga piling mag-aaral ng JHS department sa larangan ng pamumuno at team-building. Ang pagsasanay ay nagtapos sa ikatlong sesyon nito.

NI RACHELLE PAJA

Words by Neil Andrew Formalejo / Photo from Naga City Government Facebook Page

Sa pangunguna ng The DEMOCRAT at Society of Junior Fellows (SJF) sinimulan na ang unang implementasyon ng Project AKI (Adopt - A - Kid Initiative) na inilunsad ng Office of Student Affairs (OSA) sa pamumuno ni Kim Francia Bigay, Director for Student Affairs. Ang proyektong ito ay naglalayong mas mapalawak ang kaalaman at talento ng mga mag aaral sa basic at tertiary levels sa gabay ng mga miyembro ng dalawang nasabing organisasyon. Naging matagumpay ang mga inilatag na aktibidad ng SJF na nakapaloob sa Team Building at Leadership Training, na nagsimula noong ika-13 ng Marso at sinundan noong ika-20, at nagtapos naman noong ika-27 ng Marso 2021. Ayon kay Krislen Bismonte, Pangulo ng SJF, namangha sila ng abisuhan ng OSA na kasama ng The Democrat, ay sila ang mangunguha para kauna-unahang Project AKI sa unibersidad. "When Ma'am Kim invited us, together with The Democrat, regarding this project, we were in awe when we happened to know that we will be piloting the Adopt-AKid Initiative (Project AKi)." dagdag niya. Ngunit aminado rin si Bismonte na isang hamon para sa kanila na gampanan ang tungkulin lalo pa at online gaganapin ang mga aktibidad.

"Also, I must admit that it was challenging as well given that from the onset, we knew that it had to be held online; hence, the considerations and limitations of the virtual set-up concerned the whole team." saad pa nito. Nagsimula na ring ilatag ang Journalism Training ng The Democrat para sa mga miyembro ng dalawang publikasyon sa basic at senior high school levels, ang The Trailblazers at The Pantograph X Malaya. Nakapaloob sa training ang pagsasanay, at pagbabahagi ng mga section editors at ilang miyembro ng pahayagan ng mga tips at gabay sa paraan sa pagsusulat. Nagbigay ng mensahe at pasasalamat si John Paul Borito, Editor-in-Chief (EIC) ng The Democrat sa pagbibigay oras ng mga estudyante upang maging kalahok ng Journalism Training, kung saan layong mas makapagbahagi ng karagdagang kaalaman sa nasabing larangan. "And we want to engage you sa practices that we have in the publication, so for our case that would be how to improve your skills in your specific journalistics field. We also want to share with you little by little the principles that we have in the publication," saad ni Borito. Ayon sa EIC ng The Pantograph na si Jibril Lorente, nakatulong sa kanya ang unang araw ng Journalism Training upang mas mapalawak ang kanyang kaalaman sa pagsusulat ng balita. "As a news writer myself, it is refreshing to see writing styles other than what I usually do," pagbabahagi niya.

Dagdag pa nito, inaasahan niyang sa natitirang dalawang sesyon ng Journalism Training ay mas marami syang matututunan sa pagsusulat lalo na sa larangan ng editoryal. "I am looking forward to learning more things especially about editorial writing because I am not as proficient in it compared to news writing," wika ni Lorente. Samantala, isinaad ni OSA

Director, Kim Bigay na bagama't mahirap magsagawa ng proyekto online, ay may posibilidad na taon taon na ito gaganapin kung magiging matagumpay ang proyekto at mas maraming organisasyon ang makikilahok. "If the training turns out well then that could be yearly. But it's really difficult when it’s online kasi it's hard to sustain the attendance," ani niya.

Petisyon para sa Gender-inclusive...

MULA SA 19

school and I'm glad that their chosen gender identities have finally been recognized by the university,” dagdag ni Jamer. Para naman kay Jaja Lacap, isang transwoman at graduating student mula sa College of Arts and Sciences, isang malaking hakbang para sa UNC ang pagpayag sa gender-inclusive dress code na nagbibigay karapatan at pagtanggap sa mga estudyante. "I think this action is appropriate simply because our world is evolving; thus, we need to establish regulations based on the necessity of society. After all, it is the students who uphold the core values of UNC," dagdag pa niya. Hinikayat din ni Lacap ang LGBTQ+ community na magbunyi dahil matapos ang matagal nilang hinaing ay napakinggan na ng administrasyon ang kanilang mga boses, at inaasahan din niya ang marami pang pagbabagong parating para sa unibersidad. "I would like to encourage

them to take advantage of this petition as it is a one-ofa-lifetime chance. This has been the request of my fellow transgender brothers and sisters for a long time and it only happened during the leadership of Madam Lauraya. Let us also celebrate this movement since our voice has been heard and look for ward as greater changes are coming to our Alma Mater," saad ni Lacap.

UNC-USG

ELECTIONS 2021 JUNE 2021

CHAMPIONS. UNC Taekwondo team poses with Naga City Government officials amid recognition of championing recent online competitions.

21 | DEMOCRAT SPORTS NEWS

Words by Norene Cantor / Photo from Naga City Government Facebook Page

UNC Taekwondo team conquers online competition, bags number of medals BY KENN DANIEL MONTECILLO

Even in virtual competitions, UNC Taekwondo team continues to champion excellence after taking home several medals from the 2021 Smart/ MVPSF Online Luzon New Face of the Year Speed Kicking Taekwondo Championships held last February 27-28 and March 20, 26-27, 2021. Benedict Albert Dayag bagged a silver medal in the Poomsae Championships category, and also bringing home silver in speed kicking championships were Keshen Ivan Lopez and Nathaniel Gian Mañago while Benedict Albert Dayag took home gold medal in the same category. Four more bronze was won in the speed-kicking category by UNCean athletes Alta Gelan Kaine Gados, Alexis Bersabe, Jhanice Policarpio, and John Kenneth Bocacao. Other winners in this category included Christine Joy Cleofe (5th placer), Lance Martin Capili (8th placer), Justin Eric Antonio (9th placer), and Alexander Maugo (11th placer). Bronze medallist Alexis Bersabe described that the preparation this time is quite different since limited face-to-face training was implemented unlike before where they can train almost every day before the competition comes. “Mahirap sya kasi 3 times a week lang training namin sa school

for preparation, unlike before na araw-araw talaga kaya makakapag handa kami ng mabuti 'pag may dating na competitions,” Bersabe stated. Meanwhile, after last year's competitions were canceled due to the pandemic, Jhanice Policarpio became even more determined to win and offer it to the entire UNC community. “Thankful din kami sa UNC kahit walang face to face classes at syempre pandemic it’s a difficult time for all ay binigyan pa din kami ng scholarship grant and “to give back” or parang may maibigay din

kami sa kanila,” Policarpio shared. Online training might became the most challenging part of the preparation, but it become useful to monitor the training of the athletes, Rolly Bayola, UNC Taekwondo Head Coach said. “Malaking hamon talaga samin lalong lalo na kung pano magiging mas effective ang training ng mga players sa panahon natin ngayon, buti nalang kahit papano nagawa namin maging regular ang training namin online, via zoom and house training, gamit ang maliit na space ng mga players sa kanya kanyang bahay para lang makapagpatuloy

Mind Hustle

Salazar thrashes 42 foes, triumphs in regional chess tourney

ng kanilang conditioning and routine para sa new normal na online competition set up,” Coach Bayola uttered. Coach Bayola also mentioned that these athletes' good health conditions pave the way for them to win medals in the online competition. Meanwhile, the Naga City government acknowledged the UNC Taekwondo team's achievement with a resolution of commendation on April 26, 2021, in return for the honor the team has given to the city.

CONTINUE ON 22

BY CHAREY MAE ALVARADO

Greyhounds Chess Team Captain Joseph Salazar, after almost two hours of a battle over the chessboard, bagged the championship title after outwitting 42 participants from the region in Cong Harold Alianza Pakawat 5 Regional Online Chess Tournament last February 20, 2021.

FOCUS. In the photo is Salazar at the National Age Group in 2019. He recently declared concentration as an element to owning chess matches. Words by Norene Cantor Photo from Naga City Government Facebook Page

SPORTS NEWS DEMOCRAT | 22

Kauna-unahang Greyhound OL Chess Tournament, abot-kayang inilunsad

UTAK ANG PUHUNAN. Dinagsa ng mga anlalaro ng chess ang kauna-unahang Online Chess Tournament na inorganisa ng UNC Greyhound Chess Team. Makikita sa larawan ang pasilip pangkasalukuyang ganap ng isang tagisan ng pag-iisip.

NI JONNA MAE BAGASBAS

Words by Neil Andrew Formalejo / Photo from Naga City Government Facebook Page

Sa loob ng halos dalawang buwan ng masinsinang pagpaplano, nailunsad na ang kauna-unahang UNC Greyhound Chess Tournament noong ika-14 ng Marso taong 2021 na naglayong maipakilala sa buong Pilipinas ang prestihiyosong unibersidad bilang isang tahanan ng mga potensiyal na manlalaro sa larangan ng chess. Ang matinding tagisan ng mga istratehiya at tekniks ay naganap sa isang online platform na kung tawagin ay lichess.org na sumalubong ng 347 kalahok mula pa sa iba't ibang sulok ng nayon, edad 9 hanggang 63. Isa sa mga naging paraan ng paghikayat ng mga tagapagorganisa ng torneo ay ang tumataginting na gantimpala para sa mga mangungunang manlalaro sa ilalim ng tatlong kategor ya. Magmula sa elimination, semifinals at ang pinakahihintay na final rounds, napili ang top 20 na pinatunayang karapat-dapat sila sa nakuhang parangal tulad nila Christian Mark Daluz at Ted Ian Montoyo na nakakuha ng 1st at 2nd prizes. Maliban dito,

nagpasiya din ng top 20 para sa Q & A na porsyon at 11 na kalakok para sa special prize. Ayon kay Joseph Salazar na chess team captain ng unibersidad at isa rin sa mga tagapag-organisa ng torneo, naisakatuparan nang matagumpay ang primerang tunggalian sa chess na isinagawa ng mga unceano.

Aniya, “Kung hindi dahil sa suporta ng aming President, mga heads at staff, at maging lahat ng taong umalalay mula sa simula, hindi magiging posible ang lahat ng ito.” Sa kabila ng mahirap na sitwasyon dala ng pandemya, hindi maikakailang ang ganitong pagkakataon ay naging epektibo upang patuloy

na mapausbong ang hangarin ng mga taong may interes at pagmamahal para sa chess. Ang unang patimpalak ay maituturing na panimulang hakbang lamang ng unibersidad at tiyak maraming sumusubaybay sa mga susunod pang maaaring ilunsad ng unibersidad para sa isports.

with a fast internet connection, which is very important because it's an online tourney." Salazar stressed. Salazar also expressed his gratitude to his team and coach, "I'm very glad and thankful to each and everyone who believes in my ability, my coaches, teammates and the university itself for their support. I'm looking forward to playing with titled players and winning national tournaments with my teammates," says the UNC Chess team." UNC Chess team have this

monthly online competition also copping places, on Dep-Ed Naga First Virtual Chess Tournament 2021 last April 28-30, Hadji Ray Caalim and Christian James Sanchez Gold medalist for Sec boys Blitz Category (Team), Tricia Reyta Bronze Medalist for Sec girls blitz individual Category. The regional virtual tournaments used a swiss system with 11 rounds via the lichess.org website.

Salazar, triumphs...

FROM 21

This virtual tournament, according to Salazar, is open for all players in the Bicol Region. Every Bicolano chess player has tournaments sponsored by different individuals—which is not mentioned, volunteering to donate money for every tournament. Every day, these people send links to different group chats of Bicolano players. Chessers with the most points will be crowned champions of the tournament. Salazar for this game garnered 9.5 points that made him claim the tourney. "Every tournament is practice, and every day is different. I'm just waiting for a chance to have such a good mood and timing and that helped me win it, "Salazar shared upon asking how he prepared for the tournament. He got on to say that concentration and patience helped him win the tournament, "along

23 | DEMOCRAT SPORTS EDITORIAL

It turned out that the idea of a homosexual player ascending to supremacy is still one of the barely accepted realities in the esports world. Even though these homosexual athletes and players offer greater inspiration and hope for others, it takes a lot of emotional courage to endure the onslaught of homophobia and extensive hatred from the world around. So, in pursuit of one’s passion for sport and self-fulfillment, these homosexual players can either hoist the white flag or proudly wave their flashy rainbow flag. Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna, a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a star player of Blacklist International, received displeasing homophobic comments. This was just after their team dominated the Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines (MPL PH), which was later lashed out by Bren Esports. Despite the overwhelming criticisms, OhMyV33nus stood up and addressed the issue maturely, knowing he is not the only one affected by the unpleasant remarks. “As a member of LGBTQ+ community and a pro player of MPL PH, I stand to fight not just to win but to serve as an inspiration to each member of my community,” OhMyV33nus stated on his Facebook. He also wanted to use any available platform to spread awareness about how homophobic slurs affect a member of LGBTQ+ and how to turn the negativity into inspiration to keep moving forward. With all of that said, it’s quite reasonable to ask how well the sports industry promotes a sense of understanding, acceptance,

LGBTQ+ Involvement in Sports and equality for the vast majority of LGBTQ+ players and athletes? Obviously, sports are based on physical athleticism and attitude for the game, not on one’s sexuality. Even though the negative criticisms from fans and other people are becoming a norm, teams should constitute their impression and judgment for the players based on their skill, work ethic, and how they act on and off the games. Perseverance, discipline, cooperation, and a solid work ethic might be the discernible elements that can be developed within, but one decisive quality that shouldn’t be overlooked is fortitude. Being able to embrace the fine differences of every player can bring a team closely, boost performances and competitiveness in the play, and most importantly, promote acceptance and validation from the fans and haters. Given the explosive growth of Esports, looking up to these players as role models is acceptable. However, it is not their responsibility to act in the way the public demands them to be. OhMyV33nus is not just a fearless esports player but also a proud member of LGBTQ+ who has shown that anything is possible— a m i d s t reaping major criticism for just being himself and loving his passion.

Photo Source: OhMyV33nus Facebook Page

Today’s society deemed athletes and players as role models envisaged to acquire a good reputation and identity. They are in positions that allow them to be very influential, which in return, the smallest taint on the norms and standards of society done by these people can easily crush their established role model viewpoint.