THE EQUILIBRIUM

THE EQUILIBRIUM May 2022

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

LIVING ON A SLOPE

Student's Mental Health is finally getting the attention it needs.

The Corona Virus pandemic brought grappling challenges to the student's mental health. Due to school closures. physical distancing restrictions and isolation, and other unanticipated life changes, learner's mental health issues have been susceptible to the changes.

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In this Issue

Daily News ...................................2-5 Column..........................................6-8 What's New?................................9-12 Editorial.........................................13-14 Sports............................................15-17

Vol 10 Issue 7

DEATH PENALTY

Last March 2022, a new law to protect Filipino children from sexual violence was just signed.

Under this law, those who engage in sexual activities with children below 16 that used to be 12 are liable for committing statutory rape.

life is taken away, as there's no amount of punishment that would suffice for the things they did.

Capital punishment was abolished by Proclamation No. 1081 ("Proclamation of Amnesty and Public Pardon During the 21st Anniversary of the New Society," December 30, 1981), issued by Manila-based President Corazon C. Aquino on her first day in office.

Along with this issue and the rising cases of heinous crimes the Philippines face, many citizens voice out for the death penalty to be back. For them, there is no (CONTINUED ON PAGE 12-13) justice until the criminal's

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Publication

STAFF Torres, Ma. Mae Stephanie V. Editor in Chief

Austria, Kimberlie Anne S. Managing & Editorial Editor

Bengero, Michelle F. News and Sports Editor

Quizada, Allen Q. Column and Feature Editor

Writers

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Leonard Roberto Ping Moreno Isko Marcos

Bong Bong Lacson Lenlen De Guzman

DAILY NEWS Will COVID-19 vaccines stand against Omicron?

- Kimberlie Anne S. Austria

Multiple mutations of the Omicron variant, a new covid19 variant of concern, might make vaccines less effective. "[Omicron] has a lot of mutations in what we call the spike protein... It's the part of the virus on the outside that's critical both for the virus to actually attach to cells and infect them, but it's also the part that our immune system learns to recognize when we've been infected or vaccinated so that if it sees it against it mounts a good immune response,” explained Emma Hodcroft, a molecular epidemiologist.

Scientists' primary concern is the possibility that Omicron will be able to get into cells faster because of its multiple mutations, or it may have mutated so much that the body's immune system doesn't recognize it.

Data analyzed about the new variant suggests that immune protection and the protection from vaccines might be lessened for Omicron due to its multiple mutations.

"One the things that surprise scientists about omicron is that it's actually very distantly related from any other variant we've seen so far," Hodcroft added.

Scientists are now working to

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understand the variant better to know how protected people are and whether it is more transmissible compared to the previous variants like Delta. She added that scientists believe Omicron became distinct when it appeared in an immunocompromised individual, conditioning the virus to mutate aggressively.

Hodcroft emphasized that even if Omicron seems to have a less bad clinical result and fewer people end up in the hospital, the number of infected individuals will increase if it transmits faster and can foil vaccination protection. If more individuals need hospital admission, healthcare systems will be overwhelmed.

Derrick Williams, a Deutsche Welle (DW) Science correspondent, stated that companies that make COVID-19

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vaccines plan to respond to Omicron with tweaks in their products if proven that this variant can really affect immune defenses programmed by vaccines. Pfizer, BioNTech, and Moderna are ready to produce a massive scale of vaccines tailored for Omicron by March this year.

South African scientists revealed this variant in late December 2021 by studying the composition of the virus by sequencing its genes - a tool that allows scientists to follow how a virus mutates.

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DAILY NEWS is, will such a travel ban even The Surge of the -ion work? fact that this virus is still Omicron Variant "The found in Europe it may also in of Coronavirus other countries..." Abdou Salam - -Michelle F. Bengero

The South Africa Researchers have discovered a new variant of the novel coronavirus omicron, which has been found in 57 countries; the World Health Organization warns against increasing numbers of hospitalization.

The surge of coronavirus requires billions of people to be vaccinated 2 times or even 3 times. The researchers of South Africa discovers a new variant, omicron that can cause the futile efficacy of the vaccines. The lab workers found different cases that did not match any genes of the virus they started alarming the virologist who studies the composition of the virus by sequencing, which is used to find out how and where the virus mutates. South Africa is known for being advanced in medical researchers and highly specialized medical labs but as soon as the omicron spread, different country borders instituted a ban on South Africa.

Some people in different country says that South Africa is being punished for being highly advanced with it comes to science research--but the questPage 3

Gueye, WHO Africa Emergency Director.

Regional

According to Emma Hodcroft, a Molecular Epidemiologist the transmissibility of a new variant of the virus is a natural phenomenon that a virus actually mutates and can cause different genes, that cannot be determined by other older sets of the virus. It is not certain that only one country is the host of the virus. Derrick Williams the DW Science correspondents that the scientists and researchers are now working on the vaccines and pretty much Covid-19 Vaccines companies say that they have plans and place to responds to omicron with the use of their product.

In addition, discrepancies in COVID-19 vaccine access must be quickly addressed to ensure that vulnerable groups worldwide, including as health professionals and the elderly, receive their first and second doses, as well as equitable access to treatment and diagnostics.

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DAILY NEWS Omicron a New Variant of Coronavirus - Ma. Mae Stephanie V. Torres

The Omicron virus, the new variant of Covid-19, discovered through sequencing by South African Researchers.

The Omicron virus, was first discovered through sequencing

by South African researches, the new variant was detected in the middle of South Africa’s fight with the Delta virus, Even though omicron was found in South africa it doesn't necessarily prove that the variant started in the country, but as soon as the omicron was detected and reveal, many countries instituted travel ban to South Africa.

Through sequencing the new variant was found, sequencing is the tool that allows scientists to know how a variant mutaties through analyzing of the gene materials and by reading its components.

Emma Hodcroft, a molecular epidemiologist, stated in an interview with DW news that “Omicron has so many mutations. There's real concerns that this could mean the virus might for example be able to get into cells faster or it might have changed so much that our immune system doesn't Page 4

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recognize it as well. And unfortunately some early data came out a few days ago suggests that immune protection, and the protection from vaccines might be lessened for omicron.”

Due to Omicron's lack of relative data and its rarrines, scientists are having a hard time finding its origins. But some speculations had arisen that it could have grown up and mutated somewhere else completely undetected and had only been picked up when it moved to south africa, another speculation is that it had been a variant that moved into an animal host and jumped back into human.

On the other hand Some of the leading companies in the making of COVID-19 vaccines such as visor, biotec and moderna are ready to begin producing doses that are tailored to omicron on a massive scale by march. Due to the limited data, researchers suggest that the best and right strategy is to continue to give people boosters to increase their antibodies and to wait for more data for omicron.

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DAILY NEWS Omicron: The quickestspreading variant in the present time, found in South Africa - Allen Quizada

In South Africa, researchers discovered a new Covid-19 variant called "Omicron" in December 2021. The BioNtech Researchers are already developing vaccines against the Omicron variant which will be available in March 2022.

In the interview of Molecular Epidemiologist Emma Hodcroft with Ben Fazal in DW News, she revealed the potential origin of the new Covid-19 variant “Omicron” which was being said first detected in South Africa in December 2021.

It's been 2 months since BioNtech Researches first detected the highly mutated

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coronavirus variant dubbed "Omicron”.

Lab workers conducting COVID-19 tests began to notice cases that didn't fit the profiles of the known virus. As a result, they notified virologists, who used gene sequencing to investigate the virus' composition.

Scientists have come to learn that omicron spreads faster than the delta variant and is the quickest-spreading variant in the present time. It also has a huge ability to bypass immune protection and cause breakthrough infections.

The questions are revolving around its severity: Does omicron cause milder disease, compared to previous variants? Does it thereby lower the risk of severe disease and hospitalization?

“So the interesting thing about Omicron, is that it doesn't have many near relatives. Normally, when we identify a variant, we can kind of see its grandparents and its great grandparents, and how it might have become about how it changed over time. With Omicron. We don't really see this, but scientists have some ideas about why it might be so different.”

Emma Hodcroft stated.

"Actually, it's still early days. So it's hard to know exactly what impact Omicron is going to have.

Certainly, at the moment, we see it growing at quite a fast rate, THE EQUILIBRIUM

both in South Africa and in countries in Europe that have good surveillance systems. The more data we get over the next few weeks, the better we'll get an idea of what Omicron has instore for us. " she added. “Even a small percent of a big number is a big number”, she uttered. If a lot of those people end up needing hospitalization and care at the same time, that could really overwhelm their healthcare systems.

The new variant remains a menace to regain the COVID-free country as it mutates quick every now and then. Researchers have found that South Africans infected with omicron are, on average, less likely to end up in the hospital, and they also appear to recover more quickly from illness, compared to the other variants. However people must be still cautious.

As Omicron has been classified as a variant which spreads faster than the delta variant, people must take self-care and follow the protocols. Derek Williams, DW Science Correspondent, on the other hand, highlighted that, “For the time being, the right course of action is to continue giving people boosters of available vaccines and wait for more data on Omicron” as the BioNtech Researchers are producing vaccines available in March, present year.

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COLUMN ISDANG NALULUNOD: Student's Circumstances amidst Pandemic - Kimberlie Anne S. Austria

In our childhood days, we can often hear the phrase "isdang nalulunod" that is used in local chants and corny jokes. Well, we all knew that fish only survives underwater, and but canit really be drowned with what's keeping it alive in the first place?

According to an article written

by Alison Yang in 2021, fish are very capable of drowning in lowoxygen environments.

But technically speaking, the correct term for what occurs wouldn't be "drowning." What happens is closer to the act of suffocating, especially when changes are made in its environment. This stance is similar to what's happening now to students who are forced to a new environment, wherein learning depreciates, causing the loss of the supposed competencies acquired, causing students to drown on their own tank.

Students are meant to flourish, be flexible, and adapt wherever he is. This is emphasized in this pandemic, where studying is transitioned from face-to-face classes to online learning. From Page 6

an ocean where fishes can freely swim, they are caught and placed into small tanks, and not every fish is able to adapt.

With the online set-up, the students are flooded with various activities that they mostly cannot understand how it will help them in the "reality" of life – the life after school, as elders say. University Business conducted a survey last June 2020 after school closes due to the rising cases of COVID-19. The results show that 75% of the 2500 college students respondents reported feeling more anxious or stressed due to online learning. In line with this, school closures have been associated with an increase in dropout rates and a deterioration in literacy. According to the World Bank, the number of children aged ten and below in lowand middleincome countries who are unable to read simple text has climbed from 53% prior to the pandemic to 70% today.

With this situation, what more can we do? Should we just standby and let our students drown in tons of activities without the actual learning? We can't expect a progressive society with competitive graduates if this continues.

Teachers who understand students' situations are calling the government to open schools THE EQUILIBRIUM

without compromising the students' health since this pandemic is nowhere near its end. We have to learn to swim but in an appropriate environment suitable for learners. This is the only way to address the suffocation of learning and make students dive deeper in clearer water where they can express their talents and abilities eradicating limits.

Living in Agony: The System’s Transition - -Michelle F. Bengero

I always wonder how the world will look ten years after I was ten years old. A child full of dreams and questions. It mesmerized watching movies with a genre of the age of civilization and modernization. How airplanes are made, how robots can talk, how trashcan can segregate biodegradable to nonbiodegradable—fascinating. But as I walked one sunny afternoon —my dreams felt so far and impossible.

Covid-19 strike, March 16, 2021, 2 confirmed cases. I was in the middle of cleaning chairs and having a good time with my classmates— first-year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English— young and bold. bold. I am doing good at school, and I am a

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COLUMN straight Dean's list. I have good friends and an encouraging environment—life was perfect.

Hearing the announcement about the class suspension made our hearts flatter because we thought that we could finally take a rest—the calm before the storm. I was delighted to hear that news, making plans with my friends, not knowing that the game of depression, anxiety, and confusion makes me ready to taste my own medicine. Life is hard now; memories from the past are like a dream that lasted in a very short span of my youthfulness. I take it hard. I suddenly stop living and making myself drown from the darkness and sadness of how my years have gone so fast in just a glimpse of an eye. I am coping, but now hearing news that the face-to-face will be possible maybe in the next year—made me feel so stuck, like an experiment that cannot do anything because I am tied with both of my hands and feet. I feel so incompetent, not ready, and subjected to failure. Life is hard now. Every choice we make can affect future generations capabilities, dreams, perspectives, and life. But we cannot control how the world will turn, and it is our responsibility to cope, live, and love the life we are living in.

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ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE - -Ma, Mae Stephanie V, Torres

Due to the rise of Covid cases back in 2020, schools and universities in the Philippines decided to implement Online learning.

Online learning may not be a foreign concept to other countries, it may even be the common mode of teaching in some, but online learning is entirely foreign and new to the Philippines, education here is mostly conducted in a face-toface manner, but due to the pandemic face-to-face classes had to be canceled and so online distance. The new learning and teaching modality poses some problems, for me a student it was hard to adjust, it confusing and also anxiety inducing, it was totally different to what we are used to, and then you have problems such as; problems with the internet connection not having enough data, lack of the proper technology, distractions, etc. Both students and teachers suffer from these problems, especially teachers who are not as “tech savvy” as others are, students also suffer problems such as not having the motivation to learn, getting

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burned out and being overwhelmed due to the loads of work being dumped on them, and then you add the factor that they have other chores and stuff to do.

In the article Online Learning: Common Struggles for Diverse Learners by Jennifer Sullivan, she listed down five common struggles that students face in online learning. She lists down struggles in keeping track of time, struggle with motivation, struggle with being overwhelmed, and being burned out. Students are overwhelmed with their work, and exhaust themselves with finishing activities and passing them on time, and teachers are struggling on finding new ways to teach.

Both parties suffer not just the other, students should find time to relax and unwind, inform the people in the house what time they have classes, find a quiet place with no distraction so that they can focus, and don't pile up work instead create a checklist and a schedule. Teachers on the other hand should be considerate about their students' situation.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the right technology, instead compromise, give them enough time to accomplish task, don't pile activities and record the lectures for those students who are not

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COLUMN able to attend.

Communication, cooperation and understanding is the key and it is what we needed especially in these trying times.

COVID response: Failure of the administration and Legislators - Allen , Quizada

The rate of Covid infection breaks record high, at 17,000+ last January 22, 2021; and this time, with the more virulent Delta variant according to Department of Health Organization.

Not surprisingly, the anxiety level of many people is at its highest. This is brought about by the fear of getting infected, and the uncertainty caused by disruptions in work and businesses. Scriptures teach us NOT TO WORRY. But we all know it is easier said than done.

We are running out of facilities to accommodate people with deceases. Social Media became an online cemetery wherein people are dying time to time, which is truly alarming that causes societal anxiety to everyone; thinking that we might get infected by the virus and end up dying because of lack of

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facilities in our public hospitals.

Let us admit that some people are getting infected by the virus because of their irresponsibility, but aside from that, we can’t deny that there are people who got infected by the virus from their risky work, because there is no better option for them but to work for their family. That is a heart-breaking reality in country; when people are blaming the government for its faltered decisions; they are cursing people and force them to be quiet and practice no freedom of speech.

Making safe spaces or an isolation center is not a thing that we need to clap on. Making something for people during this pandemic is actually one of the bare minimum actions the government should provide. I have so much unhealthy though in mind but I feel like I'm not in the right stand to speak up about it. But then, since this is an opinion, I can say that the Philippine government is not giving its 100% focus on the pandemic.

People who are in seats are prioritizing their personal interest, taking advantage while the pandemic is at its peak. To the 12 senators who are in charge in law making, I don’t think that they’ve done their jobs, they are not effective

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legislator; on my observation and based on what I’ve experience during their term knowing that they are receiving their salaries consistently with or without pandemic.

COVID patients’ facilities must not be a problem in terms of financial necessities for the government to provide safe spaces for the patients if our taxes were regulated transparently. The service we are receiving from the government is not something we need to owe; those are not from their pockets.

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WHAT'S NEW? Laiban PitchBlack Nights - Kimberlie Anne S. Austria

Places in Laiban, Tanay, are only half an hour away from the main road but don't have electricity and mobile coverage access.

Photograph by: KATHLEEN LEI LIMAYO

Rizal is known as a powergenerating province. The Malaya Thermal Power Plant of the NAPOCOR, one of the primary energy sources for the Luzon grid, is located. The first Luzonbased windmill with 27 turbines can also be seen in the province's heart – Pililla, Rizal. The province was also historically the pioneer in communication technology in the Philippines, as this is where the first communication satellite, "PHILCOMSAT," was established in the 1970s.

This communication facility has broken down barriers, allowing the Philippines to actively engage Page 9

in the highly developed communication system across lands and oceans through telephone, broadcasting, fax, and other satellite communications services.

In contrast to this advancement, the indigenous members of the Dumagat-Remontado tribe who lives in Brgy. Laiban, Tanay, Rizal have been without electricity for five decades. The residents started buying their personal solar panels in 2014 to help them through their daily living, retiring from pitch-black nights. For decades, the residents survived through gasoline lamps and THE EQUILIBRIUM

After a few years, the residents can differentiate how it's easier to live with a power supply.

Dumagat children are now growing up with reduced difficulties compared to what their parents endured.

Commissioner Rachel Herrera of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) stated that the Dumagat tribe serves as a good model to inspire the provision of assistance for other off-grid communities in rural areas so that they may access renewable and sustainable energy, while helping improve the government's electrification targets.

By March 2021 when only the government initiated installing 14 solar panels on the classroom's roof of Laiban Integrated School under the Project-Araw Aral lead by Jemar Maldia, an electrical engineer.

The installed solar panel enables teachers to print modules for remote learning of the students. Apart from electric mobility, teachers and parents are hoping for sufficient internet access so students can access quality active learning materials.

Additional solar panels are being donated to the Dumagat tribe of Laiban by an increasing number of organizations. The solar panels help residents light their homes and give them the

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WHAT'S NEW? heart to hope for children's brighter future.

LIVING ON A SLOPE

or even at work. We thought it would possibly last a couple of Student's Mental Health is finally days, weeks, or even months-getting the attention it needs. nobody thought it would last The Corona Virus pandemic forever, and we handled it with brought grappling challenges to different shapes and intensity. the students' mental health. Due The pandemic made our world to school closures, physical upside-down. It limits our distancing restrictions and outdoor movements, isolates us, isolation, and other restricts us from our plans, and unanticipated life changes, makes some lives learners' mental health issues unconquerable. have been susceptible to the A total of 1879 completed online changes. surverys were gathered from "We are all in the same storm, March 28-April 12, 2020. but we are in different ships Collected data included sociotrying to navigate the storm," demographics, health, statues, said Derek M. Novacek, a contact history, COVID-19 knowpostdoctoral fellow researching mental illness at the University of California, Los Angeles, who shared research evaluating response to COVID-19.

Before the pandemic, the world was loud and crowded. Many of us may reminisce about what we are doing when we receive the news that we have to have lockdown, maybe you were in school, office, a date, a trip or - -Michelle F. Bengero

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ledge and concerns, preventive measures, information needs the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the impact of Events ScaleRevised (IES-R) rating 16.3% of respondents rated the psychological impact of the outbreak as moderate-tosevere.

16.9% reported moderate-to severe depressive symptoms; 28.8% had moderate-to-severe anxiety levels 13.4% had moderate-to-severe stress levels.

In the Philippines, one-fourth of respondents expressed moderate-to-severe anxiety, and one-sixth reported moderate-tosevere depression and psychological effects during the early stages of the pandemic.

We handle our baggage differently. We may see pandem-

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WHAT'S NEW? ic as the darkest pace in our lives but let us remind ourselves that taking care of our mental health is as important as looking after our physical health. Good mental health and positive wellbeing can help us better cope with the COVID-19 threat and the uncertainty it's creating.

Binangonan's yearly rabies vaccination - Ma, Mae Stephanie V. Torres

In celebration of rabies awareness month, the Municipality of Binangonan is conducting their yearly rabies vaccination Pets are those lovable, cute but also mischievous little (big) creatures that everyone can't help but love, they provide companionship and emotional support showing how owning pets have its benefits both. mentally and physically, having a pet increase the chance of exercise, with daily walks and jogs. Playing with a pet can elevate the levels of serotonin and dopamine which helps a person to be calm and relax. They help to lower stress, and studies also show that pet owners are less likely to suffer depression than those without. In general Page 11

having pets is just a delight, they can be a person’s closest friend and a companion for the rest of their lives. But these adorable and fluffy animals can also bring danger. Not only to us, but also others around us if they get infected with Rabies.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system of mammals, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death.

Worldwide, rabies is estimated to cause 59,000 human deaths in over 150 countries, with 95% of the cases occurring in Africa and Asia. Rabies in Asia is estimated to cause 35,127 human deaths per year, with 59.9% cases in India and 35% of deaths globally, half of the cases of people bitten by suspected rabid animals are children ages 15 to under. The Philippines document cases of death due to rabies in 2020 and THE EQUILIBRIUM

2021, with 4 and 12 reports respectively.

There has been numerous programs and project that the government has done to prevent rabies infection, with annual rabies vaccination for pets and hospital and clinics who give free injection of anti rabies injection which are the HDCV (Imovax, Sanofi Pasteur) and PCEC (RabAvert, Novartis) March is the rabies awareness month, and in celebration the municipality of Binangonan, Agriculture office will conduct their yearly rabies vaccination for each of the barangays in Binangonan, which includes Brgy.

Pag-asa, Tayuman, San Carlos, Tagpos, Bilibiran, Palangoy, Pantok, Darangan, Calumpang, Mahabang Parang, Mambog, Tatala, Macamot, Batingan, Layunan, Libis, Libid, Lunsad, Pila-Pila, Limbon-Limbon and Ithan. The vaccination schedule WWW.THEEQUILIBRIUM.ORG

WHAT'S NEW? would be starting from March 3, and ending May 20, 2022.

Getting anti-rabies vaccination for pets can prevent them from acquiring the disease from rabid wild animals, and prevent the possible transmission to you, your family and to other people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) leads the collective “United Against Rabies Forum” (UAR) which advocates and prioritizes investments in rabies control, to drive progress toward a "Zero human deaths from dogmediated rabies by 2030".

Fire blaze in a public market in Teresa, Rizal disbursed inspiration to rise upon the occasion - Allen, Quizada

2021 fire incident in Teresa, Rizal caused 162 stall owners lost.

Approximately P4.8 million products and goods was consumed.

Life is indeed difficult especially, during this time of pandemic.

The life of Teresians became harder when the blaze in Pamilihang bayan ng Teresa, Rizal started. The said event happend around 8:20 p.m. and reached the third alarm before it was declared under control shortly after 11 p.m. on August 11, 2021. Many businesses Page 12

Photo by: TAGA RIZAL AKO (FB Page)

owners, part-timers and labourers got affected by the aforementioned incident.

Thankfully, Teresa Mayor Raul Palino had a quick talk with some of the affected stall owners who personally went to his office, Thursday morning, according to a staff of the chief executive. They accommodate and assisted the victims of a tragic incident.

There are reportedly 162 stall owners affected by the blaze in Pamilihang Bayan ng Teresa. It is estimated that up to P4.8 million was consumed; According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, 80% of the Pamilihang bayan was damaged. Nevertheless, no one was injured or killed in the incident.

According to the reaction interview of Ms. Lea Borito, one of the affected business owners after the incident: ".....hanggang ngayon, hindi ako makapaniwala.

Sobrang naiiyak ako talaga, at syempre pandemic na nga tayo, nagkaroon pa ng malaking problema. Ang saket, parang hindi namin matanggap. Pero at least, thankful pa rin kami THE EQUILIBRIUM

kase walasa 'min nasaktan; 'yung negosyo namin, naapektuhan, so parang hindi namin alam kung paano magsisimula" The source of the fire is still being investigated, but one of the angles to look at is the electrical wiring. The incident really changed the life of many.

Sadly, not only the business owners are affected, even the consumers.

It is true that accident won't come with the bell on it's neck.

Accident happens anytime, and anywhere. Always be prepared, for accident is like a blaze in the market, it will take away everything or pay you death as return.

To survive, it takes sweat, determination and hard work. Do not count on prayers alone, even luck only happens when preparation meets opportunity.

No matter what incident is about to come, always have a hope to overcome it. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, people must keep onmoving; like what Teresians did, as they start to rise upon the occasion.

Photo by: TAGA RIZAL AKO (FB Page)

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EDITORIAL DEATH PENALTY - Kimberlie Anne S. Austria

Last March 2022, a new law to protect Filipino children from sexual violence was just signed.

Under this law, those who engage in sexual activities with children below 16 that used to be 12 are liable for committing statutory rape. Along with this issue and the rising cases of heinous crimes the Philippines face, many citizens voice out for the death penalty to be back. For them, there is no justice until the criminal's life is taken away, as there's no amount of punishment that would suffice for the things they did.

Capital punishment was abolished by Proclamation No. 1081 ("Proclamation of Amnesty and Public Pardon During the 21st Anniversary of the New Society," December 30, 1981) Page 13

issued by Manila-based President Corazon C. Aquino on her first day in office. The proclamation declared that "all prisoners currently under sentence of death shall henceforth be placed under detention." It also annulled all previous death sentences and restored to full political and civil rights "persons convicted under military courts for crimes against national security committed during the period of martial law."

The death penalty was abolished for it is a cruel and inhumane punishment. Even with the safeguards built into legal procedures now, there are still many instances of mistaken identity or error in identifying the guilty party. The individual wrongly convicted of a serious crime does not deserve the THE EQUILIBRIUM

ultimate penalty; the state's responsibility to protect its citizens should be realized by incarceration for life instead of execution.

The imposition of the death penalty in the Philippines is incompatible with the principle of human dignity, as guaranteed by our Constitution. The death penalty is also disrespectful to life, which is sacred and inviolable in Catholic Tradition.

The death penalty violates a man's right to life which cannot be taken away even if someone has committed serious crimes because nobody has the right to kill another human being, no matter how severe those crimes are or how great the pain felt due to such crime.

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EDITORIAL rather than restorative justice, which aims to reform convicts and prepare them for reintegration into society.

Vengeance is never justice.

Since its establishment, the death penalty has been the subject of heated discussion and controversy. Various countries have different takes on it as to why it is not practiced worldwide.

In the Philippines, it was long abolished as our justice system is still faulty, and it this can be used in power abuse. It was abolished for a reason and should not be brought back into our system again.

Instead, we can integrate different forms of life sentences and those without a chance of parole in our system. Death penalty won't scare criminals as they will just adjust to live with it; but it will terrorize the innocent, those people whom our law can easily point their fingers if they want to.

Throughout our history, the death penalty has been meted out to replace punishment with barbaric and cruel method. Many proponents have also viewed the death penalty as a deterrent to crime. However, an empirical study of crime statistics reveals that there is no correlation between the implementation of capital punishment and the Page 14

deterrence of crime. The death penalty has been around since civilization began, but this hasn't prevented horrible crimes.

Additionally, the death penalty or capital punishment is a form of punishment that has been used throughout history and is even practiced by several countries in the present.This form of punishment is retributive justice THE EQUILIBRIUM

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SPORTS Ateneo Lady Eagles wins its first title - Michelle F. Bengero

The Ateneo Lady Spikers for the most part bring its first UAAP 76 women's volleyball champions tournament by defeating De La Salle in 3 straight sets in the door-die Game of the Finals in an actually major way.

The History actually has been made at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, the Lady Eagles basically wins against the Lady Spikers, 25-23,26-24 and 25-21 also ending the La Salle's dominance of UAAP volleyball, which kind of is quite significant.

Several heroes for the most part dig the team to history, but Alyssa Valdez basically played spectacular game with 21 points and named Season 76 Most Valuable Player, completing a golden-double, demonstrating how actually several heroes generally dig the team to history, but Alyssa Valdez generally played spectacular game with 21 points and named Season 76 Most Valuable Player, completing a golden-double.

Ateneo drew the first blood with a score on 25-23 in the opening set. Valdez shocked la Salle with off-speed specifically kill that gives the Ateneo victory of the opening set, which really is quite significant.

The Lady Eagles defeated the Lady Spikers with a very clean Page 15

and a step ladder swiping up to the elimination rounds, riding the team with a remarkable winning streak and basically had a thrice to-beat advantage, or so they definitely thought.

Ateneo specifically fought with a classic five set victory in Game 3 to set up the March 15, 2014 do-or specifically die game, showing how the Ateneo Lady Spikers for the most part bring its first UAAP 76 women’s volleyball champions tournament by defeating De La Salle in 3 really straight sets in the do-ordie Game of the Finals.

The Ateneno Coach Anusorn "Tai" Bundit instilled that \"heart strong\" mentality and focused mind particularly carried the Ateneo throughout the season,

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or so they basically thought.

Ateneo’s First Victory - Ma, Mae Stephanie V. Torres

Alyza Valdez paves the way for their victory!

On march 15, 2014 The UAAP Volleyball Championship was held and one of Ateneo’s players shines above all, as she demonstrates an excellent performance during the competition.

The feeling of excitement, anticipation and nervousness can be felt as fans watch with bated breath, the intense match between Ateneo and De Lassale.

The match between the competing teams was intense WWW.THEEQUILIBRIUM.ORG

SPORTS and exciting, each team showcased their teamwork and skills, as each team's players contributed as they tried to one up one another to get a upper hand and score.

But one player stands before all, Alyza Valdez, Ateneos star player, and her role as the left spiker of the team, her skills and endurance showed as she spikes one after another, as her spikes pass through De Lassale formidable blocks in order to score.

After a formidable and exciting battle, Ateneo wins in the end, gaining their first UAAP Championship Victory in the Women’s Volleyball division, and Alyza Valdez as a valuable player that took the court in storm, this match would forever be know is history.

Teamwork: Key on Ateneo Lady Eagles’ Championship - Allen, Quizada

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The finals of the UAAP Season 76 Women’s Volleyball Championship 2014 for Ateneo Lady Eagles made history after a jaw-dropping match with three-time champion La Salle Lady Spikers with 25-23, 26-24, 25-24 tabulated winning scores.

“Teamwork talaga nagdala sa amin. Everybody played well. Ininstill talaga sa amin ni coach (Tai Bundit) yung heart strong,” the 20-year-old AB Psychology student Alyssa Valdez said, who was proclaimed as the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Lady Eagles, played in their fifth do-or-die game of the playoffs in front of a 21,000-strong crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, surprisingly defeated Lady Spikers. MVP Alyssa Valdez dominated with 21 points including the last three of the game-to go along with 12 excellent digs to power her team for their first-ever knockout victory

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Several players of Ateneo in the game gained points including the rookie pair of Michelle Morente (11 points) and setter Julia Morado (24 excellent sets), as well as veteran Ella De Jesus (10 points) and Amy Ahomiro (six points).

On the other side of the court, the Lady Spikers were led by Ara Galang with 11 points and Tan with five kills and two blocks.

Truly, the ball is round, who would thought that the Ateneo Lady eagles would be able to overcome a thrice-to-beat disadvantage. Even the Lady Eagles must have had uncertainties about their chances along the way. Their coach's mantra was "heartstrong," and tough training was essential. "We really exceeded our expectations this season," Valdez mentioned.

It must be a game changer for the lady spikers, knowing that WWW.THEEQUILIBRIUM.ORG

SPORTS there must be expected strong and fierce opponents on the next seasons. It would be a great battle of strong ladies aming for the championship. Every season is getting hotter and hotter as the players in different universities are wild and driven to win.

Lady Eagles were regarded as a "rebuilding squad" year after losing their legendary "Fab Five" to graduation after Season 75.

Luckily, there are still remaining young ladies who are ready to fight and be on top.

The Lady Eagles became the first volleyball team to break a three-game string of losses and the lowest rated women's volleyball team to win the championship.

“When we reached the finals, we really had nothing to lose. We just enjoyed the game and played our best, and this was the result,” Alyssa Valdez further uttered.

The UAAP women's volleyball championship returns with a blast in Season 84, with a 4 p.m. rivalry match between Ateneo and La Salle at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 5.

Allysa Valdez and the Lady Eagles sweep De La Salle Lady Spikers in three sets, 25-23, 2624, 25-21, in the Women's Volleyball Finals.

UAAP Season 76 MVP Alyssa Valdez played spectacularly with 21-points in the last game -she ambushed the Blue Eagles with her powerful spikes.

“Naiisip namin na worth it lahat ng pinaghirapan namin,” Valsez said. “Ang iniisip ng lahat hanggang final four lang kami, tapos andito kami ngayon nakatayo. Nakuha pa naming yung award.”

Alyssa led, but there were rookies Michelles Morente with 11 points and Julia Morado with 24 sets, which is a great help to take the title.

They shut down Lady Spiker in front of 21 000 crowds at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Finally, the last two finalists will face off in the last first-round game on Thursday, May 19, at 4 p.m., as tradition dictates. Season - Kimberlie Anne S. Austria 82 concluded prematurely in March 2020, hence the league The UAAP women's volleyball used the cast from Season 81's championship returns with a finals.

Ateneo Lady Eagles Win Over De La Salle Lady Spikers in UAAP

blast in Season 84, with a 4 p.m. rivalry match between Ateneo and La Salle at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 5.

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