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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 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

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

heart to hope for children's brighter future.

LIVING ON A SLOPE

- -Michelle F. Bengero Student's Mental Health is finally getting the attention it needs.

The Corona Virus pandemic brought grappling challenges to the students' mental health. Due to school closures, physical distancing restrictions and isolation, and other unanticipated life changes, learners' mental health issues have been susceptible to the changes. "We are all in the same storm, but we are in different ships trying to navigate the storm, " said Derek M. Novacek, a postdoctoral 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 ledge and concerns, preventive measures, information needs the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the impact of Events ScaleRevised (IES-R)

or even at work. We thought it would possibly last a couple of days, weeks, or even months-nobody thought it would last forever, and we handled it with different shapes and intensity.

The pandemic made our world upside-down. It limits our outdoor movements, isolates us, restricts us from our plans, and makes some lives unconquerable. A total of 1879 completed online surverys were gathered from March 28-April 12, 2020. Collected data included sociodemographics, health, statues, contact history, COVID-19 knowrating 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-

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 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 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

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

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 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)