The Escolarian | A.Y. 2022-2023 | Issue 01

Row, row, row your boat

Gently down the stream

In the woven night sky with twirling colors of black and midnight blue, adorned by the seamless glittering stars, a lone boat rests in the silent sea The sailor, unknown of which sex, sits on it quietly, rough hands loosely holding the paddles in which they use for steering either left or right, front or back. They look up, eyes mirroring the blinking stars in the sky When they first started this sail to the unknown, Continue to p 15

CEIS Batch 2022 Commemorates Their SHS Journey Amidst Pandemic

By Andrea Teves

challenges brought about by the pandemic “Accompany your goals with plans, for goals without concrete plans becomes wishes,” Fr Bungay said towards the end of his homily

After the mass, the ceremony was then formally opened by Dr Ma Cristina Padolina, followed by Ms. Abigail Espineda’s introduction of the guest speaker–CEIS President Dr Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr

Mr Coloma recalled his growth when he was the same age as the graduates, noting that his character and personhood were inspired by his early education and the unending affection of his parents, which he carried on to the latter part of his life.

He hoped that the students appreciate their school for transforming their character and for preparing them to face the future with hope and

Through the help of her friends, she became part of CEIS a day before online classes started, a choice out of impulse, which she emphasized as “ one of my impulsive decisions I never regretted ”

Her second year in CEIS came, and she had to decide which specialization she would take Once again the batch

Photo from Alakdan | Teodore Espique

Photo from Alakdan | Teodore Espique

CEIS Celebrates Buwan ng Wika at Kasaysayan

By James Fernando

2nd Place: Haela Clarisse Romero

3rd Place: Karlhene Andrhey Lucina

Digital

1st Place: Mary Elizabeth De Mesa

2nd Place: Cyrish Jane Estrella

3rd Place: Ariane Mae Santos

Tableau

Junior High School

1st Place: Grade 10

2nd Place: Grade 9

3rd Place: Grade 8

Senior High School

1st Place: HUMSS 11 A

2nd Place: STEM 11 B

3rd Place: STEM 11 D

Ang Tinig

Junior High School and Senior High School

Champion: Raphaelle Erika Victoria (STEM 12 A)

1st Runner up: Nichole Gabrielle Dela Cruz (STEM 12 H)

2nd Runner up: Teodore Janesto Espique (STEM 12 G)

3rd Runner up: John Miguel Onia (Grade 10)

After the awarding of winners, Mrs Teresita D De Leon gave her closing remarks This was followed by the singing of the CEU Hymn led by the winners of Ang Tinig

For the first vice president, John Sidre S Cruz of the Sandigan party-list won over candidates from the Royals and Tindig partylist with 308 votes

The voting process began at 10:00 a m , supervised by the Commission on Elections of CEIS headed by Mr. Christian Joseph A. Esguerra, with 13 overall volunteers from each strand in the SHS department Each volunteer was assigned one to two sections to supervise the voting process

1:00 p m was the official start of the vote transmission Tallying was held separately according to strand. HUMSS Precinct was handled by Mr Cedrick Esguerra, ABM Precinct by Mr Ralph Joseph S Lopez, and STEM Precinct by Christian Joseph A Esguerra

Most candidates of the Sandigan party-list emerged successful as they dominated the tallying charts and elected officers.

The newly elected officers of SSC for the school year 2022-2023 are as follows:

President: ROYALS - Kohjiroh B Iwaki (274 votes)

1st Vice President: SANDIGAN - John

Sidre' S Cruz (308 votes)

2nd Vice President: SANDIGAN - Dimples

M Tolentino (270 votes)

, p g p y y Francisco L David Jr , and the opening remarks of Ms Abigail DC Espineda, the CEIS SHS principal

The next part of the event was the “Ang Huling Tindig para sa Ang Tinig” It showcased the eight performers who were chosen from the online eliminations of Ang Tinig

The eight finalists sang songs that showed connection with the theme, “Pagpaparangal sa Kasaysayan at Kamalayan sa Filipino at mga Katutubong Wika: Kasangkapan sa Pagtuklas at Paglikha” They also wore native clothes of the Philippines

Shortly after, winners from Tagisan ng Talino, Pagsulat ng Lathalain, Paglikha ng Poster, Paglikha ng Digital Poster, Tableau, and Ang tinig were awarded The winners are as follows:

Tagisan ng Talino

Junior High School and Senior High School

1st Place: Aian Clarence Enrico Mabanta (STEM 11 B)

2nd Place: Keith Anderson Argonza (Grade 10)

3rd Place: Justine Kurl Q Gabat (STEM 11 E)

Pagsulat ng Lathalain

Junior High School

1st Place: Grace Chelsey Quintana (Grade 10)

Senior High School

1st Place: Alicia Louisse Cortez (STEM 12 C)

CEIS COMELEC proclaims new SSC Officers

2022-2023

By Aliyah Garcia

Malolos City- The Centro Escolar Integrated School (CEIS) Supreme Student Council (SSC) proclaims its newly elected officers for the school year 2022-2023 on September 30, 2022, at the school’s library

The presidential candidate of the Royals party-list, Kohjiro B Iwaki won with 274 votes and Norella Franceska B Belen of the Sandigan party-list followed with 233 votes Andrea Natasha R. Delos Santos of the Tindig party-list trails behind with 168 votes.

Secretary: SANDIGAN - Nichole Angela G. Dela Cruz (320 votes)

Asst Secretary: SANDIGAN - Aian

Clarence Enrico C. Mabanta (242 votes)

Treasurer: SANDIGAN - Teodore Janesto

P Espique (419 votes)

Asst Treasurer: ROYALS - Brianne

Francesca M Feliciano (244 votes)

Auditor: SANDIGAN - Adrian R. Morales (296 votes)

Asst Auditor: SANDIGAN - Meg Francis M. Lucas (302 votes)

Public Information Officer: SANDIGANKilah Brianna L Valcos (305 votes)

Asst. P.I.O.: SANDIGAN - Lyra Franchesca B Tud (381 votes)

ABM Representative: TINDIG - Mariel Ace M San Miguel (33 votes)

HUMSS Representative: TINDIG - Rhain

Mallory F. Galope (38 votes)

STEM Representative: SANDIGANFranceline Joy P Mangulabnan

(190 votes)

Photo from The Escolarian | Andrea Teves

Photo from The Escolarian | Sarah Mundo

CEIS admins and faculty together with the newly-proclaimed SSC during the Induction of Officers held on November 11, 2022

Escolarians Bring Hope Thru Xmas Donation Drive

By Biel Catipon

As an annual tradition, Escolarians expressed their kindness and generosity in a project entitled "Project Regalo: Escolarians, Kabahagi Tayo!" spearheaded by the Supreme Student Council (SSC) of Centro Escolar Integrated School-Malolos last December 5 to 14

Before the gift-giving, the SSC called for volunteers to assist them in activities which will last until the end of the school year

The SSC tasked every classroom section to participate in the outreach program by contributing an assigned good to their class The organization also received an amount of Php 6,000 cash donations

On December 14, SSC Officers and volunteers sorted and packed the received donations, which will be distributed to the school personnel, Tahanang Mapagpala Home for the Elderly, and Bethany House Sto Niño Orphanage

"From my perspective, there were no problems Fortunately, everything proceeded without any struggles as we arrived safely and distributed the donations to the home for the elderly and, subsequently, the orphanage," SSC President Kohjiroh Iwaki said "Everything went smoothly, and even though it was only a brief experience, I'm sure we all enjoyed working on this project "

guards and maintenance personnel.

On December 17, the SSC started distributing the donations to the first recipient by dropping off the goods at Tahanang Mapagpala Home for the Elderly.

Nineteen elders aged 67 and above received donations of rice, canned goods, toiletries, diapers, soaps, and shampoos.

"Thankfully, some of us were able to interact with the elderly at Tahanan ng Mapagpala, despite the fact that we are still not permitted to fully interact with them with all of the members," Iwaki said as they were only allowed to see the elderly through a glass panel.

semester," Iwaki added when asked regarding their plans for the second semester

The school and the SSC have accomplished this project continuing the tradition as the previous officers also conducted gift-giving programs, namely Project NOEL: NOche Buena EscoLarina in 2020 and Project TODA: A Christmas GiftGiving Drive-Thru in 2021

NAT G12 successfully accomplished by the Grade 12 Escolarians

Grade 12 Escolarians took their National Achievement Test (NAT) at Centro Escolar Integrated School-Malolos (CEIS) building II last January 30-31, 2023

The NAT officially starts at 7:30 a m , and students wait in the holding areas before they are distributed in their respective classrooms

The subjects they took on the first day are: Science, Humanities, Philosophy, and Media Information Literacy (MIL). While on the second day of the examination, students answered the test for the following fields: Mathematics, Language and Communication, and Social Science.

City of Malolos Integrated School (CMIS) teachers were the respective proctors assigned to monitor the Grade 12 students. Some faculty members from Centro Escolar Integrated School Malolos (CEIS) were deployed to different schools

During the classroom's year-end parties on December 16, even without the SSC officers,

On the same day, SSC headed to Bethany House Sto Niño Orphanage, located at Guiguinto, Bulacan, to drop off donations of rice, canned goods, toiletries, soaps, and shampoos

"Bagama't hindi pa po kami nagpapapasok sa kadahilanang hindi pa po sila fully vaccinated," said by the person-in-charge from Dominican Sisters of St Joseph in the interview, explaining why interactions with the children are still restricted due to some health security reasons

In the same interview, the orphanage expressed gratitude to the school for the donations and presence in visiting their community at the orphanage.

Grade 12 students were dismissed at 12:10 p m on the first day of the National Achievement Test and 11:35 a.m. on the second.

The NAT, which primarily aims to collect objective data on student’s academic achievement to act as a guide for school administrators and teachers in their various courses of action, and is completed by Grade 12 students

Photo from The Escolarian | Raiven Kamille Abdala

The Preparation

School Personnel

Bethany House Sto Nino Orphanage

Tahanang Mapagpala Home for the Elderly

The Return of Suprema and Kwerdas

By Jada Aquino and Kimberly Teodoro

SUPREMA

In our interview with Suprema s President, Sarah Suamina, they felt pressure over the short notice for their performance, as they only had six days to practice But together with their org adviser, Ma'am Quennie Rayos, and the cooperation of the other club members, they managed to pull off all of their preparations, including their dance choreographies and their pink DIY attire

With their dedication and hard work, they balanced their school obligations and the preparation for their performance For preparations, they even went to school on weekends and practiced after classes up until 6 p m “Literal na gabi na kami nakakauwi,” Suamina said

According to Suamina, they had mixed emotions during their performance and they were excited, nervous, and delighted right when they performed in front of the teachers and students, as it was their comeback after years of no performance But, some were sad because they will lose a member, Kohjiroh Iwaki, as he is the

Suprema and Kwerdas also collaborated in the recent event where Kwerdas sang "You Are The Reason" by Calum Scott while Suprema had it dance interpreted Now, should Escolarians expect more collaborations from Suprema and Kwerdas? Victoria answered, "Yes." While Victoria kept it discreet, Suamina said that students should stay tuned for their once again collaboration in the upcoming United Nations (UN) Day celebration

There's more to come, Escolarians! Get ready for Suprema and Kwerdas

VALENTINE’S DAY ‘23: Love is in the Air at CEIS

By Biel Catipon

Escolar

School-Malolos

Prior to the event, the council encouraged Escolarians to participate in their gimmick "Wear Your Status, Scorpions," where a specific color corresponds to the students' relationship status. ts re to

Alakdan

Alakdan

The school's multimedia organization prepared a movie booth titled "Under the Pink Skies," which included films in different genres Alakdan also sold bento cakes, big cookies, and dried flowers

The next day, February 14, grade 12 students were supposedly only taking online classes, but CEIS changed it to face-to-face learning

This is the first time CEIS celebrated Valentine's day on campus after two school years of distance learning

Photo from The Escolarian | Airhyz Cheruvin Villanueva

Photo from The Escolarian | Airhyz Cheruvin Villanueva

Centro

Integrated

Continued from first page

PBBM Joins WEF; Pimentel Rows MWF Discussion

By Maxine Reiza Lorenzo

On the morning of January 15, 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr , together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and some executive members left for Switzerland to take part in the World Economic Forum (WEF) and speak out for the country

In his speech before his departure, he stated that the forum would serve as his chance to speak up for the country as a President and open doors to the Asia Pacific

The World Economic Forum started in 1971 and was made for public-private cooperation This is joined by international leaders, both business and government, to report the world’s current state and deal with ideas set for the current year.

In his statement during the World Economic Forum, the following key points were mentioned: constructing strong infrastructure, food security, linking health and nutrition plans, and stimulating environmental energy for the economy of the country

During the event, Marcos also introduced the Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF); according to him, the purpose of this fund is for financial institutions and nation-building The said bill was denounced, knowing that the Philippines is currently facing a 13 trillion PHP debt

Marcos discussed the MWF in the forum, because he believed this will do a good thing for the sake of the Philippines’ economy

However, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel was against discussing the MWF in the forum.

Celeste Cortesi Ceases PH’s Miss Universe 12-year Streak

By Biel Catipon

Philippines’ bet, Celeste Cortesi, concluded her Miss Universe journey early as she ended the country’s 12-year semifinals streak during the 71st Miss Universe coronation night held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on Saturday, January 14, or Sunday morning, January 15 in Manila, Philippines

The Italian-Filipino beauty queen failed to advance to the Top 16, marking the country’s first time not making it to the semifinals since 2010

“To represent my country, The Philippines, is my greatest honor,” Cortesi said in an Instagram post with an artwork of herself in a Darna National Costume

Cortesi said the entire year had been the most challenging yet exciting time of her life as she reflected on her Miss Universe stint when she flew back to Manila.

Though some are upset, Cortesi still thanked her fans as her supporters still appreciated and cheered for her

R’Bonney Gabriel, the representative of the USA, clinched the Miss Universe 2022 title, which still made Filipinos proud because the winner is a half-Filipina

Photo from pcogovph

Photo from mbcomph

improvisations in our sleeves that could be a make do for any situation. Making the most out of little to no resources, it was fine because we got by, like we always do Oh, how optimistic it is to hear,

But not when you are getting the short end of the stick

Being a common person in society, disadvantages will always come in your way Broken systems in the Philippines, such as inaccessible forms of transportation, food necessities with skyrocketing prices, and even job opportunities are the everyday problem of an ordinary Filipino where they use diskarte just to call it a day

Scrolling through social media, I see tons of comments saying that it only takes diskarte to climb up from the lower part of the society’s pyramid The prices of grocery items are like luxuries for a minimum wage earner? Be madiskarte and find an alternative solution, they say There’s no job to feed the family? It’s because you ’ re not hard working enough to find one, they say

Recently, the prices of eggs, sugar, onions, and such had shot up in the market Not only consumers struggled to fit their budget just to buy the kitchen essentials, but also farmers who've always been hidden in the dark when we talk about the agriculture sector, ironic isn’t it? Farmers are forced to put their local products into waste because the government prioritizes imported goods to be sold in the market. Now, can we still blame the less fortunate when they can’t rise from the pyramid, given the minimal opportunity or support provided by the administration?

That begs another question, should we solely rely on being ‘madiskarte’ to prosper? If we are only going to be relying on that, then why do we place people in seats of power and let them do nothing with the said power?

Art by Mary De Mesa

Vandalizing Time’s Tales

EDITORIAL BOARD

Biel Jose Catipon

Editor-in-Chief

Andrea D A Teves

Associate Editor

Ellyssa Marie E Talucod

Chief News & Opinion Editor

Chief Layout Artist

Maria Sophia R Mendiola

Chief Features Editor

Mary Elizabeth S De Mesa

Head Cartoonist

James Patrick M Fernando

Assistant News & Opinion Editor

Alicia Louisse M Cortez

Assistant Features Editor

Pia Karoline M De Jesus

Assistant Chief Layout Artist

NEWS AND OPINION CORRESPONDENTS

Paul Armand DJ Mallari

Aliyah Patricia E Garcia

Joanna Chiney Kaye S Santos

Ray Anne Denise B Go

Jada Kalia B Aquino

Raiah Lois S Larit

Ashley Faith R Salonga

FEATURE WRITERS

Brigette Leigh B Mantala

Alyssa Micah T Tayug

Ma Sophia Valerie M Valenzuela

Precious Sabine C Pinto

Trisha Mhei L Cruz

Jessie Jillianne S Racoma

Ivan Chris Earl Miranda

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WRITERS

Roi Edan M Victoria

Renz Joshua A Cioco

Deanne Faith A Manalo

Jhon Paul B Cundangan

SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Ezra Nelsen S Dizon

Brianne Francesca M Feliciano

Franchezca Denisse S Ilagan

LAYOUT ARTISTS

Standing right in front of us a malicious attempt at changing time’s past History is much like writing ink on paper, it cannot be undone, but corrupted minds find blatant ways to cover them up The effects encompassed by the days of old are ubiquitous, and are a nod to all the sacrifices and all lives changed by it

Ever since the past presidential elections, it seems as though the minds of people are slowly being directed to view history as a lie Not factual and merely recorded gossip Ideas and views of the abusive and despotic rule are recast as the country’s shining “golden age. ” Fellowmen are becoming credulous enough to believe everything presented to them by someone from a high position they view as saintly

How disrespectful it is to all the risks taken and all lives sacrificed that they are being left defenseless. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently moved the commemoration of the People Power Revolution from the 25th of February to the 24th Many are enraged about what seems like an attempt to confuse or change the narrative, while some see a day as no significant change Though it is vital to note that he approved of this change after saying that he was offering a hand of reconciliation But is it the hand of reconciliation that victims need to heal, or rather words of recognition and apology for the atrocities instigated by their family

This is not the only time he changed a day of commemoration’s date He changed the date for the Araw ng Kagitingan, mentioning that the reason for it was to enable the countrymen to enjoy a long weekend Another, he is looking to change Bonifacio Day from November 30 to November 27 for the same reasons Why he does this is unbeknownst to most, but it shows that he deems these days insignificant. Treating them as merely day-offs. Belittling all that was done to even have those events on those specific dates in the first place

Voters and non-voters alike journeyed into this regime blindly. Hoping that their beliefs be proven wrong and pushing to keep an open mind Even agreeing that the sins of the father are not the sins of his son, actions and empty words have caused people to be empathetic no longer

To those being swayed by flourishing words and grand promises, remember Do not let your minds wander in daydreams commenced by tyrants and focus Center your thoughts on what is real Believe not in this hypocritical regime, spewing one lie after another Forcing their way through the thick bedrock of our country’s past, let it remain shielded by our undying resilience to believe in what we know is real. Just as time has told its tale of history, only time will tell who will be left as survivors of this pernicious plague BE A SURVIVOR

Brigette Leigh B Mantala

Femienina Marie C San Antonio

COPYREADERS

Chelsea Shayne R Ricohermoso

SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITE MANAGERS

Francois Zuriel N Biwit

Hazel Joyce P Jacob

Roxcele Anthonea L Lachica

Ava Victoria A Tan

PHOTOJOURNALISTS

Airhyz Cheruvin R Villanueva

Ma Victoria R Mendiola

Ysabella Therese C San Antonio

Ma Ellery Brienne B Santiago

Hershey Mishka A Ching

Raydn Mary H Punla

Sarah Neiller S Mundo

CONTRIBUTORS

Charisse Nicole N Dionisio

Aian Clarence Enrico C

Mabanta

Cresenciana Julia L

Daluz

Kimberly Dominique D

Teodoro

Justine Kurl Q Gabat

Kurt Aeron D Dela Cruz

Willan Faith A Espiritu

Azymiel Joy F Calayag

Maria Jacqueline C

Florendo

Frances C Ramas

TECHNICAL ADVISER

Grace Chelsey M

Quintana

Maria Franchesca M

Santos

Cyrish Jane B Estrella

Hannah Faith C Ilag

Scarlett Jaione D Javier

Jennifer Nicole V

Nelmida

Kelly Caitlin A Garcia

Ashley Nicole C Busa

Maxine Reiza L Lorenzo

Lara Ysabel Barredo

Raiven Kamille T

Abdala

Mr Raymond Carlo D Mendoza

CONSULTANTS

Ms Angielyn Prima C De Leon

Team Lead for Student Services and Activities

Mrs Teresita D De Leon

Acting Assistant Principal SHS Department

Ms Abigail D C Espineda

Acting Principal CEIS

importance of preparation, yet days before the landfall of Karding, the president was nowhere to be found His response was basically

In this case, Marcos focused on narrating what he could have done before the typhoon came and avoided making decisions by flying to another country Instead of confronting the casualties by laying comprehensive instructions, the self-appointed agriculture secretary used the term “investments” as an excuse to watch an event where

continuously being presented to the country’s lawmakers, but time and time again, it has been opposed by the majority, until now The bill is a first of its kind, being the only equality bill in the country to receive approval at the Senate Level

In addition to addressing discrimination, the bill also intends to combat

equals

Imagine living in a world where how you see yourself is not welcomed by the people around you A world where living your life feels like thousands of people are meticulously watching you and waiting for you

Art by Cyrish Estrella of Alakdan

Modernization of Jeepneys is Great but…

The jeepney is an emblem of Filipino identity and culture Many Filipinos have grown up seeing the vivid and iconic jeepneys on the road, and it has become a part of their daily life It is a form of public transportation that has been in existence since the end of World War II The Philippine government, however, intends to phase out jeepneys in favor of modern electric vehicles gradually This decision has generated controversy and received resistance.

First off, compared to other forms of transportation, the jeepney is a less expensive option The jeepney has been a well-liked means of transportation in the Philippines because many people cannot afford expensive cars or taxis These people's regular routines would be disrupted if jeepneys were wiped out, leaving them with fewer options to move around

In addition, thousands of drivers and their families make a living by jeepneys They rely on this work for their daily survival, and the phaseout will result in their job loss Not just the drivers but also the mechanics, operators, and other jeepney sector employees would be impacted by this decision Before making such a decision, the government must take its economic implications into account.

On top of that, the jeepney has come to represent Filipino culture, and removing it would be like losing a piece of history. The jeepney has evolved into a work of art that showcases Filipinos' creativity and originality Every jeepney is different, and many of them have eye-catching designs that entice tourists For many Filipinos, who view it as a testament to their resiliency and capacity to overcome obstacles, it has even grown to be a source of pride

At the very least, reducing air pollution brought on by diesel engines is one of the grounds for phased-out jeepneys Electric cars are an excellent alternative in this context, but they are not the only option To reduce jeepney emissions, the government can put in place improved emission standards and technologies. Additionally, it can make investments in greener technologies like upgraded LPG vehicles, which have become common in some areas

The bottom line is although both sides have valid points of claim, the government needs to reconsider its decision to phase out jeepneys The eradication of jeepneys will significantly disturb the lives of many Filipinos as they have grown to be a fundamental component of Filipino culture and identity The government needs to develop a better way to lessen air pollution, maintain the jeepney culture, and help those whose livelihoods depend on it The jeepney is more than just a mode of transportation; it is a symbol that represents the heart and soul of the Filipino people.

Photos from Canva

Student leaders of Centro Escolar Integrated School had their induction and oath-taking ceremony last November 11, 2022 at the CEU Centrodome, know more by watching our very 1st episode of The EscoShorts

In P Sea

By Sophia Mendiola

Cheers to tempo

Growing up, we at best, we view own desirable i our young heart we perceived th the horizon lines visible to the naked eye

Funny enough, we were so sure of the dreams and aspirations scribbled in the margins at the back of our color coded notebooks more than we are now of what we’ll pursue for the sake of our future We were so young, yet unwavering and put-together, despite the appearance of wrinkled clothes and crooked teeth. Our hands were stained filthy, dirt muddled within the gaps of our fingernails, but we were carelessly and ceaselessly happy. We took each day as it came, and found beauty even in the most mundane of mondays Even at such a young age, our life was already filled with color, bursting at the seams; and yet, we were tickled pink with excitement to smear our already hue-filled canvas with even more layers of flamboyant ambitions What follows after was the least of our worries, and still, we were nostalgic for a future that has yet to exist

We were quite the vivid visionaries, despite the pragmatic reality that the world we exist in may work in arcane schemes to prove our dreams futile The spark of hope in our eyes and the flame of passion instilled in our hearts were more than enough to keep us going Now, we exist in hesitancy, torn between holding on to the possibilities of change and realizing that what we had hoped for was just a reverie sold to a young soul deluded in their own daydreams to separate fiction from reality.

Looking back, most of us probably wish we had at least 10% of our younger selves’ avidity to chase multiple dreams without restraints To soar through streets in pursuit of the passions our young hearts desired, heedless of the wound that might come when faced with bumps and distractions To find happiness after mishaps, to reach compromises and take each mistake as yet another golden coin for experience deposited in our little memory bank To be a bit kinder and forgiving, to recognize and appreciate the lapses and storms in between temporary finish lines Especially now, when we find ourselves toeing the tightrope between the brink of adolescence and the dawning of young adulthood Knowing far too much and nothing at all simultaneously, whispering caution into the wind before diving heart-first into new beginnings In the nights spent laying awake, pondering our existence, and perceiving life as nothing but a big perpetual question mark In moments of failure and hope lost, when nothing seems to work out in our favor. In between every finish line and hurdle faced, when our dreams are slowly beginning to materialize before our eyes, and yet, we dare not take a step closer in fear of chasing it away. For now, we can only wish that we had our younger selves’ penchant for reaching silver linings in every situation they were faced with After all, how could one grow older in age yet cower in the shadow of their younger self’s valor?

Existing in the cusp of adolescence, most of us might be plagued with thoughts of bidding farewell to the youth we’ve treasured for what seemed to be a transient point of life We have played many roles in that compact pocket of time, and we will continue to do so; as an homage to everything we have been, and all the things that we have yet to become We had a good run, despite the hiccups in the process, and the complaints about the most miniscule things; the paraphernalia we’ve acquired throughout the odyssey of our youth proves cardinal in the journey that lies ahead of the temporary finish line. Unbeknownst to our younger selves, the crushing weight of books piled in our school bags would be the lightest burdens we’ll ever have to carry.

Dear reader, as our fingertips reach for the diamonds that adorn the endless sky, and we slip away from the reality curated and carved by millions of moments that define the essence of our youth; I hope you know that you are brave for granting yourself the liberty to grow and bloom in even the toughest of concrete grounds I hope you know that the journey ahead is one you might have to walk in solitude, a true crisis of faith However, I hope you find solace in the fact that you won’t be the sole traveler in pursuit of a somewhat lonesome path, and that you’ll find companionship within you, and the unsuspecting encounters that await you in this endless avenue I hope your eyes are starved and empty, free to take it all in without missing a single detail, and name all the colors, even those foreign to the senses, and realize that; yes, you are alive, and the life you live is yours, and yours alone Sink into the hug of your memories, bask in the feeling of the present, and welcome the future with an open heart and a warm embrace. May the stars that guide you home to yourself never falter in luster, may they never grow weary or dim.

By Biel Catipon

Art by Hannah Ilag of Alakdan

By Brigette Mantala

Last July 19, 2022, class valedictorian Laurice Franzel DC Belgica touched the hearts of many with her speech of gratitude during the commencement exercises of Grade 12 students held at Centro Escolar Integrated School (CEIS) –Malolos

There is no constant thing in this world; changes are bound to occur, whether we like it or not According to Laurice, we can imagine her experience as if “ you are the main character in an ongoing K-drama series During the starting episodes, you encounter an unanticipated plot twist that changes how you study, bond with others, or mainly how you live your life so far In the subsequent episodes, you are adjusting and trying various ways to adapt to these changes Then, we are at the latest episode where you successfully cope with that unexpected twist Now you are wondering – how will the remaining episodes unfold?” During her time in senior high school, it is indeed undeniable that there were countless roaring waves of emotions

Upon receiving a pen decide and write down what goes on next to reach her life’s destination Taking a step forward with a path full of unknown heights probably is a risky move for some, hence taking a lengthy amount of time to plan out each move But for Laurice, she decided to begin her journey in CEIS out of impulse At first, she did not plan to transfer schools, but she was later on encouraged by her friends to enroll only a day before their classes began, leading her to step foot on a road not taken as her path for the following years

She never had trouble with coloring outside the lines In fact, she views seeking new experiences as having the ability to bring forth her best. Although Laurice constantly strives for more, it was unexpected for her that she was capable of reaching the top She mentioned that she only aimed to maintain her academic scholarship and enjoy her senior high school days But, like any other experience, reaching her destination was never an easy ride She chose Computer System Servicing (CSS) as her specialization without even knowing what turbulence might unfold, which later on taught her the reality “that not everyone will stay.

We will eventually lose people along the way People who we expected the least, whom we cherish the most, and whom we thought will be by our side forever ” Hence, she expressed her deepest gratitude to those who served as her compass along the way Starting with the school administrators, teachers, classmates, friends, special someone, parents, and herself for being able to set her mind at the end of her desired destination.

“I guess sometimes, impulsive decisions that we thought were the wrong path can actually lead us to better destinations ” Wise words from the class valedictorian that opened a new gate of perspective for everyone “With or without honors, you are honorable for making it this far ” Truly, no matter how big of a risk we take, it will soon lead us to success, with the help of proper determination and support from the people around us to never lose track of our goals. After all, a map cannot always be too accurate Since we are the one who operates the sail, it is us who can only determine where the greatest peak of our journey is

Row, row, row your boat

Gently down the stream

In the woven night sky with twirling colors of black and midnight blue, adorned by the seamless glittering stars, a lone boat rests in the silent sea. The sailor, unknown of which sex, sits on it quietly, rough hands loosely holding the paddles in which they use for steering either left or right, front or back They look up, eyes mirroring the blinking stars in the sky When they first started this sail to the unknown, little of the stars did shine at them.

But now, the stars fill their view constantly, different in brilliance and size Some of the stars back at their starting point continuously show up each night, some faded away but remained on the back of their mind Thanks to the stars, the sailor can continue rowing their boat in the waves, seeing the dark water reflecting the view from above like a mirror

The moon is still, like a big circular night light we use each time we go to sleep The sailor does not know why it shows up when they are near despair, lulls them to sleep each time To rest, to dream, and to clothe them with a calming presence in the midst of the whirling winds Although during night some of the waves turn rampant, crashing on the sailor’s boat again and again, fearing it can possibly break a hole in their sole watercraft the moon somehow provided strength for him. The sailor believed it, trusted their instincts and constructed the idea of “ as long as there’s light in the dark, I can push until it brightens later on ” .

Then the sun shines slowly, thus signaling the start of another end

To simplify the story, the sailor is us The journey of the sailor in the sea is life, the beginning until the present, in which the waves can come as calm and ferocious like the struggles and obstacles we have every day We steer our own boats with the paddles we have the ability to make decisions and choices we will bring in our journey and reforms as experience With the moon guiding us endlessly even if we want to drown in the dark, it brings us stars to push us up again Those stars, mix of important things for us, the people we love, the moments we cherish, the cumulation of every moment in life

By Alicia Cortez

So, even if we grow tired in life, rest for a short while because we will soon add more stars making the brightest nights of our life

Merrily, merrily, merrily

Life is but a dream

Photo from Canva

Photo from Canva

Photo from Canva

Why Are Books Indispensable in our Existence?

By Jessie Jillianne Racoma

The incentives of ink-filled pages are not constrained to our individual problems; they can also aid us in our career development. Partaking with literary works on a pretty regular basis can be a prospect of improving our linguistic skills and provide us all the self-belief to undertake oneself when speaking to large crowds; both of these skills are vital in the assessment pathway

Reading, either for business or leisure, can sometimes be enormously helpful to your nervous system and overall health It may even end up causing you to be extra virtuous towards those around you Consider taking your leisure to comprehend what you ' ve been trying to read if you wish to enhance your ability to comprehend

The DoubleEdged Merit

By Precious Sabine Pinto

A

A double-edged sword

As you continue your pilgrimage into the realm of literature, you'll discover that books are filled with a plethora of knowledge that will amplify your perspectives You may learn about a world you ' ve never heard or seen before.

In this indescribable world, it can be difficult to choose the right item that will enable you to unwind and deal with stress A great narrative or any type of literary work can assist you in accomplishing this by allowing your thoughts to roam free with the plotline Books, whether heritage or science fiction, are a fantastic way to learn further about our known universe With far too many alternatives, it's simple to find a book that piques your attention!

You will feel what the American novelist, Jane Smiley felt, as she uttered, “Many people, myself among them, feel better at the mere sight of a book ”

Students find ways to make studying more convenient for themselves because the remote learning system was so inefficient that it made learning a burden for them Facebook groups that drew headlines like "Online Kopyahan" which purportedly allowed students to contribute their solutions to modules and attracted learners as shown by its enormous following.

We now find ourselves back in the traditional school environment, which begs the question:

“What changes does this manifest in terms of academic misconduct?” Many students claim that they only want to pass the course and get by when it comes to cheating Many students claim that the transition from online to face-to-face education has negatively impacted their capacity

b b k l d d th l i t d t

There isn't anything to wish for once you've touched a good book except for a new one, but keep in mind that “As you aim for perfection, don't forget that there is no perfect novel, that because every novel is built out of specifics, every novel offers some pleasures but does not offer some others, and while you can try to achieve as many pleasures as possible, some cancel out others "

Reading as a new hobby has fallen by the wayside to playing online games and many more It is evident that in today's modern generation, the impacts for increased levels of reading comprehension are imposing negative repercussions for people who inevitably fail Reading helps people learn how and where to prevent other people's point of view, prepare for acts, develop their knowledge, cultivate their creative abilities, and enhance their selfconfidence

degrade ourselves or cheat on our education No matter how excellent our academic performance or achievements appear to be, if we don't take rectitude in what we ' re doing, it's all for nothing

Receiving accolades for accomplishment while transgressing your moral code is a double-edged merit This raises the question of whether this is a sign of a failing educational system or merely bad study habits among the learners of this generation Above all, honor always takes precedence over excellence The desire for stature and recognition should not come at the expense of ethical integrity.

Photo from Pexel

By

They were shaking in fear Tears rolled down their cheeks What happened? Was it their fault? Did they do something improper for it to happen? Flashbacks of what happened started to torment them They need help They're pleading for support, but who can help them when no one knows? Even the fact that something happened is hidden

They are hesitant to ask for help Will they judge them? Will they condemn them for something they did not ask? Will they say such things without being aware of what transpired?

"When everyone believes you, what's that like?"Taylor Swift

People around the world, men and women, experience sexual assault Sexual assault is violating someone else's privacy and property in a sexual manner Sexual assault includes touching someone ' s body without consent, having an inappropriate conversation with a minor or someone who is uncomfortable and ends up feeling wrong, sexual harassment, incest, non-consensual nudity, and child pornography. Sexual harassment can be in the form of physical, verbal, and emotional actions

People are scared of asking for help and even telling someone about their encounter with sexual assault Some are too judgmental to blame the victim for experiencing something they didn't want to encounter They would ask about irrelevant things such as your clothes, the time when the harassment happened, did you drink alcohol, whether you were alone, and others. These statements could be too disheartening for people who experienced the assault It must be challenging for them to open up since society would interrogate them like they are the ones who committed the crime.

It could happen universally to anyone There's no such thing as the " wrong place" for degenerates and rapists They would do anything to please their carnal desire without considering people's life. Some parents or guardians would tell their kids to dress appropriately, set curfew, avoid talking to strangers and get strict for this reason, which is questionable

for the right thing Tolerating these things wouldn't improve the situation Speak up not only for yourself but also for the people around you.

And to those who experience sexual harassment, always remember that you did nothing wrong You did not ask for it What you wear and what you do aren't the things that give consent. Be brave to speak up for the voiceless and unheard What happened will not define your worth Continue living your life, and do not let that tragedy affect your dreams Do not be afraid of being judged by society, be disturbed by what could happen if you won't give the sentence the criminals deserve Be the start and end the stigma

Always take sexual assault or any assault as a serious matter These things should not be subject to amusement. Be sensitive and mindful of our words Educate those who are still clueless and lacking knowledge of this issue

A reminder, always get consent A nonconsensual action is a form of crime that is punishable by law. Again, we should not blame victims for something they did not want Speak up, and listen

By Raydn Mary Punla

Many subscribers complained that they were unable to register their SIM card on December 27, 2022, the first day of sim registration In the opinion of Globe subscribers, they have tried numerous times to access the page, but they are unable to do so; in contrast, DITO subscribers were able to register easily. The server must be shut down because there are too many registrants, as reported by Globe Telecom Face recognition was a later-added function that was not prepared for many users The last day for registration is April 26, 2023 Thus, everyone is kindly asked not to register all at once to avoid a rush of users accessing the system It is also urged to scrutinize the registration link because scammers have been known to use fake links.

The Sim Registration Act, also known as Republic Act No 11934, clients are intended to be protected from illegal activities such as scamming, fraud, and smishing To be more precise, this law is being implemented because excessive abusive behavior is frequently used to scam people In addition, since scammers can't be easily caught if they don't have any personal information about the sim user, the law's implementation is necessary Particularly, scammers frequently employ sneaky techniques like messaging users with alluring messages like having won a jackpot award with your name but requiring them to click a link to claim the prize; nevertheless, in cases where the user clicks and submits their information, this acts as a signal To prevent this, keep in mind that it serves as a reminder that every person, including you as a user, bears the greatest responsibility and should serve as a warning before disclosing personal information Also, remember that ignoring this is not an option because we are all held accountable for every small and significant detail of the act

To register your sim, first, search for sim registration and find your telco provider Second, enter your personal information such as name, date of birth, sex, and address, and also prepare a valid id such as a student's ID or national ID Please keep in mind if you have multiple SIMs, you must register them all under your name. Lastly, wait for the confirmation Inquire and pose the problem to the provider of the mobile network service if any concern of the matter certainly occurs at hand so that it could be addressed and resolved on time so as not to escalate further

Trisha Mhei Cruz

Photo from Unsplash

Photo from Philippine Star | KJ Rosales

Through The Looking Glass

By Sophia Mendiola

Sometimes I think I’ve felt everything I’m ever gonna feel, and from here on out, I’m not gonna feel anything new –just lesser versions of what I’ve already felt

At the ripe age of five and a half, if you were to ask me who I am, I’d immediately have an answer However, the answer differs from time to time, one moment I would say I was a wind fairy with magic that can control the weather with a mere whisper, the next I’d be a fashion designer running late on her flight to Paris I would take on each day as a challenge, how many roles will I play today? And for what seemed like an ephemeral pocket of my youth, it was all I was ever good for, playing a plethora of roles I’d wake, and I knew who I was come morning, but I’d change who I was a few times since then

I was a keen observer, even at such a young age, I would definitely commend myself for my attention to detail I like to obsess over the littlest things, passionate at playing my silly little roles, even if it was for the mere sake of my satisfaction and for others’ entertainment I lived for the applause, the validation, and the praise In fact, I adored it so much that I made it a habit to seek it actively, putting my personal attributes aside and carrying on with enacting a role that is anything but myself Overtime, I’ve grown weary of playing roles conjured up by my ceaseless and frivolous imagination, that I tried discerning the people around me I would ponder, sit, and watch; taking mental notes of what I deemed interesting about the people surrounding me, and what acts of theirs are favored and adored by most I continued nit-picking on my own attributes that don't correlate with theirs, and picking up fragments of their personality and making it my own

Young and naive, all I wanted was to earn praise and approval, to be entertaining and earn validation for playing yet another role. However, as time went on, the thin line between said roles and me began to falter Still, it lies on two opposite sides of the spectrum, but I could no longer establish the difference between who I was and the roles I have to play. They were no longer inverted, for they were now mirrored Unbeknownst to me, I was no longer playing roles, but embodying them And in my desperate attempt to gather the pieces of myself I have left, to fill in the gaps that remained null because I was too engaged in playing my roles, I began to cram the mismatched pieces of the characters I mirrored in the places where they shouldn’t exist. Realizing I was no longer capable of regaining those parts of myself, lost to my obsession of playing roles that mirror anyone and everyone except for who I was, is a heavy burden I must carry for the rest of my days After all, can one take pleasure in loss without losing oneself entirely?

Now, if you ask me who I was, I wouldn’t be able to answer you directly For who am I, if not a patchwork of the people I love and the roles I had to play? Sometimes I don’t know what or who I am Some days I feel like a human being, other days I feel more like a mirrorball. I shine in altered and self-made luster, spinning in center, a lifeless ball of greed and glimmer In a world as myriad as ours, the gaze is a singular act: to look at something is to fill your whole life with it, if only briefly. Perhaps, we look into mirrors not merely to seek for beauty, regardless of how illusive, but to make sure, despite the facts, that we are still here We perceive ourselves from the viewpoint of others, seek out their opinions and make it our own, to assure that, yes – our name is still attached to a living thing

Photo from Unsplash

By Andrea Teves

Being a woman of classic stories and famous myths will lock you into two types of characterization. Either you sit tight with your pretty little ballgown, waiting for a prince to define your purpose, or be the temptress who got kicked out of Eden for eating an apple To put it simply, be the damsel-indistress or the bearer of sin

Today’s main character, like most villainized women of Greek Mythology, falls to the latter description. Her name means the “gift of all” yet made with the intent of being pure evil: Pandora, whom you may know as the world’s first woman

Zeus, King of the Gods, after the titan Prometheus and his brother Ephimetheus showed that their loyalties lay with mankind, punishes man and man ’ s friend in the form of a shy and sweet maiden. Hephaestus breathes her into being while the other Olympians bless her with character

Aphrodite gives her the gift of deep emotion From Hermes, the gift of language, and from Athena is the gift of craftsmanship and attention to detail

Clad in a cloak of silver and garlands of blooming flowers, the Gods present Pandora to mankind with a golden crown and an embroidered veil tickling her rosy cheeks. But before basking in the creation of Epimetheus (Titan tasked to design the natural world), Zeus bestown her two gifts that nailed in her skull the words “evil to men ” To Pandora, he gives her curiosity and a box that no mortal eyes shall see, thus she cannot open it

Curiosity and mystery do not really go well together, so if you thought she opened it for the sake of not getting a cliffhanger, well you are absolutely right By flapping the lid open, Pandora unleashes the most evil spirits there are to mankind Suffering, malice, anger, and all sorts of misfortunes

Pandora desperately tries to close the lid, but it was too late In the corner of the box, a lone spirit glows It is Elpis, whom we commonly know as Hope. The only light to console the evils of mankind

And from Pandora, a race of women emerges And for some reason, even though it is a man ’ s idea to put all the evil spirits in a box, and even though it is a man ’ s fault as to why they are being punished, women take the blame and are marked evil by men

However ridiculous this logic may be, in man ’ s man world, this idea completely makes sense, and it dictates society

Women, by existing, are treated as second-class citizens for failing to be born male The moment they are born, their fate is sealed and decided by men because of a social construct of women being regarded as “The Other ”

In Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex, women are oppressed for being a man ’ s “Other” or possessing qualities of what “ a man ought not to be ” If men are strong, women are seen as weak. If men are “rational,” women are emotional, and so on This traditional–patriarchal–ideology defined women, therefore limiting their capabilities into a monotonous path

Because of social constructs, those who came before us only have a few options to go by Be a wife, or be a nun You can be a spinster, but everyone else will look at you and shame you for, apparently, not being desirable for a man You have these options that seem to promise different fates, but heck, these options disguise the fact that life is designed for a man ’ s advantage, therefore giving them “authority” to define a woman ’ s purpose in life

Just like how Zeus, a man, defined Pandora’s purpose as the harbinger of evil when he created her.

In today’s society, thankfully, women have the power to decide for themselves, but others are not so lucky Bad news is, women of this generation still have to suffer the misogynistic ideas left in this world

Still, we are pressured into giving up our dreams to stay home and take care of the kids. Women are still expected to learn basic survival skills for the convenience of their future husbands and maybe their in-laws

But just like today’s main character, even though the world is clouded with darkness and malice, in the most unexpected corners of our hearts is a light called Hope

Hope calls us to march the streets with a proud smile, chanting the words that should have been said before, yet outnumbered by the mouthpieces of patriarchy pushing us into this little cage of a damsel-in-distress or the bearer of sin Hope slaps the broom out of our hand and pulls us out of our house to finally see the clear, blue sky so that our hearts may aspire to feel the clouds at our fingertips

If being born a woman makes me a sinner, then it is a sin I will never confess Only a woman can define her own purpose

By Ivan Miranda

I don’t doubt that everyone has the capacity to selfishly wish the world revolved around them As for those who swear that they couldn’t care less, maybe they’ve learned not to believe in childish fantasies at a younger age But who wouldn’t want to be the center of their story? The character that gets praised and celebrated? Or even the character with so much potential, their life revolves around unlocking these possibilities for them?

This childish daydreaming is the same reason people read or write fictitious stories, is it not? It feels amazing to shape worlds and stories in our own way, sometimes even to write ourselves as the main character.

A writer creates the characters that live their stories, so wouldn’t it be nice to do the same for ourselves? To live like the main character is to assume that everything will work out in the end, a carefree way of living, but a confident one

But what exactly does it mean to be the main character? Does it have to be someone who is constantly overflowing with confidence? How can one be certain that it’s confidence and not ego talking? Honestly, who’s to say it’s not just a buzzword to romanticize having narcissistic tendencies?

For creatives, it might feel like being back on stage and singing in front of an audience or a dancer’s emotion synchronizing with the music and its rhythm, even if you have caught glimpses of your main character through your hobbies, through music or even through style Even if none of those things have made you feel confident, it might be a person or a group of friends who always manage to bring out the best version of you. There are an infinite number of things we can do to feel good about ourselves, each little subtlety unique to ourselves alone

Regardless, it’s more important to be humble and assuming; most main characters don’t usually know they’re the main character anyways It’s much easier if your ideal main character is a more honest version of yourself. You’ll know when you ’ ve become the main character because there is an unmistakable feeling of validation when you realize you’ve become the person you ’ ve dreamed of being

However, some might struggle with manifesting self-esteem compared to others It is only natural that everyone has a different experience with becoming their ideal main character Perhaps, for some, the hardest step in being the main character isn’t finding out what makes you feel like the main character; it’s finding out what’s stopping you. Sometimes, self-confidence is much harder to find because we ’ ve not experienced it growing up. Maybe as children, criticism always followed mistakes, and it was easier to believe we couldn’t succeed in fear that we’d make mistakes For these reasons, it’s natural to want to heal before wanting to be your own hero

Even if our ideal main character is as simple as someone who looks after the stray cats or dogs around the streets, or a journalist covering topics they are the most passionate about, there is only so much that can be done when our inner child isn’t familiar with imagining and fantasizing To unlearn our fear of mistakes, judgment, and of being optimistic or idealistic is to be our own hero, too. Before wanting to be a savior of others, first, feel comfortable in being one yourself.

Feeling like you ’ re the main character is the feeling of pride when you realize you are all you need to satisfy your desire for validation and acceptance It does not come easy for some, especially those who struggle deeply, but these are battles worth fighting for our sake Nonetheless, the journey of our main character doesn’t have to be a struggle It can be found within people and the activities we enjoy doing Most importantly, there are no time frames or age limits, whether it’s to learn how to love and heal or to explore and live.

PhotofromCanva

Photo from Pinterest | Emel

Mercury Retrograde: Our Best Chance to Sit Back and Relax

By Jhon Paul Cundangan

Epidemic

By Roi Victoria

One of the largest avian influenza (bird flu) H5N1 strain outbreaks has swept across Europe The incident has caused mass panic as mammal-tomammal transmission has since been recorded The virus “spilling over ” to mammalian species is concerning in itself; local transmissions may cause a multispecies epidemic. The outbreak has caused the death of around 208 million birds and 200 mammalian cases worldwide Public health experts claim the strain could infer a jump to infect humans However, the risk is nothing for the public to be concerned about

The outbreak has caused the price of poultry and poultry products to skyrocket in several countries In response, UKHSA (United Kingdom Health Security Agency) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) have elevated the case as a matter of utmost urgency An infectious disease specialist, Dr Isaac Bogoch, has reportedly stated that “this is an infection that has epidemic and pandemic potential” and that “I don’t know if people recognize how big a deal this is ”

Since the outbreak began in 2022, four human cases and one casualty have been reported worldwide The numbers may seem to be relatively low, but in the past 20 years, as the H5N1 virus wreaked havoc on 21 countries, there

y 1.43% globally. H5N1’s high mortality rate remains to be the main cause of panic among the general populace in infection hotspots

Dir Jürgen Richt of the Center on Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at Kansas State University, USA, has stated that “Most of these infections are probably independent cases in which a mammal eats an infected bird” however, “If this virus has mammalian adaptation and can transmit between mammals, humans are immunologically naive and humans are mammals ” There have been zero reported cases of human-to-human transmission, and it appears that the virus does not currently possess the genetic mutation that will enable it to cause an epidemic within the mammalian population

One of the first recorded instances of mammalto-mammal occurred in a mink farm located in Spain The minks reportedly ceased feeding and harbored symptoms of excessive salivation, clumsiness, tremors, and bloody snouts. The minks were first thought to have a coronavirus strain, which has been a regular occurrence since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic Specialists such as Dr Thijs Kuiken, a veterinary pathologist at Erasmus University Medical Center, have expressed concern regarding the mink incident Dr Kuiken said that the outbreak "confirmed a fear that I had," as there have been incidents in the past wherein minks infected humans During the peak of

Dr. Jim Lowe, a veterinarian at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, stated that “The H5 virus is not well adapted to humans” and that the appearance of the virus on a mink farm is not too surprising and does not necessitate a need to be alarmed “It’s not, in my mind, a particularly worrisome situation for human health,” Dr Kuiken replied, in a mink-born variant, “It’s more likely that such a virus will be more easily, efficiently spread among humans ”

The ensuing effect of this epidemic, especially on humankind, cannot be predicted at this moment But the fact that we are more prepared this time around remains A veterinary pathologist at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, Dr Chrissy Eckstrand, said that we should not freak out about this outbreak “But should we stay vigilant and prepared? I think absolutely we should ” The risk of a new pandemic borne from avian influenza is steadily increasing. Due to the nature of influenza viruses, which do not cease mutation, the World Health Organization continues to stress “the importance of global surveillance to detect and monitor virological, epidemiological, and clinical changes associated with emerging or circulating influenza viruses ” Efforts to contain and eradicate the virus must and are being executed to lessen the odds of global outbreaks.

Photo from New York Post | Shutterstock

Continued from first page

A Student's Desolation: The Science of Academic Grief

By Roi Victoria and Deanne Faith Manalo

We all strive to maintain our composure when catastrophe hits Particularly, for students with a busy schedule full of responsibilities and studies, grief may be a tremendous mental and emotional load The causes of grief are numerous. It can be due to the death of a loved one, health problems, losing a dream, a job, a friendship, a romantic relationship, or a beloved pet.

For students, the grief can be mostly because of pressure from the people around them, grades, expectations, or their future Although occasionally, obligations and classes themselves might be the cause of misery Grief has a negative effect on students, as stated by the John Hopkins Student Assistance Program Grief impacts academics because grieving takes precedence over other things. It might have a poor effect on focus and, consequently, academic performance An alternative strategy used by someone experiencing grief is to focus excessively on their academics

According to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, there are five stages of grief, namely - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The University of Notre Dame stated that if students receive a failing grade, they experience the first stage in the Five Stages of Grief, which is denial, characterized by shock and numbness to the failure The student might not think it is possible for them to experience this Here, the student will start to ponder things like, “Maybe I overlooked a question,” or “Maybe my professor meant to record my grade as 84, not 48 ”

The anger stage comes next after the denial Here, a student might think that their professor does not like them, or they might be mad at themselves because they did not review hard enough The third stage, bargaining, entails persistently considering ways to make up for the loss Students might attempt to meet with professors to bargain for points back, say they marked the correct response on the exam but not on the answer sheet, point out ambiguities in the questions, or politely express their strong belief that the exam was unfair and should not be used as a gauge of their comprehension of the material These discussions are normal steps in grieving, even if they are frequently unsuccessful

The fourth stage is depression. An extreme sense of hopelessness and a withdrawal from ordinarily joyful activities characterizes this stage. In your life, this can resemble skipping class to sit in bed and think about your grim future The final stage of grief is acceptance. Here, we make the decision to move forward in

whatever way is necessary A student may pledge to study more diligently for the upcoming exam in order to accept and get over their exam anguish

The CEIS student body often experiences such grief, yet they always continue to progress and strive for academic excellence A survey was conducted among the students to get an insight into their academic experiences so far

Most respondents shared a mutual observation of the adjustment period that occurred due to the transition from fully online to hybrid classes They stated that everyone must have had some difficulty in adapting to this now normal Nevertheless, the respondents expressed feelings of enthusiasm for the new set up, although being relatively anxious about how things were unfolding Interestingly though, most respondents also mentioned at least one subject with which they are having trouble Subjects that they claim to be “ nasa acceptance stage na ko ”

When the respondents were asked if they were experiencing any form of academic grief, only half responded as positively Some mentioned that they are prone to having burn-outs, especially in this mode of learning, that even if we already have faceto-face classes, the sheer exhaustion caused by at-home activities brought them to their knees. However, one thing was recurring among all respondents, whether they claimed to experience academic grief or not They do not have a habit of over-pondering about their grades to an unhealthy extent; they focus more on current events and not too much on what the future may hold It seems likely that students have developed a mechanism that allows them to move on very quickly even with all the ups, downs, and uncertainties that are faced in the academe.

The CEIS students never fail to deliver even circumstances that they find stressful and are capable of well managing the brief moments of grief that they experience throughout their academic endeavors Their input acts as a testament to their innate determination and unbending nature

As all things come to rest, GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, AND CARRY ON, ESCOLARIANS!

The Wall of Protection Between Network Ruction

By Renz Joshua Cioco

Along with the continual growth of technical sciences, an increased number of devices and various collections of software mutually yield vast mines of data Whether it be global or undisclosed information, cybersecurity is a foremost practice to counter proscribed access to digital access As of 2022, network attacks mostly tend to battle education and research domain It seems that attackers relentlessly pursue cataclysmic havoc toward a spate of units all over the globe in just a sitting

Have a moment to think about your personal accounts Take into consideration the prevalence of cyber swindlers and neglected slabs of information Vital security becomes such a difficulty amid the rise of network security threats. No person is exempted from cyber breaching for emerging menaces such as malware, phishing, password attacks, and much more siphon the privacy between numerous transference of data

Ubiquitous platforms of social media are equipped with security features that users can utilize and make use of Having a sturdy layer of certainty is imperative in adapting to cumulative risks, particularly in the realm of networking In addition, there are viable pieces of knowledge in terms of defending personal information and data Vigilance is primarily important in combating cyber rogues; hence, be cognizant of what you disclose publicly, especially addresses and contact numbers

Sustain the currency of your antivirus software and operating system to further observe the state of your device Consider that even outdated forms of software can contribute to the risks of cybersecurity Maintain a practice of managing your passwords such that it remains difficult to surmise. Furthermore, the system of two-factor authentication dispenses a shield towards easy access to sensitive information Users are able to employ this method in order for identity verification before gaining entry to a certain service Bear in mind the application of general online etiquette to social communities since small phrases can potentially affect people regardless of whether they are at home, school, or even across the globe

Indeed, readiness and awareness are an obligation when it comes to evading common instabilities towards attaining network security After all, anyone is undoubtedly vulnerable to the exploits and perils brought by cyber attackers. The convenient and exceptional qualities of modern technologies are opposed by cyber criminals with the intent of committing iniquitous fraudulence In the middle of network commotion, privacy violation, and data infringement, a wall of security must be constructed The wall should perpetuate a sentiment of solace as we scroll through the perennial abyss of channels on the internet This wall shall serve as a barrier against the plight of network ruction

Photo from Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels

JRU’s Suicide Bomber Explodes

By Brianne Francesca Feliciano

It seems that the bomb has ticked. John Amores of the Jose Rizal University charges towards the College of Saint Benilde in the NCAA Season 98 men ’ s basketball tournament, November 8, 2022

Migs Oczon of the CSB Blazers scored a 3-point shot in the fourth quarter, which earned them a 20-point lead, 71-51 While Oczon was shooting his shot, John Amores was tripped by a player in the background, which then led to his hot-headedness

He is also currently trending on all social media platforms. Ranking 13th on the Twitter trending list, and got himself the “The Real MVP” title, where MVP stands for “Most Violent Player ” It is safe to conclude that the career he built up through the years has now been crushed within seconds

The Color of Katipunan is Blue

ByBrianneFrancescaFeliciano

After a 3-game competition, the Ateneo Blue Eagles took back the crown from the UP Fighting Maroons and claimed the title “Kings of Katipunan” once again Winning a 2-1 with Games 2 and 3 on their side, the Eagles overpowered the Maroons

Scoring 75-68 on the sold-out show at the Big Dome on Game 3 Ateneo proves that they are not backing down and that they deserve their throne

The Battle of Katipunan

The “Kings of Katipunan,” UP Fighting Maroons, dominated over the Ateneo Blue Eagles in overtime, 76-71, last October 16, 2022.

On the sidelines of the game, Tyler Tio, ex-team captain of the Blue Eagles and now a cheerleader for the team, and CJ Cansino of the Fighting Maroons, who is currently under rehab due to his injury, watched the game and supported their teams

The Anchormen commented on how the Fighting Maroons lost their drivers now that Ricci Rivero’s playing years are over, and CJ Cansino won’t be able to return until March Carl Tamayo proves them wrong as he drives the Maroons into victory

Ange Kuame bagged the Finals MVP title as he led the Blue Eagles onto the Game 3 victory with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks, as well as averaging 17 7 points and 11 boards in the 3-game series

Sadly for UP, they failed to win two UAAP Crowns in one calendar year Alongside that, Carl Tamayo wasn’t in his best condition for the best-ofthree series due to a sprained ankle.

After the Blue Eagles crushed the chances of their Katipunan neighbors to have an overlapping dramatic victory, it is safe to say that the Eagles are the most dominant team of this genre This championship was their 12th win overall and 4th for the past five seasons

Blazers' coach, Charles Tiu, on the other hand said, “I’m proud that for the most part, our guys didn’t fight back To us, we ’ re just trying to play basketball and our goal is to win a championship We’re not out there trying to start fights ”

“I pray for Amores and just, bless his soul,” he stated after bringing up the past of Amores regarding court fights

Amores showed a career suicide, as this event might lead to the end of his career, not only as an NCAA player but a basketball player in general He was also, metaphorically, a former NCAA Sportsmanship Awardee way back 2019

The play he showed today will surely earn him something

Tamayo delivered 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists, earning himself the “Player of the Game” title.

Carl Tamayo, together with Malick Diouf, overpowered in the extra period to outshine Forthsky Padrigao, who caused the forced overtime with his 3point shot making the scoreboard a tie, 64-64

The UP Fighting Maroons’ James Spencer earned 14 points for his team, while Malick Diouf and Zavier Lucero added 12 and 10 markers

M f h hi f l lik

UAAP Season 86 is just around the corner, and fans can’t wait for the rematch of the Katipunan battle In addition, the long-awaited return of CJ Cansino to the UP Fighting Maroons in the next season adds some thrill for the fans Will Ateneo keep their crown, or will UP steal it from them once again?

Photo from philstarcom

Photo from philstarcom

Argentina, Sipa Tungo sa Panalo

By Ezra Nelsen Dizon

NU Pep Squad Conquers The CDC Stage

By Brianne Francesca Feliciano

The National University Pep Squad reclaimed the CDC trophy last December 10, 2022

By only a 4-point difference, the NU Pep Squad overthrows the FEU Cheering Squad by scoring a final score of 723 While the UAAP Season 84 champions scored a final score of 719.

Their “cheerobics” themed routine got them the gold and secured another win for their university This win was the 7th title of the NU Pep Squad, making them one gold away from a tie with the UP Pep Squad and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe.

Unlike the past seasons, where 15 cheer dancers did a 3-minute routine, this season ’ s CDC had a maximum of 25 cheer dancers performing a 6-minute drill Giving the teams more time and manpower to showcase their talents

Nagkasa ng matinding depensa at opensa ang Argentina matapos sibakin ang France, 4-2, sa isang penalty shootout sa 2022 FIFA World Cup Finals sa Lusail Stadium, Qatar noong ika-18 ng Disyembre, 2022

Matapos ang 36 na taon ay muling naiuwi ng Argentina ang kampeonato sa World Cup sa tulong ni Lionel Messi na siyang itinakdang FIFA men ’ s player of the year matapos pangunahan ang pagsipa sa France mula sa panalo

Nasa palad ng Argentina ang kalamangan sa first half, 2-0, matapos ang matagumpay na 2 goals ni Messi

Hindi nagpatinag sa second half ang France nang kumubra ng dalawang magkasunod na puntos si Kylian Mbappe sa ika-81 minuto ng laban na nagbigay-daan upang makuha nila ang 2-2 na tabla kontra Argentina.

Mas naging kapanapanabik pa ang mainit na

bakbakan sa pagitan ng dalawang koponan matapos magresulta sa 3-3 tabla ang extended na 30 minuto ng laro na siyang sinundan ng isang penalty shootout

Pinangunahan ni Messi ang pag-arangkada ng Argentina ngunit agad itong tinablan ni Mbappe gamit ang kaniyang hat-trick na nagresulta ng isang penalty Matagumpay mang umiskor si Mbappe gamit ang nakabibilib nitong trick ay hindi pa rin ito naging sapat upang mapigilan ang Argentina na maiuwi ang kampeonato nang matapos ang laro sa iskor na 4-2.

Matatandaang nagwagi ang France kontra sa huling tapatan nila ng Argentina noong 2018 World Cup na tiyak na mas nagpa-igting sa kanilang katatapos lamang na match

Ayon kay Coach Scaloni, hindi siya magreretiro bilang coach ng Argentina at muli silang sasabak sa susunod na World Cup sa taong 2026 upang makamit ang asam na world title

The champions performed a “cheerobics” themed routine FEU Cheering Squad prepared a tribute routine dedicated to Francis Magalona For third place, the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe won bronze with their “monster” routine

Photo from UAAP

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Sweet Revenge!

Impresibong laro ang ipinakita ng ECHO Philippines upang pabagsakin ang kampeon ng

MLBB Professional League (MPL) Philippines season 11 Blacklist International, 4-0 at tuluyang iuwi ang tropeyo sa Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) M4 World Championship

Hindi napigilan ang pagsiklab ni Finals MVP

g g g yq gamit ang Brody matapos magtala ng 8 kills at 1 assist na may kasama pang back door push sa middle lane patungong base na tumapos ng game 2, 2-1

Pinagsamang pwersa ng 'San-San' duo ang nagbitbit sa ECHO na naglatag ng kamanghamanghang mga plays upang patuloy na diktahan ang laban sa 3rd game, 3-0

Tuluyang lumaylay ang depensa ng BLCK matapos magbandera ng sunod-sunod na mga clash ang ECHO na naging dahilan ng tuluyang d i 4 i l l b 4

scheduled to run from September 23 until October 8, which overlaps the world championships' schedule

According to the Gymnastics Association of the

medals

“He is joining We’re doing it out of sportsmanship and for the sport that we love,” said GAP president Carrion-Norton