The Forefront 2021 Newsletter: Alpha (May-December Issue) by The Forefront GC

ONLY THE YOUNG Being an activist is not a crime; denying one’s right to liberation is continue on Page 2

inside the section

Ngipin para sa Ngipin

SA PILIPINAS, ang hustisya ay sumasang-ayon lamang sa kung sino ang nakahiga sa salapi, sa mga naghaharing-uri, sa mga makapangyarihang tila ginagawang palaruan ang ating bansa. Ipagpatuloy sa pahina 8.

17 Malaking Utang, Maliit na Aksyon TILA PALUBOG NA nga ang Health Care System ng ating bansa dahil sa patuloy na paglobo ng Covid-19 cases. Malaki ang kakulangan sa mga hospital beds at equipment pati na rin sa mga tauhan nito. Ipagpatuloy sa Pahina 17.

BOLPEN AT DYARYO: Tumindig kasama ang Porprant!

RAY MARK SAMSON ESPIRITU EDITOR IN CHIEF

apat sa tungkuling magbalita at bigyang liwanag lahat ng danas ng mamamayang Pilipino, nakikiisa ang The Forefront, opisyal na pahayagang pangkampus ng Dalubhasaang Gordon, sa pagtindig laban sa sistemang mapanupil na pilit pinagyayabong ng kasalukuyang administrasyon. Ang #Tumindig ay mula sa dibuho ni Kevin Raymundo, mas kilala bilang Tarantadong Kalbo, na naglalayong biguin ang status quo ng pulitika-panatikong ugnayan. Bagaman ang panimulang layunin ni Raymundo ay maghain ng saloobin, agad itong nag-ani ng atensyon sa mundo ng social media kung kaya’t naisalin ang disposisyon mula sa isang sining tungo sa isang “digital art movement” na naglalayong magising sa katotohanan upang maging tanda ng paninidigan. Kaliwa’t kanan ang atake sa midya at mga peryodista kung kaya’t naisipan ng patnugutan na magkaroon ng sariling bersyon ng tumindig mascot na siya namang likha ni Simon Gerard Granil, kasalukuyang Web Designer and Editor. Panahon na upang tumindig—ipaglaban ang malayang pamamahayag at isulong ang ating demokratikong karapatan. Ituloy sa pahina 3

#GCFrontlines2021

Tindig Partylist, namayagpag sa GC-SSC 2021 Elections Inihalal sina: Nicole Marcial CLARISSA MAE BERJA NEWS EDITOR

Umupo na sa katungkulan ang mga bagong mag-aaral na mamumuno sa GC - Supreme Student Council (SSC) para sa panuruang taong 2021-2022 matapos ang isinigawang election ngayong araw, Setyembre 24, 2021.

- Chairman; Cris Angel Renol Vice-Chairman; Princessa Belle Isidro - Secretary; Bianca Denise Ablen - Treasurer; Mia Angeline Tabucao - Auditor; Richelle Joy Galaraga - P.I.O; Jay Eff Antonio CEAS Representative; Chelsea Ann Sampol - CBA Representative; Jay-William Cummings - CAHS Representative; Vladimer Ace Laguisma - CCS Representative; at Ashley Benavidez - CHTM Representative. Ituloy sa pahina 3

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

of the Philippines – Central Luzon, and the Manila Collegian.

JOSHUA HAPINAT NEWS EDITOR

According to one of the detained activists, their group—who was on the way to Angeles City, Pampanga to join a Labor Day mobilization—was halted under the ploy of allegedly violating social distancing protocols, as told to them by the PNP-Castillejos. Although, in addition, the motivation to detain them was due to their possession of posters signed with call-to-action texts such as “Solusyong Medikal, Hindi Militar.” This is a classic tactic pulled from the devil’s playbook, under Duterte’s regime—to send a message to the rest of the youth by intimidation. But this has never won against the truth, that this tactic has been proven ineffective in front of the determined youth.

ONLY THE YOUNG EDITOR’S NOTE

t is without a doubt that the role of the youth in today’s political ecosystem is imperative in keeping in line the democratic rights of the Filipino people, that each and every voice of the young, when organized and mobilized, will topple the iron grip of he who is seated in the highest office. With that, to commemorate #LaborDay2021, thousands of neglected workers and laborers, together with the many human rights activists and campus journalists, scheduled a protest march to call for fair and genuine financial aid, and condemn the state abandonment that has resulted to thousands upon thousands of rumbling stomachs, and worse, deaths.

The sounds of the raging footsteps of the masses have reached the spines of the pawns of this inutile government, making them fear the collective power the Filipino people possess—resulting to aggressive militarization and, by extension, to the arrest of 11 student activists and campus journalists from League of Filipino Students – Zambales, College Editors Guild

In pursuit of justice amid the pandemic threat, The Forefront vehemently condemns, in the highest possible terms, the detention of 11 youth activists. It is only their right to criticize the inutility of those in authority, yet the very organization who swore to serve and protect the people are the actual threats to the general public. The Forefront is also one with the campus publications in calling for the immediate release of Zambales 11. Being an activist is not a crime; denying one’s right to liberation is. #FreeZambales11 *Apologies to Taylor Swift; the title of this editorial was based from her song bearing the same name Editor’s note: The youth activists have since been released (May 3, 2021) and the San Marcelino, Zambales court has junked the two cases filed against them—social distancing violation (May 7, 2021) and simple disobedience (December 16, 2021). This victory is a testament that activism is not a crime, let alone an act of terrorism.

The Forefront The Official Student Publication Unit of Gordon College

Editorial Board and Staff 2021-2022 Executive Committee

RAY MARK SAMSON ESPIRITU Editor-in-Chief

AILA NICOLE SARIO Associate Editor Section Editors

CLARISSA MAE BERJA News Editor

EARVIN JON ARSUA Features Editor

REGGIE BOY VARGAS Opinion Editor

EMMANUEL JOHN GACAYAN Sports Editor Arts Unit VLADIMER LAGUISMA Graphics Editor SIMON GERARD GRANIL Web Designer and Editor DANIELLE LEWIS DIONISIO Multimedia Editor FATRIZHA ALEJAH BOONGALING Illustrator EUGENE SEGUIBAN Cartoonist Staff Writers JOHNNOEL ATIENZA DESIREE CAPITULO ANNA MARIE DONATO I-MAN KLAY GARCIA KAREN ANN GATBUNTON CAMILLE LACANILAO PATRICIA ROSE LACORTE JOHN IAN MARQUEZ JEZ ANNE RADAM

MR. GUILLER TIOSING MARILA Coordinator College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) ** INFORMING AND EMPOWERING

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

…GC-SSC 2021 ELECTIONS mula pahina 1 Ang bagong pamunuan ay nagmula lahat sa partidong Tindig - Gordon College. Ilan sa mga inihandang plataporma ng pamunuan ay ang Abante GCians na may layuning maglunsad ng training ground sa mga mag-aaral ng GC na nais maging future selfless servant student. Tugon na naglalayong muling buhayin ang Supreme Student Council page upang mapanatiling updated ang mga mag-aaral sa mga proyekto at aktibidad ng pamunuan. Gayundin naman ang, GC Koneketado na na may layuning magsagawa ng virtual broadcasting na kung saan maaaring pag-usapan ang mga napapanahong isyu sa lipunan, gayundin ang U matter na kung saan ang mga estusyante sa dalubhasang Gordon ay maaaring makipag konekta at makakuha ng payo mula sa kasalukuyang pamunuan. Dagdag pa rito ang GCashare na may layuning makapagpa abot ng tulong sa mga mag-aaral na gumagamit ng data para sa kanilang online class. Trustparency na naglalayong itaguyod ang transparency at protektahan ang kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral. Kabilang rin sa kanilang mga plataporma ang BTS (Bantay, Tulong, Suporta) na may layuning makapagbigay suporta at gabay sa mga mag-aaral upang makatulong sa kanilang personal growth. Gayundin ang makapagbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga magaaral na pagbutin ang kanilang pagaaral sa kabila ng pandemya. Ilan pa sa kanilang mga plataporma ay ang Tindig, Ka-beki na naglalayong itaguyod ang pagkakapantay -pantay ng mga mag-aaral na LGBTIQ+ person sa institusyon. E-Kalat na may layuning siguraduhin na walang mag-aaral ang maiiwan sa kabila ng kasalukuyang sitwasyon at gayundin naman anf makapagpa-abot ng imporrmasyon sa mga mag-aaral na hindi lamang matatagpuan sa loob institusyon kundi maging sa lungsod. Project G.A.B.A.Y (Guidelines and Assistance on the Brand-new Academic Year) na may layuning makapag abot ng tulong sa mga estudyantemg nahihirapan at kailangan ng gabay at tulong sa mga proseso ng enrollment, gayundin aa pag log in sa GC lamp at portal. Dagdag pa sa mga platapormang kanilang ilalatag sa panuruang ito ay ang Adulthingz na naglalayong talakayun ang mga usapin na kadalasang hindi napapagdiskusyunan sa institusyon. Ang Tutoryah, na nagnanais itaguyod ang pagpapakalap ng tips, hacks at ibat-ibang teknik sa teknolohiya sa kapawa nilang mag-aaral sa GC. Higit sa lahat ang Share the lab na nagnanais itaguyod ang donation drive para sa mga mag-aaral ng BSHM na nangangailangan ng tulong pnansyal sa kanilang laboratory classes sa gitna ng pandemya.

Sampung libong pisong ayuda para sa mga mag-aaral na Pilipino, isinusulong

I-MAN KLAY GARCIA NEWS WRITER

akabayan Bloc, naghain ng isang house bill na nagiimplementa ng pagbibigay ng 10,000 piso ayuda kada mag-aaral na naaapektuhan ng paghinto ng face-to-face dahil sa pandemya.

Nanawagan ang Student Aid Network na sana’y agad itong maabprubahan bilang panukalang batas upang mapakinabangan at mapamahagi na sa mga mag-aaral na Pilipino. Sina Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago, Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite at Eufermia Cullamat, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro at Gabriela Women’s Rep. Arlene Brosas ay ilan sa mga authors ng panukalang ito. “[The authors also call] on President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent those bills in line with this objects,” sabi ng mga mababatas.

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Ang nasabing ayuda para sa mga mag-aaral ay makakatulong upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangan at problema ng halos lahat ng estudyante ngayong panahon ng pandemya tulad ng kakulangan sa gadget, internet, mali-maling printed modules gayundin naman ang iba pang mga hinaing sa kinauukulan.

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GCian, youth org, nanguna sa Olongapo Community Pantry REGGIE BOY VARGAS OP ED EDITOR

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

KABATAAN NAMAN!

Mesa para sa Masang Olongapeño, kumasa sa pagbibigay ayuda KOMUNIDAD

JOHN IAN GUANTIA MARQUEZ NEWS WRITER

AGTAYO NG ISANG Community Pantry ang Youth for Sustainable Change malapit sa SM City Olongapo Downtown upang makatulong din sa iba pang mamamayan ng naturang lugar nitong Lunes, Abril 19. Pinamumunuan ang Olongapo Youth Pantry nina Jomar Plamio, 2nd year BS Accountancy student ng Gordon College katuwang sina Erika Aratea, Paolo Abayari, at Henessy Apelo kabilang na rin ang iba pang youth volunteers na kaagapay sa pamamalakad ng nasabing pantry. Mula sa panayam kay Jomar, ikinuwento niya kung paano nagsimula ang pagtatayo nila ng mesa para sa masang Olongapeño na matagumpay nang nakapagdaos ng 3rd Wave nitong Abril 23. “Main inspiration is really the main essence of the community pantry which was ‘to help’ nakakatuwa nga ang mga kataga na sinasabi ni pantry e ‘kumuha ayon sa pangangailangan’,” pahayag ni Plamio. Sa pagpapatuloy nitong mesa para sa masa ng Youth for Sustainable Change, nakalikom na sila ng kabuuang ₱13,000 in cash at donasyong in-kind. Gayundin naman, may mga pribadong tao at sektor na rin ang nagpaabot tulong para sa pagpapatuloy nito. Ang Olongapo Youth Community Pantry ay patuloy pa rin tumatanggap ng donasyong salapi o in-kind donations bilang pag-agapay sa pangangailangan ng mga salat na Olongapeño. Para sa mga nagnanais na bumisita, matatagpuan ang Olongapo Youth Community Pantry sa tapat ng SM City Olongapo Downtown, Happy Bakery, sa ibaba ng Gukbin.

PINANGUNAHAN NG MGA KABATAANG Olongapeño ang panibagong community pantry, ang Mesa para sa Masang Olongapeño. Nagpaganyak na rin sa Maginhawa Community Pantry ang Mesa para sa Masang Olongapeño, ito ay mula sa inisiyatiba ng ilang kabataang Olongapeño na nakapaglatag na ng kanilang sariling community pantry sa Corner Filtration, Purok Uno, Sta.Rita na bukas tuwing araw ng Martes, Huwebes at Sabado mula ika- siyam hanggang ika-11 ng umaga. Samantala, bago pa man sila mapadpad sa Sta. Rita, nauna na rin silang nagtayo ng community pantry sa Rizal Triangle Park dahil sa tingin nila, ang Rizal Triangle at Marikit Parks ay mga freedom parks at malaya silang makapag-

sasagawa ng kung anumang aktibidad; ngunit dahil sa mga kumakalat at natatanggap nilang komento mula sa social media, napagdesisyunan ng kanilang grupo na mag-organisa muli ng panibagong community pantry. “Kaso may mga nagcomment and all, tapos nared-tagged pa yung sa maginhawa; para ligtas sa seguridad namin, nagdecide kami [na] magreorganize at pumunta sa ibang pwesto,” ani Louis Rebadolla. Pinabulaanan din ni Rebadolla ang mga kumakalat na balitang sila ay ipinaalis sa Rizal Triangle Park at paglilinaw niya ay pinayagan

silang mag-organisa sa nasabing pwesto at sila ang nagkusang mag-orgaisa sa ibang lugar dala ng natatanggap nilang red-tagging at mga batikos na sila ay kabilang sa NPA. Dagdag pa rito, sinabi rin ni Rebadolla na walang masama sa pagkamusta at pagtulong sa masa at kung tutuusin aniya ay sa masa nanggagaling ang lahat. Gayunpaman, patuloy pa rin ang pag-ayuda ng mga progresibong kabataan upang matulungan ang mga kababayan nilang Olongapeño kalakip ang paalala mula sa kanilang kababayan sa pagsunod sa community guidelines na ipinatutupad ng Inter-Agency Task Force.

PHOTOS BY ARDHEE DONATO, JOMAR PLAMIO

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

Community Pantries, isinagawa na rin sa Olonggapo CLARISSA MAE BERJA NEWS EDITOR

MANI NG LIBO-LIBONG reaksyon sa social media ang Maginhawa Community Pantry na pinangunahan ng isang small business owner mula sa Diliman, Quezon City na si Ana Patricia Non. Ang nasabing community pantry ay may layuning magbigay-tulong at pag-asa sa kaniyang komunidad ngayong panahong pandemya. Ayon kay Non, isa sa mga nagbigay inspirasyon sa kanya upang manguna sa proyektong ito ay ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon ng ating bansa na kung saan ay maraming Pilipino ang nahihirapan sa paghahanap ng trabaho upang matustusan ang pang araw-araw na pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya. Dagdag pa rito, makikita na nakasaad sa kaniyang Facebook caption na hindi nito masasagot ang suliraning pangkagutuman ng ating bansa, subalit makatutulong ito na pantawid-gutom sa mga nangangailangan. Dagdag pa niya na mahirap magtrabaho, mag-aral at lumaban habang kumakalam ang tiyan.

ang paghingi ng pasensya kung hindi niya kayang mabigyan ang lahat. Dagdag pa niya, masaya siya na makatulong kahit sa maliit na paraan. Matatagpuan ang isa pang Community Pantry sa 16th Street, West Tapinac ng mga magpipinsan na pinangungunahan nina Daizel Ladrillono and Tweenie Ladrillono. Ayon sa isang panayam kay Tweenie, silang magpipinsan ay napahanga at napabilib ng Maginhawa Community Pantry kung kaya naman ay nakiisa rin sila sa proyektong ito upang makatulong sa mga kalapit na komunidad sa Olongapo City.

Marami ang nakakuha ng inspirasyon mula sa Maginhawa Community Pantry at ngayon ay maraming lugar mula sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas ang nagpasimula na rin ng Community Pantry para sa kanilang komunidad.

“Sa una hanggang sa pangalawang araw, kami lang ang nag provide ng mga produkto sa community pantry, hanggang sa mga susunod na araw, pagkatapos ko magpost sa Facebook may mga nag donate na rin,” saad ni Tweenie.

Kung kaya naman, hanggang dito sa Olongapo City ay may iilan na ang nanguna sa pagatataguyod ng proyektong Community Pantry na may layunin din na makapag-abot ng tulong at pag-asa sa mga nangangailangan. Makikita na sa bawat community pantry ang tagline na “magbigay ayon sa kakayahan at kumuha batay sa pangangailangan”.

Dagdag pa niya, matapos ang patuloy na pagbuhos ng tulong sa kanilang community pantry, masasabi na ginising nito ang pagkakaisa dahil kahit na limitado ang kakayahan, gumagawa pa rin sila ng paraan para maibahagi kung ano man ang meron sila upang patuloy na makatulong sa mga taong walang-wala.

Isa sa mga nakiisa at nanguna sa pagtataguyod ng Olongapo Community Pantry ay sina Daisy Jane at Ohmar Garcia ng Ohmar’s Cheesecake. Ang mesang kanilang inilitag ay naglalaman ng iba’t ibang produkto na makatutulong upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng komunidad. Ang nasabing Community Pantry ay matatagpuan sa gilid ng City Square tapat ng DBS Salon. Hindi rin naman papahuli ang Community Pantry na matatagpuan sa Gordon Avenue Pag-asa. Isinaad ng isa sa mga nanguna sa proyekto na si Karlo Olivia sa kaniyang Facebook post

Ang tatlong Community Pantries ay may iisang layunin: ang makapag-abot ng tulong sa kapwa-Pilipino upang matustusan ang pang araw-araw na pangangailangan, gayundin naman ay makapagbigay ng pag-asa at tulong lalo pa na patuloy pa rin ang laban ng ating bansa laban sa pandemya. Ang Olongapo Community Pantries ay patuloy na tumatanggap ng donasyon at tulong sa mga mamamayan ng Olongapo upang madagdagan ang mga produkto at maipagpatuloy ang paglago nito nang sa gayon ay marami pang Olongapeños ang matulungan.

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Mula sa Maginhawa Community Pantry, mahigit 100 na community pantry na ang naitayo ng mga private citizens sa kani-kanilang lugar, na may layon na tumulong sa nangangailangan at magbigay ng espasyo sa mga nais mag-abot ng kanilang makakayanan. “Magbigay ayon sa kakahayan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan,” yan ang mensahe sa bawat community pantry sa buong bansa.

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

THRIVING THE NE COVID SURGE. Cases of COVID-19 have risen to high numbers in Philippines, resulting negative impacts on the health care system, education and even the economy

Lockdown victo Gordon College CAMPUS

by the numbers

600

SCHOOLS WERE ALLOWED to push through pilot testing for Face-to-face classes, however

100

ONLY 100 schools from low risk areas would implement this initiative

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s we draw closer to the final months of 2021, another year is coming to a conclusion. We have spent the entire year confined and locked away to our homes due to the global pandemic. COVID-19 has definitely been the most significant test of Higher Education institutions’ resilience and relevance in recent years. The virus had come like a lighting in a second, thus making Higher Education institutions to be pushed to think differently and contribute novel remedies to the pandemic due to the need for behavioral change to contain the virus from spreading.

Gordon College was one of the institutions that was greatly affected by the pandemic, having no other choice but to offer and implement online classes because of the restriction to conduct face-to-face engagements. The unexpected change in the educational environment, along with the government’s lack of preparedness, made it even more difficult to transition. Despite these challenges, Gordon College has once again demonstrated that nothing is impossible; they are more than just any other institution, but they are also capable, daring, imaginative, and willing to take on new risks. This is evidenced by the GC Formation’s numerous accomplishments in exhibiting their unquestionably exceptional talents and expertise from the previous academic year to the present.

Now let’s take a closer look at the achievements made by different departments constituting the GC Formation. March 7 - The creative minds of Ryan Manzano, John Marco Mirabueno, and Geraldine Raydanas from Gordon College Junior Marketing Association proved that no pandemic can restrict them from placing first at “JUANders of the City” and “Juan Patalastas” held by The Philippines Junior Marketing Association. While both are video competitions, “JUANders of the City” focuses on exploring and uncovering hidden treasure for #TheNationwideExpedition and Juan Patalastas covers the celebration of small wins with a sponsored product as a video commercial. May 15-16 - With the new obstacles brought by the pandemic, our Junior Marketing Association’s

Zaw Lin Kyaw, Samantha Marza, Charmaine Illaya, and Ludwig Dizon exhibited their capabilities to overcome the challenges by redefining their way of brand marketing on “The Sensational Marketista” at MADWORLD 2021. The said event happened on the “Balloon Platform” with the title “MADWORLD: Unlocking the New Consumer Experience” where Kyaw and Marza won first place, Illaya in second, and finally Dizon in third place. May 22 – GC Learners’ Academic Management Portal, commonly known as GC-LAMP, received “Best Paper Presentation ‘’ last May 22, 2021, at Y4IT Research Summit 2021. This application leans on to giving the Gordon College students ease by having a localized academic portal. GC-LAMP was developed by the great minds of Jerrylyn Alob, Riejan Eguita,

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

EW NORMAL

ories of Formation EARVIN JON ARSUA AND CAMILLE LACANILAO

Jave Labandia, Orlie John Russle Labrador, Allan James Lapinete, Loudel Manaloto, Regin Louise, and Owen Jasper Vargas. Few months after its recognition from the UP System Information Technology Foundation, GC-LAMP was then recognized on the last 28th of May and expanded as R3LAMP by CHED Regional Office III. May 28 – The GC Communication Society ranked 2nd in the overall competition from the 3rd Central Luzon COMMvention held by Holy Angel University Communicator’s League. Jay Eff Antonio won third place as he magnified his experiences as a Communication through TikTok Challenge. Tumultuous was the right term to describe what gave power to the voices of Maria Isabelle Ecarwan, Kheyzlee Plata, and John Carlo San Agustin which made them rise to second place for the podcast competition. Finally, the brilliant storytelling through photos by Danielle Lewis Dionisio, Kyle Lemuel A. Casupanan, and Ray Mark Sanson Espiritu also won second place in the competition.

July 4 - Gordon College Marketing Association received prestigious national-level awards from the Philippines Junior Marketing Association on its 8th Annual Marketista Awards wherein GC-JMA rose to TOP 2 on the Crossing Borders Category and was also nominated as one of the TOP 5 schools for the Corporate Social Responsibility Category among all the submitted entries from Luzon to Mindanao. August 12 - Creativity runs through the blood of every GCian. This time, two students won awards from the 25th Anniversary Logo Making Competition by the Association of Local Colleges and Universities. Nicole Marcial landed in third place from the College of Computer Studies, and Tonee Ocampo from College of Business and Accountancy received the 2nd place award. August 27 - Bienlainard Macalino from the Gordon College Samahang Filipino weaved words from the aches of online classes for the “Pagsulat ng Dagli” from Damlay - Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa “Buwan

ng Wika” celebration. Macalino’s piece is titled: “Gaserang Walang Pagkapundi”. Furthermore, three GCians brought home the “Best Paper Presenter” from the 2nd Association Of Local Colleges And Universities (ALCU) Region III Student Research Conference. The said student researchers are as follows: 1) Erika Hannah E. Arzadon from the Gordon College Tribo ng Math with her research paper, “Online Learning Strategies in Teaching Mathematics Towards Student Learning Outcomes”; 2) Ron Benedict A. Panes from the College of Computer Studies, “Clinicard: A Web and Mobile Scheduling System for Medical Clinic in Olongapo City Using Progressive Web App Frameworks”; and finally Jamilyn F. Mila from Guild of Educators for Young Minds with her paper entitled, “The Extent of 21st Century Skills in Online Learning of Grade 5 Mathematics.” September 12 - Mharnie C. Buenacosa from Philippine Society of Customs Administration Students - Gordon College Chapter participated and won 1st Place from The Junior ALCU Philippines’ “Wikalokalike Competition” in celebration of the Buwan ng Wika with the theme for the competion is “Filipino At Mga Katutubong Wika sa Dekolonisasyon Ng Pag-iisp Ng Mga Pilipino”. She reenacted the life and contributions of Josefa Llanes Escoda – a Filipina civic leader, social worker, World War II heroine, and suffragette. October 31 - “Langit Lupa” is John Ian Guantia Marquez’ entry for Multimedia Journalism where he was awarded the People’s Choice Award by the Organization of Student Services Educators, Inc. Special recognition was given to Niko Panizales by the College of Computer Studies for being the illustrator of DepEd Olongapo’s “Ang Tunay Na Kulay ng Langit” Book Copyright issued by the National Library of the Philippines. The sudden shift in the stu-

dents’ mode of learning brought by the pandemic has caused a trance within the whole institution—stopping all classes momentarily as the virus contraction is rampant. However, the college must not let the students stagnate while in community lockdowns, resumption of classes is due, though online. The transition from in-person classes to online set-up paved the way for obstacles to rise which the GCians have to inevitably face. A mere congratulatory greeting for their achievements is just a scratch on the surface, proper acknowledgment of the students’ efforts to adapt, thrive, and further develop in the new normal just to pursue education shall be given.

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JEZ ANNE RADAM FEATURE WRITER

USAPING SERBISYO AT HUSTISYA

a Pilipinas, ang hustisya ay sumasang-ayon lamang sa kung sino ang nakahiga sa salapi, sa mga naghaharing-uri, sa mga makapangyarihang tila ginagawang palaruan ang ating bansa. Buhat nito ay hindi maiwasang maglinay-linay kung may pagasa pa bang malinis ang napakaduming sistema ng ating bansa? O baka naman patuloy na lamang matutumbasan ng pera ang mga mata at kalooban ng tao. Ngunit kung susuyuring mabuti ay hindi pa tapos ang laban; ‘ika-nga’y papunta pa lang tayo sa exciting part. May panahon pa upang gisingin ang kamalayan at konsensiya ng bawat Pilipino; kailangan lamang nating isaayos ang batas. Ang pagsasaayos at pagbibigay diin na siyang magiging angkla upang hindi na muling kumawala pa ang mga nagpapadumi sa sistema. At sino pa nga ba ang pinakaangkop na tao upang kapanayamin kundi siya mismong maglalagay ng ngipin sa batas.

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

Ibinahagi ni Atty. Jose Manuel Diokno—o mas kilala bilang Atty. Chel Diokno—ang kahalagan ng karapatang pantao. “Walang kapalit ang buhay at dignidad ng bawat tao at hindi natin pwedeng ikompromiso iyan,” aniya. Isa lamang ito sa kanyang mga mahahalagang natutunan simula nang siya’y naging abogado. Sa katunayan, musmos pa lamang siya noong siya ay namulat — mula na rin sa impluwensiya ng kaniyang ama na si Atty. Jose “Pepe” Diokno, isang dating Senador at Secretary of Justice, na dating nabilanggo sa panahon ng Martial Law dahil sa pagtindig laban sa diktadurya. Siya rin ang naging unang Chairperson ng Committee on Human Rights (kasalukuyang CHR). Tunay na nais sundan ni Atty. Diokno ang yapak ng kanyang ama, ngunit hindi katulad ng iba na patuloy ginagatasan ang pekeng legasiya ng politikal na dinatisya, siya ay gumawa ng kaniyang sariling karangalan.

Dahil dito ay maaga siyang nagkaroon ng kamalayan sa katotohanan ng mundo, na ang iyong pagkatao at dignidad ay nakabase sa iyong estado sa buhay, katayuan sa lipunan, at kapangyarihan. Nasaksihan niya na ang mga pilit lumalaban sa sistema ay pinapatahimik habang buhay. Dahil dito, umusbong sa puso ni Atty. Diokno ang pagiging kasangga ng masa na siya ring bumusilak ng kanyang kamulatan — dahil ang masa, na binubuo ng magsasaka, mangingisda, pambansang minorya at uring manggagawa, ay silang laging napag-iiwanan habang ang mga mayayaman ay patuloy lang sa pagpapataba ng kanilang bulsa. At hindi ito masikmura ni Atty. Diokno bilang pangunahing pangangailangan din (dapat) ang karaptang guminhawa. Kaya naman mula 1989 hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay nagsasagawa si Atty. Diokno ng mga legal mission, paralegal training, at libreng konsultasyon para sa mga masang api. Sa loob ng mahigit na tatlumpu’t-tatlong taong serbisyo, taos-puso niyang pinag-

sisilbihan ang kanyang kapwa Pilipino. “Kung talagang gusto natin ng isang makatao at makatarungang Pilipinas, kailangan natin ng Kamalayang Pambansa o National Consciousness. At kailangan din natin ng Konsiyensyang Pambansa o National Conscience”. Ito ay nabanggit ng kaniyang ama sa kanya patungkol sa pagiging isang pinuno at bukas palad naman niya itong ibinahagi at isinapuso. Binigyang lalim naman ito ni Atty. Diokno at sinabing mayroong apat na aspekto ang Kamalayang Pambansa: ang sasaisip ng sakripisyo ng ating mga ninuno; pagkakaroon ng kamalayan sa pagkakaiba ng bawat Pilipino; pagkakaroon ng kamalayan sa mga nangangailangan; at, ang pagkakaroon ng kamalayan sa kalikasan. Ang mga ito ay kanyang isinaalang-alang sa kaniyang mga plataporma at layunin. Gayun din sa Konsiyensiyang Pambansa, na may siya ring binubuo ng apat na aspekto: katotohanan; katarungan; inclusiveness; at, dignidad ng bawat tao.

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Bilang isang Human Rights Lawyer, hindi na lingid sa ating kaalaman kung gaano pinahahalagahan ni Atty. Diokno ang buhay ng bawat tao. Hindi lamang mga salita ang kaniyang binibitawan sapagkat bago pa siya pumasok sa pulitika, siya ay nagseserbisyo na para sa tao. Ang pagiging senador ay isang mahalagang instrumento ni Atty. Diokno upang mapalawig ang pagtulong sa masa. Siya ay lumalaban para sa pagkakapantay-pantay lalong-lalo na sa kasarian at naglatag ng mga programa para sa mga nasa laylayan.

Siyang tunay, sa ating kasalukuyang sistema, hindi mahalaga ang iyong buhay at karapatan kung hindi ka makapangyarihan. Ngunit, panahon na para iwaksi ang ganitong sistema at kaisipian na patuloy na lumalason sa mga tao. Dapat may ngipin ang batas.

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

Danas Ng Mga ' Di Mapuksang Apoy KAREN ANN GATBUNTON AT EARVIN JON ARSUA

DUKASYON ang nagsisilbing panggatong sa nagliliyab na kagustuhang makapagtapos ng bawat estudyante. Ito rin ang nagbibigay liwanag para sa mga nais kumawala mula sa dilim ng kahirapan. Ngunit sa kasamaang palad, dumating ang pandemyang COVID-19 na unti-unting nag-alis ng hangin mula sa apoy na dapat ay malakas at lumiliyab. Ika nga, edukasyon ang sus isa tagumpay; ngunit paano kung ito pa ang maging hadlang sa pangarap na pagbangon?

Nauupos Sa Pagkakulob Kaalinsabay ng pandemya na siyang nagpatigil sa lahat ng aktibidad ng mundo, ay siya ring naging dahilan ng unti-unting paglisan sa milyahe ng paglalakbay patungo sa inaasam na pangarap ng ilang estudyante. Bago pa man magsimula ang mga malawakang quarantine dala ng COVID-19, ang pananaw niya ay puno ng maraming posibilidad sapagkat naisip niya na mas makakabuti itong online learning kung saan sa bahay ka lang nag-aaral; doon siya nagkamali. Siya ay si Wendy*, kasalukuyang nasa kolehiyo at hindi maikakaila ang husay sa sining. Bagama’t nasubukan niyang pumasok sa unang mga linggo ng new normal, hindi rin ito nagtuloy-tuloy. Nagkamali nga siya sa pag-aakalang magugustuhan niya ang ganitong pamamaraan ng pagtuturo; dito niya napagtanto na may kahalagahan ang pagkakaroon ng social interaction sa ating kalusugan pangkaisipan. “Pakiramdam ko’y habang tumatagal lalo lamang akong nahihirapan—para bang hindi makahinga—hanggang umabot sa puntong ‘di ko na kaya,” aniya. Sa kabila ng pasya niyang huminto, sinuportahan pa rin si Wendy ng kaniyang mga magulang. Dagadg pa niya, “saksi mismo ang aking mga magulang sa hirap ng sitwasyon na dinanas ko kaya naiintindihan nila.” Gayunman, naikuwento niya ring pansamantala lamang ang kaniyang paghinto sa pagaaral. Pipilitin niyang magpatuloy muli sa susunod na pasukan kahit na delikado at pataas nang pataas ang mga nahahawa ng COVID-19. “Kahit gustuhin o hilingin ko man na magbalik muli sa dati, alam

kong hindi magiging gano’n kadali; lalo na sa kasalukuyang estilo ng pagtugon ng ating gobyerno sa ating mga kinakaharap na krisis. Gayunpaman, pipilitin kong umangkop at makahabol, lalo’t sarili ko na lamang din naman ang tutulong sa akin,” sabi niya. Hinahangad na rin ni Wendy ang makabalik sa dating mode of learning kaya’t kung sakali mang magkaroon ng ligtas na balik-eskwela—pagkakaroon ng sapat na bakuna para sa mga guro at estudyante, at konkretong pangkalahatang tugon sa pandemya—ay hindi niya na sasayangin ang pagkakataon na mag-aral muli at makapagtapos. Naidagdag din ni Wendy na mayroon siyang mga kakilala na nararanasan kung gaano kahirap ang pag-aaral sa ganitong pamamaraan, at tulad din niya, sila rin ay pansamantalang huminto. ““Marami ang walang sapat na kagamitan upang makasabay sa hamon na hatid ng online classes, kaya’t napilitan na rin silang huminto habang patuloy na umaasang magbabalik pa rin ang lahat sa nakagawiang normal upang makapagpatuloy at maabot ang mga pangarap na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral.” Hanggang kailan magtatagal ang pagkakasindi sa apoy ng pagasa at determinasyon gayong ang bawat estudyante ay nakakulong sa hawlang may apat na sulok— madilim, tago at hindi nadadamhan ng hangin.

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Kahit Kulang Sa Ningas Hindi talaga maipagkakailang naging dagdag pasanin para sa mga estudyante ang pandemya. Dahil sa sitwasyong ito, hindi rin nalayo ang dahilan ni Apollo* kung bakit hindi siya nagkaroon ng pagkakataon upang makapag-aral noong nakaraang taon. Dahil sa kabi-kabilang lockdown, hindi niya nakuha ang kinakailangang mga dokumento upang makapag-enroll. Wala man sa isip niya ang huminto ay wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang maghintay ng pagkakataon na humupa ang bigat na dala ng pandemya. Ngunit tila hindi naging sapat ang pag-asa na matatapos na ang isang taon ng blended learning, dahil ito’y nagpatuloy sa Panuruang taong 2021-2022. Napagtanto ni Apollo na hindi na niya gugustuhin pang palagpasin ang isang taon nang hindi nakakapag-aral kaya siya’y nag-enroll ngayong taon upang ipaglaban muli ang pangarap. Mabigat ang hamon ng pandemyang ito lalo na at tila pinutulan ang bawat isa ng pagkakataon na makasalamuha ang iba. “Malaki ang epekto ng kawalan ng interaksyon ng mga estudyante sa bawat isa lalo na ang lahat ay mahilig makihalubilo sa kapwa nila mag-aaral o sa kani-kanilang mga kaibigan.” Dagdag niya pa ang kahirapan ng pag-aaral nang mag-isa at ang katotohanan na kailangan niya itong lagpasan nang hindi sa paraang kaniyang nakasanayan. Ika niya ay may kaibigan rin siyang huminto dahil sa hirap na dala ng pandemya. Ang kakulangan nito sa gamit pang-online class ay isang dagok din ng maraming estudyante.

Sa kabutihang palad ay hindi binigyan si Apollo ng kaloobang mabilis sumuko, dahil desidido siya na ipagpatuloy ang pagtupad sa pangarap sa paraan man ng pagsuong sa putik ng pandemya o sa ligtas na balik-eskwela. “Itutuloy ko pa rin dahil online o physical man sa susunod ay hindi ko na hahayaang mahinto pa ako sa aking pag aaral.” Ang tanging hiling lamang niya sa mga nanunungkulan ay magbigay sa mga talagang nangangailangan ng magagamit sa online class o kaya ay magkaroon ng maayos na plano upang harapin ang pandemyang ito dahil hindi lamang basta paslit ang patuloy na humaharap sa hirap ng pag-aaral sa gitna ng pandemya; bagkus mga mag-aaral na mayroong malaking pangarap para sa kanilang sarili at bansa. Isang malaking dagok ang magpatuloy sa pag-aaral sa gitna ng pandemya: Kabi-kabila ang buhay na nawawala, maraming tiyan ang nagugutom, at maraming trabaho ang naglalaho. Ngunit kailangan pa rin isipin kung paano ka makakapasa sa paaralan. Tila isa itong tinik na hindi sigurado ninuman kung kailan mabubunot. Dahil ang pandemyang ito ay hindi maikakailang isang malakas na ihip ng hangin na gustong apulahin ang nagbabagang pangarap ng bawat mag-aaral. Animo’y palaisipan kung hanggang kailan magtatagal ang apoy ng pag-asa at determinasyon ng bawat isa, gayong tila nakakulong sila sa isang madilim na hawla-nilimitahang kakayahan at kalayaang may hangganan. Hindi para sa lahat ang kasalukuyang sistema ng pag-aaral ngunit ang edukasyon pa rin ang patuloy na nagpapaliyab sa hinahangad ng bawat mag-aaral. Kahit na tila ba ang bawat gasera ay nauubusan na ng liyab dala ng hirap at pagdududa, nananatiling matingkad ang ilaw ng puso ng bawat isa para makuha ang ninanais na toga. #LigtasNaBalikEskwela

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the forefront THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

g n o g a b i n Pa is

a s s ala

AILA NICOLE SARIO ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Bakit ngayon pa?

“Handa ka na bang magsalita, Delia?”

Kasabay ng aking paghingang malalim, tumango ako. Hindi alintana ang pawis dahil sa init ng panahon at nanginginig na mga kamay dala ng kaba, dali-dali kong kinuha ang kwaderno kung saan nakasulat ang mga katagang aking bibitawan ngayon. Galak at pagkasabik– iilan lamang sa aking samu’t-saring nararamdaman sapagkat sa wakas ay– “Bigyan nating pagpupugay, mula sa kursong Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Major in Social Studies, Delia Angeline Cruz, Summa cum Laude” Nakakapanibago. Nakakapanibagong walang nangyayari. Walang palakpakan, walang sigawan. Walang mga matang nagsasabing “oh ‘di ba, kinaya mo?” o ‘di kaya’y abot tenga na mga ngiti. Tahimik. Tanging ang tilaok lamang ng mga manok at ang busina ng bawat nagmamadaling sasakyan ang maririnig. Ehem. Ehem. “Isang kahid, isang tuka– ganito kung maihahalintulad ang buhay ko.

Katulad ng iilan, isa ako sa mga taong pinipili at pinipilit itawid ang isang araw– ang inay ay isang labandera at ang itay ay isang construction worker. Hindi maipagkakailang sila ang naging inspirasyon ko upang patuloy na magpatuloy. Sa pagitan ng apat na taon, ang daming nagbago sapagkat marami tayong hindi inaasahan at napaghandaan. Magmula sa larangan ng trabaho hanggang sa aspeto ng edukasyon. Sino ba ang handa? Hindi naging madali ang pagbabagong dala ng pandemya sapagkat kung inyong susumain ang lahat ay nagkaroon ng limitasyon; o ‘di kaya’y hangganan”. Marso 13, 2020 “Kumpirmado na nga na may mga nagpositibo na sa COVID-19 sa ating bansa. Ipinagbibigay-alam sa publiko na mag-ingat at iwasan ang makipag-interaksyon sa matataong lugar”. “Pasok na po ako, nay!” Masiglang paalam ko sa aking inay habang siya ay nagwawalis sa aming bakuran. “Narinig mo ba ang anunsyo sa radyo, anak? Mag-ingat ka at laging mag-alcohol!”, aniya. “Mahirap na at baka ikaw ay madapuan ng virus! Iwasan ang dapat

iwasan. Huwag matigas ang ulo!” “Ang aga mo naming highblood, nay. Opo, mag-iingat po ako. Mag-ingat din po kayo rito. Alis na po ako!” Niyakap ko siya at dali-daling tumakbo papuntang eskwelahan. “Hay Delia, isang napakagandang araw na naman para matuto,” bulong ko sa aking sarili. Hindi maitatangging gustong-gusto ko ang ideya ng pag-aaral; marahil naniniwala akong ito ang mag-aahon sa amin mula sa kahirapan. “Uy alam mo na ba ang balita, bes?”,

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

nagsilbing bungad ng aking kaibigan na si Nes pagkapasok ko sa aming silid-aralan. “Anong balita?” Walang kaalam-alam na tanong ko. “Na baka wala tayong pasok sa susunod na linggo dahil sa tumataas na bilang ng kaso ng COVID!” Kasabay nito ang paghagikhik na para bang hindi makapaghintay na mangyari ito. Napatulala ako. Hindi maaari. Dahil sa lalim ng aking iniisip, hindi ko na namalayan ang oras na para bang dumaan lang; mabilis na natapos ang aking klase. Wala sa wisyo akong tumayo at naglakad pauwi. “Ang mga sumusunod na paaralan ay ang mga nagkansela na ng klase dahil sa tumataas na kaso ng–” “Mano po, inay!” “Anak, hindi pa ba nag-aanunsyo ang paaralan ninyo? Ayon sa radyo, may iilan nang nagkansela ng klase.” Dali-dali kong kinuha ang selpon ko na basagbasag na ang screen at tiningnan ang Facebook Page ng aking eskwelahan at tumigil ang mundo ko sa aking nabasa, “There will be no classes on March 16, 2020. Wait for further announcement when the classes will resume. Stay safe!”

*** “Sino bang mag-aakala na ang isang araw ay aabot ng ilang taon, at ang mga karaniwan nating ginagawa noon ay ala-ala na lamang ngayon? Dahil sa pandemya, ang dating palakaibigan ay naging tahimik, ang dating totoo ay pilit na lamang ngayon, ang dating malaya ay mistulang nakakulong na sa hawla kasabay ng panahon, at higit sa lahat ang daming “sana” na mananatiling “sana”. *** Hulyo 25, 2020 “Guys, pakisagutan daw yung survey para malaman kung sino ang kaya mag-online class sa darating na pasukan sa Agosto! Salamat po.”, anunsyo ng isa kong kamag-aral sa aming group chat. *** Online class. Kung may iisang salitang makakapag-larawan ng damdamin ng mga tulad ko–mahirap. Kasabay ng lahat ng ito, maraming pinagkatian ng pagkakataon. Hindi biro ang paglipat sa online class sapagkat mas nananaig ang diskriminasyon – tulad ng hindi sapat na pangangailangan gaya ng internet connection, gadgets na parang cellphone o laptop o ‘di kaya’y pangload para sa mobile data. Dahil dito,

marami ang napilitang huminto na lamang at hintayin ang “dati”.

pandemya. Sino pa nga ba ang dapat sisihin?”

At isa ako sa mga namroblema kung paano ipagpapatuloy ang ganitong sitwasyon ng pag-aaral dahil sapat lamang ang perang sinusweldo ng aking mga magulang sa pang araw-araw naming pamumuhay; walang budget para sa load kung kaya’t ako ay nagpursiging maghanap ng mga iskolarship.

Marso 13, 2021 “Petisyon para sa #LigtasBalikEskwela”

*** Agosto 16, 2020 Unang araw ng online class. “Class, rinig ba ako?”, tanong ng aming guro tila hirap din sa pag-adjust sa bagong set-up sa pag-aaral. Nakakalungkot isipin na ang dating silid na puno ng mga mukhang punong-puno ng determinasyon matuto ay napalitan ng pagkadismaya sa likod ng bawat nakasarang kamera. *** “Lahat tayo ay may kanya-kanyang tahimik na laban– pinansyal, emosyonal, kaibigan, pamilya o ‘di kaya nama’y ang sarili mismo natin. Hindi lahat ng estudyante ay may kapasidad na makapag-aral sa payapa na paligid. Ang iilang tahanan ay puno ng sigawan o alitan na siyang dahilan upang mawala sa pokus ang isang bata. Samu’t-saring problema, pag-aadjust, at walang konkretong plano para sa

***

Napukaw ng atensyon ko ang aking nabasa. Isang taon na rin pala ang nakalipas magmula ng tumigil ang pagikot ng mundo natin sa apat na sulok ng ating tahanan. Ang marami’y hirap pa rin tugunan ang pangangailangan kung kaya’t naglalagabgab ang damdamin ko sa ideyang ibalik ang eskwelahan– na may limitasyon pa rin. Hindi maiaakilang isa ito sa magiging rason upang manumbalik ang dating silakbo ng bawat estudyante. *** “Ano ba ‘yan Delia, ngumiti ka naman! Para kang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa! Gusto mo bang ito ang litrato na ipasa mo para sa yearbook niyo?” aniya ng ate kong tila nakalunok ng mikropono sa lakas ng boses sabay itinapat ang selpon niyang bagong bili lamang. Napairap nalang ako sa hangin at bumuntong hininga. “Gusto ko na matapos ito.” Parang isang pitik ang lahat, graduating student na ako. *** “Sa aking pamilya

lalong-lalo na sa aking mga magulang, salamat, sapagkat kayo ang nagsilbing sandigan at lakas ko upang ipagpatuloy ang laban kong ito. Hindi ko makakamit ang karangalang ito kung wala kayo. Sa aking mga guro na tinulungan kami sa panahong ito, na pinagaan ang aming pag-aaral at nagbigay ng konsiderasyon, maraming salamat po.” Sa aking mga kapwa mag-aaral, gusto ko lang ipaabot na huwag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa sapagkat…” You are disconnected from the meeting. 6:00 P.M. Your GoSURF has expired. Go for more GBs with Go+99! Enjoy 8GB data for all sites, 8GB choice of apps and unli all net texts for 7 days, for only P99. Just register to Go+ via https://glbe. co?NewGlobe ONE or dial *143# and choose Go+. Bakit ngayon pa?

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

ANTITHESIS

Robbed at 5, 8, and 11

RAY MARK SAMSON ESPIRITU BA COMMUNICATION EDITOR IN CHIEF

*TRIGGER WARNING

“

To the sender, if ever you find yourself reading this, I sincerely apologize, not only for my unjust behavior, but for all that’s happened to you. You are strong for telling us your story, for revisiting every dark corner of it to shed light, to find it in your heart to inspire your fellow victim-survivors who have been hiding in unjustified guilt. You are more than that tragedy.

ON FEBRUARY 13, in less than letter sender told us. When my classmates and I were still planning our organization’s weekly event, an online COMMustahan via Facebook live, I thought of all the things that may transpire— all the laugh that will be heard, all the happy tears we might shed, because that’s just how we are: temperamental. Not a single bad thought came into mind during and in-between preparation. Fast forward to the day before our FB Live, after practicing and preparing, our adviser told us about what they have read, of how shocking a certain story was going to be. I then reacted with bliss—a huge telling of how (my) ignorance was relatively connected with it—expecting something saucy, naughty if I’m being totally honest. I even asked if it was going to be more scandalous than being Google Meet-bombed (uninvited guests gate-crashing google meetings) during a webinar we just hosted hours ago. Of course, I was elated for we had just finished a successful online seminar, the momentum was still there. And then tomorrow came. I was all hyped up, sharing, endlessly promoting our program’s event, waiting for that one specific story to be read aloud. An hour had passed. The first two stories were about unrequited love and self-love, very fitting for the day before Valentine’s. I kept on chatting— in all caps while abusing the exclamation point—continuing the hype, when all of a sudden, one of the host’s moods went into a swift detour after letting out a fleeting sigh. The supposed consistent enthusiastic tones of the hosts, with many ad-libs up their sleeves, to get and keep the audience and event all psyched up, abruptly went aloof, and talked carefully, almost censoring themselves. Sad emojis then flooded the screen, popping off the floating hearts. She was just 5 years old, the host said. It was her brother’s friend who did it. At that moment, I knew what the story was going to

10 minutes, I briefly lost all hope to humanity after what our be. Without a second thought, I immediately unsent my messages all the while contemplating and reflecting: What if the anonymous sender was in that very group chat I’ve been hyping up; what if she’s been heart-reacting all of my responses? It’s all very sudden, but I knew I was reckless and being too selfish. She was then 8 years old. It was now her cousin.

“

Oblivious, innocent, frightened—she described her younger self. She didn’t know what to do then, she doesn’t know what to do now. What she couldn’t and still can’t stomach is seeing the familiar faces being happy, living their lives not burdened by any ounce of guilt, as if they did nothing to her.

She was then 11 years old. But this time, it was her grandfather. That whisper of pain silently screams into the entirety of my being. It was another case of incestuous rape. How dreadful is it that her own family, the men that should have been protecting her as a young

girl were the ones who continued robbing off her childhood? She gave a disclaimer for the audience not to judge her, that while she thought she was wrong for staying silent, everyone has their own coping mechanisms. But she also reiterated that while everyone deals with pain differently and while many also share the same experience of being hushed by fear, she wants them to end the conspiracy of silence because, like her, they are not alone. In the first place, she shouldn’t have experienced such horrible things. She didn’t deserve all of those— no one does. Maging mas matapang kayo, you concluded in your letter. To the sender, if ever you find yourself reading this, I sincerely apologize, not only for my unjust behavior, but for all that’s happened to you. You are strong for telling us your story, for revisiting every dark corner of it to shed light, to find it in your heart to inspire your fellow victim-survivors who have been hiding in unjustified guilt. You are more than that tragedy. The case of our letter sender proves that rape has nothing to do with what the victims were wearing. Will you blame the 5-year-old girl for what had happened to her? Three years later, it happened again, is it now her fault? And another three years have passed, will this age finally justify the sexual abuses that she experienced? Now, I have read, heard, and watched many stories about sexual abuses, molestations, rape and the like and I become nothing less of being disheartened. With every story, I become more and more mad, aggrieved, and resentful to the world; with more stories that continue to pile up, I discover new levels of anger within me each time the media reports new cases of rape. But what of those that go unreported, unheard, and unseen?

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

Never be silent, serve the masses

CLARISSA MAE BERJA | BA COMMUNICATION NEWS EDITOR

ommunity pantries have been proven to be of great help to the Filipino people as the essence of these is to provide the masses their needs during these trying times, igniting what is now known as modern bayanihan. Why do those in power choose to red-bait the modern Bayanihan spirit?

On April 14, 2021, the first-ever community pantry was set up on Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, led by a local entrepreneur Ana Patricia Non. The said community pantry aims to help and give hope to the Filipino people considering the difficult situations faced brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of multiple community pantries was recorded during quarantine, proving that the need to do so further implies the inaction of those in power as citizens have also initiated putting up their own community pantries in their respective areas with a sign “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan at kumuha batay sa pangangailangan” to invite the people. The very essence of community pantries has been linked to the Filipino cultural trait of “Bayanihan” that primarily aims to help their compatriots, most especially in times of difficult situations. Sadly, its turnout wasn’t that good in comparison to what was expected as the Maginhawa community pantry was red-tagged by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., Spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy. After linking them and other community pantries to rebel groups and as a form of communist propaganda movement, some volunteers halted their operations for a while, fearing for their safety. The Maginhawa community pantry has pure intentions; it aims to give people hope despite the difficult situations that many of us had gone through after crisis upon crisis. However, instead of receiving positive comments and recognition, the Maginhawa community pantry faced unexpected fault-finding, specifically red-tagging—that its main purpose is to put the government in a different light with its initiative,

or lack thereof, in solving a national health crisis. The issue of red-tagging is quite disappointing, and more so, alarming for me. There had been many individuals and organizations in the Philippines that were red-tagged after the initiatives done to help the Filipino people and the country. The series of red-tagging was associated with the spiteful actions of individuals who have not shown enough sympathy and support to the current administration. In line with that, the public should have a better understanding regarding this as it is also a crucial factor to consider the issue. The people should be aware that the rise of community pantries across the Philippines serves as a solution and expose the government’s inaction. After all the issues of debts and budgets that our government has, they were not still able to provide concrete solutions to help the Filipino people. Most importantly, it proves to many individuals that humanity is still present amidst the current global health crisis. It was a selfless act to initiate this kind of movement to help others in need, and pure intentions had led its way to attract people with a good heart to donate and continue the legacy of the community pantry. The government should focus on its main goal and on the bigger problems of the country, and to support the initiative to continuously help individuals who are in need. Other motives and issues must be set aside when the primary focus is “humanity”. It is difficult to prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people if it will be associated with political avidity. Focus more on the bigger problems and issues that we have and weigh these concerns from what is more crucial and needs to be prioritized because we may not afford the impact it might bring to our country in the future.

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The government should be aware that the community pantries is not a form of propaganda movement. It just so happens that the government’s actions were not enough to address the needs of the people and failure to do so validates the masses’ initiatives— that the collective formation of organized individuals can make efficient and effective solutions to the country’s rising problem.

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

Inking the Culture

EARVIN JON ARSUA | BS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FEATURE EDITOR

“Kung gusto mong yumaman, mag-abroad ka.” Those are the words that you would always hear when your adulthood is approaching. Filipinos are often proud of things related to our tourism, athletes, pageantry, even celebrities that have Filipino ancestry. However, the thing we aren’t confident about is our chances to make a living in this country. Why do we think we won’t be successful if we stayed? After a viral twitter post from Mark Raven Dominguez—a full-time nurse, netizens expressed their disappointment towards the P681.82 Special Risk Allowance (SRA) from the Department of Health (DOH) starting from September 15 to December 19, 2020. The said SRA is a one-time grant by government agencies and units to Public Health Workers (PHW) equivalent to 25% of their monthly basic salary. Although Dominguez stated in his interview that the computation for his P681.82 SRA was correct and has followed the guidelines, still, the actual risk they are facing cannot be equated by this inhumane SRA. He also added, “Ang

pangit lang ng guidelines.” We have the right to be angry at our government’s unsuccessful prioritization to the welfare of every health worker. Their line of work is extremely valuable especially in this pandemic. Our educators may not have the same risks as our health workers but they carry the weight of delivering quality education to the students without conducting face-to-face classes. Adapting to the new normal, teachers now have to either conduct online classes or distribute learning materials. They also receive queries from their students even after class hours. With P22,316 as salary for a Teacher I, all their time, energy, and money spent aren’t worth it. Even before Covid-19 have spread globally, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), together with Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), and Unity, Recognition, and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE), have always been conducting protests and they have consistently called for the government to improve labor conditions in the public sector by effecting decent pay, providing benefits,

and ending contractualization. The groups said, “instead of addressing our calls, we were met with profiling, harassment, and terrorist-tagging. The government vilified us for demanding better work conditions for education workers and for advocating social justice.” And again, why do we tend to think that we won’t be successful if we stayed in our country? Philippines Statistics Authority stated in one of their articles that, “Saudi Arabia continued to be the most preferred destination of OFWs. One out of five (22.4%) OFWs worked in the country during the period April to September 2019.” Saudi Arabia has 4,000 SAR per month as their minimum wage, while in the Philippines (NCR) we have 433.75 per day. Although laborers and workers have been raising their voices to demand an ending to contractualization, a ₱750 minimum wage hike, and the junking of the TRAIN Law, it seems they are not being heard. “Kung gusto mong yumaman, mag-abroad ka.” Filipinos are known to be family-oriented; we are proud about it.

“ Our definition of success may be different, and this could be the reason why Filipinos actually stayed and served the country. It is true, our government system is not the best. For all our laborers and workers, we hear you and we stand by you.

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

Magsulat, Magmulat, Magsiwalat

Malaking utang, maliit na aksyon

ila palubog na nga ang Health Care System ng ating bansa dahil sa patuloy na paglobo ng Covid-19 cases. Malaki ang kakulangan sa mga hospital beds at equipment pati na rin sa mga tauhan nito. Para bang ‘di ramdam ang askyon ng pamahalaan hinggil dito. Patuloy pa rin ang paglaki ng trilyones na utang habang patuloy na ‘di maramdaman ang pamahalaan sa gitna ng pangangailangan.

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Bilang isang mamamayan at kabataan na saksi sa katiwalian at pagkukulang ng gobyerno sa pagpuksa sa Covid-19, patuloy rin akong pinanghihinaan ng loob na makalagpas tayo sa pandemyang ito dahil sa mabagal na kalakaran at pagbibigay solusyon sa ating bansa.

REGGIE BOY VARGAS | BS CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION OP ED EDITOR

Kung tutuusin, hindi ba’t nakadidismaya ito? Bilang isang mamamayan at kabataan na saksi sa katiwalian at pagkukulang ng gobyerno sa pagpuksa sa Covid-19, patuloy rin akong pinanghihinaan ng loob na makalagpas tayo sa pandemyang ito dahil sa mabagal na kalakaran at pagbibigay solusyon sa ating bansa. Kung susumahin natin ang laki ng utang ng Pilipinas para sa paglaban ng Covid-19, pumalo nitong Perbrero 2021 sa P10.405T, 10% na mas mataas noong nakaraang taon sa parehong buwan ayon sa ulat ng Bureau of Treasury, March 29. Mababakas mula rito na kung anong kinalaki ng utang, ay siya namang liit at hina ng pwersa nito sa pagpuksa ng Covid-19. Ayon nga sa panayam ng ABS-CBN kay Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., 10,000 hospital beds pa ang kailangan ng bansa ngayon. Mula rito, 2% o 2,000 dito ay para sana moderate to severe cases ng Covid-19 dahil 43.1% ng mga kama sa ospital ay okupado na. Kaugnay dito, sinabi rin ni Dr. Jonas Del Rosario, spokesperson ng Philippine General Hospital na “…dahil nga sa tumataas ang bilang ng admissions tapos marami-raming healthcare workers namin ang nagkasakit, at may banta na itong variants na ito na mabilis kumalat, minabuti muna namin na huwag muna payagan ‘yung walk-ins sa PGH,” mula sa panayam ng ABS-CBN Teleradyo. Mukhang ‘di pa rin sapat ang paghihigpit sa NCR+ Bubble na kinabibilangan ng

NCR, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, at Bulacan para mapababa ang bilang ng mga bagong kaso ng Covid-19 dahil kamakailan, pumalo sa mahigit 10,000 ang mga nagpositibo sa isang araw lamang. Dahilan upang maapektuhan ng lubos ang Health Care system na patuloy na lumulubog dahil sa maliit na atensyon at suporta na ibinigay ng pamahalaan sa aspektong kalusugan. Maraming mga tauhan nito ang nagkaroon na rin ng naturang virus at kailangang sumailalim sa quarantine at gamutan laban dito. Sa tingin ba ninyo ay sapat ang pagba-budget ng gobyerno sa pondo para Covid-19 response? Paniguradong hindi. Dahil puro tayo programa, kulang na kulang sa ngipin ng implementasyon at pondo para magpatuloy ito. Kung inagapan sana ng pamahalaam ang laban kontra pandemya noong una pa lamang, hindi na tayo aabot sa ganitong sitwasyon. Kaya’t sa puntong ito, nais kong na lamang na ipanalangin sa Poong Maykapal ang ating pamahalaan. Nawa ay gabayan sila sa tamang landasin ng kanilang mga desisyon sapagkat kung patuloy nilang ipapakita ang walang takot na katiwalian at kapalpakan ng plano para sa kampanya kontra Covid-19, ‘sing palpak ng kampanya kontra droga na hindi natuldukan sa loob ng anim (6) na buwan gaya ng ipinangako. Kaya sa susunod na halalan, ‘wag magpadala sa mga mapanlinlang na mga salita ng mga pulitiko. Bagkus, maging mapanuri dahil taumbayan din ang maghihikahos bandang huli.

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

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ON THE BENCH EMMANUEL JOHN GACAYAN & ANGELO ROXAS TAMAÑO

t’s been more than a year when a nationwide lockdown was implemented and schools were forced to shift from face-toface into virtual class; same with these sensational student athletes, their routine switched from juggling academics and training into staying on their respective homes raring to comeback and practice, hungry to strive and defend their title. So we sat down with Ace Custodio (Arnis), Jesebel Jovero (Track and Field) and Jericho Patilan (Swimming) to ask them what life as a student athlete in lockdown is like.

How did you get into your respective sport? Has it always been a big part of your life? Ace I’ve entered my sport which is Arnis out of curiosity. I’ve never really seen myself playing some combat sports. As I recall, I’ve asked my classmate, another Arnis practitioner, every sports fest if Arnis hurts and how do they play it. And because of that, I asked her if I can come with her in the upcoming tryouts for the varsity of Arnis way back 2017. And to this day, I know what is the real reason why I’ve joined this sport. It’s not out of curiosity anymore. It’s to improve my self-discipline through this sport. Jesebel It all started when I won a fun run unexpectedly when I was on my 7th grade. I never thought that just because of that unexpected victory, I will become an athlete. Athletics is a big part of my life; training sessions and competitions make me happy. Jericho Sa totoo lang, sinali lang ako ng father ko at ayaw talaga mag swimming; iniiyakan ko every training noon kasi ayaw ko talaga. Pero simula nung sumasali na ako sa mga competition and nakatungtung sa CLRAA, doon na ako nagsimula na magseryoso sa larangan ng Swimming.

So far in your athletic career, what is that one moment you always replay in your head over and over again?

Ace My most memorable moment in Arnis is in ALCUAA 2019 where I’ve won my first ever medal throughout my career as a varsity of arnis. I’ve felt the pressure of being a senior in my team where I’m seeing some of my new teammates already getting their medals on their first try while I’m already at my third year in this sport and I’ve not won some. Jesebel If is there a moment that I will always replay in my head over and over again. It was when I got my first medal along my athletic career. It happened on Lipa, Batangas where I competed the day after a strong earthquake occurred. That day, I got the victory, but right after, our school coordinator called us for a meeting, he announced that all of the games that happened that day is invalid and needed to repeat, I was so broken when I heard that announcement, that was my first medal and I thought that I’ll loose it because I’m already injured, imagine running using spike shoes in field of hard soil filled with different size of rocks. However, I’m grateful that the commissioner of Athletics decided that there will be no re-run. That’s the moment I’ll play on my head over and over again. Jericho Nitong last ALCUAA ko kasi ako youngest player ng team namin. Pressured ako kasi manonood ibang instructor ng Gordon College at nandon rin parents ko para suportahan ako. Sayang lang kasi hindi ko nakuha MVP non pero it is still the best at sobrang saya kasi lahat kami umuwing may medal, nakauwi ako ng 3 golds at 4 silvers at 2nd overall kami.

What did a typical school day for you look like pre-pandemic? Ace During the pre-pandemic, as I can recall, we are preparing for the upcoming ALCUAA 2020. Almost every day when my schedule has a lot of vacant hours. I practice with my teammates every morning on the school field. When it comes to my academics. I’m just a regular student who goes to school and goes home after school.

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION UNIT OF GORDON COLLEGE MAY TO DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER| VOLUME XI- ISSUE II

Jesebel Honestly speaking, I’m not that type of student-athlete who goes for training after the class. I have night class, it always ended 8:30 in the evening, that time, my teamates are already done with the training. Whenever I have free time, I run in the morning. When the national alcu is upcoming, I got pressured so I doubled my effort, I went to roadrun in the morning, then went straight to the training after my class. Jericho Before pandemic, talagang todo focus ako sa studies non kasi hindi sumali Gordon College sa Alcu nung 2020. Very stressful din kasi lalo na isa akong student athlete mahirap pag sabayin pero time management talaga.

On the contrary, what does your day look like now that we are in quarantine? Ace I’ve gained a lot of weight because of lack of exercise hahaha. And schooling seems more a little bit easy unlike before the pandemic begone. Because technology is open for all students during class unlike before. Jesebel Quarantine really made our lifestyle turn from active lifestyle into sedentary lifestyle. In the first couple of months of the quarantine (March to April) the only thing I did is hybernating, but when the month of May came, my coach conducted an online training program where me and my teamates are simultaneously working out together. After the session, sometimes I went for a run. Jericho Mahirap sa umpisa at mag adjust, kasi syempre bawal lumabas because of pandemic. Karamihan nagkakaroon ng anxiety at iba pa so kahit quarantine na laging nasa bahay nagpapaka productive ako as much as possible like exercise, mga gawaing bahay ganon.

With sports on hold due to pandemic restrictions, did you pick up any new discipline/sports? What new hobbies kept you busy? Ace The truth is I became lazy during this quarantine and never done some sports. I just played some video games almost all day. And my reason for that is because of the stigma that if I go out of my house I may get the famous virus that all of us are scared of right now. Jesebel No, I didn’t pick up any sports other than Athletics. It’s a big part of my life, and I can’t just replace it. The only thing that kept me busy during lockdown is watching netflix and sleeping. Jericho I tried doing some home workouts to maintain my physique. Nung wala pang class non puro kain, tulog, at workout lang talaga ako non kasi bawal lumabas para mag swimming.

How did it made you feel (mentally and physically) not being able to compete in your given sport? Ace The truth is I’m a bit sad because as of now I am in my last year in college. And I’m also the current Gold Medalist in the Heavy Weight Division in Full Contact. I’ve never got to experience depending my medal and feel the pressure of being the champion. Jesebel I always look forward to ALCU National Games, the moment that our government said that we’re on a lockdown, I got sad because I’m not being able to compete and to represent my school. In terms of physical aspects, I admit that my body became new to the workouts and exercises I’m trying to do. My endurance became weak. Jericho Pinaghalong saya at lungkot. Nakakalungkot kasi hindi ko na ulit mararanasan yung feeling kapag nasa competition at bonding ng team, at syempre nagstop nako sa swimming as in tumaba ako. Masaya kasi kahit papaano naranasan ko yung ganon, masaya kasi lumuwag yung sched ko at madami ng time para sa studies at sa future ko.

Any wisdom advice to young athletes that look up to you? Ace Don’t let the medals that you’ve won get the best of you. That is only a bonus for all of your hard work in training. The most important element in almost all sport is “DISCIPLINE”. Even if you are the best in what you are doing. If you lack this element. People that surround you will lose respect for you. Jesebel Live your life to the fullest, train hard, don’t think about the exhausting work outs, It will become worth it. Jericho Para sa mga aspiring athletes, walang likas na malakas, lahat nagsisimula sa mababa, lahat may “bad game” sa competition pero it doesn’t mean na hihinto kana. Wag kakalimutan to show respect for yourself, your team, and the officials of the game. PHOTOS BY RAY MARK ESPIRITU

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Although gold medalist Diaz admitted of making “wrong choices” with some of her earnings from her silver-medal win in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, vowed to use her winnings wisely this time. After winning a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics, Diaz received P7 million and a house and lot after ending the Philippines’ 20-year Olympic medal drought. The weightlifting star said she will not be making the same mistake this time, a cash windfall of P55.5 million – almost eight times as many as her cash incentives in Rio – after bagging the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold in the Tokyo Games. “This is the second time that I won in the Olympics, I’ve made wrong choices and wrong expenses. The good thing is I’ve learned a lot,” Diaz confessed.

Weightlifter Diaz bags Philippines' first Olympic gold medal EMMANUEL JOHN GACAYAN SPORTS EDITOR

TOKYO- Hidilyn Diaz made history on Monday when she won the gold medal for women’s 55-kilogram weightlifting, ending a near 100-year wait that started when it first began participating in the summer games in 1924. On her fourth game stint, the Zamboanga native lifted 97kg in the snatch and 127kg in the clean and jerk for a combined weight of 224kg, smashing her personal best to see off China’s Liao Qiuyun (223kg) – who now shares her title as world record holder. Zulfiya Chinshanlo from Kazakhstan took bronze with 213kg. Diaz was flooded with emotions when her victory was confirmed, and there were more tears of joy when the Philippine national anthem was finally played for the first time in history at the quadrennial meet. “Hindi ako makapaniwala,” said the 30-year-old Olympian moments after standing on the winners’ podium in a snappy salute. “Nasorpresa ako na nagawa ko iyon,” she enthused. “Kakaiba si God, at sa lahat ng prayer warriors ko dyan sa Pilipinas, thank you so much.”

ALL WORTH IT “Ang dami kong pinagdaanan. After grabbing silver award in Olympics (Rio 2016), s’yempre ang hirap ma-sustain,” an emotional Diaz recalled. “[T]apos nagkaroon pa ng matrix. Sobrang gulo ng buhay ko nung time na yon. Then I decided I have to stop in school para makapag-training.” Moreover, the weightlifter disclosed that the lack of monetary support was a struggle for her Olympic journey, even asked, with humility, firms and businesses that are sports enthusiasts for financial assistance. She further stressed that despite the struggles and sacrifices, she knew the God has plans for her. “I sacrificed a lot. Hindi ko nakasama yung Nanay at Tatay ko for how many months and years na and then s’yempre sa training lahat masakit. Pero may plano si God.”

INCENTIVES Diaz has secured a cash reward amounting to P10 million, among other privileges, and an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor under Republic Act No. 10699 or An Act Expanding the Coverage of Incentives Granted to National Athletes and Coaches. Other sports patrons like Manny V. Pangilinan, Ramon S. Ang, and Cong. Mikee Romero also pledged to give additional monetary rewards totalling to P23 million. The MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) will also give her an additional P10 million, as promised by sports patron and businessman Manny V. Pangilinanl. SMC CEO Ramon S. Ang has also promised an additional P10 million, while Congressman Mikee Romero further sweetened the pot with a P3-million contribution. In addition, Diaz is also set to receive a house and a lot stated in Tagaytay and a residential condominium unit in Eastwood City.

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