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THE OFFICI A L STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE ATENEO DE M A NIL A UNI V ERSIT Y
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021
DEEPER INTO THE TRUTH
VOL. XCI NO. 4
Check out Vantage Magazine vantage.theguidon.com
IN SOLIDARITY AND STRENGTH. Ateneans stand together as they remain steadfast in demanding accountability from the Duterte administration due to its lapses in handling the recent typhoons and the COVID-19 pandemic. PHOTO BY NATE BOSANO
Ateneans continue academic strike into the second semester BY JILLIAN LOPEZ AND ANNA PINEDA
MONTHS AFTER the release of the Ateneo student strike manifesto in November 2020, various Loyola Schools (LS) students continue their academicstriketoprotestthenational government’s poor response to crises and the COVID-19 pandemic. Organized by Elise Ofilada (3 BFA CW), Bernardine De Belen (3 BFA CW), Angela Cole (3 BFA CW), Maria Larga (3 BFA CW), and Patricia Fermin (3 BFA ID), One Big Strike (OBS) calls on the national government to take accountability for its “criminal negligence” towards recent typhoons and the pandemic. Ofilada said that their second semester plans for the strike are underway following the success of two town hall meetings, where they discussed the first semester’s online learning difficulties with LS students and professors last January 18 and 20, respectively. As of press time, the OBS has asked the administration for a public discussion on the issue through an open letter to Vice President for the Loyola Schools Maria Luz Vilches, PhD and University President Roberto Yap, SJ.
petition for a mass student strike. OBS then published a more nuanced petition, which the Sanggunian denied to endorse with a 7-2 vote after an LS-wide constituency check. However, the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Formation (OA DSF), OBS organizers, and representatives of alumni and the Sanggunian released a joint statement on plans for the mass student strike and its campus mobilizations. The OBS
STRIKERS’ EXPERIENCES Prior to the town hall meetings, 581 Ateneans co-signed the initial
SPORTS
Cancellation of UAAP Season 83
organizers said that this prompted them to create a manifesto based on research regarding national issues and feedback from the LS community. The OBS initiators shared that the flooding in Cagayan was the “breaking point” that led to the strike. “We can’t keep pretending that things are normal, and we can’t keep on doing our modules as if things are okay because obviously they’re not,” De Belen said.
We can’t keep pretending that things are normal, and we can’t keep on doing our modules as if things are okay because obviously they’re not.
Acclimating to a wilting world
Sanggu to fully launch BluePrint for Socio-Political Engagement BY ELLY ADLAWAN AND BILLIE ASUNCION
INTERIM SANGGUNIAN President Jb Bejarin announced on November 30 the creation of the BluePrint for SocioPolitical Engagement, an initiative that plans to prepare Loyola Schools (LS) students for the 2022 national elections. The BluePrint is a document that outlines the Sanggunian’s proposed action plan to “actualize grassroots socio-political engagement” in
the University by 2022. While the document in its current form is accessible now, it is set to re-launch in February after it is edited based on feedback from the student body. While the BluePrint was announced after a series of Central Assembly meetings regarding the student-led strike, Bejarin clarified that the BluePrint was not created entirely as a response to said strike. He stated that the strike only guided the Sanggunian towards creating the BluePrint, but launching an SANGGU TO LAUNCH BLUEPRINT › 3
PHOTO BY ZOEY IGNACIO
ADDRESSING CONCERNS In relation to the Sanggunian’s non-endorsement of the petition, Interim Sanggunian Vice President
BERNARDINE DE BELEN ONE BIG STRIKE ORGANIZER
FEATURES
Ofilada added that joining the strike was an “extensive experience,” as strikers requested for class withdrawals in order to “immerse with people who are left behind by the systems.” De Belen also said that their professors continued to converse with them about how they can support the movement as faculty members. However, Ofilada noted that the strikers still faced challenges in organizing the initiative and maintaining the community’s engagement, particularly because the online setup restricted student interactions and connections. Despite this, the strikers still believed that the mass academic strike was a success because it inspired other schools to start their own strike and participate in relief operations. “It’s already successful [when] students [decided to] join the strike. [...] Nakikita natin kung paano nagmamanifest kung ano ‘yung inaaral sa University, na we stand up for things that we believe in,” De Belen said. (We saw how the University’s principles manifested [to the students], which is standing up for things that we believe in.)
ATENEANS CONTINUE STRIKE › 3
BEYOND LOYOLA
Next in line
INQUIRY
OPINION
Confined potential
Delayed and denied
2
News
QUARTERLY LOAD. Following the shift to online classes, LS students have had to face the brunt of the new quarterly scheme. PHOTO BY PAULINA SINGH
Admin retains quarterly set-up despite growing mental health concerns BY PATRICIA YAP
You can say that it’s a snail pace way of doing things but that’s how it is. You cannot talk about big things and big movements and big changes.
GARY AGUEDO FAUSTINO LOYOLA SCHOOLS OFFICE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING DIRECTOR
THE LOYOLA Schools’ online classes for the second semester still follow a quarterly system despite an increase in mental health concerns in the previous semester. According to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Josefina Hofileña, PhD, the administration found it difficult to evaluate the set-up’s efficacy due to time constraints and mixed feedback. Loyola Schools Office of Guidance and Counseling (LSOGC) Director Gary Aguedo Faustino added that he noticed an increase in mental health concerns on social media despite fewer student requests for online counseling. “You have a lot of students who get overwhelmed and stop doing things and before they realize it, [so] the work piles up. [...] We’re all trying to adjust to the new system and that really creates havoc in your emotional state, and then of course cognitively you are affected,” Faustino said. OVERWHELMING PACE Faustino explained that students are overwhelmed not only because of the online set-up, but also because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent typhoons. He said that although only some people suffer from severe mental illnesses, the online transition is enough cause for trauma and anxiety. The quarterly system was designed in line with the Adaptive
Design for Learning (ADL) framework to ensure a balanced load, according to Associate Dean for the Core Curriculum Benjamin T. Tolosa, PhD. However, he said that longer classes overlap and cause an unbalanced load as they are carried over to the next quarter. Hofileña added that students found the quarters short and rushed. “There have been programs, especially in School of Science and Engineering, that [students] really cannot do in a quarter. Parang the nature of their program is such that you need a longer period of time so that students can absorb [lessons],” Tolosa said. Tolosa also claimed that some professors were inconsiderate towards students after the oneweek cancellation of classes, which compressed their schedule for deadlines. He explained that the quarterly set-up limits contingency schedules as there is less leeway for extensions in unforeseen circumstances. PRACTICAL ADJUSTMENTS Due to the short time frame between the semesters, Tolosa said it would be “premature” to return to a semestral set-up. Hofileña said that they can only decide next year’s operations after at least a year of evaluations on the current set-up. “On [the] one hand, gusto mong pagbigyan yung mga estudyante (you want to go easy on the students)
kasi everyone’s in that situation. Pero at the same time you want to maintain the standards of the school,” Faustino added. To alleviate students’ mental health concerns, the administration lengthened the second semester calendar. Hofileña said that aside from beginning the semester at a later date, each quarter will now span eight weeks instead of seven. As for problems with professors, Hofileña and Tolosa urged the students to raise their concerns through formal channels such as the course and faculty evaluations and the concerned departments. They stressed the importance of these channels because detailed feedback could be concretely understood on a case-to-case basis. “We need the specifics about the concerns of students, which sometimes don’t come out on social media because on social media, you can be very general,” Hofileña said. Hofileña also assured that there are support systems in place to aid students’ well-being, such as LSOGC’s services. However, Faustino stated that some students cannot join counseling sessions from home due to internet connectivity issues and lack of home privacy. MAKING DO For now, Faustino said that LSOGC has online synchronous counseling sessions, asynchronous webinars, and podcasts available
to all students. He said that they are “making do” with the quarantine’s limitations, but they are also studying new forms of mental health assistance. For instance, Faustino said that music and composition writing could be used for therapy in the future. “You can say that it’s a snail pace way of doing things but [...] you cannot talk about big things and big movements and big changes,” he said. He also hopes that the LSOGC can provide on-campus counseling as soon as quarantine restrictions ease up. However, Hofileña said that on-site activities cannot resume yet due to the Commission on Higher Education’s health guidelines. In the meantime, Tolosa commended the LS community’s patience and openness amid the online transition. “In general, I think people have really engaged [in] the situation and have really given a lot of time for adjusting to this new context, [...] the fact that people are open to this paradigm shift in learning and teaching is [...] really positive,” he said. Hofileña also assured that the administration listens to students’ feedback as long as coursed through the proper channels. “That kind of feedback has been sent to the departments, so departments can now calibrate and adjust their design BENJAMIN T. TOLOSA, PHD and plans for the second sem. So, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR THE CORE CURRICULUM naririnig naman kayo,” she said.
In general, I think people have really engaged [in] the situation and have really given a lot of time for adjusting to this new context, [...] the fact that people are open to this paradigm shift in learning and teaching is [...] really positive.
Ateneans continue academic strike... Kat Moreno acknowledged that their LS-wide constituency check had flaws due to inadequate time for planning and communicating with the OBS organizers amid public pressure from the student body. She added that arriving at a consensus was difficult due to the petition’s constant changes. “Our team was under so much pressure to [decide] when we did not have all the data, [...] though elections only get 10% of the student population. This constituency check got at least 20%, [...] [so] this was the most involved the students have been, and we could have handled it better,” she said. Moreno clarified that the Sanggunian’s decision did not entail a refusal to support the strike. She explained that they helped OBS by connecting them with University administrators and stakeholders, as well as organizing the logistics and security of their mobilizations. The OBS strikers also expressed disappointment over the University’s initial statement on their protests. “This statement seemed to be badly worded in a sense that it seemed to discredit the efforts of the student body to take a stand against the government’s mishandling of the pandemic and the typhoons,” Ofilada said. Due to clamor from the LS community, the Office of the President issued a follow-up statement calling for solidarity and creative action. Associate Dean for Student
Formation Leland Dela Cruz, PhD shared that the administration only learned about the mobilization at Gate 2.5 through social media. He added that the lack of coordination between the administration and the strikers raised campus security concerns, as they did not request for an endorsement from the OADSF or the Office of Student Activities to use school property. “[T]here are security concerns, so if it’s on Ateneo property, then Ateneo is liable for whatever happens on its property,” he said. SECOND SEMESTER PLANS Moreno explained that the strike pushed them to review the Central Assembly’s current processes so they can create better internal measures to protect the LS students’ freedom of speech in the Ateneo. “We also had to recheck the way that we ran things in [Central Assembly] in a sense na how can we get more people involved? Because as we can see, the student body [is] not apathetic. They’re willing to talk about the things that are relevant to them,” she said. Me a nw h i le , D el a C r u z encouraged str ikers to coordinate with him as the University never questioned students’ right to protest. “From the administration side, the right to protest was never in question. In fact, [...] if the students want to strike, then they have every right to
PHOTO BY JULIA CARPIO
do so,” he shared. School of Social Sciences (SOSS) Representative TJ Alcantara also said that members f rom SO S S Sa n g g u n ia n , Sanggunian Commission on Socio-political Development, The Ateneo Assembly, and the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo - Manila are drafting the Socio-political Safeguarding Bill. This Bill will establish the Socio-political Harassment
Helpdesk and the appointment of Sanggunian’s own legal counsel. They are currently consulting with Dela Cruz, Vice President of Social Development Rizalino Rivera, LS Legal Counsel Atty. Patty Arroyo, the Ateneo Human Rights Center, and representatives of sociopolitical organizations to ensure that the Bill follows University policies. A s for the str ike itself, Ofilada said that its demands
w i l l not cha n ge, a s t he strikers continue to seek for the Universit y ’s statement a g a inst t he gover n ment’s negligence. “ We still hope that the University will, in the nearest future, take [a] direct stance against the negligence of the national government,” Ofilada stated.
From the administration side, the right to protest was never in question. In fact, [...] if the students want to strike, then they have every right to do so. LELAND DELA CRUZ, PHD ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR STUDENT FORMATION
PHOTO BY JULIA CARPIO
EDITOR: LEIKA GOLEZ | LAYOUT ARTIST: FELIZIA TIBURCIO
Sanggu Elections to start in February, Ateneo COMELEC preps and assures final resumption BY JUANCHO BELISANO
AFTER POSTPONING the Sanggunian General Elections for a second time, the Ateneo Commission on Elections (COMELEC) said that they are now ready to start the rescheduled electoral processes in the third week of February. “We’re hoping na wala naman na sanang unfortunate events na mangyari para ma-postpone ulit, but I think ready naman na kami for this coming election,” Ateneo COMELEC Officer-inCharge Chief Commissioner John Patrick Lumbre stated. Ateneo COMELEC faced time constraints during last year’s election planning due to the suspension of on-site classes and the typhoon disturbances. These setbacks prompted the Commission to move the Sanggunian General Elections to the Second Semester of AY 2020-2021. CONFRONTING PAST SETBACKS Lumbre said that the extension of Recruitment Week 2020 to two weeks
“compressed” their calendar, barring them from holding the elections during the first quarter of the first semester. Although they decided to move the elections to November, they met new challenges as Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses caused power outages, poor internet access, and limited phone signal. The Commission postponed the elections again to promote “representation and inclusivity.” Ateneo COMELEC Commissioner for Communications Orlean Joules Trinidad further explained that it would not be a “clean election” if only a few students could participate. “ We consulted w ith the Sangg unian para malaman kung ilang students ba yung naapektuhan during the typhoon and according to them, parang a thousand students [were] affected,” Lumbre shared. Aside from constraints in time and logistics, Trinidad stated that the Communications Department encountered a lack of manpower in producing promotional materials online. According to him, some
department members struggled to balance their academics and organization-related activities. Trinidad added that even though the Ateneo COMELEC Facebook page has a wide online reach, this does not necessarily guarantee viewer engagement. “We might be getting numbers from our Facebook page, but that doesn’t mean we’re getting the same amount of responses from people viewing it,” he said. DEVISING THE GAME PLAN Although lack of manpower continues to be an issue in the Communications Department, Trinidad compensated for this by planning their promotions ahead of time for the upcoming elections. He mentioned that all collaterals are already set for publication by the first week of February when second semester classes begin. Furthermore, Ateneo COMELEC also initially planned to allow students with poor to no access to the internet to vote using SMS. However, upon further discussion, they realized that the option
would not secure honest electoral processes because of double voting possibilities. To address this, Lumbre explained that they added five days to the voting period to give students more time to vote. This means that the election period will now span one month, beginning on the third week of February until the last week of March. Special elections will proceed after Holy Week. Ateneo COMELEC Commissioner for Logistics Cha Rev Amour Cruz also added that they plan to use the most efficient voting platform to minimize the cost for intermittent data and to make the process “student-friendly and secure.” With this, students will vote by filling out passwordprotected Google Form ballots through their OBF email accounts. However, Lumbre clarified that the SMS system will still be used for information dissemination to update students who do not regularly check their emails. Cruz also shared that they plan to use Facebook advertisements
Sanggu to fully launch BluePrint... initiative related to socio-political engagement within the LS has been in ideation since last May.
PHOTO BY ALEXIS WANG
CURRENT PROGRESS Bejarin stated that the Sanggunian has been discussing the need for a socio-political engagement plan since the beginning of their interim term, with the goal of developing a concrete strategy for responding to national issues. AccordingtoBejarin,theSanggunian’s plans previously only focused on maximizing voter engagement on campus. Hence, the idea of proposing a BluePrint to concretize grassroots socio-political engagement only came about at the height of the strike. Along with this, he noted that the strike prompted the Sanggunian to revise their existing processes to be more collaborative, hence the BluePrint’s launch being made
PHOTO ESSAY
Ateneo spearheads relief operations for recent typhoon victims BY MINA MATA PHOTOS COURTESY OF ATENEO DREAM TEAM VOLUNTEERS
FOLLOWING THE wrath of Typhoon Quinta, Super Typhoon Rolly, and Typhoon Ulysses, the Ateneo Disaster Response and Management Team (Ateneo DReaM Team) partnered with the Tanging Yaman Foundation and Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan to establish a donation drive of cash and kind for typhoon victims. They also called on members of the Ateneo community to assist in relief packing at the Ateneo College Covered Courts for two weeks starting on November 27. Prior to making a call for volunteers, the University obtained the Quezon City local government’s permission. Only those who were 18 to 60 years old and in good health were permitted to join the relief operations. Volunteers signed up for either of the two shifts available per day, with each shift accommodating 25 volunteers at most. They were also required to follow health
protocols such as social distancing and submitting health survey forms before entering campus. The Ateneo DReaM Team’s relief operations started on November 9 after Typhoon Quinta made landfall on October 25. Through the donations, they were able to provide 120 relief packs to families under Ateneo Senior High School’s partner community, the Ugnayan ng mga Samahan ng Mamamayan at Mangingisda ng Rizal. As two more calamities ravaged the country in the following weeks, the Ateneo DReaM Team and its partners renewed their call for donations to aid typhoon victims in Catanduanes, Albay, and Marikina City. The Ateneo DReaM Team then reported that typhoon victims in Marikina City received 2,400 relief packs and 90 cases of mineral water, while those in Catanduanes received 6,750 kilograms of rice. On December 11, they also said that the Tumana Organization of Dig nif ied Persons w ith Disability in Marikina City received relief goods benefiting 200 of its families.
available for “open input” to the whole LS community. He explained that the BluePrint was first rolled out after consultations with home organizations, and then the documentwasopenedforLSstudents to leave suggestions through their University emails. Sanggunian External Affairs Department Head Jerard Afable echoed this need for inclusive collaboration, stating that the strikes emphasized the need for the Sanggunian to be more “on the ground.” “We want the way that issues are resolved and issues are talked about to be as one community,” he said. TAKING SHAPE According to Afable and Bejarin, the Sanggunian will hold community processing sessions for home organizations starting January 23
until late February. The sessions will gather data on how the BluePrint could be further improved, as well as collate different insights about their goals. “[The Sanggunian has] always been criticized for being in the ivory tower and just looking at issues from afar. I really do hope that through the processing sessions, [...] maencompass natin yung pagkukulang ng Sanggu sa bridge ng issues doon sa tao,” he said. The Sanggunian Department of External Affairs (DEA) met on January 12 for a briefing about the BluePrint timetable and the sessions that will commence. Afable said that DEA members and volunteers from all Sanggunian offices will be properly trained to become facilitators of these sessions. Bejarin also mentioned that the insights gathered from these sessions
to increase the reach of their page, which will contain infographics about the updated electoral guidelines. Trinidad added that they are currently working with Developer Student Clubs Loyola to develop an informative website wherein candidates will be responsible for adding their respective campaign paraphernalia. They are hoping to launch this website in February as well. PUSHING FORWARD Although Lumbre assured that they are now ready for the coming elections, he mentioned that they are still considering
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contingencies in the event of another postponement. “For now we are trying our best to find the most efficient way to continue the elections already since kailangan na rin talaga, but we’ll still consider contingencies naman just in case,” he said.However,heclarifiedthathecould not identify a situation that would entail another postponement. Cruz shared that they aim to have an honest election this year, so they are hoping for everyone’s participation. “We’re hoping to not have any more delays with it kasi yun nga, it’s been pushed back a lot of times na and I don’t think we’ll have time to have it get delayed anymore,” Trinidad added.
E-LECTION. With the two previous postponements of the Sanggunian General Elections, Ateneo COMELEC considers the foreseen obstacles, as well as the possibility of a convenient election process being held online. PHOTO BY EIRENNE A. LUMASANG
and the document’s comments will be considered in the revisions of the BluePrint. Afterwards, student organizations and other communities in Ateneo will then pledge to attain certain goals, such as increasing the number of registered voters within the LS community. They are also planning to conduct a Talakayang Alay sa Bayan or TALAB session about socio-political engagement this February in light of the 35th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. Bejarin said that they are anticipating some challenges to arise throughout the initiative, such as logistical problems and the lack of inclusivity. He discussed the communication difficulties given the current online setting and the importance of being aware of fellow Filipinos’ aspirations in contributing to the national discourse. “The moving parts kasi, it’s really ambitious in that sense. [...] How can this blueprint really be reflective of the aspirations and the dreams of our
countrymen and thereby making an impact in national discussion?” he said. FUTURE HOPES All in all, Afable hopes that the BluePrint will encapsulate the concerns of the student body and address the Sanggunian’s lack of action in terms of sociopolitical engagement. Similarly, Bejarin hopes for the Atenean community to be more politically involved and visionary. “I hope [...] the University as a whole moves towards this process of inclusionandofvisionsetting,because we are more than workers, we are also dreamers in that regard,” he said. They also both hoped that the BluePrint would be continued by the next set of Sanggunian officers, as the interim period will end upon the election of new student leaders. “I hope we stay course in the process of democratization; [...] to continue this process for making blueprints and offering more medium term and long term plans,” Bejarin said.
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Opinion
VOLUME XCI, NO. 4 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021
Founded 1929 by Rev. Frank O’Hara, SJ First Editor-in-Chief, Manuel C. Colayco, AB ‘30
PURPOSE To serve as a record of Ateneo history in the making; to serve as an organ of journalistic expression; to serve God and country.
Danielle Margaux R. Garcia, BS CTM ‘21 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Tatiana L. Maligro, AB COM ‘22 ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Bryce R. Rubi, BS ME ‘21 MANAGING EDITOR
Carmela B. Masiglat, BFA ID ‘22 DESIGN EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Leika Mae A. Golez, AB COM ‘21 NEWS EDITOR
Mercedes Calista S. Crespo, AB DipIR ‘21 Gerrick Spencer C. Limsiy, BS ME ‘21 SPORTS EDITORS
Raphael Patrick C. Dela Cruz, AB LIT (ENG) ‘21 BEYOND LOYOLA EDITOR
Keziah Maru Z. Pasion, AB COM ‘22 FEATURES EDITOR
Jeanella P. Mangaluz, AB COM ‘22 INQUIRY EDITOR
Andrea Mikaela B. Llanes, AB COM ‘22 Beatriz Ysabel C. Reyes, BS ME ‘22 VANTAGE MAGAZINE EDITORS
Kathleen Rae U. Yap, AB COM ‘22 BROADCAST NEWS EDITOR
Maria Victoria P. Tenido, AB IS ‘23 BROADCAST NEWS PRODUCER
Kaye Elizabeth P. Veneracion, BS ME ‘22 Raya Ashaunti H. Barreiro, BS DS ‘21 PHOTOS EDITORS
Neil Christian R. Reyes, BS CH-MSE ‘23 Tiffany Kate C. Ng, BS ME ‘22 GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITORS
Mariana D. Gardoce, AB COM ‘22
EDITORIAL CARTOON BY FIDESS BISNAR
Delayed and denied A S C OV I D -19 v a c c i ne procu rements com mence worldwide, pharmaceutical companies prioritize countries that have already secured advanced purchase agreements. However, these arrangements are unaffordable and inequitable for developing countries like the Philippines, ultimately leaving them behind in the timely acquisition of the COVID-19 vaccines. W h i le t he Ph i l ippi ne government attempted to ensure that the countr y promptly received its vaccine s upply, it s acqu isit ion approach was met with heavy criticism for its ambiguity and irrationality. Consequently, the COVID-19 vaccination rollout plan revealed gaping holes in the administration’s pandemic response.
VIDEO PRODUCTION EDITOR
Beatrice R. Bacason, AB COM ‘22 VIDEO PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Bea Katrina S. Sison, BS MIS ‘21 DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT EDITOR FOR DESIGN
Davin Sean Cuaso, BS MIS ‘21 DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT EDITOR FOR TECHNOLOGY
NO ROOM FOR INCOMPETENCE After a series of negotiations with United States State Secretary
Mike Pompeo that began as early as July 2020, the government committed a severe mistake in COVID-19 vaccine procurement. However, Health Secretary Francisco Duque’s failure to submit a Conf identia lit y Disclosure Agreement cost the country’s chance to acquire 10 million doses of the PfizerBioNTech vaccines by January. Months after this shortcoming, the government approved Sinovac—the Chinese pharmaceutical company—to conduct Phase 3 trials of their vaccine in the country. This decision ignited public backlash due to the drug’s reported 50.38% efficacy rate and its market price of Php 1,443 per dose, which is more expensive than most COVID-19 vaccines. With this acquisition, the government pledged to prioritize health workers in the nationwide vaccination. However, its promise was met with claims of unauthorized vaccine distribution amongst Chinese nationals, as well as President Rodrigo Duterte’s
confirmation that Philippine Security Group members were inoculated with unregulated Chinese vaccine Sinopharm. These responses show that the government is severely lacking in transparency as it implements its COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan. With delays and allegations present, its actions threaten the lives of Filipinos in need of immunization to protect themselves and others—especially the country’s health workers—from the disease.
delay the end of the pandemic. For a global health crisis that recognizes the vaccine as a first step in beating the pandemic, vaccine hesitancy remains too large a hurdle. When nearly half of surveyed Filipinos shared that they would not receive the COVID19 vaccine after expressing health concerns, this revealed the need for the Department of Health (DOH) to step up in convincing citizens to take the dose. Yet, the initial vaccination response is disheartening. Instead of signing deals with a WHOaccredited vaccine, the government administered an excessively complex red tape that hampered the process of acquiring said doses. Rather than learning from its past missteps with Dengvaxia, the government continues to neglect health workers left vulnerable to COVID-19.
also marred by deeply-rooted public distrust and debt shock, which hamper interconnected industries. While a think tank projects that the Philippines is the “last to [economically] recover in Asia,” it does not mean that the future is set in stone. If the government realigns its internal systems while readjusting its plans against the pandemic, then the country would avoid a prolonged path to normalcy. This change can begin with the DOH—as the nation’s top department on public health, it should debunk vaccine scare myths while upholding accountability in the COVID-19 vaccination program. To secure long-term recovery, there must be a concretized plan—one that does not lie in political relationships nor vague procurement terms, but one accredited only by the best for all Filipinos. Regardless of decisions that were already made, the coming months should emphasize a greater need for a sound COVID-19 vaccination rollout plan and a transparent government at the helm of it all.
SCARRED LIVES Vaccination programs have long been perceived as pain points in epidemiology. In 2017, the Philippines’ public health scare made global headlines when the local Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pulled Dengvaxia off the market because vaccine maker Sanofi-Pasteur disregarded FDA regulations. While Dengvaxia was no longer sold, viral rumors surrounding the dengue vaccine scarred the lives of Filipinos. This fiasco caused public trust in vaccines to plummet and inflamed anti-vaccine sentiments in the years to come. Such vaccine fears may
PROLONGING THE INEVITABLE The government’s severe mismanagement resulted in drastic consequences for the country, ranging from delayed vaccine acquisition to overpriced supplies that led to slow economic growth. The vaccine rollout is
towards a comparison of the other schools at this point, but I limit this only to the humanities. Nevertheless, we consider that all means and ends can be rooted in basic, survival needs. Anything practical helps us to work, and we work for salary, for money. We need money for food and bills, the expenses of shelter, so that we may live another day. Even the exorbitant serves to enhance basic needs. Mansions provide improved amenities for our basic need for shelter. Expensive cars improve the quality of our trips to work and back, made more convenient by the privacy added to regular transportation. Anything is useful as long as it enhances the routine tasks that sustain us for another day.
The conundrum of the average Joe is to derive meaning out of living life simply as it is; that in doing nothing beyond the daily routine, we are somehow more significant in the grand scheme of things. This is what we call “romanticizing.” Inherently, there’s nothing wrong with asserting meaning to our own lives this way, so long as it is for ourselves. However, the danger rises in imposing upon others to find that same meaning from our lives instead of their own. This standardizes routined life, propagating a pseudotranscendence within a status quo. Now, we think of artists (To save a mouthful, we label all involved in the humanities as “artists,” for they concern themselves with creation in one way or the other). They’re disposable, their outputs
objectively not worth much. For example, we need designers so long as they can elicit some projected need with just the right palettes and aesthetics. In the same breath, the writer does nothing more useful than to describe something such that a utility is expanded beyond truth. We can do without them after that. And yet they persist. They write all sorts of pointless narratives. They form all kinds of inconceivable monstrosities on canvas and marble. They read texts that teach nothing practical to the daily, and then reflect on invisible hallucinations of the mind that somehow bring people to tears. They ignore logic, reality, fallacy, and practicality, for the sake of the theoretical and the creative. They
wonder. Against all odds, the artist dares to. Beyond the questions, they dare to answer with impossibilities and impossibility itself. The humanities are useless, and necessarily so. So long as they deal with the beyond, they will be impractical. They won’t make more money. They won’t make more sense. They won’t do anything else for our natural necessities, and we must keep it that way. The humanities must be useless. Once the humanities are made useful, we lose all of wonder.
an email like the UP student who realized that selling was not for him? When I shared this with my classmates in a SALT course, one of them remembered a question that another Ateneo parent once posed during a general assembly. To wit: “Can you guarantee that my son would earn a six-figure income after graduating from Ateneo?” A concerned faculty member tactfully advised the parent that there was only one guarantee that they could provide him. His son will never land a job with such an expectation. If you’re flinching as you’re reading this, you would agree that neither dovetail with our ideal image of Ateneans. Then again, both stories are more about parents of Ateneans rather than Ateneans themselves. In my six years at a local conglomerate and 19 years at a multinational, I’ve had the privilege of working with grounded and hard working alumni and alumnae of the Ateneo.
As a parent, I have always been impressed with the lengths that our Jesuit-trained teachers have gone to in the pursuit of the Ignatian mission. From Grade 1 onward, there was no school year that my three boys were not enjoined to support Bigay Puso, a year-long fund drive for select public school students. When my eldest reached Grade 9, he rode a service jeepney with his classmates to teach in a public school once a week. In Grade 10 he stayed for three days and two nights with a foster family in a Sapang Palay community. In Grade 11 he signed up for teaching pairs to tutor public school students in English and Math. In Grade 12 he immersed in a community in Rizal to hammer out a creative project with his classmates. Not surprisingly, the Ateneo Loyola Schools have the InTACT for freshies, NSTP PLUS for sophomores, JEEP for juniors, and Praxis for seniors. Together, these programs, which are managed
by the Office for Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI) “seek to deepen social awareness and intensify the passion for social involvement among Loyola School students in order to create positive impact among marginalized communities.” Thankfully, teaching empathy is not a monopoly of the Ignatian tradition. According to the philosopher Martha Nussbaum, empathy,whichshedescribesas“the capacity to really think what it might be to be in the shoes of someone else who’s different from yourself,” is one of the three things that the humanities can teach our students to prepare them for the 21st century. The other two are the capacity for critical thinking and the capacity for respecting human dignity. Now that the State has once again trained its sights on universities as alleged hotbeds of the CPPNPA, teachers everywhere might just have been presented with an opportunity to develop all three.
Discussions and webinars can be organized around questions that promote empathy, critical thinking and respect for human dignity; If communism were a cancer, how is red-tagging the cure? Why does the poverty that drove Carlos Bulosan to migrate in the 1930s still persist in the 2020s? What is McCarthyism? Whose interests are served by red-tagging? Whose interests are threatened? Even better, let’s hold streamed Socratic discussions with Sec. Lorenzana and Lt. Gen. Parlade. Who knows? As we try to understand the red-tagging campaign of the military using the “unforced force of the better argument,” they too might understand that students who discuss and take action are not necessarily communist recruits.
Katrina Bernice M. Tan, AB COM ‘23 EXTERNALS MANAGER
Regina Mae C. Yu, BS ME ‘23 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Jose Angelo A. Buenaventura, BS CTM ‘23 Enrique Benjamin B. Halili, BFA CW ‘22 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS
Azequiel Lexander P. de Luna, BS ME ‘22 Earl Christian L. Yu, BS ME ‘22 RESEARCH MANAGERS
NEWS Allianza O. Pesquera, Anna Pineda, Billie Asuncion, Elly Adlawan, Jillian Lopez, Juancho Belisano, Mina Mata, Moira V. Cayabyab, Patricia Yap, Zoey C. Atillo SPORTS Adelene Ha, Astrud P. Castro, Augusto Cruz, Gap B. Estrella, Ira Nepomuceno, James B. Gavina, Javier P. Mapa, Jeremy L. Chua, Jigger F. Enriquez, Joachim S. Melo, Juliana L. Ong, Juris Salvanera, Kristen Sison, Kristen R. Matias, Kyla A. Algarra, Lei P. Macaranas, Miguel A. Dimaiwat, Neal R. Beltran, Nielbert A. Dy, Noah M. Imson, Ra Solomon, Selina A. de Dios, Tristan A. Abuel, Vito Martin, Xavier C. Bautista BEYOND LOYOLA Alexanda L. Grantoza, Derick M. Gabrillo, Deryn V. Ventilacion, Felicity C. Santos, George D. Kho, Jerika P. Uy, Justine Ramirez, Kiana Alvoteros, Kris M. Fetiza, Pioee B. Bassig, Patricia Nicole M. Mejia, Troy G. Tarriela, Zachary C. Gonzales FEATURES Adrian Jesper C. Cea, Aisha Said, Chloe Ruiz, Eala Julienne P. Nolasco, Enzo Lagamon, Gabrielle A. Cortes, Genesis Jacinth Tan, Jacob S. Tambunting, Jullia Chen, Liam Isaiah Lao, Nina S. Gopaldas, Ryan Suarez, Yves Lazaro INQUIRY Christianna P. Lugod, Denise C. Marcelo, Francis Caiga, Gerard Ignacio, Justin B. Jimenez, Kara Angan, Malaika E. Paculan, Manolo G. Soliven, Paolo Buenaseda, Renz Miciel M. Trovela, Romulus Cruz, Russell Louis Ku, Sean D. Carballo, Vincent Halog VANTAGE MAGAZINE Ann Domingo, Anya Nellas, Arnald Paguio, Caitlin C. Young, Dani Capinding, Danielle H. Ramos, Daniela Lorenzo, Gabrielle I. Lombos, Gabriel V. Saulog, Jana V. Codera, Justin Ginete, Leilah Simon, Lyrah Lapid, Natalie R. Gavino, Patricia Villora, Therese Garcia, Therese Hipol, Zoe Andin BROADCAST NEWS Elian Dominguez, Hannaniña T, Mantos, Iana Padilla, Joaquin Salazar, Lars Salamante, Maegan Sang Tian, Martin Ramos, Rebecca Filasol, Samantha Onglatco, Shawn Vincent G. Nagrampa, Teo A. Ricaforte, Una Garcia PHOTOS Alexis Wang, Bettina Cuan, Bruce Ong, Casey Mateo, Daryl D. Sy, Eirenne A. Lumasang, Gabriel J. Medina, Jamie Go, Jason Mariano, Jerry Feng, Jim Dasal, Joshua R. Dy, Julia Carpio, Kevin Sornet, Laura Limsenkhe, Lorenzo Enrico M. Corro, Nate Bosano, Paulina Singh, Ranz D. Santos, Soleil Nicolette, Stella Arenas, Trisha Corn, Zoey Ignacio GRAPHIC DESIGN Andy Granda, Cameron Polintan, Cecilia Datiles, Dana Lee, Felizia Tiburcio, Fidess Bisnar, Frances Lopez, Geri Puno, Janis M. Villavicencio, Jay Bustamante, Julia J. Santos, Kaitlyn W. Mercado, Kurt Tan, Maiden Mirabueno, Mika Medina, Mikhaella Norlin Magat, Sam Dellomas, Sam Sacluti, Tiffany Cu VIDEO PRODUCTION Abigail M. Chua, AJ Bagapuro, Alexis Nicole Ferreras, Alissa Evangelista, Bea Pangandigan, Ethan Cheng, Ella Alabastro, Ena Algopera, Hannah Arias, Jaf Tumale, Jan Ong, Julian Michael Maiz, Justine B. Tiongco, Matthew V. Samson, Lou del Rosario, Patricia Corpus, Seve Vargas, Therese Macasaet, Trinity Yeung, Yanna Estrellado DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT Abby Moreno, Anton Benitez, Apa Cruz, Cobbie Quintos, Dani del Rio, Eli Tan, Franz Taborlupa, Giddy Garcia, Harvey Sison, Jacob A. Juinio, Jonathan Talbot, Keith Bartido, Miggy Pinaroc, Pat Ramos, Pauline M. Baterna, Prezil Ong, Zekie Ordoveza EXTERNALS Aaron Christopher L. Gapuz, Helena Lorenzo, Ivan Bueno, Jorge Alfred R. Taruc, Marina Patricia Penerya, Matthew G. Yuching, Nikki Macaraig, Sofia Sanchez, Tricia R. Alcantara, Zheinna Lozano HUMAN RESOURCES Anicia Guanlao, Ashley Lumauig, Cielo Regalado, Diana Rivera, Dre S. Guerrero, Em Enriquez, Gerard Ma, Isaiah Limpin, Julia V. Quizon, Kassandra Patrice I. Sanchez, Keisha Mercado, Kendji Tuazon, Kyra Ingrid A. Mallari, Margaux Arcinas, Matthew Cañete, Micah Avry Guiao, Romeo Arches Descalso III, Tris Almeida, Wira Dosado RESEARCH Aga E. Villaroman, Angela San Juan, Frances Realda, Jake de Jesus, Joseph Garay, Justine Sarsuelo, Kaye L. Cortado, Kiara Rodriguez, Lander Pua, Lenz A. Dagohoy, Miguel H. Palmero, Trisha M. Purificacion SOCIAL MEDIA Abbey Palomo, Belle Medalla, Cloie Pino, Gia Crisologo, Joaquin Querido, Katherine O. Go, Piper Berbano, Rei Jamola
Luz R. Rimban MODERATOR
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BLUE JE A NS
The humanities are useless BY MATT RODRIGUEZ
THE MOST objective measurement for utility is the capitalist model, as in how much is the service or product of a certain practice. This primarily revolves around the world of means and ends, by which the skills of a course serve as means while the product with utilitarian value defines ends. The discussion might veer CHALK MARKS
Reframing red-tagging BY VON KATINDOY
“YOU’VE BEEN served!” said the young-looking lawyer in barong after handing me what I thought was a subpoena. It turned out to be a notification from his boss who happened to be the father of an incoming intern from Ateneo. “Attention: Von Katindoy,” the notification read. The body was replete with legalese informing me of his daughter’s decision to withdraw from the internship. It then advised me and my then-employer to desist from any attempt to contact the intern or risk legal ramifications. I did not know whether I should be annoyed or amused. Didn’t she know she could have easily sent
Matt Rodriguez is currently a senior in the BFA Creative Writing program and has been the School of Humanities Representative since 2019. He may be reached at carl.rodriguez@obf.ateneo.edu.
Von Katindoy is an instructor at the Ateneo Philosophy Department and an incoming student at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
The GUIDON | January-February 2021
Particularities ENRIQUE B. HALILI
No greater feeling AMID THE craziness of an online semester, I found myself coming back to one particularly fascinating reading from my social sciences class: The World Happiness Report. Released annually, the report attempts to rank cities around the world by their “subjective well-being” and looks into how their environment inf luences their happiness. The current ranking is topped by Scandinavian cities such as Helsinki, which is located in Finland, and Aarhus in Denmark. Unlike most of the world’s population, these cities and their people generally do not dedicate their time to becoming tycoons or billionaires. Rather, they strive for a balance of having just enough to fulfill basic needs. Danes in particular have an interesting outlook on happiness and how it is achieved. They identify two different types of happiness that people experience in their lifetime. The first type, gladness, is the everyday kind of happiness that involves the simple joys of life: A good book, your favorite movie, or even a delicious meal. “Glad” is what we are used to feeling on a regular basis. Lykke, on the other hand, describes a much rarer, unique kind of happiness that is only felt a few times in a person’s lifetime. It is described as an intense, yet elusive feeling that can be likened to catching lighting in
Redemption KATHLEEN U. YAP
Homebody ALMOST EV ERY Atenean dreams of being away from home as soon as they enter Ateneo. Living alone provides a new sense of freedom and control many seek in their col lege day s. My f r iends consider me luck y to have been given this opportunity to become more independent. However, I am also the butt of most of their jokes, having lived this dream and decided to move out only after two short days. Unlike most people, I have always loved the comfort of being at home. Almost every Friday night pre-quarantine, I rushed to Gilmore station, hoping to finish my commute before the sky turned dark. Rarely was I seen walking in the streets of Katipunan late at night, a stark contrast to most of my peers who enjoy the excitement the nightlife offered. Don’t get me wrong, though. I stayed on campus after classes and I did go out with my friends from time to time. However, I felt most like myself at home—my sacred space where I feel safest. It would appear that I am the last person to experience the dreaded cabin fever after the implementation of community quarantine. But ironically, I have never been more restless in the place I associate with being at ease. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of things into perspective, including how I perceive myself. While I know I am protected in this familiar space, there is no room for me
a bottle. To experience it, one must be truly content with how life is going at that moment. Unfortunately, I believe that far too many people nowadays find themselves stuck in endless pursuit of what they imagine will give them their lykke. They become misguided by material goods and cheap thrills that only ever bring instant gratification, instead of the raw feeling lykke should be. What’s worse is that this pursuit ultimately views true happiness as something quantifiable, reducing it to nothing more than greed. From then on it becomes an unending cycle, driven by excess. For a person motivated by greed, there will always be more: More money, more possessions, and more accolades. I have been guilty of this, and there’s no shame in admitting it, but I think it’s time that we redefine the pursuit of happiness as something that primarily entails a self less outlook. On a personal level, I’ve done away with the idea that I have to gain more than what I need or already have to make myself happy. It wasn’t easy, but leaving the superficiality of it all has given me peace. I’ve accepted that tr ue happiness is not something that is seized, but experienced. It is not a feeling that is found in selfish desires, but in a life lived with purpose and agency. I have only experienced my personal lykke a handful of times in my short life—through unforgettable moments with the most authentic of people. On the days where I find myself at my lowest, it’s the happy memories that are there to remind me of the love I am capable of giving to others. I think that is what makes happiness, in its truest form, such a beautiful thing.
to interact, grow, and become a better version of myself. In hindsight, I never fully lived the college experience I always dreamed of. After spending nearly a year of classes online, I realize that I have many regrets about not being adventurous during my time on campus. Most nights in quarantine were spent thinking about what I could’ve done differently. I wish I had gone out with my friends more, ate in new restaurants, and said yes to that quick visit to UP Town Center. It’s disheartening to read on social media about many establishments along Katipunan closing down, most of which I never even went to or will ever get to go to. Little did I know that this complacency of staying within my own bubble has translated to other aspects of my life. I am always the quietest in large groups, least updated on pop culture, and densest when it comes to the most obvious of things. I missed out on a lot of opportunities because I constantly doubted my abilities and feared failure. My expectations were often set low to avoid disappointment, despite knowing that I can do better. It’s this long-standing habit of mine to remain in my comfort zone that hindered me from reaching my fullest potential. Nowadays, I try not to linger too much on my regrets about what I should’ve done during my first two years in college. I’m still in my early twenties with way more ahead of me, after all. While it is unlikely that I’ll get the chance to step foot on campus as a student again, I know there will be other places that I can explore in the future. When that time finally comes, I hope to find the courage to leave home and return with more confidence in myself.
Fracture LEIKA GOLEZ
A man’s world EARLIER TODAY, my father told me that my forehead acne made me look dirty. About a few weeks ago, my mother also told me that it was my responsibility as a lady to wear “more appropriate” clothes to be respected. My parents have been criticizing my physical appearance for as long as I could remember. Every time I called their comments hurtful and sexist, they argued that I should just feel grateful to have caring parents instead of being too emotional. I never understood this claim since they were able to nurture my two brothers just fine without being overly critical of their looks. It wasn’t long before I realized that I merely had to fulfill two obligations as the only daughter in my family: To be pretty and to be silent. If I was scolded for not being ladylike enough at home, I was called a slut for being too feminine in high school. I noticed that female adolescents who liked conventionally girlish things such as make-up or mini skirts were shunned by fellow women for being “easy.” Meanwhile, my male friends would pride themselves as advocates of women’s rights, going on and on about how they wanted to date a “strong woman” unafraid of making the first move without being “desperate enough” to actually do so. I honestly wasn’t at all surprised that some people acted this way, as we were conditioned to normalize subtle forms of sexism not only at
En pointe ALLY S. CRESPO
Swan song MY LAST day on campus was just like any other, I remember walking past a crowded SEC Walk in a hurry to get home. As I made my way through the maze of cars, I recall looking down at my phone and reading about the increasing number of COVID19 cases in the Philippines. Still unaware of the severity of the virus, I got in and drove off, but I had no idea that would be the last time I would see some of my block mates and professors. W hen t he com mu n it y quarantine was imposed, it was as if the situation was never going to get better. Nonetheless, I knew back then and reaffirm now that remaining at home is necessary to help lessen the number of infections. However, being locked down indoors also felt like we were disconnected from the rest of the world or at least the world we had known. W h i le col le g e s t udent s had g row n accustomed to spending their days in the library, watching sports games live, or going out with friends, the lockdow n relegated the v ibrancy of college life to a mere laptop screen. These may seem minute w ith a ll the other problems going on in the world, but each was supplemental to the daily life of many college students— including my own. Because of this, we should be allowed to grieve over the plans we will not be able to see through due to ou r circu msta nces. As the weeks turned into months, my friends and I hoped
home, but in school as well. I’ve heard plenty of stories about educational institutions enforcing stricter dress codes for female students specifically. They are taught that certain outfits are distracting to boys despite numerous studies disproving that modest clothing prevents rape. Furthermore, due to a lack of transparency from school administrations, students still turn to social media to discuss their personal experiences with faculty members’ inappropriate a nd predator y behav ior. Beyond the educational sphere, women are also sexually objectified in the media for the pleasure of heterosexual male audiences. There are supposedly more empowering depictions of females nowadays, but these portrayals promote internalized misogyny and commodified feminism, therefore excluding women of colored communities and lower socioeconomic classes from the conversation. In spite of the problems I mentioned above, we still claim to have built a progressive and gender inclusive society. Our current views on women’s rights have greatly improved with the approval of the Safe Spaces Act and the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, but we have a long way to go. Although laws like these are meant to empower and protect women, they can only do so much in a societal system that is designed to be patriarchal and capitalist at its very core. With this, we are clearly in dire need of systemic reform. I believe that directly targeting the system is the best way to address the discrimination and violence against women—from tolerance of sexist microaggressions to complete dismissal of female autonomy. Indeed, the personal is definitely political.
that we would not have to spend our entire senior year virtually. Our wishful thinking was that we would have the second semester on-site to fulfill our own bucket list of “lasts” in college. We hoped to see our last Bonfire as students, take group photos with our organizations for A EGIS, a nd d r u n kenly stumble along to McDonald’s with our best friends one more time. Unfor tunately, it was announced that both semesters wou ld be taught remotely. Navigating the online setting throughout the first semester was turbulent for ever yone, a nd ou r g r aduat ion f rom universit y after the second semester marks the first batch of Ateneans who experienced a full year of remote schooling. Despite all of our planning and all of our hopes and dreams, we will be remembered as the seniors who did not step foot on campus for our last year. In retrospect, I can admit that the year was anything but what I had in mind. I still find myself upset over this reality sometimes, and that is okay. As young adults who wanted to make the most out of what little time we had left in college, it is reasonable to feel as though we had been robbed of a chance to make memories. Many of these memories were meant to last a lifetime. On the other hand, the sun continues to rise, and each day brings an opportunity for us to leave our legacies du r ing ou r last semester. While our senior year may not have gone as planned, we journey into the next chapter of our lives. We remain thankful for the lessons learned, tears shed, a nd f r iendsh ips we have made throughout the past four or f ive years—no matter how virtual they were.
Versus DENEV C. NG
The element of value WHEN I started accepting art commissions online, I’d charge $20 for a digital painting that took me five hours to complete. Having no prior experience, I thought I was already charging a lot back then—so it came off a surprise when my commissioner, who was also an artist, tipped me an extra $20. A seemingly small gesture but, in hindsight, I think it led me to reflect on how I valued my art (or the lack thereof). If someone halfway across the globe thought my work was worth this much, then why did I—the one who sat in front of the desktop screen for hours to draw it—think so differently? I suppose it was the cultural view on artists we have in the Philippines that nagged on me. One would always hear, “Artist ka lang, wala namang pera diyan.” The saddest part is that there is truth behind it, when Filipino creatives are often overworked and underpaid by the industries they work for. Luckily, times are changing. In the past decade, the rise of internet art communities has made it possible for artists—from hobbyists to professionals—to have an avenue where they can showcase their work and promote it to viewers from all around the world. To me, the online community (specifically for illustration) is where I find solace; the presence of like-minded people make it so that there is much more
Coda KATRINA BERNICE M. TAN
Salt AT THE start of the pandemic, I gargled salt water every day. A message that circulated around several of my mom’s Viber group chats claimed that gargling warm salt water helps eliminate COVID-19 from our bodies by stopping the virus’ path to our lungs. I found it a bit silly to think that salt would stop a virus that has killed millions, causing one of the biggest global crises in recent memory. If anything at least, it relieved my parents of their anxiety of contracting the virus. So, the dainty pot of rock salt nex t to my family ’s kitchen sink stayed. My hunch was correct, for the most part, as articles debunking this household remedy started popping up on my news feed. Although an ongoing study from Scotland found that gargling salt water did help a llev iate some COV ID -19 symptoms, the practice does nothing to stop transmission. Th is was mont hs a go; thousands of home cures have circulated across the internet since then, each somehow more ridiculous than the last. This prompted the World Health Organization to release a Mythbuster page that debunked c om mon m i s c onc e pt ion s about the virus. Companies like Facebook and Viber have made attempts to intensify fact-checking protocols as well. Now, COVID-19 vaccines have begun to roll out across the world and misleading information regarding them has spread just as quickly. Easily-misinterpreted
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support for the work we do, usually through sharing the art we enjoy. Still, it was a journey to appreciate the value of my work without feeling guilty. I didn’t want to sound presumptuous, or overcharge for my skill level. But here’s what I learned: First, the internet makes it so that we have to deal with foreign prices. For starters, we can’t match the spending power that our Western counterparts have. It sounds crazy here, but a $20 tip just happens to be the norm elsewhere! The fact that we don’t have such a norm— despite having so many talented Filipino artists—pains me, but we’ll have to make do for now. Next, accept that personal commissions are largely a luxury, so there’s virtually no such thing as “overpricing.” It’s important we recognize this because increasing the worth of our art helps the local artist community in the long run by setting our own standard; seeing much higher commission rates than what they were some five years ago keeps me optimistic. It’s cheesy to say, but as time went on, I did learn how to value my work more, thanks to having been enabled by a supportive network. As a young Filipino artist, I do think that it’s about time we receive due credit for our work, and accept that we deserve more than a liveable wage. While there’s still much work to be done to bridge the pay gap between the Philippines and wealthier nations, I’m hopeful that our continued progress proves how soughtafter and valued our skills and efforts are—until we no longer become an afterthought. Looking back to my first ever tipper, it fills me with joy to now say that perhaps we’re not so different after all.
headlines and fearmongering Facebook posts are among the worst offenders of this, especially since these may be taken out of context quite easily. Such was the case when the deaths of 13 elderly in Norway went viral. Although it was proven that their vaccines did not cause their deaths, the damage has already been done. While this is just a small fraction of the root of vaccine hesitancy, the hesitation has since snowballed into more and more people hesitating to get their jabs. We are living in a time with not one but two pandemics: Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, a misinformation pandemic lo o m s c lo s el y o v e r u s , whether we realize it or not. We a ll want to get the COV ID -19 pa ndem ic over with; the record-time vaccine rollouts and salt water gargling are evidence enough of our desperation, but easy, short term solutions will not get us any where—no matter how much we beg. I never thought I would long for 8 AM classes and (dare I say) the greasy smell of JSEC—and it is exactly this desperation that makes us more vulnerable to misinformation. As we grapple for days where we no longer have to read the words “new normal” in excess, the most we can do is read beyond headlines and be critical of the information we share. My family no longer keeps rock salt next to our kitchen sink. It has since been replaced w ith circu la rs a nd public ser v ice a nnou ncements regarding vaccine registration for residents in my barangay. I hesitate to believe that many of our decisions on this matter will be swayed by fake news and chain messages, but unfortunately, this may be the case if we do not listen hard enough.
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News VACCINE CHALLENGES. Filipinos have raised concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccines secured by the Duterte administration. PHOTO BY STELLA ARENAS
Atenean Voice “What are your thoughts on the Duterte administration’s COVID-19 vaccination plans?”
Vboi Opeña 1 BS ES
“[The] idealization [of the vaccination] by collective narcissists as a panacea for the systemic and moral ills of the Duterte administration is both manufactured and misleading. The institutional abuses of the government to effectively respond to the pandemic and other recent national crises [...] sow doubt into people’s minds whether a return to the real normal is possible. This administration, in essence, is the Sinovac of our country—grossly ineffective and lacking in credible transparency.”
Redd Alli 1 AB POS
“The Duterte administration’s COVID-19 response has been, to say the least, inefficient and harmful. With the efforts going towards militarization rather than health, many Filipinos have suffered in numerous ways. Now that the long proclaimed [...] vaccination has arrived at our doorstep, the administration fails to optimize the available solutions by choosing less effective vaccines. It has become clear that the government doesn’t want this pandemic to end, as it’ll mean the end of their tyranny.”
Jenny* 2 AB DS
“It is inevitable that the delays in government response [...] will be even more pronounced as we try to vaccinate millions of people. Another concern I have is the cultural barriers that may be present. I remember seeing a survey from Pulse Asia; [...] almost half [of 2,400 respondents] said they would not take the vaccine because they doubted its safety. I don’t think the administration has earned the trust of the people, so we have to overcome these logistical and cultural challenges to [...] bring an end to this health crisis.”
Jerard Afable Sports Club Sector Representative
“We have been served lies and incompetence on a silver platter by the Philippine government. The illegal vaccinations and the preferential treatment towards a vaccine that is expensive and inefficient should compel us to question their motives. Who does this government serve? Certainly not the Filipinos.”
Giana Camacho 2 BFA CW & AB PSY
“I believe that the government does not have the best interest of Filipinos when making decisions towards their vaccination plans. The Sinovac vaccine has an efficacy of 50%. I think that they only picked that vaccine to be in good graces with China, which is where the vaccine comes from. There are other brands like Pfizer and Moderna with higher success rates and cheaper prices. [The Filipino government has] their own interests in mind rather than the greater good of the country.”
TJ Alcantara School of Social Sciences Representative
“The Duterte administration cannot blame the public for speculating about irregularities in vaccine procurement and distribution because of their lack of transparency when it comes to contracts and agreements. As much as everyone wants to return to the feeling of normalcy, [...] they have shown a preference for a vaccine that only has a 50% efficacy rate and a relatively higher price compared to other vaccines [from] other countries. Ultimately, it is public safety and welfare that should be the priority above all things.”
Alisa* 3 BS BIO
“The fact that the government is asking the Filipino citizens not to be choosy over the brand of the vaccine, and even denying priority slots for those who refuse to take them, is absurd. To pair their insensitivity is their complacency and lack of urgency in reserving vaccines early, which led to the Filipino people to suffer. It is a failure to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”
Andrea Banatao 2 AB PSY
“It was stated that the government will come up with $1.5 billion to vaccinate around 60 to 70 million Filipinos within three to five years. However, this plan did not seem to align with the proposed 2021 budget, [which] contained just $52 million for vaccine procurement. Although it was clarified that this fund is just for an initial 3 million vaccines for essential health workers, the seemingly disorganized response that the administration has given towards COVID-19 is questionable.”
Ralph Ernest Argana 1 BS ME
“[The] vaccination program is another example of the Duterte administration’s bootlicking of the Chinese, as well as another cash grab of the Department of Health. Together with the ongoing PhilHealth corruption scandal putting the agency officials’ integrity into question, the strong insistence of the government in selling the 50% efficacy vaccine Sinovac in exorbitant prices, despite the existence of cheaper and more effective vaccines in Pfizer and AstraZeneca, serves as a testament to this.”
Lisa* 3 AB POS
“Simply put, the current administration’s handling of the entire pandemic thus far has been completely inadequate. Not only has the complete disregard for human rights been clear, it has also yielded deadly consequences for marginalized people. The promise of a vaccine may currently be a hope for Filipinos living in the fringes of society, but it is important to keep in mind that the current administration is self-interested at best, and actively dangerous to the impoverished at worst.”
*Editor’s Note: Some interviewee names have been changed upon their request to protect their identities.
Glimpses Ateneo Biodiversity Lab publishes 46 new insect species
Ateneo Debate Society hailed as back-to-back debating champions of Asia
Despite limited fieldwork opportunities amid the quarantine, the Ateneo Biodiversity Laboratory published 46 new insect species in 2020. The species’ descriptions were authored by Biology Department Research Coordinator Hendrik Freitag, PhD, Biology Department Assistant Professor Jhoana Garces, PhD, and graduate students Emmanuel Delocado, Arthien Pelingen, Marc Sabordo, Clister Pangantihon, Kyra Aldaba, and Veverle San Juan. They found 24 species of mayflies, one species of stoneflies, four species of water bugs, and 17 species of aquatic beetles. They applied modern approaches of integrative taxonomy by incorporating genetic, geographic, and ecological information for the species’ descriptions. Moreover, these species were named after laboratory members who collected the specimens “for their colleagues in mutual effort.” Other species’ names honored members from various Philippine localities, ethnic groups, and fellow associates from the field of biodiversity science. ZOEY C. ATILLO
The Ateneo Debate Society (ADS) brought home the championship title for winning the 12th Asia-British Parliamentary Debating Championship (ABP) and the 11th United Asian Debating Championship (UADC). ABP 2020 was hosted by the Malaysian Institute for Debate and Public Speaking on October 3 to 4 and 10 to 12, 2020. On the other hand, UADC 2020 was hosted by the Bangladesh Debating Council on December 10 to 16, 2020. Furthermore, both events were conducted online through Zoom. ADMU 1, the winning team for the ABP Championship, consisted of Ignacio Lorenzo Villareal (4 AB EC-H) and Mikko Carlo Vitug (3 BSM AMF). They were also joined by David Africa (2 BSM AMDS) in the UADC Championship team. The UADC achievement marked the second consecutive year that the ADS has won the competition, while their success in the ABP gained them the recognition of being the back-to-back champions of Asia for both competitions. MOIRA V. CAYABYAB
Sanggu forms Seniors’ Alliance 20-21 to address graduation concerns
Business Cluster hosts second run of Play4JSEC: Online Tournament
Sanggunian Interim President Jb Bejarin created the Seniors’ Alliance 20-21 to disseminate information about graduation affairs and represent the graduating batch in consultations with the administration and yearbook publication AEGIS. The Alliance consists of Committee Head Gideon Banzuela and members Sanggunian Vice President Kat Moreno, Council of Organizations of the Ateneo - Manila President Patricia Aquino, League of Independent Organizations Coordinator Cristina Batalla, and Scholars’ Sector Representative Jubert Calamba. The Alliance also has a Consultative Team which aims to create consultation-related initiatives such as virtual forums and surveys. Moreover, the Alliance works with the Sanggunian Department of Administrative Affairs and the Sanggunian Department of Communication to release stakeholder engagement tools and implement communication strategies for connecting with graduating students, respectively. ZOEY C. ATILLO
The Council of Organizations of the Ateneo - Manila Business Cluster hosted in January the second iteration of Play4JSEC, an online game tournament that raised funds for John Gokongwei Student Enterprise Center employees. Now called Play4JSEC 2.0, the second tournament used the same mechanics from the first competition for both Call of Duty (COD) and Mobile Legends (ML) games. The tournament took place every day from January 25 to February 6, excluding Sundays, with games from 6 PM to 10 PM. Players from different organizations formed teams of four to five and joined with a participation fee of Php 450. Solo applicants were grouped by Play4JSEC’s Programs Team upon paying the Php 120 participation fee. Aside from collecting participation fees, the fundraiser also opened official donation channels for non-participants. Tournament winners won cash prizes up to Php 4,000 for COD and Php 3,000 for ML, which were deducted from the initiative’s total funds. MOIRA V. CAYABYAB
THE HARD DECISION Although disheartening, canceling UAAP Season 83 ensured the health and safety of its stakeholders as it proved to be the league’s best option in the new normal.
Sports
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/TheGUIDONSports Follow the happenings in Ateneo Sports @TheGUIDONSports EDITORS: ALLY S. CRESPO AND GERRICK C. LIMSIY LAYOUT ARTIST: MIKHAELLA NORLIN D.G. MAGAT
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LAYOVER: Cancellation of UAAP Season 83 BY JAMES B. GAVINA AND KRISTEN R. MATIAS PHOTO BY GABRIEL J. MEDINA
FA NS A ND athletes alike held on to a glimmer of hope as they awaited the fate of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ (UA AP) Season 83. However, as the stringent community quarantine protocols persisted, the league’s Board of Trustees (BoT) officially announced the cancellation of the season last December 11. Although the cancellation of Season 83 yielded a dismal response from the athletic community, multiple factors such as health concer ns, financial stress, and logistical issues ultimately led the league’s officials to their final decision. CHECKING IN In the beginning of 2020, majority of the second semester sports for Season 82 faced a delayed start due to concerns over early COVID-19 outbreaks. Following this, President Rodrigo Duterte suspended all classes on March 9 due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country. According to a Rappler Sports report, the UA AP planned to implement other tournament formats in order to complete Season 82 if the national gover n ment decla red t he resumption of classes. However, the fate of Season 82 reached its crescendo on April 7 when the UAAP BoT announced the cancellation of Season 82 due to the extension of enhanced community quarantine. As restrictions slowly relaxed in June, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) released a memorandum on June 3, announcing the continued ban of contact sports. On the other hand, the government authorized non-contact sports such as
badminton and golf in areas under general community quarantine. O n O c to b e r 2 6 , t h e Commission on Higher Education (CHED) sought to catalyze the resumption of collegiate sports by drafting g uidelines for collegiate athletic training. The guidelines stipulated that Higher Education Institutions (HEI) are encouraged to establish a task force that would monitor the different athletic departments’ activities and their compliance to COVID-19 mitigation. These include mandatory swab testing and declarations of health. Despite CHED’s comprehensive proposed guidelines, ensuring the safety of HEI’s sports stakeholders could not be guaranteed. With this development, the UAAP laid out three scenarios for the resumption of Season 83. The first option was to hold all sports simultaneously in one central venue in a manner similar to the South East Asian Games. However, due to logistical issues of housing thousands of people in a single venue, this was not a feasible choice. The second option was to hold second semester sports only since their seasons were cut short in Season 82, but the UAAP BoT subsequently rejected this proposal as well. The last option was to stage only Men’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball. Despite this being the most drastic option, it was heavily considered to minimize the number of athletes and necessary staff in the bubble. Moreover, the two sports were seen as the most profitable events that could help the league recuperate the steep cost of holding sporting events. In the end, none of the options were approved by the UAAP’s BoT, and Season 83 was ultimately cancelled.
A LOOK AT THE FLIGHT DECK According to University Athletics Office Director Em Fernandez, health concerns, financial stress, and logistical issues were the three primary reasons that brought the season to a halt. As seen in the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) bubble, stringent protocols failed to prevent some athletes and personnel from contracting the virus. Given the risk of infection and uncer ta inties sur rounding COVID-19’s long term effects, the
league deemed the resumption of Season 83 too risky from a health standpoint. “If you can’t guarantee 100% safety, why risk it? These are student athletes, [not] professional athletes. Their main responsibility is to study,” Fernandez commented. Apart from health concerns, pushing through with UA AP S ea son 83 wou ld enta i l huge financial implications. According to Fer nandez’s calculations, it would cost around Php 5 million for a team
If you can’t guarantee 100% safety, why risk it? These are student athletes, [not] professional athletes. Their main responsibility is to study. EM FERNANDEZ UAO DIRECTOR
of 25 athletes and staff to train per month inside the Loyola Schools campus. This estimate is inclusive of lodging, food, training facilities, and the required health services. Meanwhile, holding the UAAP itself would cost around Php 20 million. Cig na l T V, the UA A P ’s new television partner, was reportedly willing to shoulder the cost of a bubble setup. However, the plans failed to push through given the persistent health and safety concerns. Apart from finances, logistics was another prime point of consideration. Although the University would be able to house the Blue Eagles within the Loyola Schools premises, other UA AP schools’ campuses lack proper accommodations or t r a i n i n g fac i l it ies for their athletes and personnel. “Even if we have a thousand beds, you can’t have four people in a room because of IATF-EID restrictions. The most you might have is two per room, so you already cut in half your number of beds,” Fernandez said. Additionally, transporting provincial and foreign athletes in the UA AP to Metro Manila will pose logistical challenges and may place them at greater risk of infection. With all these circumstances in mind, the UA A P BoT deemed the cancellation of Season 83 as the best course of action. “At the end of the day, we’re responsible for these student athletes. Why have a spor ting event wherein you cannot guarantee [their safety?] [It’s] sad [that UA AP won’t push through], but [I’m] relieved because we don’t have to put all these athletes into something so stringent [yet]
might not be 100% effective,” Fernandez shared. TRANSIT STATUS With Season 83’s fate fully decided, all eyes are now on UAAP Season 84. Fernandez is currently pushing for the league to secure vaccines as some UAAP member-schools have expressed their willingness to participate if ever yone is vaccinated. Furthermore, having a vaccine would significantly decrease the health and safety risks for the UAAP’s stakeholders. In consideration to the league prioritizing each stakeholder’s safety, the viability of UA AP Season 84 heav ily depends on the leag ue’s abilit y to secure vaccines for around 3,000 athletes and hundreds of staff and personnel. At the same time, the league must also secure approval from CHED and the IATF-EID to resume colleg iate spor ting action. Before UA A P schools ca n even begin planning to restart training, they must first secure guidelines from CHED as well as the IATF-EID’s approval of said protocols. At the end of the day, the decision to cancel UAAP Season 83 was a culmination of numerous factors ranging from health and safety, finances, and logistics. Although the season’s cancellation was disheartening for many, it is clear that the UAAP BoT ultimately took the most feasible path that favored the well-being of the league’s stakeholders. As fans, students, and athletes alike await for new information regarding the future of the UAAP, a glimmer of hope remains as the UAAP BoT continues to work on the necessary contingency plans for the season ahead.
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Sports GALLERY OF E AGLES
Chanelle Lunod
IN 2016, the Ateneo Women’s Badminton Team welcomed Chanelle Lunod to their home court, marking a new era for the Blue and White. Lunod’s arrival, whose track record boasted multiple awards from the 2015 and 2016 Palarong Pambansa, was set to make a difference in the Lady Eagle’s quest for the gold. True enough, after four University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UA AP) seasons, back-toback UA AP
championships, and two co-MVP titles later, Lunod left her mark as the Queen Eagle of Ateneo Women’s Badminton. However, the road toLunod’s success followedalong and arduous jou r ne y. W h i l e the 2019
PHOTO BY BRUCE ONG ILLUSTRATION BY SAM DELLOMAS
The woman, the myth, the legend BY JULIANA L. ONG
Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) representative possesses exemplary physical abilities as evidenced by her numerous accolades, it is her mental strength that has pushed her over the top. Lunod’s athletic career would not be what it is today without the immeasurable amount of pressure she endured—one that involved literal blood, sweat, and tears. GREETING INNER DEMONS In the case of elite athletes like Lunod, there comes a point in their careers where one’s talent is measured by how they handle grace under pressure. “I think that’s my strength, I can adapt no matter what position my coach puts me in. If I’m put in a spot wherein I am the deciding person, everyone believes I’ll perform,” said the Lady Eagle. However, Lunod’s magic bullet did not always work in her favor. Before she nabbed the co-MVP titles in Seasons 81 and 82, Lunod needed to surmount her love-hate relationship with pressure during her rookie year, a time when mental tenacity was her weakest link. The badminton veteran recalled two crucial firsts from her debut season: Her first taste of victory and first traumatic upset. Despite bagging the Rookie of the Year award in Season 79, Lunod remembered the season’s final win-or-lose match where her performance was disrupted by pressure and the false hope for a UAAP championship crown. “We were so close to winning the championship that year. I was in the deciding doubles game, and the pressure got to me so bad [that] I choked. I can’t help but blame myself,” she narrated. Following her disappointing performance in the finals, Lunod swore to never let pressure get the best of her again. “After [the finals game] I took the pressure as something to motivate myself instead of allowing it to overcome me,” she said. However, the opportunity to redeem herself reappeared two years later when Season 81 introduced yet another challenge—this time tenfold the size of her past encounter with pressure. FIGHTING AN UPHILL BATTLE Following the departure of seniors Cassie Lim, Trixie Malibiran, and badminton phenom Bianca Carlos in Season 80, it was clear that the team
faced a less-than-ideal situation going into Season 81 with only six returning veterans. “Most of us can play singles, but if you compare the level to the seniors who graduated, they were better than us. I was worried there was no one to lean on,” expressed Lunod. To make matters worse, the temporary departure of Head Coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles due to personal reasons left the already-skeletal team in an even more worrisome predicament. With the departure of key cogs in the team, the Lady Eagles were relegated to becoming underdogs for the upcoming season. At this point, the Lady Eagle was disheartened by the team’s marginal chance of winning the championship. However, Coach Vic Asuncion’s presence played a pivotal role in Lunod’s best season yet. “Coach Vic had a lot to do with my performance that year [Season 81] because he was really, really, really pushing me to the point that I would cry in training everyday,” Lunod shared. The Lady Eagle recounted days where she was forced to adapt to a higher level of physical and mental pressure. Yet, with tear-streaked cheeks, Lunod showed up to the hardcourt persistently. Eager to improve her craft and prove her doubters wrong, Lunod trained thrice a day and seven days a week. As Season 81 neared, Lunod found that the extra shove from Coach Vic reinvigorated the winning morale she lost early in the pre-season. “The intensity of our training motivated us to prove [doubters] wrong. We knew we improved. We were confident to find out how much we improved that summer,” expressed Lunod. AGAINST ALL ODDS Despite her renewed confidence and optimism, another obstacle loomed ahead for Lunod. After the second match day of Season 81, she was rushed to the hospital due to extreme body cramps that left her crippled from the waist down. The Lady Eagle painfully recalled memories of her distressing hospital stay—the daily dextrose injections, her handicapped body, and the excruciating ordeal she withstood to be able to walk again. “That season [81] was the most exhausting season for me. If I wasn’t strong enough mentally, hindi ko
kakayanin (I wouldn’t make it) until the end,” she shared. With her strong will and desire to win, the headstrong Lady Eagle returned to the hardcourt as soon she could, reappearing in time for Ateneo’s elimination round matchup against the University of the Philippines (UP). In the Battle of Katipunan, Lunod faced UP’s top-seeded player and National Team athlete Poca Alcala. After weeks of being away from the court, Lunod lost to Alcala in consecutive sets during her first matchup of the day. However, the setback did little to dampen her spirits and instead, unleashed a raging fire rarely seen from Lunod before. The Lady Eagle encountered Alcala once more in Ateneo’s finals showdown against UP. Relentless to recover from her disappointing elimination round loss, the spirited Lady Eagle carved her redemption as she squashed Alcala with a convincing 21-16 finish in the match’s deciding set. “If I hadn’t been tough mentally, I wouldn’t be able to beat her [Alcala] in the second game. Kasi (Because) during the first [eliminations matchup], I was durog talaga (really demolished),” Lunod said. Riding off the momentum from her win against Alcala, Lunod combined forces with co-captain Geva De Vera to cap off the season with a smashing straight set victory, 21-10, 21-9, in the deciding doubles match to bag the University’s first title in five years. “Season 81 is my biggest win as a UAAP player, my proudest moment ever. If you really work hard for something and get it, the feeling is unexplainable,” the Lady Eagle passionately remarked. After a long and turbulent journey, the title for the badminton supremacy was finally in Lunod’s hands. THE FINAL CURTAIN Following the official cancellation of Season 83 and Lunod’s decision to forgo her final playing year, it is due time to unpack the trials that sent her limits over the edge. The badminton star’s daunting voyage to the top proves that she is worth more than just her accolades as the challenges she surmounted deserve a special trophy of their own. With two UAAP titles and two co-MVP awards under her belt, Lunod heads down from the hill with her name forever etched in the history books of the UAAP’s badminton scene.
S P O R T S O P I N IO N
The hard decision BY AUGUSTO CRUZ ILLUSTRATION BY GERI PUNO AS METRO Manila nears the one year mark since the implementation of community quarantine, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has yet to make its appearance in the “new normal.” UAAP Season 83 was initially scheduled to take place in a bubble setup sometime in 2021. However, given the numerous challenges in executing a bubble setup during the pandemic, the season was eventually cancelled last December 11. With budget and resource constraints as well as health and safety risks being primary concerns, the cancellation of Season 83 was a necessary decision to safeguard all stakeholders involved. ACCEPTING THE REALITY Despite the concerted efforts of sports teams who trained for Season 83, their disappointment in the season’s cancellation is merited—especially for second semester sports that were unable to compete in Season 82 due to the pandemic. According to the Ateneo Women’s Volleyball Team (AW VT) Head Coach Oliver Almadro, the AW VT was saddened by their inability
to defend the championship but reiterated that safety is the top priority. “Malungkot sila [The Lady Eagles (are sad)], but I really have to explain to them that it’s the safety first, and I have to calm them na there’s still hope in the future [to compete again],” he stated. However, before resolving to cancel Season 83, the UAAP explored alternative tournament structures which included a bubble setup for either all sports, solely second semester sports, or only Men’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball. Although these were efforts for the season to push through, hosting Season 83 during the pandemic was ultimately deemed impractical. The reality was that not all teams were capable of participating in a bubble setup due to financial and logistical roadblocks. Despite these constraints, University Athletics Office Director Em Fernandez divulged that the limited financial resources were less important than ensuring the health and safety of all teams in a bubble setup. “Malaki yang f ina ncia l consideration, pero secondary lang yun. It’s really the safety [which was the primary concern]. If you can’t guarantee 100 percent safety, kahit gaano ka mahal o gaano ka mura, why risk it? (The financial consideration is expensive. However, it is only a secondary concern to safety. If you can’t guarantee 100 percent safety, no matter how expensive or cheap it is, why risk it?),” Fernandez said. In the end, jeopardizing a student-athlete’s health and safety was an option far too
dangerous for the UAAP Board of Trustees (BoT). This ultimately led them to make the right decision: Canceling Season 83 with everyone’s best interest in mind. EVALUATING THE CIRCUMSTANCES Despite Season 83’s cancellation, the lack of competition brought multiple benefits to all those involved in the league. Besides safety from the virus, the cancellation provided teams the time to focus on other important matters such as academics and personal relationships. Without the time-consuming training sessions for the UAAP, athletes now have the opportunity to explore their passions outside the world of sports such as organizational work. These benefits shone through in the AWVT, as Coach Almadro shared that multiple players made the Dean’s List during this academic year’s first semester, while others found new hobbies like cooking and artistic activities. On the other hand, Season 83’s cancellation presented certain drawbacks to the UAAP community as well. First, player eligibility will be a concern due to the UAAP’s current 25-year-old age limit as some graduating players have yet to fulfill their five-season eligibility caused by the cancellation of the two seasons. According to Fernandez, the UAAP BoT acknowledged this issue and is looking into adding one year to the age-limit for Season 84. However, given the UAAP’s ambiguous schedule, a one year increase in
player eligibility will be insufficient for graduating players to play out their collegiate careers. If Season 84 does not push through in 2021, athletes who turn 26 this year will no longer be eligible for the season even with the relaxed age limit. Simultaneously, the UAAP BoT must be fair to both graduating students and younger players because collegiate athletes competing in the UAAP can be as young as 18 years old. With the age gap in mind, the question of whether extending the age gap is favorable or not arises. Therefore, a balance must be struck between what is favorable for the graduating players’ careers and what is considered fair to Season 84’s undergraduates, especially to the athletic development of the league’s incoming rookies. Furthermore, the uncertainty of the UAAP’s resumption instills a sense of discouragement for student-athletes as they may feel that their training is pointless. Because of this, players may opt to shift their focus towards other activities where they are assured
that their efforts will be fruitful like academics. However, the cancellation creates a greater dilemma for graduating athletes as it will directly impact their career plans. “It’s a really big decision for me. I also want to start working, but I can’t because I have this feeling [that] I’m not yet done. But I don’t want to waste two more years and then bigla walang (suddenly there’s no) UAAP,” shared Ateneo Women’s Badminton Team Captain Chanelle Lunod. Moreover, the UAAP’s absence stagnates the athletic development of sports teams as training online is insufficient compared to on-site practice. Without the companionship of teammates and access to resources like the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center, teams have been struggling to adapt to the new normal. Given these struggles, the league’s level of play is susceptible to decline. “Development wise, mabagal ang development [of sports teams] (The development of sports teams is slow).
What will happen to the level of competition in the UAAP three years, four years from now? Yun yung (That’s the) drawback, the development of athletes,” Fernandez said. Although there are multiple drawbacks due to the season’s cancellation, acknowledging these challenges is necessary for the league to properly adjust to the “new normal.” NAVIGATING UNCERTAINTY As the UAAP treads uncertain waters, the league’s prioritization of student-athletes’ health and safety is comforting. Season 83’s cancellation is a challenging hurdle to clear, but as Almadro stated in reference to former University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ, “This is the time to come back home.” Rather than focusing on the empty void that the UAAP’s hiatus leaves behind, the league’s stakeholders can reconnect with their loved ones and find fulfillment beyond the boundaries of sports.
FOR PUBLIC CONSUMTPION As Ateneans increasingly depend on the online sphere, the CA’s delays in publicizing bills and resolutions on its official website become a major transparency concern.
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EDITOR: JEAN MANGALUZ LAYOUT ARTIST: KURT TAN
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Confined potential MOST SEN IOR students from the 2002 Basic Education Curriculum were required to begin writing their thesis in the first semester of this academic year. This undergraduate thesis or capstone project is a major academic output that serves as the culmination of their respective program curricula. A success indicator for both students and faculty, this project utilizes the years of education provided to the learners by translating into practice the knowledge and skills they gained. Under normal circumstances, most processes necessary for the development of a thesis involve fieldwork or on-site data gathering. However, as the University administration decided to hold classes remotely until the second semester due to COVID-19, these circumstances ultimately pushed these outputs into the online setting. Although thesis classes are exempted from the quarterly system, students are still required to gather data, produce manuscripts, and defend their work in a remote arrangement. For some courses and programs, a thesis is primarily an independent task—most of them work on this project in an individual capacity. WARNING SIGNS Compounded by the online set-up’s mental and physical health threats, individual thesis writing has been a serious stressor for some seniors, as social media posts on Facebook and Reddit reveal. For instance, anonymous submissions on Blue Katip Freedom Wall were directed to the Development Studies (DS) Program. In the series of posts, students lamented the program’s heavy emphasis on the fieldwork component of the thesis as well as its policy on assigning this requirement individually. Recog n i zi ng t he issue, Development Society President Angel Oviatt notes that they arranged meetings with DS Program Director Jayeel Cornelio, PhD to ensure that students’ concerns were communicated. “We didn’t release a statement [about the posts] because a lot of the communication happened internally,” Oviatt says. Referring to a related post that linked the DS Program to mental illnesses, Cristina Batalla
Thesis writing is in itself arduous, but completing it online may jeopardize both the paper’s quality and the writer’s well-being. BY VINCENT HALOG AND RENZ MICIEL M. TROVELA
(4 AB DS) emphasizes that “it’s unfair to blame the depression and anxiety on DS and the nature of individual thesis.” She also states that it is counterproductive to resent other people in account of one’s personal thesis experiences. Cornelio also holds that it is not the individual assignment of the thesis that presents a problem. “We have been doing thesis writing as an individual project for decades already and while it is often a problem for students to finish it, they do finish anyway,” he explains. Meanwhile, seniors from different majors also experience the limitations of online thesis writing. Restrained by public health protocols, Zianne Agustin (4 BFA ID) cannot gather data on-site, which is crucial for the completion of her senior creative project. Adding to the challenge, she notes that getting in touch with resource persons is difficult at this time. “While you can expect people to correspond with you online, it’s really about how quickly they get back to you,” she says. Nonetheless, Oviatt, Batalla, and Agustin have obtained the needed sources for their respective projects online. Oviatt’s thesis topic relies on accessing online journals, Batalla’s in conducting online engagements, and Agustin’s in preparing online interviews and surveys. KEEPING IN STEP In hopes of overcoming these challenges, some programs and departments implemented adjustments to meet academic and precautionary demands. Agustin indicates that thesis advisers of the Information Design (ID) Program guide students through workable topics in the online setting. “They’re really trying to advise against topics that might warrant you to go out. My adviser was trying to be as helpful as possible, but they’re trying to prioritize safety,” she says. Meanwhile, Oviatt and Batalla state that most thesis advisers in the DS Program adjusted their availability to their advisees
through flexible communication lines. They say that most students and their advisers primarily reach out through email, but can also get in touch through other messaging platforms like Messenger or Discord. The students similarly say that their respective department is more lenient with outputs and deadlines. Agustin from the ID Program says that most of their worksheets—formerly required during on-site classes—are now optional activities and late submissions no longer merit deductions. Likewise, Oviatt and Batalla note that DS professors allow students to set their own deadlines, allowing them to practice independence in thesis writing. However, a more considerate attitude in supervising a thesis may not be enough for the project’s completion in some other fields, especially in the natural sciences. Although the LS administration proposed to hold face-to-face laboratory courses with regulations abiding
by the Inter-Agency Task Force protocols, the bid is still pending the approval of the Commission on Higher Education. In the meantime, Biology Department Chair Dr. rer. nat. Crisanto M. Lopez assures that students under the program have recalibrated their studies to make it feasible this online semester. “We had to tell the faculty members that you have to give your thesis advisees topics which they could do online [...] to accommodate the limitations of the lockdown,” he says. Aside from delivering thesis or capstone on a semestral basis, Agustin and Batalla say that there were no announcements regarding a University policy overhaul for thesis courses during the online semester. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Josefina Hofileña, PhD confirms this and states that the schools or departments are responsible for making the necessar y adjustments that better suit the particular demands of their respective disciplines.
UNLEASHING THE POTENTIAL Since distance education for most courses is unlikely to end soon, LS departments will continue to facilitate theses in the online setup. On the part of the DS Program, Cornelio assures that they are open to suggestions on how their faculty can better proceed with online thesis writing. Cornelio adds that their program is willing to change their policy on indiv idual thesis writing and that they are currently considering the
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option of assigning the project by groups instead. He expresses their faculty’s openness to break their now decadesold tradition of assigning thesis individually. Meanwhile, ID Prog ram Coordinator Smile Indias shares that ID thesis advisers are committed to listening and adjusting to the students’ needs without sacrificing the academic demands of a capstone project. “Tuloy lang doon sa paghahanap ng [We will continue to look for the] space where both academic rigor and compassion can exist,” Indias says. It is in that space that students’ potential can be unleashed despite its confinement within the limits of online tools.
Tuloy lang doon sa paghahanap ng space where both academic rigor and compassion can exist.
SMILE INDIAS INFORMATION DESIGN PROGRAM COORDINATOR
PHOTOS BY LAURA LIMSENKHE ILLUSTRATION BY DANA LEE
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The GUIDON | January-February 2021
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PHOTO BY JIM DASAL
PHOTO BY JULIA CARPIO
The GUIDON | January-February 2021
Anatomy of the strike
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ILLUSTRATIONS BY DANA LEE
Despite the student strike petition heightening socio-political engagement among members of the University, many Ateneans still wonder what else can be done to properly address lingering University and national concerns. NO STUDENT left behind— this was one of the pleas that 500 Ateneans rallied behind as they signed a petition dated November 14, 2020 calling for a nationwide academic strike. The petition authors demanded accountability from the national administration’s response to the calamities that swept the country. The submission of academic requirements was withheld, earning the spotlight of media outlets and the dismissive remarks of government officials u nder P resident Rod r igo Duterte’s wing. The traction that the strike petition garnered boosted engagement among members of the student body regarding campus and national issues. However, the petition’s broad demands and objectives, the constituency check’s binary voting system, and the unclear response from the University administration on pressing political issues seem to have created a divide among students and faculty alike. INTENSE DEBATE The initial petition’s release prompted conflicting views to circulate online, where the strike’s effectiveness in catalyzing reforms across the University and national government fronts were placed at the forefront of debate. In an interview with The GUIDON, Associate Dean for Student Formation Leland Dela Cruz, PhD says that the petition’s multiple revisions, coupled with its “unclear” objectives, contributed to the community’s confusion in their stand. “If you are going to demand things from the national government, why are you doing things that will affect yourselves as students, or the University?” Dela Cruz explains. Strike organizers Elise Ofilada (3 BFA CW) and Bernardine de Belen (3 BFA CW) acknowledge that the initial petition was not completely nua nced . However, they hoped that the discussion would not entirely focus on the strike’s semantics,
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BY RUSSELL LOUIS KU AND FRANCIS CAIGA
citing criticisms regarding the use of “criminal negligence” that surfaced as an example. Ofilada and de Belen also remark that there are more important matters to discuss regarding the student strike. “I think nandoon pa rin iyung kahalagahan na maganap iyung conversation at pag-protesta ngayon kasi concrete iyung mga… paghihirap na dinaranas ng mga tao (It’s still important to have these conversations and continue protesting because people are facing concrete problems),” de Belen says. Although the LS community partly expressed concern over the petitions’ semantics, this was only one aspect of the debate. School of Humanities Representative Matt Rodriguez mentions that the nature of the petition “disturbed” members of the Ateneo community because it desired social change at the expense of academics. “The voting didn’t really consider the fact that this gave a chance [for representation] to those that kind of lost a lot—who didn’t really have a choice at all,” Rodriguez says. Besides this, School of Social Sciences Representative TJ Alcantara believes that the Ateneo community would have been less divided had the voting not occurred. “[P]uwede kang sumali sa strike, puwede kang sumali sa other forms of mobilization pero hindi dapat mahati or hindi dapat mapilit na either you’re pro-strike or you’re against the strike (You could have joined the strike, or other forms of mobilization without being labeled as being for or against the strike),”he says. Fol low i n g t he Cent r a l Assembly’s (CA) denial of the motion, LS students criticized t he const it uenc y check’s binary system and stressed the impor tance of taking constituents’ various reservations into consideration. The GUIDON also conducted a survey regarding the students’ perceptions on the
revised petition to determine the larger community’s pulse on the matter. However, only 1.41% of the student population or 132 students answered the survey; 53.8% affirmed their participation in the strike if revisions based on their concerns were made. Nonetheless, Alcantara clarifies that there were suggestions to place “yes with reservations” and “no with reservations,” in the Sanggunian’s constituency check. However, he explains that these suggestions were overturned upon consultation with the Office of the Vice President’s Strategy and Development team in favor of prioritizing the quality of the students’ explanations behind their vote instead. NONRESONANT STANCE In response to ongoing oncampus mobilizations supporting the strike, the Universit y administration released a statement dissociating itself from the protests. This prompted various members of the Ateneo community to express their dismay on social media, stressing that the administration seemed to disown these youth movements. Following this, University President Roberto Yap, SJ issued a letter to the Ateneo community dated November 25 that affirmed “the right of citizens to hold the government accountable.” However, this letter did not explicitly mention the University’s position on the strike nor the petition’s outlined concerns. Ofilada believes that the divisive debates towards the strike would have been resolved had the Ateneo administration taken a clearer stance, remarking that “[the University] can’t distance itself from what is happening in Philippine society.” In addition, de Belen argues that a stronger stand from the University would encourage student councils and other university administrations to stand in solidarity with Filipino
I think nandoon pa rin iyung kahalagahan na maganap iyung conversation at pag-protesta ngayon kasi concrete iyung mga… paghihirap na dinaranas ng mga tao. (It’s still important to have these conversations and continue protesting because the hardships that people are facing right now are concrete).
BERNADETTE DE BELEN ORGANIZER OF ONE BIG STRIKE
st udents’ a nd educators’ collective struggle. For instance, following the strike petition, the Universit y Philippines Los Baños Council of Student Leaders declared a universitywide strike alongside growing calls for a nationwide academic break raised by students from other institutions. Similar to de Belen, Sanggunian Commissioner on Socio-Political Development Jake Consing notes that the statements issued by the University merely acknowledge the gravity of the political situation in the country. “I understand that Ateneo as an institution is non-partisan but I feel like... a line... has to be drawn between [non-partisanship] and your responsibility as an institution that forwards faith that does justice,” he says. Likewise, Ugnayan ng mga Makabayang Guro sa Ateneo (UMAGA) member Michael Pante expresses that some faculty members were adamant in showing public support, especially following the University’s initial statement. He explains that the University’s unclear response led to a spectrum of contrasting opinions amongst faculty, but this did not stop UMAGA in publicly supporting the strikers, even with only around 30 members. “There should be a faculty element speaking up...this is not just a matter of students wanting to escape from their requirements,” Pante says. CONTINUED FIGHT For CA representatives, the student strike petition marked a turning point in political engagement in the University. Rodriguez emphasizes that the Ateneo is in a “powerful position” to pressure the government and school administration alike to act up on the issues that plagues Filipino students. Dela Cruz says that the “most effective way” to achieve change is through the upcoming 2022 national elections. He cites that the Office of the Vice President for Social Development and the Sanggunian are already planning programs for voter engagement. These efforts coincide with goals to boost political participation within the community through the BluePrint for Socio-Political Engagement—a plan that aims to foster “grassroots socio-political engagement in the [Ateneo].” St i l l, S chola r ’s S ec tor Representative Jubert Calamba argues that waiting for the elections could only be afforded by those who have “enough safety nets” and trust in the electoral process. “Marami iyung nararamdaman iyung effect ng negligence ng government. Bakit sila maghihintay pa ng susunod na election para lang [mag palit ng] government (There are many who feel the effect of the government’s negligence. Why would they wait for the next elections for a change in government),” Calamba says. As Filipinos continue to confront the devastating effects of the COV ID -19 pandemic, the Ateneo community’s contentions with the mass student strike petition reveal the need for sustained dialogue—especially on enacting change within and beyond University confines.
Breaking notions BY RUSSELL LOUIS KU AND FRANCIS CAIGA
AS THE Ateneo student strike amassed national attention, experts from outside the Ateneo community, Political Scientist Cleve Arguelles and Sociologist Athena “Ash” Presto weigh in on the protest and its impact on future youth movements. Arguelles describes the strike coming from Ateneo as unusual for the University is perceived to be “secluded” from the general public. However, such movements are not unique to the Philippine context. He describes it as a “rediscovery” of con f rontationa l tactics currently seen through prodemocr ac y movements in countries such as Thailand and Hong Kong, where young people resist authoritarian rule despite efforts to stif le dissent. “ You ng people a re less likely to be responsive to these threats... because they are less likely to have obligations or responsibilities [such as having a] family,” Arguelles explains. Despite this, he says that the student strike was badly received by the general public who remain supportive of the Duterte administration, as Ateneans were viewed as the “liberal elites” or dilawans that supporters renounce. Similarly, Presto says that the government has always possessed a counterprogressive mindset in reaction to student movements, reinforcing the idea that st udents shou ld rema i n i n t he cla ssroom rather than engaging in civil societ y. “The government’s response just shows how it can delineate bet ween the sectors who are able to make demands—and what demands t hese sec tors ca n ma ke,” she states. Presto also insists that people should recognize students’ demands as another way of exercising their education, emphasizing that the current education system is neo-liberal where corporate employees
are produced in lieu of citizens t h at wou ld help ch a n g e the country. However, Arguelles argues that perceptions on education’s purpose differ among citizens, as society is composed of people who live in different generations and therefore have var y ing ex per iences. To illustrate, he mentions that professors may generally view education as an ex perience conf ined within the classroom, whereas students may view it as a holistic formation that is responsive to the developments around them. The recent student strike petition is a clear example of an event that signals a renewed desire within students to bring change at the national level. Arguelles notes that the youth have realized that elections and other democratic processes are no longer enough. With students continuing to rise against different faces of oppressions, confrontational yout h movements shou ld be seen for what it is — a symptom of democracy rather than an ailment.
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The government’s response just shows how it can delineate between the sectors who are able to make demands—and what demands these sectors can make. ASH PRESTO SOCIOLOGIST
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lnquiry
For public consumption
PHOTOS BY BETTINA CUAN
Transparency concerns have been raised in view of the Central Assembly’s seeming delay in publicizing their bills and resolutions on their official website. BY SEAN D. CARBALLO AND CHRISTIANNA P. LUGOD
A S T H E L oyola S chools continue its shift to the online sphere, student democracy is not exempt from this process. The Central Assembly (CA), as the legislative arm of the Sanggunian, is responsible for crafting and deliberating on legislatures that uphold the student body’s multi-sectoral interests—including those of scholars, athletes, and student organizations, among others. In ef fect, ensuring transparency to the community is crucial for the CA. Article 22, Section 2 and Article 25, Sections 1 and 2 of the Code of Leg islat ive P rocedu res (CLP) offer insight into the expectations for the Central A s s embly ’s t r a n s p a renc y. Despite these stipulations, the CA continuously faces challenges in connecting to t he commu nit y t hey seek to represent. BONES IN THE THROAT The CLP dictates that the CA must upload bills and resolutions to the Sanggunian website in a timely fashion, creating a comprehensive archive for the interested public’s reference. Despite these prov isions, delays in uploading the needed documents prevail. This becomes immediately evident given that the last resolution to be publicized on the Sanggunian website, Resolution No. 11, was uploaded to the website more than eight months ago on May 27, 2020. With the transition to an online setting, the Sanggunian has made efforts to streamline their content into a website as opposed to merely posting on Facebook, as commented upon by Sanggunian Vice President Kat Moreno. However, with regard to the publishing of Sanggunian Acts, there are still hurdles to be
resolved internally. “We passed a number of bills since then. We reached 15-20 [bills] last year,” she says. Moreno adds that the delays result from the lack of a dedicated website for CA due to the lack of an internal digital development team. Moreno further notes that time constraints, the CA officers’ academic responsibilities, and the string of typhoons last November all contributed to the delay. However, she provides a hopeful outlook on the website relaunch, as the uploaded resolutions will be available on the website by March 2021—five months after the website was rescheduled to relaunch. She mentions that students can also expect to find minutes and concept notes from the Sanggunian, all of which will undergo a content audit that is being developed by the CA as of writing. With regard to transparency concerns, Ateneo Student Judicial Court (SJC) Chief Magistrate Nicole Tolentino notes that the delays in updating the official Sanggunian website are not violations to the CLP because the circumstances are not grave. Moreover, she says that the Sanggunian’s publicization of passed resolutions through the body’s alternative channels (such as social media) are undeniably efforts towards transparency. “We (the SJC) send them memos to remind them to circulate the Consti through the student body,” she adds. With these circumstances, Tolentino emphasizes the importances of following through with publicizing resolutions on their website “given that [it was] created [...] to officially promu lg ate a ll per t inent documents in the first place.” CA Secretariat Gian Abalos also observed that CA lacks
its own social media platform. Consequently, announcements made by the Sanggunian’s executive and legislative branches get mixed up easily, which may hamper efficiency and clarity. He adds that the launching the CA Facebook page will most likely occur sometime during the Sanggunian elections season to make way for a clean slate in the student government. “I’ll take every opportunity to begin discussions to make [a] soft launch happen before elections,” he states. Council of Organizations of the Ateneo - Manila (COA-M) President Patricia Aquino adds that branding is one of CA’s points for improvement. She mentions the CA’s website, live streams, transparency, and communication as factors that allow the student body to directly engage with them. IN PRACTICUM The CA officers unanimously observed that Ateneans are largely unaware of the CA’s purpose. Tolentino says that this problem persists due to the divergent needs of students. “We can understand that the recognition kind of lessens over time because students are more focused with academics, so being a part or even recognizing the student government wouldn’t be their priority,” she explains. Hence, there appears to be a lack of engagement with student constituencies. To illustrate the importance of student engagement in policy making, Ateneo Resident Students Association (ARSA) President and Student Representative Anton Burog describes the difficulty of getting student dormers to respond due to varying concerns. According to him, it is now difficult for ARSA legislation to gain momentum.
This may now pose a challenge to student representation as a whole. As the student government branch responsible for creating policies for the LS community, the CA is in charge of deliberating draft bills submitted by different representatives alongside their legislative teams. Once passed, bills will be considered as acts— or more formally known as a Sanggunian Act (SA). Another example of the CA’s outputs as defined by the CLP are resolutions, a “[...] a non-binding legislation that is used to express the position of a representative.” Abalos mentions that the CLP is currently being amended to meet the needs of both the members of CA and the student body. The revised CLP aims to formalize the reorganization of the CA’s internal structure, which will effectively establish more specialized subunits for communications and creatives. Abalos hopes that this will allow for a more stable and efficient structure which will bleed into more public awareness about the CA. The revised CLP will also include an SA which formally allows non-CA members to approach their sector representatives with concerns and issues that may be raised through a draft bill. In the drafting of the proposal, a consultative body composed of non-CA members will also scrutinize the proposed bills and provide their own input. Abalos notes that this will allow for CA processes to be more accessible to the student body and likewise provide students with more opportunities to participate in the legislative process. As the Sanggunian continues to adapt students’ representation in a remote setup, digital transparency becomes a key factor in encouraging Ateneans to further partake in civic duty.
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The nature of how classes are conducted this school year makes it even more important that they fulfill the updating of their website, given that the Sanggunian created it in order to officially promulgate all pertinent documents in the first place.
NICOLE TOLENTINO CHIEF MAGISTRATE OF THE ATENEO STUDENT JUDICIAL COURT
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EDITOR: RAPHAEL C. DELA CRUZ LAYOUT ARTIST: JULIA SANTOS
Beyond Loyola
CONDEMNED TO CRISIS Although 82,000 persons deprived of liberty were released to temper the spread of COVID-19 cases in correctional facilities, challenges of unemployment, poverty, and prejudice for PDLs continue to loom ahead.
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Next in line BY KIANA ALTOVEROS, FELICITY C. SANTOS, AND PATRICIA NICOLE M. MEJIA
ILLUSTRATION BY JANIS M. VILLAVICENCIO
DESPITE MASS immunization initiatives beg inning a rou nd t he world, vaccine distribution in the Philippines remains muddled with seemingly misa lig ned initiatives. The strategic allocation of v acc i ne doses to specific sectors continues to draw immense public attention amid the COVID19 global pandemic. Contrary to projections of procuring a vaccine by December 2020, only Pfizer-BioNTech, Bharat Biotech, and AstraZeneca have applied for emergency use authorization in the Philippines as of January 2021. With a cumulative COV ID -19 case cou nt of over 500,000, this leaves the countr y in a vulnerable position where key decisions to protect the forecasted overwhelmed health sector must be made. Policy guided by experts and compliance with existing scientif ic protocols are further necessitated with the vaccines expected to roll out by the end of February. APPOINTMENT SET In the Philippines, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of E m e r g i n g I n fe c t i o u s Diseases (IATF-EID) and the Department of Health (DOH) are responsible for determining prioritization areas for the COVID-19 vaccine. The Philippine National COVID-19 Vaccination Deploy ment Pla n released in January further delineates the priority groups for vaccine distribution. Since vaccine supply will not be enough to immediately cover the Filipino adult population, the entire deployment plan is expected to occur throughout 2021 to 2023. Supply is to be distributed in
phases with regional priority being determined by number of active cases. In line with this, University of Santo Tomas Pediatric Infectious Disease Chief Dr. Benjamin Co stated, “[The country needs] to go with the highest risk first because they are the ones that will overwhelm the health system.” He added that the amount of doses, wastage produced, and rising COVID-19 cases should also be considered when assessing the vaccination program’s feasibility. The u ndersupply of COVID-19 vaccines may inhibit the inoculation of the majority population, highlighting the importance of a prioritization system to secure the safety of the most vulnerable. E ve n pr ior to t he development of a national v a c c i n at ion ro a d m ap, the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines in the country remains clouded w it h cont rovers y a nd debate. Last December, members of the Presidential Secu r it y Group (PSG) were among the first to be immunized w ith an unauthorized vaccine— stirring up conf licting remarks on the national g over n ment ’s v acc i ne distribution in the country. Those in the hea lth sector have also expressed t he i r d i s a pp oi nt me nt on the public handling of the vaccine situation, as prominent politica l f i g u res de fended t he PSG controversy. This encourages distrust among medical workers on the nat iona l gover n ment’s ability to prioritize their safety amidst the global health crisis. BOOSTER SHOTS As the administration continues to face issues regarding immunization, various localgovernment units (LGU) have announced allocatedfunds for vaccination.
Ateneo De velopment Studies Lecturer Czarina Medina-Guce noted the limits and differences of LGUs’ fiscal capacity as their budget ranges from Php 10 million to Php 1 billion. “The pandemic situation is different per locality,” she said, noting that some localities have to depend on strict travel restr ictions because of i n s u f f ic ie nt lo c a l healthcare facilities and human resources. While President Rodrigo Duterte stated that the national government will “not interfere in all things related to the purchase,” other agencies emphasized a different approach. The D OH , Na t ion a l Ta s k Force Against COVID-19, and the Food and Drug Administration clarified that—while the efforts of LGUs are appreciated— they cannot procure and administer vaccines on their own to ensure that their efforts align with the national government’s direction. This is done through the tr ipa r tite agreement, wherein LGUs are mandated to constantly coordinate with the three aforementioned agencies. The confusion created from the deadlock between L GUs a nd e x e c ut i v e depa r tments f u r t her aggravates fears that the country is lagging behind in t he globa l v accine race. The competition among countries, f u nd ing constra ints, a nd inconsistencies among government units place the success of the national COV ID -19 response in jeopardy. PRIORITY LANE I n a dd it ion to t he LGUs’ pla n of vaccine acquisition, pr ivate entities have decided to make a move in an effort to resuscitate the Philippine economy in 2021. During
t he S t r a tb a s e A l b e r t del Rosa r io Instit ute’s P i l ip i n a s C o n fe r e n c e 2020, Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Aug usto Zobel de Ayala expressed his belief that vaccines w ill inf luence consumer confidence and consu mpt ion to boost economic growth. I n No ve mb e r, o ve r 3 0 busi ness ma g nates sea led a dea l w ith the government that involved t he acqu isit ion of 2 .6 million AstraZeneca doses, and the donation of half of the doses for government use. Presidential Adviser for E nt r e p r e n e u r s h ip Joey Concepcion further declared that more than 2 0 0 c omp a n ie s h a v e committed to the second batch of A st r a Z enec a vaccine procurement. As of January, the Ayala Group has announced their plans to acquire 450,000 AstraZeneca doses, with the remaining half a c c e s s i ble to pr i v ate ind iv idua ls who a re w illing to purchase the said vaccine. In hindsight, the private sector’s vaccine procu rement in itiative provides easy access to the elite and strays away from the national vaccination deployment plan. “I have no u ndersta nd ing why they are securing vaccines for and on behalf of the Filipinos,” Co admitted, specif y ing that the government has already received loans from the World Bank and the Asian Development Ba n k for vaccine acquisition. He f ur ther described the initiative as elitist considering that vaccine resources are scarce and data on t he v acci ne’s ef f icac y a nd sa fet y on the pediatric population r e m a i n s i n s u f f ic ie nt . “When you do that, you deprive other people who need it most and need it more,” Co argued.
TARGETS TO HIT Amid efforts by LGUs and corporate magnates to aid national response, Co noted the significance of ensuring transparency and accuracy in administrative decisions to improve public conf idence dur ing the pandemic. While the Pulse Asia 2020 survey attested to good public approval in the administration’s pandemic response, he argued that public mistrust has become more evident than ever. “The decisionma k ing shou ld be by somebody who knows what the health sector is about,” Co emphasized. Contrary to the rush of acquiring vaccine doses, Co highlighted that the im mu n izat ion process involving two-dose COVID19 vaccines should be cautious and tactical. “There is a probability that they’re really never going to come back, either nasaktan siya o nag-fever, natakot, hindi na ‘yan babalik (the patient will potentially not return because they were hurt, contracted a fever, or felt scared),” Co added. While it is the primary goal of several countries to achieve herd immunity at this stage of the pandemic, Co declared that the public should recognize that “it is not the only solution to curbing the pandemic.” He mentioned that health measures such as physical distancing, air ventilation in public places, a nd wearing of masks should still be prioritized. In the end, whichever approach is taken by the n at ion a l g over n ment , public trust is instrumental to the success of the COV ID -19 response. Hav ing a cent r a liz ed, efficient, and transparent system for procurement and distribution may provide assurance to Filipinos that the government will be able to deliver a safe vaccine.
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Beyond Loyola
Silent as empty homes
Seeds of discontent BY ZACHARY C. GONZALES AND DERYN VENTILACION
BY ZACHARY C. GONZALES AND DERYN VENTILACION ILLUSTRATION BY SAM SACLUTI
ARMED CONFLICT and violent clashes continually threaten public safet y in Mindanao, forcing thousands to f lee their homes. In Maguindanao alone, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) launched multiple attacks against the police, the military, and civilians in December 2020. These attacks, including the arson of 13 homes of indigenous peoples, have displaced at least 1,300 families. However, national ne w s out le t s have provided little to no coverage on the situation in Maguindanao and its consequences on peace and security in the region. COMMUNICATION IS KEY In t he absence of ma inst rea m cover a ge for regional issues, the capability of the media to fulfill its civic duties is uncertain. Major news outlets play a crucial role in the democratic process, as they serve as the bridge between government and citizenry. As such, their overarching inf luence determines which issues are discussed on a national scale and which ones are not. The A nti-Ter ror ism Law protests in June 2020 revealed the national news outlets’ tendency to focus on Manila’s events. This city-centric reporting is a result of a Manila-based target audience, limited time slots, and geographical restrictions. Profit-oriented media enterprises further perpetuate selection bias by choosing convenient stories that attract viewers and advertisers. M a i n s t re a m me d i a has attempted to address imbalances in reportage by incorporating local news stations and citizen journalism into their news stories. However, while local media is expected to raise
underreported issues in provincial areas, their reach is limited compared to that of mainstream outlets. F u r t her more, press freedom-related issues like the closure of the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group pose a threat to these sources of local stories. SHADOW OF DOUBT As a consequence of a predominantly Manilacentric media, regional stories are relegated and confined to locally robust yet nationally obscure regional outlets. This finite coverage of regional news sets the precedent for issues that never see the national limelight. Left to transpire under the radar, overdue shock from the public may greet the issue weeks or months after it had already happened. Civilians invariably bear the brunt of destruction in most conf lict sit uations, e s p e c i a l l y i n Ma g u i nda nao. The aforementioned burning of IP homes and resulting displacement of thousands of families is a tragedy, but inadequate coverage and national cognizance of the issue is arguably another tragedy in itself. “[ L a c k] of pu bl ic awareness inhibits a p u b l i c response to the problem, and raises major questions about how jou r na l ists a nd me d i a e x p e r t s c a n more effectively sound the a la r m,” echoes a Un ited S t ates s t ud y on the decimation of local journalism. As regional news goes unnoticed by the nation’s prying eyes, the issues they tell are also left to fe s te r u nob s t r uc te d . As long as these critical issues are hindered to elicit a response from the capable public, conflict will continue, homes will burn, and people will struggle behind the screen.
ILLUSTRATION BY JAYCOB BUSTAMANTE
DESPITE DECLINING conflict incidents in 2019, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) continues to experience extremist violence. Provinces in the region were wracked by suicide bombings, the Islamic State g roup’s persistent recr u itment of youth and women, and violent extremism’s continued growth behind the shadows. These acts of terror continue to litter Mindanao today. December 2020 alone saw Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) members assault military and law enforcement assets in Maguindanao on three different occasions. Attacks by the New People’s Army, Abu Sayyaf, and other rebel groups continue to bleed over places such as Surigao del Norte and Tawi-Tawi well into the new year. Citing the urgent need to strengthen the law on antiterrorism, President Rodrigo Duterte called for the immediate passage of the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL) in June. Although the bill-turned-law came to effect one month later, its lawfulness remains subject to debate at the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, recent developments in Mindanao contribute little to the ATL’s cause as peacebuilding-rhetoric shifts to calls for discussions on stronger institutions instead of stronger bills. ON THE OFFENSIVE In the face of armed violence, the Philippine government is well-equipped with a plethora of instruments—martial and legal—to help curb prevailing acts of terror. At the forefront of upholding national security are the military and law enforcement. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police and regional police, intelligence-gathering bodies, and other related assets work together to neutralize all terror threats. A recent example of this was the December 29 joint antidrug operation between the police and military, which led
to the death of a member of ISinspired Soccsksargen Khatiba, a DI sub-group. Prior to this, a joint operation saw the killing of the sub-group’s leader and three other terror suspects. Another instrument that has recently joined the Philippine government’s arsenal is the controversial ATL. Bolder than its predecessor, the Human Security Act, the ATL’s ratif ication eased safeguards so as to deftly pursue terror groups and the establishment of the Anti-Terror Council (ATC). Before the turn of the new year, the ATC designated the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army as terrorist groups. However, continued clashes and intensified violence in Mindanao do little to allay questions of the aforementioned instruments’ effectivity. If any, they are only poised to exacerbate the situation. ANOTHER MARAWI With frontline agencies and the ATL implementing countermeasures against terrorism, collaboration between these actors may prove to be a key factor in the fight against terrorism. Political Science Professor Jennifer Santiago Oreta, PhD, argued that “the area...that needs to be improved…[is] the partnership of the intelligence community and the law enforcement units.” While the ATL offers stronger legal ammunition, it cannot replace institutional reform and thorough intelligence work. A need for more robust institutions is evidenced by the AFP when they released intel that falsely red-tagged various University of the Philippines alumni. Hostilities also rose between the police and the military last June when several policemen killed four military intelligence officers in Jolo, Sulu. The ATL attempts to address this incongruence with the designation of the ATC as the coordinating body. However, its effectiveness as a legal instrument is still dependent on the individual capacity of
the frontline agencies. As Oreta noted, cooperation would be futile if frontline agencies are unable to produce competent intelligence networks and useful information. Without the assurance that the ATL will improve the authorities’ case building capacity, frontline agencies are challenged to strengthen their intelligence bodies. “The law is simply a law, but the major problem we have really is the capacity of our agencies to address the problem of terrorism on the ground,” said Oreta. INVISIBLE BATTLES T he c ou nt r y ’s c u r re nt c o u nt e r t e r r or i s m e f for t s focus on m ilita r y a nd counterterrorism operations. However, the complexities of terrorism create a dilemma outside the battlefield where military and legal instruments are inapplicable. The struggle to eliminate ter ror ism in the long-term is where the i ntersec t ion a l it y bet ween frontline agencies is crucial. For instance, Oreta explained that convicted terrorists must be separated from other inmates in jail to deter recruitment, a duty of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penolog y under the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Otherwise, frustration against the government and the promise of livelihood create a fertile ground for indoctrination.
Meanwhile, rehabilitation ser v ices a nd recr u itment prevention should also be extended to local communities as social networks play a large role in generating support for armed groups. According to the Development Alternatives Incorporated’s 2018 study, family and community bonds influence radicalization more than any other social or economic factor. As such, Oreta stressed that “rehabilitation should not [only] focus...on the members of terror organization[s], but also it should involve the community because this is your pool of recruits.” Implementing initiatives to combat the influence of terror groups in their localities is an obligation of local government units (LGU). As frontline agencies, LGUs must take comprehensive measures to prevent radical ideologies from penetrating communities. This localized influence underlines the need for cooperation, suggesting that the f ight against terrorism does not end with incarceration. While the ATL does provide useful provisions in fighting terrorism, it is no silver bullet. Extremism will continue to cripple the countr y if the weaknesses in the country’s terror approach and intelligence community are left unanswered. Without proactive government interventions, acts of terror like the incidents in Maguindanao and the Marawi Siege will be recurring events.
The [Anti-Terrorism] law is simply a law, but the major problem we have really is the capacity of our agencies to address the problem of terrorism on the ground. DR. JENNIFER S. ORETA PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
The GUIDON | January - February 2021
Condemned to crisis BY ALEXANDRA L. GRANTOZA AND TROY G. TARRIELA ILLUSTRATION BY SAM DELLOMAS
HUNDREDS OF jail facilities nationwide greeted the New Year quietly. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penolog y (BJMP) had no cases of violence to report, yet police officers watched all inmates intently. Amid heightened alert and tightened security protocols in Philippine prisons, issues including massive congestion and institutional efficiency in rehabilitating and reintegrating persons deprived of liberty (PDL) back into society continue to fill public discourse. CRACKS IN THE SYSTEM Overcrowding in national correctional facilities has persisted for decades. Among the attempts to address this was OPLAN decongestion, which was launched in 1993 to provide detention prisoners with fair and speedy trials. This program points to the reality that 75.1% of PDLs are pre-trial detainees—translating to thousands of PDLs detained in correctional facilities without fair trial. This figure grows even more sinister as 50% of these PDLs are detained in correctional facilities for over 250 days. In an inter view with the GUIDON, Chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group Chairman Atty. Chel Diokno attributed the criminal justice system’s delays to the lack of judges and prosecutors. He explained that the system suffers from a vacancy of judges and prosecutors at approximately a rate of 20% and 34% respectively, which leads to delayed justice. Aside from an understaffed system, correctional facilities con f ront a f ra g mented administration. Lead Paralegal Officer of the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation (HLAF) Juanito Vinluan pointed out that standards and practices among correctional facilities varied, as well as lacked categorized programs that address PDLs’
rehabilitative needs. Vinluan added that the abiding and primary mandate of jails consists of containing persons who have committed crimes against society. Furthermore, HLAF Social Worker Wendell Manaloto explained that jails lack standards that measure PDLs’ preparedness for reintegration upon release. As long as PDLs’ finished their sentences, they would simply be released back into society. Recognizing these issues in the system, legislators met in September 2020 to discuss several bills that sought to amend the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990. The amendment proposed to transfer the administration of provincial jails to the BJMP. I nter ior S ec re t a r y A ño supported the proposed transfer. “It’s just logical that all provincial jails in the country be integrated under BJMP, as this will prompt a more standard implementation of policies for our jails,” he said. In this regard, the potential transfer of correctional facility administration may be a step towards addressing the shortcomings of the system. LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES Identifying the stakeholders involved in improving the system plays an integral role in ensuring the accessibility of justice. Vinluan pointed out that local governments must resolve issues and crime on the community level; however, they prefer not to involve themselves directly. “Most of them don’t pursue restorative justice, they are more punitive with their approach, diretso referral to the police,” he said. Vinluan further emphasized that rehabilitation efforts are for naught if there are no coordinated efforts to reintegrate PDLs. “Mismong pamilya, mismong ahensya ng gobyerno, mismong job
opportunity tumatalikod sa kanila, ano yung tinitignan nating ending ngayon? It is a cycle of repetitive crime, kasi walang sasalo.” (If family, government agencies, and companies turn their backs on PDLs what are we left with? It’s a cycle of repetitive crime, because no one supports them). Moreover, persistent stigma fosters discrimination—often resulting to greater social divides and PDLs’ reduced employability. “Di pa nakakapagsimula ang tao nandoon na ang judgment na wala na siyang pag-asang magbago (Even before they get a chance, PDLs already face judgment t h at t he y c a n’ t c h a n g e),” Manaloto lamented. For Vinluan, the perils of a fragmented system and the stigma against PDLs are issues far too harmful to ignore. He stressed that these issues reveal the need for Congress to pass a reintegration act that will mandate correctional facilities to implement programs tailor-fit to PDLs’ rehabilitation vand reintegration needs. Diokno confirmed that efforts to draft such legislation are underway. Amid the system’s continued struggle to hurdle health issues and a humanitarian crisis, the national budget appears to have allocated meager funds for correctional facilities. With no end to the COVID-19 pandemic in sight, the system’s festering ails linger on. As of 2020, the Philippines’ criminal justice system ranks 112th worldwide—revealing the need not only to implement legislation that guarantees the proper reintegration of PDLs back into society, but also to reassess the correctional facilities’ core mandates. In enforcing their multifaceted functions, correctional facilities can move from solely detaining criminals to serving a much higher purpose: Facilitating the holistic growth of those behind bars.
Mismong pamilya, mismong ahensya ng gobyerno, mismong job opportunity tumatalikod sa kanila, ano yung tinitignan nating ending ngayon? It is a cycle of repetitive crime, kasi walang sasalo. JUANITO VINLUAN LEAD PARALEGAL OFFICER HUMANITARIAN LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION
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Beyond Loyola
Farm to table BY KRIS M. FETIZA AND JUSTINE RAMIREZ
WITH MORE than 70% of the Philippine economy being consumer-reliant, the COVID19 lockdown has brought an unprecedented economic crisis as businesses struggle to stay afloat in the face of decreased customer f low. The agrifood industry, in particular, has been experiencing disruptions in the supply and demand components of the food system. Given the recent strain on food distribution, agriculturalists are pushed to adapt the food system to a “new normal”—a setting with restricted mobility. As an industry faced with crop surplus and the continued mandate to bring produce to families’ tables, the food system may unlock new doors through e-commerce. THE VIRTUAL MARKET Although the agrifood industry visibly suffered due to COVID19 , its v u lner abi lit ies a re not new. Quezon City (QC) Sustainable Development Affairs Unit Head and QC Food Security Task Force co-chairperson Emmanuel Velasco stated that the food system, which pertains to the f low of food from producers to con su mer s , h a s b een
grappling with food insecurity even before the pandemic. Velasco stated that prior the possibility of transitioning agri-food businesses online was already considered before the lockdown, but online shopping and e-wallets were popular only among younger generations. However, Velasco noted that out of necessity, older generations have now adapted transactions to the online setting. Alongside this, the emergence of online platforms for agritrade has heightened to further ensure food availability and accessibility, as well as protect vulnerable communities from the virus. For instance, the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched e-commerce website eKadiwa to facilitate the exchange of per ishable goods. Velasco said that Viber and Facebook communit y groups in QC have b e e n f a c i l it a t i n g neighborhoods’ bulk purchases of fresh produce. SHAKY GROUND While agricultural e-commerce pre s ent s t he pro s p e c t of sec tor a l g row t h a nd food s e c u r it y, its promise of
E-commerce may be the solution to the agrifood industry’s long-rooted issues, but it is only one of many.
ILLUSTRATION BY M. MIRABUENO accessibilit y is subject to question. According to a n I nteg r ated Food S ec u r it y Phase Classification report, 22 million Filipinos are either severely food-insecure or have had to go one day or longer without eating. Listed as most vulnerable to food insecurity in the report are “landless poor households, indigenous people, [and the] population eng a ged in u nsusta inable livelihood strategies.” Velasco surmised that these food-insecure sectors might hardly benefit as consumers of online markets, and that such innovations are moot to those who cannot access the goods for sale. Another hurdle is that online shops will require physical w a rehou si n g for s tor a g e . Besides this, Velasco stated that farmers may be pushed to increase their produce in order
Tools in the cabinet BY PIOEE B. BASSIG AND JERIKA P. UY ILLUSTRATION BY ANDY GRANDA
AS THE Philippines began securing vaccine deals, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. accused Health Secretary Francisco Duque III of “dropping the ball” on a vaccine deal with Pfizer. The friction between these two Cabinet secretaries may point to potentially faulty collaboration between their agencies.
In light of recent developments, President Rodrigo Duterte has only reaffirmed his trust in Duque despite the latter admitting to the persistence of corruption in the Department of Health (DOH). Duque has responded to calls for his resignation, asserting that “[Cabinet members] all serve at the pleasure of the president.” These events have underscored the need to clarify the president’s relationship with his Cabinet secretaries and how the latter ought to uphold their mandate. ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN Political Science instructor Gino Trinidad described the Cabinet as “the president’s alter ego.” They are composed of executive departments’ heads, each at the forefront of carrying out executive functions and facilitating policy implementation. Government a g e nc ie s a r e i ne v it a bl y interdependent as matters of national concern often require collaboration between offices. While vaccine procurement is a multifaceted issue, the sectoral nature of agencies is key in deciding which body should take the lead. “For example, the mission is to procure vaccines. The DOH should head that because they [supposedly have the competence]...of checking what should be the best vaccine,” Trinidad said. “But the DOH is not really mandated to, for example, strike deals with other governments or entities.” Trinidad further explained that the president’s legitimacy
to meet the greater demands of e-commerce. Without developed logistics, e - c om me r c e m a y pr o ve unsustainable. Velasco added that this platform must first be developed holistically across all fronts—from production to distribution—to achieve longterm success. Besides logistical issues, current farming methods require innovation such that they match the increased customer demand. Hence, a digitized and mechanized farm sector may not only encourage efficient production, it can also help tackle issues surrounding food security. Velasco also highlighted that an e-commerce review system can foster dynamic relationships b e t we e n pro duc e r s a nd consumers, as farmers will now receive direct feedback on their produce. This brings a clearer channel for communication and
partly relies on the success of Cabinet secretaries, as the latter are appointed solely on the basis of executive prerogative. Though this is the case, Trinidad pointed out that Cabinet members are still bound to their office’s mandate. “Given that they are appointees of the executive, it does not automatically mean that they cannot exercise their autonomy from the president,” he emphasized. Ensur ing that executive appointees can fulfill and stay true to their mandate falls within the functions of the Commission on Appointments (CA), which provides the corresponding check to the presidential appointing power. Headed by the senate president, the CA is composed of 12 senators and 12 house members selected based on proportional representation of parties represented in Congress. The CA rev iews executive appointments, accepting or rejecting them based on the commission’s terms. “The main criteria [are] fitness and merit—whatever [those] mean,” Trinidad said, highlighting the subjectivity that may accompany such decisions. AT THE PRESIDENT'S PLEASURE Despite the checks and balances between the CA and the president, the latter’s power still holds at the end of the day. “In Philippine politics, persons are important. And the unifying person, of course, is the president,” Trinidad stressed. In a regime like Duterte’s where he enjoys the support of the supermajority in the legislature, existing checks and balances may prove limited.
accountability between both ends of the food system, ensuring consistent and quality goods in turn. Through the collective innovation of the food system, agricultural e-commerce can usher in drastic improvements to the lives of farmers and consumers alike. BUDDING OPPORTUNITY Historically, lines of middlemen held immense control over farmgate and retail prices, as they facilitated key processes such as marketing and distribution. Velasco stressed that even with agricultural e-commerce, middlemen will continue to profiteer the evolving market unless farmers are able to manage their business independently. However, reducing the journey from farm to table to a single or two-step delivery as markets are transitioned online can incur
less costs for farmers—and with this, gradually diminish the middleman’s role in the industry. The QC Food Security Task Force has, among other efforts, cultivated community farms and developed food processing zones for food and input production, food processing, and food trade for capacity-building. Given such initiatives, these communities of urban farmers might approach online marketplaces as producers, reversing their initially strained relationship with marketplaces. E-commerce may be the solution to the agrifood industry’s longrooted issues, but it is only one of many. The DA, along with local government units, must invest in the entire food system and holistically support it. Once these developments are evident in t he food s y stem, t hen e-commerce’s promises will begin to materialize.
Given that they are appointees of the executive, it does not automatically mean that they cannot exercise their autonomy from the president. GINO TRINIDAD INSTRUCTOR DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE In the Philippines, a weak partylist system is a contributing factor to the president’s strong sway, according to Trinidad. Instead of their parties, politicians work in terms of personalities. This weakens party identity and par t y-building, which makes shifting parties—and ultimately ideologies—easier for government officials. B e c a u s e o f D u t e r t e ’s supermajority, it is expected that most of the members of the CA and the Cabinet will share certain ideals and values with him. This ideological alignment may aid in the efficiency of the decisionmaking process, but the lack of opposition could breed a hostile environment for anyone with dissenting opinions. The president then becomes even more influential since the weak party-list system, coupled with the supermajority he enjoys, affords him more control over policies, programs, or laws. “[The supermajority] might facilitate a lot of things, but efficiency here does not always
mean that it is the right decision,” Trinidad argued. Regardless, Trinidad pointed out that the Cabinet and the CA should be separate and impartial for checks and balances to work. However, the president’s solid authority over the legislature has proven that certain things may be overlooked, such as the militaristic response to crises such as the pandemic. Furthermore, the primacy of the president’s wishes has also prevented officials, such as Duque, from being held accountable. “It does not also help much that the President uncritically somehow accepts the performance of the Health secretary, at least in this very specific context,” Trinidad said. The character of the Cabinet and the CA both reflect a kind of governance that is increasingly undemocratic as there is less and less space for the opposition. While dissent is critical to the current context, the avenues for pushing back seemingly continue to grow sparse.
VEGANUARY: CHANGING THE PLATE FOR 30 DAYS Behind “meat-free” labels stuck on fast food plant-based options is veganism’s call for awareness and consciousnessof one’s plate.
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EDITOR: KEZIAH MARU Z. PASION LAYOUT ARTIST: KAITLYN W. MERCADO
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Acclimating to a wilting world With the practice of flower-giving now diminished, the floral industry struggles to cope with the challenges induced by the pandemic. BY JULLIA G. CHEN AND LIAM ISAIAH LAO ILLUSTRATION BY CAMERON POLINTAN
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Halos walang namimili. Halos 'di kami maka-ipon ng pang-upa para sa upa ng puwesto. ARNOLD CORPUZ CO-OWNER OF AR-WIND’S FLOWER SHOP
NO MATTER how tricky love can get, there is no misunderstanding a bouquet of flowers. The tradition of giving flowers has been rooted in the belief that they do the speaking for us. Formally known as floriography, the language of flowers finds its roots in Ottoman T u rkey, a nd subsequently bloomed in Victorian England as an act of covert communication. Giving f lowers held different meanings, with def initions being set in stone through flower dictionaries. Since then, flowers have served as a lingua franca. This practice has fueled the floral industry, as it facilitates an entire language through important events and holidays. According to local flower farm and retailer Island Rose, the demand for flowers during the Valentine’s Season is six times that of a regular month, marked by a 3o% price increase for red roses. They also stated that 6o% of their transactions are flowers for spouses and loved ones. Today, however, the f loral industry finds itself in dire straits. The 8.5 billion dollar industry came crashing down as the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled events around the globe and distanced f lorists from lovers alike. While florists in countries such as the United States have evolved to fit the new context, how have their Filipino counterparts been coping in the wake of a nationwide lockdown? WILTED AND WITHERED Past all the symbolism and definitions, flowers are meant to show appreciation and bring joy. Be it to the recipient, the giver, or even the florist, flower-giving is an experience enjoyed by all as emotions are brought to life. Joseph’s Flower Shop owner Jov y Ombrog has expressed her contentment with the job despite the challenges and unpredictability that marked the floral industry even before the pandemic. “[I enjoy] being able to meet different people and hearing their amazing
love stories,” she shares. “A lot of clientele purchase [bouquets] because they want to surprise their loved ones even without occasion. For some people, it’s their way of saying sorry.” Lately, however, the COVID19 pandemic has limited the expression of love through f lowers. Ombrog shares that sales have dropped abruptly since the pandemic halted events and operations in the middle of their peak season last year. Arnold Corpuz, co-owner of Ar-Wind’s Flower Shop, shares similar sentiments. “Halos walang namimili. Halos 'di kami maka-ipon ng pang-upa para sa upa ng puwesto (There’s barely anyone buying [flowers]. We can barely save up enough for the rent here),” he says. Corpuz adds that they have struggled to maintain their workforce throughout the pandemic, resulting in layoffs as quarantine measures show few signs of being lifted. Both Corpuz and Ombrog have also adjusted the wages of their employees to keep their businesses afloat. Corpuz further shares that their sales drastically plummeted when they lost their loyal customers. “Ang laki ng pinagbago [ng kinikita namin.] Tulad ngayon, wala na kaming mga restaurant na client, ‘yung nagcacater. ‘Yun yung mga malalakas naming client [kaya] naging mahirap na talaga (There’s a big difference in our income. Currently, we do not have clients from restaurants that cater. They are one of our most trusted clients, which is why this has been difficult for us),” he says. Similarly, Ombrog has struggled with the cancellation of events and orders from regular clients. “We rely on walk-ins nowadays. A regular weekday usually has no significant sales. Some of our customers are seafarers, maybe they’ve been affected by the pandemic. Some might have been [laid off], leaving us with fewer profits,” she shares. However, decreased demand did not solely affect florists in the metro—suppliers from provinces
like Benguet also struggle to keep up with the abrupt changes in trends. A supplier for flower markets nationwide, Benguet produces more than 25 million metric tons of fresh flowers each year. One such market, Dangwa in downtown Manila, sources a majority of their flowers from the province and supplies florists like Ombrog and Corpuz. Today, suppliers are deterred from frequenting flower farms due to lockdown restrictions and the dwindling demand for flowers in Metro Manila. Transportation restrictions between borders have also shocked the f lower supply chain, as fresh cut flowers hardly survive the trip. The scarcity of cut flowers has left suppliers no choice but to raise prices, leaving local florists like Ombrog and Corpuz scrambling to maintain their stocks and keep their businesses running. BRAVING THROUGH THORNS Despite the unprecedented withering of the floral industry, flower shop owners manage to make ends meet by tweaking their marketing strategies. With tactics hinged on customers’ needs and preferences during a time of economic recession, sellers promote flower arrangements that are cheaper and more practical. Ombrog notes that one technique they employ to upsell is adding supplementary items to their bouquets. “Customers become more practical [during] this time; [thus,] we are now offering customized bouquets. We incorporated fresh flowers with paper money, chocolates, candies, and more,” she explains. Additionally, Ombrog and her co-workers strive to maintain their low prices despite the shifts in the cost and demand for f lowers. They make this possible by minimizing the waste and expenses that come w ith packag ing. Her shop devised the Bring-your-own-box promo, which offers discounts to customers who bring their own boxes for flower arrangements.
“[This] is a win-win situation for both parties,” Ombrog says. These products are then posted online to reach a wider range of potential customers in an increasingly virtual world. While many flower shops have transitioned to an online setting, some businesses such as Arwind’s Flower Shop have retained their pre-pandemic tactics. According to Corpuz, although they have a Facebook page, it is hardly utilized to advertise their products. Instead, they continue to rely on sales talk strategies and embellishing their display of flowers to attract buyers. “Mahirap na mag-adjust [kasi] halos pareho lang ‘yung ginagawa namin [noong] walang pandemya (It is difficult to adjust now because we are doing almost the same thing we have been doing since before the pandemic),” he divulges. As much as it is taxing to bear the brunt of the industry that has suffered the loss of customers and sales, florists endure the hurdles brought by the pandemic even with diminishing incentives. COMING UP ROSES Amid the bleak state of the industry, flower shop owners and workers are able to withstand setbacks through the faintest tinge of hope they find in minimal profit. While f lorists have been acclimating to these abnormal times, they yearn more than ever for a future where they no longer need to brave the decreased demand for f lowers. “We are hopeful that when this pandemic is over, we can kick in again not just for us but [for] the entire industry [including] the flower farmers, freelance florists, event organizers, and independent flower shops,” Ombrog says. Beyond a stable income, they also aspire to continue being a conveyor of the language of flowers. According to Ombrog, “[We hope we can keep] being [a] part of people’s lives [because] seeing satisfied customers is the most rewarding thing in this line of business.”
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[We hope we can keep] being [a] part of people’s lives [because] seeing satisfied customers is the most rewarding thing in this line of business. JOVY OMBROG OWNER OF JOSEPH’S FLOWER SHOP
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Features
Quaranfling: Connection in isolation Everyone craves to love and be loved in a world calling for people to isolate themselves amidst the quarantine. As quaranflings emerge, the way we understand this new type of relationship is not without its growing pains. BY GABRIELLE CHRISTINA A. CORTES AND JACOB TAMBUNTING
THE WORLD turned into unfamiliar territor y when COVID-19 spread fear throughout the globe. Now, we live in a world where everyone treads the streets in masks and human touch is seen as a luxury. Relationships are not immune to this adjustment, as these new circumstances have changed the dating scene completely. Despite this new era, various social media platforms have given people an opportunity to form connections online. Quaranflings stood in place of physical relationships, and as time progressed, this became a new term in labeling romantic bonds. To uncover the nature of these relationships, Ateneans share their quaranfling stories. FINDING LOVE IN UNEXPECTED TIMES The quaranf ling experience varies from person to person. For Angelo Bernardo (1 AB POS), he had the opportunity to spend time with his quaranfling physically. She was a scholar of his family, which led them to stay in one home and grow closer as the days f lew by. Eventually, Bernardo found himself seeing her as more than a friend. “I liked her and wanted to try out the relationship. [...] I just wanted her to be part of my life, parang ganun,” he explains. On the other hand, Elery Torres (1 AB COM) says that her quaranfling was born out
of yearning for validation. “We were just needy for company because the pandemic was new and everybody was so desperate for comfort from a significant other,” she says. She shares that the pandemic caused her to feel lonely, leading her to use dating applications. Gia Feliciano (1 AB COM) shares the same sentiment as Torres. “It’s been a long time since I was in a relationship, so I felt like I missed the feeling of having someone there,” she remarks. She also expresses how she liked the idea of having someone to run to during difficult times. Regardless of their different reasons for initiating quaranflings, they all felt positive feelings of attraction towards the person they dated. “At the start, it was super f lirty because we had just met and everything was so new. Even the small things I would get so kilig by,” Feliciano says. She adds that they would call occasionally apart from messaging each other. Torres, on the other hand, says that she would also do activities with her quaranfling to simulate what an actual relationship would feel like. “We would bond over interests and people we knew… We would also watch movies together din sometimes,” she explains. While these relationships provide comfort or a sense of kilig that one craves, the foundation
these quaranflings are built on can be unstable—thus, possibly ending in failed relationships. SYNONYMS NOT SIMILAR The way people approach relationships is their journey to take. However, initiating a quaranf ling is, for many, an uncharted territory altogether. Therefore, people may define and interpret quaranflings differently. For Torres, the relationship’s ending was a natural result of the mutual premise it was built upon. “It just stopped. There’s really no reassurance as there is no commitment, no label,” she says. “So when push comes to shove
and there is a confrontation, you have nothing to fight for because at the beginning it was already established that this is all it’s gonna be.” In contrast, when perspectives change or clash, it becomes difficult to spot issues as soon as they surface. For instance, Bernardo’s understanding of the relationship became unclear once he and his partner stopped talking after a falling out incident. He shares that he did something that compromised her trust in him, as they understood the seriousness of their relationship differently. “I was heartbroken and I was also frustrated with
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If it was in real life, I would have probably found out about it a lot sooner because I would have seen the way he acted and his body language. GIA FELICIANO 1 AB COM
myself, I should not have done that,” Bernardo adds. On the other side of the coin, Feliciano felt that her trust in her partner was compromised when she discovered that he was not entirely truthful to her during their quaranfling. “When school started, we started talking again and became friends. I then found out that when we were flirting... he was keeping a secret,” she shares. “This made me change my perception of him, and made me feel that we should not be friends after that point.” T he pa ndem ic contex t compou nds ind iv idua ls’ diff iculties in clearing up such misunderstandings and building trust due to the absence of physical dialogue. Feliciano believes that the unique setting played a significant role in her perception of their interactions. “If it was in real life, I would have probably found out about it a lot sooner because I would have seen the way he acted and his body language,” she says. With the pandemic restrictions now limiting individuals from verifying their partners’ integrity, these circumstances can fuel heartbreak even further. “I still get angry sometimes because I feel so betrayed. So when I remember it or when I tell the story, I still get worked up about it,” Feliciano expresses. For Torres, she believed that the premise of her relationship made
it difficult for them to establish a friendship post-quaranfling. “When you start a relationship just for the sole purpose of it being romance, there’s really nothing to go back to,” she says. “So I feel like if it was in the physical setting and a scenario where we would meet each other and become friends, then siguro by now we would still be friends.” LEARNING AS WE GO Bernardo’s, Torres’, and Feliciano’s relationships reveal that a quaranfling—broad and novel of a label it may be— opens doors to inconsistencies and misunderstandings within relationships without proper dialogue. For Feliciano, finding peace calls for a level of forgiveness on her part. “I am still trying to forgive him for what he did. Although I wish the best for him, I am still kind of mad that it worked out the way it did. [...] I am in the process of finding that peace and the fact that I want the best for him means that I am on the way there,” she says. In pursuit of a semblance of normalcy, we learn to adapt to changes and find new ways to build connections with others. Amid these efforts, however, the str uggles that people face in forming meaningful relationships serve as lessons in navigating the unique context in which we find ourselves.
The GUIDON | January-February 2021
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Veganuary: Changing the plate for 3o days Two vegans and one plant-based advocate attest that it takes 30 days of Veganuary to build a habit, but an everyday challenge to maintain mindful and sustainable eating. BY EALA JULIENNE P. NOLASCO AND CHLOE RUIZ
NO-MEAT vegetarian diets have been around since the 18oos, but to strictly omit animal by-products is another lifestyle altogether. That stricter diet is veganism—no meat, dairy, or animal by-products for ethical, health, and sustainability reasons. Going on a vegan diet, however, is not easy when food industries work around a conventionally carnivorous diet culture. To offer a flexible term, “plantbased” emerges and advocates for a lifestyle that revolves around heavily plant-sourced food. Conveniently timed when New Year’s resolutions are abound, the UK-based one month veganism challenge Veganuary enters the Philippines to paint 2o21 the colors of a meat-free life. Fast food chains are responding left and right, and three plant-based eaters share their community’s woes and hopes. MAKING THE SWITCH To achieve a vegan-world with a cleaner environment free from animal agriculture, Veganuary launched the biggest campaign in 2o2o. The event successfully internationalized with 4oo,ooo participants, 6oo global brands, restaurants, and supermarkets introducing 1,2oo new vegan products. However, taking on the challenge of going vegan must not be done without veganism’s advocacy in mind. By taking any traces of “animal” off the plate, an individual’s
carbon footprint is reduced by up to 73%, pressing the brakes on climate change. Ari Tanglao (1 BS ME), a vegan since October 2o2o and member of Climate Reality, expresses that the animal agriculture industry is a major contributor to climate change. In addition to Tanglao’s discovery on the mistreatment of animals and its environmental impact, improving her health and fitness also urged her to break the meatbased diet chain. Ni n n a Cat ip on ( 3 B S ES) became a vegan and an environmental advocate after coming across two documentaries on animal agriculture and its environmental impact. She says, “[When you see] the impact that we in our current lifestyles have, that’s when you realize: Oh how do we sustain this in the long run?” In the Philippines, making the switch to a vegan diet can be tough as the country’s local menu and sauces are packed with meat. However, fast food chains have recently expanded the country’s meat-free options, making it easier for Filipinos to cut down on meat or even go completely vegan. With more options, those new to veganism might confuse it with plant-based. Kirsten Angeles (3 BS HSc), who is currently sustaining a plant-based pescetarian diet, says that eating plant-based is “having your diet majorly composed of plants...even if you do eat some vegetarian products.”
PLANT-BASED BALANCE Tr ying out veganism or plant-based requires research, fact- checking, and my thcountering. Tanglao shares that veganism owes its lack of popularity to the notion that vegan foods are bland. Angeles suppor ts this, say ing that vegans are portrayed to eat only salads and tofu, leaving them questioned for their protein source. With the rise of alternative meat such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger, the vegan community has gone far to challenge the “lack of taste and protein” notion. These plant-based meats boast comparably high protein content and similar juicy goodness to real meat, minus the guilt of slaughterhouses. However, one thing is clear: Alternative meat is as heavily processed as meat products. The “plant-based” meat of the Philippines’ popular food chains are mostly composed of soy protein and other extenders. On top of that, they are as laden with sodium as other fast-food meat products. On the bright side, alternative meat “raises awareness on what veganism is,” Tanglao notes. It has zero cholesterol and less carbon emissions compared to its meat counterpart. However, the rise in processed vegan foods also cultivates blackand-white thinking on veganism.
PHOTO BY SOLEIL NICOLETTE ILLUSTRATION BY LIA DATILES
A plant-based patty may not have meat, but it does not mean it is necessarily healthy or sustainable given its heavilyprocessed side. Li ke w ise, consuming processed plantbased products does not equate to a “cheat” in veganism. The key to sustainability is dietary open-mindedness and collaboration of vegans and non-vegans. Angeles expresses that there are other ways to be more sustainable without going fully vegan. Supporting industries that provide plantbased alternatives, for instance, may be helpful. However, to fully embody the principles of sustainability, one can begin by being more conscious of how food is sourced and how consumption impacts others.
Pills for self-improvement As self-help gains more traction than ever, a closer look into the practice and industry reveals areas that may be often overlooked.
ILLUSTRATION BY FELIZIA TIBURCIO
BY AISHA C. SAID AND GENESIS JACINTH TAN
DEVELOPING PRODUCTIVE habits, good time-management, or a toned physique—among many others—is an all-toofamiliar aspiration shared across generations. This practice, sourced from an array of books, podcasts, videos, and other mediums, is known as self-help—it has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry dominating bookstore shelves and podcast charts today. As another year begins, many venture into a journey of
self-improvement with widely available resources to supplement the vision of elevating oneself. This reveals the importance of curious users to better understand self-help and either manage or exceed the expectations of their own growth. SEEKING GROWTH The image and possibility of becoming one’s most optimal self has become so enticing that it has motivated an industry to provide information, inspiration, and advice for such a huge audience block. In recent years, the self-help industry’s appeal has
reached so far that its audiobooks hit $769 million in revenue in 2o18, while book sales marked $18.6 million the following year. A mong ind iv idua ls who practice self-help, Luigi Alcañeses (4 BS ME & AB EC-H) recalls his first few initiatives in high school alongside his best friend. They would share “daily to-do lists and weekly accomplishments” in a Facebook group they created for themselves as an accountability and productivity mechanism. Music production sophomore at De La Salle - College of St. Benilde Samantha Chua, another self-help pursuer, shares that her
therapist suggested she try mood tracker journaling to aid in her mental well-being. Currently, she consumes self-help Youtube videos from Psych2Go and HealthyGamerGG to better cope with life, build social skills, and improve confidence. “It helps with introspection and encourages me to be more attentive to how others are feeling,” Chua shares. The tendency to resort to selfhelp is not surprising, as various factors continue to drive the appeal of the industry. Psychology Department Professor Queena Lee-Chua, PhD emphasizes,
POST-VEGANUARY Even after January’s close, veganism and its principle of consciousness and balance should not necessarily end. Although Veganuar y is time-bound, Angeles, Tanglao, and Catipon assert that veganism isn’t just a 3o-day challenge and a life of black-and-white thinking. Veganism is not always about salads and tofu or processed plantbased imitation meat in fast food chains. Rather, it is a constant practice of being more conscious, mindful, and inquisitive of the interconnectedness of people, animals, and the planet. At its core, veganism aims for balance— be it in one’s plate composed of vegetables, protein and a variety of nutrients, or in one’s relationship to one’s body and the environment. “ W hatever sphere of life, people feel that they need some guidance... and they feel the world is a bit turbulent now.” Lee-Chua adds that a lack of holistic education may also be an underlying reason that drives individuals to pursue self-help, a long w it h t he correlation of social media usage to the generation’s growing self-consciousness. There are many factors at play upon one’s immersion into self-improvement. However, both students share the same struggle in recognizing bits of progress. “It really is hard to measure success in the short run, [on] whether it’s paying off,” Alcañeses remarks. Hence, the common imbalance among the consumption, expectation, and application arises. TWO SIDES OF A COIN While many users partake in self-help to unlock an optimized version of themselves, the experience transcends matters of high efficiency and perfect self-esteem. A lcañeses, for instance, has expanded his initial goals of productivity into gratitude journaling and introspection, as he realized the toxicity of social comparison and unrealistic goals. Alcañeses notes that his most recent and impressionable experience was taking the Coursera offering by Laurie Santos named The Science of Well-being over the quarantine. From this, he realized that “the important aspect of self-help is self-care and the most important thing that you can do is also to rest.” As an industry that tends to market itself for life-changing results, Lee-Chua reminds that having unrealistic expectations can be particularly dangerous, as some individuals can end up
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[When you see] the impact that we in our current lifestyles have, that’s when you realize: oh how do we sustain this in the long run? NINNA CATIPON 3 BS ES
blaming themselves for failing to achieve their goals. “If there aren’t enough caveats [in the self-help book], and the person is gullible and has low self-esteem, at the worst case— they can have physical health effects, and for psychological books—ill effects in their mental health,” she warns. Hence, Lee-Chua emphasizes the importance of navigating through different self-help references and thoroughly researching their validity. “Make sure they are humble enough to cite lots of resources... if it’s too easy and it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” she remarks. W hile self-help ca n be enlightening, inspirational, and even effective for some, LeeChua advises the need for a more cautious involvement in the practice—especially in instances where self-help materials fail to work. She urges that if one feels helpless, seeking professional help ought to be a priority. IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT With the users’ well-being in mind, Lee-Chua emphasizes the importance of consistent application that goes beyond mindless consumption. “Selfhelp books [may be] easy to read and look at, but for there to really be life change, you need to have not just a desire, you need to have structure for the life change,” she says. With patience and grit, the uphill battle of self-improvement is a rewarding one. Alcañeses concludes, “Self-help couldn’t give you all the answers and that’s fine...that’s normal. It takes time, you really have to approach it day by day.” Ultimately, it is still up to individuals to weave the threads of their lives in a balance of choice and effort to concretize quality self-help advice.
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THE PALACE of the mind is opened up in memory sports, where menta l at h letes memorize decks of cards, sequences of numbers, and images with impressive speed. Memory athletes accomplish the seemingly impossible, making retaining and recalling vast amounts of information appear easy. These competitors go beyond the typical physical def in it ion of a n at h lete, showcasing athleticism through the mind’s strength, flexibility, and agility in its stead. MENTAL GYMNASTICS To an outside observer, a memory competition can appear as a large group of people taking exams, their eyes quickly scanning and absorbing endless amounts of information on sheets of paper. A timer goes off and they begin to write down whatever they remember, scrawling down digit after digit in a series of thousands. Zooming into the memorization process proves that there is much more than meets the eye. Enzo Castillon (2 BS AMDsc - M DSc), an International Grandmaster on the Philippine National Team for Memory, shares, “We always make it a habit to convert every piece of abstract information into something concrete. Whenever I memorize a thousand digits in minutes, I don’t actually memorize the digits as digits. I memorize them as images.” Armed with techniques and training, memory athletes enter international arenas ready to represent their country against global competitors. Still in its infancy, the Philippines is a recent addition to the global memory community. While the 199os brought the advent of memory sports in Europe, the Philippines only began entering global championships and holding local competitions ten years ago. Their recent entrance to the memory sport scene does not stop Filipinos from finding success in the field. Memory Sports Philippines Founder Robert Racasa has seen these achievements firsthand. The Philippine Memory team bagged multiple medals at the World Memory Championship 2o13 and won the Hong Kong Memory Championship in the same year. The Philippines has since produced exemplary memory athletes, capable of demonstrating their talents and abilities on the world stage. Racasa states, “Filipinos are at par with the giants in Memory Sports such as America, Germany, [and the] United Kingdom.” For memory athletes to develop such expanded memorization skills, intensive training is needed. Whether it is in staring at abstract information all day, shaving seconds off record speeds, or sharpening precise recall skills, memory athletes dedicate great amounts of time and effort toward improving themselves as athletes. PALACE FOUNDATIONS Despite its uniqueness, memory sports do not differ much from the training of other physical or mental sports. Through perseverance and passion, the techniques used by memory athletes can be learned and eventually mastered. Racasa
explains that the mind of a memor y athlete works by visualizing a map that contains familiar locations and routes. “We are using a personalized memory system that converts information into images,” Racasa says.
passion paved the way towards becoming a me mb e r of t he Nationa l Tea m for Memory Sports. MINDSETS Castillon and Racasa were introduced to memory sports
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Whenever I memorize a thousand digits in minutes, I don’t actually memorize the digits as digits. I memorize them as images.
In any field of endeavor, may it be in sports, academics, vocation, or in any profession, a trained memory can be a priceless asset. ROBERT RACASA FOUNDER OF MEMORY SPORTS PHILIPPINES
ENZO CASTILLON 2 BS AMDsc - M DSc
Entering the palace of the mind The unique world of memory sports unlocks the mind’s impressive abilities, as athletes dedicate countless hours training to memorize information with precise accuracy and astonishing speed. BY NINA S. GOPALDAS AND YVES LAZARO ILLUSTRATION BY MIKA MEDINA
Th is tech n ique utilizes the brain’s ability to quickly memorize spatial locations. With other acquired techniques like the Roman room, the Journey method, and the Memory Palace, athletes develop their ability to recall information. No memory athlete can rely on genius or natural talent alone, as qualities like discipline and concentration
are required to further enhance one’s capabilities. For the palace of the mind to have a substa ntia l a nd sturdy foundation, Castillon emphasizes the incorporation of creativity and imagination while training. “You need to mold your brain into a creative mach i ne [...] r at her t ha n the usual approach we have
in memorization,” he says. Repetition without innovation can become a hindrance to a memory athlete’s progress. “For any spor t, you need to put in the work, but I f ind using memor y techniques to be quite fun. [In using these techniques], you reconfigure your bra in to be creative,” Castillon elaborates. His fiery
differently, but their passions developed with similar mindsets. Castillon star ted w ith his interest in solving Rubik’s cubes and observing patterns. As he aspired to memorize the different permutations of the cube, he was compelled to read a book about memorizing efficiently. After Castillon began training, he found himself competing
more often and bagging several awards. His newfound hobby motivated him to optimize his ability to retain and recall information. Racasa, on the other hand, discovered memory sports by simply browsing the internet back in 2oo8. His aspiration to make memory sports more popular in the Philippines pushed him further. “The fact that there is no single Filipino competing in this sport gave me enough motivation to pursue it,” Racasa shares. Although his journey as the founder of Memory Sports Philippines felt daunting at the start, his passion to teach more students gave him fulfillment. Like any other athlete, Castillon and Racasa had their individual shares of ups and downs. Both experienced challenges throughout years of constant training and learning. For Castillon, there were moments where he felt a lack of improvement. Although the sport is physically exhausting, he highlights, “The mental aspect is much more severe. [...] There are just days, weeks, and months where you’re [...] plateauing—and it feels like your time is being wasted.” On the other hand, Racasa found difficulty in financing his travel expenses to participate i n compet it ions outside the countr y. Since world championships for memory sports are often held in Europe, Racasa needed to find enough support from different sponsors. Despite t hese obstacles, Castillon and Racasa remain determined as they continue their individual careers. A memory athlete’s preparation demands not only patience, but also unwavering commitment. Through this commitment and creativity, the two have pursued memory not just as a sport but also as a way of living and used it in accomplishing other tasks. They have conquered challenges by valuing the significance of memory in their personal lives. “I’m enjoying and [applying] memory, not just in competitions, but also in my academics and other aspects of my life,” Castillon shares. Whether it is learning a new language, acquiring more vocabular y, or building up mental fortitude and endurance, Castillon describes how useful memory is especially for mentally taxing tasks. Racasa also applies memory techniques to calibrate his brain in studying other fields of knowledge. “In any field of endeavor, may it be in sports, academics, vocation, or in any profession, a trained memory can be a priceless asset,” he explains. Through this extraordinary sport, memory athletes like Castillon and Racasa prove the different wonders of mind. They exhibit outstanding capabilities because of the mindset and motivations that they share. Although memory competitions in the Philippines are still developing, Castillon and Racasa encourage other Filipinos to try learning the techniques used in memor y. Through commitment and determination, t he m ind’s potent ia l is unlocked and peak mental performance can be achieved.