THE OFFICI A L STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE ATENEO DE M A NIL A UNI V ERSIT Y
FURTHER W ITH THE TRUTH
VOL. XC NO. 3
OCTOBER 2019
MAKEOVER. The New Rizal Library undergoes a makeover, transforming the former lobby-cafeteria into a full-blown mini-foodhub. | PHOTO BY MARCO RICAFORT
VPLS seeks to pursue campus renovations BY JILLIAN LOPEZ AND MINA MATA
RENOVATIONS ARE underway in certain areas on campus as Vice President for the Loyola Schools (VPLS) Maria Luz Vilches, PhD seeks to improve the Loyola Schools (LS) facilities. These initiatives were pursued in light of campus assessments conducted by the LS administration, which were brought up by the VPLS during the Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano forum held on September 2. These major ca mpus improvements include the installation of air conditioning units at the Science Education Complex (SEC) buildings and the Immaculate Conception Chapel, as well as the expansion of the
SEC-A building. As discussed in the forum, these additions hope to address issues on heat and the growing student population. In addition to these plans, a number of projects have recently been completed on campus, such as the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) landing lounges, the New Rizal Library outdoor cafeteria, and the Office of Student Discipline (OSD) on the g rou nd f lo or of M V P. ADDRESSING STUDENT NEEDS The Off ice of Facilities and Sustainabilit y (OFS), along with the VPLS, will spearhead the renovation of current campus facilities and utilities this academic year.
According to Vilches, air conditioning units powered by solar panels will be installed in the SEC classrooms to improve the learning conditions of students. Due to the limited budget for the current academic year, Vilches said that they will first install units in the SEC-A classrooms, an initiative that the University plans to finish by January 2020. To a c c o m m o d a t e t h e increasing student population on campus in light of the K-12 program, Vilches stated that SEC-A will be expanded by constructing two more f loors with 18 new classrooms by December 2021. She added that the LS administration anticipates around 10,000 students on campus in 2022. Before they begin constructing
the two additional f loors, OFS Di rec tor El ia s Pa n said that an assessment of t he bu ild ing ’s str uc t u r a l integrity must be done first. “Yung SEC-A kasi ginawa ‘yan [noong] 1998 so wala pa ‘yung [2005 National Building Code of the Philippines]. Ang ginagawa ngayon, iniimbestigahan ang building bago i-design for two floors kung capable pa siya in relation sa [code] (SEC-A was made in 1998 so the [2005 National Building Code of the Philippines] did not exist yet. We are currently investigating t he bu ild ing f irst before adding two f loors to see if it adheres to the [code]),” he said. The aforementioned code aims to promote “up-to-date and modern technical knowledge on
building design, construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance.” Once the necessar y requirements are met, Pan said that construction of SEC-A f loors will begin—hopefully by Intersession of 2020. After the completion of the project, he added that they will assess SEC-B and SEC-C for the possibility of expansion as well. COMPLETED PROJECTS Aside from these upcoming campus improvements, Vilches added that the LS administration also completed several projects as of late. These were pursued in light of the requests from different LS offices and departments to meet their respective units’ needs. Vilches mentioned that among the projects is the new
OSD in MVP, which was recently constituted to augment the work done by the Office of Student Services (OSS) regarding student disciplinary complaints. The OSD will spearhead development and restorative justice programs for st udents, wh ich w ill require one-on-one meetings. Vilches ex pla ined, “ We want to create a new face for discipline that’s not scar y. [Students] say we need a proper office for discipline where it’s not all about punishment.” Another recent project is the Office of Student Activities’ new MVP landing lounges, which were constructed to provide students with more comfortable working areas. VPLS TO PURSUE RENOVATION › 4
ManReg probes first day problems THIS SEMESTER’S manual registration (ManReg) received online backlash from members of the Loyola Schools (LS) community who have claimed that the system is ineffective, resulting in a stressful start to the semester for students, school administrators, and faculty alike.
Aside from the issues students encountered during online enlistment, like the lack of class slots and system crashes, the forefront of this year’s ManReg problems were the delays in schedule brought about by inclement weather. Following a number of class suspensions, ManReg’s original schedule was pushed back to begin on August 10, Saturday, instead
MANREG, FIRST DAY PROBLEMS › 4
FEATURES
BEYOND LOYOLA
INQUIRY
OPINION
Transcending the physical realm
Mine over matter
Broad strokes of black
BY ALLIANZA O. PESQUERA AND PATRICIA YAP
FREE FOR ALL. Students line up outside offices after online enlistment mishap. | PHOTO BY REGINE SALUMBRE
of August 5, Monday, forcing organizers to accommodate various year levels within two days. August 10 accommodated the ManReg schedules for sophomores, seniors, superseniors, and graduate students, while August 13 was allotted for freshmen, juniors, transferees, international exchange students, and graduate students.
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SPORTS Greater than gold
A shot in the dark
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News
LS sees drop in foreign exchange students, aims for internationalization BY ZOEY C. ATILLO AND CHERLINE TRAJANO
TO COUNTER the declining population of foreign exchange students in the Loyola Schools (LS), the Office of International Relations (OIR) continues to streng then its projects for i nt e r n a t ion a l i z a t ion . OIR Coordinator for Inbound Exchange Students Ralph Fabros revealed that the number of exchange students has been dropping for the past few academic years. The Student Exchange Program reached its peak in 2016 with 227 exchange students coming to Ateneo. However, there was a 13.22% decrease the following year, with only 197 students enrolled for 2017. According to OIR Programme Associate Cecilia Bermio, the program has already hosted 112 foreign exchange students in the first semester of AY 2019-2020, with 29 foreigners currently nominated to enroll for the upcoming second semester. These students come from the program’s partner institutions
such as the Marquette University in America, Western Sydney University in Australia, and the University of Passau in Germany. T he OI R fol low s t he initiative of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Internationalization for Philippine Higher Education which aims to “provide national perspective and direction for the country’s higher education internationalization efforts.” In order to do so, CHED encourages universities to “meet the challenges and take on oppor tunities brought about by internationalization” through projects like the Joint Development of Niche Programme wh ich enables Ph ilippine universities, including Ateneo, to develop transnational education pa r tnerships w ith United Kingdom-based institutions. TOWARDS A GLOBALIZED ATENEO Bermio stated that as one of OIR’s internationalization initiatives, the LS annually hosts visiting faculty and research fel low s f rom i nst it ut ions
abroad such as the Universidad de Granada in Spain, University of Porto in Portugal, and Lucian Blaga University of Sibui in Romania to cultivate higher globa l competenc y in t he academe. For the University’s own professors, the Faculty and Staff Exchange Program enables them to teach abroad and conduct further studies in cer tain academic f ields to gain greater insights on education on a global scale. “In the same way international students create additional flavor and opportunities for mutual academic learning, bringing in foreign faculty does the same thing. Faculty learn from each other and students learn how teachers from other countries teach,” said Director of the Office of Admission and Aid (OA A) Jose Maria Tirol, PhD. To help foreign exchange groups settle in the Ateneo, both the OIR and its official student arm the Ateneo Student Exchange Council (ASEC) work together to ma inta in hea lt hy work ing relationships with
its international partners inside and outside the Universit y. ATENEO’S APPEAL According to Tirol, study abroad fairs make the Ateneo known to foreign students where both the OIR and OAA encourage them to apply to the University. At these fairs, foreigners would comment on the “cheaper” tuition in the Ateneo as compared to their home universities. Aside from this, Tirol added that the local students’ proficiency in the English language is one factor that attracts foreign exchange students to the University. Since the University curricula is largely taught in English, Tirol mentioned that “learning the English language better is one of the come-ons for foreigners to the University [as] it will make [them] more competitive in the international market.” ASEC President Hannah Co mentioned that foreign exchange students’ stay in the campus is valuable because both local and foreign students “get exposed
to different cultures, and they get to see [the] different perspectives of other people.” Through activities like dinners, tours, and Buddy Mixers where local students bond with their assigned foreign exchange peer, she explained that foreign and local students are able to grasp a greater understanding of others, especially in a globalized world. Despite these efforts, Co said that selecting the Ateneo as a starting point to an education abroad still requires foreign students to “take a leap of faith.” “When our exchange students come to the Philippines, they always say it’s either not their first choice, or they just came here because it’s cheap, but they go home with their hearts full,” she said. “They don’t have a lot of expectations coming in, but they go out with so much more than what they came here with.” FURTHER INTO PROGRESS With the Ateneo’s thrust to increase internationalization efforts, Tirol said that there is no limit to the nu mber to
the foreign exchange students that the University accepts. He mentioned that it is beneficial for the University to bring in more foreigners to have a “wider variety of students” to foster an environment wherein different ideas and diverse practices are shared and exchanged. Fabros added that the OIR developed special short-term summer programs in collaboration with several departments for international students in order to “introduce both foreign and local students to the practice of Philippine Studies and to the local Filipino lifeworld.” Examples of these programs include Filipino Urbanities and Philippine Start-Up Culture classes. In addition, Fabros indicated that these classes are set up in a way that accommodates the varying schedules of foreign exchange students, especially those whose schedules do not align with LS academic calendar. “I think that’s what [the] Ateneo wants,” Co said. “To create students that are more culturally sensitive and at the same time, globally competent.”
BUILDING BRIDGES. A foreign exchange student bonds with other students at the International Residence Hall.PHOTO | PHOTO BYBY CASEY CASEY MATEO MATEO
EDITOR: MICAH AVRY GUIAO | LAYOUT ARTIST: TAN YU LING FABRO
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NSTP changes reduce workload, cause low ROTC recruitment turnout ASSEMBLE. The ROTC Cadets gather before a formal briefing for their Ateneo College Entrance Test duties. | PHOTOS BY RAYA BARREIRO
BY BILLIE ASUNCION AND CHOLO HERMOSO
TO LESSEN the workload of juniors, the Nationa l Ser vice Training Program (NSTP) underwent a set of changes in schedule under the new core curriculum effective this academic year. In an email sent by the Office of Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI) during Intersession for AY 2019-2020, sophomores who were expected to take Theology 12: Theology of the Catholic Social Vision in the first semester were asked for their consent to move three units from NSTP originally slated for their third year to the first semester of sophomore year. The remaining three units of NSTP will then be attached to Social Sciences 13: The Economy, Society, and Sustainable Development course in third year. Students whose courses take up Theology 12 in the second semester of sophomore year also received this email last September 2019. According to Associate Dean of Student Formation Leland Dela Cruz, PhD, Theology 12— the equivalent of the theology course that requires students to undergo immersion in the old core curriculum—was also moved from fourth year to second year. Moreover, immersion hours will be credited under NSTP. Aside from this, the email sent to sophomores taking Theology 12 also indicated an option for students to take either NSTP or join the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) for their Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) in second year. However, it was emphasized that choosing ROTC would entail taking on extra work since immersion is still a requirement for Theology 12 regardless of whether they choose NSTP or ROTC. Due to the implications of these revisions, the ROTC program had a drop in the usual number of recruits, with this year’s recruitment only yielding a total of 36 new cadets as opposed to the average number of 60 per year. NSTP INTEGRATION Dela Cruz emphasized that with the altered curriculum for NSTP, the workload of NSTP will be more integrated with other courses. “Students still enroll for the units of NSTP CWTS 11 and three units of NSTP CWTS 12. It’s just that the work in CWTS is now fully integrated with Theology 12 and [Social Sciences] 13,” he said. He added that crediting Theology 12 immersion under NSTP would be valid because it is considered a form of civil service. This requirement falls under Section 2 of the NSTP Act of 2001. “Everyone goes through immersion anyway, so might as well credit it as NSTP,” he said. “We’ve had NSTPs before which were immersion-type so credit na lang natin. The objectives of NSTP and immersion are essentially the same.”
Dela Cruz also shared that the changes in the social formation programs were all developed “incrementally” in hopes of determining the best method by which Ateneo can socially form its students. “It’s part of the change of the core curriculum. We’re sort of seeing things as they emerge and [we’re] trying to design things as best as we can to the situation,” he added. LIGHTENING THE LOAD OSCI Director Ophalle Alzona-Pornela mentioned that OSCI has been trying to tie the programs of NSTP and immersion together with the intent to “decompress” the workload of juniors. This much is evident in the email OSCI sent asking for students’ consent to move NSTP’s units from third year to second year, which also stated that crediting immersion as NSTP would only require juniors to accomplish 40 hours of field work for Social Sciences 13, rather than the usual 80 hours required by six units of NSTP. Dela Cruz then stated the reasons behind the social formation program’s revamped structure.“We don’t want to start with immersion [immediately in the first year], it might be a bit too heavy,” he said. He explained that the purpose of Binhi—a program wherein freshmen interact with marginalized communities by spending a single day with them—is to allow students to acquire base-level skills for “integrating with a community.” Afterwards, students would have a “full-blown immersion” in second year, which entails visiting a community for two and a half days. This is followed by the “rendering of service” in Social Sciences 13’s field work in third year.
It’s part of the change of the core curriculum. We’re sort of seeing things as they emerge and trying to design things as best as we can to the situation. LELAND DELA CRUZ, PHD ASSOCIATE DEAN OF STUDENT FORMATION
Dela Cruz called the current situation “a period of adjustment for everyone.” Nevertheless, he said that the changes will be “beneficial” in the long run, especially with regard to juniors having a more manageable workload. EFFECTS ON ROTC Citizens’ Military Training Coordinator Noelle Flores mentioned that the changes made to NSTP, along with the possible consequences this has on ROTC, were discussed with her prior to the shift in the curriculum. The meeting held on June 2019 included ROTC Officers, OSCI, and the Office of the Registrar. Flores pointed out that the changes under the new curriculum led to a low turnout of recruits for ROTC cadets for this academic year. This is mainly due to the double workload ROTC cadets would have to take, given the required immersion hours. To add further, ROTC Corps Commander Miguel Catbagan shared that recruitment processes usually start during the first semester, but this was adjusted to account for NSTP units being credited in second year instead: “For this year, we [began recruiting] during intersession because we wanted to get more cadets.” He described the process of joining ROTC as inconvenient since students interested in joining ROTC would have to undergo load revision. In line with this, Catbagan expressed their goal of making ROTC an option during online enlistment in hopes of an increase in recruits for the following school years. Corps Adjutant Pauline Manila also hopes that this initiative attracts more ROTC recruits. “May mga students na nagsabi na ‘Ah, may ROTC pala’ (There are some students that say ‘Oh, I didn’t know there was ROTC’). To cater or pique the interest of other students, one of our goals is to let the students have the choice to enlist through AISIS,” she said.
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News
Manreg, first day problems... With free-for-all ManReg held on the first day of classes for the LS, many students had to miss classes to line up outside the Registrar’s Office at the Social Sciences Building. According to Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa, the first day of classes was not moved to a later date to accommodate free-for-all ManReg because that would entail pushing back the academic calendar to end classes on December 22 instead of December 18. Q u iw a rea ssu red t hat the school administrators’ solutions are already in motion to address ManReg concerns for an improved enlistment process, but u ntil such solutions are implemented, these problems will continue to be a biannual concern. NEW LOOK. The MVP Landing areas on the second and third floors were renovated to create a more collaborative space for students. | PHOTO BY MARCO RICAFORT
VPLS, campus renovations... “It is important to have a space which is conducive for learning. When you create a space, you create the atmosphere as well,” explained Vilches. Additionally, the New Rizal Library outdoor cafeteria was constructed at the request of Rizal Library Director Vernon Totanes in hopes of improving the appearance of the librar y ’s entrance. He said that the new cafeteria improves the façade of the building and caters to students’ needs should they feel hungry after studying in the library. IMPROVING SANGGU’S RESPONSE Although not all student concerns were raised at the September 2 Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano session, Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa assured that issues about campus facilities raised to the Sanggunian are discussed in small Budget Committee meetings with the administration and forwarded to the offices involved.
“We have two representatives at the Loyola Schools Budget Committee to make sure that the budget is consistent with the student demands. This committee is divided into subcommittees that negotiate the budget with different academic departments and offices,” he said. In an effort to address student concerns more eff iciently, Sanggunian Vice President Jb Bejarin added that the Sanggunian will begin working with the Student and Administrative Services Cluster (SASC), which is composed of the OFS, the OSS, and the Loyola Schools Office of Guidance and Counseling. “The [SASC] has agreed to streamline existing feedback mecha n isms bet ween t he students, Sangg u, and the mentioned offices for [a] more efficient and effective response to student concerns,” Bejarin said. “Sanggu will be working with the SASC through set regular meetings starting this October.”
SURFACING PROBLEMS Ateneo Reg istration Committee (RegCom) School of Humanities and School of Social Sciences Venue Overseer Airon Velasco claimed that system crashes experienced during online enlistment are not preventable when AISIS can only handle “around 2,500 students at a time.” According to him, the rationale behind batch numbers is an attempt to “alleviate the server crashing concerns.” “A b o v e more than [2,500] and [AISIS] starts to crash,” Velasco said. Quiwa added that until A ISIS is updated, online enlistment problems w ill only become more prevalent as the LS undergraduate population is expected to boom to 10,000 by 2022. Velasco also cited the lack of slots during online enlistment as a prevalent issue faced during ManReg. Velasco sa id that the Registrar informs the different departments of how many slots they should open for each class based on the students’ advisement. Despite this, Velasco noted that students still run out of slots in the classes they are advised to take. Such was the case for Donamae Valdez (2 AB COM), who fulfilled her department’s adv isement on time. “As soon as I logged into AISIS on enlistment day, there were zero slots left for both the major and elective I was supposed to enlist in,” Valdez said.
Quiwa said that for some required courses, like Foreign Language and Culture, the limited amount of slots is arranged to prevent other classes from being dissolved. He said that more slots cannot be opened in certain classes to prevent too many students from enlisting in one class and not enough in another. S t ude nt s pro c e e d to ManReg because of AISISrelated concerns like these, but ManReg comes with a plethora of issues as well. In an online survey promoted on the Sabihin sa Sanggu page, a total of 83 responses from students were forwarded to the Admin Council for the improvement of the registration process. While the detailed results were not released publicly, a summary of the data showed the percentages of students’ satisfaction and efficiency ratings for ManReg. Common concerns regarding the batching system, deadline of late tuition fees, and load revision, among others were reflected in the unpublicized data. Quiwa said that according to the survey, students still found the long lines during ManReg to be their biggest concern. A d d it ion a l l y, some departments did not consider staying open for a later time on the day of ManReg, leaving many students with unaddressed enlistment concerns. Despite being part of Batch 1, Jubelle Gordo (2 AB POS) claimed to have “[waited] eight hours for nothing.” Past incidents i nvolve st udents b ei n g directed to a department that is unaware of their concern, resulting in a complicated b ack- a nd-for t h pro ces s . UNAVOIDABLE MATTERS In R e g C o m ’s case, Membership Overseer Teresa Carnecer said that the main cause of concern for ManReg is not the nature of the problems, but the repetition of the same issues every year. Carnecer observed that this issue is further aggravated by the steady increase of students who have to go through ManReg every year. Despite RegCom’s online portal for collating enlistment concerns during ManReg, Carnecer said that ManReg experiences a back-log due to a multitude of the same
System crashes experienced during online enlistment are not preventable when AISIS can only handle around 2,500 students at a time.”
AIRON VELASCO ATENEO REGISTRATION COMMITTEE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES (SOH) AND SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (SOSS) VENUE OVERSEER
problems that have to be addressed all at once. Velasco added that the actual ManReg process is also prolonged because only one secretary per department is tasked with addressing RegCom’s calls about students’ enlistment concerns. Quiwa also mentioned that the total population of the University that went through ManReg for the first semester was at 21.45%, which he considered high as this is 2,133 of the total student population of 9,942. On the other hand, Velasco expressed that this year’s ManReg was not necessarily an “outlier” compared to other years—it was just a “matter of perception.” According to him, the free-for-all registration being situated at only one venue—the Office of the Registrar—instead of four made the number of students seem more populated. With regard to this, Velasco asserted that RegCom members themselves cannot hasten the long lines during ManReg because the speed of the processes is up to the departments involved.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES Given the circumstances that led to enlistment problems like long lines, merged batch schedules, closed departments, and long waiting hours, both the Sanggunian and RegCom have tried to provide solutions with the help of the suggestions from the LS communit y. Velasco mentioned that in solving the race for slots, some students have suggested an equal batching system like that of the Talakayang Alay sa Bayan (TALAB) enlistment. However, Velasco noted that this is not feasible because the availability of semestral classes are dependent on a student’s distinct advisement, whereas TALAB classes are open to all. Another solution forwarded to RegCom is for the University to buy more AISIS servers to accommodate more students enlisting at the same time. Velasco said that the problem here is that this surge of AISIS users is seasonal, and that it would be “useless” to spend millions on this. In the Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano forum, Quiwa mentioned that the update for AISIS will focus on the improvement of its user interface, making online enlistment more userfriendly. However, Velasco said that everything is still in its early development stage. “There are not much details yet regarding how specifically it wou ld be made a nd implemented,” he explained. In a Special Administrations Council Meeting on October 11, Quiwa shared that among the solutions discussed for ManReg were regular checks on the number of students advised, flexibility of faculty in adjusting their schedules, and avoidance of complex tags and remarks, among others. According to him, the offices involved, along with the help of a systems expert, are currently reviewing the first draft of next semester’s registration process in order to minimize such conf licts. As such, Quiwa expressed the need for better coordination and transparency between the Registrar and the different department secretaries. “As Sanggu, as students, we call on the admin and the faculty to be transparent with one another, to talk to each other,” he said.
The [Student and Administrative Services Cluster] has agreed to streamline existing feedback mechanisms between the students, Sanggu, and the mentioned offices for [a] more efficient and effective response to student concerns. ENLISTMENT WOES. Students from different Manual Registration batches wait for hours until they are finally
JB BEJARIN SANGGUNIAN VICE PRESIDENT
serviced by the enlistment officers. | PHOTO BY REGINE SALUMBRE
The GUIDON | October 2019
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PHOTO BY NATE BOSANO
PHOTO BY REGINE SALUMBRE
P H O T O E S S AY
LS community holds annual Martial Law Week BY MOIRA V. CAYABYAB
WITH THE theme “Prometheus Unbound,” this year’s Martial Law Week was filled with talks, forums, exhibits, and other engagements in memory of the declaration of Martial Law 47 years ago and the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos. The theme is taken from Jose Lacaba’s poem of the same name, which was first published about a year after Marcos declared Martial Law through Proclamation 1081 in 1972. The piece has since been used as a rallying call for resistance and protest. This year’s Martial Law Week is a collaboration between the Sanggunian, the Office of Social Concern and Involvement, and the Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy. The Martial Law Eve Mass held at the
PHOTO BY NATE BOSANO
PHOTO BY JULIA CARPIO
PHOTO BY JAMIE GO
Immaculate Conception Chapel on September 13 opened the event. Soon after, the Fallen 11 Live Exhibit was performed around the Loyola Schools (LS) campus, while the Martial Law PhotoNarrative Exhibit was presented at the LS Promenade throughout the week. Both initiatives aimed to pay homage to martyrs who lost their lives as they fought for freedom during the Martial Law era. Moreover, t h is ye a r ’s commemoration emphasized the repercussions of the Martial Law implementation in Mindanao, as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte following the Marawi Siege in May 2017. The “Environmental Impacts of the Martial Law in Mindanao Forum,” held last September 16 highlighted this pressing concern, with Lumad representatives providing insights on how Martial Law in Mindanao has put their community at risk. Among their struggles is the exploitation of the
Lumad’s ancestral land at the hands of foreign mining companies, which is further aggravated by the government’s silence. Moreover, what sets this Martial Law Week apart from its previous iterations is the Commission on Elections Satellite Registration that was held at Gonzaga 310 on September 19. Residents from District 2, 3, and 6 in Quezon City were highly encouraged to register and exercise their right to vote in the next elections to ensure that the atrocities of the Marcos regime will not happen again. Other activities spread out during the week included forums with prominent figures such as Neri Colmenares, Boni Ilagan, and other key individuals who have made their fight against Marcos known and remembered by constantly encouraging critical discourse among the youth To close the event, students convened for the Never Forget Culmination Rally held at Gate 2.5 on September 23.
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Opinion
VOLUME XC, NO. 3 OCTOBER 2019
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. Alithea C. Soriano, AB COM ‘20 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Margarita C. Gonzalez, BS PSY ‘20 ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Jyra Zoe T. Ang, BS LM ‘20 MANAGING EDITOR
Jason T. Mariano, BS ITE ‘21 DESIGN EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Micah Avry L. Guiao, BFA CW ‘21 NEWS EDITOR
Kirby G. Jalandoni, BS ME ‘20 Joaquin Josemaria A. Santos, BS ME ‘20 SPORTS EDITORS
Danielle Margaux R. Garcia, BS CTM ‘21 BEYOND LOYOLA EDITOR
Andrea Mikaela B. Llanes, AB COM ‘22 FEATURES EDITOR
Kenneth John Tristan R. Chan, AB LIT (ENG) ‘21
EDITORIAL CARTOON BY FIDESS BISNAR
INQUIRY EDITOR
Zoe Arianna T. Andin, AB IS ‘21 Annicka B. Koteh, BS ME ‘20 VANTAGE MAGAZINE EDITORS
Tatiana L. Maligro, AB COM ‘22 Patricia Anne D. Villoria, AB COM ‘21 BROADCAST NEWS EDITORS
Ana Sofia Ignacio, BS LfSci ‘21 Ronaldo Gabriel J. Santiago, BS MGT ‘20 PHOTOS EDITORS
Carmela B. Masiglat, BFA ID ‘22 Neil Christian R. Reyes, BS CH-MSE ‘23 GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITORS
Mariana D. Gardoce, AB COM ‘22 VIDEO PRODUCTION EDITOR
Beatrice R. Bacason, AB COM ‘22 VIDEO PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Frances Isabella D. Martin BFA ID ‘20 Jacob Uriel R. Quintos, BS CS ‘21 DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT DEPUTIES
John Matthew G. Yuching, AB COM ‘21 EXTERNALS MANAGER
Bianca Mae R. Aragones, BS PSY ‘20 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Deana P. Pagtalunan, BS ME ‘20 Bryce R. Rubi, BS ME ‘21 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS
Koji Bryant P. Baui, BS ME ‘20 Francine Jemima C. Tan, BS ME ‘20 RESEARCH MANAGERS
NEWS Billie Asuncion, Zoey C. Atillo, Moira V. Cayabyab, Franchesca Fajemolin, Leika Golez, Cholo Hermoso, Jillian Lopez, Mina Mata, Allianza O. Pesquera, Frans G. Regala, Cherline Trajano, Patricia G. Yap SPORTS Apa D. Aquino, Joseph B. Banaag, Xavier C. Bautista, Neal R. Beltran, Jeremy L. Chua, Ally S. Crespo, Jaime D. David, Selina A. de Dios, Miguel A. Dimaiwat, Nielbert A. Dy, James B. Gavina, Gio P. Guinto, Gerrick C. Limsiy, Lei P. Macaranas, Javier P. Mapa, Joachim S. Melo, Juliana Sistine L. Ong, Miguel G. Policarpio, Ra Solomon BEYOND LOYOLA Joaquina Nadine A. Altavás, Pioee B. Bassig, Raphael C. Dela Cruz, Carlo O. Fernandez, Derick M. Gabrillo, Zachary C. Gonzales, George D. Kho, Marco C. Ocampo-Tan, Justine Ferrer Ramirez, Frances C. Roberto FEATURES Benjie Bernal, Adrian Jesper C. Cea, Russell Louis Ku, Enzo Lagamon, Angel Martinez, Eala Julienne P. Nolasco, Keziah Maru Z. Pasion, Aisha C. Said, Adrian Soriano, Genesis Jacinth Tan, Andrea Tibayan, Rence D. Tubon, Aaron D. Tolentino INQUIRY Kiana R. Altoveros, Cat Aquino, Francis Caiga, Sean D. Carballo, Ann Gabrielle Domingo, Eun Seo Ha, Gerard Ignacio, Justin B. Jimenez, Jean Mangaluz, Jay C. Munsayac, Malaika E. Paculan, Marga P. San Juan, Manolo G. Soliven VANTAGE MAGAZINE Zofia Agama, Tiffany Bernardo, Jana V. Codera, Natalie R. Gavino, Justin Ginete, Therese Hipol, Lyrah Lapid, Daniela Lorenzo, Anya Nellas, Roberto A. Orosa, Arnald Paguio, Danielle H. Ramos, Beatriz C. Reye,s Gabriel V. Saulog, Caitlin Anne Young, Nigel Yu BROADCAST NEWS Cristina Batalla, Una Garcia, Belle Gregorio, Samantha S. Onglatco, Martin C. Ramos, Teo A. Ricaforte, Joaquin Salazar, Ria Tenido, Kathleen U. Yap PHOTOS Raya Barreiro, Nate Bosano, Trina Camacho, Julia Carpio, Jim Dasal, Angel Dizon, Jerry Feng, Jamie Go, Ralph Lim, Gabriel Medina, Bruce Ong, Michael Perfecto, Marco Ricafort, Casey Mateo, Regine Salumbre, Cristina Sim, Paulina Singh, Reyneal Vargas, Kelly Veneracion, Alexis Wang, Paolo Yaptinchay, Izza Zamoranos GRAPHIC DESIGN Fidess Bisnar, Tiffany Cu, Cecilia Datiles, Romeo A. Descalso III, Alvin Dy, Tan Yu Ling Fabro, Andy Granda, Frances Lopez, Mikhaella Norlin Magat, Mika Medina, Kaitlyn Mercado, Denev C. Ng, Iverson Ong, Cara Lee Padilla, Cameron Polintan, Geri Puno, Kurt Tan, Viktor Valix VIDEO PRODUCTION Ena Algopera, Angelique Bagapuro, Louise Margaret L. Del Rosario, Fran Enriquez,Yanna Estrellado, Alissa Evangelista, Alexis Nicole N. Ferreras, Therese Macasaet, Julian Michael Maiz, Danielle Angela G. Rosales, Kristine Sinamban, Jaf Tumale, Denise Tumaliuan, Rafa Mikael D. Villon DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT Keith Bartido, Anton Gerard S. Benitez, Andrea Lauren T. Chung, Davin Sean Cuaso, Tomas Falgui III, Giddy Garcia, Kat D. Garcia, Tria Gonzales, Prezil A. Ong, Ezekiel Juanito E. Ordoveza, Miggy Pinaroc, Alannah Mitra, Bea Katrina Sison, Harvey Jay M. Sison, Jonathan Talbot EXTERNALS Tricia R. Alcantara, Tiffany C. Lao, Nikki Macaraig, Hannah Magnaye, Dominique U. Manipor, Marina Patricia B. Peneyra, Donna B. Ramirez, Sofia Sanchez, Katrina Bernice M. Tan, Jorge Alfred R. Taruc HUMAN RESOURCES Bianca Angeles, Margaux Andrea G. Arcinas, Mookie M. Borja, Emerson Enriquez, Marianne M. Goh, Anicia Guanlao, Keisha Mercado, James Vincent Natera, Cielo C. Regalado, Karl R. Salvador, Katchy G. Segui, Regina Mae C. Yu RESEARCH Cedric M. Bata, Christie A. Corpin, Azequiel P. De Luna, Gabriel Carlo T. Gamulo, Miguel H. Palmero, Kiara D. Rodriguez, Lance Y. Tiu, Earl Christian L. Yu SOCIAL MEDIA Jose Angelo Buenaventura, Gia Crisologo, Enrique B. Halili, Joaquin Querido
Luz R. Rimban MODERATOR
For comments, suggestions, and contributions, email:
desk@theguidon.com
A shot in the dark THE DEPA RTMENT of Health (DOH) declared a polio outbreak on September 19 after confirming the Philippines’ first polio case in nearly two decades since being hailed free from the disease in 2000. The DOH confirmed another case only a day later. Before these cases, the nation was rocked by two massive disease outbreaks in the past year alone: Dengue and measles. However, these outbreaks could have been prevented by herd immunity—a phenomenon wherein even unvaccinated members of the community are “walled-off” from the disease due to high immunization rates. The Sanofi Pasteur Dengvaxia scandal of 2017 kickstarted the wide-scale vaccine hesitancy in the country when 19 children who received the vaccine in a government-sanctioned i m mu n i z a t io n p r o g r a m supposedly died of dengue after being vaccinated. One year later, the Department of Health (DOH) claimed that only 60% of children were receiving their scheduled
vaccinations, far from the annual target of 85-90%. For many parents, the controversy decreased the credibilit y of healthcare professionals and their trust for any kind of vaccine. In response, various programs to promote immunization awareness have been launched. In line with a worldwide campaign called “Protected Together: Vaccines Work!”, UNICEF Philippines, the DOH, and the World Health Organization held community engagement services to give on-site injections and educational seminars in April 2019. Despite this, the public is yet to fully trust the practice of vaccination. H o w e v e r, w i d e - s c a l e attempts to convince the public of the safety of vaccines will remain ineffective unless we lend an ear to the reasons for such fears. Rebuilding public trust is not an isolated endeavor, it involves a collaborative, multi-sectoral effort from national and local government units, non-profit organizations, and community leaders.
CHALK MARKS
A lecture about doing nothing BY BIANCA ANGELIEN ABAN CLAVERIA
“PEOPLE SAY nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day. Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something.” Although Winnie the Pooh may not be what many would traditionally consider as a serious philosopher, I propose to offer reconsideration for this willy nilly silly old bear’s admittedly profound words. Let’s begin this lecture with a few questions: What makes your day “meaningful”? How is a life lived with “purpose”? Is a day really “wasted” because you “did nothing”? Winnie the Pooh claimed that it is possible to “do nothing” every day, and he seems genuinely proud of it. How could “doing nothing” lead to the very best of “something”?
In this hive-minded world that thrives on productivity, we are expected to always function as busy and efficient bees. Daily checklists ticked-off, and social media accounts updated with every accomplished task. Everything must be flaunted for the likes and the loves. Like the upbeat character of Tigger, we give in to the notion that life must always be showcased as bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, and fun. Alas, living is not a carefree stroll through the Hundred Acre Wood—it’s more like a desperate run for survival through Jurassic Park. Your radiant optimism will be extinguished, and anything can overwhelm you. You will feel exhausted, gradually lose steam, and uncertainty will shroud your former sense of purpose. You could no longer bee yourself— pun intended.
FACING THE ENEMY Discourse on the ground must be brought to light. Aut hor ities must ta ke into account the public’s subscriptions to traditional and religious healing practices as well as their indigenous beliefs about healthcare— health initiatives must not impose sudden change, but exhibit respect and sensitivity to the customs of the people. A study published in the Journal of Community Genetics presented cases in which Filipino patients heavily relied on cultural beliefs, such as sumpa, namaligno, or kaloob ng Diyos, to determine and address the cause of illnesses, rather than to seek proper medical procedures. Community health workers who tried to administer vaccines were even tagged as “child-killers” and were chased out by stone-throwing parents who feared for their childrens’ welfare. In the Aeta community of Nabu k lod, hea lthca re officials were shunned after the Dengvaxia scandal broke out
because of a belief that any harm that comes to a child will affect their parents as well. Much has been invested on mass immu n ization programs, but little has been done to open avenues for the public to air out their concerns on vaccines without the threat of being belittled by healthcare professionals. The absence of conversation, accompanied by information that does not directly address their apprehensions, may make parents and guardians feel ignored by healthcare providers, further fueling the misunderstanding and fear of immunization.
As a teacher, I encourage my students to find meanings in their accomplishments—as well as failures—but caution them against misconstruing being burned-out to mean being productive. When everything becomes overpowering, I advise them to breathe, loosen their grips, and at least for a moment, “do nothing.” With all their pent-up tensions and extreme pressures, they might produce diamonds by the time they graduate. The geology-related joke aside, I remind them that there will always be battles in life that just cannot be won. In the immortal words of the Beatles, when you find yourself in times of trouble, you just need to “let it be.” Echoing Taoist philosophy (read Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching), to “do nothing” does not strictly mean giving up and resigning to fate. It can mean a simple yet needed pause in life; like using a promising semicolon instead of a definite period to end a train of thought. It is often in the rare instances when we decide to pause, reflect, and “do
nothing” that we finally find the time to look back at what we have done, assess how we are, and gauge how further we can go. Whenever Winnie the Pooh needed to reflect on his actions, he goes to his very own “Pooh’s Thotful Spot.” (Oh, the silly old bear and his struggles with spelling) “Oh, bother! What to do? Think, think, think...” Winnie the Pooh would mutter to himself, rubbing his head with his stubby little paws. He does not act desperately, instead he “does nothing” and allows himself to be immersed in the moment. He ponders, wonders, and wanders away with his thoughts—albeit mostly about honey. For the uptight character of Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh just wasted an entire day. But is “doing nothing” always for naught? To the overwhelmed and exhausted student reading these words, may this short lecture serve as a pot of warm honey for your tired soul. Take a thoughtful sip of the sweet circumstances of your life, but also learn to bravely swallow the bitter realities. Slowly close
A HERCULEAN TASK Key institutions will have to engage with discourses on the ground. Creating spaces for dialogue with the citizens is a collaborative, multi-sectoral effort from government and nonprofit organizations, medical professionals, communit y leaders, and the general public. Townhall discussions, door-to-door campaigns, and
forums can be organized at the barangay-level to be able to craft more specific, directed, and culturally-sensitive campaigns towards the issue. After the declaration of the polio outbreak, Secretary of Health Dr. Franciso Duque III urged parents, healthcare professionals, and local leaders to take on more active parts in the vaccination drives nationwide. However, it is not enough to call for people to believe in immu n ization a f ter t wo yea rs of w idespread d ist r u st . T here mu st be reassurance that their fears and apprehensions are being heard and understood by those in charge. The government must be w illing to lower themselves to the ground, speak with the communities affected, understand—and not condemn—their cultures, and collaborate with them to reach the goal of eliminating vaccine hesitancy and achiev ing a better state of public health for all. your eyes and tone down your cacophonic thoughts. They have become too loud for you to endure. Listed below are few of the many readings that can accompany you as linger in your own “Thotful Spot”: Hoff, Benjamin. The Tao of Pooh. London: Peng uin Books, 1982. Milne, A.A. The House at Pooh Corner. London: Puffin Books, 1992. Wright, Robin. “The Moral Clarity of ‘Christopher Robin.’” New Yorker, August 23, 2018. https://www.newyorker.com/ culture/culture-desk/the-moralclarity-of-christopher-robin. Homework: Sit down, read, ref lect, and be immersed in “doing nothing”. It may unexpectedly lead you to the very best of “something”—whatever that may be for you. Find time to “think, think, think...” Class dismissed. Bianca Angelien Aban Clave r ia i s Lecture r at t h e Un i v e r s i t y ’s Hi s t o r y Department. She may be reached at bclaveria@ateneo.edu.
The GUIDON | October 2019
BLUE JE A NS
Beyond biases BY GEORGE D. KHO
Two years ago, I never would have imagined that I’d be where I am now. I didn’t even have any idea where Ateneo was. “Sa Makati ba yun banda?” I didn’t concern myself with college basketball games and such, nor did I add Ateneo to the schools I considered. The dream had always been to study at the top-ranking university in the country—the University of the Philippines. Nonetheless, I now find myself in this six-digittuition school I never dreamt of ever enrolling in.
Equivocation BRYCE RUBI
Dice MY LIFE lacks direction. There. I’ve said it, but have I ever really denied it? As a child, all I ever wanted to be was a zoologist. I loved animals—but who didn’t? I dreamt of exploring far-off jungles, all the while intently reading the many books I had on the wild: NatGeo’s yearly kids’ almanac, a huge picture book on the different kinds of tarantulas, and the heaps of National Geographic magazines we had that described historical accounts of Incan sacrifices, the story of the American Buffalo, and the plight of the Passenger Pigeon. Unfortunately, not all childhood dreams are meant to be, as I can attest to now, fully aware that to become a zoologist, one has to study dead animals just as much as live ones. In terms of finding a passion, it all went downhill from there. All that was left of my dreams was my pet
Al dente ANNICKA B. KOTEH
Imperfect passion WHEN I’M writing, I don’t always feel like a writer. Case in point: Right now I’m typing at an ungodly hour and hoping that the words come stat. I’m aiming for more shut-eye than style and would very much like to
Zi Feng MATTHEW G. YUCHING
Home is where your heart is I was on the way home from Ateneo to Parañaque one day. Getting off the LRT, I wasn’t in the mood to walk home. All the jeeps going past were filled to the brim with commuters, so I settled for the next best thing: An e-jeep. As I passed through Quirino Avenue, I saw new establishments left and right, with signs written in characters I recognize, but can’t read. With the recent boom of Philipine Online Gambling Operations, restaurants and residences were constructed in order to meet the demands of the workers arriving in droves—many of which are Chinese. En route home, an elderly couple hailed the ride I was in. While talking to his wife about the many changes in the avenue and the streets beside it, lolo asked me out of the blue: “Ikaw, diba instik ka (You, aren’t you
This isn’t to say that I didn’t have my own ideas of what it would be like. I’d already expected susyal people with iPhones, long lines for milk tea, students filling coffee shops, and luxury cars occasionally zooming by. However, it’s still different experiencing it firsthand. In my first week of living in Katipunan, I already found myself speaking in English with everyone I met. It’s hard to deny that everything I’ve just said holds a tinge of prejudgement in it—a prejudice against a people that weren’t of the same economic class, that didn’t prefer the same language, a people that, in my head, weren’t my people. Coming from a town where English was reserved mostly for foreign tourists and from a school that somewhat had a culture where
students would tease spokeninin-dollerz people, it was easy for me to feel the contrast. Probably one of the first things that caught my attention was that it seemed like everyone wore clothes from Uniqlo or some other huge fashion brand; people dressed somewhat similarly and are only distinct by a few pastel colors. When you visit school, you can be sure to see someone with a Fjallraven bag and at least a dozen people wearing white shoes for that day. Another thing was the high prices of food in Ateneo. Most meals here will cost at least a hundred pesos, and those may not even fill you. Neither inflation nor the Train Law has helped to alleviate the situation. However, economic conditions don’t seem to prevent us Ateneans
tarantula, a reminder of the wild I so wanted to explore before. Would I want to become a businessman? An economist? An architect, an engineer, a writer? After countless hours of thought, I was none the wiser. In fact, the college courses I aimed for were decided by cointosses between the classes in high school I enjoyed the most. “What are your plans after college? What do you wanna be in the future?” My friends and family asked. I didn’t know. I’d default to a smile, echoing Beyoncé: “To be happy.” In a way, it was true. What did anyone want to be, if not happy, anyway? I wasn’t Beyoncé, but I could very well try! That answer was a cop-out, I know—but it worked well. At the risk of sounding even more preachy than I am now, I’d like to think that going through college without a driving passion to motivate my studies is an experience in itself. I’ve decided that my goal instead is to branch out in as many directions as possible—to see what fits and what doesn’t. Sure, I’ll disappoint a ton of people, but instead of working as hard as I can to get as far in the
rat race as possible, I’ll take the time to enjoy college for what it is: A learning experience. Mono no aware: A Japanese concept on the ephemerality of things. It encourages me to make every day count. Open up to more people, go stargazing, read more books, take more classes, catch up with friends, continue tending to my orchids, enjoy every single rainstorm, appreciate Ateneo’s scenic lanes—knowing very well a time will come for me to walk down Fr. Masterson drive one last time. My life isn’t perfect. It’s as far from perfect as it gets. And I appreciate that. We all have our own schedules and I’d like to believe that though we don’t know it, our futures are written in the stars. I’ll figure it out eventually. Don’t I have to? Someday. And when I’m much older, I’d like to think back to all the times I didn’t know what to do. And though I know I won’t remember exactly what I did, I’m sure I’ll remember and be glad of at least one thing: That I stopped to smell the flowers.
retire for the night. I can’t help but think that if I’m not enjoying this process—if I’m always looking to the result rather than the experience— what gives me the right to claim anything as passion? There’s a certain pressure that comes with naming a passion, even more so when it’s turned into a title. That last syllable, the telltale -er (of writer, singer, dancer, you name it), seems to imply both constancy and expertise. Both are somewhat intimidating. Both demand time. So I’ve always been critical of those two elements, particularly when it comes to my writing.
For starters, I’ve never been the type to write for pleasure, no matter how much I have wanted to. I’ve never carried a journal around, never finished a blog past a first entry, never wrote poems or stories or fanfiction unless asked to. Something scares me, stops me from putting pen to paper without having the pitch validated. Every opportunity to get that mandate has been a huge decision for me, with joining each publication I’ve been a part of as a step outside my comfort zone. But after getting a piece primed and ready for publication,
Chinese?)” I replied, “Opo, instik ako, pero laki naman ako sa Manila (Yes, I’m Chinese, but I was raised in Manila).” “Ah, halata kasing instik ka eh. Ang puti mo kasi, kala ko kasama ka sa kanila (Ah, it’s obvious that you’re Chinese. It’s because you’re so white, I thought you were with them),” he continued. “Them” referred to the Chinese that live and work in the surrounding area, after an e-gambling company set up nearby. The rest of the trip was lolo going on about the changed area, now a bustling road with brand-new white vans everywhere. I got off in front of my house and that was that. But the short conversation I had with lolo made me think about whether other Chinese-Filipinos have the same experiences of discrimination as I do. What does being Chinese-Filipino in the Philippines entail? Does it mean being part of those allowed in “Chinese only” restaurants? Does it mean that we side with the Chinese on national issues? These generalizations can often be found in discussions online that drag in Chinese-Filipinos who have lived in the country for as long as those pointing fingers have. Columnist Solita Collas-Monsod wrote a controversial piece for the
Inquirer on Filipinos’ distrust towards China. She brings up our loyalty to the Philippines, saying that “...a Chinese-Filipino will never ever state unequivocally that he/she is a Filipino first, and a Chinese second.” I am a Filipino. The cultures and values that I have grown up with are Filipino as well. We struggle and succeed together as citizens of the Philippines. We fight for the same causes that plague our country. Change may not be something immediate and visibly seen, but I still believe that we can rid ourselves of the generalization that the Chinese-Filipino community will always side with the country our ancestors came from. Last April, I tagged along with a reporter who covered a rally in front of the Chinese consulate. Amidst the anti-Chinese placards, some protesters gave me looks and were whispering to each other. One of them approached me and asked what I was doing. I said “coverage lang po (just covering),” and the person’s expression changed from a frown to a smile. He told his colleagues, “Ok lang yan, kasama natin yan. Pinoy naman yan! (That’s alright, he’s with us. He’s Pinoy!)”
from exercising our financial prowess, as seen in sales posted on Ateneo Trade such as Rolex watches, luxury cars, and entire islands. Kidding aside, I eventually got used to the pretty much colorful Ateneo life. One day you’re walking home and you might stumble across a mass of students running down Red Brick road Naruto style or perhaps find a huge crowd gathering around a dozen guys doing the “Dante Gulapa dance.” We, Arneans, get a lot of comical reactions online for it. Things here are unconventional but in a fun kind of way. Though what people outside school probably don’t know is that behind that impression of a school filled with easy-going, carefree students is actually a hotbed of social, economic, and
7
political thought and dialogue. Even my Theology of the Catholic Social Vision (Theo 12) subject, where you’d only expect to talk about religion, is deeply imbued in understanding the social issues of today through analyses and immersions. Despite Ateneo’s reputation as one of the most elite schools in the country, it is far from detached from our nation’s reality. Truly, life in Katipunan, and in college, is very different, especially in the Ateneo. A lot I’ve just said probably seemed judgmental and, as I mentioned earlier, it’s kind of difficult to deny the fact that I’ve had my prejudices against the people and culture here. But after spending a year with the very people I used to judge—those elite, bourgeoisie, upper-class as I saw them—this
place had somehow pushed me past beyond my biases; it had prevented me from forgetting that behind every person is a unique story and each new environment serves as a world of knowledge we’ve yet to learn from. Some of us, like me, tend to get lost in the sea of social ideas, norms, and biases we have held for so long. Luckily for me, I’ve met some really great people here, and I’ve learned things I never knew I didn’t know. Ateneo was, in the ways I had just described, a different world. Yet, that’s also what makes Ateneo the place I just had to be in.
IT HAPPENED on a rainy Thursday morning inside the Gonzaga cafeteria. I sat down beside my friends, complaining about a headache and all the work I had done in the past week. As I put my head down on the table, one of them asked, “Maybe it’s physical burnout?” but I didn’t want to consider it. It made me panic thinking about the amount of work I’d have to catch up on if I got sick. I planned my schedule out evenly to have time for my academics, org work, and social life. Ruining that rhythm meant that I’d have to catch up on so many other things. Later that night, I had a fever that reached 39 degrees Celsius and my headache only got worse. I lay in bed, admitting defeat and that maybe I was indeed
experiencing burnout. It wasn’t the first time I got burnt out. However, it was the first time I experienced it that badly. It was my body literally shutting down and telling me to stop working. As someone who loves to work, I was terrified about how I couldn’t do anything. I felt betrayed because my body decided to give up on me after having all these dreams and plans that I hoped to achieve. It was a crushing weight on my chest, but I knew the only person I could blame for my exhaustion was myself. At the same time, the experience was a reminder that I didn’t prioritize my well-being enough amongst all the responsibilities I had. I forgot the last time I was able to binge watch a show on Netflix, read a book for my own pleasure, or sit outside and stare blankly at the night sky. That experience of burnout brought me so much clarity that I had flashbacks to all the events and opportunities I missed out on because I prioritized work. My fear of missing out ironically led me to miss out on the things that made me feel human. I used to live by the statement “go big or go home.” I thought everything I did required me to be
at my 100% and that separating myself meant giving less. Now, I’m forced to rethink my priorities and how I manage my time. While recovering from physical burnout, I finally picked up a book again. It felt nostalgic to smell the pages of a book and to face it instead of the blue light of my laptop. I got lost in the story instead of drowning in work notifications. Putting work on hold was scary, but liberating. “Baby steps are better than none,” I reminded myself as I scrolled through my social media timelines and caught up on what my friends were doing. Healing won’t come easy. I know this. There are still days where I feel like I’m going to crash and burn as badly as last time. Because of burnout, I feel like I lost the part of me that likes to have fun and that prioritizes herself. I’m still figuring out where I lost her along the way, but I’d like to find her again. Learning to take a break is still challenging after years of having the mentality that I should constantly give my everything, even into the early hours of the night. Now, I chose to take a step back from my desk and take a break when I know I need it.
sometimes I don’t share what I’ve written. Having my thoughts out there gives me the jitters. The select few that make it onto my feed are ones that I’m proudest of. The rest make me painfully aware of how much room there is to grow. Though that can serve as motivation, I know, too, how paralyzing that thought can be. Expertise is a bar that grows ever higher—and it’s easy to grow tired of catching up. Catching up takes work. Writing is work. I think of outlines on rides home and dull events so I don’t have to face a blank page. But I still do, to an extent, every time I hunker
down and try to get ideas written, every time my mind pulls out all the stops to make the words sing. The grind is hard to love, even if the payoff isn’t, though the latter is never guaranteed. It’s especially inspiring, then, when those newer to the game declare themselves writers. And on the opposite end, when those who’ve spent more sweat over it than me are still proud to be playing it. Some might think it presumptuous of those starting out, or those struggling, to speak for the craft. But coming from me—one who’s always been
hesitant to stake such a claim— using that title is up to them. The label pressures me to a halt. It gets others going. Who’s to say we can’t use whatever works for us? And whatever the craft in question, I’ve realized that passion isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and carpe diem typography. Passion lies not in smooth sailing, but in the rockiest terrain. If you didn’t have to fight for it in some way—whether by soaking up knowledge, disproving naysayers, or getting over your own self-doubt—it wouldn’t be passion. And chasing it asks for perseverance rather than perfection.
Before I knew it, I was in basketball attire and enrolled in basketball training camps. I don’t recall being asked if I wanted to play basketball, but I do recall not complaining about it. I didn’t mind being the only girl playing against boys. I just wanted to learn and play basketball. In grade school, as soon as we were allowed to join our school’s clubs, I immediately went to the basketball club. What joy it brought me to end up representing my school. I loved the game. I gave it so many days of my life and it gave me so much more in return. Basketball taught me the importance of practice, dedication, patience, and humility. It made me realize my strengths and weaknesses. It taught me that although I’m not the fastest runner, I’m good at keeping up with my opponents to play defense. I loved the winning moments and learned to be resilient through losses. One of my favorite things about it was how long each game would last and how it would make it seem like the outside world—and all the responsibilities that came with it—was nothing.
I knew that I’d eventually have to give up playing basketball. There aren’t any professional women basketball leagues in the Philippines, and even if there were, I knew that it wasn’t the path for me. For as long as I could remember I had a basketball in my hand, but I knew it was time to put it down. Today, you won’t find me with a basketball in my hand. Instead, you’ll find a camera. You won’t find me on the court but on the courtside. It feels different to see the game I love through a camera. I sometimes find myself just watching the game instead of taking photos. It’s still difficult to keep myself from reacting when I see a bad call made. I also can’t help but feel nostalgic whenever I see the passion of the players on the court. I miss the celebrations and even the tired but fulfilling feeling after each game. However, it’s refreshing to witness the game from a different perspective. I get to celebrate my love for the sport through something new—not through being part of the audience or through playing the game, but through capturing all the moments in between.
Obligations MARIANA GARDOCE
Under pressure
Zones ZOEY IGNACIO
Taking a different shot BASKETBALL HAS always been an integral part of my life. My dad is an Ateneo basketball team fanatic, so naturally, he raised me and my brothers the same way. The earliest memories I have of basketball are in Araneta, and although I did not understand the games back then, they had food that was good enough to keep me in my seat. Our weekend schedule would work around Ateneo’s games, if the games were on Sunday, I had to study and do all my homework or else I had to stay at home and watch from the TV. There was no specific moment when I knew that I had a grasp of the game. Eventually, I just knew what a travel or foul was. Suddenly, the gibberish words that I would hear my dad and brother talk about made sense.
George D. Kho is a diplomacy and international relations major and a Beyond Loyola Staffer of The GUIDON. He may be reached at 0917 680 8310 and george.kho@obf.ateneo.edu.
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News
Atenean Voice Given the recent debates surrounding the SOGIE Equality Bill strong stances, what is your opinion on gender-neutral restrooms?
PHOTO BY NATE BOSANO
Von Carolino Head Commissioner, Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality
“Generally, I appreciate the intentions of tolerance, security, and mindfulness behind [these structures]. However, I feel that it’s a red herring to the larger things we fight for as an LGBTQ+ community. It exacerbates the segregation of our people, framing our experiences as a special license to access those amenities, rather than integrating us to the larger society that have long marginalized our views [of] the peripheries. Restrooms, even if they have sex-based infrastructural nuances, are also socio-cultural manifestations of gender segregation. We need to acknowledge the dynamic view [of] gender as socio-culturally constructed and allow people to find security, acceptance, and mindfulness in the corresponding restroom of their choice of identification.
Katrina Tan 1 AB COM
“Though gender-neutral restrooms may seem like a step in the right direction for the LGBTQ+ community, I think that it also subconsciously reinforces a lot of stigma, especially towards transgenders who want to use regular male or female restrooms. The fact that we still need separate restrooms because people feel ‘unsafe’ with transmen and transwomen using regular restrooms just isolates them. It shows that while people do recognize and tolerate transgenders in our society, they do not truly accept them.”
Daniela Villegas 4 AB MEC
“For me, it’s a bandaid solution. Pre-assigned genders are conventionally the only determinants for which bathroom a person is allowed to use. This is supported by harassment cases where they use a trans mask to harass people in the regular male and female bathrooms, which puts the transgender community in a bad light, further sowing the seeds of distrust that is already present in society. While I do want a place where transgenders can fully integrate into all aspects of society, society isn’t ready to implement this safely for both transgenders and women. We want to protect people, period—trans-women who get bullied inside male bathrooms, and cis-women who get [harassed by] predators disguised as trans men.
On an adjacent note, I find it weird when the discussion of possible sexual misconduct and violence are within the parameters of the debate on gender integrated restrooms versus gender-neutral restrooms, because the tendency to abuse the system and harm another exists on both sides of the debate.” Kurt Abalos 4 AB EU
“A gender-neutral bathroom is a step towards gender equality because [one’s] gender label is no longer the priority. Rather, it focuses on creating a safe space for people to do their business, regardless of their gender. It could be a sign that our society is beginning to accept different genders as it allows anyone to use a common safe space.”
Angelo Fabro 2 MA-POS
“Being able to piss or take a dump—regardless of your gender—is a basic human right. Being able to do it comfortably in a toilet is also part of that right. This is why all-gender restrooms should be standardized, so they can serve as safe-spaces for anyone who—because of their gender identity—may feel uncomfortable in conventional restrooms. If all-gender restrooms aren’t feasible, there should at least be a set policy for transgenders and all other non-conforming individuals to be able to use whichever restroom they would feel most comfortable in. It all boils down to mutual respect for your fellow human.”
Micah Chan 2 AB COM
Nina Collado 3 BFA CW
And so I think this is why they’re proposing gender-neutral bathrooms to appease both sides of this issue. This accommodates people who are not comfortable in the bathrooms they’re allowed to use. But it’s not enough. It’s only mere tolerance. My question really is, by appeasing both sides, was there really a solution? Was there really acceptance?” Danielle Evangelista 3 AB COM
“If gender-neutral bathrooms aren’t for multiple people, I’m good with it. Personally, I just like it that way because it’s more quiet. Overall, though, it’s just a matter of privacy. At the end of the day, people who aren’t comfortable with either genders [should] have an option to choose. Everyone deserves to have a safe space.”
Luna Rose* 1 AB HUM
“As a non-binary trans woman, I feel that gender-neutral bathrooms are great for multiple reasons. I am pre-hormone therapy and pre-any type of surgery. I am read as male, so I use the male restroom out of fear when there are no gender-neutral restrooms. I like gender-neutral restrooms because they make me feel comfortable and safe simultaneously. Additionally, most non-binary people don’t feel comfortable in either bathroom regardless of circumstances, and therefore gender-neutral bathrooms are necessary if we are to hold everyone to an equal standard.
“A friend once pointed out to me that traditionally, bathrooms are gender-neutral in our homes. Why then must we be against the idea of it when it’s something that has existed naturally, an orientation we’re familiar with ever since we were young? The difference is the stigma attached to it, influenced by the discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. There is also a problem of distrust that comes from the sexualization of gender when it’s only an assumption that is unfair and irrational. We should instead see how [a bathroom] is a convenient and practical set-up and how it’s an establishment that caters to a basic human right. It’s a step to equality and progress—it is a win for everyone.” “I do think that gender-neutral bathrooms would be helpful for [the LGBTQ+ community] and would also become a comfortable place for people who are part of [it]. This is because even if the Filipinos say there is no need to prioritize trivial things such as this and that they accept the people of this community, there is still discrimination and obvious toleration when it comes to LGBTQ+ people using the restrooms. People would stare at them or get uncomfortable when they are around and so in retrospect they would feel uncomfortable, too. So if gender-neutral restrooms will be able to give them that comfort, then I think it’s something we can give them.”
With that being said, we should not force all LGBTQ+ people into gender-neutral bathrooms. Transwomen can go into female restrooms and transmen can go into male restrooms. Forcing all LGBTQ+ people into an LGBTQ+ bathroom is just segregation. It’s best to have a gender-neutral bathrooms, but do not segregate us.” Althea Santos 2 AB Dip IR
“I support gender-neutral bathrooms provided that provisions first be made to educate Filipino society on gender sensitivity. That’s why the SOGIE Bill is really important. It provides these provisions that recognize and protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s about time we make our society more open-minded, inclusive, and understanding.”
Glimpses Ateneo Art Gallery commemorates anniversary with Yellow Ambiguities Exhibition
Dumagats explain stance against Kaliwa Dam Project
In celebration of the Ateneo Art Gallery’s 59th anniversary as the “first museum of Philippine modern art,” 2014 Purita Kalaw-Ledesma awardee Carlomar Daoana and visual artist Jason Dy, SJ collaborated to curate Yellow Ambiguities. The art exhibit features five sections, namely “Properties and Surfaces,” “Halos and Illuminations,” “Illness and Struggle,” “Forms and Ideas,” and “Tropics and Heat,” each showcasing a specific theme and a specific shade of the color yellow. The exhibit, which follows art historian John Cage’s exploration on color, also includes displays of various collections such as a selection of murals, native fabrics, and religious icons by Ang Kiukok and Cesar Legaspi, among other featured artists. Yellow Ambiguities runs from August 18, 2019 until January 5, 2020 at Areté’s Mr. and Mrs. Ching Tan Gallery and the Mr. and Mrs. Chung Te Gallery. FRANS G. REGALA
Members of the Dumagat-Remontado community from Rizal and Quezon province expressed dissent towards the Kaliwa Dam Project in a forum entitled “Informed and Connected: Stop Kaliwa Dam” held at the University Dorm Roofdeck on September 3. While Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III asserted that the dam will address the claims of a water shortage in Metro Manila, members of the Dumagat community spoke up against the project as it adversely affects their livelihood and culture. Among the community’s concerns is the government’s violation of legal procedures in implementing the project, most especially the lack of free and prior consent from the indigeneous peoples. Furthermore, the Sanggunian, Atenista Laban sa Kaliwa Dam, and Coalition of Ateneans for Indigenous Peoples also discussed studies that criticize the efficacy of the dam, stating that while the dam will incur great costs, it will only address a few years of Metro Manila’s water demands. FRANCHESCA FAJEMOLIN
Ateneo hosts 2019 Maningning Miclat Poetry Awards
Journalists convene to discuss the state of campus press
In collaboration with the Maningning Miclat Art Foundation, the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writing hosted the Maningning Miclat Poetry Awards and presented this year’s winners on September 24 at Escaler Hall. The awards recognize exemplary young artists and poets in honor of poet-painter Maningning Miclat and aim to impart spirit and encouragement to the awardees. On April 13, the foundation opened submissions to poets from all nationalities under the age of 28. Participants were allowed to submit to any one of three divisions, namely Filipino, English, and Chinese. The grand winners for the Filipino and English categories were Ralph Lorenz Fonte for “Sa Mga Alimbukay ng Agwat” and Vincen Gregory Yu for “The Language of Silence and Other Poems” respectively. For undisclosed reasons, there is no winner from the Chinese division this year. MOIRA V. CAYABYAB
Student journalists, campus publication advisers, and media professionals gathered for “Kapihan for Campus Journalists” at CTC 204 on August 31. The event was organized by Regine Cabato, Raizza Bello, and Robbin Dagle, young professionals who were former members of The GUIDON. Participants shared their concerns, opinions, and ideas regarding the current state of campus journalism in the Philippines, where journalists have consistently faced various threats to their press freedom. Some of the problems discussed include lapses in school administrations’ implementation of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, publications’ lack of funds, and the struggle to adapt to multimedia. Aside from this, the forum also touched upon the role campus journalists play in serving their communities by helping the public understand current events through their stories. LEIKA GOLEZ
The GUIDON | October 2019
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PHOTO BY RALPH LIM
S P O R T S O P INIO N
The truth behind empty arenas BY LEI P. MACARANAS
WHEN YOU imagine being at a live Ateneo Men’s Basketball game, you probably picture any of the following: A raucous crowd split between Blue and (most likely) Maroon or Green, thundering drum beats, and highlight plays. But as exciting as all of that sounds, you would probably be lying if you said that the prospect of scavenging social media or lining up at an ungodly hour for tickets does not make you shudder. Failing to come by tickets for a game is a common pain point for student-fans, and the convenient response would be to write it off to shady ticket politics or some grand systemic problem keeping students out of stadiums. But digging deeper, there is something more to this non-attendance than students simply being left out. While Ateneo has a duty to allocate tickets to alumni and sponsors that support the team, this does not take away from the seats that students can fill. In fact, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) President Em Fernandez explains that tickets allocated for sale to students stand up to the combined total for sponsors and alumni. However, the numbers show that sales to sponsors and alumni are higher.
It comes dow n to t he simple fact t hat st udents just do not watch most of the games. Instead, attendance is conditioned by convenience and occasion, and when everyone wants to watch the same game, it cannot be helped that people are left out. MISSING INTEREST One of the draws to watching live games is the chance to see larger-than-life personalities in person. For Ateneans, the factor of “star power” arguably carries less weight than it would for a fan outside Ateneo, which takes away from the urge to support. The sheen of star power wears off a little when you see them queueing in the cafeteria or hunched over a reading in the library. Of course, this opens up the possibility for support to be driven by solidarity, but ticket sales still say otherwise. Moreover, a lot of time and effort is required to see these games live. Time spent in traff ic takes away precious hou rs f rom academic a nd org requ irements —not to mention t he ex tra money spent on tickets and food. Easy access to live streaming and television coverage makes these inconveniences disappear, pulling more people away from sitting in seats.
SELECTIVE PARTICIPATION Another reason for the lack of attendance across all matches is the fact that only so-called “big” games get attention from students. “The students’ choice to watch the game depends on the rival team we will face,” Office of College Athletics Coordinator Benjamin Afuang explains. Matches ag a inst the De La Salle Universit y or the University of the Philippines have more spectators because these g a mes have become social events as much as they are basketball games. Other matches that do not get lead billing are thus not given enough attention by Ateneo’s students, leading to low attendance. WHAT MORE CAN WE DO? As UA AP Season 82 hosts, Ateneo introduced “Student Wednesdays” to encourage st udents to at tend UA A P Basketba ll games. Matches that fall on Wednesdays are priced at only Php 35. However, the only tickets that fall under this promo are the Upper Box and General Admission seats, which pale in comparison to the seats that alumni, donors, and sponsors watch the games from. But if students don’t watch games any way, why give them the best seats in the house? Over the years, Ateneo has
tried many gambits to entice students to watch games, like free rides and even free tickets. Sadly, none of these promotions seem to have worked. “Student Wednesdays” is just another entry in the school’s long list of attempts to boost student attendance in games. Ateneo could also tr y the “Student Wednesdays” promo
for Lower Box a nd Patron tickets to see if seat location act ua lly mat ters. But it is understandable if the school is apprehensive about that idea. Simply put: As long as UA AP Basketball games prove not to be a priority, then Ateneo’s efforts will be for naught. This is not to say that being selective about which games
to see live is wrong or shows a lack of loyalty to the school. In the end, every match-going fan chooses on a basis that is entirely their ow n. W hat we need to remember is that before we cry foul on a system supposedly set against us, we need to check if, most of the time, we keep ourselves out of the stadiums.
What we need to remember is that before we cry foul on a system supposedly set against us, we need to check if, most of the time, we keep ourselves out of the stadiums.
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Sports
Ateneo Sports
Watchlist PHOTO BY ZOEY IGNACIO
UAAP to expand sports coverage for Season 82 BY XAVIER C. BAUTISTA
PHOTO BY BRUCE ONG
Queens of the hill
ALL FOR More, the theme woven into every endeavor this University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UA A P) Season 82, encourages athletes to go above and beyond. And so, in an effort to promote these feats of athletic achievement, Ateneo de Manila University, along with this season’s broadcast partners,
hold on to their reputation as one of the deadliest duos in the UAAP Badminton scene. UAAP Season 82 is also a fitting sendoff for De Vera, as she concludes her collegiate badminton career with a title. While anchored by its veterans, the Lady Eagles also saw the birth of a star in newly proclaimed UAAP Season 82 Rookie of the Year Mika De Guzman. The phenom won all but one of her Singles matches, playing on another level against some of the best in the UAAP.
T h e A t e n e o Wom e n’s Badminton Team attained their fifth overall championship and second back-to-back title run after their first two-peat triumph in UAAP Seasons 75 and 76. The Lady Eagles also did so this season in breathtaking fashion, thrilling the UAAP with their dominant and exhilarating style-of-play. With the women’s badminton crown staying put in Katipunan, the Lady Eagles can rest easy as they remain the queens of the UAAP—and look to be for the foreseeable future.
events through virtual avenues, a ripple is created: Athletes’ efforts are recognized, which allows for the growth of various sports in the Philippines. A s of Oc tober 2 019 , t he fol low i n g spor ts have streaming and broadcasting services available for the UA AP Season 82:
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games only) Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv (Select games only)
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games) Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv (Select games)
MEN’S BASKETBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv
CHEERDANCE COMPETITION Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv
BASEBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games) Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games)
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv (Every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 AM)
MEN’S FOOTBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv
SOFTBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games) Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games)
BY JOACHIM S. MELO
ANOTHER SEASON, another championship. The Ateneo Lady Eagles end their run in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UA AP) Season 82 Women’s Badminton Tournament with another gold medal finish. For the second time in a row, Ateneo stars Co-captains Chanelle Lunod and Joella De Vera share the Most Valuable Player trophy for the season. Individually undefeated in all their Singles matches, the duo managed to
is working to deliver extensive broadcasting and revamped coverage—showcasing more sports than ever before. With recent technological improvements and the presence of online streaming services, sports broadcasting has become more accessible and convenient. By providing exposure for these
NEW RECRUITS. The Ateneo Sports Club sector holds their annual recruitment week in front of the Gonzaga cafeteria. | PHOTO BY BRUCE ONG
Game changer: Ateneo sports clubs revitalized BY JAVI P. MAPA
SMASHING IT HOME. UAAP Season 82 Women’s Badminton Co-MVP Chanelle Lunod banks a crucial shot against the Lady Maroons to bring the crown back to Loyola Heights. | PHOTO BY BRUCE ONG
HISTORICALLY, SPORTS clubs in Ateneo have struggled both financially and competitively due to the lack of a framework devoted to their success. But on March 28, this problem was finally addressed when sports clubs collected enough signatures to be recognized as an official sector in the University. Formerly under the Intramurals Athletics Council, the Ateneo Sports Club Sector (ASCS) now exists as its own entity thanks to ASCS Officer-in-Charge and Sanggunian member Jerard Afable
and member of the Department of External Affairs Sociopolitical Arm of the Sanggunian Jannele Jimenez. They both believe that athletes for all sports should be properly supported by Ateneo through funding for their own jerseys, tournaments, and transportation, among other benefits. The sector’s long-term goal is to be recognized by the entire Ateneo administration, and not just the Loyola Schools (LS), which would open up more possibilities for its progression because of the potential use of
venues and facilities not under the LS. The sports currently under the ASCS, such as flag football, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, archery, dance sport, and futsal, are aligned with the sector’s aim to promote sports that are not in the mainstream. Ultimately, the ASCS encourages athletes to be passionate about living out their athletic dreams while representing the school, as stated in their 2019 Recruitment Week slogan: Don’t miss out on the game of your life.
The GUIDON | October 2019
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G A L L E R Y O F E AG L E S
FROM PHENOM TO COACH: The return of Kat Quimpo BY VITO MARTIN AND SELINA DE DIOS
For Ateneo Women’s Basketball Head Coach Kat Quimpo, basketball has always been close to her heart. As a little girl, she watched Allen Iverson break players’ ankles with no remorse, made daily visits to the basketball court with her uncle, and tirelessly practiced moves against her cousins. B a s ke tb a l l e v e nt u a l l y evolved from a minor interest to a daily routine for Quimpo. “Doing that pretty much every day, I think it made me fall in love with the sport,” she says. Her love for the game bloomed as she grew older, eventually translating to a career in high school and collegiate basketball.
PHOTO BY LEO LOPEZ
A STELLAR COLLEGIATE CAREER After a standout high school basketball career in De La Salle Zobel, Quimpo found herself at a crossroads: Would she play for the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers, or would she take her talents to their rivals, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles? DLSU was an incredibly enticing option. Quimpo aspired to take up Liberal Arts and Commerce—an arts and business double degree program unique to La Salle. The women’s basketball situation at Taft was objectively better as well: La Salle, back in 2002, was the defending University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champions, while Ateneo had only won three UAAP games in the last three years.
But Quimpo simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play for Ateneo. While an important factor was the challenge of helping the underdogs, what ultimately swayed her decision was the campus. “I just fell in love with it,” Quimpo recalls upon first seeing the Loyola Schools grounds. She suited up for the Blue and White, began her stellar collegiate career, and never looked back. Quimpo quickly claimed the starting point guard role as a rookie. By her third year in 2005, she helped deliver the UAAP crown to Katipunan. The team was in fine form the following year in UAAP Season 69, until Quimpo fractured her left hand two days before their semis elimination game. In a herculean effort, Quimpo decided to play through the injury. Unfortunately, her determination and hunger still failed to clinch the win. Ateneo did not make their return to the finals after being bested by Far Eastern University in a heartbreaking 44-46 defeat. In her final season in 2007, Quimpo and the Lady Eagles fought their way back to the finals, forcing a showdown against the University of the Philippines. She led the team to their second championship in three years, winning the Finals Most Valuable Player along the way. This was the sweetest victory and the perfect send off to her basketball career— as a player, that is. FROM TAKING THE SHOTS TO CALLING THE SHOTS Even before she graduated, Quimpo dreamed of giving back to the Ateneo community. Quimpo thought that coaching would be the perfect way to help the basketball program that she owed so much to. However, any idea of this quickly
dissipated when she left the basketball scene to focus on her entrepreneurial endeavors. But when then-head coach of the Lady Eagles Erika Dy invited her to join the coaching staff as an assistant in 2015, Quimpo couldn’t say no. Four years later, Quimpo eventually ascended as head coach of the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team. Quimpo’s unique standpoint as a former player and point guard is seen in her system, which is predicated by ball movement and reads rather than set actions. However, her experience as a player has also proven to be a doubleedged sword—it’s far too easy for her to empathize with the hardships of being a student-athlete. “I will always have a heart for players, because I know their struggles,” she admits. This has made tough decisions even harder to call, especially when it comes to disciplining the team. But Quimpo’s experience as a player also gives her an understanding of how short-lived women’s basketball can be in the Philippines. Unlike men’s basketball, where there is an abundance of professional avenues in the country, a career in women’s basketball comes sparingly. Quimpo knows that she is lucky to get a second chance with the sport she has always loved, and because of this same realization, she puts a premium on the values she can teach her athletes and fellow coaches. Quimpo wants to help the girls grow—not just as athletes, but as human beings. “I know that women’s basketball isn’t forever,” Quimpo admits. “What I know will last is the values and character that are shaped in their college life. I don’t wanna waste those opportunities to help the athletes grow as a person.”
BACK ON THE HARDCOURT. Former Lady Eagle Kat Quimpo dons the blue and white once more as head coach of the Ateneo Women’s Basketball team. | PHOTO BY ALDO SANTIAGO
EDITORS: KIRBY G. JALANDONI AND JOAQUIN A. SANTOS | LAYOUT ARTISTS: KURT TAN AND NEIL R. REYES FROM PHENOM TO COACH
Sports
12 years after her two UAAP titles with the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team, Kat Quimpo made her return as the face of the program—this time at the helm as the head coach.
PHOTOS BY JIM DASAL
Greater than gold BY APA D. AQUINO AND MIGGY A. DIMAIWAT
FOR M A N Y years, Ateneo has constantly preached the value of magis which directly t r a n sl a te s to “ more ” or “greater.” While this can be slightly misunderstood to mean quantitatively doing more, the word refers to fulfilling more than what is expected and calls for a commitment to something bigger than ourselves. As Ateneo hosts this year’s University Athletic Association
In committing to this approach, the UAAP set an example of how fulfilling its duties as an organizing body can be carried out through responsible social action.
of the Philippines (UA A P) Season 82, the theme “All for More” was chosen for the athletic season. The UA AP essentially challenged competing athletes and organizers alike to channel the spirit of magis and aim for achievements beyond the realm of sports. The organizing committee set the bar long before the first buzzer by redefining the very symbol of athletic success: The awards. This season, the trophies and medals were composed of recycled plastic wrappers and metal scraps sourced from commu nities in Taa l a nd Biñan as well as bullet casings collected from the aftermath of the 2017 Marawi siege. The lanyards of the medals were also woven by members of the Maranao tribe. The incor poration of these materials was as much a n ex ter na l t r iu mph a s it w a s a n i nte r n a l one . B y involv ing dif ferent Filipino communities and furthering env ironmenta lly-f r iend ly initiatives, the UA AP extended its impact beyond athletics. Inter na lly, representat ives f r om e ve r y p a r t ic ip a t i n g university pooled networks to source materials and connect various groups of people from different backgrounds. This initiative demonstrated that the “All for More” theme was not just applied in breadth, making an impact on a range of sectors and people, but also in depth, reflected in the united front it took to execute this vision. FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET Ateneo University Athletics O ff ice Director Emmanuel Fernandez shared that the idea was inspired by an article he read detailing Japan’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics proposal, which included retrieving materials from discarded electronics to produce medals for the Games.
“Once paglabas nun, t inawagan ko yung agenc y: ‘Ma k a k a h an ap ba k ayo s a Pilipinas na kayang gumawa niyan?’ (When I saw the article, I called the agency and asked if they could find anyone in the Philippines who could do that),” explained Fernandez. With a plethora of UA AP events across men’s and women’s seniors and juniors divisions, the impact of susta inably manufactured awards is far from insignificant. Upwards of 2,000 trophies and medals were made. Should these awards have been produced through conventional means, the UA AP would have missed a great opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts and set a new standard moving forward. Using bullet shells and metal scraps from Marawi curbed the need to mine for materials. Fur thermore, recycling plastic trash contributed to environmental conser vation a nd feat u r ing Ma r a nao made lanyards promoted the natives’ rich culture. Even the trophies themselves made use of repurposed wood that an Ifugao woodcarver brought to life. To accomplish this feat, A teneo col lab or ated w it h Junk Not, an interior design company led by Wilhelmina Garcia, that develops plastic waste into fully functional and sustainable furniture. In com m it t i n g to t h is approach, the UA AP set an example of how fulfilling its duties as an organizing body can can be carried out through responsible socia l action. Ultimately, this move gave the awards a greater purpose than simply distinguishing winners from losers. SUPPORT AFTER THE SIEGE Besides its impact on the environment, the awards take
on a special symbolism because these were born, in part, from the aftermath of violence. Two years ago, a five-month long armed conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Maute Group ensued in Marawi City, leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. The scars of the conflict and the dire situation the people of Marawi continue to face add weight to the repurposed bullet casings winning athletes will wear around their necks and raise in triumph. What was previously a symbol of the horrors of violence has been transformed into a symbol of solidarity. In t he UA A P Season 82 Opening Ceremony, University President Jet t Villa r in, SJ painted the victory of an athlete as a triumph for the initiative’s partner communities as well. “The trophy might be yours if you win whatever competition, but you will also win this for a community in Marawi. You will win this for a community in Taal and a community in Biñan because they make your trophies,” he said. T he UA A P ’s e f for t s to broaden its impact beyond athletics impa r ts t wo learnings: Community must come b e fore comp e t it ion and the pursuit of glor y has to include more t ha n just ourselves. “We see our rival, and we say thank you, because you w i l l help me become b e t ter—not ju s t a b e t ter athlete, but a better person. So, we say ‘All,’” said Villarin. At t he end of t he day, a trophy in sports is still just a trophy, but transforming the awards into a symbol of victory through cooperation amongst competitors, v ictor y for the betterment of the environment, and victory in spite of violence and hopelessness deepens what defines success. As Father Jett said, “We say more, because our heart is bigger.”
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EDITOR: DANIELLE R. GARCIA | LAYOUT ARTIST: TAN YU LING FABRO
Beyond Loyola
THE PARENT TRAP
In downplaying the role of fathers in child development, the Expanded Maternity Leave Act failed to normalize how familial responsibilities extend to both men and women.
04
DYING PLANET. Students from the Loyola Schools and the University of the Philippines gathered in front of the office of the Commission on Human Rights during the Global Climate Youth Strike last September 2019. | PHOTOS BY JULIA CARPIO
Mine over matter BY PIOEE B. BASSIG AND ZACHARY C. GONZALES
FOR 30 years, the AustralianCanadian mining f irm OceanaGold Corporation has maintained an unwavering presence in the mineral-rich province of Nueva Vizcaya. In 2006, OceanaGold acquired Didipio Gold-Copper Mine in Barangay Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, through a merger with Australian mining firm ClimaxArimco Mining Corporation. It currently operates in the mine through through its OceanaGold Ph i l ippi nes I ncor p or ated (OGPI) subsidiary. Last June 20, the company’s Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) finally expired. In an unexpected move, OceanaGold boldly continued to conduct mining operations despite its expired license. Subsequently, this sparked discontent, leading to physical intervention through manned checkpoints and people’s barricades from anti-mining groups and local government councils. With a track record marred by env ironmental hazards, unkept promises, and human rights abuses, OceanaGold faces protests and suspension orders from activists and local government units that are pushing to prevent the company’s FTAA renewal for good. DOGGED DETERMINATION The FTA A is a grant between the Philippine government and the mining company that allows the firm to “explore, extract, and utilize minerals for development and commerce for a 25-year period.” In anticipation of its license’s expiration, OceanaGold filed for an FTA A renewal in March 2018. The motion for renewal reached the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, who then forwarded it to the Office of the President. However, due to a lack of Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC) f rom the indigenous peoples (IP) from
Nueva Vizcaya, the request was not approved. In a n inter v iew w it h The GUIDON, Center for Env i ron ment a l Concer ns (CEC) Research and Advocacy Coordinator Lia Alonzo mentioned that Didipio’s barangay council deemed the license renewal to be illegal. This prompted the Sangguniang Barangay to release Resolution No. 59 on June 21—with the provincial government quickly following suit on June 25—to restrict OceanaGold’s operations. However, even as resident volunteers teamed up with local state security agents to prevent OGPI trucks from leaving the 975hectare mining site, Samahang pang Karapatan ng Katutubong Magsasaka at Mang gagawa Incorporated (SAPAKKMI) Leader Julie Simongco, along with other members of the team, recalled the sound of helicopters going to and from the area. “[We] fear the company may be smuggling out produce,” she said. Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (KalikasanPNE) national coordinator Leon Dulce, together with other groups, threatened to sue the company to rehabilitate the areas that are being affected by mining. “There [is] plenty of…evidence that OceanaGold violated various environmental, socioeconomic, and human-rights regulations, which should warrant the mine’s stoppage,” Dulce stressed. Determined to legitimize their continuing operations, OceanaGold General Manager David Way sent a letter addressed to the Didipio barangay council. It cited a Mines and Geosciences letter which stated that “existing licenses ‘shall not expire’ until the application for renewal has been finally determined.” Upon reviewing the controversy surrounding OceanaGold, Alonzo argued that the Mining Act of 1995 allegedly lacks provisions regarding the renewal process. “[OceanaGold] illegally operated since the renewal process [of the license] is still ongoing. [It] should have accomplished all requirements before applying
for a renewal,” she retorted. “In addition, it has not complied with the agreements statement in the environmental compliance certificate which should have been sufficient basis for the nonrenewal of their FTAA.” RISKING LEAF AND LIMB Despite the criticism against them, OceanaGold has not been hesitant to call itself a champion of sustainable operations. “Responsible mining is fundamental to the way we do business…This is true for all our operations… [including] Nueva Vizcaya in the Philippines,” OceanaGold CEO Mick Wilkes remarked in August this year, referencing the company’s comprehensive sustainability report in 2018. Several parties, including researchers and environmental groups, have argued that there is a disjunct between OceanaGold’s perception of itself and reality. OceanaGold’s presence in Didipio is not just another narrative of environmental degradation. It is also a story of displaced IP families, substandard wages, and violence. Still, OceanaGold claims to be a partner in community-building. In spite of that claim, “187 houses were demolished and 133 families were evacuated since 2006 because of the presence of armed forces,” Alonzo narrated. She added that IPs, particularly the Tuwali and Bungkalots, have also been caught in the middle, as their ancestral lands have fallen into OceanaGold’s purview. On OceanaGold’s alleged offenses, Alonzo took the liberty of corroborating a distinct few. She noted the change in topography and land use due to the land’s conversion into a mine and a materials byproducts depository. These developments have caused the community to be wary of potential landslides or spillage of byproduct materials. “The environmental destruction and social problems that OceanaGold has caused is enough basis to stop [their] operations,” she argued. The situation is not better off on the livelihood front.
Despite Nueva Vizcaya being a significant contributor in the agricultural sector, KalikasanPNE pointed out in a report that local farmers lamented the agricultural activity, which has actually stunted by 30%. Apart from this, local workers in the operation also complained about insufficient compensation. In the same Kalikasan-PNE report, a 2011 Commision on Human Rights probe found that 100 members of the Philippine National Police used truncheons, shields, and tear gas to neutralize residents who protested against the demolition of their homes. The same year saw the security forces' establishment of a compound, allowing for 100 military men and 150 security guards to either fire teargas on or breach the village. Mining crews moved in to aid in the demolition.
OceanaGold’s foremost argument for its renewal and continuing operations is the premise that they are not causing massive harm to the environment. However, the evidence to disprove this claim is compelling—and to some, outright incriminating. Researchers from Canada, the United States, and the Philippines published a comprehensive report on OceanaGold back in 2018. The document cited 10 areas of violation—from water-source contamination to human rights abuses—and nine legislations that have also been breached by the company. A MATTER OF TIME The company has maintained t hat it ha s aut hor i zat ion from the [MGB] to continue operations. Truck movements h a ve b e e n p e r f u nc tor i l y
stopped to prevent f ur ther blowback, but the mining firm continues to operate despite public outcr y and by passed laws. A s such, LGUs a nd environmental groups such as SAPAKKMI have maintained a steady opposition to further limit the company’s operations. However, while the national government remains silent on the issue, the junking of OceanaGold’s FTAA renewal is far from fruition. While the Office of the President has the final say on whether or not to renew OceanaGold’s license for another 25 years, Dulce has stated that the Duterte administration’s decision will serve as an “acid test” of its stance on mining. Ne ver t heless, on ly t ime will tell if the next 25 years in Didipio will be marked with the locale’s gradual restoration or further destruction.
2
Beyond Loyola
Trade war gains: Keeping up with Asia’s emerging economies BY MARCO C. OCAMPO-TAN AND JUSTINE RAMIREZ
A FTER A year of everincreasing tariffs, United States (US) President Donald Trump’s trade war with China has both superpowers losing. As observed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the tension caused a decline in exports between the two countries, with US trade partners quick to take China's place in the market. Given Southeast A sia’s rapid success, close proximity with China, and well-received reputation among multinational corporations, the region should expect gains from the trade conflict before peaking in 2021. The IMF, for instance, recorded that when China withheld almost USD 850 million worth of imports in 2018, the loss was nearly earned back by an increase in imports from Mexico. Trade conf lict examples like this illustrate the opportunity for Southeast Asia to leverage its success through what the Asian Development Bank (ADB) calls “trade redirection.” SPILLOVER FROM HIGH TARIFFS According to a July 2019 study conducted by US commercial real estate firm Jones Lang Lasalle, American manufacturing firms in China are likely to relocate operations to Southeast
Asia. This is largely due to increasing labor costs in China, which is reinforced by US-imposed tariffs on the Mainland. Investors find the region attractive due to competitive labor costs, lower trade tariffs, and its large and growing consumer market. In fact, the ADB has predicted that the worst outcomes of the trade war can still boost the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) manufacturing sector. Moreover, the ADB also posited that the ASEAN Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will still increase by 0.4% or USD 9 billion should the trade conflict scenario turn dire. ADB uses a “worse-case” scenario example of the US imposing tariffs on the global trade of automobiles and auto parts to further illustrate this point. Simulating the tariff impositions, the ADB found that countries whose supply chains were heavily linked to China and the US would suffer due to falling imports and rising costs. Being the second biggest exporter of car parts to the US, China would then leave a huge gap in the market, should they withdraw. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has thus stated that the US-China trade war is “an opportunity for the Philippines to attract more export-oriented manufacturing foreign direct investments (FDI).”
THE PHILIPPINE RESPONSE Why, then, does the Philippines seem to gain very little from the flow of investments into the region despite the aforementioned advantages? ADB statistics show that as of December 2018, Philippine GDP only grew by 0.2%. It is the second-lowest rate increase relative to ASEAN — a far cry from Vietnam's 2.2% and Cambodia's 1.1% growth rates. Ateneo Inter nationa l Economics professor Marissa Paderon, PhD argued that “we were so good during the last administration because we instituted a lot of reforms.” The Aquino administration committed to improving infrastructure as well as development in the agricultural sector, thus securing confidence in the country’s governance. This, consequently, drew in enough investors for FDIs to grow by 54% in 2011. Paderon added that the current administration’s economic reforms make investors reluctant due to a lack of incentives and stability in the local business environment. “We tend to reverse our policies, which is the reason why we cannot take off,” she said. It is paramount to explore various ways by which the Philippines can acquire more foreign investments. Paderon surmises that the government must follow Vietnam and Malaysia's lead, noting that the Philippines started losing some of its markets to the former in 2015, and how the latter was excellent in attracting FDI. Vietnam’s investment on infrastructure, particularly into electricity and internet connection, greatly helped attract foreign investments. Its educational system was strengthened as well, thereby producing educated technicians and
laborers and exhibiting stability. Moreover, manufacturing costs in the Philippines are considerably higher, which explains why Vietnam is winning some of our manufacturing markets. As for Malaysia, its Eleventh Malaysia Plan continues to ensure economic and social welfare. Paderon thus maintained that “investments are really important in terms of long-run economic growth.” The aforementioned countries heavily invested on internal development and Paderon insisted that “the Philippines must go beyond trade policy and into legislative measures” as well. This means developing legislation that caters to domestic concerns such as education, infrastructure, and stability.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has stated that the US-China trade war is “an opportunity for the Philippines to attract more export-oriented manufacturing foreign direct investments.”
THE PRICE OF PROGRESS Due to the lack of legislative measures ensuring domestic security, existing and potential foreign investors have become wary of the prospect of losing their ta x incentives. This specif ica lly concer ns the perpetual 5% tax on gross income and zero duties on importation of capital, as stated in the Corporate Income Tax Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) bill. These ta x incentives are g r a nted by t he cou nt r y ’s Investment Promotion Agencies (IPA). Recently, the Philippine Econom ic Z one Aut hor it y ( P E Z A) — w h i c h d i r e c t l y employs more than a million Filipinos and has brought in FDI worth Php 891 billion from 2015 to 2018—has been the most vocal Citira-resistant IPA. Philippine Ecozones Association President Francisco Zaldarriaga stressed that removing PEZA’s incentives would make the Philippines a less attractive investment destination, thus putting a considerable amount of jobs at risk. Paderon confirmed that such a loss may prompt the exit of foreign investors because these very incentives are what influenced foreign investors to enter the country in the first place. However, the House’s Ways and Means Committee Chair Joey Sa lceda neg ated this, saying that “once [the foreign investors] read the law, they will stay…[they are only exhibiting] ide olo g ic a l re si s t a nc e to change.” On PEZA’s exemption, Salceda added that “there is no circumstance or condition that makes PEZA locators sui generis (i.e., one of a kind).” O n t h e c on c e r n o f unemployment, Department of Finance Undersecretary Karl Chua emphasized that “there
is no threat of job destruction or loss.” Instead, he posed that about 1.5 million jobs are likely to be created due to the decrease of corporate income tax from 30% to 20%. Investors that had fled the previously high tax rates will be enticed to return. INCITING CERTAINTY AND STABILITY The Senate’s Way s a nd Means Chair Pia Cayetano ack nowledged t he tension bet ween public and private stakeholders, whose interests tend to conf lict w ith one another, and stated that Citira’s legislation requires looking for “that sweet spot, [so] that the Filipino people…[will] have something to gain…[from] the investors that are bringing their business in the country.” Sa lceda conc u r red w it h Cayetano, say ing, “ We can ne ver per fec t leg islat ion, but one thing is sure: It is bad to prolong the business uncertainty and the best thing to do is to approve [Citira] and allow investors to decide on that basis.” Consequently, law makers and economic teams must continue to conduct a thorough and timely examination of the Citira bill’s prov isions. Extensive data on the bill may help lawmakers strike a careful balance for all relevant and concerned stakeholders. In other words, the focus must sh if t f rom trade re g u l at ion to i mpro v i n g domestic factors that could ease the doing of business in the countr y. Doing so calls for political will, long-term planning, and collaboration across government agencies.
ILLUSTRATION BY IVERSON ONG
The GUIDON | October 2019
3 SIDEBAR
Tax incentives: Our foreign investments’ tragic hero BY MARCO C. OCAMPO-TAN
THE PHILIPPINE Economic Zone Authority (PEZ A), a government agency tasked to promote investments for our cou ntr y ’s ex por t- or iented manufacturing industry, is known for offering highly attractive fiscal incentives. All PEZA-registered enterprises, known as locators, are entitled to Income Tax Holidays (ITH), 5% Gross Income Earned (GIE) tax, and tax and duty-free importation of raw materials. These incentives are responsible for having brought in foreign direct investment worth billions of pesos. Moreover, PEZA contributes substantially to employment, with locators directly employing 1.4 million Filipinos from 19952017. As of 2018, the majority of Filipino-employed locator investments operated within the Electronics and Semiconductors sector (36.17%), followed by the Manufacturing sector (20.68%), and the Information Technology Services sector (11.67%). Recently, PEZA has generated noise because it opposed the Corporate Income Tax Incentive Reform Act (Citira) and pushed for an all-or-nothing exemption for its locators. Among other things, Citira seeks to remove redundant fiscal incentives, such as the 5% GIE tax enjoyed by manufacturing and information technologybusiness process management (IT-BPM) companies. However, PEZA Director General Charito Plaza stressed that Citira’s goal of overhauling tax incentives will not be optimal for exportor iented compa n ies. For instance, a shift to corporate income tax (CIT) can increase tax payments in the IT-BPM sector by up to 170%. Vice President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industr y of the Philippines Nobuo Fujii said that Japanese investors think “this TRABAHO TRAIN 2... [is] a very dangerous situation in the Philippines.” C o n s e q u e n t l y, i n v e s t o r s have trained their sights on Vietnam instead for their next
plant expansion. The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Incorporated agreed with Plaza as well, urging lawmakers to maintain the incentives currently enjoyed by most foreign companies, as it helps them offset the country’s high cost of doing business. With that, ecozone developers and locators have said that they are amenable to some compromise. For instance, the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines President Rey Untal would rather that the GIE tax is increased from 5% to 7%, without the provision to transition to CIT. Plaza has said as well that PEZA “should be amenable to [a] 7 percent [increase in] GIE, but no sunset clause or transition to CIT.” Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez likewise proposed a GIE tax hike. However, should the government mandate the implementation of CIT, Lopez will continue to argue for a transition period longer than five to eight years to minimize job losses. However, Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Karl Chua rejected PEZA’s call to exempt its locators from Citira and emphasized that out of the government’s foregone revenues worth Php 441 billion, PEZA incentives accounted for Php 346 billion. Theoretically, PEZA’s GIE tax perk—which can be availed after the ITH expires—could last forever since no expiration period exists under current laws. Moreover, Finance Undersecretary and DOF Chief Economist Gil Beltran said that the economic team doesn’t oppose PEZA nor the incentives. Rather, they “are simply trying to fix a long-broken system.” It is this huge foregone revenue from perpetual tax incentives that prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to aim for the minimizing of government revenue losses. Unfortunately, with a compromise yet to be reached, uncertainty continues to send jitters across the business landscape. To that, Chua reassured stakeholders that he “will commit to responding to each of their position papers… [and] to put them all together and see the package work.”
Recently, PEZA has generated noise because it opposed the Corporate Income Tax Incentive Reform Act (Citira) and pushed for an all-or-nothing exemption for its locators.
4
Beyond Loyola
Philippine peacebuilding: Lessons from the UN security and governance issues have delayed efforts for peace. Thus, missions like MINUJUSTH may provide insights into peacebuilding for the region.
ILLUSTRATION BY ALVIN DY
to establish MINUSTAH (i.e., Mission des Nations Unies pour la Stabilisation en Haïti) or the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti, a militar y peacekeeping mission. 13 years later, MINUSTAH shifted to a smaller policing operation, MINUJUSTH (i.e., Mission des Nations Unies pour l'appui de la Justice en Haïti) or the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti, to address the nation’s need for stronger civilian institutions. In contrast to MINUSTAH, the MINUJUSTH peacekeeping force did not incorporate any military personnel, but was composed of various police units. The UN missions faced criticism several
times for alleged human rights violations and violent clashes with protesters, resulting in casualties. However, despite the backlash, the peacekeeping operation was largely hailed as a success by the UNSC and by observers owing to the re-establishment and strengthening of institutions such as the national police. MINUJUSTH ended on October 15 in lieu of a UN political mission. However, the exit of the last UN peacekeeping personnel comes at a time of political turmoil that has erupted in the past few weeks as a result of the country’s economic woes and corruption scandal. Like Haiti, the Philippines also faces issues of instability, especially in Mindanao where
The parent trap
the [mother] to take on more childcare responsibilities and for the [father] to take on less as his confidence in his own competence gradually erodes.” In a 2013 essay, Sanchez-Salcedo illustrated the impact such a dynamic has had on family life. “When working wives need help in their childcare duties, they turn to other women within the family, or even outside the family instead of soliciting the assistance of their husbands,” she said.
BY DERICK M. GABRILLO AND GEORGE D. KHO
IN 2004, a coup d’état in Haiti ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide who was replaced by Chief Justice Boniface Alexandre as interim president. The coup was one of many factors that contributed to instability in the country, along with systemic issues in governance, strained relations with the Dominican Republic, and waves of natural disasters. Alexandre then requested a Un ited Nat ion s ( U N ) inter vention to restore law and order. By June 1, 2004, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed Resolution 1529
BY NADINE A. ALTAVÁS AND FRANCES C. ROBERTO
FEW EXPERIENCES compare to the wonders of childbirth. Even when it is the nth time an addition to the family is made, it is always something to behold. The days that follow are not any less of a marvel. It can even be said that the challenges of those subsequent months—the sleepless nights, the endless crying, and the numerous decisions parents are confronted with—commands greater attention. That is the principle behind maternity leave: Not only do mothers need to be granted a period of recover y from the labor of giving birth, they also require time to provide the tremendous care required by newborn children. The recent passage of the Expanded Maternity Leave (EML) law is a step towards that end. Signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last February, the act entitles mothers to paid leave for 105 days and an optional 30 days without pay, as compared to the 60 days previously stipulated by law for normal childbirth and the 78 days for cesarean delivery. For Senator Risa Hontiveros, who sponsored the bill, EML is a “massive victory” for women as it is for men. One of the key provisions of the new legislation allows a mother to transfer seven days of her paid maternity leave to the father of her child, regardless of whether or not they are civilly wed. Coupled with another seven days due to the terms of the Paternity Leave Act of 1996 (RA 8187), this translates to two weeks of paid paternity leave that fathers may now avail of.
“Parenting is a collective effort, and pregnancy is both a delicate and precious time,” Hontiveros said in a press release. “Pregnancy and child care are not the responsibility of women alone.” However, reality might still be a ways away from that vision of gender equality. Although wellintentioned, EML may end up reinforcing the same patriarchal values it set out to dismantle. MOTHER’S INTUITION? In a 2019 journal article entitled “The Folly of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law,” Attorney Emily Sanchez-Salcedo argues that the paternity leave benefit afforded by EML is futile. To begin with, the enforcement of the leave is entirely up to the discretion of the mother, who is unlikely to make that choice. “That seven days can be allocated to the father only at the option of the mother,” she wrote. “But will they decide to do so if the father does not know how to soothe a crying baby?” Sanchez-Salcedo explained that it is not that men are inherently incapable of doing so. Parenting, she said, is a skill that is learned, not a characteristic that is fundamental to one’s sex. Like with any other skill, it requires time which, in this case, is not equally divided between mother and father. Even in the scenario that the former entrusts a week of her maternity leave to the latter, she still has 98 days compared to his seven. “The likely result is for the [mother] to develop greater expertise in childcare than the [father],” she said. “This can eventually lead to a mutual desire, whether ex pressly agreed or quietly assumed, for
A MAN’S WORLD The effects of EML also extend to the workplace, particularly in corporate hiring practices. In a survey conducted by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), 68% to 70% of employers under the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) aired concerns over the “higher cost implications” of employing women since they are the main beneficiaries of the law.
FOUNDATIONS FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION Instability and neglect by the central government has left locals in Mindanao dismayed, but from this, an opportunity to apply lessons in peacebuilding from the UN arises. In 2013, MNLF founder Nur Misuari called for the deployment of UN peacekeepers to monitor the region as
a resp on se to a l le g ed increased militarization. However, nothing came of this as the Malacañang dismissed the idea. Then-Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing, “Anong giyera? (What war?) We are having a war against poverty, I can guarantee that. The war against poverty doesn’t need peacekeepers.” Despite Misuari’s calls for demilitarization, martial law was declared in Mindanao four years later in response to the Maute Group’s attack on Marawi in 2017. Martial law was imposed to give the military more options—including censorship—to curb threats posed by armed groups. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) holds that martial law is necessary for ensuring security in Mindanao. According to Salvador, the military’s presence in the region has also elicited varying responses. “There is mixed public perception of the impact of national security forces in the Muslim communities,” Salvador said. She noted that some areas resisted militarism for fear of abuses, while others believed that government services such as infrastructure building, law enforcement, and disaster relief aid would not be available without a military presence. In Haiti, UN peacekeeping forces played a similar role in providing basic services, mainly in the form of humanitarian aid. A UN presence in Mindanao may be used to aug ment government services, as well as aid in security operations. While there has been an international security presence on the island since 2004 in the form of the
International Monitoring Team, it does not perform military or police operations like UN peacekeepers. It mainly acts as an observer and mediator for conf licts bet ween the government and armed groups. In another effort to bring peace in t he reg ion, t he Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was passed in 2018, which aims to increase the region’s autonomy and allocate funds directly to the regional government. The BOL was recently lauded by President Duterte in a speech for reducing the f ighting in Mindanao. However, it is not a one size fits all solution as analysts warn lawmakers that such a law could lead to more factionalism, as evidenced by the BIFF, which split from the MILF as a result of the peace talks. Instances of factionalism, coupled with MILF disarmament as per the BOL, could produce a power vacuum in the region for other militant groups to exploit. Furthermore, the locals’ lack of trust towards the AFP and PNP may stifle efforts to improve security in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, suggesting a need for a neutral peacekeeping force—like the UN—that may bridge the gap between the locals and national security forces. If the UN’s Haiti peacekeeping mission teaches us one thing, it’s that UN intervention may be a necessary step to end the conflict and build a lasting peace. A UN peacekeeping force in Mindanao would not only bolster security, but rebuild communities and foster hope for the future.
Although the findings of the study are not conclusive proof that companies w ill begin h i r i n g d ispropor t ionately against women, TUCP President Raymond Mendoza warns that the results are “tantamount to an admission” that employers will start doing so. ECOP President Sergio OrtizLuiz echoed the sentiment. “It’s a law that we’ll tr y to implement although a lot of our small companies are unhappy,” he said in an inter view with CNN. He added that financially unstable businesses will be hard pressed to cover the cost of a 105-day paid leave, suggesting that they might elect to not employ women altogether. In response to the ECOP statement, the Gabriela Women’s Party argued that there are existing legislations and conventions in place that prevent gender-based discrimination in hiring. One example is the Magna Carta of
Women, which ensures equal employment opportunities in one of its provisions. Article 135 of the Labor Code is another law that protects against gender-based hiring. Despite good intentions, the law still presents some limitations, as Sanchez-Salcedo pointed. For instance, the article indeed proh ibits employers f rom discriminating against female employees on the basis of sex; any violation thereof will penalize the employer with either a fine, imprisonment, or both—but employers are usually able to circumvent this. She explained that there are no safeguards in the Labor Code for the non-hiring of women, as women are protected under the law only when they are already employed in the company. Women waiting on employers who are still contemplating on who to hire remain vulnerable to discrimination.
This emphasis on the role of women in domestic instead of economic responsibilities perpetuates a prejudice against the role of men in fulfilling the same duties. “The law singled out women of childbearing age and showered them with special treatment at the expense of the employer,” SalcedoSanchez argued. She added that providing fathers with only seven paid leaves upholds the mindset that they are the primary breadwinners of the family, whereas mothers have no choice but to fill in the role of the caregiver. In downplaying the role of fathers in child development, the EML failed to normalize how familial responsibilities extend to both men and women. As a result, mothers are kept from breaking the glass ceiling at work, and fathers are prevented from competently exercising paternal roles.
PEACE BACK HOME Despite actively promoting peacekeepi ng abroad by contributing troops to UN operations, the Philippines continues to face conf lict at home—particularly in Mindanao, where issues of poverty and governance have caused instability and created a hotbed for rebels. Department of Political Science assistant professor Alma Salvador, PhD cited weak law enforcement as one of the causes of increasing crime and terrorism in Mindanao. “[The] centralization of governance in Manila [is an example of] policies of exclusion of the Muslims in Mindanao. [The] government's militarization deepened the divide between Christians and Muslims,” she said. Salvador listed those causes as key factors to the rise of armed groups like the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
ILLUSTRATION BY LIA DATILES
EDITOR: MIKAELA B. LLANES | LAYOUT ARTIST: FRANCES LOPEZ THE REAL DEMON IN THE ROOM
Features
Antagonists with mental illnesses have haunted the big screen for decades, but as mental health awareness grows, what we used to find scary may actually be more harmful than we thought.
02
ILLUSTRATION BY ANDY GRANDA
Transcending the physical realm With astral projection granting its practitioners the ability to experience visions of the real on a different realm, those who are brave enough to explore it get to learn more about themselves. BY LAURENCE JUSTINE D. TUBON, AISHA C. SAID, AND KEZIAH MARU Z. PASION THROUGHOUT HISTORY, people have gone through the motions of trial-and-error in discovery, and perhaps the most mystical of the unknown is the supernatural. When one talks of soul and spirit—of anything beyond the physical—these unknown phenomena may induce fear in others. But what if the notions of the supernatural that we have come to know are not entirely as terrifying as they have been thought to be? Of the supernatural unknown, a concept rarely talked about is the phenomenon of astral projection. The phenomenon could be described as an out of body experience wherein the soul detaches from the physical body to travel to an astral plane. The reception of this concept has varied, ranging from total indifference and fear to refusal or acceptance. However, astral projection, more than its mystical identity, can be explored through the lens of the empirical and the religious—especially when a renowned Jesuit priest was said to have practiced the act within the field of psychology. UNPACKING THE PROCESS Robert Rubin, a professional tarot card reader from Mysterium PH, explains astral projection to be “like seeing things with your imagination, but with a very strong sense of consistency.” He differentiates it from dreams by saying that dreams are abstract with no consistency within them. However, if one were to astrally project within a room, what they view would be consistent with what is seen in reality. Rubin claims that there are two forms of astral projection that they explore and discuss in Mysterium PH. “The first is what
we call astral projection itself, whereas the consciousness leaves the body and enters the immediate reality.” By immediate reality, he speaks of physical locations like Quezon City, Makati, or Katipunan. "The next level is a higher level which is called astral travel, and that’s where your consciousness goes to so many different realms and so many different places that cannot be documented by one simple person,” he continues. Rubin claims that he has also experienced traversing to another realm through astral traveling; he explains that, through this, one may experience or see places they have never been to before. As an example, he recounts the times he astral traveled to a realm that appeared as an astral representation of his hometown in San Francisco. "Sometimes when I project into that realm, I don’t project into that part of the realm. I project...in the outskirts, in the woods, so I know I’m there,” he recounts further. Rubin affirms that there are side effects to astral projection such as a disoriented feeling in the body, as well as feeling very tired post-astral travel. However, he claims that there has yet to be any case wherein the person’s body completely disconnects from their consciousness and is unable to return. THE UNFAMILIAR IN THE FAMILIAR Though some might shy away from practicing astral projection out of fear or skepticism, there are those who fearlessly explore the astral realm for a unique human experience. In fact, Jesuit priest and founder of the Ateneo Psychology Department Jaime Bulatao, SJ, was said to have
practiced astral projection during his time as a psychologist and a lecturer. Bulatao, more fondly know n as "Father Bu," explored hypnosis and human consciousness. Another Jesuit priest and Father Bu’s former student Kit Bautista, SJ, recounts how Father Bu was “open to various kinds of experiences, as a psychologist and person.” “He [used astral projection] in the classroom in experiments for human consciousness,” Bautista recalls. Father Bu had always been one to challenge the norms and conventions in his field. In fact, he was also one of the first to introduce hypnosis as an academic subject in Ateneo psychology, which was then frowned upon by the other experts in the field. However, exploring the “paranormal” in connection to psychology was not something unusual for him; among Father Bu’s other eccentricities were his “therapy sessions” that involved rather fantastical elements such as duwendes (dwarves) and crystal balls. His process for guiding patients through astral projection was as follows: Father Bu would first lead them into “a trance”—a prayerlike state, as Bautista puts it—and then he would ask them to “visit” their classmates’ houses. At one point, Bautista recalls seeing a part of his classmate’s house. Bautista even surprised his classmate with his vivid and detailed description of the house. The story may sound fictitious at first, but when asked about his experiences with astral projection, Bautista simply responds that it is a common occurrence. “It’s very common. In fact, as I said…we have dreams, night dreams. Sometimes in these
dreams, we see ourselves in another place and sometimes that place is real, we know that place… That’s astral travel,” he explains. THE DIFFERENCES IN DICHOTOMY As the conversation on how astral projection is viewed unfolds, it can be observed that there is a lack of nuanced knowledge surrounding this phenomenon. Discussions about it are mostly hinged upon initial religious fear and scientific dogmas that seem to repel people from exploring it. Bautista reiterates that the phenomenon is neither unusual nor uncommon in the field of psychology. Even though there are some general reservations regarding astral projection, psychology still recognizes the phenomenon as a trance-like state of one departing the physical body. However, when it comes to religion, there continues to be a moral debate regarding the practice of astral projection. AstralHQ, a team dedicated to providing resources for learning about astral projection, mentions that those with more traditional religious views may consider astral projection as something “heretic or sinful.” In contrast, Bautista clarifies that astral projection is “an amoral thing.” “It’s nothing good or bad; it happens,” he says, asserting that it is something that the body experiences naturally. According to Bautista, the Bible has no instances of denouncing the phenomenon; in fact, astral travel is said to have been a way for “saints and mystics” to receive their visions. He mentions that St. Francis Xavier and St. John Bosco were first-hand practitioners of bilocation, which is a relative phenomenon
to a st r a l projec t ion i n which an object or a person is located at two different places simultaneously. Bautista ties it closer to home by likening Ignatian Contemplation to the context of astral projection. “After [Ignatian Contemplation], you feel closer to the Lord, so it’s something good. You can use it for the good,” he says. According to Bautista, one could use astral projection and Ignatian Contemplation in the same manner to gain familiarity with the spiritual world and of our core as human beings. He believes that these spiritual projections could lead us towards action for the greater good. Bautista also recognizes that science would disagree with these other realms being “real,” but counters this by saying that science doesn’t have the answers for everything. “I mean, if we went back in time, like a hundred years, science will tell you it’s impossible for me to call someone from here to the other end of the planet,” he says. Rubin claims that it would be “nonsense” to consider astral projection as something demonic or something that should be feared. He also explains that for astral projection to be understood and acknowledged for what it really is, some filters in science must be loosened. “As science loosens its filter a bit, we’ll be more open to exploring these phenomena not from a level of scrutiny, but from a level of curiosity,” he says. Astral projection transcends the fields of science and religion— its true nature and purpose remain to be something worth exploring. Much like Father Bu’s fearless pursuit of exploring curiosities without fear, one could learn
about and delve into phenomena such as astral projection “for the greater good of being more familiar with the spiritual world,” as Bautista puts it.
It’s very common. In fact, as I said… we have dreams— night dreams. Sometimes in these dreams, we see ourselves in another place and sometimes that place is real, we know that place… That’s astral travel.” KIT BAUTISTA, SJ JESUIT PRIEST AND FATHER BU'S FORMER STUDENT
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ILLUSTRATION BY TIFFANY CU
The real demon in the room Films that vilify people with mental illnesses harm mental health awareness. BY ENZO LAGAMON, AARON D. TOLENTINO, AND ADRIAN SORIANO
HALLOWEEN IS just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate this holiday than with some good old-fashioned horror movies? When one thinks of the horror genre, titles such as Split (2016), Shutter Island (2010), and Silence of the Lambs (1991) are some that come to mind. However, despite the commercial success of horror in cinemas, these films can be harmful to more than just your resting heart rate. In the aforementioned movies, people with mental health conditions are put in the spotlight and portrayed as individuals to fear. Antagonists with mental health issues have arguably made for some of the scariest characters in the horror genre, but vilifying them on the big screen has detrimental effects on the well-being of those who suffer from such conditions in real life. FROM REEL TO REAL The fascination that horror film writers have with mental health issues is not a new phenomenon. Those who have mental healthrelated conditions make easy subjects for horror film writers since no backstory is needed to justify their actions. Loyola Film Circle director and cinematographer Jake Consing cites the psychological hor ror f ilm Split as a n example; Split tells the story of a man with dissociative identity disorder (DID) who kidnaps teenage girls. He says that Split problematically presents DID as more of a “curse” rather t h a n a me nt a l he a lt h concern. “Having a mental illness is not just a curse, it’s something you’re born
with, something that develops over time,” he says. Other critics have expressed their disapproval over how Split stigmatizes DID, claiming that the movie’s inaccurate portrayal of the mental illness affects patients with DID. In one case, a psychiatrist shares how their patient asked them “Do I ever scare you?” shortly after the release of Split. This instance goes to show that our perception of insanity always somehow ties back to fear as a result of violence, which is deeply-rooted in the stigmas that we have developed through years of cinema. Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Ser vices cognitive behavioral psychologist Marika Melgar explains that the stigma against the mentally ill stems from uncontested sensationalist portrayals of such illnesses on literature and media. “In the past, it has been perpetuated that the mentally ill are violent, which has been present in a lot of tropes in media, literature, and art,” Melgar explains. As an example, she uses the character of a wife with a mental illness holding a knife behind her back as she anticipates stabbing her husband. “[The behavior of a person with a mental illness] is something very jarring, hard to explain, and if you don’t know how to understand something you don’t know, it creates a certain fear,” Melgar explains. Melgar adds that the complexity of reality demands empathy, and that watching horror films critically entails “doing away with our biases, heuristics, [and] our own prejudices.” This is also
the reason behind the collective call to have trigger warnings or statements at the start of a piece of writing or video that alert audiences of potentially distressing material. “There will always be those stereotypical psycho-thrillers, but [be] responsible with potentially triggering graphic depictions of film. [You] have to be mindful of making a conversation afterwards,” she says. It then becomes important to find a middle ground between creative expression and the mental health conversation; Melgar claims that mindfulness is the key. “[Horror films are] compelling because it draws from some reality, but when it’s actually you in that character and it’s your life, and [you’re] the one dealing with it, it’s not a show. It’s not for entertainment,” she asserts. A CLASSIC PLOT Looking into the stigmas perpetuated by horror films entails recognizing how we, as producers and audiences, shape the characters on our screens. “Horror films can be very problematic, precisely because they’re a film genre that’s so dependent on ‘othering,’” shares Communication Department instructor Andrew Ty. The act of othering, which means to treat a person or a group as d i f fe re nt f rom one s el f, has long been a common practice in society. According to Ty, its prevalence in the horror genre is seen in the obsession with exaggerating or vilif ying what makes one different or unique; mental
illness is, u n for t u nately, no exception. When it comes to horror’s utilization of “othering” and whether it contributes to the stigmatization of mental health illnesses, Ty calls the situation “tricky.” He points out that w h i le p a r a nor m a l it y i s something that is hard to come to terms with, a psychological abnormalit y is something ver y real and human—to reduce it to something that can be found in horror films blurs the line between mental illness being considered as an “illness or a sin.” What happens then, according to Ty, is that people end up forming assumptions and mental “categories” about those they cannot understand—in this case, mental health patients as cinematic anomalies. “Any attempt to define [it] is always an attempt to set limits on what you are and what you are not. Anyone outside of those limits is seen as an aberration,” he says. As human beings turn to storytelling to make sense of the d if ferent, those who suffer from mental illness find themselves at the painful receiving end. In the olden days, the quickest way to u ndersta nd t hese people was to objectif y them— and these portrayals of the mentally ill have proven to be ma rketable to audiences. A s a consequence, their suffering is not only reduced to objects of villainy and horror, but it is also commodified to make what would be another blockbuster hit.
RETHINKING HORROR Not all hope is lost for proper representation in cinemas. Some films have shown signs of becoming more sensitive with regards to mental health. One such example would be the 2014 thriller The Babadook , which has been praised for its accurate portrayal of depression. With the titular character serving as a representation of maternal depression, The Babadook touches on mental health in a way
“...try to see
whether or not there are individual motives that have less to do with psychological categories, but more to do with the kind of person that this character is.” ANDREW TY COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT INSTRUCTOR
that is not exploited, but rather, explored. “There are a lot more nuanced films in response to a growing consciousness with regard to mental health,” Consing says. T y believes that what horror films lack is nuance and character development; in his opinion, films cannot just rely on mental illness to drive and explain a character’s actions. “I think we should go beyond [mental illness] explanations and try to see whether or not there are individual motives that have less to do with psychological categories, but more to do with the kind of person that this character is,” he argues. T y adds that audiences can also play a role in reducing the prevalence of inaccurate portrayals of mental health pat ients by ref using to patronize and watch those kinds of films. He says that cultural texts, like horror films, contribute to and emerge from “our cultural understanding.” The implication is that it is up to the producers and consumers to decide whether or not they will perpetuate the cycle of vilifying and sensationalizing mental illness in cinema. W hile horror films are not the end all be all of the stigma towards people who have mental health condition, the move to correct cinema is a step in the right direction in the battle for mental health awareness and sensitivity.
The GUIDON | October 2019
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Tracing traditions and understanding Undas Old wives’ tales: Mythological horror stories Horror stories of mythological origins continue to haunt Undas visits all around the country. BY EALA JULIENNE NOLASCO ILLUSTRATIONS BY CAMERON POLINTAN
PHOTO BY BRUCE ONG
However stark the differences between Halloween and Undas, the events share a common capacity to bring society together amidst spooky decorations and commemorative traditions. BY BENJIE BERNAL, ADRIAN JESPER CEA, AND RUSSELL LOUIS KU EVERY OCTOBER, malls, stores, and even homes are decorated with cobwebs, bats, skeletons, and jack-o-lanterns. These dark-coloured ornaments are designed to look haunting and creepy whilst still retaining a cartoony playfulness that isn’t enough to scare off young trickor-treaters. However, besides the playful decorations seen on the 31st, many Filipino families also flock to bus terminals, airports, and highways to visit their departed loved ones and decorate their graves with flowers and candles. With the influence of Western culture on our own, the pre-colonial tradition of visiting the departed—locally known as Undas—has developed among Filipinos and remains rooted in local culture. Though Undas calls for a more solemn celebration, the tradition still shares its core purpose with Halloween: To honor the dead through communal gatherings. MAKING HOLIDAYS CLOSER TO HOME Before honoring Undas every November 1st, Filipinos gather with their friends and families for some Halloween merrymaking on the eve of October 31st. However, the Halloween that is practiced and widely known today is far from the original celebration of the wellbeloved holiday. The origins of Halloween can be traced back to 2,000 years ago with the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain. Samhain marked the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, which was often associated with illness and death. During the the move to correct cinema is a step in the right direction in the battle for mental health awareness and sensitivity.period, the Celts lit huge sacred bonfires for sacrifices and wore costumes out of animal heads and skins to ward off ghosts. In their culture, Halloween was a sacred and solemn celebration driven by the superstition of ghosts visiting—and perhaps tor menting—t he liv ing. However, the grave atmosphere that surrounded the Celts’ Halloween tradition has gradually changed over time. Much of this change in tune can be credited to America, where the modern iteration of Halloween is said to have originated. Contrary to the Celts, Americans adopted more playful practices for the holiday in the late 19th century
like harvest celebrations and the telling of ghost stories for jest. Later on, community-oriented celebrations—such as dressing up in festive costumes, parties, and trick-or-treating—emerged as parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to lessen their focus on the grotesque and mischievous aspects of Halloween. For Filipinos, Halloween began to manifest in the country in the 1990s through trick-or-treat practices in exclusive villages. The spread of Halloween in the Philippines can also be attributed to the cultural exchange between overseas Filipino workers. According to Sociology and Anthropology professor Albert Alejo, SJ, “[A] lot of Filipinos go abroad and they come back bringing in what they saw being practiced in the West…[With] an influx of OFWs, they bring in all these things.” The inf luence of local companies, establishments, and malls also plays a role in spreading and localizing the celebration of Halloween in the Philippines. This is evident through Halloween events that are not only catered to children, but to adults as well. “Halloween is always in the lineup of [company] activities during October [for Shopee],” Human Resources employee of e-commerce platform Shopee Shawn Lee says. “Aside from dressing up, it's an opportunity for the employees to bring their kids to work and have fun with them.” PARTAKING IN THE PRACTICE Though Halloween precedes Undas in the yearly calendar, Undas still rivals Halloween in terms of the efforts Filipinos collec t ively put tow a rds participation. The scale is evident as each year the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority i mplement s ne w t r a f f ic schemes to accommodate the mass exodus brought about by Undas. As Filipinos head to their respective provinces, they are faced with heavy traffic and long, grueling lines at various transportation terminals. The faith dimension of Undas is another contributor to its cultural importance in the Philippines with the country identifying as predominantly C at hol ic . A le jo f u r t he r highlights that the Catholic Church teaches that people,
similar to saints, are merely transferred to the afterlife and not deleted from existence. This mentality, then, explains why Filipinos brave long distances to find their way home for Undas. Oftentimes, Filipinos’ Undas is defined by the food that family members prepare for sharing with one another during their cemetery visits. Filipinos are also keen to make sure they have offerings, whether it’s flower arrangements or mass intentions. Families who are unable to visit the dead also often opt to light candles on the eve of Undas to leave out on their doorstep. Our celebration of Undas shares similarities with holidays and traditions celebrated in other countries. Philosophy Department professor Jovino Miroy, PhD shares one such example: “Europeans go to cemeteries solemnly and quietly remember the truth— that all will die.” In Mexico, the Dia de los Muertos (i.e., Day of the Dead) has some elements which resemble traditions done during Undas. Dia de los Muertos celebrations involve offering the dead their favorite food by laying it out on family home altars. Communities also customarily spend the whole night at their local cemeteries to host picnic suppers and play traditional music in honor of the dead. TRICKING THE TYPICAL Beyond themed merrymaking and religious responsibility, Halloween and Undas also serve as opportunities for communal g at her i ng. For i nsta nce, Halloween is a cause for pause across the nation as friends and families gather to partake in costume parties that take over various residential and professional settings. In the case of Undas, family members near and far do not hesitate to drive—or fly—distances to honor their dead at the cemetery. W it h Filipinos placing immense importance on familial relat ion sh ips , Ha l loween and Undas serve as a way to combine the two things we love the most: Celebration and reu n ion. Leg a zpi Cit y native Kathleen Ong affirms this by delv ing into the love F i l ipi nos have for obser v i n g hol id ay s . For her, our naturally joy f ul disposition towards life ties
into the celebratory aspect of these holidays. “Family-oriented din tayo. Yung time ng Halloween at yung times ng Undas, yun din yung time na nagce celebrate yung mga families , nag-ge gettogether (We’re also familyor iented. Ha lloween a nd Undas are times for families to celebrate, to get together),” Ong adds. This concept of kapamilya or family manifests differently during Undas and Halloween. While honoring the dead during Undas, the borders between families tend to dissipate and the whole cemetery forms a new, tight-knit community that is—however brief ly— united by the solemn and commemorative purpose of their visits. Ong says, “Kahit hindi namin relatives, basta kilala ng parents ko o grandparents ko, pumupunta [yung mga kamaganak ko] doon sa mausoleum nila (Even if we are not related, as long as my parents or grandparents know them, my relatives would still visit their mausoleums.)” On the other hand, Halloween offers a more celebratory form of social bonding. Alejo asserts that Halloween events and festivities provide opportunities for barkada (i.e., a group of friends) reunions as well. “It adds a new layer to [one’s] social, cultural and emotional capital…It adds a new layer of relationship,” he says. Whether one goes trickor-treating or v isits the local cemeter y, Halloween and Undas emphasize the importance of intimate human connection amidst repetitive wor k- f i l le d schedules. These trad itions g ive individuals the opportunity to strengthen their bonds with loved ones, especially those who they rarely get to see throughout the rest of the year. It all amalgamates to show that, in spite of death, we never fail to celebrate life with those we love and those who have left us. The holidays dedicated to our departed remind us that as darkness settles in, the candle lights that we leave on loved ones’ tombstones continue to shine on—their flames persistently flickering throughout the night.
H A L L OW E E N I N t he Philippines goes beyond the Western notions of pumpkin carvings and trick-or-treating. After the merrymaking on the eve of October 31st, Filipinos flock to the cemetery for Undas, a tradition that calls for honoring the dead through cemetery visits, family gatherings, and food. However— and in true Filipino fashion—these family reunions are not without lighthearted mischief as the day of the dead sparks discussions of ot her world ly hor rors from the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao regions. STRANGE ENCOUNTERS IN LUZON Where there is an abundance of trees and only the moonlight to guide you, one must brave the possibility of the manananggal, a human with wings and a halved body; the aswang; a shape-shifting evil spirit; or the tikbalang , a ha lf-hu ma n, ha lf-horse creature. These three entities are commonly whispered about in Luzon, but encountering them is another story. Lars Salamante (2 AB IS) of Lucban, Quezon shares that the presence of the tikbalang is often signified by fireflies entering the room and the smell of dead ants penetrating the air. He mentions that he often witnessed this in his childhood home when sleeping in his grandparents’ bedroom under a clear glass window. Meanwhile, the kapre or tree giant supposedly resides in treetops, leaving only large falling cigarette butts as a sign of their presence. Chio Reyno (2 AB IS) from Antipolo mentions how the idea of ghosts was easier to accept, as he claims that he frequently encountered spirits. However, acknowledging the truth of the kapre’s story took an encounter in the woods to fully grasp. “Nagtatago kami kasi hide and seek, tapos noong naka-upo na kami, may nahulog na malaking yosi o tobacco pero walang tao sa taas,” Reyno says about a kapre encounter he once had with a group of friends. “Nagkatinginan kami, tapos gets na namin.” (We were hiding because we were playing hide and seek, and once we sat down, a large cigarette or tobacco fell from above even though there was no one there. We just had to look at each other, and we already knew [that it was a kapre].” SHAPE-SHIFTING SPIRITS OF VISAYAS According to Visayan folklore, aswangs take on different forms
depending on the storyteller. Megan Maningo (2 AB IS) from Dumaguete notes that their version of the aswang is known to eat unborn babies. “They’re usually described [to] have a long tongue,” Maningo explains. “They go [to] the roof of the house and [their tongue] goes down to the belly button of the pregnant women, and they try to suck the baby out.” Janica Yu (2 AB IS) from Iloilo shares that there are other versions of the aswang named Maria Lobo and Teniente Gimo; both take human forms and are known for killing and cooking human parts. A nother know n version of the aswang is the tiktik , whose story was used to scare children to go home early. Maningo recalls, “If you hear the tiktik farther away, it’s near you. If you hear the tiktik sound nearer to you, it means it’s really far...You’re not supposed to look back.” REMNANTS IN MINDANAO In Cagayan de Oro, the mythical creature amamayong—known as sigbin in other regions— is another relatively famous mythological creature. The amamayong is said to be a nocturnal creature that sucks the blood out of its victims; it walks with its head in between its hind legs and has the power of invisibility. Engkantos also make their appearance in Mindanao, but this region is also home to unique horrors only told in the southernmost part of t he Ph ilippines such as D ip olo g. A r i a n ne A le t a (2 AB IS) from Dipolog shares how her grandmother used to tell the story of a nameless creature that takes the form of “a woman who would come on wings and…take me away in the middle of the night if I didn’t remove all the lice out of my hair.” She admits to knowing that these stories were just told to instill discipline in her as a child. HOLDING ON TO THE THREAD Despite the dif ferences in character, setting, and plot, Philippine mythological stories share much in common. Dominating the spooky aura of Undas and Halloween, these stories immortalize the lessons the elderly wish to i mpa r t to ch i ld ren : Be cautious and mindful of your actions because we may not be the only creatures around.
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The great disappearing act In an era of social media and dating apps, ghosting is increasingly becoming a prevalent, and somewhat destructive, phenomenon in young people’s romantic endeavors. BY ANGEL MARTINEZ, GENESIS JACINTH TAN, AND ANDREA TIBAYAN ILLUSTRATION BY MIKHAELLA MAGAT PHOTO BY JASON MARIANO
PICTURE THIS: In your attempts to find romance, luck strikes you, and you meet someone you’re immediately attracted to. After a whirlwind of late night conversations, flirty banter, and exhilarating dates, that same person suddenly disappears off the face of the earth. What once was an influx of kilig in your life is now replaced with unanswered questions, self-doubt, and utter confusion. For many singles trying out the game of love nowadays, this situation is all too familiar. If there’s anything that haunts those looking for relationships, it’s the fear of having someone abruptly end all communication without a single explanation—or, simply put, the phenomena of “ghosting.” GHOSTS OF RELATIONSHIPS PAST Although the term "ghosting" was only recognized in dictionaries in 2015, the new buzzword has made waves in modern dating culture. Particularly, ghosting has become more popular online with the advent of terms such as “seen-zoned” or “being left on delivered.” However, even before its recognition, the practice had already manifested itself in various ways such as never calling again or failing to show up for dates. Though part of the reason why technology was invented was to mitigate these concerns,
such instances still plague the dating scene today. Ghosting has proven to be more prevalent in romantic relationships for va r ious reasons. When the spark is gone, it can become easy to cut communication from even a longterm companion. Nina* relays this, as she had difficulty finding time for her significant other due to organization work and academics: “[I] started to lose interest. I never made the effort to reply, and so a few days of ghosting turned to a week, then to a month.” Another reason for ghosting is negative interactions brought about by toxic behaviors from one or both sides of a relationship. Examples of this kind of toxicity include gaslighting—the act of emotionally and mentally manipulating someone to induce feelings of self-doubt and emotional duress—as well as passive-aggressive dispositions during arguments. When these occur, partners would rather cut off communication than address the problem. Romeo Melendrez (2 BSM AMF) states that he had ghosted when he lost the will to maintain a relationship laden with conf lict. “After na- cut [yung relationship], malungkot noon, pero na-realize ko na toxic yung pinanggalingan ko (After the relationship ended I was sad, but I eventually realized that it was toxic to begin with),” he says. There’s also the ghoster’s refusal to communicate; some have admitted that they would rather stay silent than address a difficult situation. Sophomore Jim* shares that a lack of courage in confronting an issue led him to ghosting a female friend. In his case, he had been “feeling uncomfortable” with her constant attempts to communicate her emotions. “I just wanted to avoid the topic,” he says. Loyola Schools Guidance Counselor Reginald Centeno says that the avoidant nat u re of ghosters
exhibits somewhat “immature” communication skills and speaks of their unpreparedness to engage in relationships. “If you pursue them, or try to communicate with them [more], it will just be detrimental for you,” Centeno says, referring to people who are showing signs of ghosting. One would think that ghosters are inclined to defend their actions, but even they agree that it’s best to be upfront with communicating how one feels. “You’re involving another person who has feelings. I think it’s unfair for [them] to be left in the dark,” says Nina, a selfconfessed ghoster. For those who are considering ghosting, Jim’s word of advice is to think of a way to deal with an issue in a manner that still shows care for the other’s emotions. “[If] it’s a person who recently opened up to you and you just cut her off, [they’ll] be shell-shocked by the experience,” he warns. A GHOST THAT HAUNTS Accounts from ghosters prove that ghosting is a complicated affair for those who do it. Meanwhile, those who have been ghosted sometimes experience ill long-term effects, such as losing one’s sense of identity after a wave of paranoia and anxiety. “If you don’t feel good about yourself, you begin to ask questions: ‘Is it me? Is there something wrong with me?’” Centeno says. This carries over even to social interactions—such was the case with Josh* after he was ghosted by his significant other. He laments that the ghosting incident left him much more introverted in situations where he was usually confident. “I compromised the quality of my friendships by not paying close attention to the other friends that I made,” Josh admits. On the flip side, there are others whose experiences of ghosting have strengthened their person. Sandy,* for instance, got through the pain by acknowledging that she deserves better. “If you [work on
yourself], you’ll eventually grow to love yourself and if you know how to [do so], you’ll realize your worth and what you deserve,” she assures. But Sandy emphasizes that bettering the self should be grounded in self-growth and not used as a stepping stone to find romance again. Josh’s moving on process shares a similar tune. “[I moved on] through finding new hobbies such as watching anime, talking to my real friends, and self-reflection,” he shares. Though he admits the experience was terrible, it paved the way for greater maturity. “[I evaluated] myself on what I should work on and [continue] to do well; and I think I grew up a million times.”
"[I evaluated] myself on what I should work on and [continue] to do well; and I think I grew up a million times." JOSH* INTERVIEWEE
When ghosting gets too difficult to cope with on your own, assistance is accessible both within and beyond the Loyola Schools. “[You] can go for professional help [and] see a g uidance counselor or psychologist,” Centeno says. He
says that personal issues triggered by ghosting, such as poor selfesteem, can be managed properly through therapy. SWIPE LEFT, SWIPE FRIGHT It’s ironic that ghosting is now prevalent in the digital age, where social media is supposed to help foster connections. Department of Communication professor Serena Vaswani cites Leah LeFebvre’s 2019 research on relationship dissolution, which says that ghosting “feeds on technologically driven advancements.” According to the study, social media and online dating applications prov ide the ghoster w ith the option of easy withdrawal. Direct confrontation is no longer a prerequisite for the termination of a relationship—online absence is already more than enough. Additionally, Department of Communication professor Christine Cox attributes ghosting to social media’s convenience and easy display of information. “We’re online all the time. We have data plans which allow us to connect 24 hours a day,” she says. “Ghosting [is] especially easier to do because it’s just not responding, and that itself is communication….[These] new media applications [are] very attractive because it gives you more choices [in getting to know someone].” Furthermore, she stresses the modern complications of communication, underscoring the double-edged nature of media applications. “[Ghosting has] definitely made the environment [of communication] more complicated... It’s ironic because it’s now so easy to get in touch [and] connect with somebody, but it’s also so easy to ghost [and] cut contact with them,” she says. The communication shifts brought about by social media and dating apps could shape the behav iors, emotiona l manifestations, and values of future generations. “Ghosting—
with its significant emphasis on cutting off all contact and talk— posits an unfinished dissolution routine,” Vaswani says. “This challenges our historically and socially assumed scripts for how these sorts of interactions would typically proceed.” Cox, on the other hand, highlights how our attitudes in relationships have changed, like opting to ghost instead of going through a formal break-up. According to her, these relatively new concepts are telling of how we adapt to technology and communicate our affections. Vaswani further stresses that as members of the digital age, we should be more critical of our use of technology when it comes to communication. She adds that we must reflect on the quality of the relationships we make and maintain. “How we talk to the other person matters just as much as what we say to them,” she asserts. Ghosting has become rampant now that relationships are migrating to the digital sphere. Social media and dating apps may make forming connections easy, but these advancements in technology still prove to be a double-edged sword. It, then, becomes the communicator’s responsibility to wield these tools in a way that will foster truly life-giving relationships and to better realize how words— or lack thereof—can affect the feelings of others.
*Editor’s note: The name of the interviewees have been changed at their request in order to protect their identity and privacy.
THE OFFICI A L STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE ATENEO DE M A NIL A UNI V ERSIT Y
FURTHER W ITH THE TRUTH
VOL. XC NO. 3
OCTOBER 2019
MAKEOVER. The New Rizal Library undergoes a makeover, transforming the former lobby-cafeteria into a full-blown mini-foodhub. | PHOTO BY MARCO RICAFORT
VPLS seeks to pursue campus renovations BY JILLIAN LOPEZ AND MINA MATA
RENOVATIONS ARE underway in certain areas on campus as Vice President for the Loyola Schools (VPLS) Maria Luz Vilches, PhD seeks to improve the Loyola Schools (LS) facilities. These initiatives were pursued in light of campus assessments conducted by the LS administration, which were brought up by the VPLS during the Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano forum held on September 2. These major ca mpus improvements include the installation of air conditioning units at the Science Education Complex (SEC) buildings and the Immaculate Conception Chapel, as well as the expansion of the
SEC-A building. As discussed in the forum, these additions hope to address issues on heat and the growing student population. In addition to these plans, a number of projects have recently been completed on campus, such as the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) landing lounges, the New Rizal Library outdoor cafeteria, and the Office of Student Discipline (OSD) on the g rou nd f lo or of M V P. ADDRESSING STUDENT NEEDS The Off ice of Facilities and Sustainabilit y (OFS), along with the VPLS, will spearhead the renovation of current campus facilities and utilities this academic year.
According to Vilches, air conditioning units powered by solar panels will be installed in the SEC classrooms to improve the learning conditions of students. Due to the limited budget for the current academic year, Vilches said that they will first install units in the SEC-A classrooms, an initiative that the University plans to finish by January 2020. To a c c o m m o d a t e t h e increasing student population on campus in light of the K-12 program, Vilches stated that SEC-A will be expanded by constructing two more f loors with 18 new classrooms by December 2021. She added that the LS administration anticipates around 10,000 students on campus in 2022. Before they begin constructing
the two additional f loors, OFS Di rec tor El ia s Pa n said that an assessment of t he bu ild ing ’s str uc t u r a l integrity must be done first. “Yung SEC-A kasi ginawa ‘yan [noong] 1998 so wala pa ‘yung [2005 National Building Code of the Philippines]. Ang ginagawa ngayon, iniimbestigahan ang building bago i-design for two floors kung capable pa siya in relation sa [code] (SEC-A was made in 1998 so the [2005 National Building Code of the Philippines] did not exist yet. We are currently investigating t he bu ild ing f irst before adding two f loors to see if it adheres to the [code]),” he said. The aforementioned code aims to promote “up-to-date and modern technical knowledge on
building design, construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance.” Once the necessar y requirements are met, Pan said that construction of SEC-A f loors will begin—hopefully by Intersession of 2020. After the completion of the project, he added that they will assess SEC-B and SEC-C for the possibility of expansion as well. COMPLETED PROJECTS Aside from these upcoming campus improvements, Vilches added that the LS administration also completed several projects as of late. These were pursued in light of the requests from different LS offices and departments to meet their respective units’ needs. Vilches mentioned that among the projects is the new
OSD in MVP, which was recently constituted to augment the work done by the Office of Student Services (OSS) regarding student disciplinary complaints. The OSD will spearhead development and restorative justice programs for st udents, wh ich w ill require one-on-one meetings. Vilches ex pla ined, “ We want to create a new face for discipline that’s not scar y. [Students] say we need a proper office for discipline where it’s not all about punishment.” Another recent project is the Office of Student Activities’ new MVP landing lounges, which were constructed to provide students with more comfortable working areas. VPLS TO PURSUE RENOVATION › 4
ManReg probes first day problems THIS SEMESTER’S manual registration (ManReg) received online backlash from members of the Loyola Schools (LS) community who have claimed that the system is ineffective, resulting in a stressful start to the semester for students, school administrators, and faculty alike.
Aside from the issues students encountered during online enlistment, like the lack of class slots and system crashes, the forefront of this year’s ManReg problems were the delays in schedule brought about by inclement weather. Following a number of class suspensions, ManReg’s original schedule was pushed back to begin on August 10, Saturday, instead
MANREG, FIRST DAY PROBLEMS › 4
FEATURES
BEYOND LOYOLA
INQUIRY
OPINION
Transcending the physical realm
Mine over matter
Broad strokes of black
BY ALLIANZA O. PESQUERA AND PATRICIA YAP
FREE FOR ALL. Students line up outside offices after online enlistment mishap. | PHOTO BY REGINE SALUMBRE
of August 5, Monday, forcing organizers to accommodate various year levels within two days. August 10 accommodated the ManReg schedules for sophomores, seniors, superseniors, and graduate students, while August 13 was allotted for freshmen, juniors, transferees, international exchange students, and graduate students.
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SPORTS Greater than gold
A shot in the dark
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News
LS sees drop in foreign exchange students, aims for internationalization BY ZOEY C. ATILLO AND CHERLINE TRAJANO
TO COUNTER the declining population of foreign exchange students in the Loyola Schools (LS), the Office of International Relations (OIR) continues to streng then its projects for i nt e r n a t ion a l i z a t ion . OIR Coordinator for Inbound Exchange Students Ralph Fabros revealed that the number of exchange students has been dropping for the past few academic years. The Student Exchange Program reached its peak in 2016 with 227 exchange students coming to Ateneo. However, there was a 13.22% decrease the following year, with only 197 students enrolled for 2017. According to OIR Programme Associate Cecilia Bermio, the program has already hosted 112 foreign exchange students in the first semester of AY 2019-2020, with 29 foreigners currently nominated to enroll for the upcoming second semester. These students come from the program’s partner institutions
such as the Marquette University in America, Western Sydney University in Australia, and the University of Passau in Germany. T he OI R fol low s t he initiative of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Internationalization for Philippine Higher Education which aims to “provide national perspective and direction for the country’s higher education internationalization efforts.” In order to do so, CHED encourages universities to “meet the challenges and take on oppor tunities brought about by internationalization” through projects like the Joint Development of Niche Programme wh ich enables Ph ilippine universities, including Ateneo, to develop transnational education pa r tnerships w ith United Kingdom-based institutions. TOWARDS A GLOBALIZED ATENEO Bermio stated that as one of OIR’s internationalization initiatives, the LS annually hosts visiting faculty and research fel low s f rom i nst it ut ions
abroad such as the Universidad de Granada in Spain, University of Porto in Portugal, and Lucian Blaga University of Sibui in Romania to cultivate higher globa l competenc y in t he academe. For the University’s own professors, the Faculty and Staff Exchange Program enables them to teach abroad and conduct further studies in cer tain academic f ields to gain greater insights on education on a global scale. “In the same way international students create additional flavor and opportunities for mutual academic learning, bringing in foreign faculty does the same thing. Faculty learn from each other and students learn how teachers from other countries teach,” said Director of the Office of Admission and Aid (OA A) Jose Maria Tirol, PhD. To help foreign exchange groups settle in the Ateneo, both the OIR and its official student arm the Ateneo Student Exchange Council (ASEC) work together to ma inta in hea lt hy work ing relationships with
its international partners inside and outside the Universit y. ATENEO’S APPEAL According to Tirol, study abroad fairs make the Ateneo known to foreign students where both the OIR and OAA encourage them to apply to the University. At these fairs, foreigners would comment on the “cheaper” tuition in the Ateneo as compared to their home universities. Aside from this, Tirol added that the local students’ proficiency in the English language is one factor that attracts foreign exchange students to the University. Since the University curricula is largely taught in English, Tirol mentioned that “learning the English language better is one of the come-ons for foreigners to the University [as] it will make [them] more competitive in the international market.” ASEC President Hannah Co mentioned that foreign exchange students’ stay in the campus is valuable because both local and foreign students “get exposed
to different cultures, and they get to see [the] different perspectives of other people.” Through activities like dinners, tours, and Buddy Mixers where local students bond with their assigned foreign exchange peer, she explained that foreign and local students are able to grasp a greater understanding of others, especially in a globalized world. Despite these efforts, Co said that selecting the Ateneo as a starting point to an education abroad still requires foreign students to “take a leap of faith.” “When our exchange students come to the Philippines, they always say it’s either not their first choice, or they just came here because it’s cheap, but they go home with their hearts full,” she said. “They don’t have a lot of expectations coming in, but they go out with so much more than what they came here with.” FURTHER INTO PROGRESS With the Ateneo’s thrust to increase internationalization efforts, Tirol said that there is no limit to the nu mber to
the foreign exchange students that the University accepts. He mentioned that it is beneficial for the University to bring in more foreigners to have a “wider variety of students” to foster an environment wherein different ideas and diverse practices are shared and exchanged. Fabros added that the OIR developed special short-term summer programs in collaboration with several departments for international students in order to “introduce both foreign and local students to the practice of Philippine Studies and to the local Filipino lifeworld.” Examples of these programs include Filipino Urbanities and Philippine Start-Up Culture classes. In addition, Fabros indicated that these classes are set up in a way that accommodates the varying schedules of foreign exchange students, especially those whose schedules do not align with LS academic calendar. “I think that’s what [the] Ateneo wants,” Co said. “To create students that are more culturally sensitive and at the same time, globally competent.”
BUILDING BRIDGES. A foreign exchange student bonds with other students at the International Residence Hall.PHOTO | PHOTO BYBY CASEY CASEY MATEO MATEO
EDITOR: MICAH AVRY GUIAO | LAYOUT ARTIST: TAN YU LING FABRO
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NSTP changes reduce workload, cause low ROTC recruitment turnout ASSEMBLE. The ROTC Cadets gather before a formal briefing for their Ateneo College Entrance Test duties. | PHOTOS BY RAYA BARREIRO
BY BILLIE ASUNCION AND CHOLO HERMOSO
TO LESSEN the workload of juniors, the Nationa l Ser vice Training Program (NSTP) underwent a set of changes in schedule under the new core curriculum effective this academic year. In an email sent by the Office of Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI) during Intersession for AY 2019-2020, sophomores who were expected to take Theology 12: Theology of the Catholic Social Vision in the first semester were asked for their consent to move three units from NSTP originally slated for their third year to the first semester of sophomore year. The remaining three units of NSTP will then be attached to Social Sciences 13: The Economy, Society, and Sustainable Development course in third year. Students whose courses take up Theology 12 in the second semester of sophomore year also received this email last September 2019. According to Associate Dean of Student Formation Leland Dela Cruz, PhD, Theology 12— the equivalent of the theology course that requires students to undergo immersion in the old core curriculum—was also moved from fourth year to second year. Moreover, immersion hours will be credited under NSTP. Aside from this, the email sent to sophomores taking Theology 12 also indicated an option for students to take either NSTP or join the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) for their Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) in second year. However, it was emphasized that choosing ROTC would entail taking on extra work since immersion is still a requirement for Theology 12 regardless of whether they choose NSTP or ROTC. Due to the implications of these revisions, the ROTC program had a drop in the usual number of recruits, with this year’s recruitment only yielding a total of 36 new cadets as opposed to the average number of 60 per year. NSTP INTEGRATION Dela Cruz emphasized that with the altered curriculum for NSTP, the workload of NSTP will be more integrated with other courses. “Students still enroll for the units of NSTP CWTS 11 and three units of NSTP CWTS 12. It’s just that the work in CWTS is now fully integrated with Theology 12 and [Social Sciences] 13,” he said. He added that crediting Theology 12 immersion under NSTP would be valid because it is considered a form of civil service. This requirement falls under Section 2 of the NSTP Act of 2001. “Everyone goes through immersion anyway, so might as well credit it as NSTP,” he said. “We’ve had NSTPs before which were immersion-type so credit na lang natin. The objectives of NSTP and immersion are essentially the same.”
Dela Cruz also shared that the changes in the social formation programs were all developed “incrementally” in hopes of determining the best method by which Ateneo can socially form its students. “It’s part of the change of the core curriculum. We’re sort of seeing things as they emerge and [we’re] trying to design things as best as we can to the situation,” he added. LIGHTENING THE LOAD OSCI Director Ophalle Alzona-Pornela mentioned that OSCI has been trying to tie the programs of NSTP and immersion together with the intent to “decompress” the workload of juniors. This much is evident in the email OSCI sent asking for students’ consent to move NSTP’s units from third year to second year, which also stated that crediting immersion as NSTP would only require juniors to accomplish 40 hours of field work for Social Sciences 13, rather than the usual 80 hours required by six units of NSTP. Dela Cruz then stated the reasons behind the social formation program’s revamped structure.“We don’t want to start with immersion [immediately in the first year], it might be a bit too heavy,” he said. He explained that the purpose of Binhi—a program wherein freshmen interact with marginalized communities by spending a single day with them—is to allow students to acquire base-level skills for “integrating with a community.” Afterwards, students would have a “full-blown immersion” in second year, which entails visiting a community for two and a half days. This is followed by the “rendering of service” in Social Sciences 13’s field work in third year.
It’s part of the change of the core curriculum. We’re sort of seeing things as they emerge and trying to design things as best as we can to the situation. LELAND DELA CRUZ, PHD ASSOCIATE DEAN OF STUDENT FORMATION
Dela Cruz called the current situation “a period of adjustment for everyone.” Nevertheless, he said that the changes will be “beneficial” in the long run, especially with regard to juniors having a more manageable workload. EFFECTS ON ROTC Citizens’ Military Training Coordinator Noelle Flores mentioned that the changes made to NSTP, along with the possible consequences this has on ROTC, were discussed with her prior to the shift in the curriculum. The meeting held on June 2019 included ROTC Officers, OSCI, and the Office of the Registrar. Flores pointed out that the changes under the new curriculum led to a low turnout of recruits for ROTC cadets for this academic year. This is mainly due to the double workload ROTC cadets would have to take, given the required immersion hours. To add further, ROTC Corps Commander Miguel Catbagan shared that recruitment processes usually start during the first semester, but this was adjusted to account for NSTP units being credited in second year instead: “For this year, we [began recruiting] during intersession because we wanted to get more cadets.” He described the process of joining ROTC as inconvenient since students interested in joining ROTC would have to undergo load revision. In line with this, Catbagan expressed their goal of making ROTC an option during online enlistment in hopes of an increase in recruits for the following school years. Corps Adjutant Pauline Manila also hopes that this initiative attracts more ROTC recruits. “May mga students na nagsabi na ‘Ah, may ROTC pala’ (There are some students that say ‘Oh, I didn’t know there was ROTC’). To cater or pique the interest of other students, one of our goals is to let the students have the choice to enlist through AISIS,” she said.
4
News
Manreg, first day problems... With free-for-all ManReg held on the first day of classes for the LS, many students had to miss classes to line up outside the Registrar’s Office at the Social Sciences Building. According to Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa, the first day of classes was not moved to a later date to accommodate free-for-all ManReg because that would entail pushing back the academic calendar to end classes on December 22 instead of December 18. Q u iw a rea ssu red t hat the school administrators’ solutions are already in motion to address ManReg concerns for an improved enlistment process, but u ntil such solutions are implemented, these problems will continue to be a biannual concern. NEW LOOK. The MVP Landing areas on the second and third floors were renovated to create a more collaborative space for students. | PHOTO BY MARCO RICAFORT
VPLS, campus renovations... “It is important to have a space which is conducive for learning. When you create a space, you create the atmosphere as well,” explained Vilches. Additionally, the New Rizal Library outdoor cafeteria was constructed at the request of Rizal Library Director Vernon Totanes in hopes of improving the appearance of the librar y ’s entrance. He said that the new cafeteria improves the façade of the building and caters to students’ needs should they feel hungry after studying in the library. IMPROVING SANGGU’S RESPONSE Although not all student concerns were raised at the September 2 Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano session, Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa assured that issues about campus facilities raised to the Sanggunian are discussed in small Budget Committee meetings with the administration and forwarded to the offices involved.
“We have two representatives at the Loyola Schools Budget Committee to make sure that the budget is consistent with the student demands. This committee is divided into subcommittees that negotiate the budget with different academic departments and offices,” he said. In an effort to address student concerns more eff iciently, Sanggunian Vice President Jb Bejarin added that the Sanggunian will begin working with the Student and Administrative Services Cluster (SASC), which is composed of the OFS, the OSS, and the Loyola Schools Office of Guidance and Counseling. “The [SASC] has agreed to streamline existing feedback mecha n isms bet ween t he students, Sangg u, and the mentioned offices for [a] more efficient and effective response to student concerns,” Bejarin said. “Sanggu will be working with the SASC through set regular meetings starting this October.”
SURFACING PROBLEMS Ateneo Reg istration Committee (RegCom) School of Humanities and School of Social Sciences Venue Overseer Airon Velasco claimed that system crashes experienced during online enlistment are not preventable when AISIS can only handle “around 2,500 students at a time.” According to him, the rationale behind batch numbers is an attempt to “alleviate the server crashing concerns.” “A b o v e more than [2,500] and [AISIS] starts to crash,” Velasco said. Quiwa added that until A ISIS is updated, online enlistment problems w ill only become more prevalent as the LS undergraduate population is expected to boom to 10,000 by 2022. Velasco also cited the lack of slots during online enlistment as a prevalent issue faced during ManReg. Velasco sa id that the Registrar informs the different departments of how many slots they should open for each class based on the students’ advisement. Despite this, Velasco noted that students still run out of slots in the classes they are advised to take. Such was the case for Donamae Valdez (2 AB COM), who fulfilled her department’s adv isement on time. “As soon as I logged into AISIS on enlistment day, there were zero slots left for both the major and elective I was supposed to enlist in,” Valdez said.
Quiwa said that for some required courses, like Foreign Language and Culture, the limited amount of slots is arranged to prevent other classes from being dissolved. He said that more slots cannot be opened in certain classes to prevent too many students from enlisting in one class and not enough in another. S t ude nt s pro c e e d to ManReg because of AISISrelated concerns like these, but ManReg comes with a plethora of issues as well. In an online survey promoted on the Sabihin sa Sanggu page, a total of 83 responses from students were forwarded to the Admin Council for the improvement of the registration process. While the detailed results were not released publicly, a summary of the data showed the percentages of students’ satisfaction and efficiency ratings for ManReg. Common concerns regarding the batching system, deadline of late tuition fees, and load revision, among others were reflected in the unpublicized data. Quiwa said that according to the survey, students still found the long lines during ManReg to be their biggest concern. A d d it ion a l l y, some departments did not consider staying open for a later time on the day of ManReg, leaving many students with unaddressed enlistment concerns. Despite being part of Batch 1, Jubelle Gordo (2 AB POS) claimed to have “[waited] eight hours for nothing.” Past incidents i nvolve st udents b ei n g directed to a department that is unaware of their concern, resulting in a complicated b ack- a nd-for t h pro ces s . UNAVOIDABLE MATTERS In R e g C o m ’s case, Membership Overseer Teresa Carnecer said that the main cause of concern for ManReg is not the nature of the problems, but the repetition of the same issues every year. Carnecer observed that this issue is further aggravated by the steady increase of students who have to go through ManReg every year. Despite RegCom’s online portal for collating enlistment concerns during ManReg, Carnecer said that ManReg experiences a back-log due to a multitude of the same
System crashes experienced during online enlistment are not preventable when AISIS can only handle around 2,500 students at a time.”
AIRON VELASCO ATENEO REGISTRATION COMMITTEE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES (SOH) AND SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (SOSS) VENUE OVERSEER
problems that have to be addressed all at once. Velasco added that the actual ManReg process is also prolonged because only one secretary per department is tasked with addressing RegCom’s calls about students’ enlistment concerns. Quiwa also mentioned that the total population of the University that went through ManReg for the first semester was at 21.45%, which he considered high as this is 2,133 of the total student population of 9,942. On the other hand, Velasco expressed that this year’s ManReg was not necessarily an “outlier” compared to other years—it was just a “matter of perception.” According to him, the free-for-all registration being situated at only one venue—the Office of the Registrar—instead of four made the number of students seem more populated. With regard to this, Velasco asserted that RegCom members themselves cannot hasten the long lines during ManReg because the speed of the processes is up to the departments involved.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES Given the circumstances that led to enlistment problems like long lines, merged batch schedules, closed departments, and long waiting hours, both the Sanggunian and RegCom have tried to provide solutions with the help of the suggestions from the LS communit y. Velasco mentioned that in solving the race for slots, some students have suggested an equal batching system like that of the Talakayang Alay sa Bayan (TALAB) enlistment. However, Velasco noted that this is not feasible because the availability of semestral classes are dependent on a student’s distinct advisement, whereas TALAB classes are open to all. Another solution forwarded to RegCom is for the University to buy more AISIS servers to accommodate more students enlisting at the same time. Velasco said that the problem here is that this surge of AISIS users is seasonal, and that it would be “useless” to spend millions on this. In the Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano forum, Quiwa mentioned that the update for AISIS will focus on the improvement of its user interface, making online enlistment more userfriendly. However, Velasco said that everything is still in its early development stage. “There are not much details yet regarding how specifically it wou ld be made a nd implemented,” he explained. In a Special Administrations Council Meeting on October 11, Quiwa shared that among the solutions discussed for ManReg were regular checks on the number of students advised, flexibility of faculty in adjusting their schedules, and avoidance of complex tags and remarks, among others. According to him, the offices involved, along with the help of a systems expert, are currently reviewing the first draft of next semester’s registration process in order to minimize such conf licts. As such, Quiwa expressed the need for better coordination and transparency between the Registrar and the different department secretaries. “As Sanggu, as students, we call on the admin and the faculty to be transparent with one another, to talk to each other,” he said.
The [Student and Administrative Services Cluster] has agreed to streamline existing feedback mechanisms between the students, Sanggu, and the mentioned offices for [a] more efficient and effective response to student concerns. ENLISTMENT WOES. Students from different Manual Registration batches wait for hours until they are finally
JB BEJARIN SANGGUNIAN VICE PRESIDENT
serviced by the enlistment officers. | PHOTO BY REGINE SALUMBRE
The GUIDON | October 2019
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PHOTO BY NATE BOSANO
PHOTO BY REGINE SALUMBRE
P H O T O E S S AY
LS community holds annual Martial Law Week BY MOIRA V. CAYABYAB
WITH THE theme “Prometheus Unbound,” this year’s Martial Law Week was filled with talks, forums, exhibits, and other engagements in memory of the declaration of Martial Law 47 years ago and the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos. The theme is taken from Jose Lacaba’s poem of the same name, which was first published about a year after Marcos declared Martial Law through Proclamation 1081 in 1972. The piece has since been used as a rallying call for resistance and protest. This year’s Martial Law Week is a collaboration between the Sanggunian, the Office of Social Concern and Involvement, and the Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy. The Martial Law Eve Mass held at the
PHOTO BY NATE BOSANO
PHOTO BY JULIA CARPIO
PHOTO BY JAMIE GO
Immaculate Conception Chapel on September 13 opened the event. Soon after, the Fallen 11 Live Exhibit was performed around the Loyola Schools (LS) campus, while the Martial Law PhotoNarrative Exhibit was presented at the LS Promenade throughout the week. Both initiatives aimed to pay homage to martyrs who lost their lives as they fought for freedom during the Martial Law era. Moreover, t h is ye a r ’s commemoration emphasized the repercussions of the Martial Law implementation in Mindanao, as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte following the Marawi Siege in May 2017. The “Environmental Impacts of the Martial Law in Mindanao Forum,” held last September 16 highlighted this pressing concern, with Lumad representatives providing insights on how Martial Law in Mindanao has put their community at risk. Among their struggles is the exploitation of the
Lumad’s ancestral land at the hands of foreign mining companies, which is further aggravated by the government’s silence. Moreover, what sets this Martial Law Week apart from its previous iterations is the Commission on Elections Satellite Registration that was held at Gonzaga 310 on September 19. Residents from District 2, 3, and 6 in Quezon City were highly encouraged to register and exercise their right to vote in the next elections to ensure that the atrocities of the Marcos regime will not happen again. Other activities spread out during the week included forums with prominent figures such as Neri Colmenares, Boni Ilagan, and other key individuals who have made their fight against Marcos known and remembered by constantly encouraging critical discourse among the youth To close the event, students convened for the Never Forget Culmination Rally held at Gate 2.5 on September 23.
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Opinion
VOLUME XC, NO. 3 OCTOBER 2019
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. Alithea C. Soriano, AB COM ‘20 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Margarita C. Gonzalez, BS PSY ‘20 ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Jyra Zoe T. Ang, BS LM ‘20 MANAGING EDITOR
Jason T. Mariano, BS ITE ‘21 DESIGN EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Micah Avry L. Guiao, BFA CW ‘21 NEWS EDITOR
Kirby G. Jalandoni, BS ME ‘20 Joaquin Josemaria A. Santos, BS ME ‘20 SPORTS EDITORS
Danielle Margaux R. Garcia, BS CTM ‘21 BEYOND LOYOLA EDITOR
Andrea Mikaela B. Llanes, AB COM ‘22 FEATURES EDITOR
Kenneth John Tristan R. Chan, AB LIT (ENG) ‘21
EDITORIAL CARTOON BY FIDESS BISNAR
INQUIRY EDITOR
Zoe Arianna T. Andin, AB IS ‘21 Annicka B. Koteh, BS ME ‘20 VANTAGE MAGAZINE EDITORS
Tatiana L. Maligro, AB COM ‘22 Patricia Anne D. Villoria, AB COM ‘21 BROADCAST NEWS EDITORS
Ana Sofia Ignacio, BS LfSci ‘21 Ronaldo Gabriel J. Santiago, BS MGT ‘20 PHOTOS EDITORS
Carmela B. Masiglat, BFA ID ‘22 Neil Christian R. Reyes, BS CH-MSE ‘23 GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITORS
Mariana D. Gardoce, AB COM ‘22 VIDEO PRODUCTION EDITOR
Beatrice R. Bacason, AB COM ‘22 VIDEO PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Frances Isabella D. Martin BFA ID ‘20 Jacob Uriel R. Quintos, BS CS ‘21 DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT DEPUTIES
John Matthew G. Yuching, AB COM ‘21 EXTERNALS MANAGER
Bianca Mae R. Aragones, BS PSY ‘20 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Deana P. Pagtalunan, BS ME ‘20 Bryce R. Rubi, BS ME ‘21 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS
Koji Bryant P. Baui, BS ME ‘20 Francine Jemima C. Tan, BS ME ‘20 RESEARCH MANAGERS
NEWS Billie Asuncion, Zoey C. Atillo, Moira V. Cayabyab, Franchesca Fajemolin, Leika Golez, Cholo Hermoso, Jillian Lopez, Mina Mata, Allianza O. Pesquera, Frans G. Regala, Cherline Trajano, Patricia G. Yap SPORTS Apa D. Aquino, Joseph B. Banaag, Xavier C. Bautista, Neal R. Beltran, Jeremy L. Chua, Ally S. Crespo, Jaime D. David, Selina A. de Dios, Miguel A. Dimaiwat, Nielbert A. Dy, James B. Gavina, Gio P. Guinto, Gerrick C. Limsiy, Lei P. Macaranas, Javier P. Mapa, Joachim S. Melo, Juliana Sistine L. Ong, Miguel G. Policarpio, Ra Solomon BEYOND LOYOLA Joaquina Nadine A. Altavás, Pioee B. Bassig, Raphael C. Dela Cruz, Carlo O. Fernandez, Derick M. Gabrillo, Zachary C. Gonzales, George D. Kho, Marco C. Ocampo-Tan, Justine Ferrer Ramirez, Frances C. Roberto FEATURES Benjie Bernal, Adrian Jesper C. Cea, Russell Louis Ku, Enzo Lagamon, Angel Martinez, Eala Julienne P. Nolasco, Keziah Maru Z. Pasion, Aisha C. Said, Adrian Soriano, Genesis Jacinth Tan, Andrea Tibayan, Rence D. Tubon, Aaron D. Tolentino INQUIRY Kiana R. Altoveros, Cat Aquino, Francis Caiga, Sean D. Carballo, Ann Gabrielle Domingo, Eun Seo Ha, Gerard Ignacio, Justin B. Jimenez, Jean Mangaluz, Jay C. Munsayac, Malaika E. Paculan, Marga P. San Juan, Manolo G. Soliven VANTAGE MAGAZINE Zofia Agama, Tiffany Bernardo, Jana V. Codera, Natalie R. Gavino, Justin Ginete, Therese Hipol, Lyrah Lapid, Daniela Lorenzo, Anya Nellas, Roberto A. Orosa, Arnald Paguio, Danielle H. Ramos, Beatriz C. Reye,s Gabriel V. Saulog, Caitlin Anne Young, Nigel Yu BROADCAST NEWS Cristina Batalla, Una Garcia, Belle Gregorio, Samantha S. Onglatco, Martin C. Ramos, Teo A. Ricaforte, Joaquin Salazar, Ria Tenido, Kathleen U. Yap PHOTOS Raya Barreiro, Nate Bosano, Trina Camacho, Julia Carpio, Jim Dasal, Angel Dizon, Jerry Feng, Jamie Go, Ralph Lim, Gabriel Medina, Bruce Ong, Michael Perfecto, Marco Ricafort, Casey Mateo, Regine Salumbre, Cristina Sim, Paulina Singh, Reyneal Vargas, Kelly Veneracion, Alexis Wang, Paolo Yaptinchay, Izza Zamoranos GRAPHIC DESIGN Fidess Bisnar, Tiffany Cu, Cecilia Datiles, Romeo A. Descalso III, Alvin Dy, Tan Yu Ling Fabro, Andy Granda, Frances Lopez, Mikhaella Norlin Magat, Mika Medina, Kaitlyn Mercado, Denev C. Ng, Iverson Ong, Cara Lee Padilla, Cameron Polintan, Geri Puno, Kurt Tan, Viktor Valix VIDEO PRODUCTION Ena Algopera, Angelique Bagapuro, Louise Margaret L. Del Rosario, Fran Enriquez,Yanna Estrellado, Alissa Evangelista, Alexis Nicole N. Ferreras, Therese Macasaet, Julian Michael Maiz, Danielle Angela G. Rosales, Kristine Sinamban, Jaf Tumale, Denise Tumaliuan, Rafa Mikael D. Villon DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT Keith Bartido, Anton Gerard S. Benitez, Andrea Lauren T. Chung, Davin Sean Cuaso, Tomas Falgui III, Giddy Garcia, Kat D. Garcia, Tria Gonzales, Prezil A. Ong, Ezekiel Juanito E. Ordoveza, Miggy Pinaroc, Alannah Mitra, Bea Katrina Sison, Harvey Jay M. Sison, Jonathan Talbot EXTERNALS Tricia R. Alcantara, Tiffany C. Lao, Nikki Macaraig, Hannah Magnaye, Dominique U. Manipor, Marina Patricia B. Peneyra, Donna B. Ramirez, Sofia Sanchez, Katrina Bernice M. Tan, Jorge Alfred R. Taruc HUMAN RESOURCES Bianca Angeles, Margaux Andrea G. Arcinas, Mookie M. Borja, Emerson Enriquez, Marianne M. Goh, Anicia Guanlao, Keisha Mercado, James Vincent Natera, Cielo C. Regalado, Karl R. Salvador, Katchy G. Segui, Regina Mae C. Yu RESEARCH Cedric M. Bata, Christie A. Corpin, Azequiel P. De Luna, Gabriel Carlo T. Gamulo, Miguel H. Palmero, Kiara D. Rodriguez, Lance Y. Tiu, Earl Christian L. Yu SOCIAL MEDIA Jose Angelo Buenaventura, Gia Crisologo, Enrique B. Halili, Joaquin Querido
Luz R. Rimban MODERATOR
For comments, suggestions, and contributions, email:
desk@theguidon.com
A shot in the dark THE DEPA RTMENT of Health (DOH) declared a polio outbreak on September 19 after confirming the Philippines’ first polio case in nearly two decades since being hailed free from the disease in 2000. The DOH confirmed another case only a day later. Before these cases, the nation was rocked by two massive disease outbreaks in the past year alone: Dengue and measles. However, these outbreaks could have been prevented by herd immunity—a phenomenon wherein even unvaccinated members of the community are “walled-off” from the disease due to high immunization rates. The Sanofi Pasteur Dengvaxia scandal of 2017 kickstarted the wide-scale vaccine hesitancy in the country when 19 children who received the vaccine in a government-sanctioned i m mu n i z a t io n p r o g r a m supposedly died of dengue after being vaccinated. One year later, the Department of Health (DOH) claimed that only 60% of children were receiving their scheduled
vaccinations, far from the annual target of 85-90%. For many parents, the controversy decreased the credibilit y of healthcare professionals and their trust for any kind of vaccine. In response, various programs to promote immunization awareness have been launched. In line with a worldwide campaign called “Protected Together: Vaccines Work!”, UNICEF Philippines, the DOH, and the World Health Organization held community engagement services to give on-site injections and educational seminars in April 2019. Despite this, the public is yet to fully trust the practice of vaccination. H o w e v e r, w i d e - s c a l e attempts to convince the public of the safety of vaccines will remain ineffective unless we lend an ear to the reasons for such fears. Rebuilding public trust is not an isolated endeavor, it involves a collaborative, multi-sectoral effort from national and local government units, non-profit organizations, and community leaders.
CHALK MARKS
A lecture about doing nothing BY BIANCA ANGELIEN ABAN CLAVERIA
“PEOPLE SAY nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day. Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something.” Although Winnie the Pooh may not be what many would traditionally consider as a serious philosopher, I propose to offer reconsideration for this willy nilly silly old bear’s admittedly profound words. Let’s begin this lecture with a few questions: What makes your day “meaningful”? How is a life lived with “purpose”? Is a day really “wasted” because you “did nothing”? Winnie the Pooh claimed that it is possible to “do nothing” every day, and he seems genuinely proud of it. How could “doing nothing” lead to the very best of “something”?
In this hive-minded world that thrives on productivity, we are expected to always function as busy and efficient bees. Daily checklists ticked-off, and social media accounts updated with every accomplished task. Everything must be flaunted for the likes and the loves. Like the upbeat character of Tigger, we give in to the notion that life must always be showcased as bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, and fun. Alas, living is not a carefree stroll through the Hundred Acre Wood—it’s more like a desperate run for survival through Jurassic Park. Your radiant optimism will be extinguished, and anything can overwhelm you. You will feel exhausted, gradually lose steam, and uncertainty will shroud your former sense of purpose. You could no longer bee yourself— pun intended.
FACING THE ENEMY Discourse on the ground must be brought to light. Aut hor ities must ta ke into account the public’s subscriptions to traditional and religious healing practices as well as their indigenous beliefs about healthcare— health initiatives must not impose sudden change, but exhibit respect and sensitivity to the customs of the people. A study published in the Journal of Community Genetics presented cases in which Filipino patients heavily relied on cultural beliefs, such as sumpa, namaligno, or kaloob ng Diyos, to determine and address the cause of illnesses, rather than to seek proper medical procedures. Community health workers who tried to administer vaccines were even tagged as “child-killers” and were chased out by stone-throwing parents who feared for their childrens’ welfare. In the Aeta community of Nabu k lod, hea lthca re officials were shunned after the Dengvaxia scandal broke out
because of a belief that any harm that comes to a child will affect their parents as well. Much has been invested on mass immu n ization programs, but little has been done to open avenues for the public to air out their concerns on vaccines without the threat of being belittled by healthcare professionals. The absence of conversation, accompanied by information that does not directly address their apprehensions, may make parents and guardians feel ignored by healthcare providers, further fueling the misunderstanding and fear of immunization.
As a teacher, I encourage my students to find meanings in their accomplishments—as well as failures—but caution them against misconstruing being burned-out to mean being productive. When everything becomes overpowering, I advise them to breathe, loosen their grips, and at least for a moment, “do nothing.” With all their pent-up tensions and extreme pressures, they might produce diamonds by the time they graduate. The geology-related joke aside, I remind them that there will always be battles in life that just cannot be won. In the immortal words of the Beatles, when you find yourself in times of trouble, you just need to “let it be.” Echoing Taoist philosophy (read Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching), to “do nothing” does not strictly mean giving up and resigning to fate. It can mean a simple yet needed pause in life; like using a promising semicolon instead of a definite period to end a train of thought. It is often in the rare instances when we decide to pause, reflect, and “do
nothing” that we finally find the time to look back at what we have done, assess how we are, and gauge how further we can go. Whenever Winnie the Pooh needed to reflect on his actions, he goes to his very own “Pooh’s Thotful Spot.” (Oh, the silly old bear and his struggles with spelling) “Oh, bother! What to do? Think, think, think...” Winnie the Pooh would mutter to himself, rubbing his head with his stubby little paws. He does not act desperately, instead he “does nothing” and allows himself to be immersed in the moment. He ponders, wonders, and wanders away with his thoughts—albeit mostly about honey. For the uptight character of Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh just wasted an entire day. But is “doing nothing” always for naught? To the overwhelmed and exhausted student reading these words, may this short lecture serve as a pot of warm honey for your tired soul. Take a thoughtful sip of the sweet circumstances of your life, but also learn to bravely swallow the bitter realities. Slowly close
A HERCULEAN TASK Key institutions will have to engage with discourses on the ground. Creating spaces for dialogue with the citizens is a collaborative, multi-sectoral effort from government and nonprofit organizations, medical professionals, communit y leaders, and the general public. Townhall discussions, door-to-door campaigns, and
forums can be organized at the barangay-level to be able to craft more specific, directed, and culturally-sensitive campaigns towards the issue. After the declaration of the polio outbreak, Secretary of Health Dr. Franciso Duque III urged parents, healthcare professionals, and local leaders to take on more active parts in the vaccination drives nationwide. However, it is not enough to call for people to believe in immu n ization a f ter t wo yea rs of w idespread d ist r u st . T here mu st be reassurance that their fears and apprehensions are being heard and understood by those in charge. The government must be w illing to lower themselves to the ground, speak with the communities affected, understand—and not condemn—their cultures, and collaborate with them to reach the goal of eliminating vaccine hesitancy and achiev ing a better state of public health for all. your eyes and tone down your cacophonic thoughts. They have become too loud for you to endure. Listed below are few of the many readings that can accompany you as linger in your own “Thotful Spot”: Hoff, Benjamin. The Tao of Pooh. London: Peng uin Books, 1982. Milne, A.A. The House at Pooh Corner. London: Puffin Books, 1992. Wright, Robin. “The Moral Clarity of ‘Christopher Robin.’” New Yorker, August 23, 2018. https://www.newyorker.com/ culture/culture-desk/the-moralclarity-of-christopher-robin. Homework: Sit down, read, ref lect, and be immersed in “doing nothing”. It may unexpectedly lead you to the very best of “something”—whatever that may be for you. Find time to “think, think, think...” Class dismissed. Bianca Angelien Aban Clave r ia i s Lecture r at t h e Un i v e r s i t y ’s Hi s t o r y Department. She may be reached at bclaveria@ateneo.edu.
The GUIDON | October 2019
BLUE JE A NS
Beyond biases BY GEORGE D. KHO
Two years ago, I never would have imagined that I’d be where I am now. I didn’t even have any idea where Ateneo was. “Sa Makati ba yun banda?” I didn’t concern myself with college basketball games and such, nor did I add Ateneo to the schools I considered. The dream had always been to study at the top-ranking university in the country—the University of the Philippines. Nonetheless, I now find myself in this six-digittuition school I never dreamt of ever enrolling in.
Equivocation BRYCE RUBI
Dice MY LIFE lacks direction. There. I’ve said it, but have I ever really denied it? As a child, all I ever wanted to be was a zoologist. I loved animals—but who didn’t? I dreamt of exploring far-off jungles, all the while intently reading the many books I had on the wild: NatGeo’s yearly kids’ almanac, a huge picture book on the different kinds of tarantulas, and the heaps of National Geographic magazines we had that described historical accounts of Incan sacrifices, the story of the American Buffalo, and the plight of the Passenger Pigeon. Unfortunately, not all childhood dreams are meant to be, as I can attest to now, fully aware that to become a zoologist, one has to study dead animals just as much as live ones. In terms of finding a passion, it all went downhill from there. All that was left of my dreams was my pet
Al dente ANNICKA B. KOTEH
Imperfect passion WHEN I’M writing, I don’t always feel like a writer. Case in point: Right now I’m typing at an ungodly hour and hoping that the words come stat. I’m aiming for more shut-eye than style and would very much like to
Zi Feng MATTHEW G. YUCHING
Home is where your heart is I was on the way home from Ateneo to Parañaque one day. Getting off the LRT, I wasn’t in the mood to walk home. All the jeeps going past were filled to the brim with commuters, so I settled for the next best thing: An e-jeep. As I passed through Quirino Avenue, I saw new establishments left and right, with signs written in characters I recognize, but can’t read. With the recent boom of Philipine Online Gambling Operations, restaurants and residences were constructed in order to meet the demands of the workers arriving in droves—many of which are Chinese. En route home, an elderly couple hailed the ride I was in. While talking to his wife about the many changes in the avenue and the streets beside it, lolo asked me out of the blue: “Ikaw, diba instik ka (You, aren’t you
This isn’t to say that I didn’t have my own ideas of what it would be like. I’d already expected susyal people with iPhones, long lines for milk tea, students filling coffee shops, and luxury cars occasionally zooming by. However, it’s still different experiencing it firsthand. In my first week of living in Katipunan, I already found myself speaking in English with everyone I met. It’s hard to deny that everything I’ve just said holds a tinge of prejudgement in it—a prejudice against a people that weren’t of the same economic class, that didn’t prefer the same language, a people that, in my head, weren’t my people. Coming from a town where English was reserved mostly for foreign tourists and from a school that somewhat had a culture where
students would tease spokeninin-dollerz people, it was easy for me to feel the contrast. Probably one of the first things that caught my attention was that it seemed like everyone wore clothes from Uniqlo or some other huge fashion brand; people dressed somewhat similarly and are only distinct by a few pastel colors. When you visit school, you can be sure to see someone with a Fjallraven bag and at least a dozen people wearing white shoes for that day. Another thing was the high prices of food in Ateneo. Most meals here will cost at least a hundred pesos, and those may not even fill you. Neither inflation nor the Train Law has helped to alleviate the situation. However, economic conditions don’t seem to prevent us Ateneans
tarantula, a reminder of the wild I so wanted to explore before. Would I want to become a businessman? An economist? An architect, an engineer, a writer? After countless hours of thought, I was none the wiser. In fact, the college courses I aimed for were decided by cointosses between the classes in high school I enjoyed the most. “What are your plans after college? What do you wanna be in the future?” My friends and family asked. I didn’t know. I’d default to a smile, echoing Beyoncé: “To be happy.” In a way, it was true. What did anyone want to be, if not happy, anyway? I wasn’t Beyoncé, but I could very well try! That answer was a cop-out, I know—but it worked well. At the risk of sounding even more preachy than I am now, I’d like to think that going through college without a driving passion to motivate my studies is an experience in itself. I’ve decided that my goal instead is to branch out in as many directions as possible—to see what fits and what doesn’t. Sure, I’ll disappoint a ton of people, but instead of working as hard as I can to get as far in the
rat race as possible, I’ll take the time to enjoy college for what it is: A learning experience. Mono no aware: A Japanese concept on the ephemerality of things. It encourages me to make every day count. Open up to more people, go stargazing, read more books, take more classes, catch up with friends, continue tending to my orchids, enjoy every single rainstorm, appreciate Ateneo’s scenic lanes—knowing very well a time will come for me to walk down Fr. Masterson drive one last time. My life isn’t perfect. It’s as far from perfect as it gets. And I appreciate that. We all have our own schedules and I’d like to believe that though we don’t know it, our futures are written in the stars. I’ll figure it out eventually. Don’t I have to? Someday. And when I’m much older, I’d like to think back to all the times I didn’t know what to do. And though I know I won’t remember exactly what I did, I’m sure I’ll remember and be glad of at least one thing: That I stopped to smell the flowers.
retire for the night. I can’t help but think that if I’m not enjoying this process—if I’m always looking to the result rather than the experience— what gives me the right to claim anything as passion? There’s a certain pressure that comes with naming a passion, even more so when it’s turned into a title. That last syllable, the telltale -er (of writer, singer, dancer, you name it), seems to imply both constancy and expertise. Both are somewhat intimidating. Both demand time. So I’ve always been critical of those two elements, particularly when it comes to my writing.
For starters, I’ve never been the type to write for pleasure, no matter how much I have wanted to. I’ve never carried a journal around, never finished a blog past a first entry, never wrote poems or stories or fanfiction unless asked to. Something scares me, stops me from putting pen to paper without having the pitch validated. Every opportunity to get that mandate has been a huge decision for me, with joining each publication I’ve been a part of as a step outside my comfort zone. But after getting a piece primed and ready for publication,
Chinese?)” I replied, “Opo, instik ako, pero laki naman ako sa Manila (Yes, I’m Chinese, but I was raised in Manila).” “Ah, halata kasing instik ka eh. Ang puti mo kasi, kala ko kasama ka sa kanila (Ah, it’s obvious that you’re Chinese. It’s because you’re so white, I thought you were with them),” he continued. “Them” referred to the Chinese that live and work in the surrounding area, after an e-gambling company set up nearby. The rest of the trip was lolo going on about the changed area, now a bustling road with brand-new white vans everywhere. I got off in front of my house and that was that. But the short conversation I had with lolo made me think about whether other Chinese-Filipinos have the same experiences of discrimination as I do. What does being Chinese-Filipino in the Philippines entail? Does it mean being part of those allowed in “Chinese only” restaurants? Does it mean that we side with the Chinese on national issues? These generalizations can often be found in discussions online that drag in Chinese-Filipinos who have lived in the country for as long as those pointing fingers have. Columnist Solita Collas-Monsod wrote a controversial piece for the
Inquirer on Filipinos’ distrust towards China. She brings up our loyalty to the Philippines, saying that “...a Chinese-Filipino will never ever state unequivocally that he/she is a Filipino first, and a Chinese second.” I am a Filipino. The cultures and values that I have grown up with are Filipino as well. We struggle and succeed together as citizens of the Philippines. We fight for the same causes that plague our country. Change may not be something immediate and visibly seen, but I still believe that we can rid ourselves of the generalization that the Chinese-Filipino community will always side with the country our ancestors came from. Last April, I tagged along with a reporter who covered a rally in front of the Chinese consulate. Amidst the anti-Chinese placards, some protesters gave me looks and were whispering to each other. One of them approached me and asked what I was doing. I said “coverage lang po (just covering),” and the person’s expression changed from a frown to a smile. He told his colleagues, “Ok lang yan, kasama natin yan. Pinoy naman yan! (That’s alright, he’s with us. He’s Pinoy!)”
from exercising our financial prowess, as seen in sales posted on Ateneo Trade such as Rolex watches, luxury cars, and entire islands. Kidding aside, I eventually got used to the pretty much colorful Ateneo life. One day you’re walking home and you might stumble across a mass of students running down Red Brick road Naruto style or perhaps find a huge crowd gathering around a dozen guys doing the “Dante Gulapa dance.” We, Arneans, get a lot of comical reactions online for it. Things here are unconventional but in a fun kind of way. Though what people outside school probably don’t know is that behind that impression of a school filled with easy-going, carefree students is actually a hotbed of social, economic, and
7
political thought and dialogue. Even my Theology of the Catholic Social Vision (Theo 12) subject, where you’d only expect to talk about religion, is deeply imbued in understanding the social issues of today through analyses and immersions. Despite Ateneo’s reputation as one of the most elite schools in the country, it is far from detached from our nation’s reality. Truly, life in Katipunan, and in college, is very different, especially in the Ateneo. A lot I’ve just said probably seemed judgmental and, as I mentioned earlier, it’s kind of difficult to deny the fact that I’ve had my prejudices against the people and culture here. But after spending a year with the very people I used to judge—those elite, bourgeoisie, upper-class as I saw them—this
place had somehow pushed me past beyond my biases; it had prevented me from forgetting that behind every person is a unique story and each new environment serves as a world of knowledge we’ve yet to learn from. Some of us, like me, tend to get lost in the sea of social ideas, norms, and biases we have held for so long. Luckily for me, I’ve met some really great people here, and I’ve learned things I never knew I didn’t know. Ateneo was, in the ways I had just described, a different world. Yet, that’s also what makes Ateneo the place I just had to be in.
IT HAPPENED on a rainy Thursday morning inside the Gonzaga cafeteria. I sat down beside my friends, complaining about a headache and all the work I had done in the past week. As I put my head down on the table, one of them asked, “Maybe it’s physical burnout?” but I didn’t want to consider it. It made me panic thinking about the amount of work I’d have to catch up on if I got sick. I planned my schedule out evenly to have time for my academics, org work, and social life. Ruining that rhythm meant that I’d have to catch up on so many other things. Later that night, I had a fever that reached 39 degrees Celsius and my headache only got worse. I lay in bed, admitting defeat and that maybe I was indeed
experiencing burnout. It wasn’t the first time I got burnt out. However, it was the first time I experienced it that badly. It was my body literally shutting down and telling me to stop working. As someone who loves to work, I was terrified about how I couldn’t do anything. I felt betrayed because my body decided to give up on me after having all these dreams and plans that I hoped to achieve. It was a crushing weight on my chest, but I knew the only person I could blame for my exhaustion was myself. At the same time, the experience was a reminder that I didn’t prioritize my well-being enough amongst all the responsibilities I had. I forgot the last time I was able to binge watch a show on Netflix, read a book for my own pleasure, or sit outside and stare blankly at the night sky. That experience of burnout brought me so much clarity that I had flashbacks to all the events and opportunities I missed out on because I prioritized work. My fear of missing out ironically led me to miss out on the things that made me feel human. I used to live by the statement “go big or go home.” I thought everything I did required me to be
at my 100% and that separating myself meant giving less. Now, I’m forced to rethink my priorities and how I manage my time. While recovering from physical burnout, I finally picked up a book again. It felt nostalgic to smell the pages of a book and to face it instead of the blue light of my laptop. I got lost in the story instead of drowning in work notifications. Putting work on hold was scary, but liberating. “Baby steps are better than none,” I reminded myself as I scrolled through my social media timelines and caught up on what my friends were doing. Healing won’t come easy. I know this. There are still days where I feel like I’m going to crash and burn as badly as last time. Because of burnout, I feel like I lost the part of me that likes to have fun and that prioritizes herself. I’m still figuring out where I lost her along the way, but I’d like to find her again. Learning to take a break is still challenging after years of having the mentality that I should constantly give my everything, even into the early hours of the night. Now, I chose to take a step back from my desk and take a break when I know I need it.
sometimes I don’t share what I’ve written. Having my thoughts out there gives me the jitters. The select few that make it onto my feed are ones that I’m proudest of. The rest make me painfully aware of how much room there is to grow. Though that can serve as motivation, I know, too, how paralyzing that thought can be. Expertise is a bar that grows ever higher—and it’s easy to grow tired of catching up. Catching up takes work. Writing is work. I think of outlines on rides home and dull events so I don’t have to face a blank page. But I still do, to an extent, every time I hunker
down and try to get ideas written, every time my mind pulls out all the stops to make the words sing. The grind is hard to love, even if the payoff isn’t, though the latter is never guaranteed. It’s especially inspiring, then, when those newer to the game declare themselves writers. And on the opposite end, when those who’ve spent more sweat over it than me are still proud to be playing it. Some might think it presumptuous of those starting out, or those struggling, to speak for the craft. But coming from me—one who’s always been
hesitant to stake such a claim— using that title is up to them. The label pressures me to a halt. It gets others going. Who’s to say we can’t use whatever works for us? And whatever the craft in question, I’ve realized that passion isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and carpe diem typography. Passion lies not in smooth sailing, but in the rockiest terrain. If you didn’t have to fight for it in some way—whether by soaking up knowledge, disproving naysayers, or getting over your own self-doubt—it wouldn’t be passion. And chasing it asks for perseverance rather than perfection.
Before I knew it, I was in basketball attire and enrolled in basketball training camps. I don’t recall being asked if I wanted to play basketball, but I do recall not complaining about it. I didn’t mind being the only girl playing against boys. I just wanted to learn and play basketball. In grade school, as soon as we were allowed to join our school’s clubs, I immediately went to the basketball club. What joy it brought me to end up representing my school. I loved the game. I gave it so many days of my life and it gave me so much more in return. Basketball taught me the importance of practice, dedication, patience, and humility. It made me realize my strengths and weaknesses. It taught me that although I’m not the fastest runner, I’m good at keeping up with my opponents to play defense. I loved the winning moments and learned to be resilient through losses. One of my favorite things about it was how long each game would last and how it would make it seem like the outside world—and all the responsibilities that came with it—was nothing.
I knew that I’d eventually have to give up playing basketball. There aren’t any professional women basketball leagues in the Philippines, and even if there were, I knew that it wasn’t the path for me. For as long as I could remember I had a basketball in my hand, but I knew it was time to put it down. Today, you won’t find me with a basketball in my hand. Instead, you’ll find a camera. You won’t find me on the court but on the courtside. It feels different to see the game I love through a camera. I sometimes find myself just watching the game instead of taking photos. It’s still difficult to keep myself from reacting when I see a bad call made. I also can’t help but feel nostalgic whenever I see the passion of the players on the court. I miss the celebrations and even the tired but fulfilling feeling after each game. However, it’s refreshing to witness the game from a different perspective. I get to celebrate my love for the sport through something new—not through being part of the audience or through playing the game, but through capturing all the moments in between.
Obligations MARIANA GARDOCE
Under pressure
Zones ZOEY IGNACIO
Taking a different shot BASKETBALL HAS always been an integral part of my life. My dad is an Ateneo basketball team fanatic, so naturally, he raised me and my brothers the same way. The earliest memories I have of basketball are in Araneta, and although I did not understand the games back then, they had food that was good enough to keep me in my seat. Our weekend schedule would work around Ateneo’s games, if the games were on Sunday, I had to study and do all my homework or else I had to stay at home and watch from the TV. There was no specific moment when I knew that I had a grasp of the game. Eventually, I just knew what a travel or foul was. Suddenly, the gibberish words that I would hear my dad and brother talk about made sense.
George D. Kho is a diplomacy and international relations major and a Beyond Loyola Staffer of The GUIDON. He may be reached at 0917 680 8310 and george.kho@obf.ateneo.edu.
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News
Atenean Voice Given the recent debates surrounding the SOGIE Equality Bill strong stances, what is your opinion on gender-neutral restrooms?
PHOTO BY NATE BOSANO
Von Carolino Head Commissioner, Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality
“Generally, I appreciate the intentions of tolerance, security, and mindfulness behind [these structures]. However, I feel that it’s a red herring to the larger things we fight for as an LGBTQ+ community. It exacerbates the segregation of our people, framing our experiences as a special license to access those amenities, rather than integrating us to the larger society that have long marginalized our views [of] the peripheries. Restrooms, even if they have sex-based infrastructural nuances, are also socio-cultural manifestations of gender segregation. We need to acknowledge the dynamic view [of] gender as socio-culturally constructed and allow people to find security, acceptance, and mindfulness in the corresponding restroom of their choice of identification.
Katrina Tan 1 AB COM
“Though gender-neutral restrooms may seem like a step in the right direction for the LGBTQ+ community, I think that it also subconsciously reinforces a lot of stigma, especially towards transgenders who want to use regular male or female restrooms. The fact that we still need separate restrooms because people feel ‘unsafe’ with transmen and transwomen using regular restrooms just isolates them. It shows that while people do recognize and tolerate transgenders in our society, they do not truly accept them.”
Daniela Villegas 4 AB MEC
“For me, it’s a bandaid solution. Pre-assigned genders are conventionally the only determinants for which bathroom a person is allowed to use. This is supported by harassment cases where they use a trans mask to harass people in the regular male and female bathrooms, which puts the transgender community in a bad light, further sowing the seeds of distrust that is already present in society. While I do want a place where transgenders can fully integrate into all aspects of society, society isn’t ready to implement this safely for both transgenders and women. We want to protect people, period—trans-women who get bullied inside male bathrooms, and cis-women who get [harassed by] predators disguised as trans men.
On an adjacent note, I find it weird when the discussion of possible sexual misconduct and violence are within the parameters of the debate on gender integrated restrooms versus gender-neutral restrooms, because the tendency to abuse the system and harm another exists on both sides of the debate.” Kurt Abalos 4 AB EU
“A gender-neutral bathroom is a step towards gender equality because [one’s] gender label is no longer the priority. Rather, it focuses on creating a safe space for people to do their business, regardless of their gender. It could be a sign that our society is beginning to accept different genders as it allows anyone to use a common safe space.”
Angelo Fabro 2 MA-POS
“Being able to piss or take a dump—regardless of your gender—is a basic human right. Being able to do it comfortably in a toilet is also part of that right. This is why all-gender restrooms should be standardized, so they can serve as safe-spaces for anyone who—because of their gender identity—may feel uncomfortable in conventional restrooms. If all-gender restrooms aren’t feasible, there should at least be a set policy for transgenders and all other non-conforming individuals to be able to use whichever restroom they would feel most comfortable in. It all boils down to mutual respect for your fellow human.”
Micah Chan 2 AB COM
Nina Collado 3 BFA CW
And so I think this is why they’re proposing gender-neutral bathrooms to appease both sides of this issue. This accommodates people who are not comfortable in the bathrooms they’re allowed to use. But it’s not enough. It’s only mere tolerance. My question really is, by appeasing both sides, was there really a solution? Was there really acceptance?” Danielle Evangelista 3 AB COM
“If gender-neutral bathrooms aren’t for multiple people, I’m good with it. Personally, I just like it that way because it’s more quiet. Overall, though, it’s just a matter of privacy. At the end of the day, people who aren’t comfortable with either genders [should] have an option to choose. Everyone deserves to have a safe space.”
Luna Rose* 1 AB HUM
“As a non-binary trans woman, I feel that gender-neutral bathrooms are great for multiple reasons. I am pre-hormone therapy and pre-any type of surgery. I am read as male, so I use the male restroom out of fear when there are no gender-neutral restrooms. I like gender-neutral restrooms because they make me feel comfortable and safe simultaneously. Additionally, most non-binary people don’t feel comfortable in either bathroom regardless of circumstances, and therefore gender-neutral bathrooms are necessary if we are to hold everyone to an equal standard.
“A friend once pointed out to me that traditionally, bathrooms are gender-neutral in our homes. Why then must we be against the idea of it when it’s something that has existed naturally, an orientation we’re familiar with ever since we were young? The difference is the stigma attached to it, influenced by the discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. There is also a problem of distrust that comes from the sexualization of gender when it’s only an assumption that is unfair and irrational. We should instead see how [a bathroom] is a convenient and practical set-up and how it’s an establishment that caters to a basic human right. It’s a step to equality and progress—it is a win for everyone.” “I do think that gender-neutral bathrooms would be helpful for [the LGBTQ+ community] and would also become a comfortable place for people who are part of [it]. This is because even if the Filipinos say there is no need to prioritize trivial things such as this and that they accept the people of this community, there is still discrimination and obvious toleration when it comes to LGBTQ+ people using the restrooms. People would stare at them or get uncomfortable when they are around and so in retrospect they would feel uncomfortable, too. So if gender-neutral restrooms will be able to give them that comfort, then I think it’s something we can give them.”
With that being said, we should not force all LGBTQ+ people into gender-neutral bathrooms. Transwomen can go into female restrooms and transmen can go into male restrooms. Forcing all LGBTQ+ people into an LGBTQ+ bathroom is just segregation. It’s best to have a gender-neutral bathrooms, but do not segregate us.” Althea Santos 2 AB Dip IR
“I support gender-neutral bathrooms provided that provisions first be made to educate Filipino society on gender sensitivity. That’s why the SOGIE Bill is really important. It provides these provisions that recognize and protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s about time we make our society more open-minded, inclusive, and understanding.”
Glimpses Ateneo Art Gallery commemorates anniversary with Yellow Ambiguities Exhibition
Dumagats explain stance against Kaliwa Dam Project
In celebration of the Ateneo Art Gallery’s 59th anniversary as the “first museum of Philippine modern art,” 2014 Purita Kalaw-Ledesma awardee Carlomar Daoana and visual artist Jason Dy, SJ collaborated to curate Yellow Ambiguities. The art exhibit features five sections, namely “Properties and Surfaces,” “Halos and Illuminations,” “Illness and Struggle,” “Forms and Ideas,” and “Tropics and Heat,” each showcasing a specific theme and a specific shade of the color yellow. The exhibit, which follows art historian John Cage’s exploration on color, also includes displays of various collections such as a selection of murals, native fabrics, and religious icons by Ang Kiukok and Cesar Legaspi, among other featured artists. Yellow Ambiguities runs from August 18, 2019 until January 5, 2020 at Areté’s Mr. and Mrs. Ching Tan Gallery and the Mr. and Mrs. Chung Te Gallery. FRANS G. REGALA
Members of the Dumagat-Remontado community from Rizal and Quezon province expressed dissent towards the Kaliwa Dam Project in a forum entitled “Informed and Connected: Stop Kaliwa Dam” held at the University Dorm Roofdeck on September 3. While Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III asserted that the dam will address the claims of a water shortage in Metro Manila, members of the Dumagat community spoke up against the project as it adversely affects their livelihood and culture. Among the community’s concerns is the government’s violation of legal procedures in implementing the project, most especially the lack of free and prior consent from the indigeneous peoples. Furthermore, the Sanggunian, Atenista Laban sa Kaliwa Dam, and Coalition of Ateneans for Indigenous Peoples also discussed studies that criticize the efficacy of the dam, stating that while the dam will incur great costs, it will only address a few years of Metro Manila’s water demands. FRANCHESCA FAJEMOLIN
Ateneo hosts 2019 Maningning Miclat Poetry Awards
Journalists convene to discuss the state of campus press
In collaboration with the Maningning Miclat Art Foundation, the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writing hosted the Maningning Miclat Poetry Awards and presented this year’s winners on September 24 at Escaler Hall. The awards recognize exemplary young artists and poets in honor of poet-painter Maningning Miclat and aim to impart spirit and encouragement to the awardees. On April 13, the foundation opened submissions to poets from all nationalities under the age of 28. Participants were allowed to submit to any one of three divisions, namely Filipino, English, and Chinese. The grand winners for the Filipino and English categories were Ralph Lorenz Fonte for “Sa Mga Alimbukay ng Agwat” and Vincen Gregory Yu for “The Language of Silence and Other Poems” respectively. For undisclosed reasons, there is no winner from the Chinese division this year. MOIRA V. CAYABYAB
Student journalists, campus publication advisers, and media professionals gathered for “Kapihan for Campus Journalists” at CTC 204 on August 31. The event was organized by Regine Cabato, Raizza Bello, and Robbin Dagle, young professionals who were former members of The GUIDON. Participants shared their concerns, opinions, and ideas regarding the current state of campus journalism in the Philippines, where journalists have consistently faced various threats to their press freedom. Some of the problems discussed include lapses in school administrations’ implementation of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, publications’ lack of funds, and the struggle to adapt to multimedia. Aside from this, the forum also touched upon the role campus journalists play in serving their communities by helping the public understand current events through their stories. LEIKA GOLEZ
The GUIDON | October 2019
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PHOTO BY RALPH LIM
S P O R T S O P INIO N
The truth behind empty arenas BY LEI P. MACARANAS
WHEN YOU imagine being at a live Ateneo Men’s Basketball game, you probably picture any of the following: A raucous crowd split between Blue and (most likely) Maroon or Green, thundering drum beats, and highlight plays. But as exciting as all of that sounds, you would probably be lying if you said that the prospect of scavenging social media or lining up at an ungodly hour for tickets does not make you shudder. Failing to come by tickets for a game is a common pain point for student-fans, and the convenient response would be to write it off to shady ticket politics or some grand systemic problem keeping students out of stadiums. But digging deeper, there is something more to this non-attendance than students simply being left out. While Ateneo has a duty to allocate tickets to alumni and sponsors that support the team, this does not take away from the seats that students can fill. In fact, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) President Em Fernandez explains that tickets allocated for sale to students stand up to the combined total for sponsors and alumni. However, the numbers show that sales to sponsors and alumni are higher.
It comes dow n to t he simple fact t hat st udents just do not watch most of the games. Instead, attendance is conditioned by convenience and occasion, and when everyone wants to watch the same game, it cannot be helped that people are left out. MISSING INTEREST One of the draws to watching live games is the chance to see larger-than-life personalities in person. For Ateneans, the factor of “star power” arguably carries less weight than it would for a fan outside Ateneo, which takes away from the urge to support. The sheen of star power wears off a little when you see them queueing in the cafeteria or hunched over a reading in the library. Of course, this opens up the possibility for support to be driven by solidarity, but ticket sales still say otherwise. Moreover, a lot of time and effort is required to see these games live. Time spent in traff ic takes away precious hou rs f rom academic a nd org requ irements —not to mention t he ex tra money spent on tickets and food. Easy access to live streaming and television coverage makes these inconveniences disappear, pulling more people away from sitting in seats.
SELECTIVE PARTICIPATION Another reason for the lack of attendance across all matches is the fact that only so-called “big” games get attention from students. “The students’ choice to watch the game depends on the rival team we will face,” Office of College Athletics Coordinator Benjamin Afuang explains. Matches ag a inst the De La Salle Universit y or the University of the Philippines have more spectators because these g a mes have become social events as much as they are basketball games. Other matches that do not get lead billing are thus not given enough attention by Ateneo’s students, leading to low attendance. WHAT MORE CAN WE DO? As UA AP Season 82 hosts, Ateneo introduced “Student Wednesdays” to encourage st udents to at tend UA A P Basketba ll games. Matches that fall on Wednesdays are priced at only Php 35. However, the only tickets that fall under this promo are the Upper Box and General Admission seats, which pale in comparison to the seats that alumni, donors, and sponsors watch the games from. But if students don’t watch games any way, why give them the best seats in the house? Over the years, Ateneo has
tried many gambits to entice students to watch games, like free rides and even free tickets. Sadly, none of these promotions seem to have worked. “Student Wednesdays” is just another entry in the school’s long list of attempts to boost student attendance in games. Ateneo could also tr y the “Student Wednesdays” promo
for Lower Box a nd Patron tickets to see if seat location act ua lly mat ters. But it is understandable if the school is apprehensive about that idea. Simply put: As long as UA AP Basketball games prove not to be a priority, then Ateneo’s efforts will be for naught. This is not to say that being selective about which games
to see live is wrong or shows a lack of loyalty to the school. In the end, every match-going fan chooses on a basis that is entirely their ow n. W hat we need to remember is that before we cry foul on a system supposedly set against us, we need to check if, most of the time, we keep ourselves out of the stadiums.
What we need to remember is that before we cry foul on a system supposedly set against us, we need to check if, most of the time, we keep ourselves out of the stadiums.
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Sports
Ateneo Sports
Watchlist PHOTO BY ZOEY IGNACIO
UAAP to expand sports coverage for Season 82 BY XAVIER C. BAUTISTA
PHOTO BY BRUCE ONG
Queens of the hill
ALL FOR More, the theme woven into every endeavor this University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UA A P) Season 82, encourages athletes to go above and beyond. And so, in an effort to promote these feats of athletic achievement, Ateneo de Manila University, along with this season’s broadcast partners,
hold on to their reputation as one of the deadliest duos in the UAAP Badminton scene. UAAP Season 82 is also a fitting sendoff for De Vera, as she concludes her collegiate badminton career with a title. While anchored by its veterans, the Lady Eagles also saw the birth of a star in newly proclaimed UAAP Season 82 Rookie of the Year Mika De Guzman. The phenom won all but one of her Singles matches, playing on another level against some of the best in the UAAP.
T h e A t e n e o Wom e n’s Badminton Team attained their fifth overall championship and second back-to-back title run after their first two-peat triumph in UAAP Seasons 75 and 76. The Lady Eagles also did so this season in breathtaking fashion, thrilling the UAAP with their dominant and exhilarating style-of-play. With the women’s badminton crown staying put in Katipunan, the Lady Eagles can rest easy as they remain the queens of the UAAP—and look to be for the foreseeable future.
events through virtual avenues, a ripple is created: Athletes’ efforts are recognized, which allows for the growth of various sports in the Philippines. A s of Oc tober 2 019 , t he fol low i n g spor ts have streaming and broadcasting services available for the UA AP Season 82:
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games only) Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv (Select games only)
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games) Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv (Select games)
MEN’S BASKETBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv
CHEERDANCE COMPETITION Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv
BASEBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games) Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games)
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv (Every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 AM)
MEN’S FOOTBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action/iWant.tv
SOFTBALL Television broadcast: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games) Online streaming: ABS-CBN Sports & Action (Select games)
BY JOACHIM S. MELO
ANOTHER SEASON, another championship. The Ateneo Lady Eagles end their run in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UA AP) Season 82 Women’s Badminton Tournament with another gold medal finish. For the second time in a row, Ateneo stars Co-captains Chanelle Lunod and Joella De Vera share the Most Valuable Player trophy for the season. Individually undefeated in all their Singles matches, the duo managed to
is working to deliver extensive broadcasting and revamped coverage—showcasing more sports than ever before. With recent technological improvements and the presence of online streaming services, sports broadcasting has become more accessible and convenient. By providing exposure for these
NEW RECRUITS. The Ateneo Sports Club sector holds their annual recruitment week in front of the Gonzaga cafeteria. | PHOTO BY BRUCE ONG
Game changer: Ateneo sports clubs revitalized BY JAVI P. MAPA
SMASHING IT HOME. UAAP Season 82 Women’s Badminton Co-MVP Chanelle Lunod banks a crucial shot against the Lady Maroons to bring the crown back to Loyola Heights. | PHOTO BY BRUCE ONG
HISTORICALLY, SPORTS clubs in Ateneo have struggled both financially and competitively due to the lack of a framework devoted to their success. But on March 28, this problem was finally addressed when sports clubs collected enough signatures to be recognized as an official sector in the University. Formerly under the Intramurals Athletics Council, the Ateneo Sports Club Sector (ASCS) now exists as its own entity thanks to ASCS Officer-in-Charge and Sanggunian member Jerard Afable
and member of the Department of External Affairs Sociopolitical Arm of the Sanggunian Jannele Jimenez. They both believe that athletes for all sports should be properly supported by Ateneo through funding for their own jerseys, tournaments, and transportation, among other benefits. The sector’s long-term goal is to be recognized by the entire Ateneo administration, and not just the Loyola Schools (LS), which would open up more possibilities for its progression because of the potential use of
venues and facilities not under the LS. The sports currently under the ASCS, such as flag football, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, archery, dance sport, and futsal, are aligned with the sector’s aim to promote sports that are not in the mainstream. Ultimately, the ASCS encourages athletes to be passionate about living out their athletic dreams while representing the school, as stated in their 2019 Recruitment Week slogan: Don’t miss out on the game of your life.
The GUIDON | October 2019
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G A L L E R Y O F E AG L E S
FROM PHENOM TO COACH: The return of Kat Quimpo BY VITO MARTIN AND SELINA DE DIOS
For Ateneo Women’s Basketball Head Coach Kat Quimpo, basketball has always been close to her heart. As a little girl, she watched Allen Iverson break players’ ankles with no remorse, made daily visits to the basketball court with her uncle, and tirelessly practiced moves against her cousins. B a s ke tb a l l e v e nt u a l l y evolved from a minor interest to a daily routine for Quimpo. “Doing that pretty much every day, I think it made me fall in love with the sport,” she says. Her love for the game bloomed as she grew older, eventually translating to a career in high school and collegiate basketball.
PHOTO BY LEO LOPEZ
A STELLAR COLLEGIATE CAREER After a standout high school basketball career in De La Salle Zobel, Quimpo found herself at a crossroads: Would she play for the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers, or would she take her talents to their rivals, the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles? DLSU was an incredibly enticing option. Quimpo aspired to take up Liberal Arts and Commerce—an arts and business double degree program unique to La Salle. The women’s basketball situation at Taft was objectively better as well: La Salle, back in 2002, was the defending University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champions, while Ateneo had only won three UAAP games in the last three years.
But Quimpo simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play for Ateneo. While an important factor was the challenge of helping the underdogs, what ultimately swayed her decision was the campus. “I just fell in love with it,” Quimpo recalls upon first seeing the Loyola Schools grounds. She suited up for the Blue and White, began her stellar collegiate career, and never looked back. Quimpo quickly claimed the starting point guard role as a rookie. By her third year in 2005, she helped deliver the UAAP crown to Katipunan. The team was in fine form the following year in UAAP Season 69, until Quimpo fractured her left hand two days before their semis elimination game. In a herculean effort, Quimpo decided to play through the injury. Unfortunately, her determination and hunger still failed to clinch the win. Ateneo did not make their return to the finals after being bested by Far Eastern University in a heartbreaking 44-46 defeat. In her final season in 2007, Quimpo and the Lady Eagles fought their way back to the finals, forcing a showdown against the University of the Philippines. She led the team to their second championship in three years, winning the Finals Most Valuable Player along the way. This was the sweetest victory and the perfect send off to her basketball career— as a player, that is. FROM TAKING THE SHOTS TO CALLING THE SHOTS Even before she graduated, Quimpo dreamed of giving back to the Ateneo community. Quimpo thought that coaching would be the perfect way to help the basketball program that she owed so much to. However, any idea of this quickly
dissipated when she left the basketball scene to focus on her entrepreneurial endeavors. But when then-head coach of the Lady Eagles Erika Dy invited her to join the coaching staff as an assistant in 2015, Quimpo couldn’t say no. Four years later, Quimpo eventually ascended as head coach of the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team. Quimpo’s unique standpoint as a former player and point guard is seen in her system, which is predicated by ball movement and reads rather than set actions. However, her experience as a player has also proven to be a doubleedged sword—it’s far too easy for her to empathize with the hardships of being a student-athlete. “I will always have a heart for players, because I know their struggles,” she admits. This has made tough decisions even harder to call, especially when it comes to disciplining the team. But Quimpo’s experience as a player also gives her an understanding of how short-lived women’s basketball can be in the Philippines. Unlike men’s basketball, where there is an abundance of professional avenues in the country, a career in women’s basketball comes sparingly. Quimpo knows that she is lucky to get a second chance with the sport she has always loved, and because of this same realization, she puts a premium on the values she can teach her athletes and fellow coaches. Quimpo wants to help the girls grow—not just as athletes, but as human beings. “I know that women’s basketball isn’t forever,” Quimpo admits. “What I know will last is the values and character that are shaped in their college life. I don’t wanna waste those opportunities to help the athletes grow as a person.”
BACK ON THE HARDCOURT. Former Lady Eagle Kat Quimpo dons the blue and white once more as head coach of the Ateneo Women’s Basketball team. | PHOTO BY ALDO SANTIAGO
EDITORS: KIRBY G. JALANDONI AND JOAQUIN A. SANTOS | LAYOUT ARTISTS: KURT TAN AND NEIL R. REYES FROM PHENOM TO COACH
Sports
12 years after her two UAAP titles with the Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team, Kat Quimpo made her return as the face of the program—this time at the helm as the head coach.
PHOTOS BY JIM DASAL
Greater than gold BY APA D. AQUINO AND MIGGY A. DIMAIWAT
FOR M A N Y years, Ateneo has constantly preached the value of magis which directly t r a n sl a te s to “ more ” or “greater.” While this can be slightly misunderstood to mean quantitatively doing more, the word refers to fulfilling more than what is expected and calls for a commitment to something bigger than ourselves. As Ateneo hosts this year’s University Athletic Association
In committing to this approach, the UAAP set an example of how fulfilling its duties as an organizing body can be carried out through responsible social action.
of the Philippines (UA A P) Season 82, the theme “All for More” was chosen for the athletic season. The UA AP essentially challenged competing athletes and organizers alike to channel the spirit of magis and aim for achievements beyond the realm of sports. The organizing committee set the bar long before the first buzzer by redefining the very symbol of athletic success: The awards. This season, the trophies and medals were composed of recycled plastic wrappers and metal scraps sourced from commu nities in Taa l a nd Biñan as well as bullet casings collected from the aftermath of the 2017 Marawi siege. The lanyards of the medals were also woven by members of the Maranao tribe. The incor poration of these materials was as much a n ex ter na l t r iu mph a s it w a s a n i nte r n a l one . B y involv ing dif ferent Filipino communities and furthering env ironmenta lly-f r iend ly initiatives, the UA AP extended its impact beyond athletics. Inter na lly, representat ives f r om e ve r y p a r t ic ip a t i n g university pooled networks to source materials and connect various groups of people from different backgrounds. This initiative demonstrated that the “All for More” theme was not just applied in breadth, making an impact on a range of sectors and people, but also in depth, reflected in the united front it took to execute this vision. FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET Ateneo University Athletics O ff ice Director Emmanuel Fernandez shared that the idea was inspired by an article he read detailing Japan’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics proposal, which included retrieving materials from discarded electronics to produce medals for the Games.
“Once paglabas nun, t inawagan ko yung agenc y: ‘Ma k a k a h an ap ba k ayo s a Pilipinas na kayang gumawa niyan?’ (When I saw the article, I called the agency and asked if they could find anyone in the Philippines who could do that),” explained Fernandez. With a plethora of UA AP events across men’s and women’s seniors and juniors divisions, the impact of susta inably manufactured awards is far from insignificant. Upwards of 2,000 trophies and medals were made. Should these awards have been produced through conventional means, the UA AP would have missed a great opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts and set a new standard moving forward. Using bullet shells and metal scraps from Marawi curbed the need to mine for materials. Fur thermore, recycling plastic trash contributed to environmental conser vation a nd feat u r ing Ma r a nao made lanyards promoted the natives’ rich culture. Even the trophies themselves made use of repurposed wood that an Ifugao woodcarver brought to life. To accomplish this feat, A teneo col lab or ated w it h Junk Not, an interior design company led by Wilhelmina Garcia, that develops plastic waste into fully functional and sustainable furniture. In com m it t i n g to t h is approach, the UA AP set an example of how fulfilling its duties as an organizing body can can be carried out through responsible socia l action. Ultimately, this move gave the awards a greater purpose than simply distinguishing winners from losers. SUPPORT AFTER THE SIEGE Besides its impact on the environment, the awards take
on a special symbolism because these were born, in part, from the aftermath of violence. Two years ago, a five-month long armed conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Maute Group ensued in Marawi City, leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. The scars of the conflict and the dire situation the people of Marawi continue to face add weight to the repurposed bullet casings winning athletes will wear around their necks and raise in triumph. What was previously a symbol of the horrors of violence has been transformed into a symbol of solidarity. In t he UA A P Season 82 Opening Ceremony, University President Jet t Villa r in, SJ painted the victory of an athlete as a triumph for the initiative’s partner communities as well. “The trophy might be yours if you win whatever competition, but you will also win this for a community in Marawi. You will win this for a community in Taal and a community in Biñan because they make your trophies,” he said. T he UA A P ’s e f for t s to broaden its impact beyond athletics impa r ts t wo learnings: Community must come b e fore comp e t it ion and the pursuit of glor y has to include more t ha n just ourselves. “We see our rival, and we say thank you, because you w i l l help me become b e t ter—not ju s t a b e t ter athlete, but a better person. So, we say ‘All,’” said Villarin. At t he end of t he day, a trophy in sports is still just a trophy, but transforming the awards into a symbol of victory through cooperation amongst competitors, v ictor y for the betterment of the environment, and victory in spite of violence and hopelessness deepens what defines success. As Father Jett said, “We say more, because our heart is bigger.”
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