The GUIDON - November-December 2022

BY AMERY CALEB ATINON AND DERRECK DE LEON

IN AN effort to improve the Ateneo’s administrative structure, different Loyola Schools (LS) offices are being relocated to the University’s central administration under its different Vice President (VP) clusters. This initiative was pursued after the Ateneo’s Board of Trustees directed the University to undergo a review of its organizational structure.

Notably, this reorganization entails the formation of the new Office of the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs (OADSA). The OADSA will take over most functions of the previous Office of the Associate Dean for Student and Administrative Services, and the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Formation.

To improve the Ateneo’s administrative structure, the Higher Education Cluster (HEC) will also be established in AY 2023–2024 to integrate the LS and the Ateneo Professional Schools (APS) as led by the to-be appointed Vice President for Higher Education (VPHE).

Based on the Higher Education Structure Committee (HESC)’s study, the HEC is necessary to improve the University’s focus on its academic roles such as teaching, research, and internationalization. The HEC also seeks to streamline managerial functions and ensure consistency in the different Ateneo academic units.

OFFICE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONS

In an interview with Vice President for the Loyola Schools (VPLS) Maria Luz Vilches, PhD, such changes to the Ateneo’s administrative structure were made following “a communal process of discernment in the University.” As of press time, she notes that the Office of the President has yet to release the final flowchart of the restructure.

Given current information, the Loyola Schools Quality Assurance (LSQA) Office will be integrated with the Strategy and Quality Management Office (SQMO) as part of the restructuring process to help the LS achieve national and international recognition.

In addition to changes to the LSQA, several offices under the Student and Administrative Services will be transferred to the University’s central administration. Notably, the Office of Campus Ministry, the Office of Student Activities, and the Office for Social Concern and Involvement were transferred to the Office of the Vice President for Mission Integration (OVPMI) cluster on September 1.

Former Associate Dean for Student and Administrative Services Marie Joy Salita was appointed the Assistant Vice President for Student Activities and Leadership. Moreover, former Associate Dean for Student Formation Leland Dela Cruz was appointed as Assistant Vice President for Social Development, Environment, and Community Engagement.

With the recommendations of VPMI Rizalino Rivera, Rizalina Simpas will take the position of Assistant Vice President for Ignatian Spirituality Formation, while Norman Dennis Marquez, MD will be the Assistant Vice President for Health, Care, and Well-Being.

A NEW OADSA

In light of such organizational changes, much of the OADSAS’

and the OADSF’s functions were subsumed under the various VP clusters, and the OADSAS and the OADSF were eventually dissolved.

Since October 5, the OADSA was created to support student services and formation in the Loyola Schools. The creation of the OADSA then dissolved other offices in the Loyola Schools, including the Office of Student Services, and the Office of the Associate Dean for Student and Administrative Services Campus Events Management Unit.

Now, the OADSA consists of three sections: Office of Student Discipline, Student Concerns and Compliance, and Campus Life.

“The office is poised to bridge gaps that pertain to understanding student needs, providing student information, awareness of student contexts, responses to student concerns, maintaining safe and brave learning spaces, and forging responsible and meaningful campus life,” Vilches said.

Former Ateneo Residence Halls Director Rene San Andres, who served as ADSA for 17 years, will head the OADSA and its different sections. San Andres noted that he is only directing the OADSA for the time being until a successor is chosen by the VPHE.

“Since things are still very unsettled at the moment. Hindi ito [This is not a] permanent appointment. It’s just one until the end of the school year,” he mentioned.

Learning about the current state of the student body, the OADSA plans to relaunch the Ateneo College Student Survey sometime next year to re-center their efforts.

Moreover, OADSA Student Concerns and Compliance Head Cholo Mallilin reiterated that their office will primarily act as a front desk for receiving student concerns. They would be limited to bridging students to relevant offices—depending on the needed assistance.

FUTURE OF THE OVPHE

Along with these administrative changes, the to-be appointed VPHE will handle all academic operations, with the five LS and four APS school deans reporting to them.

The Board of Trustees will seek suitable candidates to take over the position of VPHE, a position that merges the responsibilities of VPLS and VPAPS. Vilches hopes a recommendation can be made by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees in January 2023, right before the Board of Trustees’ meeting.

According to a memo about the HEC, the VPHE’s responsibilities may include activities related to curricula, teaching and learning, research, and internationalization.

Given the establishment of the HEC, University President Roberto Yap, SJ, issued a memo stating that Maria Luz C. Vilches, PhD will end her term as the VPLS and the Officer-in-Charge of the APS on May 31.

Officially ending her term in May, Vilches wished the VPHE well in their role of directing the HEC in alignment with the University’s educational mission. Notably, changes were seen during Vilches’ term: program accreditation, a new core curriculum, increased research output, and the creation of several student services.

Ateneo community calls for action on Katipunan and campus traffic

DIFFICULTIES IN mobility have proliferated within the University campus and along Katipunan avenue following the return to fully onsite classes in the different Ateneo units—Grade School, Junior and Senior High School, and the Loyola Schools (LS).

In particular, LS students have increasingly complained about the large number of cars moving in and out of campus every day, bringing traffic to a crawl and endangering other road users along Katipunan.

Responding to such issues during a November meeting with the Sanggunian and the LS administration, transport advocate group Move as One Coalition raised the idea of shifting away from car-centric modes of transportation in Katipunan. Instead, they suggested that more peoplecentered alternatives like public transport and walking be promoted. The group also proposed its project entitled Reimagining Katipunan, whose end goal imagines a road that trades off car-centric travel lane space for commuter-friendly additions, such as bike-friendly lanes and pedestrian islands in the Katipunan area.

ROAD COMPLICATIONS

Given the dire traffic situation in Katipunan, Move As One Member Hya Bendaña lamented that not only do car owners get stuck in gridlock but pedestrians

do, too, as cars block their path on sidewalks. Other road users such as cyclists are also endangered by the high volume of cars, which end up blocking the bike lanes along Katipunan. These problems factored in the coalition’s decision to propose Reimagining Katipunan. The proposal further reasoned, “Members of our community are trying to change things [in] their own capacity, but what we need is a coordinated systemic response.”

Thus, despite Move As One’s initiatives and eagerness to ease traffic on the campus premises, the execution of these plans is ultimately up to the LS administration, said Bendaña.

“It’s the mandate of Sanggu and the mandate of the Ateneo admin. It’s their burden and [their] obligation for them to improve mobility in Katipunan. Move as One enters the picture to give advice and to give their suggestion[s], if they do ask,” she added. When contacted regarding current plans regarding traffic and campus mobility, the administration denied requests for interviews with The GUIDON on the matter.

STUDENT INITIATIVES AGAINST TRAFFIC

To further help mobility around campus, the DSWS has since spearheaded the carpool initiative whereby LS students can carpool with

fellow students to and from the Ateneo campus.

DSWS chairperson John Tuazon explained that upon joining the initiative, students who live in surrounding areas are grouped. From then on, they must coordinate with one

another to discuss the route, the time of departure, and the time they will leave campus. While such initiatives are causes for celebration, the student are still restless to see more improvements regarding traffic.

Student-driver Mikaella Per (1 AB Dip IR) said that when the drop-off points are closed, it causes significant congestion within the Ateneo, especially during the rush hours: 6 to 8 AM and 3 to 7 PM. Raising similar traffic woes, student-commuter Riva Suzanne Comia (1 BS CTM) lamented that she tried to join DSWS’ carpool initiative but finds it hard to schedule and coordinate with other students regarding this program.

Now, she takes the public bus going to and from school but still faces a different problem. She has to wait an entire hour in the bus queue due to the bus system’s inefficient scheduling.

To mitigate the traffic and ease the physical and mental strain it unleashes, the mentioned students asked that the University open more gates allowing vehicles to enter and exit campus more freely, thus decongesting campus.

They also hope that the administration brainstorm other traffic-easing initiatives. However, Bendaña mentioned that Sanggunian has yet to respond to Move As One regarding their official plans for the current traffic.

BY JOAQUIN BAANG AND ISABEL CANDIDA GONZALES

actually implementing them, the changes’ effectiveness is largely dependent on the actions of the Ateneo administration and the projects they ultimately choose to implement.

NEED FOR BROADER SOLUTIONS

Considering the need for a joint response, Philosophy Department Professor and bike lane advocate Remmon Barbaza proposed to partner with nearby institutions, namely the University of the Philippines Diliman and Miriam College.

He added that traffic has only worsened ever since his undergraduate years in 2002— seeing the poor traffic condition not just in the Ateneo but the entire Katipunan area as well.

Barbaza also mentioned that Katipunan is not the only place mired in this issue, but the whole country is languishing from severe traffic congestion problems as well since the country is car-centric.

“Nobody’s winning in this. [...] If we make the city pedestrian and bike-friendly, everyone’s a winner,” Barbaza added.

BARBAZA

Due to the need for urgency, Bendaña said that Move As One has already suggested traffic solutions to the Sanggunia and the LS administration. She stated that in terms of acting on the suggestions and

Sharing the frustration of the traffic, Bendaña urges the Sanggunian and the LS administration to make fixing traffic their top priority. She says that the traffic does not only affect the students, but it affects the community as a whole.

TRAFFIC JAM. Heavy traffic has continued to affect motorists along Katipunan given the return to face-to-face classes in the Ateneo Grade School, High School, and Loyola Schools.

PHOTO BY VIONNA VILLALON

I am hoping that I can see in my lifetime some significant change and concrete actions on the part of not just the Ateneo but... the major institutions in this area. As I have said, Katipunan is a test case.

REMMON

PROFESSOR, PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT

Onsite budgeting of Sanggu expenses prompts Commission on Audit’s return

BY ENZO BELLO, NEO ELROND V. CABRERA, AND BRIANNA DENISE TAN

JUSTIN JIMENEZ CHIEF COMMISSIONER ON AUDIT

AFTER NEARLY a decade of inactivity, the Commission on Audit (CoA) hasresumed operations to account for the Sanggunian’s increased student activity and budgeting schemes.

Now, CoA seeks to work together with the Student Judicial Court and the Office of the Ombudsman as student arms independent of the Sanggunian to ensure financial accountability in managing the student council’s funds. In particular, CoA writes and publishes semestral audit reports on the Sanggunian’s expenses.

Chief Commissioner on Audit Justin Jimenez also highlights that CoA retains transparency in the Sanggunian’s budgeting through monitoring the Sanggunian’s accounts under the Office of Student Activities (OSA).

If any, CoA files petitions or complaints against any Sanggunian official whom they find guilty of misappropriating funds. In response to the Sanggunian’s budgeting for AY

2022–2023, CoA will release its first audit report by the onset of the second semester.

Moreover, Jimenez expects that CoA will be fully operational by the second semester.

REGULATING THE PRESENT

Working on the commission’s first audit report for the year, CoA Auditor Danathea Ilaya noted that the sharp increase in the Sanggunian’s projected expenses for the first semester of AY 2022–2023—a swelling Php 3 million compared to AY 2021–2022’s budget of Php 1.5 million—is due to the revival of onsite projects.

Sanggunian Vice President Danielle Andres also explained that OSA allowed the Sanggunian to disregard the semestral budget cap. Instead, they can propose a larger budget for expenses, given that they keep the total expenses within Php 3 million per school year.

Since October, CoA has already begun critiquing this initial budget proposal for the first semester, having

flagged at least Php 347,660 in ambiguity. These included ambiguous allocations for parties, uniforms, event initiatives, training workshops, student subsidies, and emergency funds.

Jimenez said that the Sanggunian was receptive to their comments, specifically in removing the funds for parties and uniforms. However, he notes that they rejected CoA’s recommendations regarding the new Sanggunian website and Facebook post boosts.

With regard to the such rejections, Jimenez added that these were further justified through an exchange of letters.

“[If any,] all complaints and discrepancies in line with the financial matter shall be forwarded to the Ombudsman for further investigation,” he added.

RESOLVING PAST ISSUES

Aside from auditing the Sangguninan’s budget proposal, Jimenez highlighted that CoA’s goals primarily focus in the coming weeks is on revising its

internal policies and procedures such as rewriting CoA’s audit manual. “In the process of creating our initial report, we realized that we don’t have a lot of set practices or guidelines to base off succeeding reports on,” Jimenez explained.

Moreover, he added that they are currently reworking their Code of Internal Procedures since the use of the online setting has required CoA to establish new and more efficient procedures for online transactions.

CoA also seeks to recruit more auditors to increase manpower in their expected tasks. “CoA has been vacant for over half a decade now. [...] So it’s pretty odd as well, that [the Sanggunian] was able to function from those yearswithout an auditing arm,” Jimenez added.

In the meantime, Jimenez said that current responsibilities under CoA are taken care of by coordinating with the Office of the Ombudsman.

ACCOUNTING FOR THE FUTURE

As CoA gears up to become fully operational in auditing the

Sanggunian’s budgets, Andres assured that they are able to ensure financial responsibility even without CoA’s comments. She cited the Central Assembly’s (CA) six-day first-semester budget hearings that improved the overall understanding of fund management within the Sanggunian. However, she remarked that it was still inefficient.

For instance, in October, the DBM appealed for the recalculation of the Sanggunian’s budget during the CA’s budget hearings. Consequently, Sanggunian President TJ Alcantara vetoed this initial budget upon the recognition of tabulation errors—a factor to which Andres emphasizes the need to strengthen the DBM’s financial skills.

Regarding such budget hearings, Jimenez hopes that CoA can do live commenting in future CA budget hearings— addressing CoA’s problem in tediously revising or creating documents in response to budget concerns.

Andres echoes Jimenez’s suggestions, mentioning the inefficiency of commenting on documents as opposed to actively participating in the budget hearings. She adds that the commission’s presence can be recognized in the University more in this manner.

With regard to CoA’s role, Andres regards CoA as a “good challenge” to have since it can ensure the Sanggunian’s accountability, transparency and communication with the budgeting.

According to Andres, the commission’s presence helps the Sanggunian realize that their DBM should be given more support in facilitating financial transactions, such as reimbursements, budget transfers, and the like.

In understanding CoA and the Sanggunian’s relationship, Andres said that they will continue to work with CoA, highlighting that both bodies pursue transparency and accountability within the student body.

JUSTIN JIMENEZ CHIEF COMMISSIONER ON

EDITOR: ANNA PINEDA LAYOUT ARTIST: GERALD LOIS M. ROLDAN

CoA has been vacant for over half a decade now. [...] So it’s pretty odd as well, that [the Sanggunian] was able to function from those years without an auditing arm.

PHOTO BY LIANA FERNANDO

COMEBACK. After nine years of inactivity, the Commission on Audit returns to ensure accountability and transparency in the onsite budgeting process.

A lot of procedures can be done online, and the things that the CoA had from that time don’t really match up with this timeline. We’re gonna have to start from scratch.

Sanggu Commission on

IN A bid to strengthen sectoral representation, the Sanggunian Commission on Disability Inclusion (CDI) will launch the Students with Disabilities (SWD) Support Group in mid-January 2023. CDI Co-Commissioner Nina Camasura said that the Support Group aims to connect the SWD sector members with each other and collectively foster a safe space for them.

As CDI’s flagship project, the soon-to-be-established SWD Support Group will serve as a platform for SWDs to voice their opinions and propose policies to make LS more inclusive. Once established, SWDs in the Loyola Schools (LS) will hopefully be able to connect by finding different ways to cope with their disabilities.

An interest check regarding the SWD Support Group will be sent through emails and a post in the LS OBF once CDI has coordinated with the LS’ Department of Administrative Affairs.

Freedom Wall (ADMU FW) and the LS One Big Forum (LS OBF).

Attributing it to the fear of being discriminated against, Camsura also said that one of the support group’s driving forces is the SWD sector’s subtleness in the LS.

Given the confluence of factors, many of the sector’s members do not publicly declare their conditions even to the Office of Health Services.

“You can hear students saying that they have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or autism, but they don’t declare it out to their classmates, or professors, or like staff in fear na they’ll be discriminated against, considering how conservative Philippine culture is,” Camasura elaborated.

of SWDs through the SWD Support Group.

CDI also works closely with the Ateneo Special Education Society (SPEED) in externalizing advocacies related to disabilities. Despite their shared advocacy, Camasura clarifies that SPEED is focused on the PWD sector in the Philippines as a whole while CDI focuses on the SWDs within the LS.

SPECIAL NEEDS AND DEEDS

Being a newly established commission, bringing SWDs together through the SWD Support Group will aid in CDI’s current goal of establishing its presence in the LS.

offered across LS organizations and will be personalized according to the participating organization’s advocacies and initiatives.

Camasura also enumerated a few of their past initiatives such as the list of food stalls that offer PWD discounts and the infographic detailing PWDfriendly buildings in the LS. SWD concerns aired in the ADMU FW like establishments not having PWD discounts prompted the creation of these initiatives.

A FUTURE OF INCLUSIVITY

BY ANA RUFA PADUA

CDI also placed great importance on the institution of the SWD Support Group, which is needed to attain sectoral establishment in the Sanggunian’s Central Assembly (CA).

FOR SWDS, BY SWDS

Camasura credited the SWD Support Group’s creation to the population of the SWD sector in the LS.

Although no specific data was provided, CDI relies on the engagements from social media posts, particularly the ADMU

Through the SWD Support Group, Camasura stated that CDI wants to continue the promotion of disability inclusion given that SWDs in the LS are relatively not familiar with inclusivity towards Persons with Disabilities (PWD). CDI was launched in 2021 with the aim of promoting the topic of disability issues and celebrating diversity and inclusion in the PWD sector. Working towards better representation, Camasura mentioned that the commission has consulted the Ateneo Commission on Elections regarding the process of sectoral establishment in the CA.

However, the co-commissioner asserted that CDI will only proceed with said process once they fully understand the context

However, CDI tallied a total of zero allotted funds, which may be utilized to implement their support group initiatives, in the CA’s first semester budget proposals.

Furthermore, the CDI’s approved zero-peso budget seemingly contradicts the Sanggunian’s protest against the junking of the Department of Education’s funds for their Special Education programs.

Acknowledging this, Camasura explained that the zero budget is not detrimental to the commission given that their projects mostly consist of infographics and advocacy posts. The cocommissioner further added that CDI relies on the whole Sanggunian’s manpower for their engagements.

Moreover, CDI services such as PWD training sessions will be

In line with supporting the SWDs’ needs, Camasura emphasized the importance of the SWD Group, claiming that it “has been a major request by Atenean SWDs for so long.”

“We will maintain this [the SWD Support Group’s existence] by making it a major priority for our commission. This means that the new co-commissioners, deputies, and members will be made aware of this, and will be trained to handle the group accordingly,” Camasura stated.

Beyond establishing a safe space for the Ateneo community, Camasura expressed that CDI wants to be seen as a commission that SWDs can join and not feel minimized and invalidated by. Ultimately, Camasura further expressed CDI’s hopes to spark a flame of change among its members who are still exposed to derogatory and inaccessible practices in the Ateneo, and to empower those in the sector in becoming proper advocates.

PHOTO BY PATRICK REYES-SANTOS IGNATIAN INCLUSIVITY. The Sanggunian Commission on Disability Inclusion mobilizes in the hope of better social participation of the University’s PWD sector.

Ateneo Wild revives monthly nature walks

BY ZOEY C. ATILLO AND BRIANNA DENISE TAN

TO DE-STRESS from academic life and explore the green spaces on campus, the Ateneo Wild revived its monthly Nature Walk initiative to introduce the Loyola Schools community to the University’s rich wildlife and biodiversity.

Biology Department Instructor Trinket Constantino, Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS) Program Officer Nina Castro, and AIS Program Manager for Campus Sustainability Abigail Favis toured 10 to 12 participants on the Nature

Walk, which runs for one to two hours. Each attendant is lent a pair of binoculars to observe the features of the University wildlife like the campus’ living and nonliving organisms that “catch [the] eyes and ears,” according to Favis and Constantino.

According to Constantino, the Ateneo’s current wildlife population includes 87 bird species, 54 butterfly species, 12 reptile species, eight amphibian species, four bat species, and 86 native tree species. She explains

that constant monitoring and contributions from community citizen scientists also help in discovering more species on campus such as rare fungi, insects, plants, and spiders.

By observing nature on campus, Favis and Constantino hope that the Nature Walk participants would realize the singular importance of campus biodiversity in the University. Through this newfound appreciation for urban biodiversity, they hope that the Nature Walk also

enables the LS community to acknowledge nature’s beauty within the middle of Katipunan’s congestion.

The Ateneo Wild also worked with the Arete Sandbox Residency program’s Fine Arts and Communication Department to create printed and social media posts in Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. These posts highlighted the importance of urban nature spaces and urban biodiversity and their role in making the city “liveable and beautiful.”

Moreover, the Ateneo Wild and the AIS also collaborated on the Ateneo Wild Coloring Book Series, illustrating the campus’ urban wildlife, now sold on the Ateneo University Press’ Lazada and Shopee pages.

Taken together, initiatives like this help promote the value of the University’s rich flora and fauna. To boost more appreciation for campus biodiversity, the Ateneo Wild plans to work more closely with other nature enthusiast groups including the University of the Philippines

Wild and University of Santo Tomas Wild. They also mentioned that they plan to open these Nature Walks to participants outside of the Ateneo.

“We need a change in perspective. Instead of seeing urban biodiversity as ornamental and disposable, we should recognize that they are important components of our infrastructure and should be managed to maximize the ecosystem services we get out of them,” said Constantino.

Jhoyze

M. Encarnacion, Jilliana Marie Gonzales, Matthea P. Lazo, Luis Antonio Licas, Vito Martin, Anton E. Mercado, Alfonso M. Navarro, Juno Ileana Reyes, Diana Mae Salonoy, Juris Salvanera, Marit Samson, Eury See. Kristen C. Sison, Vincent Somera, Angela Tibudan BEYOND LOYOLA Jana O. Ang, Biel L.B. Arevalo, Pioee B. Bassig, Clayton Dejillas, Angela Divina, Ram Hebron, Max S. Kang, Javier P. Mapa, Kristen R. Matias, Troi Mendoza, Justine Ramirez, Sam A. Ramos Yeo, Felicity C. Santos, Samantha Sicangco, Sohaila Angel F. Somera, Alexandra G. Yatco FEATURES Aurelia Solaba, Katrina B. Antonio, Gab Aplasca, Aidan Bernales, Reign Iris Centeno, Gabrielle Christina A. Cortes, Ally De Leon, Riel Duque, Ariana Enriquez, Kent Lagumbay, Liam Isaiah Lao, Christianna P. Lugod, Ingrid Manuel, Odessa Julienne Rebaya, Gabby Rosales, Felicia Singson, Jacob Tambunting INQUIRY Katharina Isabel Angeles, Marelle Bañez, Alexandra P. Elicano, Ashley Enriquez, Sophia Estoquia, Clare Pillos, Denzel Pineda Ramos, Camille Dominique (Mon) Salipsip, Kate San Mateo, Lourence Segovia, Nicole Anne Kelsy Sy, Aren C. Teodoro, Cherline Dalangin VANTAGE MAGAZINE. Alyssa Adul, Chanel G. Ang, Martin Celiz, Tan Dela Cruz, Kris M. Fetiza, Mika Layda, Ylia Macazo, Giu Martinez, Jewel Ruther Miraña, Jules Ng, Jia Parma, Andrea G. Posadas, Bea Quinto, Ryan Reyes, Rafaela Serafica, Leila Simon, Megan Sioco, Mikaela H. Tormon, Jana Q. Torres, Libby Zorilla BROADCAST NEWS Angeline Braganza, Allison Co, Rebecca Filasol, Yanni Jose Francisco, Fiona Gomez, Jhane Catherine Hermano, Kirsten Ifurung, Bea Javate, Beatrix C. Mamañgun, Samantha C. Olegario, Emma D. Oranza, Rina Julia, Joshua F. Pangan, Rome Saenz, Maegan Sang Tian, Aliana Solis, Alia Tuprio, Angela C. Villano PHOTOS. Miguel Abad, Jhanine Caoile, Finomena Chang, Jonnie Cheng, Bettina Cuan, Karl Dimaculangan, Liana Fernando, Kat Guillermo, Elly Kim, Pat Ong, Ricci Pagarigan, Jesh Quiambao, Mikyla Reyes, Patrick Reyes-Santos, Jill Santos, Paulina Singh, Erri Mikaela Tan, Nina Tiburcio, Soleil Nicolette, France Vicente, Vionna Villalon, Jacob D. Yap GRAPHIC DESIGN Jizelle M Arollado, Lukey, Hilary Capistrano, Alexis Chua, Kendrick W. Co, Alissa Co, Caitlyn Cu, Annika de la Fuente, Sam Dellomas, Val Eltagonde, Beatriz Isabella E. Espinosa, Zanti Gayares, Pau Lasala, Franz Manlutac, Kaitlyn W. Mercado, Danelle Erin Natividad, Kirsten Navarro, Chantal Ramos, AJ Raymundo, Anthea Maria B. Rey, Gerald Lois M. Roldan, Yumiko Shoshi, Bryce Garrett G. Tamayo, Viktor Valix, Julia Isabelle Yabut VIDEO PRODUCTION. Ella L. Alabastro. Dave Antonio, Hannah Arias, Sam Bagalay, Zach Bulatao, Jake Calingasan, Raya F. Carrillo, Ethan Cheng, Cyrus Dy-Lim, Ice Flores, Jeremy P. Fortaleza, EG Golloso, Marjorie Manguiat, Michel F. Romero. Juneau Sarmiento

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT. Brescia V. Amandy. Katrina Victoria L. Antonio, Jose Luis B. Bautista, Wilbert L. Chen, Jenina C. Co, Tiffany Cu, Bea Louise M. Eleazar, Waleed Lugod, Kyla Martin, P.A. Mercado, Martina Nacion, Aidan Olarte, Frances Therese Ong, Tiffani Ong, Martina Therese Reyes, Frants Reyes, Katrina Bernice M. Tan, Chester Tan, Razel Tan, Franco Velasco EXTERNALS Timothy B. Bato, Silas S. Chiew, Megan M. Del Castillo

Mabasa,

Quicho, Pia L. Sabado, Yana Villanueva RESEARCH Lancelot M. Batara, Roger II M. Candari, Andre Dumandan, Rafael H. Garcia, Mawi D. Javines, Max Maquiling, Miguel H. Palmero, Kaiser F. Patawaran, Trisha M. Purificacion, Enrikko Sibayan, Riana V. Tumale SOCIAL MEDIA Liv Alquiza, Ashlee Baritugo, Regine Bautista, Daena Bigcas, Jose Angelo Buenaventura, Gabby Chrysokhou, Isabella C. Cruz, Mikka W. Dy, Maxine C. Marqueses, Noelle Paterno, Lucia A. Ramos, Achaiah Deanne Sayson, Kenzie Sy

SHORTLY AFTER his election, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. released a video announcing that he would continue his vlogging activities as a form of “information dissemination.” Currently, the president’s YouTube channel has 2.72 million subscribers and over 1,000 videos to date.

Marcos Jr. owes his political success to a coordinated social media campaign, through which he was able to rehabilitate his family’s image, cast doubt on historical events, and push misinformation about his political opponents. In the end, his strategic leveraging of social media contributed to his landslide win in the 2022 national elections.

PLAYING THE GAME

Questions of morality aside, politics is a game of numbers and influence which the Marcos-Duterte tandem—the UniTeam—has no trouble playing. They expertly manipulated the power of social media in their favor and were not met with equal resistance in the same channels

BLUE JEANS

What it means to be here

BY JHIO CAMAMA

IF YOU ASK ask a man what he does to keep safe at night then ask a woman the same question, you are likely going to get two vastly different answers. The way men can walk the streets at night without fear—not thinking twice about buying pepper spray and not having to check their drink after momentarily looking away— are but a few of the many privileges men can afford. This privilege is a culture. Men benefit from it all the time but the question is: What does that then mean?

It took me more than two years to realize this privilege. Before Grade 12, I sat down for an interview about

The Vlogger-in-Chief

that they operate on. Any pushback from the opposition failed to penetrate the UniTeam’s information ecosystem because of their refusal to play the game.

The opposition’s disregard for these new media tactics in the 2022 elections exhibited a distinct brand of academic elitism and moral antagonism, drawing a wedge between them and potential voters.

In its disdain for such tactics used by the UniTeam campaign, the opposition projected an air of moral supremacy at the cost of electoral outcomes. The framing of the opposition as “morally righteous” then cut both ways. It established the opposition’s legitimacy as inheritors of the People Power legacy, but it dismissed those outside its bubble as morally inferior. Their absolute stance— while necessary to combat disinformation—left no room for the curious or doubtful. In this view, one is either correct or an outright apologist. There is no room for discussion or debate. The “others” must simply listen.

becoming the head of Ateneo Senior High School’s (ASHS) Lakambini, a committee for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality and Women Empowerment. At that point in my life, I was blissfully unaware of what it truly meant to become the head of such an organization. How I thought I was going to get the position hinged on the idea that I was committed to the advocacy. Thus, I was at every workshop and activity on SOGIE and gender education.

Then, when I didn’t get the position, it made me wonder about whether commitment was enough. Was being active in Lakambini the best way to lead it? Given that Lakambini was created as a response to the harassment of women in the new co-educational ASHS, what does the Punong Lakambini title mean? I asked myself: What kind of stake do I have in this advocacy? What can I do?

However, if the opposition seeks to remain relevant, they must drop the pretense of moral superiority. Doing so would unlock new tools to promote its agenda while opening the table for more productive discussions. In the meantime, the opposition is left playing on the UniTeam’s terms.

LEVELING THE FIELD

Left unchecked, the Marcos camp would continue to peddle false narratives of socio-economic development during the brutal regime of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Although there are ongoing efforts to combat such disinformation, they are not effective for many reasons— in particular, their means and message.

This fruitlessness was not simply an inability to adopt new media for campaigns but an outright rejection to play the UniTeam’s social media game. The opposition did not see the value in short videos or trendy dances. They did not exploit the potency of memes nor did they truly capitalize

When I reflect on my position as a queer man in this advocacy, I am only a part of its whole—my time in the advocacy makes no exception to that. I am still a man kahit balibaliktarin pa natin ang mundo (even if we turn the world upside down). Thus, being committed only goes as far as gaining a certain understanding of what it means to be in this advocacy. Despite being an ally and no matter how many times I listen to women’s experiences and stories, I will never really know what it means to be a woman. What I do and what I ought to do will never allow me to genuinely and completely understand the plight of women.

The truth is that the safe spaces advocacy must go beyond commitment and righteousness. The very privilege that we have must help root this advocacy in a kind of justice that serves the marginalized and the oppressed. We need to realize

on the momentum of the youth. By having control of the narrative yanked out of their grasp, the opposition in 2022 missed the chance to transform into a truly democratic movement.

Here, the UniTeam did well—in terms of public relations—by staying silent on political issues. Keeping silent ensured that no words could be twisted and left much more to the imagination—giving them control of the narrative. Silence then allowed the public to fill in the gaps: cementing the UniTeam’s branding as decent, polite, and “unified.”

Vloggers supporting Marcos Jr. and Duterte are able to use these gaps in official communication and fill them in with whatever narrative they desire, true or not. Communicators are then left scrambling to counter these untruths. In this sense, facts are employed as mere counterarguments instead of standing alone as truth for people to discover and accept on their own terms. This sends a hostile message to those

that the recognition of men’s privilege is a key factor in institutionalizing change and instilling justice.

It is through this that the advocacy goes beyond legal systems and becomes imbued into our very own spaces. It becomes justice that uplifts women’s voices and finally lets them take control of their narrative. Alternatively, when we become so fixed on serving as the voice and representative of their struggles, we end up speaking over them. We take away the autonomy they have and rob them of their stories.

The social media world has been witness to many of these issues and concerns.

For the sake of righteousness, we tell survivors’ stories to call out athletes and personalities. Yet, we tend to do so irresponsibly. At times, women’s stories are treated like commodities— for “tea” or spite—and use them without their consent.

who believe in Marcos’ stories: “You are wrong,” or, worse, “You are a liar.”

This approach only antagonizes those that the opposition seeks to sway. By no means should the opposition stray from the facts, but perhaps efforts are better placed in communicating the facts as they are—no more, no less. When facts are not stated as truths in themselves but as a counter to something else, room is left for doubt to thrive. Instead of painstakingly plucking the seeds of mistrust planted by the UniTeam alliance, those who seek to defeat them should similarly plant seeds of doubt in stories that are widely accepted but unsubstantiated. This doubt should, in time, find its way to the light of truth.

The way forward for the opposition, or what’s left of it, is unclear. What is known, however, is that its old methods have failed. If it refuses to change, maybe it is time for the opposition of old to step aside and let something new rise in its place.

Heinous as we think people are, we must not speak over survivors—even with the number of allegations. Their stories matter. But, if it is not their voice that speaks, we are no different than those who have silenced them. It is the very reason why we must uplift women and listen to their stories—just as this advocacy is founded on freedom and justice.

Safe spaces is a decadesold advocacy that has blossomed from physical venues, now growing into virtual, emotional, and mental spaces. There is no exact way to be an ally but when a voice calls out to be heard, we must believe them. To be in this advocacy is to not claim this space and become a singular voice for many but rather uphold the voices of survivors. A man’s privilege must thus be used to deconstruct the very violence it has set. Only then can we build safe spaces for all.

EDITORIAL

Subglacial AGA E. VILLAROMAN

One day they’ll say welcome home

“FAMILY ABOVE all” used to be the first thing I would see on my mom’s Facebook page as she plastered the quote all over her profile. Amid all the constant switching of partners my mom had in her life, the saying was a constant reminder that she would have the perfect family she always dreamed of one day. Even through years of heartbreak, betrayal, and abuse, my mom never gave up on finding the love of her life.

My family experienced its first rift when I was four years old. The moment has since

become a distant memory in my head, so all I remember is my family leaving my dad and his house behind. Nonetheless, my dad was permitted constant visits to the new home we settled in, softening the blow that this breakup would have had on my psyche.

But one thing I surely did not inherit from my mother is her will to keep moving forward. I found her battle for love admirable, but my classmates and their parents disagreed. My family issues were reduced to meaningless gossip between parents, while my classmates

Apostrophes

REI JAMOLA

ONCE UPON a time, toddler Rei would place cheap plastic stickers on her face and call it makeup, doing the same to her Barbie dolls and strutting as if she was in a fashion show. When she got her first fashion designthemed sketchbook, she filled it with the most outrageous and logistically-impossible outfits that now make her cringe when she thinks about them.

Her pre-teen days were spent endlessly playing with her Harumika kit and fabrics while she dreamed about what her wedding dress would look like in the future. In grade school, when asked what her dream job is, she proudly recited that she’ll be a famous fashion designer in New York who comes up with creative collections every season.

Rei was so sure then. And, as fate would have it, she finally found her first love—one that even bested all the Prince Charmings and school crushes.

I think that this Rei still existed when I went to high school and joined the fashion design club as the only first-year there. Rei still existed when she endured being poked by needles trying to sew beads on a lace appliqué. And Rei definitely existed when she cried as she attempted to figure out the mathematics of pattern-making or went into nervous breakdowns trying to piece together annual fashion shows. The passionate Rei persevered amid trials and hardships because she knew she was pursuing her true love.

Honey,

would innocently ask questions but sometimes hurl statements that rattled me to my core.

“Look guys, Aga has a new dad again!” they would say during parent-teacher conferences.But, of course, the same kids who complained about their overbearing parents were the ones mocking me for having a relatively happy yet everchanging household.

My jealousy and desire for normalcy led to me refusing to recognize my mom’s partners, whom I never saw as anyone more than visiting strangers. Yet with every breakup and separation, the lingering hope that my mom would finally find a partner one day began to fade away. I refused to admit it, but I also felt the pain of each loss. I was a hopeless kid that learned to attach his trust and love to these father figures.

Seven years ago, my mom met her most recent partner.

The princess and her first love

I look back at these memories as if everything were a fairytale, as if it were all part of a fictional story from a long time ago that I would not believe had happened to me at all. After all, I end up taking an entirely different course in an entirely different school. Like every misdirected art kid, I was unable to outweigh practicality with the passion I’ve always relied on.

As with any other tales of old, there are villains in this story. It may be the cruel and harsh world that tricked me with the hopes of making it big with my imagination and love for designing when in fact I might never have made it at all. It may be the silent but deadly anxiety that bubbled up as years passed by, eventually breaking me down as I declined the scholarship offer to my dream school. But alas, the villain might also be my own self for my cowardice, I ultimately failed younger Rei who had so much faith in her future self.

Before I knew it, I was saying goodbye to my dreams of designing and creating. In the end, simple passion alone does not push you further toward your dreams. You must also have courage and faith—both of which I shamefully lacked then.

Years passed. I have found a bigger purpose for myself in a new but slightly similar field. I was beginning to make amends with my past and form new goals

Au Revoir EMMAN EVANGELISTA

we’ve run out of wicks

HAVE YOU ever noticed that every meal has started to feel and taste the same as each other? That with every bite you take, there lingers this feeling that something may be completely wrong? I come with bad news that unfortunately, COVID-19 isn’t the only thing that the roaring 2020s has given us; burnout has been on the rise, too, and it may have also affected our mental sense of taste among others.

With the lockdowns and minimum safety protocols that were created, a level of social isolation has been imposed on everyone. Spending almost

two years locked within the same four walls and sitting in front of a computer all day are definitely not things a sane person would regularly do. Yet, billions of people across the globe were able to do such a thing in unison.

While this may have seemed like some kind of punishment to social butterflies and a warm comfort for the introverts, everyone still felt the impact of isolation in the long years that followed. This form of loneliness is unlike any other; compared to previous times when we could spontaneously plan hangouts, we became

for the future. I knew that I would still be able to make younger Rei proud with my new passion now that makes me as happy as fashion design did. As long as it makes me happy and keeps me alive with purpose and service to the community, I am willing to love again.

Of course, I still grieve at the fact that I am now just a mere audience member to my first love of designing and creating— cursed to watch it from afar in pictures of Met Gala costumes, in late-night thoughts of whatifs and what-could-have-beens.

I still fear the day that my high school classmates will ask me why I never pursued fashion design when it’s the only thing I’ve been uniquely good at. And I am even more afraid of the moment I wake up one day and suddenly forget the memories I had with designing.

Thankfully, somewhere in the back of my closet, my old pattern rulers are still there. They gather dust while my sketches of fashion figures wither away in time. Tucked away in boxes are garments I poured my soul into, representative of my expression and love. These artifacts, along with this retelling and my memories of designing, keep me safe and reassured. These are the only pieces that prove my fairytale wasn’t a fever dream.

I desperately hold onto them, in the hopes that I will be able to reunite with my first love once again in happily ever after.

physically unable to do so because of the lockdowns. Moreover, parents have become stricter—largely to the frustration of today’s youth.

In turn, the helplessness that it causes is also of an entirely new level. People would easily describe burnout as the feeling of losing your inner light—the burning feeling that keeps you alive and creates a reason for you to function.

But like with any other abstract emotion, burnout cannot simply be encapsulated with words. To me, burnout is also not being able to settle on a decision. Burnout is the realization that what I do now will most likely be irrelevant in the near future. Burnout is wanting to quit all my positions and affiliations but also struggling to find the motivation to do so. Burnout

She had just come from her longest relationship with someone we all thought would be “the one.” My expectations have been shattered repeatedly, so I felt nothing for this new woman—not to disregard the strange coming out experience my mom and I shared, but this just felt odd.

Somehow, this new woman possessed the best qualities seen in my mom’s previous relationships to the point where I was convinced men were the problem. My suspicions were slowly but surely sated, and I allowed myself to live with peace and happiness in my heart. In my 12 years of living, it felt like I finally got what I deserved.

I told my mom’s new partner that I wanted her to stay. I didn’t want to decide for my mom, but I knew she was the one. Everything felt like it clicked, the years flew by, and I was

happy. Gone were the days of me being embarrassed by having a broken family. I wanted to flaunt my two moms to the world because how cool was that?

When the lockdown came, my other mom was overwhelmed with issues from her past, which soon affected our whole family. Tensions rose, and arguments were frequent. Yet, I never worried as I believed fate would keep us together. Then, over a year ago, I woke up and realized that my other mom was missing. She hasn’t come back ever since.

To this day, we don’t know where it all went wrong. She was the one—and I refused to believe otherwise.

I was too foolish and innocent to recognize the path that life had paved for my mom. It seemed that her story has been written ever since she was born—a woman

destined never to have “the one.” I’ve come to hate my empty home that once rang with laughter and joy, so I say yes to every opportunity that allows me to go out in a desperate attempt to capture some semblance of happiness.

I wish I could one day go home to both my moms welcoming me back after a long and exhausting day.

I know my family will slowly but surely rise from this mess, as we always do. Last month, my mom and I discovered that we’ve both been sending daily messages to my other mom. We couldn’t help but laugh at our desperation and agreed that maybe it was time to finally move on.

Perhaps I’ll send her this article as a final goodbye hoping that the empty checkmarked circle I’m all too familiar with will eventually light up.

ANNA PINEDA

Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of sexual harassment, violence, and misconduct.

I STILL feel frustrated, but I couldn’t blame myself for being confused at 11 years old—I never knew how to talk or act around boys. In particular, while I was in elementary school, my male classmates in my Catholic school sexually harassed me. These boys always wanted to know what my body looked like underneath my schoolgirl clothes.

I sustained a numb reaction for a long time, and I felt voiceless with all the sexual comments thrown at me.

For months, they tormented me online—asking me if I knew the words jakol, iyot, and virginity. They taught me how to have sex, even if I never asked for it—I never wanted to hear it from them.

Every day, I would receive sexual messages from the boy who sat next to me, and I couldn’t help but overthink if he had been staring at different parts of my body throughout class. Meanwhile, the boy sitting across from me drew inappropriate body parts on our blackboard. He did this after I saw him peeking through the window—when I was changing my clothes for my best friend’s swimming party.

Like any other school, there will always be a popular jock that girls would swoon for. This particular one tried to manipulate me into sending explicit images to him. This

is eating my comfort food without feeling any form of comfort at all. Burnout is being the real-life zombie that the Korean band DAY6 sings about: “Not alive but I’m still walking”—working for a goal that our brains may not be able to comprehend anymore in the first place.

In short, it feels more like losing the wick of your candle rather than just losing the flame. The wax that keeps the flame alive may still be there, but, without the wick to hold the flame in the first place, the candle cannot be lit again and is rendered hopelessly, utterly useless.

Unfortunately, there are still people who do not accept burnout—along with several other mental health illnesses— as valid predicaments. Most of the time, these would be dismissed as something that

Decade-long silence

snapped me out of reality, and nothing would have changed if I didn’t speak up.

I reached out to my closest guy friends who were also buddies with this particular jock. They didn’t do anything. I was still afraid to report my classmates’ misconduct due to possible retaliation.

Fortunately, they all stopped when I reported these issues to our student discipline office. Despite the panic-stricken and cold looks from the boys, I felt the sudden rush of relief that I will no longer be hearing from any of them.

Ten years later, the question came into my mind: Were the sanctions enough? I wasn’t aware if they were put on probation or if their parents were made aware of what happened. In spite of the trauma, I chose to stay silent to avoid chaos and shame, while exercising caution as a lesson for future relationships.

Even up to this day, my family has no idea of my ordeals. I never wanted to burden them with the thought that their youngest daughter can experience sexual harassment at a young age.

But I wonder: What happens if you continue to stay silent?

The perpetrator continues to become your best friend’s best friend or your teacher’s pet in class. Most importantly, they get to live a guilt-free life—one without shame and trauma.

Women are continually disciplined to be silent: What would everyone else think of

is “just in our heads” and that it is just us being overly dramatic. This may be one of the reasons why individuals who burn out tend to hide it from others. They are too ashamed to be judged over something unavoidable—all until their mental state buckles under the strain of being alive and thus breaks down.

At this point, we can’t really blame ourselves for wanting to keep our burnout hidden. After all, we’re inherently afraid of being shamed for any reason at all. Sometimes, it’s also our lack of trust that kills any potential for a friend to help us with what we are dealing with. We are more often than not too prideful to ask for even the slightest bit of help.

This monochromatic day-today life has left me feeling like a zombie on autopilot.

me for being a victim of sexual harassment? Will my parents think lowly of me, or will they protect me from this world of misogyny?

People will always try to downsize our abilities as women. Nonetheless, I will still choose to be a woman.

Although we are working towards a better community where women are now more accepted, the challenging notions of the patriarchy still exist. Yet, we can take the first steps in holding men accountable. There should be dire changes in institutional policies: Advancing those that don’t favor the perpetrator and don’t prevent survivors from speaking out.

The time to heal will always be longer than the time to speak up. Either way, there should be no rush in doing so. After 10 years of reflection, I see that sexual harassment chooses no age and occurs everywhere. Our voices as women are stronger than we think, as we recall from the #MeToo Movement. There is nothing wrong with seeking help—this is a right that we shouldn’t compromise.

If we don’t protect ourselves today, we fail to protect our daughters and granddaughters. We lose the capacity to defend girls walking in the streets. We are unable to address the societal system against women, which is patriarchal in nature.

Perhaps our reality now is that we are not living anymore; we are zombies who are merely surviving in this world that we are unshakably chained onto. On the bright side, though, we are surprisingly doing a tremendous job.

Luckily, burnout can be cured. With the right practices and by attempting to find what works for them, an individual can slowly rebuild the motivation that they once lost. At one point, it may even come to them as a surprise that they have already beaten their slump.

So, the next time somebody asks if you are okay, remind yourself that it is alright to just answer: “Honey, I’ve run out of wicks, but this is still salvageable. Someday, we’ll be burning even brighter than ever.”

Iridescent

Collecting Trinkets

JEZZYRAE B. MAGLENTE

WHO WOULD’VE thought that a silly TikTok video of a mouse eating alone would sum up my entire first semester?

These “mouse moments” videos trended a little around early September, usually depicting people recording themselves—usually only by themselves—eating at restaurants or wandering around museums or malls.

An air of romanticization surrounds the trend, but there is always a twinge of sadness in it as well. I mean, who would want to spend time feeling lonely? There are so many experiences to share with friends in life, so it would be an entire waste to wallow by yourself.

I would have resonated with that sentiment, really, if I were not ironically sitting alone in a fast food restaurant by myself—scrolling through these trends with one hand, feeding myself with spoonfuls of rice with the other. No presence around me, no friends to invite after class, no company to share with. It was just silly old me occupying space among the busy crowd of Katipunan and I felt so lonely.

Don’t get me wrong—I have wonderful friends and the people I’ve met are so welcoming, but I could not push myself out of this shell, especially after the isolation that the pandemic left me in. I was scared.

Like a mouse, I have just resorted to being in cramped spaces, so I wouldn’t be vulnerable in the expansive

Squeaking, ‘C’est la vie’

space I am in. It felt as though the city life was about to swallow me whole, and I—the tiniest speck in the universe— believed I did not belong here.

The funniest thing is I knew this would happen. What else was I going to expect moving to an entirely new city with little to no friends from my hometown? I knew the experience would be lonely, but I still looked forward to it.

Moving far from familiarity has been one of my aspirations since childhood. When I fulfilled this dream, my introverted self got a chance to thrive elsewhere. This big chapter opened up in front of me, and I believe that my coming-of-age story was about to begin.

Yet, I realized that life passes on with or without me. There is so much going on in this world for my own existence to matter in the grander scheme of things. No one in the streets would even spare me a second glance, and I wouldn’t spare them either.

As I stay in the corner of Regis with my earphones plugged in, people’s chatters carry on.

Social media always updates itself no matter how much I don’t post or scroll down. The parties continue even if I just stare at the city skyline at night alone.

The sun rises, goes down, and rises again, in spite of sleepless nights or groggy mornings.

As Mitski has pointed out, “I always knew the world moves on / I just didn’t know it would go without me.”

Still, I tried to make it work. I swallow down my nerves

and open myself up to the world, finding opportunities to connect with others and trying to live in this new world. What’s important is that I tried, right? The scariest part of experiencing the world is just beginning, as people always say. As long as I make an effort, who knows where it will lead me?

Well, I tried, and it still ended with me isolated in the safety of my own corner— on campus, in restaurants, or even in my own dorm.

Unfortunately, being a recluse has had a bad reputation since onsite classes resumed. Yet, I grew to be grateful for these mouse moments that I’ve been having. In these, I found a newfound appreciation for this comfort zone. Even as the world around me blurs with how fast it moves, I am in the middle of watching it all unfold. This is what life is about.

I learned to find excitement in the mundane. With this, I can always find a spark even in the faintest of lights. Thus, as the days pass by and the world seemingly orbits around the sun, it is always good to remember that life is a marathon—not a race.

You have to look forward to the new day in front of you, rather than wallowing inwhat could have been. The mouse still lives in the city after all, running through the busy yet lively world it offers. Life goes on, and you just follow your own pace. Nothing more, nothing less. C’est la vie.

SAMANTHA ROSE RAGAZA

THE SPLISH-SPLASHING of water hit the seashore, and my cousins giggled as we fought off the waves with our paddle boards, which kept slipping off my sunscreen-coated hands. Amid all of this, there was but a single thought that occupied my mind: “I hope I don’t get any darker.”

Being morena was something I was insecure about as a child. Despite my parents speaking reassuring words and my friends never really pointing out my tanned skin, I still felt like I was less than others because of my kayumanggi skin.

Thus, the color of my skin became a villain in my life that I blamed for a lot of things. I criticized it for making me ugly, and I thought I would be prettier if only my skin weren’t so dark. I accused it of destroying my love life, when, in fifth grade, the guy I had a crush on didn’t like me back because I “looked like a lechon .” I even blamed it for making the joyous experience of exploring makeup frustrating because I couldn’t find a concealer shade dark enough for me. Through it all, I thought that being morena was to blame for the experiences I was held back from.

In the Philippines, colorism is an issue that alters the everyday experiences of Filipinas across history. As I studied in school, colorism is just like a lot of the other outdated norms in our country and can be traced back to colonialism. I learned about how as early as the Spanish

A color that tells the stories of generations past

colonial period, people with my skin color were being discriminated against and were even treated like animals.

Empowered by knowledge of our country’s past, I experienced something within me change when I was 15. I finally had enough and wanted to turn the page on this self-loathing book to start anew. I refused to become victimized by colonialist ideologies. I no longer wanted to spend a single centavo on skin-whitening companies that made money off people who were made to feel ugly because of their skin.

In my journey to reclaim the skin tone I used to hate, I discovered that because I hated my skin, it also diverted me away from many other aspects of my Filipino identity. As I tried to reconnect with my roots, I began listening to Filipino music and watching Filipino films. I never felt more like myself than I did when I finally embraced who I truly was.

When TikTok blew up during the pandemic, I found that I wasn’t alone in the struggle of learning to love my morena self.

Marginalized voices were amplified on this platform and I found creators like Ayn Bernos, a Miss Universe Philippines candidate in 2021, who advocates for morena beauty and representation. I found people like Belle Rodolfo, a content creator and beauty editor at L’Officiel Philippines, who made me

feel that brown skin can be beautiful, too.

Finding the representation I longed for my whole life allowed me to accept myself in a way I would have never thought possible. Now, I am inspired to advocate for morena beauty so that younger people who are born with kayumanggi skin don’t have to go through the painstaking experience of hating themselves, too.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self that one day, we would feel differently about ourselves— not because we’re finally light-skinned but because we’ve learned to be proud of the tanned skin we were born with.

I wish I could tell my younger self to take a moment and look at everyone around her the next time she’s at her grandparents’ beach house in the small town of Becques, Ilocos Sur.

I would tell her not to feel alone because everyone in that small town has the same skin color as her. Their skin reflects generations’ worth of hardships and stories on colorism. Beyond that, their skin reflects generations’ worth of stories on culture and identity.

My skin color tells the history of my ancestors before me. I want to rewrite the narrative that colonialism has created because morena is beautiful the same way that every person with a “different” size, shape, or color is beautiful, too.

CHALK MARKS

BY JB WACNANG BEJARIN

The following is the valedictory address delivered by Jamesun Wacnang Bejarin (AB POS 2022), cum laude and valedictorian of the Ateneo de Manila University Class of 2022 during the Loyola Schools Commencement Exercises on August 27, 2022.

EVERY GRADUATING batch has its own fair share of challenges. Our batch, however, had to face challenges that were extremely overwhelming: the national K to 12 reform, the new Loyola Schools core curriculum, and the global transition to pandemic learning. Our batch was the pioneer of these changes. We were used to test if these changes would actually work. Jokingly, we called ourselves “guinea pigs.”

We started college with our OrSem Tayâ—to take a chance. True enough, our experiences in the past four years have revolved around taking chances on ourselves, on our country, and on each other.

However, we ought not to glorify our resilience through the difficulties of the chances we had taken. Ang totoo, marami sa atin ang napagod, nabigo, at nasaktan sa pagtatayâ (In truth, many of us got tired, fell short, and were hurt as a result of taking a chance).

Indeed, we can only come to terms with our past if we recognize what we truly feel.

More importantly, we can only be at peace if we act upon the things that hold us back. Sa madaling salita, kailangan pa rin nating magtayâ ( In simpler terms, we need to continue taking chances). But to take a chance is not to move on as if nothing happened, it is to push back as a way of moving forward.

PATULOY NA PAGTATAYÂ SA SARILI

To push back is to be selfaware and critical about ourselves and the conditions we find ourselves in. When it dawns upon us that other people have it worse, some of us even dwell on how lucky we are compared to them: #SimpleJoys, #Thankful, #SoBlessed. The fact remains that we are privileged—some more than others—in a country beset by deep inequality and social exclusion.

Our very education is indicative of this. Our community takes to heart being persons with and for others, yet a lot of us live lifestyles detached from most Filipinos. This is not to say that we or the Ateneo failed to be critical of the state of our society. In the face of injustice, we have been firm about our values and principles. Marami rin naman tayong nagawa (We’ve actually done a lot)! Yet our own self-

awareness and critical thought should lead us to recognize that, indeed, being privileged makes us part of the problem.

In dilemmas like this, Ateneo has taught us to discern—to weigh our options, recognize our motivations, and remember our “why.” In pursuit of magis or what is more loving and good—we ought to translate this awareness into action as we decide what to do after college.

PATULOY NA PAGTATAYÂ SA PILIPINAS

Paano ba ang magtayâ (How do we take chances)? To push back is to resist the structures that reinforce the status quo. Our struggles with stress, anxiety, and depression are by-products of systems that force us to be productive to the detriment of our well-being. That’s neoliberal capitalism for you. Kailangan ding suriin at intindihin ang desisyon ng mayorya sa ating mga kababayang iboto at ihalal bilang pangulo ang anak ng isang diktador ( There is also a need to discern and understand why the majority of Filipinos voted for the son of a dictator as president). More than three decades after the return of democracy, many Filipinos still feel that their lives have not changed. As the gap has widened between the rich and the poor, more Filipinos have become marginalized and susceptible to forces that aim to distort established truths for their own gain.

Paano ba ang magtayâ sa ganitong klaseng sitwasyon (How do we take chances amid these kinds of situations)? If

our problems are systemic in nature, then our approach must go beyond the individual and toward the structural. Inevitably, privilege gives us the power to influence how organizations, institutions, and movements are shaped. Let us commit ourselves to the transformation of the current way of doing things. Let us work with the marginalized and allow them to govern, even if it would mean letting go of the very privilege from which we benefit.

PATULOY NA PAGTATAYÂ SA KAPWA

Kaya ba natin ang ganitong klaseng pagtatayâ? Oo, pero hindi nang mag-isa! To push back is to go beyond our circles towards broader collective action. Pagkatapos ng eleksyon, marami sa atin ang nakaramdam ng pagkabigo, hindi lang dahil parang nasayang ang ating mga itinayâ, kundi dahil hindi rin natin alam kung ano na ang susunod na gagawin. Sa pagkatalo, sino o ano na ang dahilan para lumaban tayo at magkaroon ng pag-asa? (Are we capable of taking chances like these? Yes, but we can’t do it alone! To push back is to go beyond our circles towards broader collective action. After the election, many of us felt a sense of failure, not only because we lost that chance, but also because we did not know where to go from there. In losing, who or what are the reasons behind why we must continue to fight and have hope?)

Hindi nakabase sa iisang tao o iisang eleksyon ang mga pagbabagong ating minimithi kundi sa ating lahat (The

changes we yearn for are not dependent on one person or one election alone but on all of us).

All of us have power, given each individual’s inherent capacity to do good. However, we may often feel that the power we hold cannot make a dent in society’s problems. But imagine a future where we work together across our chosen careers—in the fields of government, medicine, media, the sciences, education, technology, development work, engineering, culture, business, and the arts, among others—in employing holistic solutions to society’s problems. Imagine the possibilities when we work with people from different walks of life and set aside our self-interests in pursuit of the common good. Each of us has the agency to make this choice.

Sa aking mga kapwa magtatapos, kaya ba nating piliing magtayâ? Para saan? Para kanino? Sama-sama tayong magtayâ para sa isang Pilipinas, kung saan tinutugunan ang mahihirap na problema gamit ang angking-galing ng bawat isa. Sama-sama tayong magtayâ para sa isang Pilipinas, kung saan hindi na espesyal ang pagtatapos sa Ateneo dahil abot-kamay na ng bawat kabataan ang dekalidad na edukasyon sa lahat ng bahagi ng bansa. At sama-sama tayong magtayâ para sa isang Pilipinas, kung saan binibigyang espasyo ang lahat na makiambag tungo sa ating mga pinagkaisang pangarap, magkakaiba man ang pinanggalingan.

(To my fellow graduates, are we still capable of taking chances? For what? For who? Together, let us take a chance for a Philippines where we

face the difficult problems of today through the collective capabilities of each person. Let’s all take a chance for a Philippines where it’s no longer special to graduate from the Ateneo because everyone can attain quality education in every part of our country. Let’s all take a chance for a Philippines where everyone is afforded a space to contribute towards our collective aspirations, regardless of our differences.)

Malaking karangalan po para sa akin—bilang isang Ilokano at katutubong y-Kalinga mula sa tribo ng Tulgao, Tingguian mula sa Abra, at Ifugao —na ilahad ang kuwento at mga hangarin ng Klase ng 2022 ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila

(This is a tremendous honor for me—as an Ilokano and indigenous y-Kalinga from the tribe of Tulgao, Tingguian of Abra, and Ifugao—to share the stories and hopes of the Class of 2022 of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila). While we cannot determine what the future holds after graduation, hope lies in us choosing to take a chance on ourselves, on our country, and on each other— of pushing back as a way of moving forward.

Thank you very much and congratulations, my dear batchmates! Dios ti agngina ken matago-tago tako losan! Mabuhay tayong lahat at maraming salamat po (God bless and long live)!

*Editor’s Note: Portions of Bejarin’s address were omitted due to space limitations in the printed broadsheet. The unabridged address can be found online on The GUIDON’s website.

Gold-plated

Patuloy na Pagtatayâ: Pushing back as a way of moving forward

Groundwork for leadership

SPORTS TEAMS witness student-athletes come and go, resulting in a cycle of new leadership for a fresh batch of rookies. Urged to step up as the seniors of their respective teams, some Atenean student-athletes now bear the responsibility of being leaders despite their limited exposure to competing at the collegiate level.

Due to the pandemic’s lockdown restrictions, the operations of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) were halted for two seasons, only resuming with full-calendar activities

this year in Season 85. Now as seniors, these student-athletes are expected to take on the momentous responsibility of becoming captains, all while navigating uncharted waters.

POWERING THROUGH ADVERSITY

As these rookies turned-seniors assume their responsibilities, they simultaneously have to guide the new recruits in adjusting to the system. The unfamiliar setup limited their interactions within the team to online exchanges, testing their capacity to integrate those who had no experience with onsite practices.

We didn’t want to remain stagnant during the pandemic. We wanted to come out of quarantine still ready to play, conditioned, and ready to win.

“As much as possible we tried talking to them [rookies]. First, we built the connection and got to know them online, so they were not really weirded out by the whole setup and felt excluded,” said Daniel Britanico, Team Captain of the Ateneo Men’s Fencing Team (AMFT).

For the Men’s Football Team Captain Szymon Mercado, the disproportionate rookie-tosenior ratio of his team made it more difficult. “Back then [at the beginning of the year], we had 17 rookies and there were only eight of us seniors. As compared to before [the pandemic], the alumni would always have a majority of seniors to guide the rookies,” he said.

In addition to the challenges they experienced, improvisations had to be done as student-athletes coped with the limited resources they had at hand. Especially for team sports that are played on the field, training mostly revolved around strength and conditioning exercises as these were less tricky to perform in front of the screen.

“I guess ‘yung pinaka-struggle with that is not being able to execute the same softball skills at maximum capacity. In the

BY MATTHEA P. LAZO AND

field, ang lawak ng space mo tapos may partner ka pa (You have a wide space and a partner), so that’s actually another struggle we faced. We were doing things alone for the most part,” said Ateneo Women’s Softball Team Captain Sophia Santos.

On top of the minimal opportunities to properly assess and improve their team dynamic, these student athletes also struggled with maintaining their motivation as they dealt with the uncertainty of their collegiate careers. Despite the odds stacked against them, they remained hopeful that UAAP would soon reopen for them to play their last games for the Blue and White.

LEARNING ON THE FLY

Set on the goal of leading their teammates to victory this season, the seniors carried out different approaches in fostering teamwork and keeping the passion for sports alive even amid the pandemiccaused challenges.

Taking on the captaincy role was initially not an easy feat for these seniors in the midst of limited space and inaccessible equipment. The captains had to figure out how to apply alternatives in homebased training. For instance, makeshift targets such as towels, rubber balls, and chairs were utilized in the online setups. In the end, training with household supplies has taught all sports teams the value of simplicity and creativity in maximizing remote workouts. In turn, the seniors’ exercise of resourcefulness inspired their teammates to be resilient amid unforeseen circumstances.

Aside from prioritizing physical conditioning, the captains equally stressed the importance of soft skills

C. SISON

such as communication and camaraderie. The captains maximized the online setting by engaging their teams in virtual get-togethers and playing games to uplift player morale. Additionally, the captains were also patient in introducing the training flow to the rookies so that the transition to on-site operations would not be a completely new experience to them.

Though unable to execute sport-specific skills at maximum capacity, the studentathletes eagerly upheld the competitive atmosphere in home-based training. Driven by the intent of competing for their sports and for Ateneo, the captains were not hampered by constrictive circumstances in empowering their teammates and establishing a fighting spirit.

THE BIG DAY

Having successfully traversed the challenges prompted by the remote setup, these rookiesturned-captains are excited to showcase their talent in the upcoming UAAP Season 85.

Although nervous about returning after a long pause, the captains have set their minds on using the lessons they learned and fully embracing their roles as leaders. Britanico will be staying for a fifth year with the AMFT, but he remains inspired to give his all for the team’s graduating seniors. Meanwhile, Santos and Mercado have accepted the challenge of leading their young and rookieladen squads forward for their last years.

“There are three C’s of being a captain: caring, courageous, and consistent. [Especially] courageous, because despite all the doubts of not really having that full experience, you have to let go of those uncertainties

and just face everything head on,” said Santos.

While the upcoming season may be their last chance to deliver, these seniors learned how to manage the expectations set on them and show up for their teammates. They tirelessly emphasized building their teams’ support systems and fostering an encouraging environment. Thus, even during the lockdown, they constantly reminded each other of the days when they could finally play again.

“We didn’t want to remain stagnant during the pandemic. We wanted to come out of quarantine still ready to play, conditioned, and ready to win,” emphasized Britanico. Mercado shared the same sentiment: “As a team, I inculcated in them what’s at stake. I always tell them that there’s always the next season that we can prepare for, and it’s really the reason why we train hard—to play in the upcoming season.”

With the welfare of their whole pack to think about, these captains have grown to believe in one another, focusing more on what they could achieve as a team and not just on their individual goals.

LESSONS AND LEGACIES

These seniors’ unwavering commitment to embracing the roles entrusted to them by their teammates proves that a captain’s aptitude is not solely established by experience. Their grit and dedication to shoulder greater responsibilities are what inspire their respective teams to foster a culture of excellence in the face of adversity.

Focused on ensuring that their teams have a taste of what it feels like to compete—and win—the rookies-turned-seniors refuse to dwell on the past and what cannot be changed. Instead, they are empowered to leave a

lasting impact on their respective teams and set up all the players for success. Their determination to overcome hardships serves as inspiration to the Atenean community, asserting that perseverance is a strength that transcends profound athleticism. While the UAAP and other leagues may loom overhead, the legacies imparted by the new captains will remain ingrained in their teams through any crisis or achievement.

There are three C’s of being a captain: caring, courageous, and consistent. [Especially] courageous, because despite all the doubts of not really having that full experience, you have to let go of those uncertainties and just face everything head on.”

KRISTEN

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. After learning the ropes of UAAP during their first year, the rookies from Season 82 are now the entrusted seniors or captains of their sports teams.

PHOTO BY JILL SANTOS

SOPHIA SANTOS ATENEO WOMEN’S SOFTBALL TEAM CAPTAIN

DANIEL BRITANICO ATENEO MEN’S FENCING TEAM CAPTAIN

TOWERING THE COMPETITION: KACEY DELA ROSA She will continue to make waves in the UAAP landscape.

Towering the competition: Kacey dela Rosa

BY ANTON E. MERCADO AND MARIT SAMSON

DUBBED BY Ateneo Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT)

Head Coach LA Mumar as the “Shaquille O’Neal” of the team, rookie Kacey dela Rosa has dominated the collegiate scene through her exceptional athleticism and talent. In her team’s ques for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 title, the young prodigy has flourished from being a self-doubting bench player to the most confident star player on the court.

A STAR IS BORN

Before becoming one of the star recruits of UAAP Women’s Basketball, Kacey first tried another ballgame to test her physical skills. She initially played for her volleyball team in high school, but it was not long until she realized that shooting hoops was something she could be better at.

Realizing her potential for basketball, Kacey wasted no time and tried out for different

teams—eventually landing a spot in Chiang Kai Shek College’s (CKSC), one of the top schools in the country with a renowned athletics program. She humbly admitted that qualifying for the CKSC high school girls basketball team was beyond her expectations due to her premature basketball skills then.

“Syempre, hindi ko in- expect kasi wala pa akong masyadong alam sa basketball . Ang alam ko lang mag- shoot at tumakbo (Of course, I did not expect to get into the team because I didn’t know much about basketball back then. All I knew how to do was to shoot and run),” she shared.

Despite her natural talent, Kacey’s development into a basketball superstar was not accomplished overnight. She started her athletic career as a bench player in the CKSC lineup, which included several future Perlas Pilipinas players like Ann Pingol, Tin Cayabyab, and Angel Surada. Thus, the confidence and leadership that Kacey showcases at present can be attributed to her ample time playing against and training with the country’s cream of the crop then.

Undeterred by the limited playing time she was given during her high school years,

Kacey’s beaming potential still shone through, with CKSC Coach Jana Sy deciding to give her more specialized training. In fact, it was also during her high school stint that Kacey first started dreaming of playing in the premier collegiate league while steadily honing her skills under the tutelage of her coach.

AWAY FROM HOME

While on the path of development, Kacey had her sights set on Basketball without Border (BWB), a prestigious basketball program reserved for the best young international talent. Sanctioned by the National Basketball Association and the International Basketball Federation, BWB allows budding athletes to be featured on the international stage and play in front of world-renowned coaches and recruiters. With the goal of showcasing her gifts in basketball to the rest of the world, the future Blue Eagle auditioned for the program and eventually got the call to join last August.

The opportunity then opened the door for Kacey to grow as an athlete and unlock the talents that she currently possesses. However, this big break came at a price, as Kacey felt under the weather during the four-day camp—a factor that could have potentially affected her play. Nevertheless, this did not stop her from racking up all-star nods for her stellar showing in the BWB games alongside another Ateneo High School standout, Jared Bahay.

Despite the road bumps that Kacey faced over the course of the international camp, the highly-touted rookie did not take her membership in the camp for granted: “Super saya

ko na i-represent ang Pilipinas sa gano’ng level ng basketball. (I was super happy to represent the Philippines with that level of basketball).”

Kacey’s motivation to perform well in the camp was, in part, because of the fact that she wears the name of her beloved country on her back. Ultimately, all the experiences she gained from the short basketball program molded her into the elite center she is now.

A SHINING ROOKIE

Now transitioning to the college ranks, the potential that Kacey showed in CKSC and the BWB camp is coming to fruition as she plays her first season with Ateneo.

As of writing, she is already averaging 20 points, 16 boards, and three blocks as the starting center in her first six games of UAAP Season 85. Her impressive performance in the first round of eliminations was further highlighted by a careerhigh monster production of 30 points and 20 rebounds against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. This performance is proof of the great poise that the 6’0” big has shown for a rookie, fully capable of capitalizing on her good shot selection and ability to anticipate rebounds.

Another welcome development in the season is her indisputable chemistry with starting point guard and captain Jhazmin Joson. With their savvy and efficient oncourt connection, Kacey has been likened to Shaq finishing at the rim, while Joson has been dubbed as her Kobe Bryant who puts up the points from the perimeter. The deadly Kacey-Jhazmin combo has continued to propel

the Blue Eagles in their quest for the Final Four, and hopefully, the championship crown.

Despite being lauded both the Rookie of the Year award and a Mythical Five citation, Kacey is still yet to be satisfied with her play. She mentions, “Hindi pa ‘yun ‘yung best ko (That’s not my best yet),” she said.

As the season goes on, Kacey will continue to improve on what she has already displayed on the court. The ultimate goal for her is never the individual awards but the opportunity to bring the UAAP Women’s Basketball title to Ateneo—a feat that has not been done in 15 years.

As Kacey is slowly entrusted with a bigger role on the team, a willingness to lead her squad is next on the agenda for the young stalwart.

NOWHERE BUT UP

The individual and team success will likely continue to soar for the Filipino native, as her UAAP career is still very much ahead of her. The combination of physical gifts, overall skill, and

mental grit is proof that the sky’s the limit for Kacey.

In just her debut season, she has already played a huge role in improving the squad’s identity. The team’s collective effort, combined with Kacey’s strong presence on and off the court, has resulted in the Blue Eagles’ shift from bottom dwellers in Season 82 to Final Four contenders in Season 85. Kacey helped make all of this possible by beefing up the frontcourt with her ability to aid teammates, clean up the misses, and fortify the paint thanks to her overwhelming physique and jaw-dropping talent.

These gifts will only lead her to more consistent production, especially now that the squad views her as the main weapon on the floor. Moreover, the departure of key players in the future will eventually make Kacey the next offensive cornerstone for Ateneo, giving her more opportunities to break records in the UAAP.

Kacey dela Rosa will continue to make waves in the UAAP landscape, and it is time that people take notice—because her rise has only just begun.

GALLERY

YOUNGBLOOD. Rookie basketball player Kacey Dela Rosa establishes herself as a force to be reckoned with and an MVP through her stellar display on the court.

PHOTO BY PAULINA SINGH

Syempre, hindi ko in- expect kasi wala pa akong masyadong alam sa basketball . Ang alam ko lang mag- shoot at tumakbo.

Kacey dela Rosa will continue to make waves around the UAAP landscape so it is time for people to take notice — because her rise has only just begun.

KACEY DELA ROSA UAAP WOMEN’S BASKETBALL STAR RECRUIT

OPINION

More than a jersey

THE LOCKER room is a symbolically significant space in the vast world of athletics. It serves as a haven for the team to form lasting bonds with each other before they go to battle on the court. Over the years, though, the closed doors of the locker room have become areas for darker themes to proliferate, with countless cases of sexual abuse and gender-based discrimination now plaguing the sports world.

Over the past few months, significant controversies surrounding sexual violence and gender discrimination have

once again spotlighted this harsh reality. In the National Basketball Association, Miles Bridges recently pleaded no contest for the domestic abuse of his wife, while Joshua Primo faced his own case of indecent exposure. Locally, The GUIDON Sports just recently looked into the history of gender-based violence in the Philippine Basketball Association.

The matter that hit closest to home for the Ateneo community cropped up within weeks of the newest season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Former Loyola Schools Sanggunian Kara Angan President published an opinion article on Rappler about this

We must not excuse athletes because of their skill but instead hold them accountable in spite of it—talent is never isolated from the person, nor should it be treated as such.

case of sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV) in collegiate sports. There, she disclosed information about an unnamed member of the Blue Eagles who reportedly faced 15 different alleged accounts of SGBV in 2021.

Angan’s piece sparked fierce debate about whether athletes such as those mentioned in the article should have any place representing our schools or if these issues should be kept off the court. However, the truth of the matter is that the sports world is never truly separate from life beyond the playing field. The values of our athletes must be taken into consideration over their sheer skill because of both the player’s and the school’s names on their jerseys.

THE WEIGHT OF A JERSEY

For many athletes in the Philippines, a successful college career is a jumpstart to a professional one, opening up an immense number of opportunities for them. Major responsibilities of this privilege, such as upholding the values of their respective schools, are then sometimes overlooked by players. However, to be worthy of representing the top university in the country is not just determined by athletic talent but also by their capability and willingness to uphold certain values of the school.

More importantly though, going beyond their roles as representatives, studentathletes must remain committed to ensuring safe spaces because doing otherwise violates women’s rights to respect and safety. Ultimately, athletes are people before anything else; they should not only consider how their actions affect themselves and their individual athletic careers but also how others are unavoidably affected as well. When they carry the torch of school pride, athletes should not selfishly walk over anyone along the way.

With the potential to impact the community at large, athletes’ roles go beyond simply winning games for their schools. They are in a unique position to influence the wider Ateneo community— both a gift and a responsibility that has to be taken seriously.

In 2020, The GUIDON Sports discussed an athlete’s power to inspire those who look up to them to talk about social issues. For example, former Blue Eagles such as Chris Newsome and Gretchen Ho sparked action about racial injustice and helping the less fortunate because they are citizens first and sportspersons second.

Just like them, all studentathletes have a platform that can be used for good, but if they contribute to a culture of

sexual violence, their platform’s credibility comes into question and they are ultimately violating others’ safe spaces. Thus, their talent should not necessitate special treatment. As role models and representatives of the Blue and White, athletes need to be held accountable for their actions regardless of their skill.

CALLING ATHLETES TO DO BETTER

Accountability is vital in ensuring safe spaces for victims so as not to silence them from coming forward. For one, athletes owning up to their mistakes by not brushing it to the side or completely ignoring it is the first step they can take.

Being accountable for their actions does not simply end at admitting their own faults since it also extends to accepting the consequences that follow. Public knowledge of SGBV cases will

rightfully follow them the rest of their career in the public eye, just as much as their crimes haunt their victims.

Many critics attribute this harsh labeling to cancel culture and choose to sympathize with the guilty by holding the belief that others are simply trying to tear them down. However, these labels are simply the public’s own form of demanding accountability in a world where issues of SGBV are rarely done justice.

Moving beyond mere awareness, athletes have to do more than just acknowledge their faults in order to combat the hostile culture of SGBV in the sporting world. Given how deeply ingrained these issues are, it is imperative that athletes seek accountability and hold other perpetrators accountable. Their voice has the potential to spark change for future generations and eventually break the vicious cycle of SGBV for good.

CHANGING A TROUBLED CULTURE

While individual change in our athletes is vital, truly resolving the issue of SGBV in sports involves more than just any single person. Permanent change requires the collective effort of the sports community through their genuine reflection on how athletes are viewed and treated.

Thus, the key to the lasting upheaval of a sports culture that continually demeans women begins behind the closed doors of the locker room. For too long, the sports community has treated this world as isolated. Many even consume sports media as an escape from reality, but, when faced with the harsh truth that people’s lives are at stake, we should not turn a blind eye.

As fans of the game, we are used to rooting for athletes who push our teams and the school forward with their sheer talent. However, regardless of their skill, we must be mindful of when lines are crossed and the support given to them is undeserved. The idea that we can support the athlete without reinforcing what they stand for is an outdated notion. We must not excuse athletes because of their skill but instead hold them accountable in spite of it—talent is never isolated from the person, nor should it be treated as such.

Continued ignorance from the sports community regarding our athletes’ persistent environment of toxic masculinity and history of SGBVs will not lead to change or acceptance in our troubled culture. They will push the boundaries of what they can get away with behind the safety of their closed doors,

led to believe

continually

that success is a just price to pay for their transgressions.

Their talent should not necessitate special treatment; as role models and representatives of the Blue and White, athletes need to be accountable for their actions regardless of their skill.

Their determination to overcome hardships serves as inspiration to the Atenean community, as perseverance is a strength that transcends profound athleticism.

GROUNDWORK FOR LEADERSHIP MATTHEA P. LAZO AND KRISTEN C. SISON, p.1

PHOTO BY PAULINA SINGH

PHOTO BY KARL DIMACULANGAN

PHOTO BY KARL DIMACULANGAN

PHOTO BY PAULINA SINGH

PHOTO BY KARL DIMACULANGAN

PHOTO BY KARL DIMACULANGAN

PHOTO BY DARYL SY

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UAAP SEASON 85 MEDIA TEAM

PHOTO BY PAULINA SINGH

PHOTO BY RAYMUND FRANCIS VICENTE

Of mines and men

BY KRISTEN R. MATIAS AND ALEXANDRA G. YATCO ILLUSTRATION BY HILARY CAPISTRANO

THE PHILIPPINES’ untapped mineral reserves of USD 1 trillion makes it the fifth most mineralized country in the world. Industrial firms have found an abundance of natural resources such as these in the country, often using them to support capital-intensive infrastructure projects. In 2020, such operations accrued over Php 102 billion in the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

However, tapping these natural resources comes at the expense of indigenous peoples (IPs) and communities that inhabit the land. While the past decade has seen a development in the protection of IP rights, a disjunct still exists between the laws protecting ancestral domains and the mining operations disrupting those lands. In the face of golden coffers, discrepancies in institutional processes particularly undermine the interests of IP communities, and glaring anomalies in the processes of industrial activities reveal the greater need for such statutes to be enforced.

BEHIND THE SCENES

The Philippines’ mining industry has often been considered one of the main contributors to the country’s economic development, leveraging on the country’s plethora of natural resources.

In 2020 alone, a Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) report highlighted the production value of select metallic minerals such as gold, nickel ore, and chromite to be at Php 132.69 billion. The report also delved into the total value of minerals exported in 2021 at USD 5.2 billion and the number of jobs generated from the mining industry at 184,000.

However, the unseen cost of this profit is the displacement of IP communities and the disturbance of their livelihoods.

Some primary examples are the cases of Zamboanga del Norte’s Subanen indigenous group and South Cotabato’s Blaan indigenous group—both

of which share the experience of environmental destruction from illegal mining.

BETWEEN PAPER AND GROUND

The broad extent of sociopolitical and environmental damage can be attributed to the lack of proper implementation of policies, as well as the discrepancies in granting mining permits to companies and associations.

On the one hand, the Philippines’ Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) provides the basis for the legal empowerment of IPs vis-avis the protection of their ancestral domains. Central to its provisions is safeguarding the cultural landscape of IPs by upholding their right to self-determination and tenure of land through the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). Alongside this, another legal instrument that protects ancestral domains is the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which requires engagement among the stakeholders involved, including the IPs themselves.

In particular, a critical juncture of executing these laws is the provision of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) which highlights IPs’ autonomous decision-making process. IPRA states that before the conduct of any project, one must consult with the communities in the area, and there should be no coercion of the community by the proponent to allow the project. In the FPIC process, IP groups must consent to each stage in the activity, including the potential environmental or social consequences incurred. Without the completion of the FPIC, no permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources wil be issued.

Despite the law’s ability to delineate due processes, there have been anomalies in

community consultations and the issuance of permits.

For instance, Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) held they had duly secured access to Tampakan’s copper and gold exploration field. However, environmental defenders in the area alleged that no public consultations were done regarding the extension of the project. Furthermore, the mine had been highly scrutinized as the activity was projected to displace over 4,000 IPs and pollute rivers used by downstream communities.

Due to SMI’s misinterpretation as a mineral exploration manufacturer rather than a general engineering contractor, the Tampakan municipality revoked the company’s business permit. South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. has then heeded calls for sustaining the open-pit mining ban in the area after a series of protests against the industrial operations in the area followed.

Another instance of FPIC violations is the case of

the Florjenmar Mining and Development Corporation setting foot on the Subanen tribe’s domain in Zamboanga del Norte. As per reports, the MGB has issued an exploration permit to the mining company. However, leaders of the Subanen tribe and local officials of Gutalac contested this claim by highlighting the company’s lack of compliance with the necessary processes for securing a permit.

Subanen leaders pointed out that the mining operations have disrupted 15 of the town’s 33 villages, amounting to 85 hectares of the Subanens’ 1,921hectare territorial claim.

Ultimately, Atty. Raymond Baguilat, Senior Legal Associate of the UP Law Center Institute of Human Rights, emphasized that land security is central to indigenous cultures. “The core element of indigeneity is our relationship to the land— this avoids the conflation of indigenous peoples to just about any native in a local community.

Unfortunately, this isn’t being discussed,” Baguilat asserted.

These recent cases are just two of the many occurrences of corporations allegedly circumventing processes stipulated by law. While there are comprehensive processes on paper, anomalies that impede IP communities’ right to the security of their domains underscore due process in the law’s provisions.

FILLING GAPS

[deal with] the organizations of local communities.”

However, with the Philippines’ current socio-political environment that fosters red-tagging and violence against human rights activists, just working with IPs can lead to people being deemed communists.

Aside from such sociopolitical issues, additional barriers are the lack of inclusivity in consultations, the different language used in materials, the ineffective information dissemination systems between IP leaders and their communities, NCIP budget limitations, and the lengthy consultation procedures. This large issue of lacking inclusivity can be traced back to the time of the FPIC’s creation, as there were already cases of IP stakeholder exclusion then.

While the conduct of FPIC was facilitated by the NCIP and done in the IPs’ local language, most of the other materials were in English. “How can they understand the implication of mining if it isn’t in their local language? Most of them are unfamiliar with [English],” Tomas continued.

To address the negative socio-political effects of the gap between policy creation and implementation, financial support must be provided to regulatory agencies, such as the NCIP. Having a larger budget would ensure the successful implementation of IP related projects and contribute to the improvement of the agency’s internal systems.

RAYMOND C. BAGUILAT SENIOR LEGAL ASSOCIATE, INSTITUTE OF HUMAN RIGHTS, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

The effect of the disconnect between existing IP legislation and its enforcement on the ground manifests in poor access to justice for land security and tenure of IPs. These barriers can be analyzed on two main levels. Ateneo de Davao University Department of Anthropology Chair Rosalinda C. Tomas, PhD states, “On a personal level, you must deal with the people. On the institutional level, you have to

For instance, it is necessary to help them create a proper information dissemination system, connect with networking bodies that can support their advocacies, and familiarize themselves with the law to properly represent themselves By harmonizing different stakeholder interests, only then can a common economic and environmental advocacy be pursued.

The core element of indigeneity is our relationship to the land— this avoids the conflation of indigenous peoples to just about any native in a local community. Unfortunately, this isn’t being discussed.

Gambling with the economy

BY RAM HEBRON AND JAVIER P. MAPA ILLUSTRATION BY ALISSA CO

GAMBLING IS a practice that is firmly established in Philippine society. Due to its uniquely profitable nature, the gambling industry has largely benefited the country’s economy. However, crimes such as kidnapping, murder, human trafficking, and prostitution that have been associated with the industry over the years have increasingly led to calls for reforms to the country’s current gambling system.

Given the influence of gambling in the Philippines, calls for a proposed ban have been met with uncertainty from the senate due to the unwelcome effects this may have on the overall economy. The Philippine gambling industry has previously evaded controversy under the national spotlight, but the recent outcry associated with the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) now necessitates a closer look at the lucrative yet politically controversial industry.

SOCIETAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS

According to a De La Salle University study, gambling is a habitual social activity among Filipinos evident in the abundance of casinos, lotto outlets, cockpit arenas, street card games, and jueteng, a numbers game similar to lotto. While a Social Weather Stations survey found that 63% of Filipinos perceive gambling as morally wrong, this stance has little effect on their participation in the practice, and 59% still continue to engage in it.

This engagement in gambling can be explained by the less appealing alternatives to growing one’s savings. According to the aforementioned study, Filipinos are more attracted to the potential financial gains of gambling due to banks’ low interest rates and the financial risks involved with running a business.

Cumulatively, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that establishments engaged in gambling activities contributed Php 205.52 billion in 2019—85.1% the highest share of total revenue to the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation sector. Gambling and betting activities also paid

a compensation of Php 575.48 thousand per paid employee— the highest within the sector.

Given that POGOs occupy a large part in the aforementioned gambling and betting activities, they play a notable role in the benefits that the sector yields to the economy. The government reportedly collects Php 34.67 billion in both direct and indirect contributions from POGOs. Annually, this contribution accounts for 1% of the country’s gross domestic product. Given the indisputable size and profitability of the gambling sector, regulations are then placed to ensure that the entire economy stands to benefit from the sector’s financial contributions.

LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS

To capitalize and regulate the earnings of the gambling industry, a number of Presidential Decrees were issued to permit casino franchise establishment and assign these regulatory powers to a single government organization. These were later consolidated to establish the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to better distribute revenue to the various branches of government for their national development programs. The regulations that PAGCOR then enacted allowed for the government’s complete control over the industry.

Of PAGCOR’s earnings, 5% is paid in tax to the Bureau of Internal Revenue, while half of the remaining 95% is allotted to the Bureau of the Treasury. These earnings contribute to the budgets of the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Board of Claims, the Office of the President’s Project for Social Funds, and—in the case of landbased gambling operations— the host city local government units (LGUs).

In particular, Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Research Fellow Aaron Jed Rabena, PhD highlights the agency that LGUs possess in permitting certain gambling operations within their locales.

The monetary contributions then afforded to LGUs

and the Philippine government at large prove to be an attractive source of income for the nation’s macroeconomic interests.

Recently, these contributions have caught the attention of private investors, who wish to capitalize on the Philippines’ unique gambling demand from both local and international sources.

INTERNATIONAL RECEPTION

The lucrative nature of the Philippines’ gambling operations has attracted clientele and partnerships on a global scale. Foreign companies and suppliers involved in the global gambling industry are drawn to invest in the Philippine workforce as well as the nation’s digital and physical infrastructure. In doing so, these companies intend to set up online casinos and gambling operations to service foreign patrons from countries such as Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The most popular of these operations—the largely Chinese-led POGOs—employ an international workforce

consisting of Chinese, Vietnamese, Singaporean, and other Southeast Asian nationals working alongside Filipinos across the country’s urban centers.

The heavy involvement of foreign nationals in Philippine gambling sectors culminated in a peak of at least 300,000 Chinese

casino workers employed in the country in 2016. However, this number has since dropped following stricter regulations, pandemic restrictions, and government crackdown on illegal operations.

While neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia effectively banned gambling operations in partial response to Chinese diplomatic pressure, the Philippines had affirmed its stance to support POGO operations for their economic benefits. In 2019, despite Chinese President Xi Jinping’s personal requests to prohibit online gambling, then-President Rodrigo Duterte cited the industry’s billions of pesos generated in revenue as the chief reason for his maintained support.

Thus, the Chinese government has since been outspoken

regarding its disdain for Philippine online gambling.

Today, the continued outcry has revived national discussion on the future of Philippine gambling as a regulated industry. Rabena notes President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s neutrality on these controversies despite the palpable dissatisfaction with the current gambling ecosystem—particularly born from its risky foreign economic dependence—that certain cabinet members feel, such as Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. Now, with talks among government bodies to put a total ban on the sector’s largest contributors, the future of the Philippine gaming industry is put into question. With economic losses on one side and severe diplomatic strain on the other, the Philippine government must decide if the gambling industry’s benefits outweigh its risks.

When reliance on the gambling industry is at risk of backfire, a bet must be taken on the future of domestic and international economic cooperation.

With economic losses on one side and severe diplomatic strain on the other, the Philippine government must decide if the gambling industry’s benefits outweigh its risks.

Pop culture politics

BY CLAYTON DEJILLAS AND SOHAILA ANGEL F. SOMERA

THROUGHOUT THE decades , Philippine cinema has proven to be effective in chronicling the development of the nation while also providing steadfast contributions to the economy. However, this same industry has consistently faced challenges, including heavy taxation in the pre-1990s, censorship during the Martial Law era, and piracy at the turn of the millennium.

These economically and politically driven issues have necessitated responses from lawmakers through laws and policies that aim to protect the integrity of local films and filmmakers. National politicians who spotlight international competition and push to alleviate Philippine entertainment media’s ails, however, indicate that there is much left to do to develop the film industry.

CINEMA BEHIND THE SCENES

A crucial factor that is often overlooked in the discourse of the ailing film industry is that cinema is a continual product of colonization and, by extension, western hegemony. “To find the Filipino in Philippine cinema is highly problematic,” University of the Philippines Film Institute Associate Professor and Film Historian Nick Deocampo states, emphasizing that Filipinos have not created a piece of technology for cinema since this art form is not native to the Philippines. Notably, a driving force for cinema is technology, and technological changes, such as colored film and digital video, all came in the context of colonization.

“[Film] technology was not invented by Filipinos, but came in the context of colonization,” he further says, highlighting that it is a product imported under Spanish colonial rule and was heavily propagated by the Americans. Thus, Hollywood films dominated Manila largely during the height of the American occupation.

In modern times, the consequences of colonization manifest through the audiences that favor Hollywood films over local productions. Deocampo

particularly notes the unequal battle waged on local film producers today, citing the disparity between the allocated budget for local and international films.

Moreover, the paramount influence of Hollywood may also be attributed to the US’ institutional support for filmmakers. This includes unionized organizations and companies that promote and advance the film industry there, such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

While audience preference for imported films affects local cinema, the industry has also been shaped by other factors revealed at different points in time. One such challenge is the current taxation system of

public’s perception of it. As such, government agencies and media companies’ recent attempts to solve these problems have been put into action.

REWRITING THE MAINSTREAM

Regarding the local film industry, Deocampo posits that it is headed toward an era of alternative cinema in contrast to mainstream cinema.

Alternative cinema is defined as a “people’s cinema,” spearheaded in response to the dominance of the mainstream commercial movie industry, representing social and political ideas that commercial movies typically do not espouse.

Moreover, Deocampo reiterates the importance of alternative cinema in the local industry as it has persisted in times of crises when the commercial film industry floundered.

Offshore

NICK

ASSOCIATE

the film industry. According to Deocampo, as much as 42% of revenue generated by films before the 1990s proceeded to taxes. As such, film producers were expected to earn as much as triple their investments in order to recoup their expenses.

Moreover, the end of the previous millennium saw changes in technology which allowed for the digitization of films. In turn, the online world made it easier to illegally stream content, impeding revenue generation.

Such hurdles in the media broadly shape how producers manage the industry and the

The local film industry has seen notable support in its growth over the years. Firstly, the increasing participation of movie personalities in politics helped the film industry raise interventions and policies for its development. Later, in 2002, an intervention came in the form of the Film Development Council of the Philippines which continually grants incentives and funding programs to help producers and filmmakers produce films today.

In view of these developments, Deocampo notes how government representation significantly helped usher in the betterment of the movie industry.

Despite these advances, the film industry continues to meet challenges. At present, public attention regarding entertainment media imports that affect the Philippine film industry has shifted from Hollywood films to Korean dramas. The rise in popularity of Korean dramas, which have impacted Filipinos’ viewing habits and preferences, has then roused questions among national politicians on which industry the country promotes and supports. Now, such questions provide grounds for lawmakers to revisit how existing laws are enforced in relation to the changing times and landscape of the film industry.

operations

IN A time of economic instability and tenuous foreign relations, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) remain a controversial subject in the country. The growing industry has drawn government and media attention for its links to criminal activity and, on the other end, the billions it continues to rake in for the national economy. Thus, the paradox of the POGO industry as both an economic asset and a political liability has led to divisions on what the nation must do when faced with the choice to take it all away.

Pressures on the government to ban POGOs are deterred by the benefits they present for the Philippine economy. The tax collections from the industry in 2021 were estimated at Php 7.38 billion. Along with this, the firms currently supply 23,000 Filipinos with jobs, as well as thousands of other migrant Chinese workers who comprise a significant fraction of POGO workers. These migrants subsequently grew the Philippine workforce and caused a rise in condominium rentals in the country, while also accounting for 30% of Metro Manila office demand between 2018 and 2019.

With the thriving real estate market and POGOs’ other contributions to the economy, the industry accounted for Php 53.1 billion or 0.31% of the Philippines’ GDP in 2022.

However, Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Research Fellow Aaron Rabena, PhD revealed that despite the advantages POGOs provide to the economy, the industry comes with risks, such as an increased economic overdependence on POGO activity. He relays that this puts our economy at stake if the industry were to fall, especially given its disreputable nature.

The crimes committed by illegal operators, such as kidnap for ransom and trafficking-in persons, have also hurt the way Filipinos view China. Rabena forwarded that this may be because Filipinos are unable to tell the difference between the Chinese private sector that operates the POGOs and the Chinese government. If examined closely, the continued housing of the POGO industry has also hurt Philippine-China relations. According to Rabena, the Chinese government does not agree with the Philippines’ continued accommodation of POGOs as it is illegal in the mainland. “This is a national security issue for China because it creates social instability at home,” Rabena stated. As such, China has appealed to the government to ban the industry, similar to the crackdown on online gambling and overseas casinos done in Cambodia and Vietnam. China has also since blacklisted the Philippines as a tourist destination by imposing tighter travel restrictions. This move has caused a significant drop in the number of tourists coming in from China.

In totality, Rabena proposed that the government should look for other sources of investment to avoid being held hostage by the industry or being associated with illegal practices altogether.

Alternatively, the country can also choose to impose stronger regulatory measures, or—in the worst case—ban the industry altogether. Regardless of the path to be taken, however, Rabena emphasized that the policy decisions on what should be done about POGOs should still be driven by data as it can affect both the relations with China and the national economy.

BY SAM RAMOS YEO AND FELICITY C. SANTOS

ILLUSTRATION BY CAITLYN CU

To find the Filipino in Philippine cinema is highly problematic.”

DEOCAMPO

PROFESSOR, U.P. FILM INSTITUTE

The informal sector’s COVID-19 recovery

BY JANA O. ANG AND TROI MENDOZA GRAPHICS BY FRANZ MANLUTAC AND JONNIE CHENG

THE INFORMAL sector has been one of the hardest hit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of prompt financial support particularly left many informal sector workers with no choice other than death from the virus or hunger.

While government programs such as the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) were enacted to aid against the financial turmoil afflicting the sector, many have criticized these initiatives as several controversies around them surfaced.

UNHEALED WOUNDS

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), “The informal economy consists of independent, self-employed small-scale producers and distributors of goods and services.” In a survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), informal laborers were estimated to make up 38.3 percent of the working population. This sector is not accounted for by any labor laws, leaving its workers open to many issues. Thus, low wages, safety and health hazards, and lack of access to health and financial services have plagued informal laborers even before the pandemic. Such challenges only worsened with the introduction of lockdowns and restrictions.

Job security is one of the largest hurdles that workers of the sector had to face during the pandemic. According to Asian Development Bank Institute (ABDI), many Filipino workers were laid off from their jobs as a result of lockdowns. They added that two out of five workers who did not have formal employment were prone to suffering the pandemic’s most severe effects due to their low wages. This subsequently causes problems such as food insecurity and difficulty in accessing health services.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Administrative Services Division Chief Merlinda A. Paragamac said that given the unstable economy, many informal laborers are left with no direct source of income. Even those who have been able to work now do so irregularly. Paragamac elaborated that the lack of regular income for informal workers causes other challenges. She cited their struggle to provide basic necessities for their families as an example. They might also become burdened with additional medical costs if they were to contract COVID-19.

CHRONICALLY INVISIBLE

In an attempt to hurdle the grave effects of the pandemic, the DSWD devised numerous initiatives as touchpoints between the often-overlooked sector and the government. These

include the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), which released emergency subsidies to over 18 million indigent households in 2020. The Livelihood Assistance Grants project (LAG) also supplied subsidies to informal workers whose jobs were affected by the community quarantine.

However, these programs faced difficulties in actually reaching them, with one implementation pain point being the government’s lack of a centralized informal sector database.

“What we have is only [data on] the poor…,” the social worker stated. In Paragamac’s experience, the P205-billion budget for frontline agencies was “insufficient” and aggravated complications in the identification of target beneficiaries.

To address these obstacles, DSWD coordinated with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to avoid service and benefit redundancies.

According to Paragamac, they aim to harmonize SAP databases for census-taking and cash aid distribution.

Beyond SAP, DOLE executes well-meaning measures that cater to the informal sector such as through its flagship program, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD). TUPAD offers short-term employment opportunities through community

SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN

(SK) administrations have continuously served their communities through projects ranging from waste management to pandemic relief assistance. Some SKs have also used their platforms to make a stand on policies that they deem threatening to their constituents’ rights.

With further policy support such as the recently signed Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Governance Reforms and Compensation Law, the Filipino youth can expect advancement in the pursuit of youth empowerment. However, this potential cannot be appreciated without a full understanding of barangay SKs’ mandate and powers.

STRENGTH AND DUTY

The Local Government Code of 1991 or Republic Act 7160 instituted the SK after the Kabataang Barangay’s dissolution. The decree mandates that SKs implement projects promoting their constituent youth’s social, political, economic, cultural, and spiritual growth and spearhead the achievement of barangay resolutions relating

service tasks for a maximum period of 90 days.

However, alleged anomalies have halted TUPAD operations in several areas during the pandemic. In 2021, it was suspended in some Quezon City districts and the 2nd district of Palawan after reports of ghost beneficiaries and irregularities in salary disbursement emerged. Accusations of vote-buying and political patronage have also affected TUPAD during the campaign period of the last elections.

HOPE FOR HEALING

Despite the deficiencies that plague government programs for the informal sector, workers in this sector continue to play a crucial role in the Philippine economy. According to the PSA, approximately 650,000 low-income informal

Low wages, safety and health hazards, and lack of access to health and financial services have plagued informal laborers even before the pandemic.

workers have boosted economic output through the value of the goods and services they provide, increasing the Gross Domestic Product in 2016 by about Php 5.013 trillion.

Acknowledging this feat, Paragamac recommended employing technological resources to mitigate the government’s difficulties with reaching out to the workforce.

“The digitized provision of services and established systems will really help in terms of efficiency and monitoring…,” she explained.

With the informal sector reeling from financial instability and job insecurity amidst the pandemic, it is imperative that pertinent government agencies develop sustainable recovery plans. Without these, informal sector workers have no choice but to carry on and survive living paycheck to paycheck.

Where the youth lead service

BY JUSTINE RAMIREZ AND SAMANTHA SICANGCO ILLUSTRATION BY LUKEY

to youth development. The improvement brought about by these initiatives is reflected in annual and end-of-term documentation of program accomplishments and the state of finances.

To assume the SK’s mandate, eight candidates aged 18-24 are elected from the Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK) demographic into SK positions that include the chairperson, secretary, and treasurer. The KK is composed of all registered citizens from the barangay aged 15-30, and it is the constituency with whom the SK must consult for its activities. Thus, all SK initiatives must be in collaboration with the KK, the barangay council, and the Local

Youth Development Council— the agency which oversees youth and youth-serving organizations at the provincial, city, and municipal levels.

The collaborative functions of SKs are supported by the Mandana-Garcia Supreme Court ruling, whose primary outcome is an increase of national tax allotment for SKs and their LGUs. According to the ruling, the annual budget of LGUs would no longer be derived from national internal revenue taxes or taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) alone.

Instead, LGUs—including their SKs—will source their funds from all national taxes, including those collected by the BIR, the

Bureau of Customs, and other collecting agencies.

In addition to granting SKs power, legislation has also been passed to ensure the legitimacy of this institution. As of 2016, SKs have been governed by the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015.

This law particularly includes an anti-political dynasty clause detailing the grounds for suspension and removal from office of non-compliant SK officials. In principle, SK officials cannot have close relatives or a second civil degree of consanguinity with any incumbent national ormunicipal authority. Notably, however, the law does not penalize elected relatives of SK officials.

Under the same law, SKs are further empowered to exercise the functions delegated to them through mandatory,

continual training programs that emphasize the role of youth in nation-building and instill values of patriotism and nationalism.

THE WAY FORWARD

In line with the policies that empower and govern youth leaders, the National Youth Commission—the government agency for youth representation at the national level— authored the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) to unify the Philippines’ youth-led and youth-focused actors under one vision for their sector. Private and public stakeholders alike are meant to benefit from the PYDP’s direction, although the SK is mentioned as a necessary force in achieving some of the PYDP’s objectives.

Based on the 2017 PYDP, the vision for 2022 is for the youth to regularly and effectively

participate in promoting their welfare in the national Social Development Agenda’s centers of development. These centers are health, education, economic empowerment, social inclusion and equity, peace-building and security, governance, active citizenship, the environment, and global mobility.

Among these target areas of development, the SK is vital to the PYDP’s pledge to encourage youth involvement in governance.

Providing opportunities for the youth to engage and act with SKs is a key objective of the PYDP’s vision for youth in governance. Beyond this initiative, SKs also play a role in the PYDP’s vision of youth-led development in environmental protection and peace-building.

In addition to what is mandated by the PYPD, SKs have stepped up to meet their communities’ needs over the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the SK of Barangay Miranda from the City of Samal opened hotlines to connect locals with the latest news regarding quarantine restrictions or case tabulation. Other SKs have aided political accountability agencies’ validation of the Social Amelioration Program.

These instances sample the ways in which SKs around the country have carried out their mandate to enjoin the youth in public service. With the support of policies that empower LGUs and their youth leaders, SKs remain a primary site for youth leadership. However, SKs are only as powerful as their barangays’ KKs—that is, its constituents whose political participation is critical to its empowerment.

BY SOPHIA ESTOQUIA AND AREN TEODORO ILLUSTRATION AND PAGE DESIGN BY BEATRIZ ISABELLA E. ESPINOSA AND JEZZYRAE B. MAGLENTE

PRESSURED BY the need to perform well academically, many students seek out assistance from others by joining study groups or doing peer tutoring sessions. However, when the going gets tough and they find themselves unable to comply, the idea of paying someone else to do their work can become a tempting offer for some.

Leveraging on the anonymity and broad networks provided by social media, a number of students offer their assistance to fellow students online—albeit for a price. Commissioned to do school requirements, these students become part of a widespread online market that continues to trouble educators.

While the implications that these academic commissions have on the education system are concerning, the reasons why students are willing to avail of or provide them are just as troubling. Most notably, worsening financial concerns pressure students to rely on sources of income that subvert academic rules on honesty and integrity.

Despite the University’s strict prohibition on plagiarism, several Loyola Schools (LS) students have resorted to this practice of selling their intellectual labor to fellow students who are willing to pay their way to a passing grade.

HEAD FOR HIRE

With the return to onsite classes, advertisements for academic services began appearing as stickers on campus with QR codes that redirect clients to a website. To avail of the service, they simply need

to make an online account and submit an order form.

While others advertise these services in physical and online spaces, Malcolm*, an LS student, discreetly draws his clients from his network of former senior high school classmates.

Given his reputation as an essay-writing adept, Malcolm has a hefty price tag for his skills. He shares that the rates for 1,000-word essays usually range from Php 860 to 1,250, depending on their difficulty. He also does online discussion boards for a price of Php 300 to 500, and digital artworks or infographics for a minimum of Php 300. He claims to rake in Php 10,000 to 15,000 on a monthly basis from these commissions alone.

He shares that the majority of his clients commission him for works that they deem unrelated to their degree programs, such as those from core curriculum subjects or electives.

While he sympathizes with his clients who hope to ease their workload, he believes that they are still responsible for the consequences of their actions.

“It’s in their own volition na kung ano ‘yung mangyayari sa kanila. (What happens to them is because of their own volition.) ‘Cause they’re aware of the sanctions, they’re aware of the consequences.” he says.

To his benefit, Malcolm feels that there are not enough LS policies that punish students like him. However, he still takes precautions by only taking clients from other universities to evade the Ateneo’s jurisdiction.

SERVING SANCTIONS

While plagiarism is understood as stealing someone else’s work without giving proper credit, it also takes the form of having one’s work done by someone else. Thus, the act of availing academic commissions is—by definition—plagiarism.

Unlike in other cases of plagiarism, students like Malcolm consent to being plagiarized. This makes such cases of academic dishonesty difficult to detect, but University authorities assure that they remain resolute to uphold academic integrity in the academe.

The LS Code of Academic Integrity gives instructors the discretion to handle plagiarism cases accordingly. One option is to give a student a failing grade— an F—on either the requirement or the course itself. However, instructors may also refuse to give a final grade while the case remains unresolved.

In handling cases of academic misconduct, the Office of Student Discipline is the administrative body in charge of initiating the preliminary investigation, after which the Committee on Discipline facilitates the succeeding disciplinary hearing. As violations are treated on a case-to-case basis, sanctions are given depending on the Committee’s deliberation. These may include community service, suspension, or even expulsion from the University.

While the student accepting the commission and doing the work of others is technically the victim of plagiarism, Associate Dean for Student Affairs Rene San Andres says they are still guilty of academic dishonesty.

Specifically, they are guilty of misrepresentation according to Section III Article E of the Code of Conduct.

He adds that taking commissions is essentially aiding others in committing the offense and therefore also constitutes academic misconduct according to Section III Article D.

INCULCATED INCAPABILITY

Despite such punitive measures academic commission services remain rampant online.

The continued persistence of academic commissions can be linked to its lucrative gains for students like Malcolm, whom educators such as Communication Department Lecturer Jasmine Rombaoa sympathize with. As a former teacher at a tutoring business, she understands that these students provide such services to make ends meet.

However, she hopes for better alternatives to earning money that do not violate any rules and still uphold University values. These include creating presentation layouts, proofreading, and tutoring services as examples, as these services offer help instead of taking full—or even partial— responsibility for a task one is not involved in.

She also holds that this practice goes against certain values of the University such as magis, or the Jesuit value of “doing more.”

“Dishonesty runs counter to the very essence of the Ateneo de Manila University as an educational institution. It hits the very soul

of our institution as a Filipino Jesuit Catholic Institution,” San Andres shares.

Furthermore, these services also compromise students’ integrity and learning. With students simply commissioning others to do their work for them, there is no definitive way of evaluating the development of a student’s commitment to the University’s core principles. These include the value of upholding justice in order to form professionals, especially one who acts in service of others.

Unfortunately, such dishonesty in the classroom may not only translate to incompetence in the workplace but also to corruption in positions of power. San Andres views college students, especially Ateneans, as the future leaders of the country. Thus, their intellectual and moral formation and development will have huge implications on how the country will be run in the future.

However, beyond personal convenience, San Andres acknowledges that external factors such as financial difficulties may also exacerbate the prevalence of academic commissions.

For financially burdened students, San Andres says that compassion must be extended by giving them an ethical source of income. “If they can offer such services, that means that they’re talented. Harness their talent

for something more positive,” he suggests.

Ultimately, San Andres believes that effort must go into re-educating offenders instead of simply relying on enforcing punitive measures against academic dishonesty. He mentions that offenders are typically encouraged to take compulsory counseling sessions, care of the Loyola Schools Office of Guidance and Counseling.

“As long as I am an administrator in Ateneo, as long as I am an educator, this is my contribution to nationbuilding: I will run after those who cannot be reformed, and I will be as fatherly and friendly to those who commit mistakes,” he says.

Aside from educators, policy-makers have also taken notice of the practice of academic commissions.

Still, more must be done to solve this problem. As long as cumbersome academic workloads continue to kill the desire to learn, and financial desperation continues to pressure students to compromise their morals to make a living, academic commissions may still stay in business.

*Editor’s Note: The name of an interviewee was changed to protect their identity and privacy.

In the pursuit of new knowledge, the Ateneo expands its research influence

Rising the ranks

BY ASHLEY ENRIQUEZ AND NICOLE ANNE KELSY SY PHOTO BY ELLY KIM

RANKINGS ARE regarded as honorable recognitions of higher education institution’s (HEIs) academic efforts and excellence. As such, the Ateneo de Manila’s placement as the top Philippine institution in the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE-WUR)—arguably the most well-regarded university rankings—only affirms its status as a premier hub of education. However, achieving this feat was anything but easy. Following the Ateneo’s absence in previous THE World Rankings, the University shifted its attention to improving its methodologies. In particular, much of the changes was centered on teaching, outreach, and collaboration, which comprise the largest portion in THE-WUR’s criteria.

Thus, behind the most recent THE-WUR feat as the top university of the Philippines is the Loyola Schools (LS) community’s collaborative effort in expanding its research capacities and influence. Not only was this done to debut in THE-WUR, but also to involve more members of the academic community in the broader effort to impart their knowledge and discoveries to others.

ABSTRACT ANALYSIS

Research has consistently proven itself to be an important measure of academic influence, as it stirs intellectual exchange and discourse in the academe. Its significance is heavily seen in THE-WUR methodologies, which emphasize that only research-intensive universities are the institutions assessed for ranking.

In particular, to qualify for THE-WUR inclusion, a university is required to have 1,000 research publications released in the past five years, with a minimum of 150 annual publications indexed in the Elsevier Scopus database— the primary basis of THE for bibliometric data.

As for their criteria in ranking, THE-WUR assesses institutions based on their teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. Out of these, its research and citation pillars take up a combined portion of 60%. When it comes to this, THE has a thorough and holistic approach assessing both the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of a university’s research production.

According to THE’s methodology indicators, the research pillar is further narrowed down into three aspects. First, a research survey is conducted within the last two years to gauge the “perceived prestige” of a university’s research volume, income, and reputation.

Second, the research income per staff is also calculated by obtaining the quotient of the total subject-weighted research income and the total subject-weighted number of academic staff.

Lastly, research productivity is measured by the number of scholarly works by faculty and students in the Scopus database. Aside from these, another important pillar in conjunction with research is citations, which refer to the research influence of a university, obtained through the average frequency that a university’s journal is cited by other scholars.

REVIEW OF RELATED INITIATIVES

In the assessment of these criteria, THE-WUR strictly considers only Scopus-indexed journals. Although the Ateneo produces a number of creative literary works, the University fell short of the minimum number of Scopus-indexed journals to qualify in 2018.

University Research Council Chair Ma. Louise Antonette De Las Peñas clarifies, “It’s not because we were not doing research, ‘di lang talaga tayo nagpupublish noon dito sa mga journals na ito.”

In their bid to produce more journals such as these, the University made multiple efforts to support their aspiring researchers. One is through the Industry 4.0 Research Fund Programme, which is granted by the Ateneo Research Institute of Science. This initiative provides funding—ranging from Php 500,000 to Php 5,000,000—to the projects under the School of Science and Engineering (SOSE). With this support, SOSE produced 125 Scopus-indexed papers in 2020 alone.

Moreover, alongside the failure to meet the qualifier for publications, another hurdle faced by the faculty is the lack of time to do research, De Las Peñas shares.

In the hope of better supporting LS professors, the University has since made significant efforts to boost research productivity. One initiative is instituting “research loads.” “Say a full time faculty has an expected teaching load of 30 units [a school year], then the faculty may propose a project. And depending now

on what type of project this will be, then he can request for research units,” she explains.

De Las Peñas also shares that the University has been strengthening its intradepartmental and interdepartmental research groups following its absence in the 2018 THE-WUR.

Beyond these faculty initiatives, the University continually encourages student involvement in the Ateneo’s debut. De Las Peñas expounds, “When you do a thesis, you’re after producing something original—not just be content with a mere exposition and not be afraid to publish your work.”

These efforts have evidently paid off with the Ateneo’s recent debut at the top of the rankings. Some countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands then ground their immigration policies for international students based on world rankings.

Despite being globally acknowledged, however, university performance tables cause a stir in the academe for their supposed problematic methodologies.

SURVEY SCRUTINY

In particular, with its subjective standards, disparities in the indicators, and tendencies of bias due to the subjective methods of gathering data, the objectivity of ranking outcomes are not guaranteed.

Amid these criticisms and skepticism about the reliability of rankings, De Las Peñas says that rankings are not precisely indicative of the Ateneo’s performance as the five areas identified in THE-WUR’s

methodology are not an allencompassing criteria.

In particular, there are certain aspects that cannot be quantified by rankings, such as the values instilled by the University. For example, De Las Peñas cites cura personalis, the Jesuit value of care for the whole person. “We are small but we manage to have some achievements in this. We did this by helping each other, by mentoring our students, by mentoring our faculty,” she says.

However, she does not entirely discount university rankings’ usefulness in determining the areas that need improvement. “I would say it’s a good measure but not truly representative. What I could say is, we’re very happy for this achievement, and we’re going to use this in a positive way to be better,” she shares.

RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS

Beyond the prestige and the national recognition that come with clinching the coveted top spot, the University continues to push for the intensification of research endeavors because of the social value offered by these research outputs.

After all, De Las Peñas emphasizes that society counts on the academe to investigate and discover solutions to the world’s greatest problems. Ultimately, the pursuit of such knowledge is instrumental in finding the antidote to pressing issues such as sustainability, health emergencies, and the education crisis.

Thus, to retain and enhance its research capabilities, the University plans to engage in

more collaborations with external stakeholders. It also aims to ramp up its research productivity by encouraging student involvement and nurturing members to venture into the field.

Acknowledging the research gaps that need to be filled, De Las Peñas says, “We need more minds to come together to solve [world problems], and we have a lot of potential… The more we put our minds—more minds—we could address the problems better.”

“

We need more minds to come together to solve [world problems that matter], and we have a lot of potential… the more we put our minds—more minds—we could address the problems better.

MA. LOUISE ANTONETTE DE LAS PEÑAS UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COUNCIL CHAIR

What makes a top university?

BY KATE SAN MATEO AND LOURENCE SEGOVIA INFOGRAPHIC BY VAL ELTAGONDE

UNIVERSITY RANKINGS have been a significant indicator of quality in higher educational institutions (HEIs). For Philippine universities, these rankings go beyond national recognition as these also mean higher graduate recruitment, greater visibility, and more collaboration and partnerships among external stakeholders. Thus, the question of what exactly makes a top institution continues to pique the interest of many.

The most prominent awarding authorities to publish these rankings are the Times Higher Education (THE) and

However, often overshadowed by their worldwide counterparts are the regional rankings, which offer a more nuanced

the leading institutions in their respective areas.

THE Asia University Rankings

THE Asia University Rankings assesses over 616 qualified universities in 31 Asian countries and territories. While the same 13 performance indicators used for its world rankings are utilized, the regional assessment is done by recalibrating this set of criteria to reflect the distinct qualities of Asian institutions.

Since 2004, THE has measured the performance of universities through its five areas of performance indicators:

Teaching: The Learning Environment (30%)

The teaching category is underpinned by the following:

• Institutions’ perceived prestige in teaching (Reputation survey, 15%)

• Proportion of students and staff (staff-tostudent ratio, 4.5%)

• Balance of professors with bachelor’s and doctorate degrees (doctorate-tobachelor’s ratio, 2.25%)

• Number of doctoral awards given across various disciplines (Doctorates-awardedto-academic-staff ratio, 6%)

• Quality of students and staff amenities (Institutional income, 2.25%)

Industry Income: Knowledge transfer (2.5%)

As a means to spur innovation, inventions, and consultancy, this category measures the extent to which a university attracts funding from the commercial sector and the willingness of businesses to support the university’s efforts for research and development.

Citation: Research influence (30%)

This investigates the role of universities in the advancement of new knowledge and ideas. With Elsevier as its bibliometric data supplier, THE measures research influence through the average number of times a university’s published work is cited by scholars.

International Outlook: Staff, students, research (7.5%)

To gauge the ability of a university to attract students and staff from abroad, this category looks into:

• Number of foreign students on campus (Proportion of international students, 2.5%)

• Percentage of other nationals in the workforce (Proportion of international staff, 2.5%)

• Research initiatives of a university along with international co-authors (International collaboration, 2.5%).

QS Asia University Rankings

The Ateneo has remained among the top institutions in Asia since 2013, according to the QS Asia University Rankings. QS featured 760 institutions for 2023—the largest number of Asian universities included on the list in its history.

Employer reputation (20%)

As a means to spur innovation, inventions, and consultancy, this category measures the extent to which a university attracts funding from the commercial sector and the willingness of businesses to support the university’s efforts for research and development.

Citations per paper (10%) and papers per faculty (5%)

These two indicators are both evaluated using the Scopus database to gauge the influence of an institution’s publications on the research community. They look at the number of citations per study and evaluate the university’s total research production, respectively.

Proportion of inbound exchange students (2.5%) and proportion of outbound exchange students (2.5%)

Although not applied in the global ranking but in the regional one instead, they measure Asian institutions’ internationalization efforts by comparing the scope of inbound and outbound student exchange programs at various institutions.

Research: Volume, income, reputation (30%)

This category is heavily supported by institutions’ reputation for research excellence—determined through:

• Standards of their research culture (Reputation survey, 18%)

• Ability to get research papers published in quality peerreviewed journals (Research productivity, 6%)

• Crucial factor in world-class research development, income (Research income, 6%).

International Research Network (10%)

Using data from Scopus—a comprehensive, systematized abstract and citation database— this indicator evaluates the institution's level of international openness in research collaboration.

Faculty/student ratio (10%)

This statistic measures the number of academic staff members who are employed full-time for every student who is enrolled to provide a general picture of how much contact time and academic help students can receive from the institution.

Staff with a PhD (5%)

This new indicator is used to assess the proportion of staff members with PhDs in order to measure an institution’s dedication to high-quality teaching.

Proportion of international faculty (2.5%) and proportion of international students (2.5%)

This criterion evaluates the percentage of the university’s personnel and students who are classed as “international.”

Academic reputation (30%)

The criterion was developed by asking academics to name the top institutions in their respective fields with the purpose to demonstrate which universities have the best standing in the global academic community.

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

and distinct perspective on

Third culture kids

BY MARELLE BAÑEZ AND DENZEL PINEDA RAMOS

IN THE current globalized world, some people voyage on an unprecedented scale. Thirdculture kids (TCK) are those who navigate such territories.

First used in the 1950s, the term describes those who have spent a large portion of their developmental years outside their parents’ culture.

Often having spent most of their lives moving around, they are then subject to a unique and novel coming-of-age experience— becoming a jack of all places but a member of none. Being a part but apart is their story.

PART OF YOUR WORLD

Within the Loyola Schools (LS) are its very own TCKs who offer a nuanced perspective on the idea of identity.

“No matter how much I try, Shawarma is really built differently. They’re good, just not Shawarma,” says Sherese Sanoria (3 AB COM), a TCK from Qatar who now lives in the Philippines. She states that she first learned of her identity as a TCK through online debates about shawarma, a popular Middle Eastern dish.

Sanoria shares how she experiences difficulty when she is in conversation with her peers about the concept of “home.”

“Every time they ask me, ‘Oh, where are you from?’ I have to pick between so many places like ‘Where am I actually from?

Like what can I say to people?’” she questions. Oftentimes, this weariness is coupled with feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

Amid these lonely transitions, TCKs must contend with adjustment to varying cultural norms and practices on their own. Afterall, being immersed in an unfamiliar culture entails constant, deliberate assimilation into the community.

Feeling such strain as she moved from the United Arab Emirates to the Philippines, Marlene Magdaluyo (4 AB COM) opens up about how she finds it risky to participate in conversations with friends about which high schools everyone graduated from. Magdaluyo feels anxious that she’ll be seen differently for having gone to a high school overseas.

To her, there is an apparent emphasis on where TCKs come from, rather than who they are. This contrast can be challenging to live with as it induces a sense of exclusion from the community around them.

Despite these experiences, both Sanora and Magdaluyo share generally positive stories about adjusting to the Ateneo. The TCKs attribute this experience to the Ateneo’s use of English, as well as the friendliness of its community,

as in helping them find a home in their new country.

CARRYING LOSSES, GAINING CONNECTIONS

In this transition between from one culture to another, TCKs develop what is called a collective identity. These identities are initially drawn from their society’s cultural norms which then help create a sense of belongingness with their communities. In particular, TCKs are able to construct their sense of self through interactions with their surrounding society and its structures. However, TCKs may find it difficult to develop a strong grasp of their identity given the constant changes to the society surrounding them.

MA Sociology student Jan Rupert Alfeche says that these changes stunt their identity formation. “They’re largely robbed of their agency … They’re just thrust into navigating these various cultural worlds,” he laments.

Alfeche also highlights the difference between TCKs’ identity development to that of non-TCKs. While forming his thesis on cross-cultural kids, he found that although nonTCKs may have created a strong sense of their cultural identity when they reach their 20s, TCKs will most likely achieve this in their 30s.

With this, he emphasizes the TCK experience as “outside looking in.” While some TCKs may feel as if they have already adapted well to their new country, Alfeche reveals that their cross-cultural experiences will always detach them from their surrounding community. For example, this manifests in Sanoria’s feeling of being “less Bisaya” for lacking fluency in the language.

To this effect, the term cultural marginality encapsulates the struggles TCKs face in always “being at the margins.”

Despite these challenges, their multicultural experiences enable them to build a more culturally-inclusive community, such as by engaging with those around them in cultural conversations. TCKs can then actively change their cultural space, too, by adding more nuance to what it means to be Filipino.

For Alfeche, TCKs are the “physical embodiment of globalization.” Their own interactions parallel the way countries interchange on the global scale, forming nuanced perspectives on the world’s interactions.

“That’s the reality crosscultural kids bring into the conversation—that there is more than one perspective. And that being Filipino is more than just what we understand

here within the archipelago,” he states.

In the end, the nuanced perspectives that TCKs carry mold them to become active participants in their own community’s cultural identity.

Within the LS, the Ateneo Student Exchange Council (ASEC) helps build a community for both TCKs and International Exchange Students (IXS). Aside from their welcoming initiatives and parties, ASEC sometimes pairs an IXS member with a TCK one in their organization’s buddy system for an entire semester.

Similar to ASEC’s events and initiatives, Alfeche suggests that the LS community as a whole can better accommodate TCKs and non-TCKs by allowing them to engage in more cultural conversations. Through this interchange, TCKs are able to glean deeper insights on Filipino culture. Likewise, nonTCKs are able to form a new perspective on being Filipino and gain knowledge of other cultures.

At the same time, Alfeche encourages the Ateneo community to approach TCKs with “a certain level of grace,” recognizing that TCKs may lack a sense of belonging and being more mindful of their feelings.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

While the LS community continues to take steps in

creating a home for its diverse student population, the definition of “home” for TCKs remains an elusive idea. Away from familiarity, they are challenged to navigate vastly different worlds, creating memories that serve as keepsakes to the people and places they eventually have to leave behind.

As someone who jumped back and forth between Qatar and Cebu, Sanoria finds her sense of home in the latter. “I don’t really tie it to a physical place anymore. It’s really just where my family is. So home or me is [in] Cebu. That’s where my family stays,” she shares.

Beyond the people, home also exists in the intangibles: the warmth of a mother’s hug, the comfort from eating one’s favorite food, and the assurance from hearing a long-time friend’s wise words.

These are a testament that home is no longer defined by geographical space, especially for TCKs whose spaces are constantly in flux.

Ultimately, their home does not follow a strict definition as it becomes rooted in feeling. Magdaluyo says, “If you believe that it is home and it gives you that sense of comfort, love, and assurance— then you found it.”

Oh, costly night

BY RIEL DUQUE AND ODESSA JULIENNE REBAYA

PHOTO BY ERRI MIKAELA TAN

ALL YEAR ROUND, Filipinos brittle their bones to keep themselves and their families afloat. Then, they hear the jingle of bells and their hearts sing with joy at the thought of coming home for Christmas–a time when warmth is gifted and problems melt away. Unfortunately, this year’s Christmas is unlike any other.

Despite the two previous Christmases being celebrated in isolation, Filipinos can now spend the season with lesser restrictions in place. Still, the burden to keep up with traditions of the past now comes at a high price, when inflated prices push us to question what lies behind the glow of our lantern lights and the true cost of a Christmas well-spent.

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS

PAST

Waking up to Christmas morning carries with it a unique sense of joy. As Glycer Maryjoy “MJ” Manlapaz (3 BFA CW) expresses, “There is always a degree of excitement during the holiday season when you’re a kid.”

Seeing the streets full of life with decorations while receiving gifts was an experience closely nestled in the heart of her nostalgia.

As someone who has finally earned her own finances, Manlapaz now plans to be the

person on the other end of this Christmas custom. Since she is the one going back to her province for the holidays, her goal is to bring as much pasalubong as possible.

To Manlapaz, gift-giving is more than just an established tradition but a way for her to directly express love towards family and friends. While she has received fewer gifts as the years progressed, Manlapaz gains equal joy in seeing the smile of her loved ones with the simple presents she has given them. This is a familiar gesture that lets them know that, even in their time apart, they are still being thought of and remembered. By the same token, Alec*(3 BS PSY), a current scholar in the Ateneo, highlights their holidays through acts of giving rather than being given. They help wherever help is needed by contributing to the financial necessities of their household when they can and carry on the task of being a real-life Santa Claus to the younger relatives of their extended family.

Even now as they live in a dorm—far away from their own kin—Alec takes it upon themself to still live the Christmas spirit among fellow scholars and students living in the University Residences. Though coming from different walks of life, students

are unified by a shared struggle of missing a home that is miles away.

Though many have matured past childlike celebrations of the holidays, memories may continue to hold the comfort of Christmases past. Alec looks back on their previous Christmas festivities: watching relatives prepare homecooked Noche Buena classics and enjoying them together as a family as they sit at the dinner table, with neighboring homes doing the same. Alec explains that the key to their complete Christmas is to celebrate it with the ones that matter most. Whether through offering them love that has been neatly wrapped in a gift box or sharing a platter of delicacies, these moments guarantee that the stomachs and hearts of those we love will never be empty no matter how long and frigid the December nights may be.

STILL THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR?

Although most lockdown restrictions have lightened and people are reunited once more, Filipinos still face the dilemma of choosing between grand celebrations and simple plans at home. Alec’s mother, Mia*, is one of the many who struggle to feel that Christmas this year could ever be as great as past ones. With

the rapid rise in costs of living, she feels forced to forgo future gatherings, minimize holiday decorations, and even decrease her budget for gift-giving.

This Christmas, Mia opts for a minimal holiday set-up, with a cardboard Belen and a small Christmas tree. Beyond decorations, when it comes to Noche Buena, she and her family now choose their meals based on what would be beneficial more than once. “Iniisip namin, kinabukasan may ulam pa [ba] kami (We’d think about if we’d still have food for tomorrow),” she shares.

Mia’s sister, who works overseas, often sends packs of pasta to the Philippines for her family members to eat over the holidays. Then, she and her family would do their best to use a pack of pasta per occasion to lessen expenses. Ultimately, the effects of inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic remain a difficult reality to bear as individuals struggle to feel the joy of Christmas. “As Filipinos, we like to stick to our traditions, so kahit gumagapang na because of inflation, kailangan may handa sa Noche Buena, kailangan may pamasko (As Filipinos, we like to stick to our traditions, so even though we’re struggling because of inflation, we need to have something ready for Christmas

Eve, we need to give Christmas gifts),” Manlapaz expresses.

Similarly, although Alec remains excited for the holidays and a welldeserved break, they cannot deny the sadness that seeps into their heart as they recall the various expenses they’re expecting. “Inflation limits your options especially when you don’t have work,” they share sadly.

LOVE IN THE LONG HAUL

Facing inflation hinders the ability to fully enjoy the holidays, with time spent most on worrying about expenses and recalculating budgets. Despite hope seemingly running on short supply, Manlapaz, Mia, and Alec share similar sentiments on the holidays. For them, Christmas is a time meant for sharing, loving, and reuniting with loved ones.

Thus, in an economic reality where caring for oneself is an everyday struggle, dedicating time and effort to taking care of our loved ones this holiday season is still a valuable element of the spirit of Christmas. “Iba pa rin ‘yung naipagluluto mo ‘yung anak mo, naaasikaso mo (There’s a unique feeling being able to cook for your child, to be able to care for them),” Mia shares. Similarly, Alec expresses their excitement in being able to let go of their worries

on whether they would have food or not, and in being able to live as carefree as a child again. “Kami na ‘yung inaalagaan, [...] kasi nandoon na ‘yung mga magulang namin (We’d be the ones being taken care of, [...] because our parents are there),” they share.

Though tradition may change through inflation, the Christmas spirit resonates through the intimacies of each family in a variety of ways. Gift-giving may be limited to smaller circles, and decorations may be minimal, yet, for some, a loved one’s presence is a sufficient present to complete the holiday spirit. “You only get to understand the value of something once it’s not with you,” Manlapaz says, recalling time spent with her family.

As inflation has effectively changed celebrations and traditions, it brings forth a challenge to find joy in the simplest of things. While some struggle to do this on a regular day, others race to determine what completes their holiday celebration. This Christmas, the answers people hold onto may be the key to the true essence of holiday cheer.

*Editor’s Note: The interviewees’ names have been changed at their request to protect their identity and privacy.

DRAG Drag queens are masters of transformation, but behind the wigs, padding, and costumes are blood, sweat, and tears.

BALANCE IS a top priority of Gen Z. While hustle culture is prevalent, the generation cares a lot more about well-being, allowing them to look out for themselves by voicing out their demands in the different work contexts.

Take quiet quitting as an example—the practice of adhering to minimum job stipulations, or more candidly, “acting your wage.” While it started out as a response to a lack of financial compensation, quiet quitting has become possible in non-corporate settings: When balance is offset by shifting weights and priorities, one must recalibrate the scales to their favor.

Hustle, hit, quiet quit?

quitting, many people still go above and beyond at work, and a potential reason outside of motivation may as well be a fear of getting punished for “slacking off.”

As Ferreol works with Gen Z individuals, she sees a renewed approach towards work-life balance. “A lot of younger folks are seeing lifestyles that they could live other than working hard and putting pedal to the metal [because now] there’s a way to balance everything,” she shares.

MEETING IN THE MIDDLE

ABOVE

AND BEYOND, OR JUST ENOUGH?

These days, being well-rounded seems like a prerequisite for success. Achievers are no longer limited to the classroom, as they’re also found in organizations.

However, Council of Organizations of the Ateneo-Manila President Nina San Andres shares that she is not necessarily a fan of the “BS Org” phenomenon. “[Magis culture is] helpful because I know a lot [of people] get to help out in many ways, [but] it’s harmful because sometimes people don’t know when to stop. They keep trying to do more, even though it burns them out,” she shares.

For San Andres, organizational quiet quitters still do the work mainly because failing to do so puts one’s reputation at risk. In this non-corporate setting, monetary compensation is then replaced by the prestige of leadership positions. A sad byproduct of hustle culture

is that people pursue these opportunities at the top because of their résumé value.

“If you’re the head of a certain org, they’d instantly associate you [with it] because you represent [it]. So, it’s definitely more difficult to quiet quit. I don’t think people would quit if they are held to that regard,” she shares in reference to a Twitter thread asking if student leaders’ views could be separated from their organizations.

Juggling the responsibilities that come with these opportunities is another story, especially when one must hit the brakes. For University of the Philippines

Raise the bar

Drinking is central to the epic event that is the college experience, useful for understanding one’s self and celebrating one’s individuality.

BY ARIANA ENRIQUEZ AND GABBY ROSALES

IT’S FRIDAY evening. The last deadline for the week was finally met, and it is time to celebrate. Here come the Ateneans flocking to bars along Katipunan and the tipsy friends staggering on their barkada’s shoulders—everyone eager to fill the night with college memories to look back on one day.

Jamaal S. Omamalin, LPT, author of the journal article “Tagay ta, Bai!”: The Social Dynamics of Filipino Social Drinking,” cites the impetus behind the ubiquitous college inuman. One, college is very demanding, and alcohol drinking provides an escape from all the academic stress. Two, socialization is essential for adolescents, and drinking helps build relationships. Lastly, drinking provides a sense of liberation from the clutches of the domestic household scene, away from rules imposed by their parents. For drinkers and nondrinkers alike, such intricacies of university social drinking reveal insights into the notion of the token “college experience.”

CHEER(S) UP!

Hoping to make meaning out of the mundane, Omamalin adopted an anthropological view of drinking, inspired by his own drinking experiences during his

undergraduate years in Cebu. Together with co-members of the student council, Omamalin frequented the nearest bars at the end of a stressful week.

The tagay or “drinking session” tradition may vary across age profiles, but the dynamics remain the same: There is the tanggero or “gunner” who pours the shots. The rest must then drink up. Unique to university drinking, though, the alcohol for younger individuals is “more exciting,” as they are still open to figuring out their limits and strengths. They may black out one time, but they learn when to step on the brakes the next time around. According to Omamalin, younger generations espouse the ideas of freedom, independence, and emotional expressiveness this way.

At the end of it all, the focus is being part of the tagay session, building each other up instead of minding public perception and cultural adherence. Through vulnerability in their support group, adolescents may become more open to sharing their inner selves, which is a goal among many college students who look forward to finding themselves in this pivotal stage of their lives.

Diliman student and intern Sab Precilla, fulfillment lies in having balance everywhere. Thus, she welcomed an internship for the learning experience. Then, Precilla recalls that recognition of her effort mattered more to her than monetary compensation.

Camaraderie and curiosity were the highs that sustained her for a while—until schoolwork started piling up. As she lost her footing, Precilla saw the need to quiet quit. Looking at the bigger picture reminded her that her internship is just one part of life. “My initial disappointment turned into selfawareness, and something I still

think about is that I can excel if I know my limits,” Precilla shares.

GENERATIONAL BRIDGES, NOT GAPS

In educational psychology, the zone of proximal development (ZPD) is the space between what a learner can learn unsupervised and what they can learn with guidance.

Ed-tech startup KadaKareer’s Founder and PowerSchool’s Director of International Product Strategy Michi Ferreol shares that the ZPD at work is a “perfect middle ground between being overstretched and being too comfortable.” In her career, Ferreol

has seen both the 120% effort put in advocacy-based work alongside the long hours of doing management consulting work herself. While not feeling the tendencies herself, she says that quiet quitting is normal, especially when personal life must come first. “Just doing what’s expected of you isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You shouldn’t always feel the need to supersede or go beyond, especially if there are other things that are more important to you,” Ferreol says.

On the other hand, Ferreol also points out that “acting our wages is a bit of a privilege.” Despite the supposed prevalence of quiet

Ultimately, doing well and doing more are worthwhile goals—but excellence does not need to come at the expense of sanity. A thriving workplace and environment is a two-way street: People should strive to do well, but they must also be in places that make them want to do so.

“We’re moving to a state of the world that cares a lot more about balance, a lot of that is because we’ve burned ourselves [out].... The fact that burnout has become an official disease classified by the World Health Organization is an indication of that,” Ferreol says.

Quiet quitting can technically be combated through better wages and company benefits. For Ferreol, this practice must start at the executive level, where worklife balance is non-negotiable, not a luxury. Walking the tightrope of life and juggling responsibilities are no easy feats. Regaining one’s balance afteran inevitable slip—with or without quiet quitting—helps anyone hit the sweet spot of growth and wellness.

A TALE OF TWO PARTIES

age media, bars are a hot spot for the exploration of one’s newfound sense of adulthood. Widely believed to be a marker of legality and maturity, drinking encourages many young adults to figuratively and literally try their shot at the university night scene.

Two students that have participated in this culture are Kean Nerecina (2 BS/M AMF) and Phoebe de Leon (2 AB POS-MPM).

Not only a regular partygoer but a party-planner himself, Nerecina has thoroughly learned the ropes of the university drinking scene. He sees this as the ideal setting for forming—and rekindling— connections with other people. With alcohol and company mixed

commitments in college. “People want to have fun and destress, [and drinking] is super accessible!” he exclaims.

On the other hand, de Leon is a nondrinker by choice and is comfortable with her role as the designated sober friend. However, she is no stranger to the drinking scene, having tried it once with a small group of friends. Dabbling into alcohol to “experiment” with her preferences, she arrived at the conclusion it was not for her. “A lot of my friends drink at night, and I am not really a night-out kind of person, especially if it is spontaneous,” she says.

Aside from helping discover one’s preferences, university

and its inverse, the fear of missing out. The “token college life” is widely romanticized in popular culture, subjecting many young people to thinking that drinking is the pinnacle of social interactions.

To each their own, as they say— but how easily is that honored in the university drinking scene when the pressure for the perfect college life is at an all-time high?

WORTH A SHOT?

While Nerecina and de Leon have different perspectives on drinking, they believe that the culture around it has a lot to do with the concept of the “ultimate college experience.” With that emerges a certain likelihood of peer

pressure, to which both

respond

For Nerecina, trying anything and everything could be defined as the “ultimate college experience.” However, he clarifies that you do not have to drink to party, especially when it is influenced by peer pressure. “It is okay to listen to music and just talk to people [during the inuman],” he affirms.

De Leon agrees that the university drinking scene is about the “pursuit of fun or new things.” In college, a big part of this is trying to find what “fun” means because it looks different for everyone, depending on each person’s values, preferences, interests, and dreams. Ultimately, there is no shame in going with or against the Friday night crowd.

TARA, POP? The recent shift to the on-site setting has welcomed the new set of bars and drinking pubs that have now become college students go-to areas after a day of classes and lectures. PHOTO BY SOLEIL NICOLETTE

Quiet quitting seems like the calm taking everyone by storm. Whether one sees it as reasonable or burdensome, it’s time to look at what it stems from, entails, and implies from the bottom up.

FELICIA SINGSON AND ALLY DE LEON ILLUSTRATION BY JULIA ISABELLE YABUT

Undercovering the Alter-verse

BY KENT LAGUMBAY AND AURELIA SOLABA PHOTOS BY KAT GUILLERMO

EXPLICIT SEXUAL expression, considered taboo and dirty, is not openly showcased in Philippine society. Discussing sex and desire is hardly ever acceptable, so these topics are all talked about in whispers and secret, hard-to-reach places instead.

People often explore their erotic pleasures online, indulging their fantasies and fueling others’ by adopting a new persona on Twitter through an “alter” account. Although based on a simple premise, millions of these accounts then serve to free their users from their repressive realities. The alter community remains open for heteronormative individuals to embody their sexual needs, too, but this space is often the most liberating for LGBTQ+ members.

REALITY THROUGH BRUISED EYES

Discovering Alter Twitter is often a result of simple curiosity. “[P]eople don’t get into the community instantly. You find out about it through your main account and then you get exposed [to the community],” Divina*, a bisexual transwoman, explains.

The interest and appeal of the alter community often stem from repressed sexual urges felt in real life. Divina describes the upsetting reality of sexual expression in the Philippines, “[As] a Christian society, male sexuality is celebrated. Their body count is bragged about, but women are defined by their hymen.”

However, Divina adds that erotic repression is worse for queer people. “[Queer sexual expression is] more condemned because they are performing. They are showing it to the world,” Divina continues. In this sense, there is no privacy for queer people. Since their erotic identities are externally influenced, it oftentimes becomes the case that religious institutions enforce their own conservative overtones to these discussions on sexuality and decree any hint of LGBTQ+ eroticism monstrous. At the end, queerness is only tolerated as long as it is perceptually asexual.

Nevertheless, reality is not wholly bad for Divina. She describes herself as feminine, flamboyant, visible, and liberated. She is not blind to the Philippines’ increasing acceptance of her community, with more people moving away from conservative tradition and discussing queer culture. With drag culture’s entry into mainstream media— through shows like Drag Race Philippines, the ongoing Drag Den Philippines, and live performances—there is an expanding interest and enjoyment of queer culture like never before.

However, she still feels the palpable public distaste for queer sexuality beyond the glitz and glamour of these performances. “At its core, the Philippines is| still… very misogynistic and bigoted,” she explains. Even if sex- and gendermotivated violence against

the LGBTQ+ community is

creating their own safe space

DIVINA

not front-page, it remains an ever-present danger.

Openly displaying queer sexuality in a conservative nation like the Philippines places these marginalized people at risk of real harm simply by parading their identities in the real world. The physical spaces are where they are most prone to becoming victims of bigoted brutality. Worse, there are still no laws in place to protect the safety of the community since the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Equality Bill failed to pass through Congress in 2019.

A SPACE TO BE

Faced with everyday discrimination, the LGBTQ+ community has resorted to

by utilizing cyberspace and making what is now known as Alter Twitter. The personas that the community members establish here are often bolder than their real-life selves. In their newfound spaces, they meet new people, upload adult content, and consume it.

However, Alter Twitter is not purely about sex. “[It] is not really just a pornographic community, it’s [also] a queer community,” Divina shares.

Literature on Alter twitter explains that communicating with another person as alters is a painstaking process because of the distrust inherent to anonymity. To resolve this issue, the first step to creating relationships in the alter world is by slowly building up trust and mutual understanding between communicating users. Once

rapport is established, they then exchange personal information such as phone numbers or Facebook Messenger names. Thus, while these relationship dynamic is based on cybersex or friendship, the connection sometimes moves into the real world for people to become real friends or engage in casual sex.

Nonetheless, these connections are still restricted since some users create alter accounts to communicate their sexual expression, desires, and interests in a safe, separate space instead of doing it in real life. Divina says it is an unspoken rule to maintain this duality because it is uncomfortable to embody queer sexuality in the real world. Ultimarely, separation is vital to ensuring personal and community safety—being linked to queer eroticism can lead to harm.

Additionally, allowing anyone to consume and create sexual content is freeing but open to exploitation. Divina herself first entered the community at the age of 17. Thankfully, she was cautious and suspicious as she navigated the new alter universe. “I was not interacting with anyone because people had tendencies to be manipulative… I just consumed the content,” she explains. Divina further elaborates, “The liberated community… can be a nest for grooming, child pornography, just in general pedophilia crimes.”

She also laments that some users are financially struggling students funding their studies by selling selfmade sexual content. Thus, a difficult question for the alter community emerges: How do you regulate that which is meant to be unregulated?

NOWHERE TO GO BUT HERE

Alter Twitter may be flawed, but it is still LGBTQ+ members’ platform for sexual expression. Queer individuals cling to Alter Twitter as there are few other avenues where they can express themselves sexually without being scrutinized or scorned. Although it is equally stigmatizing, it is more accepting and open than reality, where they are constantly afraid of being hurt, insulted, or killed.

The duality of being an alter and normal person emerges out of necessity— a product of repression. Whether poverty or gender discrimination, the members of the alter community are victims of suffocating inequalities and bigotry in the real world. No space, whether it is in the online or offline world, allows them to be a whole being. Thus, they settle for dividing themselves into varying personas in equally stigmatizing spaces.

Editor's Note: The interviewee’s name has been changed at her request to protect her identity and privacy.

Burdened by a lack of security in the real world, many queer individuals seek solace online. Here, they find Alter Twitter—an online community of anonymous users utilizing their accounts to sexually and socially interact with others.

There is more judgment in real life and more difficulty [expressing] parts of yourself because it’s considered shameful.

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Behind the drag

YOU CAN’T tell by the way she struts—with her cinched waist, silvered hair, and glittered eyes—that this superstar is just as vulnerable as she was the day she was born. Naked. The rest? Drag.

The Filipino drag community has received a special spotlight this year as shows like Drag Race Philippines air to commercial acclaim and Drag Den Philippines wraps up production. Drag culture, however, has been rich long before these shows came into the scene with its vibrant nightlife, cutthroat industry, and shared experiences making up the queens we see today.

A STAR IS BORN

Filipino drag, despite its now glamorous persona, did not have bright origins. As far back as the 900s AD, Babaylan spiritual ancestors practiced the art of symbolic crossdressing. However, this practice was diametrically opposed to the Christian teachings introduced by the Spanish regime centuries later.

Crossdressers were then made to be seen as threats to society, so they hid underground for years until Japanese soldiers picked them up to be mere objects of their sexual desires. This tainted history cast a dark light on Filipino drag, only coming up as the butt of jokes in blockbuster movies and TV shows.

Internationally, though, drag’s presence has been stronger. Thus, local drag queens took cues from global icons to build confidence and bring Filipino drag out of its colonial shell.

Like many, drag queen Jameson Atenta was oblivious to the world of drag until he

came across RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR). Then, after being introduced to the local drag scene by a drag queen he befriended, Atenta found himself entranced by the artform. “Sabi ko [sa sarili ko], there’s this kind of queer art performances pala, an artistic transformation of queer culture,” he expresses.

Consuming all things drag, Atenta eventually stumbled upon The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, a drag competition much like RPDR—only much spookier. Having resonated more with the dark and experimental styles of drag, he was finally motivated enough to begin his drag journey at the age of 16.

For drag queen Ryan Pronstoller, on the other hand, drag hit close to home. With an uncle that was loud and proud of his craft, Pronstoller grew up in the ‘80s watching drag performances. “I didn’t even know that it was like drag. It’s just like… ‘this is interesting. It’s funny because [my uncle] is dressing as a woman,’” he explains.

It was only in Pronstoller’s early 20s that he began to understand what drag was and just how empowering it could be. Dressed up as Imelda Marcos on a Halloween night in 2000, he felt like he could do anything he wanted as passersby watched him in awe. However, it was not until he turned 40 that drag for the then-advertising executive became less of a costume and more of a passion—one that he could pursue full-time.

WATCH HER SHINE

Pronstoller’s drag persona came from a single conversation with a coworker. “[He told me,]

BY AIDAN BERNALES AND KATRINA B. ANTONIO

it’s hilarious if you’re a tita that’s irreverent, tacky, campy, tactless pero fabulous,” he shares. Although clueless when it came to both glamor and social media, he put on a blond wig and a full face of make-up and took his pictures to Instagram. Suddenly, Tita Baby was born.

Tita Baby’s social media follower count began to grow, and she eventually got her first gig. The four-hour long hosting stint then served as a stepping stone for bigger opportunities. Brands started approaching her for collaborations, where she would inject Tita Baby’s infectious camp into endorsements and campaigns. While exploring the business of drag, Tita Baby was learning how to style wigs and improve her make-up skills through YouTube tutorials and pure grit.

On his end, Atenta also had to learn the ropes going into his first drag competition, which proved difficult without proper resources at hand. For his make-up, he turned to his friends. He then styled an old jacket to perfection and ended up walking a runway alongside American drag queen, Aquaria.

It was during this show that Atenta felt the true power of drag and the community of artists that came with it.

Starting with boy drag—a style characterized by minimal make-up and male clothing— Atenta slowly transformed into Slaytina, whose style was decked out in dark aesthetics along with glam silhouettes. She eventually started getting invitations to perform at local bars, for which she would create intricate wig pieces and jaw-

dropping choreography all on her own.

Despite developing two very different types of drag, Slaytina and Tita Baby have both found their own success. At 20, Slaytina has gone on to perform on national television and become a cover girl for Scene Magazine. Tita Baby, on the other hand, has worked with brands such as Lazada and has received praise from the likes of singer Regine Velasquez.

However, with the highs come the death drops.

Both drag queens attested to the competitiveness of the drag community in the Philippines. For example, although Atentahas found peace through his drag family, Pronstoller recalls a hostile experience. “[I was] backstage and nand’un na ‘yong [performer] queens. There was this air na parang [I was] not welcome here,” he says.

Outside the drag community, queens also experience disrespectful behavior from audience members, some of whom touch them without consent. However, Atenta pointed out that while drag queens are entertainers, they are people first: “Behind all of this heavy makeup, the fantasy, transformations, and characters, there is still a human.”

UNBREAKABLE

The national drag community nevertheless continues to break boundaries and transcend preconceived stereotypes. “[It’s the tenacity] that makes Filipino drag unique,” Pronstroller says. Tenacity, by definition, is the act of persisting to exist. He cites drag queen Manza whose audacious trapeze stunts and fearless vent pipe death drops as a clear-cut

model of how Filipino drag can only get better in its efforts to survive the changing of the tides.

The pandemic also forced queens to stay tenacious despite the grave conditions. “In the pandemic, bumagsak ang entertainment industry. Bumagsak din talaga ‘yung drag art. Talagang kumapit kami that time sa mga [Facebook] Live (In the pandemic, the entertainment industry dipped, as well as drag art. We really depended on Facebook Lives),” Atenta recalls.

Pronstroller, whose online persona thrived during the pandemic, still felt heartbroken when his fellow queens would tell him they no longer had gigs. As each gig was canceled, drag queens then had to make do with claustrophobic social media performances just so they wouldn’t lose the very thing that keeps them true and alive.

Thus, while the entertainment aspect of drag is what makes it so fun to do, its message is what makes it essential for the drag queens. For Slaytina—who

also performed during One Big Pride—drag is a protest. “The first gay man who threw a stone at Stonewall was a drag queen. The moment you wear your wig, you’re protesting already,” he says in a mix of English and Filipino.

More than power and protest, drag is ultimately a labor of love. “I’m turning 45 next year,” Pronstroller says wistfully. “The older you get, [dreams] become illusions… [Tita Baby] is a chance to turn those illusions into dreams again. Parang second life.”

For Atenta, there is only one life. “Wala si Jameson kung wala si Slaytina (Jameson wouldn’t be here if not for Slaytina),” he says. Throughout the interview, he refers to her as his “lifesaver.” Slaytina, for him, is Jameson to the nth degree.

“With her, no one can break me,” he asserts, echoing the words of the thousands of drag queens that walk the streets of this country like mirror balls—bearing their pieces, but shining nonetheless.

QUEEN STAYS QUEEN. Behind the extravagant appearances of drag queens lies the face of someone who still faces hardship both in and out of the wigs and make-up.

PHOTO BY MIGUEL ABAD

Behind all of this heavy makeup, the fantasy, transformations, and characters, there is still a human.

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SLAYTINA