THE OFFICI A L STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE ATENEO DE M A NIL A UNI V ERSIT Y
FURTHER W ITH THE TRUTH
VOL. XC NO. 5
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020
Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo de Manila adds nine-month course to its programs BY ZOEY C. ATILLO, MOIRA V. CAYABYAB, AND FRANCHESCA FAJEMOLIN TO INTEGR ATE culinary mastery with academic excellence, the University partnered with international culinary institute Le Cordon Bleu to establish Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo de Manila Institute (LCBAI) which is set to offer its signature nine-month program Diplome de Cuisine in the Philippines. The Institute also re-launched the four-year undergraduate degree Bachelor of Science in Restaurant Entrepreneurship (BS REnt) under the John Gokongwei School of Management. As the leading global network of culinary arts and hospitality management, Le Cordon Bleu developed the Diplome de Cuisine to teach comprehensive techniques in cuisine, gastronomy, and hospitality through an intensive and hands-on learning experience. Together with the University, the two institutions pioneered a program that integrates culinary arts with business and management in the newly offered BS REnt. LCBAI Institute Director Liza Morales pointed out that in comparison to other culinary courses in the Philippines, BS REnt in particular trains its students to evolve into entrepreneurs who promote nation-building.
Paris, London, [and] Australia,” he said. The nine months spent under the Diplome de Cuisine are divided into Basic, Intermediate, and Superior levels which each take up three months of the entire program and have different areas of focus and levels of difficulty as students progress. Morales explained that at the Basic level, students are taught the fundamentals of classic French cuisine, which are used as a foundation to learn more about a variety of recipes. The Intermediate and Superior levels give more focus on expanding their knowledge on food handling, mastering their cooking techniques, and working on food plating techniques. She also mentioned that LCBAI takes pride in its intense mentorship where chefs develop close interactions with their students who learn recipes in their individual work stations. “[The chefs] will be teaching you cooking and baking techniques that they have mastered through their years of experience. They will be by your side and at your back while you are learning all the techniques and all the skills that you will need to learn,” said Morales.
“Honestly, kitchen class feels a little like Masterchef. [Although] it is challenging, it is also really fun and fulfilling to be able to create different kinds of food,” said Uy. Meanwhile, the other two major categories, Restaurant Management and Management, are taught in a lecture setting. The former delves into topics that enable students to better understand the food industry like Food Quality Management and Wine Philosophy. On the other hand, the latter category builds a foundation for learning entrepreneurship skills such as Statistics and Marketing.
WORLD-CLASS TRAINING PROGRAM Morales recounted that Le Cordon Bleu and the University started their partnership a few years before laying the foundations to what would be known as LCBAI. She added that when choosing what culinary institute to partner with, the Ateneo considered how Le Cordon Bleu is also known for its quality of global excellence and its emphasis on innovation and creativity. “Le Cordon Bleu is the same as Ateneo de Manila in many ways. It’s known for excellence, innovation, and a wide network of alumni. We want to bring in the kind of expertise and the brand of culinary excellence that Le Cordon Bleu has in the Philippines. That’s why we have this partnership,” said Morales. LCBAI formally opened its doors on April 5, 2019. Starting with the four-year BS REnt degree’s launch in 2018, LCBAI now offers the Diplome de Cuisine, with the pioneer batch filling up the maximum capacity of 16 students. LCBAI Technical Director and Masterchef Thierry Le Baut said that this partnership gives Filipinos more opportunities to learn world-class culinary techniques in Metro Manila. “We are going to give exactly the same education they can take in
“NOT A CULINARY COURSE” A lthough the graduates receive diplomas from LCBAI, BS REnt Program Head Alyson Yap emphasized that BS REnt is “not a culinary course.” Unlike the Diplome de Cuisine which focuses on culinary arts, he said that the course aims to develop entrepreneurs who can start their own restaurants and create their own recipes, concepts, and the like. According to Yap, this goal is in line with the University’s mission to contribute to nation building by helping the country’s economy through restaurant businesses: “We need less people to work for big companies, and we need more people to create their own businesses so that they can provide livelihood to more people.” Moreover, Yap mentioned that the BS REnt program differentiates itself from similar courses such as hotel and restaurant management from other institutions through its three major subject categories: Culinary, Restaurant Management, and Management. First, the Culinary subjects equip students with knowledge on food, beverage, and restaurant service. These subjects are strictly handled by LCBAI’s own chefs and are conducted in its facilities. BS REnt sophomore Nadine Uy recounted that Le Baut would begin his two-unit French Cuisine course with a three-hour demonstration on three different dishes. The students would then attempt to replicate one of the dishes for the remaining three hours.
OTHER PROJECTS Aside from the existing LCBAI facility in Loyola Heights, Morales stated that they plan to expand the Institute in Rockwell Center to make culinary education available to aspiring students in those areas. For this reason, she said that the proposal for developing a second campus in the Ateneo Professional Schools is primarily motivated by geography. “We all know the traffic in Metro Manila is not ideal. We wanted to bring Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo’s culinary expertise and our capacity to share our knowledge to that side of Metro Manila,” said Morales. The University promises that both campuses will provide top-of-the-line equipment for its students with the standard, classical programs offered in both facilities. These signature programs are both the nine-month courses Diplome de Cuisine and Diplome de Patisserie, which will also be offered in the Loyola LCBAI campus starting in June 2020. However, Morales mentioned that the campus in Rockwell will offer new culinary experiences to its students: “In Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo Rockwell campus, we will offer Diplome de Boulangerie, which is basically bread-making. We will also have an Asian kitchen in the Rockwell campus thus we are planning to offer some courses on Asian cuisine.” At present, she said that Le Cordon Bleu has been offering short courses that focus on basic cooking techniques and food handling every Saturday since the third quarter of 2018. She mentioned that they conducted 10 successful short courses last year, with the help of technical director Masterchef Thierry Le Baut. Among these short courses were preparing Christmas dishes and French meals. Morales expressed that she is hoping for more people, especially those from the University, to enroll in LCBAI’s programs: “If they cannot commit to the ninemonth [Diplome de Cuisine] program, they can opt for the short courses.”
FEATURES
BEYOND LOYOLA
INQUIRY
A tale of two wars
On the wings of Eagle One
OPINION
An idol within
WORLD-CLASS INSTITUTE. Le Cordon Bleu Ateneo de Manila Institute opened their facilities to their first batch of students in 2019. | PHOTO BY ANGEL DIZON
“
We want to bring in the kind of expertise and the brand of culinary excellence that Le Cordon Bleu has in the Philippines. That’s why we have this partnership. LIZA MORALES LE CORDON BLEU ATENEO DE MANILA INSTITUTE DIRECTOR
Official website theguidon.com Like us on Facebook fb.com/TheGUIDON Follow us on Twitter @TheGUIDON Follow us on Instagram @theguidon Gain your Vantage vantage.theguidon.com
SPORTS SEA Games Special
Where there is smoke
2
News
Sanggu streamlines transparency efforts, services through website BY JILLIAN LOPEZ AND CHERLINE TRAJANO
THE SA NGGUNI A N, in partnership with the User Experience Society (UX Society), officially launched the Gazette Website last Februar y 23 . According to Sanggunian Deputy for Transparency Allyana Dee, the website will streamline the Sanggunian’s processes for all of its units. The website will include separate pages for all Sanggunian services such as Sabihin sa Sanggu (SSS), which serves as their main platform for concerns, and the Freedom of Information Application Form, which will allow students to request for access to specific documents. Previous memorandums and resolutions will also be made readily accessible online. The main purpose of the Gazette Website is to create a centralized go-to platform for students to access pertinent documents and direct their concerns. Over time, the Sanggunian aims to shift most of its services to the Gazette Website. CENTRALIZED PLATFORM Given the many services that will be available on the website, UX Society Design and Consultancy Officer Denise Quico said that the Gazette will be designed to ensure easy navigation and access.
Sanggunian Vice President Jb Bejarin explained how the Sa ngg unia n cur rently has different Facebook pages for each commission, which can cause confusion among students. Through the website, students can easily direct their concerns to a “centralized” platform. Quico also shared UX Society’s plans to display announcements from the Sanggunian on the website: “It’ll also have a fastupdate kind of interface, where it’ll be easy to find updates on the weather, class suspensions, and any special announcements through their own latest tweets and latest pubmats—as you will find on the sidebar of the website.” In addition to resolutions and memorandums, the Sanggunian is consider ing uploading minutes from the Central Assembly as well as its previous administrative meetings. “You can use all the files that we make available. That’s the plan,” Bejarin said. “The goal is [to] just put everything there because we don’t really know what people need, so let them play with the website.” According to Dee, Sanggunian application forms, subsidy requests, and resource partnership requests will also be made available. Other features will also
“
I think for Sanggu’s part, we have to make [our services] easier and more accessible for the students because we can’t let them do all the work. We have to meet them in the middle and help them access what they need. ALLYANA DEE SANGGUNIAN DEPUTY FOR TRANSPARENCY
include a gallery for Humans of Ateneo stories where students can easily access the content. Dee mentioned that there is also a contact page on the website so that students can have another avenue to direct their concerns aside from SSS. “I think for Sanggu’s part, we have to make [our services]
easier and more accessible for the students because we can’t let them do all the work. We have to meet them in the middle and help them access what they need,” Dee commented. CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT UX Society Vice President of User Experience Design Patricia
Ramos shared that the project was already initiated in 2017 when the Sanggunian approached them with the idea for the website. However, it did not successfully push through at the time. Sanggunian Vice President Jb Bejarin confirmed this, saying that because the prototype was not proposed early in the academic year, UX Society was unable to complete it within the academic year. “When you start in the middle of the year, it doesn’t work out,” Bejarin said. “The branding sessions kind of worked this year because it started really early [in the semester].” With efforts to re-initiate the project in June 2019, he added that a thorough review was necessary before applying further changes to the prototype. Ramos shared that efforts to continue the development of the website were done while considering input from interviews and focus group discussions with both the Sanggunian and the previous UX Society designers who designed the initial prototype. After conducting research, they began pursuing the initiative once again. Ramos further explained how the project came to fruition: “Despite the initial delays in the project timeline, I think the timing for the 2020 launch was
rather perfect since our efforts [to continue] the Gazette were able to coincide with Sanggu’s own rebranding efforts.” TRANSITIONING TO THE GAZETTE Dee said that the Sanggunian will be working closely with UX Society to monitor how the student body responds to the initiative, especially in the first few weeks after the website’s launch. In particular, they will be tracking the amount of traffic the website will receive. With this data, the Sanggunian will be able to assess whether Ateneans have adjusted to using the Gazette Website. “What’s good with [websites] is [that] it’s easy to track the data. Unlike with SSS, which was a Facebook platform, you rely on physical students—the Sanggu members—to track the data. That’s hard. With the website, we could track the users,” Bejarin shared. Although concerns sent to the Sanggunian’s Facebook pages will still be entertained, Bejarin said they encourage the student body to start utilizing the Gazette Website now that it has been launched. “We hope that whoever is next [Sanggu officers] would not only continue but [also] rely on data to decide the next policies [regarding the Gazette Website],” Bejarin said.
SCREEN CAPTURES COURTESY OF USER EXPERIENCE SOCIETY
EDITOR: MICAH AVRY GUIAO | LAYOUT ARTIST: KAITLYN MERCADO
3
LS seeks initiatives to increase emergency drill participation BY MINA MATA AND CHOLO HERMOSO FOR THE past two years, the number of Loyola School (LS) students who cooperate in the annual Earthquake, Fire, and Imminent Threat Drills has dwindled. According to LS Local Unit Emergency Response Team (LUERT) Head Chris Castillo, many of the students have been exiting campus during the evacuation drills since their participation is not mandatory. Castillo claims that one of the main reasons as to why most LS students refuse to partake in these drills is because they think these are an inconvenience. In light of this, Campus Safety and Mobility Office Director Marcelino Mendoza maintained the importance of emergency drills: “There are factors that we cannot control when an emergency happens. To minimize casualties, we have to be serious in following the instructions [in these drills].” Due to the declining number of LS participants in the annual emergency evacuation drills, the administration is looking into how it can strengthen drill protocols in hopes of ensuring participation from the entire student body. CURRENT PROTOCOL According to Mendoza, the annual Earthquake, Fire, and Imminent Threat Drills are conducted on campus at the same time and on the same date for all units in the Ateneo. The evacuation drills are spearheaded by the LUERT in cooperation with the University Emergency Management Team (UEMT). The UEMT operates as the branch of the LUERT that handles the Loyola Schools and takes charge of the drills for the University. Castillo explained that a LUERT is assigned to each unit in the Ateneo—from grade school to the professional schools. In particular, the LS LUERT heads the drill operations for college students. Since conducting the drills would mean extending school hours and altering dismissal times, Mendoza explained the need for the Grade School and High School LUERTS to notify the parents and guardians who will pick up the students.
Castillo added that information about these drills reaches most LS students, regardless of whether the LS LUERT announces the schedule to them or not. “The grade school and high school need to announce the time to the parents. Eh pag inannounce mo na sa isang unit, kahit na hindi natin inannounce [sa LS] , nalaman nila yun, ‘yun na ‘yun (If one unit announces the drill, even if drills are unannounced here [in the LS], once they find out, that’s it),” he said. Castillo mentioned that the students’ lack of enthusiasm and sense of urgency in doing these drills is an impediment to assessing how quickly students will move in the event of an emergency. On the other hand, Castillo claimed that students move faster when attempting to leave campus to avoid participating in the drills. “If there was an aerial shot, and there was one before, just before the start of the drill, you would find people rushing out [of the campus]. I wish that was the same sense of urgency and same pace they would have if they were in a drill,” said Castillo. STUDENT OPINIONS To strengthen safety and security on campus, Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa agreed that the evacuation drills must be unannounced to simulate a real crisis. “There’s no way we can predict emergencies, so it’s best to be prepared to face such situations as a community,” he said. However, Quiwa recognized the difficulty that most LS students face in participating in these school-wide drills, attributing it to their different schedules, which make it “difficult to require all students to attend at once.” One LS undergraduate student named Jan* explained her own reasons for avoiding the evacuation drills: “I always associated them with spending at least an hour under the sun and just a hassle in general.” For her, drills should not take up more than an hour and should be conducted at earlier or later times when the temperature is cooler to ensure that the exercises are more tolerable. She thinks that after these changes have been put in place, students like her may opt to participate in the evacuation drills more often.
INCREASING PARTICIPATION Despite the indifference many students feel towards these drills, Castillo stressed the importance of partaking in the evacuation simulations, as it increases one’s awareness in the event of an emergency. In that regard, the LS LUERT has brainstormed possible ways to increase student attendance in the University-wide drills. During a meeting with the UEMT, the LUERT proposed conducting campus evacuation drills that are unannounced for the entire Ateneo community. Castillo explained that this ensures that students do not exit campus during the drill proper and that they participate in the safety protocol “as if [the simulation] were a real [emergency].” Aside from these, the LS LUERT has requested that faculty members and the Sanggunian remind their respective circles to participate in the evacuation drills as well. “In the end, that’s all you can do really, tell them why it is important and ask them to please participate,” shared Castillo. In a similar way, Quiwa thinks that the administration should augment the current protocols in place to ensure safety awareness on campus in times of disaster. “[A] possible initiative that would support [this] is to require students in the Integrated Ateneo Formation programs to attend safety talks on disaster response,” he said. Castillo also introduced his idea to enforce a cut system where students who fail to participate in the evacuation drills will merit a cut in their class at the time of the drill. However, he said that it is very unlikely that this will be implemented. Inasmuch as forced participation is not the ideal solution the administration has in mind, Castillo stressed the importance of knowing how these drills benefit everyone. “At the end of the day, familiarity with what to do during these emergency situations is something that could save your life and the lives of the people around you,” Castillo said. *Editor’s Note: The name of the interviewee has been changed at their request in order to protect their identity and privacy.
“
There’s no way we can predict emergencies, so it’s best to be prepared to face such situations as a community. CHRIS CASTILLO LS LOCAL UNIT EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM HEAD CAMPUS SHUTDOWN. Students routinely proceed to the designated evacuation areas during the annual emergency drills. | PHOTOS BY RALPH LIM
4
Opinion
VOLUME XC, NO. 5 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020
Founded 1929 by Rev. Frank O’Hara, SJ First Editor-in-Chief, Manuel C. Colayco, AB ‘30
PURPOSE To serve as a record of Ateneo history in the making; to serve as an organ of journalistic expression; to serve God and country. Alithea C. Soriano, AB COM ‘20 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Margarita C. Gonzalez, BS PSY ‘20 ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Jyra Zoe T. Ang, BS LM ‘20 MANAGING EDITOR
Jason T. Mariano, BS ITE ‘21 DESIGN EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Micah Avry L. Guiao, BFA CW ‘21 NEWS EDITOR
Kirby G. Jalandoni, BS ME ‘20 Joaquin Josemaria A. Santos, BS ME ‘20 SPORTS EDITORS
Danielle Margaux R. Garcia, BS CTM ‘21 BEYOND LOYOLA EDITOR
Andrea Mikaela B. Llanes, AB COM ‘22 FEATURES EDITOR
Kenneth John Tristan R. Chan, AB LIT (ENG) ‘21 INQUIRY EDITOR
Zoe Arianna T. Andin, AB IS ‘21 Annicka B. Koteh, BS ME ‘20 VANTAGE MAGAZINE EDITORS
Tatiana L. Maligro, AB COM ‘22 Patricia Anne D. Villoria, AB COM ‘21 BROADCAST NEWS EDITORS
Ana Sofia Ignacio, BS LfSci ‘21 Ronaldo Gabriel J. Santiago, BS MGT ‘20 PHOTOS EDITORS
Carmela B. Masiglat, BFA ID ‘22 Neil Christian R. Reyes, BS CH-MSE ‘23 GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITORS
Mariana D. Gardoce, AB COM ‘22 VIDEO PRODUCTION EDITOR
Beatrice R. Bacason, AB COM ‘22 VIDEO PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Frances Isabella D. Martin BFA ID ‘20 Jacob Uriel R. Quintos, BS CS ‘21 DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT DEPUTIES
John Matthew G. Yuching, AB COM ‘21 EXTERNALS MANAGER
Bianca Mae R. Aragones, BS PSY ‘20 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Deana P. Pagtalunan, BS ME ‘20 Bryce R. Rubi, BS ME ‘21 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS
Koji Bryant P. Baui, BS ME ‘20 Francine Jemima C. Tan, BS ME ‘20 RESEARCH MANAGERS
NEWS Billie Asuncion, Zoey C. Atillo, Moira V. Cayabyab, Franchesca Fajemolin, Leika Golez, Cholo Hermoso, Jillian Lopez, Mina Mata, Allianza O. Pesquera, Frans G. Regala, Cherline Trajano, Patricia G. Yap SPORTS Apa D. Aquino, Joseph B. Banaag, Xavier C. Bautista, Neal R. Beltran, Jeremy L. Chua, Ally S. Crespo, Jaime D. David, Selina A. de Dios, Miguel A. Dimaiwat, Nielbert A. Dy, James B. Gavina, Gio P. Guinto, Gerrick C. Limsiy, Lei P. Macaranas, Javier P. Map,a Joachim Miguel Melo, Juliana Sistine L. Ong, Miguel G. Policarpio, Ra Solomon BEYOND LOYOLA Jasey C. Cruz, Pioee B. Bassig, Raphael C. Dela Cruz, Carlo O. Fernandez, Derick M. Gabrillo, Zachary C. Gonzales, George D. Kho, Marco C. Ocampo-Tan, Justine Ferrer Ramirez, Frances C. Roberto FEATURES Benjie Bernal, Adrian Jesper C. Cea, Russell Louis Ku, Enzo Lagamon, Angel Martinez, Eala Julienne P. Nolasco, Keziah Maru Z. Pasion, Aisha C. Said, Adrian Soriano, Genesis Jacinth Tan, Andrea Tibayan, Rence D. Tubon, Aaron D. Tolentino INQUIRY Kiana R. Altoveros, Cat Aquino, Francis Caiga, Sean D. Carballo, Ann Gabrielle Domingo, Eun Seo Ha, Gerard Ignacio, Justin B. Jimenez, Jean Mangaluz, Jay C. Munsayac, Malaika E. Paculan, Marga P. San Juan, Manolo G. Soliven VANTAGE MAGAZINE Zofia Agama, Tiffany Bernardo, Jana V. Codera, Natalie R. Gavino, Justin Ginete, Therese Hipol, Lyrah Lapid, Daniela Lorenzo, Anya Nellas, Roberto A. Orosa, Arnald Paguio, Danielle H. Ramos, Beatriz C. Reyes, Gabriel V. Saulog, Caitlin Anne Young, Nigel Yu BROADCAST NEWS Cristina Batalla, Una Garcia, Belle Gregorio, Samantha S. Onglatco, Martin C. Ramos, Teo A. Ricaforte, Joaquin Salazar, Ria Tenido, Kathleen U. Yap PHOTOS Raya Barreiro, Nate Bosano, Trina Camacho, Julia Carpio, Jim Dasal, Angel Dizon, Jerry Feng, Jamie Go, Ralph Lim, Gabriel Medina, Bruce Ong, Michael Perfecto, Marco Ricafort, Casey Mateo, Regine Salumbre, Cristina Sim, Paulina Singh, Reyneal Vargas, Kelly Veneracion, Alexis Wang, Paolo Yaptinchay, Izza Zamoranos GRAPHIC DESIGN Fidess Bisnar, Tiffany Cu, Cecilia Datiles, Romeo A. Descalso III, Alvin Dy, Tan Yu Ling Fabro, Andy Granda, Frances Lopez, Mikhaella Norlin Magat, Mika Medina, Kaitlyn Mercado, Denev C. Ng, Iverson Ong, Cara Lee Padilla, Cameron Polintan, Geri Puno, Kurt Tan, Viktor Valix VIDEO PRODUCTION Ena Algopera, Angelique Bagapuro, Louise Margaret L. Del Rosario, Fran Enriquez,Yanna Estrellado, Alissa Evangelista, Alexis Nicole N. Ferreras, Therese Macasaet, Julian Michael Maiz, Danielle Angela G. Rosales, Kristine Sinamban, Jaf Tumale, Denise Tumaliuan, Rafa Mikael D. Villon DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT Keith Bartido, Anton Gerard S. Benitez, Andrea Lauren T. Chung, Davin Sean Cuaso, Tomas Falgui III, Giddy Garcia, Kat D. Garcia, Tria Gonzales, Prezil A. Ong, Ezekiel Juanito E. Ordoveza, Miggy Pinaroc, Alannah Mitra, Bea Katrina Sison, Harvey Jay M. Sison, Jonathan Talbot EXTERNALS Tricia R. Alcantara, Tiffany C. Lao, Nikki Macaraig, Hannah Magnaye, Dominique U. Manipor, Marina Patricia B. Peneyra, Donna B. Ramirez, Sofia Sanchez, Katrina Bernice M. Tan, Jorge Alfred R. Taruc HUMAN RESOURCES Bianca Angeles, Margaux Andrea G. Arcinas, Mookie M. Borja, Emerson Enriquez, Marianne M. Goh, Anicia Guanlao, Keisha Mercado, James Vincent Natera, Cielo C. Regalado, Karl R. Salvador, Katchy G. Segui, Regina Mae C. Yu RESEARCH Cedric M. Bata, Christie A. Corpin, Azequiel P. De Luna, Gabriel Carlo T. Gamulo, Miguel H. Palmero, Kiara D. Rodriguez, Lance Y. Tiu, Earl Christian L. Yu SOCIAL MEDIA Jose Angelo Buenaventura, Gia Crisologo, Enrique B. Halili, Joaquin Querido
Luz R. Rimban MODERATOR
For comments, suggestions and contributions, email
desk@theguidon.com
EDITORIAL CARTOON BY VIKTOR VALIX
Clearing the smoke THE ERUPTION of the Taal Volcano on January 12 forced more than 300,000 residents from surrounding areas to evacuate their homes. As soon as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismolog y (PHI VOLCS) lowered the alert level from Level 4 to Level 3, checkpoints were installed to maintain security and order for residents making their way back home. Although PHIVOLCS has been issuing initial warnings since March 28 2019, criticisms aiming to discredit the government agency surfaced from government officials. Following the Taal Volcano eruption, some government officials questioned PHIVOLCS’ credibility due to its alleged lack of warnings, turning a blind eye to the root of the issue: Fractured science communication in the Philippines. For example, Talisay Vice Mayor Charlie Natanauan criticized PHIVOLCS Chief Seismologist Renato Solidum’s warnings of an “imminent hazardous eruption,” calling these opinion-based. Meanwhile, Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio
Barzaga Jr. called for a House probe to investigate PHIVOLCS’ failure to release sufficient warnings ahead of the eruption. These statements from government officials manifest distrust towards science-backed recommendations for disaster preparedness. The solution to this lies in leading by example: The media need to foster trust in scientists’ input on disaster management and monitoring, and their contributions to public safety. BREAKING BARRIERS One of the major challenges towards openness to facts is Filipinos’ tendency to choose faith over science when confronted with adversities, standing by religious beliefs such as bahala na ang Diyos (God will provide). In healthrelated issues such as vaccination, scientific data is sometimes believed to be pagan, contributing to public hesitance in trusting science-backed information. Some people doubt the credibility of science mainly because it offers approximates on the natural world. However, it may
be helpful for Filipinos to consider what lies in the heart of science: Uncertainty, which will remain constant as times change. Change then stands as the foundation of research—despite uncertainty, science is still capable of providing reliable recommendations for disaster response and prevention. These approximates remain useful in ensuring public safety, such as when seismology is integral to planning institutional earthquake drills. COLLABORATIVE EFFORT Filipinos from all walks of life must learn to trust the sciences, especially in cases of disaster—one way to achieve this is by reevaluating how science is communicated at the educational level. However, educational institutions have yet to standardize the varying methods of teaching science-related subject matters to students. With this, there is a need to find more accessible channels to disseminate such information. The Philippine media plays a crucial role in helping this cause—the communication of scientific findings and developments in a clear
and entertaining way may aid in capturing public attention. Better science communication between the media and the public fosters an understanding of science-related issues as well. One way that the media can achieve this is by changing the way it delivers content to its audiences—making unfamiliar scientific jargon more digestible to the public and regularly covering science-related news are examples of doing so. For scientists, a myth-buster approach to communicating some scientific findings can temper controversies or conspiracy theories. Media may also popularize science TV shows that are relevant to common people such as those found on National Geographic. As an inf luential entity, the media holds the power to contribute substantially to changing perceptions of science in the country. Otherwise, faulty perceptions of science may remain uncorrected. However, science communication is not a one-way street. It is just as important for audiences to provide scientists their feedback and inquiries about the
information they receive. Providing channels for open communication minimizes the gaps between scientists and the public. Online websites and news about science may include forum discussions that allow for more interactions between scientists and the public. Through this, science becomes increasingly present, accessible, and sustained in the country. LOOKING ON Bolstering science communication in the country is a necessary step towards fostering transparent communication among scientists, government officials, and the general public. Doing so will improve the Philippines’ disaster risk management and response and promote close collaboration with scientists—such as those in PHIVOLCS—who constantly work to improve society’s quality of life. The genera l public’s mistrust towards scientists following the Taal Volcano eruption emphasizes the need for better science communication in the Philippines. However, its success lies in empowering scientists, creating channels for public inquiry, and simplifying complex scientific information.
CHALK MARKS
Buried in footnotes BY MICHAEL D. PANTE
PERHAPS NOTHING in college life deserves an “ok boomer” response from students than how teachers have explained the value of academic citation of sources. Teaching students how to prepare footnotes and bibliographies for their papers is one thing. Making them appreciate this arcane practice is an entirely different matter. It is bad enough that students deal with citation formats that vary from subject to subject. Oftentimes, they simply do as they’re told without paying attention to the whole exercise since they will have no need for it anyway in the “real world.”
By usual standards, I belong to the millennial generation. However, as a teacher of Philippine history—and when it comes to citing sources in historical research—I am quite old school for my age. For years, I have always explained the value of academic citation using the formulaic line “standing on the shoulder of giants.” Or, put in another way: Scholarly references are our way of acknowledging the debt of knowledge that we owe to eminent historians who have done research work before we even got here. Ok, boomer. Indeed, a call out is in order for this deferential, if not low-key h iera rch ica l, approach to knowledge, especially given the Marcoses’ historical revisionism and rehabilitation in recent years. Many were quick to blame the country’s poor educational system that had supposedly
generated a huge population of diploma holders with no firm grasp of Philippine history, especially the grim reality of Martial Law. Left to their own devices (quite literally for some), these impressionable youngsters filled in the gaps in their historical knowledge with pro-Marcos propaganda found in social media, according to pundits. And yet it was largely students and fresh graduates who poured into the streets once word got out that Marcos’s remains were to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani in November 2016. It was them en masse shouting new slogans against the late dictator and his presidential sepulturero: Thesis ang nirerevise, hindi history! Make no mistake about it: Historical revisionism is a potent force and has to be confronted. However, the current crop of youth activism should also compel us to rethink how to deal with the enemy. For instance,
rather than emphasize the purported knowledge gap among contemporary young Filipinos when it comes to martial law history, won’t it be more apt to focus on the generational gap reinforced by new modes of information acquisition? Lest we forget, the first generation of web users were passive viewers of content that someone else made for them; such is obviously no longer the case in today’s internet where content consumers are themselves content producers entangled in social networks. Similarly, who wants to be passive and puny standing on the shoulders of giants when you can contribute to the making of history? Such is a thrust of Tanggol Kasaysayan, an advocacy group that I am a part of. It seeks to combat historical revisionism and promote a deeper appreciation for the country’s past among the Filipino youth. However, its membership is not limited
to professors and published scholars. Its network includes history enthusiasts (especially among the students), journalists from alternative media, bloggers and vloggers, even the boomers of the First Quarter Storm generation—an inclusivity rooted in the recognition that defending history is too important a task to be left to historians alone. In this light, citing sources remains valuable because it is a solemn reminder to the researcher that historical knowledge is not a product of an individual working alone but the fruit of a collective endeavor. An essay, a book, an entire discipline—all of these we do not owe to the genius of a select few intellectual giants; these are formed out of the anonymous contributions of people whose toiling shoulders make history possible. Michael D. Pante is an Assistant Professor at the History Department. He may be reached at mpante@ ateneo.edu.
The GUIDON | January-February 2020
BLUE JE A NS
Blurred lines BY MICHAELA THERESA L. TORRES
LIKE MANY others, I was born and raised in a culture that gave value to trustworthiness. I was made to believe that a pinky swear would always seal a promise, that a man’s word would always be his bond, and that a handshake would always settle a dispute. But now, in this post-truth era, how can integrity reign when being honest has become a value that is so rare nowadays? The issues of fake news and misinformation have been around for quite some time. In retrospect, truth was a value that was
Effervesence NEIL R. REYES
It’s more than just data SCIENCE INVOLVES the systematic study of the uncertain. Sparked by curiosity and a passion for innovation, scientists try to uncover unanswered questions through conducting hundreds of dedicated experiments and analyzing thousands of recorded observations just to say, “I found an answer.” Fueled by the same determination to find answers about the gray areas in the universe, I paved my way towards a life of a scientist. However, a curious scientist’s aim to pursue scientific inquiry is always overshadowed by the perception that they will always have the answer in a snap like a walking Google search bar. People do not recognize that it takes months or even years of hard work in order to come up with an answer to a scientific inquiry. However, we cannot blame people for thinking this way as scientists have been introduced in primary school class discussions in a way that neglects the process of scientific inquiry, since science is depicted as having instant answers to whatever question we have in our minds. For example, we always portray the story of Sir Isaac Newton’s discovery of the law of gravitation as a Eureka moment caused by an apple hitting his head from a tree above him. But in reality, Newton worked for 20 years in order to understand why objects fall down rather than the other way around. Though science tries to seek the answers to uncertainties
Growing Pains ZOE ANDIN
A study in tongues I GREW up surrounded by languages. My father speaks fluent Kapampangan. My maternal grandmother spoke Ilonggo and Spanish. My brother and I had manangs who would sing in Bisaya and Cebuano. My grandaunts and uncles would tell stories in Hokkien laced with Filipino. On the shelves were books written in Chinese sitting alongside Western literature classics from authors like Shakespeare. Being exposed to so many vernaculars led to my own attempts to adopt a third one. Most of these attempts were made through extra-curricular classes, random internet lessons, and several muted reminders from the Duolingo owl. There was Russian, French, Italian, Spanish, and even Mandarin— which I took for foreign language class for three years of high school
significantly eroded in the time of the Great Depression as political propaganda was disseminated in such an unprecedented scale. And later on, it was through the media strategies of tyrannical overlords such as Hitler that further aggravated such. The same could be said for us Filipinos, particularly of the Marcos era. Erroneous notions, such as the label “Golden Age of the Philippines,” have historically re v ised fac ts about t he brutal period of Martial Law. Now, in a time where knowledge about the world around us is much more updated and dissemination of information is faster than it ever was before, how is this still possible? There are several factors that have contributed to this issue. Factual relativism, as well as the regression of kinship brought in the universe, the process is never linear, fast, and for the impatient. Despite living a calculated and data-driven life, scientists are not infallible. They may run tests and develop thousands of research data, but they can still end up with no answers to show–their own error 404. That is why we must stop demanding that scientists discover the unknown and immediately have viable solutions on their hands because like any other person in this world, they are also battling against uncertainties. We are just lucky that they use research as a systematic way of expanding the limit of humankind’s access to knowledge. Research breaks the walls between scientists and society and aims to improve the human condition. With initiatives like the current efforts to spread awareness about climate change and find alternative energy sources, scientists also care for their fellowmen. I have always dreamed of being a chemist. However, I never saw this dream as something that would bring me fame and fortune because of my discoveries. Instead, I see it as an opportunity and inspiration to make a significant contribution to society. I may not become the wisest and smartest scientist or discover a fundamental law like Newton, but I believe that my passion for science is enough to spark a change that the society wants to see in the future. It is time to stop looking at scientists as solely data-driven and fact-loving people. Seeing this profession in a new light does not only humanize scientists, but it can also be a way to inspire others to pursue the sciences. Driven by the passion for discovering the unknown and curiosity for the uncertainties, scientists can also be the catalyst of social change. but retained nothing more than a few words I can’t even recall the proper intonations for. The technical complexities of languages have always fascinated me, spurring me along my study in tongues: Grammar, syntax, etymology, and so on. But what I find most attractive about language learning is that it is a means of storytelling. Societies are built upon the foundations of common speech. Codes shape our movements, our words, our actions in ways we may not even be aware of. They carry a dynamism and penchant for change as its speakers change. Language, whether written or spoken, evolves throughout the years, and with these evolutions come narratives of history, cultures, mythologies, and people. There is a famous quote by former South African President Nelson Mandela that reads, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” One of the best ways to learn a language is to converse with native speakers. Not only does one learn vocabulary and grammar from someone more genuinely immersed
about by the upsurge of the creation of political tribes, are just some of the many trends that have paved the way. In “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century,” Timothy Snyder claims that because of factual relativism, we have become more inclined to view individuals who disagree with us as the “other.” Such a view makes us avoid discourse with what we perceive as the “other” because of the outlook that the ideology they espouse is not only wrong but harmful as well. However, it is the rise of the Internet that has made this post-truth era notably different. Technology has made our era defined by total access to information. However, not all information presented online is as true as it seems. As such, the Internet, besides being a databank
Em Dash MICAH AVRY GUIAO
Away with aggression PERHAPS ONE of the biggest trends in the 21st century is the rise of hashtag activism. Hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, #LoveWins, #YesAllWomen are all positive statements explicitly championing for improvement. However, one recent trend called #MenAreTrash poses a different kind of assertion— one that is not well received by many. With women being abused every day around the globe, it is not difficult to see why #MenAreTrash would garner the attention it has today. In fact, a woman is murdered by her partner every four hours in South Africa, where the trend first went viral. However, the movement is futile at its core. Let me be clear about one thing: I am not here to excuse men for their behavior, but I do have my reservations about the way the campaign is being executed. #MenAreTrash is a loaded statement—the phrase comes with several layers that require awareness of social realities. Those who do not know better will not hear about a movement geared towards fighting against decades’ worth of male-inflicted violence. Because the statement shifts its focus away from the fight of women and towards the active scorning of men, all the latter will hear about is a movement that ridicules their gender. We see this in the “not all men” response, which often criticizes the hasty generalization that the entire in the tongue, but there is also a connection that exists between a person and their language. People come alive when they are conversing in a manner most comfortable to them. There is a sense of familiarity shared by those in conversation when the code is the same, even if they are strangers. When my KoreanprofessorandItalkedoutside the classroom setting for the first time, it was stilted and awkward as I fumbled over honorifics and words I did not know, but her eyes were bright and her smile was warm as she guided me through sentences. I’ve been learning Korean for six years. I’m due to leave for my semester abroad in Korea in late February. I can read and understand on a conversational level, but my vocabulary still has a ways to go. What began as a way to understand the lyrics of the songs I enjoyed listening to has developed into a genuine interest for a history and culture different from my own and an ongoing 15-unit journey to getting a minor degree. It has been one of errors and misspellings, but also of stories by people who saw me as familiar and not-so-different after all.
of knowledge, has also become a breeding ground for hoaxes. It has become a site of power in which many utilize in order to become their own publishers. The rise of the Internet has also become a site of choice. Our views on timely issues dictate what we are bound to believe and support in the long run. Furthermore, because of the inf luence of social media, people are able to choose channels that make them see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear. And by choosing a side, some of us even take another step further by sharing these things with their own respective spheres. Our want to support who or what we think is right, even if at times our gut feeling might say otherwise, has become the goal. Thus, not much thought is given on checking the facts. gender is made culpable for the mistreatment of women when there are “good men” out there. However, the generalization serves a purpose at times—#MenAreTrash is meant to be taken as a call for action. In the same way we claim dogs have rabies, this does not entail that every dog has them, but for us to be wary of that risk. Likewise, the hashtag wishes to encapsulate the exploitation of women in three simple words, but this oversimplification is precisely where the problem lies. The same situation happened to fourth-wave feminism. While the intent of feminism is commendable, many reject the movement altogether—including women themselves. This is because of the way it was presented with aggression, leading them to take the term at surface level and interpret it as female superiority, not gender equality. If we are not careful, the same will go for #MenAreTrash. I believe there are better ways of raising awareness on pressing issues that are not reliant on dragging others down along the way. We can call out problematic behaviors of men while condemning a movement that excludes them from the conversation. It does not have to be mutually exclusive. If we have come to a point where we believe that saying men are trash is the most effective way to spark change, then we are far from making the progress we strive for. The debate should not lie in the question “do all men?” but instead in “why do men still?” Accountability has never been more important in this era, but creating a space for open discussion— one where the perpetrator can acknowledge and learn from his mistakes—might just be the right step towards lasting change.
Hiraya DEANA P. PAGTALUNAN
Letting go I’ve always had a passion for dance. As early as three years old, I was already trying to mimic the graceful Clara in Barbie in the Nutcracker. In fact, it was this movie that made me want to join a ballet school. The first time I stepped into a studio, I knew that it was the place to be. The rest was history. I danced for fourteen years straight. On top of ballet, I also joined dance clubs and cheer competitions along the way. Of course, I had to balance my commitments—while easier said than done, I managed. I’d have school in the day, training in the afternoon, and ballet classes at night. Sure, I’d pass out the moment I hit the bed, but it was worth it. Nothing compared to the feeling of performing after months of preparation and rehearsals. Since dance became part of my identity, nothing felt more
I believe the best solution to combat these issues is character formation. The rise of this post-truth era is a call for us to further contest a widespread ethos that honesty does not matter. In order for the truth to be upheld, I believe that the first step is to place more emphasis on asking questions. One of the main underlying problems today is that asking questions is often mistaken either for nosiness or having deficient knowledge. Because of this notion, we then become afraid of asking in fear of being belittled. As such, we end up depending solely on what we know. Or rather, what we think we know. It is human for us to want to be seen as competent or knowledgeable. However, this must not get in the way of the admission that we ourselves have our own
5
limitations, that we do not know everything. And as such, we need to accept that in order to acquire knowledge, we must learn to ask and reach out to other people, may it be with family, friends, or even total strangers. We all have our own beliefs. And in reality, no thought is absolute or perfect. By being able to ask questions and discuss with others, the more we are able to see other sides of the story. Partisanship is then reduced as discourse brings us together to reach common goals and reduces our inclination to form tribes. By allowing ourselves to be humble, we allow ourselves to listen to others’ perspectives and venture out of the filter bubbles we impose on ourselves. Michaela Theresa L. Torres is a management junior at Ateneo de Manila University. She may be reached at michaela.torres@obf.ateneo.edu.
I FELL in love listening to stories amidst the chaos. The grounding of coffee beans against soft background music. The smell of freshly brewed tea filling my nose as the sweet notes of cinnamon dance in the air from the pastries in the oven. People pushing against the door and bustling into the shop seeking shelter from the sun while others rush out for their next appointment. I have a go-to spot in the corner where I wait for people to approach me with their secrets. Each person keeps many of these locked inside their personal pandora’s box. My conversations with people can go many ways: Light and airy, agitated and bitter, drunken and piercing, honeyed and playful. Regardless of the topic, I always have a cup of coffee beside me. Whether I celebrate in others’ victories, reduce myself to tears, blow a fuse, or just have the most random conversations, coffee is definitely present. I have heard so many stories, all colorful nonetheless. Some of which I may have anticipated and some that leave me in complete shock. Then, the routine goes as follows: People ask me for advice, I give it, they take it, and they return to me saying how much I helped them. The reality is I help out a lot of people—that’s just who I am, and it makes me happy. However, I help to the point that I feel burdened by the thoughts of everyone else. I always feel like I’m barely keeping afloat amidst the
thoughts of others and my own. The sad thing about this situation is that I can never share this with anyone else as I may lose my credibility in helping others out. That is why I barely tell my stories and even if I do, they are the skeletal versions. No one needs to be burdened like I am—no one should overthink as much as I do. I’d rather suffer from that on my own. When people ask me about my problems, I vocalize something superficial, and people just take my words on the surface level. Maybe I’m just that good at keeping a façade. I realized how vulnerable I am every time I opened up to others. I did not like that feeling, especially when others dismiss my feelings or leave right after listening. The aftermath of being left behind is that I drown in work, which constitutes listening to more people’s stories and helping them cope. I will eventually encounter a vulnerable individual who opens up about a story that shakes me and makes me wonder “What would it be like to open up again?” As I sat under a building one night and watched the raindrops fall, a friend of mine looked toward me and asked, “What will make you happy now?” I should have replied that I want good coffee, my story, and my corner of the coffee shop. At that moment, I had good company, someone I could talk to about anything under the sun (or in this case the rain), and coffee—that would have been perfect. But, I did not give him a reply and just thought, “Don’t give me hope.” Despite that, I did hope. Then, just like the other times, that hope left me. Again the cycle started up, but this time I wish to change and cling on to the hope that there will come a time when I’ll be able to open up.
heartbreaking than giving it up when I entered Ateneo. Collegelevel academics were an entirely different ball game. To make matters worse, my course was heavy on mathematics. When I failed my first math long test, my parents sat me down and gave me a talk about my “priorities.” After that, I decided to quit dance entirely in my first year. I knew I needed the extra hours to make up for my grades—hours spent away from the studio. Even if I helped in making dances for the occasional org event, it still didn’t feel the same. In some lazy afternoons, I’d even feel a sense of emptiness, knowing I didn’t have any rehearsals to look forward to anymore. However, as rusty as I was, I recently had the opportunity to dance again. At first, I felt frustrated that my turns were fewer, my kicks were lower, and my technique was shabbier. Still, it felt so exciting to reignite my passion for dance. Not only was the community so welcoming, but they were also talented. They inspired me to get back into shape. While I am thankful for my teammates’ patience, I began
seeing dance as a burden. Training meant missed meetings, late study times, and less sleep. As a senior, I thought I could balance everything, but I eventually got burnt out. My performance in all of my commitments, including dance, started to drop until I wasn’t retained in the latter. This was definitely a wake-up call that I had to give up dance (again). Pursuing what I loved wasn’t necessarily what was best for me at the time. I’d like to think that the lifestyle change was too sudden for me after four years without dance. In hindsight, letting go also brought good things into my life. It allowed me to be open to joining different orgs, exploring new hobbies, and meeting new people. Still, I believe that being a dancer will always be part of who I am. I haven’t really let go, at least not completely. Maybe in the future, I can get in touch with it again, maybe make it a hobby. For the time being, whether it be while watching videos or remembering choreography, my passion for dance is still there—barely burning, but burning nonetheless.
Chemex BIANCA MAE R. ARAGONES
Irish coffee
6
News
Survey results show LS community prefers reduced school week
“
An activity day gives [the] faculty time [for] researchrelated activities. SOCIAL SCIENCES PROFESSOR
IN LIGHT of the Ateneo c om mu n it y ’s d i s c u s sion s about a reduced school week, T he GU I DON ’s Resea rch Staff conducted two surveys on the proposal for a f iveday school week to replace the current six-day school week. In contrast to previous sur veys conducted by the Sanggunian in A.Y. 2017-2018, which showed a “lukewarm” and “uninterested” response from students, the follow-up survey results revealed that both students and facult y members are now in favor of the proposal’s implementation. While The GUIDON’s first su r ve y w a s d issem i nated through social media only, another supplementary survey was distributed via email from October to November 2019. The supplementar y sur vey a imed to prov ide a more comprehensive understanding of the preferences of University employees by a llow ing professors and staff to respond as well. The online surveys aimed to determine students and University employees’ stances on the proposal and provide stakeholders with more insights on the matter. In total, the two surveys garnered 970 responses. The A ssociate Dea n for Academic A f fa irs Josef ina D. Hof ileña, PhD said that the preferences of the Loyola Schools (LS) community stated in The GUIDON’s follow-up surveys can affect the current proposal because it contrasts previous findings. Revisions to the proposal, if any, will be led by the Sanggunian and the administration in the coming months.
BY LEIKA GOLEZ AND BILLIE ASUNCION MAJORITY IN FAVOR When asked about the Sanggunian survey, Hofileña confirmed Vice President for the Loyola Schools (VPLS) Maria Luz C. Vilches’ previous statement on past survey respondents being against the proposal mainly because they were not willing to go to school only for extra-curricular activities. Vilches also claimed that the Sanggunian was asked to conduct a survey on the matter, but the administration did not receive further updates because the feedback of the proposal only received around 20 respondents at that time. Following this, The GUIDON aimed to reach a wider range of responses. The first survey received 688 responses from students and alumni, while the second had 282 responses from LS students, faculty members, administration, and alumni. In both surveys, students comprised the bulk of the respondents. Both surveys asked about respondents’ take on the implications of the proposal, which included longer class hours, 10:30 PM dismissals, and a free activity day. Most respondents were in favor of the five-day school week with as many as 81% of the first survey’s respondents in favor of a reduced week. Meanwhile, 44 of the 64 professors strongly agreed on the necessity of a day without academic classes. “An activity day gives [the] faculty time [for] researchrelated activities,” a School of Social Sciences professor answered.
FIRST SURVEY RESPONDENTS
ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THE REDUCED 5-DAY SCHOOL WEEK? INFOGRAPHIC BY KURT TAN
However, even though the majority of participants favored the reduced school week, the first survey revealed that over 78% of the respondents were not willing to have classes until 10:30 PM. GAPS AND LIMITS University Registrar Joaquin Agtarap, MBA, the original drafter of the reduced school week proposal alongside Hofileña, noted that The GUIDON’s first and second survey failed to ask students about whether they are in favor of having a separate day just for extra-curricular activities. According to him, this information is significant because past survey respondents were not willing to go to school for non-academic activities only. Hofileña also explained that the implementation of the new curriculum has implications on the proposal. She said that the “full impact” of the new curriculum has not taken effect as of today, which w ill add strain to the lack of classrooms in the future. A g tarap shared this sentiment, noting that juniors and seniors are currently under the “lighter” curriculum, while freshmen and sophomores are likewise on the “new, heavier” curriculum. According to him, the lack of classrooms will be more pronounced once the new curriculum is fully implemented. With questions of feasibility of a reduced school week, Hofileña noted that further data regarding the number of courses and students are still being gathered after the implementation of the new curriculum, as
the increased number of units has implications on the number of classrooms needed. GIVING IN Changes in the curriculum and classrooms aside, Agtarap said that if the proposal gets approved, “people are going to have to give in” to the possibility of having to attend class earlier in the morning or later in the evening despite their apprehensions about this change. Hofileña also emphasized the importance of compromise and acceptance when it comes to class time slots: “To a certain extent, there has to be openness [from] both sides, the students and the faculty [members], to have schedules that may not all be [during] prime time.” As for the student concerns on absorbing lessons differently, Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa said that it is “part of a cultural shift” that students should learn to adapt to. He also stated that the Sanggunian is currently working on another revised proposal for the five-day school week with the help of Ateneo Loyola Schools Faculty Association because they felt that the proposal of the Office of the Registrar (OR) was “not moving forward.” To craft this proposal, the Sanggunian received initial data about the number of classrooms, classes, and subjects from the Office of the VPLS and the OR. Quiwa claimed that they aim to present their proposal to the LS community by the end of the second semester. “This way, we could already consider both the inputs of students and faculty, instead of just having an admin-led proposal,” he said.
“
To a certain extent, there has to be openness [from] both sides, the students and the faculty [members], to have schedules that may not all be [during] prime time. JOSEFINA D. HOFILEÑA, PHD ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
SECOND SURVEY RESPONDENTS
ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF ENLISTING IN/TEACHING IN CLASSES THAT WILL BE DISMISSED AT 10:30PM?
1
The GUIDON | January-February 2020
FENCING
Maxine Esteban BY ALLY S. CRESPO
maxine esteban 2 BS ME BRONZE MEDALIST
FILE PHOTO BY JASON MARIANO
The first seven days of December 2019 were filled with blood, sweat, and tears for Maxine Esteban as she donned the country’s colors in yet another tournament. The fencing prodigy, alongside Samantha Catantan, Justine Tinio, Wilhelmina Lozada, and Coach Floriano Guizzardi, represented the Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The team took home the bronze medal in the Team Women’s Foil. However, the road to the games was difficult. Last June, the team was bound for an intensive training camp, but Esteban could not join because of academic responsibilities that involved taking intersession classes that
are required for Management Engineering students. The same thing happened in October, when the team was given the opportunity to train in South Korea for a full month. Once again, Esteban could not compromise her commitments to Ateneo as a student and had to sit the trip out. “I knew that I wasn’t really prepared for the competition as compared to my opponents and teammates,” Esteban admits. “This added to the pressure.” Nonetheless, Esteban represented the flag in women’s foil for both the individual and team events, but only took home a bronze in the latter. She knows she could have done better. Feeling disappointed, Esteban looks
back on her SEA games experience as a lesson. “I realized that a person cannot serve two masters. I tried hard to balance between academics and fencing but in the end, I was short of my own expectations.” Looking forward, Esteban a nd her tea mmates w ill continue to train and compete in international competitions in the hopes of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Esteban is also preparing for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Fencing Tournament. She will be representing the Blue and White with her sister Mia Esteban in hopes of defending the crown and bringing home the gold to the hill once again.
FENCING
Jolo Viceo BY NEAL R. BELTRAN
The Philippine Men’s Fencing Team had a successful campaign in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, clinching a podium finish in five out of the six Men’s Fencing events. In the Men’s Team Foil, a youth-filled squad was fielded to compete against the best of Southeast Asia. Despite their relative inexperience, the Philippine team surprised many by securing the bronze medal. One of the key cogs of the Men’s Team Foil was homegrown Atenean Jolo Viceo, who almost did not make the final lineup. Throughout the qualif y ing process in 2017 and 2018, Viceo
struggled to separate himself from his peers, to the point that his fit in the Men’s Team Foil event was questioned. “I was even being advised to move to a different event because I was not excelling,” Viceo recalls. However, instead of getting discouraged, Viceo said his lapses gave him the inspiration to push harder. “[My struggles] pushed me to strive harder.” Viceo began to train and compete at a different level. Eventually, his efforts paid off as he qualified in the last month of selections. Qualifying and winning the medal was gratifying for Viceo,
but he remains motivated and hungry for more, acknowledging that there is still a challenging road ahead of him. There are several big events to look forward to, such as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82, the next SEA Games, and even the 2020 Tok yo Olympics. V iceo’s invaluable ex per iences—t he r igorous qua lif y ing process and competing on a stage as big as the SEA Games—will definitely help him in these coming bouts. The future is bright for the young fencing star.
Jolo viceo 2 AB DS BRONZE MEDALIST
PHOTO COURTESY OF ZACH GARCIA
A RNIS
Jude Rodriguez BY NIELBERT A. DY
Jude R o d r i g ue z , si l ve r medalist in the featherweight division of the livestick event at the 2019 SEA Games, only learned the sport in her first Phy sic a l E duc at ion cla ss in Ateneo. Like most of her classmates, she started off as a first-timer, but Rodriguez’s special talent and drive called the attention of the national team where she truly began to come into her own. On a stage as grand as the SEA Games, Rodriguez and the
JUDE RODRIGUEZ 6 AB EU SILVER MEDALIST
Women’s National Arnis team thrived under the lights. The team picked up a gold medal in all three event categories, highlighted by a clean sweep of all divisions of the padded stick event. However, reaching these heights was no easy feat for the Lady Eagle who struggled to integrate herself into the squad early on. “Being an Atenean was more reason to [not like] me. Even during the f irst day of training, I’d be judged for the clothes I wear. It was
hard making friends because a lot of them came from state universities and public schools where arnis was a much bigger sport,” she shares. Despite the early growing pains, Rodriguez reiterated that she is proud of her journey thus far. “My biggest achievement was making a name for Ateneo A rnis. Being the f irst from Ateneo to be part of the SEA Games in Arnis encapsulated a lot of the things I stand for,” Rodriguez says.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE ESKRIMA KALI ARNIS FEDERATION
PHOTO BY PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTO BY RAYA BARREIRO
EDITORS: KIRBY G. JALANDONI AND JOAQUIN A. SANTOS | LAYOUT ARTIST: CAMERON POLINTAN
SEA Games special Last December, 15 Atenean student-athletes represented the Philippines in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Making the national team for any sport is no small feat, but six of these Blue and Lady Eagles stood out further by notching podium finishes. These achievements helped the Philippines emerge as overall champions with an astounding 387 total medals. Although prestigious, the opportunity to represent the country can be tricky—especially for Atenean student-athletes who need to juggle academics with national team obligations. But when the country comes calling, it’s hard to turn down a chance of a lifetime. These are the stories of the six Ateneans who made their country proud.
TA E K W O N D O
Pauline Lopez BY GERRICK LIMSIY
The 2019 SE A Games was a stor y of redempt ion for Pauline Lopez. A fter falling shor t of her goal in the last edition of the SEA Games with a bronze medal, the national team mainstay returned to her natural under-57 kg weight class to great effect. Despite being a multi-titled jin in numerous international tournaments, Lopez was not complacent in her preparations
PAULINE LOPEZ 3 AB PSY GOLD MEDALIST
for this year’s games. In an interview with ABS-CBN Sports, Lopez was asked whether it was gold or nothing. The 2015 SEA Games champion responded with resounding defiance. “Most definitely. Blood, sweat, and tears, and everything,” she says. “We’re just all going to give it.” Competing on home soil also inspired Lopez, especially with her parents watching her compete for the first time in
10 years. The results showed. Every bout was a masterclass as the Queen Eagle dominated her opponents one by one. Lopez barely broke a sweat in the semifinals, emerging victorious by a whopping margin of 17 points. Ultimately, the f inals was a culmination of the Filipina jin’s sacrifices and hard work as she dismantled Cambodia’s Chhoeung Aliza, 12-4, en route to her second SEA Games gold.
FILE PHOTO BY ZOEY IGNACIO
IC E H O C K E Y
BJ Imperial BY JAIME D. DAVID
After a gold medal finish at the 2017 SEA Games, the Philippine Men’s Ice Hockey Team entered the 2019 games with a singular goal of retaining the crown on home soil. Their title defense came to a halt in the semifinals against Singapore after a heartbreaking last-minute goal by the visitors. The Filipinos bounced back in the battle for third by way of a 17-1 avalanche against Malaysia, clinching the bronze medal finish. While Ice Hockey is still very much at the grassroots stage in the
country, Imperial brings a wealth of experience to a national side that banners the Philippines with deep pride and is committed to inspiring interest in the sport. “I served as the captain for the [U20 Philippine Men’s Hockey Team] in my eligible years and won a bronze medal in the 2018 U-20 Challenge Cup of Asia. I also play in the Philippine Hockey League which includes both homegrown talents and foreigners who live here and play,” says Imperial. Although the team’s bronze finish was a great honor for the
nation, Imperial cites a more personal moment as his favorite at the Games. “We weren’t allowed to attend the opening ceremony because we had a game the next day. Instead, we were allowed to skate around with our families and just have fun with our teammates without worrying about having to skate hard or take things seriously. It was the first time in a while that any of us were actually able to do that so that was quite memorable for me,” he shares.
bj imperial 4 BS ME BRONZE MEDALIST
PHOTO BY YUKA FIKUMA
BASEBALL
Javi Macasaet BY XAVI BAUTISTA
The Ph i l ippi ne Nat iona l Baseball Team swept the 2019 SEA Games for their second gold medal in a row and third in the tournament’s histor y. Jav i Macasaet proved to be one of the pillars of the team’s title defense, turning in stellar performances throughout their unblemished 5-0 campaign. Competing alongside fo r m e r B lu e E a g le s D i n o A ltomonte, Adriane Bernardo,
JAVI MACASAET 5 BS MGT GOLD MEDALIST
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORMAN MACASAET
a nd older brot her Paolo Macasaet, he joined a roster f ull of baseball heav y weights a nd f illed in for t he in f ield posit ions. Look ing back on his stint w ith the nationa ls, Macasaet highlighted a specia l d r ive for excellence a nd w illing ness to sacr if ice as key pu zzle pieces in their championship picture. “ Winning the gold meda l i n t he SE A G a me s me a nt
t he world to me g iven t he countless hours and sacrifices my tea m a nd I had put into training. The result of it all was the unity and teamwork we displayed on the field. Moving for ward into this [Universit y At h letic A ssociation of t he Ph i lippines] UA A P sea son, t h is ser ves as a con f idence booster for myself,” he says.
EDITOR: DANIELLE R. GARCIA | LAYOUT ARTIST: TIFFANY CU LOVE, LABOR, AND LOSS
Beyond Loyola
The choices of an OFW are not simple or black and white—and, sometimes, it’s not a choice they can make at all.
03 PHOTO BY ALEXIS WANG
ILLUSTRATION BY CAMERON POLINTAN PHOTO BY ALEXIS WANG
A tale of two wars BY PIOEE B. BASSIG, DERICK M. GABRILLO, AND GEORGE D. KHO
FERDINAND MARCOS’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani came about in the same manner Marcos established his dictatorship: Behind closed doors. The burial had been debated for years, until President Rodrigo Duterte greenlit the hero’s burial for Marcos, saying it was in keeping with the law. He then implored the public to forgive the late dictator; after all, he had inherited a frustrated constituency, one that may have already been given to forgetfulness. The burial added to a young yet contentious presidency, at the center of which was the drug war. Nearly 4 years and several thousands of fatalities later, he maintains the public’s approval. His record-high satisfaction ratings came into question shortly after Vice President Leni Robredo released her report on the drug war. The findings were “damning”: The anti-drug campaign had barely curbed drug use; the shoddy statistics of the report exposed lapses in drug agencies’ data—it was clear that the drug war was a failure. In response, Duterte called her a “colossal blunder” for having “done nothing” since taking office. This is the latest in his recurrent attacks
on the opposition, a camp often tagged as the dilawan. Duterte has not only created ruptures along party lines, but has also used the history of a political faction, a descendant of People Power, to obscure the revolution’s significance—and to justify authoritarian governance. A STORIED COLOR The color dilaw evokes different responses; this tells us that Duterte has given it new meaning, effectively weaponizing it. Dilaw meant something different in 1986 when then-presidential candidate Corazon “Cory” Aquino colored her campaign with yellow. Yellow became the color of democracy as it was donned by the coalition that ousted Marcos. The color returned to the fore when Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and the Liberal Party (LP) bannered their 2010 campaign with yellow. Today, it is no longer just the color of democracy. Patricio Abinales, PhD, historian and professor at the University of Hawaii, pointed to the use of yellow as the LP’s attempt to claim itself as “heir” to EDSA 1 and Cory’s movement. This is seen in future presidential
Recognizing this enmity, Duterte branded himself as an anti-elite, political outsider, even though he hails from a political dynasty and credits Cory Aquino for his political debut.
and vice-presidential candidates from the LP, such as Mar Roxas and incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo, who similarly used yellow in their electoral campaigns. However, in 2016, Duterte was able to notch the presidency. More than a week after the election, at least half of LP’s congressmen moved to PDP-Laban, Duterte’s political party, shifting the balance of power. The main opposition, the LP, then became the focus of Duterte and his supporters’ criticism. This animosity has been further simplified and popularized by personalities like Mocha Uson, bloggers, administration officials, and Duterte himself, allowing them to cluster their opponents into an easily recognizable group: Dilawans. Abinales stressed that yellow was also “associated with the elite,” noting how Duterte, in line with the populist approach, redefined yellow to refer to the oligarchs he promised to depose. Furthermore, he mentioned the failure of the LP to appeal to the Filipino masses, unable to counter President Duterte’s populism. THE ABORTED REVOLUTION Ambivalence towards the leaders installed by the revolution has translated into ambivalence towards the revolution itself, the legacy and heroes of which have long been under scrutiny by public intellectuals. Many of them point out that the popular uprising failed to usher inclusive growth, and concentrated power and wealth in the upper ranks of society. The failure of post-EDSA governments to deliver on the promises of the revolution worsened inequality and sowed discontent among the Filipino people. After People Power, the country’s economy saw erratic growth, reaching both historic highs and lows. Although the Fifth Republic brought stability, it still carried Marcos-era baggage. The government was saddled with debt and returned to elite rule, while the markets were dominated by oligarchs that replaced the former
dictator’s cronies. The democratic leadership also soon proved inept in handling recent crises such as major typhoons—leading to further animosity towards the ruling class. Recognizing this enmity, Duterte branded himself as an anti-elite, political outsider, even though he hails from a political dynasty and credits Cory Aquino for his political debut. Cleve Arguelles, researcher from the Australia National University, noted that “[Duterte] comes from the same group of people, but is offering a different narrative.” He added: “...That was the position of the Marcoses during their time: There were abuses, torture, and human rights violations, but this is all for the new society, the Bagong Lipunan. And that’s also what Duterte’s saying: Lives can be sacrificed for the sake of building the nation.” REPAINTING HISTORY Duterte’s deviation from past administrations’ style of governance reflects the sentiment of his regime: To “move on from just celebrating the past.” In 2017, former President and key EDSA-figure Fidel Ramos accused Duterte of downplaying the revolution, questioning why commemorations have been “muted.” Arguelles joins Ramos and others in the belief that People Power’s legacy is being blurred in the national consciousness. However, the government has denied that claim. Arguelles listed several things that Duterte has done to undermine the 1986 Revolution’s commemoration, chief among which are his absences during anniversaries. A notable change in EDSA celebrations that began with Duterte is location. Public events were once held at the People Power Monument, but are now staged in Camp Aguinaldo. Other festivities such as the Salubungan rites, where military and police reenact their joining forces in 1986, are no longer done. Arguelles noted that this is a push to change the EDSA narrative: “[Duterte] said this
The drug war has found some favor from the public, and this begins to make sense when looking into his war on memory and his presidency, which have been kind to the Marcoses and have pushed EDSA to insignificance.
before, it was actually the military that won as a result of EDSA.” Duterte has also supported the idea of military rule and state violence in the country. Arguelles also added that the altered commemorations “reflect the state’s position of the role of EDSA in our political life as a nation.” The alterations made to the festivities signal a shift in the government’s priorities. FORGIVE AND FORGET The change in the state’s stance on People Power has enabled the government to pursue policies contrary to the values of the revolution. The war on drugs, the Duterte administration’s centerpiece, is a stark departure from the bloodless revolution that restored Philippine democracy. There are 29,000 deaths under investigation as of March last year since the drug war’s launch nearly four years ago. Duterte has since maintained that illegal drugs are the “root cause” of the nation’s ills. The drug war has found some favor from the public, and this begins to make sense when looking
into his presidency and his war on memory, which have been kind to the Marcoses and have pushed EDSA to insignificance. The legitimacy of such a drug policy, one that does not adhere to democratic principles, is contingent on a tainted memory of the revolution. Duterte elevated the issue of illegal drugs to a matter of national security to justify his war, even when there is evidence that it is not. Today, Duterte’s regime continues to distort history and simplify the current political situation into “us” versus “them,” DDS versus dilawan. His methods echo the Marcos’ dictatorship, which was justified by an allegedly looming communist insurgency, an issue of national security that Marcos claimed warranted an equally proportionate response. Still, some seem not to remember which side the Philippines chose in 1986—a side that vowed to never forget. The Filipino people can, and should, try to keep the spirit of People Power alive, but perhaps it is more pertinent to ask why forgetting has been so easy to begin with.
2
Beyond Loyola
Minding the gap BY MARCO C. OCAMPO-TAN
IT’S NO surprise that with the rise of globalization, economies have seen a significant rise in wealth inequality. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), inequality is growing thanks to the wealthy pouring their money into properties, sav i n g s, a nd i nvest ment portfolios. These are all incomegenerating assets, which means the rich will only get richer. Indeed, from 1980 to the present, the world’s wealthiest—or the top 1% of income earners—saw their wealth grow by 5%, while the bottom 50% of earners actually saw their wealth decrease. With that, economists have produced a variety of literature that proposes possible solutions to address the growing wealth gap. For Senior Research Officer at the Institute for New Economic Thinking Linus Mattauch, taxing the assets of the wealthy—rather than their salaries—is one way to address wealth inequality. Moreover, le v y i n g wea lt h taxes may help close the wealth gap without sacrif icing the economy’s efficiency. However, the OECD points out that the problem with wealth taxes is that it remains impossible to value the possessions of the ultra-rich. For instance, ultrawealthy individuals have 70-80% of their wealth invested in the stock exchange. Since the listed securities trade daily, stock prices f luctuate significantly. This complicates portfolio valuation. Valuing artworks, homes, and other properties are even more difficult and can take years as auditors and tax authorities can disagree on asset value. Yet, the heart of the anti-wealth tax argument is that the bulk of the wealthy’s assets are used for business activities that generate jobs and income. Investments will thus decrease with wealth taxes, and with it productivity, wages, and potential economic growth. Recent literature thus proposes an alternative to the wealth tax: Inheritance tax. The OECD concurs with this proposition since inheritance or estate taxes, which are levied only once, can be administered and complied with more easily. The split will then moderately reduce wealth concentration along with economic and political power. Of course, estate taxes alone will not equalize wealth. However, when tax revenues are considered and used for redistributive purposes, the total effect may decrease wealth inequality. Mattauch agrees with this idea, believing that tax proceeds should be reinvested in efforts that develop a country’s economic capabilities. For insta nce, re-sk illing hu m a n c apit a l c re ates a workforce powerful enough to prevail in tomorrow's industries. Another option would be to ea r ma rk ta x revenues for infrastructure development, as recommended by the National Economic Development A ut hor it y S o c io e c onom ic Pl a n n i n g Unde r s e c re t a r y Adoracion Navarro. By building up infrastructures and workers’ skill levels, the widening gap between rich and poor regions can be mitigated. This two-pronged approach will lead to a highly efficient distribution network that will enhance how strongly regions are connected with each other.
Inequity pervades Asia's rising tiger BY JASEY C. CRUZ AND FRANCES C. ROBERTO ILLUSTRATION BY KAITLYN MERCADO
DUBBED AS Asia’s rising tiger by the World Bank in 2013, the Philippine economy experienced an upward turn in the 2010s. In the past decade, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose from 199.59 billion US dollars (USD) in 2010 to 330.91 billion USD by 2018. So promising and rapid was the country’s economic growth that in 2015, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation even predicted that the Philippines would eventually rank 16th among the world’s largest economies by 2050. Amidst this growth, 16.6% of the country’s population still live under the poverty threshold, according to 2018 statistics from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In fact, the poorest 20% of the Philippine population never held more than 6% of the country’s total wealth between 2010 and 2019, while the richest 10% controlled almost 40% of the Philippines’ total wealth in the same period. Thus, it is no surprise that the country only obtained a Gini coefficient score—the statistical measure of income distribution in a given country—of 44.4 according to 2015 data from the World Bank. Despite claims that the Philippines is moving past the disastrous economic conditions it faced in the past three decades, the country’s most vulnerable strata continues to lag behind. A closer look into the country’s social context reveals a system wherein economic development benefits only the rich, while
preying upon the poor and working classes. LACK OF SOCIAL SERVICES In the 1980s, the economist Amartya Sen pointed out how a country’s GDP only measures “commodities” and not “capabilities” such as obtaining healthcare, sending children to school, or even providing shelter. Evidence of this exists in contemporary Philippines. Statistics relating to social welfare indeed show a nation that has yet to translate monetary wealth into higher standards of living. For one, statistics from the 2019 Philippine Wellness Index ref lect that 40% of Filipinos believe that they cannot afford to pay for healthcare. This is despite the rise of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation as the supposed financier of the national healthcare system. Another rampant concern is education, which is only accessible to 5 out of 10 Filipino families. A multidimensional poverty index created by the PSA in 2018 detailed just how prevalent the problem is: Among several social issues—like hunger, unemployment, and sanitation—lack of education was the most widely felt by Filipinos. In the same report, security of housing was revealed to be another serious problem faced by Filipinos. According to the Commission on Audit, the National Housing Authority had only constructed 52% of planned housing units under the Aquino
Our real estate industry may be booming, but we're doing poorly when it comes to sheltering our people. SENATOR SONNY ANGARA IN AN EVENT ORGANIZED BY THE CHAMBER OF REAL ESTATE & BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATIONS INC., MAKATI CITY
administration’s Php 50 billion housing project. Housing needs remain unmet, as even under the Duterte administration, private profit remains to be the utmost priority. “Our real estate industry may be booming, but we're doing poorly when it comes to sheltering our people,” Senator Sonny Angara stressed. He warned that unless the administration spends more for housing, the number of homeless Filipinos could reach crisis proportions. STAGNATION IN THE LABOR SECTOR Apart from subpar social services, Filipinos also struggle against a harsh labor structure. According to the Global Workers Rights Index of 2018, the Philippines is among the top ten countries with the worst working conditions for laborers. Labor contractualization is one of the biggest grievances of Filipino workers as it prevents them from reaping the full benefits of employment. This is because they are employed on a “5-5-5 scheme,” wherein contracts last for five months at a time, barring contractual workers from social services and benefits regular employees are entitled to. Moreover, contractual workers are vulnerable to dismissal at any time, which many companies abuse to justify unpaid overtime, iniquitous compensation, and other measures that increase their profit margins. Working Filipinos have long been desperate for an end to contractualization—so much so that the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines and the Alliance of Labor Unions, two of the country’s biggest labor organizations, endorsed President Rodrigo Duterte in the 2016 elections as he promised just that. However, Duterte appears to have reneged on his word. Last year, he vetoed the Security of Tenure Bill, a groundbreaking legislation that would have prohibited all forms of contractualization. With their hopes dashed, union workers have taken to the streets, demanding the fulfillment of their rights under the Labor Code of the Philippines. However, protests were met with layoffs, arrests, and violent dispersals. Aside from contractualization, the labor sector is also contending with the stagnation of the rate of minimum wage. In the National Capital
Region (NCR), minimum wage falls between Php 500 to Php 537 per day—a mere Php 100 increase from its 2010 value. Other regions are even worse off, with minimum wages amounting below Php 400—NCR’s approximate minimum wage at the start of the decade. These figures are far from the estimated value of living wage, which stands at Php 1,014. The disparity between minimum and living wages highlight another dimension of income inequality: That it favors a select few who, more likely than not, are from Metro Manila. Moreover, a report from the Asian Development Bank found that less than half of Filipino workers earn a living wage, as the current minimum wage is below the living wage. PROGRESS FOR A MINORITY Most initiatives that have been launched over the past decade to improve socio-economic welfare in the country focus on infrastructure development. Aquino’s term bore witness to the construction of major expressways and airport terminal extensions and facilities that are mostly used by middle to upper class members of society and by businesses who need to transport products. Duterte’s flagship Build, Build, Build Program features much of the same. Yet, none of these have succeeded in addressing income inequality because they are predicated on the same problem they try to solve: Much of the Philippines’ infrastructure development has come at the expense of the poor. For example, widespread displacement—be it of the urban poor or indigenous peoples—is a common consequence of these infrastructure projects. More than that, these platforms are hardly beneficial to the country’s impoverished population in the first place. Better roads, more highways, and expanded airports do not mean much to Filipinos who cannot afford cars, airfare, or even a secure home that the government cannot take away. Faced with all these issues, the Philippines’ status as Asia’s rising tiger may seem cheap and impudent. It praises growing wealth that is in the hands of only a few and progress that has not been felt by the sectors that badly need it most. The marginalized and oppressed have remained poor and neglected—and much still needs to be done before they can be called on the rise.
The GUIDON | January-February 2020
3
Love, labor, and loss BY ZACHARY C. GONZALES AND JUSTINE RAMIREZ ILLUSTRATIONS BY GERI PUNO
AT THE onset of the new year, geopolitical, foreign, and domestic interests have triggered massive unrest in the Middle East. The month of January saw United States President Donald Trump order an airstrike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, prompting many enraged Iranians to vow severe repercussions for the act. Consequently, this has led to rising fears of a looming war between the two countries. Closer to home, the Philippines was rocked with news of another death of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Kuwait at the hands of their employer. Alarmed by this brutality, the Philippine government subsequently issued a deployment ban last January for OFWs going to Kuwait as a temporary security measure. The rapid destabilization of the region has prompted the Philippine government to begin the repatriation of OFWs in the off chance that armed conflict breaks out. Although hostilities and repatriation efforts have tempered as of late, bringing OFWs home is not as easy and gallant as it seems. Filipinos may rejoice at the idea of reuniting with their motherland, but the prospect fails to take into consideration a great deal of problems non-OFWs fail to notice. AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE Of the many groups serving as stewards for OF Ws amid their foreig n contex ts is the Ateneo Department of Political Science’s working group
on migration. Melissa Lao, PhD, and Carmel Abao, PhD, members of this group, h ad much to s ay on t he M idd le E a ster n OF W com mu n it y ’s de velopment . Historically, the Middle East has had a sustained demand for foreign workers due to domestic concerns such as its small labor force. While this appears advantageous to those fleeing rampant underemployment in the Philippines, persisting tensions in the area have prompted efforts to repatriate OFWs, and in some cases ban any more from immigrating to the area. However, Abao and Lao believe these measures may be for nought. Having recalled the mostly futile endeavors to have OFWs evacuate high-risk countries, Abao surmised that many if not most workers will not come home to the Philippines. Even those who do decide to leave the Middle East typically find themselves seeking employment in less hazardous areas such as Europe or North America. Abao commented, “Tingin ko hindi sila uuwi. Kasi wala silang uuwian eh. Ano uuwian nila ditong trabaho? (I don’t think they will come home because they have nothing to come home to. What job do they have here for them?)” According to Lao, there is a severe disjunct between an OFW’s occupation in their country of work and the opportunities they might have in the Philippines. For example, an OFW who had trained to be a teacher before her employment as a domestic helper in another country would return with no added experience in her intended occupation. Conversely, someone who had been trained to operate
a high-technology crane in their previous country of work might only find jobs as a carpenter upon coming home. It is this improbability of a quality life in the Philippines that makes many OFWs find enduring abuse or war for the sake of employment to be the lesser evil. For Abao and Lao, reasoning with these Filipinos about their safety is pointless as their motivation for becoming overseas workers was never individual security. To successfully persuade a Filipino worker to abandon their foreign employment, the government must not only address the well-being of the OFW but guarantee that of their family. REALITY CHECK Indeed, it is futile to raise repatriation and reintegration efforts for our OFWs without first fully understanding their respective contexts and idiosyncrasies. As far as the fantasies of having all OFWs return home are concerned, the complexity of their individual circumstances would find this national dream quickly turn into a nightmare if the OFWs and their families are not prepared financially and emotionally. What may seem more terrifying than the prospect of failed reintegration, however, is the horrific abuse experienced by many OFWs. Of the notorious propensity of OFW maltreatment in the Middle East, one is vividly bombarded by news of the fates that befell slain OFW Joanna Demafelis and countless others. They gamble with literal life and limb to provide for their families back home—often embracing the risks at the cost of their own lives.
Although she thankfully did not experience such an ordeal, Mira* is no stranger to the challenges of working in a foreign country. Stationed in Abu Dhabi, Mira has worked as an Assistant Executive Housekeeper for 25 years. As a longtime OFW, she has experienced the highs and lows of working in the Middle East. She confided that she would feel lonely at times and find it difficult to collaborate with her foreign colleagues. Mira is intimately familiar with discrimination as well, as she explained how it is present in almost all countries— most especially in the Middle East, and most particularly if one does not speak Arabic. Though, if working abroad can be avoided, it would be ideal to stray away from the risk altogether. Mira, Lao, and Abao have all made mention of improving the Philippine domestic economy so as to discourage immigration abroad by instead providing local employment opportunities. “[The Philippine] government should improve our educational system. [They] should encourage [students] to be more [like] entrepreneurs, para mabawasan ang umaalis ng bansa (so less people would emigrate),” Mira said. Nonetheless, as opportunities are sparse locally and abundant internationally, the immigration will undoubtedly continue. OFWs’ self less love for their families drives them to strive, labor, and gamble blood in distant lands, unaware of the loss it will eventually bring to both their own lives and the loved ones they left behind. *Editor’s note: The name of the interviewee was changed to protect their identity and privacy.
“Tingin ko hindi sila uuwi. Kasi wala silang uuwian eh. Ano uuwian nila ditong trabaho?” (I don’t think they will come home, because they have nothing to come home to. What job do they have here for them?) CARMEL ABAO, PHD MEMBER OF THE ATENEO DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE’S WORKING GROUP ON MIGRATION
4
Beyond Loyola
An enduring force of will BY JASEY C. CRUZ AND FRANCES C. ROBERTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY IVERSON ONG
UNITED STATES President Donald Trump declared his withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) last May 8, 2018, claiming that “it didn’t bring calm, it didn’t bring peace, [and] it never will.” The JCPOA, a 159-page annex that details the Iran nuclear deal, was reached by seven countries and required two years of negotiation. The deal, which gained the support of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States (US) of America, and Iran, was then implemented during the Obama administration. The JCPOA ceased all sanctions imposed by the US and the European Union (EU) due to Iran’s development of nuclear weapons. One of these sanctions was the US-imposed Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act, which targeted firms looking to invest in Iran’s energy sector. While the JCPOA stopped all previously imposed sanctions, it does not stop the US from reimposing its sanctions.
Trump’s withdrawal from the JCPOA marks an end to years of international negotiation that upheld diplomatic stability and peace among all of its signatories. With global powers now pitted against each other in this diplomatic war, Iran’s response of creating nuclear warheads creates fear of an arms race within the Middle East. CONTRIVED RESPONSE US sanctions were imposed on Iran in two stages. In the first stage, Iran was prohibited from buying US dollars with Iranian rial, as well as from trading gold, aluminum, and steel in August 2018. Nearly three months later, the second stage was marked by the severe limitation of Iran’s oil industry, shipping, insurance, and central bank. All of these sanctions were also applicable to any country that engaged in business activities that support Iran’s nuclear deal. Consequently, Iran’s gross domestic product growth rate dropped immensely and caused nationwide shortages, which sky-
rocketed the prices of basic products such as meat, medicine, paper, and ink. This fostered skepticism in global companies, leading some to exit the Iranian market—such as Maersk, General Electric, and Boeing, to name a few. Following the US-imposed sanctions on his nation, Iran President Hassan Rouhani’s ad m i n ist r at ion resp onded methodically by reducing its commitments to the JCPOA. Iran removed the limits on their stockpiles of enriched uranium and heav y water in July last year. This allowed the country to enrich uranium to a concentration level of 4 .5% —much higher than the JCPOA-mandated limit of 3.67% —which provided Iran more fuel for their nuclear power plants. Then, in September that year, Rouhani announced that all limitations imposed on Iran’s research and development of centrifuge technology will likewise be lifted. Under the JCPOA, Iran was only allowed to utilize 5,060 models of the oldest and least efficient centrifuge, also known as IR-1. Uranium centrifuge technology is at the center of nuclear
warhead development and this decision significantly increases Iran’s ability to enrich their uranium stockpile. T wo months later, Iran resumed enrichment operations at its Fordo underground nuclear plant, despite JCPOA regulations. Iran's responses revolve around significantly reducing their “break-out time,” or the time it takes to produce a nuclear weapon. According to nuclear policy specialist David Albright, Iran will be able to produce two nuclear warheads in less than two years. With Iran’s withdrawal from the JCPOA and the subsequent decrease in break-out time, the international community fears that Iran is exploiting the situation to create nuclear warheads. However, Iran has then remained firm in their promise to look for support from other JCPOA members. However, this is on the condition that they have no intention of creating nuclear warheads. Furthermore, Rouhani has repeatedly told the public that the steps they have taken are only to combat the sanctions imposed by the US. With the US forcing Iran’s hand, the latter has responded not just by methodically dismantling their responsibilities to the JCPOA but also by forcing the rest of the JCPOA members to take notice and sit with them at the table. INTERNATIONAL DYNAMICS Responses to Iran’s growing nuclear abilities differ between remaining signatories of the JCPOA. For the representatives of the EU,
namely France, Germany, and the UK, founding members of the EU (i.e., the E3), the unraveling of the JCPOA serves as a reminder of the difficulties they face in dealing with global powers such as the US. The E3 has made attempts to save the JCPOA by providing financial stabilizers such as the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) to alleviate the financial sanctions imposed on Iran. However, such efforts have proven to be hollow as European companies continue to avoid the Iranian market, contributing to the nation’s economic decline. European Council on Foreign Relations Deputy Director for the Middle East and the North Africa Programme Ellie Geranmayeh put the EU’s situation in perspective. She said, “If the [nuclear deal] goes down and Europe can’t salvage it, it carries a message for every country—not just Iran—about the relevance that Europeans can play as a global actor.” Contrary to the growing diplomatic concerns of the EU, China and Russia are coping with the situation in such a way that it
increases their presence on the world stage. China is proving its willingness to act as a global power at par with the US by maintaining its oil imports from Iran despite the US-imposed sanctions on Iran’s oil industry. Through this, the country affirms their stance that they will not be swayed by unilateral decisions of other global powers, effectively alienating the US and the EU in the JCPOA negotiations. On the other hand, Russia is maneuvering the diplomatic situation by keeping strong relations with Iran, who shares Russia’s interest in undermining US influence in the Middle East. As the world searches for peacekeeping solutions, 82 million Iranians suffer under a crippling economy. Domestic instability, accompanied by increasing hatred for Western powers, grows as thousands protest for government action. While a new agreement can prevent nuclear proliferation, it cannot undo the damages done to Iran and the rest of the world.
.
.
EDITOR: ANDREA MIKAELA LLANES | LAYOUT ARTISTS: KURT TAN SUCCESS IN SPACES
Features
As the Lunar New Year has recently passed, we inspect feng shui, an indelible part of Filipino-Chinese culture, in the home and in everyday living.
03
Happy ever afters: Atenean couples who stood the test of time Two stories of married couples are told through the lens of Gary Chapman’s five love languages to reveal what it truly takes to make love last. BY KEZIAH MARU Z. PASION AND AISHA C. SAID PHOTO COURTESY OF GUILLON STUDIOS
TIME AND again, stories of love and romance that have endured are celebrated with so much fondness and passion. This is especially the case during Valentine’s, with tales of couples and lasting relationships told once again— and what love story is better than those of college sweethearts who managed to take their relationship beyond their universities and into marriage? In an effort to understand the “secret” to the longevity of these relationships, The GUIDON looks to two couples’ Ateneo love stories through the lens of Gary Chapman’s five love languages. Chapman outlines specific “languages” that, when understood and practiced, can supposedly help couples “learn to identify the root of [their] conflicts, give and receive love in more meaningful ways, and grow closer than ever.” These five love languages are words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. Based on personal preference and priorities, people are bound to have different languages. Translating these languages into action could then possibly unearth how certain loves outlive time. OF SERVICE AND PRESENTS: JEFF AND KESLIE FERRER Jeff Ferrer (BS CTM 2008) recalls the time he met his wife Keslie (BS CTM 2008) as a moment that did not start out quite like the meet-cutes one would see in the movies. In fact, it took them two years after their first meeting to have another substantial encounter. Jeff recalls how they first met in their freshman year during Keslie’s block Christmas party back in 2004. While they didn’t pay much heed to each other then, they met again two years later after being put in the same group for their theology immersion. “We actually weren’t close.
We just knew each other as coursemates. [Then], after the immersion, our group became close,” Ferrer recalls. A few drinks and dinner dates away from their immersion group, and they finally became an official couple in the first semester of their fourth year. They spent 10 years together as a couple before getting married in September 2019. After the long time that they have been with each other, Ferrer mentions the importance of recognizing both his and his wife’s love languages. “My wife is the type to give gifts, especially during anniversaries and birthdays. The most basic thing is a letter. That’s always been her thing. Every so often, there are also small valuable gifts, like a watch or so,” he says. His love language, on the other hand, is acts of service.Ferrer shares that he shows love to his wife by being there when his wife needs him to be; this may take the form of driving for her or being present during family gatherings. Their familiarity with each others’ love languages has greatly benefited their relationship as it made them understand the concept of give and take. Showing affection through their love languages was instinctive, but they knew they had to show affection through the love language of their partner as well. “I understood from the very beginning that she might not appreciate the kind of service and time I give,” Ferrer says. “Even if I’m not the best guy to give gifts, I ensure I still give them.” Keslie, on the other hand, knows how challenging it is for Jeff to be away from his family. For this reason, she does acts of service by making it a point to consider him when it comes to deciding which side of the family they will be celebrating the holidays with. However, there are no perfect relationships. Despite their understanding of each others’ love languages, Jeff and Kelsie
still have misunderstandings. When asked about how they handle this friction, Ferrer simply says that “It’s a matter of compromise.” Aside from this, Jeff also shares other factors that helped the longevity of their relationship. “In order to make a relationship strong, you have to remember four things: Love, respect, fidelity, and romance,” he says. Among all these, he claims that fidelity is the most non-negotiable. “When you [have] committed yourself to a person, that’s it,” he asserts. Today, Jeff and Kelsie work as a lawyer and a digital marketing specialist, respectively, with bonds tighter and stronger than ever despite their busy schedules. MORE THAN WORDS AND TIME: HERMUND AND VICTORIA ROSALES There are also some romances that start as early as high school and survive the waves of college. By 2008, the halls of Ateneo witnessed the enduring relationship of Victoria (AB COM 2008) and Hermund Rosales (BS CH-MSE 2008). “Lagi naming sinasabi na pinalaki namin ang isa’t isa (We always say that we saw each other grow up),” Victoria recalls as she rewinds to memories of 20 years ago when everything began. “Hermund and I met in fourth grade when I transferred to his school. He said he already had a crush on me—along with two other girls in class—while I was busy swooning over another classmate.” She gradually began to notice him in fifth grade, and the attraction grew throughout high school. Eventually, as high school juniors, both of them confessed and finally became an official couple. The couple continued to hold each other’s hands and walk alongside each other into
the unfamiliar pavements of college. 12 years after their third year of high school, rings and vows finally sealed their relationship. W hen asked about her husband, she says, “I always say that Hermund is the reason why we’ve lasted this long. He is the most considerate, most hardworking person, w it h t he big gest hea r t I know.” She shares that compromise played a big role in their relationship, as “meeting halfway” made it possible. “I know that I can never compare to him, but I constantly try to become better. I try to be better in understanding, better in cooking, and better in being his loudest cheerleader,” she says. The constant pursuit of wanting to be better for each other allowed Hermund and Victoria to find their natural rhythm in the relationship. Quality time, no matter the duration, sets an important part of their day, especially for Hermund. “Prior to getting married, [my husband] has already made it a point to bring me to work and pick me up although his job is just as demanding. He’d come to the office so we could have a quick dinner and would wait for me to finish my shift even if it meant waiting for hours,” she mentions. Victoria goes on about how exchanged words of affirmation keep their well-being in check. “We always ask how the other person is, encourage each other, laugh our worries away, and constantly say ‘I love you’. We make each other know that no matter what, we have each other’s back,” she says. On the other hand, physical touch is the primary way that Victoria communicates affection to her husband: “I still make sure to hold his hand, have his arm over my shoulder, lean on him, and hug [him].” If there is any takeaway on the endurance of their relationship, it
is that time and words can make all the difference. VIctoria says, “It has made me love him more and knowing how selfless he is makes me want to give him my best.” Apart from that, she also recognizes that trust, respect, honesty, and one’s “me time” adds to the hol ist ic de velopment of a relationship. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD Maria Elisa Borja, Ph.D., a professor of Theology 131 on marriage, affirms that Gary Chapman’s perspective on individuals having a primary love language is one that makes any spouse-to-spouse rapport stronger. She mentions that, “when spoken, [it] makes him or her feel most loved.” This saves the relationship from frustrations and complaints that “the other isn’t loving them enough in a certain way,” since both are striving to speak in the other’s
yearned love language. Thus, making marriages more fulfilling and lasting. It is no wonder, then, that the stories of Jeff and Keslie Ferrer, as well as Hermund and Victoria Rosales graced through college and the real world. Both journeys shared themes of knowing and showing which love languages work for them, even if it meant more effort at times. In this case, Borja mentions, “this reflects an even greater expression of love.” These stories are a testament that lasting love exists, and the recognition of a partner’s love language is only one of the many ways this is made possible. In the end, these couples show that with effort and genuine care, spending one’s lifetime with someone is indeed possible, making happy-ever-afters within sight and reach.
In order to make a relationship strong, you have to remember four things: Love, respect, fidelity, and romance. JEFF FERRER BS CTM 2008
2
Features
Translating self-love Being alone during the month of love need not equate to a lonely day ahead, regardless of which love language one may have. BY ANGEL MARTINEZ ILLUSTRATIONS BY LIA DATILES
FOR THE past 25 years, love la n g u a ges h ave been u sed as a tool to improve huma n relat ion sh ips by foster i n g a deeper u ndersta nd ing of how we best give and receive a f fection. However, we ca n a lso use t h is tool to ma ke ourselves happier. If you need to practice being kinder and more loving towards yourself, ta ke this oppor tunit y to tr y o u t t h e s e s e l f- c a r e d a t e ideas depending on your love lang uage. WORDS OF AFFIRMATION Write a letter to your future sel f. You cou ld lo ok back at e ver y t h i n g you’ ve been through, list things you hope to achieve, or ref lect on your streng ths as a foundation for affirmations. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be in the form of a written message. Yo u c o u ld a l w a y s k ic k it up a notch by compiling a p o r t f o l i o ’s w o r t h o f pictures or turning it into a v ideo! The possibilities a re end less as long as t he f in ished produc t ser ves a s a source of both reassurance and nostalgia. ACTS OF SERVICE G o a l l out a nd pre p a re dinner for yourself. Plan out a t h ree - cou r se mea l, look up recipes online, and allow yourself to invest in premium, h i g h - q u a l it y i n g r e d ie nt s . Idea l ly, t he food you cook should not only be delicious, but healthy as well. M ay b e you w a nt to t r y acting like you’re eating at a restaurant: Bring out your best silver wa re, pr int out a m in iat u re menu, a nd show up to the d ining table w ith a f u ll face of ma keup a nd a glamorous outf it. RECEIVING GIFTS A ll of us have a hobby or passion that we’ve had to put on the backburner. Maybe we failed to make time for it, or
feel like we lack the materials needed to push through. Make the effort to gift yourself with some resources that will help kickstar t your journey. If you’ve wa nted to sta r t a YouT ube cha n nel or create you r ow n a r t, lay dow n the g roundwork by investing in some high-qualit y equipment and materials. Ta ke t h i n g s to t he nex t level by keeping track of the progress you make. W hether it’s through a n app on your phone or diar y-like entr ies, recognizing your steps tow a rds per fec t ing a cr a f t makes looking back so much more fun! QUALITY TIME There is no better way to give yourself undiv ided attention than to be present in nature. Su r rou nd ing you rsel f w it h nature functions as an all-inone self-care date! You get to go on an adventure away from the hustle and bustle of cit y life, one that may also ser ve as an exercise routine. For the full experience, tr y to not docu ment the entire trip on your phone. It may be impractical to leave it off for security reasons, but resist the urge to photograph everything or t weet your whereabouts! PHYSICAL TOUCH R ele a s e a l l t he te n sion i n you r b o d y b y t re at i n g yourself to a rela xing day at the spa. There are a var iet y of options to choose f rom: Full body massages that relie ve st ress a nd a n x iet y, Epsom salt baths that improve t he b o d y ’s de tox i f ic at ion process, and even manicures, pedicures, and deep conditional treatment. If that doesn’t work for you, you can do your ow n skincare routine at home. This should be tailored to suit your skin t y pe (e.g., oily, combination, d r y), a nd t a r g e t proble m areas (e.g., acne, sensitiv it y, d iscolor at ion) —ma ke su re to ta ke the time to r id your face of a ll those tox ins and impurities.
PHOTOS BY KELLY VENERACION
78 cards and countless possibilities The magic of tarot reading bursts when intuition, interpretation, and action align. BY BY ANGEL MARTINEZ, EALA JULIENNE NOLASCO, AND AARON D. TOLENTINO THE 78 cards in a tarot deck seem innocuous—at least until a tarot practitioner draws from the deck and explores the various possibilities each hold. As the new year rings in, tarot reading not only serves a tool for prediction, but also as a potential new hobby for those who seek to widen their horizons. Tarot reading’s origins date back to the 1300s in Europe, yet its prevalence in the Philippines is a different story. Here, institutions that conduct training for tarot reading, and offer tarot reading are not abundant. While tarot cards are often associated with prediction and interpretation, the more vital side of the cards reveals that its true power rests not in fortune-telling, but in its potency as a guide for one’s life and a companion for one’s curiosity. THE MAKINGS OF MISCONCEPTIONS Though tarot readings may serve as a source of insights and life advice, professional tarot reader Henri Igna shares that tarot’s unconventionality and association to the occult may be the reason it is not widely practiced in the country. There are some setbacks to learning about tarot due to the Philippines’ Catholic orientation, which depicts tarot in a taboo light. “Growing up in a predominantly Catholic country, it is hard to access resources and materials about [tarot] anywhere without stigma,” he says. Be yond t hose in t he Philippines, the Catholic Church as a whole hasn’t been as accepting of tarot card reading. Pope Francis himself has been very critical of it, even referring to tarot reading as “an idolatry of our times.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church rejects all forms of divination, including prediction of the future, claiming that these encourage “a desire for power over time.” While Igna recognizes that there are daunting images in tarot cards—in particular the Death and the Devil cards—each tarot reading is meant to encourage individual transcendence by allowing one to reconnect with their subconscious and surroundings. “The art
of tarot is more than memorizing the cards’ meanings but knowing how to connect each one in a spread for a more holistic reading,” Igna says. In contrast to the Church’s contention against predicting the future, what tarot cards say about one’s future is not set in stone. Tarot card reading is about finding patterns in daily life and how these routines may affect the future; an individual can still choose to alter those patterns. “If you got to this point because of certain patterns in your past and you don’t change anything, you likely got to that point because you’re following the same pattern,” Psychology Department Lecturer and tarot card reader Pia Lina explains. CONNECTING WITH THE SUBCONSCIOUS Despite its unconventionality, tarot card reading may also be explained by concepts in the social sciences, particularly through psychological theories. Lina believes that each tarot card is a reflection of renowned psychoanalyst Carl Jung’s archetypes or large patterns of ideas in our collective unconscious. The collective unconscious is “all the memories of all sapient beings ever,” which has then convinced Lina that tarot archet y pes are rooted in the inter pretation of human experience. Carl Jung also emphasizes the finding of the “authentic self,” which Lina
affirms by claiming that one can increase their self-awareness as they interpret and relate to the meanings of cards that appear in a spread. She asserts that getting one’s tarot read and learning how to read the cards themselves can aid one in “finding their truer self and [making] meaning of their lives.” “To know yourself and to be authentic, to get to know your truest self; not everybody will find that through tarot cards but, the people who are drawn to it will likely be helped by it,” she says. Upon exploring the scientific roots of such a mystical practice, it cannot be denied that there are still certain instances surrounding tarot that are rather baffling. For instance, the order by which cards are drawn and how one out of 78 cards gets selected cannot be explained by science. DEMYSTIFYING THE MEANINGS Tarot reading then becomes a pursuit that all who are interested can invest in, and the community continues to make it possible for even beginners to explore the field. The practice has been made even more accessible to members of this generation, with Twitter accounts and YouTube channels dedicated to sharing predictions. Practitioners also have a community of their own where
they share thoughts and swap readings with one another. In order to help those interested in tarot, learning institutions such as Mysterium Manila have been established to hold lessons, workshops, events, and bazaars to organize opportunities to make a living out of the skill. Furthermore, Igna asserts that tarot reading is for anyone. “We [in the tarot community] always believe that tarot reading can be learned. Every one of us can,” he assures. “And the fact that you’re already interested in learning means something already.” Overall, the true essence of tarot reading is much more than just unfounded guesses and pure coincidences. It’s an intuitive process, with each card’s teachings intended to be taken out of the world of intellectual concepts and into the world of practical application. Though what the cards have to say aren’t the end-all, be-all of things, they certainly could serve as a much-needed source of clarity in an increasingly disorderly world. The choices individuals make based on the cards could positively or negatively affect them and the way they interact with others, creating a seemingly endless ripple effect—all from the countless possibilities of a deck of cards.
The GUIDON | January - February 2020
Success in spaces As the Lunar New Year has recently passed, we inspect feng shui, an indelible part of FilipinoChinese culture, in the home and in everyday living.
BY ENZO LAGOMON AND ANDREA TIBAYAN GRAPHIC BY ROMEO A. DESCALSO III WITH A RELATIONSHIP that dates back to pre-colonial times— built from economic ties and shared cultural identities—it’s no wonder that the Filipinos and the Chinese have managed to adapt to each other’s cultures. One such manifestation of this would be how, every January, the FilipinoChinese community paints the country red during the Lunar New Year season with a myriad of traditions that promise luck for the rest of the year. Another undeniably prominent assimilated custom would be feng shui—a routine that Filipinos and Tsinoys alike have integrated into their living spaces and everyday lives in hopes of achieving harmony and success. Originating from ancient China, feng shui or Chinese geomancy traditionally seeks to use energy forces so that an individual may harmonize with their surrounding environment. To pursue this harmony, feng shui must be integrated in the home and in people's day-today lives. This integration takes form in ritual practices, artifacts, architectural and interior design of the home, and predictions about one’s fortune in the coming year. Feng shui pervades spaces all around us, whether consciously or not: In Filipino-Chinese restaurants and establishments, and in the structures and the buildings of our own homes. However, beyond this, feng shui is faced with the challenge of keeping up with the times. In more modern contexts, the practice must find ways to remain relevant lest it becomes a thing of the past. TRACING TRADITIONS Feng shui expert Hanz Cua ties the Chinese tradition back to its root words, with feng meaning “wind” and shui translating to “water.” Tradition often points back to feng shui being named such because of how essential both elements are in everyday life: One would not be able to live without either wind (also commonly interchanged with “air”) and water.
The biggest concerns of feng shui have always been about space, namely the door, bedroom, and kitchen. According to Cua, doors are where the chi or energy move around the house, as such door placement and color are elements one ought to consider when it comes to architecture. The arrangement of bedroom furniture is also valuable because the bedroom is where one reenergizes. Meanwhile, kitchen logistics are also valued because food is meant to signify money and prosperity. Beyond spacing and positioning, feng shui is often integrated with Chinese astrology for maximum effectiveness. Hence, practicing feng shui involves a variety of complex formulas that are dependent on one’s astrological sign, emphasizing how multifaceted the practice has become. While feng shui’s roots can be misinterpreted as purely religious or superstitious, Cua debunks these by saying that it’s actually a science: “It is not something mystical or merely superstition. May tamang placement, may formula na fino-follow, [at] binebase ‘yan sa arrangement ng bahay (There are correct placements and specific formulas to follow based on the arrangement of the house).” Cua emphasizes that feng shui requires serious studies—many practitioners even enroll in feng shui schools to learn about its scholarship and history. To claim, then, that feng shui is a rigid practice would ignore its capacity for adaptation, as witnessed by modern trends in architecture and interior design. “Iba na ang mga bahay ngayon. Dati wala namang condominium [at] high-rise na building, so itong modern feng shui masters natin ngayon ay nagbabago na ang mga feng shui formula. Continuous study and research lang [ang kailangan para sa mga pagbabago sa feng shui],” Cua notes. ( Hou ses a re d i f ferent now. There weren’t any condominiums and highrise buildings before, so modern feng shui masters
now have updated their feng shui formula. Continuous study and research [is needed as we relearn feng shui]). IN THE MUNDANE AND THE EVERYDAY In terms of how feng shui transcends the structure of the household and shows itself in everyday living, Jared Ong (2 BS ME) shares how the observance of feng shui has been common practice in his home for as long as he could remember. “It’s not that much of a big deal for us as in we obsess over readings. It’s just that my family and I just use it as a guide and as points for reflection throughout the year,” he says. Ong happily recalls how feng shui has helped him be more judicious with the major decisions he has to make in his life. However, he adds that feng shui is not the ultimate determinant of his choices. A similar mindset is reflected in Ong’s family, who he claims are not the type to “obsessively follow” feng shui rituals; instead, they treat it like a guide. He uses his household’s table and decor as an example. “[We] change the table every year… [It usually] depends on the feng shui master and what they recommend for the year; [you] change tables to attract success. For example, this year, metal is the lucky [element] so the table should be metal also,” Ong explains. He adds that they always have fruits hanging by the door for good luck and prosperity, and they make sure to have a convex bagua mirror to bounce away any negative energy reflected in their home. Rather than using feng shui as a tool to attract luck in all aspects of life, Lim* (2 BS ME) takes a rather different approach to feng shui and says that he and his traditionally Chinese family don’t really observe feng shui unless it involves business. L i m sh a re s t h at h is family usually consults with feng shui experts prior to
employ ing someone. “For example, the feng shui master [will tell] us if the person can be trusted with money [and] property, whether the person is hard working or not, respectful or not,” Lim says. He adds that, so far, their feng shui master’s observations have been correct. “Feng shui is a heritage from China and I still follow it because the predictions are accurate,” Lim asserts. “More than this, it’s part of the identity that I inherited with my ancestors.” GOALS OF PROSPERITY While Ong and Lim observe feng shui because it is rooted in their lineage, other cultures— particularly our own—have also begun to subscribe to the practice. Cua finds that he has more Filipinos coming to his office for feng shui consultations than Chinese clients, which he suggests is because of how our cultures have become so tied with each other. Ultimately, though, he points out that everyone’s goal is to become successful in all aspects of life. “Everybody, mapa-anong lahi ka, gusto nating ma-improve buhay natin (Everybody, regardless of race, wants to improve their lives),” he says. Feng shui’s appeal lies in the possibility of success, and Cua acknowledges that Filipinos want that more than anything else. “We know that feng shui will enhance good health, fertility, good harmony for the family members; ‘yung mga magandang connections sa bahay (good connections with the house) can enhance good fortune and good luck. Generally, good feng shui will enhance prosperity, money, [and] luck sa family members,” he says. Regardless of where one may come from, success remains a goal and dream for all, and through feng shui we invite it in our spaces and our daily lives. Whether it is Chinese New Year or not, feng shui is a practice of promise for everyone—it’s definitely worth a shot.
3
4
Features
An idol within The ascent of MNL48 in pop culture mirrors that of a modern success story—having both good and dark sides to their stardom. BY GENESIS JACINTH TAN AND LAURENCE JUSTINE D. TUBON ILLUSTRATION BY GERI PUNO
That’s one of the other dark sides of the fandom, [that] people just see them for the fanservice, and what they can get out of it. JESSEY CORTEZ MNL48 FAN
WHILE FILIPINOS continue to revere foreign artists in the music scene, the all-female group called MNL48 (pronounced M.N.L. for t y-eight) brings Japanese pop (J-Pop) to the local scene. As the Filipino counterpart or sister group to the renowned Akihabara 48 (AKB48) idol group stationed in Japan, MNL48 was formed in 2016, seeking to further build idol culture in the Philippines. With their ensemble of bubbly songs and cute costumes, a fresh identity for girl groups and idols has started to emerge—one that may challenge how Filipinos v iew both celebr ities a nd female icons. TAKING CENTER STAGE With a huge presence in media, J-Pop idols do not only sing and dance, but also appear on entertainment shows or commercia ls. Some even venture into dramas or films. The common denominator for such a g roup —regardless of whether they ’re male idols or female idols, teens or in their 40s—is that their appeal mostly stems from their image rather than what they do or how well they perform. An idol can be one who juggles the life of a performer and a student at the same time, and this double persona is attractive for many. Aria Cariño, a former member of MNL48 who left in 2018, shares that audiences would admire an idol more if they could resonate with the star’s imperfections. “[These are] people who are loved not for their looks or talents, but for their innate charm and hard work,” she says.
MNL48 has 47 sister groups in countries worldwide including Japan. For each of these groups, auditionees start off as people barely known. The production staff and each auditonee meet in a closed- door audition which is then recorded but not publicized until the final line-up is announced. However, in MNL48, the search for members was televised on ABS-CBN to establish an existing fanbase. The aspirants’ audition videos would be available online, and they would be ranked through the votes they earn through an official mobile app: MNL48 Plus. Ashley Cloud Garcia, another former member of MNL48 who left in 2019, says that the change in the audition process came as a shock, noting that it had a “Filipino spin” to it—that the broadcasting network made it seem like “a survival show.” G a rc i a u ses t he ter m “Showtime Era”—referencing the popular ABS-CBN noontime variety show “It’s Showtime”— as a point of reflection on how the early beginnings of the group were met with prejudice and ridicule. As the first idol group in the country, it took a great amount of time for the audience's perception of them to improve. For Jessey Cor tez (2 BS HR I M ), a st udent at t he University of the Philippines Diliman and a fan of MNL48, M N L 4 8 was treated as a sideshow in “It’s Showtime.” However, he also mentions that the auditions were another reason why people weren’t sold on the idea, just as he was at first. “I got turned off because a lot of the girls didn’t know what they were getting into. They only treated it like a road to stardom and not being part of an idol group,” he laments. Despite a rocky start, MNL48 rose to fame nonetheless. With various single releases and concerts in the past year, the group has attracted a loyal following that continues to grow to this day. However, this has presented a new pressure in its own right: The need to keep up with fans amid strict internal pressures and restrictions. BEHIND THE OSHIMEN No matter how much the girls want to interact with and get to know their fans, their particular industry barrs them from forming any relations due to the fan service standards among local and international idol groups. “You can’t just approach us and ask for a picture, we rea lly have to decline,”
Garcia shares. “Sabi nilang snob ganyan, but that’s how it works ka si (They say we’re being snobbish, but that’s really how it works).” Perhaps it also does not help that AKB48 members are not allowed to have persona l socia l media accounts and must use the ones provided by their company—which are screened regularly. Another common contract clause among J-pop idol groups include the wellknown “love ban,” where some ma nagement f ir ms legally impose that idols can't be in any public romantic relationship while part of a group. This dating ban is a lleged ly str ic ter on t r a i nees to g ive t hem more time to focus on practicing and developing their skills. Whether or not this applied to MNL48 is something the interviewees could not touch on, but it remains far from unlikely. For a lucrative industr y that puts immense market value on fanser vice—such as ha ndsha ke events or photo c a rd s — t he s e r u le s are necessary. Nonetheless, some fans are more t h a n w i l l i n g to s h el l o u t m o n e y fo r t h e s e momentary interactions. TO KNOW ONE'S PLACE It is well-known that a major gear in the clock work t hat keeps the idol industry running is fan interaction. However, a certain branch of fans also take on a sense of entitlement in feeling like they “own” the girls. “Especially if they are big spenders, [some fans would say that] ‘Malaki ‘yung ginastos ko kay ganyan (I’ve spent a lot on her),’ and they feel that they own us,” Garcia says. Cor tez agrees w ith the sentiment, saying that it is like they “stop being human,” and become little more than dolls one controls. “[T]hat’s one of the other dark sides of the fandom, [that] people just see them for the fan service, and what they can get out of it,” he points out. He notes that with respect to the love ban, some fans can be controlling about who t heir idol ha ng s out with and may even inter vene in their lives by resorting to violent, threatening tendencies in worst case scenarios. “A lot of t he fa ns view [idols] as products [and] as entities they own. A lot of them rant whenever the idols don’t notice them or don’t go
to the events,” Cariño points out. The root of this can be problematic, as some of the girls are still very young and below legal age. The demanding nature that surrounds fan culture brings up concer n s on how idols de a l w it h s uch pre s s u re s . Garcia shares that there have been insta nces where she’d broken dow n, wh ile Ca r iño conf ides that some fan events were “draining mentally and physically.” Under the glare of the spotlight, the most human aspects of the idols are of ten overshadowed, a n insta nce that shouldn’t happen to any p e r s on a l it y r e g a r d le s s o f their popularit y. As MNL48 paves the way for idol groups in the Philippines, t he need to b e c r it ic a l of industr y restrictions and fan culture becomes increasingly apparent. At the end of the day, no amount of glamour or stage time should ever make an icon t he subjec t of ha r a ssment. Boundaries, regardless of how much suppor t management or fans display, mu s t s t i l l b e e s t a bl i s he d by fa ns a nd idols a li ke.
[Idols are] people who are loved not for their looks or talents, but for their innate charm and hard work. ARIA CARIÑO FORMER MEMBER OF MNL48
EDITOR: TRISTAN CHAN | LAYOUT ARTISTS: MIKA MEDINA WHERE THERE IS SMOKE
lnquiry
The advent of electronic nicotine delivery systems such as Juul products has prompted the University to adapt its campus smoking regulations
04 ILLUSTRATION BY KAITLYN MERCADO
On the wings of Eagle One BY JUSTIN JIMENEZ AND JEAN MANGALUZ
BROKEN ANKLES and faint spells can happen anywhere, at any time. A student can easily trip while sprinting from CTC to Bellarmine, or perhaps experience chest pains from drinking too much Kopiko 78 during finals week. However, the Atenean community can find comfort in the sight of a familiar blue ambulance by Schmitt Hall, manned by their campus-roaming heroes garbed in the same hue. These Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are employed by the University’s Megaforce security agency to be among the first responders in the case of medical emergencies on campus. Between providing first aid care to both physically injured students and individuals suffering from mental health emergencies, to supervising the safety of the community during natural calamities, the EMTs of the unified Ateneo Risk Management Unit (ARMU) serve the University community through invaluable logistical and medical support.
Despite the importance of their job, the EMTs of ARMU face consistent problems with manpower, equipment, and career instability, among others. CONSTANT VIGILANCE The University’s EMTs are supervised by the Campus Safety and Mobility Office (CSMO). CSMO Director Marceline Mendoza notes that in addition to daily medical emergencies, the team is tasked with managing the entire University’s disaster response and community welfare in times of natural calamities and campus-wide threats. According to ARMU team leader Niño Rastrullo, the University’s emergency medical response unit is composed of a team of 14 EMTs, 10 of whom are assigned to mobile duty aboard the campus’ two active ambulance units, aptly named Rescue Eagles One and Two. The remaining ARMU personnel serve as roaming medics throughout Ateneo’s different units in the Loyola Schools, High School, and Grade School. In addition to stringent hours and stationed duties, the service of ARMU personnel knows no curfew.
But it’s sad that Megaforce has a no work, no pay policy. That’s why if we’re a lot, we don’t get paid as much. NIÑO RASTRULLO ATENEO RISK MANAGEMENT UNIT TEAM LEADER
12 EMTs are deployed during regular campus hours in coordination with the reserve of five ARMU personnel who are stationed on campus the night prior, forming the unit’s dynamic 24/7 emergency coverage on campus. Despite its small reserve of medical personnel stationed to respond to the community’s daily emergencies, ARMU continues to ensure the safety of thousands on campus through their storied sense of duty and patience. Despite long working hours and constant exposure to health hazards, the EMTs of ARMU merit full support and appreciation from the University’s administration and the community at large for the value of their work and dedication. TRAINED TO SAVE LIVES In order to become a registered EMT, aspirants must first receive accredited training from any medical institution authorized by the Philippines’ Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) with a Certificate of Program Registration. Once enrolled in the training course, EMT trainees learn the processes involved in life support and study the critical practices involved in emergency medical situations, such as applying basic first aid and monitoring the spread of bodily infections. Upon completion of the average 960 hours of field training and lecture course requirements, graduates of these emergency medical courses are legally certified with a National Certificate II from TESDA, as per the mandate of the Philippine government. Following government certification and prior to applying for a job in emergency medical services, novice EMTs must prepare for a licensure exam as part of the application process to the Philippine Society of Emergency Medical Technicians (PSEMT). PSEMT grants its members access to mentorship and medical seminar networks. Aside from their studies,
training, and networking endeavors, EMTs must also prepare for the typical screening processes and employer-employee interviews when they choose to apply for a job. Within the context of the University, Loyola Schools Health Services (LSHS) Director Henrietta dela Cruz, MD, notes that EMTs employed by the University receive additional training from the LSHS on campus protocols, which includes emergency situation psychological training from the Loyola Schools Office of Guidance Counselling (LSOGC). TO THE RESCUE Rastrullo shares that based on his experience, one of the first skills an EMT develops while on the job is the urgent rush to accurately make initial medical assessments in emergency situations. Injuries may vary from sprained limbs to seasonal illnesses, therefore Rastrullo notes that EMTs must be prepared for changing circumstances and degrees of emergency severity. Following primary assessments, EMTs decide whether or not the patients need secondary care from a permanent medical facility, such as nearby hospitals or ARMU’s own base of operations at the University’s own LSHS clinic. Once patients who need further emergency care are brought to the main office of the LSHS at the Social Sciences building, the attending physicians assess if the clinic is able to accomodate the patient’s immediate needs. If the physician on duty decides that a student needs tertiary or more specialized care, the student’s parents will be notified of the situation and ARMU will transport the patient to the LSHS’ referral hospital at The Medical City in Ortigas, unless the parents or the patient choose to be brought to their own personal physicians. Rastrullo described an instance in which a student suffered a severe heart attack within the school premises. “Pag dating namin sa kanya, he was clutching his chest, sumisigaw siya sa sakit (When we
arrived, he was clutching his chest and shouting in pain).” Rastrullo says that the response of ARMU to the emergency at the time was a success, as the team was able to transport the patient to the hospital in time. According to dela Cruz, ARMU is also equipped to attend to the needs of patients who experience psychological emergencies with physical manifestations such as hyperventilating and fainting. In such cases, ARMU works with the LSHS in coordinating their response efforts with the support of the LSOGC. THE PROPER TOOLS Despite the rigorous training and tests EMTs undergo, their serviceability as a unit is under duress with the plethora of challenges they continue to face. Rastrullo notes that the team is limited by an evident lack of equipment, specifically with defibrillator units. “Actually ang Rescue Eagle One lang ang meron lang defib unit (Actually, Rescue Eagle One is the only ambulance equipped with the defibrillator unit),” says Rastrullo, who explains that they have to leave their only defibrillator unit with the security guards whenever they transport a patient off-campus. “‘Yun ang pinaka-importante naming gamit as EMT tiyaka life-saving device talaga ‘yun sa mga cardiac arrest patient (It’s the most important tool we, as EMTs use - it’s a life-saving device especially for people who experience cardiac arrest), he explains. However, Mendoza says that more defibrillator units are already scheduled for delivery to the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Human Resources (OVPAHR) by sometime this year. ON THE JOB According to Rastrullo’s accounts, most EMTs who have worked within the University
for Megaforce in the past stay for two years on average to earn a Certificate of Employment and the necessary experience for more profitable work abroad. “Mas makakaganda kung magtatagal yung mga EMT dito kasi nagaabroad sila para lang gawin itong training ground para makakuha ng certificate of employment dahil nga kasi sa security of tenure dahil outsource nga kami,” he explains. (It would be better if EMTs stayed for much longer. Most of them go abroad and use this job as a training ground to get a certificate of employment due to the lack of job security since we are outsourced workers). While Rastrullo maintains that the University’s EMTs are satisfied to be given a sufficient salary and proper work benefits such as Philhealth cards, it would still be preferable to receive tenureship. In the meantime, the team continues to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. Rastrullo assesses that the ARMU team is doing “satisfactorily well” in terms of responding to medical emergencies within campus. The team could effectively respond more with additional EMTs, but he stresses that Megaforce follows a no work, no pay policy. “Pero ang nakakasad talaga dito sa Megaforce is no work, no pay. Kaya pagkamarami kami, maliit lang din salary namin (But it’s sad that Megaforce has a no work, no pay policy. That’s why if we’re a lot, we don’t get paid as much),” says Rastrullo, further explaining the lack of job security EMTs have with their employers. Despite what extraordinary and persistent challenges EMTs might face in their line of work, these medical responders are stationed 24/7 around campus, ready to put in the arduous work for the populous community they serve in case of any emergency. Their dedication to their work and service ensures that the Loyola Schools is a safer place for all.
2
lnquiry
The GUIDON | January-February 2020
3
P H O T O E S S AY
Between the earth and sky BY ADELENE HA AND MALAIKA PACULAN PHOTOS BY MIKE PERFECTO
DESPITE ITS position nestled along the bustling Katipunan Avenue and between the industries of Marikina and Quezon City, the Loyola Heights campus boasts an expansive integration of urban infrastructure with natural forestry and grasslands throughout University grounds. From the deep greenery of the forest near the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM) to the vibrant Wildlife Sanctuary beside the Church of Gesu, the Ateneo tends well to the greenery and life atop its hill. However, campus infrastructural developments have seen some of these green spaces cleared in recent years to make way for new facilities such as the Senior High School building and the Areté. In 2018, the Campus Facilities Management Office announced plans to clear parts of the JGSOM forest and develop road network extensions that would ease vehicular traffic in the area and throughout the campus. Members of the University’s community protested against this move, crying out for the homes of plant, animal, and fungi species on campus—the proposal has since been suspended indefinitely. With the University’s ongoing plans for infrastructure development, the community must understand the immutable responsibility of the Ateneo towards the campus’ immediate environment, and the non-human residents who call the Ateneo campus their home. INTO THE WILD Among the defenders of the Ateneo campus’ wildlife and forestry are Biology professors and The Ateneo Wild moderators Trinket Constantino and Abby Favis. Currently, the Ateneo Wild’s social media pages feature regular
content on citizen science—this means students, parents, staff, faculty, and others who are able to document natural phenomena and creatures on campus are free to submit photos of different sightings of birds, flowers, reptiles, and other creatures. Some of the most unique sightings include the predatory Peregrine Falcon perched atop campus streetlights, fresh crab species within the canals along the John Gokongwei Student Enterprise Center, and the Hydraena Ateneo beetle species discovered on campus grounds in 2014, named after the only place in the world where it may be found. Favis shares that the page was born out of “personal interest,” with the additional goal of promulgating its “underlying advocacy [of helping] urban dwellers see that the city can [be both beautiful and a green space where] we can coexist together.” Constantino adds that the importance of stirring appreciation for green spaces within metropolitan areas comes with the urgency of maintaining ecologically diverse and natural “green corridors” throughout the city. “[The Ateneo] is lucky because it is continuous with [the natural environments] of [the campuses of] Miriam, UP Diliman, and the Balara filtration plant,” she explains. “[These areas compose] a large green corridor in Quezon City...and there’s a lot of literature [and studies] into the public health, psychological, [and urban development] benefits afforded by the maintenance of public green spaces.” According to the World Health Organization, urban green spaces play the critical role of providing primary “cooling” for city environments by reducing emission-based humidity and heat. They also serve as safe routes for civilian foot traffic.
INTEGRATION, NOT INCLUSION In order to protect the natural environment and inhabitants of the campus, the Campus Grounds Advisory Committee mandates the creation and screening of the Campus Master Plan (CMP), which illustrates the plans for both potential sites for future infrastructure and areas on campus that should be protected from urbanization and heavy construction. Furthermore, in accordance with the University’s CMP, Director of the Office of Sustainability Elias V. Pan assures that “only three hectares [of the campus’ land area] are allotted for [building] present and future [infrastructure], with very minimal endemic trees affected by these area allocations.” The University’s total area is currently at 90-hectares. Other than urban campus planning, the University is also investing in sustainable energy sources to power the campus in the next decade. In addition to the long-term reduction of the campus’ yearly carbon emissions and energy waste output, the short-term effects of investing in solar panels and energy-efficient fixtures will result in significantly less chemical, noise, and environmental pollution within the immediate environment of the University. Beyond the benefits of a cleaner and more natural working and living environment, protecting the campus’ wild areas and inhabitants is also a matter of acknowledging and respecting the community’s impact on its immediate surroundings. It remains the obligation and responsibility of the University and all its inhabitants to honor the buzzing noise of a vibrant and living environment on campus.
...There’s a lot of literature [and studies] into the public health, psychological [and urban development] benefits afforded by the maintenance of public green spaces. ABBY FAVIS BIOLOGY PROFESSOR AND THE ATENEO WILD CO-FOUNDER
4
lnquiry
Where there is smoke BY SEAN CARBALLO AND FRANCIS CAIGA ILLUSTRATION BY MIKHAELLA NORLIN MAGAT
IN A press release last November 2019, the Department of Health (DOH) disclosed the first case of e-cigarette or vape-associated lung injury (EVALI) in the country. The patient, a 16-yearold girl, was hospitalized and later required intensive care as a result of her “dual-use” of vape and combustible cigarettes. Five months after this incident, the DOH issued a press release about an administrative order to strengthen regulations on electric nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS). National regulation efforts, coupled with the observed market trend of frequent ENDS/ENNDS consumption among universityage youth, point to the need to update University regulations to address the use of ENDS/ENNDS products within the campus. RISING SMOKE In the Philippines, the medical community struggles with the lack of ENDS/ENNDS product regulation. “Juuls are only the tip of the iceberg. Due to poor regulation, nearly anyone has access to these vapes,” asserts Loyola Schools Office of Health Services (LSHS) Director Henrietta dela Cruz, MD, MPH, FPCCP. In line with dela Cruz’ concerns on the regulation of ENDS/ENNDS products, the national Food and Drug Administration (FDA) admitted to the poor regulation of the industry throughout the country. According to the FDA, the regulation of ENDS/ENNDS products is challenged by hurdles to chemical component classification and the supervision of online sales. The unregulated access of vapes in the country comes with severe costs due to the potentially harmful components of an e-cigarette. One example is the presence of diacetyl in flavored e-cigarettes, which has been found to be linked with bronchiolitis, a respiratory virus. However, the dangers go beyond the e-cigarette’s ingredients. In a study, science and environmental journalist Nate Seltenrich conducted last August, it was found that e-cigarettes makes use of “metal coils or ceramic elements powered by small batteries to heat and aerosolized liquid.” The paper claims that this mechanism inevitably “leech[es] metals” into the smoker’s lungs. Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo shares similar sentiments with concerned scientific studies on ENDS/ENNDS products, noting that “if the DOH had its way, we would go for an outright ban.” In November 2019, Duterte announced that he would ban the importation of vape devices to the country. Although the DOH has attempted to address the lack of regulation for ENDS/ENNDS products, the issue is currently
“at a standstill.” Currently, two undisclosed Philippine e-cigarette companies have effectively stalled the implementation of the order by delaying the proceedings of the court on their business matters. Without enforced DOH regulation on the ENDS/ENNDS market, the University has since began addressing the usage of e-cigarette devices on campus with updates to its standing policy against smoking. CLEARING THE AIR The University has put in the effort to study the DOH’s policies against public smoking and apply the regulations on cigarette usage around campus. In 2013, smoking on campus became completely prohibited through the implementation of the updated No Smoking Policy of former Loyola Schools Vice President Nemesio S. Que, SJ. The new policy prohibited the use of tobacco products in enclosed areas and in public spaces such as schools and restaurants. A complete ban on smoking pocket gardens or “smockets,” which initially served as
Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs), was also implemented. Areas that were initially indepebdent of the University’s directive such as the Jesuit Residence, The Manila Observatory, Loyola House of Studies, San Jose Seminary, Arrupe International Residence, and East Asian Pastoral Institute were also mandated to follow the new policy. Such regulation became further strengthened with the promulgation of Executive Order No. 26 back in 2017, which prohibited smoking nationwide in public and enclosed spaces except for DSAs that follow the specifications prescribed by law. Despite these regulations, both R.A. 9211 and EO No. 26 only prohibited the use of tobacco products or any substance that contained nicotine. With the onset of e-cigarette and tobacco
technologies,“alternative smoking” through the usage of ENDS/ENNDS products without nicotine has made smoking on campus without prohibition possible. Office of Student Services Director Cholo Mallillin said that the Ateneo administration’s response to the popularization of ENDS/ENNDS products has centered on updating its No Smoking Policy by adhering to the DOH’s Administrative Order No. 2019-0007 to factor in tobaccoalternative products. The Office of the Vice President for the Loyola Schools released a memorandum on September 24, 2019 that informed the rest of the University community about the new prohibitions against ENDS/ ENNDS devices within the perimeter of the Loyola Heights campus.
As per the memo, students are prohibited from consuming tobacco and non-tobacco ENDS/ ENNDS products on campus, including usage within dormitory rooms and vehicles. Aside from these newly updated smoking policies, the memo also stressed that the rules are applicable to everyone; students will be sanctioned according to the Student Handbook, employees through the Employee Code of Discipline, and third party service providers and visitors would be issued violation tickets that would need to be resolved prior to their next visit to the campus. As per the University’s updated No Smoking Policy, Mallillin notes that while the OSS has already printed “smoking tickets” to issue to violators, there have not been any incidents necessitating the issuance of these slips. Upon
the update of the policy, Mallillin notes that campus dormitory security did report incidents of ENDS/ENNDS usage within the residence halls, but asserted that they were handled accordingly. “If things happen in the dorm, they have their own processes to resolve such cases; they know their rules,” Mallillin says. Meanwhile, even with the actions taken for the improved regulation, the areas near Gate 2.5 and Gate 3.5 remain as two prominent spots for smokers. In response, Assistant Director of the Campus Safety and Mobility Office (CSMO) Nhoy Almosera states that those areas fall under the 10-meter distance from the gates of the school as stated under EO No. 26. Though these DSAs are legal, Almosera notes that the CSMO will still pursue additional actions “to enhance and ensure the safety of the community.” The discussions regarding the regulation of these spaces are still in process, and they are mediated among the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Barangay Loyola Heights, and the Ateneo. Almosera added that these areas are considered a public matter because it is shared by individuals who are not under the jurisdiction of the University, thus requiring the participation of the local units.
DEEP BREATHS As part of the University’s efforts to reduce smoking within the community, LSHS also provides one-on-one smoking cessation programs to assist students who wish to curb their consumption of tobacco and ENDS/ENNDS products. Even though regulations on ENDS/ENNDS devices have been updated, Mallillin still believes that the act of smoking must be avoided altogether. “Young people, don’t even pick up a cigarette. If you haven’t yet imbibed the habit in any way, don’t even start [if you have the choice],” he advises. It still rests on the students’ prerogative to choose to continue such activities, if not in school, then perhaps outside of campus. Nonetheless, regulations have already been set to foster a healthier environment for all members of the University.