The Hillside Echo Vol. 86, Issue No. 01 - 2022

Surviving the pandemic

FCU BACK TO F2F CLASSES

After two years of online and modular learning in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, Filamer Christian University (FCU) resumes face-to-face (F2F) classes in the new normal for A.Y. 20222023 starting Sept. 12.

Preparations for the comeback of face-to-face classes were made last year after the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) informed the university about the possibility of face-

Apollo has landed

to-face classes, and as a requirement of CHED, FCU retrofitted its classrooms and laboratories and the university was the first among other institutions in Capiz to hold limited face-to-face offering in the College of Nursing (CN) last Jan. 2021.

According to the university admin, full F2F classes does not mean all students are required to be back on campus because there are still certain

protocols to be followed, thus, the online learning modality is still being utilized.

“During this first semester, we are having this shift because we cannot place 50 students in a classroom. That is why we still make use of online or virtual teaching-learning activities,” Dr. Minnie Chan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, stated.

Even with Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issuing an

CN receives P6.5M human simulator

To allow nursing students to learn numerous assessment skills before clinical exposure, FCU-BSN Alumni Association Incorporated (AAI) donated the Apollo Prehospital Human Simulator to the College of Nursing (CN), Feb 14.

The human simulator can mimic the human body, allow students to assess and diagnose different diseases and perform basic and advanced procedures such as intubation, tracheostomy, catheterization, and colostomy among others.

“Because of the pandemic, students were hindered from [having] hospital exposures and skills training, so they can do it with the use of the mannequin,” Dr.

Dr. Guillen added that the acquisition of the human simulator is a big leap for CN, considering the limitations imposed by the pandemic to the training of student nurses and this is also one of the requirements of the Commission on Higher Education and the Professional Regulation

BESORIO

“The Apollo simulator was a big help for us nursing students as it provides us with real-life scenarios where we can practice our skills without causing harm to the patient and enhance our clinical skills to provide safe and quality nursing care,”Joana Marie Azarcon, a student from CN, shared.

The procurement of the said simulator is a priority project of the FCU-BSN (AAI) class of 1977 and was realized through the joint effort of the administrators and the CN alumni from different batches.

executive order allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas, Dr. Chan emphasized that the school is still considered a closed space.

“If you are inside the campus, and you are with other people, you should wear your facemasks not only to protect yourself but also others. It is a moral obligation,” Dr. Chan expressed.

Before the resumption of F2F classes, fear from the parents is the main concern of the university if the parents will allow their children to have F2F classes.

“That is why we have intensified campaigns and we are also having virtual meetings with parents by department… Parents from different departments FCU back to F2F.../p4

FCU hosts 60th ACSCU National Convention

Proving its readiness to provide and perform, Filamer Christian University (FCU) hosted the 60th Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ACSCU) National Convention, held at Kapis Mansions, Banica, Roxas City, June 20-21.

With the theme ACSCU: Shaping a Humane, Inclusive, Just and Sustainable Society, the conference was the first since the pandemic and was attended by heads, administrators, and key officials from the 148-member schools all over the Philippines via in-person and Zoom Teleconference.

“It's the first time for us to host this kind of event, a hybrid event, we

had problems with our resources, but [the technical staff] managed to prove that they can and they are capable," Mary Jane Tormon, Mass Media Coordinator of FCU, expressed.

The first of the five Plenary Sessions which composed the entirety of the conference included keynotes from guest speakers, the first was addressed by Retired Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil, PhD., DD., while the second was by Dr. Amos Nascimiento, Incumbent Associate General Secretary for Global Education and New Initiatives of the

VANESSA GLENISE USISON & MICHAEL JAY DEMINGOY

MICHAEL JAY DEMINGOY & YSABELLE ANN

Nelly Guillen, Dean of the College of Nursing, said.

Commission.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF FILAMER CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY OCTOBER 2022

THEA ABBIEGAIL DACULA

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. Dr. George O. Cortel gives his welcoming remarks as the President of the host school of the first ACSCU hybrid convention. The Centralian Link

GIANT LEAP FOR CN. Dr. Cortel and Dr. Guillen (from left to right) receive the Apollo Prehospital Human Simulator donated by the FCU-BSN AAI.

Jan Kevin Dolfo

TRANSITION OF CLASSES. Filamerians are back to face-to-face classes after a two-year distance learning. Roshieka Paula Balgos

CHTM stude triumphs at ASEAN Expo flair bartending

Filamerian pride, John Michael Deocampo, took home a regional feat after reaping a second place finish in the Bartending Category at the ASEANInspired Cooking and Bartending Competitions Cum Themed Table Setting Exhibits at Robinsons Place Jaro, Iloilo City, Sept. 30.

The 22-year-old Bachelor of Science in Hospitality ManagementCruise Ship Operations Level - IV student contested both Bacolod City contenders, Orlan Mata Desucatan at first place, while Timothy John Noveros, placed third, in the individual and live cocktail concoction.

“I wasn’t expecting to win any title,

I just focused on performing my routine well and enjoying the moment. And when they announced Filamer placed 2nd runner-up, I was stunned because I can’t believe that I have won the title. This achievement is for all the hard work that I have done,” Deocampo shared.

Commission on Higher EducationRegional Office VI spearheaded the Hospitality Skills Expo in collaboration with the CHEDRO VI Council of Deans for Hospitality and Tourism Education in Western Visayas, as well as other related academic associations (COHREP Panay-Guimaras Chapter; COHREP Negros Island and Siquijor Chapter; SUCAHTEP; and Team Philippines) in

celebration of this year’s ASEAN month.

“To all the faculty and staff of our department who supported me throughout the journey and to our very own Dean, Ma’am Maria Anna Lisa Ruba. Thank you gid, mga Ma’am and Sir!... Thank you so much Lord for the blessings! This is more than I prayed for. All of this because of you Lord! Thank you!”, he added.

Deocampo was trained by Mr. Lorenzo Rojo, one of the CHTM professors at the university and the current Vice President and board member of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the PhilippinesPanay Chapter.

CAS reigns in LitMus ‘22

With the theme, “Forging Forward: Embracing Our New Realities,” Capundan was one of the 84 delegates who were selected from various colleges and universities around the Philippines after an online interview that started with a month of socializing virtually and ended with a three-day face-to-face session.

During her experience, Capundan explained that the goal of the said organization is to create and build linkages and she also shared her four major learnings from the whole

event which are: Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, having a Vision, and Stewardship, emphasizing that listening and empathy to the people are vital as a leader.

“Learn to rest. We always say ‘padayon, padayon, padayon’ pero come to think of it, why not pahuway danay? You settle down. [Kay] kita nga mga kabataan subong very assertive [and] very proactive gid,” Capundan on her takeaways during AYLC on the aspects of leadership.

AYLC is a Leadership summit of a selected group of Filipino college and university student leaders that hones their leadership skills and potential, promotes service as a value orientation of leadership, and instills a deep sense of idealism, societal responsibility, and nationbuilding.

Capundan was also elected as General Secretary of the Supreme Student Council Society of the Philippines (SSCSP) Western Visayas Chapter, at Camp General Adriano D. Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo, Sept. 30.

“As the elected general secretary, I am honored, at the same time thrilled to be accepting this position. I always imprint accuracy, precision, and transparency, and Western Visayas can expect from me this work ethic,” Capundan said with enthusiasm.

In partnership with the Philippine Air Force and Commission on Higher Education, SSCSP is an organization that aims to unite students and train them in leadership and public service for a progressive country by implementing different projects.

Equipped with wit in wordplay and skills in musical, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) dominated the stage during the Literary-Musical Competition held at Filamer Christian University (FCU) gym, Aug. 24.

In Extemporaneous Speaking, Lester John Carnaje confidently spoke his thoughts and was hailed as champion, leaving Nanette Carmen of the College of Teacher Education (CTE) and Johuara Marie Falco of the College of Business and Accountancy in second and third place, respectively.

“...Ginhambal ko na lang didto na nga, like manifestation atu nga this is for me. Like among the roses I am the thorn and that thorn will bring me to being the champion lang

CAS reasserts dominion in debate series

With intellectual prowess and firm disposition, the debate team of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) defended their title over the Senior High School Department (SHS) during the FCUSR University Debate Finals, held at FCU Roblee Hall, May 18.

With the proposition, “LIBRT: The Qualifications for National Posts stated in the Philippine Constitution should be Amended,” the debating team stated their arguments by applying the OxfordOregon format.

Clinching the debate championship was the winning team composed of Jake

“Above all sa Ginoo gid tanan. I could not make it also if not sa validation sa sarili in behalf of numbers of insecurities during practice. Stringent research gid ang kinanglan and building a relationship with the team gid mismo, to work on a collective goal,” Carnaje stated.

With their exemplary speaking and argumentative skills, Carnaje garnered

the best speaker award, while Silubrico was awarded as the best debater.

“We are very stressed with the scope of the proposition and we really gave time sa research. We practiced mock debate with each other, we asked questions, we interpellate each other, and I believe that’s a factor also. Na polish gid namon amon nga ability to answer and ask questions,” Silubrico expressed.

The FCUSR University Debate was spearheaded by the FCUSR Nationals under the chairmanship of Sen. Zarah Rose Ann Dacles.

gid. Salig lang gid sa Ginoo kag pamati sa coach kay sila ang mas nakabalo,” Carnaje, the champion in Extemporaneous Speaking, stated.

Danica Rose Bernal of CAS clutched the top spot in Spoken Word Poetry as she eloquently delivered her piece, followed by Maricar Sion of Senior High School (SHS) in second place and Hyrisha Kaye Coniendo of Junior High School in third place.

Filled with confidence and sophistication, the performers from the College of Nursing (CN) seized triumph in the Ppop Competition, while the SHS and CTE were proclaimed the second and third place winners, respectively.

“It was unexpected but we have, we did our best and we have so many sacrifices gid kay especially amon

schedule is very busy. …Nagapa thank you lang kami sa amon supportive CI, sa coach namon kag sa iban pa gid na Filamer students,” the leader of CN team gratefully expressed.

For the Sinephone competition, CAS bagged first place, leaving the teams of SHS in second place and the College of Criminal Justice Education in third place. While the CN claimed the People’s Choice Award for Best Teaser in the said competition.

The Literary-Musical Competition was organized by the Socio-Cultural Office in collaboration with The Hillside Echo to commemorate the 118th Foundation Anniversary Celebration of Filamer Christian University with the theme, Pagsaulog sang Pagtukod.”

Characterizing the spirit of a servant leader, Filamer Christian University Student Republic (FCUSR) President, Ma. Karen Capundan delegated in the Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC) 2022, held at Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, July 15-17.

Buenvenida, Lester John Carnaje, Hanna Degala Egos, Thea Abbiegail Dacula, Daren Silubrico, and Danica Rose Bernal with Mary Antoinette Fajardo and Leo Art Diosep Borres as the adviser and coach respectively.

RHETORICALLY ELOQUENT. Daren Silubrico takes the podium to assert her stand over SHS during the FCUSR University Debate Finals. Michael Jay Demingoy

BARTENDING PROTEGE. Filamerian pride, John Michael Deocampo of CHTM, smiles with glee as he placed second in ASEAN Expo. John Michael Deocampo

CAS DOMINATION. CAS takes lead in LitMus competition dominating most of the categories. Ma. Estelle Antonette Vaflor

SERVANT LEADER. Capundan exemplifies her leadership skills as one of the qualifiers for AYLC and was elected after as Gen Sec of SSCSP-WV Chapter. Ma.Karen Capundan

NICK ANDREI DESALES

THOEN ANN SOCOBOS

JIMIL FAITH CAPUTERO

REYNAN JOEL ECAMINA & MA. ESTELLE ANTONETTE VAFLOR

FCU alumni shines in world stage

Bringing pride and honor to the Philippines, Maybelle Villan and Coleen Mae Dumol, alumni of Filamer Christian University (FCU) showcased their singing prowess during the 25th World Championships of Performing Arts Virtual (WCOPA) 2022 held at Disneyland, Anaheim, California, USA, July 22-30.

Villan, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (2015) and Master of Business Administration (2019) was named semifinalist and multi-medalist after winning two silver medals for Semi-Finalist Medal and Vocal Variety, respectively, as well as two bronze medals for Vocal Gospel and R&B/Soul/Jazz.

Moreover, Villan also joined WCOPA in 2020, where she bagged a gold medal in the Senior Vocal Self Accompaniment (Open) category and a silver medal in the Senior Vocal (Gospel) category.

“Take risks while you’re young, if life gets in the way and you fail, start again and keep going. No one can pull you down if you don’t allow them to. Just believe in your power to do what you want. I, myself is not even halfway through my journey but one important lesson I learned on the way is to not

let people’s compliments get in your head and don’t let their criticism get in your heart,” Villan articulated as she encouraged individuals who wish to join the same prestigious competition.

Meanwhile, Dumol, an alumna of Elementary (2011), garnered two bronze medals in WCOPA 2022 Group Production (Broadway) and Vocal Solo Contemporary; like Villan, Dumol also competed in 2020, where she seized a bronze medal in the Vocal Solo Pop Category.

“Never doubt yourself. I never imagined I would be able to go to the US to represent my country. If I can do it, you too for sure! Make use of the talent that God has given and entrusted you not just only to satisfy yourself but also for the other people to appreciate and enjoy it,” Dumol’s advice to the Filipino talents.

Overall, Team Philippines during the 25th WCOPA 2022 accumulated a total of 265 awards and medals and also got 2nd place as Best in National Costume out of participating countries during the Parade of Nations at Anaheim Convention Center.

WCOPA is an international competition for aspiring performers and entertainers from over 60 participating countries.

CBA rep wins big in reg’l convention SHS, CHTM reign in Fashion Runway stint

Top 2 Victor for this year’s Annual Regional Convention.

“I highly encourage all [Bachelor of Science in Accountancy] students to join this event as it gives an opportunity to collaborate with other accountancy students across the country through a series of events,” Villariña said.

With exuberance and star-studded runway performance, Filamerians flaunted their banwa-inspired ensemble during the FCUSR Fashion Runway 2022, SM City Roxas, Aug. 23.

By the time that the convention was announced, people were still recovering from the flood brought by Typhoon Agaton so Villariña barely had enough time to prepare and led her to strategize by focusing on topics she had no knowledge about such as special laws where Atty. Azores’ lectures and concept notes came in handy.

“My remaining time was spent on refreshing my prior knowledge about the other topics. The time constraint was also bearable because of my mentor’s help throughout the boot camp,” Claire Diane Villariña, FCU’s participant stated.

Villariña earned the 3rd spot in the Obligations and Contracts Quiz Bowl for the Individual Category. For the team category, their group won 1st place for the Case Digest Competition and 3rd spot for Quiz Bowl-Banking Laws and laws on other business transactions. Overall, she was hailed as the

She highlighted that this event also provides an avenue to learn [Regulatory Framework in Business Transactions] topics from reputable resource speakers and that this is a nice way of assessing one’s knowledge in this aspect.

“I highly commend the efforts of NFJPIA-R6 for materializing this first-ever Annual Regional Convention. Similarly, I’m very grateful to my mentor, Sir Roland [Roland Manuel Alado], to my SMC pips, family, and friends for all of your constant help and support. This triumph is due to all of you,” Villariña added.

The Annual Regional Convention Business Law Boot Camp is an initiative to give the participants a glimpse of what the legal aspect is like in the corporate world specifically in Regulatory Framework in Business Transactions through a series of lectures and quiz bowls. It’s a 4-in1 event with lecture sessions, quiz bowl, case digest competition, and webinar.

Impressing the crowd with confident projection, Senior High School (SHS) darling Alyza Hermenegildo, and boynext-door of College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (CHTM) Alben Patrick Yerro, were crowned as Mr. and Ms. FCUSR Fashion Runway 2022, leaving Charlie Jim Estares of SHS Rodalyn Faith Lagarde of Junior High School (JHS), and Harry Prince Galvez from the College of Business and Accountancy together with Marjeorie Joy Centillo of College of Nursing (CN) were hailed as first runners up and second runners up, respectively.

“Actually first time ko ni siya nga mag-join sang subong sini nga event kay mahuluy-on gid ko ya. May nag-push lang nga isa ka tawo nga mag-join sini kag wala ko gid gin expect nga madaog ako,” Yerro expressed.

For the Special awards, Estares from SHS and Sophia Mae Paner from the College of Engineering clutched the Best in Runway.

JHS Ivan Francis Antioquia and Hermenegildo won the People’s Choice Award, while Social Media Popularity award were awarded to Miguel Oliver Faderon of College of Teacher Education and Hermenegildo from SHS, Estares of SHS and Centillo of CN grabbed Iconic

SHS emerges victors in sadsad competition

With deafening cheers, astounding and festive choreography, the Senior High School (SHS) snagged the championship trophy in the sadsad competition during the 118th foundation anniversary at FCU gym, Aug. 23.

Drawing inspiration from the Pintados de Passi and Dinagyang, the SHS delivered their precise and synchronized choreography which

lead them to victory.

“Bira-bira gid ang amon nga practice kag wala na kami pahuway

In terms of teamwork, isa lang kami sang objective kag nakamit gid namon ang amon gusto makamit,” SHS dancer, Neo Obrigue, expressed.

Meanwhile, the Graduate School (GS) and the College of Nursing (CN) were hailed as 1st and 2nd Runners Up, respectively.

“Last minute na halos tanan namon nga obra pati amon costume, pero nakaya namon kag ari kami diri subong kay may leadership [kami] and each one of us nagabuligay,” a dancer from the champs added.

Prior to their victory, SHS also received the Best in Sadsad award, while the GS received the Best in Choreography and CN as Most Disciplined.

Filamer Christian University through Claire Diane Villariña participated and placed second in National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants-Region VI’s 1st Annual Regional Convention Business Law Boot Camp with the theme “PAGPASIDUNGOG: Al Honor La Region,” Apr. 18-30.

Street Wear Attire, and CHTM Yerro and Lagarde as Best in banwa representation. Garnering Sponsor Awards, both representatives of SHS wins Mr. and Ms. Beauty Getaway Wellness Spa; representatives from CCS won Mr. and Ms. Meraki awards; College of Nursing representatives received the Mr. and Ms.

Stylisthicc; and SHS together with CN were awarded as ambassadors of Mr. And Ms. Mardebb.

The FCUSR Fashion Runway highlighted the creativity and artistry of local designers around the province through the contestants’ banwa-inspired attire and costumes.

IN VOGUE RUNWAY. CHTM and SHS (left to right) clad in their street wear attire with glamour at FCUSR Fashion Runway. Ma. Estelle Antonette Vaflor

TRIUMPH OF THE WILL. SHS takes the top spot in Sadsad competition.

Ma. Estelle Antonette Vaflor

HONOR AND PRIDE.

Filamerian alumni Dumol and Villan flaunts their talent in WCOPA. Coleen Mae Dumol and Maybelle Villan

ALLEA ROSE VASQUEZ

JIMILFAITH CAPUTERO

JIMIL FAITH CAPUTERO

THOEN ANN SOCOBOS

With their spectacular dance moves, the Junior High School (JHS) dominated the dancefloor, hence, named champion of the Sugapaay Dance Battle 2022 hosted at the FCU gym, May 19.

The JHS dance group, comprised of Heart Bebita, Sophia Mae Yangyang, Keturah Moselle Arbis, Jorelyn Llamas Amoronio, Kate Lovella Barza Tipon, Chloe Anne Conlu, Sareinah Artates, Candace Nazarette Arlante, and Netchielyn

Gasis, battled it out with the College of Teacher Education’s (CTE) troupe to clutch the title.

CTE was awarded as a finalist while the Senior High School, College of Criminal Justice Education, College of Business and Accountancy, and College of Arts and Sciences were given certificates of participation.

“I know and I believe nga makaya namon and it’s not impossible,” Candace Nazarette Arlante, a member of the JHS troupe, expressed.

Winners were determined through a series of elimination rounds as the six participating departments faced off in an intense dance battle.

“Before [we entered the dance battle], we told ourselves [that] no matter what happens, we will do our best and just enjoy the battle,” Netchielyn Gasis, also a member of the JHS dance group, conveyed.

The Sugapaay Dance Battle 2022 was a part of the 37th FCUSR Days, a threeday event which kicked off on May 18.

FCU-JPIA excels in 17th RMYC

Conquering the battle of wits and skills, Filamer Christian University - Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (FCU-JPIA) reaped awards during the 17th Regional Mid-Year Convention (RMYC) of the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NFJPIA) - Region IV with the theme “Kokoro Atari: Living the Passion, Conquering the Region,” Jan. 24-Feb. 5.

For the Regional Academic League, Thea Novie Gervero clutched 2nd runner up on the Accounting Cup-Financial Accounting and Reporting; Ian Kenneth Lim and Jenelle Rose Tolones grabbed 1st runner up on the JPIAn Cup; Claire Diane Villariña placed 1st runner up on the Accounting Cup-Regulatory Framework for Business Transactions; Grezza Mae Vecencio landed 2nd runner up during the Accounting Cup-Taxation.

FCU-JPIA was hailed as 2nd Runner up for the overall Regional

Non-Academic League as Harry Prince Galvez and Lizabell Yanna Daitol both bagged 1st runner up during the R6 Next Top Model while the group of Eurie Mee Biclar, Ariane May Cioco, Jink April Abagatnan, Johann Nikoll Conlu, Kailin Calicdan, Kim Allaiza Hari-on, Marviane Sigrid Gayotin, Mary Nicole Hari-on, and Trisha Nicole Dumangon landed 2nd runner up in the Himig JPIA Song Writing Contest.

“This year, we came back like a roaring lion. We did not join to participate but to win. We tried to outshine everyone and with God’s grace, we did it. We may have encountered a lot of obstacles that hindered our success, but with perseverance, passion, and divine intervention, we were able to conquer the region,” FCU-JPIA President, Shadel Joy Benliro expressed.

Spearheaded by NFJPIA - Region VI, RMYC is an annual event participated by Accountancy students from different colleges across Western Visayas.

FCU spearheads seminar on Gender Sensitivity

Highlighting the importance of gender development and sensitivity, FCU conducted a seminar on gender sensitivity at the university library, Oct. 5.

The seminar talked about gender orientation, gender development and empowerment, entitled, “Fostering gender sensitivity for gender equality,” organized by the Gender and Development Program in collaboration with the Guidance and Counseling Center.

“Gender sensitivity trainings are used to educate people, usually employees to become more aware and

sensitive to gender in their lives and in the workplace,” Mrs. Amalia P. De Eyoy, the Gender and Development Program Coordinator, explained.

“GAD is [not a] war of the sexes, hindi po ‘yan digmaan ng mga kalalakihan at kababaihan. Wala po gano’ng objective ang GAD, but others will think na women are overempowering men,” Dr. Emily Angeles Dela Cruz, speaker, said.

The employees, teachers, university faculty and staff were gathered on site at the ground floor of the university library, whilst the students watched through Facebook live at FCU’s Official Page.

RCEC conducts Student Research Colloquium

Twenty-seven research groups from various programs and departments participated in the 3rd FCU Student Research Colloquium organized by the FCU Research and Continuing Education Center (RCEC), held via Zoom Teleconference, June 1.

With the theme, “Highlighting Filamerian Excellence through Research and Innovation,” the colloquium showcased the

were invited if they would allow their children to have face-to-face [classes],” Dr. Chan added.

In terms of the physical facilities of the university, there is no problem with that because the university has two campuses—the main and the annex.

“It is good that students here in Filamer are also following health protocols and we have [three clinics] the elementary clinic, we also have in Senior High, we also have here in the main campus,” Dr. Chan shared.

Following the mandate of the

Inter-Agency Task Force and CHED, students, professors, faculty and staff, are required to be fully vaccinated to come to the university, but there are still some who opted not to be vaccinated.

“There are those who opted not to be vaccinated, [as] it is their right as a human being, so we are respecting that,” Dr. Chan, reiterated.

As the mandate became more lenient, unvaccinated professors are now allowed to teach and have teaching loads because the university cannot prevent them from coming back to school.

Dr. Chan further explained, since it is a person’s right to decline to be vaccinated, non-vaccinated students,

faculty, and employees are now allowed in the university hence, entering the university is at their own risk.

In the university, three employees are not yet vaccinated and one of them is a college faculty, and the two remaining unvaccinated employees are staff of the university.

Although there is already an herd immunity, the Department of Health still advises schools to assess the nature and duration of exposure of students and if a student tests positive for COVID, he/she will then be referred to the isolation area so the symptoms will be checked and monitored or be isolated for 5 days.

Three

“Of course, there are many factors that contribute to the human construction of society and culture… But education is foundational to all of these factors,” Nacpil stated.

Also included in the Plenary Session one was a discussion with the Panel of Reactors composed of Dr. Gisela De Asas-Luna, President of Trinity University of Asia, who discussed the importance of integration of spirituality in the educational setting; Dr. Lucris Carina

Agnir-Paraan, President and CEO of Northern Christian College Inc., who spoke of her insights on the keynotes; Dr. Greg Pawilen, Director of the Office of Institutional Development in Higher Education of UP Los Banos, who discussed the framework of the education system and the need for a transdisciplinary curriculum; and Dr. Dick Eugenio, Dean of the School of Leadership and Advanced Studies of Wesleyan University, who spoke of the need to produce clergy and professionals who are to bring spirituality to the secular.

At the forum, Dr. Pawilen also raised his concerns about ACSCU’s inactiveness and lack of representatives

in the processing of curriculum packages and development of Policies, Standards, and Guidelines—calling for their participation in the ongoing application of changes and implementation of flexible learning.

“People are shaping their quality assurance system. I wanted to see ACSCU playing that role,” Pawilen expressed.

During Plenary Session two, allotted for Academic Conference, students from different ACSCU schools were able to introduce their studies about particular topics during a concurrent session for Research Papers and Presentations, with Dr. Eugenio as the coordinator.

“Wala ya responsibility ang university [if students test positive in COVID],” she added.

However, those students, professors, faculty and staff who are unvaccinated must still follow minimum health protocols and must wear face masks indoors.

In terms of the classrooms, there are sufficient classrooms ready to accommodate college students on the main campus because there is now the Senior High School building that houses 32 fully-furnished classrooms.

“Before abi, pre-pandemic, naga share diri ang senior high sa [main campus] that is why gutok gid Pero

It was followed by Plenary Session three, where a short discussion about Sustainable Development Goals was led by Ambassador Generoso De GuzmanCalonge, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Iraq, where he introduced the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and raised a talk on the roles of Christian Educational Institutions in promoting the said goals.

“Just as Martin Luther overturned an existing order in his time, today's Christian Educators have the rare privilege of also overturning an order that is not beneficial to the citizens of the world,” Calonge indicated.

Marking the end of the conference's day one, live performances from the FCU

subong indi na,” Dr. Chan, articulated.

Despite having sufficient classrooms, students still voice their concerns about the lack of proper ventilation and the lack of proper room assignments.

“Basta concerns sang classrooms, concerns sa instruction, priority ta gid ina ya [because] Filamer prioritizes purchases for students,” Dr. Chan added.

FCU promises on working on installing proper ventilation facilities in classrooms by November and suggests students should raise their concerns on room availability to their respective deans as it is their responsibility.

Chorale, Silak Dance Company, and, FCU High School faculty, Mr. Dorcel Tumlos were held after the video presentations from Central Philippine University, Siliman University, and Wesleyan University’s Choir.

The second day of the event was allocated for Plenary Session four, which referred to the Business Meeting, where reports and other matters were presented exclusively to the representatives of the 148-member schools of ACSCU.

Plenary Session five, the Closing Ceremonies and Consecration Services, was held during the early afternoon— marking the end of the two-day annual gathering of the Christian member schools of ACSCU.

University’s commitment to foster research activities and the advancement of knowledge through the RCEC, led by Dr. Erlyn Beup, RCEC Director.

parallel sessions featured a diverse collection of research works and the FCU student researchers’ knowledge and understanding of their topics.

The parallel sessions were facilitated by Mr. Leo Art Diosep

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.

Borres, Dr. Eleonor Bechayda, and Mr. Michael Jay Demingoy. The virtual colloquium presented over 20 research studies from the Senior High School, College of Nursing, College of Criminal Justice Education, College of Business and Accountancy, College of Teacher Education, College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Computer Studies.

RESEARCH-CENTERED. RCEC conducts a virtual program with 27 research presentation from various departments. Michael Jay Demingoy

MA. ESTELLE ANTONETTE VAFLOR

YSABELLE ANN BESORIO

ALYZA PAMILLARAN

JAN KARL VELADO

Matapos pumalya ang Department of Education (DepEd) na makapagpasa ng mga supporting documents sa hiling na P532-million badyet para sa Special Education (SPED), hindi ito nabigyan ng alokasyon ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) at walang pondong nakalaan sa ilalim ng 2023 National Expenditure Program, Setyembre 19.

Sa inilabas na pahayag ng DBM, kabilang sa mga hindi naipasa ng DepEd ay detalye ng proposed amount with specific purposes, basic computation

at status ng ongoing conversion at pagtatayo ng Inclusive Learning Resource Centers

While the Department of Education proposed the retention of the line item for the purpose under the Fiscal Year 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP), no sufficient documentation was provided to support the same,” mula sa opisyal na pahayag ng DBM.

Ayon naman sa DepEd spokesperson na si Atty. Michael Poa, magkakaroon ng “internal adjustments” ang ahensya upang patuloy na mapondohan at masuportahan ang SPED.

“This means that in order to support the program, internal adjustments are made — be it in the available Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses,” saad ni Poa. Bagama’t walang nakalaang pondo ang DepEd para sa nasabing programa, nangako naman ang kagawaran na patuloy itong makikipagtulungan sa kongreso para makagawa ng paraan upang patuloy na suportahan ang special education sa bansa.

Sa ilalim ng 2023 National Budget, inaasahang ang pondo ng DepEd ay tataas mula Php633.3 bilyon sa 2022 hanggang Php710.6 bilyon.

Muling pinaigting nina Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos at United States President Joseph Biden ang alyansang Estados Unidos – Pilipinas matapos silang magkita at magpulong sa unang pagkakataon sa kanilang bilateral meeting sa New York, Setyembre 22.

Sa kabila ng mga isyu at mga maaanghang na pambabatikos na ibinato ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte laban sa Estados Unidos, nanatili pa rin ang ugnayan ng dalawang bansa at mas pinagtibay pa ng dalawang kasalukuyang pangulo ang pagtutulungan, mga kasunduan, at obligasyon sa isa’t isa.

“We are your partners, we are your allies, we are your friends. And in like fashion, we have always considered the United States our partner, our ally and our friend,” turan ni Pangulong Marcos kay US President Biden.

Tinalakay rin nila Marcos at Biden sa kanilang pagpupulong ang mga kaganapan at isyu sa South China Sea, krisis sa pagitan ng Russia-Ukraine, pagtaas ng presyo ng enerhiya at mga partikular na pang-agrikulturang produkto sa bansa, at

kahalagahan ng paggalang sa karapatang pantao.

The leaders reflected on the importance of the US-Philippines alliance. President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines,” pahayag mula sa White House.

Sa kabilang dako, nagkaroon naman ng kasunduan sina U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III at Acting Defense Secretary ng Pilipinas, Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., kasama si Armed Forces chief of Staff General Bartolome Bacarro sa Camp Smith sa Hawaii kung saan prayoridad ng isinusulong na alyansa ang kanilang commitment sa mutual defense treaty, enhancing maritime cooperation at pagpapatatag ng kanilang mutual defense posture.

Tinatayang halos 300,000 na Amerikano ang naninirahan sa Pilipinas habang mahigit sa apat na milyong Pilipino naman ang kasalukuyang naninirahan sa US na patunay sa mahabang kasaysayan ng alyansa sa pagitan ng Estados Unidos at Pilipinas.

Presyo ng asukal, patuloy sa pagtaas

THOEN ANN SOCOBOS

Dulot ng pagsadsad ng suplay ng asukal sa Pilipinas, patuloy na tumataas ang presyo nito sa mga pamilihan na inaasahang aabot sa ₱100 hanggang ₱105 kada kilo.

Upang maiwasan ang paglaganap ng iba’t ibang krimen gamit ang cellular phone, tuluyan nang naging batas ang Republic Act 11934 o Subscriber Identity Module Card Registration Act matapos itong lagdaan ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Oktubre 10. Nakasaad sa nasabing batas na kailangang iparehistro ng bawat indibidwal ang kanilang mga sim cards sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng ilang personal na dokumento tulad ng Valid Identification Document at litrato.

Ayon sa naging pahayag ni Pangulong Marcos, malaking tulong umano ang pagpapatupad ng naturang batas katuwang ang mga awtoridad at Telco firms upang madaling matunton ang mga nasa likod ng mga spam text messages at maisaliwalat ang mga krimen tulad ng scam.

I commend the legislators from the House and from the Senate for coming up with this timely and necessary law. It is the first legislative measure that successfully

passed the approval of the bicameral panel of both houses in the 19th Congress,” dagdag pa ng Pangulo.

Nilinaw naman ng mga awtoridad na magiging ‘confidential’ ang mga impormasyong makukuha mula sa mga subscribers at nagbigay babala rin na idedeactivate ng mga telcos ang mga existing sim cards kapag hindi ito nairehistro sa

nakatakdang panahon.

Matatandaang si Congressman Martin Romualdez ang naging principal author ng nasabing panukala at naging co-authors nito ang ilang kongresista gaya nina Cong. Sandro Marcos, Cong. Yedda Romualdez at maging ang Tingog Partylist kung saan naipasa ito sa huling pagbasa sa botong 20-0 bago pa man lagdaan ng pangulo.

Bago pa man naging mainit na usapin ang kinakaharap na krisis sa industriya ng asukal sa bansa, nauna nang ipinahayag ni dating Sugar Regulatory Administration Chief Hermenegildo Serafica na noong nakaraang Pebrero pa nila nakikita ang magiging paghina ng produksyon ng asukal bunsod ng iniwang pinsala sa sektor ng agrikultura ng bagyong Odette na tumama sa bansa noong Disyembre 2021 at dahil sa iba pang sama ng panahon.

Kinumpirma rin ng mga nangungunang manufacturers ng sikat na carbonated na inumin na kinabibilangan ng Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., PepsiCola Products Philippines Inc., at ARC Refreshments Corp. na iniinda rin nila ang pagbaba ng suplay ng asukal na nagbunsod upang magtaas ang presyo ng kanilang mga produkto batay sa kanilang joint statement na “our industry is facing a shortage of premium refined sugar – a key ingredient in many of our products.”

Kaugnay nito, ipinahayag ng Foundation for Economic Freedom na mayroong mga kompanya ng

recipient of these funds from PCSO. We have lined up several benefits for the use of these funds. These funds will be transmitted to the Treasury and will be remitted to PhilHealth through the national subsidy for benefit improvement,” sambit ni Dr. Domingo.

bottling at fruit juice ang nagbawas na ng bilang ng mga manggagawa habang ang iba ay napilitang ihinto ang kanilang operasyon.

Ayon sa pahayag na inilabas ng Malacañang, ang kakulangang nararanasan ng bansa sa asukal ay artipisyal lamang lulan ng ‘hoarding’ nang nakadiskubre ng tonetoneladang sako ng asukal sa ilang bodega sa Luzon nang nagsagawa ng inspeksyon ang Bureau of Customs, Sugar Regulatory Administration, at agriculture department na taliwas sa paniniwala ni Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban.

Bukod rito, iniinda rin sa kasalukuyan ng mga mamimili ang pagtaas ng presyo ng iba pang pangunahing produkto kagaya ng bigas, isda, karne, de-lata at maging ang mga produktong petrolyo lulan ng inflation

Upang masolusyunan ang suliranin sa naturang industriya, tiniyak ng National Economic and Development Authority ang publiko na naglunsad na sila ng mga bagong estratehiya kung paano maaagapan ang patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng asukal at iba pang produktong apektado sa bansa at paraan upang matutugunan ang kakulangan sa suplay nito.

is above the taxes that we pay. So apart from the taxes that we give to the Department of Finance, we still have to give this from our charity funds,” pahayag ni Gen. Manager Robles sa pagtanggap ng pondo.

Sa ilalim ng UHC law o Republic

Sa

We are very happy to be the

Ang karagdagang pondo na inilaan sa UHC program ay inaasahang makapagbibigay ng karagdagang tulong pinansyal sa mga Pilipino, pantay-pantay na oportunidad sa dekalidad, at abotkayang serbisyong pangkalusugan.

“It’s P2.5 billion to help finance the Universal Health Care Law. This

Act 11223 na nilagdaan ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte taong 2019, nakasaad dito na kalahati ng bahagi ng national government mula sa kita ng Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation at 40% naman na pondo ng PCSO ay mapupunta sa universal health program

Bilang suporta sa Universal Health Care (UHC) program ng pamahalaan, nagkaloob ang Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) ng 2.5 bilyong pisong karagdagang pondo sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Setyembre 12.

isinagawang press briefing ng Malacanang, si PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles ang nag-presenta ng cheke kay Dr. Shirley Domingo ng PhilHealth.

MULING PINAIGTING.

Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. at United States President Joseph Biden nang nagdaos ng bilateral meeting sa New York, USA. Bongbong Marcos Facebook Page

NAISABATAS NA. Pinangunahan ni President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang ceremonial signing ng SIM Card Registration Act sa Malacañang. Rappler

THOEN ANN SOCOBOS

REYNAN JOEL ECAMINA

Sa ika-110 nga tuig sang pagtukod sang Capiz Provincial Capitol, opisyal nga ginkilala kag gintukuran ini sang historical marker sang National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) bilang isa ka historical site, Abril 22. Suno sa Republic Act 10066 ukon

National Heritage Act of 2009, ang mga cultural heritage nga naga-edad sa 50 ka tuig amo ang makabig nga important cultural property kag nagakaangay nga proteksiyonan sa pag-eksport (exportation), pagpabag-o (modification), pagpanghalit o demolisyon.

isa na ka ‘historical site’ - NHCP

Naatrasar ang pormal nga pag proklamar sa Capiz Provincial Capitol bilang isa ka historical site pinaagi sa isa ka seremonya kag kasubong man ang pagtukod sang historical marker sini bangud sang pandemya.

Ang ini nga seremonya ginpangunahan sang tiglawas sang NHCP kag Capiz Provincial Government nga sanday NHCP Executive Director Carminda Arevalo kag anay Gobernador Esteban Evan B. Contreras, kaupod ang anay Board Member Victor Tanco, Jr., anay mga Gobernador Victor Tanco Sr. kag Jose Borda; kag Alphonsus Tesoro, Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer.

Capiz Provincial Capitol nga nahuman sa kahoy sang tuig 1901-1903 ugaling tungod sa mabaskog nga bagyo, naguba ini: liwat ini nga ginpatindog ni Gob. Jose Cortes Altavas sang ti-on sang iya termino, gin kongkreto kag nahuman ini sang 1911.

Suno kay Mr. Erwin Bonifacio, isa ka historian, ginpamatud-an na sang Capiz Provincial Capitol ang kapagon sini sa tunga sang mga pagtilaw sang panahon, rason kung ngaman nakalampuwas, nagapabilin, kag padayon ini nga nagatindog bisan pa sa ti-on sang tiggulutom, gyera, mga masakit, mga pagpamiste, kag sa karon ang pandemya.

“Ang historical marker subong lang nga April na-formally turn-over and unveil but ang aton declaration is 2019 pa,” pahayag ni Mr. Anthony Colmo, Tourism Operations Officer II sang Capiz Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office.

“Actually during 2012 pa lang ya may ara na sang proposal [nga ideklara bilang historical site ang Provincial Capitol], it was only during 2019 nga formally na-recognize ini sang Sangguniang Panlalawigan as an Important Cultural Property of the Province of Capiz through Ordinance No. 069, Series of 2019 authored by Board Member Victor Tanco, Jr.,” suno kay Colmo.

Ginpaathag man ni Colmo nga ginareflect sang Provincial Capitol ang kabuhi sang mga Capiznon sa pagpangatubang sang mga natural disasters, nangin saksi ini sa liderato sang madamo nga administrasyon, kag nangin tumalan-aw ini sang progreso kag pag-uswag sang probinsya nga bisan pa sa nagkalainlain nga political wills, ang Capitol, nagapabilin sa gihapon.

Bugal sang probinsya ang isa ka

designer matapos nga makabaton sang pasidungog bilang Outstanding Fashion Designer of the Year sa ginhiwat nga Gawad Pilipino Icon of the Year Awards sa Metropolitan Theater, Manila, Setyembre 19.

Ginkilala ang designer nga si Alvin Bernaldez, tumandok sa banwa sang Sapian kag nagapanag-iya sang isa ka couture boutique nga nahamtang sa San Roque Street, Roxas City.

“Nakibot guid ko actually, wala ko ga expect kay sa pagkadamo sang designers tapos ako ang napilian sini nga award Before sini, someone called me that I was nominated and then days after that, I got a call again and was advised na by the Gawad Pilipino that they will award me the Outstanding Fashion Designer of the Year,” pahayag ni Bernaldez.

Si Bernaldez ang isa lamang sa mga indibidwal nga ginkilala sang tuigan nga Gawad Pilipino Awards bangud sa ila kontribusyon kag pagserbi nga halimbawa sa tagsa nila ka propesyon kung sa diin ginatagaan ini nila sang mataas nga pagtratar, labaw sa tanan agud ma impluwensiyahan ang kultura, tradisyon, kag pagginawi sang

katawhan sa sini nga pungsod.

“Kadamo gid sang naging struggles sang naga umpisa ako kay una, indi gid align sakon college course ang akon ubra tapos wala [may] nagapati sa akon, kag kabudlay wala sang upod kag gabulig para sakon mga kinahanglanon. Sang nagka opportunity, nag start ako ubra as dance director and costume designer sa isa ka school pero nag quit man ko dason kay wala ga-align sakon course kag nag apply abroad. Pero pagbalik ko diri, narealize ko nga muni nga field gid ang para sa akon, then nag try na ako establish sa fashion design,” panaysayon ni Bernaldez.

Isa si Bernaldez sa mga produkto sang Hospitality and Restaurant Management program sang tuig 2009 sa Filamer Christian University kag nahibaluan nga bag-o niya nabaton ang nasambit nga pagkilala, naghakot na ini sang mga nanari-sari nga pasidungog sa industriya sang business kag fashion kasubong sang Netizens Best Choice Award, Q Asia Magazine Inc. Quality and Excellence Award, kag Philippine Social Media’s Icon of Success Dugang pa sang Capiznon designer nga dako ang iya pagpasalamat sa Ginoo, mga kaupod niya sa negosyo, kag mga

nagsalig kag nagbulig sa iya amo man ang paghalad niya sa iya pagkilala sa mga kliyente nga suno kay Bernalez, amo ang rason sang iya pagdaog.

Dugang pa niya, may ara sang proseso nga gina tawag nga verification of the historical narrative kag pagkatapos sang pagberipika sini, amo ang pagsugod sang composition sang marker text, rason nga bisan pa masobra na 100 ka tuig ang edipisyo, nagpaidalom pa ini sa nanarisari nga beripikasyon bag-o ini ginkilala nga Important Cultural Property sa probinsya.

Policies are very important because they protect our heritage structures. Since we already have the ordinance declaring the Capiz Provincial Capitol as an Important Cultural Property of Capiz, indi na ini siya naton ma demolish, deface o basta-basta ma-modify iya façade If there are other improvements man nga himuon, it will hereafter be consulted with the NHCP,” ginbahagi ni Colmo.

Labing-una nga ginpatindog ang

“Preservation of Important Cultural Properties ang kinahanglan nga itudlo sa mga kabataan indi lang sa promotion sang culture, indi lang sang tourism but sa pagtudlo sa ila sino ang Capiznon, ano ang Capiz, ano ila ginhalinan, kag ano ang aton pakadtuan in the future,” sinsero nga guinpatalupangod ni Bonifacio.

Ang Provincial Capitol amo ang isa ka public property nga ginatuyo para sa pag serbisyo sa publiko, gani dako gid ang importansiya sini sa paghatag sang serbisyo sa mga Capiznon tungod yari diri naga pungko ang mga lider sang probinsya kag yari diri napahamtang ang mga opisina sang madamo nga ahensiya sang gobyerno nga nagaserbi sa mga kinahanglanon kag kahimtangan sang mga Capiznon.

Isa ang Capiz Provincial Capitol sa 31 ka mga capitol nga gindisenyo sang isa ka arkitekto nga si William Parson.

Implementasyon sang Panay River Basin Project, ginaplanuhan na

Proyekto kontra baha!

Sa

Gin-istoryahan sa nasambit nga pagsinapol ang nahanungod sa mga ginahimo nga tikang sang gobyerno agud matagaan sang pondo sang gobyerno nasyonal ang implementasyon sang proyekto.

Officer and Spokesperson for the RDRRMC- 6 Cindy Ferrer nga ang naagyan sang Capiz nga tuman nga pagbaha dala sang Tropical Depression Agaton ang ginakilala nga pinakamahalalit bangud madamo nga kabalayan ang nalubog sa madalom nga tubig gikan sa nanari-sari nga kabanwahanan nga wala gid natabo sa pagpanalasa sang bagyong Yolanda, Ursula, kag Odette nga lunsay mga baskog nga bagyo.

Office (CAPENRO), matapos maaprubahan ang ordinansa nga gindraft ni Atty. Abeb sa pag tukod sang CAPENRO sadtong Septyembre 2017, sa kabangdanan nga ang aton probinsya na lang ang nabilin sa Western Visayas nga wala sang environment office

The province of Capiz is the last in Western Visayas to create an environmental office so at that time, 2017 waay kita ya sang environmental office Gani indi ka mag wonder ngaa subong sini ang status sang aton environment,” sandig kay Atty. Abeb.

Isa si Atty. Abeb sa mga aktibo nga naga pahayag sang ila opinyon sa pag dumili kag pag kuntra sa pagmina sa siyudad, gani kaupod sang pag ilis sang bag-o nga administrasyon gin paabot na ni Atty. Abeb nga siya ang paga pahalinon sa CAPENRO, nga nangin tulay sa pagtukod sang iya “Tree Hugging Advocacy.”

Suno sa panaysayon sang alkalde, ini ang madugay na nga plano sang gobyerno probinsyal bangud sa pagpati nga ini ang makasulbar sa madalom kag malapad nga pagbaha sa probinsya.

Matandaan sang tinalikdan nga Mayo nga naghiwat man sang pagsinapol ang katapo sang Regional Disaster Risk Management Council kung sa diin ginpahayag ni Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Information

nangin ila pamaagi agud maghatag sang mensahe nga indi pag utdon ang mga puno sa pag preserba sang biodiversity, apang sa ila pagpakigbato, 363 Bishnois ang nag sakripisyo sang ila kabuhi.

It can address the perennial flooding in the area through the construction of dam or reservoir, floodway, cut-off channels and improvement of major and secondary drains, which will benefit about 11,460 hectares highly susceptible to flood in the Panay basin,” pahayag ni Ferrer.

May kaangtanan sa nasambit nga proyekto, una na nga ginpresentar sang National Irrigation Administration ang pagpatukod sang High Dam, Flood Control, Reservoir, Irrigation Canal kag HydroPower Plant

programa para sa environment kag masami ginakontra ang mga suhestiyon para sa pag-amlig sang aton nga palibot.

Sa pihak sang mga limitasyon kag pagtilaw kay

Depon ukon

“the

Hugger” sa pagsulong kag paglunsar sang iya adbokasiya, padayon ang iya pag hinun-anon natuhoy sa pag atipan, pag amlig, kag preserba sang dunang manggad sa probinsya sang Capiz pinaagi sa iya

facebook page kag pag lunsar sang mga proyekto para sa mga lokal nga kumunidad sa Capiz, Oktubre 25. Mahibaluan nga nag-umpisa ang adbokasiya ni Atty. Abeb sadtong gindesignate siya ni anay Gov. Tony Del Rosario bilang “interim” sang Capiz Provincial Environmental Resources

“Ang ginkuha lang nila sakon is ang position kag title, but not my advocacy,” dugang pa ni Atty. Abeb.

Ini ginkuha nga inspirasyon halin sa “Bishnois movement” sadtong 1730s nga ginpangunahan ni Amrita Devi sa Samrathal Dhora sa Rajasthan, India kung sa diin ang paghakus sa mga puno ang

Let us take this opportunity to inspire and encourage others to care for the environment. Plastic wastes have caused harm not only to wildlife but also to us humans, including our livelihood. It starts with us by refusing single used plastic and to dispose our waste properly,” sambit ni Atty. Abeb.

Suno kay Atty. Abeb, pulitika ang nangin dako nga pagtilaw sa pagsakdag sang iya adbokasiya bangud kay indi prioridad sang mga pulitiko ang mga

“Politics is the worst challenge in my advocacy. It’s easy to go on ground and talk to people about your advocacy when you are true to your commitment, kaysa sa mag istorya ka sa mga pulitiko nga wala gana sa aton adbokasiya,” malig-on nga pahayag ni Atty. Abeb.

Sa subong padayon ang pag organisa ni Atty. Depon sang mga aktibidad kasubong sang coastal clean up drive, tree planting activities, pag sulong sang mga lokal nga mga produkto sang mga Capiznon, kag pagpahanumdom sang importansya sang aton dunang manggad.

sini nga pamaagi ginlaragway ni Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas ang plano nga pagtukod sang Panay River Basin Project sa ginhiwat nga Consultative Meeting kaupod ang Capiz Provincial Council kag Office of the Civil Defense Region 6.

Capiznon

Atty. Emilyn Arboleda-

Atty. Abeb

Tree

HISTORICAL

Antonette Vaflor

DISENYONG CAPIZNON. Bugal sang probinsiya si Alvin Bernaldez nga ginkilala bilang Outstanding Fashion Designer sang Gawad Pilipino Icon of the Year Awards. Alvin Bernaldez

VANESSA GLENISE USISON

NICK ANDREI DESALES & REYNAN JOEL ECAMINA

REYNAN JOEL ECAMINA

JIMIL FAITH CAPUTERO

We Plant as One unites Dumaraonons

To combat the rising risk of Dumarao to natural disasters, the Our Lady of Snows Parish together with its Parish Youth Ministry, spearheaded the “We Plant as One: Dagyaw sang Kabataan Project,” at Lidong Watershed, Sitio Terum, Brgy. Condingle, Dumarao, Capiz, Sept 8.

In response to the devastation caused by Tropical Depression Agaton to multiple areas and sectors of Capiz, in April this year, the event was held to aid the climate crisis and help the municipality’s environment recuperate from the damages that outlasted the calamity.

According to Kexia Señerez, chairman of the project, the name “We Plant as One: Dagyaw sang Kabataan” is incorporation of factors such as the movement of the church for this year’s calendar which centers on “oneness” or “togetherness,” thus the “we plant as one”; the utilization of the word “dagyaw”, which means “helping one another,” apropos to the Padagyaw Festival celebrated annually in Dumarao every 5th of August; and

the honoring of the youths’ initiative to lead for a cause, thus the “dagyaw sang kabataan.”

“OLS Parish Youth Ministry believes that the youth is the hope of the motherland. So, [as youths] we spearheaded the event and placed our contributions to the church and community through this... Our mission [afterall] is not only to serve inside the four corners of the Church but to extend our hands to the needy and the poor, most especially to the community as a whole,” Señerez expressed.

In addition, a subprogram called “Pulo Para sa Puno,” in which locals could adopt a tree for Php10 was also established to promote community involvement further and the proceeds were then directed to and were able to help the local tree growers located in Brgy. Tamulalod.

Through the combined efforts of the Local Government Unit of Dumarao under the administration of Atty. Matt Hachuela, Municipal Mayor, together with Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources

Office; Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office; Municipal Agriculture Office; Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office; Dumarao Water District; Bureau of Fire Protection; and Philippine National Police - Dumarao, the event was made possible and was able to go through with its intent of planting trees to succor the local community’s woodland.

Educational institutions located at Dumarao such as Our Lady of Snows Institute, Capiz State University Supreme Student Council, and Estefania Montemayor National High School Supreme Student Government took part in the event as well, accomplishing the intent of the campaign to involve the youth on societal and environmental related activities.

The goal of the organization was to plant at least 1000 seedlings in their chosen location–successfully surpassing it, the campaign was able to plant 1305 assorted forest trees at Lidong Watershed.

FCU eco-warriors plant 500 trees

In celebration of the 12th University Day, Filamer Christian University (FCU) organized the U-Day Tree Planting Activity at FCU Dinginan Farm, Brgy. Dinginan, Roxas City, July 14.

A total of 500 native forest and fruit trees were planted and participated by the FCU administration headed by the University President and three Vice Presidents, Deans and Principals, Unit/ Department Heads and Chairpersons, and other key personnel of the university.

“This year’s tree planting is in line with the program of the university to develop the Dinginan Property to

become one of the future ecotourism site in the city and entire province by sustained massive tree planting to replenish the old and typhoon damaged trees planted before and make it [an] attractive reforestation site,” Mr. Adam Jesus Bering, the university’s NSTP Coordinator said.

Moreover, Mr. Bering emphasized that through the National Service Training Program Office headed by him, this initiative is a continuing environmental program of the university dubbed as the “Total Rehabilitation of the Environment & Ecological Systems

for Life (TREES for Life) Program.”

“With the sustained involvement of all stakeholders (administration, alumni, students and even the parents) of the university, the program would not only be an added attraction as an eco-tourism site but will in one way or another contribute to the total rehabilitation & preservation of the environment within the vicinity within Roxas City,” Mr. Bering added.

The said activity was done early in the morning wherein transportation in going to and from the planting site was provided by the administration.

Agud maipahanumdum sa publiko ang ila nga responsibilidad sa pag-atipan kag pag pakipagbahin sa pag protektar sang palibot, ang Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (CAPENRO) nagsuporta sa pag lunsar sang Nationwide Simultaneous Bamboo and Tree Planting Activity nga guinhiwat sa Brgy. Cudian, Ivisan Capiz, Setyembre 13.

Ini nga hilikuton guinlunsar sa bilog nga pungsod nga may tema, “Buhayin ang Pangangalaga sa Kalikasan,” nga handom nga maproteksyonan kag maipreserba ang dunang manggad sang Capiz.

“With the damage caused by the two consecutive extreme weather–typhoons Odette and Agaton the commulative loss brought in the fishery and agriculture sector is almost P10B, thus with the vulnerability of the agri-fishery sector it is indeed important to protect and preserve our environment,” suno kay Department of Agriculture Region VI Regional Executive Director, Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter.

Ang nasambit nga aktidad ang sandig sa Proklamasyon Numero 1401 nga guinproklamar ni anay Presidente Rodrigo Duterte nga nagasiling nga ang bulan sang Setyembre ang ipaga-selebrar kada tuid bilang “Philippine Bamboo Month.”

Base sa lista sang Department of Environment and Natural Resources Capiz, may-ara sang 215 planters nga nagpartisipar sa pagpananom nga guinpangunahan sang ila nga ahensya nga may-ara sang kabilugan nga 59 planters, ini guinsundan sang BFP nga may 46 planters, masunod ang Department of Interior and Local Government nga may-ara sang 21 planters, kag madamo pa nga iban.

Sa nahibaluan, sa bug-os nga probinsya yara naglab-ot sa kapin 500 ka-singil sang kawayan Tinik ang ila natigayunan nga itanom sa total nga 2.5 ka-ektarya sang duta sa Catao Dam sang nasambit nga barangay.

Calling for intensive cooperation and cohesion among Asia-Pacific nations to recognize the significance and role of forests, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held its 5th Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry, Aug. 2325.

Represented by each member’s national minister on forestry, it is the very first post-pandemic meeting hosted by Thailand ushered by the country’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa.

The general consensus of the 5th meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry is to introduce a more efficient plan for environmental sustainability and protection of forests, fight off deforestation, and diversity loss, as well as control the alarming rate of climate change, and recognize the success of joint efforts of Asia-Pacific nations in addressing and taking action on the Forestry problem.

APEC economies account for more than 50 percent of global forest areas, 60 percent of global wood products, and 80 percent of global trade in forest products, and member economies have been working on their ambitious goal of increasing forest cover by at least 20 million hectares by 2020, and this goal has been achieved and exceeded, as the forest cover in APEC increased by 27.9 million hectares between 2007 and 2020.

Far surpassing the APEC’s plan and vision in 2017, the cooperation of nations effectively maximized each individual results in preventing further forest damage, forest restoration, and protection of biodiversity were also achieved in these nations.

The meeting highly encourages the APEC members to further mitigate and control climate change, which annually causes significant devastation and damage to the economy.

THEA ABBIEGAIL DACULA

ALLEA ROSE VASQUEZ

KAREN BALDONADO

JAYMES

The Hillside Echo is the Official Student Publication of Filamer Christian University and is publishing thrice every academic year. For more information and comments, please contact us via our phone number (036) 6212-318 Local 135, or simply email us at thehillsideecho@gmail.com.

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F2F in the rough: Students’ welfare compromised

Notably, as a private institution, it is expected that before the resumption of face-to-face classes, the university should have equipped all the necessary needs to provide comfort, safety, and quality of education.

Teeny Whistledown

VANESSA GLENISE USISON

Ageism: A dead weight of living regression

Why do people suffer from destitution, could it be because their needs cost too high to pay, or is it because they are rigidly empty-pocketed?

Philippines is facing a skyrocketing inflation rate shoving people’s pockets with the demand of uneconomical prices they barely can keep pace with; it is a harrowing national crisis consuming every little bit of the hard-earned penny of the citizens in a poverty-stricken nation.

Unemployment rate in Western Visayas in April 2022 was estimated at 5.6 percent based on the The Labor Force Survey (LFS) by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the

advanced enough to cope with the waves of development.

“Ageism” or the discrimination of age is bound with standards of certain age limits in most of the jobs in the Philippines which hinders individuals past the age requirement from earning. Thus, plunged in unemployment and poverty.

The dynamics of age discrimination manifests in longer spells of unemployment which pertains to early retirement, longer periods of unemployment, lesser opportunities to join the workforce, conforming to jobs for a lower pay, and older employees are being robbed of the opportunities to flourish in the workplace. With these challenges in employment, it

(DOLE) issues implementing rules of the anti-age discrimination law to overcome age discrimination, it still sets exceptions or situations when it shall be lawful for an employer to set age limitations in employment. Hence, the implementing rules are of no help to combat the existing problem of unemployment in the country because of ageism or age discrimination at all.

To address the issue on unemployment due to ageism, it is essential to recognize biases in hiring practices and in the workplace; to bust myths and negative stereotypes on older workers and the notion that they are of much lesser use in the workplace, it must be perceived whether inclusion and age diversity is embraced and flexible work options are given; workplaces must also create opportunities for skills development, and invest in a multigenerational workforce that are more productive to maximize workers’ full potential to share and learn new skills with each other.

Unemployment creates an immense impact on society as it reaches out to the community. Having innumerable high unemployed rates will certainly lead to higher poverty rates and poorer neighborhoods that amplify the societal

Lubhang nakakaalarma ang lumalalang kondisyon ng malayang pamamahayag sa Pilipinas. Tila kay bigat nang banggitin at isiwalat ang mga salitang makatotohanan. Unti-unti nang binalot ng sindak at pananakot ang mundo ng malayang pamamahayag sa ating bansa. Sa bawat kritisismo na hindi naaayon sa kagustuhan ng isang administrasyon, asahang kasunod nito ang banta sa buhay at seguridad ng isang mamamahayag. Hanggang kailan bubusalan ang mga bibig na ang tanging layunin lamang ay ipahayag kung ano ang wasto at katotohanan at ang impormasyong dapat mabatid ng publiko?

Red Flag

population. Although it is lower than the unemployment rate of the same month a year ago reported at 7.5 percent, the impact of the poverty rate in Western Visayas in 2021 rose by 1.9 percent from 2018, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) conducted last year.

Thus, with the escalation of prices of goods, supplies, and fuel, Filipinos are further plunged into poverty not exclusively by the price surge alone but also by unemployment.

Unemployment, although it is oftentimes overlooked, creates a huge economic impact in the region and the country as a whole — particularly because of “age discrimination”.

Have you not ever wondered why people over the required stereotypical standardized age are not given the same opportunities to find a job and earn as individuals whose ages are between 1835 years old? It is because of the existing Filipino mindset that individuals who are past their required age for employment cannot be as active, progressive, and

denies workplaces of the advantages and benefits older workers can offer.

In the country, age has always been a disadvantage when looking for a job. It has always been the stumbling block towards the reduction of unemployment rates and poverty. It puts a hold to the country’s economy to thrive. Apart from the issues primarily mentioned on age discrimination in employment, gender, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment are also one of the suppressors of finding a job.

According to Economic Impact of Age Discrimination volume, the effects of age discrimination to individuals include, involuntary retirement, underemployment, and unemployment which leads to financial crisis, economical problem, and impoverishment.

Furthermore, the effects of unemployment in over-aged individuals include reduced income, health problems, negative familial effects, and mental health challenges. As a result, the failure to address age discrimination is a missed opportunity across industries.

Concerning “ageism”, although the Department of Labor and Employment

Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré

MICHAEL JAY DEMINGOY

Insensitivity of the Privileged

While sitting at my desk, scrolling, and reading the latest news, I came across a news article stating that Super Typhoon Karding intensified further in Luzon. But I was heavily mortified by the actions of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Senator Win Gatchalian, and former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, about how insensitive these people are as the typhoon blasted Luzon with torrential rain and fierce winds.

their wasted crops that were ready for harvest, people waded through waistdeep waters to cry for help, houses were severely damaged, and boats used for their livelihood were destroyed. People will have to eventually start from scratch and it seems that the mentioned officials are nowhere to be seen.

According to the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), more than 714,213

Iftheycouldonlystepout

While people are bracing, praying, and fighting for their lives to survive the wrath of the super typhoon, the president has the guts to post a vlog on his socalled "successful" trip to New York; Sen. Gatchalian talked about how eating ramen can be more scrumptious if you have a date; while Harry Roque enjoyed the blazing heat in Daan Bantayan, Cebu, shows that people who are in power or used to be in power do not care about the people that they must serve, instead, they are filling up their guts and enjoying the privilege and power given to them by the people.

Filipinos ultimately suffered the wrath of Karding as farmers cried over

people were affected in 1,768 barangays across Regions I, II, III, CALABARZON, V, and CAR. In addition, 22,908 persons are currently displaced, with 11,837 taking temporary shelter in 127 evacuation centers.

The Department of Agriculture also reported P1.97 billion worth of agricultural damage as the storm hit 148,091 hectares of farmlands, affecting some 88,520 farmers and fisherfolk, with a combined volume of production loss at 114,446 metric tons (MT). Moreover, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 714,200 people (195,900 families) were affected in Regions I, II, III, CALABARZON, V, and

impact of unemployment. With this, populations with high unemployment rates are more likely to have limited employment opportunities, low-quality housing, fewer available recreational activities, limited access to public transportation and public services and underfunded schools.

Ageism’s effect of unemployment on individuals and in society impacts the economy as a whole. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, when people are unemployed, they spend less money, which ultimately contributes to less contribution to the economy in relation to services or goods sold and produced.

The Philippine Government must give a greater attention to the issue of age discrimination in employment because it holds back the progress in the economy. More jobs and training skills must be made accessible to many so they may thrive from the slums of poverty, be loosened from the strangling spike of inflation, and repel from the factors of regression for the economy to prosper.

Afterall, age is just a number and a number must not ever be a reason to shut and seal doors of chances and opportunities.

CAR. These figures show that thousands of residents were left with almost nothing. All of their hard work just flooded away.

In an attempt to lighten the situation, Harry Roque deleted his post, Sen. Gatchalian called and assisted residents in Bulacan and Pres. Marcos then posted aerial shots of Nueva Ecija and Aurora which were highly inundated with water. But these actions are just the bare minimum. They were too focused on their agendas—agendas that can be postponed because what matters most is the welfare and the situation of the Filipinos as they experience the wrath of Karding. They could have been there to assess and make certain calls of action to ease the situation but they were not present. Instead, people relied upon certain NGOs that were active and can be seen and felt during those trying times.

But it cannot be denied that the damage has been done—their insensitivity and lack of urgency will be embedded in our minds. If they could only step out of their privilege bubble, try to have empathy, and give light to others who are

Habang tumatagal, patuloy na humihina ang pwersa at kapangyarihan ng kalayaan at karapatan ng mga mamamahayag na patuloy naman na lumalaganap ang paniniil at pang-aabuso sa mga ito. Kadalasang sila ang biktima ng troll attacks, red-tagging, pagsensura sa mga midya, panliligalig, ambush, at iba pang kagimbal-gimbal na paraan upang mapatahimik at masupil ang pagsisiwalat ng patas at wastong pamamahayag, taliwas sa salaysay na gustong mabasa o marinig ng pamahalaan o partikular na indibidwal.

Hindi maikakaila ang napakalaking gampanin at obligasyon ng mga journalists’ hindi lamang sa kani-kanilang mga bansa kundi maging sa buong mundo. Sa pamamagitan ng mga impormasyong kanilang inilalatag na maaaring marinig ng mga mamamayan sa radyo, mapanood sa telebisyon o online na plataporma, o mabasa sa dyaryo, nahuhubog ang kaalaman ng

mamamahayag at tagapagbalita sa radyo at kilala na kritiko ng administrasyong Marcos. Isa lamang si Lapid sa mahigit sandaang Pilipinong journalists na naging biktima ng paniniil na kadalasang hindi nabibigyan ng katarungan at nararapat na hustisya. Bukod dito, maging si Maria Ressa, CEO at Executive Director ng Rappler, multiawarded journalist at kritiko ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, ay paulit-ulit na nakaranas ng pag-aresto sa loob ng halos dalawang taon na itinuturing na banta sa kaligtasan ng isang mamamahayag. At ang pinaka nakababahalang pag-atake laban sa kalayaang mamamahayag o press freedom ay ang pagpapasara sa pinakamalaking network sa bansa, ang ABS-CBN. Ilan lamang ito sa mga sitwasyon na manipestasyon at nagpapatunay ng panggigipit sa estilo ng peryodismo sa bansa.

Tuwing may mga krisis na kinakaharap ang mundo tulad ng bagyo, lindol, sunog, pagbaha, at iba pa, sino ang walang-sawang naghahatid ng balita at update sa publiko? Sino ang nagbubuwis ng buhay para lamang malaman ng buong mundo ang katotohanan? Sino ang buong-puso at walang takot na lumulusob sa lugar na may digmaan tuwing may digmaang-sibil tulad ng Marawi Siege kasama ang mga militar upang mabatid ng taumbayan ang tunay na kaganapan? Hindi ba’t ang mga mamamahayag o ang mga media practitioners? Subalit sa kabila ng hindi matatawarang dedikasyon sa kanilang ginagawa para sa integridad at tiwalang pampubliko, patuloy pa rin silang

Bagama’tisangdemokratikongbansa angPilipinas,hindimaitatanggiang nakababahalangpagtaasngmgakasong pagpatayatopresyonnakinasasangkutan ngmgaalagadngmalayangpamamahayag.

bawat indibidwal at nahuhulma nito ang ating lipunan. Naging parte ito ng pangaraw araw na pamumuhay ng karamihan na kung saan, tila hindi kumpleto ang kanilang araw kung hindi nila nababatid kung ano ang mga pangyayari sa kanilang paligid, lokal man o nasyonal na kaganapan.

Bagama’t isang demokratikong bansa ang Pilipinas, hindi maitatanggi ang nakababahalang pagtaas ng mga kaso ng pagpatay at opresyon na kinasasangkutan ng mga alagad ng malayang pamamahayag. Ang bokasyon na dapat na may kasarinlan at kalayaan ay nabahiran na ng pamumulitika at pinanghihimasukan ng mga may hawak ng kapangyarihan sa gobyerno, partikular kung ang isang isyu ay maaaring makaapekto sa kanilang mga imahe at reputasyon. Nakakalungkot subalit ito ang mapait na katotohanan at lumalalang problema ng pamamahayag sa Pilipinas.

nakakaranas ng pang-aapi at panggigipit. Bagama’t may mga batas na naglalayong protektahan ang karapatan ng bawat mamamahayag, hindi pa rin nagagarantiya ang kanilang kaligtasan. Kabilang rito ang pagsasabatas ng Republic Act 11458, na nag-amyenda sa RA No. 53 o Sotto Law, na nilagdaan ni dating pangulong Duterte. Saklaw ng naturang batas na lahat ng manggagawa sa midya mula sa telebisyon, radyo, online media, at mga organisasyong naghahatid ng balita ay maaaring tumangging magbunyag ng mga kumpidensyal na impormasyon tungkol sa kanila maliban na lamang kung nakita ng korte o Kongreso na ang paghahayag ay kailangan para sa pambansang seguridad. Ang naturang batas ay mainit na tinanggap ng International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) at ang kaakibat nito na National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

suffering and in need of help, maybe they can be of great service to the people as public servants.

This is a reminder to us Filipinos, especially the youth that we should wisely choose the leaders that we want to govern our country. Leaders who have a sense of urgency and empathy. May these experiences and behaviors of public officials be an eye-opener that these are the officials you voted to be in power. They are nowhere to be seen and cannot be felt in desperate and trying times. Hoping that in the next election, people will become smarter—may they never again elect officials who fail to prioritize them and is absent in times of crisis.

Ayon sa press freedom index na inilunsad ng Reporters Without Borders, isang internasyonal na non-profit at nongovernment na organisasyon na layuning pangalagaan ang karapatan sa kalayaan ng impormasyon sa buong mundo na nakabase France, ang Pilipinas ay nananatili pa ring mapanganib na lugar para sa mga mamamahayag at isa sa may mataas na bilang ng kaso ng pagpatay sa tinaguriang ‘watchdog’ ng taumbayan. Batay naman sa datos at pagsubaybay ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), tinatayang umabot na sa 197 na mamamahayag ang namatay sa bansa mula pa noong 1986 kung saan naitala sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni dating pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang pinakamataas na kaso nang naganap noong November 23, 2009 ang madugong trahedya sa kasaysayan ng pamamahayag, ang Maguindanao Massacre, kung saan 32 miyembro ng midya ang nadawit at napaslang.

Matatandaan na kamakailan lamang ay naging matunog sa publiko ang pagpatay kay Percival Carag Mabasa na mas kilala sa tawag na ‘Perci Lapid,’ isang

Minsan na silang pinatahimik nang panahon ng Batas Militar kung saan maraming mga broadcasting station ang sapilitang pinasara at napasailalim sa kontrol ng militar. Ang mga kritisismo at midya ay binusalan ng karapatan sa malayang pamamahayag ng rehimeng Marcos at ang mga kontrolado lamang ng nasabing diktador ang pinahintulutang magpalaganap ng impormasyon. Hahayaan ba nating muling maulit ang kasaysayan at patuloy na yapakan ng mga makapangyarihan ang karapatan natin sa malayang pamamahayag?

Bilang mamamayan sa isang demokratikong bansa, nararapat lamang na maging tagapagtaguyod tayo ng katotohanan na may kaakibat na pananagutan at walang pinapanigan. Sa bawat salita na ating susulatin at ipapahayag, piliin natin ang mga impormasyong makatutulong sa kabutihan ng lahat. Sugpuin natin ang mga kasinungalingan na walang magandang dulot kundi kaguluhan. Muli nating palawakin ang kumikitid na espasyo para sa malayang pamamahayag. Simulan natin ito sa pagiging responsableng kasapi ng ating lipunan.

oftheirprivilegebubble,trytohaveempathy, andgivelighttootherswhoaresufferingandinneedofhelp,maybethey canbeofgreatservicetothepeopleaspublicservants. “

Afterall,ageisjustanumberandanumbermustnoteverbea reasontoshutandsealdoorsofchancesandopportunities. “

DISCLAIMER 9

Lugaw with Egg

ANTONETTE

Taste of Inflation

Pulled out a bill from my pocket, what can I buy for fifty pesos? It’s only been two years but why can’t five hundred pesos buy as much at the grocery store as before? Jollibee’s Garlic Pepper

Beef used to cost 49 pesos and now 50 pesos can only be used as fare. Perhaps it is indeed the Golden Era—the era of golden prices.

As a student, it is important to save money for school fees. The current inflation rate in the Philippines has been alarming as it accelerated to 7.7% in October. It’s saddening how much of a difference it made even if it was just a few years ago. In this current society, saving money feels like a sin. It’s somehow funny and nostalgic that the Cornetto commercial’s tagline is still vivid in my mind which goes this way: Sa’n aabot ang twenty pesos mo? but a cone of this brand now sells for 30 pesos. One of the proof that prices have gone high is the number of groceries we acquire. Just a few years ago 500 pesos

could fill a whole cardboard box from the supermarket, now 500 pesos is only enough for one paper bag of goods.

As soon as oil and sugar prices rise, everything else in the basic necessities

aid solutions to the problem. Due to the Philippines’ dependence on imported food to sustain its growing population, it has the highest level of food insecurity in rising Asia. The neighboring countries have been using various methods such as patronizing local products and utilizing subsidies and price restrictions. India is one example of this: cutting off its tax for gasoline and has removed the import of anthracite, PCI coal, and coking coal to reduce the price of raw materials.

Why can’t the Philippines do this despite being abundant in natural resources? Our country is primarily abundant in agriculture, there is so much potential in terms of rice and other root crops when funded well. The cries of farmers and fishermen echo as their crops rot and they are forbidden to fish in certain areas. The rapid growth of

of man to survive a day follows. Fare, gasoline, food, and drinking water to name a few. The inflation skyrocketed when the dispute between Russia and Ukraine occurred; as they are hallmarked as one of the biggest producers of oil in the world. Logistics have shown that the war between these two countries did not only affect their neighboring European countries but the war between them has reduced the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of other countries around the world; meaning, the monetary value of their goods has increased. One of the main reasons for the nation’s soaring prices of products has been this war—or has it?

While the war contributes to the decrease in the economy, the current administration has been putting band-

the population does not need to wait and no other countryman should suffer. Improving local food production to decrease exposure to variable world prices is the first step toward feeding the entire country’s hunger. Addressing, instead of practicing romanticized resiliency, the problem should be the utmost priority.

No matter how one turns a blind eye away from the reality we face, no one can ever eradicate what is right before us. Those who have become aware should no longer turn a blind eye and those who have heard should no longer be deaf to the call of the suffering in our country. Every bite of the dishes served in our dining tables comes with extra saltiness – from the tears of every suffering Filipino.

Kasabay ng pagtaas ng mga kaso ng COVID-19 sa kasagsagan ng pandemya sa bansa, ay ang pagbaba ng kalidad ng edukasyon na natatanggap ng mga estudyanteng Pilipino. Kaakibat ng pagsasara ng mga pinto sa bawat paaralan ay pagiging mailap ng "accessible education" na dapat sana ay abot kamay ng bawat kabataang Pinoy. Ang malaking krisis na kinakaharap ng bansa ngayon ay hindi "inflation" o korapsyon, kung hindi ay "learning poverty."

Maliban sa patuloy na pagbaba ng ekonomiya sa bansa, ang kahirapan ng mga mag-aaral na umunawa ng mga simpleng teksto at kilalanin ang kahulugan ng mga simpleng salita

Cyd

halos kapantay ng nakuhang iskor ng bansa. Hindi lamang ito problema ng DepEd kung hindi problema ng buong bansa. Ang pagbabasa ay pundasyon ng mga mag-aaral sa iba pang aspekto ng pagkatuto at karunungan. Maging ang pagsusulat, pagbibilang, pagunawa sa simpleng panuto, at batayang kaalaman sa iba pang asignatura.

Nakaangkla ang kakayahang umunawa sa kakayahang magbasa. Ang kritikal na pag-iisip ay nasusukat kung gaano kalawak ang kapasidad ng isang tao na unawain ang kanilang binabasa. Paano tayo makalilikha ng "globally competitive graduates" kung mababa ang value ng ating skill sets? Hindi natin kayang makipagsabayan sa

Hindidapattayonanlilimosngedukasyon, hindidapattayonangangapasa pagdugtong-dugtongngmgaletra,hindi dapatisangkahigisangtukaangsistemang edukasyonsabansa.

Sonata

REYNAN JOEL ECAMINA

Huwad Na Tumindig, Katotohana’y Dinaig

Kalimitang

Madalas na nagkakaroon ng argumento na nauuwi sa matinding alitan dahil magkasalungat ang ipinaglalaban ng dalawang panig. Ngunit bakit nga ba nangyayari ang mga suliraning ito? Saan at paano nagsisimula ang pagkalat ng fake news sa social media?

Kung gaano kabilis kumalat ang COVID-19, ganoon din ang pagiging talamak sa paggamit ng ipinagbabawal na gamot, at ang walang tigil na paglaganap ng mga

sa paparating na bagyo? Mga batas na kesyo, ipinatupad ng pamahalaan?

At ang mas malala, ang pilit na pagbabago sa kasaysayan ng bansa?

Lahat ng ito ay maaaring maipakalat sa isang pindot lang. Nang dahil sa isang pindot, maaari nitong mapaniwala ang milyon-milyong social media users. Ano ang magiging kalalabasan? Simple lang. Magiging biktima ka ng kabulaanang nabanggit o magiging mapanuri sa mga impormasyong nababasa.

May dalawang uri ng biktima ng fake news/information. Una, ang biktimang kulang sa kaalaman na kayang buksan ang isipan para

paniwalaan ang mga social media personalities na hindi naman credible sa pagbibigay impormasyon lalo na kapag may kinalaman sa isyung panlipunan at pampulitika. Kung sinusino na lang ang nagpapakadalubhasa. Ano na lang ang magiging silbi ng mga mamamahayag na ilang taong nag-aral upang maging bihasa sa pagsisiwalat ng katotohanan? Sila ang itinuturing mata ng lipunan. Bago nila ibigay ang bawat detalye ng isang kaganapan ay sinusuri nila itong mabuti dahil kapag nagkamali sila ay maaaring makaapekto ito sa kanilang kredibilidad, maging ng istasyon o kompanyang kanilang kinabibilangan.

Talagang madaling madaya ang mga tao ngayon dahil sa unang tingin mo ay napakalapit nito sa totoo. Kaya hindi masamang magtulungan tayo sa pagpuksa sa mga ganitong pangyayari. Sa paanong paraan? Kapag may nakitang mali, gawin ang pinakamabuti at mahinahong pagtutuwid. Hindi sa paraang mapapahiya o nakakababa ng kumpyansa ng iba.

Hindi gamot mula sa siyensya ang sagot sa suliraning ito. Kung talagang pinili mong paniwalaan ang mali laban sa totoo at sabi-sabi o tsismis laban sa eksaktong balita, iyan ay sakit na

ay karapat-dapat na ikabahala. Ang pagkakaroon ng learning poverty sa bansa ay indikasyon na ang kaalaman ng bawat batang Pilipino ay hindi sapat upang makipag kompetensya sa "global market" para sa maayos na trabaho at buhay. Ang pagiging mangmang ng mga kabataang magaaral sa pagbabasa at pagsusulat ay nangangahulugan na kailangan ng agarang aksyon mula sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon. Tila ba ang pag-aaral ng mga estudyanteng Pilipino ay isang kahig, isang tuka—dukha sa kaalaman sa pagbabasa at pagsusulat, nagpapatuloy pero hindi umuusad dahil sa kakarampot na leksiyong kanilang natutunan. Gaano ba kalala ang learning poverty sa bansa?

Ayon sa ulat ng World Bank (WB) noong 2021, 90.9% ng mga batang mag-aaral na nasa edad 10 sa Pilipinas ang hindi marunong magbasa. Samakatuwid, sa bawat 10 bata na nasa Grade 4 o Grade 5, isa lang ang nakakabasa at siyam ang hindi. Ang pagtaas ng learning poverty sa bansa bunsod ng pagtigil ng "in person class instruction" ay nangangahulugan na hindi organisado at epektibo ang naging sistema ng edukasyon sa Pilipinas. Dahil dito, kinakailangan ng masusing pag-aaral at reporma upang matugunan ang suliranin ng bawat mag-aaral na matuto sa iba pang asignatura kagaya ng agham at matematika.

standard ng ibang bansa sa sistema ng kanilang edukasyon dahil sa mababang puhunan natin sa edukasyon. Ayon sa WB, maituturing na mataas ang bilang ng mga batang hindi nag-aaral sa bansa na umabot na sa 5%. Sa hirap ng buhay sa panahon ngayon na kahit libre man ang edukasyon, malaki pa rin ang dapat na gastusin dahil ang pagpapaaral ay hindi libre. Kailangan pa ring gumastos sa pamasahe, pagkain, bayarin sa projects, performances, uniporme at iba pa.

Marapat lamang na magkaroon ng agarang interbensyon ang Kagawaran ng Edukasyon kung nilalayon nilang tugunan ang krisis na may malaking epekto sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataang Pilipino, ng ating bansa. Hindi kailangan ng mandatory ROTC, bagkus ay kailangan ng konkretong mga hakbang upang maiangat ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa ating bansa. Isa itong panawagan sa DepEd na bigyang pansin ang numero ng learning poverty ng bansa sapagkat paano uunlad ang Pilipinas kung ang susunod na tagapagmana ng bansa ay mga mangmang? Mga kabataan na hindi alam ang sariling karapatan at kung paano ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatang pantao?

maling impormasyon at balita.

Salamat sa makabagong teknolohiya at napapadali ang pagbibigay impormasyon at komunikasyon sa mga tao. Ngunit ang nakalulungkot, ginawa itong bentaha ng mga nais manlinlang at dalhin ang mga tao sa baluktot na paniniwala.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang social media ay isang lipunan kung saan nagaganap ang iba’t ibang uri ng karahasan. Lipunang pinaglalagyan ng mga balita at impormasyon na maaaring maglagay sa atin sa kapahamakan.

Gaano ba kahirap paniwalaan na patay na ang isang artista? Hiwalay na ang paborito ninyong loveteam? Sobra-sobrang impormasyon tungkol

tumanggap ng puna at pagtuturo. Ang isang uri naman ay may sapat na kaalaman ngunit pilit na paniniwalaan ang sa alam niyang mali. Ito ‘yung masakit. Handa tayong magbulagbulagan para lang mapanindigan ang mali na pilit namang itinatama. Lahat tayo pwedeng maging biktima. Ang tanong, alin ka sa dalawang nabanggit?

Kung tutuusin, madali lang naman malaman kung ang isang impormasyon ay totoo. Lagi nating tingnan ang pinagmulan o source ng impormasyon o balita. Hindi rin masamang bisitahin ang iba’t ibang news websites at social media pages/ accounts. Kaya naman natin. Pero ang problema ay mas inuuna pang

talagang wala nang lunas. Ibig sabihin, isa ka sa sumisira sa lipunan.

Ang pekeng balita at impormasyon ay totoo para sa mga nagbubulagbulagan at ayaw imulat ang mga mata sa katotohanan. Baluktot naman sa mga matatapang na handang isiwalat at tanggapin ang nararapat para sa kabutihang panlahat.

Kaibigan, gising! Sa mundong pinapadali ang pagtuklas ng kaalaman, mahirap maiwan sa ilalim na walang kamalayan. Minsan ko nang naranasan ang mapuna at pumuna. Kaya bilang isang mag-aaral na pangarap maging isang tagasulat ng balita, masakit at nakakadismaya na pinili ng iba ang huwad laban sa totoo at wasto.

Kaugnay nito, ang Pilipinas ang isa sa may pinakamataas na learning poverty sa mga bansa sa Asya at ASEAN. Ang Vietnam ay may iskor na, 18.1%; ang Malaysia, 42%. Samantala, ang nakuha ng Pilipinas ay 90.9%, na mas mababa ng kaunti sa Lao PDR. Kung titingnan ang iskor ng learning poverty sa mga bansang kagaya ng Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Congo, Burundi, at iba pang pinakamahirap na bansa sa Africa ay

Karapatan ng bawat Pilipinong mag-aaral na makamit ang dekalidad na edukasyon upang maiangat ang kanilang pagkakataon na makipagsabayan sa mga karatig bansa sa paghahanap ng trabaho sa internasyonal na eksena. Hindi dapat tayo nanlilimos ng edukasyon, hindi dapat tayo nangangapa sa pagdugtong-dugtong ng mga letra, hindi dapat isang kahig isang tuka ang sistema ng edukasyon sa bansa. Marapat lamang na kailangan panindigan ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon ang patakaran nilang, "no children left behind."

Babala: Mag-ingat sa mga peke. Nakakabingi, nakabubulag!

makikita sa social media ang #NoToFakeNews at #StopSpreadingFakeInformation

Edukasyon sa Pilipinas: Isang Kahig, Isang Tuka

MA. ESTELLE

VAFLOR

JIMIL FAITH CAPUTERO

Nomatterhowoneturnsablindeyeawayfromtherealityweface, noonecanevereradicatewhatisrightbeforeus. “

Angpekengbalitaatimpormasyonaytotooparasamganagbubulagbulaganatayawimulatangmgamatasakatotohanan. “

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the publication or its members.

DISCLAIMER

Schools have been directly affected by the COVID-19 putting face-toface classes in an absolute hiatus. Filamer Christian University is no stranger to this scenario when it adopted the distant learning modality or online classes way back summer class in 2020. The setup received mixed reactions and opinions opting the school to further delve

The HSE Asks:

into a better format while considering the safety of its students. Academic break or academic freeze was demanded by some groups and students, even teachers felt the need for a rest as the new normal modality was in effect. Nonetheless, education must persist no matter what the situation is, hence, it continues even amidst the threat of a health crisis. Recently, the

Philippines has considered returning to the face-to-face classes considering the improving state of the country after achieving herd immunity. And finally, the school year 2022 to 2023 saw the light of the day, when it was announced that schools will be opened for face-to-face classes. FCU had been preparing for months for the resumption of in-person

classes. All colleges shifted to face-toface classes, including Kindergarten, Elementary, and Secondary Education. It is now a challenge for the school to keep the safety of the students inside the campus. Enrolment rose by 9.3% from 2,906 in the first semester of 2021-2022 to 3,189 in the first semester of the school year 2022-2023.

What are your thoughts about the comeback of face-to-face classes in FCU?

elobie, STEM-11

Stressed na gid guro ko sina tapat kay need nagd maging early bird, pero okay lang kay vacant namon 7-8 hehe. elobie, STEM-11

Bebot, BS Psychology III

The f2f class is still new to me, and I'm still adjusting, but I'm looking forward to going to school every day because I'll be able to meet new people and connect with my professors. It's both draining and exciting (draining because I don't have money for expenses).

Eij, BS Nursing I

I think it's great because students will be able to perform and showcase some their talents and show what they're really capable of, face-to-face program is really great and has a lot of benefits to students too, but let's not forget that we still need to be careful, COVID-19 has yet to end.

seabra, *-11

As a student who's still in the healing process of my depression the comeback of face-to-face classes is a big help for me because I was able to go out of my comfort zone, make friends, do what I love, and socialize. Facing my social anxiety must be very difficult but having supportive friends that I made face-to-face is just easy for me now, I was able to control my anxiety which makes me confident in front of people. Learning in the face-to-face mode is enjoyable even though it's tiring but we students can improve our skills more with the help of our teachers. This helps us to be the best version of ourselves.

likhamyth, BS Nursing

Mas makapoy pa sa online. Ti kay may ara sometimes nga f2f classes tapos sa sunod na subject online malang, although may free wifi pero 1 hour lang and may ara mga subjects nga sobra 1 hour ang klase, so kailangan magasto pa money kag paload 50 nga gamiton malang for muna nga time and subject and then most of the time wala signal sa school gd ya. What I'm trying to say is na hindi convenient for other students like me ang f2f classes kung may ara malang gyapon online.

cashmere, BS Psychology

Honestly, college still doesn't feel real, even with the face to face classes going on. Along with that gnawing feeling, life has been really tiring lately, the academic pressure and org works are really good partners in giving me insane amout of stress.

I wanted to do well since before face to face happened and I still do, but i can't help feeling that the face to face classes are overwhelming me. I hope everyone has a good support system from friends, lovers, or family that helps them especially on their hardest times.

Sheillabsyou<3, BS Accountancy

Comeback of face-to-face classes seems different from me because after more than two years, we can finally go to school and wear our uniforms but being a freshmen is a kind'a difficult, I need to make an adjustment to a new environment and to a new way of teaching in college.

“I am who I am,” BS Psychology I Online nlng bay ta liwat, haha magastos ang F2f.

Shark Prince, BS

Psychology II

Kakapoy! Gusto ko na lang maging toothpaste.

Jollydog, BSIT I

It's a breath of fresh air to be back in school and be able to interact with my classmates without worrying about my connection. Bummer I can't use filters though.

Kim, BSIT I

I think it was great. Online classes are not efficient for a student like me who struggled learning and preferred a f2f classes where I can understand the topic discussed clearly and easily. Whereas, in online class I have to worry about the poor and slow internet connection which hindered me to actually learn my studies properly. In additional, coming to school was much more fun and productive than staring at my screen and interacting with my classmates through my laptop.

Andrea K, BSIT I

It was so much fun!. Specially knowing and meeting new friends and gosh I've seen a lot handsome guys.

Heykaru, BSIT I

We need full f2f classes i can't focus on my studies on online class.

JAMES MATTHEW ALDEA ALA-AL, BSIT I

I REALLY WANT FULL FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES IN FCU. PETITION TO MAKE THE CLASSES FULL F2F. I WILL STATE MY FULL NAME IN CAPITAL LETTERS BECAUSE I AM DESPERATE.

MckLy, BSIT II

I'm slowly getting used to it since it was a sudden change because of Online Class during Pandemic Outbreak... Anyways the fare in commuting is expensive that will have a hole in my pocket…

Hassan, IV Year

It's fun and exciting but the balayran is really eating us all. HAHAHAHAHAH kidding aside, even though it's tiring I'm just grateful to be finally free from the 4 corners of my room. 2 years of online class is suffocating, and to suffer alone is boring. At least now, even though it's tiring and we still suffer I am not alone, I get to meet people, my classmates, and I get to share my suffering HAHAHAHAH which I find very therapeutic.

Roshieka Paula Balgos

Kasanag sang Paglaum

kami specially ang aton mga PDLs nga through linkages, nakabulig gid ini sa ila sa paghatag sang additional nga bulig indi lamang para sa ila kundi para man sa ila mga pamilya,” sinsero nga pahayag sang Deputy Warden.

Magluwas sa livelihood programs nga parol kag lantern-making, may ara man sang handicraft-making, gardening programs, kag iban pa nga mga skills training ang gina conduct sang Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) para sa mga PDLs, kasubong man sang mga programa halin sa Department of Education (DepEd), kapareho sang Alternative Learning System (ALS) program kung sa diin guina tagaan oportunidad ang mga PDLs nga ma-develop ang ila basic and functional literacy skills, agud makumpleto kag maakomplisyar nila ang ila basic education kag may ara man sang napatigayon nga Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad Program (KKDK).

kung sa diin mapabugal ang mga tumalagsahon nga obra sang mga PDLs gamit ang nagkalain-lain nga materiales kapareho sang bamboo, plastic charol, cable wire, lights, kag madamo pa nga klase sang materiales nga mas matibay kag makapakita sang panibag-o nga features sang mga parol.

“[Ang pag-obra sang parol] nakahatag gid sa amon sang kalipay nga mapabatyag man sa amon ang Christmas. Makapalipay man kami sa amon pamilya paagi sa pag-padala sa ila sang amon kita [sa pag-obra sang mga parol],” ginbahagi sang isa ka PDL.

“Kung kailan pinakamadilim ang mga tala ay mas nagniningning”

Nari-sari nga kadagkuon sang mga maduagon nga bitoon ang naga tamyaw sa mga mata sang mga naga labay kag naga papawa sang mga dalanon sa paghilapit sang ti-on sang Paskwa; mga bitoon nga gin adornohan sang matahum nga kombinasyon sang makabuluhi nga duag, gamit ang nagkalain-lain nga materyales kag mga disenyo nga nagapaganyak sang kalipay sa tagsa ka tumalan-aw.

Sa likod sang katahom kag kapawa nga dala sang mga bitoon nga naga igpatigpat sa tunga sang kadulom, may ara sang mga tawo nga may tumalagsahon nga abilidad kag dedikasyon para lamang magdul-ong sang kapawa sa guha sang matag-as nga pader sang bilangguan pinaagi sa pag obra sang parol o Christmas lanterns nga nagapapawa sa Siyudad sang Roxas kag napila ka mga kabanwahanan sa probinsya.

Lima ka tuig na ang nakaligad halin sang nag umpisa sa pag hatag sang kapawa ang mga Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) sang Roxas City Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) paagi

sa mga parol nga sila mismo ang nagubra kag nagdisenyo umpisa sang 2018 sa gin patigayon nga parol-making as a livelihood project sang BJMP.

“May mga parol kita nga tradisyonal nga star kag amo lang ina sang una ang aton nga product. Subong, nag innovate na kita sang lantern, may mga series type nga lighted, may ara man sang indi lighted,” suno kay Deputy Warden SJO3 Ernie Olendo.

Dugang pa ni SJO3 Olendo, para mapakilala sa publiko ang obra sang mga PDL, guina presentar niya ini paagi sa pag post kag pag tag sang iya mga kilala nga public officials para mahibaluan nila ang kasubong sini nga programa para sa mga PDLs kag maka bulig sa sini nga livelihood program.

“Dako gid ang nabulig para sa amon nga mga PDL kay luwas sa nagka-income kami, nakadugang pa ihibalo sa amon. [Ini nga] mga skills namon nga sa amon pag laya pwede namon ma apply sa [amon] pagpangabuhi,” pahayag sang isa ka PDL.

Suno kay SJO3 Olendo, may ara sang natural kag nari-sari nga abilidad ang PDLs nga mahimo nila mangin isa

ka progresibo nga indibidwal kag ang livelihood program nga pag-obra sang mga lantern kag parol, ang isa sa mga oportunidad nga guina hatag para sa ila.

“Because ari sila sa aton nga pasilidad, kag pinaagi man sa mga BJMP personnel nga nagahatag sang innovation kag naga-motivate sa ila, naga-grow ang skills nila to become productive people and [madala nila] someday kun maka gwa sila,” suno kay SJO3 Olendo.

Sa pag-obra sang dalagko nga bulto sang orders sang lanterns kag parol kada ti-on sang Paskwa, may ara sang nabaton nga porsyento ang PDLs kung sa diin amo ini ang ila ginapadala sa ila tagsa ka pamilya.

Sa karon, ang produkto sang mga PDLs amo ang maka lab-ot na sa Queens, New York sa Estados Unidos kung sa diin gamiton ini bilang disenyo sa tema nga “Filipino Christmas” sang isa ka simbahan. Nagalab-ot sa 260 ka mga piraso sang lanterns nga 16 inches with light ang iga padala sa luwas sang pungsod.

“We are all grateful kay nakit-an ang craftsmanship sang amon project, ang craftsmanship sang PDLs. Nalipay gid

“Before may mababatian ka sa iban sa community nga when you say presohan, kalain gid ila nga impression. Ang deperensya lang is in-house sila, pero may ara programs nga na deliver sa ila door-to-door. So with these programs, there is no reason nga maging negative pa ang outlook sang community sa ila,” dugang pa ni Deputy Warden.

Suno pa kay Deputy Warden, wala gid ini sila naga prejudge sa ila workers sa BJMP kag naga pasalamat gid ini sila nga may ara nangin madinalag-on bangud guin gamit sang iban nga PDLs kung ano man ang ila na tun-an sa sulod sang pasilidad sa idalom sang supervision sang BJMP Personnel.

Isa ang Roxas City Jail sa pila ka mga jail units sa rehiyon nga naga implementar sang parol o lantern livelihood programs

Nakadepende ang presyo sang ila mga produkto base sa sizes nga guina pangita sang tagbalakal. Ang traditional parol with lights mabakal sa balor nga 5ft- 1,200, 4ft- 900, 2ft.- 650. Ang lantern naman mabakal sa 4,300 ang 4ft, 3,300 ang 3ft, kag 2,000 para sa 2ft. Dako guid nga bagay para sa mga PDLs nga supportahan ang locally-made parol and lanterns tungod indi lamang sila ang mabuligan kundi pati na ang ila mga pamilya.

“Nakabulig [pa guid] sa amon nga malikaw kami sa mga malain nga pang huna huna nga kun ano man ang madumduman namon sa sulod,” ini ang sambit sang isa ka PDL.

Ang mga PDLs sang Roxas City Jail nagapamatuod nga wala sang imposible kung naga bakas. Bisan ano pa ang mapangatubang nga mga pag-tilaw sang kabuhi, basta may paglaum, magalapos ang kapawa sa pitipit nga kadulom.

Sa likod sang maduagon, mapawa, kag naga-igpat nga mga Parol, amo ang estorya sang pagbangon, pagtimakas kag dedikasyon sang mga tawo nga nagalaum sang panibag-o nga umpisa kag mapawa nga bwas-damlag.

Approximately sixty-six million years ago during the Before Christ Era, a mountain-sized asteroid hit the earth that caused the extinction of dinosaurs and other creatures that inhabited the planet and defined the age of Dinosaurs. Thanks to technology, we can now possibly dodge this inevitable happening by blasting a spacecraft toward it!

Do you remember the mobile game Space War? The mechanics include not being hit by approaching rocks and spaceships, and your spacecraft is supposed to hit them with laser blasts. Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) may have been inspired by the game’s mechanics and adapted it to real life. NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission is a demonstration of kinetic impactor technology, meaning they launch one or

more huge, fast spacecraft to nudge into a near-Earth object. This is their first mission that involves hitting an asteroid to change its motion and route. DART shows that with the use of gravity and spacecraft, humans can now adjust the direction of falling asteroids.

Traveling in the size of a refrigerator and roughly fourteen times faster than the speed of an average airplane, the DART spacecraft slammed into the asteroid at a speed of four miles per second or 14,400 miles per hour. The spacecraft is relatively small but it has wings extending called roll-out solar arrays that can be compared to four tennis nets aligned horizontally. It was launched in November of 2021 and in September 2022, it successfully spurred asteroid Dirmorphos, which is half the size compared to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Moreover, the asteroid does not pose any danger to earth since it is far away and merely orbits the moon around a bigger asteroid, Didymos.

This is a groundbreaking invention that for sure will skyrocket throughout the years. Unfortunately, the Hubble Space Telescope was unable to capture the historic moment because the earth photobombed the camera. Moreover, it has captured before and after photos of the collision.

While this is the hope of future human civilization against asteroids, it costs more than the most expensive car in the world. The price tag for the development of the spacecraft alone is $308 million, four times more pricey than the auctioned 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO. However, this shouldn’t be the loss of hope for our planet’s defense against natural phenomena of space. A lot could still happen in the next few years through the continuous exploration by NASA and maybe, we could shoot laser beams toward approaching rocks of space.

MADUAGON NGA MGA BITOON:

MA. ESTELLE ANTONETTE VAFLOR

PAGBAKABAKA. Mga PDL sang Roxas City BJMP mapisan nga ginadisenyo ang mga matahom nga parol. Karen Baldonado

VANESSA

LASON NG DAGAT:

ANO NGA BA ANG RED TIDE AT EPEKTO NITO SA CAPIZ?

Inalerto ang mga munisipalidad sa mga baybayin ng Capiz dahil sa nakababahalang antas ng toxicity ng mga lamang-dagat dulot ng red tide. Batay sa kasalukuyang ulat ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) noong Oktubre 21, 2022, positibo pa rin ang lahat ng mga baybayin sa probinsya sa Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) o mas kilala bilang red tide toxins. Ipinagbawal ng pamahalaan ang pagbebenta at pagkain ng mga lamangdagat lalo na ang mga molusko, tahong, scallop, at iba pang uri ng kabibe o shellfish. Bagama’t karaniwan na ang red tide sa mga baybaying-dagat tulad ng Capiz, mahalaga pa rin ang pagbibigay impormasyon at edukasyon sa mga mamamayan sa konsepto ng red tide at ang epekto nito sa ating katawan, ekonomiya, at probinsya.

Isang malaking katanungan, “Ano nga ba ang red tide?” Batay sa panayam ng The Hillside Echo kay G. Edwin Candelario Javier, opisyal ng BFAR, sa simpleng pananalita, ang red tide ay isang pangyayari kung saan labis at hindi makontrol ang pagsibol ng algae na nagreresulta sa pamumula ng dagat. Dahil sa mataas na populasyon na mga mikhay na ito ay nasisira ang balanse sa sustansya ng tubig at nagpapalaganap din ito ng lason na maaaring makaapekto sa mga lamang dagat at gayundin sa mga taong pangunahing pinagkukunan ng pagkain ang dagat. Bagama’t likas na itong nangyayari sa ating kalikasan, ang mataas na antas na lason na dala ng red tide ay tiyak na nakakapagdulot ng sakit at dapat na pagtuunan ng atensyon. Ang pagkakalasong ito ay nagdudulot ng panganib sa buhay na maaaring maranasan sa loob lamang ng 12 oras mula sa pagkakakain ng kontaminadong lamangdagat.

Idinagdag pa ni Javier na hindi masama ang presensya ng algae sa ating mga tubig-dagat dahil ito ang isa sa may

pinakamalaking ambag sa ekolohiya ng dagat. Subalit ang labis na populasyon nito ang siyang nagdadala ng matinding abala at nakakaapekto sa pangkabuhayan ng mga mangingisda at mangta-talaba. Sa kasalukuyan, bagama’t marami ng pagsusuri at literatura na umaabag sa pag-aaral ng red tide ay hindi pa rin tiyak ang pinagmulan nito. Maraming bagay na maaaring magbigay kontribusyon sa pagdami ng algae tulad ng sustansya at mineral sa dagat, antas ng alat (salinity), presensya ng oxygen, at pH level. Dahil sa iba’t ibang aspektong ito, hindi tuwirang matukoy ng mga dalubhasa at siyentista ang pinaka dahilan at pinanggalingan ng red tide, gayundin ang maaaring maging implikasyon nito sa estado ng ating kalikasan.

Gayunpaman, isa ang nasisiguro ng mga eksperto, na ang lason mula sa red tide ay nagdadala ng kapahamakan sa buhay ng tao. Ang mataas na antas ng toxicity level ay maaring magdala ng sakit na maaaring humantong sa pagkaparalisa at kamatayan. Ang mga senyales ng taong nakakain ng lamangdagat na kontaminado ng red tide ay nakakaramdam ng pamamanhid sa paligid ng bibig at mukha, pagkahilo, pakiramdam na pagkaparalisa ng mga kamay at paa, panghihina ng katawan, pagbilis ng pulso, hirap sa pagsasalita, paghinga at paglunok, pananakit ng ulo, pagsusuka, pagtatae, at pananakit ng sikmura. Pinapayuhan na kung maranasan ang mga sumusunod na sintomas ay kaagad na magtungo sa pinakamalapit na ospital.

Kilala ang probinsya ng Capiz bilang “Seafood Capital” na pangunahing tagapagluwas ng mga yamang-dagat sa Pilipinas, kung kaya’t maraming implikasyon sa industriya ng pangingisda at pagtatalaba ang naapektuhan ng lason dulot ng red tide. Lumabas sa inisyal na pagsusuri ng BFAR na sa mga katubigan ng Roxas city, Panay, Pilar, at President Roxas unang nadiskubre na ang mga lamang dagat ay nagtataglay ng mataas

na antas ng lason. Iniulat na mayroong bilang na 200 micro-gramo ang pinakamataas na nakuha, tatlong beses na mas mataas sa itinakdang istandard na lebel na 60 micro-gramo/100 gramo ng presensya ng red tide sa isang lamang-dagat. Ang mataas na lebel ng lason ay nangangahulugan lamang na dapat iwasan ang pagkonsumo ng mga molusko, tahong, at talaba at ilegal rin ang pagbebenta at pagbagsak ng mga produktong ito sa iba pang probinsya.

Kasalukuyang ikinababahala ng mga mamamayan, partikular na ang mga maliliit na magtatalaba o clammers na umaasa sa kakarampot na pangongolekta ng mga lamang-dagat upang ibenta sa merkado. Bagama’t naghatid na rin ng tulong ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan tulad ng BFAR, Department of Agriculture (DA), at pamahalaang lokal upang kahit papaano ay mabigyan ng makakain ang mga taong naapektuhan, hindi pa rin ito sapat upang mairaos nila ang pang araw-araw lalo pa’t habang tumatagal na hindi nakakapag-hanapbuhay ay tiyak na magugutom ang kani-kanilang pamilya. May mangilan-ngilan din na kapit-patalim na nagbebenta ng produkto kahit pa ipinagbabawal. Sinasalamin nito na sa gitna ng nakaambang panganib na maaari nilang maidulot sa kapwa ay pansamantalang lulunukin ang kanilang konsensya upang kumita ng salapi at matustusan ang kanilang pangangailangan.

Ang pagbibigay tulong ng pamahalaan sa mga apektado ng red tide ay pansamantala lamang. Impormasyon at edukasyon pa rin ang natatanging paraan sa pagpapalaganap ng kaisipan at kalinangan hinggil sa usaping nauukol sa red tide. Isama na rin ang paggamit ng iba’t ibang medium sa komunikasyon tulad ng social media upang mas mabilis na maihatid ang pinakasariwang balita. Hindi biro ang pinagdadanan ng Capiz ngayon lalo pa’t pumapangalawa ito sa industriya ng pagtatalaba na may

When we set our foot into our early stages of adolescence we sense confusion, loneliness, and pressure of how we should dress, act, and behave in a manner that are conforming to the norms of society leading to the youth having an early existential crisis and afraid to be left out by the majority. However in this new timeline, we are now desired to express ourselves exceeding the hems’ restriction, we consider our identities fluid not some static entity. We are living in the doubt-dusty world of hate but who cares with what they say, we should leave glowing traces of certainties. If society has its own standards then we should be the trendsetters, pioneers, and blueprint of our own stardom.

In every decade that has passed, teenagers will always be the expressive young bloods since in the course of history they rebel against the traditional

ideals of what society had imprinted.

From the 70’s punk, 80’s new romantic movement, 90’s grunge & club kid culture, 2000’s emo/scene kids, 2010’s hipster & indie, and now the roaring ’20s is still finding its new identity. However, today’s generation became obsessed with curated identities or aesthetics following the rise of social media with the platforms such as Tumblr and Pinterest being the dominant apps for those who seek new friends with the same interest.

It is a Gen-Z and pop culture in a nutshell, for example, a croppedout picture of Taylor Swift, Melanie Martinez, Phoebe Bridgers, Mitski, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey be put in a starter pack meme labeled “Gay & Depressed” all of their fans will devour it and present it as their new personality trait. Additionally, when the pandemic struck Gen-Z try to seek comfort and

connection while the economy and the world were struggling, It is why they’re reviving grunge, Y2K, old-money preppy trends from the ’90s and early 2000s, they are just in a quest to find serenity.

Where to find aestheticism is no longer a query. Trendsetters use their feed to keep every registered account updated. That is why influencers use their personal experiences and dayto-day activities to make followers establish trust in their expertise. Those who have a thorough understanding of the subject direct other people toward distinctive, fascinating, exemplary, or other prominent versions of the subject. This idea is being easily adopted by media users to promote empowerment amidst all the differences. It assures that personal interests can be shared to fulfill common purposes which also inspires others to come out from whatever shells

they might have entered. Identity allows the unseen to be seen and gives voice to the voiceless.

Yet this dichotomy is now laid at the center, forcing everything to be consumed by unaligned identity. Giving your own satisfaction through sharing instagrammable photos of expensive and mouth-watering meals while keeping other images of yourself wallowing around the filthy unpleasing streets describes the desire to portray an identity that is not similar to the real existing character. Curated identity is the concept of having representations through images, readings, or even choices of music to act as a stimulus for others to form a great impression of who you are.

Upon the recent conduct of an online survey with students of FCU from different departments, results have shown that social and external factors greatly affect self-perception. The total population consisted of students ages from 18-23. At the rate of 41.63 % with the highest frequency, respondents

have agreed that they tend to worry about how they are being viewed by others, thus leading to the reliance on society-based standards of acquiring acceptance and confidence. About 36.59 % have identified self-value as they can somehow fit within a certain personality which displays inclusivity as a member of the learning community.

The future of this generation is inevitable as time passes by; they foster inclusivity and diversity to the minority such as the queer neurodivergent, nonbinary, and many more. Since they are dismantling the ideologies’ of our ancestors, furthermore breaking the generational trauma, it is good to see they are expressing themselves freely and being open to their identity even though we live in a country that is a not safe space for people who live by these specific characteristics, for the reason they value more on individualism. The hope for the roaring 20’s is to walk into a yellow brick road and find prosperity somewhere over the rainbow.

Pillars of absorbent fibers summoned the new millennium where social media dominated cyberspace and monopolized the roles of youth to spin them into threads and give them needles to sew their curated identities so the representation of the ‘real’ self may be displayed behind the transparent glass.

pinakamataas na antas ng ambag sa lokal na ekonomiya ng probinsya. Mahalagang maibahagi sa ating komunidad ang mga kaalaman at mga istorya ng mga taong

apektado upang mamulat sa kamalayan at reyalidad ang mga mamamayan sa estado ng ating probinsya hinggil sa epekto ng red tide.

JAYMES KARL ANTHONY

REY ANGELA UPOD & GABRIEL BERNALES

PICTURE READY. Rey and Gab flaunt their aesthetics through their diverse wardrobe. Ma. Estelle Antonette Vaflor

Capizeñas rule: race feat, snare shoot

Surging with unpredictable savviness and victory-bound instincts, two Capiznon sportswomen ascended to greater heights as they took colossal blows to their coup after clutching a double championship title in the field of racing and shooting competitions.

Capizeña rider dominates Negros GP race

Fueled with fast and furious driving prowess, province-bet Cheyenne Ban,

ingeniously galloped her debut victory lap in the Ladies Scooter Open Category at the GP League Circuit Race in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Sept. 17.

With the trophy now secured, the lady rider is set to compete in the Circuit Race at the Masskara Festival 2022 in Bacolod City.

Ban is a resident of Barangay 5, Roxas City, and a member of the Brotherhood of Capiz Riders, a local organization that promotes motorcycle tourism and encourages the development of local riding talent in the province.

Capizeña shooter notches spot in World Cup

Fusing her keen-sighted edge and rapid-firing caliber, Capizeña shooter Marly Llorito Martir captured the spot to be the country’s representative in

the World Cup XIX from November to December this year in Pattaya, Thailand after procuring the champ title in the BBM Cup Shooting Competition at Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Sept. 20.

Lieutenant Commander Martir, a Philippine Navy (PN) officer from Barangay Jagnaya, Jamindan, has been defending her title as Philippine Lady Classic Champion since 2018. Her sharp wit and marksman precision tactics have already earned her gold medals at several national and international women’s precision pistol competitions, including the 30th Southeast Asian Games Precision Pistol Competitions (PPC) in both individual and team categories, the 2019 AUSTRALASIA Handgun Championship Lady Classic Category Philippines, and the 2018 Far East Handgun Championship Lady Classic Category.

FCU Sentinels: Spree Slayers of Stigma

of inspiration. AcadArena is the top institution for campus gaming and esports education which is managed by a special group of seasoned specialists from both native and non-native countries.

“I was particularly fascinated by the idea of Esports providing countless opportunities for our student gamers, such as scholarships and sponsorships through AcadArena. We would like to empower our campus gamers and allow them to display their abilities and skills through esports. Playing online games is an unavoidable activity for the majority of students, thus we want to make it more helpful by establishing this organization at our university,” she expressed regarding the motivation for creating the organization.

Slaying the stigma

is the time because as a layout artist and designer, it needs time and extensive brainstorming to complete an exquisite publishing material and design for the other members and to be members of the organization. The easiest method to discipline me and combine my academic responsibilities with helping the organization is to organize my schedules,” Atinon said.

Warriors on Battle Royale

Right bytes awakened the screens announcing the league to charge up skills; rumbling clicks to attack are joined by the chants of activated avatars, as slashes and hits zing a snap at the digital zone. Geared up with a vehement helmet, soaring wings, and scintillating truth of halo, the mana has surged to finally welcome the ascension of Sentinels—the first electronic sports organization in the domain of FCU.

Anticipated game changers have risen to make the myths exist because battles may now commence and end with no visible bruises, not even a drop of blood for the ground to taste through Esports. The motive of gameplay has embodied a new scheme to serve an emblem whose aim is to break the stigma of gaming.

Sprint behind the ages of screen

Thrilling as it is, Esports have occupied not just computer systems but also our daily habits. Believe it or not, the emergence of cyber sports didn’t occur during this era of rich technologies. Through consoles and computers ages ago, 24 players in 1972 competed at the inaugural Esport competition “Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics.” A one-year subscription to the “Rolling Stones” magazine as the grand prize was offered. Nintendo launched the “Nintendo World

Championships” in the United States in 1990 after recognizing the phenomena of competitiveness at the start of the decade. The competition’s three age division winners each won a set of golden Nintendo gaming modules. During that phase, LAN (Local Area Network) events spread throughout different nations with Street Fighter, Quake, Counter-Strike, and StarCraft becoming the norm. PCs attracted interest as hardware got more affordable and potent. Early clan formation led to quick development in the 2000s, opening doors for the involvement of many players and the introduction of more tournaments into the market, which currently draws a lot of investors.

Competitive gaming has quickly evolved from localized competitions to international competitions with organizations, rewards, audiences, and systems. As the eye captures every other person looking down at their phones on rotate mode or whenever someone faces their PC with their headphones fully occupying their auditory sense, one can easily determine that a certain gaming app is being used. In any place, during any occasion, gaming is inevitable which is why schools also have the urge to maximize this trend to facilitate learning effectively.

Entry

is expanding into the current era, and it is welcomed with admiration by students. With keen skills, Vanessa Duran— Sentinels’ acting president and FCUSR senator who proposed the project of establishing the Esport organization, has seen the demands for the students’ integration of personal interest with academic goals as technology evolves through time. Duran has met the driving force of initiating cyber sports as she recognized the sense that schools will make use of this development to promote learning and improve students’ performance in the classroom or the job market. Esports organizations can encourage students to develop STEM skills or support more effective STEM learning because it integrates collaboration, problem-solving, data science, internet technology, and coding.

“Esports has been booming, especially during the pandemic, and I have seen that we have many prospective gamers here in Capiz, particularly at our university. It seems to me that our university could assist students in determining their paths in the esports industry. Esports thrives on students’ competitive gaming interest to develop teamwork, innovation, and inclusivity,” Duran remarked.

To explore enticing strategies, modes, and genres of play is to also indulge in how excited screams escape during the clash of characters or whines of frustration if a killing blow was against you or if the weather forbids you to farm in-game currency. Yet it is more than freedom from boredom, it is the inclusion with transformative progress. Playing video games has been condemned by some for having a detrimental effect on the youth, but the FCU Sentinels have set their target to rip and change that perspective.

“Sentinels can dispel the stigma that video games impede education. Esports is more than simply a game, #NotJustPlay… We advocate responsible gaming where student players will learn how to balance their tasks and dispel the stereotype that video games are a distraction in academics. In our organization, we have our education and research officer who’s also responsible to monitor the academic performance of our players so that they can receive scholarships to help them in their studies in the future,” Duran stated.

Truth exists because there is a believer, just as how Sentinels have risen to conquer the promised league. Striding rulers are Vanessa Duran (President), Danneal Jocson (Vice-President), Zarah Rose Anne Dacles (Secretary), John Lei Cabilan (Finance Officer), Kent Ambion (Auditor), Daryl Dangan (Education and Research Officer), Rhyan Baril (PIO), Zedrick Bulquerin (Technical Officer), Jake Barian Yap (Assistant TO), Allen Carl Fuentes (Membership Officer), and the layout artists; Godfre Atinon, Martin Retuma, and Angela Arguelles. It has been a dilemma for Duran to select the bearers of positions since the ones credible for the role will not be allowed to play during the tournaments. That is why Duran felt too much joy and gratitude as the warriors showed their presence at the zone.

“I am very much grateful to our Lord God for providing me with the wisdom and courage to establish this organization. I am also grateful to my beloved FCU Sentinels officers and advisers who accepted my invitation to be a part of this esports organization because every officer is essential to the growth of this organization.

Fraggers peek through the goals

The birth of FCU Sentinels is ground-breaking; it is a symbol that FCU

FCU Sentinels have announced their participation in AcadArena’s alliance program on Sept. 18; their newly found refuge as they believe that exposure is another aspect that may fill their vessel

FCU being the abode of technical aces has grown system-rooted bases to envision video gaming as a platform to discover and empower gamers to introduce responsible gaming. In Esport, discipline emphasizes curves and edges within and outside the screen monitors. Being aware of the challenging setup of overcoming the conflicts, Godfre Atinon—layout artist of Sentinels has tightened the knots to accommodate his priorities.

“The most difficult aspect of being a student and a member of FCU sentinel

Lastly, I am truly thankful to all of the FCU Sentinels members who joined our organization because, without them, the FCU Sentinels would not have made it this far,” Duran expressed.

As Sentinels inspire, take flight and be light to everyone, their reign will be looked up by many. Honor will speak their name and truth will clap for the freedom of their wings. Soon as they gather tons of ultra-skill, Sentinels will mark their traces with golden dust.

BRACED PIONEERS. FCU Sentinels set a lordly stance enunciating their birth. K’weizze Ro Sibugan

NICK ANDREI DESALES

GABRIEL BERNALES & REY ANGELA UPOD

SWIFT PACE. Lady rider at breakneck speed to take the lap of honor. Limits Found FB Page

Campus Sports: Comeback with Precautions

Sporting events are vital for athletes to showcase their bodily-kinesthetic proficiencies. After two years of having the time that could’ve been spent practicing to improve skills and participating in tournaments to boost competency be hindered by CoVID-19 and its protocols, what obstacles have this “new normal” imposed upon the thirsted comeback of athletic exhibition and how are we supposed to catch up to it?

Subsequent to the two-year drought, the COVID-19 alert level is now more lenient across the country; almost all activities can now be carried out at full site capacity. Even so, the Department of Health (DOH) still requires compliance with its minimum public health standard. Correspondingly, this feasible condition re-opens an opportunity for academic institutions to conduct face-to-face classes, re-performing at their optimum function, which indicates the return of campus sporting events, heightening the excitement and finally quenching the thirst of athletes’ eagerness to get back on track after a long break. While our university's efforts to adhere to standard health protocols are apparent, more action is needed, and both athletes and spectators must cooperate accordingly.

Following the most recent campus athletic preparations, many sportspeople do not practice proper hygiene. Being hygienic is a top priority in these trying times. Understandably, athletes expend a lot of energy, especially on game fields, and it is natural for them to get physically

dirty, but, the point here is, they should practice basic hygiene measures such as not sharing drinking water and bottles with their teammates— towels or sanitary materials should also be utilized for personal use only. Sharing habits were common before the pandemic, but athletes must redouble their efforts in adapting to the new normal. It not only protects them from communicable diseases, but it also safeguards their fellow athletes.

Another concerning circumstance in the revival of university sports is the mass gathering. The game observers do not adhere to public health standards such as social distancing. Although support is extensive in boosting the athletes’ self-esteem, it should be interchangeably the same as the concern for their well-being. As observers, they have the right to express their support; however, they must likewise consider the current situation. Bear in mind that the responsible practice of minimum public health protocols secures the safety of both parties.

One more matter at hand is that the institution lacks sporting equipment, and accommodating facilities, and does not provide enough sanitary supplies.

Few athletes claimed to be enduring from old and defective resources such as deflated balls, while others complain of not having a place for practice. It can also be observed that the institution is short of sanitary commodities exclusive for athletes such as disinfectant sprays

or alcohol, sanitizers, wipes, etc. The university has always been known to be supportive in the field of sports, as developing the student's physical component is one of its core values; however, the two-year gap may have caused a lapse in its operations. The return of campus sports festivities signals a re-calibration of the university's efforts to meet the needs and security of its athletes.

Although some may argue that some of the mentioned observances are minor issues that can occur in any sports setting, this ignores the fact that we are still seeking to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic. If we allow these incautious actions to continue, we will further complicate the situation, especially since this virus continues to mutate and spread rapidly at this time. In the worst-case scenario, we'll be back at square one. Incorporating these precautionary measures into the "new normal" can pave the way for a "new future" that will have advantages for addressing other health problems besides COVID-19.

Sport exploration, tryouts, and team formation are among the few nostalgic events that can be seen again in the university. The student-athletes are now reignited with drive and determination to exhibit their field of expertise, represent their departments, and sooner, the entire university —if they are fortunate enough, the entire country.

Pen, Dot

THEA ABBIEGAIL DACULA

Let sports be about sports again

Athletes are not celebrities. Their performances may be broadcasted but they play on the field, not just for the sole purpose of entertainment but, to showcase the fruits of their efforts in training; to take home the glory of winning.

Recently, more and more athletes are starting to appear in the media. Ranging from commercials of products that are either sportsrelated or have nothing to do with sports at all, to talk show guestings and even drama appearances—you name it, at least once there have been Filipino athletes who’ve done it.

This stunt, although reasonable, I see as sensible only to an extent. As these opportunities are often presented to athletes that have caused a stir online, most of the time because of their looks. In addition, it also promotes the idea that being a celebrity is the peak of an athlete’s career—it is not, and should not have to be.

are more known for the intrigues of their personal lives rather than their sports performances; highlighting that as much as Filipino athletes get idolized for their play skills, they are getting monitored by the public more for their lifestyles—its glitz and dirt.

And, in theory, this doesn’t just happen on national grounds. Even during local and campus games, some members of the audience would always seem to view particular players as mascots of the institution and sporting events that they’re playing for; rooting for them because they’re attractive. And although there’s nothing necessarily wrong about it, I see this as making a joke out of their grind.

Our concept of lauding by means of dignifying should stop. Sports should be about the game; its plays and the players’ skills and conduct. Seeing the game for its players is okay, but seeing the

Ourconceptoflaudingbymeansof dignifyingshouldstop.Sportsshouldbe aboutthegame;itsplaysandtheplayers’ skillsandconduct.Seeingthegameforits playersisokay,butseeingtheplayersfor theirphysicalityandnottheirperformance isdisrespectingthemandtheirlaborto become better athletes.

The capitalization of one’s career through media exposure may be flattering, but mainstream media is a dangerous place; that is, the more you are exposed to it, the more trivialized you become.

In connection, the normalization of athletes involving themselves in show business standardizes having their personal lives subjected to public scrutiny. This, more often than not, results in having athletes that

players for their physicality and not their performance is disrespecting them and their labor to become better athletes.

Hopefully, whilst the players do their best to improve themselves; may we, as audiences, become better spectators by recognizing sports for its intricacy and good games, not just for goodlooking players and their intriguing personal lives.

Accelerating with robust stamina and lightning-fast speed in the running track, Filamer Christian University alumnus Joyme Sequita along with Edgardo Alejan, Bernalyn Bejoy, and Giselle Lumapas, bolted their way to a bronze medal in the 4 x 400m Mixed Relay Race in the 31st South East Asian (SEA) Games, May 14 at Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Philippine whirlwind team finished the line clocking 3 minutes

31.530 seconds next to the host-country Vietnam with 3 minutes 19.370 seconds giving Thailand the gold, leading a record of 3 minutes 19.290 seconds.

Itong 31st SEA Games, naging maikli lamang ang time span sa training namin, pero hindi ito naging hadlang para gawin ang aming makakaya. Nakakagalak at isang karangalan ang mabigyan ng opportunity bilang atleta ng Pilipinas at makapaglaro sa ibang bansa,” Sequita said.

“Madaming naging struggles before the competition, isa na dito ang magkaroon ng magkakaibang injury na parte na ng pagiging athlete. Kailangan talaga ng tatag at determinasyon para maiuwi ang panalo,” Sequita added.

FCU Athletics dominates NISC

Equipped with swiftness and great strength, the FCU Athletics team conquered at the National Invitational Sports Competition (NISC) at Iloilo Sports Complex. Six Filamerians clinched at the qualifying regionals and two secured their spots at the nationals held on May 2-3 and May 29-31, respectively.

Dashing the fields with vigorous fleetness and brawn, the FCU athletics come out on top in the regional NISC athletics awards: Kezhia May Martinez in 400m dash (Gold) and 200m dash (Silver); Ric Daniel Marcelino in shotput (Gold); Precious Firah Bernabe

GABRIEL BERNALES

in 400m dash (Silver); Jhoannah Marreh Balasa in 400 Low Hurdles (Silver); Mariel Diaz in 3kM run (Bronze); Jazen Vi Faith Martinez in 1500m and 800m run (Bronze); and Carl Peter Baticados and John Carl Fuentes were recognized as participants. While Kezhia May Martinez and Marcelino, both national qualifiers, earned bronze in the 400m dash and fourth in the shotput.

“Winning my first NISC is very overwhelming, not only because this is my first competition since the pandemic started but also because there [were] only two representatives

[from] Capiz,” Martinez, one of the athletes, expressed on qualifying for the national contest. The competition was challenging for her since balancing her schoolwork with her training was not easy.

In the said competition, Mr. Josue Campos and Mrs. Marigen Campos Ignacio, together with their trainers Ms. Sherry Rovell Villar and Mr. Ian Miguel Dumangon, rigorously coached the aforementioned athletes. Martinez is also interested in future prospects for similar activities. Finally, she thanked her coaches for pushing her to work harder for future tournaments.

Blue Falcons soar high on crit

Filamer Christian University’s cycling were able to secure the following feats in Open Elite).

“Being able to cross the finish line safely is [already] a tremendous accomplishment, so I find it a blessing that I was able to complete the event without [any] accidents... I feel so blessed that all of my hard work is beginning to bear some fruit,” Palacios said.

Other members of the Falcons who were able to finish the race include Teddy Billones, Gef Flores, Johnmcklint Libay, and Leomar Funa.

This is a debut tournament for the Blue Falcons since the organization’s establishment in September—making them the first university bike club in Capiz.

To commemorate their efforts, the bronze medalists received a cash incentive worth 60,000 pesos from the Philippine Sports Commission and another Philippine Athlete reward from the Malacañang Palace.

Para po sa lahat ng naniwala, walang sawang sumuporta, at tumulong sa akin at sa team, sa panginoon, ang sambayanang pilipino, sa aking pamilya, coach,

at mga kapwa ko atleta, maraming salamat,” he concluded.

Sequita graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the university in 2018. Prior to the SEA Games, he had already won titles in several athletic races, including the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championship and the National Private Schools Association.

FCU ALUMNUS SEIZES BRONZE IN 31ST SEA GAMES Filamerian jins conquer nat’l, Visayas taekwondo competitions

With prominent kicks and superb agility, FCU jins from elementary and high school bagged gold and silver medals during the 45th National Taekwondo Championship at Ayala Malls, Manila Bay and 2022 Masskara Visayas Age Group Taekwondo Championships at SM City Bacolod on Sept. 3-4 and Oct. 15-16, respectively.

Gold medals were earned by Joshua Lopez, Pierre Dominique Rae Rose, and Alekz Gino Espinosa whilst a silver medal was awarded to Chleann Levi Robles during the 45th National Taekwondo Championship.

Seven of the participants were also able to secure medals in the 2022 Masskara Visayas Age Group Taekwondo Championships, namely: Pierre Dominique Rae Rose, Gold in Grade 11 Kyorugi category; Joshua Lopez, Gold in Grade 10 Kyorugi

category; Merishka Rainne Ablao and Jonna Fe Lachica, Gold and Silver in Grade 10 Poomsae category; Dian Jois Guitche and Alekz Gino Espinosa, Gold in Grade 6 Kyorugi; Chleann Levi Robles, Gold in Grade 4 Kyorugi; and Al Jireh Bofill participated in Grade 7 Kyorugi category.

“Ang mga ginteach sa akon sang mga coaches na use ko gid para ipadaog ang competition, ang pagiging disiplinado kag ang pagiging competitive are the key[s] to [winning] the competition.” Lopez proudly stated during the interview.

Backed with a healthy diet, these jins were able to achieve victory by training vigorously at Venancio Taekwondo Academy (VTA) and according to Lopez, VTA is open for invitations of future programs.

Blue Falcons cycle their way to the top. Filamer Blue Falcons Facebook

The team’s dynamic sprinting victory came just a month after Sequita nabbed gold in the 82nd Singapore Open Track and Field Championship 2022.

RAISING THE FLAG. Sequita proudly parades the Philippine flag after obtaining a medal for the country in the 31st SEA Games. Kenjay Sequita

HIGH KICK. Filamerian jins were all smiles after the competition triumph. FCU Mass Media

NICK ANDREI DESALES

THEA ABBIEGAIL DACULA

MA. ESTELLE ANTONETTE VAFLOR