21 minute read
and above to be vaccinated
Liberation by Lies
Fake news intended to fuel the campaign has put up an irony of persecution. It seems liars get away with crimes while the honest are stoned until their mouths are shut.
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This is evident over comments in social media enlightening and debunking claims of the Marcos Era being the 'golden years of the Philippines'. Statistics, researches, even eye-witness confessions, and mainstream media reports of the 21-year dictatorship are turned down by YouTube and TikTok videos from unverified sources setting Marcos's presidency as a standard.
From showing the ravishing infrastructure improvements during the Marcos era to showing how the economic standing of the country at the time is comparable to present Japan or Singapore, the barrage of inaccuracies in the Internet increased. While many dismember it, a lot of people are enticed and has pushed them to choose Bongbong as the next president.
This fake news is not only favoring the Marcos reelection but it even rubs salt in the reopened wounds and the thousand cuts of those still finding justice for their Martial Law losses. Fanatics now does not only invalidate facts but also cries for justice. And, sadly, it's working.
Bongbong Marcos now gains the upper hand in polls, racking up voters after voters with false information.
This kind of dilemma found on voter education was the subject of Ateneo School of Government's survey unit that studied the fake news susceptibility of over 30,000 youth.
The study found out that Duterte supporters have a "lower capacity" in distinguishing correct from false information. While 63% of the respondents said that they are “somewhat confident” about their abilities to identify false information, they only achieved a 6.9 average in the 10-item quiz.
The proponents then concluded that fake news susceptibility is likely caused by social media trust and mainstream media distrust.
All of this points out that voter education now includes identifying fake and real news. Platforms and promises are paired with political dynasty ambitions and achievements —
which, in the first place, are not even true. heightened if the lack continues.
Owning up the truths of Martial Law is not something However, we have the cognition and will to believe in Marcoses are known for and lies. If we continue to believe in these perpetuating such revisionisms With the denialisms and revisionisms, we are that benefit them is no surprise at fastening our bondage that will tie the all. Both Imee and Bongbong’s unprecedented crisis country again to ineffective governance. educational attainment have been And if one candidate cannot admit a questionable and their claims have we have, the next simple truth, how are we supposed to feel been discredited by their respective his/her promises will materialize? Bear in schools. president’s integrity mind, lies cannot be used to set anything If we cannot allow liars in the Senate, let it be in the highest is surely sought after — or anyone — free. Sounds familiar? We all know what executive position also. With the unprecedented crisis we have, by the people. We can only set us free. At present, Bongbong Marcos is the next president’s integrity is surely sought after by the people. should be sick of now reaping the misinformation-sown harvest of voters. He has promised We should be sick of another bad and liar leader. The government another bad and liar unifying leadership to bring the country together once again and into an economic can intensify impairing fake news through corroborative efforts with leader. skyrocket. But if these promises end up with lies, like what Marcoses are social media platforms. Existing currently perpetuating, a dictator empire’s voter education programs intended to further inject to society restoration might be imminent and we might be more than the importance of civic rights and responsibilities must be shackled than ever.
Prince IT Building, Don Honorio Ventura State University, Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga 2011
theindustrialistdhvsu@gmail.com
TheIndustrialistDHVSU theindusdhvsu
EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF A.Y. 2021-2022
JOHN DERRICK J. CORDOVA Editor-in-Chief | RONNEL B. TIONGCO Associate Editor | DANIEL LOUIS Y. MALLARI Managing Editor – External and Sports Editor | BEATRIX B. MALINAO Managing Editor - Internal | PATRICK BRYAN H. PORRAS News Editor | KYLIE MAE B. ABEGONIA Features Editor | JOHN ZENRICK N. VALDEZ Development Communication Editor | STEPHEN ROY T. GALANG Literary and Capampangan Editor | JERWIN F. BANGELES Art Director | CYRYLLE DAPHNE Z. OCAMPO Head Photojournalist | EDWIN JOSHUA L. DUNGCA Multimedia Editor | FRANCES R. DE LEON Chief Layout Artist | JOLO ADAM G. ROQUE Circulations Manager
JULIUS L. CARLOS, JOSE S. ZARAGOZA III, CARLO T. SAMIA, JOHN MARCO B. NUCUM, RODNEY C. LIWANAG, JOSHUA NIKOLAI B. DABU, JONEL M. NEVALES, BRIX DENIEL C. MENDOZA, EDDIE MARIE R. TALENS, IRISH NICOLLETE T. SICAT Senior Staff
LOVELY ANGEL ALCANTARA, JOHN ALEXIS DELA CRUZ, JANINE ERIKA TORNO, KENEDICK TOLOSA, MARK ERBERT PANGILINAN, JEVELYN JULAO, MAYNARD BUAN, PATRICIA LAINE TURLA, RYZA CARMELA SALTA, KYLA DIZON, ANGELICA ROMERO, CATHERINE VALERIO, KLARENCE LAYUG, ELLYZA DEL FIN, MARC NAVIDA, NATHALIE MIRANDA, JAREN KYLE CASTRO, DYAN THERESE LIM, RUDOLF IAN CANLAS, PAUL CHESTER GALANG, KYLA JIN GREGORIO, DANNIA BONDOC, CYRIX BITUI, MARK ANTHONY MESINA, JADE DUANA, ARLENE PAGUIO Junior Staff
MS. ANTONIA B. FERNANDEZ, DR. CHONA M. NAVARRO Advisers
Ridding a byline’s essence
An article is set on a pedestal not only by the power of its persuasion or information. Typically, except for an editorial, all newspaper write-ups are endeared with bylines.
Back when I was starting to write for the publication, I realized how some of my colleagues dreamt of seeing their names on the issues. I see nothing wrong with it. I might be slowly turned into one as well.
That, perhaps, was the time I realized, bylines do not only drive eyes but also pens. Bylines build individuals who will serve the people unconditionally. The glory it brings to the authors eventually transforms into a passion that sets them to push for change.
Then the byline’s impact planted in my mind, we had to use pseudonyms. With red-tagging and arrests with faked-up charges against journalists and progressive groups booming, fear engulfed the wonder of a byline. There was a reason to cover up. Cancel culture, death threats, and cyberbullying thrown to people who expressed opinion and news in a manner of exercising their duties were rampant. Our editor required us to employ aliases on articles to protect us.
Making us danger-exempted whilst still expressing our desires was a move from my editor that I never despised and never do I loathe those who use pseudonyms to serve the same purpose – it was the circumstances that made us do it. I’ve always hated it when we were supposed to be heard but then silenced. The accountability put up by a byline numerously has credited the facts journalists present as fake, dumb-founded, and bayaran. Seeking refuge, the simple glory a byline provides has been derailed from its path of becoming essential for the society. When a byline is ridded of its essence, we are losing catalysts. It may be a mere suppressing of a volume yet it’s almost equivalent of silencing it. A subdued voice still
needs to be heard — on this case — clearly. Bylines may be a petty way to satisfy an esteem. However, the mere smile it puts on young journalists builds them to become vital in the society.
It’s such a shame to see how these people lose their passion due to the fear of putting their names to credit the article they
ENDS UNMET
John Derrick J. Cordova
derik081500@gmail.com Editor-in-Chief
| to page 16
When the Tags are Red, How Do You See Them?
Activism in the Philippines can be traced back to the rich history of many uprisings and revolutions. Notably during the momentous Spanish colonization and, more recently, during the Martial Law era. Led predominately by youth leaders, the masses took the initiative to topple both abusive governments.
At the height of the Marcos dictatorship, activism grew further. Universities became harbors for initiating the anti-dictator movements with students as its driving force. Years after the Marcos dictatorship, student activism has not left the sociopolitical arena of our country. Regardless of the person sitting in the palace, activism has played a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s state and progress. Recently, since the Duterte administration rose to power, there have been more reasons why many students have become activists. Many even join progressive national democratic mass organizations such as Anakbayan and League of Filipino Students. Seeing how his administration orchestrates extrajudicial killings, red-tagging of progressive organizations and individuals,
TIBAK
Carlo T. Samia
carlosamia00@gmail.com Senior Writer
mediocre efforts to stand against China on our maritime dispute, among others, arouse critical minds to exhibit dissent. History has shown similar patterns as to why students mobilize themselves. It may
be due to a looming threat to our democracy, abuse of power, and human rights violations. These lead students to create or join organizations that collectively push for what is deemed better for the greater masses, so much so that it includes joining the struggle and immersing oneself with thriving communities to better understand the plight they live with daily. One significant reason I see why students become activists is that universities are the perfect places where they can grow as individuals in various facets of life, whether it be academically, socially, or politically, indifferent or opposing spectrums of a particular cause. It is a ground where they can foster critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the material state of the country in different aspects. Universities enable them to share their ideas to realize things that could help in the nation development, influence others to fight for the same cause, and materialize their ideals all the while being in a nurturing collective. In a time when our nation is in peril, some are willing to give so much for this country when to do so meant extreme sacrifice. Despite the relentless efforts of the government to bury them and their ideals, many still | to page 16
Defenseless Armor: Never Again
It’s more stressful in the Philippines!
As I walked down the street, I saw darkness, change, and isolation. Captivating smiles were covered by thin clothes. Hopeful faces were concealed by plastic barriers; behind these is a foggy sight, just as our future remains vague and uncertain.
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic gave nascence to face shields. On August 15, 2020, all passengers were required to wear face shields in any mode of public transportation. Full-coverage face shields were mandated in all public places on December 14, 2020 by the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). For the government, face shields are armors against an invisible hostile — the COVID-19 virus. However, many Filipinos staunchly believed that these are inept. A survey in February 2021 showed that 6 in 10 individuals adhere to the face shield requirement. The removal of face shields to places under Alert Level 3 and lower on November 15, 2021 sent people into ecstasies.
VIGILANT’S BREVISH SHOT
Lovely P. Alcantara lovelyangelmariealcantara@gmail.com Junior Writer
The World Health Organization (WHO) never required its use as a “well-fitting threelayer mask” is enough. We can be exposed to COVID-19 even with face shields as it is also airborne; it can stay in air particles for several minutes or an hour. An article in “Physics of Fluids” suggests employing a “plainlydesigned, high quality cloth or surgical mask,” instead of face shields or masks with exhale valves. When face shields were first required, many businesses engaged in capitalism. Foreign countries like China became the ultimate beneficiaries as the market was controlled in a motive to earn higher profit. Importers gained monopoly power, enabling them to charge higher prices. Philippines invested much on face shield that could not even provide the protection it was designed to give. Plastics are indeed pliable. Whenever I go to supermarkets or ride a public vehicle, I see people transforming their face shields into fans, visors against the sun, or placeholders. We cannot
blame these people since it is uncomfortable to wear. It only adds to the heat we feel and makes it harder for us to breathe. Will this favorable dismissal still | to page 16
“I t’s more fun in the Philippines!” Well, that is true solely for the tourist attractions which are limited today concerning the ongoing pandemic that also shows how corrupt the government is as well as the narrow-minded Filipinos, leading to more problems in the Philippines!
With what is happening in the Philippines, I cannot help but feel stressed as a teenager along with my friends and family and I know we are not the only ones experiencing it. So, to start with, our land has a misogynist, brutal, biased, bad-mouthing president with its “fans protecting him at all costs”.
Well, I know that every country has been touched by this pandemic, however, our thirdworld country may have been pinched too with more poverty that it saddens me how corrupt
SOMETHING NOT THAT NEW
Ryza Carmela L. Salta
salta.ryzacarmela.l@gmail.com Junior Writer
people took advantage of what is happening like PhilHealth’s stolen 15 billion pesos. Imagine, millions of poor Filipinos becoming poorer because of the circumstances yet there are rich people only getting richer; life is not unfair, people are. However, look how perplexing many Filipinos are for wanting to vote for another corrupt politician as a president. It doesn’t even matter what were the situations when martial law in our country was imposed because, like how the mistakes of the father aren’t the fault of his child/children, it is the same as the difference between the capabilities of the two; in short, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. is different from the Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Besides, why would you choose a man involved with the pork-barrel scam, unapologetic to those victims in martial law, human rights abuse, tax evasion case, faked diploma, and human rights abuse rather than those who have clean tax declaration and excellent credentials? Thus, Marcos apologists are a product of miseducation that shows many Filipinos are, I am not saying this to discriminate them but to be aware how it can affect everyone’s life by that; remember, today, with much free educational information, ignorance is a choice. You can’t say you want a better country if you support “those” kind of people. In addition to it, integrity is questionable on someone who failed to be active during the pandemic. Nonetheless, unprivileged isn’t a choice because mostly nowadays, no matter how hardworking people are, if there are dishonesties on how our system is running especially in hard times, there will always be no choice for those in poverty. Speaking of poverty, completing our education background is still important and guarantees more potential to | to page 16
Standing in 2022, which is the start of an election year. And again, it is also a year where supporters of every politician surface — a year where an individual's character is judged according to their political views.
Three people or situations that we can relate to during the election year. An apolitical person is regarded as reckless because they are uninterested in politics. Second, becoming vocal of the students, are being stereotyped by the elders because of their involvement in politics, though students are stating facts for everyone to know. And lastly, those people that take their political views during some life’s critical part, specifically in education.
Education is a mere fact that we, students, are supposed to have education as the foundation for our path in the future. But how will it turn into a foundation if, upon building it, someone comes to force us to believe a stand — the wrong one. And the number one rule of building a foundation is you can’t build a weak one.
To think, it is very puzzling how the heroism of Rizal during his time fueled by the Spanish cronies is taught in a history class while dropping persuasions to students to support an incompetent politician. Considering
The Tell-Tale
ERGO
Jolo Adam G. Roque
roque.joloadam.g99@gmail.com
Circulations Managaner everyone’s different capacities, this can change the knowledge of politicians.
We, students, are supposed to gauge crucial decisions in life, like in education, where success is in the line. We, youths, are
supposed to reveal the truth, stand the truth, and always with the truth. We cannot let someone change the truth. "***** is my president. No matter what you believe, align yourself with what I believe," this is the first thing you will hear at the start of your class. What will you do? Stand
It's more stressful...
from page 15 | succeed than not completing it, however, teenage pregnancy, that halts a lot of student's educations, looms to give a heavier burden to families. Furthermore, COVID cases are rapidly growing again and that should not be a question because many individuals carelessly enjoy their life without thinking of the consequences with the virus still lingering despite the declining cases at that time, like the “Poblacion girl” who prioritizes her enjoyment over the well-being
Ridding a byline's...
from page 14 | poured their talents into.
Sadly, leading up to ridding bylines is ridding the the will to wield the pen. And this consequence comes from delivering the truth halted by intimidation.
Today’s public embrace of journalism is full of paradox. How can someone be persecuted for being honest? of others; selfish, isn’t it? So, stand, speak, and act with what is right and best with the knowledge as power; do not let ignorance and fear engulf us since it can flow individuals through the roughness which majority of the Filipinos are experiencing, only those tough can survive.
Defenseless Armor...
from page 15 | continue and make Filipinos be thrilled to bits? As the Omicron variant cases continued to soar, many were afraid of the face shields’ impending return considering that this newly-detected variant spreads faster than the previous ones. Sadly, the defenseless armor that’s supposed to protect us appears to be just another capitalist revenue fueled by our suffering. The people surely need more than this. It would surely be more favorable for the people if investments went on amelioration programs, rectifying health measures, and ensuring quality life amidst the pandemic. with your belief, or just change your stand though you see it wrong? It is terrifying to see yourself accompanying someone who has gone outside of the truth. People with opposing ideas will pressure themselves, which causes them to disregard their opinions and change their beliefs to have an exemplary performance for their class.
An individual's education is one of the most important parts of our life. When we are going to hone our skills and understanding and create a mind that analyzes the situation and will pick the best choice among the choices. But what if those who are supposed to hone our decision-making are the ones drilling their decisions in our minds? And what if they are succeeding?
Others' beliefs should not press the education of someone, education is for everyone, and everyone refers to every human with different background and belief. We must not take our belief in the most essential part of our life where our future is at stake. We must remember to focus on things we can gain from, not those that will bring us down further.
When the Tags...
from page 14 | chose to walk the line of fire in the hopes of progressing the nation and helping the masses. Some even got killed for being the voice of the underrepresented sectors; the farmers, peasants, indigenous people, Lumads, even women, and the LGBTQIA+ community. As a national democratic mass organization member, I am often asked why I joined such an organization. Seeing how evidently dangerous it is to participate given all the state-sponsored killings and red-tagging student activists are subjected to. To answer, I believe that activism is something that I do not do just because I enjoy it but because I need to. Never did I even imagine that I would be joining an NDMO. Nor attend rallies as my relatives constantly warned me not to join protests even before I went to college. Still, my being an activist is partly because I am a university student. I have the privilege of having the education that allows me to critically analyze information about specific issues. However, as an individual, I can only go so far as to act for what I stand for, but joining a collective means being able to stand side by side with people who share the same values and ideals as me.
Honorian's Reservoir of Guilty Pleasures
by Julius L. Carlos | Photos by Cyrylle Daphne Z. Ocampo and Julius L. Carlos
Amouth-watering essence conquers the Honorians’ sense of smell, superb displays of the kaleidoscope of colors are served on the very eyes of students, and a plate of guilty pleasures fills everyone’s stomach. All these boil down to one- carinderia.
A carinderia is a Filipino term used to refer to a local eatery that sells and serves meals. More so, carinderia is also a food stall with a small eating area that is typically in a market, school, and even at a roadside. This is also known as “turo-turo” which means “pointpoint” because customers are usually pointing out their orders. The term carinderia was coined in the 1920s. Looking into its precious and classic history, it was named “karihan” where the native Filipino dish “kare-kare” was served. The karehan originated way back in the time of Indians or the so-called sepoys who married Filipinas and resided in Taytay and Cainta. By then, they called curry dishes by the street and eventually karehan turned into carinderia.
For as much as food is a basic necessity, food stands or stalls such as carinderia play a pivotal role in providing the meals of each person. A starving stomach will be fulfilled through the consumption of one’s favorite food. Carinderias also serve as a last resort for those who are struggling in cooking, for those who do not have time to take a breakfast or lunch in the house as well as for those who want to make things smooth and have their breakfast instead as they go into the school. Even during the face-to-face classes, the Honorians spent most of their days and times in the school, and to sustain the rest of the day in the university, they choose a carinderia which fits their preferences.
So much so, there are a lot of notable carinderias in the vicinity of the university where Honorians can choose among the wide array of list of carinderias offering the plates of their guilty pleasures. There are carinderias situated in the public market, beside and in front of the College of Education (COE), in the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) as well as the famous so-called international eatery of the university-Honorians’ very own “Dubai”. Moreover, the carinderias are taking 5-7 hours of preparation to offer mouthwatering and budget-friendly meals to the Honorians, which is why it is very significant to say that carinderias have been anchored in every student’s life.
Meanwhile, these are the common and best seller meals according to the survey conducted to 60 selected Honorians. There are 31.7% of the total respondents/Honorians who said that Sisig is the best seller on the menu of the eatery. Another 18.3% emphasized that Fried chicken is the most common and best-seller. Also, 10% of the total respondents placed Sinigang as one of the common meals and best menus offered. Other common meals are: burger steak, adobo, kare-kare, chicken roll, chicken inasal, porkchop, kaldereta, lumpiang gulay, giniling, bistig, and afritada. In a nutshell, these viands seemed and were deemed as best sellers for it satisfies the pocket, the stomach, and the guilty pleasures of every Honorians.
Kapampangans by nature are food lovers and are considered as good navigators in the sea of a vast array of ingredients, meals, and dishes. Hence, Kapampangan, from time to time, filled every stomach with an aromatic smell and served every person with mouthwatering dishes.
About the budget of meals, the data gathered among the selected respondents elicited that most of the Honorians said that their budget ranges from P50-P100 as to why they are choosing a place to eat that offers budget-friendly meals. Corollary to the aforementioned, the data also revealed that Honorians have considerations in choosing a carinderia such as the price of the meal, quality and quantity of it, ambiance of the eatery that can make them feel at home, and lastly, the rapport of the owner towards the students. These considerations equate to their budget and satisfy their pleasures which eventually bring people to cloud nine that | to page 27
